Professor Katherine Shelton
BSc PhD Cardiff
Professor
- Email:
- sheltonkh1@cardiff.ac.uk
- Telephone:
- +44(0)29 2087 6093
- Location:
- 3.02, Tower Building, 70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT
Research summary
My research is in the area of developmental psychology with a focus on the emergence and maintenance of developmental psychopathology in social contexts during childhood and adolescence. I am particularly interested in the relationship between aspects of family functioning and children’s psychological well-being.
Current projects include the Wales Adoption Study which focuses on the experiences and support needs of families in the first year following an adoptive placement. I am also interested in the implications of experiences of homelessness for young people’s mental health and well-being. To that end, I am working in partnership with Llamau to study the support needs of young people with experiences of homelessness.
More information about each of these projects can be found by following these links:
http://sites.cardiff.ac.uk/adoptioncohort/
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/view/105257-award-for-life-changing-research-with-homeless-young-people
Teaching summary
I co-teach an undergraduate Level 5 module, 'Developmental Psychology’ and lead a Level 6 module, 'Developmental Psychopathology in Childhood and Adolescence’.
At postgraduate level, I teach on the Masters (MSc) in Children's Psychological Disorders as well as supervising dissertation students. I also teach on the postgraduate research design and statistics course.
I am the Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity contact for the School of Psychology and the EDI Academic Lead for the Wellcome Trust ISSF scheme led by Professor Kim Graham.
Undergraduate education
1999: Bachelor of Science, University of Wales, Cardiff. First Class Honours.
Postgraduate education
2003: Doctor of Philosophy, Psychology. Cardiff University.
2011: Postgraduate Certificate in Undergraduate Teaching and Learning. Higher Education Academy.
Employment
2017 - present: Reader, School of Psychology, Cardiff University.
2009 - 2016: Lecturer; Senior Lecturer. School of Psychology, Cardiff University.
2007 - 2008: Research and Teaching Fellow. School of Psychology, Cardiff University.
2004 - 2006: Research Psychologist, Department of Psychological Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University.
2003 - 2004: ESRC Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Psychology, Cardiff University.
1998 - 1999: Research Assistant, City University, London.
1997 - 1998: Research Assistant, School of Psychology, Cardiff University.
Honours and awards
Awards/external committee
2018: Knowledge Transfer Partnership with St. David’s Children Society (2017-2020).
- Winner of the Institute for Collaborative Working (ICW) award in the category of Innovation. The winner was announced at a ceremony at the House of Lords on the 13th December 2018.
- Highly commended finalist for the GO Wales Social and Community Benefit award (November 8th 2018).
2015: Awarded the Research Council UK Best of the Best KTP 2015 – Societal Benefit
2015: Cardiff University Innovation and Impact Awards Competition Social Innovation Award.
2012: Cardiff University Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (CUROP): summer bursary for an undergraduate research placement.
2012: Cardiff University Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (CUROP): summer bursary for an undergraduate research placement.
2005: Travel Fellowship, Behavior Genetics Association.
2003: Postdoctoral Fellowship, Economic and Social Research Council.
2001: Charles Cole Travelling Scholarship, Cardiff University for a research visit to University California, Davis.
1999: Stuart Dimond memorial prize for best final year undergraduate research project, Cardiff University.
Professional memberships
2016 - present: Coram BAAF Research Advisory Group
2015 - present: National Adoption Service Advisory Group.
Speaking engagements
10/04/18. 'The influence of adoption on sibling relationships: experiences and support needs of newly formed adoptive families'. CoramBAAF Conference. Leeds
28/03/19. 'The Wales Adoption Cohort Study: Studying parent-child and sibling relationships across time' Centre for Adoption Support and University of Chester.
19/09/18. 'The influence of adoption on sibling relationships'. Independent Reviewing Officers Conference, AFA Cymru.
20/09/18. Beyond together or apart: Brothers and sisters are for life. CoramBAAF Conference. London
Committees and reviewing
Editorial Board, Journal of Family Psychology.
Grant reviewer, ESRC.
