John Jay College deeply values the power of data. Research is an integral part of our institutional mission, and as a society, we rely on data to help guide our perspectives and policies. It’s this dedication to research that underpins our excitement about the 2021 Research & Creativity Expo, April 28 – May 7. At this annual event—which will be presented through a variety of online platforms due to the pandemic—we have the opportunity to see some of the research projects that our students have been working on for a semester, or even a full academic year, with the collaboration and guidance of our dedicated faculty. The students’ research projects cover a wide range of disciplines and methodologies, and they skillfully examine questions and concerns that directly impact our communities. In short: Our Research & Creativity Expo is a celebration of John Jay’s thriving research community.

Inspired by his personal experience as a cross country runner and his major in Forensic Psychology, student-athlete, Honors, and McNair student Brandon Dial ’21 focused his exploratory research study on the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete population. “Given the culture in competitive athletics that emphasizes ‘toughness,’ the mental health stigma surrounding student-athletes is something I’ve long been curious about,” says Dial. “Student-athletes are particularly vulnerable to developing a mental health issue due to their age—as most mental illnesses first present themselves during adolescence—and also because of the cumulative stress associated with juggling their athletic training and performance, academic work, social life, and family responsibilities and obligations. For me, this research project reinforced what I had known myself for a while; that there is much work to be done in normalizing the discourse surrounding mental health in athletic settings.” We spoke with Dial to learn more about his research project, what the process taught him, and his hopes for the future.

What was the research process like? What was your research methodology and final conclusion?
I interviewed 11 John Jay student-athletes to learn more about their experiences with the mental health stigma. The student-athletes were asked several questions, including how they believed their coaches and teammates would view them if they were experiencing a mental health issue. They were also asked whether they personally had experienced a mental health issue during their time as a student-athlete, and if so, did they feel comfortable disclosing their mental health issue to their coaches or teammates.

I found that while nearly all of the student-athletes thought their coaches and teammates would be supportive, most of them were unwilling to disclose their mental health issue to either their coaches or teammates. One student-athlete said that she feared her coach would think less of her if he knew she was experiencing a mental health issue. Another student-athlete thought her coaches and teammates would view her mental health issue as an excuse.

Was there a professor that helped you during the research process? In what ways did they guide you as you progressed with your research project?
Absolutely, and more than just one. I learned so much from my project advisor and Psychology mentor Dr. Philip Yanos, who taught me how to conduct ethical research, and how findings are analyzed, written up, and presented. I have really enjoyed being a part of his lab for the past three years and will miss it dearly once I move on.

Dr. Ernest Lee, who directs the McNair Program, and Dr. Jessica Gordon-Nembhard were also incredibly helpful throughout the process. Dr. Lee was always willing to lend an ear, answer questions, proofread my work, and provide guidance. The McNair program is filled with truly amazing people who selflessly invest themselves in their students’ success.

What were the most challenging aspects of conducting this research? What were the most rewarding aspects?
I found the most challenging part of the project came in the early stages, considering there were gaps in the literature. However, once I formulated my idea and nailed down the method, the rest felt like a natural progression. The most rewarding part of the research process was presenting my project at conferences. While the idea of doing this was terrifying to me in the past, presenting my work has undoubtedly become the most enjoyable part of the research process for me. Telling others about the work you’ve done and why they should care about it is a great way to end a project that you’ve spent so much time on.

As a college focused on justice, how does your research help move the needle forward, justice wise? How do you hope your research is used?
John Jay’s commitment to forensic and social justice was a major draw for me in choosing to enroll here five years ago, and I try to approach every project I am involved in with these values in mind. One of my areas of interest is the underutilization of mental health services in communities of color, which is certainly tied to a myriad of social justice-related factors. This was something I was able to see in my own project, as the student-athletes I interviewed were mostly people of color. One of these student-athletes expressed a fear that her family would view her mental health issue as an excuse and they urged her to “pray more” to resolve it. Hearing these personal anecdotes from the student-athletes I interviewed helped me connect the research to my own ethnic background. I hope that my research helps normalize the conversation around mental health, particularly in athletics and in communities of color.

In five years, what do you hope you’ll be doing?
I hope to be finishing the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at St. John’s University, where I’ll be attending beginning this fall. I will be joining a lab that focuses primarily on racial disparities in health care and works closely with hospitals throughout the City investigating the methods of improving the quality of care to ethnically diverse communities. I’m excited about the new research experiences that I’ll have at St. John’s University, as well as the practicum opportunities that will help me in developing the skills to one day be an empathetic and impactful clinician.

Can you finish this sentence for me? Because of John Jay...
Because of John Jay, I have had the opportunity to meet people that have positively impacted me in so many different ways. The McNair program taught me what it takes to get into graduate school; my research mentors taught me what research is, and how and why we do it; my cross country coaches taught me discipline and accountability; and the Honors program taught me ambition and the value of service. I am forever indebted to these people that sustain John Jay’s warm and inclusive environment. They are truly special.