Oyenike Balogun

Oyenike Balogun

  • Tenure Track Assistant Professor, Natural and Applied Sciences, Natural and Applied Sciences
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation
  • Predoctoral Clinical Fellowship Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts Mental Health Center
  • Ph.D. Northeastern University
  • M.Ed. Northeastern University
  • M.S. Springfield College
  • B.A. United States International University-Africa

Teaching Interests

Mental wellness, Introductory Psychology, Cross-Cultural Psychology, Counseling Techniques

Research Interests

Racial/gender disparities in mental health; body image among Black African women, mixed-methods research

Consulting/Practice Interests

Beauty and Body Image; Culturally-Responsive Treatment; Global Mental Health

Bio

Oyenike Balogun is a board certified counseling psychologist and mixed-methods researcher. Her scholarship and clinical interests focus on racial and cross-cultural disparities in mental health and body image. Most recently, she has examined the perceived impact of the CROWN Act—legislation addressing race-based hair discrimination—on Black women and their employers. Additionally, her work on non-weight-related body satisfactioon among Black African women in Nigeria and Kenya was recently published in the journal, Body Image.

Professional Memberships

  • American Psychological Association 2012-01-01 - Present
  • American Association of University Women Present
  • Association for Psychological Science Present

    • Awards and Honors

  • APA Division 17 Fellow, CONREPA Leadership Institute
  • LEAP Fellowship for Early Career Scholars, APA Minority Fellowship Program
  • Early Career Award , APA Society of Counseling Psychology, Div. 17
  • Faculty Teaching Recognition Award, Salve Regina University
  • Editorial Fellowship, Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice & Policy
  • McAuley Teaching Collaborative, Salve Regina University
  • International Fellowship, American Association of University Women (AAUW)

    • Scholarly Contributions and Creative Productions

    Journal Articles

  • Balogun, O., Hong, Z., Chow, C. (2026). Comparing Implicit and Self-Report Measures of Skin Color in African Context. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
  • Holt, D. J., Choi, K., DeTore, N. R., Balogun, O. (2025). Transdiagnostic prevention in youth mental health, Part I: rationale, shared risk factors. Neuropsychopharmacology (Link)
  • DeTore, N. R., Balogun, O., Choi, K., Holt, D. J. (2025). Transdiagnostic prevention in youth mental health, Part II: interventions. Neuropsychopharmacology (Link)
  • Balogun, O., DeTore, N. R., Dokholyan, K., Cather, C., Tepper, M. C., Lanca, M., Mueser, K., Russinova, Z. (2025). Barriers and Facilitators to Motivation for Work and School in First Episode Psychosis: A Qualitative Exploration. Early Intervention in Psychiatry (Link)
  • Robinson-Wood, T., Balogun-Mwangi, O. (2024). The Reality, Relevance, and Reckoning of Black College Women’s Friendships across Race: Implications for Current-Day Diversity Programming.. Journal of Women and Gender in Higher Education
  • DeTore, N. R., Balogun, O., Eberlin, E. S., Dokholyan, K., Rizzo, A., Holt, D. (2024). An Artificial Intelligence-Based Virtual Human Avatar Application to Assess the Mental Health of Health Care Professionals: A Validation Study. Journal of Medical Extended Reality, (1) 1 215-226.
  • Balogun-Mwangi, O., DeTore, N. R., Russinova, Z. (2023). "We Don't Get a Chance to Prove Who We Really Are": A Qualitative Inquiry of Workplace Prejudice and Discrimination Among Black Adults With Serious Mental Illness. PSYCHIATRIC REHABILITATION JOURNAL, (46) 1 13-Apr.
  • Balogun-Mwangi, O., Robinson-Wood, T. L., DeTore, N. R., George, Jessica B. Edwards, ., Rodgers, R. F., Sanchez, W. (2023). Body image and Black African women: A comparative study of Kenya and Nigeria. BODY IMAGE, (45) 331-342.
  • Harris, M., Balogun-Mwangi, O. (2023). Examining the Role of High School Spiritual Practice and Ways of Coping in Levels of Anxiety among College-aged Women. , (29) 1 (Link)
  • Harris, M., Balogun-Mwangi, O. (2023). Contending with COVID: Examining Levels of Anxiety Among College-Aged Adults in the Wake of the Pandemic. Undergraduate Research, (3) 2 (Link) (Forthcoming)
  • DeTore, N. R., Balogun-Mwangi, O., Tepper, M., Cather, C., Russinova, Z., Lanca, M., Mueser, K. T. (2022). The interrelationships of motivation, positive symptoms, stigma, and role functioning in early psychosis. EARLY INTERVENTION IN PSYCHIATRY, (16) 7 736-743.
  • Balogun, O.Moore-Lobban, S. (Ed.) (2022). Chronic Illness and Trauma: Considerations for Diagnosing PTSD. Trauma Psychology News, (18) 2 44-48. (Link)
  • Robinson-Wood, T., Muse, C., Hewett, R., Balogun-Mwangi, O., Elrahman, J., Nordling, A., Abdulkerim, N., Matsumoto, A. (2021). Regular White People Things: The Presence of White Fragility in Interracial Families. FAMILY RELATIONS, (70) 4 973-992.
  • Robinson-Wood, T., Balogun-Mwangi, O., Weber, A., Zeko-Underwood, E., Rawle, S. C., Popat-Jain, A., Matsumoto, A., Cook, E. (2020). “What is it going to be like?”: A phenomenological investigation of racial, gendered, and sexual microaggressions among highly educated individuals.. Qualitative Psychology, (7) 1 43-58. (Link)
  • Balogun-Mwangi, O., Rogers, E. S., Maru, M., Magee, C. (2019). Vocational Peer Support: Results of a Qualitative Study. JOURNAL OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES & RESEARCH, (46) 3 450-463.
  • Balogun-Mwangi, O., Ballou, M., Matsumoto, A., Faver, L., Todorova, I. G. (2016). Women's Pain, Women's Voices: Using the Feminist Ecological Model and a Participatory Action Research Approach in Developing a Group Curriculum for Chronic Pain. Journal of Ethnographic & Qualitative Research, (11) 16-Jan.
  • Ballou, M., Balogun, O., Gittens, G., Matsumoto, A., Sanchez, W. (2015). Trauma and Returning to Work: Women’s Lived Experiences and its Implications for Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, (46) 1 25-33. (Link)
  • Robinson-Wood, T. L., Balogun-Mwangi, O., Boadi, N., Caroline, F., Matsumoto, A., Popat-Jain, A., Zhang, X. (2015). Worse than Blatant Racism: A Phenomenological Investigation of Microaggressions among Black Women. Journal of Ethnographic & Qualitative Psychology, (9) 3 221-236.