2020
- Arribas-Ayllon, M., Clarke, A. and Shelton, K. 2020. Professionals’ accounts of genetic testing in adoption: a qualitative study. Archives of Disease in Childhood 105(1), pp. 74-79. (10.1136/archdischild-2019-316911)
- Fry, C., Langley, K. and Shelton, K. 2020. Executive functions in homeless young people: working memory impacts on short-term housing outcomes. Child Neuropsychology 26(1), pp. 27-53. (10.1080/09297049.2019.1628930)
2019
- Ng-Knight, T.et al. 2019. 'Best friends forever'? Friendship stability across school transition and associations with mental health and educational attainment. British Journal of Educational Psychology 89(4), pp. 585-599. (10.1111/bjep.12246)
- Anthony, R. E., Paine, A. L. and Shelton, K. H. 2019. Depression and anxiety symptoms of british adoptive parents: a prospective four-wave longitudinal study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16(24), pp. -., article number: 5153. (10.3390/ijerph16245153)
- Anthony, R. E., Paine, A. L. and Shelton, K. H. 2019. Adverse childhood experiences of children adopted from care: The importance of adoptive parental warmth for future child adjustment. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16(12), article number: 2212. (10.3390/ijerph16122212)
- Doughty, J., Meakings, S. and Shelton, K. 2019. Rights and relationships of children who are adopted from care. International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family 33(1), pp. 1-23. (10.1093/lawfam/eby016)
- Brown, A., Waters, C. and Shelton, K. H. 2019. The educational aspirations and psychological well-being of adopted young people in the UK. Adoption and Fostering 43(1), pp. 46-59.
2018
- Shelton, K., Haddock, G. and Ottaway, H. 2018. The attitudes of medical professionals toward children and children at risk of separation from parents in Eastern Europe. Children and Youth Services Review 87, pp. 26-33. (10.1016/j.childyouth.2018.02.009)
- Meakings, S.et al. 2018. The support needs and experiences of newly formed adoptive families: findings from the Wales Adoption Study. Adoption & Fostering 42(1), pp. 58-75. (10.1177/0308575917750824)
- Ng-Knight, T.et al. 2018. Maternal depressive symptoms and adolescent academic attainment: testing pathways via parenting and self-control. Journal of Adolescence 62, pp. 61-69. (10.1016/j.adolescence.2017.11.003)
2017
- Brown, A., Waters, C. S. and Shelton, K. H. 2017. A systematic review of school performance and behavioural and emotional problems for adopted children. Adoption and Fostering 41(4), pp. 346-368. (10.1177/0308575917731064)
- Doughty, J., Meakings, S. and Shelton, K. 2017. The legal and administrative processes in adoption: views and experiences of newly formed adoptive families. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law 39(4), pp. 473-490. (10.1080/09649069.2017.1390284)
- Meakings, S., Coffey, A. J. and Shelton, K. H. 2017. The influence of adoption on sibling relationships: experiences and support needs of newly formed adoptive families. British Journal of Social Work 47, pp. 1781-1799. (10.1093/bjsw/bcx097)
- Roberts, L.et al. 2017. Care-leavers and their children placed for adoption. Children and Youth Services Review 79, pp. 355-361. (10.1016/j.childyouth.2017.06.030)
- Langley, K.et al. 2017. An investigation of changes in Welsh children's mental health between 2007/2008 and 2012/2013. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 52(6), pp. 639-642. (10.1007/s00127-017-1378-9)
- Fry, C., Langley, K. and Shelton, K. H. 2017. A systematic review of cognitive functioning among young people who have experienced homelessness, foster care, or poverty. Child Neuropsychology 23(8), pp. 907-934. (10.1080/09297049.2016.1207758)
2016
- Meakings, S., Coffey, A. J. and Shelton, K. H. 2016. A study examining the concerns, support needs and experiences of newly formed adoptive families. Journal of Health Visiting 4(11), pp. 562-570. (10.12968/johv.2016.4.11.562)
- Winn, B.et al. 2016. Conflict management in couple relationships: the experiences of individuals with Asperger syndrome and their partners. Good Autism Practice 17(2), pp. 72-80.
