Lab director
My program of research examines how violence and structural adversity shape academic and psychological functioning across the lifespan, with a particular focus on Latina/o/x youth and parents. I explore contextual factors such as exposure to community violence, sexual harassment, and neighborhood disinvestment, and how these intersect with individual and cultural resilience to influence developmental outcomes.
Grounded in a resilience framework and strengths-based perspective, my work identifies protective factors at the individual, family, neighborhood, and cultural levels such as familismo, hope, parent-adolescent relationships, religiosity, and academic engagement that can buffer youth and adults from negative mental health and educational outcomes. Increasingly, my research also focuses on the intersection of multiple marginalized identities, examining how race and ethnicity, gender, class, and rurality shape experiences of trauma and healing. In my free time, you can find me with my three boys Alfredo [16], Adrian [16], and Mateo [4] and our beautiful cat Teddy. We are often setting up movie marathons or bingeing new TV series together.
Medrano, A.S., Medina, C. M., Davila, S. A., Adame Montelongo, E. S., Jenkins, A. S., Pina, I. M., Vazquez, Y. N., Leonard, A. F., Dupree, G. E., Martinez, A., Kabir, Z., & Wah Figueroa, F. (in press). Sexual victimization in school, community, and online contexts: A scoping review on the measurement of youth sexual victimization. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380251412532in press
Kabir, Z. S., Davila, S. A., & Medrano, A.S. (2026). Holding together in hard times: Family cohesion as a moderator of mental health amidst community violence. Journal of Community Psychology, 54(1), e70067. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.70067
Medina, C. M., Hudson, J. A., Geoffroy, G., Harvey, A., & Medrano, A.S. (in press). Puedes decirnos con confianza: A mixed methods study of neighborhood-based sexual harassment and parent-adolescent communication in rural Mexico. Violence Against Women. https://doi.org/10.1177/10778012251410898in press
Ng, C., Phommasa, M., Woods, V. E., Macharia, C., Medrano, A.S., & Sanchez, A. (2026). Time is not really on my side: How two-year transfer student graduation timelines affect engagement in high-impact practices. New Directions for Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1002/he.70017
Medrano, A.S., & Ceballo, R. (2025). Neighborhood violence, parent-child cohesion, and psychological outcomes in Latino adolescents: A longitudinal moderation analysis. Psychology of Violence. https://doi.org/10.1037/vio0000604
Sabina, C., Mariscal, S. E., Weber, M., Medrano, A.S., Flores, Y., Agorde, E., Elliot, J. M., Gonzalez, V. V., & Restrepo-Ruiz, M. (2025). Factors enhancing resilience among youth exposed to macro-level violence in Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 26(2), 265-282. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380241309375
Davila, S. A., Adame Montelongo, E. S., Labrousse, D., & Medrano, A.S. (2025). "Uno no puede solucionarlo por sí mismo": Sociocultural influences on mental health and help-seeking attitudes among rural Mexican adults. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220221251387702
Leonard, A. F., Estrada, Y., Jakubowski, K., & Medrano, A.S. (2025). Two fronts of trauma: The differential effects of intimate partner violence and community violence on PTSD in rural Mexico. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605251375422
Davila, S. A., Martinez, A., & Medrano, A.S. (2025). Navigating familial stressors and material needs: Examining resilience and family cohesion as protective factors for rural Mexican adolescents. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000754
Medrano, A.S., Davila, S. A., Labrousse, D., Adame Montelongo, E. S., & Williams, E.-D. G. (2025). Disentangling machismo and caballerismo: Mental health help-seeking in rural Mexico. Journal of Rural Mental Health, 49(3), 267-277. https://doi.org/10.1037/rmh0000291
Kia-Keating, M., Santacrose, D., Adams, J., Harms, M., Taghavi, I., Liu, S., & Mora, A.S. (2024). Equitable prevention science and participatory co-design of the HEROES strength-based programs. Journal of Prevention, & Health Promotion, 5(2-3), 347-372. https://doi.org/10.1177/26320770241246672
