Sarah Lowe, PhD
Associate Professor of Public Health (Social and Behavioral Sciences), Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Associate Clinical Professor of Nursing; Affiliated Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health
Research & Publications
Biography
News
Research Summary
Dr. Lowe’s research focuses on the mental health consequences of a range of potentially traumatic and stressful life events. Key questions addressed by her research include (1) What are the common patterns, or trajectories, of mental health symptoms after exposure?; (2) What are the mechanisms linking exposure to long-term psychiatric outcomes?; and (3) What is the role of factors at various ecological levels – from genes to neighborhoods – in shaping risk and resilience? She has explored these questions in the aftermath of a range of traumatic and stressful events, including natural and technological disasters, community violence, unwanted sexual experiences, serious injuries, and discrimination. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, she and her colleagues have utilized a range of research methodologies (e.g., structural equation modeling, latent growth curve modeling, qualitative and mixed-methods analysis) and incorporated various sources of data (e.g., genetic, survey, community-level, and social media data) to shed light on trauma and mental health. She has published over 50 peer-reviewed journal articles, and her work as been funded by the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response.
Coauthors
Research Interests
Anxiety Disorders; Mental Disorders; Disasters; Genetics, Behavioral; Mental Health Services; Psychological Phenomena; Psychology, Clinical; Rwanda; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Mood Disorders; Substance-Related Disorders; Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute; Resilience, Psychological; Disaster Victims; Psychiatry and Psychology; Psychological Trauma; Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders; Exposure to Violence; Gender-Based Violence
Public Health Interests
Behavioral Health; Community Health; Preparedness; Environmental Health; Global Health; Climate Change; Infectious Diseases; Mental Health; Health Equity, Disparities, Social Determinants and Justice; COVID-19
Selected Publications
- Mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in a longitudinal study of Hurricane Katrina survivorsZacher M, Raker E, Meadows M, Ramírez S, Woods T, Lowe S. Mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in a longitudinal study of Hurricane Katrina survivors SSM - Mental Health 2023, 3: 100198. PMCID: PMC9940480, DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmmh.2023.100198.
- Mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in a longitudinal study of Hurricane Katrina survivorsZacher M, Raker E, Meadows M, Ramírez S, Woods T, Lowe S. Mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in a longitudinal study of Hurricane Katrina survivors SSM - Mental Health 2023, 3: 100198. PMID: 36844796, PMCID: PMC9940480, DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmmh.2023.100198.
- Disasters and subjective assessments of recovery in the long runRaker E, Woods T, Ramírez S, Meadows M, Lowe S. Disasters and subjective assessments of recovery in the long run Population And Environment 2023, 45: 1. DOI: 10.1007/s11111-023-00415-6.
- Gender discrimination among women healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from a mixed methods studyHennein R, Gorman H, Chung V, Lowe S. Gender discrimination among women healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from a mixed methods study PLOS ONE 2023, 18: e0281367. PMID: 36745623, PMCID: PMC9901797, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281367.
- Psychosocial family-level mediators in the intergenerational transmission of trauma: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysisMew E, Nyhan K, Bonumwezi J, Blas V, Gorman H, Hennein R, Quach K, Shabanova V, Hawley N, Lowe S. Psychosocial family-level mediators in the intergenerational transmission of trauma: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis PLOS ONE 2022, 17: e0276753. PMID: 36378630, PMCID: PMC9665367, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276753.
- Associations Between Religious Coping and Long-Term Mental Health in Survivors of Hurricane KatrinaArkin M, Lowe S, Poon C, Rhodes J. Associations Between Religious Coping and Long-Term Mental Health in Survivors of Hurricane Katrina Psychology Of Religion And Spirituality 2022 DOI: 10.1037/rel0000483.
- Impact of COVID-19–related Isolation on Individuals in Treatment for Substance UseOndrusek A, Townsend E, Warnock C, Lowe S, Muilenburg J, Kershaw T. Impact of COVID-19–related Isolation on Individuals in Treatment for Substance Use Iproceedings 2022, 8: e39419. DOI: 10.2196/39419.
- Trauma as a Public Health Issue: Epidemiology of Trauma and Trauma-Related DisordersMew E, Koenen K, Lowe S. Trauma as a Public Health Issue: Epidemiology of Trauma and Trauma-Related Disorders 2022, 13-40. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-97802-0_2.
