Sign in

Kelly O’Connor, PhD

@drkellyoc.bsky.social
445 followers 327 following 31 posts

Assistant Professor at VCU ✧ Clinical Psychologist ✧ Firearm injury prevention, trauma, & resilience ✧ Views are my own ✧ she/her kelly-oconnor.com

PostsRepliesMedia
Kelly O’Connor, PhD @drkellyoc.bsky.social · 10/02/2026
@colleensw.bsky.social & I are guest editing a special issue of Behavioral Sciences on "#Violence and #Trauma #Prevention Among #Adolescents Living in Urban Settings"! Super excited to see this issue come together. Submissions are due this Fall. Find more info here: www.mdpi.com/journal/beha...
mdpi.com
011
Reposted by Kelly O’Connor, PhD
Matthew Facciani @matthewfacciani.bsky.social · 20/10/2025
“researchers found that teens who report that Instagram regularly made them feel bad about their bodies saw significantly more “eating disorder adjacent content” than those who did not” www.reuters.com/business/ins...
reuters.com
Exclusive: Instagram shows more ‘eating disorder adjacent’ content to vulnerable teens, internal Meta research shows
Meta researchers found that teens who report that Instagram regularly made them feel bad about their bodies saw significantly more “eating disorder adjacent content” than those who did not, according to an internal document reviewed by Reuters.
0116
Reposted by Kelly O’Connor, PhD
Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting @handle.invalid · 20/10/2025
"Arming teachers is not a viable or effective solution to either preventing school shootings or reducing the lethality of an active shooting... The introduction of loaded firearms into a school setting introduces significant risks to the children, teachers, staff, and families who all comprise..."
everytownresearch.org
Unpacking Arming Teachers Laws
The risks of arming teachers policies, and recommendations to school districts on actions they can take to keep their schools safe from gun violence.
022
Kelly O’Connor, PhD @drkellyoc.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
🚨New study alert! We explored how youths’ beliefs about guns relate to offensive & defensive gun behaviors. Key takeaway: beliefs about safety & neighborhood risks drive gun behaviors, while emotional risk beliefs can be protective. doi.org/10.1177/0011...
doi.org
Youths Beliefs About Guns: Exploring Their Impact on Offensive and Defensive Gun Behaviors - Sophie L. Kjærvik, Kelly E. O’Connor, Nicholas D. Thomson, 2025
This study explored the association between youth gun beliefs, behaviors, and violence. Hierarchical regression examined whether gun beliefs predicted defensive...
020
Kelly O’Connor, PhD @drkellyoc.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
New study in Youth & Society: We examined whether developmental assets protect against youth gun violence. Findings highlight family & school assets as key promotive factors — informing multi-level prevention strategies. #GunViolencePrevention doi.org/10.1177/0044...
doi.org
Relations Between Developmental Assets and Youth Gun Violence - Kelly E. O’Connor, Sophie L. Kjærvik, Terri N. Sullivan, Nicholas D. Thomson, 2025
This study investigates the potential promotive effects of developmental assets (e.g., strengths and resources) on youth gun violence. Guided by resilience theo...
020
Kelly O’Connor, PhD @drkellyoc.bsky.social · 02/07/2025
New study in Journal of Traumatic Stress: We identified barriers & facilitators to mental health service engagement among violently injured patients & their caregivers. Findings underscore the need for integrated, trauma-informed care. doi.org/10.1002/jts....
doi.org
Barriers and facilitators to engagement in a stepped‐care mental health service among violently injured patients and their caregivers
This qualitative study aimed to identify service needs and barriers and facilitators to treatment among violently injured patients and their caregivers (e.g., parent, partner) to improve access to an....
010
Reposted by Kelly O’Connor, PhD
Jeremy Berg @jeremymberg.bsky.social · 02/06/2025
JAMA Forum on the proposed NIH budget… jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com
Cutting the NIH—The $8 Trillion Health Care Catastrophe
This JAMA Forum discusses the recent budget cuts to National Institutes of Health (NIH), the effects of these cuts on scientific research and health of individuals in the US, and the prospects for cha...
27151
Reposted by Kelly O’Connor, PhD
Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions @jhucgvs.bsky.social · 21/04/2025
Gun deaths are the leading cause of death for young people in the U.S. While all policy recommendations may not directly address youth, we believe that enacting these policies will address upstream factors to decrease the burden of gun violence on youth. Read: publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-g...
publichealth.jhu.edu
Annual Gun Violence Data | Center for Gun Violence Solutions
0126
Reposted by Kelly O’Connor, PhD
Yale School of Public Health @yalesph.bsky.social · 13/03/2025
We are recruiting a Postdoctoral Associate & an Associate Research Scientist to join the Public Health Data Science and Data Equity research team at YSPH, with a primary home in our Department of Biostatistics. Postdoctoral Associate ➡️ m.yale.edu/c4dt Associate Research Scientist ➡️ m.yale.edu/c4dv
We're hiring Associate Research Scientist & Postdoctoral Associate in public health data science and data equity Yale School of Public Health
083
Kelly O’Connor, PhD @drkellyoc.bsky.social · 11/02/2025
We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join our @VCU_IVPP research team, offering a unique opportunity for involvement in CDC- and NIH-funded research on violence prevention and mental health. RTs appreciated! vcu.csod.com/ux/ats/caree...
vcu.csod.com
Psychology Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Surgery
Description of the ProjectDr. Thomson, Director of Research at the Injury and Violence Prevention Program (IVPP) at VCU, is accepting applications fo...
