Research in the Behavioral Health Disparities and Immigrant Families Laboratory centers on the social and structural factors associated with behavioral health and well-being among immigrants and U.S.-born children living within immigrant families, with a particular focus on Latinx families and youth. Adaptation of immigrant families in the context of U.S. society has important implications for healthy development. Dr. Villamil Grest’s work explores the mechanistic and moderating influences of behavioral health, such as mental health, substance use and exposure to interpersonal and structural violence and discrimination, among immigrants and their offspring, to identify health promoting processes and develop effective multi-level prevention and intervention programs and services that support optimal coping, health behaviors and overall well-being.

Director