Dr. Witte's Prevention of Violence and Substance Use Research Lab investigates violence and substance use with a particuar emphasis on the young adult population. Findings from this research have direct implications for prevention programming.
Specific Areas of Focus
Bystander interventions and harm reduction strategiesWe study the ways in which college students take care of themselves and their friends in potentially dangerous situations involving sexual assault, dating violence, or substance use. Prevention programs can encourage these prosocial behaviors on college campuses, which can improve the health and safety of students.
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Social norms for violence and substance useWe investigate the "norms" surrounding dating violence, sexual assault, and substance use on college campuses. When a campus culture views these issues as "normal" or "okay," it perpetuates the behavior. Prevention programming can help correct these cultural norms, in turn, reducing the behavior.
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Outcomes of trauma and victimizationWe research outcomes of traumatic experiences, including posttraumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, and substance use. Timely interventions and trauma-informed prevention programming may help reduce these negative outcomes.
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Barriers to help-seekingWe study public attitudes (attributions of blame, stigmatizing attitudes, etc.) toward people who have substance use disorders or people who are involved in domestic violence or sexual assault. Public stigma often deters people from seeking treatment. Prevention efforts can help change attitudes and reduce stigma to encourage people to seek treatment early.
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Students in the lab
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The PVS Lab is housed in the Judy Bonner Child Development Center, which is located across the street from UA's University Medical Center, Student Health Center, and Recreation Center. The Judy Bonner Child Development Center is a state-of-the-art, 64K sq-foot research facility and is equipped with multi-media research technology and observation rooms.
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