Mari S. Wilhelm, Ph.D

Mari Wilhelm
Associate Professor and Director for the Institute for Children, Youth and Families
Ph.D., Family Ecology
wilhelmm@ag.arizona.edu

Scholarly Interests and Activities
Institute for Children, Youth and Families
Biographical Sketch
Courses
Service
Publications

[MAILING ADDRESS]
PO Box 210033 Tucson, AZ 85721-0033

[CAMPUS ADDRESS]
Family and Consumer Sciences Bldg.
1110 East South Campus Drive Tucson, AZ 85721-0033

Phone: (520) 621-1075 Fax: (520) 621-3401
Email: wilhelmm@ag.arizona.edu

Scholarly Interests and Activities

My program of research examines the relationships among stressors, relational quality, and emotional and physical health outcomes. In my most current research project, I am concerned with variables related to emotional and physical health during and after pregnancy and the ability of quality relationships (spousal, partner or friend) to provide a context in which the impacts of various stressors may be buffered. A multi-method approach is taken to assess social and emotional stressors, reactivity to stressors, emotional well being, and relationship quality. 

Biographical Sketch

EDUCATION
Ph.D. Family Ecology, Michigan State University, 1982
M.A. Family Studies, Michigan State University, 1978
B. A. Vocational Home Economics Education, University of Nebraska, 1972

EMPLOYMENT

1998-2007 Director, Institute for Children, Youth, & Families (ICYF), School of Family and Consumer Sciences, The University of Arizona

1988-Present Associate Professor, School of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Arizona

1982-1988 Assistant Professor, School of Family and Consumer Resources, University of Arizona

1981-1982 Assistant Professor, Department of Home Economics, Mankato State University

1979-1981 Graduate Research Assistant, Michigan State University, Evaluation of Statewide Energy Conservation Project

1976-1979 Graduate Extension Assistant, Michigan State University, Development of Volunteer Training Project, Evaluation of 4-H Health Education Project

1972-1976 Home Economics Teacher, Washington Junior High School, Dubuque, Iowa

HONORS AND AWARDS

• Women on the Move Nomination, Tucson YWCA, 1998
• Emerging Leader, Michigan State University Alumni Award, 1996
• Bryn Mawr Summer Institute for Women in Higher Education, University of Arizona Scholarship Recipient 1993
• Outstanding Professor Award; College of Agriculture, University of Arizona, 1987

MAJOR RESEARCH--PROFESSIONAL INTEREST

• Relationships and Social Support
• Pre- and Postpartum Well-Being
• Individual and Family Stress

SERVICE: OUTREACH

• 1998-present Pima County Maternal Child Health Advisory Committee
• 1998-1999 Prevention Needs Assessment, Sunnyside School District
• Arizona Town Hall-"Who is Raising Arizona's Children"
• Project Central Workshop on Social Issues
• Reviewer, Journal of Family and Economic Issues
• Reviewer, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
• 1998 Reviewer, Personal Relationships, Journal of the International Society for the Study of Personal Relationships
• 1997-1998 ICYF Adolescent Health and Sexuality Planning Committee
• Reviewer, Financial Counseling and Planning
• 1996 Reviewer, Journal of Marriage and the Family
• 1993 Reviewer, Journal of Family and Economic Issues
• 1993 Reviewer, Journal of Family Issues
• 1993 Board of Directors, Arizona Consumer Credit Counseling Center
• 1993 Reviewer, Awards of Excellence, National Foundation for Consumer Credit, Inc.
• 1993 Conference Paper Reviewer, Research and Theory Section of the National Council of Family Relationships
• 1993 Board Member, Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Education
• 1993 Conference Paper Reviewer, International Society for the Study of Personal Relationships
• 1991 Member, Item Writing Committee, CFP National Examination, International Board
• 1991 Review Committee, Pima County Community Action Association
• 1990 Budgeting Workshops given for Pima County Adult Probation Department
• 1989 Ad-Hoc Reviewer, Journal of Family Issues
• 1989 Reviewer, Advancing the Consumer Interest
• 1989 Reviewer, Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning
• 1989 Reviewer, AFCPE Conference Presentations
• 1989 Reviewer, AFCPE Research/Theory Panel
• 1988 Program Chairperson, Annual Conference of the Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Educators

