Brianna Jackson is a PhD graduate from Yale University. She investigates the confluence of psychosocial trauma, mental health, and resilience among youth who are marginalized. For her doctoral dissertation, she conducted a convergent mixed methods study examining how emerging adults ‘aging out' of foster care, navigate the transition to independence following their emancipation. Findings aid in the discovery of barriers and facilitators to positive adaptation in this population, and also illuminate opportunities for tailored and proactive mental health care. As an NCSP Fellow, Brianna has been expanding upon her dissertation work, applying more advanced quantitative and qualitative methods to better understand the mechanisms by which structural violence influences mental health and resilience in young people disproportionately harmed by inequity.
Brianna’s research interests closely align with her professional nursing experience. She has a love for community engagement, and has supported a variety of historically disadvantaged and socially marginalized pediatric and young adult populations. Currently, Brianna works with those who are experiencing homelessness, use substances, and/or were formerly incarcerated. She is looking forward to incorporating arts-based methods into her research with such populations and will be exploring the mind-body duality of mental health challenges using an approach called "body mapping", which serves as both an investigative tool and powerful aesthetic form of advocacy.
Brianna's Faculty mentors include Dr. Orlando Harris and Dr. Natalie Wilson from the UCSF School of Nursing, who have contributed to a richer understanding of qualitative methods, and community-based participatory approaches, respectively. Both have created space for experiential learning and leadership, whether through manuscript preparation, applying for grant funding, developing research/clinical materials, or collaborating with community partners such as CALPEP (a BIPOC-centered health outreach program based in Oakland).
Brianna practiced as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Clinical Nurse Specialist in Canada, where she also completed her BScN and MScN degrees at the University of Western Ontario. This is where Brianna first developed a passion for equity- and justice-oriented, trauma- and violence-informed care. Brianna continues to integrate such principles into every aspect of her work, and is interested in gaining health policy experience to help translate her research into action. Through the NCSP, Brianna has had the unique opportunity to "choose her own adventure"—exploring diverse projects, populations, and methodologies, with access to unparalleled resources and mentorship. Brianna is incredibly grateful to have such a rich learning environment, and to belong to a community of brilliant, yet deeply compassionate scholars. While the NCSP definitely keeps her busy, in her spare time, you can find Brianna making macrame wall-hangings, cuddling with her cat Ellie, or checking out local coffee shops.
Have something in common? Connect with Brianna on LinkedIn.
Research interests: Exploring how social and structural adversities, trauma, and violence influence mental health and resilience in marginalized youth transitioning to adulthood.