Publications

Jin, L., Wang, C. D., Bismar, D., Carbajal, I., & Zhu, W. (in press).

A decolonial perspective of collective coping in the adult attachment and life satisfaction link

This study examined the relationships of adult attachment, cognitive flexibility, culturally adaptive coping, and psychological wellbeing of college students. When one encounters threat, our attachment system will be activated, which will guide one’s internal working model to cope with stress and regulate emotions (Shaver and Mikulincer, 2006). Researchers have stated that individuals with positive working model of self (low attachment anxiety) and others (low attachment avoidance) tended to experience greater wellbeing (Wang & Mallinckrodt, 2006). Hence, attachment impact stress appraisals and coping strategy as one’s activated attachment system may affect one to utilize dominant coping strategy (Alexander, Feeney, Hohaus, & Noller, 2001; Cassidy & Kobak, 1988). With that regards, coping strategy was heavily influenced by one’s cultural value (Heppner et al., 2006); for example, collectivist culture tend to value emotional restraint, maintenance of interpersonal harmony (Kim & Omizo, 2005), whereas individualist culture may focus on autonomy, future orientation, and mastery of the environment (Sue & Sue, 2003). In this study, we examined how attachment system can guide one to cope with stress by endorsing culturally sensitive coping strategy, which can lead to wellbeing accordingly. In addition, we identified that cognitive flexibility (CF) will serve as another mediator for the attachment àcoping à well-being link, because high CF can help one to adapt to changes and minimize the potential stress and conflict (Martin & Rubin, 1995). Based on the theoretical reasoning, we propose that adult attachment can lead to one’s CF, which will help one to utilize culturally sensitive coping to predict their mental wellbeing consequently.  The data was collected from a large public university in the Southwestern United States. A total number of 322 college students (87male, 234 female, 1 transgender) with a mean age 20.83 (SD=3.80) participated in study. Keywords: attachment, cognitive flexibility, culturally sensitive coping, life satisfaction, collectivism, individualism.

Bradford, D. E., DeFalco, A., Perkins, E., Carbajal, I., Kwasa, J., Goodman, F. R., … Joyner, K.

Whose Signals Are We Amplifying? Towards a More Equitable Clinical Psychophysiology

Research using psychophysiological methods holds great promise for refining clinical assessment, identifying risk factors, and informing treatment. Unfortunately, unique methodological features of existing approaches limit inclusive research participation and, consequently, generalizability. This brief overview and commentary provides a snapshot of the current state of representation in clinical psychophysiology, with a focus on the forms and consequences of ongoing exclusion of Black participants. We illustrate issues of inequity and exclusion that are unique to clinical psychophysiology, considering intersections among social constructions of Blackness and biased design of current technology used to measure electroencephalography, skin conductance, and other signals. We then highlight work by groups dedicated to quantifying and addressing these limitations. We discuss the need for reflection and input from a wider variety of stakeholders to develop and refine new technologies, given the risk of further widening disparities. Finally, we provide broad recommendations for clinical psychophysiology research.

Wang, C. D., Carbajal, I., et al. (2021)

Adult attachment, acculturation, acculturative stress, and psychological distress of first-generation Latinx Immigrants

This study examined the unique and joint influences of adult attachment insecurity, acculturation, and acculturative stress on first-generation Latinx immigrants’ psychological outcome. Guided by adult attachment and acculturation theory, a conceptual model was developed to depict the mediational relations among the variables of interest. A sample of 148 first-generation Latinx or Hispanic immigrants completed the research questionnaires. The findings from path analysis indicated that first-generation immigrants with high adult attachment insecurity were likely to have a lower acculturation level, which in turn, was associated with more acculturative stress and greater psychological distress. In addition to the indirect effects through acculturation and acculturative stress, the final model suggested that attachment avoidance had a significant direct effect on acculturative stress while attachment anxiety had a direct effect on psychological distress. Counseling implications of this study’s findings include the importance of assessing first-generation immigrant Latinx clients' adult attachment styles and acculturation experiences as well as developing prevention, self-care, and stress coping strategies to increase their intercultural competencies.