Terri Messman

Education

• Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, Oklahoma State University, 1999
  • Internship, Boston Psychology Consortium, Boston Veterans Affairs Healthcare System—National Center for PTSD—Boston University School of Medicine & Tufts University School of Medicine (APA Accredited), 1998-1999
• M.S. Psychology, Oklahoma State University, 1994
• B.A. Psychology (Summa Cum Laude), University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1992

Teaching Interests

• PSY 242 | Abnormal Psychology
• PSY 410 | Psychology Capstone (Topics: Mindfulness, Gender and Trauma)
• PSY 649 | Ethics in Clinical Psychology
• PSY 740 | Advanced Clinical Seminar: Trauma-Focused Intervention
• PSY 750 | Advanced Clinical Practicum

Research Interests

• Interpersonal Trauma
• Emotion Regulation
• Mindfulness & Self-Compassion
• Meditation & Yoga

My research program reflects three intersecting areas: interpersonal violence (child/adolescent sexual victimization, child maltreatment, adult revictimization), trauma, and emotion regulation. I am interested in how interpersonal violence affects the capacity for self-regulation, and how maladaptive coping strategies (PTSD, substance misuse, risky sexual behavior, and complex clinical presentations) increase vulnerability among survivors. Additional interests involve examining facets of mindfulness, as well as meditation and yoga. Recent projects focus on emotion regulation, mindfulness, self-compassion, and executive functioning among trauma survivors in relation to compulsive shopping and hoarding behavior

Dr. Messman runs the Trauma and Emotion Regulation Laboratory (room 347 Psychology Building). Contact Dr. Messman for information on research assistant positions.

Selected Publications

• Bhuptani, P. H. & Messman, T. L. (2021). Self-compassion and shame among rape survivors. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605211021994
• Salim, S. R., McConnell, A. A. & Messman, T. L. (2021). Bisexual women’s recovery after sexual assault: Stigma, negative social reactions, and hazardous drinking. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/sgd0000490
• Littleton, H. L., McConnell, A. A., Messman, T. L. & Layh, M. C. (2021). Typologies of rape victimization experiences among women attending college: A latent class analysis. Psychology of Women Quarterly. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361684321992038
• Messman, T. L. & Bhuptani, P. H. (2020). Self-compassion and fear of self-compassion: Mechanisms underlying the link between child maltreatment severity and psychological distress in college women. Mindfulness, 11, 1446-1459. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01361-2

Funding

• 2016 Sexual Trauma & PTSD in Bisexual Women: A Test of Minority Stress Theory, Foundation for the Scientific Study of Sexuality, $1,000
• 2015-2016 Yoga and Meditation for Self Realization, Emotional and Mental Strength, Interact for Health Foundation, Co-PI: Anne Minter, M.S., Miami University-Hamilton, $13,282
• 2010-2016 Sexual Revictimization: Emotion and Psychosocial Mechanisms, National Institute of Child Health & Human Development 1R01HD062226-01A2, Co-Investigator, Site PI; PI: David DiLillo, University of Nebraska, $3,135,821
• 2008-2010, The Impact of Emotion Dysregulation and Negative Mood on College Women’s Alcohol Use and Drinking Motives Agency: Alcohol Beverage Medical Research Foundation/The Alcohol Foundation, Principal Investigator, $96,000