Deziah Bermudez
AP Assistant Professor; Undergraduate Advisor
Human Development and Family Studies
Email Address: dlbermudez@uncg.edu
Bio & Education
Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Sciences, August 2024, Florida State University
M.S. in Human Development and Family Sciences, April 2022, Florida State University
B.S. in Psychology, December 2018 , Molloy University Honors College
Dr. Bermudez is a developmental scientist and educator in the field of Human Development and Family Science. Inspired by her personal experiences as a Latina, first-generation college student from a low-income background, Dr. Bermudez has dedicated her career to uplifting and supporting students from all walks of life through mentorship and engaging course instruction.
Research
My research focuses on cultural processes and factors that influence mental health and academic outcomes among Latinx adolescents and emerging adults. I also have a particular interest in the experience of role overload in first-generation college students from Latinx communities and communities of color more broadly.
Courses Taught
HDF 101: Foundations for Success in Human Development and Family Studies
HDF 111: Human Development Across the Lifespan
HDF 112: Families and Close Relationships
HDF 203: Adolescent Development: From Puberty to Young Adulthood
HDF 330: Family Diversity
SELECTED PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS
1. Bermudez, D. L., Iturriaga, V.F., Garcia, M. E., Rodriguez, R. E., Gonzales, S. Z., Bermudez, D. R., & Gonzales-Backen, M. A. (2026). Acculturative stress and risky behaviors: The moderating roles of parental monitoring and gender. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-026-03330-0
2. Bermudez, D. L., Gonzales-Backen, M., & Parker, M. L. (2026). Linking online discrimination to health among Latinx college students: The moderating role of ethnic-racial identity. Journal of American College Health, 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2026.2640445
3. Bermudez, D. L., Gonzales-Backen, M. A., Parker, M., Cruz, B. (In press). “I’ve Got To Do Something”: The indirect effects of exposure to online racism on the well-being of Latinx college students. Journal of College Student Development.
4. Bermudez, D. L., Garcia, M. E., Iturriaga, V. F., Rodriguez, R. E., & Gonzales-Backen, M. (2025). Latinx youth in rural settings: Understanding the links between ethnic-racial identity, neighborhood risks, perceived discrimination, and depressive symptoms. Journal of Adolescence, 10.1002/jad.12464. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1002/jad.12464
5. Bermudez, D. L., Iturriaga, V. F., Marroquin, C., Garza, R., & Gonzales-Backen, M. (2023). The role of familism in food insecurity, role overload, and depressive symptoms among Latinx youth. Journal of Latinx Psychology, https://doi.org/10.1037/lat0000231
6. Gonzales-Backen, M., Bámaca, M.Y., Bermudez, D. L., & Iturriaga, V. F. (2023). The role of autonomy granting and ethnic-racial socialization in Mexican-origin girls’ ethnic-racial identity trajectories. Developmental Psychology, 59(10), 1921. https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0001588
SELECTED Awards and Honors
2026 Molloy University 30 Under 30 Young Alumni Award
2023 Anderson Darling Family Endowed Scholarship Award for Outstanding Teaching Assistant