Maya I Ragavan
Biographic Data
| ID | 81083 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Maya I Ragavan |
| GIVEN NAMES | Maya I |
| FAMILY NAME | Ragavan |
| SIGNATURE | RAGAVAN M I |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Pittsburgh |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-4443-6829 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 24 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 36 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 24 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2014 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
Staff Burnout Prevention and Mitigation Protocol for Research Studies on Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence
There is an increasing focus on sexual violence (SV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) in public health research, including epidemiological, prevention, and intervention studies. Although critical institutional structures and policies exist for the protection of research participants, less consideration is given to the well-being of research staff in academic and medical research settings, including risk of burnout and vicarious trauma. No wide…
Doula and Community Health Worker Support for Perinatal Intimate Partner Violence Survivors
Introduction: The perinatal period is a dangerous time for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Doulas and community health workers (CHWs) serving perinatal people and their infants provide resources and support for survivors experiencing IPV. This study aimed to explore (1) current practices of doulas and CHWs for addressing IPV among their clients, (2) barriers and facilitators to supporting survivors, and (3) needed resources. Methods…
Exploring resiliencies to housing eviction and alcohol-related harms
Through photo elicitation interviews, participants documented assets in their communities that promoted resilience to housing eviction and alcohol-related harms. • The assets documented by participants were diverse, spanning different social determinants of health, including employment, transportation, opportunities to exercise, and social support. • Safe, clean, appealing, accessible spaces in communities are especially important because of the …
A spatial analysis of the associations between housing eviction and alcohol-related hospitalizations in Pennsylvania
This study highlights the potential for leveraging housing eviction interventions for the prevention of alcohol-related harms, especially AUD. Future research should examine the mechanisms linking eviction, alcohol consumption, and related harms, and measure the alcohol-related impacts of eviction prevention interventions
Caregivers’ Perspectives on Supporting Sexual and Gender-Diverse Youth in Adolescent Relationship Abuse Prevention
Adolescent relationship abuse (ARA) has significant sequelae and is more prevalent among sexual and gender-diverse youth (SGDY). Increased parental involvement and communication has been linked to decreased prevalence of ARA and associated health risks. Parents of SGDY may have unique needs and experiences regarding communicating with their children about ARA, yet little research has examined this area. This study explored caregivers’ current pra…
Housing Eviction and Alcohol-Related Harms
BACKGROUND: Alcohol-related harms - including acute and chronic harms as well as those partially- and fully-attributable to alcohol consumption - incur a substantial public health burden. Understanding the potential associations between structural factors, such as housing eviction, and alcohol-related harms could elucidate important opportunities for reducing this burden. Therefore, the objective of this review is to assess what current research …
Inclusion of Community-Based Participatory Research in High-Impact Medical Journals
Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is essential for addressing health care inequities; however, it is unclear to what extent articles published in high-impact medical journals use CPBR. We reviewed original research articles in nine journals across 4 years to determine how frequently CBPR was used and, for articles using CBPR, details about partnerships. Of 5,624 articles, only 6 (0.1%) used CBPR. Five identified community partners and…
Do You Speak English or Spanish? Language as a Predictor of Health Outcomes Among Hispanic Adolescents
Language is our primary tool for communication and a salient component of acculturation status among Hispanic populations. Importantly, language is associated with behavioral health outcomes and can identify and confront health disparities among Hispanic adolescents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between adolescent language identity and drug use and depressive symptoms and examine parent-adolescent communication and pa…
Communicating Health Research With Plain Language
Although critical to enacting change, effectively communicating clinical and public health research results remains a challenge. In a webinar that occurred on December 7, 2023, a group of clinical and public health researchers and communications specialists convened to share their experiences using plain language materials to communicate research results. Herein, they provide practical guidance and case examples of lay summaries, infographics, da…