SERVICE: CITIZENSHIP

• 2001 Chair, Assistant Director for Student Services Position
• 2000-2001 Member, Search Committee Vice-Taylor Associate Extension Specialist Position
• 2000-2001 Member, Advisory Committee to the College of Education Endowed Chair
• 2000-2001 Member, College Policy Streamlining Committee
• 1999-2001 Member, SFCR SAT Committee
• 1999-2001 Member, Extension FCS Building Strong Families Committee
• 1999-2001 Member, Extension FCS Healthy Adolescence Committee
• 1997-1999 Chair, SFCR Promotion and Tenure Committee
• 1998-1999 College of Agriculture Ad Hoc Committee to Revise College Promotion and Tenure Guidelines
• 1998 Ad Hoc Administrative Review Team (5 year review of SFCR Director)
• 1998 Family Focus 2000 conference Planning Committee
• 1998 Planning Session, Family and Community Connection
• 1995-1997 UA Child Care Steering Committee
• Faculty Review and Development Committee
• 1994-1996 Rueben Hill Award Committee, National Council of Family Relationships
• 1995 SFCR Faculty Review and Development Committee
• 1994-1995 UA Graduate Representative for Doctoral Preliminary and Dissertation Oral Examinations
• 1993-1995 College of Agriculture Promotion and Tenure Committee
• 1994 Search Committee for College Assistant Director of Research
• 1994 Faculty Task Force for Promotion and Tenure Guidelines
• 1994 Search and Screen Committee, Vice Deal and Vice Flannery
• 1992-1993 UA Program Assessment and Institutional Priorities Committee
• 1991 Peer Review and Development
• 1991 Family Studies Preliminary Examination Committee
• 1991 Search and Screen, Vice Jacob and Vice Redeker
• 1989-1991 College of Agriculture Curriculum Committee
• 1988-1989 UA Benefits Advisory Committee
• 1988-1989 UA Library Committee
• 1989 Committee to Select Outstanding Senior, College of Ag
• 1989 Committee to Select Outstanding Professor, College of AG
• 1989 FCR Promotion and Tenure Committee
• 1987-1989 Human Subject Committee

INSTRUCTION

• 1994-present Foundations in Family Theories-Graduate
• 1999-2007 ICYF Internship Program-Undergraduate
• 1997 Individual and Family Stress and Resiliency-Graduate
• Theories of Interpersonal Relationships-Graduate
• Dynamics of Family Relationships-Undergraduate
• 1994 Individual and Family Stress and Coping-Graduate
• 1993 Social and Financial Stressors in the Family-Undergraduate
• 1982-1992 Management of Family Finances-Undergraduate
• 1991-1992 Theories of Family Economic Behavior-Graduate
• 1991 Family Stress, Coping, & Adaptation-Graduate
• 1987 Personal Resource Management

PUBLICATIONS

Book Chapters

Wilhelm, M. (1993). Financial Issues related to living on a reduced income. In J. Mason (Ed.), Financial Counseling. (pp. 300-322). Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education.

Wilhelm, M. D. (1993). Financial issues related to living on a reduced income. In J. Mason (Ed.), Financial Counseling, (pp. 300-322). Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education.

Wilhelm, M. S., & Ridley, C. A. (1988). Stress and unemployment in rural non-farm couples: A study of hardships and coping resources, in R. Marotz-Baden, C. B. Hennon and T. H. Brubaker, (Eds.), Families in Rural America: Stress, Adaptation and Revitalization. St. Paul, MN: National Council on Family Relations.

Refereed Journal Articles (selected listing)

Wilhelm, M.S., Kasle, S., & Reed, K.L. (In Review). Women's definitions of optimal health and well-being: Creating a relational and developmental health paradigm. Submitted to Psychology of Women Quarterly.

Ridley, C.A., Wilhelm, M.S., & Surra, C. A. (In press). Married couples' conflict responses and marital quality. Accepted by the Journal of Social and Personal Relationships.

Hayhoe, C., & Wilhelm, M.S. (1998). Modeling perceived economic well-being in a family setting: A gender perspective. Financial Counseling and Planning 9(1) 21-34.

Hayhoe, C. R., & Wilhelm, M. S. (1995). Discriminating between primary family financial managers and other adults in the family. Financial Counseling and Planning, 6, 1-11.

