UROP Project
Exploring Family-of-Origin Experiences and Their Impact in Adulthood
Family of Origin, Attachment, Intergenerational Influence, Narrative Analysis, Qualitative Research
Research Mentor: Yinan Li,
Department, College, Affiliation: Human Development & Family Science - Marriage & Family Therapy, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: yl24a@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Human Development & Family Science - Marriage & Family Therapy, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: yl24a@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Communication, Psychology, Human Development & Family Studies, Social Work, Sociology, or related fields, open to all majors!
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: Communication, Psychology, Human Development & Family Studies, Social Work, Sociology, or related fields, open to all majors!
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Tuesday, September 2
Start Time: 4:30
End Time: 5:30
Zoom Link: Recordings: https://fsu.zoom.us/rec/share/2LJD9nqElV45-3kyDuJJp-lkNtQI_C39xmgYQwz5ZR8y_zCKpmQc4QAjvybH5Ilp.PYp6JAefDimi344q?startTime=1756846848000
Project Description
Are you curious about how our childhood experiences shape who we are today? Have you ever heard of terms like intergenerational influence, attachment, or family of origin (FOO)? Family-of-origin experiences have been studied in clinical settings for decades, but those spaces can be emotionally and financially challenging to access. Our study aims to explore more accessible and meaningful ways for people to reflect on and grow from their early life experiences.This is a qualitative project that analyzes several in-depth narratives shared by adults from China. These interviews were conducted by trained professionals and are filled with personal reflections, emotional insights, and the journey of their growth.
Topics explored in this project include:
- How relationships with primary caregivers shaped one’s adulthood
- Core childhood memories and their long-term impact
- How childhood thoughts and emotions transformed into adulthood
- The role of early attachment in adult romantic and parent-child relationships
- How reflecting on the past can lead to healing and moving forward
In the later phase of this project, we also aim to promote the awareness of exploring FOO experiences among young adults. So you could help with designing interviews and focus groups to support yourself and your peers in processing your FOO stories. Or you can help with preparing quantitative projects on the relationship between early experiences and young adults' well-being.
Research Tasks: - Help analyze data using qualitative data analysis software (like NVivo, we will learn this together!)
- Assist in identifying key themes and patterns in interviews
- Contribute to the design of interviews and focus groups
- Explore ways to help young adults reflect on their own FOO experiences
- Support the development of future quantitative studies on FOO and well-being
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: - Self-motivation: Find the part of the project that sparks your curiosity
- Patience & attention to detail: Especially when working with qualitative data
- Willingness to learn: We’ll explore new tools and ideas together
- Fluent in Mandarin (preferred, but not required): since all interviews are in Mandarin
Mentoring Philosophy
As a second-year PhD student, I’m still early in my research journey and not far from where you are now. Because of that, I remember what it feels like to step into research with curiosity, uncertainty, and excitement to make a contribution. My goal is to offer mentorship that is collaborative, transparent, and person-centered.I’m also a marriage and family therapist in training, and those values naturally shape how I mentor. I believe in meeting you where you are, supporting your growth, and encouraging you to discover what genuinely moves you in this work. I hope you'll approach this experience with a growth mindset, open to learning both about research and about yourself. That being said, this project may also invite personal reflection, so I encourage you to be open and courageous in those moments, and I’ll be here to support you in the best way I can.
As someone who grew up in China and is now navigating academia as an international student, I value humility, open-mindedness, and cultural awareness. I’m excited to learn with and from you, and I hope to help you connect your interests with meaningful research, and I wish to inspire you to come up with your own research project.