Background and research interests

• Children’s social networks and social support
• Family processes, with a particular focus on grandparent-grandchild relationships
• Risk and protective factors in psychopathology
• Prosocial development

Teaching responsibilities

Developmental Psychology

Selected publications

Yang, S. A., & Wild, L. G. (2022). Associations between grandparent involvement and psychological difficulties in adolescents facing family adversity. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 31(5), 1489-1500. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-021-02223-8

Profe, W. B., Wild, L. G., & Tredoux, C. (2021). Adolescents’ responses to the distress of others: The influence of multiple attachment figures via empathic concern. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 38(5), 1671-1691. https://doi.org/10.1177/02654075211000433

Wild, L.G. (2018). Grandparental involvement and South African adolescents’ emotional and behavioural health: A summary of research findings. Contemporary Social Science, 13(2), 232-245. https://doi.org/10.1080/21582041.2017.1422536

Van Heerden, A., & Wild, L.G. (2018). Grandparent support and mental and behavioural health in middle childhood. Social Development, 27(2), 366-380. https://doi.org/10.1111/sode.12275

Profe, W., & Wild, L.G. (2017). Mother, father, and grandparent involvement: Associations with adolescent mental health and substance use. Journal of Family Issues, 38(6), 776-797. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0192513X15583069

Levetan, J.L., & Wild, L.G. (2016). The implications of maternal grandmother coresidence and involvement for adolescent adjustment in South Africa. International Journal of Psychology, 51, 356-365. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12178

Casale, M., Cluver, L., Crankshaw, T., Kuo, C., Lachman, J.M., & Wild, L.G. (2015). Direct and indirect effects of caregiver social support on adolescent psychological outcomes in two South African AIDS-affected communities. American Journal of Community Psychology, 55, 336-346. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-015-9705-3

Casale, M., Wild, L., Cluver, L., & Kuo, C. (2015). Social support as a protective factor for depression among women caring for children in HIV-endemic South Africa. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 38, 17-27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-014-9556-7

Casale, M., Wild, L., Cluver, L., & Kuo, C. (2014). The relationship between social support and anxiety among caregivers of children in HIV-endemic South Africa. Psychology, Health and Medicine, 19, 490-503. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2013.832780

Wild, L.G., Flisher, A.J., & Robertson, B.A. (2013). Risk and resilience in orphaned adolescents living in a community affected by AIDS. Youth and Society, 45, 140-162. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0044118X11409256