Aging is a normal process that is part of life and is informed by a complex interaction between social, cultural, economic, and other factors (e.g., biological, physiological, psychological, Lindland et al., 2015). In the U.S., Latinx communities represent the fastest growing older population. It is suggested that an individual’s subjective experience of aging and awareness around their aging processes informs their overall wellbeing. A growing body of literature indicates older Latinx are active members in their family networks and many view aging as a positive experience despite declines in health (Alfaro et al., 2019; Choi et al., 2021). Among Latinx communities bienestar [wellbeing] is informed by balance and harmony with the self, harmonious relationships with family, and balance with physical and spiritual environments (Izquierdo, 2005; Willeto, 2012). The purpose of this study was to expand the literature on aging and wellbeing among Mexicanos en la tercera edad [older Mexican individuals] by exploring how culture informs the subjective experience of aging and bienestar. Seven semi-structured interviews were conducted among Spanish-speaking Mexicanos nacidos en México [Mexican-born] who were over the age of 65 years, have over 40 years of living in the U.S., and reside in Southern California. Participants were also asked to share a photo that was representative of their lived experiences as Mexicanos. Data was analyzed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (Smith et al., 2021). Six overall themes emerged, including (1) Vivencias de su Crianza en México [Experiences from their Upbringings in Mexico], (2) Experiencias Inmigrando a los Estados Unidos [Experiences Immigrating to the U.S.], (3) La Esencia de la Familia [The Essence of Family], (4) Agradecimiento por la Vida [Gratitude for Life], (5) Prácticas que Informan su Bienestar [Practices that Inform their Wellbeing], and (6) Transiciones de la Vida [Life Transitions]. Central to their subjective experiences of aging and wellbeing were their cultural values and practices within the context of recalling their personal histories and their current relationships with God, family, and friends. Limitations, future research, and implications for Mexicanos nacidos en México are discussed.

Latina students exhibit high levels of academic resilience evidenced by increased rates of educational attainment despite social, cultural, and structural barriers. Although research has identified factors that positively and negatively impact their academic resilience, little attention has been given to the influence of identity. To address this gap in the literature, this qualitative study used an intersectional approach to examine the significance of gender and ethnicity to the academic resilience of Latina college students. Specifically, 15 Latina college students who self-identified as academically resilient participated in semi-structured interviews that explored how their experiences of academic resilience have been shaped by their gender and ethnic identities. Thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) was used to analyze the data and yielded four themes, including: (a) perceptions of otherness, (b) utilizing cultural resources, (c) having purpose to overcome, and (d) self and identity development. Several subthemes were also identified. Based on the themes, it appeared that Latina students in this study experienced feelings of otherness due to their Latina identity. However, rather than renounce their identities, they leveraged their identities to help them persist and have motivation to overcome. Moreover, participants’ sense of self and views about their Latina identity were enhanced as a result of experiencing and overcoming adversity. Implications for education, clinical practice, and research are offered.

Research conducted by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center found that amid the pandemic undergraduate enrollment fell by 6.6% from Fall 2019 to Fall 2021, representing just over a million students (Conley & Massa, 2022). The literature points to college adjustment as vital to individuals’ retention and completion of college (Baker & Siryk, 1984; Gerdes & Mallinckrodt, 1994). As declines occur due to the impact of a global pandemic it is critical to understand how to support students in their adjustment and persistence through college. A mixed methods approach was used to gain a better understanding of the role that family plays for Latine undergraduate students’ adjustment to college during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the qualitative component, participants described their unique experience navigating changes during unprecedented times, which resulted in four emergent themes: Psychological Impacts of COVID-19, Transitions Amid the Pandemic, Perceived Support, and Adjustment Mechanisms. Quantitative data suggests there is a predictive relationship between specific family variables and adjustment to college, such that low stress, high perceived family support, high levels of familismo, and low levels of family achievement guilt significantly predict college adjustment. This dissertation contributes to the literature on the psychological experiences and college adjustment of Latine undergraduate students under additional stressful circumstances caused by the pandemic. Findings have implications for practitioners, higher education administrators, and policy makers working to support retention efforts among Latine college students.

According to the Pew Research Center (2021) Asian Americans were the fastest growing racial or ethnic group between 2000-2019. More specifically there are 4.2. million Filipinos in the U.S. as of 2019 and are the 3rd largest Asian population within the U.S. (Pew Research Center, 2021; U.S. Census 2010). Second-generation Filipina American women between the ages of 18 to 25, or emerging adults, face unique challenges that include navigating cultural and familial expectations while figuring out their own identities, their roles and relationships within family, and sense of self within the larger society due to impact of historical trauma and colonization (Del-Mundo & Queck, 2017). Studies have shown the high rate of mental health issues including depression and suicidal ideation among Filipina American women due to stigma, shame, and balancing complex roles within multiple cultures (Nadal, 2011).