- Ng-Knight, T.et al. 2016. A longitudinal study of self-control at the transition to secondary school: Considering the role of pubertal status and parenting. Journal of Adolescence 50, pp. 44-55. (10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.04.006)
- Anthony, R.et al. 2016. Factors affecting adoption in Wales: Predictors of variation in time between entry to care and adoptive placement. Children and Youth Services Review 60, pp. 184-190. (10.1016/j.childyouth.2016.06.010)
- Smy, V.et al. 2016. Perceived transformational leadership, instructor behaviors, and motivation to learn: a mediated model. Le Travail Humain 79, pp. 169-185. (10.3917/th.792.0169)
- Riglin, L.et al. 2016. Profiling depression in childhood and adolescence: the role of conduct problems. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 57(4), pp. 481-490. (10.1111/jcpp.12465)
- Laurent, H. K.et al. 2016. Understanding the unfolding of stress regulation in infants. Development and Psychopathology 28, pp. 1431-1440. (10.1017/S0954579416000171)
- Riglin, L.et al. 2016. Higher cognitive ability buffers stress-related depressive symptoms in adolescent girls. Development and Psychopathology 28(1), pp. 97-109. (10.1017/S0954579415000310)
2015
- McManus, I. C.et al. 2015. Doctor, builder, soldier, lawyer, teacher, dancer, shopkeeper, vet: exploratory study of which eleven-year olds would like to become a doctor. BMC Psychology 3(1), article number: 38. (10.1186/s40359-015-0094-z)
- Pesola, F.et al. 2015. The developmental relationship between depressive symptoms in adolescence and harmful drinking in emerging adulthood: the role of peers and parents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence 44(9), pp. 1752-66. (10.1007/s10964-015-0295-z)
- Hodgson, K., Shelton, K. H. and van den Bree, M. B. 2015. Psychopathology among young homeless people: Longitudinal mental health outcomes for different subgroups. British Journal of Clinical Psychology 54(3), pp. 307-325. (10.1111/bjc.12075)
- Pesola, F.et al. 2015. The mediating role of deviant peers on the link between depressed mood and harmful drinking. Journal of Adolescent Health 56(2), pp. 153-159. (10.1016/j.jadohealth.2014.10.268)
2014
- White, J., Shelton, K. H. and Elgar, F. J. 2014. Prospective associations between the family environment, family cohesion, and psychiatric symptoms among adolescent girls. Child Psychiatry & Human Development 45(5), pp. 544-554. (10.1007/s10578-013-0423-5)
- Hodgson, K., Shelton, K. and Van Den Bree, M. 2014. Mental health problems in young people with experiences of homelessness and the relationship with health service use: a follow-up study. Evidence-Based Mental Health 17(3), pp. 76-80. (10.1136/eb-2014-101810)
- Hodgson, K., Shelton, K. H. and van den Bree, M. B. 2014. Mental health problems in young people with experiences of homelessness and the relationship with health service use: a follow-up study [Correction]. Evidence-Based Mental Health 18(1), pp. 26. (10.1136/ebmental-2014-101810)
- Pesola, F., Shelton, K. H. and van den Bree, M. B. 2014. Sexual orientation and alcohol problem use among UK adolescents: an indirect link through depressed mood. Addiction 109(7), pp. 1072-1080. (10.1111/add.12528)
2013
- Baibazarova, E.et al. 2013. Influence of prenatal maternal stress, maternal plasma cortisol and cortisol in the amniotic fluid on birth outcomes and child temperament at 3 months. Psychoneuroendocrinology 38(6), pp. 907-915. (10.1016/j.psyneuen.2012.09.015)
- Baker, E. C.et al. 2013. Low skin conductance activity in infancy predicts aggression in toddlers 2 years later. Psychological Science 24(6), pp. 1051-1056. (10.1177/0956797612465198)
- Riglin, L.et al. 2013. A longitudinal study of psychological functioning and academic attainment at the transition to secondary school. Journal of Adolescence 36(3), pp. 507-517. (10.1016/j.adolescence.2013.03.002)
