Supporting children’s well-being means supporting their parents, too
When parents develop positive relationships with their children, children are more likely to be happier, healthier, and more resilient. They grow up with strong social skills, learn to be empathic and curious, and are better able to regulate their emotions.
In our research, we evaluate practical approaches to promote warm, responsive, consistent parenting which increases children’s social and emotional competence. Our findings inform our programs, which are infused with mindfulness and resilience practices for parents to support their stress-management, emotion regulation and well-being.
Our goal is to support parents with the skills they need to connect fully with their children, and create nurturing, responsive and consistent relationships so their children can flourish.
Addressing Adversity & Inequity
Our work with parents is closely connected to our focus on addressing adversity and inequity. Parents experiencing adversity now or in the past may face their own emotional and mental health challenges. We are deeply committed to developing trauma-informed, evidence-based practices that provide all parents with the support they need – so everybody thrives.
Research Topics Include
- Association of parental mental health with parenting behaviors, children’s neurobiological-basis of self-regulation, and child well-being
- Two-generation approach to enhancing parent well-being and effective parenting practices with mindfulness and self-compassion
- Parenting and emotion coaching interventions for children in high-risk contexts
