Research

Descriptions of my latest research projects and findings appear below

Witnessing distressing content is linked to poor mental health

My paper (currently under review) found that among U.S. college students, witnessing distressing on-campus events was linked to increased depression risk. Getting involved to defend the victim increased this risk.
Another paper (currently in revise & resubmit status) found consistent links in the literature between witnessing discrimination and elevated risk for witness depression, anxiety, trauma-related symptoms, poor sleep, and behavioral disorders (e.g., substance use disorder)
My recent publication found that witnessing racial discrimination contributed to trauma symptoms beyond the effect of direct discrimination
Through funding from The Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies, I am using qualitative methods to understand young adults' responses to witnessing distressing online content
I have two grant applications under review that aim to identify pathways - such as risk and protective factors - that connect witnessing distressing online content to mental disorders

Our research uncovered that for college students experiencing suicide symptoms during the pandemic, treatment was lower than expected. Past treatment was the biggest predictor of future help-seeking intention
I observed a similar pattern in an older sample of young adults and identified structural (e.g., lack of funds) and attitude (e.g., thinking symptoms were not serious enough for treatment) barriers to help-seeking for suicide symptoms
We also found that sexual minority college students display higher help-seeking willingness than others, signaling a resilience factor
I am currently working on a project to identify how college students engage in different treatment and help-seeking behaviors simultaneously

I published a model of anti-racism development in White youth, which includes learning about racism and racial identity, feeling empathy, and engaging in behaviors that fight against racism
In my paper (currently under review), witnessing racism during the pandemic, high tolerance for distress, and feeling impacted by the social climate predicted more anti-racist behaviors in young adults
I will be presenting my research about an anti-racism educational program for White families at the Society for Research in Child Development 2025 meeting