Faculty Research

Current and past research conducted by PAU faculty with Latinx populations.

JAN HABARTH, PH.D., ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Women's Social Attitudes Study: This study involved general population recruitment of women in the U.S. as well as focused recruitment of African American, Latina, and Asian women in the U.S. We collected data using MTurk. Participants responded to survey items inquiring about feminist attitudes, self-identification as a feminist, personality (heteronormativity, tolerance of ambiguity), mental health measures (depression, life satisfaction, eating behaviors and attitudes) and demographic items. Results featuring Latina women have been reported in two conference presentations so far and will be featured in 1-2 manuscripts for publication in the coming year.

ALINNE BARRERA, PH.D., ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Study 1: Examining a community-based, automated text-messaging prevention of postpartum depression intervention among Spanish-speaking perinatal women.

Study 2: Examining the efficacy of a prevention of postpartum depression SMS-adapted intervention among a community sample of Spanish-speaking perinatal women.

LYNN C. WAELDE, PH.D., PROFESSOR

Attention to Latinx issues has informed our research and clinical work. We have conducted a series of clinical trials about the benefits of a mindfulness and meditation intervention, called Inner Resources for Stress, for Latinx American youth and adults. We have published a systematic review of ethnoracial representation and cultural adaptation of mindfulness and meditation-based interventions. We have conducted several studies about the comparative prevalence and assessment of race-related stress and PTSD among Latinx people. We contributed to a review of hate-based violence that represents the official policy of the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies. In the Inner Resources Center, we offer Inner Resources for Stress in Spanish at community sites and in collaboration with partners such as the San Mateo Lantinx Collaborative. Inner Resources for Stress has been named a Best Practice Caregiving by the Family Caregiver Alliance following rigorous review by the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging, supported by grants from The John A. Hartford Foundation, Archstone Foundation, and The Retirement Research Foundation.

SITA G. PATEL, PH.D., ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Study 1: The Pathways to Success Project (PSP) - A longitudinal community-partnership study of risk and resilience among newcomer immigrant adolescents.


Study 2: Fuerte - A school-based prevention program for newcomer Spanish-speaking adolescents.

JOAN CHRISTODOULOU, PH.D., ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

Testing an Educational Visual Aid to Increase Knowledge and Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Among Youth Living with or At-risk for HIV.

YAN LEYKIN, PH.D., ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

Mood Screener -- 1/5 of this study is on Latinx population.

EDUARDO BUNGE, PH.D., PROFESSOR

Artificial Intelligence Chatbot for Anxiety and Depression: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial The use of artificial intelligence based chatbots as an instrument of psychological intervention is emerging, however no studies have been reported in Latin America. Objective: This study aims to evaluate usage patterns and whether the use of a chatbot is effective for relieving depression and anxiety symptoms compared to a control group utilizing a psychoeducation book in Argentina.

RICARDO F. MUÑOZ, PH.D., DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR OF CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY AND BLANCA PINEDA, ED.D., PROJECT MANAGER, I4HEALTH

COVID-19 Research Project: What to think and do (In English and Spanish) The COVID-19 pandemic has caused millions to stay at home or severely restrict their activities. This major disruption increases the risk for depression and anxiety. When outside forces reduce our ability to control our lives, it is important to focus on those things we CAN control. This study will create an inventory of thoughts and activities that people all over the world have found helpful in remaining emotionally healthy. By crowdsourcing this information and sharing it widely, we hope to help prevent serious depression and anxiety across the globe.

Student Research

Current and past research conducted by PAU students with Latinx populations.

ALEXANDER GARCIA, 3RD YEAR DOCTORAL STUDENT

Examining post traumatic growth in Latinx new comer immigrants.

ANGELY PIAZZA-RODRIGUEZ, B.A.

Study 1: (First author) Exercise predicts memory performance over time among older Latinx adults. This study was presented at a poster session and an award ceremony at APA 2019. My study won a Blue Ribbon Award for the Best Cross-Cultural Neuropsychological Study presented by a student.

