Kayla joined Samford’s Human Development and Family Science department after completing her PhD in Human Development and Family Science at Mississippi State University. Her doctoral research focused on mental health in emerging adulthood. Kayla earned her master’s and bachelor’s degrees at The University of Alabama in human development and family studies where she completed the Marriage and Family Therapy program and earned an associate license in marriage and family therapy. She taught undergraduate courses at both previous institutions. Kayla has completed internships and practicums at community locations including St. Vincent’s East Family Medicine and Children’s of Alabama. She will be teaching multiple courses in human development and family science.

Degrees and Certifications

• PhD Human Development and Family Science, Mississippi State University
• MS Human Development and Family Studies, The University of Alabama
• BS Human Development and Family Studies, The University of Alabama

Expertise

• Family dynamics
• Emerging adulthood
• Human development

Publications

• Wenth, K.L. & Peterson, D.J. (2020) How youth contribute to healthy communities: Finding and building on their strengths [Publication 3504]. Mississippi State University Extension Service.
• Berryhill, M., Hayes, A., & Lloyd (Wenth), K. (2018). Chaotic-enmeshment and anxiety: The mediating role of psychological flexibility and self-compassion. Contemporary Family Therapy, 1-12.
• Totenhagen, C. J., Randall, A. K., & Lloyd (Wenth), K. (2018). Stress and relationship functioning in same-sex couples: The vulnerabilities of internalized homophobia and outness. Family Relations, 67(3), 399-413.

Presentations

• Wenth, K.L., Hardman, A., Wheeler, B.E., Berryhill, M.B., & Peterson, D.J. Anxiety in Emerging Adulthood: The Role of Social Comparison Orientation using Social Media. Poster accepted for presentation at 2021 virtual annual conference of the National Council on Family Relations.
• Wenth, K.L. & Elmore-Staton, L. (2019, July). Associations between Mothers’ Romantic Relationship Qualities and Preschoolers’ Social Competence. Poster presented at 2019 Summer Symposium of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences, Mississippi State, MS.
• Downey, L.H., Elmore-Staton, L., Rodriguez, J.T., Peterson, D.J., & Wenth, K.L. The Influence of Positive Youth Development Concepts on Parenting Attitudes among Young Mothers. Poster presented at 2019 annual conference of American Public Health Association, Philadelphia, PA.
• Wenth, K.L., Steen, J., Walker, K., and Brown, J. (2019, February). Perceptions of Developmental Changes and Experiences across Stages of Adulthood. Poster presented at the annual Quint State conference, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.
• Berryhill, M.B., Lloyd (Wenth), K., & Shafer, J. (2017, October). College Student Family Functioning, Communication, and Mental Health.  Presentation at the 2017 annual conference of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Atlanta, GA.
• Berryhill, M.B., Shafer, J, & Lloyd (Wenth), K. (2017, October). Chaotic-enmeshment, psychological flexibility, self-compassion, and anxiety.  Presentation at the 2017 annual conference of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Atlanta, GA.
• Totenhagen, C. J., Randall, A. K., & Lloyd (Wenth), K. (2016, November). Stress and relationship quality: Vulnerabilities in same-sex couples. Poster presented at the National Council on Family Relations, Minneapolis, MN.
• Smith, N., Totenhagen, C.J., Randall, A.K., & Lloyd (Wenth), K. (2015, July). The Effects of Depression on Same-Sex Relationships and the Role of Dyadic Coping. Poster presented at International Association for Relationship Research Conference, Toronto, Canada.
• M. Berryhill, K. Lloyd (Wenth), & K. McCarthy (2016, September-October). Marriage Enrichment Seminar. Workshop provided at First Presbyterian Church, Tuscaloosa, AL.

Involvement

• National Council on Family Relations, 2019 to present
• Southeastern Council on Family Relations, 2019 to present
• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, 2015 to present
• Alabama Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Network, 2015 to present