
PhD, MSW, MA
Professor
Department of Public Health and School of Social Work
Director, Center for Children and Families Across Cultures
Research at a glance
Research Topics
Research Summary
Dr. Yu’s research focuses on health disparities and the interconnections of mental health, physical health, and health risk behavior.
Education
- PhD, Washington University, 2006
- MSW, Washington University, 2001
- MA, Yonsei University, 2000
- BA, Sungkyunkwan University, 1998
Research interests
- Health-Risk Behaviors (e.g., tobacco and other substance use problems, physical inactivity)
- Interactions between Mental Health and Physical Health
- Epidemiologic Research
- Population Health and Health Promotion
- Adolescent Health
- Health Disparities
- Research with Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups, and Vulnerable/Underserved Populations
- International and Cross-Cultural Research
Dr. Yu’s publications
Jang, E., & Yu, M**. (2022). Service provision to refugees: What factors are important? Social Work
Practice & Research 19 (3), 35-7. **Invited from the Institute for Social Work Research at Ewha Womans
University, South Korea https://doi.org/10.38082/SWPR.2022.19.03.35
Memmott-Elison, M., Yu, M., Maiya, S., Dicus, J.L., & Gustavo, C. (2022). Relations between stress,
coping strategies, and prosocial behavior in U.S. Mexican college students. Journal of American College
Health 70 (6), 1644-1650 https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2020.1817035
Kim, Y. K., Yu, M., Moon, S., Maleku, A., Um, M. Y., & Tefera, G. (2022). Sociodemographic
characteristics, preventive behaviors, & mental health status during COVID-19: A case of social work
students in the United States. Social Work in Mental Health 20 (5), 578-603
https://doi.org/10.1080/15332985.2022.2047870
Teaching interests
Research Methods and Design; Principles of Epidemiology; Inequality and Disparities in Health; Program Evaluation; Knowledge Building: Theory
Awards
- 2019 Distinguished Research Award, The University of Missouri College of Human Environmental Sciences
- 2018 Instructor of the Year Award, The University of Missouri Master of Public Health Program
- 2010 Instructor of the Year Award, The University of Missouri Master of Public Health Program
- 2009 Outstanding Faculty Award for Teaching, The University of Missouri School of Social Work
Research and scholarly activity
Growing the SSW Research Infrastructure and the Doctoral Program
Dr. Yu’s research has been focused on health disparities and the interconnections of mental health, physical health, and health risk behavior. Each of these components of a person’s life impacts the others. Dr. Yu compares different segments of populations, particularly vulnerable and disadvantaged populations, to identify problems and issues around these aspects of people’s lives. His goal is to generate scientific evidence that practitioners in the field can use to better meet the needs of their clients.
Dr. Yu’s research was recognized by the Society for Social Work Research (SSWR) as he was inducted as the SSWR Fellow in 2017 and received the Distinguished Research Award from the University of Missouri College of Human Environmental Sciences. In addition, Dr. Yu has a joint appointment with the MU Department of Public Health. He was inducted into the Delta Omega Public Health Honorary Society, founded by the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health in 1924, to be recognized for his achievements in public health research and engagement.
In the news

Apr. 26, 2023
Breaking down barriers

Apr. 24, 2023
Mansoo Yu extols benefits of studying abroad

Feb. 26, 2020