Oregon Research Institute

Programs: Promoting healthy child development: researchers in this area examine the role that families, schools, friends, neighborhoods, and communities play in promoting the positive development of children, teens, and young adults. The research teams study what leads to social and academic success as well as what leads to problem behaviors, such as substance use and school failure. Ori scientists work with schools and parents to refine and adapt evidence-based programs such as literacy strengthening, social skills programs, and parent training programs.

promoting physical health: ori researchers are studying ways to keep people of all ages physically healthy. Ori's work in chronic illness prevention began in the 1980s with research to find ways to help people with diabetes manage their illness. The study and promotion of physical activity began in the 1990s with important longitudinal research on the factors which influence children and youth to become and remain physically active and with important clinical trials of the benefits of tai chi exercise for the elderly.

promoting psychological health: ori scientists study emotional and behavioral disorders as well as normative development and personality, in order to better understand factors that make people vulnerable to serious mental health disorders as well as factors that increase resilience that helps people cope with daily challenges. An important component of research in this area is developing and evaluating interventions for the prevention and treatment of disorders.

treating tobacco, alcohol and illegal drug use: ori's work in this area dates from research funding obtained in the late 1970s to study tobacco use in young people. Since then, research interest has broadened to include research on the prevention of alcohol and other drug use among youth. Two important ori longitudinal studies, one on peer and family influences on youth drug use, and the other on young children's knowledge of and intent to use alcohol and drugs - have provided valuable guidance in the development of substance abuse prevention programs.