Rita Dykstra


Post-doctoral Research Fellow &
Project WISE Data Manager / Analyst
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
Department of Psychology







Rita's research has focused on investigating risk factors for intimate partner violence (IPV). Past research has examined cognitive processes of partner violent men as well as risk factors for perpetrating IPV such as alcohol use, trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder and other mental health disorders.

Currently, Rita is the postdoctoral research fellow and data manager for Project WISE, a study examining risk factors for sexual revictimization. Future research will focus on identifying the mechanisms by which experiencing victimization in childhood may potentiate risk for experiencing revictimization and perpetrating violence in adulthood.











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PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

Dykstra, R. E., Schumacher, J. A., Mota, N., & Coffey, S. F. (in press). Examining the role of antisocial personality disorder and intimate partner violence among substance use disorder treatment seekers with clinically significant trauma histories. Violence Against Women.

Eckhardt, C. I., Murphy, C. M., Whitaker, D., Sprunger, J., Samper, R., & Woodard, K. (2013). The effectiveness of treatment programs for perpetrators and victims of intimate partner violence. Partner Abuse, 4(2), 196-231. 

Tharp, A. T., Schumacher, J. A., McLeish A., Samper, R. E., & Coffey, S. F. (2012). The relative importance of emotion dysregulation, hostility, and impulsivity in the prediction of multiple forms of intimate partner violence in a substance abuse treatment sample. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 37, 51-60.

Eckhardt, C. I., Samper, R. E., Suhr, L. L., & Holtzworth-Munroe, A. (2012). Implicit attitudes towards violence among male perpetrators of intimate partner violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 27(3), 471-491. 

Eckhardt, C. I., Samper, R. E., & Murphy, C. (2008). Anger Disturbances among Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence and Outcomes of Court Mandated Treatment. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 23, 1600-1617. 

Vogt, D. S., Samper, R. E., King, D. W., & King, L. A. (2008). Deployment Stressors and Posttraumatic Stress Symptomatology: Comparing Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve Personnel from Gulf War I. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 21, 66-74.

Gold, J. I., Taft, C. T., Keehn, M. G., King, D. W., King, L. A., & Samper, R. E. (2007). PTSD and symptom severity and family adjustment among female Vietnam veterans. Military Psychology, 19, 71-81.

King, L., King, D., Vogt, D., Knight, J., & Samper, R. (2006). Deployment Risk and Resilience Inventory: A collection of measures for studying deployment-related experiences of military personnel and veterans. Military Psychology, 18, 89-120. 

Samper, R. E., Taft, C. T., King, L. A., & King, D. W. (2004). Posttraumatic stress disorder and parenting satisfaction among a nationally representative sample of male Vietnam veterans. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 17(4), 311-315.


INVITED PUBLICATIONS

MacDermid, S. M., Samper, R., Schwarz, R., Nishida, J., & Nyaronga, D. (2008). Understanding and promoting resilience in military families. West Lafayette, IN: Military Family Research Institute. This report was written at the request of the Director of Family Policy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for inclusion in a response to Congress.

Willerton, E., Samper, R. E., MacDermid, S. (2008). Support for Casualty Notification Officers. West Lafayette, IN: Military Family Research Institute. Report compiled at the request of the Indiana National Guard of the United States Army. 

Samper, R. E., King, D. W., King, L. A., & Vogt, D. S. (2003, September). Assessment of deployment-related experiences among Gulf War veterans. McKinsey’s Raiders: Newsletter of the ¾ Calvary, 4-6.


INVITED PRESENTATIONS

Samper, R. E. (2011). Intimate partner violence: Investigating pathways to risk. Jackson State University, Jackson, MS. 

Burton, E. T., & Samper, R. E. (2010). Navigating the internship process. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.

King, D. W., King, L. A., & Samper, R. E. (2005, June). Contemporary approaches to the analysis of longitudinal data in trauma research. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) 2004-2005 Psychometric Series, Washington, D.C. 

Samper, R. E., Taft, C. T., King, D. W., & King L. A. (2004, April). Gender, partner violence and perceived family functioning among a sample of Vietnam veterans. In C. T. Taft (Chair), Examining domestic abuse and family problems among a national sample of Vietnam veterans. Symposium conducted at the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Boston, MA.

SYMPOSIA

Messman-Moore, T. L., Dykstra, R. E., Hoffman, L., DiLillo, D., & Gratz, K. L. (2012, November). Identifying risk factors for sexual revicitimization in a prospective study of female emerging adults: The impact of emotion dysregulation and using sex to cope on risky sexual behavior. Symposium to be presented at the 46th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, National Harbor, MD.

Samper, R. E. & Eckhardt, C. E. (2010, June). An Examination of the Relationships among Hyperarousal, Alcohol Use, and Intimate Partner Violence at the Daily Level. In G. Massetti (Chair), Mental Health and Risk for Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration: Findings and Prevention Implications. Symposium presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Prevention Research, Denver, CO. 

