Jonathan Santo

Jonathan Santo is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), where he serves as Director of the Graduate Developmental Psychology Program and as a faculty member in the Office of Latino/Latin-American Studies. His research explores peer relations, cultural differences in self-esteem, and classroom-level influences on child and adolescent development, with a focus on improving school environments and fostering positive social interactions.

• ORCA Faculty Fellow

His research spans broad areas including Developmental Psychology, Social Support Systems, and Cross-Cultural Peer Dynamics, with specific attention to peer victimization, self-continuity, school climate, and developmental trajectories in Brazilian and Colombian youth. Recent publications analyze topics like hikikomori experiences, friendship security, and HPA axis dysregulation in adolescents.

Scientific awards include the ORCA Faculty Fellow recognition. His work often involves

• longitudinal assessments of peer relationships
• cross-cultural comparisons (Brazil, Colombia, China, Nigeria, Singapore, U.S.)
• policy-focused blog posts on family separations and school interventions