Current Projects
Current Projects
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Dream And Nightmare Study (The DAN)
The primary goal of The DAN project is twofold. First, we aim to examine the feasibility of conducting Targeted Dream Incubation (TDI; A paradigm where auditory cues during pre-sleep stages are used to influence dream content) within a sample that experiences trauma-related nightmares. The second goal is to examine how TDI impacts Dream Self-Efficacy (the belief that one has some degree of control/autonomy of their dreaming life). The DAN Study is a three group RCT, where the groups are as follows: 1) TDI w/ trauma nightmare sample, 2) no-TDI w/ trauma nightmare sample, & 3) TDI w/ no trauma nightmare sample.
Project Status: Active
Healthy Dreaming
The primary goal of the Healthy Dreaming protocol is to examine dreaming as a predictive factor of physical wellbeing and mental health. We aim to use a longitudinal assessment of daily and nightly activity, with the aim of examining how nightly experiences (such as dreaming) impact following day outcomes (such as emotion regulation, mental health, and wellbeing).
Project Status: In Preparation
Cannabis for Sleep: Comparison of Subjective and Objective Sleep Quality (CSQ)
There is a growing sentiment of support that cannabis is an effective sleep aid, helping individuals with sleep difficulties to achieve healthier sleep, which contradicts current research literature. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate the potential differences between perceptions towards the effectiveness of cannabis as a sleep aid and the actuality of its impact in those individuals. By comparing the reported subjective sleep quality and measured objective sleep quality of frequent cannabis users, we will be able to investigate potential discrepancies. Additionally, we will examine potential discrepancies between participants' perceptions of their sleep and their reported subjective sleep quality to identify possible distortions in how they evaluate their sleep. Lastly, we will explore the differences between subjective and objective sleep quality, in regards to next day effects.
Project Status: In Preparation
Sexual Assault/Violence Exploration (SAVE)
This will investigate how trait-level protective (e.g., resilience, hope, post-traumatic growth) and risk factors (e.g., PTSD symptoms, lifetime trauma, perceived stress) interact with experiences of sexual trauma to impact overall and daily well-being. Through sexual assault survivor participation and combining clinical interviews, self-report measures, and longitudinal physiological data (e.g., sleep quality and activity levels), the study aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of both overall and daily influences on survivors’ wellbeing.
Project Status: In Preparation
Broad Assessment of Traumatic Symptoms & experiences (BATS)
The primary goal of the BATS study is to examine the prevalence rate of traumatic experiences and traumatic symptoms within our university’s student body. The BAT study aims to both better understand and serve UMKC’s student body, and to further explore the relationship between trauma, sleep, and mental health outcomes such as suicide.
Project Status: Active
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