This study aims to examine the impacts of parental emotion socialization on child social-emotional development by including both fathers and mothers, thereby addressing the understudied role of fathers in this domain. Previous research has primarily focused on mothers, neglecting the importance of fathers' contributions to gendered parenting and its effects on children's emotional development. Additionally, inconsistencies in the literature on gender-differentiated parenting may stem from a lack of consideration for parents' gender stereotypes. By investigating parents' beliefs about masculinity, this study seeks to account for gender-stereotyped beliefs within the sample, a factor often overlooked in previous studies. To enhance our understanding of gender differences in children's emotion regulation and expression, this study examines Parents (N = 60 fathers, 68 mothers) who completed the Coping with Toddlers’ Negative Emotions Scale (Spinrad et al. 2007) to measure parents’ emotion socialization behaviors and the Male Role Norms Inventory-Very Brief (McDermott et al., 2019) to assess traditional masculinity ideology. A multiple regression will be conducted to test whether parents’ masculinity ideology is related to their emotion socialization behaviors, and whether the target child’s sex (male or female) moderates this association.

Research demonstrates that parental posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is linked to increased levels of parenting stress, lower parenting satisfaction, and overall negative parenting. Beyond impacting parenting behaviors, parental PTSD symptoms are also associated with child outcomes, including increased internalizing symptoms (i.e., depression and anxiety). Emotion socialization--the process by which parents teach their children how to express and regulate their emotions --is one aspect of parenting that may be sensitive to parental psychopathology. Emotion socialization facilitates child emotion knowledge, expression, and regulation, which is important for overall socioemotional development. Given that there is limited research exploring PTSD and emotion socialization, the present study aimed to examine the associations between parental trauma-related distress, emotion socialization, and child internalizing symptoms.

Maternal health, specifically regarding mothers already at elevated risk due to mental health adversity, plays a crucial role in shaping the well-being of both mothers and their infants. This research project aims to explore the social determinants of health that contribute to favorable maternal and infant physical outcomes following delivery for mothers with adverse mental health concerns. By examining various domains, including sociodemographic, psychological, behavioral, and environmental factors, this study seeks to identify the key determinants that influence the health outcomes of these mothers and their infants. The importance of this research addresses significant gaps within the current maternal healthcare system, particularly regarding psychological factors throughout pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and post-pregnancy phases. By examining social determinants of health, this study seeks to identify factors that have the most substantial impact on maternal and infant well-being. The research question is: How do certain domains, namely sociodemographic, psychological, behavioral, social, and environmental factors, result in favorable maternal and infant physical outcomes post-delivery for mothers with adverse mental health concerns? By examining these specific domains, we aim to identify the specific determinants that significantly influence the physical well-being of both mothers and infants, paving the way for the enhancement of maternal healthcare policies and practices. Through the findings of this research, we anticipate contributing valuable insights into the complex interplay between social determinants of health and maternal mental well-being, providing a foundation for the development of evidence-based interventions and support mechanisms aimed at improving the overall health outcomes of this vulnerable population.

While controversies revolve around the ideal lifestyle for military couples and families, recent studies have shown that individuals whose spouse served or is actively serving in the military face many similar obstacles much more than civilian couples face. Therefore, this study will be focusing on trying to find out military spouses’ satisfaction with life based on their physiological and psychological well-being. Data collected for a larger study on the career adaptability and satisfaction of military spouses will be analyzed using regression analysis to predict the life satisfaction of military spouses from physical and mental well-being. The results will be presented in tables and figures and followed by a discussion of the implications and applicability of the findings in providing services to military spouses. The conducted research will provide useful insights that catalyze military couples' well-being, providing them with the necessary resources, support, and interventions needed to improve their overall life satisfaction.