Elizabeth A. LeCuyer, Ph.D., P.M.H.N.P., A.R.N.P., C.S.

"While working as a staff nurse, clinical specialist, nurse educator and nurse practitioner, Dr. Liz LeCuyer has always been fascinated by human behavior, including the interplay between nature and nurture, and between biological and social influences on human development and behavior. So when she was offered the chance to study the impact of early parent-child interaction on toddler development at OHSU, she went for it. Several years, studies, and publications later, Dr. LeCuyer, along with Dr. Gail Houck, have identified specific links between mothers’ behavior during early limit-setting interactions, and later child development of self-regulation. They are now exploring the relationship between early maternal limit-setting and child self-regulation in other cultural and ethnic groups, and are planning interventions to assist mothers to develop limit-setting skills that will optimize their children’s development of social competence, self-concept, and self-regulation. The study of other interactional contexts in also in process."

Dr. LeCuyer is also director of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program at OHSU, teaches in that program, and practices as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner in the Portland area.

RESEARCH

Most Recent Completed Research Support

2002-2004
Mother-Toddler Interactions: Socialization Strategies for the Development of Self-Regulation
Role: Principal Investigator. Hyundai Motor American/American Nurses Foundation; National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; Sigma Theta Tau, Beta Psi Chapter and Delta Chi Chapter-at-Large.

TEACHING

Nurs 571B Assessment, Diagnosis, and Treatment in Advanced Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing: Adults

Nurs 572B Individual and Group Therapy with Adults

SELECTED PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

LeCuyer, E.A.& Houck, G.M. (2006). Maternal limit-setting in toddlerhood: Socialization strategies for the development of self-regulation. Infant Mental Health Journal, 27, 344 - 370.

Houck, G.M & LeCuyer-Maus, E.A. (2004). Maternal limit-setting during toddlerhood, delay of gratification, and behavior problems at age five. Infant Mental Health Journal, 25, 28-46.

LeCuyer-Maus, E. (2003). Stress and coping in high-risk mothers: Difficult life circumstances, psychiatric-mental health symptoms, education, and experiences in their families of origin. Public Health Nursing, 20, 132-145.

LeCuyer-Maus E.A.& Houck, G.M. (2002). Mother-toddler interactions and the development of self-regulation in a limit-setting context. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 17, 184-200.

LeCuyer-Maus, E. & Houck, G. (2002). Maternal characteristics and maternal limit-setting styles. Public Health Nursing, 19, 336-344.

Houck, G. & LeCuyer-Maus, E. (2002). Maternal limit-setting patterns and toddler development of self-concept and social competence. Issues Compr Pediatr Nurs, 25, 21-41.

LeCuyer-Maus, E. (2000). Maternal sensitivity and responsiveness, limit-setting style, and relationship history in the transition to toddlerhood. Issues Compr Pediatr Nurs, 23, 117-139.

LeCuyer, E. (1992). Milieu Therapy for Short Stay Units: A Transformed Practice Theory.
Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 5, (2), 108-116.

PRACTICE

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Portland Oregon.