FSOS welcomes two new faculty members

Michael Curtis

Michael Curtis holds a BA in psychology and an MS in marriage and family therapy from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He received his PhD in human development and family studies with an emphasis on marriage and family therapy from the University of Georgia. His research focuses on improving the mental health and service utilization of Black Americans, particularly those who identify as sexual minorities by addressing individuals from oppressed, and underserved communities. Specifically, his work seeks to address the syndemic effects of intersectional stigma, traumatic stress, and HIV risk.

“My passion for increasing Black Americans’ access to effective and culturally responsive mental health services is directly related to my childhood experiences,” he says. “Although my parents were extremely hard workers, our family experienced frequent bouts of food and housing insecurity. Growing up in this context has made me keenly sensitive to the systems of oppression that impact the mental health and well-being of Black Americans.”

The goal of Curtis’ research is not only to contribute to the existing scholarship on mental health and service use among Black Americans but to also push the field forward by accounting for the within-group differences that exist within the Black American community. “By examining the unique needs of subgroups of Black Americans, I hope to uncover unique insights into the developmental needs of the Black communities as well as inform the design of culturally responsive interventions aimed at the treatment of syndemic issues that plague Black Americans and the improvement of their overall mental health and wellbeing,” he says.

His research also pays particular attention to the role that intersectional stigma plays in the development and progression of psychological and interpersonal issues among Black Americans. “Specifically, I focus on how racism, heterosexism, and classism interact to influence Black Americans’ development, particularly during emerging adulthood,” he says. “Moving beyond simply noting that disparities exist based on a person’s identity, my work looks closely at how power, privilege, and oppression are wielded to uniquely subjugate certain subgroups of Black Americans, leaving them at heightened risk for a myriad of mental health-related issues.”

Avelina Rivero

Avelina Rivero holds a BS in family studies and human development from the University of Arizona, and an MS in human development and a PhD in human environmental sciences with an emphasis in human development and family science from the University of Missouri. Her current research identifies how family members can influence and shape Latina young women’s body image perceptions and development. She also explores the unique role cultural values play in shaping family interactions and relationships, specifically focusing on parent-adolescent and sibling dynamics. 

“One fascinating aspect of sibling relationships is that they are considered the longest-lasting relationships an individual will ever have,” Rivero explains.

Approximately 80 percent of individuals in the U.S. have a sibling. In Latino families, sibling relationships are common, especially among Mexican families, where larger family sizes are more typical.

“These relationships are also unique due to their ambivalent nature, meaning it is normal and common to experience both positive and negative feelings simultaneously about a sibling,” Rivero says. “Additionally, we see differences in how siblings interact based on their cultural backgrounds, which I find fascinating.”

Despite the prevalence of sibling relationships, they remain understudied when compared to other interpersonal relationships.

“I focus on Latinas’ body image development because, for a long time, body image concerns were considered a White woman’s issue,” Rivero says. “After all, other cultures, such as Latin cultures, tend to be more accepting of curvier body types. This explains why there is so much research on White European middle- and upper-class women.”

However, research continues to find that Latinas also struggle with their body image, Rivero says, and unfortunately, many fall victim to eating disorders, which can be fatal.

“Latinas living in the U.S. have a unique relationship with their bodies because their culture promotes curviness, while mainstream culture pressures them to be thin,” she says. “These contradicting messages and the expectation to balance both cultures can leave them feeling overwhelmed and at risk of mental health struggles. Therefore, I am committed to raising awareness about Latinas’ challenges through my research.”

Rivero says she engages in “MeSearch,” which refers to research motivated by one’s life experiences. “As the oldest of five in a very close-knit immigrant Mexican family, I witnessed firsthand how resilient and strong my family had to be while navigating adversity,” she says. “We found strength in our culture and community, which brought us closer together as a family. This inspired me to research my own life experiences to better understand the challenges faced by Latino youth and families living in the U.S. My research is important because it aims to develop resources to strengthen families and improve the wellbeing of Latino youth, families, and communities.”