Alexa M. Raudales

Alexa M. Raudales, M.A. (she/her/hers) is a doctoral student at the University of Rhode Island and a member of Dr. Nicole H. Weiss’ STRESS Lab. She was the 2023 recipient of the ABCT Research Facilitation Committee’s Student Research Grant, which was awarded to support her dissertation project entitled: “Opioid Use and Acute Suicide Risk: The Real-Time Influence of Trauma Context.”

Tell us about the project the GSRG is funding:

Every day, over 200 people in the United States die from opioid overdose. Opioid use co-occurs with suicide at an alarmingly high rate. The co-occurrence of opioid use and suicide is associated with a wide array of deleterious outcomes, most notably premature death. However, empirical examinations in this area continue to lag behind, with no studies explicating the longitudinal association between opioid use and acute suicide risk in real-time; this information is needed to inform targeted intervention and policy. Furthermore, it remains unknown how an individualized trauma context—notably, proximal posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS)—may serve as a trigger for co-occurring opioid use and acute suicide risk.

The present study examines the real-time associations among opioid use, suicide risk, and PTSS among individuals in the community. Specifically, this study will use a multi-phase design among trauma-exposed adults who currently use opioids and experience suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Participants will take part in 30 days of ecological momentary assessment (EMA), a method which involves repeated sampling of behavior in real-time as it unfolds in natural settings. Information from this study could be mobilized via novel treatments for comorbid opioid use and suicide risk (e.g., just-in-time interventions) that provide evidence-based support at the right time (e.g., trauma context).

What drew you to this particular research question?

Large-scale efforts have been made to decrease the high prevalence and substantial impact of both opioid use and suicide. Yet, it has been clear to me that considerable work is still urgently needed, and that I could contribute to this regard. Building on my prior work examining trauma-related outcomes, I became interested in the frequent co-occurrence that I was observing between posttraumatic stress symptoms and both opioid use and suicidality. This population also appeared to be particularly high-risk, evidenced by associations with worse outcomes including more severe opioid use and psychosocial problems.

Given the gap of research in this area, I was passionate about shedding light on opioid use and suicide risk that may occur following the experience of trauma. I became motivated in understanding how opioid use and suicidality may directly impact each other, or if this comorbidity could be better explained by shared underlying factors. Moreover, I wanted to better understand the impact of fluctuations in posttraumatic stress symptoms on this relationship, particularly in individuals’ daily lived experiences.

How did you first become involved in research? What was this first research experience like?

I became involved in research as an undergraduate at Case Western Reserve University with Dr. Norah Feeny and a summer intern at the University of South Florida. These experiences provided me with a rigorous foundation in scientific methodology and helped me to pursue my interests in understanding mechanisms underlying mental health. I connected with excellent mentors and accumulated a wide range of research skills in areas such as data entry, clinical interviewing, participant recruitment, and data analysis. From early on, research has been an exciting opportunity for me to explore my scientific interests and contribute to a field aimed at enhancing individuals’ mental well-being.

What does an average day or week look like for you?

One of my favorite aspects of my day-to-day work in this field is that it is very dynamic. Being a clinical psychology doctoral student has entailed a shifting balance of coursework; clinical work across a variety of settings; contributing to research projects such as within my lab or collaborations; and pursuing my own research interests such as leading a manuscript, teaching, mentorship, and activism. Some days I am in the lab running analyses, attending to emails, and mentoring undergraduates.

Other days I am commuting to teach or attend classes, participate in or lead meetings or clinical supervision, or conduct one-on-one or group therapy sessions with individuals of diverse backgrounds. I also work from home or cafés when possible. The hours shift as well, sometimes beginning at 8am, whereas other days I have commitments for the afternoon and evening. Regardless, the start of each workday begins with me checking my Google calendar and prioritizing my tasks.

How has ABCT contributed to your development as a researcher and clinician?

I have attended ABCT conferences as a member every year since 2018, which was prior to my acceptance into a doctoral program. In fact, ABCT was one of the first conferences that I attended. These early experiences opened the door for me to connect with a larger scientific community, helped me to develop foundational skills presenting my research, and fostered a sense of my own belonging in the field. Through-out the years, I have benefited from ABCT’s commitment to evidence-based treatment; rigorous and cutting-edge research; justice, equity, diversity, and inclusivity; and mentorship. I have gained exposure to innovative research methodologies, received feedback on my own project ideas, formed collaborations with other ABCT members, kept up to date with clinical best practices and policies, gained exposure to diverse perspectives in the field, and so on. Funding from this award allows me the training and experiences to further develop my own line of research and inform my clinical work. I am so grateful for the continued positive impact of ABCT on my own development as a researcher and clinician.

What does getting this award mean to you?

To me, this award marks a critical next step for understanding and intervening on opioid use, suicide, and trauma. I see this project as compassion and hope for those directly impacted by this research, including those from marginalized communities. Funding for this project affirms the importance of the work towards refining understanding, assessment, prevention, and intervention efforts for co-occurring opioid use and suicidality following the experience of trauma. I am grateful for the opportunity that this award provides for me to pursue my long-standing research interests and further hone my research and clinical skills.

If you weren’t pursuing a career in psychology, what would you be doing?

While I am certainly not qualified to do so presently, in another lifetime, I might have become a musician if I did not pursue a career in psychology. I really enjoy listening to music, playing the acoustic guitar, and creative writing. I could see myself enjoying studying music, learning how to play and master various instruments, and working with wonderful musicians. Perhaps there are key parallels between music and psychology, such as exploring the human condition and advocating for improved mental health. I think both fields are admirable and make a positive impact on the lives of others.