Lab Members

Dr. Yang Hou, Principal Investigator, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine in the College of Medicine at the Florida State University. Broadly, her research centers on how biopsychosocial factors influence the neurobehavioral (cognitive, academic, socioemotional, behavioral) development of individuals in underrepresented groups such as ethnic minorities and families with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Her current primary line of research aims to use innovative and advanced quantitative methods to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the patterns and predictors of neurobehavioral development of individuals with NF across the lifespan. Ultimately, she plans to develop interventions to improve the neurobehavioral function of individuals with NF1. She is also enthusiastic about stimulating collaborative efforts and open science practice to accelerate intellectual discovery in the NF field. She has published over 40 peer-reviewed papers in top-tiered journals such as American Psychologist, Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Child Development. Her research has been funded by the USA Department of Defense and the Children's Tumor Foundation. Dr. Hou received multiple international awards, such as the Rising Star award from the Association for Psychological Science and the Early Career Outstanding Paper Award from the American Psychological Association.

Dr. Hou serves on the editorial boards of Developmental Psychology, Journal of Youth and Adolescence, Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology, and Frontiers in Psychiatry. She has also served as an Ad Hoc Reviewer for many journals, such as JAMA Pediatrics, American Psychologist, Child Development, Journal of Research on Adolescence, and Journal of Happiness Studies.

Email address: yang.hou@med.fsu.edu; Faculty Profile;  ResearchGate; Google Scholar; CV

Postdoctoral Scholars

Dr. Jamnik is proficient with advanced statistical analysis, including multilevel linear modeling, structural equation modeling, and other, varying family-based designs (e.g., sibling comparison), using SPSS, Mplus, and R.  He has first-authored five publications in referred journals, such as Frontiers in Psychology, Developmental Psychobiology, and Journal of Genetic Psychology, and is an Ad Hoc reviewer for several other academic publications, including SAGE Open: Psychology, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, and Teaching and Learning in Medicine. 

Email address: matthew.jamnik@med.fsu.edu

Dr. Dan Liu is a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine in the College of Medicine at Florida State University. She completed her doctoral training at the Family Sciences Department, University of Kentucky (2016-2022). Her research focuses on the importance of factors including family processes (e.g., parenting, parent-child relationship, maternal vs. paternal parenting), self-control, and sleep in adolescent mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety) and problem behaviors (e.g., deviance, externalizing problems, bullying), patterns of the associations, as well as the underlying mechanisms. Her recent research focuses on socioemotional development in children with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).

Dr. Liu is proficient in data analytical skills, including structural equation modeling, hierarchical linear modeling, and meta-analysis, using Mplus, AMOS, HLM, and R. During her doctoral training, she published seven manuscripts in prestigious journals, including Psychological Assessment, Developmental Psychology, and Journal of Adolescence. She has also served as an ad hoc reviewer for journals such as the Journal of Youth and Adolescence and PlosOne.

Email address: dan.liu@med.fsu.edu

Dr. Liyan Yu is a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine at the College of Medicine, Florida State University. She obtained her doctoral degree from the Psychology Department of The Education University of Hong Kong (2020-2023). Her research primarily focuses on various factors impacting reading comprehension, including family processes (e.g., family SES, parenting), family investment (e.g., home literacy environment, number of children's books), social-emotional skills, cognitive-linguistic skills (e.g., working memory, non-verbal intelligence, vocabulary knowledge, and syntactic awareness), and word reading. Recently, she has been conducting research on ADHD symptoms and visual motor skills in children with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1).

Dr. Yu is proficient in data analysis, particularly in the areas of meta-analysis and structural equation modeling (including mediation, moderation, cross-lagged panel, and latent growth curve models) using Mplus and R. During her doctoral training, she has published manuscripts in journals such as Reading and Writing, Education Sciences, and Frontiers in Psychology. Additionally, she serves as a reviewer for journals like Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.

Email address: Liyan.Yu@med.fsu.edu

 Lab Manager / Study Coordinator

Julia Moreira is a Pre-Medical graduate of Florida State University, with a B.S. in Biomedical Sciences. Her aspirations include attending medical school as well as navigating through a residency and fellowship in her chosen specialty. Julia is passionate about public health, seeking to influence healthcare systems and policies in her future career. Her love for writing and research complements her goals; she envisions a role as a medical reporter/writer for a news network where she can effectively communicate critical health information to the public. 

