Dr. Melanie Zimmer-Gembeck and the Zlab
Publications
Parenting Behavior & Parental
Emotion Socialization of Children
see the list below
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Mera, S., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., & Conlon, E. (2026). Youth’s experience of mindful parenting: Exploration and confirmation of a revised measure for youth and a model of emotional adjustment. Mindfulness, 17(2), 464-483.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-025-02751-0
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Click here for the CORRECT Table 2
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Ryan, K. M., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Stuart, J., Soenens, B., Zimmermann, G., & Van Petegem, S. (2026). Overprotective parenting: Examining pressures to be perfect, social media comparisons, world instability, and parent anxiety. Family Relations, 75(2), 938-959.
https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.70150
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Ryan, K. M., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Hawes, T., Kovacs, T., & Leahy, N. (2026). Intrusive parenting and adolescent internalizing and externalizing symptoms: Three-level meta-analytic reviews considering parenting concepts and methodology. Child and Family Clinical Psychology Review, 29, 105-127.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10567-025-00555-1
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Mera, S., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Conlon, E., Ryan, K. M., & Dower, A. (2025). A scoping review of the role of mindful parenting in youth's emotional, behavioral and social adjustment, coping, and emotion regulation. International Journal of Behavioral Development.
https://doi.org/10.1177/01650254251381983
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Mera, S., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., & Conlon, E. (2025). Youth’s experience of mindful parenting: Associations with dispositional and interpersonal mindfulness, self-compassion, and ways of coping with academic and social stress. Journal of Adolescence, 97(6), 1634-1644.
http://doi.org/10.1002/jad.12524
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Campbell, S. M., Edwards, E.-J., Hambour, V., Horan, N., Hawes, T., Swan, K., Wotton, M., Melloy, B., & , Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2025). The effects of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy on parent feeding practices and children’s problematic mealtime behaviors, Behavior Therapy, 56(3), 566-579.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2024.08.005
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Eira Nunes, C., Lamprianidou, E., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J.; Van Petegem, S. (2025). The relations between parents’ gender equality values and (co)parenting: Examining actor-partner effects in an Australian community sample. Journal of Family Issues , 46(1), 3-25. https://doi.org/10.1177/0192513X241236552
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Ryan, K. M., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Speechley, M., Stuart, J., Soenens, B., Zimmermann, G., & Van Petegem, S. (2024). Identifying correlates of demanding and responsive features in helicopter and overprotective parenting. Journal of Child & Family Studies, 33, 2826-2843.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-024-02896-x
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Rudolph, J. I., Van Berkel, S., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Walsh, K., Straker, D., & Campbell, T. (2024). Parental involvement in programs to prevent child sexual abuse: A systematic review of four decades of research. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 25(1), 560-576.
https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380231156408
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Gardner, A. A., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., & Skinner, E. A. (2023). Coping skills. In A. Epperson (Section Editor), B. Halpern-Felsher (Editor). The Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Health: Cognitive and Psychosocial Development (pp. 257-267). https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818872-9.00029-7.
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Campbell, S. M., Hawes, T., Swan, K., Thomas, R., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2023). Evidence-based treatment in practice: Parent-Child Interaction Therapy research on addressing individual differences and diversity through the lens of 20 years of service. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 16, 2599—2617.
https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S360302
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Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Skinner, E. A., Scott, R. A., Ryan, K. M., Hawes, T., Gardner, A. A., & Duffy, A. L. (2023). Parental support and adolescents’ coping with academic stressors: A longitudinal study of parents’ influence beyond academic pressure and achievement. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 52(12), 2464-2479.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-023-01864-w
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Howe, S. L., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2023). Maternal socialization profiles, child gender, and later child regulation and internalizing symptoms. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 86, 1–10.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appdev.2023.101521
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Mera, S., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., & Conlon, L. (2023). Emerging adults’ experience of mindful parenting: Distinct associations with their dispositional and interpersonal mindfulness, self-compassion, and adjustment. Emerging Adulthood, 11(5), 1180-1195.
https://doi.org/10.1002/jad.12524
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Rudolph, J. I., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Straker, D., Hambour, V., Hawes, T., & Swan, K. (2023). Parental-led sexual abuse education amongst at-risk parents: Associations with parenting practices, and parent and child symptomology. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 32(5), 575-595.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2023.2222116
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Greenhalgh, K., Mahler, N., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., & Shanley, D. (2023). Childhood hearing loss: An uncertain context for parenting. Deafness and Education International, 25(2), 121-139.
