Michelle Pebole, PhD
Research
My research aims to understand the impacts of sexual and partner violence, identify how exercise can help people who have experienced these types of violence, and understand how to make exercise spaces physically and psychologically safe for people with histories of trauma. I am dedicated to centering the experiences of women in this work.
In my roles, I have been tasked with research, teaching, and speaking on these topics. If these are of interest to you, your organization, or your students, please reach out!
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Below are a few of my recent publications. See more at my ResearchGate or Google Scholar.
Highlighted Study
Much of my research aims to make exericse physically and psychologically safe exercise spaces using trauma informed methods.
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This mixed methods pilot study engaged women veterans to identify their exercise preferences and perceptions, aiming to inform future development of trauma-informed exercise interventions. Twelve women completed the survey and interview. All women were interested in an exercise program tailored to their needs. Exercise preferences were mixed, with preferences for home-based group programs that take place with other women. Interviews highlighted the prevalence of sexual and partner violence throughout women's lives and their impact on exercise engagement. Women also identified barriers (feeling unsafe in gyms, poor mental health, lack of tailored programs, and pain) and facilitators (promoting physical and mental health, structure and accountability, social connection with other women). Findings indicate that women are interested in exercise programs tailored to their needs.
Results helped to identify evidence-based actions when developing trauma-informed programs (see image or paper for more information)
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More research ...
Here we demonstrate that exercise and other allied health professionals are currently unprepared to handle sexual and partner violence properly.
This study found that enrolling in healthcare services can enhance safety among women who experienced partner violence.
Here we show the biases in the current TBI screen process for women Veterans and advocate for changes to include TBI from partner and sexual violence.
This study suggests traumatic brain injury may exacerbate cardiovascular risk among women with histories of partner violence
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Here, we identify exercise preferences among women survivors of sexual violence
​This study identifies and discusses perceived barriers and benefits of exercise among women survivors of sexual violence
This article highlights the need for trauma informed exercise practices for surivors of sexual violence
When you get these jobs you have been so brilliantly trained for, just remember that your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else.
- Toni Morrison