Sleep-Related Threat in Intimate Partner Violence
Official title: Sleep-Related Threat: A Novel Type of Sleep Disturbance in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11351129 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at a new type of sleep disturbance seen in people affected by intimate partner violence and aims to understand how safety concerns at night shape sleep problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $238,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R03HL185158-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11351129 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with a history of intimate partner violence who experience sleep problems such as insomnia or nightmares.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without IPV history or sleep disturbances related to safety concerns may not benefit.
What this research studies
IPV affects a large number of people and is linked to sleep problems like nightmares and insomnia. Building on preliminary data, the study defines 'sleep-related threat' as the need to stay awake due to safety concerns, which may sustain poor sleep health even after abuse ends. The researchers will explore how perceptions of danger at night contribute to sleep disturbances and identify initial links with sleep quality in IPV survivors. This early work could set the stage for future studies that help tailor sleep interventions for those coping with interpersonal violence. The project is an initial step toward understanding a potentially widespread but under-recognized sleep threat in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding sleep-related threat could lead to targeted strategies to improve sleep and safety for IPV survivors.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work links IPV to sleep problems; this is a novel construct (sleep-related threat) being explored in this context.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jakubowski, Karen P — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Jakubowski, Karen P
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.