Biopsychosocial Contexts of Stress: From Mechanisms to Targeted Interventions Presentation
Presented by Dr. Li Shen (Jesslyn) Chong, Department of Psychology
Individuals exposed to early life stress exhibit wide variability in outcomes—but what drives this difference? This talk explores how biopsychosocial mechanisms shape risk and resilience, examines group differences in stress responses, and discusses implications for interventions. Dr. Chong presents three studies that (1) investigate the combined effects of early life stress and stress responses on one’s outcomes, (2) review racial disparities in stress responses, and (3) evaluate the impact of mindfulness interventions on stress system coordination. Together, these findings emphasize the importance of a contextually grounded approach to developmental risk and resilience, informing more equitable clinical psychology strategies.
Dr. Li Shen (Jesslyn) Chong is an assistant professor of clinical psychology at San José State University. She earned her PhD from the University at Albany, SUNY, and completed an APA-accredited internship at the University of Washington/Seattle Children’s Hospital, specializing in child and adolescent mental health. Her research uses a biopsychosocial approach to study how stress and adversity influence health outcomes and racial disparities, aiming to inform targeted interventions. She also explores professional issues in psychology training. Dr. Chong’s dedication to integrating clinical and research insights has been recognized through SJSU research grants and the Mindful Teaching and Learning Award.
Families in Nature: Understanding the Benefits of Shared Outdoor Time
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Presented by Dr. Dina Izenstark, Child & Adolescent Development Department
As digital engagement and urbanization increasingly shape daily life, spending time in nature is an important yet often overlooked way to enhance well-being and strengthen family relationships. In this presentation, Dr. Izenstark will share her research on how outdoor experiences can benefit both children and caregivers by improving attention, enhancing emotions, and fostering family cohesion. She will also discuss how early exposure to nature is associated with healthy outcomes in adulthood. Her work takes an inclusive, strengths-based approach to highlight the many ways families engage with nature and how these experiences can promote positive development.
Dr. Dina Izenstark is an associate professor of Child and Adolescent Development at San José State University. Her interdisciplinary research examines how time spent in nature influences the health and well-being of children and families. She holds a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies, and M.S. and B.S. degrees in Recreation Management from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Izenstark’s scholarship is rooted in her hands-on experience designing and delivering community-based recreation programs. She aims to promote children’s healthy development and strengthen family relationships through accessible, everyday outdoor leisure activities.
Understanding and Managing the Dark Side of IT
Presented by Dr. Jalal Sarabadani, School of Information Systems and Technology
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This presentation explores the dark side of IT through a curated series of empirical studies and literature reviews. It examines how individuals experience and cope with the negative impacts of IT across various contexts. Discussed topics will include technostress in the workplace, students’ irresponsible use of generative AI in higher education, and cybercrime targeting vulnerable users. These studies collectively highlight how digital technologies, while beneficial, can also create significant psychological, ethical, and security challenges. Dr. Sarabadani will also reflect on how individuals and organizations can manage these issues and offer directions for future research toward a healthier and more responsible use of technology.
Dr. Jalal Sarabadani is an Assistant Professor of Information Systems in the Lucas College and Graduate School of Business at San José State University. His primary area of research focuses on the dark side of IT and its implications for individuals and organizations. His articles have been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Behaviour & Information Technology, Journal of Information Systems Education (JISE), Communications of AIS, Organizational Dynamics, and Information and Software Technology. His works have also appeared in major Information Systems conferences including ICIS, AMCIS, HICSS.
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