Sara Goldstein

Dr. Sara Goldstein is a professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Sciences at the University of Delaware, specializing in lifespan human development. She teaches courses related to lifespan development, child and adolescent development, and research methodology. Dr. Goldstein’s research takes a social justice informed approach to understand social and social-cognitive factors associated with youths’ psychological, behavioral, and social adjustment.

Most of Dr. Goldstein’s research has focused on the predictors and consequences of gendered aggression, bullying, and peer-based harassment. She also examines other aspects of adjustment including academic motivation and achievement, mental health, and problem behavior broadly defined. Dr. Goldstein is especially interested in the development of these constructs during periods of developmental transition such as early adolescence (as youth move from primary to secondary school), and emerging adulthood (as youth transition to independence from family of origin).

Because parents, peers, and schools play especially significant roles during these periods of youth transition, Dr. Goldstein’s program of research also explores the roles of these socialization agents in development. Recent projects focused on cyberbullying and sexual harassment during adolescence, and links with parental socialization and school experiences. Her current project explores how parenting during emerging adulthood (e.g, mindful parenting, parental psychological control) is linked with parent-youth relationship characteristics and with youth social and psychological adjustment.