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David Wang

Associate Professor of Psychology
Editor, Journal of Psychology and Theology

DepartmentRosemead School of Psychology
Biola AffiliationsFaculty
Office LocationRose Hall 148

Documents

CV Document (PDF)

Degrees

  • Ph.D., University of Houston
  • Th.M., Regent College (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • B.A., University of California, Berkeley

Biography

Dr. Wang is a licensed psychologist, pastor, and associate professor of psychology and pastoral counseling. He is the editor of the Journal of Psychology and Theology and serves on the editorial board for Spirituality in Clinical Practice. He is principle investigator of the Seminary Formation Assessment Project, a research program funded by the John Templeton Foundation conducting longitudinal empirical research on the human and spiritual formation of students enrolled in 18 North American Eastern Orthodox, Episcopal, Evangelical, Mainline Protestant and Roman Catholic seminaries. He is also co-principle investigator of the Trauma-Resilient Church Collective Program, a 5-year project funded by the Lilly Endowment mobilizing diverse local congregations to address both individual and systematic factors as they meet the spiritual and mental health needs of trauma survivors. Dr. Wang’s research interests include: trauma and traumatic stress, mindfulness/self-compassion, spiritual theology (with special interest in the experience of the spiritual desert), and various topics related to multicultural psychology and social justice.

Dr. Wang teaches and speaks internationally, maintains a small clinical practice in Fullerton, CA (drdavidcwang.com), is the pastor of spiritual formation at One Life City Church (onelifecitychurch.org) and serves on the board of directors for Joya Scholars (joyascholars.org)—a non-profit organization that seeks to inspire and prepare students from families of at-risk communities in Fullerton to succeed through higher education. He also consults with the Global Aftercare Program of the International Justice Mission (ijm.org; an international non-profit organization devoted to ending the global slave trade) and has co-authored their manual on Trauma Informed Care. Dave and his wife Vivian live with their two daughters in Fullerton.

Affiliations

  • Association of Theological Schools, Research Advisory Committee (2018-present)
  • Association of Theological Schools, Redevelopment Task Force on Formation (2018-2019)
  • President’s Council on Spiritual Life and Discipleship—Biola University (2021-present)
  • Asian-American Center, Fuller Theological Seminary (Advisory Council, 2018-present)
  • Field Guide for Clergy Support Services Project, The Duke Endowment (Advisory Board, 2021-present)
  • Center for Pastor Theologians (Consultant & Project Referee, 2020-present)
  • American Psychological Association, Division 36 (Member-at-large, 2014-2017)
  • American Psychological Association, Division 36 (Program Chair, 2014)
  • American Psychological Association, Division 36 (Co-Program Chair, 2013)
  • American Psychological Association (Member), Divisions 36 (Religion and Spirituality) & 56 (Trauma Psychology)
  • International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (Member, Program Reviewer)

Publications (Selected)