- Exploring the association between forgiveness, meaning-making, and post-traumatic stress symptoms: The case of Hurricane Maria in Puerto RicoKshtriya S, Kalayjian A, Lowe S, Diakonova-Curtis D, Toussaint L. Exploring the association between forgiveness, meaning-making, and post-traumatic stress symptoms: The case of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico International Journal Of Educational Research 2022, 115: 102020. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijer.2022.102020.
- Mental health after mass shootingsLowe S, Bonumwezi J, Valdespino-Hayden Z, Tineo. Mental health after mass shootings 2022 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-91497-0.00200-9.
- Impact of Media-Based Age Stereotypes on Older Individuals’ Mental Health During the COVID-19 PandemicLevy B, Chang E, Lowe S, Provolo N, Slade M. Impact of Media-Based Age Stereotypes on Older Individuals’ Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic Innovation In Aging 2021, 5: 590-591. PMCID: PMC8970141, DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igab046.2269.
- Long-term Ozone Exposure and Cognitive Impairment among Chinese Older Adults: Analysis of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity SurveyGao Q, Zang E, Liu M, Bi J, Dubrow R, Lowe S, Chen H, Zeng Y, Shi L, Chen K. Long-term Ozone Exposure and Cognitive Impairment among Chinese Older Adults: Analysis of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey ISEE Conference Abstracts 2021, 2021 DOI: 10.1289/isee.2021.p-546.
- Socio-ecological predictors of mental health outcomes among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United StatesHennein R, Mew EJ, Lowe SR. Socio-ecological predictors of mental health outcomes among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States PLOS ONE 2021, 16: e0246602. PMID: 33544761, PMCID: PMC7864435, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246602.
- Computer-Based Testing to Shorten the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ): a Proof- of-Principle Study of the Lifetime and Current FormsFinkelman M, Wei T, Lowe S. Computer-Based Testing to Shorten the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ): a Proof- of-Principle Study of the Lifetime and Current Forms Journal Of Psychopathology And Behavioral Assessment 2021, 43: 427-440. DOI: 10.1007/s10862-020-09853-0.
- Particulate matter pollution and risk of outpatient visits for psychological diseases in Nanjing, ChinaLowe SR, Wang C, Ma Y, Chen K. Particulate matter pollution and risk of outpatient visits for psychological diseases in Nanjing, China Environmental Research 2020, 193: 110601. PMID: 33307087, DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110601.
- A hybrid inductive-abductive analysis of health workers’ experiences and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United StatesHennein R, Lowe S. A hybrid inductive-abductive analysis of health workers’ experiences and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States PLOS ONE 2020, 15: e0240646. PMID: 33104711, PMCID: PMC7588050, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240646.
- Predisaster predictors of posttraumatic stress symptom trajectories: An analysis of low-income women in the aftermath of Hurricane KatrinaLowe SR, Raker EJ, Waters MC, Rhodes JE. Predisaster predictors of posttraumatic stress symptom trajectories: An analysis of low-income women in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina PLOS ONE 2020, 15: e0240038. PMID: 33085670, PMCID: PMC7577433, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240038.
- A Life‐Course Model of Trauma Exposure and Mental Health Among Low‐Income Survivors of Hurricane KatrinaLowe SR, Raker EJ, Arcaya MC, Zacher ML, Waters MC, Rhodes JE. A Life‐Course Model of Trauma Exposure and Mental Health Among Low‐Income Survivors of Hurricane Katrina Journal Of Traumatic Stress 2020, 33: 950-961. PMID: 32816358, PMCID: PMC7725975, DOI: 10.1002/jts.22581.
- Lessons from Hurricane Katrina for predicting the indirect health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemicRaker EJ, Zacher M, Lowe SR. Lessons from Hurricane Katrina for predicting the indirect health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2020, 117: 12595-12597. PMID: 32424085, PMCID: PMC7293707, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2006706117.
