Family Science 5: Research & Researchers in the Media in September 2024

Welcome to the Family Science 5 — a special college edition — helping you catch up on some of the Family Science research and researchers featured in university media during September 2024.

NCFR member journal subscribers can access full text of journal articles through the NCFR website; you may be prompted to log in.

  1. Purdue University news featured NCFR Fellow Kimberly A. Updegraff, Ph.D., and her research on the effectiveness of a family-based prevention program supporting sibling relationships in Latine families. According to the article: "While findings from the study are being analyzed, Updegraff has seen positive outcomes thus far in program engagement and satisfaction. Updegraff noted this population often faces unique challenges and stressors, including discrimination, racism and anti-immigrant sentiments, so she is interested in how this programming can have a positive influence on families."
  2. Penn State news quoted member Roxanne Atterholt, MRPYC, CFLE, in a feature about new recognition for the Certified Family Life Educator credential that benefits CFLE-approved academic programs at Penn State campuses. "Graduating from a CFLE approved program opens doors to diverse career paths,” Atterholt said in the article. “The benefit of CFLE certification is that it allows our students to market themselves to employers, clients, and others as meeting a nationally recognized standard in the field.”
  3. University of Illinois news showcased new open-access research published in NCFR's Family Relations journal by members Allen W. Barton, Ph.D. (principal investigator), Noah B. Larsen, and Qiujie Gong. The article, "The Illinois Strong Couples Project: A Proof of Concept for Sustainable, Effective Couples' Programming," addresses a new dissemination approach for couple relationship education (CRE) programming, through a state Extension system. The research "illustrates a sustainable and potentially scalable strategy to disseminate CRE programming that can complement other approaches for CRE dissemination as a means to promote relationship and individual well-being among help-seeking couples," according to the article implications.
  4. Montana State University highlighted the work of member J. Mitchell Vaterlaus, Ph.D., LMFT, CFLE, in an article promoting his upcoming lecture as part of the Provost's Distinguished Lecturer Series at the university. Dr. Vaterlaus's Oct. 15 lecture — for both public and academic audiences — will address "his research on family dynamics and particularly how media, technology, the COVID-19 pandemic and inherent family strengths shape relationships within the family unit," as well as "the resilience and adaptability of families, emphasizing the importance of interventions at the family level to support and strengthen their relationships during times of change."
  5. University of Maine published a profile of member Sandra L. Caron, Ph.D., CFLE, in recognition of her retirement after 36 years at the university teaching family relations and human sexuality. According to the article, Dr. Caron has won several awards; authored or coauthored more than 50 scholarly articles and several books; and she estimates that she has taught nearly 30,000 students in her courses.