Email address: dearlab@med.fsu.edu

Research Assistants

Angelena Novotney is a freshman pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Biology as well as a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy within the Florida State University College of Arts and Sciences. Her career goals include attending medical school to study Ophthalmology with a retinal specialty and opening her own private practice. She is currently on track to be Phlebotomy, EMR, and CCMA certified as well as an active member of her community by volunteering abroad to help provide healthcare to those in need.  

Lauren Morey is a junior majoring in Clinical Professions under the Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences Program at Florida State University’s College of Medicine. Following graduation, she has aspirations to attend medical school to become a Dermatologist and eventually open up her own private practice. She is currently BLS, CPR, and CMA-certified, having worked in local practices to expand her medical knowledge.  

Janelle Bunni is a sophomore majoring in Exercise Physiology. She expects to graduate in Spring 2026 and plans to attend either Medical or Optometry school.

Olivia Fetter is majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. After graduating in 2025, she plans on continuing her education with medical school with the hopes of being a doctor specializing in women’s hormones.

Luke Spoto is a Junior at FSU majoring in Clinical Professions under the Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences Degree Program (IMS). Following graduation in Spring 2025, he hopes to attend medical school and pursue a residency in internal medicine.

Than Zin Oo Hlaing is a junior majoring in Biology with a minor in Psychology. She plans to graduate in the spring semester of 2025, and attend medical school, in hopes of pursuing a career in anesthesiology or sports medicine.

Anabelle Shelhorn is a sophomore Pre-Medical student working to achieve her Bachelor's of Science in Psychology. Following her graduation in Spring of 2026, she plans to continue her education attending medical school and pursue a career in adolescent psychiatry. Anabelle is currently a certified medical assistant and appreciates her time in the laboratory in which she can apply her research knowledge to her workplace.

Hannah Iroff is a junior majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry. Following her graduation in the spring of 2025, she plans to further her interest in medicine by attending medical school, in which she will become a dermatologist and eventually, open a private practice.

Myat Myat Noe is a junior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Chemistry. After graduating in the spring of 2025, she plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in psychiatry.

Adriana Aguilera is a senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Criminology. After graduating in the Fall 2024, she plans to continue her studies by attending graduate school and specializing in Clinical Psychology with Forensic applications.

Collaborators

Carrie Bearden, Ph.D. 
Professor; Director, Center for the Assessment and Prevention of Prodromal States 
Department of Psychology 
University of California - Los Angeles 

Website

Aprile D. Benner, Ph.D. 
Professor 
Department of Human Development and Family Sciences 
The University of Texas at Austin 

Website 

Shruti Garg, Ph.D.
Clinical Senior Lecturer
Division of Psychology & Mental Health
The University of Manchester

Website 

Yafit Gilboa, Ph.D. 
Senior Lecturer 
School of Occupational Therapy  
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem 

Website 

Jennifer Janusz, Psy.D. 
Program Director, Neurofibromatosis Program 
University of Colorado 

Website 

Sihui (Echo) Ke, Ph.D. 
Assistant Professor  
Modern & Classical Languages, Literatures & Cultures  
University of Kentucky 

Website 

Su Yeong Kim, Ph.D. 
Professor 
Department of Human Development and Family Sciences 
The University of Texas at Austin 

Website  

Bonita Klein-Tasman, Ph.D. 
Professor of Psychology, Graduate School Associate Dean 
College of Letters & Science 
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee 

Website 

Stepanie M. Morris, M.D. 
Medical Director, Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) 
Kennedy Krieger Institute 

Website 

Jonathan M. Payne, Ph.D. 
Co-Group Leader/Principal Research Fellow, Muscle Research Group 
Murdoch Children's Research Institute 

Website  

Natalie Pride, Ph.D. 
Clinical Neuropsychologist, Kids Neuroscience Centre 
Children's Hospital at Westmead 

Website 

Peter L. Stavinoha, Ph.D. 
Professor 
Department of Pediatrics Patient Care 
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center 

Website  

Xiuhong Tong, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor 
Department of Psychology,
The Education University of Hong Kong

Website 

Karin S. Walsh, Psy.D. 
Co-Director, Pre-Doctoral Externship Training Program, Pediatric Neuropsychology  
Children's National Hospital 

Website 

Pamela L. Wolters, Ph.D.  
Director, Health Psychology and Neurobehavioral Research 
Pediatric Oncology Branch  
National Cancer Institute   

Website 

Research

Neurobehavioral development in individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)

NF1 is a genetic disease affecting approximately 1 in 2,700 people globally. Individuals with NF1 often develop various tumors and exhibit more neurobehavioral problems (e.g., cognitive deficits and learning difficulties) than the general population. Our research aims to comprehensively understand neurobehavioral development (i.e., cognitive, academic, socio-emotional, and behavioral development) in individuals with NF1 by applying innovative methodologies. Knowledge from this line of work will be critical for guiding future patient management and informing future intervention studies and policies related to the NF1 population. Below are descriptions of ongoing projects.

Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses on Neurobehavioral Function of Individuals with NF1:

• We are conducting a systematic literature review and meta-analytic study to synthesize prior findings on neurobehavioral functions of individuals with NF1 and analyze how findings depend on sample and study characteristics. Specifically, we are working on multiple papers on 1) ADHD symptoms, 2) internalizing and externalizing problems, 3) academic achievement, 4) perpetual motor skills, and 5) the effectiveness of treatments and interventions on neurobehavioral function.

Integrative Data Analysis on Neurobehavioral Function of Children and Adolescents with NF1:

• We are using integrative data analysis to combine multiple neuropsychological datasets of children with NF1 (ages 2-18). We will use innovative statistical approaches (e.g., time-varying effect modeling, latent profile analysis) to analyze the combined dataset to provide much-needed information, including 1) neurobehavioral trajectories across age, 2) phenotypic subpopulations with various neurobehavioral profiles, and 3) predictors of neurobehavioral functions. This project is funded by the USA Department of Defense (DOD) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, Neurofibromatosis Research Program (NFRP, 2021-2025).

Ecological Momentary Assessment of Daily Neurobehavioral Function in Adolescents with NF1:

• Most NF1 neurobehavioral research has focused on comparing individuals with and without NF1 and assessed neurobehavioral function at one time using traditional psychological measures in the clinic or lab. We know little about how neurobehavioral function varies across contextual factors in the daily lives and natural living environments of individuals with NF1. This critical knowledge gap impedes the development of interventions to improve the neurobehavioral function of individuals with NF1. The proposed study will address this critical gap by examining how psychosocial factors (e.g., parenting, social support, coping strategies) and lifestyle factors (physical activity, sleep) are related to neurobehavioral (cognitive, behavioral, emotional) function in the daily lives of adolescents with NF1. The project team will collect rich data on neurobehavioral function and its potential predictors from adolescents with NF1 (ages 13-19 years) in real-time and real-world environments using ecological momentary assessment and Fitbit activity trackers. Multilevel modeling will be used to analyze the data. Findings from the study will be critical for patient management and developing interventions to improve neurobehavioral function and overall quality of life among adolescents with NF1. This project is funded by FSU Seed grant (2024-2026). It will provide essential pilot data for two external grant applications to investigate further predictors and long-term consequences of NF1 adolescents’ neurobehavioral function.

Cognitive Aging in Middle-Aged and Older Adults with NF1:

• This project aims to delineate the cognitive profile and cognitive aging patterns and identify predictors of cognitive function among middle-aged and older adults (MOA) with NF1. We will collect survey and interview data on cognitive function and potential between-person predictors among 500 MOA with NF1, a population that is incredibly understudied and underserved. We have little empirical evidence on how cognitive functions change with age and what factors predict cognitive aging among MOA with NF1. The project will address this critical gap to provide much-needed information for patient management and intervention development, including a) the cognitive profile and age differences in cognitive function among MOA with NF1; b) which subgroups of patients with certain NF1-related disease factors are at greater risk for cognitive problems among MOA; and c) how psychosocial factors (e.g., psychological wellbeing, social integration, personality) predict cognitive aging among MOA with NF1. Such knowledge will help MOA with NF1, their families, and care providers to develop more realistic expectations about cognitive aging and inform what psychosocial factors may be promising intervention targets to improve cognitive health. This project is funded by the Children’s Tumor Foundation Clinical Research Award (CRA, 2024-2026).

Informant discrepancies in reports of family processes and child mental health

A common and challenging methodological issue in clinical and developmental studies is that different family members often report discordant information on the same study construct. My research sheds light on this issue by examining the patterns, antecedents, and consequences of parent-adolescent discordance in their reports of family processes and child mental health. This line of research highlights that parent-adolescent discordance in reports of family processes has substantive meaning and significant implications for adolescent development. The findings have broad implications for social and clinical science methodology concerning how to interpret and handle informant discordance.

