EducationPhD, University of Connecticut
MS, University of Connecticut
BS, Boston College
Selected Research Grants9/05 - 9/08 Enhancing Early Social Emotional Functioning in Infants and Toddlers using a Relationship Based Infant Mental Health Approach , Consultant (H. Brophy-Herb, Principal Investigator), Department of Health and Human Services (90-YF-0055), Administration for Children and Families, $500,000.
4/03 - 12/05 Post-First Grade Follow-up of Early Head Start Project Sample , Project Leader (until 8/03, then Consultant), Grant from MSU Families and Communities Together (FACT) Coalition, $30,000.
5/01 - 4/06 Pathways Project II: Research into Directions for Family Health (Early Head Start Pre Kindergarten Follow-up), Principal Investigator (until 8/03, then Co-Principal Investigator), Department of Health and Human Services (90-YF-0031), Administration on Children, Youth, and Families, $791,660.
10/00 - 6/01 Quality Improvement in Early Head Start , Principal Investigator, Contract with Community Action Agency, Jackson, MI, $22,500.
10/99 - 9/00 Quality Improvement/Father-Child Interaction--Early Head Start , Principal Investigator, Contract with Community Action Agency, Jackson, MI, $33,131.
10/98 - 9/99 Early Head Start Research and Quality Improvement , Principal Investigator, Contract with Community Action Agency, Jackson, MI, $33,000.
10/97- 9/98 Impact of Welfare Reform/Father-Child Interaction , Principal Investigator, Contract with Region II Community Action Agency, Jackson, MI, $27,516.
5/96 - 4/02 Pathways Project: Research into Directions for Family Health and Service Use (Early Head Start Local Research), Principal Investigator, Department of Health and Human Services (90-YF-0010), Administration on Children, Youth, and Families, $857,527.
5/96 - 6/01 Early Head Start Research and Evaluation , Principal Investigator, Contract with Mathematica Policy RSelected PublicationsArticles (refereed)
Lee, S-Y., Hoerr, S. L., Weatherspoon, L., & Schiffman, R. F. (in press) Nutrition students improve attitudes after a guided experiential assignment with older adults. Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior .
Sherwood, P., Given, B., Given, C., Schiffman, R. , Murman, D., Lovely, M., von Eye, A., Rogers, L., & Remer, S. (2007). Identifying caregivers in need of intervention: The role of caregiver mastery in neuro-oncology. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 39, 249-255.
Fitzgerald, H. E., McKelvey, L. M., Schiffman, R. F ., & Montanez, M. (2006). Exposure of low-income families and their children to neighborhood violence and paternal antisocial behavior. Parenting: Science and Practice, 6, 243-258.
Hoerr, S. L., Lee, S. Y., Schiffman, R. F. , Horodynski, M. O., & McKelvey, L. M. (2006). Beverage consumption of mother-toddler dyads in families with limited incomes. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 21, 403-411 .
Sherwood, P., Given, B., Given, C., Schiffman, R. , Murman, D., Lovely, M., von Eye, A., Rogers, L., & Remer, S. (2006). Predictors of distress in caregivers of persons with a primary malignant brain tumor. Research in Nursing & Health, 29, 105-120.
Summers, J. A., Boller, K., Schiffman, R. F. & Raikes, H. H. (2006). The meaning of "good fatherhood": Low-income fathers' social constructions of their roles. Parenting: Science and Practice, 6, 145-165 .
Lee, S-Y., Hoerr, S. L., & Schiffman, R. F. (2005). Screening for infants' and toddlers' dietary quality through maternal diet. MCN The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing, 30, 60-66.
Sherwood, P., Given, B., Given, C., Schiffman, R. , Murman, D. & Lovely, M. (2004). Caregivers of persons with brain tumor: A conceptual mode. Nursing Inquiry, 11 (1), 43-53.
Schiffman, R. F. (2004). Drug and substance use in adolescents. MCN The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing, 29. 21-27.
Schiffman, R. F., Omar, M. A., & McKelvey, L. M. (2003). Mother-infant interaction in low-income families. MCN The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing, 28, 246-251.
Schiffman, R. F. , Fitzgerald, H. E., & DeLuca, M. C. (2002). Community-university partnerships: The best vintage. NHSA Dialog 5, 325-339.
