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The Growth, Learning and Development (GLAD) Program Projects

Projects in Progress


Developmental Effects of Prenatal Substance Exposure

This longitudinal study examines the extent to which children and adolescents prenatally exposed to cocaine, tobacco, alcohol or marijuana have developmental problems in the areas of inhibitory control, emotional regulation, antisocial behavior, risk taking and cognitive ability.

Project Collaborator

Related Project Publications

"Prenatal tobacco exposure predicts differential brain function during working memory in early adolescence: a preliminary investigation"
D.S. Bennett, F. Mohamed, D.P. Carmody, M. Muhammed, S.H. Faro, and M. Lewis
Brain Imaging and Behavior, 7, 49-59 (2013)

"Externalizing problems in late childhood as a function of prenatal cocaine exposure and environmental risk"
D.S. Bennett, V. Marini, S.R. Berzenski, D.P. Carmody, and M. Lewis
Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 38, 296-308 (2013)

"Response inhibition among early adolescents prenatally exposed to tobacco: an fMRI study"
D.S. Bennett, F.B. Mohamed, D.P. Carmody, M. Bendersky, S. Patel, M. Khorrami, S.H. Faro, and M. Lewis
Neurotoxicology & Teratology, 31, 283-290 (2009)

"Children's cognitive ability from 4- to 9-years as a function of cocaine exposure, environmental risk, maternal verbal intelligence, and gender" [PDF]
D.S. Bennett, M. Bendersky and M. Lewis
Developmental Psychology, 44, 919-928 (2008)

"Preadolescent health risk behavior as a function of prenatal cocaine exposure, gender, and environmental risk"
D.S. Bennett, M. Bendersky and M. Lewis
Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 28, 467-472 (2007)

"Aggression at age five as a function of prenatal exposure to cocaine, gender, and environmental risk"
M. Bendersky, D.S. Bennett and M. Lewis
Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 31, 71-84 (2006)

"Children's intellectual and emotional- behavioral adjustment at 4-years as a function of cocaine exposure, maternal characteristics, and environmental risk" [PDF]
D.S. Bennett, M. Bendersky and M. Lewis
Developmental Psychology, 38, 648-658 (2002)

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Developmental Effects of Maltreatment

This research examines the extent to which children with histories of neglect and/or physical abuse have adjustment problems, while identifying factors such as shame-proneness and poor emotion knowledge skills that may increase the likelihood of developing problems following maltreatment.

Project Collaborators

Related Project Publications

"Early child neglect: Does it predict obesity or underweight in later childhood?"
D.S. Bennett, M.S. Sullivan, S.M. Thompson, and M. Lewis
Child Maltreatment, 15, 250-254 (2010)

"Neglected children, shame-proneness, and depressive symptoms"
D.S. Bennett, M.W. Sullivan, and M. Lewis
Child Maltreatment, 15, 305-314 (2010)

"Emotion knowledge in young maltreated children"
M.W. Sullivan, D.S. Bennett, K. Carpenter and M. Lewis
Child Maltreatment, 13, 301-306 (2008)

"Relations of parental report and observation of parenting to maltreatment history" [PDF]
D.S. Bennett, M.W. Sullivan and M. Lewis
Child Maltreatment, 11, 63-75 (2006)

"Young children's adjustment as a function of maltreatment, shame, and anger" [PDF]
D.S. Bennett, M.W. Sullivan and M. Lewis
Child Maltreatment, 10, 311-323 (2005)

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Developmental Effects of Physical Health Problems

Our research with collaborators at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children is examining the extent to which children, adolescents, and young adults with chronic physical health problems (e.g., cystic fibrosis; HIV+ status) have internalizing symptoms such as anxiety and depression. An important part of this research includes pinpointing coping or emotional styles that identify those youths who are particularly at risk for developing internalizing symptoms. In addition, we are interested in understanding the psychosocial factors that play a role in potentially less chronic physical problems such as failure to thrive.

Project Collaborators

Related Project Publications

"HIV-related stigma, shame, and avoidant coping: Risk factors for internalizing symptoms among youth with HIV?"
Bennett, D.S., Hersh, J., Herres, J., & Foster, J.
Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 47, 657-664 (2016)

"Monitoring and internalizing symptoms among youth with cystic fibrosis"
D.S. Bennett, Q. Snooks, S. Llera, K. Vogel, D. Conklin and L. Varlotta
Children's Health Care, 37, 278-292 (2008)

"Adjustment in childhood brain tumor survival: Child, mother, and teacher report"
J. Radcliffe, D.S. Bennett, A.E. Kazak, B. Foley and P.C. Phillips
Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 21, 529-539 (1996)

"Depression among children with chronic medical problems: A meta-analysis"
D.S. Bennett
Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 19, 149-169 (1994)

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