Dr. Priscilla Lui is Assistant Professor of Psychology at Southern Methodist University. Her lecture at the conference will be “Scientific understanding of racism and discrimination experiences: A path toward mental health equity.”
Young people are exhibiting symptoms of depression at alarmingly high rates, and responding to them with maladaptive coping mechanisms such as substance abuse and misuse. According to the World Health Organization, adolescents from minoritized racial, ethnic or sexual backgrounds and members of other marginalized groups are at greater risk of mental health conditions, in part because of the ways they may internalize or externalize symptoms. The more risk factors the youth have, the greater potential impact on their mental health. To provide effective interventions and care to address this significant mental health problem, it is important that mental health workers understand the roles played by cultural values in mental health.
Priscilla Lui studies the role of cultural values in mental health by researching “acculturation orientation” (the ways in which a member of a minoritized group maintains their culture of origin and participates in mainstream culture) and the impact it has on behaviors and adjustment outcomes (positive and negative indications about whether an individual is adjusting to their context). In particular, she has examined the use of alcohol in 18-to-22-year-olds. Adolescents and young adults are highly susceptible to stress, due to the developmental changes that occur during these periods; their ability to make decisions is heavily influenced by their cognitive, emotional, and social development. Findings from Lui’s research suggest that being immersed in one’s ethnic society can have a protective role for one’s mental health; fewer negative personal and social alcohol-related consequences are experienced by young adults who are more encultured with their ethnic heritage and more acculturated with the new culture.
Priscilla Lui is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Southern Methodist University. She serves as the principal investigator of the Acculturation, Diversity, and Psychopathology Team (ADAPT) at Southern Methodist University, leading research that aims to inform and influence clinical interventions for culturally diverse populations. Lui received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Purdue University.
Learn More – How do racism and discrimination impact individuals?
- In the last year, racist violence toward Asian Americans has been especially prevalent and publicized. This article discusses the psychological impacts of this racism on Asian Americans.
- Racism is undeniably pertinent in the mental health services of BIPOC individuals. This article discusses several types of racism along with how they manifest in mental health services.
- This 2021 article authored by Lui explores virtual reality in discrimination research and how it can revolutionize the methodology of these studies.
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