Recent News – The Positive Youth Development Lab at the University of Missouri

New Project Starting After Thanksgiving: We Are Recruiting Mothers and 12-to-16-Year-Olds from Mid-Missouri

We are excited to begin a new remote (video-conference and web survey-based) project addressing ways mothers and youth discuss important family stories together, and how family storytelling can be relevant…

Exercising Caution with COVID-19

12 Mar 202018 Mar 2020

To minimize risks for the potential spread of COVID-19 with participating families, we are pausing in-person data collection at this time. We are working to update our study procedures to…

Lab Publications…

Recent Publication on The Importance of Social Support for College Adults

21 Jan 202120 Jan 2021

We're excited to announce a recently accepted publication that was co-authored by lab graduate Rachel Wesley and Dr. Booker. This paper addressed the distinct benefits of social support from family,…

Lab Publications…

Recent Publication on College Student Agency and Well-Being

We are excited to share that a recent manuscript co-authored by lab members Rachel Wesley and Natasha Pierre has been accepted for publication by the Journal of College Student Development.…

Student Accomplishments

Congratulations to Natasha Pierre

We're excited to share that Natasha Pierre has been accepted to take part in the Psychology Diversity Recruitment Weekend at the University of Michigan. This program helps provide an exciting…

Remote Data Collection will Resume Shortly

We want to thank families for their patience as we have taken the time to revise our study procedures to ensure the safety of those interested in participating in our…

Conference Happenings

Busy Start to 2020

Things have been busy (but good!) in the lab, as different projects move forward and there have been opportunities to share some exciting science about teen and early adult development…

Recent Interview on Family Storytelling

Dr. Booker was recently interviewed by Allison Gilbert from the Center for Family Communications about some of the insights that causal storytelling can provide for families. That interview is now…

Student Work Being Recognized at Upcoming National Meeting

We are excited that a poster abstract based on work from multiple students' summer contributions--Max Boyd, Amanda Montgomery, Luke Schrand, and Rachel Wesley--has been accepted for presenting at the upcoming…

Recent Visit to St. Louis

Dr. Booker recently wrapped up a visit with colleagues at Harris-Stowe State University and neighboring institutions from the St. Louis area, helping with a day symposium to encourage more students…