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Rita Xiaochen Hu, MSW, LLSW

PhD candidate | Joint Progarm in Social Work & Developmental Psychology | University of Michigan

Email: rxhu@umich.edu

I am a doctoral candidate in the Joint Program in Social Work and Developmental Psychology at the University of Michigan working with Drs. Lydia W. Li, Toni Antonucci, Jacqui Smith and Ruth E. Dunkle. I received my B.A. degrees in Psychology and Social Welfare from UC Berkeley, and my MSW from the University of Michigan.

Research Interests

The development and consequences of ageism across the lifespan.

Specifically, (1) the development and internalization of age-related stereotypes through social relationships across the lifespan, (2) the time-varying nature of age-related stereotypes’ effect on older adults’psychosocial well-being, (3) age-related stereotypes among social service providers such as home health aides and the potential effects on older adults’ health and well-being.


Selected Publications

Ajrouch, K.J., Hu, R. X., Webster, N.J., Antonucci, T.C. (Revise & resubmit). Friendship over time and effects on health. Developmental Psychology.

Li, L.W., McLaughlin, S., Hu, R. X., Luo, MS. (In press). Pre-pandemic Social Integration: Protection or Risk for Older Adults in the Time of COVID-19?. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences.

Hu, R. X. & Li, L.W. (2022). Social disconnectedness and loneliness: Do self-perceptions of aging play a role?. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences.https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbac008

Hu, R. X., Luo, MS., Zhang, A., Li, L.W. (2021). Associations of Ageism and Health: A Systematic Review of Quantitative Observational Studies. Research on Aging, 43(7–8), 311–322. https://doi.org/10.1177/0164027520980130

Luo, MS., Li, L.W., Hu, R. X. (2020) Self-perceptions of aging and domain-specific health outcomes among midlife and later-life couples. Journal of Aging and Health. http://doi.org/10.1177/0898264320966263

Intervention & Evaluation Projects

ShareCare of Leelanau Volunteer Program Evaluation

New Ways to Live Better - Phone-based Group Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Connecting through Phone-based Mindfulness - Phone-based Group Mindfulness


Teaching

Fall 2021 & Fall 2022 International Student Social Welfare Policy Study Group

Role: Instructor/Mentor

Winter 2022 Behavioral, Psychosocial and Ecological Aspects of Health, Mental Health and Disease (SW 600)

Role: Instructor

Fall 2021 Essentials of Social Welfare Policy (SW 508)

Role: Instructor

Winter 2021 Introduction to Developmental Psychology (Psych 250)

Role: Graduate Student Instructor

Lead Instructor: Dr. L. Monique Ward

Fall 2020 Introduction to Psychology (Psych 111)

Role: Graduate Student Instructor

Lead Instructor: Dr. Elizabeth Buvinger


Fellowships & Awards

Sp/Su 2022 - Fa 2022 Karl Ma Endowed Scholarship | Rackham Graduate School

2021 Hnery J. Meyer Scholarship | School of Social Work

2021 Elizabeth “Libby” Douvan Junior Scholars Fund in Life Course Development | Institute for Social Research

2020 Rackham International Student Fellowship | Rackham Graduate School

2020 - Sp/Su ISR-Rackham Summer Training Award | Institute for Social Research & Rackham Graduate School

2019 Rackham International Travel Grant | Rackham Graduate School

2019 Veroff/Luke Memorial Award | School of Social Work


Services

Vice Chair Elect January 2023 - January 2024

International Task Force Lead January 2020 – January 2023

Emerging Scholar and Professional Organization (ESPO) The Gerontological Society of America (GSA)

Mentoring Subcommittee Chair March 2022 - January 2023

Doctoral Student Committee Member March 2020 – January 2022

Doctoral student Committee Society for Social Work Research (SSWR)

Senior Conference Volunteer Coordinator November 2022 - January 2023

Lead Conference Volunteer Coordinator November 2019 - January 2022

Society for Social Work Research (SSWR)

Co-Chair May 2019 – August 2021

Social Chair September 2019 – May 2019

Doctoral Student Organization, University of Michigan School of Social Work