Clinical Psychology

Mary Dozier

		Professor Amy E DuPont Chair of Child Development Director of Research, Early Learning Center Ph.D., Duke University Research Interests Recent Publications Representative Publications Vita Website for the Infant-Caregiver Lab mdozier@udel.edu Office: 114 Wolf Hall (302) 831-2286 (302) 831-3645 -fax Lab: 406 Wolf Hall (302) 831-0308 (302) 831-8801 (302) 831-6423 (fax) Preferred contact method - email Research Opportunities

Research Interests

Intervening with young foster children and maltreated children; attachment; neuroendocrine regulation

Research Summary:

In our lab, we study the adjustment of infants and young children who have experienced maltreatment and disruptions in their relationships with caregivers.  Over the past 10 years, we have developed a training program that targets the needs of these young children. We are assessing the efficacy of this intervention in a randomized clinical trial.  We are studying a range of outcomes, the attachments that children form with their caregivers, and their ability to regulate physiology, behavior, and emotions. 

Recent Publications

Stovall-McClough, K. C., & Dozier, M. (2004). Forming attachments in foster care: Infant attachment behaviors during the first 2 months of placement. Development and Psychopathology, 16, 253-271.

Dozier, M., Lindhiem, O., & Ackerman, J. (2005). Attachment and biobehavioral catch-up. In L. Berlin, Y. Ziv, L. Amaya-Jackson, & M. T.  Greenberg (Eds.), Enhancing Early Attachments. New York: Guilford.

Dozier, M., Manni, M., & Lindhiem, O. (2005). Lessons from the longitudinal studies of attachment.   In K. Grossmann & K. Grossmann (Eds.).  The longitudinal studies of attachment.  New York: Guilford.

Gordon, M. K., Peloso, E., Auker, A., & Dozier, M. (2005). The effect of flavored beverage crystals on salivary cortisol enzyme-immunoreactive assay measurements.  Developmental Psychobiology, 47(2), 189-195.

Ackerman, J. P., & Dozier, M. (2005). The influence of foster parent investment on children’s representations of self and attachment figures.  Applied Developmental Psychology, 26, 507-520.

Dozier, M., Manni, M., Gordon, M. K., Peloso, E., Gunnar, M. R., Stovall-McClough, K., Eldreth, D., & Levine, S. (2006). Foster children’s diurnal production of cortisol: An exploratory study. Child Maltreatment, 11, 189-197.

Dozier, M., Peloso, E.,  Lindhiem, O., Gordon, M. K., Manni, M., Sepulveda, S., Ackerman, J., Bernier, A. & Levine, S. (In press). Preliminary evidence from a randomized clinical trial: Intervention effects on foster children’s behavioral and biological regulation.  Journal of Social Issues.

Fisher, P., Gunnar, M. R., Dozier, M., Bruce, J., & Pears, K. (In press).  Effects of therapeutic interventions for foster children on behavior problems, caregiver attachment, and stress regulatory neural systems.   Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.  

Dozier, M., & Lindhiem, O. (In press).  This is my baby: Differences among foster parents’ commitment to their young children.  Child Maltreatment.  

Dozier, M., & Rutter, M. (In press).  Attachment issues in foster care and adoption..  In J. Cassidy & P.R. Shaver (Eds.), Handbook of attachment theory and research.  New York: Guilford.

Dozier, M. (In press).  Coping with early adversity: Young children’s behavioral and biological adaptations to changing caregivers.”  Pediatric Annals.  

Grant funding:
National Institute of Mental Health R01 MH74374 award, “Specialized mental health services for birth parents.” Period of support: January 1, 2006-December 31, 2011. Total amount: $3,379,668.  (Dozier: Principal investigator).

Representative Publications

Tyrrell, C., Dozier, M., Teague, G.B., & Fallot, R.D. (1999).  Effective treatment relationships for persons with serious psychiatric disorders: The importance of attachment states of mind.  Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 67, 725-733.

Stovall, K.C., & Dozier M. (2000).  The development of attachment in new relationships: Single subject analyses for ten foster infants.  Development and Psychopathology, 12, 133-156.

Dozier, M., Stovall, K.C., Albus, K.E., Bates, B. (2001).  Attachment for infants in foster care: The role of caregiver state of mind.  Child Development, 72, 1467-1477.

Dozier, M., Higley, E., Albus, K.E., & Nutter, A. (2002).  Intervening with foster infants’ caregivers: Targeting three critical needs.  Infant Mental Health Journal, 25, 541-554.

Dozier, M., Albus, K., Fisher, P. R., & Sepulveda, S. (2002).  Interventions for foster parents:   Implications for developmental theory. Development and Psychopathology, 14, 843-860.

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