Janice Disla, PhD

About

My research examines key aspects of family relationships as they relate to positive psychological and physical health during real-time parent-child interactions. Specifically, I have established a line of research on how parental emotional responses impact adolescent disclosure, and how adolescent disclosure in turn impacts various behavioral and health outcomes within understudied populations (e.g., different cultural groups, those with chronic illnesses). My research agenda is driven by a dynamic systems approach that highlights the bi-directional nature of relationships. Therefore, parenting not only affects the developing regulatory skills in the child, but these regulatory skills then also alter subsequent parenting. To capture this bi-directional dynamic in parent-child relationships, I employ dynamic observational methodologies. This theoretical and methodological foundation is a product of my graduate training in developmental psychology in family development. If you’re interested in learning more about me, keep reading or get in touch.