Melissa A Barnett

Interests

Research

Family relationships and early childhood development;Poverty and child development;Sociocultural influences on parenting and child development;Grandparent-grandchild and extended family relationships;Child and caregiver wellbeing among ethnic minority families;Rural families;Early care and education influences on child development

Courses

Scholarly Contributions

Journals/Publications

• Barnett, M. A., Paschall, K. W., Mastergeorge, A. M., Li, X., & Vasquez, M. B. (2021). A new look at teacher quality: Profiles of individual teacher-child relationship and classroom teaching quality among Head Start students. Early Education & Development.
• Mayer, B. M., Helm, S. V., Heinz, E. M., Barnett, M. A., & Arora, M. (2021). Doubt in Store: Vaccine Hesitancy among Grocery Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Behavioral Medicine.
• Barnett, M. A., Paschall, K. W., Warren, S., Kopystynska, O., & Curran, M. A. (2021). *Pathways linking parental relationship changes, parental depressive symptoms and observed parenting to young children’s social-emotional development.. Family Relations, 70, 905-920. doi:doi:10.1111/fare.12494
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  2020: Listed as in press
• Helm, S. V., Li, X., Barnett, M. A., & Curran, M. A. (2021). Profiles of Ecological Coping in the Context of Climate Change: A Person-Centered Approach. Anxiety, Stress & Coping. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2021.2004132
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  RC1Listed as submitted to a different journal in 2020
• Yancura, L. A., Walsh, B. A., Barnett, M. A., & Hoover, M. (2021). *Tri-parenting or Try Parenting?: Online Posts About a Potentially Stigmatized Family Structure:. Journal of Family Issues, 42(2), 474-498. doi:10.1177/0192513x20942827
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  *Listed as in press in 2020This exploratory study investigates existing views on the practice of tri-parenting and perceived reasons for potential stigma towards families in tri-parenting relationships. Two themes emerged fr...
• LeBaron, A. B., Curran, M. A., Li, X., Dew, J. P., Sharp, T. K., & Barnett, M. A. (2020). Financial stressors as catalysts for relational growth: Bonadaptation among lower-income, unmarried couples. Journal of Family and Economic Issues.
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  RC2Revision under review
• Pech, A. S., Curran, M. A., Speirs, K., Li, X., Barnett, M. A., & Paschall, K. (2020). Understanding child behavior problems in young children with previously incarcerated fathers: Parents’ depressive symptoms, relationship quality, and coparenting.. Marriage & Family Review., 56(6), 553-574. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/01494929.2020.1728602
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  RC1
• Barnett, M. A. (2019). Constructive and destructive interparental conflict, parenting, and coparenting alliance. Journal of Family Psychology, Online First.
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  RC1Based on Olena's dissertation paper2018: not listed
• Barnett, M. A., & Mortensen, J. A. (2018). *Negative parenting, emotion regulation, and child care quality for high-risk infants and toddlers in child care. Early Education and Development.
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  RC2The first author is a PhD alumna.This manuscript is based on one of Jen's dissertation papers.*Listed as accepted in 2017.
• Helm, S. V., Pollitt, A. M., Barnett, M. A., Curran, M. A., & Craig, Z. R. (2018). *Differentiating environmental concern in the context of psychological adaptation to climate change. Global Environmental Change.
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  RC1*Listed as accepted in 2017.
• Ontai, L., Barnett, M. A., Smith, S., Wilmoth, J., & Yancura, L. (2018). Understanding Family Well-Being in the Context of Rural Poverty: Lessons from the Rural Families Speak Project. Family Science Review.
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  RC2Manuscript from AES multistate collaboration. Listed as submitted 2017.
• Barnett, M. A., & Scaramella, L. V. (2017). Correlates of Supportive and Intrusive Parenting during Early Childhood: Considering Fearful Temperament and Child Sex. Journal of Family Psychology.
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  RC1Listed as accepted in 20162017 Impact Factor: 1.742
• Helm, S. V., Pollitt, A. M., Barnett, M. A., Curran, M. A., & Craig, Z. R. (2017). RC1: Differentiating environmental concern in the context of psychological adaption to climate change. Global Environmental Change. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2017.11.012
• Paschall, K., Barnett, M. A., Mortensen, J., & Mastergeorge, A. (2017). Family conflict moderates early parent-child behavioral transactions.. Infant Mental Health Journal.
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  RC1Listed as accepted in 2016.2017 Impact Factor: 1.65
• Barnett, M. A., Mortensen, J. A., & Gonzalez, H. (2016). Grandmother Involvement and Maternal Psychological Distress among Mexican Origin Families with Young Children. Journal of Family Issues, 37, 1945-1967. doi:10.1177/0192513X14560631
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  counted as accepted in 2015ISI: 1.72 (17/32 in Family Studies)RC1
• Barnett, M. A., Mortensen, J. A., Gonzalez, H., & Gonzalez, J. M. (2016). Mexican American Mothers' Perceptions and Cultural Values as Buffers of Neighborhood Disadvantage. Child Care and Youth Forum.
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  RC1ISI: 1.00Listed as under review in 2015
• Barnett, M. A., Yancura, L., Wilmoth, J., & Sano, Y. (2016). Wellbeing among rural grandfamilies in two multigenerational household structures.. Grandfamilies, 3(1), 61-92.
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  RC1Listed as under review in 2015This is a manuscript from the AES multistate project.
• Cabeza De Baca, T., Wahl, R. A., Figueredo, A. J., Barnett, M. A., & Ellis, B. J. (2016). Adversity, adaptive calibration, and health: An Integrative Life History Approach.. Adaptive Human Behavior and Physiology, 2, 93-115.
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  RC1Listed as accepted in 2015
• De Baca, T. C., Barnett, M. A., & Ellis, B. (2016). The Development of Child Unpredictability Schema: The Correlates of Maternal Life History Trade-offs on Reproductive Effort. Evolutionary Behavioral Sciences, 10(1), 43-55.
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  RC1Listed as accepted in 2015
• Mortensen, J., & Barnett, M. A. (2016). The role of child care in supporting the emotion regulatory needs of maltreated infants and toddlers. Children and Youth Services Review, 64, 73-81.
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  RC1Listed as under review in 2015ISI: 1.56This is a version of one of Jen Mortensen's dissertation papers.
• Watson, R., Barnett, M. A., & Russell, S. (2016). Parent support matters for the educational success of sexual minorities.. Journal of GLBT Family Studies., 12, 188-202.
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  RC1Listed as accepted 2015ISI: .42
• Barnett, M. A., & Scaramella, L. V. (2015). Interactive influences of child gender and fear reactivity and mothers' parenting and young children's behavior problems.. Development & Psychopathology, 27, 1179-1190.
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  Note: Invited manuscript for a special section.Counted as under review in 2014.ISI: 6.40 (3/65 in Developmental Psychology).RC1
• Barnett, M. A., De Baca, T. C., Jordan, A. C., & Ellis, B. J. (2015). Associations among child perceptions of parenting support, maternal parenting efficacy and maternal depressive symptoms. Child & Youth Care Forum, 44, 17-32.
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  Counted as in press 2014.ISI = 1.12 (12/65 in Developmental Psychology);RC1
• Card, N., & Barnett, M. A. (2015). Methodological considerations in studying individual and family resilience.. Family Relations, 64, 120-133.
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  Counted as accepted in 2014.ISI = 1.64 (19/32 in Family Studies);RC1
• Mills-Koonce, W. R., Willoughby, M. T., Zvara, B., Barnett, M. A., Gustafsson, H. C., Cox, M., & Key Investigators, F. P. (2015). Mothers' and fathers' sensitivity and children's cognitive development in low-income, rural families.. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 38, 1-10.
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  This paper was listed as under review at another journal in 2013. I forgot to include its under review status at this journal in 2014.
• Mortensen, J. A., & Barnett, M. A. (2015). Risk and promotive factors, parenting stress, and harsh parenting in Mexican origin mothers with toddlers. Marriage and Family Review, 5, 1-21. doi:DOI: 10.1080/01494929.2014.955937
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  Counted as accepted in 2014;This journal is respected, but it is not ranked.RC1
• Mortensen, J. A., & Barnett, M. A. (2015). Teacher-Child Relationships in Child Care and Young Children's Self-Regulatory and Socioemotional Development. Early Education and Development, 26, 202-229.
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  counted as under review in 2014;ISI = .908 (35 out of 53 in Psychology, Educational);RC1
• Paschall, K., Gonzalez, H., Mortensen, J. A., Barnett, M. A., & Mastergeorge, A. M. (2015). Child Sex and Negative Emotionality as Moderators of Parenting Styles on Classroom Adjustment in a Low-Income Sample.. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 39, 1-13.
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  Revise & Resubmit in 2014.ISI: 2.60 (34/65 in Developmental Psychology);RC1
• Tilley, E. H., & Barnett, M. A. (2015). Bridging the gap: Fertility timing in the United States, effective public policy, and prevention design. Sexuality Research and Social Policy, 12, 92-100.
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  Counted as Revise & Resubmit in 2014.RC1
• Gonzalez, H., & Barnett, M. A. (2014). Romantic partner and biological father support: Associations with maternal distress in low-income Mexican-American families. Family Relations, 63, 371-383.
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  counted as revision under review in 2013ISI:1.64 (19/32 in Family Studies)RC1
• Gustafsson, H. C., Barnett, M. A., Towe-Goodman, N. R., Mills-Koonce, W. R., Cox, M. J., & Key Investigators, F. L. (2014). Family violence and children's behavior problems: Unique contributions of intimate partner and child directed physical aggression.. Journal of Family Violence, 29(7), 773-781.
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  counted as accepted in 2013ISI = 1.68 (18/32 in Family Studies)RC1
• Barnett, M. A., & Scaramella, L. V. (2013). Mothers' parenting and child sex differences in behavior problems among african american preschoolers. Journal of Family Psychology, 27(5), 773-783.
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  PMID: 23937420;PMCID: PMC3981992;Abstract: Sex differences in rates of behavior problems, including internalizing and externalizing problems, begin to emerge during early childhood. These sex differences may occur because mothers parent their sons and daughters differently, or because the impact of parenting on behavior problems is different for boys and girls. In this study, we examined whether associations between observations of mothers' positive and negative parenting and children's externalizing and internalizing behaviors vary as a function of child sex. The sample consisted of 137 African American low-income families with one sibling approximately 2 years old and the closest-aged older sibling who was approximately 4 years old. Results from fixed-effects within-family models indicate clear sex differences regardless of child age. Mothers were observed to use less positive parenting with sons than with daughters. Higher levels of observed negative parenting were linked to more externalizing behaviors for boys, whereas lower levels of positive parenting were linked to more externalizing behaviors for girls. No child sex differences emerged regarding associations between observed positive and negative parenting and internalizing behaviors. © 2013 American Psychological Association.
• Barnett, M. A., & Scaramella, L. V. (2013). Parenting and child sex differences in behavior problems among African American preschoolers: A within-family sibling design. Journal of Family Psychology, 27, 773-783.
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  ISI: 1.88; 7/38 family studies(2012, under review)RC1
• Barnett, M. A., Jennifer, M. A., Elizabeth, T. H., & Henry, G. (2013). Global and parenting specific social support as protective factors for the wellbeing of Mexican American mothers of toddlers. Family Science, 4(1), 89-109.
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  (under review 2012)Not yet ranked, newer journal.RC1
• Barnett, M. A., Mortensen, J. A., Tilley, E. H., & Gonzalez, H. (2013). Global and parenting-specific social support as protective factors for the well-being of Mexican American mothers of toddlers. Family Science, 4(1), 98-109.
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  Abstract: This study applies an ecodevelopmental stress process model to consider the extent to which social support buffers mothers from experiencing depressive symptoms and parenting stress among a community sample of 81 Mexican American mothers of toddlers. Specifically, we examine how mother-reported perceived global and parenting-specific social support interact with economic strain and child negative affectivity in the prediction of maternal depressive symptoms and parenting stress. We also examine the extent to which both forms of social support interact with mothers' familism support beliefs. Findings indicate that parenting-specific social support interrupts the positive associations between economic strain and negative child affect and maternal depressive symptoms, above and beyond the influence of global social support. Moreover, the combination of high familism beliefs and global social support reduces risks for maternal depressive symptoms. © 2013 Taylor & Francis.
• Barnett, M. A., Gustafsson, H., Deng, M., Mills-Koonce, W. R., & Cox, M. (2012). Bidirectional associations among sensitive parenting, language development, and social competence. Infant and Child Development, 21(4), 374-393.
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  Abstract: Rapid changes in language skills and social competence, both of which are linked to sensitive parenting, characterize early childhood. The present study examines bidirectional associations among mothers' sensitive parenting and children's language skills and social competence from 24 to 36months in a community sample of 174 families. In addition, this study examines how these developmental pathways vary by child sex. Findings indicate stability across time in sensitive parenting, expressive language skills, and social competence, as well as positive main effects of sensitive parenting on expressive and receptive language skills for girls and boys. We find mixed evidence over time of reciprocal links between social competence and sensitive parenting. Further, boys' receptive language skills at 24months uniquely contribute to increases in mothers' observed sensitive parenting from 24 to 36months. These findings highlight the utility of applying transactional frameworks to the study of sex-based differences in early developmental processes. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
• Barnett, M. A., Mills-Koonce, W. R., Gustafsson, H., Cox, M., Vernon-Feagans, L., Blair, C., Burchinal, P., Burton, L., Crnic, K., Crouter, A., Garrett-Peters, P., Greenberg, M., Lanza, S., Mills-Koonce, W. R., Skinner, D., Stifter, C., Werner, E., & Willoughby, M. (2012). Mother-Grandmother Conflict, Negative Parenting, and Young Children's Social Development in Multigenerational Families. Family Relations, 61(5), 864-877.
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  Abstract: Mutigenerational households that include grandmothers and adult mothers caring for grandchildren are increasingly common. The influence, however, of mother-grandmother relationship quality and grandmothers' parenting on grandchildren's social development remains largely unexplored in these three-generation households. This study examines linkages among caregiver depressive symptoms, mother-grandmother verbal conflict, observed parenting, and 36-month-old grandchildren's problem and prosocial behaviors among a subsample from the Family Life Project (N = 85) consisting of economically disadvantaged multigenerational families. The findings suggest that mother-grandmother relationship conflict presents a risk to children's behavior directly and indirectly via mothers' negative parenting behaviors. Mothers seem to be more influenced by the mother-grandmother relationship than grandmothers. These results highlight the importance of including mother-grandmother conflict in mutigenerational families in family assessments and interventions. © 2012 by the National Council on Family Relations.
• Barnett, M., Gustafsson, H., Deng, M., Mills-Koonce, W., & Cox, M. (2012). Bidirectional associations among language development, social competence and parenting. Infant & Child Development, 21, 374-393.
• Barnett, M., Mills-Koonce, W., Gustaffson, H., Cox, M., & Life, F. (2012). Mother-grandmother conflict, negative parenting, and young children s social development in multigenerational families. Family Relations, 61, 864-877.
• Barnett, M., Scaramella, L., McGoron, L., & Callahan, K. (2012). Coparenting cooperation and child adjustment in low-income mother-grandmother and mother-father families. Family Science, 2, 159-170.
• Mills-Koonce, W. R., Propper, C. B., & Barnett, M. (2012). Poor infant soothability and later insecure-ambivalent attachment: Developmental change in phenotypic markers of risk or two measures of the same construct?. Infant Behavior and Development, 35(2), 215-225.
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  PMID: 22325571;Abstract: Using data from the Durham Child Health and Development Study (n=148), the current study examines the associations between child and parenting variables at 6 months and child attachment quality at 12 months of age and maternal report of child self regulation at 24 months of age. Child and parent variables predicted distinct forms of insecure attachment relationships. Observations of infant soothability during the reunion session of the Face-to-Face Still Face Paradigm at 6 months differentially predicted children with later insecure-ambivalent attachments from those with secure attachments. Observations of maternal negative intrusiveness at 6 months of age differentially predicted children with insecure-avoidant attachments from those with secure attachments. Maternal sensitivity at 6 months was associated with maternal report of child affective problems at 24 months, but this association was moderated by infant negativity during soothing and later moderated by child attachment quality. Collectively, these results suggest the following two mutually exclusive possibilities regarding infant soothability and later ambivalent attachment quality: either infant soothability is a unique and distinct predictor of later ambivalent attachment quality and this cascade represents a developmental shift in child risk during the first year of life, or that infant soothability following a stressful task at 6 months of age is itself an early indicator of ambivalent attachment behavior with the mother. The data from the current study could not provide differential support for one possibility over the other. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.
• Barnett, M. A., Scaramella, L. V., McGoron, L., & Callahan, K. (2011). Coparenting cooperation and child adjustment in low-income mother-grandmother and mother-father families. Family Science, 2(3), 159-170.
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  Abstract: Coparenting represents an important resource for mothers and children, particularly those confronting the multiple risks associated with economic disadvantage. The present study considers how coparenting cooperation in mother-grandmother and mother-father families relates to mothers' parenting and children's adjustment among a community sample of 117 urban, low-income, predominantly African American families with one preschool and one early school age child. Unique to the present study was almost equal representation of mother-grandmother and mother-father coparent families. We examined whether mother-reported coparenting cooperation was associated with mothers' harsh and positive parenting, and children's social competence and behavior problems.We also considered whether patterns linking coparenting cooperation to parenting and child development were consistent across coparenting configuration and child age. Results indicate positive influences of coparenting cooperation on mothers' positive parenting of older siblings, and on younger and older children's social competence. No differences between coparenting configurations emerged. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.
• Mills-Koonce, W. R., Appleyard, K., Barnett, M., Deng, M., Putallaz, M., & Cox, M. (2011). Adult attachment style and stress as risk factors for early maternal sensitivity and negativity. Infant Mental Health Journal, 32(3), 277-285.
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  Abstract: The current study examined the individual and joint effects of self-reported adult attachment style, psychological distress, and parenting stress on maternal caregiving behaviors at 6 and 12 months of child age. We proposed a diathesis-stress model to examine the potential deleterious effects of stress for mothers with insecure adult attachment styles. Data from 137 mothers were gathered by the longitudinal Durham Child Health and Development Study. Mothers provided self-reports using C. Hazan and P. Shaver's (1987) Adult Attachment Style measure, the Brief Symptom Inventory (L.R. Derogatis & P.M. Spencer, 1982), and the Parent Stress Inventory (R.R. Abidin, 1995); observations of parenting data were made from 10-min free-play interactions. Consistently avoidant mothers were less sensitive with their infants than were consistently secure mothers; however, this effect was limited to avoidant mothers who experienced elevated levels of psychological distress. Results suggest that the association between insecure adult attachment style and insensitive parenting behavior is moderated by concurrent psychosocial stress. Clinical implications for these findings are discussed. Copyright © 2011 Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health.
• Mills-Koonce, W. R., Garrett-Peters, P., Barnett, M., Granger, D. A., Blair, C., & Cox, M. J. (2011). Father Contributions to Cortisol Responses in Infancy and Toddlerhood. Developmental Psychology, 47(2), 388-395.
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  PMID: 21142362;Abstract: The current study is one of the first prospective examinations of longitudinal associations between observed father caregiving behaviors and child cortisol reactivity and regulation in response to emotional arousal. Observations of father and mother caregiving behaviors and child cortisol levels in response to challenges at 7 months and 24 months of child age were collected. Analyses were based on a subsample of children from the Family Life Project who lived with both their biological mothers and fathers and for whom there was at least partial cortisol data (7 months: n = 717; 24 months: n = 579). At the challenge conducted at 7 months of child age, 49.0% of the sample were girls; racial composition of the sample was 25.8% African American and 74.2% European American. At the challenge conducted at 24 months of child age 49.9% of the sample were girls; racial composition was 24.7% African American and 75.3% European American. We conducted analyses across assessment points simultaneously using mixed linear modeling for repeated measures data to test for differential effects of fathering across infancy and toddlerhood. Concurrent measures of father negativity were positively associated with greater increases in child cortisol levels in response to emotion challenge at 7 months (p = .01) and with higher overall levels of cortisol at 24 months (p < .001). However, there was no evidence that father caregiving during infancy independently predicted later cortisol activity during toddlerhood. © 2010 American Psychological Association.
• Mills-Koonce, W., Appleyard, K., Barnett, M., Deng, M., Putallaz, M., & Cox, M. (2011). Adult attachment as a protective factor for parenting among mothers with elevated psychological risk. Infant Mental Health Journal, 32(2), 277-285.
• Mills-Koonce, W., Garrett-Peters, P., Barnett, M., Granger, D., Blair, C., & Cox, M. (2011). Paternal contributions to cortisol responses in infancy and toddlerhood. Developmental Psychology, 47(2), 388-395.
• Mills-Koonce, W., Propper, C., Barnett, M., & Life, F. (2011). Infant soothability and later insecure-ambivalent attachment: Developmental change in phenotypic markers of risk or two measures of the same construct?. Infant Behavior and Development, 35, 215-225.
• Barnett, M. A., Scaramella, L. V., Neppl, T. K., Ontai, L. L., & Conger, R. D. (2010). Grandmother involvement as a protective factor for early childhood social adjustment. Journal of Family Psychology, 24(5), 635-645.
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  PMID: 20954774;PMCID: PMC2976599;Abstract: Despite high rates of grandmother involvement with young grandchildren, very little research has examined the associations between nonresidential grandmother involvement and grandchild social adjustment. The present study involved 127 families enrolled in the Family Transitions Project to consider the degree to which mother-reported maternal grandmother involvement buffered 3- and 4-year-old grandchildren from economic, parenting, and child temperamental risks for reduced social competence and elevated externalizing behaviors. Findings indicate that higher levels of mother-reported grandmother involvement reduced the negative association between observed grandchild negative emotional reactivity and social competence. Furthermore, higher levels of mother-reported grandmother involvement protected grandchildren from the positive association between observed mother harsh parenting and grandchild externalizing behaviors. These findings underscore the relevance of moving beyond the nuclear family to understand factors linked to social adjustment during early childhood. © 2010 American Psychological Association.
• Barnett, M. A., Scaramella, L. V., Neppl, T. K., Ontai, L., & Conger, R. D. (2010). Intergenerational relationship quality, gender, and grandparent involvement. Family Relations, 59(1), 28-44.
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  Abstract: This prospective, intergenerational study (N = 181) considered how parent (G1, Generation 1) and child (G2, Generation 2) relationship quality during adolescence and adulthood is associated with G1's level of involvement with their 3- to 4-year-old grandchildren (G3, Generation 3). Path model analyses indicated different patterns of results for the involvement of grandmothers and grandfathers with the children of their G2 sons and daughters Current parent-reported G1-G2 relationship quality was positively associated with G2 report of G1 involvement with G3, especially for G2 daughters The relations among confounding variables, including geographic distance, socioeconomic status, and grandparent marital status and grandparent involvement with grandchildren, were considered. Results highlight the roles of intergenerational relationship quality and gender configuration of the G1-G2 dyad in shaping grandparent involvement with grandchildren.© 2010 by the National Council on Family Relations.
• Barnett, M. A., Shanahan, L., Deng, M., Haskett, M. E., & Cox, M. J. (2010). Independent and interactive contributions of parenting behaviors and beliefs in the prediction of early childhood behavior problems. Parenting, 10(1), 43-59.
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  Abstract: Objective. This study examined interactions between parenting beliefs and parenting behaviors in the prediction of early childhood externalizing and internalizing symptoms. Design. The authors observed sensitive and negative intrusive parenting behaviors during infancy and toddlerhood in conjunction with self-reported maternal beliefs about the importance of discipline/control and concerns regarding spoiling in a community sample of 185 African American and European American mother-child dyads. Multiple regression techniques modeled interactions between parenting self-reported parenting beliefs and observed parenting behaviors to predict mother-reported child internalizing symptoms and mother-reported child externalizing symptoms at 30 and 36 months. The analyses also explored the role of ethnicity as a moderator of these relations. Results. The combination of high and average spoiling beliefs and low levels of sensitive parenting was associated with elevated child internalizing symptoms. Negative parenting and beliefs reflecting concerns about spoiling were independent risk factors for elevated child externalizing symptoms. Conclusion. Parenting beliefs and behaviors should be considered jointly to identify risks for the development of early behavior problems. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
• Barnett, M. A., & Taylor, L. C. (2009). Parental recollections of school experiences and current kindergarten transition practices. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 30(2), 140-148.
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  Abstract: This study adopts an intergenerational approach to explore parental activities to facilitate children's transition to kindergarten. Structured interviews were conducted with 76 mothers from a diverse community sample whose children were about to start kindergarten. The emotional "valence," or general positivity or negativity, of the mothers' recounted recollections of their own school experiences regarding teachers, peers, and the school involvement of their own parents was coded from the interviews. Findings support an intergenerational trend for the use of academic transition activities. Positive recollections of the school involvement of their own parents were associated with reporting greater engagement in current academic transition activities, even when accounting for present income, self-esteem and self-efficacy. The valence of school recollections did not predict engagement in discussions about the social aspects of the transition to school. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
• Mills-Koonce, W. R., Propper, C., Gariepy, J., Barnett, M., Moore, G. A., Calkins, S., & Cox, M. J. (2009). Psychophysiological Correlates of Parenting Behavior in Mothers of Young Children. Developmental Psychobiology, 51(8), 650-661.
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  PMID: 19739135;Abstract: This study investigated HPA and vagal functioning as correlates of parenting in mothers of 175 six-month-old children. Salivary cortisol indexed HPA functioning and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) reduction indexed vagal regulation. Positive engagement and negative intrusiveness were observed during the Face-to-Face Still Face Paradigm (FFSFP) reunion and a semi-structured free play episode. Mixed modeling was used to examine differences in maternal behaviors across contexts as a function of psychophysiology. Main effects of cortisol levels, as well as interactions with RSA reduction and context, predicted negative intrusiveness. Mothers with high cortisol exhibited more negative intrusiveness if they also had lower RSA reduction. Mothers were also less negatively intrusive during the FFSFP than the free play if they had lower cortisol levels. There were no associations between psychophysiological measures and positive engagement. The findings suggest: (1) that parenting behaviors are associated with maternal stress physiology; (2) considerations of single physiological systems related to parenting behaviors may be incomplete; and (3) type and context of behaviors must be considered when examining biobehavioral associations with parenting. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
• Barnett, M. A. (2008). Economic disadvantage in complex family systems: Expansion of family stress models. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 11(3), 145-161.
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  PMID: 18491229;Abstract: Economic disadvantage is associated with multiple risks to early socioemotional development. This article reviews research regarding family stress frameworks to model the pathways from economic disadvantage to negative child outcomes via family processes. Future research in this area should expand definitions of family and household to incorporate diversity and instability. This expansion would be particularly relevant for research among low-income ethnic minority families and families with young children. This line of research would highlight specific pathways to target to prevent the onset of early parental and child dysfunction. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.
• Barnett, M. A. (2008). Mother and grandmother parenting in low-income three-generation rural households. Journal of Marriage and Family, 70(5), 1241-1257.
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  Abstract: This study draws data from the Family Life Project to examine parenting behaviors observed for 105 mothers and grandmothers raising an infant in rural low-income multigenerational households. Multilevel models are used to examine the relationships between maternal age and psychological distress and parenting of the infant by both generations. The findings indicate that young maternal age is a risk factor for less sensitive parenting in the presence of other risks, including psychological distress. Further, young maternal age is associated with negative parenting behaviors by grandmothers only. Grandmothers and mothers displayed similar levels of negative intrusive parenting, but different factors were linked to the observed parenting of each generation. These findings contribute to understanding the benefits and risks of three-generation households. © National Council on Family Relations, 2008.
• Barnett, M. A., Deng, M., Mills-Koonce, W. R., Willoughby, M., & Cox, M. (2008). Interdependence of Parenting of Mothers and Fathers of Infants. Journal of Family Psychology, 22(4), 561-573.
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  PMID: 18729670;Abstract: This study examined the relations among parenting behaviors of 97 coresident mothers and fathers of infants during a dyadic free-play setting. The authors examined the extent to which observed sensitive and intrusive parenting behaviors in mother-child and father-child dyads were related and how perceived marital quality may be associated with the similarity between maternal and paternal parenting behaviors. The authors found support for interdependence of parenting by mothers and fathers. High perceived marital quality was associated with interdependence of sensitive parenting behaviors in mother-infant and father-infant interactions. Negative parenting behaviors by mothers and fathers were interrelated regardless of marital quality. The findings highlight the importance of studying parenting by mothers and fathers as embedded within particular family systems. © 2008 American Psychological Association.

Presentations

• Curran, M., Li, X., Barnett, M. A., Olena, K., Alexa, C., & Ashley, L. (2021). Finances, depressive symptoms, destructive conflict, and coparenting among lower-income, unmarried couples: A two-wave, cross-lagged analysis.. International Association of Relationship Research (IARR) conference.
• Kopystynska, O., Barnett, M. A., Bradford, K., & Higginbotham, B. (2021, April). Psychological distress, destructive interparental conflict, and parenting among residential and nonresidential fathers. Utah Council on Family Relations. virtual.
• Kopystynska, O., Barnett, M. A., Bradford, K., Higginbotham, B., & Curran, M. (2021, April). Implications of marital quality on children’s emotional insecurity in the context of interparental conflict. Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Biennial Meeting.
• Nadorff, D., Barnett, M. A., & Yancura, L. (2021, November). The Moderation of Middle-Generation Support on the Relation of Stress and Depression in Coresident Grandparents.. Gerontological Society of America.
• Paschall, K. W., Barnett, M. A., Mastergeorge, A. M., Vasquez, M. B., Li, X., & Cooper, V. (2021, April). Classroom Interactional Quality: Profiles of Individual Teacher- Child Relationship and Global Teaching Quality in Head Start. Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Biennial Meeting.
• Barnett, M. A. (2017, April). Interactive Processes Linking Father Involvement to Children’s Development: How and When Father Involvement Impacts Children.. Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development. Austin, TX: Society for Research in Child Development.
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  RC2Chaired ad organized a symposium.Listed as accepted in 2016Barnett, M.A. (2017, April). Interactive Processes Linking Father Involvement to Children’s Development: How and When Father Involvement Impacts Children. Paper symposium to be presented at the Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, Austin, TX.
• Barnett, M. A., Kopystynska, O., Paschall, K., & Curran, M. (2017, April). Interactions among the quality and quantity of fathers’ parenting: Links to young children’s development.. Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development. Austin, TX: Society for Research in Child Development.
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  RC2Paper presented as part of a symposium.Listed as accepted in 2016
• Gonzalez, H., & Barnett, M. A. (2017, April). Cultural Values, Father Involvement, and Child Development: A Pathway to Foster Prosocial Behavior in Young Children. Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development. Austin, TX: Society for Research in Child Development.
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  RC2Paper presented as part of a symposium.Listed as accepted 2016.
• Kopystynska, O., Paschall, K., Barnett, M. A., & Curran, M. (2017, April). Patterns of interparental conflict in relation to parenting and children’s behavior problems: A person-centered approach.. Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development. Austin, TX: Society for Research in Child Development.
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  RC2First author is a graduate student. Paper presentation.Listed as accepted in 2016.
• Barnett, M. A. (2016, May). Influences on Social-Emotional Development in the Context of Parenting and Socioeconomic Adversity Across Early Childhood.. International Conference on Infant Studies. New Orleans, LA: International Conference on Infant Studies.
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  RC2Chaired a conference symposium.Barnett, M.A. (2016, May). Influences on Social-Emotional Development in the Context of Parenting and Socioeconomic Adversity Across Early Childhood. Paper symposium presented at the International Conference on Infant Studies, New Orleans, LA.
• Barnett, M. A., & Curran, M. A. (2016, November). Instability in Diverse Families. Annual Meeting of the National Council on Family Relations. Minneapolis, MN: National Council on Family Relations.
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  RC2Paper symposium co-chaired.Curran, M.A., & Barnett, M.A. (2016, November). Instability in Diverse Families.(Discussant: Cass Dorius). Paper symposium presented at the Annual Conference of the National Council on Family Relations, Minneapolis, MN.
• Barnett, M. A., Curran, M. A., & Paschall, K. W. (2016, November). Multidimensional approaches to family instability across the transition to parenthood.. Annual Meeting of National Council on Family Relations. Minneapolis, MN: National Council on Family Relations.
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  RC2Paper presented in a symposium co-organized by Curran & Barnett.
• Gonzalez, H., & Barnett, M. A. (2016, February). Influence of cultural values on responsible fatherhood.. National Families and Fathers Annual Conference. Los Angeles: National Families and Fathers Coalition.
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  RC2Conference presentation/workshop
• Gonzalez, H., & Barnett, M. A. (2016, November). Sociocultural Contextual Stressors, Cultural Values, and Mexican-origin Fathers.. Annual Meeting of the National Council on Family Relations. Minneapolis, MN: National Council on Family Relations.
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  RC2Paper presented in a symposium.Henry was a student at the time of submission.
• Mortensen, J., Barnett, M. A., & Mastergeorge, A. (2016, May). Interaction of parenting quality and child care teacher sensitivity in the development of emotion regulation in early childhood.. International Conference on Infant Studies. New Orleans, LA: International Congress on Infant Studies.
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  RC2Paper presented in a symposium.
• Paschall, K., Mastergeorge, A., & Barnett, M. A. (2016, May). Bidirectional Associations Between Harsh Parenting and Children’s Emotion Regulation: A Person-Centered Analysis.. International Conference on Infant Studies. New Orleans, LA: International Conference on Infant Studies.
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  RC2Katie was a student at the time of submission.
• Barnett, M. A., Mastergeorge, A. M., & Cutshaw, C. A. (2015, Fall). Child Care Factors that Influence Parental Engagement: Understanding Longitudinal Pathways to Children’s School Readiness. 2015 Annual Meeting of the Child Care Policy Research Consortium. Washington, D.C.: Office of Planning, Research and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families.
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  Presentation of grant plan at grantee meeting.
• Barnett, M. A., Mortensen, J. A., Gonzalez, J., & Gonzalez, H. (2015, November). Mexican origin mothers' use of physical discipline and toddlers' behavior problems: Moderation by cultural values and parenting beliefs.. National Council on Family Relations. Vancouver, BC, Canada.
• Barnett, M. A., Riley, M., Sapotichne, B., & Scaramella, L. (2015, March). Bidirectional Links Among Parenting and Young Children’s Externalizing Behaviors: Moderation by Maternal and Child Characteristics. SRCD Biennial Conference.
• Gonzalez, H., & Barnett, M. A. (2015, November). Fathers who separate and reintegrate: A close look at the impact of incarceration, deployment, and deportation on father involvement.. Theory Construction and Research Methodology Workshop Pre-Conference at the National Council on Family Relations. Vancouver, BC, Canada.
• Gonzalez, J., & Barnett, M. A. (2015, November). Transformative siblings: Coparenting relationships in diverse family systems. Theory Construction and Research Methodology Workshop Pre-Conference at the National Council on Family Relations. Vancouver, BC, Canada.
• Gustafsson, H., Barnett, M. A., Cox, M., & Key Investigators, F. P. (2015, November). Physical aggression in grandmother-mother multigenerational families.. National Council on Family Relations. Vancouver, BC, Canada.
• Ontai, L., Hollis, N., Barnett, M. A., Greder, K., McGuire, J., Radunovich, H., & Sano, Y. (2015, November). Psycho‐social risk and child obesity in low‐income, rural, families.. National Council on Family Relations. Vancouver, BC, Canada.
• Barnett, M. A., Mortensen, J. A., Gonzalez, H., & Gonzalez, J. (2014, November). Culturally informed moderators of links between neighborhood risk and supportive parenting. SRCD Special Topic Meeting: Parenting at Risk.
• Gonzalez, H., Gonzalez, J., & Barnett, M. A. (2014, November). Coparenting support influences in incarcerated and uninvolved father families.. NCFR Annual Conference.
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  RC2
• Gonzalez, J., Gonzalez, H., & Barnett, M. A. (2014, November). Parental school involvement as a protective factor for early school success.. National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) Annual Conference.
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  RC2
• Barnett, M. A. (2013, August). Supporting Grandparents Raising Their Grandchildren. First Things First Arizona Annual Summit. Phoenix.
• Barnett, M. A., De Baca, T. C., Jordan, A., Tilley, E., & Ellis, B. (2013, November). Direct Child Social Support as a Moderator of Family Stress Processes. Annual Conference of the National Council on Family Relations. San Antonio, TX.
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  RC2
• Barnett, M. A., Mortensen, J. A., & Gonzalez, H. (2013, April). Mexican American Mothers Parenting Beliefs and Cultural Values as Buffers of Neighborhood Disadvantage. Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD). Seattle.
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  (listed as accepted, 2012)RC2
• Barnett, M. A., Scaramella, L. V., Sapotichne, B., & McGoron, L. (2013, April). Associations between Fear Reactivity and Mothers' Parenting: Variations by Child Gender.. Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD). Seattle.
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  (2012, listed as accepted)RC2
• Gonzalez, H., & Barnett, M. A. (2013, November). Economic Stress and Child Wellbeing in Latino Stepfamilies and Biological Families.. Annual Conference of the National Council on Family Relations. San Antonio.
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  RC2

Poster Presentations

• Barnett, M. A., Vasquez, M. B., Li, X., & Cooper, V. (2021, April). COVID-19 Pandemic- Related Risks to Parenting Processes for Mothers and Fathers of Young Children. Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Biennial Meeting. virtual.
• Cooper, V., Vasquez, M. B., & Barnett, M. A. (2021, November). Economic Strain, Parenting Stress, and Harsh Parenting During COVID-19. National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) Annual Conference. virtual.
• Vasquez, M. B., Barnett, M. A., & Curran, M. A. (2021, April). Social support as a buffer between depressive symptoms and parental warmth. Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Biennial Meeting. virtual.
• Vasquez, M. B., Cooper, V., & Barnett, M. A. (2021, November). Posttraumatic Growth Among Parents During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Support as a Protective Factor.. National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) Annual Conference. virtual.
• Warren, S. M., & Barnett, M. A. (2019, March). Parenting as a Proximal Mediator for Early Environmental Harshness and Children’s Effortful Control. Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development. Baltimore, MD.
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  RC2
• Barnett, M. A., & Warren, S. M. (2018, June). Early Life Harshness & Unpredictability: Adaptively Shaping Young Children’s Effortful Control.. National Research Conference on Early Childhood.
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  RC2Poster based on analyses extended from Shannon's MS thesis.
• Kopystynska, O., Barnett, M. A., Curran, M. A., & Li, X. (2018, October). Constructive and Destructive Interparental Conflict, Parenting, and Coparenting Alliance. SRCD Special Topic Meeting DEVSEC: Conference on the Use of Secondary and Open Source Data.
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  RC2Poster based on one of Olena's dissertation papers. I presented the poster at the conference.
• Paschall, K. W., Mastergeorge, A., Barnett, M. A., & Cutshaw, C. (2018, October). Links Among Early Childhood Education Factors and Parent Engagement Practices in Two Contexts. Poster presented at the SRCD Special Topic Meeting DEVSEC: Conference on the Use of Secondary and Open Source Data. Phoenix.
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  RC2Poster based on analyses for secondary data analysis grant
• Yancura, L., Walsh, B., Barnett, M. A., & Hoover, M. (2018, November). Tri-parenting or try parenting: Online responses to a nontraditional family structure. National Council on Family Relations Annual conference.
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  RC2
• Paschall, K. W., Barnett, M. A., Mastergeorge, A. M., & Cutshaw, C. A. (2017, May). Promoting kindergartener’s social-emotional skills: The role of parental engagement in children’s preschool education.. Society for Prevention Research.
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  RC2
• Pech, A., Colacicco, R., Curran, M. A., Barnett, M. A., & Paschall, K. (2017, April). Associations among parental depressive symptoms, coparenting and behavior in young children with previously incarcerated fathers. Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development. Austin, TX: Society for Research in Child Development.
  More info

  RC2First author is a graduate student.Listed as accepted in 2016.
• Warren, S., & Barnett, M. A. (2017, April). Harshness and unpredictability in the family context: Predicting young children’s effortful control.. Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development. Austin, TX: Society for Research in Child Development.
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  RC2Shannon is a graduate student.Listed as accepted in 2016.
• Barnett, M. A., Paschall, K., & Curran, M. A. (2016, July). Multiple dimensions of fathers’ parenting: Links to children’s behavior problems and language development.. National Research Conference on Early Childhood. Washington, DC: Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services.
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  RC2
• Gonzalez, H., & Barnett, M. A. (2016, June). Examining the influence of cultural values on pathways to strengthen responsible fatherhood among Mexican-origin fathers. Annual Research and Evaluation Conference on Self-Sufficiency. Washington, DC: Administration for Children & Families, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.
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  RC2Presented as part of final product for dissertation fellowship grant.
• Gonzalez, H., Cohen, J., & Barnett, M. A. (2016, October). Grandfathers, fathers, and sons: The role of intergenerational relations on Mexican-origin fathers’ parenting practices and attitudes.. Society for Research in Child Development Special Topic Meeting: Babies, Boys and Men of Color. Tampa, FL: Society for Research in Child Development.
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  RC2Poster accepted while Henry was a graduate student. The second author was an undergraduate student when the poster was submitted.
• Helm, S. V., Pollitt, A., Barnett, M. A., & Curran, M. A. (2016, November). Examining parents’ environmental values, coping strategies and behavior.. Annual Meeting of the National Council on Family Relations. Minneapolis, MN: National Council on Family Relations.
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  RC2
• Kopystynska, O., Paschall, K., & Barnett, M. A. (2016, November). Change and stability of parental conflict using a person-centered approach. National Council on Family Relations Annual Meeting. Minneapolis, MN: National Council on Family Relations.
  More info

  RC2Student poster
• Gonzalez, H., Barnett, M. A., & Scott, M. (2015, March). Intergenerational Transmission of Parenting: The Role of Paternal Figures For Hispanic Fathers’ Parenting Practices and Attitudes. SRCD Biennial Meeting.
• Gonzalez, H., Pech, A., & Barnett, M. A. (2015, November). Predictors of Relationship Continuity in Families with Incarcerated Fathers.. National Council on Family Relations. Vancouver, BC, Canada.
• Mortensen, J. A., Barnett, M. A., & Mastergeorge, A. M. (2015, November). Harsh parenting and young children’s emotion regulation across infancy. National Council on Family Relations. Vancouver, BC, Canada.
• Mortensen, J., & Barnett, M. A. (2015, March). Individual differences in the development of emotion regulation for infants in center-based child care. SRCD Biennial Meeting.
• Paschall, K., Mortensen, J. A., Barnett, M. A., & Mastergeorge, A. M. (2015, November). The effect of cumulative enrollment in Early Head Start on parenting. National Council on Family Relations. Vancouver, BC, Canada.
• Gonzalez, H., Gonzalez, J. M., & Barnett, M. A. (2014, April). Parental Monitoring and Children’s School and Behavioral Adjustment: Family Structure Comparisons in Low-Income Families.. SRCD Special Topic Meeting: Strengthening Connections Among Child and Family Research, Policy and Practice.. Arlington, VA.
• Mortensen, J. A., & Barnett, M. A. (2014, July). Teacher Caregiving Quality and the Development of Infant/Toddler Emotion Regulation in Center-Based Child Care. Head Start Research Conference. Washington, D.C..
• Mortensen, J., & Barnett, M. A. (2014, July). Caregiving Experiences in Preschool: The Influence of Global Teacher Quality and Individual Teacher-Child Relationships on Children’s Behavior Problems. Head Start Research Conference. Washington, D.C..
• Barnett, M. A., & Mortensen, J. A. (2013, August). Grandmother Involvement, Psychological Distress and Parenting in Mexican Origin Families.. American Psychological Association Annual Conference. Honolulu.
• Gonzalez, H., & Barnett, M. A. (2013, April). Coparenting, Mother-Child Relationships, and Child Behavior Problems in Mexican-American Families with RPS Fathers.. Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD). Seattle.
• Gonzalez, H., Barnett, M. A., Mortensen, J., Paschall, K., & Mastergeorge, A. (2013, August). Influence of Biological and Social Father Support on Mexican-American Mothers' Depression. American Psychological Association Annual Conference. Honolulu.
• Gonzalez, H., Mortensen, J. A., Paschall, K., Barnett, M. A., & Mastergeorge, A. (2013, April). Parenting Practices: Contextual Correlates of Parenting Styles Among Low-Income Mothers.. Society for Research in Child Development. Seattle.
• Mortensen, J., Barnett, M. A., Paschall, K., Gonzalez, H., & Mastergeorge, A. (2013, August). Caregiving experiences in child care: Global and individual measures of teacher-child interactions.. American Psychological Association Annual Conference. Honolulu.

Others

• Daws, J. T., Walsh, M. E., & Barnett, M. A. (2014, December). The 2012 Family and Community Survey on Early Childhood. Internal report for First Things First, available upon request.