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Psychology Building
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Miami University
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Oxford, OH 45056
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513-529-2400
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Clinical Faculty
Dr.
Margaret O'Dougherty Wright
Associate
Professor of Psychology |
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Office Information |
Department of Psychology |
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314 PSYC
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Miami University |
Oxford, Ohio 45056 |
(513) 529-2406 Voice |
(513) 529-2420 Fax |
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Education:
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Theoretical
Orientation:
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I
embrace a relational/interpersonal/systems
framework for conceptualizing clinical problems
and developing treatment plans. The interpersonal
approach to therapy that I employ has evolved
from a synthesis of three theoretical traditions:
1) interpersonal theory; 2) attachment theory;
and 3) family systems theory. Traditional diagnostic
approaches have often assumed that symptoms
reside within the individual. This has translated
to an emphasis on the individual in treatment
and interventions which have typically addressed
intrapsychic phenomena and internal conflicts.
Such an approach tends to ignore the relational,
social and cultural systems that may contribute
to and significantly shape the nature of the
problem. Relational therapy is based on the
assumption that psychopathology has its roots
within relationships and that treatment should
consider the relational field. The therapeutic
process thus focuses on mutuality in relationships
and healing through positive connection with
others. |
Recently
Taught Graduate Courses:
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Seminar: When the bough breaks: Determinants of effective and ineffective parentingSeminar:
From risk to resilience: What makes positive
life adaptations possible?
Module: Relational diagnosis: An interpersonal
approach
Practicum: Interpersonal Process in Psychotherapy
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Research
Interests: |
My research interests are primarily in the following areas: 1) The long term consequences of trauma across the life span, with a particular emphasis on risks emanating from the family such as sexual, physical, and psychological abuse; 2) interpersonal functioning of adult survivors in both couple and parent-child relationships; 3) ways in which childhood abuse may be linked to further exposure to abuse, with a focus on maladaptive interpersonal schemas, risky behavioral choices, and substance use; and 4) exploration of processes that may mediate the relationship between traumatic life experiences and subsequent resilience, including family relationships, social support, coping, spirituality, and meaning making. |
Opportunities
for Graduate Students:
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Current Project: Mothering as
a Survivor. This is an ongoing, collaborative
project in which we are exploring the long-term
effects and meaning of being a survivor of childhood
sexual abuse. We are working with a community
sample of mothers and utilizing both qualitative
and quantitative research approaches. Our purpose
is to learn more about the adult relationships
and parenting experiences of these mothers with
a particular focus on the parental alliance and
specific parenting challenges, stressors and
concerns that are related to the experience of
childhood sexual abuse.
Interpersonal consequences of abuse project: Our research lab has also been involved in collecting extensive data on various types of childhood abuse (emotional, physical, sexual, as well as neglect), received by various individuals (parents, step-parents, siblings, peers, classmates, romantic partners) and we are exploring the impact of these abusive experiences on later interpersonal functioning, intimacy, and risk for revictimization or perpetration of abuse. This project focuses on the childhood abuse experiences of both men and women and we are particularly interested in exploring how these experiences might impact the formation of maladaptive relational schemas and adversely impact early romantic relationships |
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Recent
Publications
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| Wright, M. O., Fopma-Loy, J., & Fischer, S. (in press). Multidimensional assessment of resilience in mothers who are child sexual abuse survivors. Child Abuse & Neglect. |
Littleford, L. N., Wright, M. O., & Sayoc-Parial, M. (2005). White students’ intergroup anxiety during same-race and interracial interactions: A multimethod approach. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 27 (1),85-94. |
Crawford, E., Wright, M. O., & Masten, A. S. (2005). Resilience and spirituality in youth. In P. L. Benson, E. C. Roehlkepartain, P. E. King, & L. Wagener (Eds.), The handbook of spiritual development in children and adolescents. Sage Publications. |
| Wright, M. O. & Masten, A. S. (2004). Resilience processes and development: Fostering positive adaptation following childhood adversity. In S. Goldstein & R. Brooks (Eds.), Handbook of resilience in children. New York: Plenum Publishers. |
| Frenkel, E. & Wright, M.
O. (2001). The cumulative impact of abuse across
the lifespan: Child sexual abuse and adult revictimization.
In K. Franey, R. Geffner, & R. Falconer (Eds.).
Child Maltreatment: Who pays? We all do (pp.
75-86). San Diego, CA: Haworth Press. |
| Swift, A. & Wright, M. O.
(2000). Does social support buffer stress for
college women: When and how? Journal of
College Student Psychotherapy, 14, 23-42. |
Masten, A. S. & Wright,
M. O. (1998). Cumulative risk and protection
models of child maltreatment. In B. B. R. Rossman & M.
S. Rosenberg (Eds.), Multiple victimization
of children: Conceptual, developmental, research
and treatment
issues (pp. 7-30). Binghamton, NY: Haworth. |
| Wright, M. O.,
Masten, A. S., Northwood, A. & Hubbard, J.
J. (1997). Long-term effects of massive trauma:
Developmental and psychobiological perspectives.
In D. Cicchetti & S. L. Toth (Eds.). Developmental
perspectives on trauma: Theory, research and intervention
(pp. 181-225). Rochester, NY: University of Rochester
Press. |
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