Ph.D., University of Utah (2023)
Predoctoral Psychology Internship, University of Illinois at Chicago (2023)

Research Interests

My research focuses on: 1) trauma-informed developmental trajectories to mental health and behavioral problems among marginalized and minoritized youth – those from vulnerable, underserved, and disenfranchised populations; 2) socioecological risk and protective factors underlying these pathways; 3) trauma-focused prevention and intervention outcomes; 4) trauma-informed care in youth-serving systems; and 5) policy and advocacy efforts that promote access to mental health services and wellbeing for youth and their families.

Research Statement

From a trauma-informed framework, my research program centers on elucidating the impact of trauma exposure, victimization, and violence on marginalized and minoritized youths’ developmental pathways, particularly in regard to behavioral concerns, such as juvenile offending, gang involvement, aggression, and substance use, as well as mental health problems. I also seek to uncover posttrauma-related mechanisms and socioecological risk and protective factors, including discrimination experiences, cultural beliefs and values, racial and ethnic identity, acculturation, socialization, family and peer support, and neighborhood advantage/disadvantage, that may be implicated in youths’ adaptive and maladaptive trajectories. My work further aims to improve the precision and efficacy of existing trauma-focused mental health services through clinical research on prevention and intervention programs. Another primary focus of my research program is to evaluate and reinforce trauma-informed care within youth-serving systems. My research program also disseminates information on policies and regulations that may impact the mental and behavioral health of youth and families via accessible avenues and promotes trauma-informed and culturally responsive advocacy efforts.

In this work, I integrate data from multiple levels of the social ecology through multimethod and multi-informant reports. I further utilize state-of-the-art technology and assessment techniques, such as ecological momentary assessment, geocoding and geolocation, and wearable biosensors. I employ advanced longitudinal statistical techniques, including Parallel Growth Curve Modeling, Latent Profile Analysis, and Random-Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Modeling, to examine changes in youths’ mental and behavioral health over time.

For information on past and current projects and future directions see the Socioecological and Trauma-informed Adolescent Advocacy, Research, and Services (STAARS) lab website.

Clinical Area Professional Development Award, University of Utah (2022)

Department of Psychology All-around Commendation for Research, Clinical work, and Teaching, University of Utah (2022)

Minority Fellowship Program Psychology Summer Institute (PSI), American Psychological Association (2021)

Clayton Award for Excellence in Research on Underrepresented Populations, University of Utah (2021)

Graduate Research Fellowship, University of Utah (2020-2021)

Clinical Area Professional Development Award, University of Utah (2020)

Nancy Patterson Klekas Outstanding Service Award, University of Utah (2019)

Leadership Education to Advance Diversity (LEAD) Institute Fellowship, Society of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology/American Psychological Association (2019)

Graduate Diversity Scholar Fellowship, University of Utah (2016-2019)

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Mendez, L., & Kerig, P. K. (2023). Refugees in unwelcoming lands: A conceptual review of the dimensions of discrimination experienced by refugee youth and the processes imparting risk and resilience. Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-023-00534-0

Mendez, L., Modrowski, C. A., Mozley, M. M., & Kerig, P. K. (2023). Trauma exposure and adolescent gang involvement: Distinguishing the roles of specific posttraumatic stress symptoms. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0001482

Mendez, L., & Kerig, P. K. (2023). Gang membership among adolescents from distinct racial and ethnic backgrounds: The roles of neighborhood and victimization. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605221145717

Mendez, L., Morelli, N. M., Cromer, K. D., & Villodas, M. T. (2022). Parallel process analysis of posttraumatic stress and externalizing problems among youth at high risk for victimization. Journal of Research on Adolescence. https://doi.org/10.1111/jora.12796

Kerig, P. K., & Mendez, L. (2022). The role of trauma on the developmental trajectories of gang-involved youth. In J. S. Wood, J. Mallion & S. Frisby-Osman, (Eds.), Psychology of gang involvement. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003242734

Evans, M. C., Duong, J. B., Morelli, N. M., Hong, K., Voss, C., Mendez, L., Garcia, J., Elzie, X., & Villodas, M. T. (2022). Conduct problems as a pathway from childhood adversity to community violence exposure: The proactive roles of caregiver knowledge and involvement. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260522108

Modrowski, C., Mendez, L., & Kerig, P. K. (2021). Associations among trauma exposure, dissociation, reckless/self-destructive behavior, and adolescent offending. Journal of Trauma and Dissociation. 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299732.2020.1869655

Villodas, M. T., Moses, J. O., Cromer, K. D., Mendez, L., Magariño, L. S., Villodas, F. M. & Bagner, D. M. (2021). Feasibility and promise of community providers implementing home-based Parent-Child Interaction Therapy for families investigated for child abuse: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Child Abuse & Neglect, 117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2021.105063

Mendez, L., Mozley, M. M., & Kerig, P. K. (2020). Beyond trauma exposure: Discrimination and posttraumatic stress, internalizing, and externalizing problems among detained youth. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260520926314

Mendez, L., Mozley, M. M., & Kerig, P. K. (2020). Associations among trauma exposure, callous-unemotionality, race or ethnicity, and gang involvement in justice-involved youth. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 47(4), 457-469. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854819897940

Mendez, L., Cromer, K. D., & Villodas, M. T. (2019). Pathways to drug delinquency among adolescents at high risk for victimization. Psychology of Violence, 9(6), 623-633. https://doi.org/10.1037/vio0000230

Policy- and Advocacy-Related Publications 

Rusch, D., Sedeño, N., & Mendez, L. (2023, March). Coalition for Immigrant Mental Health (CIMH) sign on letter: Comments in response to the Circumvention of Lawful Pathway proposed rule CIS No. 2736-22, Docket No. USCIS 2022-0016. CIMH Policy and Advocacy Workgroup submitted to the Biden-Harris presidential administration. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ccc9a2e22c4c1e4dbed67fb/t/644bdc7d2d8c6847a64b4ea6/1682693246079/CIMH+Sign+on+Letter-Circumvention+of+Lawful+Pathways+%283.27.2023%29.pdf

Rusch, D., & Mendez, L. (2022, October). Policy update on deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA). Immigrant Family Mental Health Advocacy Program [IFMHAP]. Disseminated to Institute of Juvenile Research and the Coalition for Immigration Mental Health. (PDF) IFMHA Program: Policy Update on DACA (researchgate.net)

Mendez, L., Molina, N. C., & Bootes, K., R. (2021, July 16). Letter: The Cuban people are crying out – Will the world listen? The Daily Utah Chronicle. https://dailyutahchronicle.com/2021/07/16/letter-cuban-people-crying-out-will-world-listen/

Mendez, L., Moses, J. O., & Duong, J. B. (2019, Spring). Mental health on the line: The effect of attachment trauma on immigrant families facing separation or deportation. Trauma Psychology Newsletter: Student’s Corner. https://traumapsychnews.com/2019/05/the-effect-of-attachment-trauma-on-immigrant-families-facing-separation-or-deportation/