This line of research is not our lab's primary focus currently, but Dr. Hou continues to collaborate with others on this and is happy to work with mentees interested in this research topic.

Environmental factors affecting child/adolescent health

Our research examines how contextual stressors (e.g., discrimination), teachers, parents, and peers jointly influence child/adolescent mental health. For example, we identified multiple strengths of families and adolescents that moderate the association between contextual stressors and adolescent mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety, delinquency), such as positive parenting, racial socialization, parent-child relationships, and psychological resilience. We also identified various mediating processes linking contextual stressors and child/adolescent mental health. This line of work will inform policymakers and practitioners on the malleable factors to promote optimal child development in the face of adverse stressors.

Dr. Hou is developing new proposals integrating this line and the first line of work and is happy to work with mentees interested in this research.

Publications

Neurobehavioral development in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)

Peer-reviewed journal articles:

1. Hou, Y., Zong, X., Wu, X., Liu, D., Wolters, P. L., Janusz, J., Walsh, K. S., Morris, S. M., Payne, J. M., Pride, N., Garg, S., Robinson, L., & Stavinoha, P. L. (in press). Academic achievement in children with neurofibromatosis type 1. Pediatrics.
2. Hou, Y., Yu, L., Liu, D., Wilson-Lemoine, E., Wu, X., Moreira, J., Mujica, B., Mukhopadhyay, E. ⁺, Novotney, A. ⁺, Payne, J.M. (in press). Systematic Review and Meta-analysis: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry.
3. Hou, Y., Wu, X., Allen, T., Toledo-Tamula, M. A., Martin, S., Baldwin, A., Gillespie, A., Goodwin, A., Widemann B. C. ,  & Wolters, P. L. (2023) Longitudinal association between executive function and academic achievement in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 and plexiform neurofibromas. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society. doi:10.1017/S1355617723000103
4. Hou, Y., Wu, X., Liu, D., Martin, S., Toledo-Tamula, M. A., Allen, T., Baldwin, A., Gillespie, A., Goodwin, A., Widemann B. C. , & Wolters, P. L. (2022) Demographic and Disease-Related Predictors of Socioemotional Development in Children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and Plexiform Neurofibromas: An Exploratory Study. Cancers. Advance online publication. doi: 10.3390/cancers14235956. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/14/23/5956
5. Hou, Y., Allen, T., Wolters, P. L., Toledo-Tamula, M. A., Martin, S., Baldwin, A., Reda, S., Gillespie, A., Goodwin, A. & Widemann B. C. (2020) Predictors of cognitive development in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 and plexiform neurofibromas. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 62, 977-984. doi:10.1111/dmcn.14489.

Informant discrepancies in reports of family processes and child mental health

Peer-reviewed journal articles:

1. Chen, S., Jelsma, E., Hou,Y., Benner, A.D, and Kim, S.Y. (2021) Antecedents and consequences of discrepant perceptions of racial socialization between parents and adolescents within Mexican-origin families. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 50, 2412–2426. doi: 10.1007/s10964-021-01487-z.
2. Hou, Y., Benner, A.D., Kim, S. Y., Chen, S., Spitz, S., Shi, Y., & Beretvas, T. (2020) Discordance in parents’ and adolescents’ reports of parenting: A meta-analysis and qualitative review. American Psychologist, 75, 329-348. doi: 10.1037/amp0000463.
3. Hou, Y., Kim, S. Y., & Benner, A.D. (2018). Parent-adolescent discrepancies in reports of parenting and adolescent outcomes in Mexican American immigrant families. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47, 430-444. doi: 10.1007/s10964-017-0717-1.

Environmental factors affecting child/adolescent health

Parental ethnic minority-related experiences, family processes, and adolescent outcomes

Peer-reviewed journal articles:

1. Zhang, M., Kim, S. Y., Hou, Y., & Shen, Y. (2020) Parent-adolescent acculturation profiles and adolescent language brokering experiences in Mexican immigrant families. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 49, 335–351. doi: 10.1007/s10964-019-01064-5.
2. Varner, F., Hou, Y., Ross, L., Hurd, N., & Mattis, J. S. (2019) Dealing with discrimination: Parents’ and adolescents’ racial discrimination experiences and parenting in African American families. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1037/cdp0000281.
3. Kim, S. Y., Chen, S., Hou, Y.*, Zeiders, K., & Calzada, E. (2019) Mexican American parental socialization profiles: Considering cultural socialization and general parenting practices. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology, 25, 439–450. doi: 10.1037/cdp0000234.
4. Juang, L., Hou, Y., Douglass, S, & Kim, S. Y. (2018). Time-varying effects of family conflict and youth adjustment among Chinese American families. Developmental Psychology, 54, 938-949. doi: 10.1037/dev0000475.
5. Hou, Y., Neff, L. & Kim, S. Y. (2018). Language acculturation, acculturation-related stress, and marital quality in Chinese American couples. Journal of Marriage and Family, 80, 555-568. doi: 10.1111/jomf.12447.
6. Hou, Y., Kim, S. Y., Hazen, N. L. & Benner, A. D. (2017). Parents’ perceived discrimination and adolescent adjustment in Chinese American families: Mediating family processes. Child Development, 88, 317-331. doi: 10.1111/cdev.12603.
7. Hou, Y., Kim, S. Y., & Wang, Y. (2016). Parental acculturative stressors and adolescent adjustment through interparental and parent-child relationships in Chinese American families. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 45, 1466-1481. doi: 10.1007/s10964-016-0441-2.
8. Kim, S. Y., & Hou, Y. (2016). Intergenerational transmission of cultural orientations in Chinese American families: The role of bicultural socialization. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 45, 1452-1465. doi: 10.1007/s10964-016-0423-4.
9. Kim, S. Y., Wang, Y., Shen, Y., & Hou, Y. (2015). Stability and change in adjustment profiles among Chinese American adolescents: The role of parenting. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 44, 1735-1751. doi: 10.1007/s10964-015-0303-3.
10. Kim, S. Y., Wang, Y., Chen, Q., Shen, Y., & Hou, Y. (2015). Parent-child acculturation profiles as predictors of Chinese American adolescents' academic trajectories. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 44, 1263-1274. doi: 10.1007/s10964-014-0131-x.

Book chapters:

1. Kim, S. Y., Zhang, M., Hou, Y. & Shen, Y. (2020) Acculturation, parent-child relationships, and mental health of adolescents in Chinese and Mexican immigrant families. In G. C. Nagayama Hall (Ed.), Immigration and mental health (pp. 25-44). New York: Elsevier.
2. Hou, Y. & Kim, S. Y. (2018). Acculturation-related stressors and individual adjustment in Asian American families. In S. S. Chuang & C.L. Costigan (Eds.), Parental roles and relationships in immigrant families: An international approach (pp. 131-145). New York, NY: Springer Science + Business Media.
3. Kim, S. Y., Chen, S., Sim, L., & Hou, Y. (2017). Stability and change in parenting and adjustment profiles across early, middle, and late adolescence in Chinese American families. In Y. Choi & H. C Hahm (Eds.), Asian American parenting: Family process and intervention (pp. 69-88). New York, NY: Springer International Publishing. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-63136-3_4

Adolescents’ ethnic minority-related experiences and consequences for their well-being

Peer-reviewed journal articles:

1. Kim, S. Y., Chen, S., Wen, W., Yan, J., Song., J., Hou, Y., Zhang, M., Schwartz, S. J., & Shen, Y. (2021). Language brokering-stress transition profiles and marijuana use in Mexican-origin adolescents. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 53, 384-393. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2021.1992046.
2. Kim, S. Y., Zhang, M., Chen, S., Song, J., Lopez, B. G., Rodriguez, E. M., Calzada, E., Hou, Y., Yan, J., & Shen, Y. (2020) Bilingual language broker profiles and academic competence in Mexican-origin adolescents. Developmental Psychology, 56, 1582–1595. doi: 10.1037/dev0001010.
3. Chen, S., Hou, Y., Benner, A.D. & Kim, S. Y. (2020) Discrimination, language brokering efficacy, and academic competence among adolescent language brokers. Journal of Adolescence, 79, 247-257. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2020.01.015.
4. Juang, L., Shen, Y., Costigan, C., & Hou, Y. (2018) Time-varying associations of racial discrimination and adjustment among Chinese-heritage adolescents in the US and Canada. Development and Psychopathology, 30, 1661-1678. doi: 10.1017/S0954579418001128.
5. Kim, S. Y., Hou, Y., Song, J., Schwartz, S. J., Chen, S., Zhang, M., Perreira, K. M., & Parra-Medina, D. (2018). Profiles of language brokering experiences and contextual stressors: Implications for adolescent outcomes in Mexican immigrant families. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 48, 1629-1648. doi: 10.1007/s10964-018-0851-4.
6. Varner, F., Hou, Y., Hodzic, T., Hurd, N., Butler-Barnes, S., & Rowley, S. (2018). Racial discrimination experiences and Black youth adjustment: The role of parenting profiles based on racial socialization and involved-vigilant parenting. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology, 24, 173-186. doi: 10.1037/cdp0000180.
7. Kim, S. Y., Hou, Y., & Gonzalez, Y. (2017). Language brokering and depressive symptoms in Mexican American adolescents: Parent-child alienation and resilience as moderators. Child Development, 88, 867-881. doi: 10.1111/cdev.12620.
8. Kim, S. Y., Hou, Y., Shen, Y., & Zhang, M. (2017). Longitudinal measurement equivalence of the language brokering scale for Mexican American adolescents. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology. 23, 230-243. doi: 10.1037/cdp0000117.
9. Hou, Y., Kim, S. Y., Wang, Y., Shen, Y., & Orozco-Lapray, D. (2015). Longitudinal relationships between discrimination and ethnic affect or depressive symptoms among Chinese American adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 44, 2110-2121. doi:10.1007/s10964-015-0300-6.
10. Kim, S. Y., Shen, Y., Hou, Y., Tilton, K., Juang, L. P., & Wang, Y. (2015). Annual review of Asian American psychology 2014. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 6, 291-332. doi:10.1037/aap0000031.

