Research Interests
Dr. Garthe’s research examines the etiology, consequences, and prevention of youth violence, primarily among youth living in urban, low-income communities. Her research examines these topics from a developmental-ecological perspective, seeking to understand the developmental, relational, contextual, and structural/systemic factors associated with violence. Additionally, she researches dating violence and intimate partner violence, specifically looking at how definitions and responses to violence can more inclusive and accessible to historically marginalized populations (e.g., racial and ethnic minority youth, transgender populations, justice-involved women). Through this research, she has focused on guiding violence prevention efforts for youth and adults. Dr. Garthe has led and contributed to numerous research projects examining the development, implementation, and evaluation of school, family, and community-based violence prevention programs.
Education
Prevention Science, The University of Chicago
Developmental Psychology, PhD, Virginia Commonwealth University
Developmental Psychology, M.S., Virginia Commonwealth University
Additional Campus Affiliations
Associate Professor, School of Social Work
Coordinator, Undergraduate Research, School of Social Work
Affiliate, Social & Behavioral Science Institute
Affiliate, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Institute
Recent Publications
Garthe, R. C., Nag, A., McMurray, C., Strickland, E., & Dickens, S. (2026). Navigating the complexities of help-seeking: Amplifying the voices of marginalized survivors of intimate partner violence. qualitative social work, 25(3-4), 435-461. https://doi.org/10.1177/14733250261445567
Garthe, R. C., VanHook, C., Miller, H., & Hucke, K. (2026). Perceptions of Grant Writing, Implementation and Reporting Processes: Focus Groups with Violence Prevention Grantees. Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work (United States). Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/26408066.2026.2625868
Garthe, R. C. (2026). Social Work Statistics: An Introduction to Statistics in Social Work Research and Practice. (OPN Textbooks). Windsor & Downs Press. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.21900/wd.33
Garthe, R. C., Allen, N. E., Nag, A., Griffin, B., Blackburn, A. M., Zhan, Q., & Colome, S. (2026). Stalking and cyberstalking among college students: Prevalence and distinctions between harassment, victimization, and perpetration. Psychology of Violence, 16(3), 335-348. https://doi.org/10.1037/vio0000629
Hsieh, W. J., & Garthe, R. C. (2026). Posttraumatic Growth Among Adult Female Sexual Assault Survivors. Violence Against Women, 32(10), 3679-3696. Article 10778012251366223. https://doi.org/10.1177/10778012251366223