Tiedje, L. B., Schiffman, R. , Omar, M., Wright, J., Buzzitta, C., McCann, A., & Metzger, S. (2002). An ecological approach to breast feeding. MCN The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing, 27, 154-162 .
McKelvey, L., Fitzgerald, H. E., Schiffman, R. F. , & von Eye, A. (2002). Family stress and parent-infant interaction: The mediating role of coping. Infant Mental Health Journal, 23, 164-182.
Brophy-Herb, H. E., Schiffman, R. F. , DeLuca, M. C., & Hawver, M. (2001). Quality improvement: Lessons learned from an Infant Mental Health based Early Head Start Program. Infants and Young Children, 14 (2), 77-85.
Gibbons, C., Schiffman, R. , Brophy-Herb, H., Fitzgerald, H. E., Omar, M., & McKelvey, L. (2001). Une étude exploratoire. Interaction entre les dyads mère-nourisson et père-nourisson chez les couples à faible revenu [Interaction between low-income mother-infant and father-infant pairs: An exploratory study]. Santé Mentale au Québec, XXVI (1), 101-117.
Omar, M. A., Schiffman, R. F. , & Bingham, C. R. (2001). Development and testing of the Patient Expectations and Satisfaction with Prenatal Care instrument. Research in Nursing & Health, 24, 218-229.
Omar, M. A., & Schiffman, R. F. (2000). Satisfaction and adequacy of prenatal care utilization among rural low-income women. Outcomes Management for Nursing Practice, 4, 91-96.
Brophy-Herb, H. E., Gibbons, C., Omar, M. A., & Schiffman, R. F. (1999). Low-income fathers and their infants: Interactions during teaching episodes. Infant Mental Health Journal, 20, 305-321.
Omar, M. A., Schiffman, R. F. , & Bauer, P. (1998). Recipient and provider perspectives of barriers to rural prenatal care. Journal of Community Health Nursing, 15, 237-249.
Omar, M. A., & Schiffman, R. F. (1995). Pregnant women's perceptions of prenatal care. Maternal-Child Nursing Journal, 23, 132-142.
Omar, M. A., & Schiffman, R. F. (1993). Prenatal vitamins - A rite of passage? MCN The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing, 18, 322-324.
Schiffman, R. F. (1982). Temperature monitoring in the neonate: A comparison of axillary and rectal temperatures. Nursing Research, 31, 274-277.
Book Chapters
Schiffman, R. F. (2003). The Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Consortium: Collaborations and partnerships. In J. W. Hawkins & L. A. Haggerty (Eds.), Diversity in health care research: Strategies for multisite, multidisciplinary, and multicultural projects (pp. 208-227) . New York: Springer.
Presentations of Scholarly Work
Bocknek, E. L., Brophy-Herb, H. E., McKelvey, L. M., Schiffman, R. F ., Fitzgerald, H., Cunningham-Deluca, M., & Hawver, S. (2007, November). Longitudinal perspectives on family health: Early intervention and resilience in family health outcomes . Poster session presented at the National Council on Family Relations annual conference, Pittsburgh , PA.
Kanpheungton, S., & Schiffman, R. F . (2007, March). Pretesting of adapted Thai versions of Facts for Feeding Children and Nutrition Attitudes questionnaires. Poster session presented at the Annual Meeting of the Midwest Nursing Research Society, Omaha, Nebraska.
Schiffman, R. F. , McKelvey, L. M., & Fitzgerald, H. E. (2007, March). Relationship of family health, conflict, empowerment, stress, and coping to child outcomes in Early Head Start eligible children. In H. E. Brophy-Herb (Chair), Profiles and understandings of risks and competencies among vulnerable children and families. Poster symposium conducted at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, Boston Massachusetts.
Fitzgerald, H. McKelvey, L., & Schiffman, R. (2006, July). Adolescent fathers in low-income families: Risk for parenthood and risky parenting. Poster session presented at the World Association for Infant Mental Health 10th World Congress, Paris, France.
Fitzgerald, H. McKelvey, L., & Schiffman, R. (2006, July). Risk for paternal alcohol use disorders and child outcome in low-income families. Poster session presented at the World Association for Infant Mental Health 10th World Congress, Paris, France.
