Research and News from the Center for Families at Purdue University

January 12, 2025

Discrimination and racial socialization profiles: Associations with Asian American adolescent attachment, activism, and self-esteem

Annabelle Atkin

Theory and research suggest that racial discrimination is associated with attachment insecurity (Stern et al., 2022), whereas racial socialization is an integral aspect to fostering secure attachment with parents.

January 12, 2025

Individual and Familial Risk and Promotive Factors for Substance Use Among Multiracial American Young Adults

Annabelle Atkin

Multiracial American adults have the highest rates of binge drinking and illicit drug use of all racial groups, yet little is known about the risk and promotive factors that contribute to their substance use.

January 10, 2025

Women’s Microaggressions Scale (WoMenS): A Comprehensive Sexism Scale

Annabelle Atkin

Sexism is pervasive but often manifests as microaggressions against women, which are subtle, covert forms of gender discrimination. Thus, we developed the Women’s Microaggressions Scale (WoMenS) based on an existing theoretical taxonomy and content analysis of social media data.

January 8, 2025

CFF Faculty Partner wraps up experience on 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee with scientific report release

Heather Eicher-Miller

To help individuals make the healthiest choices, the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, which included Heather Eicher-Miller, professor in the Purdue University Department of Nutrition Science, recently released its scientific report to inform the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-30.

January 6, 2025

What I say is not what I do: Gender differences in the home mathematics environment

David Purpura

Consistent evidence shows that women are underrepresented across most Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields. Research indicates that early attitudes and gendered beliefs about mathematics can predict later achievement and academic choices in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and that...

January 4, 2025

Beliefs About Infant Toddler Practices (BAITEC): Validating a Tool for Formative Assessment of Professionals and Quality Evaluation

Jim Elicker

Approximately two-thirds of US birth-to-age-three-year-olds attend Infant Toddler Care and Education (ITCE) full- or part-time, making it the fastest growing segment of childcare. Despite widespread understanding of the importance of the first three years to lifetime learning and development trajectories,...

December 31, 2024

Testing block play as an effective mechanism for promoting early math, executive function, and spatial skills in preschoolers from low-income backgrounds

David Purpura

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impacts of different types of block play (free play and semi-structured play) on children's math, executive function (EF), and spatial skills in a low-income sample.

December 31, 2024

Self-Care and Well-Being Interventions for Family Caregivers of Frail Older Adults in a Rural Context

Nasreen Lalani

The rapid aging of the population and limited access to healthcare in rural communities pose significant challenges for caregivers caring for older family members suffering from serious chronic illnesses.

December 31, 2024

Rural Family Caregiving: Promoting Self-Care and Well-Being of Rural Female Caregivers of Frail Older Family Members

Nasreen Lalani

Caring for frail older adults in rural areas is often more challenging due to several disparities. Informal caregivers, mostly females carry the higher burden of caregiving for their older family members.

December 31, 2024

Financial Health and Well-Being of Rural Caregivers of Older Adults with Chronic Illnesses

Nasreen Lalani

Rural caregivers experience various financial stressors and challenges in providing care to their ill family members. Rural health disparities such as limited access to care, economic opportunities, resources, and support pose increased financial threats and insecurity resulting in poor patient...