Caitlin Elsaesser, PhD

Associate Professor (PI)

School of Social Work

Research Overview

Dr. Caitlin Elsaesser’s research evaluates the developmental impact of childhood violence exposure and victimization over the life course, with a particular focus on children and adolescents living in low-resourced urban environments. She examines various forms of violence and victimization (e.g., community violence, family violence, peer victimization) as well as dimensions of exposure as chronic and cumulative stressors to understand the psychological, behavioral and physiological responses. Her current work, funded in part by the Institute for Educational Sciences, focuses on evaluating the impact of community violence exposure on academic functioning over the course of adolescence, as well as identifying the protective role of family functioning among these relations. Moving forward, her work seeks to identify the behavioral and physiological mechanisms by which violence and victimization influence outcomes.

Education

Ph.D., 2015, University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration
A.M., 2012, University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration
M.A.T., 2006, Dominican University, School of Education
B.A., 2004, Carleton College

Recent/Selected Publications

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