Health and Human Development

Human Development and Family Studies

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The group of new honor society inductees pose for a group photo in the Sherbine Lounge

Penn State Scranton inducts five students into Kappa Omicron Nu honor society

April 22, 2026

father and teenage son playing basketball

Q&A: What do teenagers need from their parents?

April 22, 2026

Mark Greenberg and Christa Turksma reflect on compassion, community and the future of Penn State’s Annual Lecture on Compassion.

A decade of compassion: How a lecture series helped shape a field at Penn State

April 14, 2026

David Almeida (center) meets with two graduate students in his office to discuss research. They are seated at a round table and a bookshelf full of books and items is behind them.

Q&A: Is stress always bad for our health?

March 19, 2026

Close-up of a person holding and tapping on a smartphone, with floating numbers, graphs, and data visualizations overlaid around the device.

Lecture to discuss how mobile "games" detect cognitive decline, dementia risk

March 05, 2026

A person reading a picture book to her two sleepy young children on a couch.

Routine helps children adjust to school, but harsh parenting may undo benefits

March 02, 2026

Nittany Lion Shrine

Penn State names 14 new distinguished professors for 2026

February 16, 2026

Older person sits on the edge of a bed with a hand on their back, indicating discomfort

Back pain linked to worse sleep years later in men over 65, according to study

January 05, 2026

A large group of people in a roundtable meeting at Wilton Park.

Experts gather for international empathy and global citizenship summit

December 16, 2025

Family sitting on sofa in living room, with transgender male using mobile phone and female helping daughter in school homework

Parenting stress, rather than parental gender identity, predicts child outcomes

November 12, 2025

Child sits on a hospital room bed and looks at a doctor.

Child welfare system involvement may improve diagnosis of developmental delays

October 24, 2025

A child sits at a table with one of the sample meals used in the study and looks at a research assistant prior to eating.

Counting bites with AI might one day help prevent childhood obesity

October 15, 2025

Fox Graduate School hires associate director for graduate student wellness

October 09, 2025

concerned person sitting at desk looking at a paper

Feeling in control helps beat daily stress, researchers find

September 30, 2025

A man in his 70s talks fondly to a man in his 30s while they look at an old photo album

Penn State to co-lead national brain health and dementia prevention initiative

September 25, 2025

Children in school hallway

$3.6M NIH grant to study brain patterns in children with ADHD, behavior problems

September 19, 2025

Three images connected by arrows: a person doing yoga, the same person walking two dogs on a boardwalk, the same person sitting on a couch looking at his phone.

Innovative methods of studying brain health, cognition topic of upcoming lecture

September 04, 2025

Lisa Gatzke-Kopp

Lisa Gatzke-Kopp named head of human development and family studies

August 26, 2025

Child Maltreatment Solutions Network Conference 2025 poster

Conference to focus on improving child welfare

August 18, 2025

A group of parents sit in a circle with their eyes closed practicing a mindfulness meditation.

Mindfulness techniques help birthing parents manage stress of parenthood

August 06, 2025

The CSUA annual conference poster winners pose for a photo.

Annual substance use conference examines psychiatric and opioid use disorders

June 12, 2025

Person in coffee shop on phone looking bored

Chronic loneliness may harm cognitive health in young adults

May 29, 2025

a man in a suit and woman in a dress stand in front of military flags

From soldiers to students: Husband and wife graduate from Penn State together

May 07, 2025

Illustration: A tired mom sleeps on a bed next to a happy father holding a child.

Q&A: Why sleep might be the best Mother’s Day gift

May 07, 2025

Health and Human Development Building facade and side door

College of Health and Human Development names 2025 program marshals

April 28, 2025

Nelson Roque and Alexis Santos in downtown State College

How safe is the air to breathe? 50 million people in the US don't know

April 21, 2025

An older person in bed in a dark room stares at the ceiling, looking uncomfortable. A small bedside light is on, and the clock reads 3:25.

Insomnia and sleep medication use connected to disability in older adults

April 17, 2025

An older man looking in pain and holding his lower back being support by an older woman

Closeness may cause distress in relationships affected by chronic pain

April 01, 2025

Two people sit on opposite ends of a couch with unhappy expressions, looking away from each other

PTSD can undermine healthy couple communication when people fear their emotions

March 31, 2025

Photograph of Old Main surrounded by summer foliage

Penn State congratulates Fall 2024 Emerging Academic Leaders on program completion

March 26, 2025

The hands of an older man holding a receipt over a shopping cart in a store

Recurring food insecurity linked to unhealthy weight changes in older adults 

March 21, 2025

View of the Love statue in Love Park in Philadelphia, with the city skyline in the background

Q&A: Does expressing love make us feel more love?