032
Kelly O’Connor, PhD @drkellyoc.bsky.social · 31/01/2025
🚨🚨🚨 Fellow researchers: Download any CDC data you might want to use ASAP. YRBS is already gone. 🚨🚨🚨 #AcademicSky #academicchatter #research
0195
Reposted by Kelly O’Connor, PhD
W.E.D.em Boyz @leftistwonk.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
State reliance on federal aid, provided through grants, ranges from 20.7% of the state budget in Hawaii to 46.1% in Montana. 7 of the top 10 recipients are deep-red states.
431148419
Reposted by Kelly O’Connor, PhD
Ari B Friedman @abfriedman.com · 28/01/2025
Dear fellow scientists, Go talk to the press about what is going on. Talk to local news about how it will impact jobs. Be specific, but don't pity yourself. Instead focus on how your own situation affects local jobs, the national economy, beating the growing scientific race with China. Suggestions:
11540163
Reposted by Kelly O’Connor, PhD
Steve Vladeck @stevevladeck.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
For "One First," I wrote about Monday's OMB memo purporting to (temporarily) freeze billions of dollars of appropriated federal spending—and why it constitutes both unconstitutional and unlawful "impoundment" that's unlikely to be upheld by even *this* #SCOTUS: www.stevevladeck.com/p/120-the-im...
stevevladeck.com
120. The Impoundment Crisis of 2025
The Trump administration's Monday spending freeze is likely to provoke a crisis over the constitutionality of "impoundment"—one that the justices could well have to resolve *very* soon.
822593838
Reposted by Kelly O’Connor, PhD
Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 28/01/2025
If you’re in the US and you’d like to know what projects and vital services federal grants currently fund in your state, you can search here: www.usaspending.gov And you can find the contact information for your elected representatives here: www.usa.gov/elected-offi... They need to hear from you.
usaspending.gov
USAspending.gov
14356303375
Reposted by Kelly O’Connor, PhD
Ruth Zakarin @ruthz.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
THIS and for nonprofits too. A pause in grant funding means disruption for the people they serve AND the salaries of the folks they employ. Workers who themselves struggle financially on nonprofit pay, and whose lives will be sent spiraling without a paycheck. This will cause more poverty.
142
Reposted by Kelly O’Connor, PhD
Dr. Alex Piquero @dralexpiquero.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
New paper in @JAMA Network Open (w/ Chandler Hall & Nick Wilson) looks at gun violence trends in US cities during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. We find variation in both the timing & surge of gun violence between cities. Read it Open Access here: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com
Gun Violence Trends in US Cities During the Early Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic
This cross-sectional study evaluates whether there was any variation in gun violence trends in US cities during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.
084
Reposted by Kelly O’Connor, PhD
Brady | United Against Gun Violence @bradyunited.org · 04/01/2025
Access to a gun in the home increases the risk of death by suicide by 300%. Store your firearms locked, unloaded, and separate from ammo, to lower the risk.
01712
Reposted by Kelly O’Connor, PhD
Reagan Miller-Chagnon, PhD RYS-200 @mindfulmiller.bsky.social · 24/12/2024
Here’s the highlight: Teens exposed to chronic stressors and systemic inequities are at high risk for developing mental health problems. We found that mindfulness training can help to protect teens from the negative impacts of everyday life stressors on momentary mindfulness & emotion regulation
031
Reposted by Kelly O’Connor, PhD
Cameron Pugach @cppugach.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
Outlooked wrapped 2024: You responded to 2,142 emails and still need to respond to 987 The emails you receive only “find you well” 38% of the time Teams crashed on you in 52% of meetings You, an esteemed scientist, were invited to submit to 47 predatory journals ~You should be writing more~
0142
Kelly O’Connor, PhD @drkellyoc.bsky.social · 20/12/2024
I need an Outlook wrapped… it’d be like You responded to 8,732 emails & received 3x as many junk emails October was your busiest month You spent 347 hours in Zoom meetings & 12% of them were pointless You had the least amount of time for writing relative to other tasks 😂 What would yours say?
