Our lab is currently engaged in several large-scale studies funded by agencies including CIHR, SHRF, and Kennesaw State University.
Funding: Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
We are working actively with several community organizations to adapt the Mind-OP intervention for diverse populations. This includes specific cultural and contextual adaptations for Indigenous university students as well as military and veteran populations (Public Safety Personnel). The goal is to ensure that evidence-based mindfulness interventions are accessible, relevant, and effective for communities that have traditionally been underserved by standard psychological protocols.
Funding: Office of Undergraduate Research, Kennesaw State University
Mental health conditions like depression and anxiety significantly impact wellbeing and daily living. These conditions are common among university students, who must navigate stressful life transitions alongside education and work. Black and Latino students face additional stressors, such as racism and exclusion, placing them at higher risk for these conditions. Despite available services, cultural insensitivity and systemic discrimination have eroded trust in mental health care practitioners. Furthermore, the Western biomedical model—focusing on the absence of disease—often conflicts with the holistic or spiritual frameworks guiding Black and Latino cultures.
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) train patients to become aware of negative thoughts with acceptance. While MBIs reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, they have largely been tested among white patients and influenced by Western ideals. It remains unclear whether Black and Latino student populations find MBIs consistent with their practices or tolerable for their symptoms.
This project gathers these critical perspectives to assess if MBIs are viable for supporting Black and Latino student mental health and how they should be tailored for cultural sensitivity. We are recruiting and interviewing 40 undergraduate students (20 Black, 20 Latino) to obtain rich data on perceptions of mindfulness, ensuring sufficient data saturation for thematic analysis.