About Us

Who We Are

The Research Center for Child Well-Being conducts prevention research to concurrently 1) reduce social, emotional and behavioral problems, and 2) promote healthy lifestyle behaviors in children ages 2-10 years. Center investigators concentrate on the development, testing and refinement of preventive interventions in these two domains as well as the underlying constructs integral to this work, including self-regulation, executive function, and family interaction.

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Center Scientists

The RCCWB represents an interdisciplinary approach to prevention science. Our scientists bring expertise from the fields of public health, psychology, education, and social work into the realm of child and family interventions, empowered by a robust Center team. The College of Arts & Sciences and the Arnold School of Public Health reinforce this work through their provision of resources and support.

Center Structure

The RCCWB is a Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) program funded by a P20 grant from NIGMS/NIH. The Center was established to enhance the University of South Carolina’s capacity to conduct biomedical research, strengthen research infrastructure, and support early career investigators whose research aligns with the Center’s focus.

Two research cores support the mission of the RCCWB and its investigators:

Center Research Aims

Our prevention research strives to enhance child well-being by concurrently focusing on the two domains of social emotional health and healthy lifestyle behavior.  Our Center investigators structure their research aims to answer these and related questions: 

(1) What dual successes can be achieved when addressing both domains within a single preventive intervention?

(2) How does intervening on one (or more) indicators in one domain positively impact one or more indicators in the other domain?

(3) How do the two domains affect each other, and how does this knowledge translate into new prevention strategies?

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What Makes the Center Unique?

Our dual focus on promoting social/emotional well-being and healthy lifestyle behaviors in young children represents a comprehensive, whole-child approach that spans across domains to produce cogent, impactful research projects relevant to our local community and the broader societal context. Our diverse, interdisciplinary team of preventive scientists further fosters a wholistic and translational approach to public health.