Grants
  • Wang, D. C., Hill, P. C., Porter, S. L., Sandage, S. J., Latcovich, M., Reed, A., Plante, T., Deasy, J., Gin, D., McMinn, M. R., King, P. E. (2019-2022). The assessment of character and spiritual formation: An empirical, longitudinal, and ecumenical project with seminary students and faculty. John Templeton Foundation. Role: Principle Investigator. Funded: $1,980,523
  • Willis, S., Wang, D. C., & Johnson, A. (2021-2026). Trauma-Resilient Church Collective Program: Faith-integrative culturally-congruent Trauma Informed Care for diverse congregations. Role: Co-Principle Investigator. Lilly Endowment. Funded: $1,000,000.
  • Association of Theological Schools (2020-2024). Organizational and Educational Models in Theological Education: Supporting the 21st Century Missions of Theological Schools. Lilly Endowment. Role: Advisory Committee. Funded: $5,900,000.
  • Rosen, A., Francis, P. S., Eagle, D., & Abts, D. (2020-2021). Aesthetic Education and the Theological Mind: An Interdisciplinary Exploration of Spiritual & Artistic Calling. Templeton Religious Trust. Role: Advisory Board. Funded: $200,000.
  • Wang, D. C., James, A., Powers, T, & Nixon, T. (2020-2022). Trauma-informed formation and discipleship for urban Christian leaders. Urban Youth Workers Institute. Role: Co-Principle Investigator. Funded: $20,000.
  • Wang, D. C. (2019-2021). Leadership in theological education: An empirical inquiry into the strengths and needs of chief executive officers, academic deans, and other senior leadership. Association of Theological Schools. Role: Principle Investigator. Funded: $31,000.
  • Wang, D. C., Stricker, V., & Choe, M. V. (2019–2021). Trauma-Informed Congregations: Faith-integrative trauma-informed care in the service of the spiritual and psychological needs of urban youth. Alliance for Greater Works. Role: Principle Investigator. Funded: $9,250.
  • Wang, D. C., Hill, P. C., Porter, S. L., Sandage, S. J., McMinn, M. R., & King, P. E. (2017-2019). Creating and pilot testing a seminarian character/virtue and spiritual development program assessment instrument. John Templeton Foundation. Role: Principle Investigator. Funded: $242,297.
  • Wang, D. C., Reed, A.H., Rudy-Froese, A., Lattimore, V., Lee, D., Kim, C. L., Walker, B., Bee, R., Canada, A., & Poston, J. (2018-2019). An empirical, mixed-methods investigation into the prevalence and impact of shame on the spiritual life and financial behavior of seminary students. Lilly Endowment. Role: Principle Investigator. Funded: $27,500.
  • Aten, J. D., Davis, E. B., Wang, D. C., Shannonhouse, L. R., & Van Tongeren, D. R. (2016-2019). Leader humility in humanitarian aid organizations. John Templeton Foundation. Role: Co-Investigator. Funded: $301,834.
  • Wang, D. C., Canada, A. L., & Poston, J. M. (2016-2018). The multifaceted impact of graduate school debt on seminary students. Lilly Endowment. Role: Principle Investigator. Funded: $44,586.
  • Wang, D. C., Hill, P. C., & Porter, S. L. (2016-2017). The spiritual, character, and virtue formation of seminarians. John Templeton Foundation. Role: Principle Investigator. Funded: $217,000.

