Current projects
Partnering for a Brighter Future: Dino School
Dr. Daly's graduate students are collaborating with school psychology graduate students at Temple University, to co-lead the Incredible Years program, an evidence-based prevention and intervention curriculum that promotes healthy development of at-risk children, at schools in low-income communities around Philadelphia. As part of the program, graduate students also will work with teachers and staff Philadelphia Elementary Schools to enhance classroom management techniques and foster children's emotional, behavioral, and social skill development. The program is currently being administered to second-grade students at three sites across the Philadelphia area. |
Past projects
Utilizing Technology To Maximize Outcomes: Pilot Study of Neurofeedback in School Mental Health
Our lab is collaborating with NeuroFlow, a local startup, that utilizes wearable technology and interfaces with mobile applications to monitor physiological and psychological changes throughout treatment. We are implementing an outcome outcome study to evaluate the efficacy of the NeuroFlow platform for use by school mental health counselors at Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School, a low-income high school. |
The Youth Bias Victimization Survey (YBVS): Instrument Development and Outcomes from At-Risk Youth in Three U.S. Communities
The PCAP lab is collaborating with Crimes Against Children Research Center (CCRC) at the University of New Hampshire on a large, multi-faceted research endeavor on bias victimization. (Bias victimization is harassment or crime that is motivated because of someone’s race, ethnicity, skin color, religion, disability, sexual orientation or because one’s family is from a different country.) Project objectives include the development and and pilot testing of the comprehensive Youth Bias Victimization Questionnaire (Y-BVQ) using multiple strategies to ensure a valid, reliable and developmentally targeted instrument and to gather information on demographic, mental health, and behavioral correlates of bias crime victimization for youth in pilot communities. Our lab helped with the data collection, which has recently been completed. Data analyses and results reporting are underway! |
Promoting Healthy Development through Effective Practices
Dr. Daly's graduate students administered the Incredible Years program, an evidence-based prevention and intervention curriculum that promotes healthy development of at-risk children, at schools in low-income communities around Philadelphia. As part of the program, graduate students worked with teachers to enhance classroom management techniques and foster children's emotional, behavioral, and social skill development. Additionally, graduate student also ran parent management training workshops for parents in the Philadelphia area. The program was funded by Pew Charitable Trusts, and was administered to first and second-grade students at three sites. |
Sixers Creating Opportunities, Resources, and Encouragement for Youth (SCORE) Program
The Sixers Youth Foundation provided funding to Drs. Brian Daly and James Connell from Drexel University to develop and implement a behavioral health program, Sixers Creating Opportunities, Resources, and Encouragement for Youth (SCORE), in public middle schools in West Philadelphia (Morton McMichael school) and Camden, New Jersey. The objective of SCORE is to promote the healthy physical, socio-emotional, and academic skills development of middle school students from low-income or other vulnerable families who live in underresourced neighborhoods through lessons that emphasize skill-building. Anticipated outcomes of the program in each key domain were: 1) improvements in healthy behaviors such as sleep and nutrition; 2) improvements in student social-emotional competence; and, 3) improvements in academic motivation and performance. It is anticipated that 140 children will receive this programming across the 3 years of programming. Graduate students in the School of Education and Department of Psychology were trained to deliver the curriculum in the respective schools, thereby providing these students with applied, real-world clinical experience. |
Gutsy Living with a Little Gutsy Help: Pilot-Testing a Pediatric Ostomy Toolkit
This pilot test project will investigate the clinical utility and potential impact on pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients who undergo temporary or permanent ostomy surgery. This project aims to contribute a patient-centered educational tool that ameliorates the psychosocial outcomes of adolescents with ostomies.
This pilot test project will investigate the clinical utility and potential impact on pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients who undergo temporary or permanent ostomy surgery. This project aims to contribute a patient-centered educational tool that ameliorates the psychosocial outcomes of adolescents with ostomies.
