EDUCATION:

M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Charles University, 1998
M.S. in Clinical Psychology, Purdue University, 2001
M.S. in Applied Statistics, Purdue University, 2004
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Purdue University, 2005
Internship in Child Clinical Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2004-2005


RESEARCH INTERESTS:

Dr. Mrug is a child clinical psychologist whose main interests lie in developmental psychopathology. Dr. Mrug’s current research focuses on individual and contextual influences in the development of externalizing behavior problems in children and adolescents, such as aggressive and disruptive behavior, delinquency, and substance use. Primary predictors of interest include pubertal timing, exposure to violence, peer relationships, parental practices, and broader influences of schools and neighborhoods.

Other areas of interest include peer relationships and social functioning in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and the study of social cognitions in children, especially as they relate to peer acceptance and rejection.


REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS:

Mrug, S., & Windle, M. (2009). Moderators of negative peer influence on early adolescent externalizing behaviors: The roles of individual behavior, parenting, and school connectedness. Journal of Early Adolescence, 29, 518-540.

Mrug, S., & Windle, M. (2009). Bidirectional influences of violence exposure and adjustment in early adolescence: Externalizing behaviors and school connectedness. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 37, 611-623.

Mrug, S., & Windle, M. (2009). Mediators of neighborhood influences on externalizing behavior in preadolescent children. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 37, 265-280.

Mrug, S., Elliott, M.N., Gilliland, M.J., Grunbaum, J., Tortolero, S., Cuccaro, P., & Schuster, M.A. (2008). Positive parenting and early puberty in girls: Protective effects against aggressive behavior. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 162, 781-786.

Mrug, S., & Hoza, B. (2007). Impression formation and modifiability: Testing a theoretical model. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 53, 631-659.

Mrug, S., Hoza, B., Pelham, W.E., Gnagy, E.M., & Greiner, A.R. (2007). Behavior and peer status in children with ADHD: Continuity and change. Journal of Attention Disorders, 10, 359-371.


TEACHING:
PY 718 - Research design
PY 719 - Multivariate statistics
PY 729 - Adolescent development