Yinyin Zang is a tenure-track assistant professor of Clinical Psychology at Peking University. She received her Ph.D. in Applied Psychology from the University of Nottingham in 2013. From 2014 to 2015, she worked as a postdoctoral fellow in clinical psychology at the Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety (CTSA) in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. From 2015 to 2019, she was a research associate in clinical psychology at the CTSA and the Center for Sleep and Circadian Neurobiology at the University of Pennsylvania. Currently, Dr. Yinyin Zang leads the Intervention, Prevention, and Promotion (IPP) Lab. Her research focuses on trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACE), encompassing the psychopathology and treatment of trauma-related disorders and interventions for children's and adolescents' mental health from an ACE perspective. She also investigates the implementation of evidence-based psychological practice, innovative AI-assisted interventions, cross-cultural positive psychology, and the multimodal mechanisms of psychological treatments.

List of Publications

Peer-reviewed research papers

In press or print (*corresponding author)

Bao, J., Lei, T., Zhu, C., & Zang, Y*. (2024). Unraveling the Complexity and Instability of Negative Emotional Eating: A Latent Transition Analysis. Appetite, 107657,

Li, M., He, F., Lan, Q., Zhang, C., Zang, Y.*, & Wang, L.* The longitudinal association between COVID‐19 stressors and adolescents' diurnal cortisol: The mediating effects of parental anxiety and behaviours. Infant and Child Development, e2541.

Chen, Q., Zhao, Z., Bao, J., Lin, J., Li, W., & Zang, Y*. (2024). Digital empowerment in mental health: A meta-analysis of internet-based interventions for enhancing mental health literacy. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, 24(3), 100489.

Zhang, C., Lu, J., Gao, G., Cui, J., Li, M., Zang, Y., ... & Wang, L. (2024). Anxiety is related to slower RSA oscillation during stress response and regulation. Psychophysiology, e14654.

Chen, Q., Bao, J., & Zang, Y.* (2024). The knowledge, attitude, and intention to use internet-based mental health services: A serial mediation model. Internet Interventions, 100755.

Ju, R., Chiu, W., Zang, Y., Hofmann, S. G., & Liu, X. (2022). Effectiveness and mechanism of a 4-week online self-help mindfulness intervention among individuals with emotional distress during COVID-19 in China. BMC Psychology, 10(1), 1-14.

Li, M., Wang, B., Chen, Q., Gao, D., & Zang, Y.* (2021). Written exposure therapy and app-delivered mindfulness-based meditation for PTSD and subthreshold PTSD in China: Design of a randomized controlled trial. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications, 22, 100729.

Asnaani, A.*, Narine, K., Suzuki, N., Yeh, R., Zang, Y., Schwartz, B., … Foa, E. B. (2021). An Innovative Mobile Game for Screening of Pediatric PTSD: A Study in Primary Care Settings. Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma, 14(3), 357–366.

Foa, E. B.*, McLean, C. P., Brown, L. A., Zang, Y., Rosenfield, D., Zandberg, L. J., ... & Peterson, A. L. (2020). The effects of a prolonged exposure workshop with and without consultation on provider and patient outcomes: a randomized implementation trial. Implementation Science, 15(1), 1-14.

Mu, W.*, Narine, K., Farris, S., Lieblich, S., Zang, Y., Bredemeier, K., ... & Foa, E. (2020). Trauma-related cognitions predict treatment response in smokers with PTSD: Evidence from cross-lagged panel analyses. Addictive behaviors, 108, 106376.

Wang, Y.*, Metoki, A., Smith, D. V, Medaglia, J. D., Zang, Y., Benear, S., … Olson, I. R. (2020). Multimodal Mapping of the Face Connectome. Nature Human Behaviour, 1–40.

