ABOUT ME
I am a licensed clinical psychologist with particular interest in children, caregivers, and culture. I have been fortunate to work with and learn from children and their families in Malaysia (my home country), the United Kingdom, and the United States.
I am currently an Associate Professor in the School of Psychology at Xavier University where I have the pleasure of teaching undergraduate and graduate students.
My great joys include: hot sunny days, a good cozy mystery book, running, throwing pottery at the wheel, and hearing from former students.
At present, I am involved in research efforts to support parents/caregivers of children who have sustained pediatric brain injury. I also supervise and am involved with a number of Xavier Clinical Psychology doctoral student led dissertations/research projects.
I am a licensed clinical psychologist with particular interest in children, caregivers, and culture. I have been fortunate to work with and learn from children and their families in Malaysia (my home country), the United Kingdom, and the United States.
I am currently an Associate Professor in the School of Psychology at Xavier University where I have the pleasure of teaching undergraduate and graduate students.
My great joys include: hot sunny days, a good cozy mystery book, running, throwing pottery at the wheel, and hearing from former students.
At present, I am involved in research efforts to support parents/caregivers of children who have sustained pediatric brain injury. I also supervise and am involved with a number of Xavier Clinical Psychology doctoral student led dissertations/research projects.
EDUCATION
- Postdoctoral Fellowship: Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH
- PhD: Clinical Psychology, Miami University, OH
- Pre-Doctoral Internship: Clinical Child Psychology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, NM
- MA: Clinical Psychology, Eastern Illinois University, IL
- BS: Psychology, Bemidji State Univeristy, MN
- AA: HELP University College, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
COURSES I REGULARLY TEACH
Graduate
Graduate
- Intervention Techniques: Cognitive Behavioral Approaches
- Intervention Techniques: Children and Youth
- Pediatric Psychology
- General Psychology
- Psychology Science Perspective
- Culture and Psychology
PUBLICATIONS
- Ahmed, A.* & Raj, S. P. (2022; online ahead of print). Self-compassion intervention for parents of children with developmental disabilities: A feasibility study. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders . doi: 10.1007/s41252-022-00305-2
- Raj, S. P., Schmidt, M. Moscato, E. L., Guzman-Gomez, A.,** Rodriguez, B.,* Seid, C. S., & Wade, S. L. (2021). Road-to-Recovery-TBI: Pilot trial of an eHealth intervention for caregivers after pediatric brain injury. Clinical Practice of Pediatric Psychology, 9(2), 167-179. doi: 10.1037/cpp0000398
- Raval, V. V., Ovia, T., Freeman, M., Raj, S. P., & Daga, S. S. (2021). Discourses about race in the United States: A thematic analysis of short essays. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 83, 98-113. doi: 10.1016/j.ijintrel.2021.05.004
- Bolikal, P., Narad, M. E., Raj, S P., Kennelly, M. & Kurowski, B. (2021). Biopsychosocial factors associated with attention problems in children after traumatic brain injury: A systematic review. American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, 100(3), 215-228. doi: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000001643. Selected as a Continuing Medical Education article (Category 1) for the journal
- James Riegler, L., Raj, S. P.***, Moscato, E. L., Narad, M. E., Kincaid, A., & Wade, S. L. (2020). Pilot trial of a telepsychotherapy parenting skills intervention for veteran families: Implications for managing parenting stress during COVID-19. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration, 30(2), 290-303. doi: 10.1037/int0000220.***James-Riegler and Raj share first authorship
- Wade, S. L., Narad, M. E., Moscato, E. L., LeBlond, E. I., King, J. A., Raj, S. P., Platt, A., Thompson, A. N., Baum, K. T., Salloum, R. (2020) A Survivor’s Journey: Preliminary efficacy of an online problem-solving therapy for survivors of pediatric brain tumor. Pediatric Blood and Cancer, 67(2), e28043. doi: 10.1002/pbc.28043
- Wade, S. L., Raj, S. P., Shultz, E. L., Narad, M. E. (2019). Clinician perspectives delivering telehealth interventions to children/families impacted by pediatric traumatic brain injury. Rehabilitation Psychology, 64(3), 298-306. doi: 10.1037/rep0000268
- Narad, M.E., Raj, S. P., Yeates, K.O., Taylor, H.G., Kirkwood, M.W., Stancin, T., & Wade, S.L. (2019). Randomized controlled trial of an online problem-solving intervention following adolescent traumatic brain injury: Family outcomes. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 100(5), 811-820. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2019.01.010
