RESEARCH PROJECTS
What are we working on?
Our lab focuses on developing, implementing, and evaluating school-based interventions designed to promote healthy relationships among children and adolescents. In addition, our lab studies risks and consequences of victimization by peers and dating partners. Our work centers on the role of supportive adults and peers in protecting children from negative peer interactions.
LUNCH BUDDY MENTORING
Lunch Buddy mentoring is a intervention program in which college student mentors eat lunch twice/week with an elementary school student, who is identified as struggling to get along with their peers. Mentors eat lunch and attend recess with the goals of increasing their mentee's positive interactions with their peers and enhancing their social reputation. Mentors are required to submit an application, undergo background checks, have reliable transportation to and from the elementary school, and should have availability from 11 am to 2 pm at least twice a week.
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Interested in becoming a Lunch Buddy? Please click here for more information.
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Interested in having Lunch Buddy Mentoring at your school? Please click here for more information.
BREATHE PROGRAM
Purpose of this study: The INSPYRE Research team has partnered with KU Medical Center in evaluating the Building Relationships and Targeting Healthy Emotions (BREATHE) program. The BREATHE program aims to improve behavior in children with symptoms of ADHD. BREATHE is a 12-week, therapeutic afterschool program designed for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and related problems, and their parents.
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For more information about the BREATHE program click here.
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INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION TEACHER RESPONSES TO BULLYING
Data collection for this study has been completed. Teachers were specifically asked to answer questions regarding their perceptions and responses to school-based bullying in order to identify factors that predict intervention efforts in school settings.
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SCHOOL-BASED INTERVENTIONS FOR CHRONICALLY BULLIED CHILDREN
Dr. Slade is interested in school-based interventions to prevent chronic victimization in children who are bullied by their peers. Currently, she is investigating the utility of Lunch Buddy Mentoring and Peer Learning as non-stigmatizing interventions to reach this goal.
CHILDREN'S PSYCHOLOGICAL ADJUSTMENT DURING COVID-19
Dr. Slade and her colleagues at Johns Hopkins and University of Texas Rio Grande Valley collected data exploring the impact of COVID-19 on families with school-aged children. Specific variables investigated included parenting behaviors, children's fear and anxiety specific to COVID-19, and children's peer relationships at the time of COVID-19.