Category: Faculty Partner Research

David Purpura – Early language environments are considered to support children’s language development; however, it is unclear to what extent early language environments relate to skills other than language abilities. We examined (1) whether the preschool language environment is associated with children’s school readiness skills, and (2) whether children’s vocabulary skills explain these associations.

Kameron Moding; German Posada – Prenatal care provides an opportunity for the promotion of healthy parent and neonatal outcomes, but there are gaps in understanding the consequences and antecedents of prenatal care experiences during pregnancy. The objective of the current study was to provide insight into the mediational processes of sociodemographic and pregnancy characteristics on neonatal health and postpartum maternal wellbeing outcomes through prenatal care experiences.

Zoe Taylor – Given the increasing number of Latino/a youth in the United States who reside in rural locations and who might be prone to race- and immigrant status-related threats, more research attention is needed that focuses on cultural strengths and positive development. Ecocultural developmental theorists and prior research have postulated and found that family ethnic socialization practices, ethnic identity, and familism values are linked to a variety of positive developmental outcomes in U.S. Latino/a youth.

Kimberly Updegraff – The 2007–2009 economic recession was among the largest in U.S. history, which had reverberating impacts on families within the United States and globally. Latine families were among those most adversely affected economically, yet did not show increased negative outcomes in their psychosocial and physical health

Leanne Nieforth – Sleep disturbances are well-documented for veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Increasingly, veterans are turning to service dogs for assistance. Service dogs may positively influence veteran sleep.

A.J. Schwichtenberg – Over the past 25 years, several aspects of infant sleep remain unchanged including infant sleep need and the developmental, neurological, and physiological processes that influence sleep-wake regulation. However, our understanding of these processes has grown along with our understanding of how sleep can be developmentally consequential.

CFF Distinguished Family Scholar, Ellen Ernst Kossek answers “What would happen if employees had more control over setting boundaries in both separating and integrating their work and personal lives?”

Leanne Nieforth – The current global mental health crisis highlights a need for a focus on culturally relevant and accessible mental health and education services. One such sector is incorporating horses into mental health and learning interventions.

David Purpura – Findings from previous work show that caregivers’ math anxiety moderates the positive association between caregiver–child math activities and child math outcomes. Most of this research, however, has focused on elementary school children, primarily White populations, and used mainstream measures.

Ellen Ernst Kossek – MEN’S JOURNAL – For millions of workers in corporate America, benefits are often the decisive factor when it comes to deciding between jobs. Some jobs offer more comprehensive health coverage, while others provide employees with the opportunity to further their education at a reduced cost.