Cixin Wang is an associate professor of School Psychology in the College of Education at the University of Maryland, College Park (Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education). She received her Ph.D. in School Psychology from University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2011. She then completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins University in 2013. Her research interests focus on bullying prevention and mental health promotion among children and adolescents. Her research seeks to: (1) better understand different factors contributing to bullying/ victimization and mental health difficulties, including individual, family, school, and cultural factors; (2) develop effective prevention and intervention techniques to decrease bullying at school; and (3) develop school-wide prevention models to promote mental health among students, especially among culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students. She has published more than 60 SCI journal articles and conducted more than 100 national and international presentations. Dr. Wang is currently conducting the following studies:
Influences of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak on Racial Discrimination, Identity Development and Socialization (funded by NSF)
Racial Discrimination, Identity, Socialization and Civic Engagement among Asian American Families during COVID-19 (funded by Russell Sage Foundation)
Examining the Feasibility and Effectiveness of a Novel Psychosocial Intervention for Asian American Parents and Youth during COVID-19 (funded by American Psychological Foundation 2020 Visionary Grant)
Notice to Applicants for the Ph.D. Program in School Psychology
It is an exciting time in the field of school psychology. The roles and functions of school psychologists have evolved dramatically, and expanded from the traditional assessment to school-based mental health services (e.g., prevention and early intervention). I work actively with my graduate students to address those current issues in the field and prepare them to embrace the new roles of school psychologists.
I will be accepting Ph.D. students for mentorship in the 2019-2020 academic year. Applicants with an interest in school based mental health services, peer relationships, bullying prevention, parenting practice, working with culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students, and bridging the gap between research and practice are especially encouraged to apply. Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any specific questions.
Excellence in Scholarship- Tenure-Track Faculty, College of Education, University of Maryland, College Park, 2019
Being nominated for the Graduate School’s Graduate Faculty Mentor of the Year Award, University of Maryland, College Park, 2019
Researcher Spotlight, Bullying Research Network. February, 2019.
Community Partner Award, Pan Asian Volunteer Health Clinic, Maryland, 2018
Early Career Award for Distinguished Contributions to Research, Asian American Psychological Association, 2017
Early Career Psychologist Travel Award, American Psychological Association, Division 16 School Psychology, 2017
American Psychological Association Public Interest Leadership Conference (PILC) Health Equity Dissemination Award, 2016
Early Career Scholar, School Psychology Research Collaboration Conference (SPRCC), 2015
Early Career Scholarship, Trainers of School Psychology, 2015
Irwin Hyman and Nadine Lambert Memorial Scholarship, American Academy of School Psychology, 2011
*Student authors + postdoctoral fellow
Ye, J., Wang, C., Zhu, Q.*, He, M. †, Havalawa, M.*, Bai, H., Wang, T. (In press). Parenting and Teacher-Student Relationship as Protective Factors for Chinese Adolescent Adjustment during COVID-19. School Psychology Review.
Sullivan, K.*, Zhu, Q.*, Wang, C., & Boyanton, D. (In press). Relations among Peer Victimization, Aggression, and School Climate among Elementary School Students in China. School Psychology Review.
Wang, C., La Salle, T., Wu, C., & Liu, J. † (In press). Do parental involvement and adult support matter for students’ suicidal thoughts and behavior in high school. School Psychology Review. doi:10.1080/2372966X.2021.1873058
Yang, C., Chen, C.*, Chan, M.*, Wang, C., Luo, E.*, & Lin, X.* (In press). Training experience in the U.S. school psychology program: Understanding Asian international students’ assets, challenges, and coping. Contemporary School Psychology. doi: 10.1007/s40688-020-00320-x
Cheah, C. S. L., Wang, C., Ren, H.*, Zong, X.*, Cho, H. S.*, & Xue, X.* (In press). . doi: 10.1542/peds.2020-021816. Retrieved from https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2020/08/28/peds.2020-021816
Wang, C., Shao, X., Do, K. A.†, Lu, H., O’Neal, C., & Zhang, Y.* (2021). Using Participatory Culture-Specific Consultation with Asian American communities: Identifying challenges and solutions for Asian American immigrant families. Journal of Educational & Psychological Consultation, 31, 17-38. doi:10.1080/10474412.2019.1614453
Clauser, P., Ding, Y., Chen, E., Cho, S., Wang, C. & Hwang, J. (2021). Parenting styles, parenting stress, and behavioral outcomes in children with Autism. School Psychology International, 42(1), 33-56. doi: 10.1177/0143034320971675
Song, S. Y., Wang, C., Espelage, D., Fenning, P., & Jimerson, S. R. (2020). COVID-19 and School Psychology: Adaptations and New Directions for the Field. School Psychology Review, 49 (4), 431-437.
