Introduction & Projects
Mark Feinberg, Ph.D., Research Professor in the Prevention Research Center, was one of the first researchers to join the Center in its early days. He conducts basic and applied prevention research on youth, families, and communities, with a particular focus on family-focused prevention. He has made contributions to theory and research in areas such as co-parenting; sibling relationships; the epidemiology of adolescent behavior problems; and the efficacy of evidence-based community prevention initiatives. He has examined the transactions between family and social relationships and biological systems including genetics, cortisol/HPA axis, and cardiovascular disease markers. Recently, he and colleagues have pursued a line of work examining dynamic models of real-time family interaction. In addition to basic science, Mark has developed the Family Foundations program (see below), and co-developed prevention programs focused on reducing adverse birth outcomes, childhood obesity, and sibling conflict—all of which have demonstrated positive impacts in randomized trials. He recently led a team that developed a mindfulness-based program to promote the cognitive and emotional health of older adults. His long-standing interest in the community health has led him to lead or participate in evaluations of community-level systems designed to promote evidence-based prevention programs and policies including Communities That Care, Evidence2Success, and PROSPER.
Family Foundations (FamFound.net) Mark began to develop Family Foundations (FF)--a series of 9 classes for first-time pregnant moms and their partner—15 years ago. FF was based on the innovative idea that a key foundation for all family relationships, including the well-being of both children and parents, is the quality of co-parenting relations (i.e., how parents support and coordinate with each other). The program has demonstrated positive impacts on a range of outcomes in four trials--including better birth outcomes, lower parent stress and depression, reduced family violence, and better parenting and co-parenting quality. Two trials have followed families as far out as 7 years after birth, demonstrating positive program benefits for children from infancy (self-regulation), through preschool (social-emotional functioning; mental health), to early elementary school (mental health, disruptive behavior, school adjustment, academic engagement). A number of U.S. and international collaborators have co-led the creation of a suite of adapted FF versions conveying the core ingredients of FF tailored for parents with various needs and situations. Randomized trials completed or in the field include versions for (1) low-income parents via home-visiting (Ohio); pregnant/parenting teens, delivered through health care centers (D.C.) or as a high school class (TX, MD); couples with a heavy-alcohol-using father (N.Y); military families in an online, self-study version; a family sleep hygiene enhanced version (PA); and a peer-delivered program for couples with a child just diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (SC). Several other versions are in the pipeline, along with international adaptations and trials.
Outside of work, Mark enjoys swimming, hiking, and yoga, and strives to make time to learn a little mandolin and harmonica.
Prevention-related Projects
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Autism Parent Navigators: Test of a Support Program for Parents
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Life Course Intervention Research Network (LCI-RN)
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Pathways to Health from Adolescence through Young Adulthood
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Partnership Model for Diffusion of Proven Prevention (PROSPER III)
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Engaging Fathers in Home Visitation: Incorporation of a Co-parenting Intervention
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Perinatal Intervention and Long-Term Outcomes
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Strengthening Relationships/Strengthening Families
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Preventing Intimate Partner Violence among Teens Who Are Pregnant or Parenting
Recent Publications
Fosco, G.M., Sloan, C. J., Fang, S., & Feinberg M.E. (2021). Family vulnerability and disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic: Prospective pathways to child maladjustment. The Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13458
Family vulnerability and disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic: Pathways to child maladjustment
Fosco, G.M., Sloan, C.J., Fang, S., Feinberg, M.E. (In Press). Family Vulnerability and Disruption during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Pathways to Child Maladjustment. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.
Predictors of attendance patterns in a universal family-based preventive intervention program
LoBraico, E.J., Fosco, G.M., Feinberg, M.E., Spoth, R. Redmond, C. & Bray, B.C. (In Press). Predictors of Attendance Patterns in a Universal Family-Based Preventive Intervention Program. Journal of Primary Prevention.
