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College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Department of Psychology

Seungju Kim

Graduate Research Assistant

Biography

Seungju Kim (he/him)is a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow and first-year PhD student in the Clinical/Community Psychology Program at the University of Illinois under Dr. Nathan Todd. His research is focused on modeling the relationship between religiosity/spirituality (RS) and psychological/behavioral health in historically marginalized communities.

Research Interests

  • Adverse and beneficial religious experiences
  • Mental and behavioral health
  • LGBTQ+ communities
  • Religious leaders, families, and communities

Education

2024- Anticipated 2031
Ph.D. in Clinical/Community Psychology,
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
APA/PCSAS Accredited
Advisor: Nathan Todd, Ph.D.

2020-2023
B.A. in Psychology, magna cum laude
Wheaton College

Honors Thesis: Exploring the Relationship Between Sexual Attraction and Psychological Well-being of Religious Spouses in Mixed-Orientation Marriages
Chair: Mark Yarhouse, Psy.D.

Grants

2024-2029
Graduate Research Fellowship, National Science Foundation
Amount: $159,000

2024
Presentation Travel Grant, Minority Health Disparity Initiative
Amount: $1,000

Awards and Honors

2024
Doctoral Merit Fellowship Nominee, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

Highlighted Publications

2. Kim, S., Lefevor, G.T. & Skidmore, S.J. (2024) Mitigating the Impact of Religiously Based Family Expectations on Depression among Sexual and Gender Minorities: The Role of Authenticity. Journal of Homosexuality. [Advance Online Publication] 10.1080/00918369.2024.2378745

1. Lefevor, G.T., Kim, S., & Perez-Figueroa, A. M. (2024). How does religiousness influence health among sexual and gender minorities? Evaluating the propositions of the religious/spiritual stress and resilience model. Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. [Advance Online Publication] 10.1037/sgd0000749

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Department of Psychology

308 Psychology Bldg, MC-716

603 East Daniel St.

Champaign, IL 61820

(217) 333-0631

Email: psych@illinois.edu

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