Lee, S.Y., Hoerr, S., Schiffman, R. F ., Horodynski, M. O., & McKelvey, L. M. (2006, July). Family health, maternal depressive symptoms, and family coping: Relationships to child-feeding behavior and beliefs. Poster session presented at the World Association for Infant Mental Health 10th World Congress, Paris, France .
McKelvey, L. M., Fitzgerald, H. E., & Schiffman, R. F. (2006, July). Risk exposure in toddlers of low-income families: Links to child functioning at five years of age. Poster session presented at the World Association for Infant Mental Health 10th World Congress, Paris, France .
Schiffman, R. F ., McKelvey, L. M., Reischl, T. M., Fitzgerald, H. E., Gu, L., Hawver, M., & Cunningham-Deluca, M. (2006, July). Early Head Start participation, family routines, parenting stress, and child literacy. Poster session presented at the World Association for Infant Mental Health 10 th World Congress, Paris, France .
Fitzgerald, H. E., McKelvey, L. M., & Schiffman, R. F . (2006, June). Risk for paternal alcohol use disorders and child outcomes in low-income families. Paper presented at Head Start's Eight National Research Conference, Washington, DC.
Hoerr, S., Lee, S. Y., Schiffman, R. F. , Horodynski, M. O., & McKelvey, L. M. (2006, June). Dietary quality and beverage consumption of mothers and toddlers in low income families . Poster presented at Head Start's Eight National Research Conference, Washington, DC.
McKelvey, L. M., Fitzgerald, H. E., & Schiffman, R. F . (2006, June). Risk exposure in toddlers of low-income families: Links to child functioning at kindergarten entry . Poster presented at Head Start's Eight National Research Conference, Washington, DC.
Schiffman, R. F ., McKelvey, L. M., Reischl, T. M., Fitzgerald, H.E., Brophy-Herb, H., Gu, L., Hawver, M., & Cunningham-Deluca, M. (2006, June). The impact of an Early Head Start program on family self-sufficiency activities . Poster presented at Head Start's Eight National Research Conference, Washington, DC.
Schiffman, R. F ., Lee, S-Y., McKelvey, L., Horodynski, M. O., & Hoerr, S. L. (2005, November). Relationships among low- income mothers' perceptions about children's health, and their children's heath service use and health status . Paper presented at the 38th biennial convention of Sigma Theta Tau International, Indianapolis, IN.
Schiffman, R. F ., Lee, S-Y., McKelvey, L., Horodynski, M. O., & Hoerr, S. L. (2005, November). Relationships among low- income mothers' perceptions about children's health, and their children's heath service use and health status. Paper presented at the 38 th biennial convention of Sigma Theta Tau International, Indianapolis , IN.
McKelvey, L. M., Fitzgerald, H. E., Schiffman, R. F ., & Gu L. (2005, April). Determining clusters of risk exposure in low-income families: Links to child and family functioning. Poster session presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, Atlanta, GA.
Schiffman, R. F. , Lee, S-Y., Horodynski, M. O., & McKelvey, L. (2005, April). Relationship between mothers' ratings of children's health, and children's health, heath service use, and cognitive development. Poster session presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research in Child Development, Atlanta, GA.
Sherwood, P. R., Given, B. A., Given, C. W., Schiffman, R. F ., Murman, D. L., & Lovely, M. (2004, October). The role of mastery in moderating negative outcomes of providing care. Paper presented at the National Congress on the State of the Science, Washington, DC.
Fitzgerald, H. E., McKelvey, L., Schiffman, R . (2004, July). Origins of risk: effects of paternal antisocial behavior and neighborhood violence on child and family functioning . In N. Cabrera (Chair), The ecology of father involvement: Families, parental involvement, programs and neighborhoods . Symposium presented at Head Start's 7 th National Research Conference, Washington, DC.
McKelvey, L. M., Schiffman, R. F., Fitzgerald, H. E. ( 2004, July ). Examining family stress and parent-child interaction across time. Poster session presented at Head Start's 7th National Research Conference, Washington, DC.
Schiffman, R. F., Klute, M. M., Kisker, E., Robinson, J., Korfmacher, J., Raikes, H., Jones-Harden, B., Cohen, R. C. (2004, July). Profile of home visiting staff in US Early Head Start programs . Poster session presented at Head Start's 7th National Research Conference, Washington, DC.
Schiffman, R. F. , McKelvey, L. M., Reischl, T. M., Fitzgerald, H. E., Neivar, M. A., Gu, L., Hawver, M., Cunningham-DeLuca, M. (2004, July). Examining outcomes of an Early Head Start program . Poster session presented at Head Start's 7th National Research Conference, Washington, DC .
Brophy-Herb, H. E., Schiffman, R. F ., McKelvey, L. M. (2004, May). Parenting predictors of toddlers' play competence and social behaviors at 24 and 36 months . Poster session presented at the XIVth Biennial International Conference on Infant Studies, Chicago, Illinois.
McKelvey, L. M., Fitzgerald, H. E., Schiffman, R. F ., & von Eye, A. (2004, May). Family stress, coping, and dyadic interaction in limited-income families: A longitudinal examination. Poster session presented at the XIVth Biennial International Conference on Infant Studies, Chicago, Illinois.
Fitzgerald, H. E., McKelvey, L. M., & Schiffman, R. F . (2004, May). Origins of risk: Effects of paternal antisocial behavior and neighborhood violence on child and family functioning. Symposium presentation at the XIVth Biennial International Conference on Infant Studies, Chicago, Illinois.
Brophy-Herb, H., Schiffman, R. F. , & McKelvey, L. M. (2004, January). Parenting and family functioning predictors of toddlers' competence in play at 24 and 36 months. Paper presented at the World Association for Infant Mental Health 9th World Congress, Melbourne, Australia.
Fitzgerald, H. E., McKelvey, L., Schiffman, R . & Montanez, M. (2004, January). Origins of risk: Paternal and neighborhood influences on child and family functioning. In H. E. Fitzgerald (Chair), Fathers and infants: International perspectives. Symposium presented at the World Association for Infant Mental Health 9th World Congress, Melbourne, Australia.
McKelvey, L. M., Schiffman, R . F., & Fitzgerald, H. E. (2004, January). Examining family stress and parent-child interaction across time. Poster session presented at the World Association for Infant Mental Health 9th World Congress, Melbourne, Australia.
Schiffman, R. F., Klute, M. M., Kisker, E. E., Robinson, J., Korfmacher, J., Harden, B. J., et al. (2004, January). Profiles of frontline staff in US Early Head Start home visiting programs. Poster session presented at the World Association for Infant Mental Health 9th World Congress, Melbourne, Australia.
Fitzgerald, H. E., McKelvey, L., Montan¿ez, M., & Schiffman, R. (2003, April). Impact of paternal antisocial behavior on low-income families and children's behavior problems. Poster session presented at the 2003 Biennial Meeting of the Society for Research on Child Development, Tampa, FL.
Schiffman, R. F ., McKelvey, L. M., & Fitzgerald, H. E. (2003 April). Family functioning and child, parent and family outcomes. Poster session presented at the Midwest Nursing Research Society Annual Meeting, Grand Rapids, MI.
Sherwood, P. R., Given, B. A., Given , C. W., Schiffman, R ., Murman, D., & Lovely, M. (2003, February). Family care of persons with a brain tumor. Poster session presented at the 7th National Conference on Cancer Nursing Research, San Diego, CA.
Lee, S-Y., Hoerr, S., Schiffman, R. F., & Fitzgerald, H. E. (2002, October). Dietary quality and beverage consumption of mothers and toddlers in low income families. Poster session at the Food and Nutrition Conference and Exhibition, American Dietetic Association, Philadelphia, PA.
Lee, S-Y., Hoerr, S., Schiffman, R. F. , & Fitzgerald, H. E. (2002, July). Poor mother-toddler interaction predicts poor dietary quality in limited income mothers. Poster session presented at the World Association for Infant Mental Health 8th World Congress, Amsterdam, Netherlands .
