Human development and family studies

Understanding what helps families with teens maintain household vaping bans

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 13:19:56 -0400

Households were more likely to relax a vaping ban if someone in the family vaped or smoked or if their teen did not know that there was a vaping ban, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers.

New Child Study Center co-directors to continue collaborative research mission

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 14:37:15 -0400

Rina Das Eiden, professor of psychology, and Jenae Neiderhiser, distinguished professor of psychology and human development and family studies, were recently appointed to serve as the new co-directors of the College of the Liberal Arts' Child Study Center.

Harm reduction education, tools access may help women prevent opioid overdose

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 13:32:06 -0400

Women with opioid use disorders face structural barriers and stigma that may keep them from engaging with traditional harm reduction practices that could reduce opioid overdoses, especially when tailored to meet women's needs, according to a new study by research from Penn State.

Pregnant women may not be drinking enough water, researchers report

Mon, 12 Aug 2024 10:54:38 -0400

Pregnant women may not be meeting or even aware of hydration guidelines, but they are open to using smart water bottles to track their fluid intake, according to a new interdisciplinary study from researchers in the Penn State College of Health and Human Development.

Ask an expert: Health care in the 2024 presidential election 

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 09:00:00 -0400

Penn State News spoke with four faculty experts about the 2024 presidential election and pressing health care issues that may impact voters and their families.

Women may face unique obstacles while seeking treatment for opioid use

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 11:06:52 -0400

Women experiencing opioid-use disorders may face unique challenges accessing treatment, according to a new study led by Penn State researchers. The study provides new insight into how pregnancy and parenting can make getting medications for these disorders particularly difficult.

Short-term loneliness associated with physical health problems

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 08:11:08 -0400

People who experience more temporary feelings of loneliness or have a lot of variability in their feelings of loneliness are likely to have daily health issues, including general fatigue, headaches and nausea, according to a new study by researchers in the College of Health and Human Development. The work brings more attention to different experiences of loneliness, a focus during June 10-16 for Loneliness Awareness Week.

Professor wins diversity mentorship funds to bring Texas student to Penn State

Tue, 21 May 2024 09:48:58 -0400

After meeting at a conference in San Antonio, Michael Segovia came to State College to work with Alexis Santos, assistant professor of human development and family studies and of demography. Their collaboration is supported by a National Institute on Aging Diversity Supplement award.

Chronic pain support from spouse may decrease well-being for some people

Thu, 16 May 2024 14:50:02 -0400

People who did not feel good about pain-management support they received from a spouse or partner had higher levels of depressive symptoms and poorer moods than people who felt better about pain-management support from their partners, according to a new study by researchers in the Penn State College of Health and Human Development.

Understanding how behavior problems are related to child abuse and neglect

Tue, 14 May 2024 08:55:24 -0400

Child maltreatment leads to behavior problems, but behavior problems seldom lead to child maltreatment, according to a new study by researchers in the Penn State Department of Human Development and Family Studies. Previous research had shown that maltreatment and behavior problems were linked but not whether one led to the other.

Harrisburg man fulfills his late mother’s wish by earning Penn State degree

Fri, 10 May 2024 08:00:00 -0400

David Kern Jr. went back to school online through Penn State World Campus to get his degree in human development and family studies, fulfilling his late mother's wish for him to graduate from college.

Fentanyl and COVID-19 pandemic reshaped racial profile of overdose deaths in US

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 11:12:17 -0400

A new study from researchers in the Penn State College of Health and Human Development examined racial and regional differences in overdose fatalities from 2012 to 2021, capturing the periods before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. In most of the nation, the researchers found that younger Black individuals died of overdose at lower rates than their white counterparts, but older Black individuals — especially men in Midwestern cities — were up to five times more likely to die of drug overdose than their white counterparts.

College of Health and Human Development names 2024 program marshals 

Tue, 23 Apr 2024 14:02:49 -0400

Student Marshals will represent the College of Health and Human Development and each department during the spring 2024 commencement ceremony.

Penn State launches first Master of Social Work program

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 09:32:13 -0400

Penn State’s first master’s degree in social work will be offered online and welcome its initial group of students in the fall 2024 semester.

Researchers identify distinct sleep types and their impact on long-term health

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 12:00:34 -0400

A new study by researchers in Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development identified four distinct sleep types to help understand a person’s sleep habits and the impact of those habits on long-term health, including the risk of chronic conditions.

Trauma screening may improve mental health service recommendations for children

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 05:43:28 -0500

Incorporating trauma screening during child welfare service evaluations led to changes in the information that service providers had about trauma and the mental health services they recommended for children, according to a new study by researchers from the Penn State College of Health and Human Development.