- Moscato ,E. L., Miley, A. E., LeBlond, E. I., King, J. A., Raj, S. P., Narad, M. E., Platt, A., Thompson, A. N., Baum, K. T., Salloum, R., & Wade, S. L. (2019). Feasibility and acceptability of an online problem solving therapy intervention for adolescent and young adult brain tumor survivors. Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology, 7(1), 68-78. doi: 10.1037/cpp0000265
- Raj, S. P., Zhang, N., Kirkwood, M. W., Taylor, H. G., Stancin, T., Brown, T. M., & Wade, S. L. (2018). Online family problem solving for pediatric traumatic brain injury: influences of parental marital status and participation on adolescent outcomes. The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 33(3), 158-166. doi: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000000331
- Raj, S. P., Shultz, E. L., Zang, H., Zhang, N., Kirkwood, M. W., Taylor, H. G., Yeates, K.O., & Wade, S. L. (2018). Effects of web-based parent training on caregiver functioning following pediatric traumatic brain injury: A randomized control trial. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 33(6), E19-29. doi: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000000388
- Raj, S. P., Narad, M. E., Salloum, R., Platt, A., Thompson, A., Baum, K. T., & Wade, S. L. (2018). Development of a web-based psychosocial intervention for adolescent and young adult survivors of pediatric brain tumor. Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology, 7(2), 187-195. doi: 10.1089/jayao.2017.0084
- Daga, S. S., Raval, V. V., & Raj, S. P. (2015). Maternal meta-emotion and child socioemotional functioning in immigrant Indian and white American families in the United States. Asian American Journal of Psychology, 6(3) 233-241. doi: 10.1037/aap0000014
- Raj, S. P., Antonini, T. A., Oberjohn, K. S., Cassedy, A., Makoroff, K., & Wade, S. L. (2014). Web based parenting skills program for pediatric traumatic brain injury reduces psychological distress among lower income parents. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 30, 347-356. doi: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000000052
- Raj, S. P., Wade, S. L., Cassedy, A., Taylor, H. G., Stancin, T., Brown, T. M., & Kirkwood, M. W. (2014). Parent psychological functioning and communication predict externalizing behavior problems after pediatric traumatic brain injury. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 39(1), 84-95. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/ jst075
- Antonini, T. A., Raj, S. P., Oberjohn, K. S., Makoroff, K., Fouladi, M., & Wade, S. L. (2014). A pilot randomized trial of an online parenting skills program for pediatric traumatic brain injury: Improvements in parenting and child behavior. Behavior Therapy, 45(4), 455-468. doi: 10.1016/j.beth.2014.02.003
- Mast, J. E., Antonini, T. N., Raj, S. P., Oberjohn, K. O., Makoroff, K., & Wade, S. L. (2014). Web-based parenting skills program to reduce behavior problems following abusive head trauma: A pilot study. Child Abuse and Neglect, 38(9), 1487-1495. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu. 2014.04.012
- Fishman, J. L. Raval, V. V., Daga, S. S., & Raj, S. P. (2014). Meta-emotion philosophy among Asian Indian immigrant mothers in the United States. Qualitative Health Research, 24(5), 875-889. doi: 10.1177/1049732314537403
- Raj, S. P. & Raval, V. V. (2013). Residential child care in Malaysia: An exploratory qualitative study of adult-child interactions. International Perspectives in Psychology: Research, Practice, Consultation, 2(3), 194-206. doi: 10.1037/a0032751
- Antonini, T., Raj, S. P., Oberjohn, K. O., & Wade, S. (2012). Online positive parenting skills program for pediatric traumatic brain injury: Feasibility and parental satisfaction. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 18(6), 333-338. doi: 10.1258/jtt.2012.120404
- Raval, V. V., Raval, P. H., & Raj, S. P. (2010). Damned if they flee, doomed if they don’t: Narratives of runaway adolescent females from rural India. Journal of Family Violence, 10, 755-764. doi: 10.1007/s10896-010-9333-5
BOOK CHAPTERS
- Raj, S. P., Khandelwal, M.,* & Raval, V. V. (2022). Navigating differing cultural spheres: Parenting experiences of Asian Indian immigrant mothers. In S. Bhandari (Ed.), South Asians in the United States. National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Press. *XU graduate student
- Raj, S. P., Daga, S. S., & Raval, V. V. (2021). Cultural identity across the lifespan: Using an ecological framework to contextualize the experiences of Asian Indian immigrants and their children. In H. Chu & B. Thelamour (Eds.), Conceptual and Methodological Approach to Navigating Immigrant Ecologies (pp. 29-46). NY: Springer Science+Business Media.
