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Dr. Régine Debrosse’s research program focuses on how Black, Indigenous, and people of colour navigate contexts not designed with them in mind. A first line of work centers on negotiating complex and, at times, conflicting identities, notably in contexts emerging from immigration and racial marginalization. Another focuses on leveraging communities of colour's strengths to support their individual and collective goals. Ultimately, her research aims to invest in communities by identifying naturally emerging paths toward action and developing programs that foster such paths in partnership.ÌýÌý

She laid the foundation for this research program while pursuing a Ph.D. in psychology from ɬÀï·¬. She then extended this research as a postdoctoral fellow at the School of Education and Social Policy and Department of Psychology at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois, before coming back to ɬÀï·¬ as a professor in the School of Social Work. Alongside her research, her experiences heading a non-profit and conducting community projects reaffirmed her dedication to social justice and to using research to bring about social change.

My research identifies both challenges faced by young people of colour and of immigrant descent and existing strengths that can be leveraged to support them—with implications for educational and mental health outcomes. A first line focuses on how they navigate identity dynamics, a second on how they experience relational ties, and a third on related programs and interventions. My work direct benefits youths and their communities through ecologically valid methods, such as field experiments, intensive longitudinal designs, and participatory research.

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Selected publications

Debrosse, R., & Hernandez, I. (2025). Community and Voice: Emphasizing Racial/Ethnic Strengths Fosters Identity Connections, Belonging, and Academic Benefits for Black and Latine Adolescents. Journal of Adolescence. Doi: 10.1002/jad.70049

Mohamed, J., Jacob, B. K., Debrosse, R., Adel, M., Zhang, S., Harris, K., Hu, Z., & Chung, J. M. (in press). A Practical Guide for Integrating Community Engagement Research Across the Psychological Research Cycle. Advances in Methods & Practices in Psychological Science.

Debrosse, R., Thai, S., Auger, E., Brieva, T. (2025). Understanding in Same- Versus Cross-Race Close Relationships Predicts the Well-Being of People of Color Over Time. Scientific Reports, 15, 4968. Doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-86700-w

Debrosse, R.,ÌýKapo, L., & Métayer, K.Ìý(2023). The imperative to support Black youths in resisting low and limiting expectations.ÌýAmerican Journal of Community Psychology, 71, 90–100.ÌýDoi:Ìý10.1002/ajcp.12637

Debrosse, R., Thai, S., &ÌýBrieva, T.Ìý(2022). When skinfolk are kinfolk: Higher perceived support and acceptance characterize close same-race relationships for people of color.ÌýJournal of Social Issues, 79, 21–49.ÌýDoi: 10.1111/josi.12534

Debrosse, R., Destin, M.,ÌýRossignac-Milon, M., Taylor, D. M., & Rogers, L. O. (2020). Immigrant adolescents’ roots and dreams: Perceived mismatches between ethnic identities and career aspirations predict school engagement.ÌýSelf & Identity, 19, 1–15.ÌýDoi: 10.1080/15298868.2018.1523223

Debrosse, R., Rossignac-Milon, M., Taylor, D. M., & Destin, M. (2018). Can identity conflicts impede the success of ethnic minority students? Consequences of discrepancies between ethnic and ideal selves.ÌýPersonality & Social Psychology Bulletin, 44, 1725–1738. Doi: 10.1177/0146167218777997

Destin, M., &ÌýDebrosse, R. (2017). Upward Social Mobility and Identity.ÌýCurrent Opinions in Psychology, 18, 99–104. Doi: 10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.08.006