Kiran Kaur

All Publications

• Exploring the Relationships Among Trauma Exposure, Obsessive-compulsive Disorder Symptoms, and Self-stigma JOURNAL OF PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT Kaur, K., Hahn, J., Asnaani, A. 2026; 48 (3)

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s10862-026-10304-5

  View details for Web of Science ID 001825043400002

• An Online Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Tic Disorders: Effect on Comorbid Symptoms MOVEMENT DISORDERS CLINICAL PRACTICE Kaur, K., Brown, W., Hoeppner, S., Wilhelm, S., Reese, H. E. 2026

  Abstract

  Mindfulness-based approaches show promise for reducing tic severity, yet little is known about their effect on comorbid symptoms.The objective was to evaluate secondary outcomes from a pilot randomized controlled trial comparing mindfulness-based intervention for tics (MBIT) with psychoeducation, relaxation, and supportive therapy (PRST).Twenty-eight adults with Tourette's syndrome or persistent tic disorder were randomized to MBIT or PRST and completed measures of obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms, depression, anxiety, stress, and functional impairment at baseline, posttreatment, 1-month, and 6-month follow-up.A significant group-by-time interaction emerged for OC symptoms, indicating a significantly greater reduction in OC symptoms in MBIT compared to PRST at posttreatment. No significant group-by-time interactions emerged for the remaining outcomes at posttreatment. Outcomes at 1- and 6-month follow-ups are reported descriptively.MBIT, relative to PRST, led to significantly greater reductions in OC symptoms. Larger clinical trials are necessary to test these initial findings.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/mdc3.70726

  View details for Web of Science ID 001823727900001

  View details for PubMedID 42464517

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC13376581

• Is CT for OCD an underutilized intervention? A review of misconceptions and evidence for efficacy JOURNAL OF OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE AND RELATED DISORDERS Kaur, K., Hoeppner, S., Snorrason, I., Jacoby, R., Wilhelm, S. 2026; 49

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jocrd.2026.101016

  View details for Web of Science ID 001779729700001

• Understanding Emotion Regulation Flexibility and Variability in Daily Life: Findings from a Treatment-Seeking Sample COGNITIVE THERAPY AND RESEARCH Kaur, K., Asnaani, A., Mcmahon, T., Park, J., Naragon-Gainey, K. 2025

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s10608-025-10683-1

  View details for Web of Science ID 001616655800001

• Seeing stress on the horizon: the role of stressor forecasting and affect regulation on daily well-being CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY Kaur, K., Elsey, J. S., Dutton, S., Lohani, M. 2025; 44 (18): 15301-15314

  View details for DOI 10.1007/s12144-025-08235-7

  View details for Web of Science ID 001543250400001

• A Person-Specific Emotion Regulation Flexibility Framework: Taking an Integrative Approach EMOTION REVIEW Kaur, K., Lohani, M., Williams, P., Asnaani, A. 2025; 17 (4): 229-246

  View details for DOI 10.1177/17540739251323517

  View details for Web of Science ID 001444479200001

• Moving beyond symptom reduction: A meta-analysis on the effect of exposure therapy for PTSD on quality of life JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY Kaur, K., Asnaani, A., Levy, H. C., Miller, M. L., Tolin, D. F., McLean, C. P. 2024; 80 (10): 2134-2146

  Abstract

  Quality of life (QOL) is a multidimensional construct including emotional well-being, life satisfaction, and physical health. Individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) consistently report low QOL, highlighting the importance of assessing the effectiveness of first-line PTSD treatments (e.g., exposure-based therapies) on QOL. This meta-analysis examined the efficacy of exposure therapy for PTSD on QOL compared to control conditions (e.g., waitlist, medication, treatment-as-usual) at posttreatment and follow-up (ranging from 1 month to 2 years).Building on a previous meta-analysis of exposure-based therapy for PTSD, we searched PsycINFO and Medline in December 2021, July 2022, and March 2023 to include randomized controlled trials of exposure-based treatments for adult PTSD assessing QOL. We screened 295 abstracts for initial eligibility; 20 articles met inclusion criteria and were included (N = 2729 participants). Risk of bias was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool 2.0.At posttreatment, exposure-based therapies showed a medium effect on QOL relative to control conditions (k = 25, g = 0.67). This effect was not observed at follow-up for the small subset of studies with follow-up data (k = 8, g = 0.16). At posttreatment, effect size varied significantly as a function of the control condition (p < .0001). There were no differences in QOL effects across exposure therapies at posttreatment or follow-up (p = .09).Exposure therapy was associated with greater improvement in QOL compared to control conditions at posttreatment. Exposure was not superior to control conditions at follow-up, and the longer-term impact of exposure on QOL is unclear. The implications of these findings are discussed, along with the need for more PTSD treatment studies to examine QOL outcomes at posttreatment and follow-up.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/jclp.23727