- Raj, S. P., Becker, S. P., & Raval, V. V. (2018). Self-construal in a cultural context. In R. J. Levesque (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Adolescence (pp. 3355-3366). NY: Springer International Publishing. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-33228-4_375
- Raj, S. P. & Raval, V. V. (2012). Parenting and family socialization within a cultural context. In E. Anderson & S. Thomas (Eds.), Socialization: Theories, Processes and Impact (pp. 57-78). NY: Nova Publishers.
PAPERS/PRESENTATIONS
- Raj, S. P., Foley, B.,** & Rhinney, S. (November 2022). Enhancing “Culture and Psychology” through community engagement and reflection. Poster presented at the Lilly Teaching Conference, Oxford, OH.
- Ahmed, A.* & Constantakes, A.* [Faculty mentor: Raj. S. P.] (November, 2021). Parent functioning, coping, and parenting experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic. Oral presentation and poster at the Annual Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) Conference (virtual for 2021)
- Ahmed, A.* & Raj, S. P. (November, 2021). Self-guided online intervention to build self-compassion among parents of children with developmental disabilities: Findings from a pilot trial. Poster presented at the Annual Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Conference (virtual for 2021)
- Rodriguez, B.,* Infante, R.,* & Raj, S.P. (October, 2021). Parental attitudes toward help-seeking for mental health in the Hispanic community. Poster presented at the annual conference of the National Latinx Psychological Association (virtual for 2021)
- Bolikal, P. D., Narad, M. E., Raj, S. P., Kennelly, M., & Kurowski, B. G. (March, 2020). A biopsychosocial model for predicting attention problems in children after traumatic brain injury. Poster presented at the 13th World Congress on Brain Injury, Toronto, Canada.
- Moscato, E.L., Raj, S.P., Schmidt, M., Fisher, A.P., Seid, C., Guzman, A.,** Rodriguez, B.,* & Wade, S.L. (March, 2020) “Road to Recovery”: Feasibility and satisfaction with a self-guided, web-based intervention for caregivers following pediatric traumatic brain injury. Poster presented the Society of Pediatric Psychology Conference, Dallas, TX. Winner of the Digital Health Special Interest Group poster award
- Moscato, E.L., Miley, A.E., LeBlond, E.I., King, J.A., Raj, S.P., Narad, M.E., Platt, A., Thompson, A.N., Baum, K.,Salloum, R., & Wade, S.L. (February, 2019). Preliminary efficacy of Survivor’s Journey: An online problem solving therapy for survivors of pediatric brain tumors. Poster presented at the International Neuropsychological Society Conference, New York City, NY.
- Shultz, E.L., Miley, A.E., LeBlond, E.I., King, J.A., Raj, S.P., Narad, M.E., Platt, A., Thompson, A.N., Baum, K., Salloum, R., & Wade, S.L. (April, 2018). An online problem-solving intervention for adolescent and young adult pediatric brain tumor survivors: Feasibility and initial treatment goals. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of the Society for Pediatric Psychology, Orlando, FL.
- Shultz, E., Raj, S. P., Narad, M. E., Taylor, G., Brown, T. M., Kirkwood, M. W., & Wade, S. L. (2017, March). Examining the bidirectional influences of parental negativity and adolescent externalizing problems following traumatic brain injury. Poster presented at the 2017 Annual Conference of the Society of Pediatric Psychology, Portland, OR. Poster award: Exemplary Statistics and Methodology Poster Award from the Pediatric Research/Innovative Statistical Methodology (PRISM) Special Interest Group
- Raj, S. P., Zhang, N. Kirkwood, M., Taylor, G., Stancin, T., Brown, T., & Wade, S. (2017, March). Online family problem-solving for pediatric traumatic brain injury: Influences of parent factors on adolescent outcomes. Poster presented at the 2017 Annual Conference of the International Brain Injury Association, New Orleans, LA
- Leblond, L., Raj, S. P., Narad, M. E., Salloum, R., Baum, K., Platt, A., Thompson, A., & Wade, S. L. (2017, February). Developing and intervention to promote quality of life in pediatric brain tumor survivors. Poster presented at the 2017 Annual Conference of the International Neuropsychological Society, New Orleans, LA.
- Raj, S. P., Daga, S. S., & Raval, V. V. (2016, July). Cultural identity across the lifespan: The experiences of Asian Indian immigrant mothers and first generation children and young adults. Paper presented at the 23rd International Congress of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology, Nagoya, Japan.
- Ovia, T., Raval, V. V., Chen A., Raj, S. P., & Daga, S. S. (2016, June). Public discourses about race relations and racial identity in the United States: A content analysis. Paper presented at the 23rd International Congress of the International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology, Nagoya, Japan.
