Research Information
Research conducted at Mt. Hope Family Center is dedicated to elucidating developmental processes in normal and abnormal development, Mt. Hope Family Center has a strong integrated research program emphasizing both basic research on human development and mental health and translational research to design and evaluate preventive and clinical interventions. Research at Mt. Hope Family Center is formulated from a developmental psychopathology perspective that emphasizes the diverse developmental trajectories that emerge from risk exposure and adversity occurring across the life course. A strong foundation in theory and interdisciplinary, multi-level methodologies contributes to a rich understanding of complex developmental phenomena. Both normal and abnormal developmental processes are investigated, with special emphasis placed on elucidating pathways contributing to maladaptation, psychopathology, and resilience. Investigations examine the inter-relations among psychological, family, social-contextual, and biological (e.g., genetic, neuroendocrine, neurophysiological) processes and how co-actions across these systems influence development and may be altered in response to intervention.
Mt. Hope Family Center embodies the objectives of translational research. Basic research studies form a foundation for translating knowledge gained about normal and abnormal development into prevention and intervention initiatives. The clinical effectiveness of these prevention and intervention programs are subsequently evaluated in rigorous clinical trials to establish an evidence base for their utility. Clinical trials also offer unique opportunities to experimentally test developmental theories. Insights gained from clinical trials inform further basic scientific investigations of development, psychopathology, and resilience.
Special Areas of Expertise
- Child maltreatment
- Trauma
- Inter-parental conflict and domestic violence
- Major depressive disorder
- Maternal depression
- Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders
- Poverty
Since 1984, researchers at Mt. Hope Family Center have published over 500 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, as well as influential book chapters and edited books.
Researchers at Mt. Hope Family Center
- Dante Cicchetti, Ph.D
- Patrick Davies, Ph.D.
- Elizabeth Handley, Ph.D.
- Jody Todd Manly, Ph.D.
- Christie L. M. Petrenko, Ph.D.
- Melissa L. Sturge-Apple, Ph.D.
- Sheree L. Toth, Ph.D.