Gaithri Fernando, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
College of Natural and Social Sciences
Department of Psychology
Office: KH C3089
Office Phone: 323-343-2260
E-mail: gfernan2@calstatela.edu
Research Lab: The Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress
Current Office Hours
Winter 2013: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:00-9:30am and 3:00-4:30pm
Teaching Interests
My teaching interests arise from my clinical experience, and include abnormal and clinical psychology, posttraumatic stress, test construction, personality, and developmental psychopathology, as well as clinical and neuropsychological assessment. My teaching style tends to vary with the level of courses I teach: more didactically oriented in the introductory courses and more discussion-oriented in the higher-level courses. When possible, I use supplementary reading and speakers to complement the textbook.
Research
I direct the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress at CSULA. My primary interests are in posttraumatic stress in the context of war and extreme traumas such as torture, bomb blasts, and assassination attempts. I am also interested in exploring posttraumatic stress in the context of child abuse and domestic violence. However graduate students in my lab are encouraged to develop and run their own projects as they relate to assessment and intervention. I enjoy working with students, and our research team presents papers at several conferences each year, including those organized by the Western Psychological Association, the American Psychological Association, and the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Current research projects include: developing psychosocial assessments in traditional cultures, and attitudes and predictors of interpersonal violence.
Publications (Chronological)
Fernando, G.A. (Ed.). (Proposal submitted). Special Issue on South Asian Mental Health. Proposal submitted for approval to International Journal of Psychology.
Fernando, G.A. (2012). Bloodied but unbowed: Resilience examined in a South Asian community. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 82, 367-375.
Fernando, G.A. (2012). The roads less travelled: Mapping some pathways on the global mental health research road map. Invited paper submitted to a Special Issue (Global Mental Health), Transcultural Psychiatry, 49 (3-4), 396-417.
Fernando, G.A. (2011). Psychosomatic medicine. In The McGraw-Hill encyclopedia of science an technology. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Fernando, G.A. (2011). Mental illness. In The McGraw-Hill encyclopedia of science and technology. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Fernando, G.A. (2011). A journey to remember: Counseling and Psychology book review.
Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 18, 216-217.
Fernando, G.A. (2010). Resilience in Sri Lankans exposed to disasters: A qualitative study. Conference on Well-Being & Resilience, pp. 282-301.
Fernando, G. A., Miller, K.M., & Berger, D. (2010). Growing pains: The impact of disaster-related and daily stressors on the lives of youth in Sri Lanka. Child Development, 81 [Special issue: Disasters and Their Impact on Children], 1181-1192.
Miller, K.E., Fernando, G.A., & Berger, D.E. (2009). Daily stressors in the lives of Sri Lankan youth: A mixed methods approach to assessment in a context of war and natural disaster. Intervention, 7 [Special Issue: Mixed Methods Research in Disasters and Complex Emergencies], 187-203.
Fernando, G. A. (2008). Assessing mental health and psychosocial status in communities exposed to traumatic events: Sri Lanka as an example. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 78, 229-239.
Miller, K.E., & Fernando, G. A. (2008). Epidemiological assessments in emergency settings: Recommendations for enhancing a potentially useful tool. Intervention, 6, 255-260.
Fernando, G. A. (2007). A space of one's own. [Book review, Cultural Psychology of Immigrants]. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 13, 265-266.
Fernando, G. A. (2005). Making meaning after the tsunami disaster: Risk and resilience in Sri Lanka. Traumatic StressPoints, 19, 1,12.
Fernando, G. A. (2005). Interventions for survivors of the tsunami disaster: Report from Sri Lanka. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 267-268.
Fernando, G. A. (2005). "We Don't Need Psychologists, We Need Help": Can Psychology Really Help Tsunami Survivors in Sri Lanka? Variability, 1,12.
Eugene, D., & Fernando, G. (2005). Mirroring Feelings in Unexpected Ways: Experiences of a Play Therapist Working in Sri Lanka. Clinical Psychology of Ethnic Minorities Newsletter, 17-19.
Fernando, G. A. (2004). Working with survivors of war in non-western cultures: The role of the clinical psychologist.
