Research Interests: My research broadly focuses on understanding the influence of culture on psychopathology
in culturally diverse individuals. In particular, I examine the prevalence, phenomenology,
assessment, and diagnosis of psychological disorders among racially and ethnically
diverse populations and immigrants in the U.S. I have pursued two lines of research
within cross-cultural psychopathology. The first one examines cultural variations
in the experience, expression, and assessment of depression among underrepresented
groups in psychology (i.e., Asians, Asian Americans, Hispanics, and Iranians). The
second one entails disentangling health disparities or group differences in psychological
disorders by examining culturally relevant factors, such as self-construal, loss of face, and family conflict. Parallel to my interest
in cross-cultural psychopathology, I have also been involved in cross-cultural evidence-based
psychotherapy research. In particular, I have conducted research on culturally sensitive
treatments for depression, barriers to seeking treatment, and attitudes toward psychotherapy
among culturally diverse clients.
