Zoe Taylor | Purdue University (original) (raw)

Papers by Zoe Taylor

Journal of Research on Adolescence, 2017

How Latino youth cope with stressors may have implications for their adjustment. We examined how ... more How Latino youth cope with stressors may have implications for their adjustment. We examined how a temperamental characteristic (effortful control) and a contextual factor (economic hardship) were associated with Latino youth's coping. Individual differences in effortful control, a core facet of self‐regulation, may contribute to coping as effortful control is consistently linked to adaptive behaviors during adolescence. We examined relations of effortful control and economic hardship to active coping in a sample of Mexican‐origin youth (N = 674) across three time points (fifth to ninth grades). Although economic hardship negatively predicted coping and effortful control, effortful control positively predicted coping (controlling for prior levels). Findings support a resilience perspective by suggesting that effortful control may contribute to coping and thus counteract the negative effects of economic hardship.

Social Development, 2018

Children from Latino migrant farmworker (LMFW) families are one of the most educationally disenfr... more Children from Latino migrant farmworker (LMFW) families are one of the most educationally disenfranchised and marginalized populations of students in the United States.

Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 2016

Latino youth and their families have been shown to experience higher levels of stressors than the... more Latino youth and their families have been shown to experience higher levels of stressors than the general population, as well as additional unique stressors such as racism, poverty, acculturation, and discrimination. Chronic or cumulative stress often disrupts physiological systems and can lead to dysregulation in diurnal cortisol responses. This study examined the associations between family stress and cortisol responses in 57 Latino mother-adolescent dyads ( N = 114) living in the Midwestern United States. Dyads collected saliva 6 times across two consecutive days and completed a survey. Results from repeated measures mixed-effect analysis found that both mothers and adolescents in the high-stress group had flatter cortisol awakening responses than those in the low-stress group, which indicated disruptions in their diurnal cortisol rhythms. These findings suggest that family stress can potentially influence the diurnal cortisol patterns of early Latino adolescents as well as adult...

Emerging Adulthood, 2013

During the transition from high school to college, youths navigate increasingly adult roles, take... more During the transition from high school to college, youths navigate increasingly adult roles, take on new academic and economic responsibilities, and forge new social networks. We examined longitudinal relations among internalizing symptoms (depression and anxiety), perceived social support, and the personality trait of ego-resiliency across three time points at the end of high school and during the first year of college ( N = 82). Internalizing symptoms were concurrently negatively correlated with perceived social support from friends and family as well as with ego-resiliency, and ego-resiliency was positively, concurrently correlated with perceived social support from friends. Across time, internalizing symptoms were negatively associated with perceived social support from friends, whereas ego-resiliency was positively associated with perceived social support from family. Findings demonstrate the potential importance of coping resources for youths’ mental health and highlight the n...

Child Development, 2017

Children's prosocial behavior and personal distress are likely affected by children's temperament... more Children's prosocial behavior and personal distress are likely affected by children's temperament as well as parenting quality. In this study, we examined bidirectional relations from age 30 to 42 months between children's (N = 218) prosocial or self-focused (presumably distressed) reactions to a relative stranger's distress and both supportive emotion-related maternal reactions to children's emotions and children's shyness/inhibition. When controlling for 30-month prosocial behavior and personal distress behavior, maternal supportive (emotion-focused and problem-focused) reactions were positively related to prosocial behavior and marginally negatively related to children's personal distress behaviors and shyness/inhibition at 42 months. Thirty-month personal distress behavior predicted greater shyness/inhibition at 42 months, and 30-month shyness/inhibition was negatively related to prosocial behavior at 30 months. We thank the parents and children who participated in this study, as well as the numerous students who contributed. Funding was from the National Institute of Mental Health.

Development and Psychopathology, 2015

At approximately 30, 42, and 54 months of age (N = 231), the relations among children's exter... more At approximately 30, 42, and 54 months of age (N = 231), the relations among children's externalizing symptoms, intrusive maternal parenting, and children's effortful control (EC) were examined. Both intrusive parenting and low EC have been related to psychopathology, but children's externalizing problems and low EC might affect the quality of parenting and one another. Mothers’ intrusive behavior with their children was assessed with observations, children's EC was measured with mothers’ and caregivers’ reports, and children's externalizing symptoms were assessed with mothers’, fathers’, and caregivers’ reports. In a structural equation panel model, bidirectional relations between intrusive parenting and EC were found: EC at 30 and 42 months predicted low levels of intrusive parenting a year later, controlling for prior levels of parenting and vice versa. Moreover, high levels of children's externalizing problems at both 30 and 42 months negatively predicted...