      Journal Publications (Peer Reviewed)
      • Jankowski, P., Sandage, S., Hill, P. C., & Wang, D. C. (in press). Relational spirituality profiles and flourishing among emerging religious leaders. Journal of Positive Psychology.
      • Wood, Z. B., Wang, D. C., Lee, C., Barnes, H., Abouezzeddine, T., Canada, A., & Aten, J. D. (in press). Social support, religious coping, and traumatic stress among Hurricane Katrina survivors of Southern Mississippi: A sequential mediational model. Traumatology.
      • Jankowski, P. J., Murphy, S., Johnson, J., Sandage, S., & Wang, D. C. (in press). The influence of experiential avoidance, humility and patience on the association between exploration and well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies.
      • Blea, J. Wang, D. C., Kim, C. L., Lowe, G., Austad, J., Amponsah, M., & Johnston, N. (in press). The experience of financial well-being, shame, and mental health outcomes in seminary students. Pastoral Psychology.
      • Wang, D. C., Hall, M. E. L., Shannonhouse, L. R., Mize, M. C. B., Aten, J. D., Davis, E. B., Van Tongeren, D. R., & Annan, K. (in press). Why leader humility is vital to effective humanitarian aid leadership: A review of the literature. Disasters.
      • Porter, S. L., Wang., D. C., Abernethy, A., Strout, S., Dillard, W., Yong, A., & van Vlastuin, W. (in press). Ecumenical and traditioned measurement: Measuring Christian maturation across distinct traditions of Christian spirituality. Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care.
      • Yuhan, J., Wang, D. C., Canada, A., & Schwartz, J. (in press). Growth after trauma: The role of self-compassion following Hurricane Harvey. Trauma Care.
      • Wang, D. C. (in press). Where do we go from here? A call to the Christian mental health community to leverage the resources of science and faith for social action and community renewal. Journal of Psychology and Christianity.
      • Enete, S., Seay, M., Asebedo, S., McCoy, M., & Wang, D. C. (in press). Personal emotions and family financial wellbeing: Applying the broaden and build theory. Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning.
      • De Luna, J., & Wang, D. C. (in press). Child traumatic stress and the sacred: Neurobiologically-informed interventions for therapists and parents. Religions.
      • Bock, N., Hall, M. E. L., Wang, D. C., & Hall, T. W. (in press). Spiritual Self-Awareness as a Moderator Between Attachment to God and Evangelical Christians’ Appraisals of Suffering. Spirituality in Clinical Practice.
      • Hall, M. E. L., McMartin, J., Wang, D. C., Shannonhouse, L., Aten, J. D., Silverman, E. J., & Decker, L. (in press). The sanctification of suffering: Measurement development and relationship to well-being. Mental Health, Religion, & Culture.
      • Wang, D. C. (in press). Incorporating mindfulness practices with Asian/Asian-American Christian clients: Cultural, clinical, and theological considerations. Journal of Psychology and Christianity.
      • Diehl, A., Stephenson, A., Dzubinski, L., & Wang. D. C. (2020). Measuring the Invisible: Development and multi-industry validation of the gender bias scale for women leaders. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 31, 249-280.
      • Galbadage, T., Peterson, B. M., Wang, D. C., Wang, J. S., & Gunasekera, R. S. (2020). Biopsychosocial and spiritual implications of patients with COVID-19 dying in isolation. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 588623.
      • Hill, P. C., Hall, M. E. L., Wang, D. C., & Decker, L. A. (2019). Theistic intellectual humility and well-being: Does ideological context matter? Journal of Positive Psychology.
      • Porter, S. L., Sandage, S. J., Wang, D. C., & Hill, P. C. (2019). Measuring the spiritual, character, and moral formation of seminarians: In search of a meta-theory of spiritual change. Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, 12, 5-24.
      • Shannonhouse, L., Mize, M. C., Hall, M. E. L., Aten, J. D., Wang, D. C., Davis, E. B., & Van Tongeren, D. (2019). The behaviors, benefits, and barriers of humility in humanitarian aid leaders: A mixed-method study of exemplars. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 47, 143-159.
      • Ruf, B. M., Wang, D. C., & Williams J. K. (2018). Investigating the many facets of spirituality that mediate the relationship between exposure to nature and psychological well-being. Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, 21, 353-369.