Intervention: International Journal of Mental Health, Psychosocial Work and Counseling in Areas of Armed
Conflict, 2, 108-117.
Gorsuch, R.L., Mylvaganam, G., Gorsuch, K., & Johnson, R. (1997). Generalization of the Intrinsic/Extrinsic scales to Asian cultures. International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 7(4), 253-261.
Mylvaganam, G., & Gordon, E. (1995). Acculturation: Some considerations. Proceedings of the annual meeting of the regional Asian American Psychological Association, 1, 42-48.
Durvasula, R., & Mylvaganam, G. (1994). Mental health of Asian Indians: Relevant issues and community implications. Journal of Community Psychology, 22(2) [Special Issue: Asian American Mental Health], 97-108.
Henderson, V., Buckwalter, G., & Mylvaganam, G. (1992). Handedness and longevity in patients with autopsy-confirmed Alzheimers Disease. The Annals of Neurology, 32, 243.
Professional Presentations (Chronological)
Fernando, G.A. (2012, September). Vicarious trauma and self-care. Paper presented at Workshop on
Vicarious Trauma & Self Care, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA.
Fernando, G.A., Ordonez, S., Zambrano-Morales, E., Mendoza, E., & Moon, K. (2011, August). How "positive"
is positive coping? An examination of coping in Sri Lankan youth exposed to disasters. Paper presented at
the annual convention of the American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C.
Lui, P., & Fernando, G. (2011, August). A new scale and theoretical model assessing subjective well being:
the WEBS. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Indiana Psychological Association, IN.
Fernando, G.A. (2011, April). Intimate partner violence: A global mental health priority? Invited paper
presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Los Angeles, CA.
Fernando, G.A., Zambrano-Morales, E., Mendoza, E., & Ordonez, S. (2011). Using academic and social
burden scales to predict student retention. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Western
Psychological Association, Los Angeles, CA.
Lui, P., & Fernando, G. (2011, April). Factor structure of the Well-being Scale (WeBS). Paper presented at
the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Los Angeles, CA.
Fernando, G. (2010, August). Do attitudes towards intimate partner violence predict its recognition?
Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Diego, CA.
Fernando, G., & Lui, P. (2010, August). Testing two theoretical models of well being. Poster presented at
the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Diego, CA.
Fernando, G. (2010, June). Key issues in conducting mental health research in traditional communities.
Invited paper presented at the London School of Economics Conference on Global Mental Health, London, U.K.
Fernando, G. (2010, April). Acculturation and its relationship to well being and academic achievement in
college students. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Cancun, Mexico.
Fernando, G., & Lui, P. (2010, April). Assessing well being in college students. In G.A. Fernando (Chair),
Assessing mental health and quality of life in college students: Cultural considerations. Symposium conducted
at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Cancun, Mexico.
Hoetzlein, M, Ramos, M., & Fernando, G. (2010, April). Development and validation of an acculturation
scale. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Cancun, Mexico.
Zambrano-Morales, E., Mendoza, E., & Fernando, G.A. (2010, April). Assessing academic and socialburden
in college students. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association,
Cancun, Mexico.
Fernando, G., Hannah, A., & Laurin, D. (2009, November). Examining ethnic differences in exposure
to traumatic stressors among Sri Lankan school children. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Atlanta, GA.
Fernando, G., & Garcia, J. (2009, April). Predictors of intimate partner violence in college students and
the general community. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association,
Portland, OR.
Laurin, D., Garcia, J., Gordon, G., & Fernando, G. (2009, April). Profiles of intímate partner violence among
college students and the general community: Implications for pathways in future IPV.
Fernando, G., Garcia, J., Laurin, D., & Gordon, G. (2009, January). Exposure to traumatic and daily
stressors among children in Sri Lanka. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the European
Psychiatric Association, Portugal.
Fernando, G., Chan, S., & Rocha, L. (2008, August). Predictors of intimate partner violence in a
multi-ethnic college sample. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association,
Boston, MA.
Fernando, G., Garcia, J., Chan, S., Miller, K., Uyanavithanage, S., & Prasad, J. (2008, August). The impact of
traumatic exposure on emotional and psychosocial functioning of children in Sri Lanka. Paper presented at the
annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Boston, MA.
