Bullying and bullying prevention, school-based mental health services and prevention of mental health problems, mental health literacy, help seeking among culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students, parenting practice and family involvement

Cixin Wang is an associate professor of School Psychology in the College of Education at the ËÄÉ«AV of Maryland, College Park (Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education). She received her Ph.D. in School Psychology from ËÄÉ«AV of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2011. She then completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at Kennedy Krieger Institute/Johns Hopkins ËÄÉ«AV in 2013. Her research interests focus on bullying prevention and mental health promotion among children and adolescents. Her research seeks to: (1) better understand different factors contributing to bullying/ victimization and mental health difficulties, including individual, family, school, and cultural factors; (2) develop effective prevention and intervention techniques to decrease bullying at school; and (3) develop school-wide prevention models to promote mental health among students, especially among culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students. She has published more than 90 SCI journal articles and conducted more than 100 national and international presentations. Dr. Wang is currently conducting the following studies:

 

  1. Youth Mental Health First Aid for diverse parents (funded by National Council for Mental Wellbeing)
  2. Racial discrimination, identity, socialization and civic engagement among Asian American families (funded by Russell Sage Foundation)
  3. Promoting Social and Emotional Learning among Asian American youth and families 
  4. Promoting mental health literacy and positive help-seeking attitudes for mental health services among minority adolescents
  5. The impact of school (e.g., school climate) and family factors (e.g., parenting practice, parental ethnic racial socialization) on students’ involvement in bullying and psychosocial adjustment

Notice to Applicants for the Ph.D. Program in School Psychology

It is an exciting time in the field of school psychology. The roles and functions of school psychologists have evolved dramatically, and expanded from the traditional assessment to school-based mental health services (e.g., prevention and early intervention).  I work actively with my graduate students to address those current issues in the field and prepare them to embrace the new roles of school psychologists.

I will be accepting Ph.D. students for mentorship in the 2019-2020 academic year. Applicants with an interest in school based mental health services, peer relationships, bullying prevention, parenting practice, working with culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students, and bridging the gap between research and practice are especially encouraged to apply. Please feel free to contact me directly if you have any specific questions.

  • American Psychological Association, Division 16 Fellow, 2025
  • Tom Oakland Mid-Career Scholarship Award. American Psychological Association, division 16 School Psychology, 2025.
  • Excellence in Faculty Mentoring. College of Education, ËÄÉ«AV of Maryland, College Park, 2025
  • Excellence in Scholarship Award (Tenured). College of Education, ËÄÉ«AV of Maryland, College Park, 2024
  • Distinguished Contribution to Scholarship, Asian American Psychological Association, 2023
  • Excellence in Outreach/Partnership Award. College of Education. ËÄÉ«AV of Maryland, College Park, 2023
  • Distinguished Contribution to Service, Asian American Psychological Association, 2022
  • Outstanding Commitment to Anti-racism Award for Committed Professional. American Psychological Association (Division 16 School Psychology), 2022.
  • Excellence in Graduate Mentoring Award. College of Education. ËÄÉ«AV of Maryland, College Park, 2022
  • Graduate Faculty Mentor of the Year Award. ËÄÉ«AV of Maryland, College Park. 2022

Recent publications 

*Student authors; † postdoctoral trainees. 