Journal of Latina/o Psychology, 2015

Social bonds and supportive relationships are widely recognized as being indispensable to healthy... more Social bonds and supportive relationships are widely recognized as being indispensable to healthy psychological functioning and well-being. Social support is a psychological resource that is expected to also contribute positively to parenting practices. The present study longitudinally examined the relations between mothers' (N = 674) and fathers' (N = 430) perceived social support and parenting behaviors, and their relations with children's social competence during early adolescence in Mexican-origin single and two-parent families. Our constructs of interest (warm parenting, monitoring, perceived social support, and children's social competence) were significantly correlated at T1, and demonstrated significant stability across time for both parental models. Parental warmth (as reported by the child, and opposite parent) and parental monitoring (self-reported by mothers and fathers) were correlated and also showed bidirectional associations across time. Parental monitoring at T2 positively predicted change in children's social competence at T3 (controlling for T1 social competence) for mothers. Parental warmth at T2 positively predicted change in children's social competence at T3 (controlling for T1 social competence) for fathers. For mothers, the indirect effect of social support at T1 on children's social competence at T3 via parental monitoring at T2 (and controlling for prior levels) was significant. Findings suggest that maternal perceived social support contributes to children's social competence due to its positive relation to maternal monitoring. Results may also suggest that mothers' and fathers' parenting behaviors differentially relate to children's social competence in Latino families, although additional work focused on comparing parenting behaviors in two-parent families is needed.

Developmental Psychology, 2015

The goal of this study was to examine physiological and environmental predictors of children's sy... more The goal of this study was to examine physiological and environmental predictors of children's sympathy (an emotional response consisting of feelings of concern or sorrow for others who are distressed or in need) and whether temperamental effortful control mediated these relations. Specifically, in a study of 192 children (23% Hispanic; 54% male), respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), a measure thought to reflect physiological regulation, and observed authoritative parenting (both at 42 months) were examined as predictors of children's effortful control (at 54 months) and, in turn, children's sympathy (at 72 and 84 months). Measures of both baseline RSA and RSA suppression were examined. In a structural equation model, observed parenting was positively related to children's subsequent sympathy through its positive relation to effortful control. Furthermore, the indirect path from baseline RSA to higher sympathy through effortful control was marginally significant. Authoritative parenting and baseline RSA uniquely predicted individual differences in children's effortful control. Findings highlight the potential role of both authoritative parenting and physiological regulation in the development of children's sympathy. Keywords sympathy; respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA); effortful control; parenting; early childhood Developmental researchers are increasingly examining how children's biology, as well as their socialization, is associated with their capacity to think and act in ways that demonstrate concern for the well-being of others. Such "other-focused" emotions and actions include the separate, but interrelated, affective states of compassion, sympathy, and empathy. Compassion is the feeling that arises when witnessing another's suffering and that motivates a subsequent desire to help (Goetz, Keltner, & Simon-Thomas, 2010). Sympathy is an emotional response that is likely closely linked to compassion because it involves the feeling

Social development (Oxford, England), 2014

We used observed parenting behaviors, along with genetic variants and haplotypes of the serotonin... more We used observed parenting behaviors, along with genetic variants and haplotypes of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4), as predictors of children's ego-resiliency during early childhood (N =153). Quality of mothers' parenting was observed at 18 months of age and mothers' reports of ego-resiliency were collected at six time points from 18 to 84 months. Genetic data were collected at 72 months. Observed parenting was positively associated with initial levels of children's ego-resiliency. Furthermore, although individual genetic variants of the serotonin transporter gene (LPR, STin2) were not associated with ego-resiliency, the S10 haplotype (that combines information from these two variants) was negatively associated with initial levels of ego-resiliency. Both parenting and serotonin genetic variation uniquely predicted children's ego-resiliency, suggesting an additive effect of genetic and parental factors.