Book chapters:

1. Hou, Y. & Kim, S. Y. (2016). Language brokering. In R. J. R. Levesque (Ed.), Encyclopedia of adolescence (pp. 1-8). New York, NY: Springer. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-32132-5_234-2

The influence of peer relationship on adolescent adjustment

Peer-reviewed journal articles:

1. Wu, N., Hou, Y. , Zeng Q., Cai, H. & You, J. (2021) Bullying experiences and nonsuicidal self-injury among Chinese adolescents: a longitudinal moderated mediation model. Journal of Youth and Adolescence. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s10964-020-01380-1.
2. Benner, A.D., Hou, Y., & Jackson, K. (2020) The consequences of friend-related stress across early adolescence. Journal of Early Adolescence, 40, 249–272. doi: 10.1177/0272431619833489.
3. Wu, N., Hou, Y., Chen, P. & You, J. (2019) Peer acceptance and nonsuicidal self-injury among Chinese adolescents: A longitudinal moderated mediation model. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 48, 1806-1817. doi: 10.1007/s10964-019-01093-0.
4. Jiang, Y., You, J., Hou, Y., Du, C., Lin, M-P., Zheng, X., & Ma, C. (2016). Buffering the effects of peer victimization on adolescent nonsuicidal self-injury: The role of self-compassion and family cohesion. Journal of Adolescence, 53, 107-115. doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.09.005.

Others

Peer-reviewed journal articles:

1. Benner, A.D., Fernandez, C. +, Hou, Y., & Smith, C. (2021) Parent and teacher educational expectations and adolescents’ academic performance: Mechanisms of influence. Journal of Community Psychology, 49, 2679-2703. doi:10.1002/jcop.22644.
2. Wu, N., Hou, Y., Yu, C., & Wang, Q. (2018). Intergeneration transmission of educational aspiration in Chinese families: Identifying mediators and moderators. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47. 1238-1251. doi: 10.1007/s10964-018-0820-y.

Resources

Looking for postdocs!

We are looking for postdocs to join our DEaR lab. Please click the link below for a more detailed description of the two positions that have been posted. In addition, our lab has funding for more positions that have not been posted yet. Please email your CV to yang.hou@med.fsu.edu for further discussion.

Postdoc Position in Cognitive Aging.docx (FSU career job ID 56724)

Postdoc Positions_Biopsychosocial Factors in Health Outcomes Across the Lifespan.docx (FSU career job ID 57030)

Start Date: Flexible start date.

Appointment Length: Can be renewed annually based on performance and funding availability.

Compensation: Competitive salary and benefits depending on qualifications.

Deadline to Apply: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. Apply as soon as possible!

Other postdoc opportunities:

Dr. Hou would also be happy to serve as a mentor for postdocs funded by other sources. Below are some potential sources you may be eligible to apply:

• FSU Provost Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (PPFP)
• K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award
• Young Investigator Award of Children’s Tumor Foundation
• Early Investigator Research Award from DoD NFRP 

Directed Individual Study Opportunities

Graduate and undergraduate students interested in gaining research experience are welcome to email Dr. Hou (yang.hou@med.fsu.edu) to discuss potential opportunities to participate in our lab’s projects.