  View details for Web of Science ID 001247562000001

  View details for PubMedID 38875442

• Utilizing Community Partnerships to Devise a Framework for Cultural Adaptations to Evidence-Based Mental Health Practice in Diverse Communities COGNITIVE AND BEHAVIORAL PRACTICE Asnaani, A., Sanchez-Birkhead, A., Kaur, K., Mukundente, V., Napia, E., Tavake-Pasi, F., Villalta, J., Lee, D., Stark, L., Brown, H., Crowell, S. 2022; 29 (4): 831-845

  View details for Web of Science ID 000886529700008

• Developing an equitable intervention approach for communities of color: mental health and co-occurring physical health concerns in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic TRANSLATIONAL BEHAVIORAL MEDICINE Chavez, M., Kaur, K., Baucom, K. J. W., Sanchez-Birkhead, A., Sunada, G. R., Mukundente, V., Tavake-Pasi, F., Napia, E., Villalta, J., Asnaani, A. 2022; 12 (9): 919-926

  Abstract

  The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated disparities in mental health treatment for people of color in the USA. Meeting the needs of those most burdened by this disparity will require swift and tactical action in partnership with these communities. The purpose of this paper is to describe how a community-based participatory research approach was employed to assess the priorities and needs of four communities of color (African immigrant, Hispanic/Latino, Black/African American, and Pacific Islander) in a major U.S. city. A brief quantitative survey devised jointly by community leaders and the research team was deployed to community members (N = 59) in the fall of 2020. The most endorsed mental health issues across the communities were excessive worry (51%) and stress regarding COVID-19, racism, and immigration policies (49%). The most endorsed physical health concerns included sleep difficulties (44%), headaches, and backaches (each 39%). Physical symptoms predicted the endorsement of a mental health issue above and beyond COVID-19-related hardships, multiplying the odds of reporting an issue by 1.73 per physical health concern endorsed. Based on these findings, the community-research team conceptualized and proposed an evidence-based, effectiveness-implementation hybrid type-2 intervention approach for chronic worry and daily stress. This paper highlights detail on how the community-research team arrived at the proposed multilevel intervention that addresses community-stated barriers to mental health treatment (e.g., preferring trusted health workers to deliver emotional health treatments) and considers the burden of the additional stressful context of COVID-19.

  View details for DOI 10.1093/tbm/ibac033

  View details for Web of Science ID 000864849900006

  View details for PubMedID 36205469

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC9758505

• Applying Best Practices for Health Disparities Work to Create a Treatment Adaptation Framework for Culturally Diverse Communities: A Mixed-Methods Approach JOURNAL OF CONSULTING AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY Kaur, K., Chavez, M., Tacana, T., Sanchez-Birkhead, A., Mukundente, V., Napia, E., Tavake-Pasi, F., Villalta, J., Lee, D., Sunada, G., Stark, L., Crowell, S. E., Asnaani, A. 2022; 90 (10): 734-746

  Abstract

  Integrating best practices for health disparities to adapt evidence-based treatments is imperative to adequately meet the needs of diverse cultures, particularly ones that therapists can apply flexibility across multiple diverse communities.Using a mixed-methods, community-engaged approach, we examined how a range of community participants (N = 169) defined mental health, perceived barriers to treatment, and used culturally based coping methods to manage their mental health. Phase 1 (n = 49) included qualitative focus group data from five distinct racial/ethnic communities (African immigrants/refugees, Black/African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, and American Indians). Phase 2 included quantitative surveys from members of four of these communities (n = 59) and the frontline providers serving them (n = 61).The communities and providers highlighted chronic worry and distress related to daily activities as primary treatment concerns. Further, this mixed-methods data informed our proposed best practice treatment adaptation framework using chronic worry as an example.The main aims of this study were to exemplify best practices for addressing mental health inequities in communities of color in terms of (a) conducting health disparities research and (b) applying a treatment adaptation framework for culturally responsive clinical care. Specific features of how this framework was conceived and applied provide a unique and critical view into integrating best practices to address health disparities in diverse communities. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

