University of Hawai‘i at Manoa
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Thao  Le

Name :

Thao Le

Title :

Department Chair/Professor

Unit :

Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

Address :

2515 Campus Road
                  Honolulu, HI 96822

Room :

Miller Hall 201G

Phone :

(808) 956-2232

Fax :

(808) 956-2241

E-mail :

thaole3@hawaii.edu

Specialties :

Stress, mental/emotional health, mindfulness

Professional Prep/Appointments :


2004 Ph.D., University of California, Davis
1994 M.P.H., University of California, Berkeley
1992 B.S., University of California, Irvine
1992 B.A., University of California, Irvine

2020-present   Professor, Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS), UH Manoa
2018-present   Cooperating Graduate Faculty, School of Social Work, UH Manoa
2014-present   Cooperating Graduate Faculty, Office of Public Health Studies, UH Manoa
2012-2020      Associate Professor, Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS), UH Manoa
2011-2012      Assistant Professor, Family & Consumer Sciences, UH Manoa
2005- 2011     Assistant Professor, Human Development & Family Studies, Colorado State University (tenure and promotion was granted July 1, 2011)



Projects :


Externally-Funded Projects as PI 
          (2014-2021) Mindfulness-Based Development Training. Hawaii Department of Human Services, Office of Youth Services
          (2016-2018) Engaged Mindfulness in Vietnam; Mind & Life 1440 Awards
          (2011-2013) Hawaii Military Youth Adventure Camp: Military Community, Family & Youth Extension Program. DOD, Office of Family Policy, Children & Youth and USDA/NIFA 
          (2011-2012) Mindfulness as Youth Suicide Prevention Intervention for Native Americans. American Psychological Foundation Visionary Funds Grant 
          (2008-2010) School Context and Developmental Patterns of Delinquency and Violence among  
Immigrant Youth. Russell Sage Foundation
          (2007-2009) Capacity Building for Organizations Empowering Communities against Youth Violence. HHS Administration for Children and Families grant to National Council on Crime and Delinquency
          (2007-2008) Evaluation of Creative Interventions: Community-Based Domestic Violence Intervention Project Robert Wood Johnson Foundation grant to Creative Interventions 
 
Internally-Funded Awards as PI at University of Hawaii Manoa
         (2015-2017) Mindfulness-Based Intervention to Promote Positive Youth Development in Hawaii
         (2012-2014) Mindfulness-Based Intervention to Promote Positive Youth Development.
                            HATCH & Extension Smith Lever Funds/USDA/NIFA
 
Externally-Funded Projects as Co-PI
         (2013)  Mindfulness-Based Hawaii Military Adventure Camp: Extension-Military Collaboration. 
                     DOD/USDA-NIFA 
         (2010-2011) Rocky Mountain Adventure Camp: Extension-Military Collaboration. DOD/USDA-NIFA
 
Internally-Funded Awards as PI at Colorado State University
         (2009-2010) Multiculturalism & Youth Violence: Settings & Processes. Colorado Injury Control Research Center

Consultant, Lead Investigator
         (2005-2010) Center on Culture, Immigration and Youth Violence Prevention Center. Centers for Disease       Control & Prevention


Selected Courses Taught:


Current Course at UH Manoa
HDFS 333 Adolescent & Early Adulthood
HDFS 435 Mindfulness & Skillful Living
 
Courses Taught at Colorado State University
HDFS 311 Adolescent Development & Early Adult Development
HDFS 312 Adult Development & Aging
HDFS 492 Program Proposal/Senior Seminar
HDFS 550 Research Methods
HDFS 592 Grant Writing
HDFS 612 Adolescent Development

Professional Development Courses
PDE3  Mindfulness & Skillful Learning/Living


Research Interests :


Mindfulness-based prevention/intervention programs; optimal development & resiliency; ethnic minority populations and cross-cultural issues

Selected Publications :


