Suniya S. Luthar, Ph.D.
Suniya Luthar is Foundation Professor of Psychology at Arizona State University and Professor Emerita at Columbia University’s Teachers College. After receiving her Ph.D. from Yale University in 1990, she served on the faculty of the Department of Psychiatry and the Child Study Center at Yale. Between 1997 and 2013, she was at Columbia University’s Teachers College, where she also served as Senior Advisor to the Provost (2011-2013).
Dr. Luthar's research involves vulnerability and resilience among various populations including youth in poverty, children in families affected by mental illness, and teens in upper-middle class families (who reflect high rates of symptoms relative to national norms). A mother of two grown children herself, her recent scientific focus has been on motherhood; studies aim to illuminate what best helps women negotiate the challenges of this life-transforming role, and to apply these insights in interventions toward fostering their resilience.
Education:
BS Child Development (Hons.), Lady Irwin College, Delhi University, India, 1978
MS Child Development, Lady Irwin College, Delhi University, India, 1980
PhD (Distinction) Developmental/Clinical Psychology, Yale University, New Haven, 1990
Contact Information - Suniya.Luthar@asu.edu
Using science to foster resilience
With a base in rigorous science, Authentic Connections is a non-profit group committed to maximizing individuals' personal well-being and resilient adaptation in their families, communities, and work settings.
For details on Authentic Connections Groups, please click here.
For details on our work with High Achieving Schools, please click here.
Curriculum Vitae
To download Dr. Luthar's curriculum vitae, click here
Honors and Awards
Luthar's early scientific contributions were recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA) in the form of a Dissertation Award in 1990 (Division 37; Child, Youth, & Family Services), and the Boyd McCandless Young Scientist Award in 1998 (Division 7; Developmental Psychology). In 2006, she was named Member of the New York Academy of Sciences, and named Fellow of the American Association for Psychological Science in recognition of her distinguished contributions to science. In September, 2015, Luthar was named Fellow of the American Psychological Association's Divisions 7 and 37 (Society for Child and Family Policy and Practice). Other awards include a Research Scientist Development Award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (1993), an American Mensa Education and Research Foundation Award for Excellence in Research on Intelligence (1995), and an award for Integrity and Mentorship from the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD)'s Asian Caucus in 2009. Luthar has served as chair of a grant peer review committee at the National Institutes of Health's Center for Scientific Review (2002–04), was elected member of the Governing Council of SRCD (2006–09), and chair of SRCD's Asian Caucus (2008–09). She served on the APA's Committee on Socioeconomic Status (2007–08), was elected to APA's Council of Representatives (Division 7) Developmental Psychology; 2013-16, and in Jan 2017, was elected to be President Elect of APA's Division 7.
Recent publications
(For complete list and links to articles, please see cv)
For copies of articles, please email SLuthar@asu.edu or see ResearchGate
Luthar, S. S, Kumar, N. L., & Benoit R. (In press). Toward fostering resilience on large scale: Connecting communities of caregivers. Development and Psychopathology.
Luthar, S. S., & Kumar, N. L. (2019). How can you help children thrive in a world focused on success? In T. McCullough & K. Whitaker (Eds.), Wealth of Wisdom: 50 Questions Wealthy Families Ask and Answers from the World's Top Family Wealth Experts, pp. 149-154. New York: Wiley.
