Our work has contributed new understanding in areas such as:

• How early exposure to intimate partner violence influences children’s emotional and behavioral regulation

• The role of parenting stress, household chaos, and family routines in shaping self-regulation

• Pathways linking poverty, material hardship, and parenting to child outcomes

• Mindfulness-based supports that enhance emotional regulation in adolescents and college students

• Cultural openness, diversity education, and flourishing in emerging adulthood

These findings have been published in leading journals such as Family Process, Child Abuse & Neglect, Infant Mental Health Journal, Mindfulness, and Journal of Child and Family Studies.

Makayla Kepner, Genevieve Mucitelli, and recent graduate Naana Hutchful presented their research at the 2026 Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP) Annual Convention in Chicago, Illinois in February 2026.

Makayla Kepner, a sophomore lab member, presented her research at the 2025 Society for the Study of Human Development Biennial Conference in Lexington, Kentucky in October. 

The lab produces a strong body of peer-reviewed work, including:

• Research papers on child development, family dynamics, and mental health

• Studies applying machine learning to developmental questions

• Scoping reviews and systematic reviews

• Collaborative work across institutions

A full list of peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations can be found in the Publications section of this website.

Current and recent projects in the CFCD Lab include:

• Understanding pathways of self-regulation using longitudinal datasets and advanced modeling approaches

• Examining the interplay between family violence, parenting stress, and child behavior

• Mindfulness-based interventions for adolescents and college students

• Cultural diversity and flourishing among college students

• Machine learning approaches to identifying risk and resilience in family and child development data

• Early Head Start engagement and child development trajectories

• Environmental and socioeconomic predictors of child well-being

These projects are supported by federal agencies and large research networks, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), Head Start, and the Association for Psychological Science (APS).

CFCD Lab research and members have been featured in university communications and national media outlets.