Latest News
CSC faculty affiliates Christian Connell and Jennie Noll part of research team to successfully improve a parent-education program to further prevent child sexual abuse
Researchers at Penn State’s Child Maltreatment Solutions Network are using a novel approach to further prevent child sexual abuse.
Penn State's 28th annual National Symposium on Family Issues focused on the causes and consequences of parent-child separations
For the first time ever, the event was held virtually, but that didn’t deter experts around the nation from participating and offering their diverse research on the subject.
Congratulations to Sheri Berenbaum, Pamela Cole, Junqiang “Jacob” Dai, and Emily May, who received College of the Liberal Arts Spring 2020 Awards
The College of the Liberal Arts has announced their 2020 Spring Awards.
Recent analyses of 40 years of autism data by Jason Griffin and Dr. Suzy Scherf may have major implications for autism spectrum disorder
The ability to recognize faces varies greatly, but individuals with autism spectrum disorders can especially struggle, having huge implications for social interaction. Penn State researchers, for the first time, recently analyzed 40 years of autism data to determine deficits in face recognition.
Jennie Noll, director of Penn State’s Child Maltreatment Solutions Network and CSC faculty affiliate, was recently awarded fellow status in the American Psychological Association
Jennie Noll, director of Penn State’s Child Maltreatment Solutions Network and professor of human development and family studies, was recently awarded fellow status in the American Psychological Association (APA), Division 37, the Society for Child and Family Policy and Practice, for her outstanding contributions in research, professional service, and practice.
Congratulations to Carmen Henry-Harris, PACT Community engagement Coordinator and Liaison, for receving a Penn State Liberal Arts Staff Advisory Committee You Rock! Award!
The You Rock! Award was created as a way to recognize and honor unusual dedication and outstanding contributions by College of the Liberal Arts staff members.
The PROSPER program, proven to reduce youth substance use, works with schools and community leaders by offering in-school and after-school programs for middle school students and their families
A new website, located at prosper.psu.edu, will aid in recruiting Pennsylvania communities and families to participate in PROSPER, or PROmoting School-community-university Partnerships to Enhance Resilience, a program proven to reduce use throughout entire communities by working with middle school students and their parents.
Meg Small, PRC Director of Social Innovation and Assistant Research Professor of HHD, consults for the Nittany AI Associates program and TEAMology on a project to improve resiliency competencies and SEL skills in the COVID-19 school environment
Penn State students involved in the Nittany AI Associates program, working alongside TEAMology — a startup exploring emotional health as a way to enhance a child’s ability to succeed in school — explored best pathways in the use of artificial intelligence to test resilience in students learning remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rick Gilmore, Pamela Cole, and an international team of developmental psychologists publish paper on the need for and challenges associated with greater data openness and sharing
Researchers in developmental psychology face a perplexing challenge: They know that collecting and sharing data about children can lead to real benefits for kids and their families, but they also recognize that some kinds of data like video or audio recordings risk violating the privacy of these vulnerable populations if not carefully protected.
Faculty affiliate Steffany Fredman and colleague co-develop an abbreviated treatment program to treat post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and improve family relationships
Couples that include a partner with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may someday have access to a faster, more efficient therapy that treats the disorder and simultaneously improves their relationships, according to research.
Dr. Sunhye Bai awarded early career professorship
Congratulations to Dr. Sunhye Bai, Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Studies, on being awarded the Karl R. Fink and Diane Wendle Fink Early Career Professorship for the Study of Families.
Addressing inequities in education during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) recently released a new series of briefs entitled Addressing inequities in education during the COVID-19 pandemic: How education policy and schools can support historically and currently marginalized children and youth. The series contains five briefs, each two pages in length.
SSRI's Insights from Experts features Dr. Rina Das Eiden discussing parental substance use during COVID-19
In this post, I will discuss the complex issue of substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic with a specific emphasis on the likely negative impacts on the family unit. I also offer recommendations to help support individuals and families.
Koraly Pérez-Edgar, McCourtney Professor of child studies and professor of psychology, named associate director of SSRI
Penn State’s Social Science Research Institute (SSRI) recently named Koraly Pérez-Edgar, McCourtney Professor of child studies and professor of psychology, as an associate director of the institute.
Faculty affiliate Gregory Fosco's research indicates the importance of parental warmth when raising teens
While parent-teen conflict is inevitable, parents expressing warmth and support on high-conflict days can bolster how much their teen feels loved, according to a study conducted by Gregory Fosco, Penn State associate professor of human development and family studies and associate director of the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center.
A PACT panel presented, "Maintaining Partnerships to Serve the Community: Increased Importance during Trying Times" as part of a Latino Connection and Penn State Reach webinar series
Discussions centered on the importance of partnerships, particularly among community members, community organizations, and educational institutions, to enhance the lives of diverse children, youth and families.
PACT welcomes new Assistant Director
PACT welcomed Eugenia R. Moten as Assistant Director effective July 1, 2020.
After more than 13 years, Susan McHale plans to step down as director of the Social Science Research Institute
The Office of the Senior Vice President for Research announced on July 24 that Susan McHale will step down as the director of the Social Science Research Institute. She will continue to head the institute while a search for the next director is conducted.
Laura Bray presented, "Partnering with Schools during the Pandemic to Support your Child's Individual Learning Needs: Strategies and Resources for Caregivers of Children with Disabilities"
Dr. Bray's presentation was part of The Road to New American Health webinar series.
Paul Morgan and colleagues receive funding for two new projects examining how students with or at-risk for disabilities can be better served in U.S. schools
Penn State researchers are examining how students with or at-risk for disabilities can be better helped as they attend U.S. schools, through two new projects totaling nearly $1.2 million being funded by the National Center for Special Education Research, U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences.
Rina Das Eiden presented, "COVID-19 and Perinatal Experiences" as part of a Latino Connection & Penn State Reach webinar series
This webinar focused on current knowledge about COVID-19 and pregnancy and the postpartum period. The presentation included online resources especially relevant to pregnant/postpartum women that may help address mental and physical health risks.
Martha Wadsworth and the CaRES Lab presented, "The 5 C's of Positive Youth Development" July 8th as part of The Road to New American Health webinar series
The Road to New American Health is a webinar series powered by Latino Connection and Penn State Reach.
Erika Lunkenheimer presented, "Parenting During a Pandemic" as part of a Latino Connection & Penn State Reach webinar series
Latino Connection, in partnership with various organizations, hosted a webinar series with professionals in health and finance to discuss topics and resources for minority health and wellness.
Rob Turrisi partnered with Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) to talk about peer pressure, social groups, and teen drinking
Coffee with Rob - Social Groups and Peer Pressure
Congratulations to Janet Welsh on being promoted to Research Professor
Janet Welsh, Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Center, College of Health and Human Development, has been working in prevention research since 1994.
Congratulations to Kristin Buss on being named the Tracy Winfree and Ted H. McCourtney Professor in Children, Work, and Families
Kristin Buss, head of the Department of Psychology in the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts, has been named the Tracy Winfree and Ted H. McCourtney Professor in Children, Work, and Families.