Personal profile
University profile
Dr. Sara Matsuzaka, Assistant Professor, received her PhD in Social Work from Fordham University. Prior to joining Montclair State University, she was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Virginia Department of Psychology where she examined the links between experiences with gendered racism and mental health among Black women.
Her research aims to investigate how oppressive discourses and policies contribute to mental health and substance use inequities among sexual minorities of color and other multiply-marginalized groups. She teaches courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, such as generalist social work practice and social work & social justice. She has worked as a licensed clinical social worker in addiction treatment settings as well as in private practice.
Research Interests
Aims to investigate how oppressive discourses and policies contribute to mental health and substance use inequities among sexual minorities of color and other multiply-marginalized groups.
Teaching
Teaches courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels, such as generalist social work practice and social work & social justice.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Homonegativity, binegativity, and transnegativity among substance use treatment practitioners in the United States
Matsuzaka, S., Peters, A., Sapiro, B. & Krutyansky, J., 2026, In: Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse. 25, 1, p. 195-213 19 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
2 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations -
Employee perceptions of substance use treatment organizational DEI commitment: Examining differences by race, gender, sexual identity, and leadership status
Matsuzaka, S., Peters, A., Jackman, D., Ross, C. C. & Rodriguez, Z., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Parental substance misuse and child welfare system involvement: findings from a community sample of parents and primary caregivers
Shpiegel, S., Matsuzaka, S., Lytle, N., Kontoh, A. Y. & El Shahawy, O., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Journal of Public Child Welfare.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Shrunken and Recolored: Young Black American Women's Double Consciousness Body Image, Online Victimization, and Photo Editing
Matsuzaka, S., Volpe, V. V., Avery, L. R. & Stanton, A. G., Sep 2025, In: Psychology of Women Quarterly. 49, 3, p. 332-344 13 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
1 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations -
Social Work Literature and Gendered Racism: A Scoping Review
Matsuzaka, S., Hudson, K. D., Sapiro, B., Doko, S., Jemal, A. & Ross, A. M., 1 Jun 2025, In: Social Work Research. 49, 2, p. 81-92 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review