Validation of the Clinicians’ Cultural Sensitivity Survey for Use in Pediatric Primary Care Settings
Covid-19 Pandemic Impact on United States Intimate Partner Violence Organizations
Covid-19 Information Sources for Black and Latine Communities
Trustworthy COVID-19 information sources may not be sufficient for increasing vaccine intention. Results can help other community-academic partnerships working to improve COVID-19 vaccine equity
The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Needs and Lived Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence Survivors in the United States
We explored the challenges and lived experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic by interviewing 53 U.S.-based IPV advocates between June and November 2020. Advocates described how the COVID-19 pandemic limited survivors' abilities to meet their basic needs. The pandemic was also described as being used by abusive partners to perpetrate control and has created unique safety and harm reduction challenges. …
The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Intimate Partner Violence Advocates and Agencies
Bilingual and Bicultural Research Teams
Researchers often describe use of "bilingual/bicultural" research teams, especially for research being conducted with marginalized communities. In this perspectives article, we argue that while increasing the diversity of research teams is imperative, using the term "bilingual/bicultural" without further explanation is problematic. We first review the nuances of the terms bilingual and bicultural individually. Next, we describe how the terms bili…
Exploring the Needs and Lived Experiences of Racial and Ethnic Minority Domestic Violence Survivors Through Community-Based Participatory Research
Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a methodological approach where community–academic teams build equitable relationships throughout the research process. In the domestic violence (DV) field, CBPR may be particularly important when conducting research with racial and ethnic minority DV survivors, as this group faces concurrent oppressions that inform their lived experiences. To our knowledge, no systematic review has synthesized art…
First-Generation Immigrant Mothers Report Less Spanking of 1-Year-Old Children Compared with Mothers of Other Immigrant Generations
Assessing Intimate Partner Violence in South Asian Women Using the Index of Spouse Abuse
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) affects 21-40% of South Asian (SA) women in the United States. No screening tool has been validated in this population. This study sought to determine the validity of the Index of Spouse Abuse (ISA) as an IPV screening tool and to determine the prevalence of IPV among a SA immigrant population. Thirty-one percent of women screened positive on one or both ISA scales. The ISA-P and ISA-NP items were highly reliable a…
The Complexities of Assessing Language and Interpreter Preferences in Pediatrics
Providing patients, parents, and families high-quality healthcare in the language of their choice is a fundamental component of patient-centered care in pediatric settings. However, language needs may be complex and dynamic, creating clinical and ethical challenges in cases of provider-parent discordance regarding the need for an interpreter. In this perspectives article, we use a clinical encounter as a foundation to discuss the intricacies of a…
Building a Novel Health Curriculum for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence Residing at a Transitional Housing Program
We used a community-based participatory research approach to develop, implement, and evaluate one of the first health curricula for female intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors residing at a transitional housing program. The curriculum comprised 12 workshops that were developed based on the survivors' experiences, needs, and interests. Evaluation participants included 20 of the 37 women who attended at least one workshop, 12 workshop facilita…
Violence Perpetrated by Mothers-in-Law in Northern India
In India, physical and psychological abuse perpetrated by a mother-in-law against a daughter-in-law is well documented. However, there is a dearth of literature exploring the perceived frequency and acceptability of mother-in-law abuse or options available for survivors of this type of abuse. The goal of this qualitative study was to add to the in-law abuse literature by exploring men's and women's perspectives about physical and psychological ab…
The Health of Women and Children After Surviving Intimate Partner Violence
Few studies have explored the perspectives of survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) regarding their health and their children's health, their experiences accessing and utilizing health care, and health initiatives that would best serve their families' needs. We facilitated focus groups with female IPV survivors and adolescents who witnessed IPV. Women described their health and their children's health as poor and reported challenges with h…
Perceptions of Options Available for Victims of Physical Intimate Partner Violence in Northern India