Le, T.N., & Jackman, T. (in press). Beyond aloha: Can university of Hawai'i students cultivate Native Hawaiian relational awareness in a mindfulness course? In C.M. Fleming, J. Proulx, and V. Y Womack (Eds.), Beyond white mindfulness: Critical perspectives on racism, wellness, and liberation.
Le, T.N., & Trieu, D. (2020). Personal wisdom as reflected in the Vietnamese classic literature in the Tale of Kieu. In A. Intezari, C. Spiller, & S.Yang (Eds.), Practical wisdom, leadership, and culture: Asian, Indigenous, And Middle-Eastern Perspectives. Taylor & Francis. 
Le, T.N., Nguyen, K.T., & Douang, K. (2019). randomized study of mindfulness and service/project-based learning with students in Vietnam. International Journal of Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement, 7(1), Article 5. 
Le, T.N., & Alefaio, D. (2019). Mindfulness training for social service providers in Hawaii: Context and considerations. Journal of Social Service Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/01488376.2019.1606758

Le, T.N., Buddharakkhita, B., & Cerswell, L. (2018). The six R’s framework as mindfulness for suicide prevention. Invited book chapter for edited volume Positive Psychology and Suicide Prevention
Le, T.N., & Alefaio, D. (2018). Hawaii’s educators’ experiences in a professional development course on mindfulness. Professional Development in Education. DOI: 10.1080/19415257.2018.1474485
Le, T. N. (2017). Cultural considerations in a phenomenological study of mindfulness with Vietnamese youth and cyclo drivers. International Perspectives in Psychology: Research, Practice, Consultation, 6(4), 246-260.
Proulx, J., Bergen-Cico, D., Fleming, C.M., Croff, R., Le, T.N., Noorani, M., Aldwin, C., & Oken, B.  (2017). Considerations for research and development of culturally relevant mindfulness interventions in African minority communities. Mindfulness. 10.1007/s12671-017-0785-z
Le., T.N., & Proulx, J. (2015). Feasibility of mindfulness-based intervention for mixed-ethnic Asian/Pacific Islander incarcerated youth. Asian American Journal of Psychology. Advance online publication. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/aap0000019 
Le, T.N., & Trieu, D. (2015). Translating and implementing a mindfulness-based positive youth development program in Vietnam. Health Promotion International. 10.1093/heapro/dau101
Le, T.N., & Gobert, J. (2015). Translating & implementing a mindfulness-based youth suicide prevention intervention in a Native American community. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 24(1), 12-23. DOI: 10.1007/s10826-013-9809-z 
Le, T.N. & Shim, P. (2014). Mindfulness and the aloha response. Journal of Indigenous Social Development, 3(1) 1-11. http://hdl.handle.net/10125/33336
Le, T.N.(2014). Mindfulness-based adventure camp for military youth. Journal of Extension, 52(2), #2FEA5.
Le, T.N., & Doukas, K.M. (2013). Making meaning of turning points in life review: Values, wisdom, and life satisfaction. Journal of Religion, Spirituality, and Aging.doi: 10.1080/15528030.2013.765367
Goebert, D., Le, T.N., & Sugimoto-Matsuda, J. (2012). Violence, Asian Americans, and health. In G. Yoo, M.N. Le, & A. Oda (eds). The Handbook of Asian American Health. 
Le, T.N., Johansen, S. (2012).The relationship between perceived school multiculturalism and interpersonal violence: An exploratory study. Journal of School Health, 81(11), 688-695.
Le, T.N. & Stockdale, G. (2011). The influence of school demographic factors and perceived student discrimination on delinquency trajectory in adolescence. Journal of Adolescent Health, 49(40< 407-413.
Le, T.N., Arifufku, I., Vuong, L., Tran, G., Lustig, D.F., & Zimring, F. (2011). Community mobilization & community-based participatory research to prevent youth violence among Asian and immigrant populations. American Journal of Community Psychology. 48 (1-2), 77-88. DOI: 10.1007/s10464-010-9413-y.