Krings, A., Mora, A.S., Bechara, S., Sánchez, C., Gutiérrez, L. M., Hawkins, J., & Austic, E. (2024). How early social work faculty experienced support in their doctoral programs. Journal of Social Work Education, 60(2), 206-224. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2023.2279789
Garcia, Y., Medrano, A.S., & Woods, V. (2024). Perceived stigma, mental health, and campus support among Latina/o, & White college students. Journal of American College Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2024.2428408
Mora, A.S., Greer, C. D., Hunter, J., & Gutierrez, L. (2024). Social work faculty attitudes towards diversity and oppression content in MSW curricula. Social Work Education, 43(3), 621-637. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2022.2130233
Mora, A.S., Gutiérrez, L. M., & Ceballo, R. (2024). The role of parent-adolescent communication among youth exposed to neighborhood violence in rural Mexico. Families in Society, 105(3), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1177/10443894231222942Awarded 2024 Best Quantitative Paper
Ortega, R. M., Olawale, R. G., & Mora, A.S. (2023). Charles D. Garvin: Social justice and social group work. Social Work with Groups, 46(4), 303-309. https://doi.org/10.1080/01609513.2022.2113247
Mora, A.S., LoDuca, K. M., & Ceballo, R. (2023). Adolescents in the community: Extracurricular activities and sexual harassment. Journal of Youth, & Adolescence, 52, 1788-1798. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-023-01812-8
Mora, A.S., Muñoz-Velázquez, J., Alers-Rojas, F., Ceballo, R., & Cranford, J. (2023). Understanding Latino adolescents' experiences with discrimination: An intersectional approach. Journal of Latinx Psychology, 11(4), 306-321. https://doi.org/10.1037/lat0000234
Mora, A.S. (2023). An examination of community violence exposure and sexual harassment among Latino/a adolescents [Doctoral dissertation, University of Michigan]. Deep Blue Documents.
Mora, A.S., Ceballo, R., & Cranford, J. (2022). Latino/a adolescents facing neighborhood dangers: An examination of community violence and gender-based harassment. American Journal of Community Psychology, 69(1-2), 18-32. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12556
Ceballo, R., Alers-Rojas, F., Mora, A.S., & Cranford, J. A. (2022). Exposure to community violence: Toward a more expansive definition and approach to research. Child Development Perspectives, 16(2), 96-102. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdep.12448
Ceballo, R., Alers-Rojas, F., Montoro, J. P., & Mora, A.S. (2020). Contextual stressors and the role of religion and spirituality in the mental health of Latino/a immigrant parents and youth. In G. C. N. Hall (Ed.), Mental and behavioral health of immigrants in the United States: Cultures, challenges, and opportunities (pp. 135-155). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-816117-3.00007-5
Gutiérrez, L. M., Rodríguez-Newhall, A., Mora, A.S., Areguin, M. A., & Salazar, M. (2019). "Too many to count": Experiences of microaggressions for Latinx students at a predominantly White institution in the age of Trump. Currents: Journal of Diversity Scholarship for Social Change, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.3998/currents.17387731.0001.105
Ganu, D., Starks, B., Davila, S. A., & Medrano, A.S. (in press). Campus climate and the mental health of college student caregivers: The mediating role of group belonging. Journal of Higher Education.in press
Cross, F. L., Hoffman, A. J., Medrano, A.S., Medina, M. A., Esqueda, A. P., & Rivas-Drake, D. (in press). Fostering futures: Academic socialization and perceived educational utility among Latinx parent-adolescent dyads. Journal of Latinx Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/lat0000289in press
Medrano, A.S., Ortega, R., Cordova, D., & Gutierrez, L. (in press). Employing an empowerment approach with Latinx youth engaged in health risk behaviors. In R. Ceballo & D. Rivas-Drake (Eds.), Growing up Latinx in the land of liberty: Drawing on community and culture to face contextual challenges. Oxford University Press.in press
