Social Science Research Project 2024

SocialScience01
Project Topic: Cross-cultural Education Methods and Adolescents’ Physical and Mental Health
Research Mentor: Dr. Tao Wang (Assistant Professor at the School of Information, University of Toronto)

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PROJECT BACKGROUND
In the context of globalization, increasing attention has been paid to the relationship between the educational practices of immigrant families and the physical and mental health of adolescents. Young people from immigrant backgrounds face unique challenges such as cultural conflict, identity issues, and the pressure to adapt to a new environment. These stressors can have significant impacts on their well-being, with reported cases of depression and even suicide. At the same time, immigrant parents also face difficulties in navigating parenting and supporting their children in a new cultural and social context.

These pressures should not be borne by individual families alone—they are societal challenges that require collective awareness and support.

To address this need, Leading Tomorrow, a non-profit organization, has launched a social research project titled “Cross-cultural Education Methods and Adolescents’ Physical and Mental Health.” The project aims to deepen understanding of how parenting and education styles within immigrant families affect adolescents’ mental health and social adaptability. By conducting this research, the project seeks to identify key factors influencing youth development, providing a scientific basis for more effective support strategies and interventions that can help immigrant adolescents thrive.

RESEARCH FOCUS

To examine how parenting styles relate to teen stress, mood, sleep, and help-seeking behaviors in immigrant families across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

KEY CONTRIBUTIONS

Identified and researched a community need: teen mental-health stressors in immigrant families (expectations, language/culture gaps, access to youth-friendly services).
Collaborated with a team of students and framed a research question with Dr. Tao Wang.
Reviewed prior studies, analyzed research constructs and methods, and developed ethics-aligned research procedures (assent/consent, confidentiality, data handling).
Recruited, scheduled, and interviewed 150+ teen–parent pairs across the GTA using respectful, structured interviews.
Led a data-collection team and standardized procedures to ensure quality and cultural sensitivity.
Collaborated with team members to build a Python workflow for data cleaning, labeling, analysis, and figure generation.
Compiled datasets and a codebook; contributed figures and summary sections to the team’s manuscript (under review in the Journal of Minority and Immigrant Health).
Prepared and delivered presentations summarizing study purpose, methods, and results for academic and school audiences.
Translated findings into practical takeaways for schools and families (communication tips, routine-building, culturally aware supports).
Earned a Learning Dedication Award for leadership, persistence, and continued growth in psychology, sociology, and the social sciences.