We used qualitative methodologies to understand perceptions regarding options available for victims of physical intimate partner violence (IPV) in northern India. We interviewed male and female community members along with IPV experts. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using grounded theory. Participants emphasized that a victim of physical IPV should bear the violence, modify her husband's behaviors, or seek help from her natal fa…
Physical Intimate Partner Violence in Northern India
In this article, we examine perceptions about the definition of physical intimate partner violence (IPV) in northern India utilizing feminist perspectives as a framework. We interviewed 56 women and 52 men affiliated with a health services nongovernmental organization in the Udaipur district of Rajasthan. We transcribed, coded, and analyzed the interviews utilizing grounded theory. We found that perceptions regarding physical IPV were associated …
The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Intimate Partner Violence Advocates and Agencies
The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Needs and Lived Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence Survivors in the United States
We explored the challenges and lived experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic by interviewing 53 U.S.-based IPV advocates between June and November 2020. Advocates described how the COVID-19 pandemic limited survivors' abilities to meet their basic needs. The pandemic was also described as being used by abusive partners to perpetrate control and has created unique safety and harm reduction challenges. …
Violence Perpetrated by Mothers-in-Law in Northern India
In India, physical and psychological abuse perpetrated by a mother-in-law against a daughter-in-law is well documented. However, there is a dearth of literature exploring the perceived frequency and acceptability of mother-in-law abuse or options available for survivors of this type of abuse. The goal of this qualitative study was to add to the in-law abuse literature by exploring men's and women's perspectives about physical and psychological ab…
Perceptions of Options Available for Victims of Physical Intimate Partner Violence in Northern India
We used qualitative methodologies to understand perceptions regarding options available for victims of physical intimate partner violence (IPV) in northern India. We interviewed male and female community members along with IPV experts. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using grounded theory. Participants emphasized that a victim of physical IPV should bear the violence, modify her husband's behaviors, or seek help from her natal fa…
Assessing Intimate Partner Violence in South Asian Women Using the Index of Spouse Abuse
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) affects 21-40% of South Asian (SA) women in the United States. No screening tool has been validated in this population. This study sought to determine the validity of the Index of Spouse Abuse (ISA) as an IPV screening tool and to determine the prevalence of IPV among a SA immigrant population. Thirty-one percent of women screened positive on one or both ISA scales. The ISA-P and ISA-NP items were highly reliable a…
Physical Intimate Partner Violence in Northern India
In this article, we examine perceptions about the definition of physical intimate partner violence (IPV) in northern India utilizing feminist perspectives as a framework. We interviewed 56 women and 52 men affiliated with a health services nongovernmental organization in the Udaipur district of Rajasthan. We transcribed, coded, and analyzed the interviews utilizing grounded theory. We found that perceptions regarding physical IPV were associated …
Covid-19 Pandemic Impact on United States Intimate Partner Violence Organizations
Building a Novel Health Curriculum for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence Residing at a Transitional Housing Program
We used a community-based participatory research approach to develop, implement, and evaluate one of the first health curricula for female intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors residing at a transitional housing program. The curriculum comprised 12 workshops that were developed based on the survivors' experiences, needs, and interests. Evaluation participants included 20 of the 37 women who attended at least one workshop, 12 workshop facilita…
The Health of Women and Children After Surviving Intimate Partner Violence
Few studies have explored the perspectives of survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) regarding their health and their children's health, their experiences accessing and utilizing health care, and health initiatives that would best serve their families' needs. We facilitated focus groups with female IPV survivors and adolescents who witnessed IPV. Women described their health and their children's health as poor and reported challenges with h…
Physical Intimate Partner Violence in Northern India
In this article, we examine perceptions about the definition of physical intimate partner violence (IPV) in northern India utilizing feminist perspectives as a framework. We interviewed 56 women and 52 men affiliated with a health services nongovernmental organization in the Udaipur district of Rajasthan. We transcribed, coded, and analyzed the interviews utilizing grounded theory. We found that perceptions regarding physical IPV were associated …