Quintero P.T., Adame Montelongo E.S., Lopez A.M., & Medrano A.S. (2026). Parental Monitoring, Solicitation, and Adolescent Disclosure in Contexts of Violence: Insights from Rural and Urban Mexico [Conference presentation]. APS, Barcelona, Spain.Poster View Poster ↗
Medina, C., Davila, S. A., & Medrano, A. (2025). Sexual Victimization, Dimensions of Machismo, and Anxiety Among Rural Mexican Adolescents [Conference presentation]. Society for Research on Child Development (SRCD), Minneapolis, Minnesota.Poster
Martinez, A., Davila, S. A., & Medrano, A. (2025). Examining Protective Factors in the Context of Familial and Economic Stressors in Rural Mexican Adolescents [Conference presentation]. Society for Research on Child Development (SRCD), Minneapolis, Minnesota.Poster
Davila, S. A., & Medrano, A. (2025). Identity in the Aftermath: Trauma's Role in Puerto Rican College Students' Growth [Conference presentation]. Society for the Study on Emerging Adults (SSEA), Charleston, South Carolina.Poster
Chen, Y., Sabina, C., Mariscal, S. E., Weber, M., Medrano, A. S., Guevara-Carpio, M. A., Macias, L., Nava, N., & Merced, M. (2025). Help-seeking Experiences Related to Interpersonal Victimization in a National Sample of Latinas [Conference presentation]. American Society of Criminology (ASC) Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.Oral
Estrada, Y., Cisneros, G., & Medrano, A. (2025). Religiosity and Folk Beliefs: Mental Health Help-Seeking in Rural Mexico [Conference presentation]. The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) 2025 Conference, Portland, Oregon.Poster
Chen, Y., Sabina, C., Mariscal, S. E., Weber, M., Medrano, A., Guevara-Carpio, M. A., Macias, L., Nava, N., & Merced, M. (2025). Lifetime Trauma Exposure and Traumatic Symptoms in Latina Women: A Latent Profile Analysis Among a National Sample [Conference presentation]. The Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) 30th Annual Conference, Washington, DC.Oral
Torres, B., Medrano, A., & Gomez, A. (2025). Bridging Latina/o-Serving Organizations and Latina/o Entrepreneurs [Conference presentation]. Pennsylvania Latino Convention, Pittsburgh, PA.Oral
Gutierrez, L., Mora, A. (Discussant), Ortega, D., & Ortiz, L. (2024). Uncovering and Recovering Latinx Perspectives on Social Work History-A Latcrit Approach [Conference presentation]. Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) 28th Annual Conference, Washington, DC.Oral
Labrousse, D., Medina, C. M., & Medrano, A. (2024). Centering Mexican Strength: An Overview of Proyecto VENCER [Conference presentation]. Latinx Connect, University of Pittsburgh.Oral
Davila, S. A., Dupree, F., Vazquez, Y., & Medrano, A. (2024). Aprendizajes: Conducting Ethically Responsible Research with Children and Adolescents in Rural Mexico [Conference presentation]. Society for Research on Child Development (SRCD): Toward an Anti-Racist Developmental Science Summit, Panama City, Panama.Poster
Medina, C. M., Hudson, J. A., Geoffroy, G., Harvey, A., & Medrano, A. (2024). "Me da pena hablar de eso": Rural Mexican Adolescent Perceptions and Discussions of Gender-based Violence [Conference presentation]. Society for Research on Child Development (SRCD): Toward an Anti-Racist Developmental Science Summit, Panama City, Panama.Poster
Medrano, A. (chair), Labrousse, D., Adame Montelongo, E. S., Davila, S. A., Williams, E.-D. G., Figuereo, V., Vicente, M. J., Espejo, D., Shannon, L., Flores, A. T., Garcia, Y., Robledo, D., Tandon, D., & Platt, R. (2024). Navigating Cultural and Identity Constructs: Mental Health in Latinx Communities [Conference presentation]. National Latinx Psychological Association (NLPA), San Juan, Puerto Rico.Symposium
Mora, A., Pérez, J., Garcia, Y., Ibrahim, A., Bechara, S., Gutierrez, L., & Hunter, J. (2023). Social Work Faculty Perceptions of Theories: A National Survey [Conference presentation]. Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) 27th Annual Conference, Phoenix, AZ.Poster
Garcia-Leco, S., Mora, A., Harvey, A., & Gutierrez, L. (2023). "Que le eché ganas": Parental Academic Expectations in Rural Mexico [Conference presentation]. Latin American Studies Association (LASA) 2023 Congress, Vancouver, Canada.Oral
Mora, A. (chair), Gutierrez, L., Garcia, Y., Bechara, S., Harvey, A., Zou, Y., Fajardo, M., Garcia-Leco, S., & Valdivias, S. (2023). Fortaleza Mexicana: Identifying Strengths & Protective Factors in Families in Rural Mexico [Conference presentation]. International Convention of Psychological Science (ICPS), Brussels, Belgium.Symposium