- Hodgson, K.et al. 2013. Psychopathology in young people experiencing homelessness: A systematic review. American Journal of Public Health 103(6), pp. e24-e37. (10.2105/AJPH.2013.301318)
- Hummel, A.et al. 2013. A systematic review of the relationships between family functioning, pubertal timing and adolescent substance use. Addiction 108(3), pp. 487-496. (10.1111/add.12055)
2012
- Baker, E. C.et al. 2012. Development of fear and guilt in young children: Stability over time and relations with psychopathology. Development and Psychopathology 24(3), pp. 833-845. (10.1017/S0954579412000399)
- Pedro, M., Maria Teresa Ribeiro, T. M. and Shelton, K. H. 2012. Marital satisfaction and partner's parenting practices: The mediating role of coparenting behavior. Journal of Family Psychology 26(4), pp. 509-522. (10.1037/a0029121)
- Shelton, K. H.et al. 2012. Opening doors for all American youth? Evidence for Federal homelessness policy. Housing Policy Debate 22(3), pp. 483-504. (10.1080/10511482.2012.683034)
- Patrick, J.et al. 2012. Being in one's chosen job determines pre-training attitudes and training outcomes. Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology 85(2), pp. 245-257. (10.1111/j.2044-8325.2011.02027.x)
2011
- Shelton, K. H.et al. 2011. Using a genetically informative design to examine the relationship between breastfeeding and childhood conduct problems. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 20(11-12), pp. 571-579. (10.1007/s00787-011-0224-y)
- Mannering, A. M.et al. 2011. Longitudinal associations between marital instability and child sleep problems across infancy and toddlerhood in adoptive families. Child Development 82(4), pp. 1252-1266. (10.1111/j.1467-8624.2011.01594.x)
2010
- Glaser, B., Shelton, K. H. and van den Bree, M. B. 2010. The moderating role of close friends in the relationship between conduct problems and adolescent substance use. Journal of Adolescent Health 47(1), pp. 35-42. (10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.12.022)
- Shelton, K. H. and van den Bree, M. B. 2010. The Moderating Effects of Pubertal Timing on the Longitudinal Associations Between Parent-Child Relationship Quality and Adolescent Substance Use. Journal of Research on Adolescence 20(4), pp. 1044-1064. (10.1111/j.1532-7795.2010.00643.x)
2009
- van den Bree, M. B.et al. 2009. A longitudinal population-based study of factors in adolescence predicting homelessness in young adulthood. Journal of Adolescent Health 45(6), pp. 571-578. (10.1016/j.jadohealth.2009.03.027)
- Shelton, K. H.et al. 2009. Examining differences in psychological adjustment problems among children conceived by assisted reproductive technologies. International Journal of Behavioral Development 33(5), pp. 385-392. (10.1177/0165025409338444)
- Shelton, K. H.et al. 2009. Risk Factors for Homelessness: Evidence From a Population-Based Study. Psychiatric Services 60(4), pp. 465-472. (10.1176/appi.ps.60.4.465)
2008
- Shelton, K. H. and Harold, G. T. 2008. Interparental conflict, negative parenting, and children's adjustment: Bridging links between parents' depression and children's psychological distress. Journal of Family Psychology 22(5), pp. 712-724. (10.1037/a0013515)
- Shelton, K. H. and Harold, G. T. 2008. Pathways Between Interparental Conflict and Adolescent Psychological Adjustment Bridging Links Through Children's Cognitive Appraisals and Coping Strategies. Journal of Early Adolescence 28(4), pp. 555-582. (10.1177/0272431608317610)
- Shelton, K. H.et al. 2008. Parent-Child Relations, Conduct Problems and Cigarette Use in Adolescence: Examining the Role of Genetic and Environmental Factors on Patterns of Behavior. Journal of Youth and Adolescence 37(10), pp. 1216-1228. (10.1007/s10964-007-9254-7)
- Harold, G. T.et al. 2008. Disentangling genetic and environmental influences on children’s development: introducing a novel methodology. Acta Psychologica Sinica 40(10), pp. 1124-1134.