Perceptions of Options Available for Victims of Physical Intimate Partner Violence in Northern India
We used qualitative methodologies to understand perceptions regarding options available for victims of physical intimate partner violence (IPV) in northern India. We interviewed male and female community members along with IPV experts. Interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed using grounded theory. Participants emphasized that a victim of physical IPV should bear the violence, modify her husband's behaviors, or seek help from her natal fa…
The Health of Women and Children After Surviving Intimate Partner Violence
Few studies have explored the perspectives of survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) regarding their health and their children's health, their experiences accessing and utilizing health care, and health initiatives that would best serve their families' needs. We facilitated focus groups with female IPV survivors and adolescents who witnessed IPV. Women described their health and their children's health as poor and reported challenges with h…
Building a Novel Health Curriculum for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence Residing at a Transitional Housing Program
We used a community-based participatory research approach to develop, implement, and evaluate one of the first health curricula for female intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors residing at a transitional housing program. The curriculum comprised 12 workshops that were developed based on the survivors' experiences, needs, and interests. Evaluation participants included 20 of the 37 women who attended at least one workshop, 12 workshop facilita…
Violence Perpetrated by Mothers-in-Law in Northern India
In India, physical and psychological abuse perpetrated by a mother-in-law against a daughter-in-law is well documented. However, there is a dearth of literature exploring the perceived frequency and acceptability of mother-in-law abuse or options available for survivors of this type of abuse. The goal of this qualitative study was to add to the in-law abuse literature by exploring men's and women's perspectives about physical and psychological ab…
The Complexities of Assessing Language and Interpreter Preferences in Pediatrics
Providing patients, parents, and families high-quality healthcare in the language of their choice is a fundamental component of patient-centered care in pediatric settings. However, language needs may be complex and dynamic, creating clinical and ethical challenges in cases of provider-parent discordance regarding the need for an interpreter. In this perspectives article, we use a clinical encounter as a foundation to discuss the intricacies of a…
First-Generation Immigrant Mothers Report Less Spanking of 1-Year-Old Children Compared with Mothers of Other Immigrant Generations
Assessing Intimate Partner Violence in South Asian Women Using the Index of Spouse Abuse
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) affects 21-40% of South Asian (SA) women in the United States. No screening tool has been validated in this population. This study sought to determine the validity of the Index of Spouse Abuse (ISA) as an IPV screening tool and to determine the prevalence of IPV among a SA immigrant population. Thirty-one percent of women screened positive on one or both ISA scales. The ISA-P and ISA-NP items were highly reliable a…
Bilingual and Bicultural Research Teams
Researchers often describe use of "bilingual/bicultural" research teams, especially for research being conducted with marginalized communities. In this perspectives article, we argue that while increasing the diversity of research teams is imperative, using the term "bilingual/bicultural" without further explanation is problematic. We first review the nuances of the terms bilingual and bicultural individually. Next, we describe how the terms bili…
Exploring the Needs and Lived Experiences of Racial and Ethnic Minority Domestic Violence Survivors Through Community-Based Participatory Research
Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is a methodological approach where community–academic teams build equitable relationships throughout the research process. In the domestic violence (DV) field, CBPR may be particularly important when conducting research with racial and ethnic minority DV survivors, as this group faces concurrent oppressions that inform their lived experiences. To our knowledge, no systematic review has synthesized art…
The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Needs and Lived Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence Survivors in the United States
We explored the challenges and lived experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors during the COVID-19 pandemic by interviewing 53 U.S.-based IPV advocates between June and November 2020. Advocates described how the COVID-19 pandemic limited survivors' abilities to meet their basic needs. The pandemic was also described as being used by abusive partners to perpetrate control and has created unique safety and harm reduction challenges. …
The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Intimate Partner Violence Advocates and Agencies
Covid-19 Information Sources for Black and Latine Communities
