Ph.D., University of Kentucky (2004)

Research Interests

Combat trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), meaning-making, and trauma-related cognitions.

Research Statement

My primary research interest is in the area of traumatic stress and coping. Broadly, I am interested in the cognitive appraisal processes that occur after traumatic events and how these impact mental health and coping. I currently focus on the meaning-making process for military veterans after combat exposure and its effect on symptoms such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Recent research with veterans has explored the relationships between guilt, meaning in life, and PTSD severity; mental health needs and barriers to mental health access for female veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan; and differences in relationship conflict, attachment, and depression for veterans with PTSD, hazardous substance use, or both. Research with colleagues in VA Medical Centers has centered on treatment outcome, investigating variables such as mindfulness, personality disorder diagnoses, and other variables that may affect outcome.

Current and Future Directions

My current and future work remains focused on meaning-making as well as posttraumatic growth after trauma exposure and characteristics that may encourage or hinder making meaning or reporting growth. I am also interested moral injury among veterans and how this relates to PTSD and other mental health concerns.

Owens, G. P. (2021). Race-Related Events and Mental Health. Department of Psychology Faculty Research Support. ($2500).

Keller, E. M. & Owens, G. P. (2019). Understanding Help-seeking in Rural Counties: A Serial Mediation Model of Self-Reliance, Stigma, and Attitudes towards Psychologists. University of Tennessee Graduate School Student-Faculty Research Award. ($2000)

Owens, G. P., & Flores, L. (2017). Diagnostic Assessments for Veterans in Recovery Court. University of Tennessee Community Engagement Incentive Grant. ($2000)

Owens, G. P. (2016). Veterans’ Mental Health. Department of Psychology Faculty Research Support.

($1225).

Owens, G. P. (2013). Predictors of Meaning-Making among Combat-Exposed Military Veterans. Chancellor’s Professional Development Award, University of Tennessee. ($2500).

Owens, G. P. (2009). Veterans’ Mental Health. Chancellor’s Professional Development

Award, University of Tennessee. ($5000).

Owens, G. P. (2006). Barriers to Mental Health Access for Female Veterans of Iraq and 

Afghanistan. University of Louisville Intramural Research Incentive Grants Research on Women Grant. ($3650). (Funds not accessed due to position change to University of Tennessee.)

Moody, A. T.*, Lewis, J. A., & Owens, G. P. (2023). Gendered racism, coping, and traumatic stress among Black women: The moderating roles of the strong Black woman schema and womanist attitudes. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 47(2), 197-212. https://doi.org/10.1177/03616843221143752

Owens, G. P., Hamrick, L. A.*, Keller, E. M.*, Perkins, M.*, Collins, S.*, Thomas, E. A.*, Haag, I., Swan, S., & Pickering, N. (2022). Predictors of posttraumatic stress symptom severity and meaning made in treatment-seeking veterans. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 78, 2564-2578. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23369

Keller, E. M.*, & Owens, G. P. (2021). Understanding help-seeking in rural counties: A serial mediation model. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 78(5), 857-876. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23260

Thomas, E. D.*, Owens, G. P., & Keller, E.* (2021). Relationships among non-interpersonal and interpersonal trauma types, posttraumatic stress, and posttraumatic growth. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 77, 2592-2608. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23190

Keller, E. M.*, & Owens, G. P. (2020). Traditional rural values and posttraumatic stress among rural and urban undergraduates. PLOS ONE, 15(8), e0237578. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0237578

Hamrick, L. A.*, & Owens, G. P. (2020). Exploring the potential moderating role of self-compassion on the relationships between event centrality and post-assault psychological outcomes. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 77, 156-172. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23018

Keller, E. M.*, Owens, G. P., Perkins, M.*, & Hamrick, L.* (2020). A qualitative analysis of meaning-making and mental health among OIF/OEF veterans. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 76, 1851-1868. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22959

Thomas, E. D.*, Hamrick, L.*, Owens, G. P., & Tekie, Y.* (2019). Posttraumatic growth among undergraduates: Contributions from adaptive cognitive emotion regulation and emotional intelligence. Traumatology. https://doi.org/10.1037/trm0000203

Hamrick, L. A.*, & Owens, G. P. (2019). Exploring the mediating role of self-blame and coping in the relationships between self-compassion and distress in females following sexual assault. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 75, 766–779. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22730

