Prebirth predictors of early coparenting (KO2 HD047505A)

Dr. McHale received this grant in 2005 from the National Institute of Child Health and Development to examine how infants contribute to the unfolding of early coparenting dynamics in families, and to develop new research efforts designed to better understand and strengthen coparental functioning in families.

The Families Through Time Study (R01 HD42179)

The focus on this 10-year study has been on identification of risk and protective factors that affect coparental adjustment during the early years following the transition to new parenthood. Major findings from this study are featured in Charting the Bumpy Road of Coparenthood, a book Dr. McHale published in 2007 with the Zero to Three Press. The book is written for helping professionals and for families.

Project Staff: See "People of the FSC" for staff of the FTT.

The Incarceration, Co-caregiving, and Child Adjustment Study(R21 HD50730)

In this NICHD-funded project, Drs. McHale, Dr. Anne Strozier (USF Tampa, Social Work), and Dr. Dawn Cecil (USFSP Criminology), have been examining whether a strong coparenting alliance between incarcerated mothers and the family caregivers looking after their young children during their absence promotes better child adjustment and protects children from developing serious behavior problems. This study is a collaborative project with the USF Florida Kinship Center, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's office.

Project Staff: Kyle DePalma (Project Coordinator), Jason Baker (Project Data Consultant), Rachel Fenning (Child Data Specialist), Joel Pietsch (Site Coordinator, Hillsborough County Jail)