https://doi.org/10.1080/14643154.2022.2125626
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Rudolph, J. I., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., & Walsh, K. (2022). Recall of sexual abuse prevention education at school and home: Associations with sexual abuse experience, disclosure, protective parenting, and knowledge. Child Abuse & Neglect, 129, 105680. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2022.105680
Howe, S., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2022). Person-centred parent emotion socialization and child temperament: Relations to children’s emotion regulation and anxiety and depressive symptoms, Journal of Child and Family Studies, 31, 2644-2659. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-022-02289-y
Rudolph, J. I., Walsh, K., Shanley, D. C., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2022). Child sexual abuse prevention: Parental discussion, protective practices and attitudes. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(23-24), NP22375-NP22400. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605211072258
Havighurst, S.S., Chainey, C., Doyle, F.L., Higgins, D.J., Mathews, B., Mazzucchelli, T.G., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Andriessen, K., Cobham, V.E., Dadds, M.R., Dawe, S., Gray, K.M., Guastella, A.J., Harnett, P., Haslam, D.M., Middeldorp, C.M., Morawska, A., Ohan, J.L., Sanders, M.R., Stallman, H.M., Tonge, B.J., Toumbourou, J.W., Turner, K.M.T., Williams, K.E., Yap, M.B.H., & Nicholson, J.M. (2022). A review of Australian government funding of parenting intervention research. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 46(3), 262-268 http://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.1323
Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Rudolph, J., Polak, E.-J., Swan, K., Hawes, T., Campbell, S. M., & Webb, H. J. (2022). Circle of Security: A randomized controlled trial of a low intensity, individualized attachment-based program with at-risk parents. Behavior Therapy, 53(2), 208-223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2021.07.003
Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Rudolph, J., Kerin, J., & Bohadana-Brown, G. (2022). Parent emotional regulation: A meta-analytic review of its association with parenting and child adjustment. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 46(1), 63-82. https://doi.org/10.1177/01650254211051086
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Webb, H. J., Kerin, J., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2021). Increases in emotional eating during early adolescence and associations with appearance teasing by parents and peers, peer victimization, depression and social anxiety. Journal of Early Adolescence, 41(5), 754-777. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431620950469
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​McKenzie, M. L., Donovan, C. L., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Waters, A. M., Mathieu, S. L., & Farrell, L. J. (2020). Examining parental perception of children’s emotion regulation in paediatric OCD: Associations with child symptoms, parental distress, and family accommodation. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders. Article 100508. doi:10.1016/j.jocrd.2020.100508
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van Petegem, S., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J, Baudet, S., Soenens, B., Vansteenkiste, M. & Zimmermann, G. (2019). Adolescents’ responses to parental regulation: The role of communication style and self-determination. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 65, Article 101073. doi:10.1016/j.appdev.2019.101073
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​Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., McKay, A., & Webb, H. J. (2019). The food-related parenting context: Associations with parent mindfulness and children’s temperament. Mindfulness, 10, 2415-2428. doi:10.1007/s12671-019-01219-2
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Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Joyce, J., Kerin, J., Webb, H. J., & Morrissey, S. (2019). Self-Determination Theory and food-related parenting: The Parent Socioemotional Context of Feeding Questionnaire. Journal of Family Psychology, 33, 476-486. doi:10.1037/fam0000524
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Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Kerin, J., Webb, H. J., Gardner, A., Mastro, S., & Swan, K. (2019). Improved perceptions of emotion regulation and reflective functioning in parents: Two additional positive outcomes of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy. Behavior Therapy, 50, 340-352. doi:10.1016/j.beth.2018.07.002
Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., van Petegem, S., Ducat, W., Clear, S., & Mastro, S. (2018). Parent-child relationships and romantic development: A review and argument for research on autonomy supportive parenting. In B. Soenens, M. Vansteenkiste, & S. Van Petegem (Eds.), Autonomy in adolescent development: Towards conceptual clarity (Chapter 8, pp. 168-192). Amsterdam: Psychology Press
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Rudolph, J., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2018). Parents as protectors: A qualitative study of parents’ views on child sexual abuse prevention. Child Abuse and Neglect, 85, 28-38. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.08.016
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​Gardner, A., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2018). Rejection sensitivity and responses to rejection: Serial mediators linking parenting to emerging adults’ depression and trait anxiety. Journal of Relationships Research, 9. doi:10.1017/jrr.2018.8
Rudolph, J., & , M. J. (2018). Reviewing the focus: A summary and critique of child-focused sexual abuse prevention. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. doi:10.1177/1524838016675478.
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​Webb, H. J., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Scuffham, P., Rani, B., & Barber, B. (2018). Family stress predicts poorer dietary quality in children: Examining the role of the parent?child relationship. Infant and Child Development, 27, e2088. doi:10.1002/icd.2088.
