Comfort B. Asanbe, Ph.D. is a Professor of Psychology at the College of Staten Island/City University of New York (CSI/CUNY). Her research focuses on three main themes: (1) Identifying the factors that pose a threat to the psychological health of children, especially those related to parental drug use; (2) studying pre-and post-natal drug environments and child outcome, and most recently; (3) assessing the psychological health and coping resources of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) due to parental HIV/AIDS infection and death. Despite a body of work on vulnerable children and mental health outcomes, there is a dearth of studies on children in rural settings. She has attempted to bridge this gap and has made contributions to the literature on at-risk children in difficult-to-reach communities. On the international scene, Dr. Asanbe is a representative of the American Psychological Association (APA) at the United Nations (UN), with designation to the Department of Global Communication (DGC). She has a special interest in decreasing stigma around mental illness and HIV/AIDS in low-resource communities. For the 68th UN Civil Society Conference in Salt Lake City, Dr. Asanbe served on the DGC planning committee that reviewed abstracts from NGOs across the globe, presented and moderated a panel. Dr. Asanbe was a Co-Chair of the 2021 Psychology Day at the UN event with participants from 97 countries. She is a research fellow at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, a licensed psychologist in New York State, and a volunteer with the New York City Medical Reserve Corps (NYC MRC).
Degrees
PhD, Tennessee State University
MA, Austin Peay State University
Med, Austin Peay State University
BA, University of Ilorin (Nigeria)
Asanbe, C. B., Moleko, A., Visser, M., & Makwakwa, C. (2022). Coping strategies and mental health of adolescents impacted by parental HIV and AIDS in rural South Africa. Journal of Child & Adolescent Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.2989/17280583.2022.2058951
Asanbe, C. B. & Yip, N. (2022). Beyond HIV/AIDS stigma: A global overview with focus on sub-Saharan Africa. In E.P. Congress, D. Meister, S. Osborn, & H. Takooshian (Eds.), Behavioral science in the global arena: Global mental, spiritual, and social health. Information Age Publishing, Inc. pp. 191-207. https://www.infoagepub.com/products/Behavioral-Science-in-the-Global-Arena-Health-Trends-and-Issues
Thornton, V. J., Asanbe, C. B., & Denton, E. D. (2019). Clinical risk factors among youth at high risk for suicide in South Africa and Guyana. Depression & Anxiety, 36(4), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22889
Asanbe, C. B., Mare, L., van der Westhuizen, D., & Rose, J. L. (2018). Human development. In W. Weiten & J. Hassim (Eds.), Psychology: Themes and variations 3rd South African Edition (pp. 430-471), South Africa Cengage Learning EMEA Ltd.
Asanbe, C. B., Moleko, A., Visser, M., Thomas, A. & Makwakwa, C., *Salgado, W…. *Tesnakis, A. (2016). Parental HIV/AIDS and psychological health of younger children in South Africa. Journal of Child & Adolescent Mental Health, 28(2), 175-185.
Mervitz, D., Rose, J., Asanbe, C. B., & Mare, L. (2015). Human development - Atypical development: At-risk and vulnerable children. In W. Weiten & J. Hassim (Eds.), Psychology: Themes and variations 2nd South African Edition (pp. 300-331), Cengage Learning EMEA, Andover, Hampshire, United Kingdom. ISBN: 9781473709164.
Asanbe, C. B., Hall, C. & Bolden, C. (2012). Mental health disorders in children of nondrug- abusing parents: A sample from a rural community devastated by methamphetamine. Journal of Child Health Care, 16(1), 15-25.
Asanbe, C. B., Aiyedogbon, S. I., Adedoyin, E. T., & *Supino, K. (2010). Anxiety, appraisal, and coping: A cross-cultural comparison of American and Nigerian undergraduates. International Psychology Bulletin, 14(4), 17-22.
Asanbe, C. B. (2009). Methamphetamine-producing homes and psychological child welfare: Implications for public policy and early childhood education. In J. McConnell-Farmer (Ed.), The Education of Young Children: Research, Trends, Issues, & Policy (pp. 107-119), Linton Atlantic Books, Louisville, Kentucky. ISBN: 978-0981785424
Asanbe, C. B., Zamani, G., & Aiyedogbon, S. I. (2009). Cross-cultural differences in perception of stress: A study of American and Nigerian undergraduates. Journal of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 42(1), 42-58.
Asanbe, C. B., Zamani, G., & Aiyedogbon, S. I. (2008). Self-concept and stress: A cross-cultural investigation of American and Nigerian undergraduates. African Journal of Applied Psychology, 2(3), 1-10.
