2026 Faculty Publications and Awarded Grants

Publications

Research conducted by UConn School of Social Work faculty* consistently appears in top peer-reviewed journals, national policy reports, and academic publications, reaching both academic and practitioner audiences worldwide. Below are articles published in 2026:

  • Ezra, P., Young, L., Paceley, M.S., Roy, K.M., & Fish, Jessica N. (2026). Reading between the lines: How sexual minority youth interpret paternal support. Journal of Family Psychology. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/fam0001466
  • Mauldin, R.L., Mattingly, S.P. Jang, S., Handique, S., Haque, M., & Parekh, R. (2026) Quantifying the spatial burden of informal ride provision for older adults using activity space analysis and GIS. International Journal of Geo-Information. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi15020086
  • Thomas, R.L., Saghir, F., Valenzuela, F.R., & Redner, T. (2026). Understanding climate change crisis through a post-Colonial lens: Comparing perspectives of global north and global south youth and young adults. Journal of Policy and Practice Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42972-026-00150-w
  • Elsaesser, C., Chang, D.F., Proulx, J., Iacono, G., & Wong, Y.R. (Eds.) (2026). Leveraging Inner Transformation for Social Transformation [Special issue]. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 96(2).
  • Elsaesser, C., Chang, D.F., Proulx, J., Iacono, G., & Wong, Y.R. (2026). Bridging inner work and social change: Reimagining mindfulness research through the mindful tree of justice framework. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 96(2), 119-128. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000913
  • Elsaesser, C., Proulx, J., Vasquez Reyes, M., Kalinowski, J., Santiago, J., Roman-Hampton, V., Courts, C. L., & Gans, K. M. (2026). Codesigning a mindfulness-based intervention with community violence intervention workers and youth: The power of participatory research. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000916
  • Forte, A.B., Masa, R.D., Lambert, M.C., Iruka, I.U., & Harrington, K.Y. (2026). Examining the invariance of a common household food insecurity measure across various adult and child characteristics. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jneb.2026.02.002
  • Garran, A.M., Currie, N.L., Burke, J., Lisenbee, R., and Meade, G. (2026) The process of decolonizing supervision (It do take nerve). In N. Currie (Ed.). Decolonized Clinical Supervision and Leadership: A Social Work Perspective (pp. 131-160). Cambridge University Press.
  • Garran, A.M., Currie, N.L., and Nesser, J-E. (2026) Dismantling systems that traumatize and oppress: A comprehensive approach. In N. Currie (Ed.). Decolonized Clinical Supervision and Leadership: A Social Work Perspective (pp. 205-230). Cambridge University Press.
  • Hong, C., Lunchekov, N., Schmidt, D., Ustinov, G., German, E., & Steinert, J.I. (2026). Intimate partner violence victimization and HIV PrEP adherence among gay, bisexual men, and other men who have sex with men in Ukraine. AIDS Behav. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-026-05059-9
  • Boka, C., Yonko, E.A., Beikzadeh, M., Karkkainen, K., Hong, C., Sarrafzadeh, M., & Holloway, I.W. (2026). Predicting PrEP use status among sexual and gender minority young adults. Prevention Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-025-01872-1
  • Bond, L., Curran, L., Chikwati, G., Austin, S., & Manuel, J.I. (2026). Factors associated with wait time to substance use treatment among pregnant women in the United States. Substance Use & Addiction Journal.https://doi.org/10.1177/29767342261421319
  • Burton, C., Garran, A.M., Liem, A., Nwangwu, N.C., Nyarko, S.C., Rozas, L.W., & Wright, V. (2026). Geoscience diversity programs: What works and does not and their evolution through time. Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, 54. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-earth-040623-101222
  • Chavez, N.R., Kennedy, H., & Elsaesser, C. Invited guests of Boatwright, T. (Host) (2024-present). Action Research Yes/And [Audio podcast]. Action Research Plus. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/skillful-vulnerability-practice/id1786610353?i=1000746081968
  • Fendrich, M., Petranu, K., Nickel, L., Larson, C., & deRoon-Cassini, T.A. (2026). PTSD symptoms and substance use problems in traumatic injury patients: A 24-month follow-up. Addictive Behaviors. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2026.108596
  • Goldsborough, E.J., Loveland, E.K., Phillips, J.D., & Iacono, G. (2026). Examining the bidirectional relationship between food insecurity and cigarette smoking: Evidence from a cross-lagged panel analysis. American Journal of Health Promotion. https://doi.org/10.1177/08901171261429792
  • Hong, C. (2026). High rates of intimate partner violence among diverse young sexual minority men who use substances. Sexual Health. https://doi.org/10.1071/SH25201
  • Hong, C., Pushpanadh, S., Wang, Y., Mowbray, O., Manuel, J.I., & Graham, S.M. (2025). HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis among people with criminal justice involvement in the United States: A systematic review. AIDS Patient Care and STDs.https://doi.org/10.1177/10872914251406718
  • Iacono, G., Holle, L., Mortley, C., & Lin, H. (2026). Tuned in!: 12-month longitudinal outcomes of an affirmative mindfulness intervention for sexual and gender diverse youth and young adults. Journal of Affective Disorders, 399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.120895
  • Mogro-Wilson, C. (2026). Navigating the complex landscape of academic publishing. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services. https://doi.org/10.1177/10443894251413114
  • Paceley, M.S., Lawrence, S., Evans, S., Watson, R.J., Iacono, G., Muro, P., & Wilson, L. (2026). LGBTQ+ familial acceptance as a moderator between weight-based victimization and disordered eating behaviors among LGBTQ+ youth. LGBTQ+ Family: An Interdisciplinary Journal. https://doi.org/10.1080/27703371.2026.2614416
  • Wagner, G.J., Siconolfi, D., Hong, C., Nacht, C.L., & Storholm, E.D. (2026). Intimate partner violence and its association with symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder among HIV-negative cisgender sexual minority men in the United States. Sexual and Gender Diversity in Social Services.https://doi.org/10.1080/29933021.2026.2633505
*Featured publications reflect UConn School of Social work faculty and adjunct faculty only. A complete list of all publications, including those authored by graduate students and other scholars can be found on our Research News webpage.

