Research Projects

Current Projects

We are currently developing a project. More soon!

Past Projects

Project for Advancing Women's Health and Well-Being (PAW Health)

The Project for Advancing Women's Health and Well-Being was a longitudinal study of female-identifying college students. The primary goal of the study is to identify the mechanisms through which early family experiences in the family environment confer risk for the development of internalizing disorders, including depression and anxiety. In particular, we are investigating whether a trait-like indicator of individual differences in hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis functioning serves as an underlying mechanism. In addition, PAW Health aims to identify factors that promote risk or resiliency in the face of early adversity. There were 2 initial interviews (between September 2018 and March 2020). In addition, we followed-up with participants during the summer of 2021 to examine risk and resilience during COVID-19 pandemic.

Project on Youth Stress and Coping

The Project on Youth Stress and Coping was a longitudinal project involving 126 early adolescent girls and their primary caregivers. The primary goal of the project was to identify biological, psychological, interpersonal and environmental factors that affect adolescents’ response to stressful life events and ultimately confer increased risk for the development of depressive symptoms and other forms of psychopathology. Participants enrolled in the study during 6th or 7th grade, and completed two annual follow-up assessments. We are no longer recruiting participants for this project.

Project on Relationship Experiences

The Project on Relationship Experiences examined factors that promote healthy sexual activity among emerging adults. Specifically, we examined attachment and emotion regulation as correlates of emerging adults' exclusive (i.e., inside the context of a relationship) and non-exclusive (i.e., outside the context of a relationship)  sexual activity. The project took place at two U.S. undergraduate institutions. We are no longer recruiting participants for this project.

Berkshire Relationship Project

The Berkshire Relationship Project was a one-year longitudinal study investigating links between romantic involvement, emotion regulation and depressive symptoms among adolescents. In addition, interested participants from this project were invited to participate in the Project on Youth Stress and Coping. We are no longer recruiting participants for this project.