Asanbe, C. B., Hall, C., & Bolden, C. D. (2008). Methamphetamine-producing Homes: Psychological implications for preschoolers in rural Tennessee. Journal of Rural Health, 24 (3), 229 - 235.
Asanbe, C. B., Hall, C., & Bolden, C. D. (2008). Behavioral and emotional adjustment of school-aged children from methamphetamine-producing homes: A rural Tennessee sample. Journal of Public Child Welfare, 2(3), 275-292.
Asanbe, C.B. & Lockert, E. (2006). Cognitive abilities of African American children with prenatal cocaine/polydrug exposure. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 17 (2), 400-412.
Other Professional Activities
NON-REFEREED ARTICLES
Asanbe, C. B., Gaba, A., & Yang, J. (2018). Mental health is a human right. Psychology International, 29 (10). https://www.apa.org/international/pi/2018/12/mental-health-rights
Asanbe, C. B. & Bortnik, K. E. (2018) World AIDS Day: Where are we on the way to zero? Psychology International, 29 (1) 6-8. http://www.apa.org/international/pi/2018/01/aids-day
Asanbe, C. B. “Paradise Lost: Alumni on the front lines of the war on methamphetamine.” Tennessee Tech Visions, Fall 04, 1-13.
PUBLISHED ABSTRACTS
Asanbe, C. B., Moleko, A., Visser, M., Thomas, A. & Makwakwa, C. (August, 2014).The psychological functioning of orphans and vulnerable children: A non-urban sample from South Africa. Conference proceeding abstracts published in the Journal of Child & Adolescent Mental Health by the International Association of Children and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (IACAPAP) 21st World Congress Abstracts, Durban, South Africa.
Asanbe, C. B., Hall, C. & Bolden, C. (April, 2013). “Toxic environment: The psychological outcomes of parental cocaine/polydrug addiction on child development.” Conference proceeding abstracts published in the InPACT 2013 - the International Psychological Applications Conference & Trends, Madrid, Spain.
Asanbe, C. B. (1997). Self-concept and resilience to stress in a college sample. Higher Education Abstract, 33(1), 25-26.
Scholarly work featured in the following:
The Handbook of Drugs and Society, 2015 – books.google.com Drugs and violence in personal and intimate relationships by D. Baskin & I. Sommers.
National Abandoned Infants Assistance (AIA) Resource Center Factsheet (2008). Prenatal substance exposure. UC Berkeley http://aia.berkeley.edu
2005 H. R. 798 Methamphetamine Remediation Research Act of 2005 (March 3, 2005). Hearing before the Committee on Science, U. S. House of Representative 109th Congress, 99-573PS, Serial No. 109-6 (p. 56). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-109hhrg99573/pdf/CHRG-109hhrg99573.pdf
Conferences and Presentations
Asanbe, C. B. (2022, October). Coping strategies and mental health of adolescents impacted by parental HIV and AIDS in rural South Africa. 25th International Congress on Mental Health, Stockholm, Sweden (virtual schedule).
Asanbe, C. B., Yip, N. (2022, March). Beyond HIV/AIDS: A global overview with focus on sub-Saharan Africa. International Psychology Symposium: Promoting international psychology: The United Nations and beyond, at the 93rd annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association. New York.
Asanbe, C. B., & Bell, M. (2021, August). “Migration, COVID-19, and mental health: Initiatives from the NGO committee on migration.” Virtual presentation at the 129th.American Psychological Association (APA) convention, Washington, D.C.
Bell, M., & Asanbe, C. B. (2020, August). “Advocating for culturally competent early childhood development (ECD) programs for migrant and refugee children.” Virtual presentation at the 128th.American Psychological Association (APA) convention, Washington, D.C.
Asanbe, C. B. (2020, June). “Working with United Nations Department of Global Communications: The international psychology and behavioral sciences symposium.” Virtual presentation at the 90th Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) convention, Boston.
Asanbe, C. B., Gaba, A., & Jaipal R. (2019, August). “Reducing HIV/AIDS stigma to mitigate discrimination and improve quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). ”Symposium presented at the 68th United Nations (UN) Civil Society Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah (August 26-28, 2019).
Asanbe, C. B., Vasquez, C. I. (2019, August). “Examining the cultural context of gender disparities across the globe: The way forward.” Symposium presented at the 127th.American Psychological Association (APA) annual convention, Chicago, IL.
Asanbe, C. B. (2019, June). “The mental health of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) impacted by parental HIV/AIDS: A sample from rural South Africa.” Paper presented at the 31st Edition on World Psychiatrists and Psychologists Conference, Tokyo, Japan (June 17-18, 2019).
Asanbe, C. B. (2019, July). “The psychological functioning of vulnerable children impacted by parental HIV/AIDS: A sample from rural South Africa.” Paper presented at the 41st Conference of International School Psychological Association (ISPA), Basel, Switzerland (July 9-12, 2019).
