Laura graduated with an undergraduate degree in Psychology and Philosophy from Keele University in 2006. She then completed a MRes in Psychology at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ. She completed her PhD in 2014 at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ, which focused on examining peer and parental influences on preadolescent eating behaviours. Laura has previously taught on various Psychology undergraduate modules at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ before she returned to the School as a Teaching Fellow in 2017.
Working days are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Laura’s research interests are focused around examining peer/friend and parental influences on children’s eating behaviours. Her research interests include:
- Peer and friend influences on children’s eating attitudes and behaviours
- Parental influences on children’s eating attitudes and behaviours
- School and family eating environments
- Longitudinal predictors of eating behaviours in children
- The preadolescent period of childhood
- Child mental health.
Invited reviewer for several academic journals, including: Maternal and Child Nutrition; Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology; Social Development.
Featured publications
- Houldcroft, L., Farrow, C., & Haycraft, E. (2016). Eating behaviours of preadolescent children over time: Stability, continuity and the moderating role of perceived parental feeding practices. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health: Special Issue Children, Adolescents and Nutrition, 13, 437-449.
- Farrow, C., Houldcroft, L., & Blissett, J. (2016). Are Controlling Parental Behaviors During Feeding and Play Moderated by Child Weight? In J. Worobey (Ed.), Infant Feeding: Parental Perceptions, Behaviors and Health Effect (pp. 155-166). New York: Nova.
- Houldcroft, L., Haycraft, E. & Farrow, C. (2015). Social and individual influences on eating in preadolescents: The role of friends’ eating behaviours and individual anxiety and depression. Advances in Pediatric Research, 2:22.
- Houldcroft, L., Farrow, C., & Haycraft, E. (2014). Perceptions of parental pressure to eat and eating behaviours in preadolescents: The mediating role of anxiety. Appetite, 80, 61-69.
- Houldcroft, L., Haycraft, E. & Farrow, C. (2014). Peer and friend influences on children’s eating. Social Development, 23, 19-40.