Stefanie Gillson, MD
Assistant Professor in the Child Study CenterAbout
Research
Publications
2026
The ongoing legacy of Indigenous family separation: Long-term outcomes of child welfare involvement among American Indian and First Nations youth
Gillson S, Hautala D, Steinberg R, Walls M. The ongoing legacy of Indigenous family separation: Long-term outcomes of child welfare involvement among American Indian and First Nations youth. Child Abuse & Neglect 2026, 173: 107884. PMID: 41529334, DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2026.107884.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsChild welfare involvementChild welfare placementsIndigenous familiesIndigenous youthChild welfare systemCommunity-driven interventionsAssociated with marijuana useChild welfarePsychosocial outcomes in adulthoodWelfare systemFoster careFamily separationOutcomes in adulthoodIntergenerational consequencesFamily structureAdult familyNation's youthFirst Nations youthHistorical traumaSystem reformIndigenous childrenFamily cohesionAssociated with depressive symptomsMarijuana useAmerican Indians
2023
An Updated Narrative Review on the Role of Alcohol Among Indigenous Communities
Cole A, Lopez S, Armstrong C, Gillson S, Weiss N, Blair A, Walls M. An Updated Narrative Review on the Role of Alcohol Among Indigenous Communities. Current Addiction Reports 2023, 10: 702-717. PMID: 38645278, PMCID: PMC11027470, DOI: 10.1007/s40429-023-00520-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNarrative reviewAlcohol useUpdated Narrative ReviewAlcohol use disorderHarm reduction approachAlcohol use ratesAlcohol use preventionRole of alcoholAlcohol use problemsCommunity-based participatory research strategiesUse disordersHealth providersUse preventionReviewThe roleProtective factorsAlcohol preventionUse problemsPreventionIntervention effortsRecent studiesAlcohol literatureTreatmentUse ratesSpecific recommendationsParticipatory research strategies2.46 Indigenous Youth Separated From Family and Risk of Mental Health Challenges
Gillson S, Steinberg R, Elm J, Hauta D, Walls M. 2.46 Indigenous Youth Separated From Family and Risk of Mental Health Challenges. Journal Of The American Academy Of Child And Adolescent Psychiatry 2023, 62: s195. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2023.09.133.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAn updated narrative review on the role of alcohol among Indigenous communities
Cole, A. B., Lopez, S. V., *Armstrong, C. M., Gillson, S., Weiss, N., *Blair, A., & Walls, M. (2023). An updated narrative review on the role of alcohol among Indigenous communities. Current Addiction Reports. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40429-023-00520-4Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2022
Health effects of Indigenous language use and revitalization: a realist review
Whalen D, Lewis M, Gillson S, McBeath B, Alexander B, Nyhan K. Health effects of Indigenous language use and revitalization: a realist review. International Journal For Equity In Health 2022, 21: 169. PMID: 36437457, PMCID: PMC9703682, DOI: 10.1186/s12939-022-01782-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHistorical trauma and oppression: Associations with internalizing outcomes among American Indian adults with type 2 diabetes
Gillson SL, Hautala D, Sittner KJ, Walls M. Historical trauma and oppression: Associations with internalizing outcomes among American Indian adults with type 2 diabetes. Transcultural Psychiatry 2022, 61: 372-384. PMID: 35225076, DOI: 10.1177/13634615221079146.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchType 2 diabetesMental health problemsAI adultsHealth problemsHistorical traumaCommunity-based participatory research studyAmerican Indian adultsHistorical lossInternalizing symptomsTribal clinicsParticipatory research studyIndian adultsHealth inequitiesAmerican Indian peoplePractice-based assessmentTraumaCurrent reportDiabetesIndian peopleAdultsCultural lossAI healthSymptomsAncestral experienceTribal communitiesProgressive Healthcare for People with Substance Use Disorders. Health for Everyone: A Guide to Politically and Socially Progressive Healthcare.
Jackson, D., Gillson, S. Patridge, S. Sue, K. & Jordan, A. Progressive Healthcare for People with Substance Use Disorders. Health for Everyone: A Guide to Politically and Socially Progressive Healthcare. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. 2022.Chapters
2021
Cultural Sources of Strength and Resilience: A Case Study of Holistic Wellness Boxes for COVID-19 Response in Indigenous Communities
Aulandez K, Walls M, Weiss N, Sittner K, Gillson S, Tennessen E, Maudrie T, Leppi A, Rothwell E, Bolton-Steiner A, Gonzalez M. Cultural Sources of Strength and Resilience: A Case Study of Holistic Wellness Boxes for COVID-19 Response in Indigenous Communities. Frontiers In Sociology 2021, 6: 612637. PMID: 33869563, PMCID: PMC8022692, DOI: 10.3389/fsoc.2021.612637.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchJohns Hopkins CenterCOVID-19Community-based participatory researchNon-Indigenous populationsViral infectionPsychosocial stressHealth OfficePsychosocial stressorsCommunity partnersHealth inequitiesCOVID-19 posesCOVID-19 responseCOVID-19 pandemicPhysical wellbeingCOVID-19 reliefUnited StatesReliefInfectionCultural Sources of Strength and Resilience: A Case Study of Holistic Wellness Boxes for COVID-19 Response in Indigenous Communities
Cultural Sources of Strength and Resilience: A Case Study of Holistic Wellness Boxes for COVID-19 Response in Indigenous Communities. 2021. Kevalin M. W. Aulandez, Melissa L. Walls, Nicole M. Weiss, Kelley J. Sittner, Stefanie L. Gillson, Elizabeth N. Tennessen, Tara L. Maudrie, Ailee M. Leppi, Emma J. Rothwell, Athena R. Bolton-Steiner, and Miigis B. Gonzalez. Frontiers in Sociology.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2020
The Women’s Mental Health Conference at Yale: Trainees Lead the Way to Improving Care for Women
Gillson S, Noori S. The Women’s Mental Health Conference at Yale: Trainees Lead the Way to Improving Care for Women. Academic Psychiatry 2020, 45: 134-135. PMID: 32860195, PMCID: PMC7455095, DOI: 10.1007/s40596-020-01299-6.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
News
News
- February 17, 2026Source: The Imprint
‘A Continuation of Historical Trauma’: Researchers Analyze Adult Outcomes for American Indian and First Nation Foster Youth, Adoptees
- January 23, 2026Source: Child Abuse & Neglect
The Ongoing Legacy of Indigenous Family Separation: Long-Term Outcomes of Child Welfare Involvement Among American Indian and First Nations Youth
- December 01, 2023
What the Killers of the Flower Moon Movie Teaches Us About Historical Trauma and Indigenous Health
- August 16, 2023
Welcome New Postdocs, Postgrads, Fellows, Faculty & Staff! (August 2023)