Professor Dr. Shelley Macdermid Wadsworth

Biography

I am interested in understanding how jobs influence the quality of family lives and vice versa, with a specific focus on military families who regularly encounter a variety of stressors and demonstrate remarkable resilience. My research team is currently conducting studies on the relationships between military members and their partners, examining changes that occur when service members return from deployments, the impact of parental stress on parent-child dynamics, and the long-term consequences of children's exposure to parental deployment. I have had opportunities to influence policies and practices that affect families, working closely with employers, policymakers, and helping professionals in this challenging yet rewarding field. I am honored to be a fellow of the National Council on Family Relations and am currently accepting graduate student applications for Fall 2026.

Research Interests

Experience

Awards