Dr. Emre Umucu
College of Health Science
Dr. Umucu’s interdisciplinary research aims to improve health, rehabilitation, community participation, and well-being outcomes for individuals and veterans with chronic conditions, especially those who are underserved and underrepresented including Veteran community.
Project Description
Dr. Umucu's laboratory, the Veteran Well-Being Lab (V3), investigates risk and protective factors for substance use disorders and psychiatric disorders in veterans and civilians, with a focus on positive psychology factors (e.g., hope, positive emotion, resilience, optimism). This research is based on the hypothesis that positive factors play a significant role in reducing the risk of alcohol and other substance use problems. Recently, Dr. Umucu's team collected a large dataset from rural veterans to assess their access to substance use treatments, including alcohol use treatments. This research aims to improve access to substance use care for rural veterans and their caregivers.
Relation to addiction studies
Dr. Umucu, a seasoned clinical researcher with experience working with civilians and veterans with mental health and substance use disorders, has launched a new research initiative to investigate: (a) access to substance use care among rural veterans, (b) substance use as a coping mechanism during the pandemic, and (c) risk and protective factors in substance use disorders. In addition, his lab's research on addiction risk and protective factors examines psychopathological (e.g., PTSD, depression) and positive psychology (e.g., hope, positive emotion, resilience, optimism) constructs.
Research questions
- What is the accessibility of substance use treatment services for rural veterans with and without chronic conditions?
- What is the prevalence of substance use disorders among rural veterans with and without chronic health conditions?
- Are positive psychology factors associated with alcohol use disorders among civilian and veteran student populations?
Significance of the work
Millions of veterans live in the United States, and many rural veterans are underserved and lack access to healthcare services, including substance use treatment. Our lab aims to serve our heroes who served us by conducting research to increase their access to healthcare services, including substance use treatment services. Additionally, many veteran students in higher education struggle with substance use disorders that negatively impact their college adjustment and employability. Through our research, we identify key factors that buffer the negative impact of addiction on college adjustment, which will serve thousands of veteran students.
Methods to be learned
Dr. Umucu's interdisciplinary research integrates behavioral, public health, rehabilitation, and education models and theories to investigate risk and protective factors in addiction. Students will learn to use interdisciplinary approaches to examine and understand addiction among underserved populations, including rural veterans and student veterans. They will also learn to use public health strategies to reach out to rural and student veterans and behavioral health techniques to understand their substance use disorders.
