Current Research

Acculturation, Cultural Stress, and Health

We are investigating how acculturation – the adaptation to a new culture – affects health outcomes among immigrant individuals, families, and communities. Our research looks at how cultural adaptation affects behavior, mental health, and overall well-being, and how to apply this information to develop preventive health interventions. We also investigate the cultural stressors faced by migrants, including perceived discrimination, the perceived context of reception, bicultural stress, and language barriers. We also explore how these stressors impact their mental health and adaptation to life in the U.S.

Positive Psychology and Thriving in Diverse Communities

Our lab is also looking at how positive psychology concepts might improve mental health and well-being in immigrant and minority populations. We investigate how people in various groups can develop resilience and thrive in the face of obstacles including migration and political turmoil.

Mental Health Among Crisis Migrants from Conflict/War Zones

We are looking at the psychological effects of displacement specifically among refugees from war or conflict zones such as Ukraine, Venezuela, Afghanistan, and Honduras, as well as among climate migrants (Hurricane Maria survivors from Puerto Rico now living on the U.S. mainland). This covers research into psychological trauma, PTSD, guilt, relationship issues, and resilience, with a special emphasis on individuals who have been displaced due to armed conflict, political unrest, and humanitarian crises. We explore how forced migration and post-migration cultural stressors such as discrimination influence mental health, adaptation strategies, and the challenges faced by crisis migrants in rebuilding their lives in new environments.

Temporary-Status Migrants, Visa-Related Stress, and Mental Health

We examine the experiences of individuals living in the United States on temporary or nonimmigrant visas (e.g., students, scholars, and workers). These individuals often face ongoing uncertainty about their legal status, future opportunities, and sense of belonging. Our research focuses on visa-related stressors – such as opportunity constraints and legal precarity – as well as broader sociocultural stressors like discrimination and exclusion. We investigate how these stressors shape mental health, well-being, and adaptation, and we develop theory-driven measures to better capture these experiences.

Ingroup Discrimination and Social Dynamics

In addition to broader societal stressors, we study discrimination occurring within individuals’ own ethnic or cultural communities. This work explores how ingroup dynamics – such as exclusion, judgment, and identity-based tensions – affect mental health, identity, and social belonging. Using both qualitative and quantitative approaches, we aim to advance theory on ingroup relations and highlight how these often-overlooked experiences contribute to well-being among migrant and minority populations.