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Psychology Research Groups

The Parent-Child Institute (PCI)

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Conferences, Presentations, and Publications
Doctoral projects using Mowder's Scales
Contact and Upcoming Meetings

Welcome

The Parent-Child Institute (PCI) at Pace University-New York City is an academic research institute located in lower Manhattan. The PCI embraces the following goals:

  1. Fostering research on parents and children
  2. Securing grant and other funding
  3. Providing advanced students with research experiences
  4. Offering presentations regarding parents and children to academic and community organizations
  5. Disseminating research findings.

Current PCI research activities include an examination of how parents differ in their views of the parent role characteristics of bonding, discipline, education, general welfare and protection, responsivity, and sensitivity (as well as negativity) in child rearing in comparison to mental health professionals. Many of the current research studies utilize the Parent Behavior Importance Questionnaire – Third Edition (PBIQ – 3).

In addition, A 10 session, in-person parent training program, the Working With Parents Manual (WWPM), was recently developed and in 2019 PCI researchers received Pace University IRB approval to conduct a pilot feasibility WWPM study. Subsequently, due to COVID-19, all in-person research at Pace University ceased. The WWPM study was subsequently modified to become WWPM: COVID-19; the modified research received Pace University IRB approval (April 27, 2020). This research now involves three groups of participants:

  1. On-going WWPM participants have the opportunity to have three optional WWPM: COVID-19 sessions as well as resuming their prior WWPM sessions
  2. Prior WWPM participants have the opportunity to have three optional WWPM: COVID-19 sessions and/or an opportunity to evaluate their prior participation in the WWPM study
  3. New participants will have the opportunity to participate in the WWPM: COVID-19 study with the WWPM including the additional COVID-19 sessions.

All three groups will be receiving the parenting program through the use of Zoom sessions and related Qualtrics measures. In general, the modified research provides parents with the chance to consider their parenting aspirations and goals along with their challenges and strengths in the time of COVID-19.

Finally, research is being conducted on parenting in conjunction with individual adversity, resilience, and other factors, ethnic diversity in relation to parenting behaviors and beliefs, and parenting in conjunction with child development outcomes. Research, currently in the planning process, is being designed to consider parenting before and after COVID-19 as well as parent challenges, emotional availability, strengths, and stress during the time of the pandemic

Conferences, Presentations, and Publications

Recent Conference

Parenting and Psychology in the 2021-2022 Global Environment

This conference on Parenting and Psychology in the 2021-2022 Global Environment was developed as an offering by the Dyson College Center for Global Psychology-NYC and by the members of the Parent-Child Institute (PCI) at Pace University – New York City. The goal of this conference was to present contemporary parenting research with implications for research and practice in the 2021-2022 global environment. More specifically, this conference was constructed around current parenting research associated with:

  1. Evidence-based parent education, interventions, and training
  2. Parenting conversations (e.g., climate change, COVID, poverty, LGBTQA+ children/ parents, preventing sexual abuse), and
  3. Parenting and childhood trauma (e.g., bullying, community violence, immigration, physical abuse, sexual abuse/trafficking)

This conference was held on March 11, 2022 and the full presentation can be watched online.

Recent Publications and Presentations

The Parent-Child Institute is committed to working with research participants in presenting research findings to academic institutions and being published in highly regarded psychology journals.

  • Mowder, B.A., Boyle, M., Hillegas, C., & Pilchik, J. (2021). Conference on Parenting and Psychology in the 2021 Global Environment. Conference scheduled for November 12, 2021, sponsored by the Pace University – New York City, Dyson College Center for Global Psychology, and Pace University Parent Child Institute (PCI).

    Mowder, B.A. (2021). Chair, Symposium: Parenting Research: Considering the Interdisciplinary Nature of Parenthood. Proposal accepted for presentation at APA for August, 2021 annual conference.

    Mowder, B.A. & Krochek, R. (2021). Parent Theory, Psychometric Assessment, and Working With Parent Manual (WWPM). Proposal accepted at APA as part of the Symposium: Parenting Research: Considering the Interdisciplinary Nature of Parenthood.

    Mowder, B.A., Nerwen, R., Boyle, M., Iacampo, A., Kim, K., & Krochek, R. (2021). Working with Parents Manual (WWPM): Modified for the time of COVID-19. Poster proposal accepted to APA, Division 16 for presentation at the APA, August, 2021, annual conference.

    Mowder, B.A. & Nerwen, R. (2019). Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Parenting Behavior Importance, and Resilience. Paper presented at the 14th International Conference on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology. London, England, July.

    Mowder, B.A., Krochek, R., Nerwen, R., Olszewski, L., Rubinson, F., and Asar, S. (2019). Chair of Symposium on Current Parenting Perspectives. The 14th International Conference on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology. London, England, July.

    Mowder, B.A., Krochek, R., and Nerwen, R. (2018). Diversity in Professionals’ Views of Parenting Behavior Importance Levels. Poster presented at the 13th International Conference on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology. Kuching, Borneo, August.

