Darcey Merritt
Associate Professor
PhD, MSW
Areas of Expertise: Public child welfare system; addressing issues that include child maltreatment, parental fears and concerns, and optimal parenting in low socio-economic and under resourced environments; understanding parental perspectives regarding the etiology of child neglect and the impact on parent and child well being; domestic violence; correlates of specific types of child maltreatment; decision making processes of neglectful parenting behavior
Biography
Darcey Merritt is an Associate Professor at NYU Silver and is a faculty fellow for the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research. She has extensive experience as a practitioner in the private and public child welfare systems, and as a researcher with interests including child maltreatment prevention; maltreatment type definitional issues; neighborhood structural impact on maltreatment; and the lived experiences of those served by public child welfare systems.
Dr. Merritt is internationally recognized for her expertise in child welfare and she has presented research and provided guidance on child protective services design and supports for vulnerable families in China, Abu Dhabi, and across the United States. In January 2019, she presented a keynote at the International Conference on Social Work for Children: Practice in China and Global Experience in Beijing at the invitation of UNICEF’s China Office.
In August 2019, Dr. Merritt was awarded an Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21) from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development for a study to elicit the parental decision-making processes that result in behaviors typically deemed by child welfare service providers as neglectful.
Dr. Merritt is a member of the Board of Directors of the Society for Social Work and Research and serves as chair of the organization’s Social Policy Committee. She is an Associate Editor of Children and Youth Services Review (CYSR), and serves on the editorial board of Child Maltreatment. Her research has been widely published in journals including CYSR, Child Maltreatment, Child Abuse and Neglect, Journal of Orthopsychiatry, Substance Abuse, Substance Use and Misuse, Journal of Social Services Research, and the Journal of Public Child Welfare. She also serves on the Child Maltreatment Prevention Committee of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) and was lead author of the chapter on “Effective Program Models for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment” in the APSAC Handbook on Child Maltreatment, Fourth Edition. Her published work primarily focuses on child welfare involved families and their perceived experiences while receiving services, contextual (e.g. neighborhood and psychosocial) indicators of well being outcomes, the structural and systemic impact of child welfare oversight on parenting, children’s preferences and expectations for permanency while living in out of home placements, and child developmental and well being outcomes in the context of socio-behavioral, relational and neighborhood level factors.
Dr. Merritt, who joined the NYU Silver faculty in 2010, has experience teaching the History of Social Welfare Policy, Social Policy Analysis, Research Methods, Family Violence, Grant Writing, as well as workshops on cluster and factor analyses and hierarchical linear modeling. She serves on the NYU Faculty Senate and is Vice Chair of the Tenured Faculty Senators Council. In 2019, she received the School’s first-ever Distinguished Contribution to Student Engagement Award.
Dr. Merritt earned her MSW and PhD in social welfare from the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, Department of Social Welfare, and her BA from Sarah Lawrence College with concentrations in sociology and psychology.
Publications
Post-Adoption Services
Merritt, D. H. & Ludeke, R., 2020,
The Routledge Handbook of Adoption.
1 ed.
Miller Wrobel, G., Helder, E. & Marr, E. (eds.).Routledge, p. 483-492
Inhalant Use Among Child Welfare–Involved Adolescents
Merritt, D. H. & Snyder, S. M., Jan 2 2019,
In : Journal of Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse. 28, 1, p. 45-54
10 p.
Familial financial stress and child internalizing behaviors: The roles of caregivers’ maltreating behaviors and social services
Liu, Y. & Merritt, D. H., Dec 2018,
In : Child Abuse and Neglect. 86, p. 324-335
12 p.
Long Term Harm to Immigrant Infants and Children
Lindsey, D., Fernandez, E., Franke, T. M., Johnson-Motoyama, M., Klein, S., Merritt, D. H. & Shlonsky, A., Aug 2018,
In : Children and Youth Services Review. 91, p. iii
Examining the association between parenting and childhood depression among Chinese children and adolescents: A systematic literature review
Liu, Y. & Merritt, D. H., May 2018,
In : Children and Youth Services Review. 88, p. 316-332
17 p.
Effective Program Models for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment (Chapter 16)
Merritt, D., Maguire-Jack, K. & Negash, T., 2017.
The APSAC Handbook on Child Maltreatment.
4th ed.
Conte, J. & Klika, B. (eds.).SAGE Publications
Child welfare supervised children's participation in center-based early care and education
Klein, S., Merritt, D. H. & Snyder, S. M., Sep 1 2016,
In : Children and Youth Services Review. 68, p. 80-91
12 p.
An Exploratory Study of Neglect and Emotional Abuse in Adolescents: Classifications of Caregiver Risk Factors
Simmel, C., Merritt, D., Kim, H. M. S. & Kim, S., Aug 1 2016,
In : Journal of Child and Family Studies. 25, 8, p. 2372-2386
15 p.
