Two College of Education Faculty Get Hogg Foundation Grants to Study Mental Health - June 16, 2011

Dr. Germine Awad

Dr. Janay Sander

Four assistant professors at The University of Texas at Austin, including two from the College of Education, each received a grant of $17,500 from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health to study different aspects of mental health.

Proposals submitted by Dr. Germine Awad and Dr. Janay Sander in the Dept. of Educational Psychology, Dr. Su Yeong Kim in the Dept. of Human Development and Family Sciences, and Dr. Dnika Travis in the School of Social Work were selected from a pool of 48 applicants from 17 universities across Texas. The foundation awarded one-year grants totaling $226,770 to 13 tenure-track assistant professors exploring different aspects of mental health in Texas.

Awad will examine how the mental health of Arab Americans is affected by their religious self-identification and perceived discrimination by others. Despite a sharp increase in discrimination toward people of Arab and Middle Eastern descent after 9/11, little is known about the role that religion, ethnic identity and acculturation play in Christian and Muslim Arab Americans’ perceptions of discrimination.

“Among the most understudied groups in terms of mental health are Arab American populations,” said Awad. “This study will aid in understanding how cultural dynamics influence depression, anxiety and psychological well-being for Arab-Americans in Texas and in other major cities in the U.S. I hope to provide information that will help improve mental health among Arab Americans.”

Sander will analyze the impact of academic success and failure on the mental health of high school students. She plans to work with a school in a largely Hispanic, high-poverty community and will include both special education students and students with prior behavioral issues.

“My research is about juvenile delinquency, academic success and mental health, “said Sander.” “This project is very exciting for me because it allows me to test a theory related to mental health, delinquency and disruptive behaviors. What I can learn from this study has great potential to eventually improve outcomes for adolescents in school or community settings.”

Kim will study how children serving as interpreters in immigrant families affects the mental health of both parents and children, and Travis will investigate the mental health of child care providers and barriers they encounter in seeking mental health treatment.

“The Hogg Foundation is excited about funding these four early career researchers. Their proposed research is compelling and will help to fill gaps in our knowledge about cultural issues, adolescent mental health, social determinants and mental health providers,” said Dr. Octavio N. Martinez, Jr., executive director.

The Hogg Foundation is part of the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement at The University of Texas at Austin. It advances recovery and wellness in Texas by funding mental health services, policy analysis, research, and public education.

—Kay Randall, University Communications, 512-232-3910