Arora, P., Alvarez, K., Huang, C., & Wang, C. (2021). Three-tiered model for addressing the mental health needs of immigrant-origin youth in schools. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 23(1), 151-162. doi:10.1007/s10903-020-01048-9
Wang, C., Nieri, T. A., Do, K. A. †, & Llanes, E.* (2020). Cultural values and the relations between parenting factors and substance use and bullying among Latino/a adolescents. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 29 (10), 2710 - 2721 doi:10.1007/s10826-020-01776-4. https://rdcu.be/b5xC8
Wang, C., Liu, J. †, Zhu, Q.*, Yao, J.*, Boyanton, D. T. (2020). Covitality moderates the relation between victimization and loneliness. Australian Journal of Psychology. doi：10.1111/ajpy.12292
La Salle, T. P., Wang, C., Wu, C., & Neves, J.* (2020). Racial mismatch among minoritized students and White teachers: Implication and recommendations for moving forward. Journal of Educational & Psychological Consultation, 30(3), 314-343. doi:/10.1080/10474412.2019.1673759
Wang, C., Marsico, K. F.*, & Do, K. A. (2020). Asian American parents’ beliefs about helpful strategies for addressing adolescent mental health concerns at home and school. School Mental Health, 12(3), 523-536. doi: 10.1007/s12310-020-09362-1. https://rdcu.be/b1CHM
Liu, S.,* Li, C., Wang, C., Wei, M., Ko, S.*, & (2020). Self-compassion and social connectedness buffering racial discrimination on depression among Asian Americans. Mindfulness, 11, 672–682. doi: 10.1007/s12671-019-01275-8.
Wei, M., Liu, S.*, Ko, S.*, Wang, C., & Du, Y. (2020). Impostor feelings and psychological distress among Asian Americans: Interpersonal shame and self-compassion. The Counseling Psychologist, 48(3), 432-458. doi:10.1177/0011000019891992
Wang, C., Barlis, J.,* Do, K. A., Chen, J., & Alami, S.* (2020). Barriers to mental health help-seeking at school for Asian- and Latino- American adolescents. School Mental Health, 12, 182-194. doi: 10.1007/s12310-019-09344-y. https://rdcu.be/bRlkL
Wang, C., Cramer, K.*, Cheng, H., & Do, A. K. † (2019). Association between depression literacy and help-seeking behavior for mental health services among high school students. School Mental Health, 11(4), 707-718. doi:10.1007/s12310-019-09325-1. https://rdcu.be/bAHyO
Wei, M., Wang, C., Ko, S.*, Liu, S.*, & Botello, R.* (2019). Bicultural stress and perceived benefits among Asian Americans: The roles of cognitive flexibility and making positive sense of adversity. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 10(4), 351–361.
Wang, C., Do, K. A. †, Frese, K.*, & Zheng, L*. (2019). Asian immigrant parents’ perception of barriers preventing adolescents from seeking school-based mental health services. School Mental Health,11, 364-377. doi:10.1007/s12310-018-9285-0. https://rdcu.be/2zbT
Atwal, K.*, & Wang, C. (2019). Religious head covering, being perceived as foreigners, victimization, and adjustment among Sikh American adolescents. School Psychology, 34, 233-243. doi:10.1037/spq0000301
Wang, C., La Salle, T., Do, K. A. †, Wu, C., & Sullivan K. E.* (2019). Does parental involvement matter for students' mental health difficulties and suicide thoughts and behaviors in middle school? School Psychology, 34, 222-232. doi: 10.1037/spq0000300
Do, K. A. †, Wang, C., & Atwal, K.* (2019). Peer victimization and the perpetual foreigner stereotype on Sikh American adolescents’ mental health outcomes: The moderating effects of coping and behavior enculturation. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 10,131-140. doi: 10.1037/aap0000132
Wang, C., La Salle, T., Wu, C., Do, K. A. †, & Sullivan K. E*. (2018). School climate and parental involvement buffer the risk of victimization on suicidal thoughts and behavior among Asian American middle school students. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 9(4), 296-307. doi: 10.1037/aap0000138
Wang, C., Boyanton, D., Ross, A. M.*, Liu, J.*, Sullivan, K. E.*, Do, K. A. † (2018). School climate, victimization, and mental health outcomes among elementary school students in China. School Psychology International, 39(6) 587–605. doi:10.1177/0143034318805517
Xie, J., Liu, S., Yang, C., Furlong, M. J., Wang, C., Boyanton, D., Deng, J. (2018). Validation of the Social and Emotional Health Survey-Primary Chinese Students. Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology, 3 (26), 522-527.
