International Institute for Sport and Behavioral Health 

Community Sport-Based Positive Youth Development

Through a co-designed community-based youth sport program, the purpose of this project is to design-implement-evaluate sport programming that enhances emotional flexibility, mental fitness, and healthy identity construction among boys from historically marginalized communities of color.

High School Athlete Social Justice Promotion

“Your voice is power!” Examining motivations and opportunity structures for high school athlete activism in U.S. interscholastic sport

Informed by critical positive youth development, the study explores the motivation of athletes to engage in activism (e.g., lived experience with exclusion, sense of responsibility) and the structures that facilitate activist efforts (e.g., involvement in interscholastic sport, relational support).

College Athlete Mental Health

Understanding College Athlete Mental Health: Interprofessional Insights from a Division I Athletic Conference

As a forthcoming publication, the study constructs a shared understanding of ‘college athlete mental health’ among athletic department personnel (e.g., athletes, coaches, administrators) and highlights the importance of holistic wellbeing and the ability to thrive in daily life.

International Youth Sport

Results from a Delphi study among scholars from 18 countries recommend seven key quality indicators for youth sport programs worldwide, including (1) appropriate organizational structure; (2) deliberate instructional design; (3) safe program climate; (4) equity and accessibility; (5) focus on enjoyment; (6) development of holistic outcomes; and (7) supportive of adult leaders.

Evidence-Based Sport Social Work Practice

Special Issue: Evidence-Based Sport Social Work Practice

As a special issue in the Sport Social Work Journal, the collection of articles builds upon the three common roles fulfilled by sport social workers (i.e., sport for development, licensed mental health services, social justice promotion) to showcase innovative interventions, novel measurement tools, and unique teaching pedagogy used throughout the emerging subspecialty.

Mental Health Literacy in Sport

Global representation in mental health and elite sport and parasport.

The epidemiology of mental health symptoms and disorders amongst elite athletes and the evolution of mental health literacy.

These research articles explore global perspectives on mental health in elite sport and parasport, highlighting disparities, cultural influences, and access to care. The articles also examine the epidemiology of mental health symptoms and disorders among elite athletes, along with the growing emphasis on mental health literacy within high-performance environments.

Parasport and Sport Inclusivity

Enhancing inclusivity in sports through sport science: A focus on adaptive synergy for disabled athletes.

Enhancing paralympic sport: The crucial role of sport social workers.

These research articles highlight how sport science can foster greater inclusivity by advancing adaptive strategies that support the performance and well-being of disabled athletes. The also emphasize the essential role of sport social workers in promoting equity, advocacy, and holistic development within Paralympic sport.

College Athlete Mental and Behavioral Health

Support networks and mental well-being: A study of college athletes and depression.

Navigating darkness: College athlete suicide, support systems, and shadows of depression.

Mental health education and self-reported depressive symptoms among college athletes.

These research articles examine the intersection of depression, suicide, and mental health education among college athletes, with a focus on how support systems influence well-being and outcomes. Through research and personal narratives, the articles highlights the urgent need for comprehensive mental health resources and preventive education in collegiate sports.