Galina A. Portnoy, PhD
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About
Titles
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Biography
Dr. Portnoy specializes in the study of intimate partner violence (IPV) detection, prevention, and treatment, with a focus on IPV use (i.e., perpetration). Other primary research interests include the intersecting areas of relationship health, trauma, resilience, and women’s health. Dr. Portnoy's current research focuses on the development and evaluation of IPV screening and treatment in healthcare settings, particularly as related to IPV use, bidirectional IPV, and strategies for disseminating and implementing empirically supported IPV practices.
Dr. Portnoy serves as Director for the Intimate Partner Violence Center for Innovation and Research (IPV-CIR) at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The goal of the IPV-CIR is to develop, disseminate, implement, and evaluate innovative, high-quality, Veteran-centered, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented practices for intimate partner violence (IPV) detection, prevention, and treatment. The IPV-CIR is comprised of three cores:
- Innovation and Implementation Core: To develop innovative IPV practices for Veterans and strengthen current programming through program development and implementation; evaluation; and provision of training, consultation, and external facilitation to support large-scale implementation of best practices for IPV.
- Research Core: To inform IPV practice and policy by conducting translational research and determining factors for successful implementation of IPV innovations.
- Evaluation Core: To develop and execute a highly partnered, systematic, multi-phase program evaluation of the VA National IPV Assistance Program.
Appointments
Psychiatry
Assistant ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
Education & Training
- Advanced Fellow in Women’s Health
- VA CT Healthcare System / Yale School of Medicine (2017)
- PhD
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Clinical Psychology & Community/Applied Social Psychology (2016)
- Clinical Intern
- VA Boston Healthcare System (2016)
- Clinical Fellow
- Harvard Medical School (2016)
- MA
- University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Clinical Psychology & Community/Applied Social Psychology (2012)
- BA
- University of Connecticut, Psychology & Women’s Health (2006)
Research
Publications
Featured Publications
Longitudinal Analysis of Persistent Postconcussion Symptoms, Probable TBI, and Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Among Veterans
Portnoy GA, Relyea MR, Presseau C, Orazietti S, Martino S, Brandt CA, Haskell SG. Longitudinal Analysis of Persistent Postconcussion Symptoms, Probable TBI, and Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Among Veterans. Journal Of Head Trauma Rehabilitation 2022, 37: 34-42. PMID: 34985032, PMCID: PMC8740780, DOI: 10.1097/htr.0000000000000759.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPersistent postconcussion symptomsTraumatic brain injuryProbable traumatic brain injuryPostconcussion symptomsElevated riskVeterans Affairs Medical CenterSelf-reported traumatic brain injuryProspective cohort studyProbable posttraumatic stress disorderCommon risk factorsIntimate Partner Violence PerpetrationCommon predictorsPosttraumatic stress disorderHalf of participantsCohort studyPain intensityHead injuryVA careBrain injuryRisk factorsIPV perpetrationMedical CenterSecondary data analysisBinge drinkingPartner violence perpetrationPatient and provider barriers, facilitators, and implementation preferences of intimate partner violence perpetration screening
Portnoy GA, Colon R, Gross GM, Adams LJ, Bastian LA, Iverson KM. Patient and provider barriers, facilitators, and implementation preferences of intimate partner violence perpetration screening. BMC Health Services Research 2020, 20: 746. PMID: 32791967, PMCID: PMC7424651, DOI: 10.1186/s12913-020-05595-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsIntimate partner violenceImplementation preferencesIntimate Partner Violence PerpetrationPartner violence perpetrationIPV experiencesProvider barriersPartner violenceQualitative interviewsViolence perpetrationVHA healthcareVeterans Health Administration patientsWay of screeningIPV useUnderstudied aspectSelf-report screening toolContent analysisHealthcare responseStrong rapportProfessional disciplinesComprehensive processSubstantial prevalenceVHA providersFacilitatorsClinical practiceProviders' beliefsA Longitudinal Analysis of Women Veterans’ Partner Violence Perpetration: the Roles of Interpersonal Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms
Portnoy G, Relyea M, Street A, Haskell S, Iverson K. A Longitudinal Analysis of Women Veterans’ Partner Violence Perpetration: the Roles of Interpersonal Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms. Journal Of Family Violence 2019, 35: 361-372. DOI: 10.1007/s10896-019-00061-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchUnderstanding Gender Differences in Resilience Among Veterans: Trauma History and Social Ecology
Portnoy GA, Relyea MR, Decker S, Shamaskin‐Garroway A, Driscoll M, Brandt CA, Haskell SG. Understanding Gender Differences in Resilience Among Veterans: Trauma History and Social Ecology. Journal Of Traumatic Stress 2018, 31: 845-855. PMID: 30431668, DOI: 10.1002/jts.22341.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMilitary sexual traumaTrauma exposureTraumatic eventsTrauma typesCombat exposureResilience scoresSexual abuseSocial supportTraumatic Life Events QuestionnaireStranger violencePoor psychological outcomesLife Events QuestionnaireUnexpected traumaInterpersonal violenceGender differencesHierarchical linear regressionGreater social supportNoninterpersonal traumaPsychological resilienceInterpersonal traumaDeployment preparednessPsychological outcomesSexual traumaSocial-ecological frameworkTrauma historyAccuracy and Acceptability of a Screening Tool for Identifying Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration among Women Veterans: A Pre-Implementation Evaluation
Portnoy GA, Haskell SG, King MW, Maskin R, Gerber MR, Iverson KM. Accuracy and Acceptability of a Screening Tool for Identifying Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration among Women Veterans: A Pre-Implementation Evaluation. Women's Health Issues 2018, 28: 439-445. PMID: 29885901, DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2018.04.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsWomen veteransLow-burden toolVeterans Health AdministrationIntimate partner violenceHealth care providersMajority of womenAppropriate referralIPV perpetrationCare providersPre-implementation evaluationHealth AdministrationWeb-based surveyHealthcare settingsScreening toolLimited evidenceVeteransWomen's perceptionsPrimary measureReference standardIntimate Partner Violence PerpetrationWomenNational samplePresent studyPartner violencePartner violence perpetrationIntimate Partner Violence Programs for Veterans: Future Directions for Research and Clinical Practice
Portnoy G, Bruce L, Buckholdt K. Intimate Partner Violence Programs for Veterans: Future Directions for Research and Clinical Practice. Journal Of Aggression Maltreatment & Trauma 2023, 32: 1170-1179. DOI: 10.1080/10926771.2023.2214098.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchVeterans Health AdministrationIntimate partner violenceClinical practiceHealthcare systemIntegrated healthcare systemComplex public health crisisIntimate partner violence programsTreatment of IPVPublic health crisisHealth AdministrationHealthcare responseHealth crisisPartner violenceIntegral roleFuture directionsViolence programsEnhancement of servicesAdministration
2024
Child Maltreatment, Adult Trauma, and Mental Health Symptoms Among Women Veterans: A Scoping Review of Published Quantitative Research.
