Monica Lawson

Monica Lawson, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), affiliated with the College for Health, Community and Policy (HCAP). Her research focuses on cognitive and socioemotional development in children, with a particular emphasis on child maltreatment, forensic interviewing, and memory accuracy during parent-child interactions.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology (Child Development), University of Toledo
  • M.A. in Experimental Psychology (Child Development), University of Toledo
  • B.S. in Psychology (Minor: Mathematics), University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

Lawson’s research examines how maternal reminiscing styles, autonomy support, and emotional guidance influence preschoolers’ memory accuracy, suggestibility, and socio-emotional outcomes. Her work highlights the interplay between parental questioning techniques and children’s ability to recall events accurately, particularly in maltreated populations.

Her publications and presentations analyze maternal elaboration, attachment theory, and trauma-informed care. Recent studies investigate the double-edged effects of maternal elaboration on children’s memory, the impact of pandemic-related stressors on familial violence, and interventions targeting emotion knowledge in maltreating families.

Grants:

• Child Maltreatment in Bexar County (2021-2022, $5,000)
• Parent-child discussions and memory accuracy in maltreated preschoolers (2021-2023, $5,000)

Collaborations:

• UT Health Department of Child Abuse Pediatrics
• Center for Miracles at Children’s Hospital of San Antonio
• South Texas Trauma-Informed Care Consortium