Social Contexts and Behavioral Health Research Program
Guided by sociological and public health frameworks, and under the leadership of Kathryn Sabella, PhD, the Social Contexts and Behavioral Health research program investigates the social causes and consequences of behavioral health across the life span. Powered by community-engaged research approaches, our research seeks to identify social mechanisms that influence behavioral health risk, disparities, and long-term trajectories in young adulthood and beyond. Resulting knowledge can inform behavioral health policy and practice to more effectively promote behavioral health and well-being, especially among young adults and women of all ages.
Dr. Sabella is recognized as a leading expert in young adult mental health both nationally and internationally. Between 2023-2026, Dr. Sabella was the Director of the Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research. As Dr. Sabella’s research expanded to the study of modifiable social mechanisms (e.g., social causes, consequences) that influence behavioral health disparities and long-term trajectories beyond young adulthood, she founded the Social Contexts and Behavioral Research program. Dr. Sabella’s community-engaged research employs both qualitative and quantitative methods informed by individuals with relevant lived experiences to improve research relevance and garner the greatest societal impact. Her research has already leveraged change within behavioral health policy and practice to reduce behavioral health disparities.
Meet the Team:
Kathryn Sabella, PhD
Assistant Professor of Psychiatry
Kristen Roy Bujnowski, MA
Research Program Manager II
Tracy Neville
Research Coordinator II
Mei Pearlstein
Research Coordinator I
Samantha Hersh
Clinical Research Coordinator I
Vision:
Increased visibility of modifiable social mechanisms that can be leveraged to improve behavioral health experiences and trajectories in young adulthood and beyond.
The Social Context and Behavioral Health research program operates with the following values in mind:
- Trust
- Respect and kindness
- Collaboration and connection
- Accountability
Key Projects:
The Community Inclusion and Reflective Collaboration Center (CIRC)
A NIDILRR-funded rehabilitation research and training center that focuses on advancing community participation outcomes for young adults with serious mental health conditions who have the greatest support needs. The CIRC Center is generating new knowledge regarding developmentally appropriate interventions and system and policy issues that influence community participation among young adults with mental health conditions.
An investigation of sex differences in excessive alcohol use in young adulthood and middle age
An NIAAA-funded secondary data analysis of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) to assess sex differences in excessive alcohol use (e.g., binge drinking, frequency of drinking, and heavy drinking) in young adulthood and early middle age. Results of this research will increase our understanding of pathways to excessive alcohol use in young adulthood and early middle age and how those pathways differ by sex, exposing potential targets of psychosocial interventions that can reduce excessive drinking among middle-aged women and associated negative consequences (e.g., alcohol-associated disease, deaths, and familial impacts).
