I plan to focus on mental health trends in children and adolescents from disadvantaged backgrounds. Specifically, race-related trauma caused by social and cultural experiences in Black adolescents and children. I do not yet have a question or thesis, but through discussion with my mentor, participation in related labs, and the development of my literature review, I am confident I will hone in on something.
I do not have a mentor yet, but I hope to gain one through aiding a social or developmental psychology professor in their lab.
I plan to collect data from adolescents in the DC area, and therefore, will need to be approved by the IRB. I will likely be collecting data through interviews or surveys. This means I will need to begin my process as soon as possible. While waiting for the IRB to review my project, I will complete my literature review and go abroad. Hopefully, my project will be approved by the time I return so that I can jump straight into the data collection stage. I plan to be working on my final presentation early in the fall of my last semester (Spring 2026).
Update - December 2, 2023
During the Spring 2024 semester, I will be participating in Dr. Debra Robert's Cultural Socialization Lab as an undergraduate researcher. The lab focuses on the intersection between culture/ethnicity, psychosocial toxic relationships, and the psychological well-being of youth.
I am extremely excited to learn more about the topic and the research process. This topic relates heavily to my current research interest and will be my first research experience; I am very thankful for Dr. Roberts for including me and cannot wait for what the future will bring.
Update - March 29, 2024
Over the past semester I have made significant progress in my senior honors thesis plan. First, I have secured an advisor - Dr. Debra Roberts, who's Cultural Socialization Lab I also participate in. She has been incredibly helpful and supportive so far. Second, I have focused thesis topic. Originally, my topic was "The Impact of Race-Related Trauma on the Psychological Well-Being of Black American Youth." During my travel abroad experience to Colombia, I researched the topic "The Impact of Race-Related Trauma on the Psychological Well-Being of Afro-Colombians." This experience opened my eyes to the differences between the field of Black psychology in Colombia and the United States and the specific needs of countries dealing with severe racial, sociopolitical, and economic violence. After returning, I discussed the topic "The Impact of Race-Related Trauma on the Psychological Well-Being of Colonized Black Populations" with my community. This topic would include a few countries that have historically experienced colonization and would compare current psychological trends. I, specifically, would focus on anxiety or depressive symptoms in adults. The feedback I got is as follows:
Though possible, it is difficult to prove a causal relationship racism/ racial experiences and trauma;
Find ways to make sure this topic is attainable for your thesis parameters;
If translation is necessary, be sure to cross-reference.
Now, I will begin my preliminary research/ literature review to understand exactly what gaps there are in research and where my time will be best spent. I hope to be done toward the end of the summer.
Unfortunately, I have still not secured an internship position for this summer, but I am hoping to focus on increasing my practical experience. For example, I'm hoping to intern at a behavioral clinic. Obviously, I wont be taking clients, but I may be able to work with people who come through in a non-clinical manner.
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