Social Development Lab

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!
The Daily News (Jacksonville, NC), August 2019
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BYUradio, July 2019
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BYUradio, July 2019
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FSU News, April 2019
WVFS Tallahassee 89.7 FM, December 2018
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The Conversation, February 2016
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The Conversation, July 2016
Lab Number: 850.644.5722
Local Numbers: Meghan 336.310-9734 and Olivia 336.904-3268
Social Development Lab
332 Sandels, 120 Convocation Way,
Tallahassee, FL 32306-1490
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.
Meghan Litchfield
Jessie Shafer-Lundin
Rose Flinchum
Professor, FSU Statistics
Doctoral Student, FSU Statistics
Jacob Williams
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
Olivia Boykin
Practicum Student
Brianna Clinton
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
Carlyn Berke
Practicum Student
Carly Davenport
Practicum Student
Mary McNair Krause
Practicum Student