050
Kelly O’Connor, PhD @drkellyoc.bsky.social · 18/12/2024
Christmas came early this year… I only had one meeting today and it was canceled 🎅🏻🎁🎄
030
Kelly O’Connor, PhD @drkellyoc.bsky.social · 17/12/2024
It was amazing to hear from public officials, law enforcement, & scholars who have overcome barriers to make crime and public health data accessible to their communities
150
Reposted by Kelly O’Connor, PhD
Nelba Márquez-Greene 🇵🇷 @nelbamg.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
Thoughts and prayers will never keep us safe from gun violence. They only shield legislators who use their faith as shields of inaction. We are not helpless and gun violence is actionable. But we will not do this without research and funding.
831169
Kelly O’Connor, PhD @drkellyoc.bsky.social · 13/12/2024
If anyone has recommendations for app/software development partners for a digital mental health intervention, please DM me! Currently looking for recommendations since the developer I was working with fell through :/ #academicsky #digitalhealth
220
Reposted by Kelly O’Connor, PhD
Kris Brown | President, @BradyUnited.org @krisbrown.bradyunited.org · 10/12/2024
The work being shared at this year’s #2024FirearmResearchConf reflects the dedication, innovation, and meticulous research needed to address firearm-related harms. It’s an inspiring example of how science and advocacy can drive meaningful change.
092
Reposted by Kelly O’Connor, PhD
Dr. Zoe R. Smith @drzoersmith.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
Check out this great webinar with @mjmiller2.bsky.social @helenneville12.bsky.social and other amazing folks!!! #PsySky
143
Kelly O’Connor, PhD @drkellyoc.bsky.social · 11/12/2024
I’ll be presenting at poster session #3 on my recent work to identify patterns of co-occurring risk factors for firearm homicide using NVDRS data. Looking forward to discussing this work with folks! Stop by and say hi 🙂 #2024FirearmResearchConf
091
Reposted by Kelly O’Connor, PhD
Angela Weber @angelaweber.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
“We are not going to shoot our way to a better healthcare system.”
032
Kelly O’Connor, PhD @drkellyoc.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
I think we’re missing a lot of really important information about the presentation and treatment of PTSD in gun violence survivors. It’s worth noting that current evidence based PTSD tx approaches for youth were not developed for ongoing/repeated traumas (aka exposure to gun violence)
1124
Kelly O’Connor, PhD @drkellyoc.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
Can’t say enough great things about the Keynote address. Dr. Sharpe is a phenomenal scholar and I loved her approach of inviting people in to do culturally responsive work. Having Rob & Greg from the WHOGVP was also wonderful. Everything that’s been accomplished in recent years is awe inspiring.
231
Kelly O’Connor, PhD @drkellyoc.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
Went to multiple incredible presentations today! One of the things I’ve noticed is that almost every presentation mentions trauma as a consequence of gun violence, but only 1/16 presentations actually measured trauma sx. Current work is focused on events vs impact. #2024FirearmResearchConf
151
Kelly O’Connor, PhD @drkellyoc.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
The questions being asked about the Cure Violence model are so important. Who and what does the model work for? What are the gaps? What are the solutions for the gaps? Thank you @daniel-webster.bsky.social & Dr. Richardson for thought provoking presentations!
051
Kelly O’Connor, PhD @drkellyoc.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
Not me getting off the plane and heading straight to the movies to see Wicked 3D 🤩 Now I’ll be dancing through life— I mean the conference!—all week
020
Reposted by Kelly O’Connor, PhD
John Roman @johnkroman.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
We are approaching the end of 2024, a year that has seen remarkable, even historic, declines in homicide and gun violence. Unfortunately, official national crime statistics likely won't be released until Fall 2025. Some ideas on how to speed up this process: johnkroman.substack.com/p/unpacking-...
johnkroman.substack.com
Unpacking National Crime Statistics
More frequent crime reporting would reduce the confusion that is clouding the presidential election
044
Kelly O’Connor, PhD @drkellyoc.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
Our recent study found that #HVIP components improve future aspirations & attitudes toward nonviolence, school, & employment among youth-- especially when a brief intervention is paired with case management. www.pajtcces.com/doi/pdf/10.5...
pajtcces.com
030
Reposted by Kelly O’Connor, PhD
Sonali Rajan @sonalirajan.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
800 researchers 400 scientific presentations 250 institutions from across the country 24+ academic disciplines represented 19 sponsoring organizations 17 exhibitors 15 board members 5 society committees …and a deep belief and hope that all of this work can and will make a difference❤️‍🩹 (1/2)
44810
Kelly O’Connor, PhD @drkellyoc.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
So excited for the #2024FirearmResearchConf! I’m so looking forward to learning about the latest innovations in firearm injury prevention and connecting with colleagues 🤓
190
Kelly O’Connor, PhD @drkellyoc.bsky.social · 08/12/2024
I finally made the move! Follow me for tweets about violence & firearm injury prevention, trauma, and early career academic life
260