Department of Society, Culture, Crime, and Justice Studies

Aging and the Life Course, Social Psychology, Child Abuse and Family Violence, and Qualitative Methods.

My current research interests are in the field of aging and the life course, especially on the topic of caregiving.  My most recent research project explored how caregivers make decisions to meet long term care needs of their aging family members.  In the future, I am interested in exploring the role of grandchildren in the family caregiving dynamic.  I also have a background in the field of spousal violence and child abuse and neglect.  In addition to these areas, I am working with my departmental colleagues in the areas of prostitution, homicide, and female juvenile delinquency.

PhD, Purdue University - 2000.