CREAR LabCREAR LabUniversity of Pittsburgh
Andrea S. Medrano, Ph.D.

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Lab director

Andrea S. Medrano, Ph.D.

Director / Directora del Laboratorio CREAR

About Andrea

Dr. Medrano is a developmental psychologist committed to examining how youth and women exposed to violence make sense of, survive, and resist trauma in their daily lives. She is the Director of the CREAR Lab and Assistant Professor in the Developmental Psychology Program at the University of Pittsburgh, with an affiliation in Clinical Psychology. Her research focuses on poly-victimization, gender-based violence, and structural inequalities, emphasizing resilience processes such as familismo, hope, religiosity, and educational persistence. She leads international, community-engaged studies across Honduras, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, and the U.S. using mixed methods to ensure that voices and data inform the lab's work.

Publications

  • Medrano, A.S., Medina, C. M., Davila, S. A., Adame Montelongo, E. S., Jenkins, A. S., Pina, I. M., Vazquez, Y. N., Leonard, A. F., Dupree, G. E., Martinez, A., Kabir, Z., & Wah Figueroa, F. (in press). Sexual victimization in school, community, and online contexts: A scoping review on the measurement of youth sexual victimization. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380251412532in press
  • Kabir, Z. S., Davila, S. A., & Medrano, A.S.. (2026). Holding Together in Hard Times: Family Cohesion as a Moderator of Mental Health Amidst Community Violence. Journal of Community Psychology, 54(1), e70067 https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.70067
  • Ng, C., Phommasa, M., Woods, V. E., Macharia, C., Medrano, A.S., & Sanchez, A.. (2026). Time Is Not Really on My Side: How Two-Year Transfer Student Graduation Timelines Affect Engagement in High-Impact Practices. New Directions for Higher Education
  • Medrano, A.S., & Ceballo, R. (2025). Neighborhood violence, parent-child cohesion, and psychological outcomes in Latino adolescents: A longitudinal moderation analysis. Psychology of Violence. https://doi.org/10.1037/vio0000604
  • Sabina, C., Mariscal, S. E., Weber, M., Medrano, A.S., Flores, Y., Agorde, E., Elliot, J. M., Gonzalez, V. V., & Restrepo-Ruiz, M. (2025). Factors enhancing resilience among youth exposed to macro-level violence in Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 26(2), 265–282. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380241309375
  • Garcia, Y., Medrano, A.S., & Woods, V. (2024). Perceived stigma, mental health, and campus support among Latina/o and White college students. Journal of American College Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2024.2428408
  • Davila, S. A., Adame Montelongo, E. S., Labrousse, D., & Medrano, A.S. (2025). "Uno no puede solucionarlo por sí mismo": Sociocultural influences on mental health and help-seeking attitudes among rural Mexican adults. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1177/00220221251387702
  • Leonard, A. F., Estrada, Y., Jakubowski, K., & Medrano, A.S. (2025). Two fronts of trauma: The differential effects of intimate partner violence and community violence on PTSD in rural Mexico. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605251375422
  • Davila, S. A., Martinez, A., & Medrano, A.S. (2025). Navigating familial and economic stressors: Examining resilience and cohesion as protective factors for rural Mexican adolescents. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000754
  • Medrano, A.S., Davila, S. A., Labrousse, D., Adame Montelongo, E. S., & Williams, E.-D. G. (2025). Disentangling machismo and caballerismo: Mental health help-seeking in rural Mexico. Journal of Rural Mental Health, 49(3), 267–277. https://doi.org/10.1037/rmh0000291
