Research Focus
My research has three main goals:
Improve understanding of how exposure to stress and trauma during critical developmental periods (such as pregnancy and childhood) impacts mental health, particularly within racially and ethnically minoritized populations.
Identify specific resilience factors that reduce mental health disparities stemming from exposure to adversity.
Develop and contribute to interventions that disrupt pathways from adversity to mental health risk.
I use quantitative, qualitative, and community-engaged methods.
Much of my research is conducted through multidisciplinary partnerships, for example with local community mental health agencies, hospitals, and safety net medical clinics.
My work has garnered honors such as the University of California Presidents’ Dissertation Fellowship and the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Division 56 Outstanding Dissertation in Trauma Psychology award.
I aim for my research to be community and culturally-informed and relevant to intervention, prevention, and policy.
Current Funded Research & Scholarship:
SoCal Kids Study (funded by the California Institute of Precision Medicine. Role: Co-Investigator). In this project we are screening a large, diverse cohort of 100,000 children for previously established ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) in addition to a novel ACE— unpredictability in early life— to understand their unique and cumulative impact on child mental health. This project also has a strong community-engagement focus and we have held focus groups and Community Advisory Board meetings with community stakeholders, parents, and providers to inform successful implementation of screening for ACEs and unpredictability across Children’s Hospital of Orange County’s large network of primary care clinics. As part of this study, I am assessing the impact of racism-related stress and adversity during pregnancy and potential cultural protective factors on child health and development.
Intergenerational Transmission of Racial Trauma: Advancing Understanding of Biological and Psychological Pathways (funded by the American Psychological Foundation. Role: Principal Investigator). By leveraging an existing longitudinal prospective pregnancy cohort of women and children, the goal of this pilot study is to enhance understanding of how racial trauma experienced by racially and ethnically minoritized women across their lifespan (including pregnancy) impacts the mental health of their offspring.
Building a partnership to improve research and training for prospective healthcare providers on integrated primary care and increase access to mental health services (funded by Community Relations & University Engagement, CSUSM. Role: Co-Principal Investigator).
Past Project Examples:
Studying psychological risk and resilience after exposure to a wide range of traumatic events, including natural disasters, community and mass violence, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and racism
Researching the development and implementation of innovative mental health treatment models for youth in Goa, India, Santa Barbara, CA, and Cambridge, MA.
Peer-Reviewed Publications
1. Liu, S. R., D’Anna-Hernandez, K., Sandman, C. A., Davis, E. P., & Glynn, L. M. (2023). Discrimination and adverse birth outcomes among Latina women: The protective role of social support. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000628
2. Liu, S. R., Moore, T. M., Gur, R. C., Nievergelt, C., Baker, D. G., Risbrough, V., & Acheson, D. T. (2023). High executive functioning is associated with reduced posttraumatic stress after trauma exposure among male U.S. military personnel. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1181055
3. Chang, C. Y., Liu, S. R., & Glynn, L. M. (2023). One size doesn’t fit all: Attitudes towards work modify the relation between parental leave length and postpartum depression. Archives of Women’s Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-023-01374-5
4. Liu, S. R., Davis, E. P., Palma, A. M., Stern, H. S., Sandman, C. A., & Glynn, L. M. (2023). Experiences of COVID-19-Related Racism and Impact on Depression Trajectories Among Racially/Ethnically Minoritized Adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.12.020
5. Lindert, N.G., Maxwell, M.Y., Liu, S.R., Stern, H.S., Baram, T.Z., Davis, E.P., Risbrough, V.C., Baker, D.G., Nievergelt, C.M., & Glynn, L.M. (2022). Exposure to Unpredictability and Mental Health: Validation of the Brief Version of the Questionnaire of Unpredictability in Childhood (QUIC) in English and Spanish. Frontiers in Psychology.
