Lisa H. Jaycox

Photo of Lisa Jaycox
Senior Behavioral Scientist; Director, RAND-Initiated Research
Washington Office

Education

Ph.D. in clinical psychology, M.A. in psychology, University of Pennsylvania; B.A. in biology/psychobiology, Brown University

Media Resources

This researcher is available for interviews.

To arrange an interview, contact the RAND Office of Media Relations at (310) 451-6913, or email media@rand.org.

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Overview

Lisa Jaycox is a senior behavioral scientist, clinical psychologist, and director of RAND-Initiated Research at the RAND Corporation. She has combined clinical and research expertise in the areas of child and adolescent mental health problems, including depression and reactions to violence exposure such as post-traumatic stress disorder as well as efforts to improve social and emotional learning. 

Jaycox developed and evaluated a school-based prevention of depression program that proved to be effective in reducing depressive symptoms among fifth and sixth graders. She also evaluated psychosocial treatment and prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder among adult female assault survivors. Jaycox joined RAND in 1997 and has since worked on projects related to the treatment of adolescent depression in primary care settings, mental health consequences of community violence and violent injury, evaluation of adolescent substance-abuse treatment programs, use of trauma-focused therapy to improve school-based mental health services for children, impact of terrorism and natural disaster on children, evaluation of an intimate partner violence prevention program for Latino youth, the mental health impact of deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan and the systems available to support recovery, sexual assault and suicide prevention in the military, as well as evaluation of the Safe Start initiative, programs designed to improve outcomes for children exposed to violence. Her recent research focused on school-based interventions and supports related to trauma as well as social and emotional learning. 

Jaycox received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Pennsylvania.

Research Focus

Recent Media Appearances

Interviews: The Times-Picayune, New Orleans

Commentary

  • A guest looks at the Temple of Time, a structure built to serve as a healing place for those affected by the shooting which claimed 17 lives at nearby Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Coral Springs, Florida, February 14, 2019, photo by Joe Skipper/Reuters

    After School Shootings, Children and Communities Struggle to Heal

    School shootings leave wounds that affect students, school staff, families, and communities for years. Building community resilience, implementing evidence-based mental health support early, and providing access for survivors and the community immediately and in the long term could help promote healing and prevent more tragedy.

    Jul 19, 2019 Health Affairs Blog

  • Suzanne Devine Clark places items on a memorial on the one year anniversary of the shooting which claimed 17 lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, U.S., February 14, 2019, photo by Joe Skipper/Reuters

    Preventing Suicide: Treat Mass Shooting Trauma Beyond Initial Tragedy

    The need for mental health support and suicide-prevention efforts targeting survivors of mass shootings, and the friends and families of victims, is great. Putting such programs in place could go a long way toward helping them heal, and preventing more tragedy.

    Apr 4, 2019 United Press International

  • Immigration law book and gavel in a library

    Restoring Asylum Protections for Victims of Domestic Violence

    Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded asylum protections earlier this month for victims of domestic violence. The decision and the supporting analysis goes against decades of research on violence against women. Congress could reverse the decision by amending the asylum law.

    Jun 25, 2018 The Hill

  • a young boy and girl hold hands while walking to school

    In Connecticut, Recovery and Healing Will Take Time

    With an event like this, With an event like this, 'recovery' doesn't mean a return to normal, because lives have been permanently altered. Recovery can only mean finding a new normal, a new path forward. And schools, those places of safety and healthy development, can help with that process, by providing a structure and community to support healing, writes Lisa Jaycox.

    Dec 20, 2012 The RAND Blog

  • A mother comforting her son

    Helping Kids Cope with the Effects of Violence and Trauma

    The impact of violence and trauma on children has led RAND and its partners to focus not only on studying the problem, but working collaboratively to find interventions that help address a significant public health need.

    May 29, 2012

  • A soldier hugging his wife or girlfriend upon his return from deployment

    War's Invisible Wounds

    Nearly 300,000 Iraq and Afghanistan service veterans who have returned home -- about one in five -- may suffer from combat-stress-related mental health problems. Our veterans ought to get the best available treatments our nation can offer, but they don't, write authors Terry Schell, Terri Tanielian and Lisa Jaycox.

    Sep 28, 2008 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Publications