Social-Emotional Well-Being


Work by scholars at the Wellesley Centers for Women led to Relational-Cultural Theory, an understanding that has dramatically changed counseling and psychotherapy practices. Through training institutes, this work continues to be developed and implemented. Researchers committed to the prevention of depression in at-risk youth have undertaken studies to identify effective intervention programming for adolescents and families. Trainers and educators at the Centers develop curricula and facilitate training to promote social-emotional learning in elementary schools.


    Active Projects in this Area




  • Community Dialogue and Needs Assessment for Addressing Traumatic Stress among African Resettled Refugee Youth in New Hampshire

    2007 - 2011
    Assessing Refugee Youth Mental Health in NH

    The project involves a needs assessment of child and adolescent refugee mental health services in New Hampshire and utilizes community dialogue strategies for integrating youth, family, provider, school and community knowledge and expertise towards addressing refugee mental health needs especially as it relates to trauma and in the context of resettlement.




  • Gender, Social Learning, and Adversity: Factors in Adolescent Development of Substance Use Disorders

    Ongoing since 2011
    Gender and social learning

    This study examines the influence of gender, adversity, and social learning on the development of drug and alcohol-use patterns in a sample of adolescents.




  • Jean Baker Miller Training Institute

    Ongoing since 1995
    JBMTI

    The workshops, courses, trainings, and publications at the Institute utilize the Relational-Cultural Model of development, which focuses on 'growth-fostering relationships' as central to positive human development.




  • Media and Identity Study

    Ongoing since 2011
    Studies

    The purpose of this online nationwide survey study is to understand how different types of media (i.e. social, technological, televised) impact young people’s sense of social identities, including racial/ethnic, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, political attitudes, and civic engagement.




  • Open Circle

    Ongoing since 1987
    Social, Emotional and Academic Learning: K-5th Grade

    Open Circle is a comprehensive, grade-differentiated social, emotional and academic learning program for grades K-5 children, their teachers, administrators, other school staff, parents and other caregivers. By helping schools implement Open Circle, the program fosters the development of relationships that support safe, caring and respectful learning communities of children and adults.




  • Prevention of Depression in At-Risk Adolescents Project - Boston

    Ongoing
    Assessing the Benefits of Intervention

    This national, multi-site research study aims to test the effectiveness and generalizability of a cognitive-behavioral intervention for preventing depressive disorders in at-risk adolescent offspring of parents with depression.




  • Prevention of Depression: Impact on the Transition to Early Adulthood

    Ongoing since 2009
    Preventing Depression for Young Adults

    The research teamwill examine the long-term effects of an earlier intervention on preventing depression during the critical developmental transition to young adulthood.




  • Sibling Relationships in Children of Depressed Parents

    Ongoing
    Connections Between Depression and Sibling Relationships

    This project aims to explicate the relation between parental depression, parenting styles, parent/child relationships, sibling relationship quality and internalizing and externalizing outcomes in children.


    • Archived Projects in this Area




  • Gender Relations Project

    Completed
    Promoting Healthy Gender Relationships

    This project seeks to promote healthy and productive connections between men and women, girls and boys, and within families, organizations, and society.




  • Mothers-Sons Project: A special project at the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute

    Ongoing
    Relationships Between Mothers and Sons

    This study seeks to emphasize connection between mothers and sons by defining stages in development and countering the pressures faced in each one.




  • Robert S. and Grace W. Stone Primary Prevention Initiatives Grant Program: Empowering Children for Life

    Empowering Children for Life

    This Grant Program supports research towards comprehending the relationship between healthy child development and the role of culture and society. Researchers from universities and research institutions in the U.S are eligible to apply.




  • Wellesley Relational Model Instrument Development

    Measuring Relational-Cultural Development

    This measurement instrument was introduced as a dynamic way to assess women's psychological development and ways in which relationships and connections foster psychological well-being.




  • Working Connections Project: A special project at the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute

    Growth-Fostering Connections in Work Environments

    This project is designed to explore and develop approaches to enhancing business practice and productivity through relational and emotional intelligence, and encourages mutual empowerment, the shifting of organizational norms, and continuous learning and teaching.