NCID-2916
Russell Toomey
Professor and University Distinguished Scholar
University of Arizona
Education/Degree:
1 Human Development and Family Science Human Development and Family Science (University of Arizona)
About
Dr. Russ Toomey (he/him) is Professor of Human Development and Family Science at the University of Arizona. Dr. Toomey conducts research on the processes by which sexual and gender minority youth thrive and are resilient despite the oppressive barriers and challenges they encounter in society. His research identifies both the individual-level mechanisms (e.g., coping, activism) and systems-level policies (e.g., inclusive school policies) that reduce the impacts of discrimination and contribute to optimal health, well-being, and educational outcomes. At the University of Arizona, he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on professional development, human sexuality, and advanced graduate-level applied statistics. He serves on the Executive Council for the Society for Research on Adolescence, the Governing Council of the Society for Research in Child Development, and the Editorial Board for the Journal of Youth and Adolescence.
Current Work
Dr. Russ Toomey’s (he/him) scholarship seeks to reduce suffering and poor mental health among sexual and gender minority youth, particularly among Latinx youth in the U.S. Southwest. His studies identify supportive and harmful behaviors and policies in a variety of contexts (schools, families, and governments) affect sexual and gender minority youth’s well-being, such as family engagement in accepting behaviors (e.g., using the pronouns requested by the child) or school policies that restrict trans and nonbinary youths’ experiences (e.g., not allowing students to participate in sports that are consistent with their gender). His current work is focused on how legislation targeting trans and nonbinary youths’ experiences in schools, healthcare, and families affects youths’ mental health and their parents’ mental health. Additionally, in separate studies, he examines how Latinx cultural values shape sexual and gender minority youths’ identities and experiences in families and schools.
Research Area Keyword(s)
Sexual orientation and gender diversity, Adolescent development, Intersectionality and positionality, mental health, Minority stress and resilience