Bass, B. L., & Wilhelm, M. S. (1995). The boundaries between work and family: An integration of regional research projects. Family and Consumer Sciences Journal, 24 (1), 87-91.

Bauer, J. W., Hira, T. K., Wilhelm, M. S., Varcoe, K. P. & Thomas, S. (1993). The determinants of worry over chronic health concerns for rural couples. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 14 (3), 275-291.

Wilhelm, M. S., Varcoe, K. P. & Huebner-Fridrich, A. (1993). Financial satisfaction and assessment of financial progress: Importance of money attitudes. Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, 4, 181-198.

Hanley, A., & Wilhelm, M. S. (1992). Compulsive buying: An exploration into self-esteem and money attitudes. Journal of Economic Psychology, 13, 5-18.

Ridley, C. A., & Wilhelm, M. S. (1988). Adaptation to unemployment: Effects of a mine closure on husbands and wives. Lifestyles: Family and Economic Issues, 9, 145-160.

Wilhelm, M. S., Iams, D. R., & Rudd, J. (1987). Husband and wife agreement on indicators of objective and subjective economic well-being. Home Economics Research Journal, 16, 13-22.

Wilhelm, M. S. & Ridley, C. A. (1987). Stress and unemployment in rural non-farm families: A study of hardships and coping resources. Family Relations, 37, 50-54.

Wilhelm, M. S., & Ridley, C. A. (1987). Unemployment induced adaptations: Relationships among economic responses and individual and marital well-being. Lifestyles: Family and Economic Issues, 9, 5-20.

Wilhelm, M. S., & Keith, J. G. (1987). Predictors of voluntary simplicity in consumer behavior. Journal of Consumer Studies and Home Economics, 11, 113-129.

PUBLICATIONS (OTHER)

Wilhelm, M., Wang, J., Lindeman, P. (1998). Arizona Cooperative Extension Inventory of Child, Youth, and Family Programs.

Cate, R. M., & Wilhelm, M. (1996). Couples, Enhance Themselves. Contemporary Psychology.

Varcoe, K., Wilhelm, M., & Wright, J. (1993). Family relationships, satisfaction, and utilization of resources: An analysis of interrelationships by gender. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Educators, November, San Antonio, TX.

Ridley, C., & Wilhelm, M. (1993). Review of the Sourcebook of Family Theories and Methods. International Society for the Study of Personal Relationships.

Wilhelm, M., Huebner-Fridrich, A., & Varcoe, K. (1992). Gender difference in money attitudes: A factor analysis. In D. Iams (Ed.) Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Education, (pp. 172-187). Charleston, South Carolina.

Wilhelm, M., & Varcoe, K. (1991). Assessment of financial well-being: Impact of objective economic indicators and money attitudes on financial satisfaction and financial progress. In S. Dances (Ed.), Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Educators, Kansas City, Kansas.

Hayhoe, C., & Wilhelm, M. (1991). Economic well-being of rural families in Arizona: A two county example. Final Report of NC-182.

Wilhelm, M. (1990). Arizona rural counties: A profile. In M. Carsky (Ed.). The Proceedings of the 36 th Annual American Council of Consumer Interests, Columbia, MO.

Wilhelm, M., Iams, D., & Ridley, C. (1987). Unemployment and marital well-being: The impact of changes in financial management. Proceedings of the Association of Financial Counseling and Planning Educators.

Wilhelm, M., Iams, D., & Ridley, C. (1987). Changes in consumption management during unemployment: Impact on economic satisfaction. Proceedings of the American Council on Consumer Interests.

Wilhelm, M., & Iams, D. (1987). Hers, theirs, and his: The wife's involvement in financial decision making. Proceedings of the International Association of Financial Planning.

SCHOLARLY PRESENTATIONS

Wilhelm, M.S., Levin, L., Kasle, S., & Serido, J. (2000). Exploration of Social Networks in Women's Personal and Professional Development. Annual Conference for the International Society for the Study of Personal Relationships, June 2000, Brisbane, Australia.

Wilhelm, M.S. (2000) Using the logic model for evaluating children, youth and family programs. ICYF Program Evaluation Workshop, Tucson, AZ.

Wilhelm, M. S., Kasle, S., & Horn, M. (1999). Coping with Fibromylagia. Invited talk. Arthritis Foundation. Tucson, AZ.

