Audience looking at a speaker during the Boiler Share Symposium in the spring of 2023.

Steps to Leaps Core Research 

Being part of an academically rigorous environment, we at Steps to Leaps understand the importance of critical thinking and data-driven decision-making. We are committed to applying these principles to the services we provide, so you can trust that our events, programs and resources are carefully designed to support well-being at every level.

Our Research Collaborative is dedicated to staying up-to-date with the latest scientific findings, ensuring that the support we offer is effective and tailored to the unique needs of our community.

Evidence by Learning Pillar

A holistic approach to well-being requires a comprehensive and interconnected perspective that considers all aspects of people's lives. To better tackle the many dimensions of well-being and related research, we've organized them into five learning pillars: Well-Being, Leadership, Impact, Networks and Grit/Persistence.

Learn more about the key research supporting the Steps to Leaps mission below.

 

Well-Being 

Staying healthy in body, brain and spirit is a life-long journey. Learn strategies to improve your own well-being with steps to security, health and prosperity.

Crafting within and across life domains - Dr. Louis Tay

While past work on well-being suggests that circumstances can shape well-being, more recent research is now suggesting that it is also important for people to play an active role in shaping both work and non-work experiences to achieve greater well-being...

Continue reading "Crafting within and across life domains - Dr. Louis Tay"

Seeking Support on Social Media - Dr. Emily Buehler

Receiving effective social support is linked with better physical and mental health. Social media can allow users to broadcast requests for support to large, diverse pools of potential helpers with a single message...

Continue reading "Seeking Support on Social Media - Dr. Emily Buehler"

The Impact of Leader Emotions on Employee Emotion and Performance - Dr. Kelly Schwind Wilson

Affective states, including positive and negative emotions, influence numerous behavioral and relational experiences at work. Employees can also “catch” emotions from their coworkers. In this research, we surveyed employees and their managers daily for three work weeks to examine the daily ebbs and flows in the leader-employee relationship...

Continue reading "The Impact of Leader Emotions on Employee Emotion and Performance - Dr. Kelly Schwind Wilson"

Influencing the Development of Social and Emotional Learning Skills - Robert Duncan

Prior research has yet to elucidate how constellations of protective factors in childhood and prevention efforts simultaneously may influence youth involvement in problem behaviors across different points in development...

Continue reading "Influencing the Development of Social and Emotional Learning Skills - Robert Duncan"

The Mental Health of International Students Studying in the U.S. - Xiang Zhou

An estimated 1 million international students are enrolled in universities in the United States. What do we know about the well-being of international students...?

Continue reading "The Mental Health of International Students Studying in the U.S. - Xiang Zhou"

 

Leadership

Boilermakers have a strong tradition of leadership in their careers and communities. Learn how to tap into your own strengths as you become the next generation of leaders with steps to initiative, guidance and direction.

The Impact of Leader Emotions on Employee Emotion and Performance - Dr. Kelly Schwind Wilson

Affective states, including positive and negative emotions, influence numerous behavioral and relational experiences at work. Employees can also “catch” emotions from their coworkers. In this research, we surveyed employees and their managers daily for three work weeks to examine the daily ebbs and flows in the leader-employee relationship...

Continue reading "The Impact of Leader Emotions on Employee Emotion and Performance - Dr. Kelly Schwind Wilson"

 

Impact

Staying healthy in body, brain and spirit is a life-long journey. Learn strategies to improve your own well-being with steps to security, health and prosperity.

Communal Sources of Resilience - Rawan Atari-Khan

Within the field of psychology, the concept of resilience has been frequently examined through a Western lens with a focus on individual traits that allow a person to cope with a stressful or traumatic experience...Within the field of psychology, the concept of resilience has been frequently examined through a Western lens with a focus on individual traits that allow a person to cope with a stressful or traumatic experience...

Continue reading "Communal Sources of Resilience - Rawan Atari-Khan"

The Impact of Leader Emotions on Employee Emotion and Performance - Dr. Kelly Schwind Wilson

Affective states, including positive and negative emotions, influence numerous behavioral and relational experiences at work. Employees can also “catch” emotions from their coworkers. In this research, we surveyed employees and their managers daily for three work weeks to examine the daily ebbs and flows in the leader-employee relationship...

Continue reading "The Impact of Leader Emotions on Employee Emotion and Performance - Dr. Kelly Schwind Wilson"

 

Networks

A strong network serves as a resource throughout your life. The tightest networks are created by connections with individuals and require active participation. Learn how to build your network with steps to making connections and bonds.

Communal Sources of Resilience - Rawan Atari-Khan

Within the field of psychology, the concept of resilience has been frequently examined through a Western lens with a focus on individual traits that allow a person to cope with a stressful or traumatic experience...Within the field of psychology, the concept of resilience has been frequently examined through a Western lens with a focus on individual traits that allow a person to cope with a stressful or traumatic experience...

Continue reading "Communal Sources of Resilience - Rawan Atari-Khan"

Seeking Support on Social Media - Dr. Emily Buehler

Receiving effective social support is linked with better physical and mental health. Social media can allow users to broadcast requests for support to large, diverse pools of potential helpers with a single message...

Continue reading "Seeking Support on Social Media - Dr. Emily Buehler"

Patterns of Social Support - Seungyoon Lee

Social support is a critical aspect of resilience in adapting to both large- and small-scale disruptions. How does social support of different types and from different sources explain people’s long-term recovery from natural disasters...?

Continue reading "Patterns of Social Support - Seungyoon Lee"

The Impact of Leader Emotions on Employee Emotion and Performance - Dr. Kelly Schwind Wilson

Affective states, including positive and negative emotions, influence numerous behavioral and relational experiences at work. Employees can also “catch” emotions from their coworkers. In this research, we surveyed employees and their managers daily for three work weeks to examine the daily ebbs and flows in the leader-employee relationship...

Continue reading "The Impact of Leader Emotions on Employee Emotion and Performance - Dr. Kelly Schwind Wilson"

 

Grit/Persistence

Life is full of ups and downs. Learn strategies to tap into your inner fortitude to overcome challenges and become your best Boilermaker with steps to resolve and character.

Communal Sources of Resilience - Rawan Atari-Khan

Within the field of psychology, the concept of resilience has been frequently examined through a Western lens with a focus on individual traits that allow a person to cope with a stressful or traumatic experience...Within the field of psychology, the concept of resilience has been frequently examined through a Western lens with a focus on individual traits that allow a person to cope with a stressful or traumatic experience...

Continue reading "Communal Sources of Resilience - Rawan Atari-Khan"

Crafting within and across life domains - Dr. Louis Tay

While past work on well-being suggests that circumstances can shape well-being, more recent research is now suggesting that it is also important for people to play an active role in shaping both work and non-work experiences to achieve greater well-being...

Continue reading "Crafting within and across life domains - Dr. Louis Tay"

Patterns of Social Support - Seungyoon Lee

Social support is a critical aspect of resilience in adapting to both large- and small-scale disruptions. How does social support of different types and from different sources explain people’s long-term recovery from natural disasters...?

Continue reading "Patterns of Social Support - Seungyoon Lee"