February 11, 2025

Parents looking at their baby

Supportive co-parenting may help secure infant attachment development

February 05, 2025

Daniel Max Crowley

Broader impacts and engagement in research design focus of spring EarthTalks

January 21, 2025

smiling college student talking with a friend

Q&A: Can flourishing be taught as a life skill?

January 10, 2025

posed group of new student inductees standing with HDFS faculty

Scranton HDFS program holds Kappa Omicron Nu honor society induction ceremony

December 19, 2024

A group of people wear blue graduation caps and gowns during a ceremony.

Congratulations to the fall graduates of the World Campus class of 2024

December 17, 2024

Jillian Lesikar

College of Health and Human Development names fall 2024 college marshal

December 16, 2024

Older person with scarf on head and older person with head covering sit in their modest home

Could a good night’s sleep help protect people from becoming frail?

December 09, 2024

Person walking a dog across a street

Can everyday physical activity improve cognitive health in middle age?

November 12, 2024

Older man looks concerned as he peers out of his window

Cognitive decline and loneliness linked in older adults over short time periods

November 11, 2024

Military couple sitting with therapist

Study tests novel approach to PTSD treatment that helps individuals and spouses

November 08, 2024

Lisa Gatzke-Kopp

Gatzke-Kopp named president-elect of Society for Psychophysiological Research

November 05, 2024

A graphic of a brain atop a navy blue background and analysis graph on the right.

$3.1M grant to fund study on early signs and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease

September 30, 2024

road that says road to recovery, leading to a bright sun in the distance

Recovery community centers linked to support factors for substance use recovery

September 20, 2024

A student sitting at a high-top study table with a laptop against a wall of windows looking out over campus.

Human development and family studies launches two new degree options

September 18, 2024

Family cooking together in a large kitchen

Understanding what helps families with teens maintain household vaping bans

September 12, 2024

Photo of Rina Eiden and Jenae Neiderhiser standing outdoors

New Child Study Center co-directors to continue collaborative research mission

August 26, 2024

Image of pill bottle tipped over with white pills scattered on table

Harm reduction education, tools access may help women prevent opioid overdose

August 26, 2024

Pregnant woman walking outside carrying a bottle of water

Pregnant women may not be drinking enough water, researchers report

August 12, 2024

Doctor holding tablet speaking with a patient

Ask an expert: Health care in the 2024 presidential election 

July 15, 2024

A pregnant woman in a white sweater rubbing her stomach

Women may face unique obstacles while seeking treatment for opioid use

June 25, 2024

Person looks at someone sitting next to them on their phone.

Short-term loneliness associated with physical health problems

June 13, 2024

Michael Segovia and Alexis Santos

Professor wins diversity mentorship funds to bring Texas student to Penn State

May 21, 2024

an older person helps another person change position

Chronic pain support from spouse may decrease well-being for some people

May 16, 2024

Child sits crying as adult points

Understanding how behavior problems are related to child abuse and neglect

May 14, 2024

a man wearing a graduation cap and gown in front of stands in an arena

Harrisburg man fulfills his late mother’s wish by earning Penn State degree

May 10, 2024

An ambulance racing through dark streets

Fentanyl and COVID-19 pandemic reshaped racial profile of overdose deaths in US

April 30, 2024

Health and Human Development Building facade and side door

College of Health and Human Development names 2024 program marshals 

April 23, 2024

A woman with a notebook speaks to a young child.

Penn State launches first Master of Social Work program

April 15, 2024

Alarm clock and pills with a person in the background

Researchers identify distinct sleep types and their impact on long-term health

March 11, 2024

Young children together at a sports practice

Trauma screening may improve mental health service recommendations for children

March 08, 2024

Shadowy figure sits with head lowered and hands clasped in front of them.

Suicidality among individuals with substance use disorders increased in 2020

February 13, 2024

older woman smiles at her adult daughter while they eat at a restaurant together

Parental warmth during young adulthood decreases rates of depression in children

January 30, 2024

In one image a Black man walks through a city, in another, a Black farmer walks through his field

Mortality rates among rural US residents vary based on race, ethnicity, region

January 23, 2024

stethoscope on top of a pile of money and medical forms

Penn State program to prevent substance use the focus of $2.5 million NIH grant

January 08, 2024

Latest News

Penn State News RSS Feed

The group of new honor society inductees pose for a group photo in the Sherbine Lounge

Penn State Scranton inducts five students into Kappa Omicron Nu honor society

April 22, 2026

father and teenage son playing basketball

Q&A: What do teenagers need from their parents?