Investigating Driving Risk and Behaviors of Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
The goal of this project is to investigate driving behaviors in a community-dwelling sample of adult drivers with ASD by evaluating their driving performance on a Virtual Reality Driving Simulator. Graduate students are involved in recruitment, running participants on the Virtual Reality Driving Simulator, data analysis, and manuscript preparation. The study is funded by the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute.
The goal of this project is to investigate driving behaviors in a community-dwelling sample of adult drivers with ASD by evaluating their driving performance on a Virtual Reality Driving Simulator. Graduate students are involved in recruitment, running participants on the Virtual Reality Driving Simulator, data analysis, and manuscript preparation. The study is funded by the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute.
Teaching Children to Succeed
Dr. Daly's graduate students administer the Incredible Years program, an evidence-based prevention and intervention curriculum that promotes healthy development of at-risk children, at schools in low-income communities around Philadelphia. As part of the program, graduate students also work with teachers to enhance classroom management techniques and foster children's emotional, behavioral, and social skill development. The program, which is funded by funded by Pew Charitable Trusts, is currently being administered to preschool through second-grade students at three sites. An outcome study is underway. |
Prevention Programming for Youth Success!
Dr. Daly’s graduate students provide consultation to teachers in implementing the Second Step socio-emotional prevention curriculum to students in Kindergarten through 6th grade. As part of this program, graduate students are trained to rate fidelity of implementation, as well as work with the teachers to problem-solve challenges associated with effective delivery of this evidence-based program. Our lab is also conducting a program evaluation to examine effectiveness of this program on student behavior, emotion regulation, social skills, and academic achievement. This project is supported in part by an anonymous donation to the College of Arts and Sciences at Drexel University.
Dr. Daly’s graduate students provide consultation to teachers in implementing the Second Step socio-emotional prevention curriculum to students in Kindergarten through 6th grade. As part of this program, graduate students are trained to rate fidelity of implementation, as well as work with the teachers to problem-solve challenges associated with effective delivery of this evidence-based program. Our lab is also conducting a program evaluation to examine effectiveness of this program on student behavior, emotion regulation, social skills, and academic achievement. This project is supported in part by an anonymous donation to the College of Arts and Sciences at Drexel University.
Executive Function of College Students with and without Childhood Trauma
This project seeks to determine whether exposure to childhood trauma is associated with decrements in executive functioning in young adults. Trained graduate students administer a series of questionnaires regarding emotional functioning and trauma history, as well as a neuropsychological battery designed to assess various aspects of executive functioning. Furthermore, graduate students manage recruitment, data analysis, and manuscript preparation. The study is funded by Drexel University's Antelo Devereux Award.
This project seeks to determine whether exposure to childhood trauma is associated with decrements in executive functioning in young adults. Trained graduate students administer a series of questionnaires regarding emotional functioning and trauma history, as well as a neuropsychological battery designed to assess various aspects of executive functioning. Furthermore, graduate students manage recruitment, data analysis, and manuscript preparation. The study is funded by Drexel University's Antelo Devereux Award.
