Mentor-led research at Wayne State explores link between caregiver emotions and adolescent trauma

When Clare Barrette first stepped into the classroom lab at Wayne State University, she felt a spark that ignited her academic journey. It wasn't solely the research that captivated her; it was the unwavering support from the faculty, particularly her mentor, Valerie Simon. As a professor of psychology at the Merrill Palmer Institute and director of the Michigan Families Research Center, Simon provided consistent guidance that nurtured Barrette's curiosity about the human mind, converting that initial spark into a passion.

A recent graduate with a degree in psychology, Barrette developed a project through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) - a funded initiative that allows students to work closely with faculty on research, gaining hands-on experience beyond the classroom. Her work focuses on the complex relationship between caregivers' emotional regulation and adolescent trauma. But beyond the details of her research, it's her collaboration with faculty that stands out as a defining part of her experience.

"The UROP mentorship has been incredibly helpful to my academic journey," Barrette said. "Having an experienced professional in the field I want to pursue gave me someone to turn to with questions. It provided me with a clearer understanding of what to expect in further education and deeper insight into the industry."

During her UROP research, Barrette analyzed data collected by Simon from a previous study involving adolescent girls and their caregivers. This experience allowed her to delve into her research, uncovering patterns and insights into these complex relationships.

From the beginning, Simon recognized Barrette's potential.

Valerie Simon, professor of psychology at the Merrill Palmer Institute and director of the Michigan Families Research Center

"Even before we started on Clare's project, I knew this would be a fun and rewarding adventure," Simon said. "As a student in one of my undergraduate classes, Clare had demonstrated that she had the smarts, curiosity and motivation to succeed with an independent research project. Watching her leverage those assets to identify tangible research questions, learn new statistical skills, and develop her scientific writing has been incredibly rewarding. I love seeing how she fearlessly tackles new things."

These days, Barrette continues to collaborate with Simon, gaining valuable clinical and research experience as she prepares to apply to graduate school at Wayne State next year. She is excited about the opportunity to advance her career and make a meaningful impact in the field of psychology.

"Dr. Simon's mentorship has been great. Having someone to turn to for advice and feedback made all the difference," Barrette adds.

For Simon, supporting undergraduate researchers is about more than guiding a single project-it's about shaping the next generation of thinkers.

"Working directly with faculty and graduate students provides students with direct and in-depth hands-on engagement with the scientific enterprise that greatly enhances their classroom learning and prepares them for future educational or job roles."

Barrette hopes to publish her findings, which focus on the role caregivers' emotional patterns, such as rumination, play in adolescent trauma. But for her, the mentorship has been just as pivotal as the research. With Simon's support, she's learned to face new challenges head on, ensuring that her project - and her future - will continue to grow.

At Wayne State University, undergraduate students have learning opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom, allowing them to put knowledge "to work" in real-world settings while gaining deeper insights and new perspectives. Through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), students can connect with world-class faculty mentors to conduct, publish and present research. Providing hands-on learning opportunities to all Wayne State students is part of the College to Career initiativeand key to ensuring they graduate career ready.

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