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Patricia Frazier

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Coping with Stressful Life Events – A major focus of my research is to identify factors associated with adjustment to stressful or traumatic life events. Some of this work has focused on specific events (e.g., sexual assault, bereavement, combat, terrorism, chronic medical conditions, relationship breakups) and some has focused on traumatic events more generally. Recent and ongoing projects examine predictors of the development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), including pre-trauma characteristics of the individual, characteristics of the event, and posttrauma factors. One of the factors in which I am interested is individuals' perceptions of the amount of control they have over a traumatic event. Over the past few years, my students and I have conducted several studies designed to develop and validate a measure of past, present, and future control over stressful or traumatic life events. I also am particularly interested in the effects of various forms of interpersonal trauma (e.g., divorce, betrayal).

Posttraumatic Growth – To more fully understand the impact of traumatic events, including their potentially positive as well as negative effects, my earlier research examined the prevalence, course, and predictors of posttraumatic growth (i.e., perceptions of positive life changes following traumatic events, such as greater appreciation of life). More recently, my research has examined the validity of self-reports of posttraumatic growth by examining how self-reports of growth correspond to actual change from pre- to posttrauma and how growth may be manifest in actual prosocial behaviors following trauma.

Developing Innovative Interventions for Trauma Survivors - In one project, funded by a 5-year grant from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, my colleagues and I are testing the effectiveness of two-video based interventions for sexual assault survivors seen in the emergency room at a county hospital in Minneapolis. We are assessing whether these interventions can facilitate postassault adjustment. In another multi-year study funded by the Department of Defense and the Veteran's Administration, my colleagues and I are testing the effectiveness of an internet-based writing intervention for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. We are assessing whether writing about traumatic events can facilitate readjustment to civilian life. Finally, with grants from the University of Minnesota, my colleagues and I are conducting a qualitative study of Somali refugees in the Twin Cities to identify beliefs about, and barriers to using, Western mental health care. The ultimate goal of this project is to develop culturally-appropriate interventions for this group.

Primary Interests:

  • Applied Social Psychology
  • Causal Attribution
  • Close Relationships
  • Gender Psychology
  • Health Psychology
  • Interpersonal Processes
  • Applied Social Psychology
  • Causal Attribution
  • Close Relationships
  • Gender Psychology
  • Health Psychology
  • Interpersonal Processes

Journal Articles:

  • Anders, S., Frazier, P., & Frankfurt, S. (2011). Variations in Criterion A and PTSD prevalence rates in a community sample of women. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 26, 176-184.
  • Frazier, P. (2003). Perceived control and distress following sexual assault: A longitudinal test of a new model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84, 1257-1269.
  • Frazier, P. (2000). The role of attributions and perceived control in recovery from rape. Journal of Personal and Interpersonal Loss, 5, 203-225. Reprinted in J. H. Harvey and B. G. Pauwels (Eds.), Post traumatic Stress Theory, Research, and Application. Philadelphia: Bruner/Mazel.
  • Frazier, P.A., & Kaler, M.E. (2006). Assessing the validity of self-reported stress-related growth. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 74, 859-869.
  • Frazier, P., Anders, S., Perera, S., Tomich, P., Tennen, H., Park, C., & Tashiro, T. (2009). Traumatic events among undergraduate students: Prevalence and associated symptoms. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 56, 450-460.
  • Frazier, P., Conlon, A., & Glaser, T. (2002). Positive and negative life changes following sexual assault. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.
  • Frazier, P., Gavian, M., Hirai, R., Park, C., Tennen, H., Tomich, P., & Tashiro, T. (2010). Prospective predictors of PTSD symptoms: Direct and mediated relations. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy.
  • Frazier, P., Keenan, N., Anders, S., Perera, S., Shallcross, S., & Hintz, S. (i2011). Past, present, and future control and adjustment to stressful life events. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.
  • Frazier, P., Mortensen, H., & Steward, J. (2005). Coping strategies as mediators of the relations among perceived control and distress in sexual assault survivors. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52, 267-278.
  • Frazier, P., Steward, J., & Mortensen, H. (2004). Perceived control and adjustment to trauma: A comparison across events. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 23, 303-324.
  • Frazier, P., Tashiro, T., Berman, M., Steger, M., & Long, J. (2004). Correlates of levels and patterns of posttraumatic growth among sexual assault survivors. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72, 19-30.
  • Frazier, P., Tennen, H., Gavian, M., Park, C., Tomich, P., & Tashiro, T. (2009). Does self-reported post-traumatic growth reflect genuine positive change? Psychological Science, 20, 912-919.
  • Frazier, P., Tix, A., & Barnett, C. L. (2003). The relational context of social support: Relationship satisfaction moderates the relations between enacted support and distress. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 29, 1133-1146.
  • Frazier, P., Tix, A., & Barron, K. (2004). Testing moderator and mediator effects in counseling psychology research. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 51, 115-134.
  • Gunty, A., Frazier, P., Tennen, H., Tomich, P., Tashiro, T., & Park, C. (2010). Moderators of the relation between perceived and actual posttraumatic growth. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy.

Courses Taught:

  • Clinical Applications of Social Psychology
  • Counseling History and Theories
  • Counseling Outcome Research
  • Counseling Practicum
  • Counseling Sexual Violence Survivors
  • Ethics and Social Responsibility
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Psychological Tests and Measurements
  • Psychology of Women
  • Social Psychology Proseminar
  • Clinical Applications of Social Psychology
  • Counseling History and Theories
  • Counseling Outcome Research
  • Counseling Practicum
  • Counseling Sexual Violence Survivors
  • Ethics and Social Responsibility
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Psychological Tests and Measurements
  • Psychology of Women
  • Social Psychology Proseminar

Patricia Frazier
Department of Psychology
University of Minnesota
75 East River Road
Minneapolis, MN 55455
United States

Phone: (612) 625-6863
Fax: (612) 626-2079

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Last edited by profile holder: March 10, 2011
Visits since June 9, 2001: 20,265