Jennifer Livingston, PhD

• PhD, Educational Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo
• MA, Educational Psychology, State University of New York at Buffalo
• BA, Psychology, SUNY Buffalo State

• Adolescent substance use and sexual risk behaviors
• Peer victimization
• Teen dating violence
• Prevention of sexual assault and child sexual abuse

• NSG 527 Introduction to Biostatistics I

Livingston, J. A., Wang, W., Nickerson, A. B., & Testa, M. (2023). Sexual victimization in adolescence: Pathways of risk from sexual harassment via risky alcohol use and delinquency among U.S. adolescents. Archives of Sexual Behavior. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-023-02582-x

Shaw, R., Paige, K. J., Livingston, J. A., Colder, C. R., & Read, J. P. (2023). Effectiveness of sexual assault protective behaviors on the daily level: The roles of intoxication and executive control. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. (15-16), 9015-9038. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605231162656

Dudley, M. J., Nickerson, A. B., Seo, Y. S., & Livingston, J. A. (2023). Mother-adolescent agreement concerning peer victimization: Predictors and relation to coping. Journal of Child and Family Studies. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-023-02567-3

Allen, K. P., Livingston, J. A., & Nickerson, A. B. (2023). Protecting children from sexual abuse: Mixed messages and cultural challenges. In W. J. Taverner (Ed.), Sex education research: A look between the sheets (pp. 50-60). Routledge. 

Livingston, J. A., Wang, W., Nickerson, A., & Testa, M. (2023). Sexual victimization in adolescence: Pathways of risk from sexual harassment via risky alcohol use and delinquency among U.S. adolescents. Archives of Sexual Behavior. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-023-02582-x

Livingston, J. A., Wang, W., Testa, M., Derrick, J. L., Nickerson, A. B., Miller, K. E., Haas, J. L., & Espelage, D. L. (2022). Peer sexual harassment, affect, and substance use: Daily level associations among adolescents. Journal of Adolescence, 94(7), 955-968. https://doi.org/10.1002/jad.12076

Fredrick, S. S., Nickerson, A. B., & Livingston, J. A. (2022). Family cohesion and the relations among peer victimization and depression: A random intercepts cross-lagged model. Development and Psychopathology, 34(4), 1429-1446. https://doi.org/10.1017/S095457942100016X

Fredrick, S. S., Nickerson, A. B., & Livingston, J. A. (2022). Adolescent social media use: Pitfalls and promises in relation to cybervictimization, friend support, and depressive symptoms. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 51(2), 361–376. doi:10.1007/s10964-021-01561-6 

Livingston, J. A., Chen, C. H., Kwon, M., & Park, E. (2022). Physical and mental health outcomes associated with adolescent E-cigarette use. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 64. Advance online publication. doi:10.1016/j.pedn.2022.01.006 

Nickerson, A. B., Jenkins, L. N., Bellavia, G. M., Manges, M. E., Livingston, J. A., & Feeley, T. H. (2022). The role of personal and perceived peer norms in bullying and sexual harassment perpetration. School Psychology, 37(3), 236-247. doi:10.1037/spq0000498 

Blayney, J. A., Jenzer, T., Read, J. P., Livingston, J., Testa, M., & Carroll, Q. (2021). A qualitative study on friends and the social context of sexual victimization: Implications for campus-based interventions. Violence Against Women, 27(11), 2092–2110. doi:10.1177/1077801220954277 

Livingston, J. A., Lessard, J., Casey, M. L., Leonard, K. E., & Eiden, R. D. (2021). Teen dating violence in a high-risk sample: The protective role of maternal acceptance. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(19-20), NP11026–NP11045. doi:10.1177/0886260519880165 

Kwon, M., Seo, Y. S., Nickerson, A.B., Dickerson, S., Park, E. & Livingston, J. A. (2020). Sleep quality as a mediator of the relationship between cyber victimization and depression. Journal of Nursing Scholarship. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12569

Park, E., Livingston, J. A., Wang, W., Kwon, M., Eiden, R. D. & Chang, Y.-P. (2020). Adolescent e-cigarette use trajectories and subsequent alcohol and marijuana use. Addictive Behaviors. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.106213

Testa, M., Livingston, J. A., Wang, W., & Lewis, M. A. (2020).  Preventing college sexual assault by reducing hookups: A randomized controlled trial of a personalized normative feedback intervention. Prevention Science, 21, 388-397.