- Posttraumatic stress disorder symptom trajectories within the first year following emergency department admissions: pooled results from the International Consortium to predict PTSDLowe SR, Ratanatharathorn A, Lai BS, van der Mei W, Barbano AC, Bryant RA, Delahanty DL, Matsuoka YJ, Olff M, Schnyder U, Laska E, Koenen KC, Shalev AY, Kessler RC. Posttraumatic stress disorder symptom trajectories within the first year following emergency department admissions: pooled results from the International Consortium to predict PTSD Psychological Medicine 2020, 51: 1129-1139. PMID: 32008580, PMCID: PMC8318129, DOI: 10.1017/s0033291719004008.
- The Trauma of Discrimination: Posttraumatic Stress in Muslim American College StudentsLowe S, Tineo, Bonumwezi J, Bailey E. The Trauma of Discrimination: Posttraumatic Stress in Muslim American College Students Traumatology An International Journal 2019, 25: 115-123. DOI: 10.1037/trm0000197.
- Trauma and Neurodevelopmental Disorders from a Public Health PerspectiveLowe S, Walsh K, Opthof E, Tineo P. Trauma and Neurodevelopmental Disorders from a Public Health Perspective 2018, 205-239. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-00503-0_11.
- Mental Health Effects Associated with the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil-SpillKwok R, Lowe S, Engel L, McGrath J, Jackson W, Curry M, Payne J, Galea S, Sandler D. Mental Health Effects Associated with the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil-Spill Annals Of Epidemiology 2017, 27: 515. DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2017.07.117.
- Pathways from assaultive violence to post-traumatic stress, depression, and generalized anxiety symptoms through stressful life events: longitudinal mediation modelsLowe SR, Joshi S, Galea S, Aiello AE, Uddin M, Koenen KC, Cerdá M. Pathways from assaultive violence to post-traumatic stress, depression, and generalized anxiety symptoms through stressful life events: longitudinal mediation models Psychological Medicine 2017, 47: 2556-2566. PMID: 28464960, PMCID: PMC5675529, DOI: 10.1017/s0033291717001143.
- Why Does Disaster Recovery Work Influence Mental Health?: Pathways through Physical Health and Household IncomeLowe SR, Kwok RK, Payne J, Engel LS, Galea S, Sandler DP. Why Does Disaster Recovery Work Influence Mental Health?: Pathways through Physical Health and Household Income American Journal Of Community Psychology 2016, 58: 354-364. PMID: 27704561, PMCID: PMC5547997, DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12091.
- Community Unemployment and Disaster‐Related Stressors Shape Risk for Posttraumatic Stress in the Longer‐Term Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy*Lowe SR, Sampson L, Gruebner O, Galea S. Community Unemployment and Disaster‐Related Stressors Shape Risk for Posttraumatic Stress in the Longer‐Term Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy* Journal Of Traumatic Stress 2016, 29: 440-447. PMID: 27696535, DOI: 10.1002/jts.22126.
- The Mental Health Consequences of Mass ShootingsLowe SR, Galea S. The Mental Health Consequences of Mass Shootings Trauma Violence & Abuse 2016, 18: 62-82. PMID: 26084284, DOI: 10.1177/1524838015591572.
- Posttraumatic Stress in the Aftermath of Mass ShootingsLowe S, Galea S. Posttraumatic Stress in the Aftermath of Mass Shootings 2015, 91-111. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-18866-9_6.
- Psychological Resilience after Hurricane Sandy: The Influence of Individual- and Community-Level Factors on Mental Health after a Large-Scale Natural DisasterLowe SR, Sampson L, Gruebner O, Galea S. Psychological Resilience after Hurricane Sandy: The Influence of Individual- and Community-Level Factors on Mental Health after a Large-Scale Natural Disaster PLOS ONE 2015, 10: e0125761. PMID: 25962178, PMCID: PMC4427458, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0125761.
- Trauma as a Public Health Issue: Epidemiology of Trauma and Trauma-Related DisordersLowe S, Blachman-Forshay J, Koenen K. Trauma as a Public Health Issue: Epidemiology of Trauma and Trauma-Related Disorders 2015, 11-40. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-07109-1_2.
- Mental health and general wellness in the aftermath of Hurricane IkeLowe SR, Joshi S, Pietrzak RH, Galea S, Cerdá M. Mental health and general wellness in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike Social Science & Medicine 2014, 124: 162-170. PMID: 25461873, PMCID: PMC4276466, DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.11.032.
