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.
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.
Development of the Structured Clinical Interview of Sleep Disorders in Children
Mollie Rischard Kimrey is developing this structured clinical interview in collaboration with Dr. Cromer. We are enrolling families now. Children must be ages 8-17 and both child and a caregiver will be interviewed. Compensation is provided for this one-time, 90 minute interview and preliminary diagnostic information about sleep will be provided to participants. For more information, please contact us at 918-631-3242 or email 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.
University of Tulsa Pre-Candidacy Projects
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
12th Biennial Pediatric Sleep Medicine Conference 2023
American Psychological Association Convention 2023
Southern Regional Education Board Conference 2019
34th Annual ISTSS Meeting (2018)
21st Annual TU Research Day The University of Tulsa Student Research Colloquium, Tulsa, OK (2018)
33rd Annual ISTSS Meeting (2017)
7th Annual TU Research Day The University of Tulsa Student Research Colloquium, Tulsa, OK.
29th Annual ISTSS Meeting (2013)
15th annual University of Tulsa Student Research Colloquium and the 86th annual American Association for the Advancement of Science Regional Conference, Southwestern and Rocky Mountain Division (2012)