Presseau C, Carney J, Kline N, Grimshaw A, DeMoss L, Gunderson C, Portnoy G. Child Maltreatment, Adult Trauma, and Mental Health Symptoms Among Women Veterans: A Scoping Review of Published Quantitative Research. Trauma Violence & Abuse 2024, 15248380241234345. PMID: 38468375, DOI: 10.1177/15248380241234345.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAdult trauma exposureMental health symptomsTrauma exposureWomen veteransChild maltreatmentHealth symptomsAdult traumaScoping reviewMental healthExposure to child maltreatmentPosttraumatic stress symptomatologySample of women veteransLifetime trauma exposureInfluence of child maltreatmentVeterans' mental healthU.S. women veteransStress symptomatologySelf-reported survey dataPeer-reviewed journalsConvenience sampleMaltreatmentUnique articlesDatabase inceptionPublished quantitative researchRepresentative sampleMilitary sexual trauma-related posttraumatic stress disorder service-connection: Characteristics of claimants and award denial across gender, race, and compared to combat trauma
Webermann A, Gianoli M, Rosen M, Portnoy G, Runels T, Black A. Military sexual trauma-related posttraumatic stress disorder service-connection: Characteristics of claimants and award denial across gender, race, and compared to combat trauma. PLOS ONE 2024, 19: e0280708. PMID: 38206995, PMCID: PMC10783784, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280708.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMilitary sexual traumaSexual traumaBlack veteransVeterans Benefits AdministrationVeterans' claimsPosttraumatic stress disorderBenefits administrationWomen veteransWhite veteransSystemic barriersService-connectedStress disorderMen veteransCharacteristics of claimantsStressor typeGenderCombat traumaClaimsRaceArmy veteransDenialEffect sizeUnderserved backgroundsVeteransHigher odds
2023
Using the Matrixed Multiple Case Study approach to identify factors affecting the uptake of IPV screening programs following the use of implementation facilitation
Adjognon O, Brady J, Iverson K, Stolzmann K, Dichter M, Lew R, Gerber M, Portnoy G, Iqbal S, Haskell S, Bruce L, Miller C. Using the Matrixed Multiple Case Study approach to identify factors affecting the uptake of IPV screening programs following the use of implementation facilitation. Implementation Science Communications 2023, 4: 145. PMID: 37990345, PMCID: PMC10664531, DOI: 10.1186/s43058-023-00528-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchVeterans Health AdministrationImplementation facilitationUS Preventive Services Task ForceBackgroundIntimate partner violenceMethodsThis mixed-methods studyRoutine IPV screeningIntegrated Promoting ActionPrimary care clinicsHealth Services frameworkInternal facilitatorsVHA OfficeCare clinicsLarge trialsPrimary careMedical recordsPositive screenClinic staffPromoting ActionIPV screeningExternal facilitatorsWomen's healthHealth AdministrationSocial determinantsLarger studyHigh/mediumScreening for Intimate Partner Violence Experience and Use in the Veterans Health Administration
Portnoy G, Relyea M, Presseau C, Orazietti S, Bruce L, Brandt C, Martino S. Screening for Intimate Partner Violence Experience and Use in the Veterans Health Administration. JAMA Network Open 2023, 6: e2337685. PMID: 37831451, PMCID: PMC10576210, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.37685.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsVeterans Health AdministrationCross-sectional studyStress disorder diagnosisPosttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosisMental health servicesIPV useIntimate partner violenceHealth AdministrationVeterans Health Administration medical centersHealth servicesMental health care visitsClinical diagnosisMajor public health problemDisorder diagnosisElectronic medical record dataHealth care visitsIPV experiencesMedical record dataPublic health problemMental health cliniciansMental health careQuality improvement initiativesHealth care settingsOutcomes of interestPast-year prevalence
Academic Achievements and Community Involvement
Links & Media
News
- January 16, 2024
Military Sexual Trauma-related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Service-connection: Characteristics of Claimants and Award Denial Across Gender, Race, and Compared to Combat Trauma
- November 17, 2023
Yale Psychiatry Researchers Awarded Grant to Establish PRISM Initiative
- October 13, 2023
Screening for Intimate Partner Violence Experience and Use in the Veterans Health Administration
- July 24, 2023Source: Health Services Research
Understanding Veterans' Intimate Partner Violence Use and Patterns of Healthcare Utilization