Cost-effectiveness of marital therapy

Published in July 2007 in the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, this study found that for every $1 government invested in the screening and treatment of marital distress, taxpayers would save up to $1.85 in costs associated with divorce (food stamps, child support enforcement, etc.) A good summary of the article can be found here. Another story on this study that includes portions of a radio interview can be found here (click on "Hear this report" below the lead paragraph).

MFTs' endorsement of myths about marriage

Presented at the 2006 AAMFT Annual Conference in Austin, Texas, this study found that many practicing marital therapists believe in myths about marriage that have long been debunked by research.

Attitudes toward marriage

This study will be presented at the 2007 AAMFT National Conference in Long Beach, CA.

Relationship development in early marriage

This study, also to be presented at the 2007 AAMFT Annual Conference, examines how satisfaction in early marriage has changed over the past 25 years.

Sexuality education

This study, currently in progress, examines the influence of state-level policies toward sexuality education on teen pregnancy rates.

Awards

My research on MFTs' attitudes toward marriage and their endorsement of myths about marriage won the 2005 American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Dissertation Award.

I will be posting some details and results of my research here pending copyright permissions. In the meantime, if you are interested in more on my research in any of these topics, please email me.