The research in our lab centers around understanding links between parenting and children’s early development. We approach research from developmental, cultural, and ecological perspectives. Our recent work focuses on Latino parenting, and specifically parenting by Latina adolescent mothers. The general goal of this work is to build our understanding of how mothers’ cultural orientation (i.e., acculturation, enculturation) and their ecological context within the United States shape their family relationships, parenting behaviors, and in turn their toddlers' development. We are interested in uncovering protective factors for these young families. For example, we study how aspects of their relationships with their mothers and their partners may be protective for their own adjustment and that of their toddlers. We also study how specific maternal behaviors (e.g. sensitivity, control) and more generally the quality of their parent-child interactions (e.g., synchrony) influence the development of toddlers’ learning and communication abilities, their regulation of emotion and behavior, and their behavioral and emotional adjustment. Given the variability in acculturation and enculturation among Latinos in the US, across all these areas, we also strive to uncover how mothers’ cultural orientation may modify the links among determinants of parenting, parenting behaviors, and children’s outcomes.
Prospective Graduate Students
Dr. Grau will not be accepting graduate students for the academic year 2022-2023.
Prospective Undergraduate Research Assistants
The CPCD Lab is not currently looking for research assistants for the Fall 2021 semester.
Prospective Graduate Students
Dr. Grau will not be accepting graduate students for the academic year 2022-2023.
Prospective Undergraduate Research Assistants
The CPCD Lab is not currently looking for research assistants for the Fall 2021 semester.