Trustworthy COVID-19 information sources may not be sufficient for increasing vaccine intention. Results can help other community-academic partnerships working to improve COVID-19 vaccine equity
Validation of the Clinicians’ Cultural Sensitivity Survey for Use in Pediatric Primary Care Settings
Covid-19 Pandemic Impact on United States Intimate Partner Violence Organizations
Caregivers’ Perspectives on Supporting Sexual and Gender-Diverse Youth in Adolescent Relationship Abuse Prevention
Adolescent relationship abuse (ARA) has significant sequelae and is more prevalent among sexual and gender-diverse youth (SGDY). Increased parental involvement and communication has been linked to decreased prevalence of ARA and associated health risks. Parents of SGDY may have unique needs and experiences regarding communicating with their children about ARA, yet little research has examined this area. This study explored caregivers’ current pra…
Housing Eviction and Alcohol-Related Harms
BACKGROUND: Alcohol-related harms - including acute and chronic harms as well as those partially- and fully-attributable to alcohol consumption - incur a substantial public health burden. Understanding the potential associations between structural factors, such as housing eviction, and alcohol-related harms could elucidate important opportunities for reducing this burden. Therefore, the objective of this review is to assess what current research …
Inclusion of Community-Based Participatory Research in High-Impact Medical Journals
Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is essential for addressing health care inequities; however, it is unclear to what extent articles published in high-impact medical journals use CPBR. We reviewed original research articles in nine journals across 4 years to determine how frequently CBPR was used and, for articles using CBPR, details about partnerships. Of 5,624 articles, only 6 (0.1%) used CBPR. Five identified community partners and…
Do You Speak English or Spanish? Language as a Predictor of Health Outcomes Among Hispanic Adolescents
Language is our primary tool for communication and a salient component of acculturation status among Hispanic populations. Importantly, language is associated with behavioral health outcomes and can identify and confront health disparities among Hispanic adolescents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between adolescent language identity and drug use and depressive symptoms and examine parent-adolescent communication and pa…
Communicating Health Research With Plain Language
Although critical to enacting change, effectively communicating clinical and public health research results remains a challenge. In a webinar that occurred on December 7, 2023, a group of clinical and public health researchers and communications specialists convened to share their experiences using plain language materials to communicate research results. Herein, they provide practical guidance and case examples of lay summaries, infographics, da…
Staff Burnout Prevention and Mitigation Protocol for Research Studies on Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence
There is an increasing focus on sexual violence (SV) and intimate partner violence (IPV) in public health research, including epidemiological, prevention, and intervention studies. Although critical institutional structures and policies exist for the protection of research participants, less consideration is given to the well-being of research staff in academic and medical research settings, including risk of burnout and vicarious trauma. No wide…
Doula and Community Health Worker Support for Perinatal Intimate Partner Violence Survivors
Introduction: The perinatal period is a dangerous time for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Doulas and community health workers (CHWs) serving perinatal people and their infants provide resources and support for survivors experiencing IPV. This study aimed to explore (1) current practices of doulas and CHWs for addressing IPV among their clients, (2) barriers and facilitators to supporting survivors, and (3) needed resources. Methods…
Exploring resiliencies to housing eviction and alcohol-related harms
Through photo elicitation interviews, participants documented assets in their communities that promoted resilience to housing eviction and alcohol-related harms. • The assets documented by participants were diverse, spanning different social determinants of health, including employment, transportation, opportunities to exercise, and social support. • Safe, clean, appealing, accessible spaces in communities are especially important because of the …
A spatial analysis of the associations between housing eviction and alcohol-related hospitalizations in Pennsylvania
This study highlights the potential for leveraging housing eviction interventions for the prevention of alcohol-related harms, especially AUD. Future research should examine the mechanisms linking eviction, alcohol consumption, and related harms, and measure the alcohol-related impacts of eviction prevention interventions
Medicine (16 works) · Psychology (15 works) · Intimate Partner and Family Violence (13 works) · Poison control (12 works) · Political science (10 works) · Domestic violence (9 works) · Suicide prevention (9 works) · Environmental health (7 works) · Injury prevention (7 works) · Occupational safety and health (7 works)