Allen, K. P., Livingston, J. A., & Nickerson, A. B. (2019). Child sexual abuse prevention education: A qualitative study of teachers’ experiences implementing the Second Step Child Protection Unit. American Journal of Sexuality Education. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/15546128.2019.1687382

Kim, S., Nickerson, A. Livingston, J. A., Dudley, M., Manges, M., Tulledge, J., & Allen, K. (2019). Teacher outcomes from Second Step Child Protection Unit: Moderating roles of prior preparedness and treatment acceptability. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 28, 726-744. https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2019.1620397

Livingston, J. A., Derrick, J. L., Wang, W., Testa, M., Nickerson, A. B., Espelage, D. L., & Miller, K. E. (2019). Proximal associations among bullying, mood, and substance use: A daily report study. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 28, 2558-2571. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-018-1109-1

• Mecca S. Cranley Award for Excellence in Teaching, University at Buffalo School of Nursing, 2021
• Ellen Volpe Memorial Award, Faculty Posters, School of Nursing Virtual Poster Session, Fall 2020 (Contraceptive Counseling for Adolescents in Pediatric Primary Care Practices in Western NY)
• Murray Straus Interpersonal Violence Original Research Award, National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence (NPEIV), 2015

• Member, UB Faculty Senate
• Member, Eastern Nursing Research Society
• Member, Society for Research on Adolescence
• Member, Society for Prevention Research
• Member, Research Society on Alcoholism
• Member, National Institute of Justice on the Violence Against Women/Teen Dating Violence/Elder Abuse review panel
• Advisory Board Member and Faculty Affiliate, Alberti center for Bullying Abuse Prevention, University at Buffalo
• Consulting Editor, Psychology of Violence journal

Term: 2021-2026

Role: Principle Investigator (with PI Amy Hequembourg; Co-I Craig Colder)

Funding Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism

Award Amount: $2,442,509

Abstract: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer or questioning, and those youth with other sexual minority identities (LGBQ+) report riskier alcohol use patterns than their heterosexual peers. This raises concerns that — like patterns found in the general population — early, risky alcohol use may strongly predict later alcohol problems and related deleterious health consequences (e.g., other substance abuse, victimization, poor physical and mental health) that contribute to health disparities among sexual minority adults. The harmful effects of peer victimization (PV; i.e. bullying and sexual harassment) on adolescent psychosocial functioning may be one pathway through which LGBQ+ youth become involved in high-risk alcohol use. In adolescence, heterosexist social norms are strongly enforced through bullying and homophobic sexual harassment. Alarmingly high numbers of LGBQ+ youth experience homophobic peer aggression. Such experiences can lead to internalized heterosexism and sexual minority stress. Sexual minority stress has been strongly associated with increased alcohol use across the lifespan in sexual minority populations. Cross-sectional studies have shown that PV is positively associated with alcohol and other substance use among LGBQ+ adolescents. However, the mechanisms through which PV contributes to negative outcomes and the protective factors that ameliorate those outcomes among LGBTQ+ youth are not well understood. Advances in understanding the effects of PV on LGBQ+ adolescents have been hampered by a dearth of longitudinal and mixed methods studies that include these youth in their samples. Using a mixed methods design, the proposed study will investigate the acute daily and longitudinal effects of PV on LGBQ+ adolescent risky alcohol use, as well as identify potential buffers and risk factors for these outcomes. Data from 500 adolescents (ages 15-17 years, 50% female gender identity, diverse racial composition) will be collected using four longitudinal surveys (baseline, 6-, 12, and 18-month follow-ups), two bursts of daily reports (4-weeks each), and qualitative interviews. Informed by sexual minority stress and psychological mediation theories, the proposed study aims to: (1) identify the psychosocial mechanisms linking PV with alcohol and other substance use among LGBQ+ youth; (2) understand the daily associations between PV and alcohol and substance use; and (3) examine the contexts in which LGBQ+ youth experience PV and gain insight into the psychosocial factors related to PV and substance use. The proposed study utilizes a novel integrative conceptual model that incorporates extant knowledge from research on PV and substance use conducted with heterosexual youth along with factors identified in the LGBQ+ literature, including sexual minority stress and the psychological mediation framework, to clarify the processes implicated in substance use by LGBQ+ youth. Results from this study are critically needed to understand the pathways, processes and contexts through which LGBQ+ adolescents become involved in high-risk alcohol use to inform the development of primary prevention programs that improve and preserve the health of LGBQ+ youth. 

