Dr. Armistead has one ongoing research project that focuses on African American families and HIV prevention. Additionally, she is initiating work with HIV-infected Black South African mothers. With respect to the first project, The Parents Matter Program is a large, CDC-funded research project that is taking place at multiple sites around the country, including Georgia State University. The Parents Matter Program (PMP) has been funded to develop and evaluate a family-based program designed to support African American parents in their efforts to raise healthy children. With the help of parents and community leaders, The Parents Matter Program is evaluating a prevention intervention that provides parents of elementary school-aged children with tools to promote child and adolescent health. The goal of the program is to help parents employ strategies that promote healthy lifestyles within their families and protect children from facing a variety of health risks, such as HIV/AIDS.

Along with colleagues in South Africa, Dr. Armistead and two of her graduate students have initiated research with Black South African mothers. This project is designed to examine the impact of HIV infection on parenting among these mothers. Black South African mothers who are HIV-infected will be compared to a demographically similar group of mothers who are not infected with respect to their approach to parenting. Resources (e.g., social support, CBOs, health care) and their ability to moderate the impact of HIV on parenting will also be considered.

Dr. Armistead is an associate professor in the clinical psychology program.