Culture, Neuroscience, and Psychosis

Research Sites

Olive View-UCLA Medical Center in Sylmar, California
Los Angeles County/USC Department of Psychiatry
Benemerita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla
Facultad de Medicina, Mexico

Co-PIs

  • Steven López, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology and Social Work, USC
  • Alex Kopelowicz, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, UCLA
  • William A. Vega, Ph.D., Professor of Social Work, USC

Learn more about the Co-PIs…

Main Objective

To develop an innovative research and research training program that integrates both sociocultural and neuroscience perspectives, in the study of psychosis and psychotic disorders among Latinos. Our focus will be on the continuum of psychosis, from person who briefly experience it and whose functioning is not affected, to persons living with serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia, who become gravely disabled.

Current Project

Family Socialization, Neural Functioning and Positive Symptoms in Schizophrenia

PIs

Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, Assistant Professor of Education and Psychology, USC
Steven López, Professor of Psychology, USC

Main Objective

The overall objective of this study is to assess whether the social world of persons with schizophrenia is associated with the disorder’s neurobiological underpinnings and the disorder’s expression. We propose to carry out three studies to test a set of hypotheses that family socialization and its emphasis on self or other orientation can augment or mitigate both neurobiological correlates of the disorder and the expression of the disorder. We have chosen to focus our research on Mexican-origin families because we expect considerable sociocultural variability in self/other orientation given acculturation level.

For more information about this program contact:

Steven López, Ph.D.
email hidden; JavaScript is required
(213) 740-6310

or

Monina Letargo (Administrator)
email hidden; JavaScript is required
(213) 740-6312