Dr. Kenan’s Youth Often Underrepresented but Matter (Y.O.U. Matter) Research Lab
Introduction Heading link
Racial injustice, inequity and disparity continue to plague this country. It is well recognized that racial and ethnic minorities experience arresting disparities in the burden of mental illness, access to and engagement in care, and recovery. To improve these disparities a diverse research team with creative, innovative, and impactful solutions and science is needed.
Dr. Kenan’s race (Black), ethnicity (African American), life, education and career path afford her a unique perspective of the complex interplay between the innate potential of all children and extrinsic factors such as family structure, community level barriers, structural violence, racism, discrimination and access to quality medical care. As a graduate of the Chicago Public School System, from an early age Dr. Kenan discovered her love for science and discovery. By attending Howard University, a Historically Black University (HBCU), Dr. Kenan was able to discover and appreciate the ethnic diversity of her own race, explore the history and consequences of the African diaspora and continue to cultivate her interest in science. Her studies and experiences at the University North Carolina at Chapel Hill while attaining her Master in Public Health has given Dr. Kenan insight into barriers experienced with in many rural communities.
To date, much of Dr. Kenan’s research has focused on adverse childhood experiences (ACE). Through the NIMH funded Y.O.U. Matter study, Dr. Kenan has expanded her ACE research to include racial and ethnic discrimination. The Y.O.U. Matter study seeks to expand the understanding of vulnerability and protective factors for depression in adolescents who self-identify as racially underrepresented minorities and are victims of racial discrimination and racial trauma.
Research Interest Heading link
- The vulnerability and protective factors for depression in adolescents who self-identify as racially underrepresented minorities and are victims of racial discrimination and racial trauma.
- The relationships between structural violence, adverse childhood experiences, and pediatric psychosocial dysfunction.
- Pediatric medical education in adverse childhood experiences, racial discrimination and racial trauma.
- Increasing racial diversity in pediatric research.
Ongoing Research Heading link
- The Path 2 Purpose and the PATHway studies are free, voluntary research program for teens. They use the CATCH-IT internet-based program (Competent Adulthood Transition with Cognitive-Behavioral + Interpersonal Training) to teach teens strategies to cope with negative thoughts, manage conflicts with friends and family, and plan for major life changes. CATCH-IT also helps parents/ caregivers learn about what their teens are learning and what steps they can take to promote well-being.
- The Youth Often Underrepresented but Matter Study (Y.O.U. Matter) seeks to expand the understanding of vulnerability and protective factors for depression in adolescents who self-identify as racially underrepresented minorities and are victims of racial discrimination and racial trauma.
- Essential Education: Exploring the Efficacy of Medical Education Training in Racial Trauma and Discrimination evaluates how well current physicians have been trained to address issues of racial discrimination and/or racial trauma with their pediatric patients. The study will also evaluate physicians’ understanding of the long-term adverse effects of racial discrimination and/or racial trauma.
Past Studies Heading link
- Healthy Minds Healthy Children Healthy Chicago
- Trends in Resident Education in Youth Violence
Research Partners Heading link
Benjamin Van Voorhees, MD, MPH
Benjamin Van Voorhees, MD, MPH
University of Illinois at Chicago
Tracy Gladstone, PhD
Tracy Gladstone, PhD
Brown University
Henrika McCoy, MSW, MJ, PhD, LCSW
Henrika McCoy, MSW, MJ, PhD, LCSW
University of Denver
William McDade, MD, PhD
William McDade, MD, PhD
Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (Research Affiliation)
Current Funding Heading link
National Institute Of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R01MH124723
Publications Heading link
- Kenan, K., Mack, K., & Paulozzi, L. (2012). Trends in prescriptions for oxycodone and other commonly used opioids in the United States, 2000–2010. Open Medicine, 6(2), e41.
- Kenan, K. N., Hageman, J. R., & Tothy, A. S. (2014). Trends in Resident Education in Youth Violence. Academic Pediatrics, 14(4), e7-e8.
- Zima, B. T., McCreary, M., Kenan, K., Churchey-Mims, M., Chi, H., Brady, M., … & Leventhal, B. (2018). Development and evaluation of two integrated care models for children using a partnered formative evaluation approach. Ethnicity & disease, 28(Supp), 445-456.
- Choi, K. R., McCreary, M., Ford, J. D., Koushkaki, S. R., Kenan, K. N., & Zima, B. T. (2019). Validation of the traumatic events screening inventory for ACEs. Pediatrics, 143(4), e20182546.
- Choi, K. R., Stewart, T., Fein, E., McCreary, M., Kenan, K. N., Davies, J. D., … & Zima, B. T. (2020). The impact of attachment-disrupting adverse childhood experiences on child behavioral health. The Journal of Pediatrics, 221, 224-229.
- Choi, K. R., Stewart, T., Davies, J. D., Naureckas, S., Venegas-Murillo, A., McCreary, M., … & Zima, B. T. (2021). Parent and Child Factors Associated with Household versus Community Adversity among Black and Hispanic Children. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 30(9), 2108-2116.
