Division of Prevention and Community Research

The primary aim of the Division of Prevention and Community Research (DPCR) is to conduct studies to enhance knowledge about the prevention of mental health and substance use problems and the promotion of well-being and resilience. DPCR’s research mission is to develop, implement, evaluate and disseminate evidence-based interventions aimed at addressing psychological, behavioral, and social issues that contribute to mental health and substance use challenges. We achieve this mission through partnerships with community organizations, school systems, governmental agencies, and individuals with direct experience of mental health problems and substance misuse.

Research Focus

Division faculty lead and support research in the following areas:

• Micro-longitudinal studies of resilience and risk among women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV), and development of community-based and digital interventions for this population.
• Effective implementation of evidence-based behavioral health promotion, prevention and intervention practices for children and adolescents in K-12 public schools.
• Applying knowledge from developmental and social sciences to enhance youths’ well-being, strengthen early childhood education, and foster constructive discourse in educational and home contexts.
• Mechanisms influencing substance use and substance use-related health disparities and inequities among trauma-exposed individuals.
• Individual and organizational interventions to promote workplace well-being.
• Community-based and co-designed mental health promotion and substance use prevention and intervention programs.
• Community-based participatory research to enhance systems, services, and the care environment for publicly funded mental health systems.
• Policies and practices to prevent mental health and substance use disorders, and address violence and trauma.
• Strategies to promote resilience and well-being among at-risk populations.
• Development and evaluation of systems-based interventions (e.g., schools, criminal legal, domestic violence, 911 crisis response).
• Digital, social media, and technology-facilitated interventions.

Education and Training

The Division is also committed to training the next generation of prevention scientists and community researchers through its various educational initiatives. These include formal educational programs, mentorship opportunities, and hands-on research experiences for undergraduate and graduate students, psychology doctoral interns, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career investigators.