  1. Sun, M.*, Ernst, N.*, Li, Y., & Wang, C. (In Press). The Moderated Mediating Roles of Parental Strategies and Attitudes in the Impact of Bullying Victimization on Chinese Adolescents. Translational Issues in Psychological Science
  2. Yang, W.*, Wang, J., Wang, C., Zhao, Y.*, & Acuna, R.* (In press). Enhancing retention and experiences of Asian and Asian American practitioners in School Psychology. School Psychology Review.
  3. Wang, J., Yang, W.*, Marquez, J.*, Wang, C., & Ding, Y. (In press). School Psychology Practicum and Internship: Exploring Asian and Asian American Students’ Experience. School Psychology
  4. Wang, C., Patel, A.*, Havewala, M.*, & Chronis-Tuscano, A. (2025). Culturally Adapted Youth Mental Health First Aid on Mental Health Service Use Among Asian American Families. Evidence-Based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. 10.1080/23794925.2025.2541352
  5. Wang, C., Xu, P.*, Liang, J.*, Zhang, F.*, & Li, B. (In press). More Friends or Closer Friends? The Moderation Effect of Friendship on the relationship between Victimization, Emotional Resilience, and Depression. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships
  6. Patel, A.*, & Wang, C. (2025). Online racial discrimination and college student mental health: Social support as a moderator. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. 
  7. Wang, C., & Havewala, M.* (2025). Cultural Adaptation of Youth Mental Health First Aid Training for Asian American Parents. Journal of School Psychology, 110, 101448 
  8. Wang, C., Havewala, M.*, Bali, D. *, Hui, J. *, Stancofski, R. *, & Patel, A. * (2024). Parent and youth interventions for Chinese American families to address COVID-19-related discrimination and promote youth mental health. School Psychology Review. 
  9. Patel, A.*, Hui, J.*, Havewala, M.*, & Wang, C. (2024). Cultural Considerations for Youth Mental Health First Aid USA for South Asian and Southeast Asian American Families. Advances in Mental Health, 22(3), 336-355. .
  10. Wang, C., Gao, T.*, Cheng, X.*, & Li, B. (2024). Social media use, cyber victimization, and adjustment during COVID-19 virtual learning: A short-term longitudinal study among Chinese middle school students. School Psychology, 39(2), 176-186.  10.1037/spq0000582
  11. Wang, C., Li, B., Zhang, L.*, Liu, Y.*, & Xu, P.* (2024). Prosocial behavior and teachers’ attitudes towards bullying on peer victimization among middle school students: Examining the cross-level moderating effect of classroom climate. School Psychology Review, 53(5), 579-592.
  12. Zhu, Q.*, Cheong, Y. â€ , & Wang, C. (2024). Relation between peer victimization and mental health Among Chinese students: Perceived school climate and covitality as potential moderators. School Psychology Review, 53(5), 538-551 
  13. Jimerson, S. R., Allen, J., Arora, P., Blake, J., Canivez, G., Chambers, C., Chan, M., Espelage, D., Gonzalez, J., Gormley, M., Graves, S., Holland, S., Huang, F., January, S., Kaur, L., Kim, E., LaSalle, T., Mittelstet, A., Phelps, C., Reinke, A., Renshaw, T., Song, S., Sullivan, A., Wang, C., Worrell, F., & Yang, C. (2024). Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in school psychology science and scholarship: Changing training and practice in the field of school psychology. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 39(4), 39(4), 338-356.  
  14. Sullivan, K.*, Zhu, Q.*, Wang, C., & Boyanton, D. (2024). Relations among peer victimization, aggression, and school climate among elementary school students in China. School Psychology Review, 53(6), 690-702. 
  15. Li, Y., Long, Y., & Wang, C. (2024). A Focus Group Analysis of Popularity in Chinese Early Adolescents. Adolescents, 4(2), 263-277. .
  16. Zhu, Q.*, Wang, C., & Cheah, C. S. L. (2024). Parental Identity and Socialization Mediates Parental Racial Discrimination’s Impact on Child Adjustment. Journal of Marriage and Family. Advance online publication.
  17. Zhu, Q.* & Wang, C. (2024). Bullying Prevention Training for Chinese Pre-Service Teachers’ Efficacy and Beliefs Towards Bullying. Psychology in the Schools, 61 (7), 2864-2879. 
