Preventing Adolescent Depression and Suicide Among Latinas

Andrea J. Romero, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor with joint appointments in Family Studies & Human Development, and Mexican American and Raza Studies at the University of Arizona. She has affiliated positions in the Psychology Department, Latin American Studies, Women’s Studies, and Public Health. She received her doctorate in Social Psychology from the University of Houston in 1997 with a minor in Quantitative Methods. She then worked at Stanford University in the Stanford Center for Research and Disease Prevention for 2 ½ years on prevention of obesity and substance use among minority children. Dr. Romero has focused her research career on understanding cultural strengths of ethnic minority adolescents and how they relate to health disparities. She has published several articles that investigate the risk and protective factors embedded in families, ethnic identity, discrimination and neighborhoods. A central element of Dr. Romero’s research approach is that of participatory action research, which is done in dialogue and collaboration with community members. Over the past 10 years Dr. Romero has been working with the South Tucson Prevention Coalition to address underage drinking and prevention of HIV/AIDS. She conducts professional reviews for the National Institutes of Health, Ford Foundation, and several peer reviewed journals. Dr. Romero has received federal funded grants to conduct research on substance use and HIV prevention programs for middle school aged Latino adolescents. She advocates for equal rights at her institution of higher education as a leader of the Association for Women Faculty, Diversity Coalition, and Minority Women Faculty. Dr. Romero continues to be active in the National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies and in the National Latino/a Psychological Association.

• La Llorona Calling: The Epidemic of Latina Adolescent Depressive Symptoms and Suicidality.- What Drove Her to Do It? Theories of Depression and Suicide.- Latina Adolescent Resilience Rooted within Cultural Strengths.- Risk Factors for Latina Adolescents' Mental Health and Well-being.- Reclaiming Malintzin: Healing and Preventing Latina Adolescent Depression and Suicide.

From the book reviews:“Preventing Adolescent Depression and Suicide Among Latinas: Resilience Research and Theory is a well-written, informative book that articulates the issues about Latina adolescent depression and suicide. … The book is an essential read for anyone who is working with Latina adolescents, especially because it contains so many salient ideas about cultural awareness, personal strengths, and protective factors. … Read this informative book and gain a clearer understanding of the problem and promising strategies.” (Carol Drucker and Gena Castro Rodriguez, PsycCRITIQUES, Vol. 59 (36), September, 2014)