Behind the Scenes: Dr. Jeff Shahidullah

How did you first become involved with the Texas Childhood Trauma Research Network?

At study inception in 2020, I was the Director of Training for the network. In 2024, I also assumed the role of node-PI for the UT-Austin site.

What is the big-picture mission of the network, and why is it important for Texas right now?

Tracking trauma exposure and associated mental health outcomes for Texas youth. The large study that includes youth from all regions of the state will provide one of the richest and most complete pictures of risk factors that lead youth to be more likely to experience trauma and the likely mental health outcomes that ensue.

How would you explain what childhood trauma really means — and how it affects children long-term?

"One day of work for you may be a life event for your participant."

The body and brain experience of trauma activates an evolutionarily acquired protective response system. While a large amount of body and brain resources are allocated to this protective response system, it takes an immense number of resources to maintain this response system and can lead to other mental health vulnerabilities such as anxiety, depression, and suicidality. Over the long-term, if these youth do not learn adaptive coping skills, they may suffer. Unfortunately, many youths who experience trauma tend to be in trauma-vulnerable environments where they are predisposed to suffer ongoing traumas.

What kinds of trauma are you seeing most often in the children and families you work with in Texas?

Accidents, bullying, abuse, exposure to scary events via technology, social media, and the internet in general.

What are the ethical complexities of doing research with vulnerable populations like children? How do you navigate that?

There are ethical challenges surrounding participant protection, potential re-traumatization of participants, and researchers managing their own emotional responses to trauma-related content, including secondary traumatic stress. For many children and families, just talking about their trauma can be therapeutic but for some traumatized youth it can be emotionally distressing. We go to great lengths to make sure that young participants are a good fit for the study. I have a quote that I share with research assistants at the end of every meeting: "One day of work for you may be a life event for your participant." This reminds us to appreciate the gravity of the work we do and the immense emotional experience this may be for our participants. For many, it may be the first time they have shared difficult past experiences. We can work with the most marginalized and vulnerable of populations and they share their stories with us. There is a great responsibility and we must protect their dignity and autonomy.

Jeffrey Shahidullah, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of psychiatry at Dell Medical School and an adjunct assistant professor of educational psychology within The University of Texas at Austin College of Education. He specializes in behavioral interventions for managing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and disruptive behavior disorders. Additionally, he serves as co-director of research in developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Dell Children’s Medical Group.