Her research focuses broadly on processes of psycho-social development during the period of middle childhood and emerging adulthood, and she has conducted studies on self-concept, esteem, attachment, aggression, gender identity, academic achievement, and parent-child and peer relations in individuals of this age period. Most of these projects have utilized large and diverse cross cultural samples, allowing her to draw conclusions that apply to children and emerging adults who vary as to their sex, age and ethnicity/culture, while also examining differences related to these features.