Fernando, G., Chan, S., Garcia, J.., & Rocha, L. (2008, May). Validating a measure of acceptance of intimate
partner violence in a college population. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological
Association, Irvine, CA.
Rocha, L., Garcia, J., Chan, S., Chen, C., & Fernando, G. (2008, May). The relationship between traditional
gender role beliefs and intimate partner violence. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Western
Psychological Association, Irvine, CA.
Garcia, J., Rocha, L., Fernando, G., & Riggio, H. (2007, November). Reliability and validity of scales assessing
incidence of interpartner violence among college students. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Southern
California Conference for Undergraduate Research, Los Angeles, CA.
Joseph, J., Mota, E., Chan, S., Miller, K., & Fernando, G. (2007, August). Predictors of anxiety among Sri Lankan
school children. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San Francisco,
CA.
Peterson, L., Herbert, S., Chen, C., Miller, K., & Fernando, G. (2007, August). Trauma exposure and depression in
Sri Lankan children. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, San
Francisco, CA.
Herbert, S., Petersen, L., Chan, S., Miller, K. & Fernando, G. (2007, April). Assessing PsychosocialFunctioning In
Sri Lankan School Children. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association,
Vancouver, Canada.
Mota, E., Joseph, J., Chen, C., Miller, K., & Fernando, G.. (2007, April). Trauma exposure, PTSD, and
psychosocial functioning in Sri Lankan children. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Western
Psychological Association, Vancouver, Canada.
Fernando, G. (2006, December). Hunting the Snark, swinging on a star or weaving meaningful narratives? Conducting
culturally grounded research and practice for survivors of torture in traditional cultures. In G. Fernando (Chair),
Culturally grounded research and treatment with torture survivors. Symposium presented at the meeting of the
International Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Survivors, Berlin, Germany.
Fernando, G. (2006, November). Vicarious trauma in Sri Lankan counselors. In K. Putnam (Chair), International
Research and Intervention to Support Resilience Among Aid Workers Exposed to Trauma. Panel presentation
conducted at the annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Hollywood, CA.
Fernando, G. (2006, November). Conducting culturally relevant and meaningful assessment in Sri Lanka: The Sri
Lankan Index of Psychosocial Status. In G. Fernando (Chair), Cross-cultural Assessment of Trauma. Symposium
conducted at the annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Hollywood, CA.
Mota, E., Herbert, S., Petersen, L. & Fernando, G. (2006, November). Predictors of anxiety and depression
among Sri Lankan children: A regional comparison. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the International
Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Hollywood, CA.
Peterson, L., Anwyl, H., & Fernando, G. (2006, November). Self efficacy and collectivism: Validating two scales
for a multicultural population. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Southern California Conference for
Undergraduate Research, Los Angeles, CA.
Fernando, G. (2006 June). Perceptions of local and international nongovernmental organizations in a
traumatized community: The case of Sri Lanka. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the World Congress of
Trauma, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Silva, C., Makanui, P.K, & Fernando, G. (2006, April). Living and learning in Sri Lanka: Students' attitudes and
feelings. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Palm Springs, CA.
Peterson, L., Silva, C., & Fernando, G. (2006, February). Developing and validating a test anxiety scale for a
multicultural population: The Multicultural Assessment of Test Anxiety (MATA). Paper presented at the CSULA
Research Symposium, Los Angeles, CA.
Fernando, G (2005, November). Differential impact of traumatic events on the psychosocial well being of Sri
Lankans.In E. Triffleman (Chair), In the wake of the tsunami: Research principles, practices, and results.
Symposium conducted at the annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Toronto,
Canada.
Fernando, G., (2005, November). Training counselors in Sri Lanka: Challenges and successes.In G. Fernando (Chair),
Dissemination in cross-cultural assessment: Challenges and successes. Symposium conducted at the annual meeting
of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Toronto, Canada.
Makanui, P.K., Silva, C., & Fernando, G. (2005, September). Attitudes towards teachers and studies and
academic self esteem among Sri Lankan students: Qualitative and quantitative analyses. Poster presented at the
annual meeting of the Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research, Irvine, California.
