Dr. McHale is a Professor of Psychology and Director of the University of South Florida's Family Study Center in St. Petersburg, FL. He also serves as Executive Director for the Family Study Center's Infant-Family Center, a unique community clinic for children birth through five guided by a coparenting and family systems service model. His research program examines the role of coparenting and family group dynamics in diverse families of infant, toddler, and preschool-aged children. He also maintains active interests in infant-family mental health, community psychology, and primary prevention. Visit https://www.stpetersburg.usf.edu/resources/family-study-center/index.aspx for updated projects and initiatives. A relevant research and publication profile can also be accessed at: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/James_Mchale Phone: 727-873-4848 Address: Family Study Center University of South Florida, St. Petersburg campus Building ONE, Suite 100 100 5th Avenue South St. Petersburg, FL 33701
This study examined short- and longer-term sequelae of parents’ prenatal expectations of their fu... more This study examined short- and longer-term sequelae of parents’ prenatal expectations of their future family process, and traced subsequent stability in coparenting solidarity from infancy through the toddler years. One hundred and ten couples expecting a first child participated in prenatal assessments of coparenting expectations and differences, and in 3-month post-partum evaluations. Forty-five couples completed subsequent assessments at 12 and 30 months. At each time point multi-method evaluations of coparental adjustment were obtained. Men’s and women’s expectancies during the pregnancy and the degree of difference between their self-reported beliefs about parenting predicted post-baby coparental adjustment, with latent class analyses suggesting aftereffects of prenatal expectancies up through 30 months for some couples. Coparental solidarity was also stable from 3 to 12 and from 12 to 30 months. Data indicate that the lens parents bring to bear on their emerging family system ...
Excerpt only. Published in J. P. McHale & K.M. Lindahl (Eds.). Coparenting: A conceptual and ... more Excerpt only. Published in J. P. McHale & K.M. Lindahl (Eds.). Coparenting: A conceptual and clinical examination of family systems. (pp.15-37). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. doi: 10.1037/12328-000 For full access, check out the book through the USF St. Petersburg Library (HQ755.8 .C663 2011), request it on interlibrary loan, or order it through a book dealer. Members of the USF System may access the full-text of the article through the authenticated link provided below.
Biomarkers may serve as objective measures in complicated grief (CG) potentially capturing respon... more Biomarkers may serve as objective measures in complicated grief (CG) potentially capturing responses to stress reduction treatment. This paper reports challenges in obtaining and assessing salivary cortisol and α-amylase (sAA) for a recent randomized clinical trial. Within-session changes in salivary cortisol and sAA for 54 older adults with CG who received Accelerated Resolution Therapy were compared with perceived stress measured by Subjective Units of Distress Scale. Bivariate correlations and multiple regressions examined changes in biomarkers. Protocols, study logs, and audit reports identified challenges. Challenges included obtaining unstimulated passive drool salivary samples and their analyses. Our sample of older females on multiple medications may have resulted in a perfect storm of moderating and intervening variables which affected the stress response. This paper contributes to the discussion on designing clinical trials for older adults which must account for physiologic changes, multimorbidity, and polypharmacy common in this population and makes recommendations moving forward.
... 2. Fathers and Families Louise B. Silverstein, 35. ... As the 2l st century begins, psycholog... more ... 2. Fathers and Families Louise B. Silverstein, 35. ... As the 2l st century begins, psychologists who have dedicated their research careers to generating a meaningful body of knowledge that can be called on to promote the welfare of children and families find themselves facing ...
Page 1. 32 Principles of effective co-parenting and its assessment in infancy and early childhood... more Page 1. 32 Principles of effective co-parenting and its assessment in infancy and early childhood James P. McHale 1 and Elisabeth Fivaz-Depeursinge 2 1University of South Florida St. Petersburg, USA 2Centre d'Etude de la Famille, Prilly, Switzerland 32.1 Introduction ...
... 2. Fathers and Families Louise B. Silverstein, 35. ... As the 2l st century begins, psycholog... more ... 2. Fathers and Families Louise B. Silverstein, 35. ... As the 2l st century begins, psychologists who have dedicated their research careers to generating a meaningful body of knowledge that can be called on to promote the welfare of children and families find themselves facing ...
Page 1. Early Education & Development Volume 9, Number 3, July 1998 Parents' Reports on t... more Page 1. Early Education & Development Volume 9, Number 3, July 1998 Parents' Reports on the Child Adaptive Behavior Inventory Predict 4-Year-Olds' Playground Behavior James P. McHale Clark University Alyson Neugebauer University of California at Berkeley ...
This study examined short- and longer-term sequelae of parents’ prenatal expectations of their fu... more This study examined short- and longer-term sequelae of parents’ prenatal expectations of their future family process, and traced subsequent stability in coparenting solidarity from infancy through the toddler years. One hundred and ten couples expecting a first child participated in prenatal assessments of coparenting expectations and differences, and in 3-month post-partum evaluations. Forty-five couples completed subsequent assessments at 12 and 30 months. At each time point multi-method evaluations of coparental adjustment were obtained. Men’s and women’s expectancies during the pregnancy and the degree of difference between their self-reported beliefs about parenting predicted post-baby coparental adjustment, with latent class analyses suggesting aftereffects of prenatal expectancies up through 30 months for some couples. Coparental solidarity was also stable from 3 to 12 and from 12 to 30 months. Data indicate that the lens parents bring to bear on their emerging family system ...