Journal of Marriage and Family, 2012

The present investigation examined the relations between the cultural belief of familism and vari... more The present investigation examined the relations between the cultural belief of familism and various aspects of family functioning and child adjustment, including interparental conflict, parenting, and children's attachment to school, in a sample of 549 two-parent Mexican-origin families. The results indicated that parents' familistic values were negatively associated with interparental conflict for both mothers and fathers. Parents' familistic values were also indirectly associated with parenting through the marital relationship. Interparental conflict was negatively associated with nurturant-involved parenting for both parents, but particularly for fathers. Interparental conflict had an indirect negative effect on children's attachment to school via mothers' and fathers' nurturant-involved parenting. Both paternal and maternal nurturant-involved parenting behaviors were positively associated with children's attachment to school across two time points. Child gender differences are also discussed.

Emotion, 2014

We examined the relations of negative emotions in toddlerhood to the development of egoresiliency... more We examined the relations of negative emotions in toddlerhood to the development of egoresiliency and social competence across early childhood. Specifically, we addressed whether fear and anger/frustration in 30-month-old children (N = 213) was associated with the development of ego-resiliency across 4 time points (42 to 84 months), and, in turn, whether ego-resiliency predicted social competence at 84 months. Child anger/frustration negatively predicted the intercept of ego-resiliency at 42 months (controlling for prior ego-resiliency at 18 months) as well as the slope. Fear did not significantly predict either the intercept or slope of ego-resiliency in the structural model, although it was positively correlated with anger/frustration and was negatively related to ego-resiliency in zero-order correlations. The slope of ego-resiliency was positively related to children's social competence at 84 months; however, the intercept of ego-resiliency (set at 42 months) was not a significant predictor of later social competence. Furthermore, the slope of ego-resiliency mediated the relations between anger/frustration and children's later social competence. The results suggest that individual differences in anger/frustration might contribute to the development of ego-resiliency, which, in turn, is associated with children's social competence.

Developmental Psychobiology, 2012

Early sociodemographic risk, parenting, and temperament were examined as predictors of the activi... more Early sociodemographic risk, parenting, and temperament were examined as predictors of the activity of children's (N = 148; 81 boys, 67 girls) hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and autonomic nervous system. Demographic risk was assessed at 18 months (T1), intrusiveovercontrolling parenting and effortful control were assessed at 30 months (T2), and salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase were collected at 72 (T3) months of age. Demographic risk at T1 predicted lower levels of children's effortful control and higher levels of mothers' intrusiveovercontrolling parenting at T2. Intrusive-overcontrolling parenting at T2 predicted higher levels of children's cortisol and alpha-amylase at T3, but effortful control did not uniquely predict children's cortisol or alpha-amylase. Findings support the open nature of stress responsive physiological systems to influence by features of the early caregiving environment and underscore the utility of including measures of these systems in prevention trials designed to influence child outcomes by modifying parenting behavior. Keywords cortisol; salivary alpha-amylase; intrusive-overcontrolling parenting; demographic risk; effortful control; early childhood Developmental scientists are increasingly incorporating individual differences in the psychobiology of the stress response into conceptual models in an attempt to advance our understanding of how stress-related vulnerability moderates the effects of emotion regulation on children's social functioning (

Child Development, 2013

Longitudinal relations among ego-resiliency, effortful control, and observed intrusive parenting ... more Longitudinal relations among ego-resiliency, effortful control, and observed intrusive parenting were examined at 18, 30, and 42 months of age (Ns = 256, 230, and 210) using structural equation modeling. Intrusive parenting at 18 and 30 months negatively predicted effortful control a year later, over and above earlier levels. Effortful control at 30 months mediated the negative relation between 18-month intrusive parenting and ego-resiliency at 42 months when controlling for stability of the variables. Ego-resiliency did not predict effortful control. The findings suggest that intrusive parenting may have a negative effect on children's personality resiliency through its effects on the abilities to regulate attention and behavior. Keywords ego-resiliency; effortful control; intrusive parenting; early childhood A key component of healthy adjustment is psychological flexibility, or the dynamic process by which individuals adapt to fluctuating situational demands, reconfigure mental resources, shift perspectives, and balance competing desires and needs (Kashdan & Rottenberg, 2010). A personality characteristic associated with psychological flexibility is ego-resiliency (ER). ER reflects adaptability to environmental stress and change (Block & Block, 1980). Individuals with high ER are able to adapt to changing circumstances, shift behaviors as needed, and use problem-solving strategies flexibly. A nonresilient individual displays little adaptive flexibility, is disquieted by change, has the tendency to perseverate or become disorganized when dealing with stress, and has difficulty recouping after traumatic experiences (Block & Block, 2006). Supporting this notion, ER has been associated with diverse positive developmental outcomes such as social competence (Block & Block, 1980), low externalizing and internalizing symptoms (Chuang, Lamb, & Hwang, 2006; Hofer, Eisenberg, & Reiser, 2010), and cognitive functioning and attentiveness (Martel et al., 2007). Consequently, examining how ER develops and is fostered in early childhood has important implications for later adjustment. Personality characteristics reflect cognitive structures and adaptive strategies that develop across time through socialization and further expression of temperamental characteristics (Rothbart & Bates, 2006). Therefore, it is likely that ER is shaped by early-developing temperamental traits as well as by environmental influences

Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 2017

Latino youth and their families have been shown to experience higher levels of stressors than the... more Latino youth and their families have been shown to experience higher levels of stressors than the general population, as well as additional unique stressors such as racism, poverty, acculturation, and discrimination. Chronic or cumulative stress often disrupts physiological systems and can lead to dysregulation in diurnal cortisol responses. This study examined the associations between family stress and cortisol responses in 57 Latino mother-adolescent dyads (N = 114) living in the Midwestern United States. Dyads collected saliva 6 times across two consecutive days and completed a survey. Results from repeated measures mixed-effect analysis found that both mothers and adolescents in the high-stress group had flatter cortisol awakening responses than those in the low-stress group, which indicated disruptions in their diurnal cortisol rhythms. These findings suggest that family stress can potentially influence the diurnal cortisol patterns of early Latino adolescents as well as adults, which may, in turn, lead to future health problems.

Social Development, 2013

We used observed parenting behaviors, along with genetic variants and haplotypes of the serotonin... more We used observed parenting behaviors, along with genetic variants and haplotypes of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4), as predictors of children's ego-resiliency during early childhood (N = 153). The quality of mothers' parenting was observed at 18 months of age, and mothers' reports of ego-resiliency were collected at six time points from 18 to 84 months. Genetic data were collected at 72 months. Observed parenting was positively associated with initial levels of children's ego-resiliency. Furthermore, although individual genetic variants of the serotonin transporter gene (LPR, STin2) were not associated with ego-resiliency, the S10 haplotype (that combines information from these two variants) was negatively associated with initial levels of ego-resiliency. Both parenting and serotonin genetic variation uniquely predicted children's ego-resiliency, suggesting an additive effect of genetic and parental factors.

Child Development, Aug 2013

Longitudinal relations among ego-resiliency (ER), effortful control (EC), and observed intrusive ... more Longitudinal relations among ego-resiliency (ER), effortful control (EC), and observed intrusive parenting were examined at 18, 30, and 42 months of age (Ns = 256, 230, and 210) using structural equation modeling. Intrusive parenting at 18 and 30 months negatively predicted EC a year later, over and above earlier levels. EC at 30 months mediated the negative relation between 18-month intrusive parenting and ER at 42 months when controlling for stability of the variables. ER did not predict EC. The findings suggest that intrusive parenting may have a negative effect on children's ego-resiliency through its effects on children's abilities to regulate attention and behavior.

Developmental Psychobiology, 2012

Early sociodemographic risk, parenting, and temperament were examined as predictors of the activi... more Early sociodemographic risk, parenting, and temperament were examined as predictors of the activity of children's (N ¼ 148; 81 boys, 67 girls) hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and autonomic nervous system. Demographic risk was assessed at 18 months (T1), intrusive/overcontrolling parenting and effortful control were assessed at 30 months (T2), and salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase were collected at 72 (T3) months of age. Demographic risk at T1 predicted lower levels of children's effortful control and higher levels of mothers' intrusive/overcontrolling parenting at T2. Intrusive/overcontrolling parenting at T2 predicted higher levels of children's cortisol and alpha-amylase at T3, but effortful control did not uniquely predict children's cortisol or alpha-amylase levels. Findings support the open nature of stress responsive physiological systems to influence by features of the early caregiving environment and underscore the utility of including measures of these systems in prevention trials designed to influence child outcomes by modifying parenting behavior.

