Sandra Yu Rueger

Dr. Sandra Yu Rueger is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Youth Risk and Resilience Lab (YouRR Lab) at Wheaton College. She integrates clinical practice, research, and faith-based mentorship, focusing on stress adaptation, depression prevention, and alcohol use disorders in underserved populations. A dually licensed clinical psychologist and marriage and family therapist, she collaborates with the University of Chicago’s Center for Asian Health Equity and Clinical Addictions Research Lab.

• Education
  • Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Northern Illinois University
  • M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Wheaton College
  • B.A. in Psychology, Northwestern University

Dr. Rueger’s research examines social support, attributional style, and hope as protective factors against depression and substance misuse in adolescents. She emphasizes cultural considerations in mental health, particularly for Asian American communities, and develops psychometric tools like the Persevering Hope Scale. Her work includes meta-analyses on social support-depression relationships and cross-cultural studies on alcohol response differences.

Recent research trends highlight her focus on pandemic-related mental health, media’s role in social connectedness, and faith-based interventions. Awards include the Senior Faculty Scholarship Achievement Award and APA Division 50 recognition.

• Scientific Awards
  • Senior Faculty Scholarship Achievement Award (Wheaton College)
  • APA Division 50 Award Winner (2013)
  • Enoch Gordis Research Recognition Winner (2011)
  • Elsie Ramos Memorial Student Research Award Winner (2005)

Dr. Rueger mentors graduate and undergraduate students in the YouRR Lab, focusing on resilience factors in stress adaptation. Her funded projects include the $1.5 million Coalition for Healthy Asian Minds initiative with Blue Cross Blue Shield. She also explores integration of Christian theology with psychological theories, such as forgiveness and attachment-based family therapy.