Ebbert, A.E., Kumar, N.L., & Luthar, S.S. (2019). Complexities in adjustment patterns among the "best and the brightest": Risk and resilience in the context of high-achieving schools. Research in Human Development, 16, 21-34, DOI:10.1080/15427609.2018.1541376
Ebbert, A. M., Infurna, F. J., & Luthar, S. S. (2018). Mapping developmental changes in perceived parent–adolescent relationship quality throughout middle school and high school. Development and psychopathology, 1-16. DOI: 10.1017/S0954579418001219
Ciciolla, L. & Luthar, S. S. (2019). Invisible household labor and ramifications for adjustment: Mothers as captains of households. Sex Roles. DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-018-1001-x
Korous, K. M., Causadias, J. M., Bradley, R. H., & Luthar, S. S. (2018). Unpacking the link between socioeconomic status and behavior problems: A second order meta-analysis. Development and Psychopathology, 30, 1889-1906. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579418001141
Curlee, A. S., Aiken, L. S., & Luthar, S. S. (2018). Middle school peer reputation in high-achieving schools: Ramifications for maladjustment versus competence by age 18. Development and Psychopathology.https://doi-org.ezproxy1.lib.asu.edu/10.1017/S0954579418000275
Infurna, F. J. & Luthar, S. S. (2018). Re-evaluating the notion that resilience is commonplace: A review and distillation of directions for future research, practice, and policy. Clinical Psychology Review.DOI: 10.1016/j.cpr.2018.07.003
Luthar, S. S., Small, P.J., Ciciolla, L. (2018). Adolescents from upper middle class communities: Substance misuse and addiction across early adulthood. Development and Psychopathology, 30, 311-335. doi.org/10.1017/S0954579417000645.
Luthar, S.S., & Kumar, N.L. (2018). Youth in high-achieving schools: Challenges to mental health and directions for evidence-based interventions. In A. W. Leschied, D. H. Saklofske, and G. L. Flett, Handbook of School-Based Mental Health Promotion: An Evidence-Informed Framework (pp. 441-458). New York: Springer.
Luthar, S. S. (2018). Mothering mothers. In R.A. Settersten Jr. & Megan M. McClelland (Eds.), The Study of Human Development: The Future of the Field. New York: Routledge.
Luthar, S. S. (2018). Developmental psychopathology. In A. Martin, M.H. Bloch and F. R. Volkmar (Eds.), Lewis's Child and Adolescent Psychiatry - A Comprehensive Textbook, Fifth Edition (pp. 452-475). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.
Luthar, S. S. (2017). Doing for the greater good: What price, in academe? Perspectives on Psychological Science, 12, 1153-1158. DOI10.1177/1745691617727863.
Luthar, S. S., Small, P.J., Ciciolla, L. (2017). Adolescents from upper middle class communities: Substance misuse and addiction across early adulthood. Development and Psychopathology. First view: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579417000645
Ciciolla, L., Curlee, A., & Luthar, S. S. (2017). What women want: Employment preference and adjustment among mothers. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 27, 282-290.: DOI 10.1007/s10834-017-9534-7.Infurna, F. J., & Luthar, S. S. (2017). Parent’s adjustment following the death of their child: Resilience is multidimensional and differs across outcomes examined. Journal of Personality, 68, 38-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2017.04.004
Infurna, F.J. & Luthar, S. S. (2017). The multidimensional nature of resilience to spousal loss. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 112, 926-947. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pspp0000095
Luthar, S.S., Curlee, A., Tye, S.J., Engelman, J.C., &. Stonnington, C. M. (2017). Fostering resilience among mothers under stress: “Authentic Connections Groups” for medical professionals. Women’s Health Issues, 27, 382-390. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.whi.2017.02.007
Luthar, S.S., & Eisenberg, N. (2017). Resilient adaptation among at-risk children: Harnessing science toward maximizing salutary environments. Child Development, 88, 337–349. doi:10.1111/cdev.1273m
Ciciolla, L., Curlee, A., Karageorge, J., & Luthar, S. S. (2016). When mothers and fathers are seen as disproportionately valuing achievements: Implications for adjustment among upper middle class youth. Journal of Youth and Adolescence. Online first, OI: 10.1007/s10964-016-0596-x
Infurna, F.J., & Luthar, S.S. (2016a). Resilience to major life stressors is not as common as thought. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 11, 175 –194. DOI: 10.1177/1745691615621271
Infurna, F.J., & Luthar, S.S. (2016b). Resilience has been and will always be, but rates declared are inevitably suspect: Reply to Galatzer-Levy and Bonanno. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 11, 199 –201. DOI: 10.1177/1745691615621281
Luthar, S. S., Crossman, E. J., & Small, P. J. (2015). Resilience and adversity. In R.M. Lerner and M. E. Lamb (Eds.). Handbook of Child Psychology and Developmental Science (7th Edition, Vol. III, pp. 247-286). New York: Wiley.
Luthar, S.S., & Ciciolla, L. (2015). What it feels like to be a mother: Variations by children’s developmental stages. Developmental Psychology, 52, 143-154. http://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/dev0000062
Luthar, S.S., & Ciciolla, L. (2016). Who mothers Mommy? Factors that contribute to mothers’ well-being. Developmental Psychology, 51, 1812-1823. http://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/dev0000051
Coren, S. A., & Luthar, S. S. (2014). Pursuing perfection: Distress and interpersonal functioning among adolescent boys in single-sex and co-educational independent schools. Journal of School Psychology, 51, 931-946. PMCID: PMC4225622
Lyman, E. & Luthar, S. S. (2014). Further evidence on the “Costs of Privilege”: Perfectionism in high-achieving youth at socioeconomic extremes. Journal of School Psychology, 51, 913-930. PMCID: PMC4559285
Luthar, S. S., Barkin, S. H., & Crossman, E. J. (2013). “I can, therefore I must”: Fragility in the upper-middle classes. Development and Psychopathology, 25th Anniversary Special Issue, 25, 1529-1549. PMCID: PMC4215566
In the News
(For other news reports, & presentations to communities/ schools, please see cv)
Featured:
American Psychological Association (podcast). March 15. The college admissions scandal and the psychology of affluence.
National Association of Independent Schools, Mar, 2019. The frenzied college admission ...making our children sick.
PBS, Newshour, Sat April 27, & Arizona Pubic Media (video), Oct 1, 2018. Connecting mothers.
Washington Post Op-ed, Sept 28, 2018. Many teens drink. Rich ones …. more likely to abuse alcohol.
New York Times, Sept. 27, 2018. ‘Risky Business’ and Brett Kavanaugh, 35 Years Later
NPR Morning Edition (audio), June 11, 2018. The perils of pushing kids too hard.
New York Times, Oct.11, 2017. Why are more American teenagers…suffering from severe anxiety?
NPR, Sept. 28, 2017. Mommy mentors help fight the stigma of postpartum mood disorder.
NPR, Dec 29, 2016. Being mom to a middle schooler can be the toughest gig of all.(2ndin "Best of NPR, 2016")
The Atlantic. Nov 17, 2015. The Silicon Valley suicides.
2019
Your Teen, June 25 (podcast).Want to be a good mother? Be good to yourself.
Ledevoir.com, Canada (June 8). Big Little Lies: de grands mensonges, juste de grands mensonges.
National Association of Independent Schools, Summer 2019. Reframing the foundation for student success.
Time, May 23. We tell our kids that hard work always pays off. What happens when they fail anyway?
USA Today, May 22. My teens don't use social media, but even they can't escape the pressure of perfectionism
Your Teen, May 20. Interview with Suniya Luthar: The psychology of motherhood and more
Global News, Canada, May 7 (podcast). Super Awesome Science Show: The science of moms.
PBS NewsHour, April 27 (video). Connecting mothers
The Rossland Telegraph, April 23. Why mothers of tweens are more depressed than mothers of babies.
The Robesonian, April 12. It’s tough being a teen girl.
Carolina Journal, April 12. Teen girls face myriad challenges, pressure from many sides.
The Telegraph, UK. March 30. Us mothers are invisible for 359 days of the year, so bring on the glittery tat.
KMIH FM-889 The Bridge, WA, March 26 (podcast). Joe’s class with psychologist & educator Suniya Luthar.
The Washington Post, March 14. Mental health problems rise significantly among young Americans.
Quartz.com, March 14. The best solution to the college admissions scandal is simple: run lotteries.
ThriveGobal.com, March 6. Why parenting is the biggest challenge to maintaining my mental health.
Swaddle.com, March 6. Women's mental load leads to distress, dissatisfaction, study finds.
Old, Gold, & Black, Jan 31. Affluence plays a role In party culture.
All4Women.com, South Africa, Jan 24. Why today’s mothers are exhausted and unhappy.
Pix11TV, NY, Jan 24. ‘Invisible labor’ is taking a toll on mothers, study says
US News and World Reports, Jan 23. Moms, are you victims of 'invisible labor'?