Eckhardt, C., Samper, R., & Weber, E. (2009, November). Readiness to change trajectories among men in treatment for intimate partner violence. In M. K. Suvak & C.T. Taft (Co-Chairs), The role of motivational and process factors in the treatment of anger, aggression, and violent behaviors. Symposium presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New York, NY. 

Samper, R. E., & Crane, C. A. (2008). Using daily diary to examine alcohol use and partner violence perpetration in a college sample. Colloquium presented at Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.

Samper, R. E., Suhr, L. L., & Eckhardt, C. I. (2007, November). Bipolar Disorders and Intimate Partner Violence. In R. E. Samper (Chair), Psychopathology and Intimate Partner Violence. Symposium presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), Philadelphia, PA.

Samper, R. E. (Chair), Ross, J., Michonski, J. D., Marshall, A. D. (2007, November). Psychopathology and Intimate Partner Violence. Symposium presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Philadelphia, PA. 

Shipherd, J. C. & Samper, R E. (2005, November). Networking Session for Students and Internships/Postdoctoral Programs with Trauma-Specific Training. Co-Chair of symposium presented at the annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Toronto, ON, Canada. 

Shipherd, J. C. & Samper, R E. (2005, November). Applying To Internship and Postdoctoral Programs with Trauma-Specific Training. Co-Chair of symposium presented at the annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Toronto, ON, Canada.


POSTER PRESENTATIONS

Dykstra, R. E., Thomas, R., Hoffman, L., Templin, J., Eckhardt, C. I., Messman-Moore, T., Gratz, K. L., & DiLillo, D. (2012, November). Factor structure of PTSD symptoms as measured by the PTSD Checklist in women with a history of sexual assault. Poster to be presented at the 46th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, National Harbor, MD.

Ryan, T. J., Dykstra, R. E., Iturbide, M. I., Messman-Moore, T. L., Gratz, K. L., & DiLillo, D. (2012, November). Do acknowledgment of victimization and self-blame predict current functioning among women who reported rape? Poster to be presented at the 46th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, National Harbor, MD.

Harmes, E. J., Iturbide, M. I. Jaffe, A., Dykstra, R. E., Gratz, K. L., Messman-Moore, T., & DiLillo, D. (2012, November). The associations between sexual revictimization and multiple forms of emotion regulation. Poster to be presented at the 46th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, National Harbor, MD.

Jaffe, A. E., Watkins, L., DiLillo, D., Dykstra, R. E. & Hoffman, L. (2012, November). The contributions of posttraumatic cognitions to PTSD: Cross-sectional and longitudinal findings. Poster presented at the 46th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, National Harbor, MD.

Jaffe, A. E., Haikalis, M., Dykstra, R. E., & DiLillo, D. (2012, November). Does asking participants about interpersonal trauma produce distress? A meta-analysis. Poster to be presented at the 46th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, National Harbor, MD.

Johnson, E. C., Iturbide, M. I., Dykstra, R. E., DiLillo, D., Messman-Morre, T. L., Gratz, K. L. (2012, November). Relationship Satisfaction Among Women With a History of Child Abuse: The Contributions of PTSD Symptoms and Partner Aggression. Poster to be presented at the 46th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Women's Issues Special Interest Group, National Harbor, MD.

Byllesby, B. M., Ryan, T. J., Iturbide, M. I., Dykstra, R. E., DiLillo, D., Messman-Moore, T. L., & Gratz, K. L. (2012, November). Impulsivity and posttraumatic stress disorder symptomology in sexual assault victims. Poster to be presented at the 46th Annual Convention of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Women's Issues Special Interest Group, National Harbor, MD.

Samper, R. E., Schumacher, J. A., Coffey, S. F. (2010, November). The role of posttraumatic stress disorder and antisocial personality disorder in the perpetration of intimate partner violence among substance users. Poster presented at the Couples Special Interest Group of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, San Francisco, CA.

Samper, R. E., Weber, E. & Eckhardt, C. I. (2009, November). An examination of the relationships among hyperarousal, alcohol use, and intimate partner violence at the daily level. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New York, NY. 

Suhr, L. L., Samper, R. E., & Eckhardt, C. I. (2009, November). Investigation of implicit and explicit attitudes of partner violent men and nonviolent men. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, New York, NY. 

Samper, R. E., Weber, E., & Eckhardt, C. I. (2008, May). Do Hyperarousal Symptoms Predict Intimate Partner Violence? Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Midwestern Psychological Association, Chicago, IL. 

Samper, R. E., Denham, A., Blandford, J., Weber, E., Harker, A., & Eckhardt, C. I. (2007, November). Examining the Relationships between Hyperarousal, Alcohol Use, and Partner Violence: A Daily Diary Study. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Philadelphia, PA.  

Samper, R. E. & Eckhart, C. I. (2007, November). Anger Disturbances among Partner Assaultive Men. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Philadelphia, PA. 

