David Hansen

Professor Psychology
David Hansen

Lab site: Child Maltreatment Research Team

Curriculum vita (PDF)


Dr. Hansen joined the faculty in 1992. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Mississippi in 1985. Dr. Hansen is Director of the Law-Psychology Program. His primary research area is child maltreatment (sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and witnessing domestic violence), including factors related to identification and reporting, assessment and intervention with victims and families, and the correlates and consequences of maltreatment. An additional area of research is social-skills assessment and intervention with children and adolescents. His research emphasizes procedures for enhancing the effectiveness of clinical interventions, through assessing and improving adherence, generalization, maintenance, and social validity. Dr. Hansen is the Co-Director of the Family Interaction Skills Clinic (with Dr. Mary Fran Flood) and Director of Project SAFE, a clinical treatment program for sexually abused children and their families. Dr. Hansen's teaching interests include clinical psychology, psychological assessment and intervention, clinical supervision, and family violence. Please see Dr. Hansen's Child Maltreatment Research Team website for additional information on research and clinical service/training opportunities. http://psychology.unl.edu/childmaltreatmentlab/.

Representative Publications
  • McCoy, K., Sonnen, E., Mii, A. E., Huit, T. Z., Meidlinger, K., Coffey, H. M., Flood, M. F., & Hansen, D. J. (in press). Helping families who have experienced sibling sexual abuse: Opportunities to enhance research and policy responses by addressing practical challenges. Aggression and Violent Behavior.
  • Schreier, A., Coffey, H. M., May, G., & Hansen, D. J. (in press).  Financing mental health services at Child Advocacy Centers for victims of child sexual abuse and their families.  Aggression and Violent Behavior.
  • Mii, A. E., McCoy, K., Coffey, H., Flood, M. F. & Hansen, D. J.  (in press).  Pathway to expectations of child functioning following sexual abuse:  Caregiver maltreatment history and depressive symptoms.  Journal of Interpersonal Violence.
  • Grandgenett, H. M., Pittenger, S. L., Dworkin, E. R., & Hansen, D. J. (2021). Telling a trusted adult: Factors associated with the likelihood of disclosing child sexual abuse prior to and during a forensic interview.  Child Abuse and Neglect, 116, 104193. doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104193
  • Mii, A. E., Coffey, H. M., Huit, Z. T., McCoy, K., May, G., Meidlinger, K., Sonnen, E., Flood, M. F., & Hansen, D. J. (2021).  Adolescent sexual reoffending within the family: Challenges in risk assessment, prevention of recidivism, and family reunification. the Behavior Therapist, 44(5), 231-235.
  • McCoy, K., Tibbs, J. J., DeKraai, M., & Hansen, D. J.  (2020).  Household dysfunction and adolescent substance use: Moderating effects of family, community, and school support.  Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse, 29(1), 68-79.
  • Mii, A. E., McCoy, K., Coffey, H. M., Meidlinger, K., Sonnen, E., Huit, T. Z., Flood, M. F., & Hansen, D. J.  (2020).  Attention problems and comorbid symptoms following child sexual abuse.  Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 29(8), 924-943.  https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2020.1841353.
  • Theimer, K., Mii, A., Sonnen, E., McCoy, E., Meidlinger, K., Biles, B., Huit, Z., Flood, M. F., & Hansen, D. J. (2020). Identifying and addressing barriers to treatment for child sexual abuse survivors and their non-offending caregivers.  Aggression and Violent Behavior, 52, 101418. doi 10.1016/j.avb.2020.101418.
  • Theimer, K., & Hansen, D. J. (2020).  Attributions of blame in a hypothetical child sexual abuse case:  Roles of behavior problems and frequency of abuse.  Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 35, 2142-2163. 
  • Schreier, A., McCoy, K., Flood, M. F., Wilcox, B. L., & Hansen, D. J. (2020).  Early Head Start service use by families with court-substantiated maltreatment.  Children and Youth Services Review, 108, 104602.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.104602
  • Pittenger, S. L., Schreier, A., Meidlinger, K., Pogue, J. K., Theimer, K., Flood, M. F., & Hansen, D. J.  (2019).  Psychological distress and revictimization risk in youth victims of sexual abuse.  Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 34, 1930-1960.
  • Pittenger, S. L., Pogue, J. K., & Hansen, D. J. (2018). Predicting sexual revictimization in childhood and adolescence: A prospective examination.  Child Maltreatment, 23, 137-146.
  • Theimer, K., & Hansen, D. J.  (2018).  Child sexual abuse: Stigmatization of victims and suggestions for clinicians.  the Behavior Therapist, 41, 213-219.
  • Schreier, A., McCoy, K., Flood, M. F., Wilcox, B. L., & Hansen, D. J. (2018). Understanding perceptions of child maltreatment risk: A qualitative study of Early Head Start home visitors.  Children and Youth Services Review, 88, 416-425.
