معرفی
Jan Wallander is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Psychological Sciences at the University of California, Merced. He previously served as founding director of the Health Sciences Research Institute (HSRI) and the Resource Center for Community Engaged Scholarship (ReCCES). His work focuses on health psychology, particularly disparities in health outcomes among children and adolescents from vulnerable populations, including those affected by chronic illness, poverty, or racial/ethnic minority status. With over 400 scientific publications and an h-index exceeding 50, his research emphasizes risk and resilience processes in pediatric populations, quality of life assessment, and culturally sensitive interventions.
Wallander has held leadership roles in organizations such as the Society of Pediatric Psychology and the International Society of Behavioral Medicine. His international collaborations span Norway, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Zambia, India, and Pakistan. His research examines socioeconomic and racial disparities in child health, early-life interventions, and the psychosocial impacts of adversity. Despite retirement, his legacy continues through foundational work in pediatric quality of life measurement and advocacy for marginalized youth.
Key areas of focus include the longitudinal effects of bullying, family communication patterns on adolescent behavior, and the role of acculturation in health outcomes for immigrant families. His recent studies address pandemic-related stress impacts on child weight status and food intake behaviors, reflecting ongoing engagement with contemporary public health challenges.