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White, C., Shanley, D., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Walsh, K., Hawkins, R., Lines, K., Pickering, K., & Webb, H. (2018). Promoting young children’s interpersonal safety knowledge, intentions, confidence, and protective behaviour skills: Outcomes of a randomised controlled trial. Child Abuse & Neglect, 82, 144-155. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.05.024
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White, C., Shanley, D., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Walsh, K., & Hawkins, R. (2018). “Tell, tell, tell again”: The prevalence and correlates of young children’s response to and disclosure of an in-vivo lure from a stranger. Child Abuse & Neglect, 82, 134-143. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2018.06.001.
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Rudolph, J., , M. J., Shanley, D., & Hawkins, R. (2018). Child sexual abuse prevention opportunities: Parenting, programs and the reduction of risk. , 96-106. doi:10.1177/1077559517729479.
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​Rudolph, J., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Walsh, K., Shanley, D., & Hawkins, R. (2018). Parental Discussion of Child Sexual Abuse: Is It Associated with the Parenting Practices of Involvement, Monitoring, and General Communication? Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 27, 195-216. doi:10.1080/10538712.2018.1425946
Thomas, R., Abell, B., Webb, H. J., Avdagic, E., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2017). Parent-Child Interaction Therapy: A meta-analysis. Pediatrics, 140(3) e20170352.
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Kumar, S., Tadakamadla, J., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Kroon, J., Lalloo, R., & Johnson, N. W. (2017). Parenting practices and children’s dental caries experience: A structural equation modelling approach. Community Dentistry & Oral Epidemiology, 45, 485-566. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12321.
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​Webb, H. J., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Farrell, L., Waters, A., Nesdale, D., & Downey, G. (2017) "Pretty pressure" from peers, parents, and the media: A longitudinal study of appearance-based rejection sensitivity. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 27, 718-735. https://doi.org/10.1111/jora.12310. One of the Journal's top 20 downloaded papers in the first 12 months of publication.
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Van Petegem, S., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Soenens, B., Vansteenkiste, M., Brenning, K., Mabbe, E., Vanhalst, J., & Zimmermann, G. (2017). Does the general parenting context modify adolescents’ appraisals and coping with a situation of parental regulation? The case of autonomy-supportive parenting. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 26, 2623-2639. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-017-0758-9.
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Kumar, S., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Kroon, J., Lalloo, R., & Johnson, N. W. (2017). The role of parenting practices and family demographics on oral health related quality of life in children. Quality of Life Research, 26, 2229-2236. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-017-1568-7.
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Kumar, S., Tadakamadla, J., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Lalloo, R., Kroon, J., & Johnson, N. (2017). The effect of parenting practices on the severity of gingival bleeding in children. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 88, 744-751. https://doi.org/10.1902/jop.2017.160817.
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​Webb, H. J., Thomas, R., McGregor, L., Avdagic, E., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2017). An evaluation of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy with and without a motivational enhancement to reduce attrition. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 46, 537-550. https://doi.org/10.1080/15374416.2016.1247357.
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​Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Webb, H. J., Pepping, C. A., Swan, K., Merlo, O., Skinner, E. A., Avdagic, E., & Dunbar, M. (2017). Review: Is parent–child attachment a correlate of children’s emotion regulation and coping? International Journal of Behavioral Development, 4, 74-93. https://doi.org/10.1177/0165025415618276.
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Farrell, L., Gregersten, E., Donovan, C., Pemmenter, A., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2016). Maternal rejection and idealized value of appearance: Exploring the origins of body dysmorphic concerns among young adults. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 30, 154-167.​​
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Rowe, S., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., & Hood, M. (2016). From the child to the neighbourhood: Longitudinal ecological correlates of young adolescents’ emotional, social, conduct, and academic difficulties. Journal of Adolescence, 49, 218-231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2016.4.001.
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Rowe, S. L., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., & Hood, M. (2016). Community, family, and individual factors associated with adolescents’ resilience and vulnerability, daily stress, and well-being following family separation. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 57, 87-111. https://doi.org/10.1080/10502556.2015.1127875.
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​Farrell, L. J., Gregertsen, E. C., Donovan, C. L., Pemmenter, A., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. (2016). Maternal rejection and idealized value of appearance: Exploring the origins of body dysmorphic concerns among young adults. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 30, 154-167. doi:10.1891/0889-8391.30.3.154
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Mastro, S., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2015). Let’s talk openly about sex: Sexual communication, self-esteem and efficacy as correlates of sexual well-being. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 12, 579-598. doi:10.1080/17405629.2015.1054373.