Asnaani, A.*, Tyler, J., McCann, J., Brown, L., & Zang, Y.* (2020). Anxiety Sensitivity and Emotion Regulation as Mechanisms of Successful CBT Outcome for Anxiety-Related Disorders in a Naturalistic Treatment Setting. Journal of Affective Disorders, 267, 86–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.01.160

Wang, S. H., Keenan, B. T., Wiemken, A., Zang, Y., Staley, B., Sarwer, D. B., … Schwab, R. J.* (2020). Effect of Weight Loss on Upper Airway Anatomy and the Apnea Hypopnea Index: The Importance of Tongue Fat. American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1164/rccm.201903-0692oc

Asnaani, A.*, Narine, K., Suzuki, N., Yeh, R., Zang, Y., Schwartz, B., … Foa, E. B. (2020). An Innovative Mobile Game for Screening of Pediatric PTSD: A Study in Primary Care Settings. Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-020-00300-6

McLean, C. P.*, Zandberg, L., Brown, L., Zang, Y., Benhamou, K., Dondanville, K. A., … Foa, E. B. (2019). Guilt in the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Active Duty Military Personnel. Journal of Traumatic Stress, jts.22416.

McLean, C. P.*, Zang, Y.*, Gallagher, T., Suzuki, N., Yarvis, J. S., Litz, B., Mintz, J., Young-McCaughan, S., Peterson, A., & Foa, E.B. (2019). Trauma-Related Cognitions and Cognitive Emotion Regulation as Mediators of PTSD Change Among Treatment-Seeking Active Duty Military Personnel with PTSD. Behavior Therapy, 50(6), 1053–1062. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2019.03.006

Brown, L. A.*, Zang, Y.*, Benhamou, K., Taylor, D. J., Bryan, C. J., Yarvis, J. S., … Foa, E. B. (2019). Mediation of suicide ideation in prolonged exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 119, 103409.

Brown, L. A.*, McLean, C. P., Zang, Y., Zandberg, L., Mintz, J., Yarvis, J. S., … Foa, E. B. (2019). Does prolonged exposure increase suicide risk? Results from an active duty military sample. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 118(June 2018), 87–93.

Zang, Y.*, Su, Y. J., McLean, C. P., & Foa, E. B. (2019). Predictors for Excellent Versus Partial Response to Prolonged Exposure Therapy: Who Needs Additional Sessions? Journal of traumatic stress, 32: 577-585. doi:10.1002/jts.22412

Foa, E. B.*, Mclean, C. P., Zang, Y., Rosenfield, D., Yadin, E., Yarvis, J. S., … Peterson, A. (2018). Effect of Prolonged Exposure Therapy Delivered Over 2 Weeks vs 8 Weeks vs Present-Centered Therapy on PTSD Symptom Severity in Military Personnel A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA, 319(4), 354–364.

Zang, Y.*, Gay, G. G., Kaczkurkin, A. N., McLean, C. P., Wachen, J. W., Yarvis, J. S., Foa, E. B., Resick, P. A., and the STRONG STAR Consortium. (2018) Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties of the Peritraumatic and Posttraumatic Emotions Questionnaires among Active Duty Military Personnel with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 31(6), 826-836.

Zhang, S., Hu, Q.*, Tang, T., Liu, C., Li, C., Zang, Y. Y., & Cai, W. X.* (2018). Changes in Gray Matter Density, Regional Homogeneity, and Functional Connectivity in Methamphetamine-Associated Psychosis: A Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) Study. Medical Science Monitor, 24, 4020-4030.

Brown, L. A.*, Jerud, A., Asnaani, A., Petersen, J., Zang, Y., & Foa, E. B. (2018). Changes in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms over the course of prolonged exposure. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 86(5), 452-463.

Jha, A.*, Shakya, S., Zang, Y., Pathak, N., Pradhan, P., Bhatta, K., … Nehete, R. (2017). Identification and treatment of Nepal 2015 earthquake survivors with posttraumatic stress disorder by nonspecialist volunteers: An exploratory cross-sectional study. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 59(3), 320.

Foa, E. B.*, Asnaani, A., Zang, Y., Capaldi, S., & Yeh, R. (2017). Psychometrics of the Child PTSD Symptom Scale for DSM-5 for Trauma-Exposed Children and Adolescents. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 1–9.

