Projects

This NIDA-funded R61/R33 study (PIs: Jarnecke & Saraiya) will involve co-creating a digital toolkit to screen for intimate partner violence and associated mental health conditions in three opioid treatment programs in South Carolina. Following the development of the toolkit, it will be tested in a dissemination and implementation trial with the hope that it significantly increases the number of people screened for partner violence and appropriately provided adequate mental health care and referrals.

This study (PI: Bauer) aims to examine the differential impact of racial trauma and racial discrimination on mental health symptoms (e.g., posttraumatic stress, depression, anxiety) among Black and African American adults. We seek to examine if there is a difference in the association between race-based Criterion A events and non-race-based Criterion A events with PTSD severity. We also aim to examine if discrimination moderates these relationships. The study is led by Dr. Alexandria Bauer at Rutgers University. Dr. Saraiya is a co-Investigator.

This NIMH-funded Small Business Innovation and Research Grant (R43 MH122045; MPIs: Back & Harley) examined the augmentation of Prolonged Exposure therapy with wearable biosensors in comparison to standard Prolonged Exposure therapy in a pilot randomized clinical trial. Wearable biosensors allowed study clinicians to virtually pipeline into patient in vivo exposures exercises. Dr. Saraiya was a study therapist on this trial and led the primary outcome paper, published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research.

This cross-sectional study (NIDA R25 DA035161; MPI: Hien & Ruglass; Project PI: Saraiya) examined the how a culturally-relevant emotion for Asian Americans, shame, moderated the association between posttraumatic stress symptoms and substance use among young adult Asian Americans with trauma exposure. The primary outcome paper was published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment.

This NIDA-funded K23 award (K23DA055209; PI: Saraiya) aims to modify and test an existing, integrated, trauma-focused treatment for PTSD and co-occurring substance use disorders (COPE; Back et al., 2014) to individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) and PTSD. Following qualitative interviews with providers and individuals with OUD and PTSD, we will modify the therapy, pilot it on five patients, and then test it in a randomized clinical trial where patients will be stabilized on medications for OUD (e.g., buprenorphine, naltrexone, or methadone). We aim to see if the augmentation of MOUD with integrated, trauma-focused psychotherapy enhances treatment outcomes. In addition, we will have participants complete ecological momentary assessments throughout the study.

This mixed methods study funded by the Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH K12 HD055885; PI: McGinty; Project PI: Saraiya) at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) focused on the how to modify an existing integrated treatment for women with opioid use disorder (OUD) and PTSD.

This qualitative study interviewed women with a history of opioid use disorder and PTSD symptoms stabilized on medications for an opioid use disorder (OUD) and providers that worked with these women on their preferences and barriers in attaining trauma-treatment. The primary outcome article was published in Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment.