Christy Buchanan
Professor of Psychology; Senior Associate Dean for Academic Advising
Buchanan studies how parents’ expectations affect teen behavior.
Biography
From peer pressure to family meals to monitoring what teens do to talking about alcohol and drugs, Christy Buchanan can help navigate the challenging waters of parent/teen relationships. She studies how parents’ expectations for adolescence affect parenting as well as teen behavior and can explain what factors promote positive social and emotional development in adolescents.… Read More »
From peer pressure to family meals to monitoring what teens do to talking about alcohol and drugs, Christy Buchanan can help navigate the challenging waters of parent/teen relationships. She studies how parents’ expectations for adolescence affect parenting as well as teen behavior and can explain what factors promote positive social and emotional development in adolescents. Co-author of Adolescents after Divorce, Buchanan can also address what happens to children of divorce. How do custody arrangements and conflict between parents affect the kids? She has been interviewed by media across the country, including national broadcast and print outlets, including parenting magazines.
Media Appearances
Stereotypes about teens can undermine parents' confidence
NPR
November 6, 2015
When moms and dads believe they can manage their children’s issues and encourage positive behavior, they are more likely to parent effectively. That, in turn, makes it less likely their adolescents will act out, according to developmental psychologists Terese Glatz of Örebro University in Sweden and Christy Buchanan of Wake Forest University.
But parents feel especially stressed during adolescence, explains Glatz, as they expect those years to be difficult. This reputation is not entirely fair: On average, difficult behaviors and negative emotions increase during adolescence, yet overall the levels remain low, says Buchanan. “Adolescents are a group for whom negative stereotypes are still tolerated,” she adds.
10 expert tips you didn't know about getting your teenager to open up
HuffPost
August 17, 2015
“Avoid judging, criticism and sarcasm. Find something you can understand or affirm in the teen’s point of view and acknowledge that before offering alternative points of view,” suggested Christy Buchanan, a professor of psychology at Wake Forest University who specializes in adult-adolescent relationships. “And listen … carefully. No one — of any age — enjoys a conversation partner who doesn’t listen!”
All Experts
More Information
Areas of Expertise
- Adolescence
- Adolescent Development
- Children and Divorce
- Civic Development in Adolescents and Young Adults
- Developmental Psychology
- Parent-Child Relationships
- Parenting Adolescents
- Relationships Between Teens and Parents
- Teens
Education
University of Michigan: Ph.D., Psychology
Seattle Pacific University: B.A., Psychology
ContactBroadcast Studio
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