Infant and Maternal Wellbeing and Resilience: a discussion of new research and lived experiences

Session Type: Conversation Roundtable

Abstract

Infant and maternal wellbeing is an important, and often polarizing challenge facing leaders in healthcare, education, and public policy. Persistent systemic barriers can lead to deleterious family outcomes during early childhood in particular (Chaudry, et al, 2016). Recent research sheds new light on age-old problems of family poverty, the realities of modern day parenting, and obstacles to navigating the social benefit structures intended to promote intergenerational health and wellbeing.

Together we will consider: What is the impact of cash, in kind, and social resources when they are funneled directly to pregnant mothers and families? What happens when those resources are managed in other ways? How do the safety net systems in the U.S. serve to enhance or hinder family wellbeing? How can interdisciplinary and community-academic partnerships in research design and dissemination be mutually beneficial? What are the limitations of emerging research and what’s the next frontier for further investigation?

Lina Svedin, Ph.D., faculty leader of the Program of Public Affairs, Political Science Department at the University of Utah will guide panelists and participants through these questions and beyond. Together, we’ll take a new look at examples of cutting edge research, community leadership, and clinical service to consider: what is our collective responsibility in the next phase of family health and wellbeing? This session is dedicated to a research-to-action discussion, with a focus on applied practice.

Sub Unit

• Family Context & Processes

Moderator

• Lina M. Svedin, University of Utah

Panelists

• Anthony Barrows, Center for Behavioral Design & Social Justice

• Zelle (Allyson) Crawford, evolutionforward

• Joyce Rivera Javier, Children's Hospital Los Angeles

• Kimberly G Noble, Teachers College, Columbia University