Developmental Disabilities in Children Involved with Child Welfare: Correlates of Referrals for Service Provision
Simmel, C., Merritt, D., Kim, S. & Kim, H. M. S., Mar 14 2016,
In : Journal of Public Child Welfare. 10, 2, p. 197-214
18 p.
The effect of childhood supervisory neglect on emerging adults drinking
Snyder, S. M. & Merritt, D. H., Jan 2 2016,
In : Substance Use and Misuse. 51, 1, p. 1-14
14 p.
The Influence of Supervisory Neglect on Subtypes of Emerging Adult Substance Use after Controlling for Familial Factors, Relationship Status, and Individual Traits
Snyder, S. M. & Merritt, D. H., Oct 2 2015,
In : Substance Abuse. 36, 4, p. 507-514
8 p.
Correlates of optimal behavior among child Welfare-involved children: Perceived school peer connectedness, activity participation, social skills, and peer affiliation
Merritt, D. H. & Snyder, S. M., Sep 1 2015,
In : American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. 85, 5, p. 483-494
12 p.
Do early care and education services improve language development for maltreated children? Evidence from a national child welfare sample
Merritt, D. H. & Klein, S., Jan 1 2015,
In : Child Abuse and Neglect. 39, p. 185-196
12 p.
Maltreatment type and behaviors: Does listening matter?
Merritt, D. H. & Snyder, S. M., Dec 1 2014,
In : Child Abuse and Neglect. 38, 12, p. 2062-2071
10 p.
Do childhood experiences of neglect affect delinquency among child welfare involved-youth?
Snyder, S. M. & Merritt, D. H., Nov 2014,
In : Children and Youth Services Review. 46, p. 64-71
8 p.
Neighborhood racial & ethnic diversity as a predictor of child welfare system involvement
Klein, S. & Merritt, D. H., Jun 2014,
In : Children and Youth Services Review. 41, p. 95-105
11 p.
Post-adoption service need and access: Differences between international, kinship and non-kinship foster care
Merritt, D. H. & Festinger, T., Dec 2013,
In : Children and Youth Services Review. 35, 12, p. 1913-1922
10 p.
Review of the book <i>Protecting Children in the Age of Outrage: A New Perspective on Child Protective Services Reform</i>, by Radha Jagannathan and Micheal J. Camasso
Merritt, D., 2013,
In : The Journal of Children and Poverty. 19, p. 131-132
Should I stay or should I go? Correlates of children's placement preferences
Merritt, D. H., Sep 2011,
In : Journal of Public Child Welfare. 5, 4, p. 408-425
18 p.
When child abuse overlaps with domestic violence: The factors that influence child protection workers' beliefs
Postmus, J. L. & Merritt, D. H., Mar 2010,
In : Children and Youth Services Review. 32, 3, p. 309-317
9 p.
Should I stay or should I go? Children's placement preferences longitudinally
Merritt, D. H. & Franke, T. M., Jan 2010,
In : Journal of Social Service Research. 36, 1, p. 46-67
22 p.
Child abuse potential: Correlates with child maltreatment rates and structural measures of neighborhoods
Merritt, D. H., Aug 2009,
In : Children and Youth Services Review. 31, 8, p. 927-934
8 p.
Placement preferences among children living in foster or kinship care: A cluster analysis
Merritt, D. H., Nov 2008,
In : Children and Youth Services Review. 30, 11, p. 1336-1344
9 p.
Review of the book <i>Social Work Practice with Children and Families: A Family Health Approach</i>
Merritt, D., 2008,
In : The Journal of Gerontological Social Work. 50.
Understanding the ecology of child maltreatment: A review of the literature and directions for future research
Freisthler, B., Merritt, D. H. & Lascala, E. A., Aug 2006,
In : Child Maltreatment. 11, 3, p. 263-280
18 p.
Selected Presentations
Merritt, D. H. (October 2017). Placement Preferences among Children Living in Foster or Kinship Care: A Cluster Analysis. Paper presentated at the annual colloquium of The International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN), European Regional Meeting 2017, The Hague, Netherlands.
Merritt, D. H. & Snyder, S. (October 2017). Maltreatment Type and Behaviors: Does Listening Matter? Paper presented at the annual colloquium of The International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN), European Regional Meeting 2017, The Hague, Netherlands.
Merritt, D. H. & Snyder, S. (October 2017). Correlates of Optimal Behavior Among Child Welfare Involved Children: Perceived School Peer Connectedness, Activity Participation, Social Skills and Peer Affiliation. Paper presented at the annual colloquium of The International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN), European Regional Meeting 2017, The Hague, Netherlands.
Merritt, D. H. & Snyder, S. (October 2017). What effect does caseworker listening have on inhalant use? Paper presented at the annual colloquium of The International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN), European Regional Meeting 2017, The Hague, Netherlands.
