Â鶹ԭ´´

Ï㽶´«Ã½

Dr. Nicole Talarico (Stanoff) is a developmental psychologist whose research examines how family relationships, communication, culture, and identity shape development from adolescence through young adulthood. Her work focuses on how parent-child and sibling relationships influence psychosocial adjustment, sexual and reproductive health communication, healthcare decision-making, and well-being. She is particularly interested in understanding how relationship quality, family communication patterns, and cultural contexts—including ethnic and racial identities and LGBTQ+ experiences—shape developmental outcomes across diverse populations.

Through the Sexual Health Education (SHE) Lab, Dr. Talarico mentors undergraduate researchers investigating how adolescents and young adults learn about, communicate about, and navigate sexual and reproductive health. The lab examines how family relationships, culture, identity, and access to health information influence sexual health knowledge, communication, and decision-making. This research aims to inform inclusive sexual health education practices and promote healthy development among diverse populations.

Education

Ph.D., Developmental Psychology — March 2010
University of California, Riverside
Dissertation: Parent-Adolescent Sexual Communication and Adolescent Cognitive Processes Related to Sexual Risk among Female Adolescents

M.A., Psychology — June 2006
University of California, Riverside

B.A., Psychology/Child Development, Magna Cum Laude — May 2004
California State University, Chico

Expertise

Dr. Talarico teaches a range of undergraduate Psychology courses, including Child and Adolescent Development, Adult Development and Aging, Research Design and Statistics I and II, Abnormal Psychology, Physiological Psychology, Theories of Personality, and Positive Psychology. She also teaches graduate courses in the Psychology Program with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, including Research Synthesis and Evaluation, Lifespan Development, and Cultural Diversity. Her teaching integrates developmental, research, and applied psychological perspectives to support students’ understanding of human behavior across the lifespan.

Publications

Publications

Coyle, K., Franks, H.M., Glassman, J.R., & Talarico (Stanoff), N.M., (2012). Condom Use: Slippage,breakage, and steps for proper use among adolescents in alternative school lettings. Journal of School Health, 82, 345-352. 

Chao, R.K., Kanatsu A., Talarico (Stanoff), N., Padmawidjaja, I., & Aque, C. (2009).Diversities in Meaning and Practice: The Parental Involvement of Asian Immigrants. In N. Hill & R. Chao (Eds.), Family school relations during adolescence: Linking interdiscplinary research policy, and practice. New York:Teacher's College Press.

Selected Conference Presentations 

2026

Talarico, N.M., & *Thompson, E. (2026, May). Understanding the Role of Screenings and Consultations in Sexual Health Communication Ability. (Conference talk). Presented at the Annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association (WPA), Tacoma, WA.  

*Abalo, A., & Talarico, N.M. (2026, May). Cultural influences in parental relationships: Exploring within-group differences in developmental outcomes among young adult males. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association (WPA), Tacoma, WA. 

*Silva, L., & Talarico, N.M. (2026, May). The impact of sibling dyads on relationship quality and well-being in Latino Families. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association (WPA), Tacoma, WA. 

2025

*Thompson, E. & Talarico, N.M. (2025, November). Communication differences between abstinence only and comprehensive sexual health education approaches. Poster session presented at Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research (SCCUR), California State University, Channels Islands, Camarillo, CA.

*Villa, C., *Blank, J., *S'gro, S. & Talarico, N.M. (2025, May). Sources of information, knowledge, and comfort in sexual health: A comparative study of heterosexual and LGBTQ+ young adults. Poster session presented at annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association (WPA), Las Vegas, NV.  

2024 

*Villa, C., *Blank, J., & Talarico, N.M. (2024, November). Taboo or teaching: Generation Z LGBTQ+ experiences with sexual health education. Poster session presented at Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research (SCURR), California State University San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA.  

Talarico, N.M., & *Schifrin, G. (2024, April). Gen Z’s Experience with Sexual Health Education: Familiarity, Feelings, and Comfort When Learning about Sexual and Reproductive Health.  (Conference talk). Presented at the Annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association (WPA), San Francisco, CA.  

Talarico, N.M., & *Sable, M. (2024, April). Implicit Ageism within the Fitness Industry: Differences between Younger and Older Adults. (Conference talk). Presented at the Annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association (WPA), San Francisco, CA.  

*Schifrin, G., *Blank, J., & Talarico, N.M. (2024, April). LGBTQ+ Generation Z: The Impact of Self-efficacy When Discussing Sexual Health. Poster session presented at annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association (WPA), San Francisco, CA.  

*Todd, J., *Villa, C., & Talarico, N.M. (2024, April). Comfort Discussing Sexual Topics within the Gen Z Hispanic and LatinX Community: Examining Stigmatized vs. Non-Stigmatized Subjects. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Western Psychological Association (WPA), San Francisco, CA. 

2023

*Sable, M., & Talarico, N. M. (2023, November). Perceptions of Older Adults in the Health and Fitness Industry. (Conference Talk) Presented at Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research (SCURR), California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA. 

*Schifrin, G., *Todd, J., & Talarico, N.M. (2023, November). Generation Z: Sources of Sexual Information. Poster session presented at Southern California Conference for Undergraduate Research (SCURR), California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA. 

Notes: *Undergraduate co-presenter; Maiden name: **Stanoff, N. M. (used prior to 2014)

Grant Funding

Dr. Talarico has supported undergraduate research through competitive research mentorship programs, including the McNair Scholars Program, Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF), and Culver Behavioral Science Fellows. Through these programs, she mentors students in conducting research on family relationships, sexual health education and communication, cultural influences on development, and factors that contribute to positive developmental outcomes among diverse populations.