  18. Hwang, J., Ding, Y., Wang, C., Chen, E., Wu, Y., & Hu, X. (2024). Asian American ËÄÉ«AV Students’ Experiences During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study. , 14, 34.
  19. Liu, J. †, Cheong, Y. †, Wang, C., Cheah, C. S. L., Ma, R.*, & Zhang, X.* (2024). The voices of Chinese American parents during COVID-19: Recommendations for addressing Anti-Asian racism and supporting adolescents in school. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 15(1), 1-11. 
  20. Cheong, Y. †, Zhu, Q.*, Wang, C., Patel, A.*, & Ye, Y. (2023). The roles of parenting, resilience, and interpersonal relationships on adolescents’ mental health and stress-related growth during COVID-19. Journal of Adolescence, 95, 1641–1652.&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
  21. Xie, J., Zhuo Yang, X., Zhang, L., & Wang, C. (2023). Revision of Chinese Version of the Handling Bullying Questionnaire. Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology, 31(3), 610-614.
  22. Zhen, D.*, Tang, N., Chen, J., & Wang, C. (2023). For my or other’s safety: Conformity values and pandemic prevention behaviors in China and the United States. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 96, 101860. 
  23. Ross, A. R. *, Wang, C., & Liu, J. (2023). Youth Mental Health First Aid training with diverse educators. Psychological Services, 20(4), 941–951. 
  24. Cheah, C. S. L., Ren, H.*, Zong, X.*, & Wang, C. (2023). COVID-19 Racism and Chinese American Families’ Mental Health: A Comparison between 2020 versus 2021. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(8), 5437.
  25. Hwang, J., Ding, Y., Chen, E., Wang, C., & Wu, Y.* (2023). Asian American university students' adjustment, coping, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(5), 4162.
  26. Wang, C., Havewala, M. *, Fan, Q. *, Wang, Q., & Bali, D. * (2023). The relations between COVID-19 stress, social connectedness, and mental health: a longitudinal investigation comparing Chinese and American college students. Current Psychology, 43, 12907-12920. 
  27. Scott, A.*, Wang, C., & Cheong, Y. † (2023). The Bullying Literature Project: Promoting bystander behavior using children’s literature. School Mental Health, 15, 123-127. 
  28. Cheong, Y. †, Zhu, Q.*, Wang, C., He, M.*, & Ye, Y. (2023). COVID-19 Stressful Life Events and Chinese Adolescents’ Mental Health: Examining Resilience, Peer Relationship, and Parenting as Moderators. Journal of Early Adolescence, 43(5), 577-602. 
  29. Havewala, M.*, Wang, C., Bali, D.*, & Chronis-Tuscano, A. (2023). Evaluation of the virtual Youth Mental Health First Aid training for Asian Americans during COVID-19. Evidence-Based Practice in Child & Adolescent Mental Health, 8(3), 321-334. 
  30. Wang, C., Cheah, C. L., Liu, J. †, Zhu, Q.*, Havewala M.*, Ma, R.*, Cheong, Y. †, & Housden, M.* (2023).Parents’ perspectives regarding anti-Asian racism during COVID-19: Supporting elementary students at school. School Psychology Review. 52(4), 435-452. 
  31. Wang, C., Havewala, M.*, Cheong, Y. †, & Chen, J. (2023). Cybervictimization, mental health literacy and depressive symptoms among college Students: A cross-cultural investigation. Current Psychology, 42,&²Ô²ú²õ±è;22745–22757.
  32. Wang, C., Tang, N., Zhen, D.*, Wang, X.*, Zhang, J., Cheong, Y. â€  & Zhu, Q.* (2023). Need for cognitive closure and trust towards government predicting pandemic behavior and mental health: Comparing U.S. and China. Current Psychology, 42, 22823-22836. 
  33. Wang, C., Havewala, M.*, & Zhu, Q.* (2022). COVID-19 stressful life events and mental health: Personality and coping as moderators. Journal of American College Health. Advance online publication. 
  34. Blasey, J.*, Wang, C., & Blasey, R. (2022). Accommodation use and academic outcomes for college students with disabilities. Psychological Reports. 126(4), 1891-1909.
  35. Wu, J.*, Wang, C., Lu, Y.*, Zhu, X., & Zhang, G. (2022). Development and validation of the mental health literacy questionnaire for Chinese adults. Current Psychology, 42(1), 8425-8440.