  • Kia-Keating, M., Santacrose, D., Adams, J., Harms, M., Taghavi, I., Liu, S., & Mora, A.S. (2024). Equitable prevention science and participatory co-design of the HEROES strength-based programs. Journal of Prevention and Health Promotion. https://doi.org/10.1177/26320770241246672
  • Krings, A., Mora, A.S., Bechara, S., Sánchez, C., Gutiérrez, L. M., Hawkins, J., & Austic, E. (2024). How early social work faculty experienced support in their doctoral programs. Journal of Social Work Education, 60(2), 206–224. https://doi.org/10.1080/10437797.2023.2279789
  • Mora, A.S., Greer, C. D., Hunter, J., & Gutierrez, L. (2022). Social work faculty attitudes towards diversity and oppression content in the MSW curricula. Social Work Education, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2022.2130233
  • Mora, A.S., Gutiérrez, L. M., & Ceballo, R. (2024). The role of parent–adolescent communication among youth exposed to neighborhood violence in rural Mexico. Families in Society, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1177/10443894231222942Awarded 2024 Best Quantitative Paper
  • Ortega, R. M., Olawale, R. G., & Mora, A.S.. (2023). Charles D. Garvin: social justice and social group work. Social Work with Groups, 46(4), 303–309
  • Mora, A.S., LoDuca, K. M., & Ceballo, R. (2023). Adolescents in the community: Extracurricular activities and sexual harassment. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 52, 1788–1798. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-023-01812-8
  • 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. https://doi.org/10.1037/lat0000234
  • Mora, A.S.. (2023). An Examination of Community Violence Exposure and Sexual Harassment Among Latino/a Adolescents. University of Michigan (Dissertation)
  • Mora, A.S., Ceballo, R., & Cranford, J. (2022). Latino/a adolescents facing neighborhood dangers: An examination of community violence and gender-based harassment. American Journal of Community Psychology, 69(1-2), 18–32. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12556
  • 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. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdep.12448
  • 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
  • Gutiérrez, L. M., Rodríguez-Newhall, A., Mora, A.S., Areguin, M. A., & Salazar, M.. (2019). "Too Many to Count": Experiences of Microaggressions for Latinx Students at a Predominantly White Institution in the Age of Trump. Currents: Journal of Diversity Scholarship for Social Change, 1(1)
  • Medina, C. M., Hudson, J. A., Geoffroy, G., Harvey, A., & Medrano, A.S. (in press). Puedes decirnos con confianza: A mixed methods study of neighborhood-based sexual harassment and parent-adolescent communication in rural Mexico. Violence Against Women. https://doi.org/10.1177/10778012251410898in press
  • Ganu, D., Starks, B., Davila, S. A., & Medrano, A.S. (in press). Campus climate and the mental health of college student caregivers: The mediating role of group belonging. Journal of Higher Education.in press
  • Cross, F. L., Hoffman, A. J., Medrano, A.S., Medina, M. A., Esqueda, A. P., & Rivas-Drake, D. (in press). Fostering futures: Academic socialization and perceived educational utility among Latinx parent-adolescent dyads. Journal of Latinx Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1037/lat0000289in press
  • Medrano, A.S., Ortega, R., Cordova, D., & Gutierrez, L. (in press). Employing an empowerment approach with Latinx youth engaged in health risk behaviors. In R. Ceballo & D. Rivas-Drake (Eds.), Growing up Latinx in the land of liberty: Drawing on community and culture to face contextual challenges. Oxford University Press.in press