    • Books

  • Millner, U., Balogun, O. (). Mindfulness and Mental Health: Foundations, Perspectives, and Applications (In Progress)

    • Book Chapters

  • Balogun, O. (2025). Families of Intercultural Couples: Relational Foundations and Fractures The Routledge International Handbook of Interracial and Intercultural Relationships and Mental Health. New York and London: Routledge
  • Balogun, O. (2025). Body Image in Sub-Saharan Africa Handbook of Diversity in Body Image. Academic Press

    • Presentations

  • Balogun, O., Gulati, J., Tesluk, E. (2026). “MIXED: Multiracial Americans on Politics, Family, and Identity” Presented at the American Psychological Association (APA) Annual Convention Washington, D. C.
  • Gulati, J., Balogun, O. (2026). “From Light to Dark: Skin Color, Identity, and Belonging among Asian Americans” Presented at the American Political Science Association Boston, MA
  • Balogun, O. (2025). “Comparing Implicit Versus Self-Report Measures of Body Image Among Black African Women: Evidence of Social Desirability Bias?” Presented at the Association for Psychological Science Annual Convention Washington, D.C.
  • Balogun, O., Detore, N. R., Eberlin, E., Dokholyan, K., Rizzo, S., Holt, D. J. (2024). “An Artificial Intelligence Human Avatar Based Mental Health Assessment: A Validation Study in Healthcare Workers”
  • Balogun-Mwangi, O., Gelin, S., Harris, M., Narvaez, E., Melo-Severino, M., Runda, K. (2023). “Magazines and body ideals: Examining Nigeria's Genevieve Magazine (2003-2020)” Presented at the Bentley University Research Council (BRC) Waltham, MA
  • DeTore, N., Balogun-Mwangi, O., Tepper, M., Cather, C., Hines, S., Russinova, Z., Mueser, K. (2020). “Motivation and Psychotic Symptoms as Predictors of Role Functioning in First Episode Psychosis” Presented at the Association of Behavioral Cognitive Therapies Annual Conference Philadelphia, PA
  • Hwang, B., Balogun-Mwangi, O., Chako, T. (2020). “Decolonizing Psychological Approaches by International Psychologists: Research/Teaching, Practice, & (Self-) Advocacy (accepted/conference cancelled due to COVID)” Presented at the APA Div. 17 Counseling Psychology Conference New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Balogun-Mwangi, O. (2019). “Africanah: A Qualitative Study on Body Image among African Women.” Presented at the African Studies Association Annual Meeting Boston, MA
  • Robinson-Wood, T., Balogun-Mwangi, O., Boadi, N., Weber, A., Matsumoto, A., Cook, E., Fisher, L. (2018). “Broaching Racial Microaggressions: A Guide for Enhancing Clinical Competence among White Providers” Presented at the American Psychological Association Annual Convention San Franciso, CA
  • Millner, U., Balogun-Mwangi, O., Satgunam, S., Russinova, Z. (2018). “Just Get On With My Work: Workplace Experiences of Black Adults with Serious Mental illness.” Presented at the American Psychological Association Annual Convention San Francisco, CA
  • Balogun-Mwangi, O. (2018). “Multiple Stigmas among Racial/Ethnic Minorities” Presented at the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (PRA) Recovery Workforce Summit Denver, Colorado
  • DeTore, N., Balogun-Mwangi, O., Lund, E. (2017). “Promoting positive family engagement to improve educational and employment outcomes for Transitional Age Youth (TAY)” Presented at the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (PRA) Recovery Workforce Summit
  • Lund, E., Balogun-Mwangi, O., DeTore, N. (2017). “Unpacking forced hospitalizations around suicide: The practitioner's dilemma.” Presented at the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (PRA) Recovery Workforce Summit
  • Balogun-Mwangi, O., DeTore, N., Lund, E. (2017). “What climate surveys can teach us about diversity, tolerance and inclusivity.” Presented at the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (PRA) Recovery Workforce Summit Atlanta, Georgia