    Mowder, B.A. (2018). Parenting and mental health issues affecting children and youth. Part of a symposium presentation at the 13th International Conference on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology. Kuching, Borneo, August.

    Sharkey, J.M., Sossin, K.M., and Mowder, B.A. (2016). Emotional availability, parent-role, maternal personality, and infant temperament: Factors influencing the mother/infant dyad. Poster presented at the annual meeting of the World Association of Infant Mental Health Congress. June, Prague, Czech Republic.

    Mowder, B.A. (2016). Parenting: Basic and Complex Contemporary Issues. Invited presentation at the U.N. NGO Committee on Families and Education, February, New York.

    Mowder, B.A., Krochek, R., Olszewski, L., Blackman, A., Retan, J., & Hill, A.M. (2015). School psychologists working with parents. Symposium presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, August, Toronto.

    Olszewski, L., Asar, S., Bogatch, A., & Blackman, A. (2014). Measuring Screen Time: Development of the Screen Time Questionnaire. Poster accepted for the annual meeting of the National Association of School Psychologists. February, Washington, D.C.

    Mowder, B.A. (2014). Parenting research. Presentation at the annual meeting of the National Association of Psychologists, Bhopal, India.

    Mowder, B.A. (2014). Research issues. Presentation at the annual meeting of the National Association of Psychologists, Bhopal, India.

    Mowder, B.A., Krochek, R., Olszewski, L., Jeannite, S., and Zeng, T. (2014). Symposium: The Parent Development Theory and Related Research, Measures, and Contemporary Issues. Symposium presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, August, Washington, D.C.

    Mowder, B.A., Krochek, R., Asar, S., Blackman, A., Bogatch, A., Jeannite, S., Olszewski, L., & Zeng, T. (2014). Symposium: Current Parenting Theories, Measures, and Issues for School Psychologists. Presentation at the 2014 annual meeting of the National Association of School Psychologists, Washington, D.C.

    Mowder, B.A. & Krochek, R. (2014). Parent-Professional Partnerships: Ways and Means for Early Childhood Educators to Assist Parents. Presentation at the Young Child Expo Conference, Los Niños, April, New York City.

    Krochek, R. & Mowder, B.A. (2014). Ethnicity and the PBIQ-R. Poster presented at the meeting of the National Association of School Psychologists. February, Washington, D.C.

    Zeng, T., Mowder, B.A., & Krochek, R. (2013). Late Adolescents’ Perceived Parenting Behaviors, Personal Adjustment, and Emotional Symptom Characteristics. Poster presented at the Division 53 of the American Psychological Association.

    Krochek, R., Mowder, B.A., & Zeng, T. (2013). Parenting Behaviors and Children’s Social-Emotional and Adaptive Behavior Characteristics. Poster presented at the Division 16 of the American Psychological Association.

    Mowder, B.A., Krochek, R., Asar, S., Blackman, A., Bogatch, A., Jeannite, S., Olszewski, L., and Zeng, T. (2013). Working with Parents: History, Current Theories, Psychometric Measures, and Contemporary Issues. Poster presented at the 2013 meeting of the Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) meeting held in Boston, MA.

    Shamah, R., Mowder, B.A., Zeng, T., & Asar, S. (2012). Parenting differences between a psychiatric and general sample of children. Presentation at the 7th International Conference on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology. University of Roehampton, England.

    Mowder, B.A., Shamah, R., Zeng, T., Jeannite, S., & Olszewski, L. (2012). A comparison of parenting measures for school psychologists. Poster presented at the 2012 annual conference of the National Association of School Psychologists, Philadelphia, PA.

    Mowder, B.A. (2012). Beyond bonding: What professionals can offer parents of young children. Presentation as part of a symposium at the Fall meeting of the Association for Early Childhood and Infant Psychologists. Pace University-New York City.

    Mowder, B.A. (2012). Assessing parenting: Importance in terms of child and adolescent psychopathology. Presentation at the 7th International Conference on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology. University of Roehampton, England.

    Mowder, B.A., Shamah, R., Zeng, T., Jeannite, S., & Olszewski, L. (2012). A comparison of parenting measures for school psychologists. Poster presented at the 2012 annual conference of the National Association of School Psychologists, Philadelphia, PA.

    Mowder, B.A., Zeng, T., Shamah, R., Jeannite, S., Cejovic, R., & Stoute, K. (2011). Late adolescents’ perceptions regarding parenting. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Division 16, Washington, D.C.

    Mowder, B.A., Zeng, T., & Shamah, R. (2011). Comparison of late adolescents’ and professionals’ perceptions regarding parenting. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Division 53, Washington, D.C.

    Mowder, B.A., Yasik, A.E., & Fernandez, M. (2010, February). Combined-Integrated Training in Infant and Early Childhood Psychology. Presentation at the meeting of the Consortium of Combined and Integrated Doctoral Programs in Psychology, Orlando, Florida.

