Research

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) & Human-Animal Interaction

The goals of this study are to develop and pilot a new measure of children’s exposure to animal maltreatment and to examine relations between adverse childhood experiences, human-animal interaction and child adjustment.

BEST in CLASS

The McLeod and Sutherland labs features three studies related to improving outcomes for preschool and early elementary students with problem behaviors.

‌Causes and Consequences of Adolescents’ Exposure to Community Violence

This project was designed to further knowledge and understanding of exposure to violence during adolescence and its impact on adjustment and externalizing problem behaviors.

Culturally Enhancing a Motivational Interviewing Intervention for Latinx Adolescents

This project aims to culturally enhance a motivational interviewing intervention and to explore how cultural factors influence Latinx adolescents' tobacco use.

Developing and Validating a Technically Sound and Feasible Self-report Measure of Teachers’ Delivery of Common Practice Elements

In collaboration with Clayton Cook (University of Minnesota School of Education) we are engaged in a four year IES-funded project to develop a teacher-report measure of the practices they use to support the social, behavioral, and emotional competencies of children in their classrooms.

Effectiveness of Evidence-Based Mental Health Practices for Youth with Autism Supported by Online Consultation to Practitioners in Community and Navy Clinics

In collaboration with Dr. Jeffrey Wood (UCLA) we are conducting a four year DOD-funded study to evaluate the effectiveness of the BIACA program for youth with autism relative to usual clinical care in community mental health settings throughout California.

Emotion Regulatory Flexibility among African American Adolescents

The aim of this project is to understand the ways African American youth might use and show ERF, how they may be taught ERF by their parents, and how ERF might help youth protect themselves from racism.

Cover of a Homework, Organization, and Planning Skills textbook

Evaluation of the Homework, Organization, and Planning Skills (HOPS) Program: A Conceptual Replication

CHOP will study whether the intervention is implemented with fidelity and the impact the intervention has under these real world conditions.

‌Healthy Communities for Youth

This project aims to implement and evaluate the impact of a comprehensive community-level youth violence prevention strategy in three high-risk urban communities. Additionally, the project monitors youth violence rates and characteristics in the city of Richmond. Read more and access youth violence surveillance reports.

Homework, Organization & Planning Skills

Organization, time-management, planning skills and the ability to focus and complete work efficiently are critical to adolescent school success.

LGBTQ+ Youth and Pets Project

This research seeks to understand whether and how pet ownership relates to wellbeing in LGBTQ+ young people, and whether human-animal interaction operates as a protective factor in this population.

‌Middle School Bullying Prevention Program

This four-year project funded by the National Institute of Justice will support the continued implementation of the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program in two Richmond middle schools and will collect data to assess the program's proximal and distal outcomes.

Racial Socialization in Multiracial Families: A Mixed-Methods Investigation

This mixed-methods project employs a new self-report measure and observational design to produce a rich conceptualization of racial socialization in Multiracial Black-White families through two phases.

Rigorous Evaluation of Prevention Strategies to Prevent and Reduce Community Rates of Youth Violence

The goal of this project is to engage youth and adult stakeholders in collective decision-making and local civic activism to address factors that contribute to inequities in positive youth development opportunities in their communities.

Risk and Protective Factors for Aggression During Adolescence

The goal of this project is to inform prevention efforts by identifying risk and protective factors that influence the development and maintenance of aggressive behavior and those that promote prosocial behavior.

Sleep

A fast growing body of research suggests that sleep may play a role in adolescent school success. This study will provide important information that will inform best-practice sleep guidelines for schools and families.

The Centre for Holistic Initiatives for Learning and Development

In collaboration with the Centre for Evidence and Implementation (CEI) and Robyn Mildon (CEI Executive Director), CHILD brings together experts in the field of translational research, child development, and implementation science to help given children the best start in life.

Tobacco Use Prevention: Culturally-Specific Protective Processes in College Students With Asthma

The purpose of this project is to minimize tobacco use and exposure in African American and Latinx college students with asthma.

Common Elements Distillation Approach to Research Synthesis (CEDARS)

CEDARS is a NIH-funded project (R305A220261) which will examine what models and practices work, and under what conditions, to improve outcomes for elementary-aged students who experience social, emotional, and behavioral (SEB) problems.