      • Bock, N.A., Hall, M. E. L., Wang, D. C., & Hall, T. W. (2018). The Role of Attachment to God and Spiritual Self-Awareness in Predicting Evangelical Christians' Appraisals of Suffering. Mental Health, Religion, & Culture, 21, 353-369.
      • Strosky, D. G., Wang, D. C., Hill, P. C., Long, J. E., Davis, E.B., & Cuthbert, A.D. (2018). Students in faith-based doctoral psychology programs: Religious/spiritual struggles moderate the effect of distress from clinical work on negative affect. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 46, 52-66.
      • Kim, G. Y., Wang, D. C., & Hill, P. C. (2018). An investigation into the multifaceted relationship between gratitude, empathy, and compassion. Journal of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing, 2, 23–44.
      • Shruba, A. N., David, E. B., Aten, J. D., Wang, D. C., Entwistle, D. N., & Boan, D. (2018). Psychological first aid and the role of scientific evidence in Christians' provision of disaster spiritual and emotional care. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 37, 74-79.
      • Wang, D. C., Lopez, F. G., Wiesner, M., Nguyen, Q. X., Horn, C. (2017). An empirical investigation into the cognitive and relational dynamics of mindfulness: Adult attachment security mediates the relationship between mindfulness and naive dialecticalism. Mindfulness and Compassion, 2, 138–148.
      • Augustyn, B., Hall, T. W., Wang, D. C., & Hill, P. C. (2017). Relational spirituality: An attachment-based model of spiritual development and psychological well-being. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality.
      • Porter, S. L., Hall, M. E. L., & Wang, D. C. (2017). Losing my religion: spiritual discouragement amongst Christian therapists due to repeat exposure to spiritual immaturity in Christian clients. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 45, 133-143.
      • Moradshahi, M., Hall, T. W., Wang, D. C., & Canada, A. (2017). The Spiritual Narrative Questionnaire: Initial development and psychometric properties. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 36, 35-50.
      • Wang, D. C., Aten, J. D., Boan, D., Jean-Charles, W., Griff, K. P., Valcin, V., Davis, E. B., Hook, J. N., Davis, D. E., Van Tongeren, D. R., Abouezzeddine, T., Sklar, Q., & Wang, A. (2016). Culturally adapted spiritually oriented trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy for child survivors of restavek. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 3, 224-236.
      • Wang, D. C. & Tan, S-Y. (2016). Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT): Empirical evidence and clinical applications from a Christian perspective. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 35, 68-76.
      • Bailey, K. L., Jones, B. D., Hall, T. W., Wang, D. C., McMartin, J. M., & Fujikawa, A. M. (2016). Spirituality at a crossroads: A grounded theory of Christian emerging adults. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 8, 99-109.
      • Crawford, N. & Wang, D. C. (2016). A brief history of psychology and missions in JPT: Looking back, around, and forward. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 44, 263-267.
      • Mondragon, S. A., Wang, D. C., Pritchett, L., Graham, D. P., Plasencia, M. L., & Teng, E. J. (2015). The influence of military sexual trauma on returning OEF/OIF male veterans. Psychological Services, 12, 402-411.
      • Hall, T. W., Edwards, E., & Wang, D. C. (2015). The spiritual development of emerging adults over the college years: A four-year longitudinal investigation. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 7, 1-12.
      • Wang, D. C., Strosky, D., & Fletes, A. (2014). Secondary and vicarious trauma: Implications for faith and clinical practice. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 33, 281-286.
      • Coleman, M. N., Chapman, S., & Wang, D. C. (2013). An examination of color-blind racism and race-related stress among African-American undergraduate students. The Journal of Black Psychology, 39, 484-502.
      • Wang, D. C. (2011). Two perspectives on spiritual dryness: Spiritual Desertion and the Dark Night of the Soul. Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, 4, 27-42.
      • Crisp, G., Horn, C., Dizinno, G., & Wang, D. C. (2010). Modeling the racial and ethnic implications of admissions policy changes in the pursuit of tier one status. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 3, 71-84.
      • Wang, D. C. (2010). The English Puritans and spiritual desertion: A protestant perspective on the place of spiritual dryness in the Christian life. Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, 3, 42-65.


