Julia S. Seng
Professor
Systems, Populations and Leadership
University of Michigan
United States of America
Biography
Teaching: Dr. Seng is an experienced teacher, having become a nurse after teaching French at the university and high school levels. She is currently teaching in both the School of Nursing and the Department of Women’s Studies. She particularly enjoys teaching research methods—for nurse researchers and for non-scientists—including doctoral courses on measurement and qualitative methods. Courses in the women’s health doctoral track which she teaches often include students from outside the School, including graduate students in public health, psychology, social work, women’s studies, and sociology, living out the University’s commitment to interdisciplinary training for students. Students Dr. Seng mentored have been successful at publishing papers on their own or as a member of the research team. Mentees at all levels, from Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program research assistants, to Honors students in Nursing and Biological Psychology, to Master’s students in Public Health, Nursing, and Social Work, to PhD students in Nursing and Psychology, to junior colleagues contribute from diverse standpoints. Affiliations / Service: Member, American College of Nurse Midwives Member, International Society for Studies of Trauma and Dissociation Member, Midwest Nursing Research Society Editorial Board Member, International Journal of Childbirth Editorial Board Member, Psychological Trauma: Research, Teaching, Practice, and Policy Editorial Panel Member, Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health Notable Awards / Honors: Fellow, American Academy of Nursing, 2009 Book of the Year, American College of Nurse Midwives, 2009 Visiting Professorships, University of Melbourne, Australia 2008; University of Sheffield, England 2008, University of Illinois, Chicago 2007 Referee of the Year, Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health 2008 Education: Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 2001 PhD, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 1999 MS, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 1995 BSN, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 1991 MA, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 1985 BA, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 1983
Research Interest
Dr. Seng’s research focuses on the effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on women’s health and childbearing. Her projects approach this topic from a variety of perspectives. She used qualitative, participatory action research to understand women’s experiences and to inform intervention development. Epidemiological analyses have established that PTSD is associated with pregnancy complications and worse physical health across the lifespan for women. Clinical studies currently are examining neuroendocrine and genetic pathways that link PTSD to preterm birth, lower birth weight, and pregnancy complications. Clinical trial testing of a psychoeducation program for women with abuse-related PTSD, known as the “Survivor Moms’ Companion” are underway in the US and Australia. In addition to studying PTSD, Dr. Seng is working with collaborators in a new trajectory focusing on studies of oxytocin in relation to health outcomes in women.
Publications
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Seng, J.S., Sperlich, M., Rowe, H., Cameron, H., Harris, A., Rauch, S.A.M., Bell, S.A. (2011). The Survivor Moms’ Companion: Open pilot of a posttraumatic stress specific psychoeducation program for pregnant survivors of childhood maltreatment and sexual trauma. International Journal of Childbirth 1, 122-135.
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Seng, J.S., Kohn-Wood, L.P., McPherson, M.D., Sperlich, M. (2011). Disparities in trauma history and posttraumatic stress disorder in a community sample of pregnant women. Archives of Women’s Mental Health 2011 May 15 Epub ahead of print.
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Seng, J.S., Kane Low, L.M., Sperlich, M., Ronis, D.L., Liberzon, I. (2011) Posttraumatic stress disorder is associated with lower birth weight and shorter gestation. British Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. In press for July 27, 2011.