Publications

25. Intervening after trauma: Child–Parent Psychotherapy treat is associated with lower pediatric epigenetic age acceleration - 2024

Sullivan, A. D. W., Merrill, S. M., Konwar, C., Coccia, M., Rivera, L., MacIsaac, J. L., Lieberman, A., Kobor, M. S., Bush, N. R. (2024). Intervening after trauma: Child–Parent Psychotherapy treat is associated with lower pediatric epigenetic age acceleration. Psychological Science, https://doi.org/10.1177/09567976241260247

24. Do dyadic interventions impact biomarkers of child health?: A state-of-the-science literature review - 2024

Sullivan, A. D. W. , Roubinov, D., Noroña-Zhou, A., Bush, N. R. (2024) Do dyadic interventions impact biomarkers of child health?: A state-of-the-science literature review. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 162, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106949

23. Experiences of childhood adversity link with early childhood educator psychological and economic wellbeing - 2024

Sullivan, A. D. W., Rancher, C., Moreland, A. Experiences of childhood adversity link with early childhood educator psychological and economic wellbeing (2024). Early Childhood Education Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-024-01638-4

22. Sex-specific associations between placental corticotropin releasing hormone and problem behaviors in childhood - 2024

Barrett, E., Sullivan, A. D. W., Workman, T., Zhang, Y., Loftus, C. T., Szpiro, A., Paquette, A., MacDonald, J. W., Coccia, M., Smith, R., Bowman, M., Smith, A., Derefinko, K., Nguyen, R., Zhao, Q., Sathyanarayana, S., Karr, C., LeWinn, K. Z., Bush, N. R. (2024) Sex-specific associations between placental corticotropin releasing hormone and problem behaviors in childhood. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.106994

21. Parenting practices may buffer the impact of adversity on epigenetic age acceleration among young children with Developmental Delays - 2023

Sullivan, A. D. W., Bozack, A., Cardenas, A., Comer, J., Bagner, D., Forehand, R., & Parent, J. (2023). Parenting practices may buffer the impact of adversity on epigenetic age acceleration among young children with Developmental Delays. Psychological Science, 34 (10), 1173-1185. https://doi.org/10.1177/09567976231194221

This paper was highlighted as an NIH Stress Network Notable Stress Science Paper.

20. The enduring importance of parenting: Caregiving quality and fear-potentiated startle in emerging adults with a child maltreatment history - 2023

Sullivan, A. D. W., Brier, Z., Legrand, A., van Stolk-Cooke, K., Jovanovic, T., Norrholm, S. Garavan, H., Forehand, R., & Price, M. (2023). The enduring importance of parenting: Caregiving quality and fear-potentiated startle in emerging adults with a child maltreatment history. Child Maltreatment, 28, 97-106. https://doi.org/10.1177/10775595211060050

19. The effects of young children’s callous-unemotional traits on behaviorally observed outcomes in standardized and technology-enhanced Behavioral Parent Training - 2023

Parent, J., Jones, D. J., DiMarzio, K., Yang, Y., Wright, K. L., Sullivan, A. D. W, & Forehand, R. (2023). The effects of young children’s callous-unemotional traits on behaviorally observed outcomes in standardized and technology-enhanced Behavioral Parent Training. Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology, 51, 165-175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-022-00979-1

18. Does parenting explain the link between cumulative SES risk and child problems in the context of parental depression? - 2022

Sullivan, A. D. W., Vreeland, A., Compas, B. & Forehand. R. (2022). Does parenting explain the link between cumulative SES risk and child problems in the context of parental depression? Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 53, 330-341. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-021-01130-9

17. COVID-19 and the acceleration of remote BPT delivery now and in the future - 2021

Sullivan, A. D. W., Forehand, R., Acosta, J., Parent, J, Comer, J., Loiselle, R., & Jones, D (2021). COVID-19 and the acceleration of remote BPT delivery now and in the future. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 28(4), 618-629. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2021.06.012

16. Erasing distance: Interstate graduate-student-led undergraduate mentorship during COVID-19 - 2021

Sullivan, A. D. W., Wright, K., & Forehand, R (2021). Erasing distance: Interstate graduate-student-led undergraduate mentorship during COVID-19. The Behavior Therapist, 44(6), 302-303