Motherly, Jan 23. The invisible labor of motherhood is real—and it’s burning us out.
ScaryMommy.com, Jan 23. New study confirms what we know:Motherhood is bad for mental health
The Daily Mail, UK, Jan 22. The invisible workload of modern mothers.
The London Economic, Jan 22. Being a mum ‘bad for a woman’s health’
The Independent, UK, Jan 22. Emotional responsibility of being a mother...women's mental health.
Good Morning America, Jan 22. ‘Invisible labor’ taking a toll on mothers’ well-being:
Mashable, Jan 22. Women’s invisible labor leaves them feeling empty, study finds.
ASU Now, Jan 22. Invisible labor can negatively impact well-being in mothers.
Business Daily, Africa, Jan 16. Hope and resilience rise from depth of tragedy.
Quartz, Jan 10. The best solution to Harvard’s admissions problem is simple: Run a lottery.
Washington Post, Jan. 8. There is no room for ‘average’ students these days.
2018
The Atlantic, Dec. 26. The way American parents think about chores is bizarre
Washington Examiner, Dec 18. Low-income kids using drugs less than wealthier peers.
Wall Street Journal, Nov. 23. The right way for parents to question their teenagers.
Wilton Bulletin, Nov 4. Community series will address needs of Wilton youth.
The Fix.com, Oct 31. How communication affects teen mental health.
ABC News,, Oct 28. Teen anxiety, depression more likely in kids who don't…communicate with parents
MedicalXpress.com, Oct 25. Parent-child bond predicts depression, anxiety in teens attending high-achieving schools
Daily Mail, UK, Oct 25. Parent relationship … prevent depression in kids at high-achieving schools.
LionOnline, Oct 25. Substance abuse survey results spark concern at LT.
YahooStyle.comOct 11. Anxiety and wealth.
MarketCurrents.com, Oct. 6. Using a trust to support beneficiaries with behavioral problems.
The David Feldman Show (podcast), Oct 6. Elite schools are toxic health hazards.
South China Morning Post, Oct 4. Life’s no beach for children nowadays.
PBS, Arizona Pubic Media (video), Oct 1. Connecting mothers.
RealSimple, Oct. 1. How to raise a problem-solver.
New York Times, Sept 27. ‘Risky Business’ and Brett Kavanaugh, 35 Years Later.
ASUNow, Sept. 21. Middle schoolers’ reputations and their substance use & school achievement.
The Hour.com, Sept. 21. Op-ed: Depression in the midst of affluence.
Glamour.com, Sept 13. My life as a work-at-home-mom was hell
The Atlantic, Aug 20. Why it feels so terrible to drop your kid at college.
Kiplinger.com. Aug 13. Is your child at risk of catching 'affluenza'?
EurekAlert! Aug 15. It's okay when you're not okay: A re-evaluation of resilience in adults.
KJZZ, Aug 11. Study shows middle school popularity isn’t everything.
Addiction Professional, Aug 6. Youth addiction is an equal-opportunity affliction.
Hazeldon Betty Ford Institute, July 27. Does socioeconomic advantage lessen the risk of adolescent substance use?
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, July 1. Adolescent wellness: Current perspectives and future opportunities in research, policy, and practice.
NPR Morning Edition, June 11. The perils of pushing kids too hard.
Wilton Bulletin,June 6. View from Glen Hill: In education there is no one-size-fits-all.
Quartz,June 5. High-achieving girls are terrified of failure.
USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism, May 25. Who’s there to mother mommy? Far too often, no one.
PBS Catalyst: Shaping the future(video), May 16. Helping mothers through friendship.
Charlotte Observer, May 11. The unintended victims of the suburban charter school bill: White kids.
PBS Cronkite News (video),April 16. Why some women under stress struggle to find a mental balance.
Good Morning Wilton, March 8. Researcher finds Wilton youth more …stressed than average teens.
ASUNow, Feb 22. New ASU certificate dedicated to military, veteran experiences.
Spear’s, UK. Feb 1. Time to break the ‘stiff upper lip’: How wealth affects your mental health.
ASUNow, Jan 22. ASU support-group sessions benefit psychology students, university community.
Fofaco.org, Jan 14. Mulheres e álcool.
TheFix.com, Jan 5. Generation Z’s pursuit of perfectionism could affect their mental health
Heath@ASU, Dec. 28. Set yourself to 'away': Resetting yourself for better mental health.
New Canaan Advertiser, Dec. 8. St. Luke’s speaker talks of risks to teens in affluent community.
Essential Baby, Australia, Nov 10. Being a stay-at-home mum isn't always a choice.
Mindful Return, Oct. 28. An expert tells moms: do THIS instead of self-care.
Romper.com, Oct. 25. Stay-at-home moms who are unhappy often aren't staying home by choice.
Atlanta Journal Constitution. Oct. 23. Why more US teens are suffering from severe anxiety…
2017:
KQED, Oct. 20. Anxiety is taking a toll on teens, their families and schools.
The Fix, Oct. 19, Is social media to blame for rise in teen, young adult anxiety?
New York Times, Oct.11. Why are more American teenagers…suffering from severe anxiety?
KJZZ,Oct 6, Authentic Connections program expected to head to ASU.
NPR, Sept. 28. Mommy mentors help fight the stigma of postpartum mood disorder.
The State Press, Sept. 22. ASU students facing anxiety or depression.. may underutilize resources.
US News & World Reports, Sept. 12. Is growing up with money a risk factor for …addiction?
American Psychological Association, Sept. 2017. Maximizing children's resilience.
Vice.com-Tonic, Aug 16. Twice as many teen girls are killing themselves & we don’t know why.
PBS Arizona (video), Aug 9. Celebrity suicides.
Fox10 News (video), July 30. Psychologist weighs in on ..why Chester Bennington took his own life.
ASUNow, July 27. ASU psychology professor sheds light on rockers’ twin suicides.
KTAR News, July 26. ASU study says wealthy teens more likely to be addicted.
Harvard Kennedy School, July 24. Rich teens, drug abuse and the importance of involved parents.
BYU Radio, Top of Mind, July 19. Kids in high-achieving schools: Addiction down the road?
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 23. Teens in high-achieving schools face greater alcohol, addiction risk.
Science Daily, June 23. To work or not to work: Moms' well being rests on what she wants.
The Business Journals, June 22. Science: Moms with choices are best-adjusted.
AddictionNow, June 6. Why are wealthy teens more likely to get addicted
MedicalNews.com, June 5. Kids from high achieving schools at highest risk for addiction
Fox News, June 5. Rich kids and drugs: Addiction may hit wealthy students hardest.
CBS News, June 1. Teens at elite high schools at higher risk of addiction, study finds.
The Telegraph, UK, June 1. Girls at private schools more likely have problems with alcohol & drugs.
The Independent, UK, June 1. Top private school pupils more likely to end up with addictions.
LiveScience.com, June 1. Rich kids and drugs: Addiction may hit wealthy kids hardest.
Huffington Post, June 1. Addiction may hit wealthy, white collar students hardest
Huffington Post, June 1. Building Authentic Connections: Professional moms come out more resilient.
Daily Mail, UK, May 31. Teenagers at high-achieving schools MORE likely to battle addiction.
ASU Now, May 31. Kids in high-achieving schools: Addiction down the road?
The Atlantic, April 19. How big people shape little kids in big little lies.
Science Newsline, April 12. Mayo, ASU program helps mothers in medical professions lower stress.
Campden Wealth, UK, Feb 24. Poor little rich kids: How mental health is affecting the next generation.
Science Daily, Feb 21. Family focused interventions for at risk children and youth.
PsychCentral.com, Feb 5. Experts recommend more interventions for at-risk youth.
ScienceDaily.com,Feb 1. Experts recommend shift in national priorities to prevent youth disorders.
The Times, UK, Jan 29. Puttnam: Elite kids as deprived as the poorest.
Daily Mail, UK, Jan 29. Children of the super-rich top 0.1% are 'as disadvantaged' as society's poorest.
The Pool, UK, Jan 23. The middle years of child-rearing are the toughest.
The Independent, UK, Jan 17. Why parenting tweenage children is more stressful..
KJZZ Public Radio, (podcast) Jan 17. Research: Families should spend more time teaching kids kindness.
VoiceAmerica.com (podcast), Jan 12. Middle school moms --The most stressed of all.
Southern California Public Radio (podcast), Jan 11. Why moms of middle schoolers have it hardest.
Slate.com (podcast- @12:45 minutes), Jan 5. Mom and dad are fighting: The Hardest Age.
2016:
NPR,Dec 29. Being mom to a middle schooler can be the toughest gig of all.(2ndin "Best of NPR")
Arizona Republic, Dec 2. Pushy parents who prioritize GPA are actually hurting their kids.
Times of India, Dec 1. Why you should stop pressuring kids over grades.
PsychCentral, Dec 1. Parents should not put too much pressure on kids.
Science Daily, Nov. 28. Parents should avoid pressuring young children over grades.
Bloomberg Businessweek. Nov. 21. Affluenza Anonymous: Rehab for the young, rich, and addicted.
Wilton Bulletin, Oct 9. The serious risks affluent teens face.
The New York Times, Sept. 26. When a spouse dies, resilience can be uneven.
KJZZ Public Radio,Sept. 20. Why our resilience may rely more on relationships than personal fortitude.
El Confidencial, Spain,Sept. 15, 2016 'Affluenza', la polémica enfermedad…
IrishTImes.com, Sept 13. Should you instinctively know how to be a parent?
Global News, Canada, Sept. 9. Extra-curricular activities vs. play: which is better for kids?
Wall Street Journal, Aug 24. When to let children quit.
Psychology Today, Aug 16. Is empty nest a myth?
612 ABC Brisbane, Australia (audio),July 29. Money, wealth, and expectation.
The Academic Minute. July 15. Mothers of tweens.
NPR,June 6. Think mothering young kids is hard? Get ready for even tougher times.
Mental_Floss.com,May 24. Resilience isn’t innate: Here’s how we can cultivate it.
Wall Street Journal, May 17. Moms’ middle-school blues.
Care.com, May 1. Are you raising a ticking time-bomb?
Psychology Today, March 31. What’s the hardest stage of parenting?
Science Daily, March 19. Natural resilience to major life stressors is not as common as thought
Washington Post, March 25. Researchers have a new theory about how tragedies affect us.
Quartz,March 20. Most people aren’t resilient to life’s hardships
The Times, UK, March 19. Stressed, depressed, lonely and anxious. Is your teenager OK?
Medical Daily, March 18. Resilience is uncommon
BYU Radio, Top of Mind, March 8. Middle school parenting
Raising Arizona, March 2016. Who mothers mommy?
Black Bear, Feb 28. The addiction epidemic no one is talking about
The Times, UK, Feb 7. Cutting the old school ties
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Feb 05. How to survive your kids' middle school years
CNN,Jan 27. Middle school: The new high school for moms
Good Housekeeping, Jan 27. Middle school stressful for whole family
QZ.com, Jan 28. Having a newborn is hell—it gets worse
KInstantly,Jan 25. Moms, prepare for middle school
CNN,Jan 8. Believe it or not, there are challenges to growing up wealthy.
The Washington Post, Jan 7, 2106. No such thing as ‘affluenza?’ Not so fast.
The Dallas Observer, Jan 7. Affluenza is a big surprise..are you kidding me?
2015:
NPR To the Point. Dec 28. Students and the pressure to perform.
The Times of India. Nov 22. The poor, little rich kids of Silicon Valley schools.
The Atlantic. Nov 21. Why affluent parents put so much pressure on their kids.
The Atlantic. Nov 17. The Silicon Valley suicides.
WebMD Radio. Nov10. Being a Mother: Who takes care of the caregiver?
KInstantly U, Nov 2. This study struck a chord with moms
Science Daily, Oct 29. Who mothers Mommy?
Bloomberg Business, Oct 1. How the superwealthy plan to make sure their kids stay superwealthy
Huffington Post, July 7. Is it possible to raise happy kids in affluence?
The New York Times, March 31. Do college admissions by lottery.
The New York Times, Jan 10. Growing up on easy street has its dangers.
