Research on children, families and the law, including adolescent decision making in legal contexts, especially adolescent competence to consent to sexual activity; adolescent development and juvenile justice; risk and protective factors in youth violence and their implication for preventive interventions in the community, especially justice and educational settings; police interrogation of children and youth; female youthful offenders, teen violence in dating relationships; and other issues related to the legal system and public policy. Also community psychology and prevention science as they impact children and families. Finally, Reppucci is affiliated with the Program on Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology  in the Curry School of Education at UVA.

I will not be accepting any new graduate students in the future because of impending retirement.

Summary of findings from research on teen dating violence among low-income/service receiving adolescents:

• Project DATE Brochure
• Owen-Kostelnik, J., Reppucci, N.D., & Meyer, J. (2006) Testimony and interrogation of minors: Assumptions of immaturity and immorality. American Psychologist, 61, 286-304 (Winner of the 2008 Society of Adolescence Social Policy Award for Best Article).
• Reppucci, N.D., Meyer, J., & Kostelnik, J. (2010). Police interrogation of juveniles: Results from a national survey of police, In G.D. Lassiter & C. Meissner (Eds) Police Interrogations and False Confessions: Current Research, Practice and Policy Recommendations. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
• Reppucci, N.D>, Michel, J., & Kostelnik, J.O. (2009) Challenging juvenile transfer: Faulty assumptions and misguided policy. In B.L. Bottoms, C.J. Najdowski, & G.I. Goodman (Eds.), Children as Victims, Witnesses and Offenders: Psychological Science and the Law, NYC: Guilford press
• Oudekerk, B.A., & Reppucci, N.D. (2009-2010) Romantic relationships matter for girls’ criminal trajectories: Recommendations for juvenile justice. Court review, 46: 52-57
• Oudekerk, B.A. & Reppucci, N.D. (2011)Reducing recidivism on violence among offending youth. In J.A. Dvoskin, J.L. Skeem, R.W. Novaco, & K.S. Douglass (Eds) Applying Social Science to Reduce Violent Offending. New York: Oxford University Press.

Awards

• Distinguished Contributions to Theory and Research in Community Psychology (1998), Society for Community Research and Action (American Psychological Association)
• Inaugural Award for Contributions to Education and Training in Community Psychology (1999), Society for Community Research and Action (American Psychological Association)
• Outstanding Teaching & Mentoring Award (2007), American Psychology/Law Society (American Psychological Association)
• Society for Research in Adolescent Social Policy Award for Best Article (2008)