You are here
Anao Zhang
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Dr. Anao Zhang is an assistant professor of social work at the University of Michigan and the clinical research director of the Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) Oncology Program at Michigan Medicine. Zhang is a health and mental health intervention researcher with a primary research interest in psycho-oncology and adolescent and young adult cancer survivorship. An intervention researcher by training, Zhang contextualizes his work using the social determinants of youth health framework, and aims to develop and deliver integrated and empirically supported mental health treatment to individuals with co-morbid physical and mental health condition, e.g., AYA cancer survivors with depression. Zhang is also an applied quantitative methodologist who uses advanced statistical methods to support his research, including meta-analysis, structural equation modeling, analyzing experimental data, causal inference and machine learning. Zhang serves as an associate editor for the Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, and the deputy chair of survivorship SIG at the International Psycho-Oncology Society.
Clinically, Zhang is a licensed clinical social worker, a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers, and a diplomate of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. Zhang has over five years of clinical experience in various hospital settings and specializes in solution-focused brief therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Zhang's teaching interests include advanced clinical social work practice, clinical social work practice in integrated healthcare, inter-professional education, and advanced quantitative methods in social work research. Zhang received his PhD from the University of Texas at Austin where he also completed the graduate portfolio program in Applied Statistical Modeling. Zhang received his MSW from the University of Pennsylvania.
Research Interests / Focus
Psych-Oncology; AYA survivorship; social determinants of youth health and mental health; evidence-based practice; and integrated behavioral health.
Research Interests/Focus
Health and mental; Evidence-based practice; Psychosocial oncology; Social determinants of health; Integrated behavioral health; and Quantitative methods.
Contact Information
| Phone | Room | Address | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (734) 647-6787 | zhangan@umich.edu | 3704 SSWB | University of Michigan School of Social Work 1080 S. University Ave. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 |
| (734) 647-6787 | Michigan Medicine Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Adolescent & Young Adult Program 1500 E. Medical Center Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48109 |
Education
| Year | Degree | School | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | PhD | Social Work | University of Texas, Austin |
| 2012 | MSW | Social Work | University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia |
| 2010 | LLB | Social Work | Fudan University, Shanghai, PRC |
Websites
| https://www.mottchildren.org/conditions-treatments/ped-cancer/aya-oncology-program |
| https://sites.google.com/umich.edu/aya-care |
News
Anao Zhang Receives Eugene Washington PCORI Grant
January 19, 2023
- Weaver, A., Landry, C., Zhang, A., McQuown, L., Hahn, J., Harrington, M. M., Tucker, K., Holzworth, J., Buys, T., Smith, F. N., Grogan-Kaylor, A., Pfeiffer, P., Kilbourne, A. M., & Himle, J. A. (in press). Study protocol: a randomized controlled trial of raising our spirits together, an entertaining, group-based, technology-assisted cognitive behavioral therapy for depression, tailored for rural adults and delivery by clergy. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications.
- Zhang, A., & Zebrack, B. (in press). Psychosocial intervention to facilitate disease management in adolescent and young adults with cancer. In N. Schneiderman (Ed.). In N. Schneiderman (Ed.). APA Handbook of Health Psychology. American Psychological Association.
- Zhang, A. (in press). Cognitive behavior therapy and social work practice. In C. Franklin, & K. Jordan (Eds.). Social Work Treatment: Interlocking Theoretical Approaches. Oxford University Press.
- Franklin, C., Zhang, A., Bolton, K., & Yates, H. T. (in press). Solution-focused couple therapy. In J. L. Lebow & D. K. Snyder (Eds.), Clinical Handbook of Couple Therapy (6th ed.). New York: The Guilford Press.
- Acquati, C., Sonet, E., Zhang, A., & Ionescu, E. (2023). Social well-being in cancer survivorship: A cross-sectional analysis of self-reported relationship closeness and ambivalence from a community sample. Current Oncology, 30(2), 1720-1732.
- Zhang, A., Kamat, A., Acquati, C., Aratow, M., Kim, J., DuVall, A. S., & Walling, E. (2023). Evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of an artificial intelligence (AI-) enabled and speech-based distress screening mobile app for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with cancer: A study protocol. Cancers, 14(4), 914.
- Zhang, A., & Froerer, A. (2023). A clinical case study of solution-focused brief therapy for young adult cancer patients’ psychological distress: Focusing on positive emotions. Clinical Case Studies.
- Blumenstein, K., Brose, A., Kemp, C., Meister, D., Walling, E., DuVall, A., & Zhang, A. (2023). Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy in improving functional health in cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, 175, 103709.
- Luo, Y., Zhang, A., & An, Q. (2023). A parent education program for single fathers’ parent-child relationship in rural China: A pretest posttest follow up study. Research on Social Work Practice, 33(4), 413-422.
- Levin, N., Chiu, Yi T., Stelmak, D., Iannarino, N., Zhang, A., Ellman, E., ...Zebrack, B. J. (2023). Banking on fertility preservation: Financial concern for adolescent and young adult cancer patients considering oncofertility services. Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology.
- Zhang. A. (2022). Solution-focused brief therapy for depression among adolescents and young adults with cancer: An open pilot trial. Research on Social Work Practice, 32(4), 388-401.
- Zhang, A., Weaver, A., Walling, E., Zebrack, B., Jackson Levin, N., Stuchell, B., & Himle, J. (2022). Evaluating an engaging and coach-assisted online cognitive behavioral therapy for depression among adolescent and young adult cancer survivors: A pilot feasibility trial. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology.
- Zhang, A., & Franklin, C. (2022). Solution-focused therapy. In K. Corcoran, & A. R. Roberts (Eds.), Social Workers’ Desk Reference (4th ed.).
- Zhang, A., Ji. Q., Zhang, K., Cao, Q., Chen, Y., Chen, J., & DuVall, A. (2022). Solution-focused brief therapy for adolescent and young adult cancer patients in China: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology.
- Himle, J. A., Weaver, A., Zhang, A., & Xiang, X. (2022). Digital mental health interventions for depression. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 29(1), 50-59.
- Levin N., Zhang A., Kattari S. K., & Zebrack B. (2022). “'Queer Insights’: Considerations for assessing sex and gender in oncofertility research. Annals of LGBTQ Public and Population Health.
- Levin, N., Zhang, A., Reyes-Gastelum, D., Chen, D. W., Hamilton, A. S., Zebrack, B., & Haymart, M. R. (2022). Change in worry over time among Hispanic women with thyroid cancer. Journal of Cancer Survivorship.
- Wang, K., Zhang, A, Cuevas, A. G., De Fries, C. M., Hinton, L., & Falcón, L. M. (2022). The association between post-traumatic stress and depressive symptoms among older Puerto Ricans in Boston: How does loneliness matter? Journal of Aging and Health, 34(6-8), 786-793.
- Acquati, C., Hibbard, J. H., Sonet, E., Zhang, A., & Ionescu, E. (2022). Patient activation and treatment decision-making in the context of cancer: Examining the role of informal caregiver’s involvement. Journal of Cancer Survivorship.
- Zhang, A., Wang, K., Blumenstein, K., Brose, A., Kemp, C., Meister, D., & Solomon, P. (2022). For whom and what outcomes does cognitive behavioral therapy work among cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Supportive Care in Cancer, 30, 8625-8636.
- Weaver, A., Zhang, A., Landry, C., Hahn, J., McQuown, L., O’Donnell, L., ...Himle, J. (2022). Technology-assisted, group-based CBT for rural adults’ depression: Open pilot trial results. Research on Social Work Practice, 32(2), 131-145.
- Wang, K., Zhang, A., De Fries, C. M., & Hasche, L. K. (2022). Education moderates the association between depressive symptoms and self-rated health among older adults with cancer, Health & Social Work. 48(1), 11-20.
- Zhang, A., Wang, K., & DuVall, A. (2022). Examining the moderating role of education on the association between depression and self-rated health among cancer survivors: A population-based study. Current Oncology, 28(5), 4042-4052.
- Weaver, A., Zhang, A., Xiang, X., Felsman, P., Fischer, D., & Himle, J. (2022). Entertain Me Well: An entertaining, tailorable, online platform delivering CBT for depression. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 30(1), 96-115.
- Corcoran, J., Zhang, A., Lee, L., & Johnson, T. (2021). Treatment for depression in low-income women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research.
- Jing, S., Zhang, A., Chen, Y., Shen, C., Currin-McCulloch, J., & Zhu, C. (2021). Mindfulness-based interventions for breast cancer patients in China across outcome domains: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the Chinese literature. Supportive Care in Cancer, 29, 5611-5621.
- Zhang, A., Jing, S., Solomon, P., & Brose, A. (2021). Mindfulness-based intervention for Chinese breast cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Research on Social Work Practice, 31(7), 683-692.
- Zhang, A., Wang, K., Zebrack, B., Tan, C. Y., Walling, E., & Chugh, R. (2021). Psychosocial, behavioral, and supportive interventions for pediatric, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology, 160, 103291.
- Zhang, H., Zhang, A., Liu, C., Jian, X., & Wang, K. (2021). A brief online mindfulness-based group intervention for psychological distress among Chinese residents during COVID-19: A pilot randomized controlled trial. Mindfulness, 12, 1502-1512.
- Jing, S., Zhang, A., Chen, Y., Shen, C., Currin-McCulloch, J., & Zhu, C. (2021). Mindfulness-based interventions for breast cancer patients in China across outcome domains: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the Chinese literature. Supportive Care in Cancer.
- De Luca, S., Caramanis, C., & Zhang, A. (2021). A longitudinal study examining the associations of bullying victimization and suicidal ideation among sexual minority adolescents. Suicide and Life-Threating Behavior.
- Franklin, C., Guz, C. Zhang, A., Kim, J., Zheng, H., Hai, A., Cho, Y., & Shen, L. (2021). Solution-focused brief therapy for students in schools: A comparative meta-analysis of the English and Chinese literature. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research.
- Shen, Y., Sun, F., Zhang, A., & Wang, K. (2021). The effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for elder abuse in community settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology: Psychology for Clinical Settings.
- Wang, K., Zhang, A, Cuevas, A. G., De Fries, C. M., Hinton, L., & Falcón, L. M. (2021). The association between post-traumatic stress and depressive symptoms among older Puerto Ricans in Boston: How does loneliness matter? Journal of Aging and Health.
- Hu, R. X., Luo, M. S., Zhang, A., & Li, L. (2021). Associations of ageism and health: A systematic review of quantitative observational studies. Research on Aging, 43(7-8), 311-322.
- Weaver, A., Zhang, A., Xiang X., Felsman, P., Fischer, D. J., & Himle, J. A. (2021). Entertain Me Well: An entertaining, tailorable, online platform for delivering depression treatment. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice.
- Weaver, A., Zhang, A., Landry, C., Hahn, J., McQuown, L., O'Donnell, L. A., Harrington, M M., Buys, T., Tucker, K. M., Pfeiffer, P., Kilbourne, A. M., Grogan-Kaylor, A., & Himle, J. A. (2021). Technology-assisted, group-based CBT for rural adults' depression: Open pilot trial results. Research on Social Work Practice.
- Corcoran, J., Zhang, A., Lee, L., & Johnson, T. (2021). Treatment for depression in low-income women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 13(1), 143-159.
- Zhang, A., Wang, K., & DuVall, A. (2021). Examining the pathoplastic moderating role of education on the association between depressive mood and self-rated health among cancer survivors: A population-based study. Current Oncology, 28(5), 4042-4052.
- Wang, K., Zhang, A., De Fries, C. M., & Hasche, L. K. (2021). Education moderates the association between depressive symptoms and self-rated health among older adults with cancer. Health and Social Work, 28(5), 4042-4052.
- Acquati, C., Hibbard, J. H., Sonet, E., Zhang, A., & Ionescu, E. (2021). The moderating role of informal caregiver’s involvement on the relationship between patient activation and adherence to treatment: Implications for self-management intervention in cancer care. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 39(15_suppl).
- Zhang, A., Zebrack, B., Acquati, C., Roth, M., Levin, N., Wang, K., & Schwartz, S. (2021). Technology-assisted psychosocial interventions for childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology.
- Zhang, A., Chen, Z., Wang, K., Elliott, W., & Morrow, S. (2020). Association between children’s saving account and parent rated children’s health: A preliminary study. Sociology Mind, 10(1), 1-14.
- Park, S., Guz, S., Zhang, A., Beretvas, N., Franklin, C. & Kim, J. (2020). Characteristics of effective school-based, teacher-delivered mental health services for children. Research on Social Work Practice, 30(4), 422-432.
- Zhang, A., Bornheimer, L. A., Weaver, A., Franklin, C., Hai, A., Guz, S., & Shen, L. (2020). Cognitive behavioral therapy for primary care depression and anxiety: A secondary meta-analytic review using robust variance estimation in meta-regression. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 42, 1117-1141.
- Nelson, A., Esther, A., Sun, F., & Zhang, A. (2020). Culturally adapted psychotherapeutic interventions for Latino depression and anxiety: A meta-analysis. Research on Social Work Practice.
- Wang, K., Zhang, A., Sun, F., & Hu, R. X. (2020). Self-rated health among older Chinese Americans: The roles of acculturation and family cohesion. Journal of Applied Gerongology.
- Gao, X., Gao, X., Guo, L., Sun, F., & Zhang, A. (2020). Perceived threat of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in Chinese older adults: The role of knowledge and perceived stigma. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 35, 223-229.
- Chen, Z., Elliott, W., Wang, K., Zhang, A., & Zheng, H. (2020). Examining parental educational expectations in one of the oldest children’s savings account programs in the country: The Harold Alfond College Challenge. Children and Youth Service Review, 108, 104582.
- Zhang, A., Franklin, C., & Hopson, L. (2020). Quantitative family systems. In C. Jordan, & C. Franklin (Eds.), Clinical Assessment for Social Workers (5th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
- Zhang, A.,& Franklin, C. (2020). Quantitative assessment methods. In C. Jordan, & C. Franklin (Eds.), Clinical Assessment for Social Workers (5th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
- Zhang, A., Hu, R., Wang, K., & Peregin-Antalis, E. (2020). Age moderates the relationship between psychological distress and engagement in mindfulness among cancer survivors: Results from a nationally representative sample. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 38(5), 513-526.
- An, Q., Wang, K., Sun, F., & Zhang, A. (2020). The effectiveness of a modified group-based cognitive behavioural intervention for dementia anxiety among Chinese older adults: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Affective Disorders, 274(1), 76-84.
- Wang, K., Zhang, A., Zheng, H., Kim, Y., & Padilla, Y. (2020). Proximal social determinants of adolescents’ health:The importance of everyday life circumstances. Youth and Society.
- Bornheimer, L., Zhang, A., Li, J., Hiller, M., & Tarrier, N. (2020). Effectiveness of suicide-focused psychosocial interventions in psychosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychiatric Services, 71(8), 829-838.
- Bornheimer, L. A., Wang, K., Zhang, A., Li, J., Trim, E. E., Ilgen, M., & King, C. (2020). National trends in non-fatal suicide behaviors among adults in the United States from 2009-2017. Psychological Medicine.
- Bornheimer, L., Zhang, A., Tarrier, N., Li, J., Ng, Y., & Himle, J. (2019). Depression moderates the relationships between hallucinations, delusions, and suicidal ideation: The cumulative effect of experiencing both hallucinations and delusions. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 116, 166-171.
- Zhang, A., Franklin, C., Jing, S., Bornheimer, L. A., Hai, A., Himle, J. A., Kong, D, & Ji, Q. (2019). The effectiveness of four empirically supported psychotherapies for primary care depression and anxiety: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 245, 1168-1186.
- Zhang, A., Kong, D., Jiang, L., Sun, F., Dunkle, R., & Liu, C. (2019). Understanding the effectiveness of psychosocial services for anxiety and depression in chinese older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled trials. The Gerontologist.
- Zhang, A., De Luca, S., Oh, S., Liu, C., & Song, X. (2019). The moderating effect of gender on the relationship between bullying and adolescents’ self-rated health: An exploratory study using the Fragile Families and Wellbeing Study. Children and Youth Services Review, 96, 155-162.
- Zhang, A. (2019). The Group: Seven Widowed Fathers Reimagine Life. Donald L. Rosentein and Justin M. Yopp, The Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, 46(1).