Presentations & Posters

  • Quintero P.T., Adame Montelongo E.S., Lopez A.M., & Medrano A.S.. (2026). Parental Monitoring, Solicitation, and Adolescent Disclosure in Contexts of Violence: Insights from Rural and Urban Mexico. APS, Barcelona, SpainPoster View Poster ↗
  • Medina, C., Davila, S. A., & Medrano, A.. (2025). Sexual Victimization, Dimensions of Machismo, and Anxiety Among Rural Mexican Adolescents. Society for Research on Child Development (SRCD), Minneapolis, MinnesotaPoster
  • Martinez, A., Davila, S. A., & Medrano, A.. (2025). Examining Protective Factors in the Context of Familial and Economic Stressors in Rural Mexican Adolescents. Society for Research on Child Development (SRCD), Minneapolis, MinnesotaPoster
  • Davila, S. A., & Medrano, A.. (2025). Identity in the Aftermath: Trauma's Role in Puerto Rican College Students' Growth. Society for the Study on Emerging Adults (SSEA), Charleston, South CarolinaPoster
  • Chen, Y., Sabina, C., Mariscal, S. E., Weber, M., Medrano, A. S., Guevara-Carpio, M. A., Macias, L., Nava, N., & Merced, M.. (2025). Help-seeking Experiences Related to Interpersonal Victimization in a National Sample of Latinas. American Society of Criminology (ASC) Annual Meeting, Washington, DCOral
  • Estrada, Y., Cisneros, G., & Medrano, A.. (2025). Religiosity and Folk Beliefs: Mental Health Help-Seeking in Rural Mexico. The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) 2025 Conference, Portland, OregonPoster
  • Chen, Y., Sabina, C., Mariscal, S. E., Weber, M., Medrano, A., Guevara-Carpio, M. A., Macias, L., Nava, N., & Merced, M.. (2025). Lifetime Trauma Exposure and Traumatic Symptoms in Latina Women: A Latent Profile Analysis Among a National Sample. The Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) 30th Annual Conference, Washington, DCOral
  • Torres, B., Medrano, A., & Gomez, A.. (2025). Bridging Latina/o-Serving Organizations and Latina/o Entrepreneurs. Pennsylvania Latino Convention, Pittsburgh, PAOral
  • Gutierrez, L., Mora, A. (Discussant), Ortega, D., & Ortiz, L.. (2024). Uncovering and Recovering Latinx Perspectives on Social Work History—A Latcrit Approach. Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) 28th Annual Conference, Washington, DCOral
  • Labrousse, D., Medina, C. M., & Medrano, A.. (2024). Centering Mexican Strength: An Overview of Proyecto VENCER. Latinx Connect, University of PittsburghOral
  • Davila, S. A., Dupree, F., Vazquez, Y., & Medrano, A.. (2024). Aprendizajes: Conducting Ethically Responsible Research with Children and Adolescents in Rural Mexico. Society for Research on Child Development (SRCD): Toward an Anti-Racist Developmental Science Summit, Panama City, PanamaPoster
  • Medina, C. M., Hudson, J. A., Geoffroy, G., Harvey, A., & Medrano, A.. (2024). "Me da pena hablar de eso": Rural Mexican Adolescent Perceptions and Discussions of Gender-based Violence. Society for Research on Child Development (SRCD): Toward an Anti-Racist Developmental Science Summit, Panama City, PanamaPoster
  • Medrano, A. (chair), Labrousse, D., Adame Montelongo, E. S., Davila, S. A., Williams, E.-D. G., Figuereo, V., Vicente, M. J., Espejo, D., Shannon, L., Flores, A. T., Garcia, Y., Robledo, D., Tandon, D., & Platt, R.. (2024). Navigating Cultural and Identity Constructs: Mental Health in Latinx Communities. National Latinx Psychological Association (NLPA), San Juan, Puerto RicoSymposium
  • Mora, A., Pérez, J., Garcia, Y., Ibrahim, A., Bechara, S., Gutierrez, L., & Hunter, J.. (2023). Social Work Faculty Perceptions of Theories: A National Survey. Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) 27th Annual Conference, Phoenix, AZPoster
  • Garcia-Leco, S., Mora, A., Harvey, A., & Gutierrez, L.. (2023). "Que le eché ganas": Parental Academic Expectations in Rural Mexico. Latin American Studies Association (LASA) 2023 Congress, Vancouver, CanadaOral
