Kelly E O’connor
Biographic Data
| ID | 366998 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Kelly E O’connor |
| GIVEN NAMES | Kelly E |
| FAMILY NAME | O’connor |
| SIGNATURE | O’CONNOR K E |
| AFFILIATIONS | Virginia Commonwealth University |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-1314-9851 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 17 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 14 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 17 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2019 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
The moderating role of school engagement on the relationship between childhood adversity and latent profiles of mental and behavioral health among child welfare-involved adolescents
Youths Beliefs About Guns
This study explored the association between youth gun beliefs, behaviors, and violence. Hierarchical regression examined whether gun beliefs predicted defensive and offensive gun behaviors and gun violence. The EFA confirmed gun belief subscales and indicated two gun behavior subscales. Emotional risk beliefs were negatively related to all outcomes, social perception related to defensive behavior, gun presence related to offensive behavior, and n…
Relations Between Developmental Assets and Youth Gun Violence
This study investigates the potential promotive effects of developmental assets (e.g., strengths and resources) on youth gun violence. Guided by resilience theory and the social-ecological model, this study examines the associations between developmental assets (e.g., strengths and resources) across multiple ecological contexts and gun violence among a hospital-based sample of violently injured youth ( n = 69) and a community-based sample of yout…
Profiles of Risk and Promotive Factors Associated With Aggression and Other Problem Behaviors Among Middle School Students in an Urban School System
This study’s goal was to identify patterns of risk and promotive factors across multiple social-ecological domains and their associations with adolescents’ problem behaviors (aggression, substance use, and other delinquent behaviors), victimization, and distress symptoms. Participants were a mostly African American (79%) sample of 2711 middle school students (M age = 12.7; 52% female) in urban neighborhoods who completed measures of 13 risk and p…
Relations Between Violence Exposure and Gun Carriage
This study identified risk, promotive, and protective factors for handgun carriage among 265 primarily African American adolescents ( Mage = 14.3) living in low-income urban areas. Community-based violent victimization and witnessing violence and in-person and cyber forms of peer victimization increased the probability of handgun carriage. Community collective efficacy, including caregiver-reported social connectedness and informal social control…
Childhood Adversity Moderates Change in Latent Patterns of Psychological Adjustment during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Emerging evidence suggests that the consequences of childhood adversity impact later psychopathology by increasing individuals’ risk of experiencing difficulties in adjusting to stressful situations later in life. The goals of this study were to: (a) identify sociodemographic factors associated with subgroups of psychological adjustment prior to and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and (b) examine whether and to what extent types of child…
Ecological promotive and protective factors deterring gun carriage for young adults living in communities with high rates of community violence
This study identified promotive and protective factors that lessened the likelihood of handgun carriage in a sample of 141 predominantly Black (97%) young adults (ages 18–22) living in high burden communities experiencing elevated rates of violence. Participants completed surveys assessing overall risk and protective factors for violence across ecological contexts (e.g., individual/peer, family, school, and community). A series of regression and …
Challenges to implementing parent‐focused antibullying policies
Bullying is a public health concern warranting policy‐level responses. Toward this end, states are enacting antibullying policies that require schools to be inclusive of parents. The current study examines parent‐related challenges as schools implement newly amended antibullying legislation in Connecticut. School personnel data were analyzed from 24 semistructured interviews and qualitative survey responses across 300 schools. We used inductive c…
Transgender and gender expansive emerging adults
Transgender and gender expansive emerging adults experience multiple forms of gender minority stress, which affect their mental health and wellbeing. Belongingness has been identified as a factor that fosters resilience among this population, with potential protective effects. Few studies have explored the role of thwarted belongingness and its potential moderating effect on the relation between gender minority stress and mental health. This stud…
Relationships Between Emotional Comfort From Companion Animals and Victimization and Psychological Well-Being Among Sexual and Gender Minority Emerging Adults
Objective: The current study evaluates whether, and to what extent, the association between gender-based victimization and well-being among sexual and gender minority emerging adults varies as a function of emotional support from companion animals. Method: Data were collected from young people ages 18–21 years who self-identified as a sexual and/or gender minority (N = 134; 37.3% ethnic/racial minority; 49.2% gender minority; 98.5% sexual minorit…
The role of thwarted belongingness on the relationship between microaggressions and mental health for LGBTQ+ emerging adults
This study investigated thwarted belongingness as a moderator of the relationship between microaggressions and mental health among LGBTQ+ emerging adults. Using data collected from 186 LGBTQ+ emerging adults, we conducted separate moderation analyses to examine whether, and to what extent, the relation between microaggressions and mental health (i.e. anxiety and depressive symptoms) is moderated by thwarted belongingness. Interpersonal and enviro…
Hurt people hurt people”
This study identified subgroups of adolescents with distinct patterns of involvement with overt and relational in‐person and cyber aggression and victimization. We also assessed subgroup similarities and differences in exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), exposure to community violence, and trauma symptoms. Using latent class analysis, we identified three subgroups among 265 adolescents ( M age = 14.3 years; 57% female; 96% African A…
