Patricia Schacht

Dr. Patricia (Trish) Schacht is a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience who specializes in Child and Adolescent Development. She received her M.A in Developmental Psychology from the University of Cardiff, Wales and her Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame. Her research interests include the effects of contextual factors, including parenting styles and parent-child relationships, on children's social and emotional development. Dr. Schacht works as an educational advocate for children in need of special accommodations in the school setting. She also works as a tutor for executive functioning skills. Dr. Schacht is the faculty mentor for the NCC women's soccer team and is an avid Philadelphia sports fan (Go Phils/Birds)! She was the recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Teaching and Mentoring Award. 

Selected Scholarship

Schacht, P.M. (2018). State of the Kids. Comprehensive report published for the Naperville School Districts and Mayor of Naperville, Il.

Schacht, P.M. (2018).  StressMatters. Comprehensive report published for Community Youth Team, Naperville, Il. 

Cummings, E. M., Faircloth, W. B., Schacht, P. M., McCoy, K. P., & Schermerhorn, A. C. (2016). Opportunities and obstacles in giving away research on marital conflict and children.  In K. Durkin & H. R. Schaffer (Eds.), The Wiley Handbook of Developmental Psychology in Practice: Implementation and impact. (pp. 53-76). New York: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Faircloth, W.B, Cummings, E.M., Schacht (Mitchell*), P.M, & Schermerhorn, A.C. (2014).  Testing the long-term efficacy of a prevention program for improving marital conflict in community families. Journal of Family Psychology.

Garthe, Rachel & Schacht, P.M. (2012).  The Effects of Self-Esteem and Aggression in Scottish Young Adults on Depression.  Psi Chi Journal of Undergraduate Research.

Faircloth, W. B., Schermerhorn, A. C., Mitchell*, P. M., Cummings, J. S., & Cummings, E. M. (2011). Testing the long-term efficacy of a prevention program for improving marital conflict in community families. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 32, 189-197.  

Schacht, P.M., Cummings, E.M., & Davies, P.T.  (2009).  Fathering in family context and child adjustment: A longitudinal analysis.  Journal of Family Psychology, 23, 790-797.

Cummings, E.M., Faircloth, W. B., Mitchell, P.M., Schermerhorn, A.C., Cummings, J.S. (2007).  Evaluating a brief prevention program for improving marital conflict in community families.  Journal of Family Psychology.

Mitchell, P. M., McCoy, K. P., Cummings, E. M., W. Brad Faircloth, W. F., & Cummings, J. S. (2009). Prevention of the Negative Effects of Marital Conflict: A             Child- Oriented Program. In E. Cuyler and M. Ackhart (Eds.), Psychology of Relationships (pp.303-317). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

 Mitchell, P.M. (2007).  Review of Daly, E. & Sarkin, J.  Reconciliation in divided societies: Finding common ground.  Journal of Moral Education.

 Mitchell, P.M.  (2007).  The effects of paternal conflict behavior, parenting, and psychopathology on children.  Dissertation Abstracts International. 

Cummings, E.M., Faircloth, W.B., Mitchell, P.M., McCoy, K.P., & Schermerhorn, A.C. (2007). Translating basic research about marital conflict and children into a         psycho-educational program for parents.  Invited for publication in H.R. Schaffer & K. Durkin (Eds.), Blackwell Handbook of developmental psychology in                    action: Opportunities and obstacles in giving developmental psychology away.  Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing, Inc.

Mitchell, P., Faircloth, W.B. & Keller, P.S.  (2006).  Marital conflict and the aftermath of divorce: Prevention programs for children.  In J. Borkowski & C. Weaver  (Eds.).  The culture of prevention: Using science and art to promote healthy development.  Brookes Publishing.

Courses Taught

PSY 100: The Science of Behavior

PSY 220: Child Development

PSY 220: Psychology of Adolescence

PSY 290: Topics In Psychology

PSY 325: Psychopathology of the Child

PSY 490: The Psychology of Film

PSY 490: Bullying Seminar