Chang, J., & Le, T.N. (2010). Multiculturalism as a dimension of school climate: The impact on the academic achievement of Asian American and Hispanic youth. Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology.
Le, T.N. (2010). Life satisfaction, openness value, self-transcendence, and wisdom. Journal of Happiness Studies. doi: 10.1007/s10902-010-9182-1
Le, T.N., Lai, M., & Wallen, J. (2009). Multiculturalism and subjective happiness as mediated by cultural and relational variables. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology. 15(3), 303-313.
Le, T.N., Goebert, D., & Wallen, J. (2009). Acculturation factors and substance use among Asian American youth. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 30(3),453-473. doi: 10.1007/s10935-009-0184-x (rejection rate 2008 = 80%) Le, T.N., & Stockdale, G. (2008). Acculturative dissonance, ethnic identity, and youth violence. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 14(1), 1-9. Published as the FEATURE ARTICLE of this volume. 
Le, T.N., & Wallen, J. (2008). Risks of non-familial violent physical and emotional victimization in four Asian ethnic groups. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 11(3), 174-187. doi: 10.1007/s10903-007-9100-8.
Le, T.N. (2008). Cultural values, life experiences, and wisdom. The International Journal of Aging & Human Development, 66(4), 259-281. 
Le, T.N. (2008). Age differences in spirituality, mystical experiences, and wisdom. Ageing & Society, 28(3), 383-411. 
Ngo, H., & Le, T.N. (2007). Stressful life events, culture, and violence. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 9. 75-84. 10.1007/s10903-006-9018-6. 
Le, T.N., Tov, W., & Taylor, J. (2007). Religiousness and depressive symptoms in five ethnic adolescent groups. The International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 209-230.
Spencer, J., & Le, T.N. (2006). Parent refugee status, immigration stressors, and Southeast Asian youth violence. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 8, 359-368. doi: 10.1007/s10903-006-9006-x.
Le, T.N., & Kato, T. (2006). The role of peer, parent, and culture in risky sexual behaviors for Cambodian and Lao/Mien adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 39(3), 288-296.
Le, T.N., & Arifuku, I. (2006). Moving picture of API youth: A case for disaggregate data on youth victimization and delinquency. Amerasia Journal, 29-41.
Le, T.N., & Stockdale, G. (2005). Individualism, collectivism, and delinquency in Asian American adolescents. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 34(4), 681-691.
Le, T.N. (2005). Non-Familial victimization among Asian Pacific Islander: The Oakland experience. Journal of Ethnicity in Criminal Justice, 3(3), 49-64.
Le, T.N., Monfared, G., & Stockdale, G. (2005). The relationship of school attachment, parent engagement, and peer delinquency with self-reported delinquency for Chinese, Cambodian, Lao/Mien, and Vietnamese youth. Crime and Delinquency, 51(2), 192-219. DOI: 10.1177/0011128704273466. 
Go, C.C., & Le, T. N. (2005). Gender differences in Cambodian delinquency: The role of ethnic identity, parental discipline, and peer delinquency. Crime and Delinquency, 51(2), 220- 237. doi: 10.1177/0011128704273466. Chang, J., Le, T.N. (2005). The Influence of parents, peer delinquency, and school attitudes on academic achievement for Chinese, Cambodian, Laotian-Mien, and Vietnamese youth. Crime and Delinquency, 51(2), 238-264. doi: 10.1177/0011128704273469. 
Le, T., Arifuku, I., Nunez, M. (2003). Girls and culture in delinquency intervention: A case study of RYSE. Juvenile and Family Court Journal, 54(3), 25-34. doi: 10.1111/j.1755-6988.2003.tb00078.x. 
Le, T. (2002). Asian Pacific Islander and delinquency: A review of literature and research. The Justice Professional, 15(1), 57-70. doi: 10.1080/08884310212825. 
Jenkins, C. Le, T., McPhee, S., Stewart, S., & Ha, T. (1996). Health care access and preventive care among Vietnamese immigrants: Do traditional beliefs and practices pose barriers? Social Science and Medicine, 43(7), 1049-1056.