  View details for DOI 10.1037/ccp0000742

  View details for Web of Science ID 000880396800004

  View details for PubMedID 36355648

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC9747246

• Asian Indians in the United States and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Interventions: A Narrative Literature Review TRAUMA VIOLENCE & ABUSE Contractor, A. A., Rafiuddin, H. S., Kaur, K., Asnaani, A. 2023; 24 (4): 2395-2411

  Abstract

  Topic. Limited research has examined trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among Asian Indians in the U.S. Thus, we (1) synthesize literature on trauma, PTSD, disparities in treatment for PTSD, the burden of untreated PTSD, and culturally-adapted (CA) PTSD interventions; and (2) discuss recommendations for clinicians/researchers working with this population.Method. We searched two databases using keywords related to Asian Indians, PTSD, and interventions. Of 238 identified articles, we used content from 26 articles to inform our review.Findings. Asian Indians report traumatic experiences before, during, or after immigration to the U.S. and consequential PTSD symptoms. Further, Asian Indians in the U.S. are disproportionately impacted by socio-cultural and economic determinants of poor mental health (e.g., shame/stigma associated with seeking mental health services, few culturally-responsive services), which may contribute to the under-reporting of PTSD and (interpersonal) traumas and less willingness to seek treatment. Additionally, CA PTSD interventions tailored to Asian Indians in the U.S. have not been developed. Socio-cultural considerations that can inform CA PTSD interventions for Asian Indians include: causal conditions (e.g., culturally-rooted beliefs about trauma/PTSD), intervening conditions/barriers (e.g., emotional inhibition), and mitigating/coping strategies (e.g., religious/spiritual practices, cultural idioms of distress). These considerations influence clinician/treatment preferences (e.g., solution-oriented and structured therapy, less emotional exposure). Lastly, we outline recommendations for clinicians/researchers: (1) need for national studies on trauma, PTSD, treatment utilization, and the burden of untreated PTSD; (2) consideration of immigration-related experiences influencing PTSD; (3) consideration of socio-cultural elements for CA PTSD interventions; and (4) need for culturally-valid PTSD assessments.

  View details for DOI 10.1177/15248380221097435

  View details for Web of Science ID 000798320900001

  View details for PubMedID 35543662

  View details for PubMedCentralID PMC13481068

• Ensuring interdisciplinary partnerships and commitment to Contextual Behavioral Science (CBS) principles among diverse scholars who serve diverse communities JOURNAL OF CONTEXTUAL BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE Asnaani, A., Chavez, M., Kaur, K. 2022; 24: 96-101

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jcbs.2022.03.010

  View details for Web of Science ID 000793353700002

• Negative mood regulation expectancies moderate the effect of childhood maltreatment on compulsive buying JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY Kaur, K., Mearns, J. 2021; 77 (4): 1116-1130

  Abstract

  Two studies investigated childhood maltreatment, alexithymia-the inability to identify one's mood-and negative mood regulation expectancies (NMRE)-confidence that one can alleviate one's negative moods-as predictors of compulsive buying (CB).Participants were recruited from internet CB forums and undergraduate psychology classes. Online, they completed questionnaires and a behavioral task that assessed impulsive spending.In Study 1 (N = 646), analyses indicated that NMRE, alexithymia, and childhood maltreatment were significant independent predictors of CB. For Study 2, a subset of participants from the Study 1 pool (N = 295) who met the criterion for clinical levels of CB were selected, based on their self-report. Analyses revealed that NMRE buffered the effect of maltreatment: among participants with high NMRE-higher levels of maltreatment were associated with minimal increases in CB and impulsive spending behavior.Being confident that one can control one's unpleasant moods was a protective factor from the maladaptive consequences of childhood maltreatment. Increasing NMRE early in psychotherapy for CB may result in clients' using more adaptive coping strategies.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/jclp.23103

  View details for Web of Science ID 000605954700001

  View details for PubMedID 33420747