Research

For a detailed overview of my academic and professional history, pleaser refer to my curriculum vitae (CV) here.

  • Suma, K., Morton, L., Allen, K., & Caughy, M.O. (2024). Actively changing the narrative: An exploration of culturally grounded parenting and social skills. Infant Mental Health Journal.https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.22137

    Morton, L., Caughy, M., & Koss, K. (2024). School racial composition and changes in Black children’s academic engagement and motivation during late elementary school. Journal of Child and Family Studies.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-024-02853-8

    Morton, L., Osborne, K.R., Anderson, L. A., & Caughy, M.O. (2024). “At the end of the day, someone done lost their child”: A mixed methods analysis of Black families’ experiences of the sociopolitical climate. Family Process. Advance Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/famp.12968

    Morton, L, Anderson, L.A., Caughy, M.O., Osborne, K., Suma, K., & Odejimi, O., Little, T.D. (2023). Changes in ethnic identity in middle childhood: Family and neighborhood determinants. Journal of Early Adolescence, Advance Online Publication, 1-28. https://doi.org/10.1177/02724316231182292

    Anderson, L.A., Morton, L., & Trejo, A. (2022). To be young, conscious and Black: The cumulative witnessing of racial violence for Black youth and families. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1111/jftr.12466

  • Barjas-Gonzalez, R.G., Morton, L., Perez-Berna, N., Diaz-Lara, G., & Garcia Coll, C. (2024, April). Weakening U.S. child labor protections stands to harm youth health and education outcomes. SRCD Latinx Caucus, Society for Research in Child Development. https://shorturl.at/mLur9

  • Society for Research in Child Development U.S. Policy Fellowship Panel, Minneapolis, MN, Society for Research in Child Development Biennial Meeting

    Race and Ethnicity, Early and Middle Childhood (Instructor of Record: Dr. Margaret Caughy), Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia

    Social Development and Peer Relations, Early and Middle Childhood (Instructor of Record: Dr. Margaret Caughy), Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia

    Ethnic Identity Development and Racial Socialization, Adolescence and Young Adulthood (Instructor of Record: Dr. Steven Kogan), Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia

    Post-Graduation Career Paths, Professional Development/Community Activities (Instructor of Record: Dr. Melissa Scott Kozak), Department of Human Development and Family Science, University of Georgia

    Black Feminism, Qualitative Research Traditions (Instructor of Record: Dr. Kathy Roulston), Department of Qualitative Methods, University of Georgia

  • Morton, L., Koss, K., & Caughy, M. (2023 March). High quality predominantly Black schools associated with better academic engagement for Black children.[Poster presentation]. Association for Psychological Sciences (APS)’s International Convention of Psychological Science (ICPS), Brussels, Belgium.

    Morton, L., Osborne, K., Anderson, L., Owen, M., & Caughy, M. (2023 March). Experiences of the sociopolitical climate among Black parents: A mixed methods approach. [Poster presentation].  Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Biennial Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah.

    Pinson, N., Morton, L., LaBarrie, D., & Caughy, M. (2023 March). The effects of social media usage on pre-adolescents’ depressive symptoms. [Poster presentation]. Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Biennial Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah.

    Onuoha, A., Morton, L., Sansbury, A.B., Burnett, M., Mims, L. (Moderator). (2023 March). To the center: A conversation about research on Black women and girls in developmental science. [Conversation Roundtable]. Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Biennial Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah.

    Sansbury, A.B., & Morton, L. (2022 April). Haunting “Dee” Freemans: The invisible monsters shaping school inequality and experiences for Black girls. [Paper presentation]. American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Conference, Virtual.

    Morton, L, Anderson, L.A., Caughy, M.O., Osborne, K., Suma, K., & Little, T.D. (2021 November). Changes in ethnic identity in middle childhood: Family and neighborhood determinants. [Paper presentation]. National Council of Family Relations (NCFR) Annual Conference, Virtual.

    Morton, L., & Caughy, M. (2021 April). The effects of a school’s ethnic-racial composition on Black girl’s academic engagement and academic motivation. [Poster presentation]. Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Biennial Conference, Virtual.

    Morton, L., Anderson, L., Suma, K., Osborne, K., Walsdorf, A., Owen, M., & Caughy, M. (2021 April). Examining the influence of contextual factors on parent’s cultural socialization and Black and Latinx children’s ethnic identity development. [Poster presentation]. Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Biennial Conference, Virtual.

    Trejo, A., Morton, L., & Osborne, K. (2021 April). Experiences of the sociopolitical climate among Black and Latinx parents. [Flash Talk Paper]. Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Biennial Conference, Virtual.

    Morton, L., Anderson, L.A., Suma, K., Osborne, K., Walsdorf, A., Owen, M., & Caughy, M. (2020 November). Examining the moderating effects of racial socialization on the relationship between neighborhoods and identity development in Black and Latinx youth. [Poster presentation]. National Council on Family Relations (NCFR), Virtual.

    Acosta, J.,Garcia, K., Morton, L., & Cabrera, N. J. (2018 June). Parent stress and parent engagement among low-income, ethnic minority parents. [Poster presentation]. National Research Conference on Early Childhood (NRCEC), Arlington, VA.

Topical Expertise

  • Academic Achievement

    Academic achievement plays a critical role in shaping lifelong opportunities and well-being. I study how family, school, and community factors influence students’ educational outcomes, with a focus on reducing disparities in access to quality education. Through this work, I aim to promote environments where all students are supported to reach their full potential.

  • Child Development

    Understanding how early experiences shape children’s social, emotional, and cognitive growth is central to my work. I focus on identifying the conditions that help children thrive and the supports families need to foster healthy development.

  • Identity Development

    How children develop an understanding of their ethnic and racial identities within diverse social contexts is a key aspect of child development. My work highlights the importance of positive identity formation in promoting well-being, belonging, and resilience among minoritized children and youth.

  • Environmental Context

    Children’s outcomes are deeply shaped by the environments in which they grow and learn. This includes their homes, schools, neighborhoods, and the broader sociopolitical climate. I examine how factors such as school climate, community resources, and neighborhood conditions create opportunities and/or barriers to healthy, long term development.

  • Policy

    I believe research should be used to directly benefit the populations it represents. A great way to do this is through policy. My work uses research to inform policies that expand opportunity for children and families. I have expertise in early care and education, child care, coordinated services, and workforce development.

  • Data Analysis

    Using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches I am able to help organizations conduct high quality research, identify gaps in services, and maximize efficiency. This includes survey development and design, data management, data visualization, and program evaluation.

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