About Me
I am a researcher with a passion for exploring the complex dynamics of gender-based violence. Drawing concepts from intersectional feminism and social justice, my work centers around examining the interplay of individual and contextual factors that contribute to the experience and outcomes of sexual violence and intimate partner violence, particularly in underrepresented populations. I employ a diverse range of research methods, including data science, quantitative and qualitative psychology, and statistics. Through my work, I hope to contribute to a greater understanding of the nuanced and multifaceted factors that perpetuate gender-based violence and its associated sequelae. Ultimately, my goal is to create personalized, innovative solutions for victim-survivors so that suffering is no longer the default outcome.
Currently, I am a clinical psychology PhD student at the University of Washington, advised by Dr. William H. George and Dr. Mary Larimer. I am also mentored by Dr. Jessica Blayney and Dr. Anna Jaffe. In my spare time, I like to travel, hike, ice skate, knit, and annoy my cat.
Email: sharonwang.ssw@gmail.com
Twitter: @_wangsharon
Research
Current Projects
- Meaning-making of sexual victimization labeling, self-blame, and substance use (MOSS) *coming soon*
Past Projects
- Resilience as a Moderator (ResMod): (1) Examined the association between victimization timing and post-traumatic stress symptoms; (2) Explored the role of resilience variables (emotion regulation & mindfulness) in this association
- Maltreatment & Depression (MaltDep): (1) Compared latent growth trajectories of depression in individuals with and without maltreatment histories; (2) Examined how individuals with maltreatment histories fare relative to their counterparts without maltreatment histories on adult-measured outcomes
Collaborators
Publications
- Wang, S. S., Blayney, J. A., Jaffe, A. E., Stappenbeck, C. A., George, W. H., & Davis, K. C. (under review). The role of resilience in sexual assault revictimization. PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/52jyr
- Qin, L., Hamilton, V., Wang, S., Aydinalp, Y., Scarlett, M., Redmiles, E. M. (2024). “Did they consent to that?” Safer digital intimacy via proactive protection against image-based sexual abuse. 33rd USENIX Security Symposium (USENIX Security 24), 55–72. https://www.usenix.org/conference/usenixsecurity24/presentation/qin
- Wang, S. S., Walsh, K., Li, J. J. (2023). A prospective longitudinal study of multidomain resilience among youths with and without maltreatment histories. Development and Psychopathology, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579423000032
Presentations
- Wang, S. S., Blayney, J. A., Stappenbeck, C. A., Jaffe, A. E., George, W. H., & Davis, K. C. (2023, November). The role of resilience in sexual assault revictimization [Oral presentation]. The Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, United States.
- Smith, L., Gleason, N., Wang, S., Vittone, A., George, W. H., Neilson, E. C. (2023, June). Alcohol’s effects on sexual perception following non-consent cues [Poster]. Research Society on Alcohol Annual Scientific Meeting, Bellevue, WA, United States.
- Gleason, N., Wang, S. S., Smith, L., Gulati, N. K., Gasser, M. L., Rham-Knigge, R. L., Miner, M. H., Coleman, E., George, W. H. (2022, July). All gas no brakes? The relationship between compulsive sexual behavior and HIV sexual risk behavior: A review of the literature and framework for future research [Poster]. International Academy of Sex Research Annual Meeting, Reykjavík, Iceland.
- Smith, L., Gleason, N., Gulati, N. K., Gasser, M. L., Wang, S. S., George, W. H. (2022, July). Understanding sexual aggression perpetration in LGB communities: A literature review & call to action [Poster]. International Academy of Sex Research Annual Meeting, Reykjavík, Iceland.
- Wang, S. S. & Li, J. J. (2020, August). Trajectories of risk and resilience among maltreated youth: Prospective associations with adult social outcomes [Poster]. American Psychological Association Convention, Washington, D.C.
Curriculum Vitae