April 22, 2026

Mark Greenberg and Christa Turksma reflect on compassion, community and the future of Penn State’s Annual Lecture on Compassion.

A decade of compassion: How a lecture series helped shape a field at Penn State

April 14, 2026

David Almeida (center) meets with two graduate students in his office to discuss research. They are seated at a round table and a bookshelf full of books and items is behind them.

Q&A: Is stress always bad for our health?

March 19, 2026

Close-up of a person holding and tapping on a smartphone, with floating numbers, graphs, and data visualizations overlaid around the device.

Lecture to discuss how mobile "games" detect cognitive decline, dementia risk

March 05, 2026

A person reading a picture book to her two sleepy young children on a couch.

Routine helps children adjust to school, but harsh parenting may undo benefits

March 02, 2026

Nittany Lion Shrine

Penn State names 14 new distinguished professors for 2026

February 16, 2026

Older person sits on the edge of a bed with a hand on their back, indicating discomfort

Back pain linked to worse sleep years later in men over 65, according to study

January 05, 2026

A large group of people in a roundtable meeting at Wilton Park.

Experts gather for international empathy and global citizenship summit

December 16, 2025

Family sitting on sofa in living room, with transgender male using mobile phone and female helping daughter in school homework

Parenting stress, rather than parental gender identity, predicts child outcomes

November 12, 2025

Child sits on a hospital room bed and looks at a doctor.

Child welfare system involvement may improve diagnosis of developmental delays

October 24, 2025

A child sits at a table with one of the sample meals used in the study and looks at a research assistant prior to eating.

Counting bites with AI might one day help prevent childhood obesity

October 15, 2025

Fox Graduate School hires associate director for graduate student wellness

October 09, 2025

concerned person sitting at desk looking at a paper

Feeling in control helps beat daily stress, researchers find

September 30, 2025

A man in his 70s talks fondly to a man in his 30s while they look at an old photo album

Penn State to co-lead national brain health and dementia prevention initiative

September 25, 2025

Children in school hallway

$3.6M NIH grant to study brain patterns in children with ADHD, behavior problems

September 19, 2025

Three images connected by arrows: a person doing yoga, the same person walking two dogs on a boardwalk, the same person sitting on a couch looking at his phone.

Innovative methods of studying brain health, cognition topic of upcoming lecture

September 04, 2025

Lisa Gatzke-Kopp

Lisa Gatzke-Kopp named head of human development and family studies

August 26, 2025

Child Maltreatment Solutions Network Conference 2025 poster

Conference to focus on improving child welfare

August 18, 2025

A group of parents sit in a circle with their eyes closed practicing a mindfulness meditation.

Mindfulness techniques help birthing parents manage stress of parenthood

August 06, 2025

The CSUA annual conference poster winners pose for a photo.

Annual substance use conference examines psychiatric and opioid use disorders

June 12, 2025

Person in coffee shop on phone looking bored

Chronic loneliness may harm cognitive health in young adults

May 29, 2025

a man in a suit and woman in a dress stand in front of military flags

From soldiers to students: Husband and wife graduate from Penn State together

May 07, 2025

Illustration: A tired mom sleeps on a bed next to a happy father holding a child.

Q&A: Why sleep might be the best Mother’s Day gift

May 07, 2025

Health and Human Development Building facade and side door

College of Health and Human Development names 2025 program marshals

April 28, 2025

Nelson Roque and Alexis Santos in downtown State College

How safe is the air to breathe? 50 million people in the US don't know

April 21, 2025

An older person in bed in a dark room stares at the ceiling, looking uncomfortable. A small bedside light is on, and the clock reads 3:25.

Insomnia and sleep medication use connected to disability in older adults

April 17, 2025

An older man looking in pain and holding his lower back being support by an older woman

Closeness may cause distress in relationships affected by chronic pain

April 01, 2025

Two people sit on opposite ends of a couch with unhappy expressions, looking away from each other

PTSD can undermine healthy couple communication when people fear their emotions

March 31, 2025

Photograph of Old Main surrounded by summer foliage

Penn State congratulates Fall 2024 Emerging Academic Leaders on program completion

March 26, 2025

The hands of an older man holding a receipt over a shopping cart in a store

Recurring food insecurity linked to unhealthy weight changes in older adults 

March 21, 2025

View of the Love statue in Love Park in Philadelphia, with the city skyline in the background

Q&A: Does expressing love make us feel more love?