Lower, R. J., Rodriquez, V. M., Fitzgerald, H. E., & Schiffman, R. F. (2002, July). Intergenerational childhood experiences among low-income father: A qualitative study. Poster workshop presented at the World Association for Infant Mental Health 8th World Congress, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
McKelvey, L. M., Schiffman, R. F., Fitzgerald, H. E., Cunningham DeLuca, M., & Hawver, M. (2002, July). Residential status of biological and social fathers: Impact on father-toddler interaction. Poster workshop presented at the World Association for Infant Mental Health 8th World Congress, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
McKelvey, L. M., Van Egeren, L. A.., Schiffman, R. F ., Fitzgerald, H. E., Reischl, T., & DeLuca, M. C. (2002, July). Coping strategies of low-income mothers: Stability and change over three years. Poster presented at the World Association for Infant Mental Health 8th World Congress, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Montan¿ez, M., McKelvey, L. M., Lower, R., Fitzgerald, H. E., & Schiffman, R. F. (2002, July). An examination of the impacts of father antisociality on family outcomes. Poster workshop presented at the World Association for Infant Mental Health 8 th World Congress, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Van Egeren, L. V., McKelvey, L. M., Fitzgerald, H. E., & Schiffman, R. F. (2002, July). Change in parent-child interaction in low-income families: Links to father status. Poster workshop presented at the World Association for Infant Mental Health 8th World Congress, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Kuhn, C. L., & Schiffman, R. F . (2002, June). Changes in children's health status and source of health care among infants and toddlers in Early Head Start. Poster session presented at Head Start's Sixth National Research Conference, Washington, DC.
Gibbons, C., Schiffman, R ., McKelvey, L., & DeLuca, M. C. (2002, June). Tobacco smoking habits of low-income women raising young children. Poster session presented at Head Start's Sixth National Research Conference, Washington, DC.
Lower, R. J., Rodriquez, V. M., Fitzgerald, H. E., & Schiffman, R. F. (2002, June). A qualitative study of childhood experiences among Early Head Start fathers. Poster session presented at Head Start's Sixth National Research Conference, Washington, DC.
McKelvey, L. M., Schiffman, R. F., & Fitzgerald, H. E. (2002, June). Residential status of biological and social fathers: Impact on father-toddler interaction. In H. E. Fitzgerald (Chair), Challenges to father involvement in research: Insights gained from the Early Head Start National Evaluation. Symposium conducted at Head Start's Sixth National Research Conference, Washington, DC.
Montan¿ez, M., McKelvey, L. M., Lower, R., Fitzgerald, H. E., & Schiffman, R. F. (2002, June). An examination of the impacts of father antisociality on family outcomes. Poster session presented at Head Start's Sixth National Research Conference, Washington, DC.
Schiffman, R. F., McKelvey, L. M., & Fitzgerald, H. E. (2002, June). Family functioning as a mediator of parent, child, and family outcomes: A preliminary analysis. Poster session presented at Head Start's Sixth National Research Conference, Washington, DC.
Van Egeren, L., McKelvey, L. M., Fitzgerald, H. E., & Schiffman, R. F. (2002, June). Low income mothers' support seeking strategies: Stability and change over three years. Poster session presented at Head Start's Sixth National Research Conference, Washington, DC.
McKelvey, L. M., Schiffman, R. F., & Fitzgerald, H. E. (2002, April). Residential status of biological and social fathers: Impact on father-toddler interaction . In H. E. Fitzgerald (Chair), Challenges to father involvement in research: Insights gained. Early Head Start National Evaluation. Symposium conducted at the XIIIth Biennial International Conference on Infant Studies, Toronto, Canada.
Selected Honors and Awards
2005 Excellence Award in Interdisciplinary Scholarship, Phi Kappa Phi, Michigan State University Chapter (Awarded to Michigan State University Early Head Start Research Team)
2004 Mentor for the Leadership Academy: Nurses Investing in Maternal-Child Health, Johnson & Johnson Pediatric Institute and Sigma Theta Tau International
2003 Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing
2001 Society for Research in Child Development Executive Branch Policy Fellowship
2000 Marlene Kramer Outstanding Alumni Award for Research in Nursing, School of Nursing, University of Connecticut
1991 March of Dimes Summer Nursing Research Institute, Center for Low Birthweight Research: Prevention and Care, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania