Category: Faculty Partner Research

Ellen Ernst Kossek – A new Pew Research Center survey shows most working parents find it difficult to balance job responsibilities and family life, with many handling parenting tasks during work hours and work duties at home. Mothers report greater challenges than fathers as work-life boundaries continue to blur.

Laura Schwab-Reese – This study examines children’s and advocates’ experiences of inadequate responses to child maltreatment reports in the United States using National Child Abuse Hotline text and chat data. It explores gaps in formal systems including child protection services, police, and schools, and how these agencies respond to reports of abuse.

Maria Marshall – The Food Safety Modernization Act’s Produce Safety Rule sets national standards for produce safety, but exemptions mean many small-scale farms are not fully regulated. This study examines how Indiana growers perceive and respond to food safety expectations, focusing on how beliefs, values, and perceived risks shape their decision-making.

Leanne Nieforth – A collaboration between Purdue University and Virginia Commonwealth University advances research in human-animal interaction, with a focus on therapy dog programs, education, and evidence-based practice. The partnership brings together researchers and practitioners to identify gaps in the field, improve intervention effectiveness, and ensure safety and quality of life for both people and animals.

Libby Richards – Physical activity can improve health and quality of life for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), but intervention outcomes vary across individuals. This scoping review examines evidence of moderation to identify factors that may influence the effectiveness of physical activity interventions and inform more personalized approaches to behavior change.

Trent Mize – Why do stereotypes persist even when they do not accurately describe individuals? This research explores how stereotypes emerge from social roles, cultural narratives, and structural inequalities while examining the leading theories researchers use to explain their influence on perceptions, expectations, and behavior.

Nasreen Lalani – New research highlights the challenges of recruiting Black/African American women with advanced breast and gynecological cancers into research studies. Findings show that trust, community partnerships and relationship-centered recruitment strategies are essential for overcoming structural barriers and advancing equitable cancer research.

Sarah Eason – Research brief examines how integrating Science of Reading principles into early mathematics instruction can strengthen children’s learning across both domains. It highlights the role of vocabulary development, oral language, and structured discussion in supporting mathematical reasoning, communication, and word-problem solving. The brief also outlines practical strategies for embedding literacy-rich practices into early math instruction and teacher preparation programs.

A.J. Schwichtenberg – Neurodivergent children experience higher rates of sleep difficulties than their peers. This narrative review examines behavioral sleep interventions developed over the past five years and highlights their impact on sleep health, daytime functioning, and family well-being.

Christie Sennott – A qualitative study of college women explores how parental communication styles about sexual and reproductive health during adolescence influence contraceptive behaviors in emerging adulthood. Findings show that open communication and access to contraception are associated with more effective contraceptive use, while avoidance is linked to higher rates of unprotected sex and reliance on less effective methods.