  36. Wang, C., Yao, J.*, Patel, A.*, & Li, B. (2022). Can school climate or peer preference moderate the adjustment difficulties associated with peer victimization among Chinese middle school students? School Psychology International, 44(1), 5-22.
  37. Ren, H.*, Cheah, S. L. C., Zong, X.*, Wang, S.*, Cho, H. S.*, Wang, C., & Xue, X.* (2022). Age-varying associations between Chinese American parents’ racial-ethnic socialization and children’s difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 13(4), 351-363. 
  38. Wang, C., Liu, J. †, Marsico, K.*, & Zhu, Q.* (2022). Culturally adapting Youth Mental Health First Aid Training for Asian Americans. Psychological Services, 19(3), 551-561. 
  39. Liu, J. †, Wang, C., Do, A. K., & Bali, D.* (2022). Asian American adolescents’ mental health literacy and beliefs about helpful strategies to address mental health challenges at school. Psychology in the Schools, 59, 2062-2084.
  40. Wang, C., Cheong, Y. †, Zhu, Q.*, Havewala, M. * & Ye, Y. (2022). Parent work-life conflict and adolescent adjustment during COVID-19: Parental mental health and parenting as mediators. Journal of Family Psychology, 36(3), 325-336. 
  41. Wang, C., La Salle, T., Wu, C., & Liu, J. † (2022). Do parental involvement and adult support matter for students’ suicidal thoughts and behavior in high school. School Psychology Review, 51(3), 329-342. 
  42. Marsico, K.*, Wang, C, & Liu, J. â€  (2022). Effectiveness of Youth Mental Health First Aid for parents at school. Psychology in the Schools, 59 (8), 1701-1716.
  43. Lu, Y.*, & Wang, C. (2022). Asian Americans’ racial discrimination experiences during COVID-19: Social support and locus of control as moderators. Journal of Asian American Psychology, 13(3), 283-294.
  44. Song, S. Y., Wang, C., Espelage, D., Fenning, P., & Jimerson, S. R. (2022). COVID-19 and school psychology: Research reveals the persistent impacts on parents and students, and the promise of school telehealth supports. School Psychology Review, 51 (2), 127-131.
  45. Ye, J., Wang, C., Zhu, Q.*, He, M. †, Havalawa, M.*, Bai, H., & Wang, T. (2022). Parenting and teacher-student relationship as protective factors for Chinese adolescent adjustment during COVID-19. School Psychology Review, 51(2), 187-205.
  46. Zhu, Q.*, Cheng, Y. †, & Wang, C., & Sun, C. (2021).The roles of resilience, peer relationship, student-teacher relationship on student mental health during COVID-19. School Psychology, 37(1), 62-74.
  47. Zhu, Q.*, Cheong Y. †, Wang, C., Tong, J. (2021). The impact of maternal and paternal parenting styles and parental involvement on Chinese adolescents’ academic engagement and burnout. Current Psychology, 42, 2827-2840. 
  48. Song, S. Y., Wang, C., Espelage, D., Fenning, P., & Jimerson, S. R. (2021). COVID-19 and School Psychology: Contemporary research advancing practice, science, and policy. School Psychology Review, 50(4), 485-490. 
  49. Cheah, C.L., Zong, X.*, Cho, H. S.*, Ren, H.*, Wang, S., Xue, X., & Wang, C. (2021). Chinese American adolescents’ experiences of COVID-19 racial discrimination: Risk and protective factors for internalizing difficulties. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 27(4), 559–568. 
  50. Havewala, M.*, & Wang, C. (2021). Effects of peer victimization on child emotional and behavioral difficulties: The moderating role of parenting. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 30, 2601–2615. .
  51. Yang, C., Chen, C.*, Chan, M.*, Wang, C., Luo, E.*, & Lin, X.* (2021). Training experience in the U.S. school psychology program: Understanding Asian international students’ assets, challenges, and coping. Contemporary School Psychology, 25,&²Ô²ú²õ±è;299–310.&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
  52. Wang, C., Liu, J. †, Havewala, M.*, Zhu, Q.*, Do, K. A. †, & Shao, X. (2021). Parent-Child Connect: A culturally responsive parent training for Asian American parents at school. Psychology in the Schools, 58 (8), 1624-1641. 