February 11, 2025

Parents looking at their baby

Supportive co-parenting may help secure infant attachment development

February 05, 2025

Daniel Max Crowley

Broader impacts and engagement in research design focus of spring EarthTalks

January 21, 2025

smiling college student talking with a friend

Q&A: Can flourishing be taught as a life skill?

January 10, 2025

posed group of new student inductees standing with HDFS faculty

Scranton HDFS program holds Kappa Omicron Nu honor society induction ceremony

December 19, 2024

A group of people wear blue graduation caps and gowns during a ceremony.

Congratulations to the fall graduates of the World Campus class of 2024

December 17, 2024

Jillian Lesikar

College of Health and Human Development names fall 2024 college marshal

December 16, 2024

Older person with scarf on head and older person with head covering sit in their modest home

Could a good night’s sleep help protect people from becoming frail?

December 09, 2024

Person walking a dog across a street

Can everyday physical activity improve cognitive health in middle age?

November 12, 2024

Older man looks concerned as he peers out of his window

Cognitive decline and loneliness linked in older adults over short time periods

November 11, 2024

Military couple sitting with therapist

Study tests novel approach to PTSD treatment that helps individuals and spouses

November 08, 2024

Lisa Gatzke-Kopp

Gatzke-Kopp named president-elect of Society for Psychophysiological Research

November 05, 2024

A graphic of a brain atop a navy blue background and analysis graph on the right.

$3.1M grant to fund study on early signs and diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease

September 30, 2024

road that says road to recovery, leading to a bright sun in the distance

Recovery community centers linked to support factors for substance use recovery

September 20, 2024

A student sitting at a high-top study table with a laptop against a wall of windows looking out over campus.

Human development and family studies launches two new degree options

September 18, 2024

Family cooking together in a large kitchen

Understanding what helps families with teens maintain household vaping bans

September 12, 2024

Photo of Rina Eiden and Jenae Neiderhiser standing outdoors

New Child Study Center co-directors to continue collaborative research mission

August 26, 2024

Image of pill bottle tipped over with white pills scattered on table

Harm reduction education, tools access may help women prevent opioid overdose

August 26, 2024

Pregnant woman walking outside carrying a bottle of water

Pregnant women may not be drinking enough water, researchers report

August 12, 2024

Doctor holding tablet speaking with a patient

Ask an expert: Health care in the 2024 presidential election 

July 15, 2024

A pregnant woman in a white sweater rubbing her stomach

Women may face unique obstacles while seeking treatment for opioid use

June 25, 2024

Person looks at someone sitting next to them on their phone.

Short-term loneliness associated with physical health problems

June 13, 2024

Michael Segovia and Alexis Santos

Professor wins diversity mentorship funds to bring Texas student to Penn State

May 21, 2024

an older person helps another person change position

Chronic pain support from spouse may decrease well-being for some people

May 16, 2024

Child sits crying as adult points

Understanding how behavior problems are related to child abuse and neglect

May 14, 2024

a man wearing a graduation cap and gown in front of stands in an arena

Harrisburg man fulfills his late mother’s wish by earning Penn State degree

May 10, 2024

An ambulance racing through dark streets

Fentanyl and COVID-19 pandemic reshaped racial profile of overdose deaths in US

April 30, 2024

Health and Human Development Building facade and side door

College of Health and Human Development names 2024 program marshals 

April 23, 2024

A woman with a notebook speaks to a young child.

Penn State launches first Master of Social Work program

April 15, 2024

Alarm clock and pills with a person in the background

Researchers identify distinct sleep types and their impact on long-term health

March 11, 2024

Young children together at a sports practice

Trauma screening may improve mental health service recommendations for children

March 08, 2024

Shadowy figure sits with head lowered and hands clasped in front of them.

Suicidality among individuals with substance use disorders increased in 2020

February 13, 2024

older woman smiles at her adult daughter while they eat at a restaurant together

Parental warmth during young adulthood decreases rates of depression in children

January 30, 2024

In one image a Black man walks through a city, in another, a Black farmer walks through his field

Mortality rates among rural US residents vary based on race, ethnicity, region

January 23, 2024

stethoscope on top of a pile of money and medical forms

Penn State program to prevent substance use the focus of $2.5 million NIH grant

January 08, 2024

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