ISTSS engages its members in advancing traumatic stress science and uses research to improve prevention and clinical care, promote resilience and inform public education and policy. Below is a list of research initiatives related to traumatic stress.

ISTSS members are invited to submit research opportunities for consideration. ISTSS does not oversee or evaluate individual studies. It is the responsibility of the institution and the principal investigator to uphold scientific and ethical requirements. All studies listed are IRB approved and ISTSS will not have access to data obtained through these studies.

Potential participants are asked to read all informed consent materials thoroughly and to contact the study’s principal investigator with any questions. This includes considering emerging data protection and privacy issues related to new digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence tools, and questions about whether information will be shared with outside companies, how privacy will be protected, and what is being done to reduce the risk of data leaks.

Licensed Psychologists’ Narratives Implementing Cognitive Restructuring via Telehealth for MVA-Related PTSD

Principal Investigator: Viria M. Kratzert, MSc., Doctoral Candidate
Institution: California Southern University, School of Behavioral Sciences

Study Purpose

This qualitative study explores licensed psychologists’ experiences implementing cognitive restructuring via telehealth with adult motor vehicle accident (MVA) survivors diagnosed with PTSD. The study examines challenges, facilitators, and adaptations in remote delivery to inform telehealth training and trauma-focused practice.

Who Can Participate?

Participants must:

• Hold a doctoral degree in psychology
• Have active licensure as a psychologist in the United States
• Have experience implementing cognitive restructuring via telehealth with at least three adult clients with MVA-related PTSD within the past five years

What Participation Involves

Participants will be asked to:

• Complete a brief eligibility screening lasting approximately 5–10 minutes
• Review and sign an informed consent form
• Participate in one confidential, individual interview lasting 60–90 minutes on the researcher’s secure Zoom platform
• Agree to audio recording for transcription and analysis

Participants may also choose to review their de-identified transcript and a short narrative summary. Participation is voluntary.

Compensation

There is no compensation for participation.

IRB Approval

Approved by the American InterContinental University System Institutional Review Board (Project No. 2479342-1).

Approved: September 8, 2026

Interested in Participating?

Please email Viria M. Kratzert at viria.kratzert@my.calsouthern.edu with the subject line “Telehealth CR Study.”

Phone: 949-424-3373

Posted: September 21, 2026

Spiritual History, Attachment, and God Image in Adults with Childhood Maltreatment: A Moderated Mediation Analysis

Principal Investigator: Morgan Davie Morton, LCSW
Institution: Baylor University

Study Purpose

This study explores how childhood maltreatment by caregivers, attachment styles, and spiritual life experiences relate to adults’ perceptions of and relationships with a higher power. Findings may help clinicians and faith leaders better support survivors’ spiritual journeys, healing, and posttraumatic growth.

Who Can Participate?

Individuals may be eligible to participate if they:

• Are legally independent adults aged 18 or older
• Are fluent in English
• Have access to technology to complete an online survey
• Have experienced at least one form of childhood maltreatment by a caregiver, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical neglect, or emotional neglect

Individuals with recent trauma exposure, a suicide attempt, or psychiatric hospitalization are encouraged not to participate.

What Participation Involves

Participants will complete an online survey taking approximately 30 minutes. Questions cover childhood experiences, spirituality, relationships, and mental health.

Participation is voluntary. Participants may skip any question or end the survey at any time without penalty. Some questions may bring up emotional discomfort or upsetting memories.

IRB Information

Baylor University IRB Reference Number: 2421287
Protocol update and recruitment materials acknowledged: September 15, 2026

Participation Link

Access the study survey

Contact

Morgan Davie Morton, LCSW
Email: morgan_davie1@baylor.edu
Phone: 832-403-9533

Posted: September 21, 2026

Experiences of and Responses to Trauma Among South Asian Americans

Principal Investigator: Ateka A. Contractor
Institution: University of North Texas

Study Purpose

This study aims to better understand how South Asian Americans perceive traumatic events and respond to trauma. Findings from the study may support cross-cultural comparisons of how trauma is conceptualized and how its posttraumatic effects are expressed.

Who Can Participate?

Individuals may be eligible to participate if they:

• Are at least 18 years old
• Identify as South Asian
• Currently reside in the United States
• Can read and write in English at an eighth-grade level or equivalent
• Have experienced at least one traumatic event during their lifetime
• Can identify a traumatic event that occurred more than three months ago and had the greatest impact on them
• Have not received inpatient care at a psychiatric facility or institution within the past month
• Have not been diagnosed with a cognitive impairment or a neurological, neurodegenerative, physiological, or psychological condition that affects their memory or capacity to participate

What Participation Involves

Eligible participants may be invited to:

• Complete an online baseline survey
• Participate in a one-hour, in-depth interview

Compensation

Participants who complete the baseline survey will receive a $15 digital gift card. Participants who also complete the one-hour, in-depth interview will receive an additional $30 digital gift card.