Understanding the experiences of second-generation Filipina American women is essential to addressing the current and future psychological health of individuals who negotiate intersecting cultural identities (e.g. race, gender, ethnicity, immigration status, education) while attempting to carving their own path in life. By using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis and Photo Elicitation, this dissertation emphasizes the importance of collecting data through creative and artistic forms of expression that reflect experiences. Eight participants described how they see themselves as a second-generation Filipina American woman, the unique challenges associated with these identities, and the ways in which they felt they have delt with them through the use of photographs, original artwork, and narratives. Results will be presented as overarching themes which included: (1) Who Am I?, (2) Psychological Impacts of Navigating Gender Roles and Expectations, (3) Finding Connection to Other Filipina/o/x Americans, (4) Redefining Sense of Self. Findings highlight that questioning cultural values and beliefs can lead to clearer sense of self, broadening the definition and narrative of the first-generation student experience, and how institutional systems can provide more genuine meaningful support and resources for psychological well-being.

Racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system, with individuals who identify as Hispanic or Latinx accounting for over 40% of those incarcerated in U.S. federal prisons. Extant research on the psychological impacts of incarceration and their potential impacts on the reintegration experiences and successes of formerly incarcerated individuals is limited, and even less research specifically focuses on individuals who are Latinx and formerly incarcerated. The purpose of the present study was to contribute to the literature on the psychological effects of incarceration on reintegration for Latinx individuals, as well as explore the potential role that culture and psychological factors play in formerly incarcerated Latinxs’ efforts to reintegrate. Using a qualitative, interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) method, the following study presents findings from interviews with five formerly incarcerated Latinx individuals. Results are presented as individual participant narratives and later organized into themes, which include: (1) Psychological Impacts of Incarceration, (2) Effects on Reintegration, (3) Experiences with Support Services, and (4) Role of Cultural and Social Identities. Findings suggest that the psychological impacts of incarceration are individually and interpersonally constructed, through the lenses of culture and identity. Discussion of findings, suggestions for future research, as well as the implications of findings for clinicians, educators and advocates, are discussed.

Due to rising salinity of freshwater systems and the lack of information about contaminants in saltwater lakes, there is a need for new methods to identify stressors and their effects in saline environments. We propose the use of the saltwater aquatic crustacean, Artemia franciscana, as a model organism for environmental metabolomics analysis of stressors for saltwater ecosystems. Artemia is an ideal indicator species because it is well-studied, have short life-cycles, and are robust. Their hemolymph has a high concentration of small molecule metabolites in an open circulatory system that is susceptible to environmental conditions and amenable to metabolomics analysis. Environmental metabolomics methods use analytical techniques, such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS), with chemometric analysis to characterize the interactions of an organism with its environment. When exposed to a stressor, these methods are used to identify biomarkers of exposure and assess the biochemical pathways that are impacted.

The small molecule metabolite profile of Artemia was characterized using 1D and 2D NMR and GC-MS and 43 metabolites were identified. Environmental metabolomics methods were developed using untargeted 1H NMR and GC-MS analysis coupled with high-content imaging to assess Artemia exposed to established and emerging stressors, which included temperature stress, Roundup® herbicide, and tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) flame retardant. Targeted metabolomics analysis with LC-MS/MS was introduced to study the effects of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), 118 metabolites were identified with this method. Multivariate and univariate statistical analysis was used to identify biomarkers of exposure for each stressor and pathway analysis identified biochemical pathways that were likely affected. Although each stressor had a unique effect, it was determined that sugars, which are important for energy pathways such as glycolysis, and osmolytes, such as betaine and gadusol, play an important role in Artemia stress response.

Mexicans accounted for over 60% of the population of Hispanic origin living in the U.S. in 2021 (Moslimani et al., 2023). Second generation (i.e., people born in the U.S to first generation immigrant parents; Karthick Ramakrishnan, 2004) Mexican Americans report challenges such as feeling like foreigners (Huynh et al., 2011) and experiencing microaggressions (Sue et al., 2007). Despite facing this and many other barriers as they navigate a bicultural identity, literature suggests this population remains resilient (Holleran & Jung, 2008; Morgan Consoli et al., 2011, 2015; Safe & Umaña-Taylor, 2021). Spirituality appears to be a component of how they overcome adversities (Morgan Consoli et al., 2015). Little research has been conducted on this important facet of resilience, nor do we fully understand what spirituality looks like with these individuals. A mixed methods approach was used to explore spirituality in second generation Mexican American emerging adults. In the qualitative component, interviews were conducted in person. Participants shared experiences with spirituality and challenges they have faced which were captured in four group experiential themes: Evolving Spirituality, Adversities, Overcoming Adversity Through Spirituality, and Meaning Made in Overcoming. For the quantitative component a multiple regression analysis and found high levels of spiritual transcendence, high meaning making, and high levels of familismo significantly contribute to participants’ resilience. This dissertation contributes to the literature on spirituality in second generation Mexican American emerging adults and how they overcome adversities. Findings have implications for clinical practitioners and academic researchers working to better understand cultural values and resilience among Mexican American emerging adults.