    Mowder, B.A., Rubinson, F., & Yasik, A.E. (2010, February). Infant and Early Childhood Training. Poster presentation at the meeting of Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers, Orlando, Florida.

    Mowder, B.A. (2009, December). Parent theory: Research and evidence-based practice. Invited presentation to the New York Academy of Science, New York, New York.

    Mowder, B.A. (2009, November). Parent assessment and intervention. Invited presentation to the Association of Early Childhood and Infant Psychologists, New York, New York.

    Mowder, B.A., Shamah, R., & Zeng, T. (2009, August). Parenting Behaviors Associated with Children’s Developmental Levels. Poster presentation accepted for the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada.

  • Mowder, B.A. (2020). Mowder, B.A. Perseverance and joy: Advancing the lives of children. In C. Lidz (Ed.), Women leaders in school psychology. New York: Springer.

    Mowder, B. (2019). Parenting Behavior Importance Questionnaire -Third Edition (PBIQ - 3): Development of a scale to measure positive and negative parenting behaviors. Technical manual for clinical assessment of parenting measure. Available from the author.

    Olszewski, L., Asar, S., Bogatch, A., & Blackman, A. (2016). Screen Time Questionnaire: Measuring parents’ and children’s media use. Perspectives on Early Childhood Psychology and Education, 1(1), 109 – 136.

    Retan, J. & Hill, A.M. (2016). Structuring and Supporting Healthy Child Development: Parenting Practices in Relation to Feeding and Screen Time. Perspectives on Early Childhood Psychology and Education, 1(1), 79 – 108.

    Blackman, A. & Olszewski, L. (2016). Contemporary Parenting: The Influence of Screen Time on Parenting and Children, Perspectives on Early Childhood Psychology and Education, 1(1), 39 – 78.

    Krochek, R. & Mowder, B.A. (2016). The Parent Development Theory: Empirical support. Perspectives on Early Childhood Psychology and Education, 1(1), 27 – 38.

    Mowder, B.A. (2016). Parenting history, contemporary views, and the Parent Development Theory: Implications for early childhood providers, Perspectives on Early Childhood Psychology and Education, 1(1), 5 – 26.

    Mowder, B.A. & Krochek, R. (2016). Introduction to Parenting Issues. Perspectives on Early Childhood Psychology and Education, 1(1), 1 – 4.

    Mowder, B.A. & Krochek, R. (Eds.) (2016). Parenting issues and young children. Mini-Series for Perspectives on Early Childhood Psychology and Education, 1(1).

    Respler-Herman, M., Mowder, B. A., Yasik, A. E., & Shamah, R. (2012). Parenting beliefs, parental stress, and social support relationships. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 21 (2), 190-198.

    Krochek, R. & Mowder, B.A. (2012). Parenting infants: Relative importance of parenting characteristics and related behaviors. Journal of Early Childhood and Infant Psychology, 8(1), 21-34.

    Mowder, B.A. & Shamah, R. (2011). Parent Behavior Importance Questionnaire-Revised (PBIQ-R): Scale development and psychometric characteristics. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 20(3), 295 – 302.

    Mowder, B.A. & Shamah, R. (2011). Test-retest reliability of the Parent Behavior Importance Questionnaire-Revised (PBIQ-R) and the Parent Behavior Frequency Questionnaire-Revised (PBFQ-R). Psychology in the Schools, 48(8), 843-854.

    Mowder, B.A., Shamah, R., & Zeng, T. (2010). Current Measures for Assessing Parenting of Young Children. Journal of Early Childhood and Infant Psychology, 6, 99-115.

    Mowder, B.A., Rubinson, F., & Yasik, A.E. (2009). Future directions in infant and early childhood psychology. In B. Mowder, F. Rubinson, & A. E. Yasik (Eds.), Evidence based practice in infant and early childhood psychology. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Publishers.

    Mowder, B.A. & Shamah, R. (2009). Family assessment and intervention. In B. Mowder, F. Rubinson, & A. E. Yasik (Eds.), Evidence based practice in infant and early childhood psychology. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Publishers.

    Mowder, B.A. & Shamah, R. (2009). Parent assessment and intervention. In B. Mowder, F. Rubinson, & A .E. Yasik (Eds.), Evidence based practice in infant and early childhood psychology. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Publishers.

    Mowder, B.A., Rubinson, F., & Yasik, A.E. (2009). Evidence-based practice in infant and early childhood psychology. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Publishers.

Doctoral Projects using Mowder's Scales

A number of important journals from 2009 through the present have published research using the Parent Development Theory and/or the Parenting Behavior Scales, known as Mowder's Scales.

Contact and Upcoming Meetings

Upcoming Meetings

Thursdays: 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Contact

Barbara Mowder, PhD
PCI Director
Email: bmowder@pace.edu

The Parent-Child Institute
Phone: (212) 346-1556
Email: PCI@pace.edu
41 Park Row, 13th Floor
New York, NY 10038