Fernando, G., & Kayser-Boyd, N. (2005, July). After the tsunami disaster: Cultural factors in recovery. Paper
presented at the International Congress for Projective Methods, Barcelona, Spain.
Fernando, G., & Makanui, P.K. (2005, June). Children of Sri Lanka: Exposure to violence, mental health symptoms,
and self esteem. In K. Putnam (Chair), Traumatic Exposure and its Impact on Children. Symposium conducted at
the annual meeting of the European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Stockholm, Sweden.
Fernando, G., Makanui, K., & Grasman, C. (2005, May). Self esteem and anxiety in Sri Lankan school children.
Paper presented at the annual meeting of the California Psychological Association, Pasadena, CA.
Grasman, C., Makanui, P.K., & Fernando, G. (2005, April). Depression and anxiety in a sample of school-going
children in Sri Lanka. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the California Psychological Association, Pasadena,
California.
Perez, C., & Fernando, G. (2005, April). Developing and validating a test anxiety scale. Poster presented at the
annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Portland, Oregon.
Rodriguez, C., Makanui, P.K., Giniel, A., Grasman, C., & Fernando, G. (2005, April). The relationship between
exposure to violence and self esteem. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological
Association, Portland, OR.
Fernando, G. (2004, November). Exposure to violent events among school children in Sri Lanka. Poster
presented at the annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, New Orleans, LA.
Fernando, G. (2004, November). Torture in Sri Lanka: Psychosocial and psychological issues. Poster presented at
the annual meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, New Orleans, LA.
Fernando, G., Rodriguez, C., & Galindo, E. (2004, September). Domestic violence intervention programs for
ethnocultural minority groups: Review and analysis. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Family Violence
and Sexual Assault Institute, San Diego, CA.
Goldbeck, J.P., Rodriguez, C.A., Gevorkian, M., & Fernando, G. (2004, August). Personal control and trauma-
induced depression in Sri Lankan Youth. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological
Association, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Sanchez, S., Giniel, A., Leung, D., & Fernando, G (2004, August). Violence exposure, religion, guilt, and anxiety
among children in Sri Lanka. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association,
Honolulu, Hawaii.
Rodriguez, C.A., Goldbeck, J.P., Gevorkian, M., Tafoya, C., & Fernando, G. (2004, April). Perceived personal
control and its relationship to anxiety: Report from Sri Lanka. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the
Western Psychological Association, Phoenix, Arizona.
Sanchez, S., Giniel, A., Sarabia, E., Leung, D., Gomez, L., & Fernando, G (2004, April). Positive mental health
attributes among youth in Sri Lanka. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological
Association, Phoenix, Arizona.
Fernando, G. (2003, August). Psychological and psychosocial impact of torture on survivors. Paper presented at
the 111th annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada.
Fernando, G., Sanchez, S., Chepi, E., & Rivera, A. (2003, August). Psychological impact of exposure to violence
among youth in Sri Lanka. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association,
Toronto, Canada.
Fernando, G. (2003, May). Psychological and psychophysiological impact of torture. Poster presented at the 83rd
annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Vancouver, Canada.
Fernando, G., Rivera, A., Chepi, E., & Sanchez, S. (2003, May). Long-term exposure to violence among children:
Report from Sri Lanka. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Vancouver,
Canada.
Mylvaganam, G., Wang, C.Y., & Sue, S. (1995, August). Conceptualization of depression among Asian
Americans. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, New York, New York.
Mylvaganam, G., Teng, E.L., & Powars, D.P. (1995, April). Recruiting problems in medico-psychological
research: Individual, familial, and social factors. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Western
Psychological Association, Los Angeles, California.
Mylvaganam, G., Tingus, K., Teng, E.L., & Powars, D.P. (1995, February). Long term neuropsychological effects
of sickle cell disease. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the International Neuropsychological Society, Seattle,
Washington.
Educational Background
1996 Ph.D., Graduate School of Psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary -Clinical Psychology (APA Approved)
Focii: Ethnic minority issues in psychology; Traumatic stress, Neuropsychology
1987 M.A., Yale University - English Literature
1986 B.A. (Hons), with High Distinction, Trinity College, University of Toronto
Major: English Language and Literature; Minor: Psychology of Religion