Mattea is interested in exploring pathways to risk within the context of externalizing psychopathology in youth and families. With a particular focus on specific child-rearing environments, such as those characterized by poverty, parent-child relationships, intergenerational trauma, and early exposure to trauma, Mattea seeks to understand how these factors influence and potentially modify the quality of life and resilience among young individuals. Additionally, Mattea is interested in elevating the validity and cultural sensitivity of personality assessment through a concentrated examination of racial experiences and factors that potentially impact test scores.