The Joan Rosen Fellowship Program

Under the supervision of Kanako Taku, Associate Professor of Psychology, psychology major Aundreah Walenski examined posttraumatic growth in participants who have experienced multiple stressful life events.

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Although previous research has focused on the effect of a single stressful life event and consequent personal growth, the multi-event focus of this project is garnering attention from other scholars.They recently shared their work at the MIdwestern Psychological Association in Chicago (May 2016) and the Ameircan Psychological Association convention in Denver, Colorado (August 2016).

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In addition to contributing to their field, the researchers also engage in community outreach. While surveying Detroit and Pontiac students about their traumatic experiences, Walenski and other undergraduates spoke to students about how one might use these experiences to grow and learn. Their efforts on behalf of Pontiac residents were recognized when their endeavor was chosen as one of twenty-five Oakland University Pontiac Initiative projects.

 

Although Ms. Walenski graduated in April, she served as a co-researcher on the project this summer. In September, she will enter a graduate program in clinical social work at the University of Michigan. She plans to continue working on the project with Dr. Taku while at U of M.  Both fellows plan to present their findings at the 2017 APA convention in Washington D.C. before publishing them in a peer reviewed venue.​​