Yeqing LiGraduate Studentshe/her/hers

I am a PhD candidate in Human Development & Family Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. I work with Dr. Alvin Thomas in the Thomas Resilient Youth Lab.

My research examines families as dynamic developmental contexts for children and how family processes interact with the broader social and cultural environments in which they are embedded. My research centers on two interconnected areas: parenting and family relationships within sociocultural contexts, particularly among Chinese families; and family structure and relationships across development in the United States. Across these areas, I seek to advance a more culturally grounded and comprehensive science of families that better reflects the diversity and complexity of contemporary family life and ultimately contributes to the well-being of children and families.

Selected Publications

Thomas, A., Li, Y., & Crawford, E. (2026). Parental mediation and online discrimination: Exploring psychosocial distress among Black and Latino youth. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 55(3), 517–527.

Li, Y., Ren, L., & Dai, W. (2026). Intensive mothering attitudes and associations with maternal involvement across social classes in urban China. International Journal of Psychology, 61(1), e70139.

Ren, L., Li, Y., Li, X., Li, J., & Fan, J. (2025). Reconsidering the typology of parenting styles and its association with preschoolers’ development in Chinese families. Child Development, 96(4), 1326–1342.

Featured Media

• The Conversation, Helping teens navigate online racism — study shows which parenting strategy works best

See Also

• 2025–26 School of Human Ecology Graduate Program spotlight
• 2026 NCFR Ruth Jewson Award recipient spotlight