Welcome to the Sullivan Lab
The Family Violence Research Lab at Yale School of Medicine came together to wear purple on October 17, 2024 to recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Tami Sullivan, PhD, bottom row, far right, professor of psychiatry and director of Family Violence Research and Programs, said the lab recognizes domestic violence given its high prevalence and detrimental impact on people, families, and communities. One in two women in the United States experiences severe psychological, physical, or sexual abuse in their lifetime, and each year in Connecticut an average of 14 people are killed by their intimate partner. This year's theme – Heal, Hold, and Center – encourages us to support the many ways survivors can heal from violence, hold space for survivors, and center those most marginalized in our efforts to end domestic violence. Participating in their year's Wear Purple Day are, bottom row, from left, Melissa Schick, Laura Callinan, Ana Hernandez, and Tami Sullivan; top row, from left, Ayesha Middya, Alexandrya Pope, Cadence Brown, Ashley Clayton, and Maggie Zhang.
Our program of research is centered on individual- and system-level factors that affect the mental and physical health of women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV).
At the individual level, we conduct risk and protective factor research with a focus on applying micro-longitudinal designs such as experience sampling methods and research that informs the development of interventions to be implemented in community settings. Specifically, we examine
- precursors, correlates, and outcomes of women's victimization and their use of aggression in intimate relationships, and
- the co-occurrence of IPV, posttraumatic stress, substance use, and sexual risk with specific attention to daily processes (i.e., how experiences and behaviors unfold on a daily basis in their natural environment).
At the system-level, our research focuses on understanding the capacity of systems (e.g., criminal justice system and HIV service system) to meet the unique needs of women who experience IPV and how these systems influence the wellbeing of women. For example, a current study is examining the extent to which criminal orders of protection reduce domestic violence and influence the daily lives of women experiencing intimate partner violence, their offenders’ behavior, and their children’s wellbeing.
In addition to conducting federally-funded research, we are a statewide leader in the delivery of violence prevention services to adult aggressors of domestic violence. Our staff develops and implements psychoeducational groups for men and women to address domestic violence, and as appropriate, anger management. Further, we consult to programs and service systems regarding meeting the unique needs of populations affected by domestic violence.