Research and News from the Center for Families at Purdue University

February 3, 2025

Role-Accumulation and Mental Health across the Life Course

Trent Mize – Decades of research shows that holding and maintaining multiple social roles leads to better mental health and well-being overall, but role-accumulation theory has not proposed or considered whether effects vary at different stages in the life course. Rather, the current theory assumes that social roles’ positive influence on mental health should be similar at all ages.

Decades of research shows that holding and maintaining multiple social roles leads to better mental health and well-being overall, but role-accumulation theory has not proposed or considered whether effects vary at different stages in the life course. Rather, the current...

February 1, 2025

How PTSD Service Dogs Are Transforming Military Family Life

Leanne Nieforth – Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects nearly 23% of veterans who served after 9/11, creating challenges not just for them but for their families too. A recent study explores how psychiatric service dogs help alleviate these issues and foster resilience among military families. Here’s what the research uncovered.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects nearly 23% of veterans who served after 9/11, creating challenges not just for them but for their families too. A recent study explores how psychiatric service dogs help alleviate these issues and foster resilience among...

January 31, 2025

How does activity context relate to parents’ responses to preschoolers’ errors and correct math statements?

Sarah Eason – Research shows that parent–child math activities in the home positively relate to children’s math learning.

Research shows that parent–child math activities in the home positively relate to children’s math learning.

January 24, 2025

Examining the factor structure of the home learning environment

David Purpura – The home learning environment (HLE) is an important context for fostering early development. Literature supports four subdomains of the HLE: home literacy, numeracy, executive function, and science environments.

The home learning environment (HLE) is an important context for fostering early development. Literature supports four subdomains of the HLE: home literacy, numeracy, executive function, and science environments.

January 23, 2025

CFF Faculty Partner earns Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers

David Purpura

This award is given by the U.S. government to outstanding scientists and engineers beginning their independent careers to select scientists and engineers, highlights the hard work, excellence and exemplary nature of Purdue’s research programs and personnel.

January 21, 2025

Animals as medicine: Purdue Nursing researcher connects nature to care for older adults

Nancy Edwards

People of all ages rely on their pets for a serotonin boost, whether they’re throwing a ball for their dog, petting their cat or talking to their fish after a long day.