      Book Chapters, Other Publications (Invited)
      • Wang, D. C., McMinn, M. R., Wood, Z., & Lee, C. (in press). Positive psychology in the context of religious communities. In E. B. Davis, E. L. Worthington, & S. Schnitker (Eds.), Handbook of Positive Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality. New York: Springer.
      • Wang, D. C., & Gin, D. H. C. (2020). The changing landscape of leadership: Trends and insights from the ATS leadership education survey. Colloquy, 28.
      • Aten, J. D., Schruba, A., Entwistle, D. N., Davis, W., Ranter, J., Hwang, J., Hook, J. N., Wang, D. C., Davis, D., & Van Tongeren, D. (2017). Faith and disaster mental health: Empirical, theological, and psychological perspectives. In H. Gingrich & F. Gingrich (Eds.), Treating Trauma in Christian Counseling and Psychotherapy (pp. 305-321). Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press.
      • Wang, D. C. (2017). Mobilizing and equipping the Church for soul care and counseling: A classic resource updated and revised. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 45 , 144-146.
      • Hill, P. C., Laney, E. K., Edwards, K. J., Wang, D. C., Orme, W. H., Chan, A. C., & Wang, F. L. (2017). A few good measures: Colonel Jessup and humility. In E. L. Worthington, D. E. Davis, & J. N. Hook (Eds.), Handbook of Humility (119-133). New York, NY: Routledge.
      • Wang, D. C., & Wang, A. (2014). Integrating the human capacity to recover and thrive into trauma therapy: An empirically grounded guide. PsycCRITIQUES, 59.
      • Wang, D. C., & Chan, A. (2014). Didn’t we stop thinking that mental illness was caused by the devil? Revisiting the topic of psychosis and spirituality. PsycCRITIQUES, 59.
      • Wang, D. C. (2011). [Review of the book Soulful Spirituality: Becoming Fully Alive and Deeply Human, by Dr. David G. Benner]. Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care, 4, 314-316.