Moderators of friend selection and influence in relation to adolescent alcohol use
Hoeben, E.M., Rulison, K.L., Ragan, D.T., & Feinberg, M.E. (2021). Moderators of friend selection and influence in relation to adolescent alcohol use. Prevention Science, 22 (5), 567-578. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-021-01208-9
LoBraico, E.J., Bray, B.C., Feinberg, M.E., & Fosco, G.M. (2020). Constellations of Family Risk for Long-Term Adolescent Antisocial Behavior: A Latent Profile Analysis. Journal of Family Psychology, 34, 587-597.
Improving toddler's healthy eating habits and self-regulation: A randomized controlled trial
Nix, R.L., Francis, L.A., Feinberg, M.E., Gill, S., Jones, D.E., Hostetler, M.L., & Stifter, C.A. (2021). Improving toddler's healthy eating habits and self-regulation: A randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics. 147(1). Article e20193326. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-3326
Predictors of attendance patterns in a universal family-based preventive intervention program
LoBraico, E.J., Fosco, G.M., Feinberg, M.E., Spoth, R. Redmond, C. & Bray, B.C. (In Press). Predictors of Attendance Patterns in a Universal Family-Based Preventive Intervention Program. Journal of Primary Prevention.
Family vulnerability, disruption, and chaos predict parent and child COVID-19 health-protective behavior adherence
Fosco, G.M., LoBraico, E.J., Sloan, C.J., Fang, S., Feinberg, M.E. (In Press). Family Vulnerability, Disruption, and Chaos Predict Parent and Child COVID-19 Health-Protective Behavior Adherence. Families, Systems, & Health.
Feinberg, M. (2020). Designing evidence-based public health and prevention programs: Expert program developers explain the science and art. Routledge.
Wong, J. D., Marshall, A. D., & Feinberg, M. E. (2021). Intimate partner aggression during the early parenting years: The role of dissatisfaction with division of labor and childcare. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 10(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1037/cfp0000156
Age-varying associations of parental knowledge and antisocial peer behavior with adolescent substance use
Mak, H. W., Russell, M. A., Lanza, S. T., Feinberg, M. E., & Fosco, G. M. (2019). Age-varying associations of parental knowledge and antisocial peer behavior with adolescent substance use. Developmental Psychology. Advance online publication. doi:10.1037/dev0000866 PMCID: PMC7195894
Constellations of family risk for long-term adolescent antisocial behavior
LoBraico, E., Bray, B., Feinberg, M., & Fosco, G. (2020, January). Constellations of family risk for adolescent antisocial behavior. Journal of Family Psychology (e-pub ahead of publication).
LoBraico, E.J., Bray, B.C., Feinberg, M.E., & Fosco, G.M. (2020). Constellations of Family Risk for Long-Term Adolescent Antisocial Behavior: A Latent Profile Analysis. Journal of Family Psychology, 34, 587-597.
Mak, H.W., Russell, M.A., Lanza, S.T., Feinberg, M.E., & Fosco, G.M. (2020). Age-Varying Associations of Parental Knowledge and Antisocial Peer Behavior with Substance Use over the Course of Adolescence. Developmental Psychology, 56, 298-311.
Xia, M., Weymouth, B., Bray, B.C., Lippold, M. A., Feinberg, M.E., & Fosco, G.M. (2020). Exploring Influence of Triadic Family Relationship Profiles on Adolescents’ Early Substance Initiation. Prevention Science, 21, 519-529.
Xia, M., Weymouth, B., Bray, B.C., Lippold, M. A., Feinberg, M.E., & Fosco, G.M. (2020). Exploring Influence of Triadic Family Relationship Profiles on Adolescents’ Early Substance Initiation. Prevention Science, 21, 519-529.
Parents' PTSD symptoms and child abuse potential during the perinatal period: Direct associations and mediation via relationship conflict
Fredman, S. J., Le, Y., Marshall, A. D., Garcia Hernandez, W., Feinberg, M. E., & Ammerman, R. T. (2019). Parents' PTSD symptoms and child abuse potential during the perinatal period: Direct associations and mediation via relationship conflict. Child Abuse and Neglect, 90, 66-75. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.01.024
Mak, H.W., Russell, M.A., Lanza, S.T., Feinberg, M.E., & Fosco, G.M. (2020). Age-Varying Associations of Parental Knowledge and Antisocial Peer Behavior with Substance Use over the Course of Adolescence. Developmental Psychology, 56, 298-311.
