The Roy Scrivner Memorial Research Grant, a prestigious national award recognizing outstanding contributions to LGBTQIA+ family psychology and therapy, has been awarded to Jason R. Schmidt Avendaño for his pioneering research exploring the neural mechanisms of emotional regulation in LGBTQ+ individuals within the context of family connectedness. This competitive grant, established in honor of Dr. Roy Scrivner’s legacy as a advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights and psychological representation, supports promising young investigators dedicated to advancing the understanding of LGBTQIA+ family dynamics, resilience, and well-being.
Jason’s research examines how individual factors such as family bonds, cohesion, and sibling relationships influence emotional processing at the neural level. Utilizing electroencephalography (EEG) and Event-Related Potentials (ERPs), his study integrates cognitive neuroscience and social psychology to identify neural markers associated with processing both negative and positive emotional experiences in LGBTQ+ individuals. By shedding light on the intersection of family relationships and emotional resilience, this work offers valuable insights into the internalized effects of familial support, ultimately informing social policy and therapeutic interventions aimed at fostering well-being within LGBTQ+ communities.