Current Research in the PERT Lab
Implicit Measurement of Motives for Non-suicidal Self-injury
The goal of this longitudinal study is to examine the role of emotion regulation, self-punishment, and interpersonal motives (assessed through the use of self-report and performance on three novel Implicit Association Tests) as a prospective predictor of non-suicidal self-injury among young adults. Funded by a 4-year grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (PIs: Chapman and Gratz; Co-Investigator: Tull).
Emotion Regulation Difficulties in Substance dependent patients
The PERT Lab is conducting studies in collaboration with several Oriana House affiliated community-based correctional facilities providing substance use disorder treatment. These studies are seeking to clarify the roles of interpersonal and intrapersonal emotion regulation in substance use outcomes (e.g., relapse, cravings).
Values and physical activity in cancer survivors
In collaboration with Drs. Andrew Geers and Debra Boardley, Dr. Tull is examining the connection between affect, values, and physical activity levels among cancer survivors at the UTMC Eleanor N. Dana Cancer Center. A brief values-based group intervention for increasing physical activity among cancer survivors is currently being investigated through an uncontrolled trial.
opioid use and suicide
The PERT Lab is conducting laboratory and prospective studies focused on identifying potential factors that may account for high rates of suicidal ideation and attempts among individuals with an opioid use disorder.
Predictors of Psychopathology following traumatic exposure
In collaboration with Dr. Xin Wang in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toledo Medical Center, the PERT Lab is conducting studies examining factors (e.g., emotion regulation, reward responsiveness) that may predict the development of different forms of psychopathology (e.g., PTSD, depression) following exposure to a traumatic event. Participants are being recruited through hospital emergency departments and trauma units.
Other research in the PERT LAB
A number of additional studies are being conducted in the PERT Lab on a variety of topics. Additional studies include: (1) examination of interpersonal and intrapersonal emotion regulation in the generational transmission of borderline personality disorder; (2) development of a novel online group chat social rejection paradigm; (3) development of a behavioral measure of emotion regulation; (3) development of new measures of suicide-related constructs; and (4) an examination of self-injurious thoughts and behaviors among adolescents recruited from an inpatient setting.