Study 2: (Fourth Author) Collective trauma as a catalyst for community-Level growth: A grounded theory study in Puerto Rico. This study was presented at a poster session at ISTSS 2019. This is also a dissertation project in progress.

Study 3: (First author) Disjunction in Puerto Rican families: Hurricane Maria’s aftermath. This study was presented at a symposium at APA 2018.

Study 4: (Fourth author) Post-disaster program need assessment for Puerto Rican survivors of hurricane Maria. This study was presented at a poster session at APA 2018.

FLORENCIA ITURRI, M.S.

Culture, Gender, and Sex: Experiences and Attitudes in a Sexually Diverse Sample of Latino Men.

ITZEL ANAYA, M.S.

Stressors, Mental Health, and Resilience of LGBTQ Latinx Individuals.

JOANNA SERVIN, M.S.

Study 1: Evaluation of the mental health literacy of adolescent depression and suicidal ideation among Latinx caregivers and adolescents.

Study 2: Evaluating the mental health literacy of depression among Mexican-American female adolescents.

Study 3: Academic stress and perceived parental support relative to major depression among Latina adolescents.

Study 4: A preliminary study on the acceptability of a brief SMS program for perinatal women.

VICKY BOUCHE

We are exploring the family reunification experiences of newcomer immigrants from Central America. We conducted mental health interviews in Spanish and/or English with newcomer immigrants at the San Francisco International High School. We are now coding the interviews in Spanish using a thematic analysis to understand their immigration experiences, their adaptation to the United States, and their experiences reuniting with family.

ISABEL UNANUE, MPH

A grounded theory study exploring the process of community-level change in Puerto Rico after the passing of Hurricane María. With the results of this study, I hope to help the field of community psychology find ways to bolster mental health efforts in the post-disaster landscape.

REYNA RODRIGUEZ, M.S.

Study 1: Title - Recognizing Adolescent Depression (RAD) Program, Description - Dissertation where a brief online psychoeducational intervention for depression was created for Latinx adolescents.

Study 2: Title - Depression: Latinx adolescents' perceived triggers, Description - Secondary analysis of triggers for depression of Latinx adolescent girls.

Study 3: Title - Factors influencing Latinx adolescents' knowledge of help seeking for depression, Description: Secondary analysis of qualitative data to identify factors that Latinx adolescent girls perceived as influencing their help seeking behaviors. 

MARIAH L BELTRAN M.S. (SHE/HER/HERS)

Feminism & Heteronormativity: Internalized Social Norms as Predictors of Eating Behaviors in Latina Women in the United States.

Abstract: In research on White (presumably heterosexual) women, endorsement of heteronormative and anti-feminist attitudes have been identified as risk factors for eating disorder symptoms, while endorsement of feminist attitudes and identification has been identified as protective against disordered eating among White women. Only recently has there been examination of the impact of these variables on women of color and sexual minority women. Specifically, there is still a limited amount of research on how internalized social norms, such as feminism and heteronormativity, predict disordered eating behaviors in heterosexual and sexual minority Latina women in the United States. Thus, this study aims to provide the foundation to begin examining these relationships for future clinical applications. This dissertation will utilize archival data from an online survey that was collected during Fall 2016 assessing women’s social attitudes and how they relate to well-being. Proposed statistical analyses include Pearson’s correlation and moderated linear regression.

IZBIETA ROCHA, M.S.

An exploration of the impact of being a Latinx child of an absent parent who migrated to the U.S.

TERISHA SIMMONS, M.S. - PHD CANDIDATE

Paper Presentation: "Supervising Students with Clients Impacted by Immigration Legislation: An Adapted Discrimination Model"

MEGAN SULLIVAN, M.S.

Study: Differences in the perception of effectiveness of depression treatments for self and others - Comparing the discrepancy between believing whether or not depression treatment will be effective for self vs. others between Western English speakers and Latin Americans.