- Raj, S. P., Raval, V. V., & Jansari, A. (2015, February). A cross-cultural study of factors influencing the relationship between parenting and student wellbeing. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the Society for Cross-Cultural Research, Albuquerque, NM.
- Daga, S. S., Fishman, J. L., Raval, V. V., & Raj, S. P. (2014, July). A mixed-method approach to examine maternal meta-emotion and child socio-emotional functioning in immigrant Indian and Caucasian American families. Poster presented at the 23nd Biennial Meeting of the International Society for the Study of Behavioral Development, Shanghai, China.
- Raj, S. P., Kennedy, A., & Raval, V. V. (2013, September). A mixed-methods approach to comparing Indian and American college student reports of parenting received. Paper presented at the Lemelson/Society for Psychological Anthropological Conference: Anthropological and Mixed Methods to Understand Contemporary Social Issues and Inform Real World Policy, Miami University, Oxford, OH.
- Daga, S. S., Fishman, J. L., Raval, V.V., & Raj, S. P. (2013, September). A mixed-methods approach to maternal meta-emotion and child socio-emotional functioning in immigrant Indian and Caucasian American families. Paper presented at the Lemelson/Society for Psychological Anthropological Conference: Anthropological and Mixed Methods to Understand Contemporary Social Issues and Inform Real World Policy, Oxford, OH.
- Kennedy, A., Raj, S. P., Raval, V. V., & Jansari, A. (2013, April). Reports of parenting and parent-child communication in Indian and American college students. Poster presented at the Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, Seattle, WA.
- Daga, S. S., Raval, V. V., &, Raj, S. P. (2013, April). Maternal meta-emotion and child socio-emotional functioning in immigrant Indian and white American families. Paper presented in the symposium, “Parental socialization of emotion and values: Variation across ethnic groups in North America,” at the Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, Seattle, WA.
- Fishman, J. L., Raval, V. V., Daga, S. S., & Raj, S. P. (2013, April). A phenomenological investigation of meta-emotions of first generation Asian Indian immigrant mothers. Paper presented in the symposium, “Parental socialization of emotion and values: Variation across ethnic groups in North America,” at the Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, Seattle, WA.
- Raj, S. P., Antonini, T. A., MacPherson, H., Taylor, J., Sohlberg, M., Harn, B., Prideaux, J., & Wade, S. L. (2012, September). Cognitive training targeting traumatic brain injury related attention problems in adolescents. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of the North American Brain Injury Society, Miami, FL.
- Carey, J., Nielsen, B., Raj, S. P., Cass, J., Antonini, T. A., & Wade, S. L. (2012, November). Working with teens one-on-one following traumatic brain injury: Strategies for success. Poster presented at the Ohio Center for Autism and Low-Incidence Disabilities (OCALI), Columbus, OH.
- Raj, S. P. & Raval, V. V. (2012, July). Children in residential care: A case-study from Malaysia. Poster presented at the 22nd Biennial Meeting of the International Society for the Study of Behavioral Development, Edmonton, Canada.
- Raj, S. P., Raval, V. V., Raval, P. H., Becker, S. P., Panchal, I. N., & Minnick, E. (2010, July). Links among parenting style, parenting practices, and child behavior problems in India. Paper presented in the symposium, “Parenting and youth well-being in Gujarat, India: A multi-method exploration,” V. V. Raval (chair), at the 21st Biennial Meeting of the International Society for the Study of Behavioral Development, Lusaka, Zambia.
- Raval, V. V., Natarajan, A. D., Raval, P. H., Panchal, I. N., & Raj, S. P. (2010, July). Emotion socialization, emotion regulation, and child behavior problems in India. Paper presented in the symposium, “Mothers’ socialization and child functioning in under-studied populations,” at the Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, San Diego, CA.
- Raj, S. P. & Sharma, A. (2010, August). Predictors of help-seeking in nontraditional female college students. Poster presented at the Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, San Diego, CA.
- Raj, S. P. (2009, August). What do Malaysian youth know about safer sex and HIV/AIDS? Poster presented at the 9th International Congress on AIDS in Asia & the Pacific (ICAAP), Bali, Indonesia.
- Raj, S. P. & Leaw, M. (2009, August). The socio-economic impact of living with HIV in Malaysia: A case study. Poster presented at the 9th International Congress on AIDS in Asia & the Pacific (ICAAP), Bali, Indonesia.
- Sekaran, J. S., Ellan, P., & Raj, S. P. (2009, August). Strategies for strengthening prevention efforts among sex workers: Lessons learned from Malaysia. Poster presented at the 9th International Congress on AIDS in Asia & the Pacific (ICAAP), Bali, Indonesia.
*denotes XU graduate student mentee; **denotes XU undergraduate student mentee