Manuscripts & Publications
"Within Aboriginal language, the word knowledge is considered a verb; whereas in western worldview knowledge is deemed a noun. Therefore, in Aboriginal worldview, knowledge is considered a living, moving, growing entity." (Simard & Blight, 2011)
Merculief, A., Omar, J., Aguilar, G., Steyer, L., & Obradovic, J. (2025). Early childhood educator stress, burnout, and racism and inequity beliefs. Early Childhood Education Journal. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-025-02037-z
​
DeJoseph, M., Merculief, A., Sulik, M.J., & Obradovic, J. (2025). Understanding learning variability in early childhood: An equity-centered assessment of cognitive regulation among diverse preschool children. Early Education and Development. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2025.2578816
​
Merculief, A., McClelland, M.M., Foster, S.A., Geldhof, G.J., Lipscomb, S.T., Anderson, K., & Kile, M. (2025). Socioeconomic and racial-ethnic disparities in flame retardant exposure and executive function skills in preschool children. Environmental Health, 24(1):46. doi: 10.1186/s12940-025-01200-8.
​
Lipscomb, S.T., Merculief, A., & Phelps, B. (2025). Measuring resilience in young children: The Child and Youth Resilience Measure- Early Childhood (CYRM-EC). Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 70, 347-357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecresq.2024.11.004
​
Merculief, A., Tsethlikai, M., & Muniz, F. (2024). Applying an Indigenous connectedness framework to examine environmental risk and protective factors for urban American Indian children’s executive function development. Behavioral Sciences, 14(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14121202
​
Merculief A., Lipscomb S.T., McClelland M.M., Geldhof G.J., &Tsethlikai, M. (2023) Nurturing resilience in American Indian/Alaska Native preschool children: the role of cultural socialization, executive function, and neighborhood risk. Frontiers in Psychology, 14:1279336. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1279336
​
Martin, T., Merculief, A., Young, R.I., White, L., Marshall, S.M., Waubanascum, C., White, E.J., & Russette, H. (2023). Striving to be Pono (balanced, just, fair, & hopeful): Conceptualizing an indigenous writing process from a Native Hawaiian cultural perspective. Adversity & Resilience Science, 4, 435-458. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42844-023-00121-0
​
Gonzales, C., Merculief, A., Ghetti, S., & McClelland, M.M. (2022). Longitudinal relations between uncertainty monitoring, executive functioning and academic achievement during the transition to kindergarten. Child Development, 93(2), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13714
​
McClelland, M.M., Gonzales, C.R., Cameron, C., Geldhof, G.J., Bowles, R., Nancarrow, A., Merculief, A., & Tracy, A. (2021). The head-toes-knees-shoulders revised (HTKS-R): Links to academic outcomes and measures of EF in young children. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.721846
Selected Conference Presentations
Merculief, A., Tsethlikai, M.T., & Muniz, F. (2025). Environmental Risk and Protective Factors for Urban American Indian Children’s Executive Function: Emphasizing Connectedness. In: Waters, S. (Chair), Elevating Kinship and Cultural Connectedness in Supporting Indigenous Child Development. [Paper symposium]. Society for Research in Child Development Biennial Meeting, Minneapolis, MN.
​
Merculief, A., McClelland, M.M., Kile, M., Geldhof, G.J., & Lipscomb, S.T., (2023). Disparities in PBDE and OPFR flame retardant exposure: Influences on early childhood executive function and community resilience-promoting factors [Poster presentation]. American Public Health Association, Atlanta, GA.
​
Merculief, A., Lipscomb, S.T., & McClelland, M.M. (2022). Examining risk and resilience in the built and social neighborhood environment for American Indian/Alaska Native preschool children. In Tsethlikai, M. (Chair), Exploring Protective Factors to Promote Cognitive Development and Well-being in Indigenous Children in the Midst of Economic, Environmental, and Social Stressors [Paper symposium]. Society for Research in Child Development, Salt Lake City, UT.
​
Merculief, A.; Chen, Q., Foster, S.A.; Ozenbaugh, I.; Bradetich, A.; Carlson, S., Braithwaite, P., Lipscomb, S.T., & McClelland, M.M. (2022). Early childhood teacher experiences of workplace support and self-reported distress during the COVID-19 pandemic. [Poster presentation]. National Research Conference on Early Childhood. Virtual Conference.
​
Merculief, A., Blodgett, J., Bolding, C.W., Asige Lawrence, M., Orucho, J., Esokomi, A., Omuse, D., & Onyiko, K. (2021). Seeking harmony: The juxtaposition between positive and negative community influences for Kenyan youth. [Poster presentation]. Society for Research in Child Development Biennial Meeting, Virtual Conference.
​
Merculief, A., & McClelland, M.M. (2019). English proficiency and executive function in dual language learners enrolled in Head Start. [Poster presentation]. Society for the Study of Human Development, Portland, OR.
​
Merculief, A., Sciuto, I., Alonso, J., Finders, J. & McClelland, M. (2018). Cumulative family resources and children’s self-regulation: Where does change occur? [Poster presentation]. Oregon Parenting Educators Conference, Corvallis, OR.
Merculief, A. & Paddock, M. (2017). From isolation to belonging: Fostering resilience in Native American youth. Oral presentation by former colleagues at Washington State Public Health Association Conference, Wenatchee, WA.
​
Merculief, A; Wilson, B; Miller, H. & Murray, R. (2013). Spontaneous mimicry: Reflection of facial expression in children with autism. [Poster presentation]. Society for Research in Child Development Biennial Conference, Seattle, WA.
Professional Affiliations
Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD), Indigenous Caucus Member
American Public Health Association (APHA)