Why zero stress shouldn’t be your goal
How many times have you heard that squashing stress is crucial for good health? Stress has become such a wellness buzzword that the quest to get rid of it can feel, well, stressful. But stress isn’t always the enemy. In fact, research suggests some is actually good for you, with potential benefits ranging from enhanced brain function to healthier aging.
New Publication
Congratulations!! New research by Lauren Holley, GCDS Child Life Specialist, is published in the journal Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience. This paper is on Enhancing pediatric research protocols: Utilizing developmentally appropriate principles and incorporating Certified Child Life Specialists.
Read the full article here!
Youth experiencing economic hardship at higher risk of suicide, suicidal thoughts
The recent publication in Nature (Translational Psychiatry), “Neurobehavioral pathways linking socioeconomic status hardship to suicide risk versus resilience in young adolescents: the roles of sleep health and default mode network connectivity,” was featured in UGA Today. “Our findings show that sleep is not just a byproduct of stress. It’s a mechanism through which adversity can take root in the developing brain,” said Dr. Assaf Oshri, the lead author of the study.
A New publication in Nature (Trans Psychiatry)
Congratulations to Dr. Assaf Oshri and the research team!
Their new paper titled “Neurobehavioral pathways linking socioeconomic status hardship to suicide risk versus resilience in young adolescents: the roles of sleep health and default mode network connectivity,” has been published in the journal Translational Psychiatry.
Findings highlight sleep health as a mechanism connecting socioeconomic adversity to suicidality and suggest DMN coherence may function as a neuroprotective factor for youth resilience.
Dr. Assaf Oshri and Dr. Drew Abney named 2025-2026 Aspire Fellows
Congratulations Dr. Oshri and Dr. Abney on being among the 11 faculty members selected this year for the Aspire Fellows cohort! This program is designed for a selective community of faculty to develop connections and grow their professional impact. The UGA Today article on 10/23/2025 features the panel of fellows for 2025-2026.
Congratulations, Dr. Abney!
Dr. Drew Abney was appointed the Associate Editor of the journal Developmental Science and Child Development Methods. Congratulations to Dr. Abney on this well-deserved honor!
Dr. Geier awarded the William P. (Bill) Flatt Professorship
Congratulations to Dr. Charles Geier, our Associate Director at the Georgia Center for Developmental Science (GCDS), on being named the William P. (Bill) Flatt Professor in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences at UGA! This well-earned award honors his contributions to developmental science, his mentorship and leadership at GCDS!
Interview with Cullin Howard on Fox 5 Atlanta
September 30, 2025
PhD candidate Cullin Howard joined Good Day Atlanta to talk about new research that shows parents are a major influence in their children’s lives.
UGA research suggests that both moms, dads can make a difference
In this UGA Today article, Cullin Howard, a PhD candidate and lead author of the study conducted through GCDS explains that moms and dads are both making fairly equitable contributions to social anxiety symptoms of children.
New publication by graduate student, Cullin Howard
New publication by graduate student, Cullin Howard! The article, Perceived mother and father parenting and adolescent social anxiety symptoms: A meta-analysis was published in the Journal Adolescent Research Review.
Congratulations to Dr. Charles Geier
Congratulations to Dr. Charles Geier for being named the first Associate Dean of Research for UGA College of Family and Consumer Sciences!
Dr. Linhao Zhang interviewed on GPB radio
Dr. Linhao Zhang, lead author of the study from GCDS, was interviewed on GPB radio about her research on the importance of sleep for a healthy brain development.
GPB article by By Ellen Eldridge
features more on the study.
Racism’s toll on young Black boys: A call to action for mental health
Racism is a generational obstacle that is still affecting Black Americans today. Black people have persevered through this obstacle, but the encounters of discrimination and harm have taken a toll on people. One group under this umbrella who isn’t considered enough regarding racism’s toll is young Black boys. Young men are often told to man up and get over it when it comes to pain and discomfort. In regards to racism, studies have shown that they have either acted out or internalized it when they have been exposed to it.
Racism can spark depression and anxiety in Black adolescents, study finds
Black teens’ experiences with racial discrimination may put them at higher risk of depression and anxiety, according to a study published by the Youth Development Institute in JAMA Network Open. This study sheds light on the long-term impact of racism.
UGA study finds Black children can internalize racism, leading to anxiety
Black children are internalizing racism, which can lead to higher rates of anxiety and depression. These findings are a part of a University of Georgia study, released Wednesday, using one of the largest data sets worldwide, one of the researchers said.
Black youth are paying an emotional toll due to racism
“These children’s brains are trying to protect them,” said Assaf Oshri, lead author of the study and an associate professor in UGA’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences. “Behaviorally, some of these children may not be showing the negative effects of racial discrimination by acting out. But that doesn’t mean they’re OK. There is an emotional toll to this type of coping mechanism.”