Francheska Alers-Rojas, Ph.D.

Examines factors that help adolescents—especially from minoritized backgrounds—thrive. Uses resilience and strengths-based approaches (daily diary, interviews, secondary data) to study contextual risks (discrimination, community violence, family stress) and incorporates biological markers (e.g., cortisol) and physiology (e.g., sleep). Also studies Black and Latina women's experiences with infertility.

Publications

• Mora, A.S., Muñoz-Velázquez, J., Alers-Rojas, F., Ceballo, R., & Cranford, J. (2023). Understanding Latino adolescents' experiences with discrimination: An intersectional approach. Journal of Latinx Psychology, 11(4), 306–321.DOI
• Ceballo, R., Alers-Rojas, F., Mora, A.S., & Cranford, J. A. (2022). Exposure to community violence: Toward a more expansive definition and approach to research. Child Development Perspectives, 16(2), 96–102.DOI
• Ceballo, R., Alers-Rojas, F., Montoro, J. P., & Mora, A.S.. (2020). Contextual stressors and the role of religion and spirituality in the mental health of Latino/a immigrant parents and youth. Mental and Behavioral Health of Immigrants in the United States, 135–155