15. Who looks on the bright side?: Correlates of hopelessness in parents with clinic-referred young children - 2021

Sullivan, A. D. W., Wright, K., Jones, D., Breslend, N., Highlander, A. & Forehand, R. (2021). Who looks on the bright side?: Correlates of hopelessness in parents with clinic-referred young children, Journal of Psychopathology & Behavioral Assessment, 43, 766-777. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-021-09888-x

14. The longitudinal influence of caregiver dispositional mindful attention on mindful parenting, parenting practices, and youth psychopathology - 2021

Parent, J., Dale, C., McKee, L. G., & Sullivan, A. D. W. (2021). The longitudinal influence of caregiver dispositional mindful attention on mindful parenting, parenting practices, and youth psychopathology. Mindfulness, 12, 357-369. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01536-x

13. Clinical features of scrupulosity: Associated symptoms and comorbidity - 2021

Siev, J., Rasmussen, J., Sullivan, A. D. W., & Wilhelm, S. (2021). Clinical features of scrupulosity: Associated symptoms and comorbidity. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 77, 173-188. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23019

12. Child hostility and family functioning when a parent has a history of depression - 2020

Rice, D., Sullivan, A. D., Forehand, R., Watson, K. H., Bettis, A., Gruhn, M., & Compas, B. (2020). Child hostility and family functioning when a parent has a history of depression. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 29(10), 2786-2795. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-020-01786-2

11. Cumulative risk of socioeconomic status factors in the context of a history of parent depression: Are there associations with child outcomes?- 2019

Sullivan, A. D. W., Benoit, R., Breslend, N., Compas, B., Vreeland, A. & Forehand, R. (2019). Cumulative risk of socioeconomic status factors in the context of a history of parent depression: Are there associations with child outcomes? Journal of Family Psychology, 33, 883-393. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000567

10. Feasibility investigation: Leveraging smartphone technology in a trauma-informed behavioral parent training for foster caregivers - 2019

Sullivan, A. D. W., Breslend, N. L., Strolin-Goltzman, J., Bielawski-Branch, A., Jorgenson, J., Hemenway, A., Forehand, G., & Forehand, R. (2019). Feasibility investigation: Leveraging smartphone technology in a trauma-informed behavioral parent training for foster caregivers. Children and Youth Services Review, 101, 363-371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2019.03.051

9. Parenting in context: Associations of parental depression, socioeconomic, and demographic factors with parenting behaviors - 2019

Vreeland, A., Gruhn, M., Watson, K., Bettis, A., Forehand, R., Compas, B., & Sullivan, A. D. W. (2019). Parenting in context: Associations of parental depression, socioeconomic, and demographic factors with parenting behaviors. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 28(4), 1124-1133. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-019-01338-3

8. Triangulating perspectives to inform the development of a smartphone application for foster, kinship, and adoptive parents: Findings from consumer focus groups and key informant interviews - 2019

Forehand, G., Schisler, A., Strolin, J., Hemenway, A., Breslend, N. L., Sullivan, A. D. W., Forehand, R. (2019). Triangulating perspectives to inform the development of a smartphone application for foster, kinship, and adoptive parents: Findings from consumer focus groups and key informant interviews. Journal of Technology and Human Services, 37(4), 362-394. https://doi.org/10.1080/15228835.2019.1666781

7. Does interparental conflict decrease following changes in observed parenting from a preventive intervention program? - 2018

Sullivan, A. D. W., Parent, J., Forehand, R., & Compas, B. (2018). Does interparental conflict decrease following changes in observed parenting from a preventive intervention program? Behaviour Research and Therapy, 106, 64-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2018.05.006

6. Parental opioid abuse: A review of child outcomes, parenting, and parenting interventions - 2018

Peisch, V., Sullivan, A. D. W., Breslend, N., Benoit, R., Sigmon, S., Forehand, G., Strolin, J., & Forehand, R. (2018). Parental opioid abuse: A review of child outcomes, parenting, and parenting interventions. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 27(7), 2082-2099. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-018-1061-0

5. Parent-level risk factors for children’s obsessive beliefs, interpretation biases, and OC symptoms: A cross-sectional examination - 2018

Berman, N. C., Jacoby, R. J., Sullivan, A. D. W., Hoeppner, S., Micco, J., & Wilhelm, S. (2018). Parent-level risk factors for children’s obsessive beliefs, interpretation biases, and OC symptoms: A cross-sectional examination. Journal of Obsessive and Compulsive Related Disorders, 18, 8-17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocrd.2018.04.002

