Human beings are remarkable in their abilities to adapt to stressful circumstances; some have argued that it is in high-stress situations that people’s true natures are revealed. Many of the studies we conduct attempt to better identify the short- and long-term impacts of many different situations that tax or exceed people’s resources as well as their varied responses to these situations. For example, we conducted a longitudinal study during the COVID-19 pandemic with a national sample of Americans to study the unfolding impacts of this ongoing and widespread stressful situation.

Selected Publications:

Sinnott, S., Park, C. L., & Huedo-Medina, T. (2022). Cognitive coping reduces posttraumatic stress symptoms, especially in the context of self-blame. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 8, 1108–1127.

Davis, E. B., Van Tongeren, D. R., McElroy-Heltzel, S. E., Davis, D. E., Rice, K. G., Hook, J. N., Aten, J. D., Park, C. L., Shannonhouse, L., & Lemke, A. W. (2021). Perceived and actual posttraumatic growth in religiousness and spirituality following disasters. Journal of Personality, 89, 68-83.

Finkelstein-Fox, L., Huedo-Medina, T., & Park, C. L. (2020). Appraisal and coping link sexual victimization history to emotional experience: A multilevel daily diary study. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(9–10), NP6159–NP6185.

Lee, S. Y., Park, C. L., & Pescatello, L. S. (2020). How trauma influences stress reactions: Posttraumatic stress, cognitive appraisals, and cardiovascular responses. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 43, 131–142.

Lee, S. Y., & Park, C. L. (2018). Trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress, and preventive health behaviors: A systematic review. Health Psychology Review, 12, 75-109.