Journal of Research on Adolescence, 2017

How Latino youth cope with stressors may have implications for their adjustment. We examined how ... more How Latino youth cope with stressors may have implications for their adjustment. We examined how a temperamental characteristic (effortful control) and a contextual factor (economic hardship) were associated with Latino youth's coping. Individual differences in effortful control, a core facet of self‐regulation, may contribute to coping as effortful control is consistently linked to adaptive behaviors during adolescence. We examined relations of effortful control and economic hardship to active coping in a sample of Mexican‐origin youth (N = 674) across three time points (fifth to ninth grades). Although economic hardship negatively predicted coping and effortful control, effortful control positively predicted coping (controlling for prior levels). Findings support a resilience perspective by suggesting that effortful control may contribute to coping and thus counteract the negative effects of economic hardship.

Social Development, 2018

Children from Latino migrant farmworker (LMFW) families are one of the most educationally disenfr... more Children from Latino migrant farmworker (LMFW) families are one of the most educationally disenfranchised and marginalized populations of students in the United States.

Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 2016

Latino youth and their families have been shown to experience higher levels of stressors than the... more Latino youth and their families have been shown to experience higher levels of stressors than the general population, as well as additional unique stressors such as racism, poverty, acculturation, and discrimination. Chronic or cumulative stress often disrupts physiological systems and can lead to dysregulation in diurnal cortisol responses. This study examined the associations between family stress and cortisol responses in 57 Latino mother-adolescent dyads ( N = 114) living in the Midwestern United States. Dyads collected saliva 6 times across two consecutive days and completed a survey. Results from repeated measures mixed-effect analysis found that both mothers and adolescents in the high-stress group had flatter cortisol awakening responses than those in the low-stress group, which indicated disruptions in their diurnal cortisol rhythms. These findings suggest that family stress can potentially influence the diurnal cortisol patterns of early Latino adolescents as well as adult...

Emerging Adulthood, 2013

During the transition from high school to college, youths navigate increasingly adult roles, take... more During the transition from high school to college, youths navigate increasingly adult roles, take on new academic and economic responsibilities, and forge new social networks. We examined longitudinal relations among internalizing symptoms (depression and anxiety), perceived social support, and the personality trait of ego-resiliency across three time points at the end of high school and during the first year of college ( N = 82). Internalizing symptoms were concurrently negatively correlated with perceived social support from friends and family as well as with ego-resiliency, and ego-resiliency was positively, concurrently correlated with perceived social support from friends. Across time, internalizing symptoms were negatively associated with perceived social support from friends, whereas ego-resiliency was positively associated with perceived social support from family. Findings demonstrate the potential importance of coping resources for youths’ mental health and highlight the n...

Child Development, 2017

Children's prosocial behavior and personal distress are likely affected by children's temperament... more Children's prosocial behavior and personal distress are likely affected by children's temperament as well as parenting quality. In this study, we examined bidirectional relations from age 30 to 42 months between children's (N = 218) prosocial or self-focused (presumably distressed) reactions to a relative stranger's distress and both supportive emotion-related maternal reactions to children's emotions and children's shyness/inhibition. When controlling for 30-month prosocial behavior and personal distress behavior, maternal supportive (emotion-focused and problem-focused) reactions were positively related to prosocial behavior and marginally negatively related to children's personal distress behaviors and shyness/inhibition at 42 months. Thirty-month personal distress behavior predicted greater shyness/inhibition at 42 months, and 30-month shyness/inhibition was negatively related to prosocial behavior at 30 months. We thank the parents and children who participated in this study, as well as the numerous students who contributed. Funding was from the National Institute of Mental Health.

Development and Psychopathology, 2015

At approximately 30, 42, and 54 months of age (N = 231), the relations among children's exter... more At approximately 30, 42, and 54 months of age (N = 231), the relations among children's externalizing symptoms, intrusive maternal parenting, and children's effortful control (EC) were examined. Both intrusive parenting and low EC have been related to psychopathology, but children's externalizing problems and low EC might affect the quality of parenting and one another. Mothers’ intrusive behavior with their children was assessed with observations, children's EC was measured with mothers’ and caregivers’ reports, and children's externalizing symptoms were assessed with mothers’, fathers’, and caregivers’ reports. In a structural equation panel model, bidirectional relations between intrusive parenting and EC were found: EC at 30 and 42 months predicted low levels of intrusive parenting a year later, controlling for prior levels of parenting and vice versa. Moreover, high levels of children's externalizing problems at both 30 and 42 months negatively predicted...

