Cara Maffini, PhD

Associate Professor, Child & Adolescent Development

Cara's research encompasses intersections of culture, mental health, and trauma particularly among adolescents and emerging adults with a focus on underserved populations. She has three main lines of research:

• Understanding psychosocial, cultural, and developmental protective and risk factors associated with trauma (e.g., violence, victimization, and campus safety)
• Examining refugee experiences and intergenerational transmission of trauma
• Examining bicultural and biracial experiences and identity development. Grounded in her training in counseling psychology, Cara's research serves to inform campus and community-based intervention and prevention programs.

Education

• Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, Indiana University
• M.A., Psychology, Sacramento State University
• B.A.S., Psychobiology and Dance, UC Davis

Recent Publications

• Paradis, G., & Maffini, C. S. (2021). Navigating intercultural relational dynamics: The roles of attachment and cultural values. Journal of Multicultural Counseling & Development, 49(4).

• West, M. T.,* & Maffini, C. S. (2019). ‘What are you?’ Conceptualizing the complexities of bicultural and biracial college student experiences. Journal of College Counseling, 22, 164-178. doi: 10.1002/jocc.12128

• Simpson, L. A., Maffini, C. S., Schuck, R.* (2019). Examining use of school personnel in CBT interventions for anxiety in students with ASD. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 54, 301-312.

• Liu, T., Wong, Y. J., Maffini, C. S., Goodrich Mitts, N., & Iwamoto, D. K. (2018). Gendered Racism Scales for Asian American Men: Scale development and validation. Journal of Counseling Psychology. Advance online publication. doi:10.1037/cou0000298

• Linares, J.,* & Maffini, C. S. (2018). Voces de resistencia: Exploring Salvadoran students’ experiences and needs in higher education. Journal of Hispanic Higher Education. Advance online publication. doi:10.1177/1538192718814129

• Maffini, C. S. (2018). Campus safety experiences of Asian American and Asian international college students. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 9, 98-107. doi: 10.1037/aap0000087

Recent Presentations

• Palmer, A., & Maffini, C. S. (2021, April). Growing up with a sibling with Autism: College students’ perspectives. Poster Presentation at the annual Western Psychological Association (WPA) Virtual Convention.

• Chavez, K. & Maffini, C. S. (2021, April). Experiences of Latinx College Students during COVID-19. Poster Presentation at the annual Western Psychological Association (WPA) Virtual Convention.

• Marx, R., Peña, F., & Maffini, C. S. (2021, April). Who’s under the LGBTQ+ umbrella? Understanding nonbinary college students’ experiences on campus. Flash Talk Session: Attitudes toward and experiences of transgender and gender diverse youth. Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Virtual Biennial Meeting.

Noteworthy Grants and Awards

• Lurie College of Education Strategic Plan Grant - $15,000

Areas of Research Interest

• Adolescents / emerging adults
• Bicultural
• Campus safety
• Communities of color
• Intergenerational transmission of trauma
• Psychological well-being / mental health
• Refugees

Recommended Reading

• East Eats West: Writing in Two Hemispheres by Andrew Lam
• Like a Mother: A Feminist Journey Through the Science and Culture of Pregnancy by Angela Garbes

• The Social Justice Advocate's Handbook: A Guide to Gender by Samm Killermann

Personality Playlist

Listen to Cara's playlist below and access all of the personality playlists on our Lurie College of Education Spotify account