Education

Ph.D., 1994, Emory University

Biography

Professor Cunningham 's primary research interests include examining adolescent development in diverse contexts. Specifically, he examines resilience and vulnerability in African American children and adolescents. Dr. Cunningham is currently accepting graduate students.

Joint Appointment: African and African Diaspora Studies Program

Selected Publications

Boyne, K, Hamlin, F., Cunningham, M., & Abo-Zena, M. (2020). You see your own eyes reflected back: The radical potential of art and oral history in imaging a new humanism. Research in Human Development,

Abo-Zena, M., Brittian-Lloyd, A., Cunningham, M. (2020). Introduction to Mentored Scholarship: Mirrors, Windows, and Doors to Understanding and Supporting Research in Human Development. Research in Human Development.

Cunningham, M., (2019). Introduction to myths and realities associated with research and theorizing for human development. Research in Human Development, 16, 1-4. Doi:10.1080/15427609.2019.1578117

Rious, J. B., Cunningham, M., & Spencer, M. B. (2019). Rethinking the notion of "Hostility" in African American parenting styles. Research in Human Development, 16, 35-50. doi:  https://doi.org/10.1080/15427609.2018.1541377

Cunningham, M., Mulser, R. M., Scott, K., & Yates, A. (2019). African American adolescents speak: The meaning of racial identity in the relation between individual race-related stress and depression symptoms In H. E. Fitzgerald, D. J. Johnson, D. B. Qin, F. A. Villarruel, & J. Norder (Eds.), Handbook of children and prejudice: Integrating research, practice, and policy. Springer Publishers: New York.

Cunningham, M., & White, A. (2019). Young adulthood and health disparities in African American males. In D. Griffith (Ed.). Handbook of African American male health.

Cunningham, M., Francois, S., Rodriguez, G., & White, X. L., (2018). Resilience and coping: An example with African American adolescents. Research in Human Development. doi: 10.1080/15427609.2018.1502547.

Rious, J. B., & Cunningham, M. (2017). Altruism as a buffer for antisocial behavior for African American adolescents exposed to community violence. Journal of Community Psychology. doi: 10.1002/jcop.21936

Lee, X., W., & Cunningham, M. (2017). Perceived teacher encouragement as buffer to substance use in urban African American adolescents: Implications for disconnected youth. Education and Urban Society, 1-26, doi: 10.1177/0013124517714848

Lindsey, M. A., Brown, D. R, & Cunningham, M. (2017). Boys do(n't) cry: Addressing the Unmet mental health needs of African American boys. Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 87, 377-383. doi: 10.1037/ort0000198.

Cunningham, M., Hucke, K. J., & Lee, X. W. (2016). Physical activity as a buffer for anxiety symptoms in rural African American adolescent females. Journal of Women’s Health Care, 5, 326. doi:10.4172/2167-0420.1000326

Cunningham, M. (2016). Are there missing steps of the proposed “Ladders of Opportunity” for boys and young males of color? Implications for intersectionality. Social Policy Report, 29(3), 25-28. – Commentary

Cunningham, M., & Francois, S. (2016). Theoretical perspectives in studying African American youth in rural settings. In L. Crockett, & G. Carlo (Eds.), Studying rural adolescents. (pp. 57-70). New York: Springer Publishing Company.

Cunningham, M., & Rious, J. B. (2015). Listening to voices of youth: Implications for working in diverse communities. Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 85, S86-S92.