Samper, R. E., Doron-LaMarca, S., Jones, R. T., King, D. W., King, L. A., & Bergeron, A. (2005, November). Predicting PTSD and Depression in Children: A Longitudinal Study. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Toronto, ON, Canada. 

Samper, R. E., Vogt, D. S., King, L. A., King, D. W., La Bash, H., Knight, J. A., Tanner, L. R., & Martin, J. (2005, November). War Exposure among Active Duty, National Guard, and Reservist Members. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Toronto, ON, Canada. 

Tanner, L. R., Vogt, D. S., King, D. W., King, L. A., La Bash, H. A., Samper, R. E., & Knight, J. A. (2005, November). A Model of Risk and Resilience Factors for PTSD in Gulf War Veterans. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Toronto, ON, Canada. 

La Bash, H. A. J., Vogt, D. S., King, D. W., King, L. A., Knight, J. A.,Tanner, L. R. & Samper, R. E. (2005, November). Deployment Stressors of the Iraq War: Insights from the Mainstream Media. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Toronto, ON, Canada. 

Vogt, D. S., Tanner, L. R., King, L. A., King, D. W., Samper, R. E., & La Bash, H. A. J. (2005, February). Short- and Long-Term Effects of a Gender Awareness Intervention Among VA Healthcare Employees. Poster presented at The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Health Services Research & Development Service’s National Meeting, Baltimore, MD. 

Samper, R. E., Vogt, D. S., King, D. W., King, L. A., & Knight, J. A. (2004, November). War-zone Stressors and Physical Health: PTSD as a Mediator. Poster presented at the annual meeting of The International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, New Orleans, LA. 

Samper, R. E., Pless, A. P., Salgado, D. M., Vickers, K., Spiro, A., Davison, E. H., King, D. W., King, L. A., & Chrysos, E. S. (2004, August). Vietnam-era repatriated prisoners of war: 30 years later. Poster presented at the convention of the American Psychological Association, Honolulu, HI. 

Knight, J. A., Samper, R. E., Vogt, D. S., King, L. A., King, D. W., Pless, A. P., Chrysos, E. C. (2004, August). Measure of Neurocognitive Problems in Persian Gulf War Veterans. Poster presented at the Convention of the American Psychological Association, Honolulu, Hawaii. 

Knight, J. A., Vogt, D. S., King, L. A., King, D. W., Pless, A. P., Samper, R. E., & Foy, D. W. (2004, August). Stressor Exposure Patterns Among Persian Gulf War Veterans. Poster presented at the Convention of the American Psychological Association, Honolulu, HI. 

Samper, R. E., Gold, J. I., Taft, C. T., Keehn, M. G., King, D. W., & King, L. A. (2003, November). PTSD, depression, and family adjustment among female Vietnam veterans. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy, Boston, MA. 

Samper, R. E., Taft, C. T., King, L. A., & King, D. W. (2003, October). PTSD and parenting satisfaction: A replication. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Chicago, IL. 

Chrysos, E. S., Samper, R. E., Pless, A. P., King, L. A., King, D. W., Davison, E. H., Spiro, A., & Salgado, D. M. (2003, October). Evaluating LOSS: Comparing cohorts and war- era among aging veterans. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Chicago, IL. 

Chrysos, E. S., Vickers, K. E., Stein, N., King, L. A., King D. W., Vogt, D. S., Knight, J. A., Foy, D. W., Pless, A. P. & Samper, R. E. (2003, October). Military deployment stress: New inventory of risk and resilience. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Chicago, IL.

Davison, E. H., King, L. A., King, D. W., Spiro, A., III, Salgado, D. M., Samper, R. E., Pless, A. P., & Chrysos, E. S. (2003, November).  Examining LOSS:  Late-Onset Stress Symptomatology in aging combat veterans. Poster presented at the Disaster and Trauma Special Interest Group Expo, annual meeting of the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy, Boston, MA. 

Pless, A. P., Vogt, D. S., King, L. A., King, D. W., Samper, R. E., Knight, J. A., & Foy, D. W.  (2003, November). Deployment related stressors and mental health outcomes for women veterans. Poster presented at the annual meeting for the Association for Advancement of Behavior Therapy, Boston, MA. 

Knight, J. A., Samper, R. E., Vogt, D. S., King, L. A., King, D. W., Foy, D. W., Pless, A. P., &Chrysos, E. S. (2003, October). Psychological and neurocognitive sequelae in Persian Gulf War veterans. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Chicago, IL.

Pless, A. P., Vogt, D. S., King, L. A., King, D. W., Samper, R. E., Knight, J. A., Chrysos, E. S., Foy, D. W., & Whealin, J. M. (2003, October). Deployment stressors and mental health for female and male GW veterans. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Chicago, IL.


PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

The Child Maltreatment and Interpersonal Violence Special Interest Group, ABCT

The Couples Special Interest Group, ABCT

Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT)

International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS)