Lu Tian

Contact Information

Education

• Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, University of Missouri – Columbia, MO
• M.Ed. in Counseling, Career Development, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
• B.S. in Psychology, Electronic Engineering, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China

Professional/Academic Experience

• 2020-present: Associate Professor, University of Northern Colorado, Department of Applied Psychology and Counselor Education
• 2015-2020: Assistant Professor, University of Northern Colorado, Counseling Psychology: Teaching, Research and Service
• 2014-2015: Visiting Assistant Professor, University of Memphis, Counseling Psychology: Teaching, Research and Service

Research/Areas of Interest

Future-oriented/Proactive Coping, Cross-cultural Coping, Cultural Influence in Coping, Scale Development, Applied Contemplative Studies (mindfulness and compassion meditation)

Publications/Creative Works

• Tian, L., Zhang, Q., Tsai, C.-L., & Owusu, G. (2025). Coping profiles among Chinese college students: Associations with depression and life satisfaction. The Counseling Psychologist, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1177/00110000241312982
• Tian, L., Hou, Z-J. (2024). Perfectionism, psychological distress, and career indecision among Chinese college students: The mediation effect of coping. International Perspectives in Psychology: Research, Practice, Consultation, 13(2). https://doi.org/10.1027/2157-3891/a000092
• Tian, L., Hou, Z-J. (2023). Gender discrimination and EPCD among female Chinese students: role of coping styles. The Career Development Quarterly, 71, 56-67. https://doi.org/10.1002/cdq.12314
• Tian, L., Tsai, C-L., Khalsa, G., Condie, M., Kopystynsky, N., Ohde, K., Zhao, A. (2023). A PROACTIVE Coping Scale for U.S. College Students: Initial Evidence and Implications. Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 41(4), 395-415. https://doi.org/10.1177/07342829221151005
• Tsai, C.-L., Brown, A., Lehrman, A., & Tian, L. (2022). Motivation and Postsecondary Enrollment Among High School Students Whose Parents Did Not Go to College. Journal of Career Development, 49(2), 411-426. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845320946397
• Wang, D., Tian, L., & Hou, Z-J. (2021). The Development of an Interpersonal Stressors Scale: Identifying Self-Imposed and Other-Imposed Interpersonal Stressors. Psychological Reports, 1-25. https://doi-org.unco.idm.oclc.org/10.1177/00332941211043458
• Wang, D., Hou, Z-J., Ni, J., Tian, L., Zhang, X., Chi, H.-Y., & Zhao, A. (2020). The Effect of Perfectionism on Career Adaptability and Career Decision-Making Difficulties. Journal of Career Development, 47(4), 469–483. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894845318803192
• Tian, L., McClain, S., Moore, M., & Lloyd, H. (2019). The impact of ethnic identity and self-compassion on acculturative stress in Asian international students. Journal of International Students, 9, 635-660. https://doi.org/10.32674/jis.v9i2.617
• Heppner, P.P., Lee, D-G., & Tian, L. (2018). The Important Role of Problem-Solving Appraisal in Creating a Positive Life Across Cultural Contexts. In C.R. Snyder, S.J. Lopez, L.M. Edwards, & S.C. Marques (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology (3rd edition).
• Tian., L. & Heppner, P.P. (2018). Development and validation of proactive coping inventory among Chinese college students. International Perspective in Psychology: Research, Practice, Consultation, 7, 19-34.

Honors and Awards

• 2018-2019: College of Education and Behavioral Sciences Diversity Award – University of Northern Colorado
• 2016-2017: Faculty Reassignment Awards for Research, Scholarship, Creative – University of Northern Colorado