  • Mora, A. (chair), Gutierrez, L., Garcia, Y., Bechara, S., Harvey, A., Zou, Y., Fajardo, M., Garcia-Leco, S., & Valdivias, S.. (2023). Fortaleza Mexicana: Identifying Strengths & Protective Factors in Families in Rural Mexico. International Convention of Psychological Science (ICPS), Brussels, BelgiumSymposium
  • Mora, A., Harvey, A., Bechara, S., Narvaez, M., & Gutierrez, L.. (2022). The Role of Parent-Adolescent Communication among Violence-Exposed Mexican Youth. The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) 2022 Conference, San Juan, Puerto RicoSymposium
  • Gutierrez, L., Mora, A., Bechara, S., Hawkins, J., Krings, A., Meier Austic, E., & Sanchez, C.. (2022). Early Career Scholars' Perceptions of Support During Social Work Doctoral Education. Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 68th Annual Program Meeting, Anaheim, CaliforniaOral
  • Gutierrez, L., Mora, A., Meier-Austic, E., Greer, C., & Inahuazo, S.. (2021). Social Work Faculty Attitudes Toward Diversity and Social Justice. Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR), Virtual ConferencePoster
  • Harvey, A., Valdivias, O., Mora, A., Garcia, Y., & Gutierrez, L.. (2021). Rape Myths and Machismo: Rural Mexican Parents' Conceptualizations of Sexual Harassment and Rape. National Latinx Psychological Association (NLPA) Biennial Virtual ConferencePoster
  • Mora, A., Pérez, J., Ibrahim, A., Hunter, J., Wasi, H., & Gutierrez, L.. (2021). MSW Faculty Views Towards Racial and Social Justice. Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 67th Annual Program Meeting, Orlando, FloridaOral
  • Cross, K., Mora, A., Sypher, I., Esqueda, A. P., & Troncoso, S.. (2020). Adolescents in the Community: Extracurricular Activities and Gender-Based Harassment. American Psychological Association (APA) Annual Convention, Washington, DCPoster
  • Muñoz-Velazquez, J., Alers-Rojas, F., Mora, A., Cranford, J., & Ceballo, R.. (2020). Intersectional Everyday Experiences of Discrimination: An Exploratory Latent Class Analysis with Urban Latinx Adolescents. Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Special Topics Conference, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico (Cancelled for COVID)Oral
  • Mora, A., Starks, B., & Starks, A.. (2020). Post-migration Stressors: Violence, Poverty, and Culturally Relevant Interventions for Recent Immigrants. Joint World Conference on Social Work Education and Social Development, Rimini, Italy (Cancelled for COVID)Poster
  • Gutierrez, L., Areguin, M. A., Mora, A., Rodriguez-Newhall, A., & Salazar, M.. (2019). Actions Speak Louder Than Words: How Mixed-Methods Action Research Promotes Student-Oriented Policy. International Convention of Psychological Science (ICPS), Paris, FranceSymposium
  • Mora, A., Areguin, M. A., & Rodriguez-Newhall, A.. (2019). Utilizing Action Research to Promote Student-Oriented Policy. The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) 2019 Conference, San Diego, CASymposium
  • Montoro, J., & Mora, A.. (2019). Familismo as a Protective Factor from Stressors Faced by Latinx Adolescents. Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Biennial Meeting, Baltimore, MDPoster
  • Glover-Reed, B., Mora, A., Giza, K. A., & Baughman, M.. (2019). Using Critical and Intersectionality Frames to Illuminate New Possibilities: We're Part-way There!. Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 65th Annual Program Meeting, Denver, COOral
  • Mora, A., Fike, K., & Montoro, J.. (2018). Community Violence Exposure and Sexual Harassment Effects on Latino/a Adolescents. The Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) 2018 Conference, Pittsburgh, PASymposium
  • Woods, V., Phommasa, M., Mora, A., & Garcia, M. G.. (2017). Development and Assessment of a Transfer Student Mentorship Program. National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS) Annual Conference, Atlanta, GAOral
  • Mora, A., Kia-Keating, M., Capous, D., Adams, J., Davila, L., & Garcia, Y.. (2016). Latino/a Parental Barriers to Help-Seeking. National Latina/o Psychological Association (NLPA) Biennial Conference, Orlando, FLPoster
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