Current Projects
OVERVIEW
Conducted within a developmental psychopathology framework, research by our group revolves around the construct of resilience and positive youth development (Luthar, 2003; Luthar, 2006; Luthar & Brown, 2007; Luthar, Cicchetti, & Becker, 2000; Luthar & Eisenberg, 2017). Core questions of interest are: What are the processes that help some children and adults do well in spite of diverse stressors in their lives? Across various spheres of development — psychological, emotional, interpersonal, and academic -- how can we help to maximize their potentials and achieve competent, productive trajectories over time?
Currently, we are focused on two major programs of research, each described more in detail below. The first involves middle- and high-school students at highly achieving schools; across diverse samples, these youth have shown greater substance use and distress relative to national norms. The second area encompasses prevention trials to foster resilience among adults in high stress settings via a manualized group intervention, Authentic Connections Groups.
Research has shown that students growing up in highly achieving schools represent an "at-risk" group: Across diverse samples, they have shown significantly greater substance use and distress relative to national norms. These findings have been replicated across diverse settings -- in public and private schools, in cities and in suburbs, and in different parts of the country. Over time, these high levels of stress and distress can have serious consequences, including self-harm and addiction (Luthar, Barkin, & Crossman, 2013; Luthar & Latendresse, 2005; Luthar, Small, & Ciciolla, 2017).
Currently, this programmatic research is focused on understanding how salient aspects of school climate, and of parent-child relationships, can best be modified in order to maximize the well-being of youth and of the adults who care for them. This work involves ongoing collaborations with high-achieving day and boarding schools across the country.Fostering resilience in communities & the workplace
In collaboration with the Mayo Clinic, AZ , we examined the effectiveness of a relationally-based intervention for a group of mothers at high risk: Medical care providers with young children. Between 30% and 40% of US physicians reportedly experience professional burnout, with women at significantly greater risk than their male counterparts. The Authentic Connections Groups (ACG) intervention is aimed at the development and crystallization of close, supportive, and dependable relationships for these women, both at work and in their everyday lives.
Results of the intervention were positive at several levels. Across the 12 weeks of the groups, there were zero dropouts. After the program, analyses of covariance showed significantly greater improvements for mothers in the Authentic Connections Groups than control condition for depression and global symptoms. By 3 months follow-up, significant differences were seen for these two dimensions and almost all other central variables, including self-compassion, feeling loved, physical affection received, and parenting stress, with moderate effect sizes; participants also showed significant reductions in cortisol levels at both after the intervention and follow-up.
Since completion of this project, we have successfully completed groups for various other groups experiencing high everyday stress, including military mothers, graduate students, and women in STEM disciplines. Most recent efforts involve counselors, advisors, and administrators at high-achieving schools, such as those in the programmatic work described earlier.
Selected presentations
Talks for school, PTA groups, and stakeholder communities
Luthar, S. S. (2019). Youth in High Achieving Schools. Mercer Island, WA, April 16-17.
Luthar, S. S. (2019). Youth in High Achieving Schools: REDGen. Milwaukee, WI, April 8.
Luthar, S. S., & Kumar, N.L. (2019). Using real data to developing well-being interventions in high-achieving schools. Annual Conference, National Association of Independent Schools. Long Beach, CA, February 28.
Luthar, S. S. (2019). Keynote: Youth in High Achieving Schools. Parent University: Mindful and Balanced Parenting. Brentwood School, Los Angeles, CA, January 26.
Luthar, S. S. (2018). Youth in high-achieving schools: Fostering resilience. Student Assistance Services Corporation 25thAnnual “When the holidays aren’t so happy” Conference. White Plains, NY, Dec. 11.
Luthar, S. S. (2018). Doing for the greater good: What price, in academe? Sanford School of Family Dynamics, Arizona State University, Sept. 21.
Luthar, S. S. (2018). Authentic Connections: Fostering resilience among women who are health care providers. Grand Rounds, Mayo Clinic, Rochester MN, June 13.
Luthar, S. S. (2018). Authentic Connections: An evidence-based intervention for women under stress. Association of Health Care Journalists, Phoenix, April 14.
