Rick A. Cruz, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
​Arizona State University ​

Understanding Development and Context to Inform Prevention

Our group utilizes community- and clinic-based research to understand positive and problematic youth development

We focus on understanding diverse youth development within multiple levels of context, ranging from individual factors, family factors, to broader socioecological factors such as culture and socioeconomic status.
Our work is designed to inform prevention and intervention efforts for diverse youth and families
We are also engaged in traditional clinical research focused on assessment, prevention and treatment with diverse youth and families.
Rick A. Cruz, Ph.D.
LAb Director
Understanding cultural and contextual influences on youth development

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Assessment, Prevention, and Intervention for diverse families
Current Graduate Students
Kenia Carrera, M.S.
Graduate Student
Intervention and prevention programs for underserved populations
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Internalizing disorders
Byron Garcia, M.S.
Graduate STuDent
Etiology of child and adolescent externalizing/internalizing behaviors  
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Developmental social ecological models
María Wilson, B.A.
Graduate Student
Internalizing problems
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Dissemination and implementation of evidence-based services for underserved groups
Alumni Graduate Students
Molly Mechammil, M.S.
Graduate Student
Understanding contextual influences on minority youth outcomes
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Intervention & prevention for diverse families