Patricia A. Frazier Professor N571 Elliott, (612) 625-6863 pfraz@umn.edu Education Ph.D., 1988, University of Minnesota

Statement of Interests

My research interests lie at the interface of counseling psychology and social psychology. More specifically, I am interested in the application of social psychological theory and research to problems of concern to counseling psychologists. One major focus of my research has been to identify factors associated with adjustment to stressful or traumatic life events. I am particularly interested in the role of different aspects of perceived control in recovery from stressful life events and am in the process of developing a measure to assess perceived control over stressful events. I also am interested in the ways in which traumatic events can lead to positive changes in people's lives. To assess these changes I am conducting a multi-site prospective study of the effects of traumatic life events. The purpose of this study is to identify and assess individuals before and after they experience a traumatic event. Other current studies include the development of a measure of assumptions affected by trauma, a survey of returning veterans regarding returning to civilian life following combat, a study of partners' responsiveness to each other when discussing positive events, and a qualitative study of cultural differences in definitions of and responses to trauma.

Selected Publications

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., 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.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., 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., 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.