Awarded Grants

  • Alexandria Forte, Ph.D.
    • Institute: UConn School of Social Work
    • Title: Voices from Within: A Dyadic Qualitative Study Unraveling Perspectives of Youth Experiences in Food Insecure Homes
    • Funding Source: Dean’s Incentive Award (DIA) Large
    • Amount: $11,132
  • PI: Chenglin Hong, Ph.D.
    • Institute: UConn School of Social Work
    • Title: Understanding Providers’ Perceived Barriers and Facilitators to Delivering integrated Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Health Services to Sexual Minority Men
    • Funding Source: Office of the Vice President for Research Scholarship Facilitation Fund
    • Amount: $2,000
  • PI: Gio Iacono, Ph.D.
    • Institute: UConn School of Social Work
    • Title: Tuned In! Community-Led Adaptation: Engaging Sexual and Gender Diverse Youth (SGDY) in Affirmative Mindfulness Intervention Design
    • Funding Source: Office of the Vice President for Research Scholarship Facilitation Fund
    • Amount: $2,000
  • PI: Rebecca Thomas, Ph.D.
    • Institute: UConn School of Social Work
    • Title: Narrative Experiences of Ukraine Refugees Receiving Temporary Shelter in Bulgaria
    • Funding Source: Dean’s Incentive Award – Developing Research Teams
    • Amount: $2,992
  • PI: Rebecca Thomas, Ph.D.
    • Institute: UConn School of Social Work
    • Title: Engaging Migrants through Photography: Understanding the Lived Experiences of Russian and Indian Migrant Workers in Armenia through Photo Elicitation Interviewing
    • Funding Source: Dean’s Incentive Award – Developing Research Teams
    • Amount: $2,992
  • PI: Jennifer Manuel, Ph.D.
    • Institute: UConn School of Social Work
    • Title: Connecticut Treatment Expansion and Enhancement (CT-TREE) Initiative
    • Funding Source: The Child Health and Development Institute of CT (CHDI)
    • Amount: $18,338
  • PI: Kimberly Estep, MA
    • Institute: Innovations Institute
    • Title: Wraparound Consultation (High Fidelity Wraparound Center of Excellence Implementation Plan)
    • Funding Source: University of California – Davis
    • Amount: $49,999
  • PI: Michelle Zabel, MSS
    • Institute: Innovations Institute
    • Title: Oregon Technical Assistance Consultation
    • Funding Source: Oregon Health Authority
    • Amount: $60,000
  • PI: Deborah Harburger, MSW
    • Institute: Innovations Institute
    • Title: Nevada SOC – Sustainable Model/Framework for Service Position
    • Funding Source: Manatt Health
    • Amount: $92,600
  • PI: Deborah Harburger, MSW
    • Institute: Innovations Institute
    • Title: Nevada SOC – Sustainable Model/Framework for Service Position
    • Funding Source: Manatt Health
    • Amount: $175,000
  • PI: Margo Candelaria, Ph.D.
    • Institute: Innovations Institute
    • Title: Long-term Housing, Economic and Social Outcomes for Young Children and their Families Engaged in Connecticut’s Head Start on Housing Program
    • Funding Source: Constellation Fund
    • Amount: $1,000,000
  • PI: Kimberly Estep, MA
    • Institute: Innovations Institute
    • Title: Choices Wraparound Year 4
    • Funding Source: Choices Coordinated Care Solutions
    • Amount: $54,000
  • PI: Kimberly Estep, MA
    • Institute: Innovations Institute
    • Title: River Oak, CA Wraparound Maintenance
    • Funding Source: River Oak Center for Children
    • Amount: $16,600
  • PI: Kimberly Estep, MA
    • Institute: Innovations Institute
    • Title: Magellan Nevada Wraparound Implementation Project Year 3
    • Funding Source: NV Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Child & Family Services
    • Amount: $296,000