Research

Jo is a T32 Research Fellow at the UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Health where they are focused on:

  • Reimagining wellbeing theory, measurement, and intervention design through decolonialism and indigenizing

  • Exploring the intersections of Indigenous wellbeing and contemplative practice

  • Leading community-based research in the reduction of transdiagnostic symptoms of traumatic stress for underserved communities and individuals (e.g., Native Hawaiians, Indigenous groups, SGM, global majority) using mind body practices (e.g., mindfulness, Yoga, meditation, biofeedback, therapy)

  • Examining the role of cultural factors in intervention design

  • Transforming the landscape of integrative health equity

  • Mixed-methods research approaches

Education and Training  

  • PhD, Clinical Psychology, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

  • Clinical Fellow in Psychology, Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Massachusetts Mental Health Center

  • Research Fellow, Mechanisms Underlying Mind-Body Interventions & Measurement of Emotional Well-Being Network (NIH)

  • Emerging Scholar, Plasticity of Well-being Research Network (NIH)

  • MA, Psychology in Education (Clinical Psychology), Teachers College, Columbia University

  • BA, English Literature, Tufts University

  • Certified Experienced Yoga Teacher E-YT750

  • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Qualified Teacher

Publications

Qinaʻau, J. & Goto, K. (In press). The Kaʻau of Pilina Welo: A multi-eyed seeing trauma-informed program for intergenerational mauliola. In L. M. Dunn & T. B. Wakpa (Eds.), Mindfulness, movement, and cultural revitalization: Indigenous contemplative theories and practices. Springer Netherlands.

Qinaʻau, J., Rivera, C., Souza, P., Nakamura, L., & Austin Seabury, A. A. (In press). Weaving Wisdoms: Using the Moʻohihia Model, decolonialism, and culture-as-health in therapeutic settings for Pacific Islanders at home and in diaspora. In G. E. Allen & L. D. McCubbin (Eds.), Pasifika psychology: Affirming Pacific Islander mental health. American Psychological Association.

Treves, I. N., Chen, Y.-Y., Wilson, C. L., Verdonk, C., Qinaʻau, J., Pustejovsky, J. E., Goldberg, S. B., Mehling, W., Schuman-Olivier, Z., & Khalsa, S. S. (n.d.). Minding the body: A meta-analysis of the effects of mindfulness meditation training on self-reported interoception [Manuscript under review]. Scientific Reports.

Qinaʻau, J., Chao, M. T., Austin Seabury, A. A., & Antonio, M. C. K. (n.d.). Imagining Indigenized futures: Multi-eyed seeing and decolonialism in integrative health equity [Accepted for publication]. Global Advances in Integrative Medicine and Health.

Qinaau, J., Spencer, S. D., Rapadas, C. C., & Masuda, A. (Accepted for publication). Acceptance and commitment therapy across ethnoracial groups: Cultural considerations. In L. Waelde & D. Pan (Eds.), CBT with ethnoracial populations: Implementing evidence-based practice (pp. xx–xx). Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature.

Renna, M. E., Spaeth, P. E., Behringer, K. F., Qinaʻau, J., Clayton, M., & Mennin, D. S. (2025). A pilot study examining differential relationships between inflammation and emotion dysregulation across young and middle adulthood. Health Psychology. Advance online publication. https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/hea0001457

Masuda, A., Nakamura, L., Preston-Pita, H., Hermosura, S., Morgan, L., Stueber, K., Qinaʻau, J. & Austin-Seabury, A. A. (2024). Native Hawaiians’ views on depression and preferred behavioral health treatments: A preliminary qualitative investigation. The Journal of Behavioral Health Services & Research, 51(2), 203-218.

Qina‘au, J., Hill, P. L. (2023). Finding Direction for Purpose Research in Hawai‘i: A Narrative Review.  Hawai‘i Journal of Health & Social Welfare, 83(4), 108-112.

Qina‘au, J., Spencer, S., & Sasaki, J. (2023). Trauma, Mindfulness, Distress, and Wellbeing in “Mixed” Emerging Adults in Hawaiʻi. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 46(1), 1-19.

Qina‘au, J., & Antonio, M. C. (2022). Wellbeing for all: Indigenizing theories and measures of wellbeing for equitable sustainability. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.979109

Qina‘au, J., Edmonds, G. W., & Hill, P. L. (2022). Native Hawaiian wellbeing and transdiagnostic trauma symptoms: The protective role of physical activity in dissociation. European Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 100296.

Spencer, S. D., Jo, D., Antonio, M., Qina‛au, J., Hishinuma, E. S., Hamagami, F., & Masuda, A. (2022) A Psychometric Validation of Contextual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy-Informed Measures with Racially and Ethnically Diverse Adults. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 25, 61-72.

Masuda, A., Morgan, L., Spencer, S.D., Qina‘au, J., & Jo, D. (2022) Cultural adaptations of acceptance and commitment therapy. In Twohig, M.P., Levin, M.E., & Petersen, J.M. (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Oxford University Press.

Masuda, A. & Qinaʻau, J. (2022). Application of Secular Mindfulness to Asian Americans in the U.S.: Cultural Considerations. In C.M. Fleming, J. Proulx, & V. Womack (Eds.). Beyond White Mindfulness: Critical Perspectives on Racism, Well-being, and Liberation. Routledge.

Masuda, A., Qinaʻau, J., Juberg, M., & Martin, T. (2021). Bias in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5 and Psychopathology. In L. Benuto, M. Duckworth, A. Masuda, & W. O’Donohue (Eds.). Prejudice, Stigma, Privilege, and Oppression: A Behavioral Health Handbook. Springer Publications.

Pilla, D., Qina‘au, J., Patel, A., Meddaoui, B., Watson, N., Dugad, S., & Saskin, M. (2020). Toward a Framework for Reporting and Differentiating Key Features of Meditation-and Mindfulness-Based Interventions. Mindfulness, 11(11), 2613-2628.

Qinaʻau, J. &  Masuda, A. (2020). Cultural Considerations in Establishing Rapport: A Functional Contextualist View on Common Factors. In L. Benuto, F. Gonzalez, & J. Singer (Eds.). Handbook for Cultural Factors in Behavioral Health: A Guide for the Helping Professional. New York: Springer Publications.