Journal of Latina/o Psychology, 2015

Social bonds and supportive relationships are widely recognized as being indispensable to healthy... more Social bonds and supportive relationships are widely recognized as being indispensable to healthy psychological functioning and well-being. Social support is a psychological resource that is expected to also contribute positively to parenting practices. The present study longitudinally examined the relations between mothers' (N = 674) and fathers' (N = 430) perceived social support and parenting behaviors, and their relations with children's social competence during early adolescence in Mexican-origin single and two-parent families. Our constructs of interest (warm parenting, monitoring, perceived social support, and children's social competence) were significantly correlated at T1, and demonstrated significant stability across time for both parental models. Parental warmth (as reported by the child, and opposite parent) and parental monitoring (self-reported by mothers and fathers) were correlated and also showed bidirectional associations across time. Parental monitoring at T2 positively predicted change in children's social competence at T3 (controlling for T1 social competence) for mothers. Parental warmth at T2 positively predicted change in children's social competence at T3 (controlling for T1 social competence) for fathers. For mothers, the indirect effect of social support at T1 on children's social competence at T3 via parental monitoring at T2 (and controlling for prior levels) was significant. Findings suggest that maternal perceived social support contributes to children's social competence due to its positive relation to maternal monitoring. Results may also suggest that mothers' and fathers' parenting behaviors differentially relate to children's social competence in Latino families, although additional work focused on comparing parenting behaviors in two-parent families is needed.

Developmental Psychology, 2015

The goal of this study was to examine physiological and environmental predictors of children's sy... more The goal of this study was to examine physiological and environmental predictors of children's sympathy (an emotional response consisting of feelings of concern or sorrow for others who are distressed or in need) and whether temperamental effortful control mediated these relations. Specifically, in a study of 192 children (23% Hispanic; 54% male), respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA), a measure thought to reflect physiological regulation, and observed authoritative parenting (both at 42 months) were examined as predictors of children's effortful control (at 54 months) and, in turn, children's sympathy (at 72 and 84 months). Measures of both baseline RSA and RSA suppression were examined. In a structural equation model, observed parenting was positively related to children's subsequent sympathy through its positive relation to effortful control. Furthermore, the indirect path from baseline RSA to higher sympathy through effortful control was marginally significant. Authoritative parenting and baseline RSA uniquely predicted individual differences in children's effortful control. Findings highlight the potential role of both authoritative parenting and physiological regulation in the development of children's sympathy. Keywords sympathy; respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA); effortful control; parenting; early childhood Developmental researchers are increasingly examining how children's biology, as well as their socialization, is associated with their capacity to think and act in ways that demonstrate concern for the well-being of others. Such "other-focused" emotions and actions include the separate, but interrelated, affective states of compassion, sympathy, and empathy. Compassion is the feeling that arises when witnessing another's suffering and that motivates a subsequent desire to help (Goetz, Keltner, & Simon-Thomas, 2010). Sympathy is an emotional response that is likely closely linked to compassion because it involves the feeling

Social development (Oxford, England), 2014

We used observed parenting behaviors, along with genetic variants and haplotypes of the serotonin... more We used observed parenting behaviors, along with genetic variants and haplotypes of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4), as predictors of children's ego-resiliency during early childhood (N =153). Quality of mothers' parenting was observed at 18 months of age and mothers' reports of ego-resiliency were collected at six time points from 18 to 84 months. Genetic data were collected at 72 months. Observed parenting was positively associated with initial levels of children's ego-resiliency. Furthermore, although individual genetic variants of the serotonin transporter gene (LPR, STin2) were not associated with ego-resiliency, the S10 haplotype (that combines information from these two variants) was negatively associated with initial levels of ego-resiliency. Both parenting and serotonin genetic variation uniquely predicted children's ego-resiliency, suggesting an additive effect of genetic and parental factors.