Current research projects focus on cognitive, academic, socio-emotional, and behavioral development in individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 and evaluate interventions/treatments targeting these outcomes. See the "Research" tab for more detailed descriptions of ongoing projects.

Responsibilities in the lab may include:

• Literature search
• Reviewing and coding papers
• Collecting survey and interview data from participants
• Cleaning and analyzing data
• Students with outstanding performance will have the opportunity to be promoted to team leaders for various tasks

Requirements:

• Minimum GPA - 3.5
• Available for at least 9 hours per week (3 credits)

NF1 Cognitive Aging Study

We are recruiting adults with NF1 to participate in a remote NF1 Cognitive Aging Study!

Study Aims:

• to improve understanding of cognitive processes (thinking and memory) among individuals with NF1
• identify potential predictors of cognitive processes, such as age, NF1-related, social, and psychological factors.

This research may help inform future management, care, and interventions related to cognitive struggles among adults with NF1.

To participate, you must:

• have a diagnosis of NF1,
• be 40 years or older,
• be able to read and speak English,
• live in the United States.

What am I being asked to do?

• Participate in a virtual Zoom interview, approximately 30 minutes
• Complete an online survey (may take up to 1 hour).
• Participants will receive $40.

If interested, please provide your contact information and answer a few screening questions at the link: Click Here.

SMART-NF1 Project (Studying Momentary Assessment of Resilience and Thinking in Neurofibromatosis Type 1)

We are recruiting adolescents with NF1 and their parents to participate in a remote study!

Study Aims:

• To improve understanding of cognitive, behavioral, and socioemotional function in daily lives of adolescents with NF1.
• To identify potential predictors of these functions, such as parenting, social support, coping strategies, physical activity, and sleep.
• This research may help inform future management, care, and interventions related to cognitive, behavioral, and socioemotional function of youths with NF1.

To participate, adolescents must:

• have a diagnosis of NF1,
• be 13 to 17 years old,
• have a third-grade or higher level of English comprehension,
• live in the United States,
• have access to a smartphone.

What do participants need to do?

Adolescent:

• Complete an online survey (about 40 minutes).
• Complete short surveys of mood and cognition on smartphone app 3-4 times a day (out of school hours) for two weeks.
• Wear a Fitbit activity tracker (provided by the researchers) for two weeks.
• Receive up to $210 compensation.

One parent or legal guardian:

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Introduction

·        Research Synthesis Methods

o   Meta-analysis

o   Integrative data analysis

·        Longitudinal data analyses

o   Time-varying effect modeling

o   Growth modeling

o   Cross-lagged panel model

·        Mediation and moderation analyses

o   Actor partner interdependence model

o   Moderated mediation model

·        Person-centered analyses to identify subpopulations

o   Latent class/profile analysis

o   Growth mixture analysis

For each method, we are familiar with the following applications. If you want to discuss any of these with someone, you are welcome to contact Dr. Hou.

·        When to use it (e.g., research questions it can address, its data requirements)?

·        How to do it (e.g., available software and sample syntax)?

·        How to report and interpret the results?

Below we provide sample lab publications using each approach and resources to learn more about each method. We also included some resources for power analysis and clinical trial design.

Resources

Sample publication:

Hou, Y., Benner, A.D., Kim, S. Y., Chen, S., Spitz, S., Shi, Y., & Beretvas, T. (2020) Discordance in parents’ and adolescents’ reports of parenting: A meta-analysis and qualitative review. American Psychologist, 75, 329-348. doi: 10.1037/amp0000463.

Resources:

A step by step guide for conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis with simulation data

The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews

Doing Meta-Analysis in R: A Hands-on Guide

Integrative Data Analysis

Sample publication:

Juang, L., Hou, Y., Douglass, S, & Kim, S. Y. (2018). Time-varying effects of family conflict and youth adjustment among Chinese American families. Developmental Psychology, 54, 938-949. doi: 10.1037/dev0000475.

Juang, L., Shen, Y., Costigan, C., & Hou, Y. (2018) Time-varying associations of racial discrimination and adjustment among Chinese-heritage adolescents in the US and Canada. Development and Psychopathology, 30, 1661-1678. doi: 10.1017/S0954579418001128.

