Research & Projects

Dr. Cromer conducts research that addresses the prevention and treatment of psychological trauma that can be experienced in response to adverse life experiences. Dr. Cromer is passionate about social justice and works to build human resilience to adversity in at-risk and disadvantaged populations. Dr. Cromer’s prevention work is informed by mindfulness and cognitive behavioral theories, aimed to help people improve self-regulation, sleep, and develop a healthy, flexible cognitions. Dr. Cromer and her team are researching the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares in Children (CBT-NC), helping youth ages 6-17 sleep better. Related work in her lab explores assessment of pediatric sleep, and different aspects of the course and etiology of nightmares as they relate to possible suicidal thoughts and behaviors in youth.

Dr. Cromer is cultivating an area of research concentration in historical trauma. She has published on the important distinction between historical trauma the intergenerational transmission of trauma. She has examined how family communication about historical trauma, identity, and betrayal trauma relate to experiences of historical trauma. Along with her historian colleague, Dr. Kristen Oertel, she is developing an academic undergraduate minor in Historical Trauma and Transformation. Dr. Cromer’s lab takes a culturally humble approach to our work.

Current Studies

Clinical Outcomes of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Nightmares in Children (CBT-NC)
The CBT-NC Project (in collaboration with Dr. Tara Buck at OU School of Community Medicine Child Psychiatry) is a randomized, controlled clinical trial of a nightmare treatment for children aged 6-17. CBT-NC is a five session therapy that requires no medications or overnight visits. All therapy sessions occur over telehealth. We are enrolling participants now. For more information, please contact us at 918-631-3242 or email lep0204@utulsa.edu for an appointment. Therapy is provided free and all research assessments are compensated with gift cards.

Is student-athlete intention to remain enrolled impacted by racial stress and university responses to stressors? Applying institutional betrayal to college retention
Jack Stimson is collecting data for his dissertation project focusing on factors important to student-athlete retention. He is particularly interested in the experiences of student-athletes of color at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as well as Predominately White Universities. The study is currently in its data analysis phase.

Examining Ethnic Identity and Institutional Responses to Antisemitism Experienced by Jewish American College Students
Under the advisement of Dr. Cromer, Aviva Johns is conducting research that investigates the connection between present-day antisemitism and Jewish historical trauma, as well as exploring how factors such as ethnic identity and university responses to antisemitism may affect Jewish college students’ mental health.  The study is currently in its data analysis phase. No data is being collected at this time.   

Examining the Psychosocial Impacts of Historical Trauma on Guåhan
Brooke Pangelinan’s study examines how awareness of historical trauma relates to psychological distress among the indigenous people of Guåhan/Guam. Additionally, the research explores how colonial mentality and ethnic identity might influence this relationship. The study is not currently accepting participants and is in the data analysis stage. Results are anticipated by Fall 2024. For inquiries about the findings, please contact bap2853@utulsa.edu.

Past Studies

Development of the Structured Clinical Interview of Sleep Disorders in Children
Lab alum and current post-doctoral fellow, Mollie Rischard Kimrey, PhD, developed and tested the inter-rater reliability of a Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-TR Sleep Disorders in Kids (SCISD-Kid, Rischard et al., 2024). For inquiries related to the measure, including how to access and training opportunities, please email Dr. Rischard at mer597@utulsa.edu.

Student Health, Athletic Performance and Education (SHAPE) Project
In collaboration with TITAN, we have collected data from over 400 NCAA Division I athletes at TU. We have assessed the overall need for psychological services and examining how athletes’ current life stressors relate to sleep, injury incidence and recovery, as well as athletic performance. This was a longitudinal study with annual assessments. The results of this student informed evidence-based psycho-educational interventions related to sleep hygiene, time management, goal setting, stress reduction, and mental toughness. Psycho-educational interventions are offered to student-athletes and teams at no cost. No data is being collected at this time.

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University of Tulsa Pre-Candidacy Projects

Lauren Prince (2024)
Investigating predictors of initiation, persistence, and outcome in a cognitive behavioral therapy for children with nightmares

Elissar El Sabbagh (2022)
A systematic review of nightmare prevalence in school-aged children

Aviva Johns (2021)
Examining the role of family communication and identity in understanding the impact of historical trauma

Jack Stimson (2020)
Studying possible predictors of injury in football players

Brooke Pangelinan (2020) 
Examining nightmare distress and frequency changes across treatment, in children

Devin Barlaan (2018)
A pilot study: The relationship between adverse childhood experience (ACEs), parenting stress and efficacy among military and veteran parents

Mollie Rischard (2018)
The role of executive function in predicting children’s outcomes in a cognitive behavioral therapy for trauma-related nightmares

Kristen Gray (2017)
Examining posttraumatic nightmare content in children and its relation to posttraumatic psychopathology

Danielle Zanotti (2014)
Family deployment preparedness, reintegration attitudes, and PTSD symptoms in military fathers with young children

Emily Kaier (2013)
Adverse childhood experiences: Allostatic load and health among elite athletes

Ashley Louie (2013)
Military family stress and resilience

Katherine Cunningham (2012)
Human trafficking myth acceptance, sexual trauma history, and attitudes about trafficking victims

University of Tulsa Senior Projects

Adrian Melton (2023), TURC project 
Examining African American Historical Trauma

Cecilia Nguyen (2023)
The Impact of Historical/Intergenerational Trauma among Southeast Asians 

Allie Morton (2021)
Examining the relationship of nightmares to suicidality in children

Andrew Helt (2020), TURC project 
Studying reasons for declining participation in clinical research of parents whose children are suffering from nightmares

Katie Sinor (2020)
An investigation of the impact on car accidents when high schools shift to later school start times

Hannah Walker (2018)
Promoting health and resilience on college campuses: An examination of the University of Tulsa’s bicycle encouragement program

Erin Camp (2016)
Examining the perceived cost and benefit of research participation among military mothers

Brandi Krieg (2015)
Examining the impact of stress on musculoskeletal injuries.

Isaura Enrique (2015)
Examining the effects of sleep hygiene in Hispanic children

Tom Gaus (2014)
Correlates of depression in athletes

Brooke Hinch (2014)
Examining the relationship between two measures of executive function in young children

Chase Winterberg (2013)
Attachment during military reintegration

Mitchell Johnson (2012)
Psychological help-seeking stigma among NCAA athletes

Kaylene Rojas (2012)
A study about the benefits of interacting with a therapy dog following a medical exam

Research In Action

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