Prospective relations between prenatal maternal cortisol and child health outcomes
Roettger, M. E., Schreier, H. M. C., Feinberg, M. E., & Jones. D. E. (2019). Prospective relations between prenatal maternal cortisol and child health outcomes. Psychosomatic Medicine, 81(6), 557-565. doi: 10.1097/PSY.0000000000000705. PMID: 31058707
Glatz, T., Lippold, M.A., Jensen, T.M., Fosco, G.M., & Feinberg, M.E. (2020). Hostile interactions in the family: What are the patterns and how are they linked to youth externalizing problems? Journal of Early Adolescence, 40, 58-82.
Examining the highs and lows of the collaborative relationship between technical assistance providers and prevention implementers
Chilenski, S. M., Welsh, J., Olson, J., Hoffman, L., Perkins, D., & Feinberg, M. E. (2018). Examining the highs and lows of the collaborative relationship between technical assistance providers and prevention implementers. Prevention Science, 19, 250-259.
Beliefs about using smartphones for health behavior change: An elicitation study with overweight and obese rural women
Symons Downs, D., Smyth, J. M., Heron, K. E., Feinberg, M. E., Hillemeier, M., & Materia, F. T. (2018). Beliefs about using smartphones for health behavior change: An elicitation study with overweight and obese rural women. Journal of Technology in Behavioral Science.
Experimental support for a family systems approach to child development: Multiple mediators of intervention effects across the transition to parenthood
Feinberg, M. E., & Jones, D. E. (2018). Experimental support for a family systems approach to child development: Multiple mediators of intervention effects across the transition to parenthood. Couple and Family Psychology, 7(2), 63-75.
Family and child outcomes 2 years after a transition to parenthood intervention
Jones, D. E., Feinberg, M. E., Hostetler, M. L., Roettger, M. E., Paul, I. J., & Ehrenthal, D. B. (2018). Family and child outcomes 2 years after a transition to parenthood intervention. Family Relations, 67, 270-286. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12309
A dyadic perspective on PTSD symptoms’ associations with couple functioning and parenting stress in first-time parents
Fredman, S. J., Le, Y., Marshall, A. D., Brick, T. R., & Feinberg, M. E. (2017). A dyadic perspective on PTSD symptoms’ associations with couple functioning and parenting stress in first-time parents. Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, 6, 117–132. doi:10.1037/cfp0000079
Transactions between substance use intervention, the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene, and peer substance use predicting youth alcohol use
Cleveland, H. H., Griffin, A. M., Wolf, P. A., Vandenbergh, D. J., Feinberg, M. E., Schlomer, G. L., Greenberg, M., Spoth, R., & Redmond, C. (2017). Transactions between substance use intervention, the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene, and peer substance use predicting youth alcohol use. Prevention Science, 19(1), 1–12. PMCID: PMC5696096
Parenting stress mediates the association between negative affectivity and harsh parenting: A longitudinal dyadic analysis
Le, Y., Fredman, S. J., & Feinberg, M. E. (2017). Parenting stress mediates the association between negative affectivity and harsh parenting: A longitudinal dyadic analysis. Journal of Family Psychology, 31(6), 679–688. PMCID: PMC5607072
Assessing coparenting relationships in daily life: The Daily Coparenting Scale (D-Cop)
McDaniel, B. T., Teti, D. M., & Feinberg, M. E. (2017). Assessing coparenting relationships in daily life: The Daily Coparenting Scale (D-Cop). Journal of Child and Family Studies, 26(9), 2396–2411. PMCID: PMC5646838
PROSPER intervention effects on adolescents’ alcohol misuse vary by GABRA2 genotype and age
Russell, M., Schlomer, G. L., Cleveland, H. H., Vandenbergh, D. J., Feinberg, M. E., Greenberg, M. T., Spoth, R., & Redmond, C. (2017). PROSPER intervention effects on adolescents’ alcohol misuse vary by GABRA2 genotype and age. Prevention Science, 19(1), 1–11. PMCID: PMC5552492
Extending previous cGxI findings on 5-HTTLPR's moderation of intervention effects on adolescent substance misuse initiation
Schlomer, G. L., Cleveland, H. H., Feinberg, M. E., Wolf, Pedro S. A., Greenberg, M. T., Spoth, R. L., Redmond, C., Tricou, E. P., & Vandenbergh, D. J. (2017). Extending previous cGxI findings on 5-HTTLPR's moderation of intervention effects on adolescent substance misuse initiation. Child Development, 88(6), 2001–2012. PMCID:PMC5422137
Risk factors for substance misuse and adolescents’ symptoms of depression
