Dr. Lina Cui | Psychology – Researcher at Ewha Womans University, South Korea
Lina Cui is an emerging leader in the field of social work whose research focuses on the intricate challenges faced by marginalized youth populations, especially children with incarcerated parents, multicultural adolescents, and those affected by social stigma. With a strong academic and practical foundation, Dr. Cui’s trajectory in social welfare research reflects a clear commitment to promoting social justice and evidence-based policy reform. She has contributed to a growing body of knowledge addressing the psycho-social wellbeing of vulnerable children and adolescents in South Korea, making her an excellent candidate for the Best Researcher Award.
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🎓 Education:
Dr. Cui earned her Ph.D. in Social Work from Ewha Womans University in Seoul, with a doctoral thesis that explored the Social Relationships of Children with Incarcerated Parents, supervised by Dr. Choong-Rai Nho. She previously completed a Master’s in Social Work from the same institution, investigating The Effects of Acculturative Stress on Life Satisfaction in Multicultural Adolescents, with a focus on ego-resilience and school adjustment. Her academic path began with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Chinese Literature. Across all levels of her education, Dr. Cui demonstrated exceptional interdisciplinary insight, combining literary, cultural, and social frameworks in her scholarly inquiry.
🧪 Experience:
Dr. Cui currently serves as a lecturer at both Handong Global University and the Asian Center for Theological Studies and Mission University, where she teaches subjects related to child welfare, elder care, and multicultural families. Beyond academia, she has served as a researcher and research assistant in numerous government and NGO-sponsored projects, including roles at the National Center for the Rights of the Child (NCRC) and the National Human Rights Commission of Korea. Her work has spanned evaluations of child policy implementation, mentoring programs for at-risk youth, and even studies integrating digital platforms such as the Metaverse to support children of incarcerated parents.
🔬 Research Interests:
Dr. Cui’s research spans several critical areas: social work for children and adolescents, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), multicultural welfare, and the social adaptation of refugee children. She particularly focuses on how trauma, stigma, and social isolation affect development, and how social programs can mitigate these effects through structured support systems. Her studies are characterized by empirical rigor, innovative methodologies such as latent class analysis and structural equation modeling, and a consistent emphasis on policy relevance.
📚 Select Publications:
Lina Cui’s scholarly output is both prolific and impactful. Some of her key publications include:
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📖 “Surviving in the Darkness: Autobiographical Insights of Young Adults Who Experienced Parental Incarceration in South Korea” (2025, Children and Youth Services Review) – A powerful qualitative piece exploring identity and trauma.
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📊 “Association between Food Insecurity and Multiple Chronic Diseases in Elderly People with Disabilities in South Korea” (2025, Asian Social Work and Policy Review) – Bridging youth and elder care research.
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🌱 “Effects of Positive Parenting Attitudes on Citizenship: Focusing on Double Mediating Effects of Self-Efficacy and Career Maturity” (2025, Social Work Practice & Research) – Highlighting parent-child dynamics in civic development.
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💬 “Serial Dual Mediating Effects of Self-esteem and Peer Support in the Relationship Between Acculturative Stress and Life Satisfaction among Refugee Children in Korea” (2025, Asian Social Work and Policy Review) – Addressing minority stress in child refugees.
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📵 “The Effect of Social Stigma on Smartphone Overdependence among Out-of-School Adolescents” (2024, Korean Journal of Youth Studies) – A behavioral study on digital dependency.
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🌈 “The Influence of Learner-Centered Teaching on School Life Satisfaction in Korean Adolescents” (2024, Journal of School Social Work) – Exploring classroom experiences and student wellbeing.
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💡 “Latent-Class Identification and Prediction for Pattern Changes of Career Barriers Among Multicultural Adolescents” (2023, Journal of Youth Welfare) – A methodological innovation in youth development research.
🏆 Awards:
Dr. Cui’s outstanding contributions have earned her multiple honors, including the 2023 Young Researcher Award from the Korean Association of Youth Welfare and the Best Young Investigator Award from Ewha Womans University. Additionally, she has received prestigious dissertation awards and research recognition from national academic bodies such as the Korea Youth Research Association and the Korea Employment Agency for the Disabled. These accolades underscore her consistent academic excellence and the societal relevance of her work.
🔚 Conclusion:
Lina Cui exemplifies the qualities of an impactful researcher—intellectually curious, methodologically rigorous, and socially committed. Through her extensive research, teaching, and public engagement, she has consistently addressed the pressing needs of disadvantaged youth. Her work not only fills critical gaps in academic literature but also informs welfare policy and practice at both national and international levels. Lina Cui’s academic journey is marked by a rare blend of empathy, innovation, and scholarship, making her a highly deserving nominee for the Best Researcher Award.