WHAT I’VE BEEN
WORKING ON
FULL LIST ON RESEARCHGATE ↗Substitution of cannabis for prescribed medications in the management of anxiety and depression among midlife women: A cross-sectional study
Mueller, J., Attonito, J., Sapp, J., & Villalba, K.
Older women who substitute cannabis for prescription anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medications tend to have higher levels of depression and anxiety, with sleep difficulties and concurrent alcohol use as key predictors of substitution behavior, suggesting that cannabis is an alternative symptom management strategy despite potentially worsening mental health outcomes.
Cannabis for harm reduction: Exploring mental health and other motivational factors among adults at risk for alcohol use disorder in Florida
Attonito, J., Mueller, J., & Villalba, K.
Higher AUD risk was more common among younger adults and those with greater depression and anxiety symptoms, ACE-Q scores, PTSD positivity, comorbid health conditions, and readiness to change. Cannabis was the most frequently reported alcohol-reduction strategy, with use predicted by high AUD severity, PTSD positivity, greater comorbidity, action-stage readiness, and higher ACE-Q scores, suggesting that substance substitution may reflect targeted therapeutic needs rather than general harm reduction.
Age differences among women cannabis users: Psychiatric conditions, alcohol use, and adverse childhood experiences
Sapp, J., Mueller, J., Cook, C., Attonito, J., Chakraborty, A., & Villalba, K.
Journal of Substance Use
Predictors of replacing alcohol with cannabis among adult women
Attonito, J., Mueller, J., & Villalba, K.
Older women were less likely than younger women to substitute cannabis for alcohol, but among those who did, higher PTSD symptoms and sleep problems were key predictors of cannabis use, suggesting that older women may have specific therapeutic needs rather than general harm reduction.
Associations between relationship status and sexual communication satisfaction: The moderating role of alcohol use and sexual victimization history
Mueller, J., Wang, S., Sparks, M., Daniel, A., Calhoun, B., Rhew, I., Bedard-Gilligan, M., Davis, K., & Blayney, J.
Young women (18–24) who did not drink reported lower sexual communication satisfaction than frequent drinkers, though within relationships, non-drinkers reported higher satisfaction. This pattern suggests that heavy drinking may dampen the communication benefits of being partnered. Women with a sexual victimization history reported slightly lower satisfaction overall, but both groups showed higher sexual communication in relationships versus being single. This indicates that relationship status may positively influence sexual communication regardless of victimization history.
Social support and strain as predictors of substance use and sex differences
Mueller, J., Domagala, S., Wall, T., Hopfer, C., Stallings, M., & Ellingson, J.
Social support from romantic partners and family was linked to lower substance use. Social strain, particularly from romantic partners and friends, was also associated with higher alcohol and illicit use frequency. Strain from friends and family was associated with more alcohol and tobacco disorder symptoms. Sex moderated several of these relationships. Sex moderated the associations between romantic partner, friend, and total support to predict illicit SUD symptoms. Additionally, strain domains interacted with sex to predict illicit SUD symptoms.
A longitudinal sibling study of alcohol use and psychiatric symptoms in a high-risk clinical cohort
Mueller, J., Hinckley, J., McCabe, C., Hopfer, C., Stallings, M., Wall, T., & Ellingson, J.
Among adolescents with alcohol use disorder and antisocial behavior, baseline alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms were linked to greater increases in depression, with important sex differences — AUD predicted more adolescent anxiety symptoms in females but less anxiety symptoms among males. Males with higher initial anxiety showed smaller increases in drinking over time.
“It’s Almost a Wonder Drug”: Midlife Women’s Perceptions and Experiences with Cannabis
Mueller, J., Sanchez, K., Sapp, J., Cook, C., Attonito, J., & Villalba, K.
Developing sex positive dating and sexual health interventions alongside teens with sexual victimization histories
Blayney, J., Mueller, J., Thompson, M., Chum, P., Widman, L., & George, W.
This discovery-phase study identified what teens with sexual victimization histories want and need from sexual health programming. Interventions should prioritize engaging delivery, realistic scenarios, and interactive content. Participants also emphasized the need for information that addresses barriers to STI testing and contraceptive access, increases consent knowledge, and reduces stigma around sexual health.
Concordant co-use patterns among young adult couples are associated with positive, but not negative, relationship functioning outcomes at the daily level
Walukevich-Dienst, K., Mueller, J., Blayney, J., Calhoun, B., Pandya, U., Cavalli, J., Derrick, J., & Lee, C.
Understanding teens with sexual victimization histories’ perspectives on dating and sexual health
Blayney, J., Thompson, M., Mueller, J., Chum, P., Widman, L., & George, W.
Adolescent girls are learning about dating and sex primarily through peers, online platforms, and mainstream media, often filling gaps left by formal sex education. Participants emphasized the importance of emotional and physical readiness, consent, pleasure, and understanding their own needs in romantic relationships. Integrating teens’ perspectives in intervention programs can increase engagement, address misinformation, and teach protective strategies and decision-making skills more effectively.