My Research
My research agenda has several branches based in the Psychology of Working Theory. I use qualitative and quantitative methods including constructivist grounded theory, thematic analysis, structural equation modeling, and latent profile analysis.
​
Branch 1: Work as a Social and Commercial Determinant of Health
​I study ways that work impacts people’s physical and mental health outcomes from an intersectional perspective. Within this domain of research, I am especially interested in relationships between work and health for LGBTQ+ communities.
​
Branch 2: Predictors and Outcomes of Work Conditions
I study ways that systems of privilege, power, and oppression intersect to shape people’s access to decent work, dignified work, and precarious work. I also study ways that these different work conditions impact people’s general and vocational wellbeing.
​
Branch 3: General and Vocational Wellbeing of First-Generation and Economically Marginalized College Students
I study the experiences of first-generation and economically marginalized (FGEM) college students from a Critical Cultural Wealth perspective (Garriott, 2020; Yosso, 2005).
​
Please contact me if you are interested in learning more about my projects in these areas or if you are interested in collaborating on a project!
​
Psychology of Working Theory
The Psychology of Working Theory (PWT; Duffy et al., 2016; see Figure 1) and Psychology of Working Framework (Blustein et al., 2008) were developed to highlight the vocational experiences of minoritized communities and challenge the assumption that everyone can freely make choices about their work. PWT is the first vocational theory to center systemic considerations as primary predictors of access to quality work.
​
Blustein, D. L., Kenna, A. C., Gill, N., & DeVoy, J. E. (2008). The Psychology of Working: A new framework for counseling practice and public policy. The Career Development Quarterly, 56(4), 294–308.
Duffy, R. D., Blustein, D. L., Diemer, M. A., & Autin, K. L. (2016). The Psychology of Working Theory. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 63(2), 127–148. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000140