Developmental Trauma Study
Dr. Daly's lab is part of a multi-site study aimed at formulating a developmentally-focused trauma diagnosis in children and adolescents. Participants are recruited through partnerships with Philadelphia's Hall-Mercer Community Behavioral Health Center and Children's Crisis Treatment Center. Graduate students are involved in all aspects of the project, and each receives training to deliver an approximately two-hour trauma-focused diagnostic and clinical interview. Data collection is expected to continue through 2013, with data analysis and manuscript preparation to follow. |
Autism Spectrum Disorders and Driving Behaviors
The objective of this study is to explore whether differences exist in self-reported driving behaviors between adult licensed drivers with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and adult licensed drivers without ASDs. Graduate students are involved in recruitment, data analysis, and manuscript preparation. |
MindFun: A Gaming Platform to Improve Executive Functioning among Children with ADHD
The purpose of this study is to develop and examine the feasibility and efficacy of a novel gaming platform to improve specific executive function skills (i.e., activation, planning, timeliness) among children with ADHD. |
Master's and dissertation projects
Relationships between Parent Problem-Solving Abilities and Child and Parent Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms after Pediatric Injury
In collaboration with researchers at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (Dr. Meghan Marsac) and Drexel's Department of Psychology (Dr. Christine Nezu), Elizabeth Nicholls completed a doctoral dissertation assessing the impact of parents' social problem-solving skills on child and parent posttraumatic stress following pediatric injury. This study is the first to examine social problem-solving and posttraumatic stress in a sample of injured children and their parents. |
Childhood Trauma and Posttraumatic Stress in Pediatric Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndromes (AMPS)
Aimee Hildenbrand conducted a dissertation study in collaboration with researchers at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to examine the relationships between childhood trauma, posttraumatic stress, and pain among children with AMPS. This research may add to our understanding of the role of childhood trauma in the development of chronic pain among youth, thereby advancing current theoretical frameworks regarding the etiology of pediatric AMPS. Additionally, this investigation will help to clarify the relationship between posttraumatic stress and pain among children and adolescents, which could contribute to improved prevention, earlier intervention, and better targeted treatments. |
Quantifying Neurological Risk Factors in Childhood Brain Tumor Treatment: Practical Scales for Predicting Neuropsychological Outcomes
Mark McCurdy conducted a Master’s thesis project in collaboration with researchers at the Center for Childhood Cancer Research at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Mark’s project seeks to compare the unique influence that treatment-related neurological comorbidities and treatment intensity confer on neurocognitive outcomes in survivors of childhood brain tumor. Additionally, this project hopes to establish the predictive validity of risk-quantification scales in predicting neuropsychological outcomes in survivors. The goal of this project is to add to our understanding of factors that influence cognitive and functional outcomes in this vulnerable population, and help guide early and appropriate treatment and recommendation strategies for patients and families. |
Choosing Biologic Therapy in Pediatric Chronic Illness: A Qualitative Evaluation of Patients and Parents’ Language
Jennie David conducted a Master's thesis project in collaboration with researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Jennie's project investigates the expressed language use of adolescents living with Crohn's Disease and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and their parents in regards to their medical decision-making experiences to begin biologic therapy. This qualitative characterization of language use and the development of a code book is an important element of an enhanced understanding of pediatric medical decision-making in chronic illnesses, and subsequent work will seek to evaluate the potential association between language use and outcomes such as satisfaction, adherence, quality of life, and healthcare utilization. |
Executive Functioning in Sickle Cell Disease
Kelly Jones conducted a dissertation study at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children that involved neuropsychological assessment of children and adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD). The goal of the study was to explore the relationship between executive and adaptive functioning among youth with SCD by identifying neuropsychological variables associated with self-management and independence. Graduate students administered neuropsychological tests assessing general intelligence, attention, processing speed, memory, and executive functioning. |
Psychological Functioning in Children and Adolescents Living with Spinal Cord Injury and their Caregivers in Colombia, South America
Elizabeth Nicholls conducted a Master's thesis project evaluating psychological functioning, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and level of caregiver burden among children with spinal cord injury (SCI) and their families living in Neiva, Colombia. This study also sought to determine the influence of hopefulness on anxious and depressive symptomatology and HRQOL in children with SCI. |
Acute Pain and Posttraumatic Stress after Pediatric Injury
In collaboration with researchers at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Aimee Hildenbrand conducted a Master's thesis project that examined the relationship between acute pain and posttraumatic stress symptoms among children who sustained injuries. Additionally, the study aimed to investigate whether pain medications confer a protective effect against posttraumatic stress. This research adds to our understanding of the development of posttraumatic stress and may contribute to more effective screening and prevention approaches for children who have experienced medical trauma. For more details, see: Hildenbrand, A. K., Marsac, M. L., Daly, B. P., Chute, D., & Kassam-Adams, N. (in press). Acute pain and posttraumatic stress after pediatric injury. Journal of Pediatric Psychology. |