  53. Jimerson, S. R., Arora P., Blake, J. J., Canivez, G. L., Espelage D. L., Gonzalez, J. E., Graves, S. L., Huang, F. L., January, S. A., Renshaw, T. L., Song, S. Y., Sullivan, A. L., Wang, C., & Worrell, F. D. (2021). Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in School Psychology: Be the change, School Psychology Review, 50(1), 1-7.
  54. Wang, C., Shao, X., Do, K. A.†, Lu, H., O’Neal, C., & Zhang, Y.* (2021). Using Participatory Culture-Specific Consultation with Asian American communities: Identifying challenges and solutions for Asian American immigrant families. Journal of Educational & Psychological Consultation, 31, 17-38.
  55. Wang, C., Liu, J. †, Zhu, Q.*, Yao, J.*, Boyanton, D. T. (2021). Covitality moderates the relation between victimization and loneliness. Australian Journal of Psychology, 73(1),
  56. Clauser, P.*, Ding, Y., Chen, E., Cho, S., Wang, C. & Hwang, J.* (2021). Parenting styles, parenting stress, and behavioral outcomes in children with Autism. School Psychology International, 42(1), 33-56. 
  57. Arora, P., Alvarez, K., Huang, C., & Wang, C. (2021). Three-tiered model for addressing the mental health needs of immigrant-origin youth in schools. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 23(1), 151-162. 
  58. Song, S. Y., Wang, C., Espelage, D., Fenning, P., & Jimerson, S. R. (2020). COVID-19 and School Psychology: Adaptations and new directions for the field. School Psychology Review, 49 (4), 431-437.
  59. Cheah, C. S. L., Wang, C., Ren, H.*, Zong, X.*, Cho, H. S.*, & Xue, X.* (2020). COVID-19, racism, and mental health among Chinese American parents and youth. Pediatrics, 146(5).
  60. Wang, C., Nieri, T. A., Do, K. A. †, & Llanes, E.* (2020). Cultural values and the relations between parenting factors and substance use and bullying among Latino/a adolescents.Journal of Child and Family Studies, 29 (10),2710 â€“ 2721. 
  61. La Salle, T. P., Wang, C., Wu, C., & Neves, J.* (2020). Racial mismatch among minoritized students and White teachers: Implication and recommendations for moving forward. Journal of Educational & Psychological Consultation, 30(3), 314-343.
  62. Wang, C., Marsico, K. F.*, & Do, K. A. † (2020). Asian American parents’ beliefs about helpful strategies for addressing adolescent mental health concerns at home and school. School Mental Health, 12(3), 523-536.
  63. Liu, S.,* Li, C., Wang, C., Wei, M., Ko, S.*, & (2020). Self-compassion and social connectedness buffering racial discrimination on depression among Asian Americans. Mindfulness, 11, 672–682. .
  64. Wei, M., Liu, S.*, Ko, S.*, Wang, C., & Du, Y. (2020). Impostor feelings and psychological distress among Asian Americans: Interpersonal shame and self-compassion. The Counseling Psychologist, 48(3), 432-458. 
  65. Wang, C., Barlis, J.,* Do, K. A. †, Chen, J., & Alami, S.* (2020). Barriers to mental health help-seeking at school for Asian- and Latinx- American adolescents. School Mental Health, 12, 182-194. .

  • Recent Grants

     

    Funding Agency: National Council for Mental Wellbeing 

    Project Title: Youth Mental Health First Aid for Diverse Parents

    Role: PI

    Project period: February 2024- February 2026

     

    Funding Agency: Russell Sage Foundation   

Project Title: Racial Discrimination, Identity, Socialization and Civic Engagement among Asian American Families during COVID-19

Project period: August 2021- December 2024

 

Funding Agency: American Psychological Foundation 2020 Visionary Fund Grant

Project Title: Examining the Feasibility and Effectiveness of a Novel Psychosocial Intervention for Asian American Parents and Youth during COVID-19

Project period: February 2021- February 2022

 

Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (FAIN: 2024124)

Project Title: Rapid: Influences of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak on Racial Discrimination, Identity Development and Socialization

Project period: February 2020- February 2022

 

 

Bullying Prevention and Mental Health Promotion Lab