The Vulnerability, Trauma, Resilience and Culture Research Laboratory (V-TRaC) directed by Dr. Jude Mary Cénat is pursuing a research program in youth and adults. The V-TRaC research lab studies the impact of vulnerability and trauma in relation to coping and resilience strategies. Our research aims to integrate clinical, developmental, individual, community, family, social and cultural factors in order to develop culturally appropriate assessment, prevention and intervention tools that meet the real needs of individuals and communities. The V-TRaC lab has three main research axes:

Vulnerability and trauma

This research axis studies the risk and protection factors associated with vulnerabilities and interpersonal and non-interpersonal traumas (including traumas from natural disasters) as well as new forms of trauma (including cyberbullying and intimate partner violence via information and communication technologies). It also examines the mental health consequences associated with trauma, as well as individual and collective coping strategies and resilience mechanisms.

Racial disparities in health and social services

This research axis is particularly interested in disparities in the mental health and social services provided to racialized individuals and families. It examines the social determinants of mental health in racialized communities, barriers associated with access to and use of care, and the needs of mental health professionals. It also analyses the racial, social, demographic, economic and cultural dynamics and issues related to disparities in social services.

Global mental health

Based on an intercultural and community perspective, this research axis studies mental health problems in low and middle-income countries. It also examines the impacts of culturally-sensitive programs that integrate local expressions and conceptualization in improving mental health care. This axis also aims to develop innovative community mental health tools, devices and programs that respect community traditions.

News
  • The Vulnerability, Trauma, Resilience and Culture Research Laboratory (V-TRaC) and the Interdisciplinary Centre for Black Health is looking for applications for a full-time research coordinator. Please click on the following link for additional details:  here
  • We're excited to announce our upcoming event for Black students (grades 9-12) and mental health professionals, featuring special guests The Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean and Jonathan David, Canadian soccer player. This exclusive event is by invitation only, and is happening on March 2nd 2023 as part of the Black Mental Health Week. Don't miss out on this important discussion!

Poster

  • Dr. Jude Mary Cénat and colleagues have a new publication in Anxiety & Depression, "Prevalence and correlates of depression among Black individuals in Canada: The major role of everyday racial discrimination". This article  shows that racial discrimination is the most important risk factor for severe depression symptoms among Black Canadians. Read it here.
  • As part of the project "Black Communities Mental Health in the National Capital Region: Evaluation, Prevention and Intervention Tools", the Vulnerability, Trauma, Resilience and Culture Research Lab (V-TRaC) is looking for applications for a postdoctoral candidate. The ideal candidate is an aspiring scientist-practitioner in clinical psychology. Please click on the following link for additional details:  postdoctoral_fellowship_offer.pdf (pdf, 180.01 KB)
  • Join us during the first week of March for Black Mental Health Week, hosted by the Ottawa Black Mental Health Coalition & VTRaC Lab! The week will be filled with exciting activities including keynote addresses by Members of Parliament, a livestreamed concert "Playing Together Against Racism", and much more! Black_mental_health_week_.pdf (pdf, 11,699.58 KB)

     

  • Dr. Jude Mary Cénat and colleagues have a new publication in Psychiatry Research on the prevalence and correlates of depression symptoms during the first wave of COVID-19 in Haiti, DR Congo, Rwanda and Togo. Read it here.
  • Congrats to our new postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Cyrille K. Kokou-Kpolou for this new publication in Current Psychology: The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale–Revised (CESD-20-R): Factorial Validity and Gender Invariance among Nigerian Young Adults. Read it here.
  • Only two sessions remain in our series of conferences on Infectious Disease Outbreaks: Social Sciences at the Heart of Surveillance, Prevention and Intervention Strategies. (1) Tuesday, March 16th (10 AM - 11:30 AM EST) and (2) Tuesday, April 13th (10AM - 11:30 AM EST). Email vtrac@uottawa.ca for more information and to register.
  • VTRaC Lab is pleased to welcome our new postdoctoral fellow, Dr Cyrille K. Kokou-Kpolou! Dr. Kokou-Kpolou completed his Ph.D at the University of Picardy Jules Verne, and his main research contributions involve bereavement and prolonged grief disorder. Welcome Dr. Kokou-Kpolou!
  • Dr. Jude Mary Cénat and colleagues have a new publication in Journal of Affective Disorders on the prevalence and associated mental health outcomes of child sexual abuse in youth in France. Read the article here.
  • The largest and most comprehensive meta-analysis by Dr. Jude Mary Cénat and colleagues on mental health and COVID-19 highlighted significant findings that will help to better understand racial disparities in mental health and the role of COVID-19-related discrimination and stigma during the pandemic. Read the article here.
  • Dr. Jude Mary Cénat and colleagues recently published an article on ADHD in Black individuals in Jama Psychiatry, finding that contrary to what is generally stated in the literature and in the DSM-5, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder is more prevalent among Black individuals. Read the article here.
  • Dr. Jude Mary Cénat and his colleagues from the University of Western Ontario, the University of Hong Kong, York University and other university partners (Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, Université de Kinshasa, McGill University), present a series of six virtual conferences. The conference series will centre around the theme, “Infectious Disease Outbreaks: Social Sciences at the Heart of Surveillance, Prevention and Intervention Strategies”. Each conference will feature keynote speakers who specialize in the field of global health, infectious diseases and social sciences. All conferences will take place from 10:00AM-11:30AM EST on Zoom. Email vtrac@uottawa.ca to register.
  • Are you a mental health professional interested in how mindfulness can apply to your practice? Join us this Wednesday, October 28 for a workshop with Michelle Nicholls, Registered Clinical Social Worker and Psychotherapist, to learn how to use mindfulness with Black youth in a psychotherapeutic context. For further details: michelle_nicholls.pdf (pdf, 4,813.02 KB)
  • This October, we are pleased to invite you to Black Students' Wellness Month, a series of events that aim to increase and support the wellbeing of Black students in the National Capital Region. For additional details: black_students_wellness_month_october_2020_22.pdf (pdf, 7,441.51 KB)
  • As part of the project " Black Communities Mental Health in the National Capital Region: Evaluation, Prevention and Intervention Tools ", the Vulnerability, Trauma, Resilience and Culture Research Lab (V-TRaC) is looking for applications for a research coordinator. Please click on the following link for additional details:    research_coordinator_offer.pdf (pdf, 118.17 KB)
  • As part of the project " Black Communities Mental Health in the National Capital Region: Evaluation, Prevention and Intervention Tools ", the Vulnerability, Trauma, Resilience and Culture Research Lab (V-TRaC) is looking for applications for a postdoctoral candidate. Please click on the following link for additional details:     postdoctoral_fellowship_offer.pdf (pdf, 116 KB)
  • A new article by Dr. Cénat and colleagues examines suicidal ideations and behaviors among cyberbullied college students
  • A new article by Dr. Cénat and European colleagues including Daniel Derivois from the University of Bourgogne Franche-Comté addresses the migration crisis in Europe as a global health issue
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