Ongoing Projects
1. Project ARISE: Asian Americans’ Resilience, Identity, and Socialization of Engagement
Funded by the Russell Sage Foundation, the ARISE project utilizes a mixed-method longitudinal design, the ARISE project focuses on the experiences of Chinese, Korean, and Filipino American families after COVID-19. We aim to understand the impact of various types of perceived racism and racial discrimination on parents’ and adolescents’ relationships, multiple identities (American identity, racial-ethnic identity, Asian-American identity, etc.), racial-ethnic socialization, civic development (civic belief, behavior, and socialization), and adjustment (socio-emotional and psychological). By conducting surveys and interviews across two time points, we explore both concurrent and longitudinal, bidirectional associations between parents and adolescents.
The results from this study will contribute to the theoretical understanding of risk and resilience processes in response to racism during the COVID-19 pandemic among Asian American parents and adolescents. Findings can also inform the design of interventions and shaping of policies that educate and support the resilience of families and youth from these marginalized groups.
2. Cultural Adaptation of Youth Mental Health First Aid training for Minoritized Adults
Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is an evidence-based intervention designed to educate adults, such as parents and educators, about common youth mental health (MH) challenges and how to apply the 5-step ALGEE plan (Approach, assess for risk, Listen non-judgmentally, Give reassurance and information, Encourage appropriate professional help, Encourage self-help and other support strategies). Randomized controlled trials indicate that YMHFA enhances mental health literacy (MHL), fosters positive attitudes towards help-seeking, and reduces stigma in the general population. However, standard YMHFA has been less effective among immigrants compared to Whites. Using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) framework, we have been culturally adapted YMHFA for minoritized group to increase its cultural relevance and effectiveness.
3. Parent Child Connect Workshop for Immigrant Parents
Parent Child Connect is a 7-week culturally responsive parent training program for immigrant parents to promote positive parenting practice, parent-child communication, parent mental health, and youth mental health. The intervention was developed using Participatory Culture-Specific Consultation method (PCSC; Nastasi et al., 2000) through collaboration with community organizations to make it more culturally acceptable and relevant for immigrant parents.
4. Cultural Adaptation of Youth Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum for Immigrant Youth
Dr. Cixin Wang and her research team is collaborating with Asian American community organizations to culturally adapt youth SEL programs (e.g., Merrell's Strong Kids) for middle school students.
5. Bullying Literature Project to Reduce Bullying in Elementary Schools
Dr. Cixin Wang and her research team is collaborating with Prince George County Public Schools to implement the Bullying Literature Project. Bullying Literature Project is a five-session bullying intervention that uses existing children’s books—to promote positive bystander behavior and reduce bullying victimization.