Katie Wang, PhD

Dr. Wang's research broadly focuses on the role of stigma as a psychosocial determinant of mental and behavioral health disparities. She received a K01 mentored scientist career development award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse to investigate the associations among mental illness stigma, emotion dysfunction (i.e., intense, prolonged negative affect and/or difficulties in regulating one's emotions), and substance use among adults with depression. Some methodological approaches utilized to accomplish this research include psychophysiological assessments (e.g., heart rate variability, salivary cortisol) and ecological momentary assessment (e.g., daily diaries). Dr. Wang is also involved in a number of projects on sexual minority mental health, including a stigma coping intervention designed to address co-occurring depression, anxiety, and alcohol use problems among young sexual minority women.