Philip Baiden

Dr. Philip Baiden is dedicated to improving the well-being of children and adolescents facing systemic disadvantages, trauma, and limited access to care.  His research examines how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and protective factors shape health and mental health across the lifespan.  He focuses on outcomes such as suicide risk, substance use, and emotional well-being among youth exposed to abuse, neglect, and violence issues central to child welfare practice and policy. Using large-scale secondary datasets and advanced quantitative methods, Dr. Baiden identifies patterns that inform prevention and intervention strategies. His recent studies examine suicidal behaviors among Black adolescents and the effects of household food insecurity on children’s health in Ghana, reflecting his cross-cultural and equity-focused approach to child welfare research. He is dedicated to translating evidence into practice and policy through public scholarship and media engagement that make research accessible and actionable. At the University of Texas at Arlington, he mentors students conducting research on youth mental health and child welfare. As a faculty affiliate of the Child Welfare Research Center, Dr. Baiden seeks to strengthen collaboration, drive innovation, and enhance the impact of research that supports vulnerable children and families.