Asanbe, C. B., Gaba, A., & Yang, J. (2018, August). “Stigma and discrimination of mental illness within the human rights framework.” Symposium presented at the 126th.American Psychological Association (APA) annual convention, San Francisco, CA.
Asanbe, C. B. Denton, E., & Thornton, V. (2017, August). “Clinical risk factors and suicidality among high-risk youths in Guyana and South Africa.” Poster presented at the 125th. American Psychological Association (APA) annual convention, Washington, D.C.
Asanbe, C. B. & *Salgado, W. (2016, August). “The psychological health of younger children impacted by HIV/AIDS: A non-urban sample from South Africa.” e-Poster presented at the 28th International Pediatric Association (IPA) Congress. Vancouver, Canada.
Asanbe, C. B., & *Salgado, W. (2016, August). “The psychological health of adolescents orphaned by AIDS: A non-urban sample from South Africa.” Symposium presented at the 124th.American Psychological Association (APA) annual convention, Denver, Colorado.
Asanbe, C. B., *Salgado, W., & *Shah, A. (2016, March). “Parental HIV/AIDS and mental health outcome for adolescents in South Africa.” Paper presented at the 87th annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association. New York.
Asanbe, C. B. (2015, July). “Mental health outcome for adolescents impacted by parental HIV/AIDS in South Africa.” Paper presented at the 10th International Conference on Child & Adolescent Psychopathology (ICCAP), Roehampton University, London, UK.
Asanbe, C. B., & Aiyedogbon, I.,*Salgado, W. (2015, March). “The psychological health of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) impacted by HIV/AIDS: A non- urban sample from South Africa.” Paper presented at the 86th annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association. Philadelphia, PA.
Asanbe, C. B., Aiyedogbon, I., & * Diallo, K. (2015, March). “Psychological outcome for adolescent impacted by parental by HIV/AIDS in South Africa.” Poster presented at the 86th annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association Philadelphia, PA.
Asanbe, C. B. & Moleko, A. G. (2014, August). “The psychological health of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) impacted by HIV/AIDS: A non-urban sample from South Africa.” Paper presented at the at the 21st World Congress of the International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (IACAPAP), Durban, South Africa.
Asanbe, C. B., Moleko, A. G., & *Salgado, W. (2014, July). “The psychological health of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) impacted by HIV/AIDS: A non- urban sample from South Africa.” Paper presented at the 9th International Conference on Child & Adolescent Psychopathology (ICCAP), Roehampton University, London, UK.
Asanbe, C. B. (2014, May). “Confronting stigma in the community.” Presentation at a conference organized by the Staten Island Mental Health Council.
Asanbe, C. B. (2013, May). “Parental drug addiction and child psychological health.” University of Pretoria Faculty of Humanities, Department of Psychology Research Seminar Series, Pretoria, South Africa.
Asanbe, C. B. (2013, April). “Toxic environment: The psychological outcomes of parental cocaine/polydrug addiction on child development.” Paper presented at the International Psychological Applications Conference & Trends, Madrid, Spain.
Asanbe, C. B. (2013, April). “Toxic environment: Outcomes of parental methamphetamine addiction on child psychological health.” Paper presented at the Australian Psychological Society (APS) Health Psychology Conference, Cairns, Australia.
Asanbe, C. B. (2011, May). “Parental substance abuse and child psychological health.” Paper presented at the Institute for the Study of Child Development, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Department of Pediatrics, UMDNJ, New Brunswick, NJ.
Asanbe, C. B. (2011, March). “The impact of methamphetamine-producing homes on the psychological functioning of children” Poster presented at the 83rd annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association. Cambridge, MA.
Asanbe, C. B. (2010, August). “Toxic environment: The psychological outcomes of parental drug addiction on child development.” Poster presented at the 26th. International Pediatric Association (IPA) Congress. Johannesburg, South Africa.
Asanbe, C. B. (2010, May). “Parental substance abuse and psychological child outcome: A rural community sample.” Paper presented at the 4th World Congress of the Association of Psychology & Psychiatry for Adults and Children. Athens, Greece.
Asanbe, C. B., Aiyedogbon, S. I., & Supino, K.* (2010, March). “Anxiety, appraisal and coping: A cross-cultural comparison of American and Nigerian undergraduates.” Paper presented at the 81st annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, NY.
Asanbe, C. B., Aiyedogbon, S. I., & Supino, K.* (2009, March). “Self-concept and stress: A cross-cultural investigation of American and Nigerian undergraduates.” Paper presented at the 80th Eastern Psychological Association Conference Pittsburgh.