      Presentations

      • Wang, D. (2021, April). An integrative exploration into the relationship between Human and Spiritual Formation: Does spiritual maturity have implications on our maturity as human beings? 2020 Scandrette Lecture at Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL).
      • Wang, D. C. (2021, April). Positive Psychology, Faith, and Human Flourishing: Locating social work practice within the context of faith-based social action and community renewal. Plenary address at the North American Association of Christians in Social Work (California Chapter) Conference, Virtual Conference.
      • Wang, D. C. (2021, March). Positive Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality: Leveraging the resources of science and faith for social action and community renewal. Keynote address at the CAPS Annual Convention, Virtual Conference. https://youtu.be/e0Y4pU-6tNE.
      • Wang, D. (2021, February). Emotional Regulation, Spiritual Formation, and Financial Stress: Insights from research. Plenary Address at 2021 Wesley Conference, Church of the Nazarene.
      • Wang, D. (2020, September). Walking through the Desert Together: Dryness in Spiritual Formation and Disciple making. Webinar conference hosted by Yio Chu Kang Chapel (Singapore).
      • Wang, D. (2020, September). How can seminaries assess that students are being spiritually formed? Challenges and recent developments in assessment and formation. Plenary speaker at Spiritual Formation in Seminary: Research, Assessment, and Practice, hosted by Saint Andrew’s Theological Seminary and the Association of Theological Schools, Manila, Philippines.
      • Johnson, A., Boynton-Jarrett, R. Leflore, L., Styles, M., Walter, R., & Wang, D. C. (2020, May). COVID-19 Townhall: Where are the children? Alliance for Greater Works, Dallas, TX.
      • Wang, D. C., & Aten, J. D. (2020, March). Coping and self-care for church leaders in the season of COVID-19. COVID-19 Church Online Summit (hosted by the Humanitarian Disaster Institute & National Association of Evangelicals).
      • Wang, D. (2019). Ministry, Mental Health, and Burnout: A summary of research and a vision of hope for the holistic health of pastors, Plenary Address at GC2: Facing Hard Truths & Challenges of Pastoral Ministry (Wheaton, IL), Dec 6.
      • Davis, E. B., Aten, J. D., Shannonhouse, L., Van Tongeren, D. R., Wang, D., Hall, M. E. L., Van Grinsven, L., & Annan, K. (2019, August). Leader humility in the context of faith-based humanitarian aid. In P.C. Hill (Chair), Humility in context of religion and spirituality, Symposium conducted at the 127th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Chicago, IL.
      • Wang, D. (2019, March). Challenges and recent developments in the assessment of spiritual formation among students. Plenary speaker at the 2019 Student Personnel Administrators Conference of the Association of Theological Schools, Newport Beach, CA.
      • Felix, E., Ghafoori, B., Lee, M., & Wang, D. C. (2018, November).  Frontline Experiences on Addressing Human Trafficking: Assessment, Services, and Policy.  Symposium presented at the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) Annual Conference, Washington, DC.
      • Hage, S. M., Wang, D. C., et al. (2018, August). Cultivating cultural competency among trainees with diverse worldviews, beliefs and religious values. Inter-divisional collaborative symposium to be presented at the APA Annual Convention (Division 17 — Counseling Psychology/Division 36 — Religion and Spirituality), San Francisco, CA.
      • Edman, L. R., Edman, S. O., Wright, R. W., Milstein, G., Johnson, A., J., McMinn, M. R., Wang, D. C., Wright, B. (2018, August). Giving psychology away: Applying the psychology of religion and spirituality in faith communities. Symposium to be presented at the APA Annual Convention (Divison 36 — Religion and Spirituality). San Francisco, CA.
      • Wang, D. C., Reed, A. H., Hill, P. C., & Porter, S. L. (2018, May). How can seminaries tell that students have been spiritually formed? Challenges and recent developments in the assessment of spiritual formation among seminary students. Seminar presented at the Dallas Willard Center's Experiencing Life with God Conference, Santa Barbara, CA.
      • Larez, P. A., Wang, D. C., Canada, A., & Grubbs, J. B. (2018, August). Addicted & ashamed: The impact of self-perceived addiction on internet pornography use and internalized shame in religious young adult males. Paper session to be presented at the APA Annual Convention (Division 36 — Religion and Spirituality), San Francisco, CA.
      • Bee, R. & Wang, D. (2017 October). Debt impact on student life, health, and ministry. Breakout Session at the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) Economic Challenges Facing Future Ministers Forum, Pittsburgh, PA.
      • Hudson, A., Wang, D. C., & Neville, H. A. (2016, August). Color Blind Racism, Mindfulness, and Intercultural Competence: A Pilot Study. Poster presented at the APA Annual Convention (Division 45 – Culture, Ethnicity and Race), Denver, CO.
      • Wang, D. C. (2015, August). Supervising clinical work with survivors of trauma: Implications of trauma work on therapists’ spirituality. Symposia presented at the APA Annual Convention (Division 36 – Religion and Spirituality), Toronto, Canada.
      • Punzo, J., Henning, J., & Wang, D. (2014, August). Intersections between Trauma and Spirituality: Clinical and Research Implications. Symposia presented at the APA Annual Convention (Division 56 – Trauma Psychology), Washington, DC.
      • Mondragon, S., Wang, D., Pritchett, L., Graham, D., & Teng, E. (2012, November). The influence of military sexual harassment and military sexual assault on male veterans. Poster presented at the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies 28th Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, CA.
      • Wang, D., & Coleman, M. N. (August 2010). The effect of online priming on racial attitudes: Motivation to respond without prejudice as a mediating factor. Poster presented at the APA Annual Convention (Division 45 – Culture, Ethnicity and Race), San Diego, CA.
      • Wang, D. (February 2009). Faithful stewardship: Ethical and practical considerations in explicit integration. Keynote address at the Integration Symposium of the University of St. Thomas “Religion, Mental Health, and the Search for Meaning,” Houston, TX.

      Research Interests

      • Trauma, Traumatic Stress
      • Spiritual Formation, Spiritual Theology, Integration of Psychology and Theology
      • Mindfulness, Self-Compassion
      • Character/Virtue Development
      • Multicultural Psychology, Various Topics Pertaining To Social Justice
      • Spiritual Struggle, Dark Night of the Soul

      Courses

      • Trauma Therapy
      • Dialectical Behavior Therapy
      • Multicultural Issues in Clinical Psychology
      • Structural Equation Modeling
      • Measurement & Assessment II: Personality
      • Psychology & Christian Thought

      Media Interviews

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