Colleen Murray, Ph.D.

Director, Interdisciplinary Ph.D Program in Social Psychology Professor, Department of Human Development and Family Studies Ph.D., The Ohio State University M.A., University of Akron B.S., University of Akron

Interests:

"Life experiences of adolescent females." Triadic data is being collected via telephone from 14-16 year old females, parents, and peers. Based on a contextual approach, the focus is on the interrelationships between/among risk behaviors, environment and personal risk and protective factors, and developmental aspects in the adolescent's life.

"Social construction of meaning in relation to the period of adolescence and families." An examination of the meanings and messages given to adolescents and their families in the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan. The roles and expectations cultures portray to families and of their female adolescents. Data collection involves content analysis and interviews.

"Bereaved parents and surviving siblings." A national sample of bereaved parents and adolescent siblings was collected. Research examines the relationships, expectations, communication, and life experiences of these families. Includes a small sample from Australia.

"Methodological issues in family research." Involves the questioning and improvement of methods used in conceptualizing and carrying out research on families. A particular focus is on feminist research issues as applied to the study of families and adolescents.

Recent and Current Publications (selected examples):

Baber, K.M. and Murray, C.I. (in press) A postmodern feminist approach to teaching human sexuality. Family Relations.

Murray, C.I. (2000) Coping with death, dying and grief in families. Pp. 120-153 in P.C. McKenry and S. Price (Eds.), Families and change: coping with stressful events (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA:Sage.

Weigel, D., and Murray, C.I. (June 2000). The paradox of stability and change in relationships: What does chaos theory offer for the study of romantic relationships? Journal of Social and Personal Relationships.

Essa, E,. and Murray, C.I. (1999). Sexual play: when should you become concerned? Childhood Education, 75, 231-234.

Kimura, N., & Murray, C.I. (1998). Cultural archetypes of adolescent females in human relationships in teen magazines in Japan and the United States. Journal of Selected Papers in Asian Studies, 1, 153-160.

Crosbie-burnett, M., Foster, T.L., Murray, C.I., & Bowen, G.L. (1996). Gays' and lesbians' families or origin: A social-cognitive-behavioral model of adjustment. Family Relations, 45, 397-403.

Essa, E.L., Murray, C.I., and Everts, J. (1995). Death of a friend. Childhood Education, 71, 130-133. [Reprinted in Annual Editions: Death, dying and bereavement. Guilford, CT: Dushkin.]

Murray, C.I. (1994). Death, dying, and bereavement. Pp. 175-194 in P.C. McKenry and S. Price (Eds.), Families and changes: Coping with stressful events.Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Murray, C.I., and Leigh, G.K. (1994). Families and sexuality. Pp. 186-204 in R.D. Day, K.R. Gilbert, B.H. Settles, and W.R. Burr (Eds.), Research and theory in family science.New York, NY: Brooks/Cole.

Essa, E.L., and Murray, C.I. (1994). Research in review: Young children's understanding and experience with death. Young Children, 49:74-81.

Leigh, G.K., and Murray, C.I. (1994). Adolescents, AIDS and other STDs. Pp. 24-25 in P. McKenry and S. Gavazzi (Eds.), Visions 2010: Families and adolescents.Minneapolis, MN: National Council on Family Relations.

Murray, C.I., (1993). Enhancing family science research through the inclusion of feminist principles. Family Science Review, 4:145-163.
Murray, C.I. (1991). Misuse of linear models in the study of families. Family Science Review, 4:145-163.

Murray, C.I., Sullivan, A.M., Brophy, D.R., and Mailhot, M. (1991). Working with parents of spinal cord injured adolescents: A family systems perspective. Child and Adolescent Social Work, 8:225-238.

Contact Info:

You can e-mail Dr. Murray at cimurray@unr.nevada.edu