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Sawitri, D., Creed, P., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2015). Longitudinal Relations of Parental Influences and Adolescent Career Aspirations and Actions in a Collectivist Society. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 25, 551-563. doi:10.1111/jora.12145
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Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Webb, H. J., Thomas, R., & Klag, S. (2015). A new measure of toddler parenting practices and associations with attachment and mothers’ sensitivity, competence, and enjoyment of parenting, Early Child Development and Care, 185, 1422-1436. doi:10.1080/03004430.2014.1001753.
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Rowe, S., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J, Rudolph, J., & Nesdale, D. (2015). A longitudinal study of rejecting and autonomy-relevant parenting, rejection sensitivity, and socioemotional symptoms in early adolescents, Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 43(6), 1107-1118. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-014-9966-6
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Sawitri, D., Creed, P., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2015). A longitudinal examination of parental influences and adolescent aspirations and actions in a collectivist society. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 25, 551-563. doi.org/10.1111/jora.12145
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Bell, C., Waters, A. M., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2015). The impact of mothers’ trait anxiety on their expectations of approach-avoidance behavior in anxious and non-anxious children. Australian Journal of Psychology, 67, 55-64. doi.org/10.1111/ajpy.12060.
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Ferguson, S., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2014). Associations of parental and peer rejection with preadolescents’ loneliness: Emotional sensitivities as mediators, Journal of Relationships Research, 5, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1017/jrr.2014.9
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Sawitri, D., Creed, P. A., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2014). Parental influences and adolescent career behaviours in a collectivist cultural setting. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Guidance, 14, 161-180. doi.org/10.1007/s10775-013-9247-x.
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Rudolph, J., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2014). Parent relationships and adolescents’ depression and social anxiety: Indirect associations via emotional sensitivity to rejection threat. Australian Journal of Psychology, 66, 110-121. doi.org/10.1111/ajpy.12042.
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Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Thomas, R., Hendrickson, K., Avdagic, E., Webb, H., & McGregor, L. (2013). Maternal emotional distress and children’s internalizing and externalizing in families at high risk of child abuse: Child gender moderates parenting sensitivity as a mediator, Infant and Child Development, 22, 480-500 doi: 10.1002/icd.1804.
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Sawitri, D. R., Creed, P. A., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2013). The adolescent-parent career congruence scale: Development and initial validation. Journal of Career Assessment, 21, 210-226. doi:10.1177/1069072712466723.
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McGregor, L., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., & Creed, P. A. (2012) Family structure, interparental conflict and parenting as correlates of children’s relationship expectations. Journal of Relationships Research, 3, 44-56. doi: 10.1017/jrr.2012.6
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Thomas, R., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2012). Parent-Child Interaction Therapy: An evidence-based treatment for child abuse, Child Maltreatment, 17, 253-266.
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Waters, A. M., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. & Farrell, L. J. (2012).The relationships of child and parent factors with anxiety symptoms in children? Parental anxious rearing as a mediator. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 26(7), 737-745. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2012.06.002
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Farrell, L.J., Waters, A.M., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M.J. (2012). Cognitive biases and obsessive-compulsive symptoms in children: Examining the role of parent cognitive bias and child age. Behavior Therapy, 43, 593-605.
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Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Lees, D, & Skinner, E. A. (2011). Children’s emotions and coping with interpersonal stress as correlates of social competence, Australian Journal of Psychology, 63, 131-141.
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Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., Madsen, S. D., & Hanisch, M. (2011). Connecting the intrapersonal and the interpersonal: Autonomy, voice and relationships with parents and romantic partners during late adolescence. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 8, 509-525.
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Thomas, R., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2011). Accumulating evidence for best practice: The case of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy and child maltreatment. Child Development, 82, 177-192.
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Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., & Thomas, R. (2010). Parents, parenting and toddler adaptation: Evidence from a national longitudinal study of Australian children. Infant Behavior and Development, 33, 518-529.
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McLachlan, J., Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., & McGregor, L. (2010). Rejection sensitivity in childhood and early adolescence: Peer rejection and protective effects of parents and friends. Journal of Relationships Research. 1, 31-40. doi: 10.1375/jrr.1.1.31
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Joyce, J., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2009). Parent feeding restriction and child weight: The mediating role of child disinhibited eating and the moderating role of parenting style. Appetite, 52, 726-734.
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​Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J., & Locke, E. M. (2007). The socialization of adolescent coping: Relationships at home and school. Journal of Adolescence, 30, 1-16.
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Thomas, R., & Zimmer-Gembeck, M. J. (2007). Behavioral outcomes of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy and Triple P – Positive Parenting Program: A review and meta-analysis, Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 35, 475-495.
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