Alice Schermerhorn

BIO

Research has shown that family relationships affect children’s outcomes. But which children are most affected? And what mechanisms underlie these associations?

We study children’s socioemotional adjustment in the context of family relationships. Characteristics such as temperament (or early personality characteristics) are particularly important to study, because they may influence children’s responses to their families. Understanding temperament-related individual differences will help us identify which children are likely to function well, and which children might be more likely to need help.
We are also studying mechanisms underlying associations between family relationships and child adjustment, including neuropsychological processes, adrenocortical mechanisms, and cognitive and emotional reactions.
Our research is supported by an NIH Pathway to Independence Award (R00 HD064795; PI: Dr. Alice Schermerhorn).