Research is Storytelling
Research is Storytelling
Embedded Files
Dr. Nguyen views research as a powerful medium to tell stories about people and communities, especially those that have been historically overlooked. To elucidate those stories, Dr. Nguyen integrates both quantitative and qualitative approaches. These methodologies allow him to see the human behind the data and depict more nuanced narratives of their collective pain and power. While at times conflicting and ambiguous, nuanced and intersecting narratives are where human beings live. To Dr. Nguyen, these stories are not only meant to connect and inform, but they also serve as powerful facilitators of advocacy, collaboration, and innovation.
Pain and Power are the thematic pillars of Dr. Nguyen's scholarly work. These two inherent characteristics of human life, that to exist is to experience pain and to demonstrate power. As such, his research primarily centers on the intersection of multicultural and health psychology, with a specific focus on promoting the health and resilience of BIPOC and linguistic minority communities, in the face of many interpersonal and systemic barriers. Dr. Nguyen's special interest lies in psychosocial factors that contribute to chronic pain outcomes among underserved communities. His research has demonstrated the critical roles of prosocial behaviors and work-family dynamics in the health of individuals with chronic pain, suggesting holistic and multidisciplinary approaches to pain management.
Oriented by Liberation and Decolonizing Psychology, Dr. Nguyen’s work aims to move away from deficit-oriented views where minoritized communities are viewed just as passive victims of discrimination and injustice. Rather, they have unique values and agency that allow them to actively participate in social changes. This view has inspired his work in the role of critical consciousness among BIPOC communities with chronic pain. This study offers nuanced insights into the unexplored relations between racism, activism, and physical pain.
His interest in linguistic minority communities has motivated him to explore the connections between non-native English accents, language discrimination, and mental health outcomes among linguistic minority college students. Utilizing mixed-method approaches, this project depicts that one’s accent can be a source of both pride and isolation. It can signal multilingual ability while exposing them to experience higher risk of language discrimination.
As a principal investigator of the Health, Empowerment, and Advocacy Lab (HEAL) at Texas A&M University, Dr. Nguyen and his team of graduate research assistants seek to explore and depict the complexities in the life and well-being of marginalized communities and the multifaceted route to promote healing and wellness. Ultimately, his goal is to advance sophisticated, evidence-based solutions for treatment, prevention, education, and advocacy.
Current Projects
Critical Consciousness
& Pain
Critical Consciousness
& Pain
Chronic Pain
& Psychosocial Health
Chronic Pain
& Psychosocial Health
Health & Well-being Among Linguistic Minorities
Health & Well-being Among Linguistic Minorities
| Peer-Reviewed Publications |
Nguyen, N., & Kim, S. (in press). When adjusting to ethnic discrimination is not enough: The moderating role of critical consciousness among ethnic minorities with chronic pain. Rehabilitation Psychology.
Kim, S., Nguyen, N., & Yoo, H. (in press). Can social pain be medicated away? A pilot study on everyday discrimination and its exacerbation of opioid misuse risk in people of color with chronic pain. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine.
Kim, S. Y., Nguyen, N., Yoo, H., Bartholomew T. (2024). “I can’t think in English when I hurt so bad”: the phenomenology of racial and linguistic minority chronic pain patients’ experience with pain communication. Counseling Psychology Quarterly, 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515070.2024.2431115
Kim, S. Y., Iserman, M., Nguyen, N., & Yoo, H. (2024). Diurnal cortisol patterns in chronic pain: Associations with work-family spillover, work, and home stress. Stress, 27(1), 2402954. https://doi.org/10.1080/10253890.2024.2402954
Nguyen, N., Kim, S., Tran, S., & Yoo, H. (2023). Work-to-family conflicts and pain interference among midlife adults: A longitudinal serial mediation via family strain and loneliness. Psychology & Health, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/08870446.2023.2259929
Nguyen, N., Kim, S. Y., Sanchez, M. R., & Morales, A. (2022). Internalizing symptoms among Asian American language brokers: The moderating role of values enculturation. Journal of American College Health, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2022.2055433.
Nguyen, N., Kim, S., Daheim, J., & Neduvelil, A. (2021). Prescription pain medication use among midlife and older adults with chronic pain: The roles of generativity and perceived family support. Families, Systems, & Health, 39(2), 248-258. https://doi.org/10.1037/fsh0000579
Nguyen, N., Kim, S., Daheim, J., & Neduvelil, A. (2020). Social contribution and psychological well-being among midlife adults with chronic pain: A longitudinal approach. Journal of Aging and Health, 32(10), 1591-1601. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264320947293
Kim, H.J., Kim, S. Y., Duffy, R.D., Nguyen, N., & Wang, D. (2019). A cross-cultural comparison of the Psychology of Working Theory among U.S. and Korean college students. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 67(5), 568. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000408
Daheim, J., Kim, S., Neduvelil, A., & Nguyen, N. (2019). Traditional gender role beliefs and prescription painkiller usage. Pain Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1093/pm/pnz200
Wachs, F., Fuqua, J., Nissenson, P., Shih, A., Ramirez, M., DaSilva, L., Nguyen, N., & Romero, C. (2018). Successfully Flipping a Fluid Mechanics Course Using Video Tutorials and Active Learning Strategies: Implementation and Assessment. Proceedings of the 2018 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition in Salt Lake City, UT (June 24-27, 2018). Available at https://www.asee.org/public/conferences/106/papers/23046/view
| Manuscripts Under Review |
Nguyen, N., Brunt, C.*, Uche, N.*, & Choi, J* (under review). “I Like My Accent, But…”: A Mixed-Methods Study of College Students with Non-Native English Accents
Nguyen, N., Hall, K.*, & Craven, N.* (under review). Workplace Discrimination among Midlife Adults with Chronic Pain: The Longitudinal Buffering Role of Work-to-family Enrichment.