Wang, C., Do, K. A. †, Bao, L., Xia, Y., Wu, C., & Couch, L*. (2018). Ecological influences on Chinese adolescents’ problem behaviors: A multilevel study of individual, family, school and cultural characteristics. Journal of Family Issues, 39, 2545-2571. doi; org/10.1177/0192513X18757828
Ryoo, J., Wang, C., Swearer, S., Hull, M., & Shi, D.* (2018). Longitudinal model building using Latent Transition Analysis: An example using school bullying data. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 675. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00675
Wang, C., Yang, C., Jiang, X., & Furlong, M. (2018). Validation of the Chinese version of the Social Emotional Health Survey-Primary. International Journal of School and Educational Psychology, 6, 62-74. doi:10.1080/ 21683603.2016.1272026.
Cheng, H., Wang, C., McDermott, R., Kriedel, M.*, & Rislin, J.* (2018). Self-stigma, mental health literacy, and attitudes toward seeking psychological help. Journal of Counseling and Development, 96, 64-74. doi: 10.1002/jcad.12178.
Wang, C., Do, K. A. †, Bao, L., Xia, Y., & Wu, C. (2017). Parental autonomy granting and school functioning among Chinese adolescents: The moderating role of adolescents’ cultural values. Frontiers in Psychology, section Educational Psychology, 8, 2161. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02161 (Impact factor: 2.321; 5-year impact factor: 2.820)
La Salle, T., Wang, C., Parris, L., & Brown, J. A. (2017). Associations between school climate, suicidal thoughts, and behaviors and ethnicity among middle school students. Psychology in the Schools, 54, 1294-1301. doi: 10.1002/pits.22078
Ryoo, J. H., Wang, C., Swearer, S. M., & Park, S*. (2017). Investigation of transitions in bullying/victimization statuses of gifted and general education students. Exceptional Children, 83, 396-411. doi: 10.1177/0014402917698500
Wang, C., & Goldberg, T. S.* (2017). Using children’s literature to decrease moral disengagement and victimization among elementary school students. Advanced online publication on June 26, 2017. Psychology in the Schools. doi:10.1002/pits.22042
Wang, C., Yang, C., Jiang, X., & Furlong, M. (2017). Validation of the Chinese version of the Social Emotional Health Survey-Primary. International Journal of School and Educational Psychology. Advanced online publication on June 9, 2017. doi:10.1080/ 21683603.2016.1272026
Wang, C., Ryoo, J. H., Swearer, S. M., Turner, R., & Goldberg, T. S.* (2017). Longitudinal relationships of bullying and moral disengagement among adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 46, 1304-1317. doi: 10.1007/s10964-016-0577-0. 2015.
Cheung, C., Wang, C., Monroy, J.*, & Couch, L.* (2016). Adolescents’ implicit theories of peer relationships and their school adjustment. AERA Open, 2(4), 1-8. doi: 10.1177/2332858416675328.
Hong, N., Li, C., & Wang, C. (2016). Students' perceptions of resilience promoting factors in Chinese and American middle schools. School Psychology International. 37(5), 435-455. doi: 10.1177/0143034316664391. 2015.
Wang, C., Wang, W.*, & Zheng, L.*, & Atwal, K.* (2016). Bullying prevention as a social justice issue: Implications with Asian American elementary school students. School Psychology Forum: Research into Practice, 10(3), 251-264.
Wei, M., Li, J., Wang, C., & Ko, S.* (2016). Finding benefits from acculturative stress among Asian Americans: Self-reflection moderating the mediating effects of ethnocultural empathy on positive outcomes. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 63, 633-644. doi:10.1037/cou0000173.
