TL1 Predoctoral Trainee Calissa Leslie-Miller, University of Kansas

By Kelly Hale , Marketing & Communications Specialist

Feb 03, 2026

Project Title: Dyadic Health: The Impact of Daily Health Literacy on Parent and Adolescent Health Behaviors.

Project Summary: This project examines how adolescents and their parents use health information in their everyday lives and how this use influences health behaviors such as physical activity and sleep. Over one week, parent-adolescent pairs complete short smartphone surveys four times a day about how they apply health knowledge and wear Fitbits to track physical activity and sleep. By capturing real-time data, the study evaluates how health literacy use changes day to day within individuals, how these changes affect their health behaviors, and how parents and adolescents influence one another. The findings will help identify when and how families can best be supported in building healthy habits together.

Mentor(s): Christopher Cushing, Ph.D., Ann Davis, Ph.D., and Kandace Flemming, Ph.D.

Calissa Leslie-Miller is working on her Ph.D.in Clinical Child Psychology, with a research focus on health behaviors in children and families.

“Working in the area of stress and coping, I discovered a passion for physical health behaviors,” said Leslie-Miller. “So, really focusing on the role of physical activity, sleep, and nutrition for kids and their families. Specifically, predicting and intervening on physical health behaviors.”

This evolving focus has led Leslie-Miller to examine how health literacy utilization (i.e., the ability to understand and use health information) can be leveraged to support healthier behaviors within families.

For her TL1 project, Leslie-Miller is examining the impact of daily health literacy utilization on parent and adolescent health behaviors.

“I’m really interested in understanding where to intervene on health behaviors in the context of a dyad,” she said. “In this study, both parents and adolescents participate in a seven-day ecological momentary assessment study, with completely brief surveys four times a day. We ask about their health literacy utilization, and both participants wear a Fitbit continuously.

This design allows Leslie-Miller to examine health behaviors at both the individual and dyadic levels.

“I can understand how health literacy utilization affects an individual’s behavior, but also how parent and adolescent behaviors influence one another,” she said.

As Leslie-Miller works toward becoming an independent researcher, she said the structure of the TL1 predoctoral program was a key factor in her decision to apply.

“The TL1 program has really allowed me to give undivided attention to my project, which is exactly what I want to be doing in my career,” said Leslie-Miller. “The training opportunities aligned closely with my professional goals.”

She highlighted program resources, including grant-writing training, REDCap support, and guidance on IRB processes.

“These are all skills that are essential for a research career,” she said. “The specialized research training has been incredibly valuable.”

Leslie-Miller also emphasized the importance of leading a project from start to finish.

“I’ve led research projects from start to finish before, but this is the first time I’ve been fully responsible for every component of a project of this scope and complexity from conception through execution,” she said. “This experience has taught me so much, and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the TL1 program.”

She noted that real-world research requires continual adaptation.

“No matter how much you prepare, once recruitment begins and participants are enrolled, there’s constant problem-solving,” she said. “You learn quickly what your resources are and how your mentors’ specific skill sets can support you.”

Looking ahead, Leslie-Miller said she plans to continue applying the skills developed through the TL1 program and expressed gratitude for the opportunity.

recruitment flyer for study