4. Adult psychopathology, children, and parenting: Are there simple answers? - 2017

Forehand, R. & Sullivan, A. D. W. (2017). Adult psychopathology, children, and parenting: Are there simple answers? Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 24(4), 389-391. https://doi.org/10.1111/cpsp.12214

3. Psychophysiology of proactive and reactive relational aggression - 2017

Murray-Close, D., Holterman, L. A., Breslend, Nicole L., & Sullivan, A. D. W. (2017). Psychophysiology of proactive and reactive relational aggression. Biological Psychology, 130, 77-85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2017.10.005

2. Parental perceptions of technology and technology-focused parenting: Associations with youth screen time - 2016

Sanders, W., Parent, J., Forehand, R., Sullivan, A. D. W., & Jones, D. J. (2016). Parental perceptions of technology and technology-focused parenting: Associations with youth screen time. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 44, 28-38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2016.02.005

1. Effect of a legal prime on clinician’s assessment of suicide risk - 2015

Berman, N. C., Sullivan, A. D. W., Wilhelm, S., & Cohen, I. G. (2015). Effect of a legal prime on clinician’s assessment of suicide risk. Death Studies, 40(1), 61-67. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2015.1068248

ABOUT MY FAVORITE PUBLICATIONS

  • Do dyadic interventions impact biomarkers of child health?: A state-of-the-science literature review.

    Early childhood adversity can lead to health problems later in life, such as early death, asthma, obesity, and mental health problems. However, psychological interventions involving both parents and children, known as dyadic interventions, may help protect children from these negative effects. This paper reviews high-quality studies, including quasi-experimental and randomized controlled trials (RCTs), to determine whether these parent-child interventions impact various biological markers in children. These biomarkers, which reflect early stress exposure, may indicate which children are at the most risk of future poor health.

    The review includes studies measuring the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, parasympathetic (PNS) and sympathetic (SNS) nervous systems, brain development, inflammation, and intracellular processes like DNA methylation. Examples of interventions reviewed are Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP).

    Overall, dyadic interventions improved cardiovascular functioning, advanced brain maturation, decreased inflammation, and altered some intracellular processes. However, these interventions did not seem to change salivary measures of HPA axis activity, SNS activity, or telomere length. Importantly, the reviewed studies varied significantly in methods, populations, and interventions. Future research should explore if these factors can explain which children benefit most from the interventions. Enhanced parenting behaviors, the primary target of many interventions, may be why some biomarkers changed.

    In conclusion, this review highlights the potential of dyadic interventions to mitigate the effects of early adversity on children's health. Future research and policy should focus on these promising interventions to better support the health of children exposed to stress.

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  • Parenting practices may buffer the impact of adversity on epigenetic age acceleration among young children with Developmental Delays

    Exposure to early-life adversity is linked to health problems, but parenting interventions may help families support the health of their children exposed to stress. This study examined the impact of a parenting intervention (Internet-based Parent-Child Interaction Therapy) on biological aging, measured using epigenetic age acceleration, in a sample of mostly Latinx families, many facing financial hardship. Some families were randomly assigned to participate in a parenting intervention for children with developmental delays and behavioral issues, while others received community referrals.

    The study found that improved parenting practices—specifically, increases in positive parenting and decreases in negative parenting—might protect young children with developmental delays from accelerated epigenetic aging due to early-life adversity. These results suggest that caregivers, even those facing significant hardship, can protect their children from the negative effects of stress, especially when supported by effective parenting interventions. Study findings also show how important it is to prevent stress exposure in the first place, as well as make it easier for families to access resources, like parenting interventions.

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BOOK CHAPTERS

  • Treating children and adolescents with Body Dysmorphic Disorder - 2017

    Greenberg, J., Sullivan, A. D. W., & Wilhelm, S. (2017). Treating children and adolescents with Body Dysmorphic Disorder. In K. Phillips (Ed.), Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Advances in research and clinical practice (pp. 397-410). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/med/9780190254131.003.0028

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  • Clinical features, assessment, and treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder - 2017

    Zakhary, L., Weingarden, H., Sullivan, A. D. W., & Wilhelm, S. (2017). Clinical features, assessment, and treatment of Body Dysmorphic Disorder. In C. Pittenger (Ed.), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: Phenomenology, pathophysiology, and treatment (pp. 547-556). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/med/9780190228163.003.0049

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