Thulitha Wickrama
Biographic Data
| ID | 213959 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Thulitha Wickrama |
| GIVEN NAMES | Thulitha |
| FAMILY NAME | Wickrama |
| SIGNATURE | WICKRAMA T |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Nebraska–Lincoln |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-3184-8541 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 18 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 5 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 18 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2010 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Parent–Adolescent Relationship Quality and Parenting Stress Across More Than Two Decades: The Mediating Role of Depressive Symptoms
Parenting stress is associated with negative outcomes for both parents and their children, and it may be influenced by the quality of relationships that parents had with their own parents. To enhance understanding of this intergenerational relation, the present study examined whether stability and change in depressive symptoms mediated the association between parent–adolescent relationship quality during adolescence and subsequent parenting stres…
Adolescent Cumulative Adversity, Mental Health, and Young Adult Sexual Health
Objectives: Drawing from stress process and developmental perspectives, in this study, we conceptualize how adolescent cumulative adversity, defined by both early socioeconomic adversity and adolescent stressful life events, influences adolescent mental health, and later, young adult sexual health. Methods: We used longitudinal data from 12,424 participants across 4 waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Healt…
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Intimate Partner Violence Among Recent Adults: Mental Health and Race
Adolescents’ Tsunami Exposure and Mental Health Consequences: Protective Role of Cultural Coping Strategies
There is a knowledge gap regarding the link between disaster exposure and adolescent mental health problems in developing countries. This study examines the case of Sri Lanka to investigate (a) the immediate and long-term mental health impact of the 2004 tsunami disaster on adolescents and (b) the potential moderating effects of unique cultural and family practices that prevail in Sri Lanka. This study used a random sample of 160 adolescents (age…
How do family adversity and youth stressful experiences lead to adult economic adversity? An integration of multiple life course mechanisms
The primary objective of the present study was to apply multiple life course mechanisms, drawn from the life course epidemiological perspective, to explain the long-term influence of family socioeconomic adversity and adolescent stressful life events on adult economic adversity. The study used prospective data over 13 years from 11,075 adolescents from the Adolescent to Adult Health Study (Add Health). First, we developed a comprehensive life cou…
Adolescents’ adverse family context and intimate partner violence: Mediating role of social media experience
Early socioeconomic adversity and young adult diabetic risk: An Investigation of Genetically Informed Biopsychosocial Processes Over the Life Course
The present study investigated a comprehensive model that integrates contributions of early socioeconomic adversity (ESA) and multiple polygenic scores (PGSs) through different mechanisms leading to diabetic risk in early adulthood. The study used prospective, longitudinal data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent and Adult Health (Add Health) with a sample of 5,728 youth of European ancestry. The results showed that both ESA and PG…
Subjective reactions to international research participation: An illustration of ethical considerations with women heading households in Sri Lanka
There are unique ethical considerations in conducting international research with war and disaster-affected populations that are important for ensuring adequate protection of participants. Of particular importance is the distress that participants may experience as a result of being asked about traumatic stressors, psychological symptoms, and life problems. In this study, trauma-affected Tamil women in Eastern Sri Lanka were asked to report on th…
Toward understanding posttraumatic stress and depression among trauma-affected widows in Sri Lanka
Results support the utility of COR theory in this context and hold implications for research and program development. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)
Posttraumatic Cognitions and Depressive Symptoms in War and Disaster Affected Widows in Sri Lanka: The Role of Community Support
War and disaster in Sri Lanka: Depression, family adjustment and health among women heading households
BACKGROUND: The civil war, lasting from 1983 to 2009, and the tsunami that struck Southeastern Asia in 2004 were major stressors that changed the demographic landscape of the northern province of Sri Lanka. The composition of families changed dramatically, with an increase in female-headed households, largely due to casualties. The conservation of resources (COR) model was applied in this study to examine relationships between risk and resiliency…
The role of natural disaster in individual and relational adjustment in Sri Lankan mothers following the 2004 tsunami
The purpose of this study is to examine the associations between maternal mental health distress symptoms, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, the extent to which the presence of a child's disaster-related physical health problem(s) have interfered with daily functioning, and family cohesion over time among Sri Lankan mothers who survived the tsunami on 26 December 2004. Study variables were measured using a self-report quest…
Change in the health of tsunami-exposed mothers three years after the natural disaster
Background: Women’s experiences with secondary stressors resulting from natural disasters, such as increased economic insecurity, expanded caregiving responsibilities and disrupted family life, may contribute to women’s mental and physical health problems. Aims: The present study investigates change and stability in post-tsunami depressive symptoms and perceived physical health of tsunami-exposed mothers over three and a half years. Methods: Usin…
Early Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Young Adult Sexual Health
