About Us
Science with Purpose
The Youth and Families in Court Systems (YFaCS) Lab is directed by Dr. Karey O’Hara and focuses on understanding and improving the lives of children and families experiencing stressful family transitions, adversity, and legal system involvement.
Our work sits at the intersection of psychology, prevention science, and law. We investigate why some children struggle following difficult experiences while others adapt and thrive, and we use that knowledge to design, optimize, and evaluate interventions that support children, parents, and families.
We believe scientific knowledge should do more than advance theory—it should improve lives. Through research, innovation, and community partnerships, we strive to ensure that children and families receive the support they need when they need it most.
Research
We study the factors that place children and families at risk for emotional, behavioral, and relational difficulties, as well as the strengths and resources that promote resilience and positive adaptation.
Areas of focus
- Separation and divorce
- Family court involvement
- Child coping and resilience
- Parenting and family relationships
- Bereavement and family loss
- Parental incarceration
- Youth mental health
- Prevention and intervention science
- Community-engaged research
Intervention Development
We use evidence-based methods to design, refine, and test interventions that support children and families navigating stressful life events. Our team collaborates with stakeholders at every step, ensuring that programs are practical, accessible, and responsive to the needs of diverse communities. We prioritize approaches that can be implemented in real-world settings, such as courts, schools, and community agencies.
Community Partnerships
Our work is grounded in strong partnerships with community organizations, legal professionals, service providers, and families. We aim to co-create research that is mutually beneficial, ethically sound, and directly relevant to those most affected by family transitions and adversity. By working together, we strive to translate research into meaningful changes in policy, practice, and systems of care.
Training Future Leaders
The YFaCS Lab is committed to training the next generation of researchers, clinicians, and advocates dedicated to promoting child and family well-being. Students and trainees in our lab gain hands-on experience in all stages of the research process, from study design and data collection to dissemination and community engagement. We emphasize mentorship, collaboration, and a strong grounding in both science and real-world impact.
Lab Director
Dr. Karey L. O’Hara (she/her) is an Assistant Professor of Psychology in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Arizona State University. She is core faculty in ASU’s Law and Behavioral Science program and affiliated faculty at the REACH Institute. Her research examines the risk and protective factors that predict how youth adjust after contact with the juvenile, family, or criminal legal system, and she develops interventions that are informed by science, easy to use, and effective in protecting and promoting mental health. Her work is supported by the National Institute of Mental Health (K01MH120321).
Contact: klohara@asu.edu