Siennick, S. E., Widdowson, A. E., Woessner, M. K., Feinberg, M. E., & Spoth, R. L. (2017). Risk factors for substance misuse and adolescents’ symptoms of depression. Journal of Adolescent Health, 60(1), 50–56. PMCID: PMC5182119
PROSPER delivery of universal preventive interventions with young adolescents: Long-term effects on emerging adult substance misuse and associated risk behaviors
Spoth, R., Redmond, C., Shin, C., Greenberg, M. T., Feinberg, M. E., & Trudeau, L. (2017). PROSPER delivery of universal preventive interventions with young adolescents: Long-term effects on emerging adult substance misuse and associated risk behaviors. Psychological Medicine, 47(13), 2246–2259. PMID:28399955
Dynamical systems modeling of couple interaction: A new method for assessing intervention impact across the transition to parenthood
Feinberg, M. E., Xia, M., Fosco, G. M., Heyman, R. E., & Chow, S.-M. (2017). Dynamical systems modeling of couple interaction: A new method for assessing intervention impact across the transition to parenthood. Prevention Science, 18(8), 887–898. PMID:28597177
Nurturant-involved parenting and adolescent substance use: Examining an internalizing pathway through adolescent social anxiety symptoms and substance refusal efficacy
Weymouth, B. B., Fosco, G. M., & Feinberg, M. E. (2017). Nurturant-involved parenting and adolescent substance use: Examining an internalizing pathway through adolescent social anxiety symptoms and substance refusal efficacy. Development and Psychopathology, 7, 1–14. PMID:29212564
The Children, Intimate Relationships, and Conflictual Life Events (CIRCLE) interview for simultaneous measurement of intimate partner and parent to child aggression
Marshall, A. D., Feinberg, M. E., Jones, D. E., & Chote, D. R. (2017). The Children, Intimate Relationships, and Conflictual Life Events (CIRCLE) interview for simultaneous measurement of intimate partner and parent to child aggression. Psychological Assessment, 29(8), 978–989. PMCID: PMC5357592
Drug prevention coalition context and capacity assessment: Comparing the United States and Mexico
Brown, L., Chilenski, S., Ramos, R., Gallegos, N., & Feinberg, M. E. (2016). Drug prevention coalition context and capacity assessment: Comparing the United States and Mexico. Health Education and Behavior, 43(2), 145-155. doi: 10.1177/1090198115596165
The power of a collaborative relationship between technical assistance providers and community prevention teams: A correlational and longitudinal study
Chilenski, S., Perkins, D. F., Olson, J. R., Hoffman, L., Feinberg, M. E., Greenberg, M. T., Welsh, J. A., Crowley, D. M., & Spoth, R. L. (2016). The power of a collaborative relationship between technical assistance providers and community prevention teams: A correlational and longitudinal study. Evaluation and Program Planning, 54(1), 19-29. doi:10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2015.10.002
Universal prevention exposure as a moderator of the community context: Findings from the PROSPER project
Chilenski, S., Welsh, J. A., Perkins, D. F., Feinberg, M. E., & Greenberg, M. T. (2016). Universal prevention exposure as a moderator of the community context: Findings from the PROSPER project. American Journal of Community Psychology, 57(12), 819. doi: 00910562
Couple-focused prevention at the transition to parenthood, a randomized trial: Effects on coparenting, parenting, family violence, and parent and child adjustment
Feinberg, M. E., Jones, D. E., Hostetler, M. L., Roettger, M. E., Paul, I. M., & Ehrenthal, D. B. (2016). Couple-focused prevention at the transition to parenthood, a randomized trial: Effects on coparenting, parenting, family violence, and parent and child adjustment. Prevention Science: the official journal of the Society for Prevention Research, 17(6), 751-764. doi: 13894986
Preventive effects on birth outcomes: Buffering impact of maternal stress, depression, and anxiety
Feinberg, M. E., Jones, D. E., Roettger, M. E., Hostetler, M. L., Sakuma, K. L., Paul, I. M., & Ehrenthal, D. B. (2016). Preventive effects on birth outcomes: Buffering impact of maternal stress, depression, and anxiety. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 20(1), 56-65. doi: 10927875
Trajectories of adolescent hostile-aggressive behavior and family climate: Longitudinal implications for young adult romantic relationship competence
Fosco, G.M., Van Ryzin, M., Xia, M., & Feinberg, M.E. (2016). Trajectories of adolescent hostile-aggressive behavior and family climate: Longitudinal implications for young adult romantic relationship competence. Developmental Psychology, 52(7), 1139-1150.
