Heather Turner
Heather A. Turner is Professor of Sociology and Senior Research Associate at the Crimes against Children Research Center at the University of New Hampshire. Dr. Turner’s research program has concentrated on social stress processes and mental health, including the effects of violence, victimization, and other forms of adversity on the social and psychological development of children and adolescents. Dr. Turner has over 15 years of research experience on childhood exposure to violence, has conducted numerous national surveys, and has published over 125 articles, many focusing on the childhood adversity and mental health. She was a principal investigator for the OJJDP funded National Surveys of Children’s Exposure to Violence (NatSCEV I, NatSCEV II and NatSCEV III) – studies designed to obtain comprehensive estimates of children’s exposure to multiple forms of violence and victimization across the full developmental spectrum (ages 0-17). Dr. Turner is the Director of the International Conference on Social Stress Research and past the Chair of the Sociology of Mental Health Section of the American Sociological Association (ASA).
Research Interests
- Aging and life course
- AIDS
- Sociology of the family
- Stress processes and mental health
- Survey research
Courses Taught
- SOC 595: Independent Reading & Research
- SOC 625: Mental Health and Society
- SOC 740/840: Sociology of Mental Health
- SOC 900: Pro-seminar
- SOC 905: Research Practicum
- SOC 999: Doctoral Research
Selected Publications
Turner, H. A., Finkelhor, D., & Colburn, D. (2023). Predictors of Online Child Sexual Abuse in a U.S. National Sample.. J Interpers Violence, 8862605221149090. doi:10.1177/08862605221149090
Gebo, E., Rebellon, C. J., & Turner, H. A. (2022). Specifying the Nature of the Victim-Offender Overlap: A Gendered Analysis of Victimization and Offending Subtypes. VICTIMS & OFFENDERS, 17(3), 372-394. doi:10.1080/15564886.2021.1970066
Turner, H. A., & Colburn, D. (2022). Independent and Cumulative Effects of Recent Maltreatment on Suicidal Ideation and Thoughts of Self-harm in a National Sample of Youth. JOURNAL OF ADOLESCENT HEALTH, 70(2), 329-335. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.09.022
Mitchell, K. J., Jones, L. M., Turner, H. A., Beseler, C. L., Hamby, S., & Jr, W. R. (2021). Understanding the Impact of Seeing Gun Violence and Hearing Gunshots in Public Places: Findings From the Youth Firearm Risk and Safety Study. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE, 36(17-18), 8835-8851. doi:10.1177/0886260519853393
Turner, H. A., Finkelhor, D., & Henly, M. (2021). Exposure to Family and Friend Homicide in a Nationally Representative Sample of Youth. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36(7-8), NP4413-NP4442. doi:10.1177/0886260518787200
Finkelhor, D., Turner, H. A., Shattuck, A., & Hamby, S. L. (2015). Prevalence of Childhood Exposure to Violence, Crime, and Abuse Results From the National Survey of Children's Exposure to Violence. JAMA PEDIATRICS, 169(8), 746-754. doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2015.0676
Finkelhor, D., Turner, H., Ormrod, R., & Hamby, S. L. (2009). Violence, Abuse, and Crime Exposure in a National Sample of Children and Youth. PEDIATRICS, 124(5), 1411-1423. doi:10.1542/peds.2009-0467
Finkelhor, D., Orrarod, R. K., & Turner, H. A. (2007). Poly-victimization: A neglected component in child victimization. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT, 31(1), 7-26. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2006.06.008
Finkelhor, D., Hamby, S. L., Ormrod, R., & Turner, H. (2005). The Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire: Reliability, validity, and national norms. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT, 29(4), 383-412. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2004.11.001
Finkelhor, D., Ormrod, R., Turner, H., & Hamby, S. L. (2005). The victimization of children and youth: A comprehensive, national survey. CHILD MALTREATMENT, 10(1), 5-25. doi:10.1177/1077559504271287
Most Cited Publications