Held, P.*, Owens, G. P., Thomas, E.*, White, B.*, Anderson, S. E. (2018). A pilot study of Brief Self-Compassion Training with individuals in substance use disorder treatment. Traumatology, 24, 219-227. https://doi.org/10.1037/trm0000146

Stowell, D. R., Owens, G. P., & Burnett, A. (2018). A pilot horticultural therapy program serving veterans with mental health issues: Feasibility and outcomes. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 32, 74-78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.05.007

Owens, G. P., Held, P.* Hamrick, L.*, & Keller, E.* (2018). The indirect effects of emotion regulation on associations between attachment style, depression, and meaning made among undergraduates who experienced stressful events. Motivation and Emotion, 42, 429-437. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-018-9688-0

Held, P.*, Owens, G. P., Monroe, R., & Chard, K. M. (2017). Increased mindfulness skills as predictors of decreased trauma-related guilt in treatment-seeking veterans. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 30, 425-431. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22209

Owens, G. P. (2016). Predictors of posttraumatic growth and posttraumatic stress symptom severity in undergraduates reporting potentially traumatic events. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 72, 1064-1076. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22309

Blackburn, L.*, & Owens, G. P. (2016). Rumination, resilience, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptom severity among veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment, and Trauma, 25, 197-209. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2015.1107174

Held, P.*, Owens, G. P., & Anderson, S. E. (2015). The interrelationships among trauma-related guilt and shame, coping, PTSD, and substance use in a sample of treatment-seeking substance users. Traumatology, 21, 285-292. https://doi.org/10.1037/trm0000050

Schumm, J. A., Dickstein, B., Walter, K. H., Owens, G. P., & Chard, K. M. (2015). Changes in posttraumatic cognitions predict changes in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms during cognitive processing therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 83, 1161-1166. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000040

Held, P.*, & Owens, G. P. (2015). Effects of self-compassion workbook training on trauma-related guilt in a sample of homeless veterans: A pilot study. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 71, 513-526. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22170

Herrera, C. J.*, & Owens, G. P. (2015). Relationships among multicultural personality, hardiness, cultural stress, and distress in U.S. military personnel. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 71, 323-333. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22138

Blackburn, L.*, & Owens, G. P. (2015). The effect of self-efficacy and meaning in life on posttraumatic stress disorder and depression severity among veterans. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 71, 219-228. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22133

Steger, M. F., Owens, G. P., & Park, C. L. (2015). Violations of war: Testing the meaning making model among military veterans. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 71, 105-116. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.22121

Walter, K. H., Varkovitzky, R. L., Owens, G. P., Lewis, J., & Chard, K. M. (2014). Cognitive processing therapy for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder: A cross-sectional and longitudinal comparison between outpatient and residential PTSD treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 82, 551-561. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037075

Owens, G. P., Held, P.*, Blackburn, L.*, Auerbach, J. S., Clark, A. A.*, Herrera, C. J.*, Cook, J. & Stuart, G. L. (2014). Differences in relationship conflict, attachment, and depression in treatment seeking veterans with substance abuse, PTSD, or PTSD + substance abuse. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 29, 1318-1337. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260513506274.

Held, P.*, & Owens, G. P. (2013). Stigmas and attitudes toward seeking mental health treatment in a sample of veterans and active duty service members. Traumatology, 19, 136-143. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534765612455227

Herrera, C. J.*, Owens, G. P., & Mallinckrodt, B. (2013). Traditional machismo and caballerismo as correlates of PTSD, psychological distress, and relationship satisfaction in Hispanic veterans. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 41, 21-35.

Clark, A. A.*, & Owens, G. P. (2012). Attachment, personality characteristics, and posttraumatic stress disorder in veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 25, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.21760

Walter, K. H., Bolte, T. A., Owens, G. P., & Chard, K. M. (2012). The impact of personality disorders on treatment outcome for veterans in a posttraumatic stress disorder residential treatment program. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 36, 576-584. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-011-9393-8

Whitesell, A. A.*, & Owens, G. P. (2012). The impact of patriotism, morale, and unit cohesion on mental health in veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. Traumatology, 18, 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534765610395625

Owens, G. P., Walter, K. H., Chard, K. M., Davis, P. A. (2012). Changes in mindfulness skills and treatment response among veterans in residential PTSD treatment. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 4, 221-228. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0024251