- Shelton, K. H., Walters, S. L. and Harold, G. T. 2008. Children's appraisals of relationships in stepfamilies and first families: comparative links with externalizing and internalizing behaviors. In: Pryor, J. ed. The International Handbook of Stepfamilies. Policy and Practice in Legal, Research, and Clinical Environments. Chichester: Wiley, pp. 250-276., (10.1002/9781118269923.ch11)
2007
- Harold, G. T., Aitken, J. J. and Shelton, K. H. 2007. Inter-parental conflict and children's academic attainment: a longitudinal analysis. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 48(12), pp. 1223-1232. (10.1111/j.1469-7610.2007.01793.x)
- Shelton, K. H. and Harold, G. T. 2007. Marital conflict and children's adjustment: The mediating and moderating role of children's coping strategies. Social Development 16(3), pp. 497-512. (10.1111/j.1467-9507.2007.00400.x)
- Fowler, T. A.et al. 2007. Exploring the relationship between genetic and environmental influences on initiation and progression of substance use. Addiction 102(3), pp. 413-422. (10.1111/j.1360-0443.2006.01694.x)
- Shelton, K. H.et al. 2007. The association between conduct problems and the initiation and progression of marijuana use during adolescence: A genetic analysis across time. Behavior Genetics 37(2), pp. 314-325. (10.1007/s10519-006-9124-1)
- van den Bree, M. B.et al. 2007. The Cardiff Study of All Wales and North West of England Twins (CaStANET): A longitudinal research program of child and adolescent development. Twin Research and Human Genetics 10(1), pp. 13-23. (10.1375/twin.10.1.13)
- Fowler, T.et al. 2007. Genetic and environmental influences on the relationship between peer alcohol use and own alcohol use in adolescents. Addiction 102(6), pp. 894-903. (10.1111/j.1360-0443.2007.01824.x)
2006
- Rice, F.et al. 2006. Family conflict interacts with genetic liability in predicting childhood and adolescent depression. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 45(7), pp. 841-848. (10.1097/01.chi.0000219834.08602.44)
- Shelton, K. H.et al. 2006. Children's coping with marital conflict: the role of conflict expression and gender. Social Development 15(2), pp. 232-247. (10.1046/j.1467-9507.2006.00338.x)
2004
- Harold, G. T.et al. 2004. Marital conflict, child emotional security about family relationships and child adjustment. Social Development 13(3), pp. 350-376. (10.1111/j.1467-9507.2004.00272.x)
2003
- Goeke-Morey, M. C.et al. 2003. Categories and continua of destructive and constructive marital conflict tactics from the perspective of US and Welsh children. Journal of Family Psychology 17(3), pp. 327-338. (10.1037/0893-3200.17.3.327)
2002
- Davies, P. T.et al. 2002. Relations between interparental conflict, child emotional security, and adjustment in the context of cognitive appraisals. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development 67(3), pp. 41-62. (10.1111/1540-5834.00208)
- Davies, P. T.et al. 2002. Study 1: Child Responses to Interparental Conflict: Comparing the Relative Roles of Emotional Security and Social Learning Processes. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development 67(3), pp. 27-40. (10.1111/1540-5834.00207)
Research topics and related papers
My research is primarilly concerned with identifying and understanding the psychological and social needs of vulnerable children and young people, particularly those who experience social exclusion. The contribution of my work in recent years has been twofold: (1) to highlight the high level of mental health problems among young people with experience of homelessness and (2) to shed light on the challenges facing statutory providers responsible for supporting children adopted from care. To this end, I am leading the first national study of adoption in Wales which aims to directly inform policy and practice regarding the support needs of families and children.
Funding
Forrester, D,. Ford, D., Robling, M., Rees, A., Wilkins, D., & Shelton, K.H. (2020-2023). Children's Social Care Research and Development Centre (CASCADE) Partnership. Health and Care Research Wales. £2.45M.
Shelton, K.H. & Merchant, C. (2019). Adopting Together: An individualised recruitment and therapeutic early intervention support strategy for priority children. Economic and Social Research Council Impact Acceleration Award.
Shelton, K.H. (2018-2019). The Association between Early Trauma and Psychological Well-Being: A Prospective, Longitudinal Study of Children Adopted from Care. The Waterloo Foundation.
