Personal profile
Research interests
Dr. Brian Allen conducts research on various topics related to the development and clinical care of maltreated children.
His current research focuses specifically on ways to improve development for adopted children, and he is the principal investigator of the Pennsylvania Adoptees Longitudinal Study (PALS).
His research has been funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development/National Institutes of Health, Children's Miracle Network and other public and private agencies.
He has published numerous scientific papers and book chapters and serves on the editorial board of multiple scientific journals.
Clinical interests
Dr. Brian Allen is a clinical psychologist who serves as the director of mental health services at Penn State Children’s Hospital’s Center for the Protection of Children.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 2 Finished
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Pennsylvania Adoptees Longitudinal Study
Allen, B. (PI)
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
9/30/19 → 8/31/23
Project: Research project
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Integrating AAT into TF-CBT for Maltreated Youth: A Randomized Feasibility Trial
Allen, B. (PI)
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
5/1/17 → 4/30/20
Project: Research project
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Attachment theory and research: what should be on the core curriculum for child and family social workers?
Foster, S. L., Schofield, G., Geoghegan, L., Hood, R., Sagi-Schwartz, A., Bakkum, L., Hutchinson, D., Balk, W., Devine, R., Steele, M., Steele, H., Duncan, R., Guthrie, J., Mannes, J., Talia, A., Pickerden, J. E., Senior, L., Bailey, L., Stanton, C. & Allen, B. & 15 others, , 2026, In: Social Work Education. 45, 3, p. 803-820 18 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access2 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations -
A meta-analysis of the association between posttraumatic stress symptoms and problematic sexual behavior among preteen children
Allen, B. & Ferrer-Pistone, L., Dec 2025, In: Journal of traumatic stress. 38, 6, p. 895-903 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Childhood Sexual Behavior as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Sexual Abuse and Early Sexual Debut: A Prospective Analysis
Allen, B., Jul 2025, In: Archives of Sexual Behavior. 54, 7, p. 2463-2473 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Scopus citations -
Child Sexual and Physical Abuse, Self-Regulation, and Problematic Sexual Behavior: A Prospective Mediational Model
Allen, B. & Wamser, R., Nov 20 2025, In: Developmental psychology. 61, 11, p. 2097-2105 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Phase-Based Treatment for Problematic Sexual Behavior of Preteen Children: Clinical Outcomes from Community Implementation Trials
Allen, B., Berliner, L. & Ferrer Pistone, L., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Evidence-Based Practice in Child and Adolescent Mental Health.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review