About Us
Who We Are
The PRIDE Lab is a strengths-based, community-engaged, developmental psychology research lab at Cornell University. We study how social identities, like gender, sexuality, race, and ethnicity can be powerful assets that help young people grow, thrive, and succeed.
Our Approach
At The PRIDE Lab, we work directly with communities to design research that makes a real difference. Through a method called Community-Based Participatory Research, we ensure that our studies are shaped by the voices of the youth and organizations we aim to serve, so our findings truly benefit those who need them most.
Research Aims
We focus on three primary questions that help us better understand and support marginalized youth:
Identity Development
Over Time
How do social identities develop and change over time?
Adolescence is considered to be a time of great change and development of social identities. In this line of research, we examine how social identities (e.g., LGBTQ or ethnic-racial identities) are changing over time and what contextual factors and socializing agents could be influencing this change.
Developing Identity
to be an Asset
How can social identities be leveraged as assets to promote positive youth development and outcomes?
Social identity research has ex in the past 15 years, demonstrating a stronger, more positive sense of self on the basis of various social identities promotes a host of adaptive outcomes. Surprisingly, little research has begun to develop ways to enhance and leverage these identities to foster better outcomes for youth. We are aiming to close this gap by developing interventions to shape identities to be congruent with positive youth development and outcomes.
Identity’s Impact on
Youth Outcomes
How are social identities related to mental health, well-being, and academic outcomes?
Research has generally shown that social identities are positively associated with more adaptive outcomes. However, there is still much to be known about what influences these associations and in what contexts. We are working to close this gap by investigating these relations and moderators across various contexts.
Why It Matters?
By answering these questions, we aim to create research-based strategies that help youth, families, and communities foster strength, pride, and success, especially for those who are often overlooked or underserved.