Shelton, K.H. (2018-2019). The Wales Adoption Cohort Study. Welsh Government.
Shelton, K.H. (2018-2020). Evaluation of a Psychologically Informed Environment. Llamau.
Shelton, K.H. Lynch, J., & Waters, C. (2017-2019). Knowledge Transfer Partnership with St. David's Children Society to implement post-adoption support. Innovate UK. £171,655.
Arribas-Ayllon, M. Clarke, A. & Shelton, K.H. (2017). Genome testing in adoption: from new uncertainties to family-formation. Wellcome Trust. £30,564.
Shelton, K.H., Jones, C., & Langley, K. (2016). Autism spectrum disorder and experience of homelessness: A creative arts project. Arts Council of Wales. £3225.
Shelton, K.H., Holland. S., Ottaway, H., & Doughty, J., (2013 with funding starting October 2014 to September 2016). Understanding the elements of early placement success for adopted children and their families. National Institute for Social Care and Health Research (NISCHR). £198,722.
Rice, F., Frederickson, N., Shelton, K. H., McManus, C. (2011-2013). Examining pathways linking
psychological adjustment and academic attainment across the transition to secondary school. Nuffield
Foundation. £111,474. [link]
van den Bree, M.B.M., Shelton, K. H., Heron, J., Munafo, M., Hickman, M & Maughan, B. (2011-2013). Peer group influences on the relationship between depressive symptoms and alcohol misuse in adolescence. European Research Advisory Board. €94,486.
Shelton, K.H. & van den Bree M.B.M. (2010 - 2013). Knowledge Transfer Partnership: £129,456. The needs of young people with homelessness experiences.
Shelton, K.H. (2003-4). Marital conflict, children’s coping strategies and their psychological adjustment: A process-oriented analysis. Economic and Social Research Council Postdoctoral Fellowship. £27,117.
Postgraduate research interests
I am interested in supervising research projects in the area of developmental psychology with a particular focus on the family as a context for understanding child and adolescent well-being.
If you are interested in applying for a PhD, or for further information regarding my postgraduate research, please contact me directly (contact details available on the 'Overview' page), or submit a formal application.
Current students
Andrew Brown: ESRC Type 2 studentship. The academic attainment of adopted children.
May 2019 Andrew's work has been cited in the House of Lords as part of a debate about the educational attainment of adopted children https://hansard.parliament.uk/Lords/2019-05-14/debates/0A844D6C-7339-4ACF-8FA8-6FF1A4C8F0A5/SchoolsAdoptedChildren
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/people/research-students/view/1185225-brown-andrew
Jennifer Blackmore: Wales School for Social Care Research. Securing permanence for children placed for adoption: Explaining pre-placement and pre-Adoption Order breakdown, its consequences and the contrast with successful matching.
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/people/research-students/view/1185220-blackmore-jennifer
Veronika Brannovic: Adverse childhood experiences and the restorative role of the natural environments.
Rachel Draper: ESRC 1+3 studentship.
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/people/research-students/view/1422793-
Past projects
Previous students
Rebecca Anthony: (2015-2019) 1+3 studentship: Understanding the elements of early placement success for adopted children and their families. Rebecca was awarded the Haydyn Ellis prize in July 2019 for the best doctoral thesis.
https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/people/view/1376475-
Charlotte Fry: (2015-2018) ESRC Type 2 studentship: Cognitive function among young people with experiences of homelessness.
Alegra Hummel (2011-2013). Doctoral dissertation: Psychological aspects of pubertal maturation, family functioning and substance use in adolescence.
Kate Hodgson (2011-2013). Doctoral dissertation: An investigation of characteristics of young people with experiences of homelessness.
Sasha Walters. (2007 - 2011). Doctoral dissertation: 'Family influences on children's transition from primary to secondary school.’
Eugenia Baibazarova (2007 - 2011). Doctoral dissertation: 'Maternal influences on early child emotional development.’
Miss Eleanor Walsh (2008-2009). Masters in Research Methods for the Social Sciences. Awarded with Distinction.