  • Hubel, G. S., Schreier, A., Wilcox, B. L., Flood, M. F., & Hansen, D. J. (2017)  Increasing participation and improving engagement in early intervention:  A qualitative study of Early Head Start parent perspectives.  Infants and Young Children, 30, 94-107.
  • Schreier, A., Pogue, J. K., & Hansen, D. J.  (2017).   Impact of child sexual abuse on non-abused siblings: A review with implications for research and practice.  Aggression and Violent Behavior, 34, 254-262. 
Selected Recent Funding:
  • McCoy, K., & Hansen, D. J. (9/30/19-9/29/21).  Learning Social and Emotional Skills in Head Start: Influence of Familial Risk Factors and Classroom Characteristics. Head Start Graduate Student Research Grant, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, $47,871. 
  • Hansen, D. J. (PI), Pittenger, S., Schreier, A., & Flood, M. F. (8/2015-12/2018).  Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Child Abuse Victims and their Families.  Woods Charitable Fund.  $65,000. 
  • Schreier, A., Hansen, D. J., & Flood, M. F. (9/30/14-9/29/16).  Early Head Start Home Visitor’s Identification of Risk for Maltreatment.  Head Start Graduate Student Research Grant, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, $49,991. 
  • Hubel, G., Hansen, D. J., & Flood, M. F. (9/30/11-9/29/13).  Identifying Risk for and Preventing Child Maltreatment in Early Head Start Families.  Head Start Graduate Student Research Grant, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, $49,978.
  • Campbell, C., Hansen, D. J., & Flood, M. F. (2009-2011).  Adapting an Evidence-Based Intervention to Improve Social and Behavioral Competence in Head Start Children:  Evaluating the Effectiveness of Teacher-Child Interaction Training.  Head Start Graduate Student Research Grant, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, $49,994.  
  • Hansen, D. J., Tavkar, P., & Flood, M. F.  (2009-2010).  Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Sexually Abused Children and their Families:  Implementation, Evaluation, and Dissemination of Project SAFE.  Cooper Foundation, $10,000
  • Hansen, D. J., Tavkar, P., & Flood, M. F. (2007-2008). Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Sexually Abused Children and their Families: Implementation, Evaluation, and Dissemination of Project SAFE. Cooper Foundation, $18,424.
  • Hansen, D. J., Flood, M. F., & Sawyer, G. (July, 2005 - June, 2007). Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Child Abuse Victims and their Families: Program Implementation, Evaluation, and Dissemination. Woods Charitable Fund. $30,636.
  • Hansen, D. J., Flood, M. F., & Cronch, L. (July, 2004 - June, 2007). Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse: Program Development, Enhancement, Implementation, and Evaluation of Services for Families. Nebraska Child Abuse Prevention Fund. $56,250.
  • Hansen, D. J., Flood, M. F., & Davies, C. (October, 2001 - September, 2004). Addressing the mental health needs of child abuse victims and their families: Program development, implementation, and evaluation. Woods Charitable Fund. $93,500.
  • Hansen, D. J., & Carlo, G. (2001-2002). The Latino Research Initiative: A community intern model for collaborative research, training, and community programming. American Psychological Association CEMRATT Grant. $5,000.
  • Hansen, D. J., Flood, M. F., & Davies, C. (July, 2001- June, 2002). Understanding the Mental Health Needs of Young Children in Low-Income Families: The Relationship of Child Maltreatment and Domestic Violence with Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Development. Layman Award, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. $7,492.
Clinical Training Opportunities

A variety of research and clinical training opportunities are available through the Family Interaction Skills Clinic and Project SAFE, a clinical research and treatment program for sexually abused youth and their non-offending parents and siblings. Additional details and links are described via the Child Maltreatment Lab web page.

Selected Appointments and Awards
Recent Editorial Appointments:
  • Senior Editor, Education and Treatment of Children, 2003-2020
  • Associate Editor, the Behavior Therapist, 2001-2020
  • Editorial Board, Aggression and Violent Behavior, 1996-present
  • Editorial Board, Clinical Case Studies, 2004-present
  • Editorial Board, Journal of Family Violence, 1998-present

Awards:

  • James O’Hanlon Academic Leader Award, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2018
  • Vice Chancellor’s Award for Invaluable Service, Office of Research and Economic Development University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2018
  • Fellow, Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, 2015 
  • Faculty Appreciation Award, McNair Scholars Program, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2012
  • Fellow, American Psychological Association, 2007
  • Boss of the Year, University of Nebraska Office Personnel Association, 2004.
  • Excellence in Graduate Education Award, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Office of Graduate Studies, 2004.
  • Outstanding Teacher Award, College of Arts and Sciences, West Virginia University, 1992.