Luthar, S. S. (2018). The High-Achieving Schools Survey: Using research to guide interventions. INDEX Academic Conference for Independent Schools, Chicago, April 12.
Luthar, S. S. (2018). Youth in High Achieving Schools. Shady Side Academy, Pittsburgh, PA, April 2.
Luthar, S. S. (2018). Panel: We need to talk...a series of tough conversations about health. ASU, March 18.
Luthar, S. S. (2018). Wilton High School: Summary of findings - 2018. Wilton, CT, March 5.
Luthar, S. S. (2017). Privileged and pressured: The risks of growing up in an affluent community. St. Luke’s School, New Canaan, CT. November 27.
Luthar, S. S. (2017). High octane achievement. Pembroke Hill School, Kansas City, MO, October 11-12.
Luthar, S. S. (2017). Adjustment patterns among youth in high achieving schools. Deerfield Academy, Deerfield, MA, May 11-12.
Luthar, S. S. (2017). Adjustment patterns among youth in high achieving schools. Northfield Mount Herman school, Mount Hermon, MA, March 20.
Luthar, S. S. (2016). A new look at “Affluenza”. Visiting Professor Lecture, Child Mind Institute, New York, NY, Nov. 18.
Luthar, S. S. (2016). Privileged and pressured: The risks of growing up in an affluent community. Wilton, CT, Oct. 21.
Luthar, S. S. (2016). Adjustment patterns among high school students: A report. Skyline High School, Issaquah, WA, Sept 19 and 21.
Luthar, S. S. (2016). Youth in highly achieving schools: Interventions based in developmental science. National Association of Independent Schools, Andover, MA, April 15.
Luthar, S.S. (2016). High achievement and associated stress. Brebeuf Jesuit School, Indianapolis, Jan 26.
Luthar, S.S. (2015). The price of high-octane achievement. Bainbridge Island, WA, October 6.
Luthar, S.S. (2015). Fragility in affluent families and implications for parenting research and practice. Institute of Medicine and National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences, Open Session: Supporting the parents of young children. Washington, DC, April 9.
Luthar, S. S. (2015). Pressures in the context of privilege: Implications for resilience-based interventions. Palo Alto, CA, March 20.
Luthar, S. S. (2015). Privileged but pressured: Fragility in the upper middle classes. Lady Irwin College, Delhi University, India, January 5.
Blogs
Luthar, S. S. (2019). The frenzied college admission race is making our children sick. National Association of Independent Schools, March 15.
Luthar, S. S. (2018) Many teens drink. Rich ones …. more likely to abuse alcohol. Washington Post Op-ed, Sept 28.
Luthar, S. S. (2018). Middle-school 'popularity' can backfire over time: Peer popularity presages high substance use at age 18. Psychology Today, September 7.
Luthar, S. S. (2018). Reducing over-the-top pressure on our children: Exemplary actions from one high-achieving community. Psychology Today, June 26.
Luthar, S. S. (2017). What's needed from Professors: Modeling eminence in scholarship along with commitment to doing for others. Psychology Today, December 12.
Luthar, S. S. (2017). When being a stay-at-home mom is not really a “choice”: The need for reliable, high quality child care. Psychology Today, October 23.
Luthar, S.S. (2017). Our kids are not all right: High-achieving schools and risks for addiction. Psychology Today, June 13.
Luthar, S. S. (2017). Mothering mothers: “Authentic Connections” fostered in the workplace. Psychology Today, May 13.
Luthar, S. S., & Ciciolla, L. (2016). Why mothers of tweens – not babies – are the most depressed. Aeon Opinions, April 4.
Luthar, S. S., & Schwartz, B. (2016). Sometimes ‘poor little rich kids’ really are poor little rich kids. The Great Debate, Reuters.com, January 5.
Luthar, S. S. (2014). Girls Interrupted: Why colleges shouldn’t recruit athletes before high school. American Psychological Association Public Interest Directorate blog, February 27,
Luthar, S. S. (2014). Let kids face consequences. Raising Arizona, May 2014.
Luthar, S. S. (2013). The problem with rich kids. Psychology Today, Nov-Dec, 62-69, 87. http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/201310/the-problem-rich-kids