The research foundation of our lab is rooted in cultural psychology with interests in promoting the health of underserved communities. The overarching research goal of our lab is to address and understand health problems and health disparities of underrepresented populations. One primary branch of our research examines how culture shapes the ways individuals cope with stress, utilize emotion regulation, and the impact of these processes on physiological and psychological well-being. We utilize diverse methodologies such as experimental, community-based longitudinal, daily diary, and survey designs, and assess multiple levels of inquiry, including physiological, behavioral, and self-report measurements. Our research findings have implications for public health, especially with regard to Asian and Asian American mental health. Recently, we have begun a line of research with ethnic minority cancer survivors, which is a population that experiences significant cancer health disparities. We are interested in applying cultural psychology insights about interdependent self-views (e.g., adaptive behavior involves being receptive to others, realizing role obligations) with psychosocial interventions to overcome cultural barriers to reduce the undue burden of cancer experienced by ethnic minority cancer survivors.

CURRENT RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Psychosocial Interventions for Improving Quality of Life among Ethnic Minority Cancer Survivors

This line of research investigates the biopsychosocial correlates and predictors of quality of life among ethnic minority cancer survivors. We are especially interested in how cultural background and values can be harnessed and adapted to interventions (e.g., expressive writing) to improve quality of life.

Self-Reflecting over Negative Experiences

Why does reflecting on negative experiences sometimes succeed in helping individuals make sense of their emotions, but at times fail by entangling individuals in depressive rumination? This line of research examines mechanisms (e.g., self-distancing, self-enhancement, & self-improvement) through which individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds reflect over negative experiences with positive and negative outcomes.

Emotion, Emotion Regulation, and Well-Being

This line of research investigates basic emotion regulation processes (e.g., cognitive reappraisal, emotion suppression) and the influence of culture on the relations between emotion regulation and mental/physical health.