- Bidirectional Relationships Between Trauma Exposure and Posttraumatic Stress: A Longitudinal Study of Detroit ResidentsLowe SR, Walsh K, Uddin M, Galea S, Koenen KC. Bidirectional Relationships Between Trauma Exposure and Posttraumatic Stress: A Longitudinal Study of Detroit Residents Journal Of Psychopathology And Clinical Science 2014, 123: 533-544. PMID: 24886002, PMCID: PMC4122585, DOI: 10.1037/a0037046.
- The impact of housing displacement on the mental health of low-income parents after Hurricane KatrinaFussell E, Lowe SR. The impact of housing displacement on the mental health of low-income parents after Hurricane Katrina Social Science & Medicine 2014, 113: 137-144. PMID: 24866205, PMCID: PMC4096953, DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.05.025.
- Trajectories of Posttraumatic Stress Among Urban ResidentsLowe SR, Galea S, Uddin M, Koenen KC. Trajectories of Posttraumatic Stress Among Urban Residents American Journal Of Community Psychology 2014, 53: 159-172. PMID: 24469249, PMCID: PMC3991929, DOI: 10.1007/s10464-014-9634-6.
- The reproduction of loss: immediate and longer-term stressors and the mental health of Hurricane Ike survivorsLowe S, Tracy M, Cerdá M, Norris F, Galea S. The reproduction of loss: immediate and longer-term stressors and the mental health of Hurricane Ike survivors Comprehensive Psychiatry 2013, 54: e28. DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2013.07.039.
- Posttraumatic Stress and Posttraumatic Growth Among Low-Income Mothers Who Survived Hurricane KatrinaLowe SR, Manove EE, Rhodes JE. Posttraumatic Stress and Posttraumatic Growth Among Low-Income Mothers Who Survived Hurricane Katrina Journal Of Consulting And Clinical Psychology 2013, 81: 877-889. PMID: 23750467, PMCID: PMC3904670, DOI: 10.1037/a0033252.
- Trajectories of Psychological Distress Among Low‐Income, Female Survivors of Hurricane KatrinaLowe SR, Rhodes JE. Trajectories of Psychological Distress Among Low‐Income, Female Survivors of Hurricane Katrina American Journal Of Orthopsychiatry 2013, 83: 398-412. PMID: 23889030, PMCID: PMC3999519, DOI: 10.1111/ajop.12019.
- Mentor RelationshipsRhodes J, Lowe S, Schwartz S. Mentor Relationships 2011, 196-204. DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-373951-3.00070-3.
- Pre-Hurricane Perceived Social Support Protects Against Psychological Distress: A Longitudinal Analysis of Low-Income MothersLowe SR, Chan CS, Rhodes JE. Pre-Hurricane Perceived Social Support Protects Against Psychological Distress: A Longitudinal Analysis of Low-Income Mothers Journal Of Consulting And Clinical Psychology 2010, 78: 551-560. PMID: 20658811, PMCID: PMC3618961, DOI: 10.1037/a0018317.
- Mentoring in AdolescenceRhodes J, Lowe S. Mentoring in Adolescence 2009 DOI: 10.1002/9780470479193.adlpsy002006.
- Improving middle school climate through teacher‐centered changeRhodes J, Camic P, Milburn M, Lowe S. Improving middle school climate through teacher‐centered change Journal Of Community Psychology 2009, 37: 711-724. DOI: 10.1002/jcop.20326.
- A few good womenPost C, DiTomaso N, Lowe S, Farris G, Cordero R. A few good women Journal Of Managerial Psychology 2009, 24: 348-371. DOI: 10.1108/02683940910952723.
- The role of gender in youth mentoring relationship formation and durationRhodes J, Lowe S, Litchfield L, Walsh-Samp K. The role of gender in youth mentoring relationship formation and duration Journal Of Vocational Behavior 2008, 72: 183-192. DOI: 10.1016/j.jvb.2007.09.005.
- Youth Mentoring and Resilience: Implications for PracticeRhodes J, Lowe S. Youth Mentoring and Resilience: Implications for Practice Child Care In Practice 2008, 14: 9-17. DOI: 10.1080/13575270701733666.