Asanbe, C.B. (2007, August). “Methamphetamine-producing homes: Implications on child psychological welfare.” Paper presented at the Oxford Round Table, Oxford University England, UK.
Asanbe, C.B., Hall, C., & Bolden, C. (2007, February). “Psychosocial adjustment of preschoolers from methamphetamine-producing homes.” Poster session presented at the 53rd annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association Convention. New Orleans, LA.
Asanbe, C.B., Hall, C., & Bolden, C. (2006, March). “Methamphetamine exposure: Behavioral and emotional functioning of exposed children”. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association Convention, Nashville, TN.
Asanbe, C.B. (2005, February). Cognitive abilities of children with polydrug exposure. Workshop presented at the Winter Networking Conference of the Upper Cumberland Council on Children and Youth (UCCCY), Cookeville, TN.
Asanbe, C. B. (2004, March). Understanding graduate school: From admission to graduation. Workshop presented at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association CEPO Minority Interest Group. Atlanta, GA.
Asanbe, C.B., & Lockert, E. (2003, August). Discrepancies among polydrug-exposed and non-exposed children on WISC-III index scores. Poster session presented at the 111th annual meeting of the American Psychological Association. Toronto, Canada.
Asanbe, C. B. (2001, October). Prenatal alcohol/polydrug exposed children: Investigating global intellectual functioning. Paper presented at the Environment, Toxins and Children’s Health Workshop, University of Tennessee Medical Center Bolin Center Interdisciplinary Fall Training, Memphis, TN.
CONFERENCES AND SYMPOSIA
2019- Co-Chair – Child and Adolescent Psychiatry/Psychology Session - The 31st Edition on World Psychiatrists and Psychologists Conference, Tokyo, Japan.
2016- Symposium Session Chair – “Parental HIV/AIDS,” The 124th APA Annual Convention, International Psychology (APA Div. 52) program, Denver, Colorado.
2015- Paper Session Chair – “Global Impact of Infectious Diseases,” The 86th annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association (EPA) International Program Section, Philadelphia, PA.
2013- Paper Session Chair – “Educational Psychology,” International Psychological Applications Conference & Trends, Madrid, Spain.
2010- Special Paper Session Chair – “Substance Use and Abuse,” The 4th World Congress of the Association of Psychology & Psychiatry for Adults and Children, Athens, Greece.
2009- Paper Session Chair – “Ethnicity and Mental Health,” The 80th annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, Pittsburgh, PA.
2007- Symposium Chair – Exploring medical/health psychology career path for minority students, 53rd annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association. New Orleans, LA.
Psychological Assessment Lab
Welcome to the Psychological Assessment Lab
Welcome to the Psychological Assessment Lab! The lab is dedicated to the study of mental health and psychological functioning with focus on externalizing behaviors (aggression, acting out behaviors), internalizing behaviors (depression, anxiety problems), addiction, and adaptive functioning. The lab also provides training for students who have interest in applied psychology. There is an ongoing study that is focused on COVID-19 and the impact on immigrant college students.
The lab is run by Dr. Comfort Asanbe, and is located in 4S-110. Dr. Asanbe has expertise in psychopathology and psychological assessment, and is a New York State licensed psychologist. For inquiry about current project and recruitment of participants, please send an email to – comfort.asanbe@csi.cuny.edu.
Record of Service
COLLEGE OF STATEN ISLAND (CSI)
2020- Member, CSI Foundation Board of Directors, and Member of the Executive Committee
INTERNATIONAL
2021-Co-Chair, 14th Psychology Day at the United Nations, sponsored by Psychology Coalition at the United Nations (PCUN)
2012- Research Fellow, University of Pretoria, South Africa
NATIONAL
2017- Representative, American Psychological Association (APA) to the United Nations (UN), with designation to the Department of Global Communications (UN/DGC)
2004-09- Member, Board of Directors, Kelly Center against Abusive Behavior, Nashville TN
2005-07- Chair, Minority Interest Group, Committee on Equality of Professional Opportunities, Southeastern Psychological Association (CEPO/SEPA).
LOCAL COMMUNITY
2017- 2022- Chair, Soroptimist International, Live Your Dream (LYD) Scholarship Committee, Staten Island Club
2011- Volunteer, New York City Medical Reserve Corps (NYC MRC) REST Team, NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, New York.
2010-14- Member, Board of Directors, African Refuge Inc., Staten Island, New York
2009-12- Community Member Representative – Institute for Basic Research Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IBR/IACUC), 1050 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island, New York.
2007-08- Volunteer Judge, The 17th & 18th Annual New York City History Day. Frederick A.O. Schwarz Children’s Center, Museum of the City of New York.