Journal of Marriage and Family, 2012

The present investigation examined the relations between the cultural belief of familism and vari... more The present investigation examined the relations between the cultural belief of familism and various aspects of family functioning and child adjustment, including interparental conflict, parenting, and children's attachment to school, in a sample of 549 two-parent Mexican-origin families. The results indicated that parents' familistic values were negatively associated with interparental conflict for both mothers and fathers. Parents' familistic values were also indirectly associated with parenting through the marital relationship. Interparental conflict was negatively associated with nurturant-involved parenting for both parents, but particularly for fathers. Interparental conflict had an indirect negative effect on children's attachment to school via mothers' and fathers' nurturant-involved parenting. Both paternal and maternal nurturant-involved parenting behaviors were positively associated with children's attachment to school across two time points. Child gender differences are also discussed.

Emotion, 2014

We examined the relations of negative emotions in toddlerhood to the development of egoresiliency... more We examined the relations of negative emotions in toddlerhood to the development of egoresiliency and social competence across early childhood. Specifically, we addressed whether fear and anger/frustration in 30-month-old children (N = 213) was associated with the development of ego-resiliency across 4 time points (42 to 84 months), and, in turn, whether ego-resiliency predicted social competence at 84 months. Child anger/frustration negatively predicted the intercept of ego-resiliency at 42 months (controlling for prior ego-resiliency at 18 months) as well as the slope. Fear did not significantly predict either the intercept or slope of ego-resiliency in the structural model, although it was positively correlated with anger/frustration and was negatively related to ego-resiliency in zero-order correlations. The slope of ego-resiliency was positively related to children's social competence at 84 months; however, the intercept of ego-resiliency (set at 42 months) was not a significant predictor of later social competence. Furthermore, the slope of ego-resiliency mediated the relations between anger/frustration and children's later social competence. The results suggest that individual differences in anger/frustration might contribute to the development of ego-resiliency, which, in turn, is associated with children's social competence.

Developmental Psychobiology, 2012

Early sociodemographic risk, parenting, and temperament were examined as predictors of the activi... more Early sociodemographic risk, parenting, and temperament were examined as predictors of the activity of children's (N = 148; 81 boys, 67 girls) hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and autonomic nervous system. Demographic risk was assessed at 18 months (T1), intrusiveovercontrolling parenting and effortful control were assessed at 30 months (T2), and salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase were collected at 72 (T3) months of age. Demographic risk at T1 predicted lower levels of children's effortful control and higher levels of mothers' intrusiveovercontrolling parenting at T2. Intrusive-overcontrolling parenting at T2 predicted higher levels of children's cortisol and alpha-amylase at T3, but effortful control did not uniquely predict children's cortisol or alpha-amylase. Findings support the open nature of stress responsive physiological systems to influence by features of the early caregiving environment and underscore the utility of including measures of these systems in prevention trials designed to influence child outcomes by modifying parenting behavior. Keywords cortisol; salivary alpha-amylase; intrusive-overcontrolling parenting; demographic risk; effortful control; early childhood Developmental scientists are increasingly incorporating individual differences in the psychobiology of the stress response into conceptual models in an attempt to advance our understanding of how stress-related vulnerability moderates the effects of emotion regulation on children's social functioning (

Child Development, 2013

Longitudinal relations among ego-resiliency, effortful control, and observed intrusive parenting ... more Longitudinal relations among ego-resiliency, effortful control, and observed intrusive parenting were examined at 18, 30, and 42 months of age (Ns = 256, 230, and 210) using structural equation modeling. Intrusive parenting at 18 and 30 months negatively predicted effortful control a year later, over and above earlier levels. Effortful control at 30 months mediated the negative relation between 18-month intrusive parenting and ego-resiliency at 42 months when controlling for stability of the variables. Ego-resiliency did not predict effortful control. The findings suggest that intrusive parenting may have a negative effect on children's personality resiliency through its effects on the abilities to regulate attention and behavior. Keywords ego-resiliency; effortful control; intrusive parenting; early childhood A key component of healthy adjustment is psychological flexibility, or the dynamic process by which individuals adapt to fluctuating situational demands, reconfigure mental resources, shift perspectives, and balance competing desires and needs (Kashdan & Rottenberg, 2010). A personality characteristic associated with psychological flexibility is ego-resiliency (ER). ER reflects adaptability to environmental stress and change (Block & Block, 1980). Individuals with high ER are able to adapt to changing circumstances, shift behaviors as needed, and use problem-solving strategies flexibly. A nonresilient individual displays little adaptive flexibility, is disquieted by change, has the tendency to perseverate or become disorganized when dealing with stress, and has difficulty recouping after traumatic experiences (Block & Block, 2006). Supporting this notion, ER has been associated with diverse positive developmental outcomes such as social competence (Block & Block, 1980), low externalizing and internalizing symptoms (Chuang, Lamb, & Hwang, 2006; Hofer, Eisenberg, & Reiser, 2010), and cognitive functioning and attentiveness (Martel et al., 2007). Consequently, examining how ER develops and is fostered in early childhood has important implications for later adjustment. Personality characteristics reflect cognitive structures and adaptive strategies that develop across time through socialization and further expression of temperamental characteristics (Rothbart & Bates, 2006). Therefore, it is likely that ER is shaped by early-developing temperamental traits as well as by environmental influences

Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 2017

Latino youth and their families have been shown to experience higher levels of stressors than the... more Latino youth and their families have been shown to experience higher levels of stressors than the general population, as well as additional unique stressors such as racism, poverty, acculturation, and discrimination. Chronic or cumulative stress often disrupts physiological systems and can lead to dysregulation in diurnal cortisol responses. This study examined the associations between family stress and cortisol responses in 57 Latino mother-adolescent dyads (N = 114) living in the Midwestern United States. Dyads collected saliva 6 times across two consecutive days and completed a survey. Results from repeated measures mixed-effect analysis found that both mothers and adolescents in the high-stress group had flatter cortisol awakening responses than those in the low-stress group, which indicated disruptions in their diurnal cortisol rhythms. These findings suggest that family stress can potentially influence the diurnal cortisol patterns of early Latino adolescents as well as adults, which may, in turn, lead to future health problems.

Social Development, 2013

We used observed parenting behaviors, along with genetic variants and haplotypes of the serotonin... more We used observed parenting behaviors, along with genetic variants and haplotypes of the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4), as predictors of children's ego-resiliency during early childhood (N = 153). The quality of mothers' parenting was observed at 18 months of age, and mothers' reports of ego-resiliency were collected at six time points from 18 to 84 months. Genetic data were collected at 72 months. Observed parenting was positively associated with initial levels of children's ego-resiliency. Furthermore, although individual genetic variants of the serotonin transporter gene (LPR, STin2) were not associated with ego-resiliency, the S10 haplotype (that combines information from these two variants) was negatively associated with initial levels of ego-resiliency. Both parenting and serotonin genetic variation uniquely predicted children's ego-resiliency, suggesting an additive effect of genetic and parental factors.

Child Development, Aug 2013

Longitudinal relations among ego-resiliency (ER), effortful control (EC), and observed intrusive ... more Longitudinal relations among ego-resiliency (ER), effortful control (EC), and observed intrusive parenting were examined at 18, 30, and 42 months of age (Ns = 256, 230, and 210) using structural equation modeling. Intrusive parenting at 18 and 30 months negatively predicted EC a year later, over and above earlier levels. EC at 30 months mediated the negative relation between 18-month intrusive parenting and ER at 42 months when controlling for stability of the variables. ER did not predict EC. The findings suggest that intrusive parenting may have a negative effect on children's ego-resiliency through its effects on children's abilities to regulate attention and behavior.

Developmental Psychobiology, 2012

Early sociodemographic risk, parenting, and temperament were examined as predictors of the activi... more Early sociodemographic risk, parenting, and temperament were examined as predictors of the activity of children's (N ¼ 148; 81 boys, 67 girls) hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and autonomic nervous system. Demographic risk was assessed at 18 months (T1), intrusive/overcontrolling parenting and effortful control were assessed at 30 months (T2), and salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase were collected at 72 (T3) months of age. Demographic risk at T1 predicted lower levels of children's effortful control and higher levels of mothers' intrusive/overcontrolling parenting at T2. Intrusive/overcontrolling parenting at T2 predicted higher levels of children's cortisol and alpha-amylase at T3, but effortful control did not uniquely predict children's cortisol or alpha-amylase levels. Findings support the open nature of stress responsive physiological systems to influence by features of the early caregiving environment and underscore the utility of including measures of these systems in prevention trials designed to influence child outcomes by modifying parenting behavior.