Excerpt only. Published in J. P. McHale & K.M. Lindahl (Eds.). Coparenting: A conceptual and ... more Excerpt only. Published in J. P. McHale & K.M. Lindahl (Eds.). Coparenting: A conceptual and clinical examination of family systems. (pp.15-37). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. doi: 10.1037/12328-000 For full access, check out the book through the USF St. Petersburg Library (HQ755.8 .C663 2011), request it on interlibrary loan, or order it through a book dealer. Members of the USF System may access the full-text of the article through the authenticated link provided below.
Biomarkers may serve as objective measures in complicated grief (CG) potentially capturing respon... more Biomarkers may serve as objective measures in complicated grief (CG) potentially capturing responses to stress reduction treatment. This paper reports challenges in obtaining and assessing salivary cortisol and α-amylase (sAA) for a recent randomized clinical trial. Within-session changes in salivary cortisol and sAA for 54 older adults with CG who received Accelerated Resolution Therapy were compared with perceived stress measured by Subjective Units of Distress Scale. Bivariate correlations and multiple regressions examined changes in biomarkers. Protocols, study logs, and audit reports identified challenges. Challenges included obtaining unstimulated passive drool salivary samples and their analyses. Our sample of older females on multiple medications may have resulted in a perfect storm of moderating and intervening variables which affected the stress response. This paper contributes to the discussion on designing clinical trials for older adults which must account for physiologic changes, multimorbidity, and polypharmacy common in this population and makes recommendations moving forward.
... 2. Fathers and Families Louise B. Silverstein, 35. ... As the 2l st century begins, psycholog... more ... 2. Fathers and Families Louise B. Silverstein, 35. ... As the 2l st century begins, psychologists who have dedicated their research careers to generating a meaningful body of knowledge that can be called on to promote the welfare of children and families find themselves facing ...
Page 1. 32 Principles of effective co-parenting and its assessment in infancy and early childhood... more Page 1. 32 Principles of effective co-parenting and its assessment in infancy and early childhood James P. McHale 1 and Elisabeth Fivaz-Depeursinge 2 1University of South Florida St. Petersburg, USA 2Centre d'Etude de la Famille, Prilly, Switzerland 32.1 Introduction ...
... 2. Fathers and Families Louise B. Silverstein, 35. ... As the 2l st century begins, psycholog... more ... 2. Fathers and Families Louise B. Silverstein, 35. ... As the 2l st century begins, psychologists who have dedicated their research careers to generating a meaningful body of knowledge that can be called on to promote the welfare of children and families find themselves facing ...
Page 1. Early Education & Development Volume 9, Number 3, July 1998 Parents' Reports on t... more Page 1. Early Education & Development Volume 9, Number 3, July 1998 Parents' Reports on the Child Adaptive Behavior Inventory Predict 4-Year-Olds' Playground Behavior James P. McHale Clark University Alyson Neugebauer University of California at Berkeley ...
James McHale defines coparenting as "an enterprise undertaken by two or more adults who together ... more James McHale defines coparenting as "an enterprise undertaken by two or more adults who together take on the care and upbringing of children for whom they share responsibility." Coparents may be members of the child's extended family, divorced or foster parents, or other specialized caregivers. This landmark book was written to encourage good coparenting as a powerful support for at-risk children's social, emotional, and behavioral needs. Part I examines the concepts, theories, and empirical research underlying this dynamic socialization force characteristic of all family systems. Part II explores clinical applications—the various assessments and interventions that promote coparenting. The result is essential reading for those interested in the welfare of children.
Register now to lock in Early Bird rates for the Family Study Center's 20th anniversary conferenc... more Register now to lock in Early Bird rates for the Family Study Center's 20th anniversary conference event, Thinking Three. Held in St. Petersburg FL, USA,, the conference will focus on coparenting and young children's adjustment. Opening with an evening harborside reception on April 11, the conference is a full-day event on Friday, April 12, with CEUs available and meals included. Dr. James McHale (University of South Florida) will provide the opening address, Dr. Chandra Ghosh-Ippen (UC San Francisco) will deliver the morning plenary session with an afternoon specialized breakout session for Child-Parent Psychotherapy providers, and Dr. Silvia Mazzoni from Sapienza University of Rome will deliver the afternoon plenary speaker and a breakout for family therapists. A third afternoon breakout on expanding the coparenting lens in communities will be offered by Dr. LaDonna Butler (USF). Livestream attendance options available for those unable to travel to Florida for the live in-person event.
Join Drs. Miri Keren and Diane Philipp, two of the world’s foremost infant-family mental health e... more Join Drs. Miri Keren and Diane Philipp, two of the world’s foremost infant-family mental health experts, on January 26, 2024, from 9AM to Noon for “Family-Centered Practice: Observational Strategies for Including the Infant’s Voice in Family Therapy and other Professional Contexts”. Live event in St. Petersburg FL USA with livestream option available for virtual attendance.
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Papers by James McHale
This landmark book was written to encourage good coparenting as a powerful support for at-risk children's social, emotional, and behavioral needs.
Part I examines the concepts, theories, and empirical research underlying this dynamic socialization force characteristic of all family systems. Part II explores clinical applications—the various assessments and interventions that promote coparenting. The result is essential reading for those interested in the welfare of children.