Mora, A., Harvey, A., Bechara, S., Narvaez, M., & Gutierrez, L. (2022). The Role of Parent-Adolescent Communication among Violence-Exposed Mexican Youth [Conference presentation]. The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) 2022 Conference, San Juan, Puerto Rico.Symposium
Gutierrez, L., Mora, A., Bechara, S., Hawkins, J., Krings, A., Meier Austic, E., & Sanchez, C. (2022). Early Career Scholars' Perceptions of Support During Social Work Doctoral Education [Conference presentation]. Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 68th Annual Program Meeting, Anaheim, California.Oral
Gutierrez, L., Mora, A., Meier-Austic, E., Greer, C., & Inahuazo, S. (2021). Social Work Faculty Attitudes Toward Diversity and Social Justice [Conference presentation]. Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR), Virtual Conference.Poster
Harvey, A., Valdivias, O., Mora, A., Garcia, Y., & Gutierrez, L. (2021). Rape Myths and Machismo: Rural Mexican Parents' Conceptualizations of Sexual Harassment and Rape [Conference presentation]. National Latinx Psychological Association (NLPA) Biennial Virtual Conference.Poster
Mora, A., Pérez, J., Ibrahim, A., Hunter, J., Wasi, H., & Gutierrez, L. (2021). MSW Faculty Views Towards Racial and Social Justice [Conference presentation]. Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 67th Annual Program Meeting, Orlando, Florida.Oral
Cross, K., Mora, A., Sypher, I., Esqueda, A. P., & Troncoso, S. (2020). Adolescents in the Community: Extracurricular Activities and Gender-Based Harassment [Conference presentation]. American Psychological Association (APA) Annual Convention, Washington, DC.Poster
Muñoz-Velazquez, J., Alers-Rojas, F., Mora, A., Cranford, J., & Ceballo, R. (2020). Intersectional Everyday Experiences of Discrimination: An Exploratory Latent Class Analysis with Urban Latinx Adolescents [Conference presentation]. Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Special Topics Conference, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico (Cancelled for COVID).Oral
Mora, A., Starks, B., & Starks, A. (2020). Post-migration Stressors: Violence, Poverty, and Culturally Relevant Interventions for Recent Immigrants [Conference presentation]. Joint World Conference on Social Work Education and Social Development, Rimini, Italy (Cancelled for COVID).Poster
Gutierrez, L., Areguin, M. A., Mora, A., Rodriguez-Newhall, A., & Salazar, M. (2019). Actions Speak Louder Than Words: How Mixed-Methods Action Research Promotes Student-Oriented Policy [Conference presentation]. International Convention of Psychological Science (ICPS), Paris, France.Symposium
Mora, A., Areguin, M. A., & Rodriguez-Newhall, A. (2019). Utilizing Action Research to Promote Student-Oriented Policy [Conference presentation]. The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) 2019 Conference, San Diego, CA.Symposium
Montoro, J., & Mora, A. (2019). Familismo as a Protective Factor from Stressors Faced by Latinx Adolescents [Conference presentation]. Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Biennial Meeting, Baltimore, MD.Poster
Glover-Reed, B., Mora, A., Giza, K. A., & Baughman, M. (2019). Using Critical and Intersectionality Frames to Illuminate New Possibilities: We're Part-way There! [Conference presentation]. Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 65th Annual Program Meeting, Denver, CO.Oral
Mora, A., Fike, K., & Montoro, J. (2018). Community Violence Exposure and Sexual Harassment Effects on Latino/a Adolescents [Conference presentation]. The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) 2018 Conference, Pittsburgh, PA.Symposium
Woods, V., Phommasa, M., Mora, A., & Garcia, M. G. (2017). Development and Assessment of a Transfer Student Mentorship Program [Conference presentation]. National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS) Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA.Oral
Mora, A., Kia-Keating, M., Capous, D., Adams, J., Davila, L., & Garcia, Y. (2016). Latino/a Parental Barriers to Help-Seeking [Conference presentation]. National Latina/o Psychological Association (NLPA) Biennial Conference, Orlando, FL.Poster
