Child and Family Well Being

Parents and families serve critical roles in facilitating children’s behavioral, social, and emotional development. Many UW Psychology faculty are at the forefront of this research field, contributing new knowledge about how parents and families can promote positive developmental outcomes and prevent adjustment problems in children and emerging adults. This work includes examinations of how parents shape children’s cognitive, emotional and behavioral development, positive experiences in sports activities, well-being of youth from immigrant families, and the role of stress in child and youth well-being. A goal of this group is to translate empirical findings from their research into actionable parental guidance and policy directions. For example, plans are underway to offer a public workshop where a number of our faculty provide a comprehensive perspective on the parental role in guiding the development of positive social, emotional, and behavioral adjustment to events in their lives.