- Zhang, A., Liu, C., Bornheimer, L. A., Solomon, P., Wang, K., & Morrow, S. (2019). The indirect effect of bullying on adolescent self-rated health through mental health: A gender specific pattern. Children and Youth Services Review, 104, 104385.
- O’Gara, J., Zhang, A., Padilla, Y. C., Liu, C., & Wang, K. (2019). Father-youth closeness and adolescent self-rated health: The mediating role of mental health. Children and Youth Services Review, 104, 104386.
- Luo, Y., Sun, F., Jiang, L., & Zhang, A. (2019). The stress and coping experiences among Chinese rural older adults in welfare housing: through the lens of life review. Aging and Mental Health, 23(9), 1086-1094.
- Chen, H., Liu, X., Guz, S., Zhang, A., Franklin, C., Zhang, Y. & Qu, Y. (2018). The use of solution-focused brief therapy in Chinese schools: A qualitative analysis of practitioners’ perceptions. International Journal of School Social Work, 3(1).
- Kim, Y., Padilla, Y., Zhang, A., & Oh, S. (2018). Young children’s internalizing and externalizing behaviors after mothers exit welfare: Comparisons with children of non-welfare mothers. Children and Youth Services Review, 86, 316-323.
- Zhang, A., Ji, Q., Currin-McCulloch, J., Solomon, P., Chen, Y., Li, Y., Jones, B., Franklin, C., & Nowicki, J. (2018). The effectiveness of solution-focused brief therapy for psychological distress among Chinese parents of children with a cancer diagnosis: a pilot randomized controlled trial. Supportive Care in Cancer.
- Zhang, A., Park, S., Sullivan, J. E., & Jing, S. (2018). The effectiveness of problem-solving therapy for primary care patients' depressive and/or anxiety disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis. The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 31(1), 139-150.
- Zhang, A., Franklin, C., Ji, Q. Y., Chen, Y. T., & Jing, S. J. (2018). Evidence-based practice in Chinese social work: Overcoming language and developmental barriers. China Journal of Social Work, 11(1), 41-55.
- Li, Y., Solomon, P., Zhang, A., Franklin, C., Ji, Q. Y., & Chen, Y. (2018). Efficacy of solution-focused brief therapy for distress among parents of children with congenital heart diseases in China. Health and Social Work, 43(1), 30-40.
- Zhang, A., Franklin, C., Currin-Mcculloch, J., Park, S., & Kim, J. S. (2017). The effectiveness of strength-based, solution-focused brief therapy in medical settings: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 41(2), 139-151.
- Ji, Q. Y., Currin-McCulloch, J., Zhang, A., Streeter, C. J., Jones, B. L., & Chen, Y. (2017). Assessing the needs of parents of children diagnosed with cancer in China: A psychometric study developing a needs assessment tool. Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing, 35(1), 6-15.
- Zhang, A., Padilla, Y., & Kim, Y. (2017). How early do social determinants start to operate? Results from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 37, 42-50.
- Franklin, C., Kim, J. S., Beretvas, N., Zhang, A., Guz, S., Park, S., Montgomery, K., Chung, S., & Maynard, B. R. (2017). The effectiveness of psychosocial interventions delivered by teachers in schools: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Child Family Psychology Review, 20(3), 333-350.
- Zhang, A., & Jang, Y. (2017). The role of internal health locus of control in relation to self-rated health in older adults. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 60(1), 68-78.
- Ji, Q., & Zhang, A. (2017). Development of Medical Social Work in Shanghai. Encyclopedia of Social Work. Oxford University Press.
- Franklin, C., Zhang, A., Froerer, A., & Shannon, J. (2016). Solution focused brief therapy: A systematic review and meta-summary of process research. Journal of Marriage and Family Therapy, 43(1), 16-30.
- Franklin, C., & Zhang, A. (2016). Quantitative assessment methods. In C. Jordan, & C. Franklin (Eds.), Clinical Assessment for Social Workers (4th ed.). Chicago, IL: Lyceum Book Inc.
- Franklin, C., Hopson, L., Guo, Y., & Zhang, A. (2016). Family systems. In C. Jordan, & C. Franklin (Eds.), Clinical Assessment for Social Workers (4th ed.). Chicago, IL: Lyceum Book Inc.