The mission of the AAFam research lab is to advance racial equity and holistic well-being by centering the lived experiences, strengths, and resilience of Black individuals, families, and communities. Through culturally grounded and community-engaged research, the lab investigates how systemic racism shapes relationship dynamics, family processes, and community health, while also illuminating the protective factors that foster thriving. By challenging deficit-based narratives and amplifying voices often marginalized in academic discourse, the lab seeks to promote healing, agency, and empowerment across generations.
Topics of Focus
- The intra- and interpersonal effects of racial discrimination on mental and behavioral health outcomes in the African American couple and parent-child context
- Variations among African American youth’s experiences of racial discrimination
- The role of family and community support on the racial discrimination and health association
- The effects of parents’ stress on child outcomes
- Factors enabling and inhibiting mental health help-seeking decision-making and behaviors among African-American families
- Informing culturally-relevant interventions
Current Lab Members
