Café PR
Our lab investigates the impact of adversity on child mental health and socioemotional well-being. CAFÉ PR focuses on youth exposure to social (e.g., bullying, exclusion, discrimination) and contextual adversity (e.g., family stress, traumatic events). To mitigate risks, we aim to advance early screening, preventive intervention, and culturally congruent supports in schools and communities. CAFÉ PR aspires to support youth, especially from racial and ethnic minoritized backgrounds, at risk for experiencing stigma, prejudice, and victimization.
Resilience, Caregiver Practices, and Post-trauma Adjustment
Exposure to a potentially traumatic event (PTE) is not uncommon for children and adolescents. After exposure to adverse events (e.g., abuse, disasters), impacted youth may experience significant maladjustment (i.e., posttraumatic stress), including remaining resilient. Considering caregivers’ importance in youth development, they likely play a significant role in children’s post-trauma adjustment. Further, resilience may influence how children respond to stress and their caregiver environment. This study aims to explore the relationships amongst college students' reports of childhood experiences (e.g., early adversity, stressful events, home situations, caregiver practices), resiliency, and current wellness.
If you'd like to participate: http://tinyurl.com/YZ8KUPMW
Investigating Differences in Help-Seeking Intentions for Potentially Stressful Events
Racial and ethnic minoritized (REM) communities may be at a greater risk for experiencing adverse events and potentially traumatic events (PTEs). This adversity can contribute to heightened stress and trauma reactions, elevating REM individuals’ susceptibility to mental health concerns like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite their elevated risk, REM populations tend to underutilize mental healthcare services, though the reasons for this disparity remain unclear. This study aims to explore potential racial and ethnic differences in help-seeking intentions for posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS).
This study is ongoing! If you'd like to participate: https://tinyurl.com/4A2DUBHS
Linguistic Considerations in Treating Families with Limited English Proficiency
Outside of research, all of our lab members are bilingual (Spanish-speaking) clinicians in training. We aim to have ongoing discussions about ethical, linguistic, and cultural considerations for trainees and supervisors when serving Spanish-speaking families. Furthermore, our work highlights the importance of providing linguistically appropriate care to Spanish-speaking families in the community.
CONSULTATION: WHAT DO TEACHERS WANT & NEED?
Many school-based professionals provide consultation to support teachers with various academic and behavior needs - both class-wide and individual. Problem-solving consultation is a best practice in the field of school psychology. However, barriers such as time and access may prevent teachers from receiving problem-solving consultation. As such, teachers turn to colleagues and other professionals in their buildings. The purpose of this study, in collaboration with USM's School Psychology Program, is to gather information about general education teachers' experiences and reasons for seeking consultation.
Peer Victimization in Youth with Chronic Conditions: A Systematic Review of Demographic and Contextual Factors
In this review, we are seeking to address gaps in the literature about bullying/peer victimization experiences of youth with physical chronic conditions. Some of these conditions may include: burn scars, muscular dystrophy, hearing or visual impairments, craniofacial conditions, prosthetics, and Down’s syndrome. Specifically, we aim to understand how visible conditions differentiate youth from peers, and if demographic and contextual factors (i.e. race, ethnicity, etc.) increment PV and maladjustment risk.