Research

Social Identity and Positive Development

Social identity refers to how individuals come to understand and define themselves in relation to their social categories, such as ethnic-racial background and gender, and is a salient process for youth who navigate differences in culture or minority status. At FLY, we are interested in how developing a clear and meaningful sense of social identity is linked to well-being and positive adjustment among diverse youth. We pay particular attention to how experiences of inclusion, exclusion, or cultural expectations shape this process. 

Adulthood Transition in South Korea

The developmental context of South Korean youth involving intense competition and social stratification pose unique challenges to their well-being. Through multi-cohort longitudinal research, we investigate how different aspects of positive psychosocial development are challenged and supported during major social transitions.

Diversity in STEM Pathways

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields hold massive potential for societal impact and personal fulfillment, yet access to and success within these fields are not equal. Students underrepresented by socioeconomic status, gender, and race frequently navigate environments where they have fewer resources, less representation, and greater barriers to belonging. With researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, this line of research examines how these conditions shape the development of academic identity, motivation, and persistence in STEM and how supportive contexts can foster resilience and sustained engagement. 

EA2 (Emerging Adults in East Asia)

Emerging adulthood is a key period for developing a sense of autonomy and identity, yet how such process unfolds vary depending on young people's developmental context. East Asian societies are often treated as a single cultural group with collectivistic values despite variance in sociocultural structures and modern Westernization. In collaboration with scholars in Japan, Taiwan, and China, we are exploring cross-cultural differences across these societies in how the sense of autonomy and identity are related and contribute to well-being.