Esther M. Leerkes, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Human Development and Family
Studies
School of Human and Environmental Sciences
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
PO Box 26170
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
Phone: (336) 256-0094
Fax: (336) 334-5076
Email: emleerke@uncg.edu
Research Interests
My primary research focus centers around parent-child relations in infancy and early childhood. Within this area, I have pursued three primary themes: 1) identifying factors that contribute to sensitive maternal behavior, particularly in response to negative child emotions; 2) examining links between maternal sensitivity and subsequent child outcomes; and 3) examining the impact of parenting a child with unique temperamental characteristics on adult development, well-being, and relationships during the transition to parenthood. A secondary research interest of mine involves methodological issues in the measurement of infant temperament, emotion regulation, and maternal sensitivity.
My current graduate students are:
Regan Beaudry who is interested in the predictors of the coparenting relationship and its links with child outcomes during early childhood.
Stephanie Parade who is examining links between attachment security and close relationships during developmental transitions (e.g., transition to college, transition to parenthood).
Jessica Gudmundson who is interested in the social-emotional development of young children 0-3 within the context of the family and in using research to inform public and social policy.
Recent graduates:
Kathy Siepak, Ph.D. (2008).
Current position: Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education, University of Texas of the Permian Basin
Dissertation: Longitudinal Influences of Maternal Sensitivity on Infant Temperamental Reactivity and Emotion Regulation
To learn more about me, please visit my: Curriculum Vita (pdf) or send me an email.