Paulina Velez Gomez, Ph.D.

Bio

Degrees:

• B.S. Psychology - Universidad CES - Medellin, Colombia
• M.S. Human Development and Family Sciences - Texas Tech University
• Ph.D. Human Development and Family Sciences - Texas Tech University

Research Focus

My research focuses on understanding the factors associated with healthy developmental trajectories in youth from different socio-cultural backgrounds (e.g., SES, race/ethnicity, rural/urban backgrounds). In addition, I am interested in translating this research into designing and evaluating programs and services that can help young people navigate adolescence in healthy ways. I take a health promotion approach to my research, prioritizing the prevention of risky behaviors and mental problems in youth.

Areas of Expertise

• Youth development
• Comprehensive wellness
• Health behavior
• Community-engaged research
• Mixed methods

Selected Publications

Dodd, S. L., Moratto-Vasquez, N., Velez-Gomez, P., Sánchez-Acosta, D., & Gonzales, G. (in press). Positive Youth Development in Colombia: Reflections on a Cross-cultural Collaboration. Revista CES Psicologia.

Diaz C. M., Otalvaro M.E., Corzo J.D., Velez-Gomez, P. & Zapata, J.F. (i2023). Factores asociados al consumo de sustancias psicoactivas de un grupo de pacientes con diagnóstico de esquizofrenia de una institución de salud mental de Medellín, Antioquia [Factors associated with the consumption of psychoactive substances in a group of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia from a mental health institution in Medellín, Antioquia.] Revista Medicina UPB, 42(1),10-19.

Sharp, E., Brooks-Hurst, E., Velez-Gomez, P., Fang, D., Nickles, D., Oblad, T., Parker, A. Samtani, S. & Yuan, S. (2022). The Paradox of Closeness and Distance in a Family Science Interactive Video-Conferencing Seminar: Lessons for Teaching in a Time of COVID-19 and Beyond. Family Science Review, 26(3), 1-17.

Follmer-Reece, H., Velez-Gomez, P., Moratto-Vásquez, N. & Dodd, S. L. (2021). On the right path: Youth development amidst Colombia's sociocultural transition. Journal of Youth Development, 16(2-3), 310-328.

Diaz-Soto, C. M. & Velez-Gomez, P. (2021). Aportes de la conectividad cerebral a la comprensión y el diagnóstico de la enfermedad mental [Contributions of brain connectivity to the understanding and diagnosis of mental illness]. Neurología, Neurocirugía y Psiquiatría, 18(2), 700-708. 

Velez-Gomez, P., & Bell, N.J. (2018). Identity negotiations of Colombian international students. Identity, 18(1), 1-17.

Kostina-Ritchey, E., Velez-Gomez, P., & Dodd, S. L. (2017). Student assets and commitment to learning in an afterschool leadership development program: Looking beyond the myths. Middle Grades Research Journal, 11(2), 49-61.