Shea, M., Wang, C., Shi, W.*, Gonzalez, V.*, & Espelage, D. (2016). Parents and teachers’ perspective on school bullying among elementary school-aged Asian and Latino immigrant children. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 7, 83-96. doi: 10.1037/aap0000047.
Wang, C., Xia, Y. R., Li, W., Wilson, S., Bush, K. & Peterson, G. (2016). Parenting behaviors, adolescent depressive symptoms, and problem behavior: The role of self-esteem and school adjustment difficulties among Chinese adolescents. Journal of Family Issues, 37, 520-542.doi:10.1177/0192513X14542433
Radliff, K. M., Wang, C., & Swearer, S. M. (2016). Bullying perpetration and peer victimization: An examination of cognitive and psychosocial constructs. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 31, 1983-2005. doi: 10.1177/0886260515572476.
Shea, M., Wang, C., Shi, W., Gonzalez, V., & Espelage, D. (2016). Strengthening home-school collaboration to combat school bullying: A focus group study with parents and teachers of Asian and Latino immigrant children. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 7, 83-96. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/aap0000047
Wang, C., Couch, L.*, Rodriguez, G. R.* & Lee, C. (2015). The Bullying Literature Project: Using children’s literature to promote prosocial behavior and social -emotional outcomes among elementary school students. Contemporary School Psychology, 19, 320-329. doi: 10.1007/s40688-015-0064-8
Wang, C. & Atwal, K*. (2015). School climate, discrimination, and depressive symptoms among Asian American adolescents. Contemporary School Psychology, 19, 205-217. doi: 10.1007/s40688-014-0040-8
Wang, C., Swearer, S. M., Lembeck, P., Collins, A., & Berry, B. (2015). Teachers matter: An examination of student-teacher relationships, attitudes towards bullying, and bullying behavior. Journal of Applied School Psychology, 31(3), 219-238. doi: 10.1080/15377903.2015.1056923
Wang, C., Ni, H., Ding, Y., & Yi, C. (2015). Chinese teachers’ perceptions of the roles and functions of school psychological service providers in Beijing. School Psychology International, 36, 77-93. doi: 10.1177/0143034314560623
Roo, J. H., Wang, C., Swearer, S. (2015). Examination of the change of latent statuses in bullying behaviors across time. School Psychology Quarterly, 30, 105-122. doi:10.1037/spq0000082
Xia, Y., Wang, C., Li, W., Wilson, S., Bush, K., & Peterson, G. (2015). Chinese parenting behaviors, adolescent school adjustment, and problem behavior. Marriage and Family Review, 51(6), 489-515. doi: 10.1080/01494929.2015.1038408
Swearer, S., Wang, C., Berry, B.*, & Myers, Z*. (2014). Reducing bullying: Application of social cognitive theory. Theory into Practice, 53(4), 271-277. doi:10.1080/ 00405841.2014.947221
Wang, C., Berry, B.*, & Swearer, S. M. (2013). The critical role of school climate in effective bullying prevention. Theory into Practice, 52(4), 296-302. doi: 10.1080/00405841.2013.829735
Swearer, S. M., Wang, C., Magg, J. W., Siebecker, A. B., & Frerichs, L. (2012). Understanding the bullying dynamic among students in special and general education. Journal of School Psychology, 50, 503-520.
Raikes, H., Torquati, J., Wang, C. & Shjegstad, B. (2012). Parent experiences with state child care subsidy systems and their perceptions of choice and quality in care selected. Early Education and Development, 23, 558-582.
Li, Y., Wang, M., Wang, C., & Shi, J. (2010). Individualism, collectivism, and Chinese adolescents’ aggression: Intracultural variations and mediation processes. Aggressive Behavior, 36, 187-194.
Funding Agency: Russell Sage Foundation
Project Title: Racial Discrimination, Identity, Socialization and Civic Engagement among Asian American Families during COVID-19
Project period: August 2021- July 2023
Funding Agency: American Psychological Foundation 2020 Visionary Fund Grant
Project Title: Examining the Feasibility and Effectiveness of a Novel Psychosocial Intervention for Asian American Parents and Youth during COVID-19
Project period: February 2021- February 2022
Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (FAIN: 2024124)
Project Title: Rapid: Influences of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak on Racial Discrimination, Identity Development and Socialization
Project period: February 2020- February 2022