2023
Young Adults at the National Epicenter of the COVID-19 Outbreak: Understanding the Impact and Future Challenges of Social Distancing on Mental Health Outcomes
Malik S, Opara I, Lardier D, Younger J, Greene R. Young Adults at the National Epicenter of the COVID-19 Outbreak: Understanding the Impact and Future Challenges of Social Distancing on Mental Health Outcomes. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2023, 21: 33. PMID: 38248498, PMCID: PMC10815492, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21010033.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRates of depressionYoung adultsMental health servicesMental health diagnosesMental health outcomesMental health crisisDiverse population of young adultsPopulation of young adultsLifetime mental health diagnosisSocio-demographic variablesIncreased alcohol useHealth outcomesHealth servicesNational epicenterMental healthHealth diagnosisDepressive symptomsPrevention researchSevere anxietyAlcohol useNew YorkSevere depressionSocial distancingArea of New YorkDiverse populations
2021
Mental health burden among Black adolescents: the need for better assessment, diagnosis and treatment engagement
Opara I, Weissinger G, Lardier D, Lanier Y, Carter S, Brawner B. Mental health burden among Black adolescents: the need for better assessment, diagnosis and treatment engagement. Social Work In Mental Health 2021, 19: 88-104. PMID: 34248423, PMCID: PMC8262091, DOI: 10.1080/15332985.2021.1879345.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMental health symptomsMental health treatmentHealth symptomsHealth treatmentMental health burdenTrauma exposure historyBlack adolescentsHealth burdenDepressive symptomsTreatment groupsDiagnostic criteriaTreatment engagementLogistic regressionSymptomsAnxiety disordersSubstance useExposure historyAdolescentsTreatmentRecent suicidalityPsychological factorsBetter assessmentGroupDiagnosisSuicidality
2019
A study of psychological sense of community as a mediator between supportive social systems, school belongingness, and outcome behaviors among urban high school students of color
Lardier D, Opara I, Bergeson C, Herrera A, Garcia‐Reid P, Reid R. A study of psychological sense of community as a mediator between supportive social systems, school belongingness, and outcome behaviors among urban high school students of color. Journal Of Community Psychology 2019, 47: 1131-1150. PMID: 30883801, PMCID: PMC6581577, DOI: 10.1002/jcop.22182.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPsychological SOCSchool belongingnessPsychological senseSocial supportNegative developmental trajectoriesSupportive social systemRisk behaviorsUrban high school studentsHigh school studentsYouth of colorDevelopmental trajectoriesMediating variablePsychological symptomsSubstance useCommunity programsBelongingnessUS urban communitiesSchool studentsDepressive symptomsViolent behaviorCommunity-based activitiesFoster supportYouthStudents of colorSocial systems