Elana Newman

Elana Newman

McFarlin Professor of Psychology Lorton Hall 308-I
918-631-2836
elana-newman@utulsa.eduPersonal site

Dr. Newman's major area of work focuses upon assessing, understanding, and treating maladaptive responses to traumatic life events. In the past, this research has focused on developing a methods to measure trauma-related cognitive and affective themes, the assessment and nosology of complex PTSD, a longitudinal study of veterans, the development of a child interview for post-traumatic stress disorder, health outcomes and PTSD, and the role of PTSD in delinquency assessment and treatment. Most recently this work is focused on the intersection of journalism and traumatic stress studies including examining PTSD among journalists, reader response to news, and victims’ responses to news coverage about them. In conducting research with trauma survivors, Dr. Newman became intrigued by assumptions about the cost-benefits of trauma-related research; she has conducted research that focuses on participants' responses to research involvement, as well as a survey of opinions and prevalence of research risk among researchers. Since Dr. Newman is committed to educating the public and professionals about the meaning, aftermath, and treatment of psychological trauma, she has engaged in scholarship translating psychological knowledge about trauma into other fields of research. Papers have examined topics such as developmental disabilities and trauma, ethical teaching about violence, and head injury and trauma. Currently, she is collaborating with Dr. Davis on gene by environment interactions that affect vulnerability to PTSD and treatment response. Dr. Newman’s recent clinical work and research activities have expanded into the area of substance abuse and trauma. She is PI of the Oklahoma site for NIDA-funded Infant Development Environment and Lifestyle (IDEAL) study examining the developmental effects of methamphetamine. Given the importance of understanding the cultural and political context of violence, she also has expertise in gender issues and has some published work in the area and works with students interested in gender issues and multi-cultural issues.

Education and Degrees Earned

  • Ph.D. 1993 Clinical Psychology , Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
  • M.A. 1988 Psychology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
  • B.A. 1986 Psychology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri

Areas of Research Focus

  • Treatment and Assessment Center for Traumatic Stress (TACTS)

    • Previous Teaching Experience

    • 1990-1991 Instructor, Duke University, Department of Psychology Courses: Psychological Perspectives of Interpersonal Violence, History of Women in Psychology, Abnormal Psychology
    • 1998-1992 Teaching Assistant, Duke University, Department of Psychology Courses: Personality and Social Psychology, Social Psychology 

    Previous Relevant Work Experience

    • January 2002- September 08- Clinical and Research Consultant, Oklahoma Child Traumatic StressTreatment Collaborative, National Center for Child Traumatic Stress Network, SAMSHA
    • January 2002- June 2002- Director, Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma - Ground Zero, New York City, New York.
    • September 1993 - July 1996- Post-doctoral Fellow, National Center for PTSD/Boston Department of Veterans Affairs and Instructor, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
    • September 1992 - August 1993- Psychology Intern, Tufts University School of Medicine/Boston Department of Veterans Affairs Psychology Internship Consortium, Boston, Massachusetts.
    • January 1991 - March 1992- Duke Site Project Director, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina NIMH Study Title: “DSM-IV PTSD Clinical Research Trial.”

    Professional Affiliations

    • CCRD
    • TITAN

    Courses Taught at TU

    • Abnormal Psychology (Psy 3033)
    • Psychology of Women (Psy 4023)

    Awards & Recognition

    • Medicine Wheel Award, University of Tulsa, 2007
    • Oscar Parson’s Distinguished Lecturer Award, Oklahoma Psychological Association, Division of Research and Training, October 2002
    • President, International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies 2006-7
    • President's Medal for Meritorious Service, National Press Photographers Association, June 2001

    Publications


    • Rippy, A, & Newman, E. (2008) Adaptation of a scale of race related stress for use With Muslim Americans. Journal of Muslim Mental Health. 3, 53-68.

    • Ciechanowski, P.S., Walker, E. A., Russo, J.E., Newman, E., & Katon, W. (2004). Adult status of women HMO membes with posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. General Hospital Psychiatry, 26, 261-268.

    • Kassam-Adams, N. & Newman, E. (2005). Child and parent reactions to participation in research following pediatric traumatic injury. General Hospital Psychiatry, 27, 29-35.

    • Newman, E. & Franks, R. (2006) Child clinicians, tragedies, and the media: a guide for child therapists. National Child Traumatic Stress Network and Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma. http://www.dartcenter.org/articles/books/dc_publications.html

    • Carlson, E. B. Newman, E., Daniels, J. W., Armstrong, J., Roth, D. & Loewenstein, R. (2003) Distress in Response to and Perceived Usefulness of Trauma Research Interviews. Journal of Trauma and Dissociation, 4 (2), 131-142.

    • Newman, E., Risch, E*. & Kassam-Adams, N. (2006). Ethical Issues in Trauma-Related Research. Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics., 1, (3). 29-46.

    • Harrington, T. & Newman, E. (2007) Evaluating post-traumatic stress disorder among treatment engaged substance abusing women. Addictive Behaviors. 32, 2788–2798.

    • Newman, E., Davis, J.L., & Kennedy, S (2006). Journalism and the public during catastrophes. In (Eds.) Y. Neria, R. Gross, Marshall, & E. S. Strusser. 9-11: Mental Health in the Wake of a Terrorist Attack (pp. p. 178-196). Cambridge University Press. Cambridge, UK

    • Rippy, A. & Newman, E. (2006). Perceived religious discrimination and its relationship to anxiety and paranoia among Muslim Americans. Journal of Muslim Mental Health, 1, 5-20

    • Chaffin, M., Hanson, R., Saunders, B. E., Nichols, T., Barnett, T., Zeanah, C., Berliner, L., Egeland, B., Newman, E., Lyon, T., Letourneau, E. & Miller-Perrin, C. (2006). Report of the APSAC Task Force on Attachment Therapy, Reactive Attachment Disorder, and attachment problems. Child Maltreatment, 11, 76-89. (this article won the 2007 annual outstanding article award at APSAC and the 2008 Pro Humanitate Award)