PISC Publications and News Features
Joel Fein co-authored research highlighting the protective role of supportive adults in mitigating intergenerational transmission of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Using data from over 1,000 households, the study found that children with strong connections to supportive adults had lower odds of adversity, even when parents faced high ACE exposure. The findings underscore the critical role of nurturing relationships in breaking cycles of trauma.
Read the study: Disrupting Intergenerational Flow of Childhood Adversities.
Dave Humphreys, led a study estimating the growth of the U.S. civilian firearm stock, projecting an increase from 378 million firearms in 2022 to 565 million by 2034 under current trends. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, highlights how modest increases in firearm attrition rates (from 1% to 3%) could reduce the stock by over 115 million.
Improved infrastructure, such as enhanced buyback programs and services for unwanted firearm disposal, may help mitigate the risks associated with this growing stockpile. Read more: Full Study.
Gabriela Khazanov, a research psychologist with the Philadelphia VA and the University of Pennsylvania, co-authored a groundbreaking study on the impact of collaborative care in primary care settings. The research, featured in Healthcare Innovation, highlights improvements in depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation among patients receiving integrated behavioral health services at Penn Medicine. Read more.
In a Penn Injury Science Center Core Research Project led by Kate McDonald and Kit Delgado, and including Kevin Rix, Jeff Ebert, and Doug Wiebe, researchers found that adolescent drivers using handheld cellphones showed higher rates of risky driving behaviors like hard braking and rapid acceleration. Findings suggest telematics apps could be useful in monitoring and reducing such behaviors. “Smartphone telematics applications provide a valuable tool for studying driving behavior and for developing interventions to improve safety,” said McDonald. “By identifying risky behaviors, we can develop targeted interventions to help teens become safer drivers.” Read more and access the article.
In a study led by Desmond Patton and Shana Kleiner, researchers examined how Black Harlem residents express grief and daily stressors on social media in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, policy brutality, and mass shootings, highlighting unique language patterns and the role of digital platforms in emotional support. Findings underscore the importance of understanding digital expressions for effective mental health support. Read more.
A study co-authored by Millan AbiNader, and colleagues Laurie Graham and Julie Kafka who presented last year at The Incubator, examined youth suicides linked to intimate partner violence (IPV), revealing higher odds of physical IPV among victims and psychological IPV among perpetrators. Findings suggest the need for integrated IPV and suicide prevention strategies for young people. Read more.
A study led by Dan Corwin with Kate McDonald, Tina Master, and Kristy Arbogast examined the sociodemographic factors influencing pediatric concussion care settings. Findings show that children in the ED are more likely to be non-Hispanic Black, have public insurance, and live in lower opportunity areas, underscoring the need for equitable resources. Read more.
A scoping review by Millan AbiNader examined studies on perpetrators of violence against children in Sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting gaps in research on interventions targeting perpetrators. Findings show caregivers, intimate partners, and peers are the most common perpetrators in these settings. Read more.
A team led by Gina South found that urban areas with less greenspace in Philadelphia had higher rates of child maltreatment reports and CPS involvement. The findings suggest that more neighborhood greenspace may protect against CPS involvement. Read more.
A report led by Erick Guerra evaluated the impact of speed cameras on Philadelphia’s Roosevelt Boulevard, finding significant reductions in crashes, injuries, and fatalities after installation. Despite these improvements, additional safety measures are needed. Read more.
Michelle Kondo and colleagues analyzed four sources of greenspace data in Philadelphia, revealing significant differences in how park boundaries are mapped. These inconsistencies may impact research on the relationship between greenspace exposure and health. Read more.
Research led by Kristy Arbogast analyzed head acceleration data from 98 NFL players, revealing that 59% of the most severe head acceleration events were caused by facemask impacts. This highlights the need for improved facemask designs and changes in player techniques to reduce these impacts. Read more.