Marcela Raffaelli

Marcela Raffaelli serves as a Research Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Illinois. Her work bridges developmental psychology, family studies, and public health with a focus on vulnerable youth populations.

Her research spans critical areas including:

• Adolescent development in street contexts
• Immigrant and Latino youth experiences
• Parent-adolescent dynamics in organized youth programs
• Risk and protection factors for Brazilian and Mexican-American youth
• Effects of parental separation and violence on child adjustment

Recent publications demonstrate consistent focus on methodological rigor through person-centered analyses, case studies, and dyadic interview approaches. Her fingerprint analysis reveals dominant themes in street youth studies (100%), college student psychology (73%), and Latino-focused research (64%).

While no specific awards are listed in the available profile, her work shows significant scholarly impact with 108 total research outputs including 87 articles, 12 book chapters, and 8 review articles. Collaboration networks indicate strong international ties, particularly with Brazilian researchers.

Dr. Raffaelli maintains active research on adolescent-parent relationships within structured youth programs, examining how cultural contexts shape program participation goals and outcomes. Her current projects appear focused on refining theoretical models of youth resilience through mixed-methods approaches.