6. Liu, S. R., Sandman, C. A., Davis, E. P., & Glynn, L. G. (2022). Intergenerational Risk and Resilience Pathways from Discrimination and Acculturative Stress to Infant Mental Health. Development & Psychopathology, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579422000141
7. Liu, S.R., & Glynn, L.M. (2021). The Contribution of Racism-Related Stress and Adversity to Disparities in Birth Outcomes: Evidence and Research Recommendations. F&S Reports. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xfre.2021.10.003
8. Liu, S. R., Davis, E. P., Palma, A. M., Sandman, C. A., & Glynn, L. M. (2021). The Acute and Persisting Impact of COVID-19 on Trajectories of Adolescent Depression: Sex Differences and Social Connectedness. Journal of Affective Disorders, 299, 246–255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.11.030
9. Liu, S. R., Grimes, K. E., Creedon, T. B., Pathak, P. R., Dibona, L. A., & Hagan, G. N. (2021). Pediatric ACES Assessment Within a Collaborative Practice Model: Implications for Health Equity. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000536
10. Barnett, M. L., Sheldrick, R. C., Liu, S. R., Kia-Keating, M., & Negriff, S. (2021). Implications of Adverse Childhood Experiences Screening on Behavioral Health Services: A Scoping Review and Systems Modeling Analysis. American Psychologist, 76(2), 364–378. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000756
11. Sims, G. M., Kia-Keating, M., Liu, S. R., & Taghavi, I. (2020). Political Climate and Sense of Belonging in Higher Education: Latina Undergraduates and Mental Health. Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 26(4), 356–364. https://doi.org/10.1037/pac0000448
12. Liu, S. R.^, & Modir, S.^ (2020). The outbreak that was always here: Racial trauma in the context of COVID-19 and implications for mental health providers. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice and Policy. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000784
13. Liu, S. R., Kia-Keating, M., Nylund-Gibson, K., & Barnett, M. L. (2019). Co-Occurring Youth Profiles of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Protective Factors: Associations with Health, Resilience, and Racial Disparities. American Journal of Community Psychology, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12387
14. Lambert, S. F., Tache, R. M., Liu, S. R., Nylund-Gibson, K., & Ialongo, N. S. (2019). Individual Differences in Patterns of Community Violence Exposure and Internalizing and Externalizing Behaviors. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 088626051986714. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260519867148
15. Kia-Keating, M., Barnett, M. L., Liu, S. R., Sims, G. M., & Ruth, A. B. (2019). Trauma‐Responsive Care in a Pediatric Setting: Feasibility and Acceptability of Screening for Adverse Childhood Experiences. American Journal of Community Psychology, https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12366
16. Liu, S.R., Kia-Keating, M., & Nylund-Gibson, K. (2019). Patterns of Family, School, and Community Promotive Factors and Health Disparities Among Youth: Implications for Prevention Science. Prevention Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-019-01021-5
17. Felix, E. D., Nylund-Gibson, K., Kia-Keating, M., Liu, S. R., Binmoeller, C., & Terzieva, A. (2019). The Influence of Flood Exposure and Subsequent Stressors on Youth Social-Emotional Health. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. Advance online publication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/ort0000418.
18. Okazaki, S.^, Guler, J.^, Haarlammert, M.^, & Liu, S. R.^ (2019). Translating Psychological Research on Immigrants and Refugees. Translational Issues in Psychological Science, 5(1), 1–3. https://doi.org/10.1037/tps0000188
19. Kia-Keating, M., Liu, S.R., & Sims, G. (2018). Between the devil and the deep blue sea: Refugee youth in resettlement. Emerging Trends in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. DOI: 10.1002/9781118900772.etrds0460
20. Liu, S. R., Kia-Keating, M., & Nylund-Gibson, K. (2018). Patterns of adversity and pathways to health among White, Black, and Latinx youth. Child Abuse & Neglect, 86(2018), 89–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.09.007
21. Liu, S. R., Kia-Keating, M., Santacrose, D. E., & Modir, S. (2018). Linking profiles of neighborhood elements to health and related outcomes among children across the United States. Health & Place, 53(August), 203–209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2018.08.013
22. Liu, S.R., & Kia-Keating, M. (2018). A Novel Examination of Exposure Patterns and Posttraumatic Stress After a University Mass Murder. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000354
23. Kia-Keating, M., No, U., Moore, S., Furlong, M. J., Liu, S., & You, S. (2017). Structural Validity of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales-21 Adapted for U.S. Undergraduates. Emerging Adulthood, 216769681774540. http://doi.org/10.1177/2167696817745407
24. Liu, S.R., & Kia-Keating, M. (2017). Improving Coping Self-Efficacy Among Distressed Students After Exposure to University Mass Violence: A Pilot Online Intervention. Journal of College Student Psychotherapy, 0(0), 1–21. http://doi.org/10.1080/87568225.2017.1388754
25. Liu, S.R., Kia-Keating, M., & Modir, S. (2017). Hope & Adjustment to College in the Context of Collective Trauma. Journal of American College Health. http://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2017.1312412
26. Kia-Keating, M., Santacrose, D.E., & Liu, S. (2017). Photography & Social Media Use in Community-Based Participatory Research with Youth: Ethical Considerations. American Journal of Community Psychology http://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12189
27. Kia-Keating, M., Santacrose, D. E., Liu, S.R., & Adams, J. (2017). Community-Based Participatory Research & Human Centered Design to Address Violence Related Health Disparities Among Latino/a Youth. Family & Community Health, 40(2), 160–169. https://doi.org/10.1097/fch.0000000000000145
28. Liu, S.R., Schulz, M.S, & Waldinger, R.J. (2015). Cumulative Contribution of Child Maltreatment to Emotional Experience and Regulatory Intent in Intimate Adult Interactions. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 24:6, 636-655, http://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2015.1049768
29. Malone, J. C., Liu, S.R., Vaillant, G. E., Rentz, D. M., & Waldinger, R. J. (2015). Midlife Eriksonian Psychosocial Development: Setting the Stage for Late-Life Cognitive & Emotional Health. Developmental Psychology, http://doi.org/10.1037/a0039875
30. Cohen, S., Schulz, M. S., Liu, S.R., Halassa, M. & Waldinger, R. J. (2015). Empathic Accuracy & Aggression in Couples: Individual & Dyadic Links. Journal of Marriage & Family. http://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12184
31. Liu, S., Dore, M., & Amrani-Cohen, I. (2013). Treating the effects of interpersonal violence: A comparison of two group models. Social Work With Groups: A Journal Of Community & Clinical Practice, 36(1), 59-72. http://doi.org/10.1080/01609513.2012.725156
32. Malone, J. C., Cohen, S., Liu, S.R., Vaillant, G. E., & Waldinger, R.J. (2013). Adaptive midlife defense mechanisms & late-life health. Personality & Individual Differences, 55(2), 85-89. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2013.01.025
