About
The overarching goal of Dr. Duprey’s program of research is to bridge the gaps between developmental psychopathology and prevention science. Her work focuses on understanding how early adversity, family and contextual risk, and protective processes shape children’s social, emotional, and behavioral development across childhood and adolescence. She integrates advanced quantitative methods with community-engaged and intervention-focused approaches to identify mechanisms of resilience and pathways to mental health. Dr. Duprey applies this developmental knowledge to the development, optimization, and evaluation of school- and family-based preventive interventions. Through partnerships with community organizations and schools, her research aims to generate actionable science that improves youth well-being and informs equitable effective, and sustainable prevention practices.
- Sample Publications
Gongye, R.*, Duprey, E. B., Hightower, D., & McFall, J.P. (in press). Measuring Adverse and Protective Experiences in Early Childhood: Development and Initial Validation of the Child and Family Experiences Survey (CAFES). BMC Public Health.
Duprey, E. B., Ross, A., Handley, E. D., Russotti, J., & Cicchetti, D. (2024). Interpersonal mechanisms between child maltreatment timing and young adult psychopathology. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 63(8). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2023.12.008
Duprey, E. B., Handley, E. D., Wyman, P., Ross, A. J., Cerulli, C., & Oshri, A. (2022). Child maltreatment and youth suicide: A developmental conceptual model and implications for suicide prevention. Development and Psychopathology, 35(4). https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579422000414
Projects
- The Pre-K Primary Project Research Study
This project evaluates an adapted version of Primary Project—a long-standing, school-based prevention program grounded in child-centered play therapy—for use with preschool-aged children. We use an innovative Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) framework to identify the most effective and feasible combination of intervention components for promoting young children’s social-emotional adjustment.
Now in its second year, the trial will generate important insights into the implementation of multi-component interventions in real-world school settings. Findings from this project will inform the optimization and broader dissemination of developmentally appropriate, evidence-based supports for preschool children.
The Child Development and Prevention Laboratory
The mission of the Child Development and Prevention laboratory at Children’s Institute is to (a) understand the developmental pathways and risk and protective factors that promote resilience and social-emotional well-being in children and adolescents across multiple contexts, and (b) advance prevention science that aims to improve social and emotional outcomes for children and families. We use a translational science framework, with developmental psychopathology theory and research informing research on the effectiveness and implementation of school- and family-based interventions to enhance children’s and families outcomes.
Join Us!
Are you an undergraduate or graduate student interested in research that makes a real-world difference for children and families? Do you want to gain experience in school-based, translational research? Join the Child Development and Prevention Science Laboratory at Children’s Institute! Contact Erinn Duprey at eduprey@childrensinstitute.net.