Resources:

Integrative data analysis: The simultaneous analysis of multiple data sets

Maelstrom Research guidelines for rigorous retrospective data harmonization

Time-Varying Effect Modeling

Sample publication:

Juang, L., Hou, Y., Douglass, S, & Kim, S. Y. (2018). Time-varying effects of family conflict and youth adjustment among Chinese American families. Developmental Psychology, 54, 938-949. doi: 10.1037/dev0000475.

Juang, L., Shen, Y., Costigan, C., & Hou, Y. (2018) Time-varying associations of racial discrimination and adjustment among Chinese-heritage adolescents in the US and Canada. Development and Psychopathology, 30, 1661-1678. doi: 10.1017/S0954579418001128.

Resources:

Time-varying effect modeling lab at PennState University

Growth Modeling

Sample publication:

Hou, Y., Allen, T., Wolters, P. L., Toledo-Tamula, M. A., Martin, S., Baldwin, A., Reda, S. +, Gillespie, A., Goodwin, A. & Widemann B. C. (2020) Predictors of cognitive development in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 and plexiform neurofibromas. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, 62, 977-984. doi:10.1111/dmcn.14489.

Resources:

Twelve Frequently Asked Questions About Growth Curve Modeling

Growth Modeling: Structural Equation and Multilevel Modeling Approaches

Cross-Lagged Panel Model

Sample publication:

Hou, Y.*, Kim, S. Y., & Wang, Y. (2016). Parental acculturative stressors and adolescent adjustment through interparental and parent-child relationships in Chinese American families. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 45, 1466-1481. doi: 10.1007/s10964-016-0441-2.

Resources:

Autoregressive and cross-lagged panel analysis for longitudinal data

A critique of the cross-lagged panel model

Actor Partner Interdependence Model

Sample publication:

Hou, Y.*, Neff, L. & Kim, S. Y. (2018). Language acculturation, acculturation-related stress, and marital quality in Chinese American couples. Journal of Marriage and Family, 80, 555-568. doi: 10.1111/jomf.12447.

Hou, Y.*, Kim, S. Y., Hazen, N. L. & Benner, A. D. (2017). Parents’ perceived discrimination and adolescent adjustment in Chinese American families: Mediating family processes. Child Development, 88, 317-331. doi: 10.1111/cdev.12603.

Resources:

Assessing Mediation in Dyadic Data Using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model

The Actor–Partner Interdependence Model: A model of bidirectional effects in developmental studies

Moderated Mediation Model

Sample publication:

Wu, N., Hou, Y. *, Zeng Q., Cai, H. & You, J. (2021) Bullying experiences and nonsuicidal self-injury among Chinese adolescents: a longitudinal moderated mediation model. Journal of Youth and Adolescence. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1007/s10964-020-01380-1.

Wu, N., Hou, Y., Chen, P. & You, J. (2019) Peer acceptance and nonsuicidal self-injury among Chinese adolescents: A longitudinal moderated mediation model. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 48, 1806-1817. doi: 10.1007/s10964-019-01093-0.

Resources:

Addressing Moderated Mediation Hypotheses: Theory, Methods, and Prescriptions

Latent Class/Profile Analysis

Sample publication:

Hou, Y., Kim, S. Y., & Benner, A.D. (2018). Parent-adolescent discrepancies in reports of parenting and adolescent outcomes in Mexican American immigrant families. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47, 430-444. doi: 10.1007/s10964-017-0717-1.

Kim, S. Y., Hou, Y., Song, J., Schwartz, S. J., Chen, S., Zhang, M., Perreira, K. M., & Parra-Medina, D. (2018). Profiles of language brokering experiences and contextual stressors: Implications for adolescent outcomes in Mexican immigrant families. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 48, 1629-1648. doi: 10.1007/s10964-018-0851-4.

Resources:

Latent Class Analysis and Latent Profile Analysis

Statistical Power to Detect the Correct Number of Classes in Latent Profile Analysis

Growth Mixture Analysis

Sample publication:

Benner, A.D., Hou, Y., & Jackson, K. (2020) The consequences of friend-related stress across early adolescence. Journal of Early Adolescence, 40, 249–272. doi: 10.1177/0272431619833489.

Resources:

An Introduction to Latent Class Growth Analysis and Growth Mixture Modeling

Power Analysis

Resources:

Power Analysis and Sample Size, When and Why?

Introduction to Power Analysis - Statistical Consulting - UCLA

Clinical Trial Design

Resources:

Clinical Trial Designs

Challenges in the design, conduct, analysis, and reporting in randomized clinical trial studies: A systematic review