About our Research
Our research focuses on understanding how individual characteristics (i.e. social anxiety) and interpersonal relations jointly influence young peoples’ development, especially in terms of having healthy interpersonal relationships and emotional health.
We often focus on development during times of transition, including the transition to school, the middle school transition, and the transitions of emerging adulthood. Transitions are particularly fascinating periods to study development because individuals sometimes respond to changed environmental circumstances in ways that represent positive turning points in their life pathways.
Our current research makes connections between patterns of development in middle childhood and early adolescence and young adult emotional health and developmental milestones, such as education, employment, interpersonal relationships including romantic relationships, and having children.
In the future, we plan to start a new longitudinal project with toddlers to examine the effects of social learning processes and temperament on the development of anxiety in childhood.
Lab Director
Heidi Gazelle, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
hgazelle@fsu.edu
Current Graduate Students
Meghan Litchfield
Recent FSU Ph.D. Graduates
Jessie Shafer-Lundin
Current Practicum Students & Volunteers
Would you like to join the Social Development Lab? Please complete an application.
Carlyn Berke
Olivia Boykin
Brianna Clinton
Carly Davenport
Mary McNair Krause
FSU Collaborators
Ming Cui, Ph.D.
Professor
mcui@fsu.edu
M.A. Graduates
Jacob Williams
B.A. Graduates & Former Students/Volunteers
Madelynn Bryant - Practicum Student
Addison Bulloch - Volunteer
Taylor Carter - Practicum Student
Sheldy Dorsaint - Practicum Student and Volunteer
Jenna Goins - Practicum Student
Annika Heetderks - Practicum Student
Andria King - Practicum Student
Meghan Litchfield - Practicum Student
Zoraida Martinez - Practicum Student
Starr Mandell - Honours Student
Michael Pierre - Practicum Student
Xiomara Romero - Practicum Student
Samantha Solomon - Volunteer
Hannah Stein - Practicum Student
Frankie Tibbitts-Bryce - Practicum Student
Kristen Turner - Practicum Student & Volunteer
Jacob Williams - Practicum Student
Lab Director and Associate Professor Heidi Gazelle is interested in interpersonal and intrapersonal processes that forecast continuity in change in socially anxious children’s and adolescents’ developmental pathways over time. Her research is guided by a Child-by-Environment Model, which focuses on how socially anxious youths’ strengths and vulnerabilities interact with interpersonal supports and stressors in their everyday environments (school, peers, and family) to influence their social and emotional development.
From 2005 – 2010, the Youth Wellness Project traced the development of 230 youth in North Carolina from third through seventh grade. We are now reconnecting with these youth in young adulthood and are fascinated to see the diverse life paths they’ve chosen.
Dr. Heidi Gazelle directed the original Youth Wellness Project and is currently leading the young adult follow-up. The project was originally located at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. It is now located at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida.
If you were part of the original study, we’d like to hear from you!
Media Interviews
Family Time: Dealing with anxiety as kids transition to middle school
The Daily News (Jacksonville, NC), August 2019
Why Transitioning from Elementary to Middle School is so Difficult for Students
Listen to Audio
BYUradio, July 2019
FSU researcher: Leap to middle school is hard, but can be a fresh start for socially anxious children
Read Article
FSU News, April 2019
“Being 12”
WVFS Tallahassee 89.7 FM, December 2018
Articles
Shy teenagers find it easier to be included by classmates when starting secondary school.
Read Article
The Conversation, February 2016
Childhood shyness: When is it normal and when is it cause for concern?
Read Article
The Conversation, July 2016
Call or Text
Lab Number: 850.644.5722
Local Numbers: Meghan 336.310-9734 and Olivia 336.904-3268
chhs-youthwellness@fsu.edu
Social Development Lab, 332 Sandels, 120 Convocation Way, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1490
