The Couple Adjustment to Stress and Trauma (CAST) Laboratory broadly aims to advance our understanding of the impact of stress and trauma on intimate relationships. The research concentrates on
Identifying risk and protective factors of individual and relationship distress following stress and trauma.
Developing and evaluating couple-based interventions for populations at greater risk for trauma exposure (e.g., military, Veteran, and marginalized populations).
Measurement development and evaluation of psychometric concerns related to the assessment of couple functioning including cross-cultural equivalence.
Community Couple Acute Stress and Trauma Study - This study aims to identify individual and relational risk and protective factors of adverse reactions to acute stress. Data collection has been completed. The main findings paper has been published in Psychophysiology and additional manuscripts in Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice.
"Up-armoring" At-Risk Military Couples - This is a prospective study funded by the Department of Defense Military Operational Medicine Research Program designed to improve our understanding of the longitudinal course of young military couples from enlistment to their first duty station. Data collection has been completed and manuscripts are in preparation.
"Up-armoring" Military Couples: Early Intervention and Strengthening Military Families - This study was funded by the Department of Defense Military Operational Medicine Research Program as a follow-on to the prospective study of military couples from enlistment to their first duty station. This study aims to adapt, implement, and evaluate a stepped, couple intervention on entry-level military couples. The web-based adaptation of the treatment and RCT data collection has been completed and manuscripts are in preparation.
Integrated Brief Alcohol and PTSD Intervention for Veterans in Primary Care - This research, funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, aims to develop and evaluate an integrated brief intervention for those Veterans suffering from comorbid alcohol use and PTSD in a primary care setting. Treatment development and the pilot RCT have been completed and the main findings paper has been published in Behavior Therapy.
Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Couples in the Military - This study is funded by the Department of Defense Army Medical Research and Material Command and aims to understand the unique experiences of LGB military couples and factors affecting their individual, relationship, and occupational health. Data collection and recruitment were halted and plans for research advocacy in this area are underway. A manuscript outlining the challenges of this research has been published in Military Psychology.
Sexual Minority Health and Health Disparities - This study uses a mixture of qualitative and quantitative methods to examine couple-level minority stress as well as stigma and barriers related to help-seeking for lesbian, gay, and bisexual couples. This research is funded by the SUNY Presidential Diversity Research Grant. Data collection has been completed and several manuscripts has been published including in Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity.
LGB+ Couple Minority Stress Study - Pilot data have been collected testing a novel minority stress-specific trauma analog using a multi-method experimental approach to understanding intraindividual and interpersonal reactivity and recovery from a stressor related to one's marginalized sexual identity. Data are being processed and analyzed for inclusion in grant submission for a fully powered study.
Guatemalan Youth Migration Study - This study, funding pending by the International Office of Migration Guatemala and the United States Agency for International Development, aims to identify the impact of gender-based violence and other psychological and social risk and protective factors on Guatemalan youths' propensity toward irregular migration.
**Notification of Suspension received 01/29/2025 following U.S. President Trump’s Executive Order on Reevaluating and Realigning United States Foreign Aid.
Graduate students in the CAST Lab are involved in all aspects of ongoing research activities and are encouraged to bring their own interests to enrich existing projects as well as initiate their own independent investigations.
Please check out the additional exciting research projects conducted by the CAST Lab's current graduate students under our "People" page
The CAST lab implements a variety of methodologies to examine complex and systemic mechanisms impacting acute stress and trauma responses. Some of our methods include:
Physiological
We gather measurements of impedance cardiography, respiration, and skin conductance using wearable, mobile devices. Our physiological data acquisition system is fully integrated with a video/audio system to synchronize across physiological and behavioral measures.
Behavioral
Our lab captures individual and couple-level behavioral measurements using a premium audio/video system that is fully integrated with physiological measurements.
Biological
We collect saliva samples via passive drool methods to measure biological indicators of stress. We examine systemic cortisol levels and cytokine functioning such as interleukin 1 beta and interleukin 6.
Affective
Finally, we collect self-report data on affective experiences as well as historical trauma and adversity.
CAST Lab Director: Christina Balderrama-Durbin, Ph.D.