Center Activities

Researchers associated with the CFR are engaged in numerous and diverse research projects designed to improve the quality of life for Oklahomans. Below are a few examples of the work being done by research associates of the CFR. Ongoing Projects

Family Relations Journal special issue on resilience

The Center for Family Resilience has issued a call for papers for a special issue of Family Relations, the National Council on Family Relations journal. The call is for prospectus on manuscripts related to research on 'resilience' or the strengthening individuals and families allowing them to thrive rather than just survive. The prospectus submission deadline is June 1, 2013.

For more information, download the Call for Papers (PDF).

Dr. Carolyn Henry is Guest Editor. Submit prospectus or questions about the Special Issue to cfr.special.issue@okstate.edu.

The Tulsa 100 (T1C) Family Study

Beginning in November 2012, the T1C Family Study will recruit 100 families from low-income families in Tulsa to: describe the sleep, physical activity, and dietary quality of adolescents in impoverished families in Tulsa; and delineate the individual, familial, and environmental factors  associate with adolescent's sleep, physical activity, and dietary quality.  

For more information contact Dr. Joseph G. Grzywacz (joseph.grzywacz@okstate.edu)

Pathways to Student Success Project (PaSS)

The PaSS Project is a prospective population cohort study that follows students who were in the 7th grade in 2009 over five years. The primary purpose of the study is to look at multiple factors that are associated with high school dropout among disadvantaged youth within the Oklahoma City public school system.

For more information contact: Dr. Ronald Cox (r.cox@okstate.edu); Dr. Michael Merten (michael.merten@okstate.edu); Dr. Karina Shreffler (karina.shreffler@okstate.edu); or Dr. Kami Schwerdtfeger (kami.schwerdtfeger@okstate.edu)

Family and Youth Development Project

The focus of this investigation is to examine predictors (e.g., parenting, peer relationships) and outcomes (e.g., child depression, substance use) of emotion regulation among adolescents from high-risk, low-income families. Given that adolescence is a key transitional period, the results from this project will provide valuable insight into adaptive and maladaptive pathways of at-risk youth.

For more information contact: Dr. Amanda Morris (amanda.morris@okstate.edu) or Dr. Michael Criss (michael.criss@okstate.edu)

Moms and Tots Study

This study investigates typical discipline episodes between mothers and toddlers to detect patterns that influence the risk of problem development. So far, verbal hostility is particularly detrimental in increasing symptoms related to most DSM diagnoses, whereas concrete nurturing actions reduce some of those symptoms.

For more information contact: Dr. Robert Larzelere (robert.larzelere@okstate.edu)

Preventing Teen Pregnancy

This study is a random sample of adolescents and their parents from Tulsa Public Schools that links responses from parents and their teens to examine individual, family, and environmental correlates of adolescent precocious and high risk sexual behavior. The study also examines parental and youth attitudes toward sex education in school to inform policy and other social interventions.

For more information contact: Dr. Ronald Cox (r.cox@okstate.edu)

Promoting Parental Involvement in EDUCARE

This study examines factors that contribute to the retention of families in EDUCARE programs and what changes might enhance the effectiveness of the parental involvement component of the EDUCARE programs in Tulsa.

For more information contact: Dr. Michael Merten (michael.merten@okstate.edu) or Dr. Ronald Cox (r.cox@okstate.edu)

Past Projects

Fathers Count Project

This project investigates the role of parents (emphasizing fathers or father figures), neighborhoods, and peers in fostering resilience in African American and Latino youth. The results will be used to inform and guide program development and policy.

For more information contact: Dr. Carolyn Henry (carolyn.henry@okstate.edu)  

The Firefighter Study

This study increases our understanding of firefighters and explores how perceptions of their job (i.e. danger, trauma, stress, support systems, etc.) and work policies and procedures (i.e., long, rotating shifts, etc.) affect individual and family well-being. The study focuses on perceptions of relationship quality and stability, parenting quality, work-family conflict, sleep quality, depression, and life satisfaction.

For more information contact Dr. Karina Shreffler (karina.shreffler@okstate.edu)

FiSH Project

The Families and Schools for Health (FiSH) project examines several psychoeducational programs designed to treat/prevent childhood obesity and studies how these programs affect factors influencing the development of child obesity. Longitudinal descriptive data has been collected on 1200 rural children from 1st through 4th grade.  Data on child and family risk and resilience such as parent and child health-related behaviors, parenting behaviors, family interaction, child emotional and behavioral health, child emotion regulation, and child peer interaction is being analyzed and used to inform further program development.

For more information contact: Dr. Amanda Harrist (amanda.harrist@okstate.edu) or Dr. Glade Topham (glade.topham@okstate.edu)

Youth and Families in Transitional Housing Project

This study explores identity development, future aspirations, and personal schema of recently-homeless youth in Tulsa and the effectiveness of the TAP program. Tests revealed increases in program participants' ability to develop goals, as well as confidence in themselves and in their futures. The program participants were more knowledgeable about their community and had better relationships with their parents.

For more information contact: Dr. Michael Merten (michael.merten@okstate.edu)