IRB Approval

Approved: November 3, 2025
Expires: November 3, 2026

The University of North Texas Institutional Review Board approved a study modification on July 28, 2026, specifically permitting recruitment through the ISTSS website.

Participation Link:
https://unt.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_e55vCyRpRMzcM5g

Posted: July 28, 2026

Social Support and Adolescents’ Hospital Experiences Following Medical Trauma

Principal Investigator: Katrina Herweh, MASW, LISW-S, CDCA
Institution: Loyola University Chicago

Study Purpose
This study aims to better understand how social support influences adolescents’ hospital experiences following an injury or illness that is not related to a chronic health condition.

Who Can Participate?

Individuals may be eligible to participate if they:

• Experienced a medical trauma or medical event between the ages of 14 and 17
• Were hospitalized for an injury or illness not related to mental health or a diagnosed chronic health condition
• Are currently 18 years of age or older
• Speak English
• Reside in the United States

What Participation Involves

Participants will be asked to:

• Complete an eligibility and demographic survey (including pseudonym, gender, age, race, ethnicity, zip code at the time of the medical event, and a brief description of the experience)
• Participate in a virtual interview based on the McGill Illness Narrative Interview, consisting of approximately 46 open-ended questions about the illness experience, treatment response, and life impact
• The interview will take approximately one hour, with breaks available as needed
• Interviews will be conducted via Zoom and audio-recorded for transcription and research purposes

Compensation
Participants who complete the interview will be entered into a voluntary drawing for one of two $40 digital gift cards. Winners will be randomly selected within one week of study completion and notified via email.

IRB Approval
Approved: September 17, 2025
Expires: September 17, 2026

Participation Link:
https://luc.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3Oueb7E0a7fr7rU

Posted: May 1, 2026

Expanding Definitions of Trauma: A Concept Mapping Approach

Principal Investigator: Sean Bullock
Institution: San José State University

Study Purpose
This study seeks to gain insight into how licensed mental health practitioners who identify as trauma specialists conceptualize trauma as it manifests in clients. Specifically, the study explores how trauma is understood in terms of experiences, symptoms, and characteristics of traumatic events.

Who Can Participate?
Participants must:

• Hold independent licensure to practice psychotherapy

• Self-identify as a specialist in the treatment of trauma and trauma-related problems

What Participation Involves
Participants will:

• Generate brief statements describing how they conceptualize trauma in clinical practice

• Sort and rate statements related to trauma concepts

• Participate in a 2-hour virtual focus group to discuss resulting concept maps

Total estimated time commitment: approximately 3 hours.

Compensation
Participants who complete all study phases will receive a $30 gift card.

IRB Approval
This study has been approved by the San José State University Institutional Review Board (Protocol #25-204)

Interested?
Please complete the Interest Form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfEShB8rmWBVw252vxXRgdCYbx2RlThToj_WOUg_FrCVYFNvA/viewform

Posted: February 18, 2026

Exploring Licensed Mental Health Professionals’ Experience Working with Clients with Suspected Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD)

Institution: Walden University

Walden University is recruiting 6–10 licensed mental health professionals to participate in a research study exploring clinicians’ experiences working with clients who have experienced trauma, including those diagnosed with PTSD or suspected of having Complex PTSD (CPTSD).

What Participation Involves

Participants will take part in a 45–60 minute interview focused on their professional experiences treating clients with a history of trauma.

Eligibility Criteria

To participate, you must:

• Be a licensed mental health counselor, clinical social worker, or psychologist

• Have been licensed and practicing for at least five consecutive years

• Currently treat clients diagnosed with PTSD or suspected CPTSD

• Live and practice in the United States

• Have never had your professional license revoked or placed on probation

Confidentiality

This study is not affiliated with any organization. Participation will remain confidential. Only the researcher will know who participates.

• All identifying information will be removed

• Audio recordings will be stored in a password-protected, encrypted folder on a flash drive

• The flash drive will be secured in a locked filing cabinet in a locked room accessible only to the researcher

Interested in Participating?

For additional information or to volunteer, please contact:

Karen Cowell
Doctoral Candidate, Walden University
Email: karen.cowell@waldenu.edu

IRB Approval Number: 02-03-26-0786545
Approval Expiration Date: February 2, 2027

Posted: February 17, 2026

ISTSS members who would like their research to be advertised on this page may submit their proposals to info@istss.org for consideration. Research studies will be posted for six months after which an extension must be requested. Please note: ISTSS does not send research requests to our membership through listservs. However, all postings listed on this page will be cross-posted in Stresspoints and the ISTSS Twitter feed.

For submissions, please include the following information:

1. Name of Primary Investigaton
2. University where the study is taking place
3. Purpose of the study
4. Participant inclusion criteria
5. Letter of IRB Approval and date of IRB expiration (please specify that you have approval for posting on websites, social media, and electronic newsletters)
6. Survey link