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SPR Diversity Network Committee: Qualitative Research in Prevention Science

Conveners

• Charles Lea, III, PhD, Columbia University
• Katrina Debnam, PhD, University of Virginia

Qualitative research plays a critical role in prevention science by providing nuanced insights into the contextual factors that shape health and behavior. It enables researchers to explore the lived experiences and perspectives of individuals and communities, which are essential for designing effective, evidence-based prevention strategies.

The Qualitative Research in Prevention Science Special Interest Group (SIG) seeks to advance qualitative methodologies and promote their application in addressing complex social, behavioral, and health-related issues. This session offers a platform for discussing innovative techniques, sharing best practices, and fostering the integration of qualitative and quantitative approaches.

Members will benefit from networking opportunities, collaborative discussions, and support in overcoming methodological challenges. Proposed activities sponsored by the SIG include workshops, webinars, and conference sessions to facilitate skill-building and knowledge exchange.

The SIG also advocates for greater recognition of qualitative research in prevention science, aiming to enhance its credibility and visibility within the broader scientific community. By leveraging qualitative methods, SIG members contribute to the development, implementation, and evaluation of interventions that are contextually informed and impactful. This group is ideal for researchers dedicated to deepening understanding and advancing qualitative inquiry in prevention science.

SPR Diversity Network Committee Roundtable: Collaborative Discussion and Action Groups: Pressing Issues in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Prevention Science

Co-chairs

• Katrina J. Debnam, PhD, University of Virginia
• Larissa Gaias, PhD, University of Virginia

Prevention scientists, researchers, and practitioners often face similar concerns or challenges related to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion into their work, but may have limited opportunities to connect with others regarding these topics. This is particularly critical in the current climate, where such topics and language are being critiqued and, in some cases, banned from our work.

The purpose of this session is to provide opportunities for people to discuss and connect with one another via facilitated conversations around pressing issues in diversity, equity, and inclusion in prevention science. The goal is for discussions to generate potential actionable steps that can be enacted on individual, group, or systems levels, with the opportunity for attendees to collaborate beyond the session and conference.

DIVERSITY NETWORK RECEPTION
SESSION 2-062

Wednesday, May 27, 2026
7:45 pm – 8:45 pm
Regency B (Ballroom Level, Hyatt Regency Washington, DC)

Open to All!

SPR Diversity Network Committee Symposium: Roots and Resilience: Cultural Resources, Adversity, and Mental Health Among Immigrant Youth and Families

Co-chairs

• Katrina J. Debnam, PhD, University of Virginia
• Larissa Gaias, PhD, University of Virginia

This symposium will include research on the mental health and well-being of immigrant youth and families, examining how cultural identity, psychosocial resources, and resilience shape outcomes across these communities.

The three presentations will address these themes from complementary angles. The first provides a broad overview of mental health challenges facing Latinx and immigrant youth and families. The second investigates how cultural and psychosocial resources buffer the effects of adverse childhood experiences among Latinx immigrant youth from the Northern Triangle, finding that only high levels of combined support provide meaningful protection.

The third explores acculturative challenges and resilience processes among immigrant and refugee families from Central Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, and Ukraine, highlighting multilevel barriers and protective factors. Together, these presentations offer evidence-based guidance for culturally responsive, multilevel prevention and intervention efforts.