Research Overview
I use community-based participatory and community-engaged research approaches to study topics related to mental health, substance use, and health equity. We work in partnership with youth, families, social service organizations, and clinics to better understand risk, resilience, and culturally responsive supports for communities in need. Our findings inform prevention, intervention, and public health efforts to reduce behavioral health disparities.
Projects
Epigenetic and Neuroendocrine Links to ACEs (ENLACEs)
Health-Oriented Latinx Addiction Survey (HOLAS)
Funding: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) Grant Number: K08AA029150 Role: Principal Investigator Study period: 2022 – 2027
Given that Latino adolescents face elevated risk for alcohol misuse, this project examines how adverse childhood experiences, stress-related biological processes, and sociocultural factors contribute to alcohol use. It also identifies protective factors that may reduce risk and promote resilience. This study aims to inform prevention efforts that better serve Latino youth. This project is part of the parent project Latino Youth Coping with Discrimination: A Multi-Level Investigation in Micro- and Macro-Time.
Funding: NA Role: Co-Investigator Study period: 2023-2026
This project examines the risk and protective factors associated with problematic alcohol and marijuana use among Latinx/Hispanic college students. The survey of 8,000 students across 8 colleges explores how substance use patterns are impacted by racial, ethnic, and cultural experiences. Findings from this work can help inform more culturally responsive college prevention efforts, campus programs, and public health policies.
Partnering colleges: William & Mary, California State University — Domingues Hills, University of New Mexico, Virginia Commonwealth University, Texas State University, Harvard University, University of Central Florida, and University of Texas at El Paso.
Parenting program for Latino dads, moms, and preteens
Funding: MGH Physician Scientist Development Award Role: Principal Investigator Study period: 2026-2030
This project adapts an evidence-based parenting intervention for Latinx families to help reduce the intergenerational effects of adverse childhood experiences. The study focuses on cultural adaptation, parental involvement, and support for preadolescents and their families. Findings may inform more effective family-based prevention approaches in Latino communities.
Partner organizations: The Home for Little Wanderers, Boston Medical Center, and La Colaborativa
Seguimos Avanzando
Funding: National Institute of Health (NIH) Grant Number: R01MD014737 Role: Co-Investigator Study Period: 2020 – 2025
This study focuses on how discrimination-related stress impacts mental health in Mexican-origin adolescents. By following youth and their families over time and capturing daily experiences, it aims to identify the risk and protective factors that influence how young people cope with discrimination-related stressors. Findings from this work can help inform prevention strategies and improve mental health support for Latino youth.
Collaborators: University of Notre Dame, Fordham University and Indiana University
Participate in our studies
If these projects resonate with you and you want to get involved, please reach out to our team!
Someone will reach out to you with more information within 3-5 business days.
Selected Publications
Zhen-Duan J, Colombo D,** Cruz-Gonzalez MA, Hoyos M,** Alvarez K. Adverse childhood experiences and alcohol use and misuse: Testing the impact of traditional and expanded adverse childhood experiences among racially/ethnically diverse youth transitioning into adulthood. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. 2023 May;15(S1):S55. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001458
Zhen-Duan J, Colombo D,** Alvarez K. Inclusion of Expanded Adverse Childhood Experiences in Research About Racial/Ethnic Substance Use Disparities. American Journal of Public Health. 2023 Jun;113(S2):S129-32. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307220
Zhen-Duan J, Banks DE, Ferreira C, Zhang L, Valentino K, Alegría M. Mexican-origin parent and child reported neighborhood factors and youth substance use. Frontiers in psychiatry. 2023 Dec 1;14:1241002. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1241002
Zhen‐Duan J, Alvarez K, Zhang L, Cruz‐Gonzalez M, Kuo J, Falgas‐Bagué I, Bird H, Canino G, Duarte CS, Alegría M. Parental psychopathology and posttraumatic stress in Puerto Ricans: the role of childhood adversity and parenting practices. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 2024 Jun;65(6):742-52. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13902
Alegría M, Cruz-Gonzalez M, Yip T, Wang L, Park IJ, Fukuda M, Valentino K, Giraldo-Santiago N, Zhen-Duan J, Alvarez K, Barrutia XA. Yearly and Daily Discrimination-Related Stressors and Mexican Youth’s Mental Health and Sleep: Insights From the First Wave of a Three-Wave Family Study. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 2024 Nov;63(11):1134-48. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2023.12.010
Zhen-Duan J, Cruz‐Gonzalez M, Diaz J, Sánchez M, Park I, Alvarez K, Yip T, Wang L, Valentino K, Alegría M. Intergenerational Continuity of Adverse Childhood Experiences among Mexican-origin Families: Examination of Intra and Extra-Familial Adversities. Family Process. 2024 Dec 5:1-17. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.13091
Zhen-Duan J, Cañenguez KM, Wilson AE,Yue G, Harshitha V, Chavez AD, Argentieri MA, Schachter AB, Wu H, Baccarelli A, Daviglus ML, Wassertheil-Smoller S, Warner ET, Shields AE. Religion, Spirituality, and DNA Methylation in HPA-axis Genes among Hispanic/Latino Adults. Epigenomics. 2024 Dec 20:1-12. https://doi.org/10.1080/17501911.2024.2442293