Research Interests

My research explores causes of health inequity among adolescents, young adults, and parents by examining how and why BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) and other minoritized individuals experience a greater health and disease burden. Framed by an academic womanist lens, my research explores multilevel individual, relational, and contextual risk and protective factors that contribute to varying health outcomes among minoritized and underserved populations. I am deeply invested in the development of a diverse workforce of psychologists via the CHANGE* lab, where I support graduate and undergraduate scholars to engage in health equity science, social justice advocacy, and cultural humility practices.  Our lab strives to combat health inequity by engaging with communities to develop strength-based, culturally-responsive tools, programs, and interventions to enhance well-being, reduce stigma, and promote self-empowerment. We prioritize research that explores intersectional identities of race, ethnicity, gender, class, age, and sexuality.

*Challenging Health inequity in Adolescents and Nurturing Global Empowerment

Recent Publications

Mandell, J. E., Howell, K. H., Schaefer, L. M., Hardin, R. N., & Thurston, I. B. (2022). Social support for mothers living with HIV: A pilot investigation of the beneficial roles of positive parenting and community cohesion. Journal of HIV/AIDS & Social Services. https://doi.org/10.1080/15381501.2021.2016538

Buchanan, N., Perez, M., Prinstein, M. J., & Thurston, I. B. (2021). Upending Racism in Psychological Science: Strategies to Change How Our Science is Conducted, Reported, Reviewed & Disseminated. American Psychologist, 76, 1097-1112. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000905

 Thurston, I. B., Howell, K. H., Kaufman, C. C., Mandell, J. E., & Decker, K. M. (2021).  Parenting in Matched-Pairs of Women of Color Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence living with and without HIV. Journal of Traumatic Stress. https://doi.org/10.1002/jts.22737

Fix, R. L., Testa, E. G., Thurston, I. B., Gray, W., & Russell, M. (2021). Anti-Racism Strategies in Pediatric Psychology: Using STYLE can help children overcome adverse experiences with police. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-021-09804-1

Thurston, I. B., Decker, K. M., Kamody, R. C., Kaufman, C. C., Maye, C. E., Richmond, T. K., & Sonneville, K. R. (2021). The Scale Matters: Assessing Body Size with Figure Rating Scales in a Diverse Sample of Young Adults. Eating and Weight Disorders – Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-021-01166-9

Richmond, T. K., Thurston, I.B., & Sonneville, K.R. (2020). Weight-focused public health interventions: No benefit, some harm. JAMA Pediatrics, https://doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.4777

Affiliated Research Cluster

Diversity Science. Health and disease burdens; promotion of health equity among youth and families; cultural risk and protective factors of marginalized and underserved populations.