Research and News from the Center for Families at Purdue University

May 7, 2024

Center for Families announces 2024 Funding Recipients

NEW PHOTOS! Center for Families announces the 2024 Funding Recipients – Congratulations faculty and students focused on research about families!

Lorene Burkhart Award for Excellence in Research about Families Sarah Eason, PhD, Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Science, College of Health and Human Sciences Family Math Engagement in Rural Families Eason, S. H., Leech, K. A., Anderson, K....

May 3, 2024

The role of prediction error in the development of language learning and memory

Arielle Borovsky

Prediction error plays a pivotal role in theories of learning, including theories of language acquisition and use. Researchers have investigated whether and under which conditions children, like adults, use prediction to facilitate language comprehension at different levels of linguistic representation.

April 30, 2024

Early risk for child externalising symptoms: Examining genetic, prenatal, temperamental and parental influences

Kristine Marceau

This study utilized the Early Growth and Development Study, a study of children adopted at birth, to examine heritable (birth parent psychopathology) and prenatal risk (prenatal maternal distress and smoking during pregnancy), infant negative affectivity, adoptive parent over-reactivity and warmth...

April 30, 2024

Educational Inequalities in Dual-Function Life Expectancy

Patti Thomas

This study investigates educational inequalities in dual functionality, a new concept that captures a combination of physical and cognitive functioning, both of which are important for independent living and quality of life.

April 28, 2024

Mexican-origin siblings’ unique and shared perspectives of sibling Conflict: Links with adjustment

Kim Updegraff

Siblings are ubiquitous in the lives of youth, but sibling conflict is linked to adjustment problems and risky behaviors.

April 28, 2024

CFF Faculty Partner, Arielle Borovsky, recipient of Barbara H. and Ben R. Edmondson HHS Faculty Development Award

Presented each year to a College of Health and Human Sciences (HHS) faculty member, the award provides $10,000 to be expended over two years or less for purposes related to the faculty member’s own professional development within any of Purdue’s mission areas:...

April 25, 2024

Maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with DNA methylation in early adolescence: A sibling comparison design

Kristine Marceau

Maternal smoking during pregnancy (MSDP) may impact offspring biological (e.g., deoxyribonucleic acid methylation [DNAm]) and behavioral (e.g., attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder hyperactive/impulsive [ADHD-HI] symptoms) development.

April 24, 2024

Where Will the Legit Health Info Go If TikTok Goes Dark?

Laura Schwab Reese

If TikTok goes dark, it could render unavailable the work of those who have made the site a go-to for expert- and user-generated videos on topics that cover the spectrum of consumer health.

April 23, 2024

Practitioner Experiences of the Death of an Equine in an Equine-Assisted Services Program

Leanne Nieforth

Given the nature of horse-human interactions in equine-assisted services (EAS), death of a horse may have significant impacts. In this study, an online survey was distributed to EAS practitioners. The goal of the study was to explore the experiences of...

April 22, 2024

Gender and Race Differences in Mental Health and Well-Being Among Older Americans During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Nasreen Lalani

The objectives of this study were to investigate (1) gender and race differences in mental health and psychological well-being among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) whether there were significant interaction effects between gender and race.