Professor Gordon Harold
Chair in Behavioural Genetics and Developmental Psychopathology, University of Leicester.
Professor Harold’s primary research interests focus on (1) the role of the family as a context for understanding children’s normal and abnormal psychological development, (2) the genetic and neurobiological origins of children’s emotional and behavioural development and (3) practice and policy applications of research relating to family influences on children’s development.
Presently involved in several ongoing longitudinal projects that map onto the above research areas, Gordon’s studies include examining the interplay between genetic and family environmental factors on children's mental health, the early origins of childhood aggression and disruptive behaviour disorders, the long-term impact of domestic violence on children's psychological development and the implementation of effective intervention programmes aimed at assisting children in the context of parental separation and divorce.
Selected Publications
Harold, G. T., Shelton, K. H., Rice, F., Boivin, J., Hay, D. F., Van Den Bree, M., Thapar, A. (2008). Disentangling genetic and environmental influences on children’s development: Introducing a novel methodology. Acta Psychologica Sinica, 40(10), 1124-1134.
Shelton, K. H., 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), 712-724.
Harold, G.T., Aitken, J., & Shelton, K. H. (2007). Inter-parental conflict and children's academic attainment: A longitudinal analysis. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 48, 12, 1223-32.
Van Goozen, S., Fairchild, G., Snoek, H., Harold, G T. (2007). The evidence for a neurobiological model of childhood antisocial behavior. Psychological Bulletin, 133 (1), 149-182.
Selected Research Projects
Harold, G.T., Van Den Bree, M., Rice, F., Craddock, N., Thapar, A. (2007-2010). Family and genetic influences on children's psychological development. The Economic and Social Research Council (£174, 456).
Harold, G.T. [in collaboration with Thapar, A., Craddock, N., Rice, F., Owen, M. Department of Psychological Medicine]. (2007-2012). Predicting and preventing adolescent depression. The Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust (£992, 318; £198, 463 to PSYCH).
Harold, G.T. Development of a risk assessment Toolkit for use by CAFCASS CYMRU in cases relating to domestic violence and inter-parental conflict. Welsh Assembly Government (£80, 000).
Harold, G.T., Boivin, J., Hay, D. F. [in cooperation with Thapar, A., Van Den Bree, M. Department of Psychological Medicine]. (2005 - 2008). Disentangling genetic, intrauterine and environmental influences on childhood psychopathology using a novel method. The Wellcome Trust (£192, 850 to PSYCH).
Harold, G.T. (2006-2007). Strengthening links between families and schools: An All-Wales feasibility study. Welsh Assembly Government (£21, 700).
Hay, D. F., Goodyer, I., Thapar, A., Harold, G.T., Van Goozen, S. (2004 - 2009). Early Prediction of Violence. The Medical Research Council (£1.3 million).
For more information on Prof Gordon Harold: http://www.otago.ac.nz/crcf/staff/gordonharold.html