From the College of Psychology…

July 2023 Research Highlights reported by the College of Psychology.

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Lourdes Suarez-Morales, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical and School Psychology at NSU’s College of Psychology. Dr. Suarez-Morales recently published an article examining the relationship of parental factors and Hispanic children’s anxiety. This study found that parental overprotective behaviors as well as parental difficulty separating from their children were associated with anxiety in Hispanic children. In addition, parental cultural stress was an independent correlate of children’s anxiety symptoms in this population. Based on this work, Dr. Suarez-Morales and her research lab, Children and Adolescent Anxiety and Depression Lab (CAAD) are currently developing and validating a measure to assess parenting factors that are associated with anxiety in Hispanic families, given that the available instruments may not be sensitive to cultural nuances of parenting practices.

Suarez-Morales, L. & Harris, A. (2023). Relationship of parent cultural stress, overprotective parenting practices, and Hispanic children’s anxiety. Journal of Child and Family Studies. http://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-023-02560-w

 

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Aya Shigeto, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience in NSU’s College of Psychology. She has recently published a peer-reviewed paper based on the website content analysis of 413 US higher education institutions to assess sex education prevalence. Results showed most institutions offered sexual assault prevention programs, while fewer (primarily public and large institutions) provided sexual health programs. These findings underscore the need for increased resources to promote comprehensive sex education in US higher education.

 

Shigeto, A., & Scheier, L. M. (2023). The current status of sex education in U.S. colleges and universities: A school website content review. American Journal of Sexuality Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/15546128.2022.2130489

 

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Galaxina G. Wright, Ph.D., NCC is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling at NSU’s College of Psychology. Dr. Wright and colleagues published an article titled, “School-based mental health counseling with elementary school students presenting with anger.” This study was in partnership with three Title I elementary schools and found significant reports of behavioral improvements in students who participated in a school-based mental health therapeutic intervention. It demonstrated the importance of mental health professionals finding alternative ways to address problematic behaviors within school systems. https://doi.org/10.1080/23727810.2022.2121571

 

 

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