Merritt, D. H. & Snyder, S. (October 2017). Contextual factors related to the CRAFFT scale: Correlates of adolescent risky behaviors. Paper presented at the annual colloquium of The International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN), European Regional Meeting 2017, The Hague, Netherlands.
Merritt, D. H. & Snyder, S. (October 2017). How Is Access to Peer Support Amongst Traumatized Adolescents Associated with Behaviors? A National Study of Child Welfare Involved Youth. Paper presented at the annual colloquium of The International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN), European Regional Meeting 2017, The Hague, Netherlands.
Merritt, D. H. (October 2017). Should I Stay or Should I Go? Correlates of Children’s Placement Preferences. Paper presented at the annual colloquium of The International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ISPCAN), European Regional Meeting 2017, The Hague, Netherlands.
Merritt, D. H., Snyder, S. & Manuel, J. (November, 2017). Substance Use Risk Among Child Welfare System Involved Youth: Towards a Better Theoretical Conceptualization. Paper presented at the annual colloquium of the American Public Health Association (APHA), Atlanta, Georgia.
Snyder, S., Merritt, D. H. & Manuel, J. (November, 2017). Drug Use Trajectories among Child Welfare System Involved Youth. Paper presented at the annual colloquium of the American Public Health Association (APHA), Atlanta, Georgia.
Ludeke, R. & Merritt, D. H. (November, 2017). Differences in Socio-Behavioral Outcomes Among Youth in Foster and Kinship Care. Paper presented at the annual colloquium of the American Public Health Association (APHA), Atlanta, Georgia.
Liu, Y. & Merritt, D. H. (November, 2017). Paternal depression and socioeconomic disadvantage: The role of parenting in association with childhood depression in China. Paper presented at the annual colloquium of the American Public Health Association (APHA).
Liu, Y. & Merritt, D. H. (November, 2017). Socioeconomic status, child maltreatment, and child depression. Paper presented at the annual colloquium of the American Public Health Association (APHA), Atlanta, Georgia.
Merritt, D. H. & Lushin, V. (November, 2017). Housing and Non-Neglectful Behaviors as Related to Health and Mental Health Outcomes. Paper presented at the annual colloquium of the American Public Health Association (APHA), Atlanta, Georgia.
Merritt, D. H. & Lushin, V. (November, 2017). Effects of Relatives’ Incarceration on Children's Health Outcomes. Paper presented at the annual colloquium of the American Public Health Association (APHA), Atlanta, Georgia.
Merritt, D. H. & Lushin, V. (November, 2017). Effects of Child Abuse and Neglect on Trauma and Depression: Exploring Buffering Opportunities. Paper presented at the annual colloquium of the American Public Health Association (APHA), Atlanta, Georgia.
Merritt, D. H. & Lushin, V. (November, 2017). Children's Construction of Their Future: An Explanatory Variable for Vulnerability and Resilience. Paper presented at the annual colloquium of the American Public Health Association (APHA).
Merritt, D. H. and Snyder, S. (June, 2017). Factors associated with risky substance use among child welfare involved youth. Paper presented at 25th annual colloquium of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC), Portland, Maine.
Black, J. M., Merritt, D. H., Kepple, N. J., & Conway, A. M. (January, 2017). Integration of Neuroscience and Genetics into Social Work Education: Implications for Practice, Policy and Research. Roundtable presented at the annual program meeting of the Society for Social Work Research (SSWR), New Orleans, LA.
Merritt, D. H. and Snyder, S. (January, 2017). Is Inhalant Use Influenced By Youths' Perceptions of How Well Their Caseworkers Listen? Paper presented at the annual program meeting of the Society for Social Work Research (SSWR), New Orleans, LA.
Snyder, S. and Merritt, D. H. (January 2017). Risk factors for inhalant use among child welfare system involved adolescents. Paper presented at the annual program meeting of the Society for Social Work Research (SSWR), New Orleans, LA
Merritt, D. H. and Snyder, S. How Is Access to Peer Support Amongst Traumatized Adolescents Associated with Behaviors? A National Study of Child Welfare Involved Youth. Paper presented at the annual program meeting of the Society for Social Work Research (SSWR), January, 2017, New Orleans, LA
Merritt, D. H. and Snyder, S. (January 2017). Contextual factors related to the CRAFFT scale: Correlates of adolescent risky behaviors. Paper presented at the annual program meeting of the Society for Social Work Research (SSWR), New Orleans, LA.
Merritt, D. H. and Snyder, S. (October 2016). Contextual factors related to the CRAFFT scale: Correlates of adolescent risky behaviors. Paper presened at the annual program meeting of the American Public Health Association (APHA), Denver, CO
Snyder, S. and Merritt, D. H. (June 2016). What effect does caseworker listening have on inhalant use? Poster presented at 24rd annual colloquium of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC), New Orleans, LA.
Merritt, D. H. and Snyder, S. (July 2015). Maltreatment Type and Behaviors: Does Listening Matter? Paper presented at 23rd annual colloquium of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC), Boston, MA.