This study demonstrates how individual-, family-, and community-level characteristics and vulnerabilities contribute to young adult sexual risk and STI prevalence. Findings indicate specific individual characteristics and childhood experiences that should be specific targets of STI prevention efforts
Association Between Body Mass Index and Depressive Symptoms of African American Married Couples: Mediating and Moderating Roles of Couples’ Behavioral Closeness
This study examined (a) associations between body mass index (BMI) and depressive symptoms in African American husbands and wives, (b) transactional associations between husbands and wives in this relationship, and (c) mediating and moderating role of couples’ behavioral closeness in this association. Data came from a sample of 450 African American married couples residing in a southern state. The study found that (a) husbands’ and wives’ BMI is …
Perceived community participation in tsunami recovery efforts and the mental health of tsunami-affected mothers: Findings from a study in rural Sri Lanka
Background: The 2004 tsunami seriously affected millions of families in several developing countries by destroying their livelihoods, houses and communities, subsequently damaging social and physical resources. Disaster studies have documented that both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression develop during the first six months following disaster exposure for the majority of those afflicted. Aims and Methods: Using data from 325 tsun…
School contextual experiences and longitudinal changes in depressive symptoms from adolescence to young adulthood
The current study examined the direct and multiplicative influences by adolescent school context experiences (disengagement and maltreatment) and contextual characteristics (school minority concentration and school aggregated family poverty) on changes in depressive symptoms from adolescence to young adulthood. Adolescent experiences with maltreatment and school disengagement were positively associated with changes in depressive symptoms over tim…
Perceived community disorder, hostile marital interactions, and self-reported health of African American couples: An interdyadic process
Using a sample of African American husbands and wives, this study investigates whether marital interactions and health are linked to their perceived community disorder. Findings suggest that only husbands' perceived community disorder is associated with their hostile behaviors toward their wives. Although wives' perceived disorder is strongly associated with husbands' perceived disorder, wives' perceptions are not directly associated with their h…
Association Between Body Mass Index and Depressive Symptoms of African American Married Couples: Mediating and Moderating Roles of Couples’ Behavioral Closeness
This study examined (a) associations between body mass index (BMI) and depressive symptoms in African American husbands and wives, (b) transactional associations between husbands and wives in this relationship, and (c) mediating and moderating role of couples’ behavioral closeness in this association. Data came from a sample of 450 African American married couples residing in a southern state. The study found that (a) husbands’ and wives’ BMI is …
School contextual experiences and longitudinal changes in depressive symptoms from adolescence to young adulthood
The current study examined the direct and multiplicative influences by adolescent school context experiences (disengagement and maltreatment) and contextual characteristics (school minority concentration and school aggregated family poverty) on changes in depressive symptoms from adolescence to young adulthood. Adolescent experiences with maltreatment and school disengagement were positively associated with changes in depressive symptoms over tim…
How do family adversity and youth stressful experiences lead to adult economic adversity? An integration of multiple life course mechanisms
The primary objective of the present study was to apply multiple life course mechanisms, drawn from the life course epidemiological perspective, to explain the long-term influence of family socioeconomic adversity and adolescent stressful life events on adult economic adversity. The study used prospective data over 13 years from 11,075 adolescents from the Adolescent to Adult Health Study (Add Health). First, we developed a comprehensive life cou…
Perceived community disorder, hostile marital interactions, and self-reported health of African American couples: An interdyadic process
Using a sample of African American husbands and wives, this study investigates whether marital interactions and health are linked to their perceived community disorder. Findings suggest that only husbands' perceived community disorder is associated with their hostile behaviors toward their wives. Although wives' perceived disorder is strongly associated with husbands' perceived disorder, wives' perceptions are not directly associated with their h…
Perceived community participation in tsunami recovery efforts and the mental health of tsunami-affected mothers: Findings from a study in rural Sri Lanka
Background: The 2004 tsunami seriously affected millions of families in several developing countries by destroying their livelihoods, houses and communities, subsequently damaging social and physical resources. Disaster studies have documented that both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression develop during the first six months following disaster exposure for the majority of those afflicted. Aims and Methods: Using data from 325 tsun…
School contextual experiences and longitudinal changes in depressive symptoms from adolescence to young adulthood
The current study examined the direct and multiplicative influences by adolescent school context experiences (disengagement and maltreatment) and contextual characteristics (school minority concentration and school aggregated family poverty) on changes in depressive symptoms from adolescence to young adulthood. Adolescent experiences with maltreatment and school disengagement were positively associated with changes in depressive symptoms over tim…
Change in the health of tsunami-exposed mothers three years after the natural disaster
Background: Women’s experiences with secondary stressors resulting from natural disasters, such as increased economic insecurity, expanded caregiving responsibilities and disrupted family life, may contribute to women’s mental and physical health problems. Aims: The present study investigates change and stability in post-tsunami depressive symptoms and perceived physical health of tsunami-exposed mothers over three and a half years. Methods: Usin…
