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Department of Human Development and Family Studies
College of Health and Human Sciences

Human Development and Family Studies Research

Research Labs Graduate Research Faculty

Explore HDFS Faculty Research

Faculty in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies conduct basic and applied research related to the development of individuals and families across the lifespan, using a variety of methodological tools.

Our Research Labs Our Research Faculty Research Participant Opportunities Contact Research Programs College Research Funding and Proposal Support

Thematic Research Areas

We are guided by the principle that research should not only contribute to scientific knowledge but should also be translated into programs, policies, and applications that promote positive development for individuals, families, and communities. As such, across the department, our efforts are congruent with a growing focus in the field of prevention and intervention science.

Risk, Resilience, and Developmental Psychopathology

Faculty pursue research programs related to why individuals who experience adversity have favorable outcomes, processes related to developmental psychopathology and atypical development, the nature of risk-taking behaviors, and developmental disabilities.

Treatment, Intervention, and Prevention Science

Most faculty in HDFS are concerned with translational research: How to devise effective intervention and treatment strategies that are based on empirical evidence and careful program evaluations.

Emotion, Regulation, and Relational Processes

Socioemotional processes are a focus of HDFS faculty research as are various aspects of regulation including self-regulation and emotion regulation. Such processes are essential to school readiness and success.

Adult Development and Aging

Several faculty focus their research on emerging adulthood and development in midlife and the later part of the lifespan, as well as intergenerational family relationships.

Research Areas
  • $19,465,712 Current Grant Portfolio
  • 50 Current Research Grants
  • $5,563,493 FY22 Annual Expenditures

Support HDFS Research and Academic Scholarship

We value rigorous research and know the importance of scholarly excellence. Please help us keep our first-class research and academic programs thriving for generations to come.

Support Human Development and Family Studies Research
Campus Connections members in New Zealand.

Health and Human Science Matters Podcast

You can find “Health and Human Science Matters” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. 

Rachel Lucas-Thompson

Associate Professor, Human Development and Family Studies

Rachel Lucas-Thompson Human Development and Family Studies Health and Human Science Matters

Deborah Fidler

Professor, Human Development and Family Studies

Deborah Fidler, Ph.D. Human Development and Family Studies Health and Human Science Matters

Gloria Luong

Associate Professor, Human Development and Family Studies

Gloria Luong, Ph.D. - Human Development and Family Studies - Health and Human Science Matters

Reagan Miller

Dean’s Fellow, Ph.D. Student, Human Development and Family Studies

Reagan Miller, Dean's Fellow - Human Development and Family Studies - Health and Human Science Matters

Manfred Diehl

Professor, Human Development and Family Studies

Manfred Diehl, Ph.D. - Human Development and Family Studies - Health and Human Science Matters
Health and Human Science Matters on Spotify

Human Development and Family Studies Research News

Read More Research News