What we do.Our research focuses on understanding the influence of the family environment and parenting practices on child, adolescent and emerging adult emotion regulation, psychosocial adjustment and physical well-being.
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Family and Emotion RegulationThe family environment plays an important role in the development of self-regulatory processes and adjustment. The Family and Emotion Regulation study seeks to expand our understanding of they ways in which aspects of family stability, including major family life changes and the regularity of family activities and routines while growing up, may be related to the development of emotion regulation and adjustment in emerging adulthood. This study is generously funded by Psychology Department faculty research and teaching funds.
Helicopter Parenting and Risky Sexual Behavior in Emerging AdultsThesis student Emily Olenik is examining the relationships between helicopter parenting and risky sexual behavior in emerging adults. She is interested in understanding the ways in which helicopter parenting during childhood and adolescence may be related to sexual behavior and risk taking during emerging adulthood. This project is a double thesis in Psychology and Sociology. Emily's research is generously funded by a Union College Student Research Grant.
Early Intervention and Prevention of Behavioral Health Problems in Primary CareDr. Malatras is currently working to secure funding to support a new research initiative which would establish and evaluate a pediatric primary care behavioral screening and preventative parenting intervention to improve outcomes for young children ages 18-36 months. If funded, this project will involve direct clinical intervention and longitudinal research.
Emotion Regulation and Sexual Health BehaviorThesis Advisee Emma Houston examined the relationships between body image, sexual self-esteem, emotion regulation, and sexual health behavior. She is interested in understanding how these constructs may be related and how they may inform our understanding of risky sexual behavior in emerging adults. Emma's study was generously funded by a Union College Student Research Grant.
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The Pediatric Parenting ProjectParents and caregivers of children with chronic illness face both everyday challenges associated with parenting and the unique and often increased stressors associated with caring for a child with a chronic health condition. Although many parents of children with chronic medical conditions adjust well to their child’s illness, some may experience increased parenting distress. The Pediatric Parenting Project seeks to expand our understanding of the relationships between aspects of family and parent functioning and physical and emotional functioning of children with chronic illness. The study is generously funded by a Union College Faculty Research Fund grant.
Family Stability and Intimate Relationship Satisfaction in Emerging AdultsThesis student Jacob Diiorio is examining the relationships between aspects of family stability, including major family life changes and daily activities and routines, and intimate relationship satisfaction in emerging adults. Jacob is interested in understanding the ways in which the stability of the family environment while growing up may be related to emerging adult relationship satisfaction and intimacy and will examine the protective role regularity in daily activities and routines may play for children who experience many family life changes. Jacob's research is generously funded by a Union College Student Research Grant.
Disability Stigma, Parenting Stress, and Sibling AnxietyThesis student Nova Shek is examining the relationships between perceived stigma toward children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, parenting stress, and anxiety in neurotypical siblings of children with disabilities. Nova is interested in understanding the ways in which disability stigma and parenting stress may impact the adjustment of siblings of children with a disability and will examine whether parenting stress is key to understanding these relationships. Nova is working on a double thesis in Psychology and Sociology.
The Teen ProjectThe Teen Project aims to examine the relationships between aspects of the family environment, namely the regularity of family activities and routines (molecular family stability), emotion regulation and adjustment in adolescents.
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We Believe in Bridging the Gap between Research and PracticeDr. Malatras has served on numerous advisory groups aimed at utilizing the research base to enhance services and policies for children, youth and families. Most recently, Dr. Malatras served on New York State's 1,000 Days on Medicaid Workgroup, which aims to improve physical, social and emotional outcomes for children ages zero to three and their families, and as a member of the State University of New York's (SUNY) Mental Health and Wellness Advisory Committee, aimed at expanding evidence-based mental health and wellness services for SUNY students across New York State.
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Our Research has Made NewsMost recently, Dr. Malatras' research on the relationship between family stability and attention problems was featured in the Huffington Post, Daily Mail, CBS Boston, University Herald, Health Medicine Network, and The Costa Rica Star, among other media outlets. |