Nancy Darling

Nancy Darling is a Professor of Psychology and Business at Oberlin College, affiliated with the College of Arts and Sciences. She holds a BS, MS, and PhD from Cornell University. Her work focuses on adolescent development, parenting dynamics, and the interplay between social relationships and individual growth. She co-founded 1step2life, an app supporting adolescents with chronic pain and their families, and serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Adolescence.

Her research emphasizes contextual variability and innovative methods, such as agent-based modeling. Current projects include the Continuity of Close Relationships and Following Doctors’ Orders studies, examining adolescent adherence to medical advice and family dynamics. She has advised numerous students, including Molly Gleydura (Watson Fellowship winner) and Olivia Goldstein (Goldwater Scholar).

Dr. Darling has presented at international conferences like the Society for Research on Adolescence and published widely. Her work bridges academic research with practical tools, such as the Parenting Style Inventory and the 1step2life app. She also contributes to public discourse via media appearances and op-eds on parenting and resilience.