Departmental Affiliations
Center & Institute Affiliations
Molly Lasater, PhD ’18, MPH ’14, researches mental health, conflict, and climate change to promote the health of marginalized populations in low-resource settings.
Research Interests
Global mental health; humanitarian health; depression; mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS); gender-based violence; conflict and health; climate change
Additional Links
Experiences & Accomplishments
A major focus of my research has been the design, implementation and evaluation of mental health and psychosocial support interventions among populations living in contexts of adversity, globally. Currently, my primary research interest is in using mixed-methods to understand the multifaceted relationship between common mental disorders, violence and conflict, and climate change to inform the development of effective strategies to promote the mental health and psychosocial well-being of women and children living in situations of complex adversity in low- and middle-income country contexts.
Honors & Awards
NIMH Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Awardee, 2016-2018
Cum Laude, Santa Clara University, 2010
Lambda Alpha, Santa Clara University, 2010
Excellence in Anthropology Award, Santa Clara University, 2010
Select Publications
Select publications
Lasater, M. E., Beebe, M., Warren, N. E., Winch, P. J., Soucko, F., Keita, M., ... & Murray, S. M. (2022). Reliability and validity of a perinatal depression screening instrument in rural Mali. SSM-Mental Health, 100059.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmmh.2021.100059
Lasater, M.E., Murray, S.M., Keita, M., Souko, F., Surkan, P.J., Warren, N.E., Winch, P.J., Ba, A., Doumbia, S. and Bass, J.K. (2021), Integrating Mental Health into Maternal Health Care in Rural Mali: A Qualitative Study. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 66: 233-239. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.13184
Tol, W., Greene, M., Lasater, M., Le Roch, K., Bizouerne, C., Purgato, M., . . . Barbui, C. (2020). Impact of maternal mental health interventions on child-related outcomes in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 29, E174. doi:10.1017/S2045796020000864
Lasater, M.E., Woldeyes, G.M., Le Roch, K. et al. Lessons learned evaluating the baby friendly spaces program for south Sudanese refugees in Gambella, Ethiopia: strengthening research and programmatic partnerships to address maternal and child health and psychosocial needs in humanitarian emergencies. Confl Health 14, 52 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13031-020-00299-5
Lasater ME, Beebe M, Warren NE, Souko F, Keita M, Murray SM, Bass JK, Surkan PJ, Winch PJ. (2018). Dusukasi—The Heart That Cries: An Idiom of Mental Distress Among Perinatal Women in Rural Mali. Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry, 42(4), 930-945. DOI: 10.1007/s11013-018-9579-6. PMID: 29696491