Professional gatekeeping toward fathers: A powerful influence on family and child development
Frascarolo, F., Feinberg, M. E., Sznitman, A., & Favez, N. (2016). Professional gatekeeping toward fathers: A powerful influence on family and child development. World Association for Infant Mental Health, 14.
Friends first? The peer network origins of adolescent dating
Kreager, D. A., Molloy, L. E., Moody, J., & Feinberg, M. E. (2016). Friends first? The peer network origins of adolescent dating. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 26(2), 257-269.
The double standard at sexual debut: Gender, sexual behavior and early adolescent peer acceptance
Kreager, D. A., Staff, J., Gauthier, R., Lefkowitz, E. S., & Feinberg, M. E. (2016). The double standard at sexual debut: Gender, sexual behavior and early adolescent peer acceptance. Sex Roles, 75(78), 377-392.
Knowledge lability: Within-person changes in parental knowledge and their associations with adolescent problem behavior
Lippold, M. A., Fosco, G. M., Ram, N., & Feinberg, M. E. (2016). Knowledge lability: Within-person changes in parental knowledge and their associations with adolescent problem behavior. Prevention Science, 17, 274-283.
Siblings of youth with autism spectrum disorders: Theoretical perspectives on sibling relationships and individual adjustment
McHale, S. M., Updegraff, K. A., & Feinberg, M. E. (2016). Siblings of youth with autism spectrum disorders: Theoretical perspectives on sibling relationships and individual adjustment. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46, 589-602.
Family-focused prevention with Latinos: What about sisters and brothers?
Updegraff, K. A., Umana-Taylor, A. J., Rodriguez De Jesus, S. A., McHale, S. M., Feinberg, M. E., & Kuo, S. I. (2016). Family-focused prevention with Latinos: What about sisters and brothers? Journal of Family Psychology, 30(5), 633-640.
Intervention designed to diminish substance use blocks the genetic effect of the Alpha 5 subunit of the nicotinic receptor (CHRNA5) on adolescent smoking
Vandenbergh, D. J., Schlomer, G., Cleveland, H. H., Feinberg, M. E., Greenberg, M. T., Spoth, R., Redmond, C., & Hair, K. (2016, In Press). Intervention designed to diminish substance use blocks the genetic effect of the Alpha 5 subunit of the nicotinic receptor (CHRNA5) on adolescent smoking. Nicotine and Tobacco Research.
An adolescent substance prevention model blocks the effect of CHRNA5 genotype on smoking during high school
Vandenbergh, D. J., Schlomer, G. L., Cleveland, H. H., Schink, A. E., Hair, K. L., Feinberg, M. E., Neiderhiser, J. M., Greenberg, M. T., Spoth, R. L., & Redmond, C. (2016). An adolescent substance prevention model blocks the effect of CHRNA5 genotype on smoking during high school. Nicotine & Tobacco Research: Official Journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco, 18(2), 212-220. doi: 14622203
Examining reciprocal influences among family climate, school attachment, and academic self-regulation: Implications for school success
Xia, M., Fosco, G. M., & Feinberg, M. E. (2016). Examining reciprocal influences among family climate, school attachment, and academic self-regulation: Implications for school success. Journal of Family Psychology, 26, 442-452.
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