Early Socioeconomic Disadvantage and Young Adult Sexual Health
This study demonstrates how individual-, family-, and community-level characteristics and vulnerabilities contribute to young adult sexual risk and STI prevalence. Findings indicate specific individual characteristics and childhood experiences that should be specific targets of STI prevention efforts
Association Between Body Mass Index and Depressive Symptoms of African American Married Couples: Mediating and Moderating Roles of Couples’ Behavioral Closeness
This study examined (a) associations between body mass index (BMI) and depressive symptoms in African American husbands and wives, (b) transactional associations between husbands and wives in this relationship, and (c) mediating and moderating role of couples’ behavioral closeness in this association. Data came from a sample of 450 African American married couples residing in a southern state. The study found that (a) husbands’ and wives’ BMI is …
War and disaster in Sri Lanka: Depression, family adjustment and health among women heading households
BACKGROUND: The civil war, lasting from 1983 to 2009, and the tsunami that struck Southeastern Asia in 2004 were major stressors that changed the demographic landscape of the northern province of Sri Lanka. The composition of families changed dramatically, with an increase in female-headed households, largely due to casualties. The conservation of resources (COR) model was applied in this study to examine relationships between risk and resiliency…
The role of natural disaster in individual and relational adjustment in Sri Lankan mothers following the 2004 tsunami
The purpose of this study is to examine the associations between maternal mental health distress symptoms, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, the extent to which the presence of a child's disaster-related physical health problem(s) have interfered with daily functioning, and family cohesion over time among Sri Lankan mothers who survived the tsunami on 26 December 2004. Study variables were measured using a self-report quest…
Posttraumatic Cognitions and Depressive Symptoms in War and Disaster Affected Widows in Sri Lanka: The Role of Community Support
Toward understanding posttraumatic stress and depression among trauma-affected widows in Sri Lanka
Results support the utility of COR theory in this context and hold implications for research and program development. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved)
Subjective reactions to international research participation: An illustration of ethical considerations with women heading households in Sri Lanka
There are unique ethical considerations in conducting international research with war and disaster-affected populations that are important for ensuring adequate protection of participants. Of particular importance is the distress that participants may experience as a result of being asked about traumatic stressors, psychological symptoms, and life problems. In this study, trauma-affected Tamil women in Eastern Sri Lanka were asked to report on th…
Early socioeconomic adversity and young adult diabetic risk: An Investigation of Genetically Informed Biopsychosocial Processes Over the Life Course
The present study investigated a comprehensive model that integrates contributions of early socioeconomic adversity (ESA) and multiple polygenic scores (PGSs) through different mechanisms leading to diabetic risk in early adulthood. The study used prospective, longitudinal data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent and Adult Health (Add Health) with a sample of 5,728 youth of European ancestry. The results showed that both ESA and PG…
Adolescents’ adverse family context and intimate partner violence: Mediating role of social media experience
Adverse Childhood Experiences and Intimate Partner Violence Among Recent Adults: Mental Health and Race
Adolescents’ Tsunami Exposure and Mental Health Consequences: Protective Role of Cultural Coping Strategies
There is a knowledge gap regarding the link between disaster exposure and adolescent mental health problems in developing countries. This study examines the case of Sri Lanka to investigate (a) the immediate and long-term mental health impact of the 2004 tsunami disaster on adolescents and (b) the potential moderating effects of unique cultural and family practices that prevail in Sri Lanka. This study used a random sample of 160 adolescents (age…
How do family adversity and youth stressful experiences lead to adult economic adversity? An integration of multiple life course mechanisms
The primary objective of the present study was to apply multiple life course mechanisms, drawn from the life course epidemiological perspective, to explain the long-term influence of family socioeconomic adversity and adolescent stressful life events on adult economic adversity. The study used prospective data over 13 years from 11,075 adolescents from the Adolescent to Adult Health Study (Add Health). First, we developed a comprehensive life cou…
Parent–Adolescent Relationship Quality and Parenting Stress Across More Than Two Decades: The Mediating Role of Depressive Symptoms
Parenting stress is associated with negative outcomes for both parents and their children, and it may be influenced by the quality of relationships that parents had with their own parents. To enhance understanding of this intergenerational relation, the present study examined whether stability and change in depressive symptoms mediated the association between parent–adolescent relationship quality during adolescence and subsequent parenting stres…
Adolescent Cumulative Adversity, Mental Health, and Young Adult Sexual Health
Objectives: Drawing from stress process and developmental perspectives, in this study, we conceptualize how adolescent cumulative adversity, defined by both early socioeconomic adversity and adolescent stressful life events, influences adolescent mental health, and later, young adult sexual health. Methods: We used longitudinal data from 12,424 participants across 4 waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Healt…
Psychology (18 works) · Medicine (14 works) · Psychiatry (14 works) · Clinical Psychology (13 works) · Clinical Psychology (9 works) · Environmental health (9 works) · Developmental psychology (7 works) · Mental health (7 works) · Poison control (7 works) · Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research (7 works)