Areas of Study & Research

The goal of my research agenda is to examine developmental processes in relational contexts (e.g., peer and family) and identify potential risk or resilience factors that promote positive development (mental and physical health). One key relational context I study is extracurricular involvement, particularly under what conditions organized activities are beneficial or risky.

Other Research Interests

I have several ongoing research projects; 1) examining extracurricular involvement and adjustment, including sleep; 2) developing best practices for a peer mentoring program that partners adolescents with disabilities with peer mentors without disabilities; and 3) meta-analyses focused on coping processes within relational contexts.

Courses Taught

HDFS 340: Adolescent Development
HDFS 813: Social and Emotional Development Across the Lifespan

Education

  • Doctorate of Philosphy in Human Development and Family Science, Auburn University, Auburn, AL
  • Master of Sciences in Human Development and Family Science, Auburn University, Auburn, AL
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Miami University, Oxford, OH

Publications

Gillis, B., McWood, L. M., Brigham, E. F., Hinnant, J. B., & El-Sheikh, M. (2023) Family income as a moderator of relations between sleep and physical health during adolescence. Sleep Health, 9(6), 868-875.

McWood, L. M., Erath, S. A., & El-Sheikh, M. (2022). Longitudinal associations between coping and peer victimization: Moderation by gender and initial peer victimization. Social Development, 32(1), 117-134. doi.org/10.1111/sode.12623

McWood, L. M., Erath, S. A., Lansford, J. E., Pettit, G. S., Bates, J. E., & Dodge, K. A. (2021). Organized activity involvement predicts adolescent internalizing and externalizing problems. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 50, 2181-2193. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-021-01491-3