Reed, K., Wilhelm, M., & Kasle, S. (1999). Workshop presented at the Second National Conference on Women. Las Angeles, CA.

Kasle, S., Reed, K., Wilhelm, M. (1999). How women define optimal health and wellbeing. Paper presented at the Cycling Conference. Tucson, AZ.

Kasle, S., Reed, K., & Wilhelm, M. (1998). How do women in focus groups define health and well-being? Paper presented at the National Association of Professionals in Women's Health. Denver, CO.

Wilhelm, M., Kasle, S. & Reed, K. (1998). Shifting our perspective on women's health and well-being. Paper presented at the Annual conference on the Family: Celebrating Strength Through Diversity. Tucson, AZ.

Wilhelm, M., Kasle, S., & Reed, K. (1998). Poster presented at the Annual Conference of the International Society for the Study of Personal Relationships. Syracuse, NY.

Azimov, J., Wilhelm, M., & Bass, B. (1996). Parent-adolescent relationships within the context of the adolescent's chronic illness. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of the International Society for the Study of Personal Relationships, Banff, Canada.

Bass, B., & Wilhelm, M. (1996). Perceived career success. The role of family support. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of the International Society for the Study of Personal Relationships, Banff, Canada.

Marczak, M., & Wilhelm, M.. (1996). A descriptive approach to reevaluating marital success in contemporary United States. Poster presented at the Annual Conference of the International Society for the Study of Personal Relationships, Banff, Canada.

Ridley, C., Wilhelm, M., & Surra, C. (1988). Marital adjustment and couples' approaches to conflict. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, Vancouver, Canada.

Ridley, C., Wilhelm, M., & Surra, C. (1988). Impact of couples' conflict management patterns and sex role orientation on marital adjustment. Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the National Council of Family Relations. Philadelphia, PA.

RESEARCH/EVALUATION GRANTS AND CONTRACTS

2000-2005 Dreams Come True-Evaluation (2000), $250,000.

2000-2001 Relationship quality, social support, stress, and immune functioning. Principal Investigator, 100% 2000-2001, WARMER FOUNDATION, $15,000.

1999-2000 Relationship quality, social support, stress, and immune functioning. Principal Investigator, 100%, WARMER FOUNDATION, $10,000.

2000-2005 Social and emotional stressors: Relational Quality as a potential moderator of physical health symptoms during pregnancy. Arizona Experiment Station (AES) Project Principal Investigator, 100%, $120,000.

1996-2000 Arizona Experiment Station (AES) Project. Personal Networks: Impact of Supportive and Undermining Interactions on Personal Development of Women. Principal Investigator, 100%, $109,000.

1998-2000 United States Department of Agriculture (and contributions from individual participating states). National Evaluation of 4-H Youth Development Programs. Co-Investigator, 10% with Bill Peterson. $50,000 (USDA) and $100,000 (state contributions).

1997-1999 WARMER Foundation. Women's Health and Wellbeing Needs Assessment. Principal Investigator, 100%, $12,000.

1996-1998 Cooperative States Research, Education and Extension Service-United States Department of Agriculture (CREES-USDA) National Program Evaluation Project. Consultant, 5% with Sherry Betts. $786,000.

1995-1998 Office of Population Affairs, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (three year project). Postponing Sexual Involvement. Investigator, 10% with Sherry Betts. $701,004

1997-1998 SAFE DATES Pilot project, Co-Investigator. Funded by College of Agriculture, $5,000.

1997-1998 Evaluation of an Adolescent Alternative Sentencing Program, Co-Investigator, Arizona Cooperative Extension Enhancement Grant, $5,000

1997 Evaluation of University of Arizona Childcare Voucher Program, Principal Investigator, 100% Funded by the University of Arizona Office of Childcare Initiatives, $2500.

1990-1994 Arizona Experiment Station (AES) Project: Family Resource Utilization as a Factor in Determining Economic Well-Being of Rural Families, NC-182.

1984-1988 Arizona Experiment Station (AES) Regional Project. Coping with Stress: Adaptations of Non-metropolitan families to socioeconomic change. NC-167 Regional Project.

More Information

Institute for Children, Youth and Families
FSHD Graduate Program Details

See Also

Family Studies and Human Development Division