Daheim, J., Nguyen, N., & Kim, S. (under review). Physical Activity and Mindfulness in the Relation between Negative Work-Family Spillover and Life Satisfaction.
*Denotes Graduate Student Mentees
| Manuscripts in Preparation |
Speaking With Non-Native English Accents and Mental Health Outcomes: A Mixed-Method Investigation.
Workplace Discrimination among Midlife Adults with Chronic Pain: The Longitudinal Buffering Effect of Work-to-family Enrichment.
How Self-Esteem and Self-Acceptance Mediated the Adverse Effects of Workplace Discrimination on Chronic Pain Outcomes: A Longitudinal Multiple Mediations Model.
The Long-term Detrimental Effects of Job Discrimination on Chronic Pain Among Midlife Adults: The Longitudinal Buffering Effect of Self-Esteem.
| Select Presentations |
Nguyen, N., Kim, S.Y, Yoo, H. (2022, August). Pain Care for Linguistically Diverse Patients: Physical Therapists' Perspectives. In Shin Ye Kim (Chair), Providers' Perspectives in Pain Care Among Linguistic, Cultural, and Ethnic Minority Patients. Symposium presented at the Convention of the American Psychological Association, Minneapolis, MN.
Nguyen, N., Kim, S.Y, Yoo, H. (2022, August). Caring for Linguistic and Cultural Minorities with Chronic Pain: Nurses' Perspectives. In Shin Ye Kim (Chair), Providers' Perspectives in Pain Care Among Linguistic, Cultural, and Ethnic Minority Patients. Symposium presented at the Convention of the American Psychological Association, Minneapolis, MN.
Nguyen, N., & Kim, SY. (2022, August). Non-Native English Accents, Mental Health, & Vocational Outcomes among U.S. College Students. In Shin Ye Kim (Chair), You Should Speak Up: Language and Shame among Ethnic and Linguistic Minority Students in Psychology. Symposium presented at the Convention of the American Psychological Association, Minneapolis, MN.
Nguyen, N., Kim, S.Y, Oh, W, Ahn, Y., & Daheim, J. (2019, August). Developmental Trajectories of Work-Family Conflict and Enrichment among Midlife American Employees. In Shin Ye Kim (Chair), Life Span approach of work-family experiences over time among midlife and older adults in America: Findings from three longitudinal studies. Symposium presented at the Convention of the American Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.
Nguyen, N., Kim, S., & Lee, J. (2022, March). The Change of Work-Family-Social Support Interface Among Workers with Chronic Pain: A Latent Transition Analysis. Paper presented at the American Psychosomatic Society, Long Beach, CA.
Nguyen, N., Kim, S., & Yoo, H. (2022, March). Language and Cultural Barriers in Pain Communication: Experiences of Healthcare Providers. Paper presented at the American Psychosomatic Society, Long Beach, CA.
Nguyen, N., Sisneros, C., Duong, T., & Kim, S. (2021, April). Workplace Discrimination among Midlife Adults with Chronic Pain: The Longitudinal Buffering Effect of Work-to-Family Enrichment. Paper presented at the 101st Annual Western Psychological Association Convention, Virtual.
Nguyen, N., White, A., Tran, S., & Kim, S. (2021, April). Work-to-Family Conflict and Pain among Midlife Adults with Chronic Pain: A Longitudinal Serial Mediation via Perceived Family Strain and Loneliness. Paper presented at the 101st Annual Western Psychological Association Convention, Virtual.
Nguyen, N., & Kim, S. (2019, April). Psychological Well-being in Midlife Adults with Chronic Pain: The Role of Generativity and Family Support. Paper presented at the 99th Annual Western Psychological Association Convention, Pasadena, CA.
Nguyen, N. & Morales, A. (2019, April). Language Brokering and Anxiety: The Moderating Role of Parent-Child Bonding. Paper presented at the 99th Annual Western Psychological Association Convention, Pasadena, CA.
| Select Honors & Awards |
Division 17 Counseling Health Psychology Research Award, American Psychological Association, 2023
Department of Psychological Sciences’ Andrea Goudie Scholarship, Texas Tech University, 2023
Graduate Research Grant, Texas Tech University, 2022
Counseling Psychology Best Researcher Award, Texas Tech University, 2021
Psi Chi Research Award, 2021
Graduate Student Dissertation Support Grant, Texas Tech University, 2020
APA Student Travel Award, 2019
Western Psychological Association Research Scholarship Award, 2019
J.T. and Margaret Talkington Graduate Fellowship, Texas Tech University, 2018-2019
Frederick Meeker Scholarship, Cal Poly Pomona, 2018
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse