Kaitlin P Ward
Biographic Data
| ID | 4227394 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Kaitlin P Ward |
| GIVEN NAMES | Kaitlin P |
| FAMILY NAME | Ward |
| SIGNATURE | WARD K P |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Michigan |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-0780-2359 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 32 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 66 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 32 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2018 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
How does context shape differences and changes in caregivers’ engagement in psychosocial stimulation over time? Evidence from a cross-national study
As few as 34% of 3- and 4-year-olds in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) receive adequate psychosocial stimulation from their caregivers (e.g., reading books, telling stories, playing). While previous research suggests that structural conditions within LMICs meaningfully influence caregivers’ capacities to engage in psychosocial stimulation of children, it remains unclear how such conditions may underlie both within-household and between-p…
Stigma of Suicide’s Effects on Gatekeeping Behaviors Among Families in Mexico
Exploring father–adolescent closeness: A random forest approach
Interactions of gender inequality and parental discipline predicting child aggression in low- and middle-income countries
Children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are disproportionately at risk of not meeting their developmental potential. Parental discipline can promote and hinder child outcomes; however, little research examines how discipline interacts with contextual factors to predict child outcomes in LMICs. Using data from 208,156 households with children between 36 and 59 months (50.5% male) across 63 countries, this study examined whether intera…
Efficacy of a school-based mental health intervention among Zambian youth: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial
While many children in Africa face notable psychological problems, the majority do not receive needed mental health services. The My FRIENDS Youth Program, a universal cognitive-behavioral intervention for anxiety prevention and resilience enhancement, has demonstrated effectiveness across cultures in children and adolescents. This study explores whether the program’s effectiveness extends to Zambian children. Participants were 75 children and ad…
Examining the effects of a low-cost literacy intervention and psychosocial moderators on reading proficiency and academic performance among Zambian children
The influence of access to care on the health literacy of families in Mexico
Health literacy (HL) is essential to understanding health information and achieving health goals. Unfortunately, limited information is available on how parent HL impact child health outcomes. This is critical to understand in areas of the world where access to healthcare services is limited or unavailable. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the moderating influence of access to care on the relationship between parent HL and child heal…
Shared parental responsiveness among fathers and mothers with low income and early child outcomes
Parent–child conflict and adolescent health literacy in Mexico: Results from a nationwide dyad study in Mexico
Research suggests that health literacy (HL) is critical in preventing and managing health problems. However, over half of adults in Mexico report having inadequate health literacy. Research suggests the parent-child relationship can be a key predictor of developmental competencies; however, little research has examined how dyadic family interactions relate to HL. This study examined whether parent-child relationship conflict was associated with a…
Tell me what I'm doing wrong: Criticism of parenting choices and mental health during Covid-19
Examining coping and acculturative stress as mediators between perceived discrimination and internalising symptoms among African immigrants
This study examined whether avoidant coping behaviours and acculturative stress functioned as mechanisms linking perceived discrimination to internalising mental health symptoms among African immigrants living in the United States. We used cross‐sectional data collected between December 2019 and January 2020 from US‐based first and second‐generation African immigrants ( N = 599, 50% first‐generation, 82% Black, 71% female, mean age = 30). Path mo…
Prevalence, increase and predictors of family violence during the Covid-19 pandemic, using modern machine learning approaches
Using modernized predictive algorithms, we present a spectrum of features that can have influential weight on prediction of child maltreatment. Increasing awareness about family violence consequences and promoting parenting programs centered around mental health are imperative
Gender Inequality in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Associations with Parental Physical Abuse and Moderation by Child Gender
Gender inequality perpetuates women's economic insecurity and a culture of violence. Parental distress caused by economic pressure may increase violence against children. High levels of gender inequality and interpersonal violence may contribute to higher levels of physical abuse. Using an ecological perspective, this study examines the association of country-level gender inequality and household-level parental physical abuse, and the moderating …
Associations of food insecurity and material social support with parent and child mental health during Covid-19
The Transition to Siblinghood: An Understudied Yet Influential Process Pertinent to Social Work Research
Across cultures, the majority of individuals will have a sibling relationship in their lifetime. Of particular importance to parents and children is the transition to siblinghood, which refers to the process wherein a child becomes a sibling. Although many parents are concerned about how their children will adjust during the transition to siblinghood, scant empirical work on this subject exists. Available empirical work on the transition to sibli…
Working memory development from early childhood to adolescence using two nationally representative samples
We leveraged nationally representative data from the Panel study of Income Dynamics-Child Development Supplement ( N = 3,562) and the Early Childhood Longitudinal study ( N = 18,174), to chart the development of working memory, indexed via verbal forward and backward digit span task performance, from 3 to 19 years of age. Results revealed nonlinear growth patterns for forward and backward digit span tasks, with the most rapid growth occurring dur…
Global perspectives on physical and nonphysical discipline: A Bayesian multilevel analysis
Background and Objective: Sixty countries worldwide have banned the use of physical punishment, yet little is known about the association of physical and nonphysical forms of child discipline with child development in a global context. The objective of this study is to examine whether physical punishment and nonphysical discipline are associated with child socioemotional functioning in a global sample of families from 62 countries and whether cou…
A Randomized Clinical Trial Testing a Parenting Intervention Among Afghan and Rohingya Refugees in Malaysia
Refugee families experience uncertainty and stress when residing in countries of first asylum, such as Malaysia, and may benefit from supportive parenting interventions. In the greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia area we piloted an eight‐week parenting program with 79 Rohingya and Afghan mothers in nine separate groups. Participants were randomized to an intervention group or a waitlist control group and those in each arm completed a 3‐month follow‐up…
Parental Social Isolation and Child Maltreatment Risk during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Financial hardship, neighborhood cohesion and child externalizing behaviors: An extension of the family stress model among immigrant mothers
Parenting activities and the transition to home-based education during the Covid-19 pandemic
Immigrant Generation, Race, and Socioeconomic Outcomes of Mothers in Urban Cities: Who Fares Better
Retreat Intervention Effectiveness for Female Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
Purpose: Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a widespread issue that can have detrimental effects on adult well-being. As demand for CSA treatment is high, it is important for clinicians to understand what forms of interventions are effective. Method: This quasi-experimental study examined the effectiveness of a 4-day retreat intervention for 986 adult female CSA survivors. Multilevel growth curve modeling was used to analyze treatment group effects,…
Mothers’ and fathers’ parenting stress, responsiveness, and child wellbeing among low-income families
A Bayesian analysis of associations between neighborhoods, spanking and child externalizing behavior
Parenting activities and the transition to home-based education during the Covid-19 pandemic
Mothers’ and fathers’ parenting stress, responsiveness, and child wellbeing among low-income families
Parental Social Isolation and Child Maltreatment Risk during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Working memory development from early childhood to adolescence using two nationally representative samples
We leveraged nationally representative data from the Panel study of Income Dynamics-Child Development Supplement ( N = 3,562) and the Early Childhood Longitudinal study ( N = 18,174), to chart the development of working memory, indexed via verbal forward and backward digit span task performance, from 3 to 19 years of age. Results revealed nonlinear growth patterns for forward and backward digit span tasks, with the most rapid growth occurring dur…
Stepfamily Closeness and Depression Among American Indian Emerging Adults: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach
Stepfamilies are one of the fastest growing family structures among all racial groups in the United States. Stepfamily research among many racial groups, specifically American Indians, is virtually nonexistent. This is unfortunate, as American Indians are more likely to divorce and remarry compared with other populations. From a family systems perspective, this study examined whether retrospectively perceived closeness in three stepfamily relatio…
Financial hardship, neighborhood cohesion and child externalizing behaviors: An extension of the family stress model among immigrant mothers
A Bayesian analysis of associations between neighborhoods, spanking and child externalizing behavior
Associations of food insecurity and material social support with parent and child mental health during Covid-19
The Effectiveness of Neurofeedback in an Outpatient Setting: A Multilevel Modeling Approach
Purpose: Neurofeedback is an increasingly common therapeutic intervention for mental disorders. Most of the existent neurofeedback via electroencephalography (EEG-nf) research uses controlled studies to examine whether EEG-nf is an efficacious treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Less is known regarding the effectiveness of EEG-nf in clinical settings for symptoms other than ADHD. The purpose of this study was to examine…
Developing cultural competence with LDS clients: Utilizing spiritual genograms in social work practice
In recent years, social work has increasingly focused on spirituality and religion as key elements of cultural competence. Consequently, specific strategies have been developed to provide the most appropriate interventions for religious clients. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) is the fourth largest and the fastest growing church in the United States and is one of the fastest growing churches worldwide. In an effort to facili…
Assessing mental health and service needs among refugees in Malaysia
Refugees in Malaysia often experience economic insecurity and poverty, poor health, poor mental wellbeing and limited legal rights. Using a survey with quantitative measures and open‐ended questions, we assessed socio‐demographic characteristics, mental health (RHS‐15), and service needs, including interest in group support services, among 86 Dari‐ and Arabic‐speaking refugees living in Kuala Lumpur. High levels of emotional distress were found, …
The Importance of Biological Parent Coparenting in an American Indian Stepfamily Context
A number of protective factors associated with being American Indian exist; however, research shows that American Indians tend to experience higher rates of depressive symptoms than individuals of other racial or ethnic groups. Although prior research has examined sociocultural predictors of American Indian depression, less is known about the influence of familial functioning. This is particularly true for American Indian emerging adults who grew…
The Effectiveness of Neurofeedback in an Outpatient Setting: A Multilevel Modeling Approach
Purpose: Neurofeedback is an increasingly common therapeutic intervention for mental disorders. Most of the existent neurofeedback via electroencephalography (EEG-nf) research uses controlled studies to examine whether EEG-nf is an efficacious treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Less is known regarding the effectiveness of EEG-nf in clinical settings for symptoms other than ADHD. The purpose of this study was to examine…
Emerging Adult Attachment and Alcohol Abuse Among American Indians Raised in Stepfamilies
Indigenous groups worldwide exhibit disproportionally high rates of alcohol abuse. Although researchers have explored how broad socio-economic conditions contribute to this challenge, much less is known about the influence of interpersonal bonds on alcohol abuse. Prior studies have shown that anxious and avoidant attachment styles are predictors of alcohol abuse; however, this relationship has not been examined among many indigenous populations, …
A group mental health randomized controlled trial for female refugees in Malaysia
Forcibly displaced persons confront multiple stressors while awaiting permanent asylum or resettlement and often experience high levels of emotional distress. This study assessed an 8-week somatic-focused culturally adapted cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) group intervention with 39 female refugees from Afghanistan living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Twenty-nine participants were randomly assigned to treatment conditions, resulting in 20 particip…
Stepfamily Closeness and Depression Among American Indian Emerging Adults: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach
Stepfamilies are one of the fastest growing family structures among all racial groups in the United States. Stepfamily research among many racial groups, specifically American Indians, is virtually nonexistent. This is unfortunate, as American Indians are more likely to divorce and remarry compared with other populations. From a family systems perspective, this study examined whether retrospectively perceived closeness in three stepfamily relatio…
Immigrant Generation, Race, and Socioeconomic Outcomes of Mothers in Urban Cities: Who Fares Better
Retreat Intervention Effectiveness for Female Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
Purpose: Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a widespread issue that can have detrimental effects on adult well-being. As demand for CSA treatment is high, it is important for clinicians to understand what forms of interventions are effective. Method: This quasi-experimental study examined the effectiveness of a 4-day retreat intervention for 986 adult female CSA survivors. Multilevel growth curve modeling was used to analyze treatment group effects,…
Mothers’ and fathers’ parenting stress, responsiveness, and child wellbeing among low-income families
A Bayesian analysis of associations between neighborhoods, spanking and child externalizing behavior
Global perspectives on physical and nonphysical discipline: A Bayesian multilevel analysis
Background and Objective: Sixty countries worldwide have banned the use of physical punishment, yet little is known about the association of physical and nonphysical forms of child discipline with child development in a global context. The objective of this study is to examine whether physical punishment and nonphysical discipline are associated with child socioemotional functioning in a global sample of families from 62 countries and whether cou…
A Randomized Clinical Trial Testing a Parenting Intervention Among Afghan and Rohingya Refugees in Malaysia
Refugee families experience uncertainty and stress when residing in countries of first asylum, such as Malaysia, and may benefit from supportive parenting interventions. In the greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia area we piloted an eight‐week parenting program with 79 Rohingya and Afghan mothers in nine separate groups. Participants were randomized to an intervention group or a waitlist control group and those in each arm completed a 3‐month follow‐up…
Parental Social Isolation and Child Maltreatment Risk during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Financial hardship, neighborhood cohesion and child externalizing behaviors: An extension of the family stress model among immigrant mothers
Parenting activities and the transition to home-based education during the Covid-19 pandemic
Prevalence, increase and predictors of family violence during the Covid-19 pandemic, using modern machine learning approaches
Using modernized predictive algorithms, we present a spectrum of features that can have influential weight on prediction of child maltreatment. Increasing awareness about family violence consequences and promoting parenting programs centered around mental health are imperative
Gender Inequality in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Associations with Parental Physical Abuse and Moderation by Child Gender
Gender inequality perpetuates women's economic insecurity and a culture of violence. Parental distress caused by economic pressure may increase violence against children. High levels of gender inequality and interpersonal violence may contribute to higher levels of physical abuse. Using an ecological perspective, this study examines the association of country-level gender inequality and household-level parental physical abuse, and the moderating …
Associations of food insecurity and material social support with parent and child mental health during Covid-19
The Transition to Siblinghood: An Understudied Yet Influential Process Pertinent to Social Work Research
Across cultures, the majority of individuals will have a sibling relationship in their lifetime. Of particular importance to parents and children is the transition to siblinghood, which refers to the process wherein a child becomes a sibling. Although many parents are concerned about how their children will adjust during the transition to siblinghood, scant empirical work on this subject exists. Available empirical work on the transition to sibli…
Working memory development from early childhood to adolescence using two nationally representative samples
We leveraged nationally representative data from the Panel study of Income Dynamics-Child Development Supplement ( N = 3,562) and the Early Childhood Longitudinal study ( N = 18,174), to chart the development of working memory, indexed via verbal forward and backward digit span task performance, from 3 to 19 years of age. Results revealed nonlinear growth patterns for forward and backward digit span tasks, with the most rapid growth occurring dur…
Examining coping and acculturative stress as mediators between perceived discrimination and internalising symptoms among African immigrants
This study examined whether avoidant coping behaviours and acculturative stress functioned as mechanisms linking perceived discrimination to internalising mental health symptoms among African immigrants living in the United States. We used cross‐sectional data collected between December 2019 and January 2020 from US‐based first and second‐generation African immigrants ( N = 599, 50% first‐generation, 82% Black, 71% female, mean age = 30). Path mo…
The influence of access to care on the health literacy of families in Mexico
Health literacy (HL) is essential to understanding health information and achieving health goals. Unfortunately, limited information is available on how parent HL impact child health outcomes. This is critical to understand in areas of the world where access to healthcare services is limited or unavailable. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the moderating influence of access to care on the relationship between parent HL and child heal…
Shared parental responsiveness among fathers and mothers with low income and early child outcomes
Parent–child conflict and adolescent health literacy in Mexico: Results from a nationwide dyad study in Mexico
Research suggests that health literacy (HL) is critical in preventing and managing health problems. However, over half of adults in Mexico report having inadequate health literacy. Research suggests the parent-child relationship can be a key predictor of developmental competencies; however, little research has examined how dyadic family interactions relate to HL. This study examined whether parent-child relationship conflict was associated with a…
Psychology (31 works) · Medicine (20 works) · Developmental psychology (17 works) · Psychiatry (17 works) · Clinical Psychology (14 works) · Social Psychology (10 works) · Child Abuse and Trauma (9 works) · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development (9 works) · Clinical Psychology (9 works) · Mental health (9 works)