Leanna McWood

Assistant Professor

Faculty

Human Development and Family Science

Research Interests: One goal of my research agenda is to increase the representation of disabled young people in developmental science research. Furthermore, I aim to include children and adolescents with disabilities through their own participation using inclusive research methods. I typically examine developmental processes in social contexts and identify potential risk or resilience factors (e.g., identity, sleep problems, extracurricular involvement) that promote positive mental and physical health. I use multiple methods to answer research questions including quantitative and qualitative methods.

Areas of Study & Research

Adolescence and Young Adulthood, Disability, Sleep, Social Relationships

Courses Taught

HDFS 340: Adolescent Development
HDFS 711: Youth Development
HDFS 813: Social and Emotional Development Across the Lifespan

Professional Associations

Society for Research in Child Development
Society for Research on Adolescence
National Council on Family Relations

Education

Doctorate of Philosophy 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