ASU YFaCS Lab

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.


What we do

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.

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