Anne B. Edwards, Ph.D., CFLE

Professor of Human Development and Family Science | Program Coordinator

Human Development and Family Science Program Co-Director

Institute for Social and Policy Research

Introduction

Anne Edwards is an associate professor of human development and family science (HDFS) and the coordinator of the HDFS program. She is also the co-director of the Institute for Social Policy Research.

Research Overview

Edwards’ research interests include the stress process in informal caregivers of people with dementia and other chronic illnesses, as well as health advocacy for cognitively impaired older adults. In addition, she is interested in research pertaining to the dynamics of families where one member has a lifelong disability.

I became interested in, and continue to love HDFS, because I believe that none of us are truly alone; people are always interacting. How people help or hurt each other has a huge impact on people’s lives. I also believe that older adults can contribute so much to all of us, if we are just willing to slow down and listen.

Select Publications

Surachman, A., Edwards, A. B., Sweeney, K. A., & Cherry, R. L. (2018).

Mothers’ selection of future primary caregivers in rural West Java, Indonesia. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 33, 247-263. Henderson, T. L., Shigeto, A., & Ponzetti, J., Edwards, A. B., Stanley, J., & Story, C. (2017).

A cultural variant approach to community-based participatory research: New ideas for family professionals. Family Relations, 66(4), 629 – 643. doi: 10.1111/fare.12269. Murphy, J.S., Nalbone, D.P., Wetchler, J. L., & Edwards, A.B. (2015).

Caring for aging parents: The influence of family coping, spirituality/religiosity, and hope on the marital satisfaction of family caregivers. American Journal of Family Therapy, 43, 238-250.

Teaching Focus

Edwards’ key teaching areas are adult development with an emphasis on older adulthood and how family members interact with each other and how they affect and are affected by those around them. I also teach statistics and research methods.

Previous Roles

• Interim Head, Department of Behavioral Sciences, 2010-2011 and 2012-2013
• Head, Department of Behavioral Sciences, 2013-2016