A community‐specific framework of risk factors for youth violence
This study offers a qualitative comparison of risk factors for youth violence from the perspectives of community stakeholders in a low‐income, urban community experiencing elevated rates of violence. One‐on‐one interviews were conducted with 36 community stakeholders across three key categories: 10 community residents who cared for youth living in the community, 15 program or service providers, and 11 leaders in community agencies and organizatio…
Do animal Cruelty Exposure and Positive Engagement with Pets Moderate Associations Between Children’s Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence and Externalizing Behavior Problems
Medical student and resident perceptions when working together in resident continuity clinics
Both residents and students positively viewed their interactions in RCCs. Although most students felt residents were effective teachers, most residents worried about their ability to balance clinical care and teaching responsibilities
Patterns of Parental Messages Supporting Fighting and Nonviolence Among Urban Middle School Students
The purpose of this study was to identify subgroups of adolescents with distinct perceptions of parental messages supporting fighting and nonviolence. Latent class analysis identified four subgroups among 2,619 urban middle school students (90% African American; 52% female): messages supporting fighting (32%), messages supporting nonviolence (29%), mixed messages (23%), and no messages (16%). We found significant differences across subgroups in t…
Social and Emotional Adjustment Across Aggressor/Victim Subgroups
Ecological promotive and protective factors deterring gun carriage for young adults living in communities with high rates of community violence
This study identified promotive and protective factors that lessened the likelihood of handgun carriage in a sample of 141 predominantly Black (97%) young adults (ages 18–22) living in high burden communities experiencing elevated rates of violence. Participants completed surveys assessing overall risk and protective factors for violence across ecological contexts (e.g., individual/peer, family, school, and community). A series of regression and …
The role of thwarted belongingness on the relationship between microaggressions and mental health for LGBTQ+ emerging adults
This study investigated thwarted belongingness as a moderator of the relationship between microaggressions and mental health among LGBTQ+ emerging adults. Using data collected from 186 LGBTQ+ emerging adults, we conducted separate moderation analyses to examine whether, and to what extent, the relation between microaggressions and mental health (i.e. anxiety and depressive symptoms) is moderated by thwarted belongingness. Interpersonal and enviro…
Relations Between Violence Exposure and Gun Carriage
This study identified risk, promotive, and protective factors for handgun carriage among 265 primarily African American adolescents ( Mage = 14.3) living in low-income urban areas. Community-based violent victimization and witnessing violence and in-person and cyber forms of peer victimization increased the probability of handgun carriage. Community collective efficacy, including caregiver-reported social connectedness and informal social control…
Relationships Between Emotional Comfort From Companion Animals and Victimization and Psychological Well-Being Among Sexual and Gender Minority Emerging Adults
Objective: The current study evaluates whether, and to what extent, the association between gender-based victimization and well-being among sexual and gender minority emerging adults varies as a function of emotional support from companion animals. Method: Data were collected from young people ages 18–21 years who self-identified as a sexual and/or gender minority (N = 134; 37.3% ethnic/racial minority; 49.2% gender minority; 98.5% sexual minorit…
Patterns of Parental Messages Supporting Fighting and Nonviolence Among Urban Middle School Students
The purpose of this study was to identify subgroups of adolescents with distinct perceptions of parental messages supporting fighting and nonviolence. Latent class analysis identified four subgroups among 2,619 urban middle school students (90% African American; 52% female): messages supporting fighting (32%), messages supporting nonviolence (29%), mixed messages (23%), and no messages (16%). We found significant differences across subgroups in t…
A community‐specific framework of risk factors for youth violence
This study offers a qualitative comparison of risk factors for youth violence from the perspectives of community stakeholders in a low‐income, urban community experiencing elevated rates of violence. One‐on‐one interviews were conducted with 36 community stakeholders across three key categories: 10 community residents who cared for youth living in the community, 15 program or service providers, and 11 leaders in community agencies and organizatio…
Social and Emotional Adjustment Across Aggressor/Victim Subgroups
Social and Emotional Adjustment Across Aggressor/Victim Subgroups
Do animal Cruelty Exposure and Positive Engagement with Pets Moderate Associations Between Children’s Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence and Externalizing Behavior Problems
Medical student and resident perceptions when working together in resident continuity clinics
Both residents and students positively viewed their interactions in RCCs. Although most students felt residents were effective teachers, most residents worried about their ability to balance clinical care and teaching responsibilities
Patterns of Parental Messages Supporting Fighting and Nonviolence Among Urban Middle School Students
The purpose of this study was to identify subgroups of adolescents with distinct perceptions of parental messages supporting fighting and nonviolence. Latent class analysis identified four subgroups among 2,619 urban middle school students (90% African American; 52% female): messages supporting fighting (32%), messages supporting nonviolence (29%), mixed messages (23%), and no messages (16%). We found significant differences across subgroups in t…
Relationships Between Emotional Comfort From Companion Animals and Victimization and Psychological Well-Being Among Sexual and Gender Minority Emerging Adults
