PROJECTS
PERSON-CENTERED UNDERSTANDING OF PARENTING WITH PSYCHOPATHOLOGY (PUPP) STUDY
Parental depression is a major public health concern, and impacts over 7.5 million parents each year. Previous research has shown a clear relationship between parent and offspring depression, and how parental depression can compromise relationships between parents and children, as well as impacting parenting practices such as warmth, hostility, support, discipline, and consistency. The PUPP study involves interviewing parents who experience mood problems, and utilizing daily surveys to understand these issues qualitatively and quantitatively.
INVESTIGATING BIOBEHAVIORAL INDICATORS OF SOCIAL FUNCTIONING (IBIS) STUDY
The Investigating Biobehavioral Indicators of Social Functioning (IBIS) study aims to investigate socioemotional outcomes in undergraduate students in relation to biological and ecological markers. In this study, small electrodes are used to collect physiological data during a drawing/tracing task, which is followed by daily surveys about current mood and recent social interactions.
KIDS AND ADULTS TOGETHER (KAT) STUDY
Parents play an important role in helping their children learn how to navigate a complex world. Behavioral synchrony, including matching affect, eye gaze, and vocalizations during discreet events, is associated with maternal sensitivity and quick repair of ruptures between parent and child, which in turn are associated with increased self-regulation, attachment security, and fewer behavioral problems in children. Previous research, however, has only begun to investigate how physiological synchrony is related to behavioral synchrony and child outcomes more broadly.
The KAT study concluded recruitment in February 2026, and we are exciting to share our results with forthcoming publications and conference presentations!
PARENTAL ASSISTANCE NAVIGATION DAILY CHALLENGES (PANDA) STUDY
The Parental Assistance Navigating Daily chAllenges (PANDA) study aims to investigate how parent mood impacts their emotion socialization behaviors and their child's help-seeking behaviors. Using an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) method, we will examine how the dynamic bidirectional processes in parent-child interactions impact child emotion regulation development and socioemotional outcomes.
The PANDA study concluded recruitment in November 2025, with upcoming publications and conference presentations as we work to share our findings!
TANDEM ENGAGEMENT AND ACTIVITY IN RELATIONSHIPS EXPLORATORY (TEA-REX) STUDY
The Tandem Engagement and Activity in Relationships Exploratory (TEA-REx) study is focused on exploring the differences in how mothers and fathers may parent in the context of competition and collaboration with their children. Furthermore, this study investigates neurobiological correlates associated with various parenting behaviors in these contexts in the form of neural synchrony.