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Mother-Daughter Biobehavioral Synchrony

Mother's Day Card

Synchrony in the Context of Maternal Depression

There is a growing body of evidence that, typically, parents and children coordinate their affect, behavior, physiology, and even brain patterns during meaningful interactions. This coordination is often referred to synchrony - the matching of each other's rhythms in real- time. Yet, for families affected by mental health challenges such as a history of maternal depression, synchrony may be attenuated or may take on a different meaning.

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To better understand the role of biobehavioral synchrony in conferring risk or resilience for depression, we are currently seeking mothers and daughters to participate in a research study in our laboratory. Families will complete a one-time 3.5-hour study visit at Auburn. During the study, we will ask mothers and daughters to discuss a recent conflict and to plan a fun activity together. We will also assess their biology during the discussion and ask them to answer questions. Results of this study may help us better understand girls’ risk for developing depression or pinpoint what makes girls resilient.

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Eligibility criteria include:
Girls ages 8-12
English fluency
Maternal history of depression

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Girls and their mothers will each earn $60 ($120 total) for their participation. Families who travel more than 40 miles to participate in the study will receive an additional $30 ($150 total).

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If you are interested in participating in the Risk and Resilience to The Intergenerational Transmission of Maternal Depressive Symptoms Study, please contact us via the link below. You can also email us with any questions at auburnflowerlab@gmail.com.

FLOWER LAB NEWS & BLOOMS

August 2025

Our lab team grew! We welcomed two doctoral students - Tess and Aleah! And we have three new undergraduate RAs - Gianna, Jessi, and Rees!​​​

 

June 2025

Our lab published a systematic review of psychophysiological correlates of parenting behavior in Developmental Psychobiology

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May 2025

Our lovely research assistant Anna Kate Talley graduated from Auburn University! Congrats!

 

May 2025

New graduate research assistant Caroline joins the team!

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April 2025

Dr. Somers presented research at the Society for Research and Child Development conference.

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April 2025

Synchrony Study is officially active and taking participants!​

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April 2025

Addie receives the Auburn University Burkhart Fellowship!

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March 2025

Blakely receives the Auburn University Undergraduate Research Fellowship!

 

Jan 2025

Daisy, our infant simulator, arrives!

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Jan 2025

Dr. Somers published her first paper from the FLOWER Lab in Development and Psychopathology.

 

Jan 2025

New research assistants: Camryn, Addie, Jillian, Anna Kate, and Sammy! 

 

May 2024

Blakely becomes Lab Manager of the FLOWER Lab!

 

August 2024

Dr. Somers joins Auburn University!

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Tel: 334-884-6611

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