Objective: The current study evaluates whether, and to what extent, the association between gender-based victimization and well-being among sexual and gender minority emerging adults varies as a function of emotional support from companion animals. Method: Data were collected from young people ages 18–21 years who self-identified as a sexual and/or gender minority (N = 134; 37.3% ethnic/racial minority; 49.2% gender minority; 98.5% sexual minorit…
The role of thwarted belongingness on the relationship between microaggressions and mental health for LGBTQ+ emerging adults
This study investigated thwarted belongingness as a moderator of the relationship between microaggressions and mental health among LGBTQ+ emerging adults. Using data collected from 186 LGBTQ+ emerging adults, we conducted separate moderation analyses to examine whether, and to what extent, the relation between microaggressions and mental health (i.e. anxiety and depressive symptoms) is moderated by thwarted belongingness. Interpersonal and enviro…
Hurt people hurt people”
This study identified subgroups of adolescents with distinct patterns of involvement with overt and relational in‐person and cyber aggression and victimization. We also assessed subgroup similarities and differences in exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), exposure to community violence, and trauma symptoms. Using latent class analysis, we identified three subgroups among 265 adolescents ( M age = 14.3 years; 57% female; 96% African A…
A community‐specific framework of risk factors for youth violence
This study offers a qualitative comparison of risk factors for youth violence from the perspectives of community stakeholders in a low‐income, urban community experiencing elevated rates of violence. One‐on‐one interviews were conducted with 36 community stakeholders across three key categories: 10 community residents who cared for youth living in the community, 15 program or service providers, and 11 leaders in community agencies and organizatio…
Challenges to implementing parent‐focused antibullying policies
Bullying is a public health concern warranting policy‐level responses. Toward this end, states are enacting antibullying policies that require schools to be inclusive of parents. The current study examines parent‐related challenges as schools implement newly amended antibullying legislation in Connecticut. School personnel data were analyzed from 24 semistructured interviews and qualitative survey responses across 300 schools. We used inductive c…
Transgender and gender expansive emerging adults
Transgender and gender expansive emerging adults experience multiple forms of gender minority stress, which affect their mental health and wellbeing. Belongingness has been identified as a factor that fosters resilience among this population, with potential protective effects. Few studies have explored the role of thwarted belongingness and its potential moderating effect on the relation between gender minority stress and mental health. This stud…
Childhood Adversity Moderates Change in Latent Patterns of Psychological Adjustment during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Emerging evidence suggests that the consequences of childhood adversity impact later psychopathology by increasing individuals’ risk of experiencing difficulties in adjusting to stressful situations later in life. The goals of this study were to: (a) identify sociodemographic factors associated with subgroups of psychological adjustment prior to and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and (b) examine whether and to what extent types of child…
Ecological promotive and protective factors deterring gun carriage for young adults living in communities with high rates of community violence
This study identified promotive and protective factors that lessened the likelihood of handgun carriage in a sample of 141 predominantly Black (97%) young adults (ages 18–22) living in high burden communities experiencing elevated rates of violence. Participants completed surveys assessing overall risk and protective factors for violence across ecological contexts (e.g., individual/peer, family, school, and community). A series of regression and …
Profiles of Risk and Promotive Factors Associated With Aggression and Other Problem Behaviors Among Middle School Students in an Urban School System
This study’s goal was to identify patterns of risk and promotive factors across multiple social-ecological domains and their associations with adolescents’ problem behaviors (aggression, substance use, and other delinquent behaviors), victimization, and distress symptoms. Participants were a mostly African American (79%) sample of 2711 middle school students (M age = 12.7; 52% female) in urban neighborhoods who completed measures of 13 risk and p…
Relations Between Violence Exposure and Gun Carriage
This study identified risk, promotive, and protective factors for handgun carriage among 265 primarily African American adolescents ( Mage = 14.3) living in low-income urban areas. Community-based violent victimization and witnessing violence and in-person and cyber forms of peer victimization increased the probability of handgun carriage. Community collective efficacy, including caregiver-reported social connectedness and informal social control…
Youths Beliefs About Guns
This study explored the association between youth gun beliefs, behaviors, and violence. Hierarchical regression examined whether gun beliefs predicted defensive and offensive gun behaviors and gun violence. The EFA confirmed gun belief subscales and indicated two gun behavior subscales. Emotional risk beliefs were negatively related to all outcomes, social perception related to defensive behavior, gun presence related to offensive behavior, and n…
Relations Between Developmental Assets and Youth Gun Violence
This study investigates the potential promotive effects of developmental assets (e.g., strengths and resources) on youth gun violence. Guided by resilience theory and the social-ecological model, this study examines the associations between developmental assets (e.g., strengths and resources) across multiple ecological contexts and gun violence among a hospital-based sample of violently injured youth ( n = 69) and a community-based sample of yout…
The moderating role of school engagement on the relationship between childhood adversity and latent profiles of mental and behavioral health among child welfare-involved adolescents
Psychology (15 works) · Medicine (11 works) · Developmental psychology (10 works) · Social Psychology (10 works) · Poison control (8 works) · Clinical Psychology (7 works) · Suicide prevention (7 works) · Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression (6 works) · Clinical Psychology (6 works) · Human Factors and Ergonomics (6 works)