Foa, E. B.*, McLean, C. P., Zandberg, L. J., Zang, Y., Asnaani, A., Benhamou, K., … Peterson, A. L. (2017). The implementation of prolonged exposure: Design of a multisite study evaluating the usefulness of workshop with and without consultation. Contemporary Clinical Trials, 61, 48–54.

Kaczkurkin, A. N.*, Zang, Y., Gay, N. G., Peterson, A. L., Yarvis, J. S., Borah, E. V., … Foa, E. B. (2017). Cognitive Emotion Regulation Strategies Associated With the DSM-5 Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Criteria. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 30(4), 343–350.

Zhang, S. Y., Hu, Q.*, Tang, T., Liu, C., Li, C. C., Yang, X. G., Zang Y. Y. & Cai, W. X.* (2017). Role of CACNA1C gene polymorphisms and protein expressions in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia: a case-control study in a Chinese population. Neurological Sciences, 1-11.

Zang, Y.*, Yu, J., Chazin, D., Asnaani, A., Zandberg, L. J., & Foa, E. B. (2017). Changes in coping behavior in a randomized controlled trial of concurrent treatment for PTSD and alcohol dependence. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 90, 9–15.

Zang, Y.*, Gallagher, T., McLean, C. P., Tannahill, H. S., Yarvis, J. S., Foa, E. B., & Consortium, S. (2016). The impact of social support, unit cohesion, and trait resilience on PTSD in treatment-seeking military personnel with PTSD: The role of posttraumatic cognitions. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 86, 18–25.

McLean, C. P., Zang, Y.*, Zandberg, L., Bryan, C. J., Gay, N., Yarvis, J. S., & Foa, E. B. (2017). Predictors of suicidal ideation among active duty military personnel with posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Affective Disorders, 208 (August 2016), 392–398.

Foa, E. B.*, McLean, C. P., Zang, Y., Zhong, J., Rauch, S., Porter, K., … Kauffman, B. Y. (2016). Psychometric properties of the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Scale Interview for DSM–5 (PSSI–5). Psychological Assessment, 28(10), 1159–1165.

Foa, E. B.*, McLean, C. P., Zang, Y., Zhong, J., Powers, M. B., Kauffman, B. Y., … Knowles, K. (2016). Psychometric properties of the Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale for DSM–5 (PDS–5). Psychological Assessment, 28(10), 1166–1171.

Hu, Q.*, Zhang, S. Y.*, Liu, F., Zhang, Y. L., Zhu, D. M., & Zang, Y. Y. (2015). Clinical significance of decreased protein expression of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in the development of depression: A meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 174, 416-423.

Hu, Q.*, Zhang, S. Y.*, Liu, F., Zhang, X. J., Cui, G. C., Yu, E. Q., ... & Zang, Y. Y. (2015). Influence of GNB3 C825T polymorphism on the efficacy of antidepressants in the treatment of major depressive disorder: A meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 172, 103-109.

Zandberg, L. J.*, Zang, Y., McLean, C. P., Yeh, R., Simpson, H. B., & Foa, E. B. (2015). Change in Obsessive Compulsive Symptoms Mediates Subsequent Change in Depressive Symptoms during Exposure and Response Prevention. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 67, 76-81.

Zang, Y.*, Hunt, N. & Cox, T. (2014). Adapting Narrative Exposure Therapy for Chinese earthquake survivors: A randomized controlled feasibility study, BMC Psychiatry, 14, 262.

Zang, Y.*, Hunt, N. & Cox, T. (2013). A randomised controlled pilot study: The effectiveness of narrative exposure therapy with adult survivors of the Sichuan earthquake, BMC Psychiatry, 13, 41.

Zang, Y.*, Hunt, N., Cox, T., Joseph. S. (2012). Short form of the Changes in Outlook Questionnaire: Translation and validation of the Chinese version, Health and Quality of Life Outcome, 10, 41.

Book chapter

Zang, Y., Hunt, N. & Cox, T. (2011). The effect of a Guided Narrative Technique among children traumatized by the earthquake. In C. Barrette, B. Haylock, & D. Mortimer (Eds.), Trauma imprints: Performance, art, literature and theoretical practice (pp. 273-282). Oxford: Inter-disciplinary Press