  • Balogun-Mwangi, O., Weber, A., Cook, E. (2016). “Dark-Skinned Girls Speak Out Against Colorism via Hashtag "Unfair and Lovely": Examining Youth Activism Through the Lens of One Social Media Campaign.” Presented at the Boston College Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture Chestnut Hill, MA
  • Balogun-Mwangi, O., Robinson-Wood, T. L., Edwards George, J., Rodgers, R. (2016). “Comfortable in her skin: African women's appraisals of their bodies, hair, and facial features.” Presented at the American Psychological Association Div. 35 APA Annual Convention
  • Balogun-Mwangi, O., Cosin, E., Sharon, S., Waite, E. (2016). “A Cultural Climate Survey of MMHC: Informing Practice and Workplace Experiences” Presented at the Harvard Medical School/Massachusetts Mental Health Center Grand Rounds Boston, MA
  • Balogun-Mwangi, O., Robinson-Wood, T. L., Sanchez, W., Rodgers, R., Edwards George, J. (2016). “African Beauty: An Examination of Body Image Among African Women.” Presented at the Northeastern University The Research, Innovation and Scholarship Expo (RISE) Boston, MA
  • Balogun-Mwangi, O. (2016). “Embracing the Hottentot Venus: A Mixed-Methods Examination of Body Image Among African Women.” Presented at the Journal of Ethnographic and Qualitative Research Ethnographic and Qualitative Research Conference Las Vegas, Nevada
  • Balogun-Mwangi, O. (2015). “Embracing the Hottentot Venus: An Examination of Body Image Among African Women.” Presented at the Boston College Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture Chestnut Hill, MA
  • Robinson-Wood, T. L., Balogun-Mwangi, O., Boadi, N., Zhang, X., Fernandes, C., Matsumoto, A., Popat-Jain, A. (2013). “The Intersections of Microaggressions, Coping, and Health among Highly Educated Women of African Descent.” Presented at the Boston College Institute for the Study and Promotion of Race and Culture, Chestnut Hill, MA
  • Robinson-Wood, T. L., Balogun-Mwangi, O., Boadi, N., Matsumoto, A., Popat-Jain, A., Zhang, X. (2013). “Microaggressions as Psychological Violence: Qualitative Interviews with Black, Latina and Asian Professional Women and Graduate Students.” Presented at the Northeastern University Research, Innovation and Scholarship Expo (RISE) Boston, MA
  • Robinson-Wooid, T. L., Boadi, N., Fernandes, C., Balogun-Mwangi, O., Popat-Jain, A. (2013). “Microaggressions as Psychological Violence among Female Black, Asian and Latina Professionals and Ph.D. Students” Presented at the Columbia University Winter Roundtable Harlem, NY

    • Service

    Service: Department

  • Major/Minor Coordinator for Psychology Program 2026-09-07 - Present
  • Committee Member for NAS Tenure-Track Search - 2025-07-01
  • Committee Member for NAS Mission/Vision Committee - Present
  • Committee Member for Psychology Tenure Track Search 2023-10-01 - 2024-07-01
  • NAS Table for Academic Exploration Day 2023-11-05 - 2023-11-05

    • Service: Professional

  • Fellowship Application Reviewer for American Association of University Women - Present
  • Board of Directors for Boston Area Rape Crisis Center 2023-01-01 - Present
  • Editorial Review Board Member for Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy 2021-01-01 - Present
  • Committee Chair for American Psychological Association (Society for Counseling Psychology) 2021-08-01 - 2024-08-31

    • Service: Ph.D. Advising

  • Committee Member 2025/02 - Present
  • Committee Member 2022/04 - 2023/02
  • Committee Member 2022/04 - 2023/02
  • Committee Member 2021/04 - 2022/03

    • Service: University

  • Committee Member for Teaching and Scholarly Activities Committee (TSAC) 2025-09-01 - Present
  • Faculty Recruiter for Institute on Teaching and Mentoring 2025-10-29 - 2025-11-01
  • Faculty for Faculty Learning Community - Beyond Basics 2026-02-21 - Present
  • Mentor (Faculty) for Bentley Academic Exploration Day/Mock Lecture 2024-11-03 - 2024-11-03
  • Panelist for Bentley Celebrating Women Scholars Admissions Event 2025-04-04 - 2025-04-04
  • Mentor (Faculty) for Bentley Academic Exploration Day/Mock Lecture 2024-04-25 - 2024-04-25