Term: 2019-2022

Role: Co-Investigator (PI: Amanda Nickerson)

Funding Source: Institute of Education Sciences

Award Amount: $1,381,579

Term: 2018-2023

Role: Co-Investigator (PI: Jennifer Read)

Funding Source: National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (R01 AA 026105)

Award Amount: $365,106

Abstract: This study evaluates the role of social goals in determining young women's involvement in routine activities that place them at risk for alcohol-involved sexual assault (ASA).  The study will be conducted with a longitudinal community sample of female adolescents ages 18-25 that have been followed for nearly a decade (R01 DA020171: Colder, PI, Read, Co-I).  Longitudinal panel and weekly methodologies will be used to examine the evolution of self-regulation and social goals, linking shorter-term change to longer-term developmental processes. This design will capture how ASA risk unfolds through adolescence and into young adulthood.

Term: 2018-2021

Role: Multi-Principal Investigator Investigator (PI: Jennifer Read)

Funding Source: National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (R34 AA 027046)

Award Amount: $150,000

Abstract: This project involves the development of a sexual assault prevention program for college women that targets the intervention of close friends as bystanders.  The focus on friendship dyads will capitalize on two qualities found to increase the likelihood of bystander intervention: relationship and responsibility.  A mixed method approach will be used to develop and pilot test intervention materials.

Term: 2018-2020

Role: Co-Investigator (PI: Kurt Dermen)

Funding Source: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (R21 DE 028084)

Award Amount: $150,000

Abstract: This project will develop a theory-based, web-delivered intervention to promote oral health in dental patients.

Term: 2018-2020

Role: Co-Investigator (PI: Kurt Dermen)

Funding Source: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (R21 DE 028084)

Award Amount: $150,000

Abstract: This project will develop a theory-based, web-delivered intervention to promote oral health in dental patients.

2017-2019
Co-Investigator (PI: Maria Testa)
Brief Intervention to Reduce College Sexual Victimization Risk
(National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: R34AA024854)
Award Amount: $218,750
Abstract: This project aims to develop and expand existing personalized normative feedback intervention to optimize its ability to prevent sexual victimization among college freshman women by reducing heavy episodic drinking and hookup behavior.

2015-2019
Co-Investigator (PI: Amy Hequembourg)
Identifying Sexual Assault Mechanisms among Diverse Women
Award Amount: $205,365
Abstract: The proposed mixed methods study (N = 225; 75 each lesbian, bisexual, and heterosexual women) will provide novel insights into mechanisms associated with sexual assault among sexual minority women compared to heterosexual women. These findings are critical for providing lesbian and bisexual female victims of crime with necessary services to address their immediate needs and instigate changes that will improve responses from criminal justice systems, including law enforcement, victim services, and anti-violence programs that serve this vulnerable population.

2013-2019 
Principal Investigator
Peer Victimization as a Pathway to Adolescent Substance Use 
(National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: R01 AA021169)
Awarded: $1.8 million
Abstract: This study seeks to identify the conditions under which experiencing peer victimization (PV) in adolescence contributes to emotional distress (i.e., depression, anxiety) and the development of substance use acutely and over time.  Longitudinal survey data will be collected from a sample of 950 male and female adolescents (ages 13-15 at baseline) over a period of two years to examine the long-term effects of peer victimization on adolescent adjustment. In addition, a sub-sample of victimized adolescents will provide daily reports of their victimization experiences, emotional state and substance use over an 8-week period to shed light on the immediate effects of PV.

2015-2018
Co-Investigator (PI: Amy Hequembourg)
Identifying Sexual Assault Mechanisms among Diverse Women
(National Institute of Justice: 2014-VA-CX-0067)