Dr. Carmen Valdez’ research is guided theoretically by Developmental Psychopathology and Culture-Centered models. Of special interest to her are family and community influences on children’s development. Her research with families is based on the premise that children’s adjustment greatly takes place within the family and that family functioning and health are shaped by dynamic, process-oriented experiences of support, risk, and resilience. Although the role of individual differences on children’s development cannot be overlooked, a model that emphasizes family and community influences offers a more complete understanding of children’s development, and informs the design and conduct of preventive and therapeutic interventions that aim to prevent risk and build resilience.  Emphasis on the cultural context is not only relevant to understanding ethnic minority groups, but to increasing awareness of our own cultural influences and interactions with others.

The integration of models described above to the study of coping across the lifespan and contexts, with an emphasis on the topic of depression has been Dr. Valdez’ research focus. In particular, her four areas of study are predictors of depression, parental depression and child and family coping and development, clinic- and community-based intervention development for vulnerable populations at-risk for depression, and promotion of culture-centered health and mental health practice.  Her research interests in depression began with the study of mechanisms of depression and associated behavioral and academic risks among children and youth. An understanding of the processes of depression has provided the foundation for her subsequent work in intervention research. 

Latino families and other under-served families who struggle with depression in a parent is a particular topic of interest for Dr. Valdez. In these families, children face multiple risks in their development, including disruptions in family routines, decreased communication and warmth, confusion and blame about the parent’s depression, and lack of family cohesion. In spite of these risks, children can build resilience, especially when there is a positive role model in the family, when family members reach a shared understanding about the depression experience, and when the family supports the parent with depression but feels independent from the struggles of the parent.

Dr. Valdez’ research has been informed by her theoretical models and her professional and personal experiences of risk and resilience. The activities demonstrate a solid commitment to developing interventions for children, youth, and families that are clinically effective, culturally acceptable, and feasible and sustainable in community settings. Four of Dr. Valdez’ research projects demonstrate her integration of theoretical models and professional experience: Keeping Families Strong, Fortalezas Familares, Family Stress and Families and Schools Together. Click the links on the left to learn more about each research project.

Photos used with permission from Microsoft.