Research:
Current program of research focuses on young adult intimate relationships and the development of young adult sexual identity.

Teaching:
At UGA currently teaches CHFD 3930, Development of Interpersonal Relationships. Beginning Fall 2005 will teach CHFD 5100, Family Intervention. While at Florida State University taught undergraduate introduction to family class and graduate level family theories class. While at Kansas State University taught a variety of courses in the masters and doctoral marriage and family therapy programs.

Interests:
I am interested in the processes in which young adults develop intimate and romantic relationships. Specific interests include young adults' expectations of intimate relationships and marriage, development of commitment in serious dating relationships, and sexual identity.

Education:

Selected Publications/Presentations:

Simmons, L. A., Braun, B., Charnigo, R. C., Havens, J. R. & Wright, D. W. (2008). Depression and poverty among rural women: A relationship of social causation or social selection? Journal of Rural Health, 24(3), 292-298.  Wright, D. W., Simmons, L., & Campbell, K. (2007). Does a marriage ideal exist? Using Q-Sort methodology to compare young adults’ and therapists’ views on healthy marriages. Contemporary Family Therapy, 29(4), 223-236.  Simmons, L. A., Braun, B., Wright, D. W., & Miller, S. R. (2007). Human capital, social support, and long-term economic well-being among rural, low-income mothers: A latent growth curve analysis. Journal of Family and Economic Issues. 
Simmons, L. A. & Wright, D. W. (2004). National practice guidelines for mental health care: A comparative policy analysis of the United Kingdom and the United States. Journal of Health and Social Policy, 19(2), 59-80. Johnson, L. N., & Wright, D. W. (2002). Revisiting Bordin's theory on the therapeutic alliance: Implications for family therapy. Contemporary Family Therapy, 24(2), 371-384 Johnson, L. N., Wright, D. W., & Ketring, S. A. (2002). The therapeutic alliance in home-based family therapy: The influences on outcome. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 28(1), 93-102. Nelson, B. S., Wright, D. W. & Vaughn, M. (2001). Sleeping Single in a Family Bed: Themes and Issues on Singlehood from NCFR Roundtable Discussion Groups. Family Science Review, 1(1), 112-139 Nelson, B. S. & Wright, D. W. (1996). Post-traumatic stress disorder symptomatology: Correlations and implications in female partners of PTSD veterans. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 22(4), 455-456. White, C. P., Wright, D. W., & Barnes, H. L. (1995). Correlates of parent-child communication about specific sexual topics: A study of rural parents with school-aged children. Personal Relationships, 2, 327-343. Miller, R. B. & Wright, D. W. (1995). Detecting and correcting attrition bias in longitudinal family research. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 57(4), 921-929. Serovich, J. M., Price, S. J., Chapman, S. F., & Wright, D. W. (1992). Attachment between former spouses: Impact on co-parental communication and parental involvement. Journal of Divorce, 17(3/4), 109-119. Wright, D. W., Peterson, L. R., & Barnes, H. L. (1990). The relation of parental employment and contextual variables with sexual permissiveness and gender role attitudes of rural early adolescents. Journal of Early Adolescence, 10(3), 382-298. Wright, D. W. & Barnes, H. L. (1989). A strategic planning approach to reducing adolescent pregnancy. Family Perspective, 23(2), 151-163. Wright, D. W. (1988). Revitalizing the social exchange model of divorce. Journal of Divorce, 12, 1-19. Wright, D. W. & Price, S. J. (1986). Court-ordered child support payment: The effect of the former spouse relationship. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 48, 687-710. Chapters in Books Wright, D. W., Nelson, B. S., & Georgen, K. (1994). Marital Problems. In McKenry, P. and Price, S., (Eds). Families and Change: Coping with Stressful Events. Beverly Hills: Sage Wright, D. W. (1989). Single parents in the organization world. In Orthner, D. K. and Bowen, G. L., (Eds). The Organization Family. New York: Prager. Price-Bonham, S., Wright, D. W., & Pittman, J. F. (1983). Divorce: A frequent alternative of the 1970's. In E. Macklin, and R. Rubin, (Eds.). Alternative lifestyles in the 1970's. Sage Yearbooks in Family Studies. Beverly Hills: Sage. Refereed Proceedings Gfeller-Strouts, L., Wright, D. W., & Jurich, A. P. (1996, November). Cohesion, adaptability, and relational ethics: Toward an integrated model. Proceedings of the Theory Construction and Research Methodology Workshop at the Annual Meeting of the National Council on Family Relations. Millikin, A. L. K. & Wright, D. W. (1996, November). A woman�s attachment style as a factor in abusive relationships. Proceedings of the Theory Construction and Research Methodology Workshop at the Annual Meeting of the National Council on Family Relations. Miller, R. B. & Wright, D. W. (1990, November). Detecting and correcting attrition bias in longitudinal family research. Proceedings of the Theory Construction and Research Methodology Workshop at the Annual Meeting of the National Council on Family Relations. Unpublished reports Barnes, H. L., Wright, D. W., Ninas-Scheffel, S. J., Wyrick, D. N., & White, C. P. (1990). Relationship and Sexual Attitudes: An assessment of student-parent communication, knowledge, and behaviors. A three volume set of 100 page reports of findings to communities in which data has been collected for Office of Adolescent Pregnancy Programs grant. Wright, D. W. & Barnes, H. L. (1986). A teenage sexual behavior and pregnancy: A needs assessment for a rural Kansas community. A 100 page report of findings from a needs assessment. Wright, D. W. (1985). Single Fathers: A structural model of perceived parenting competence. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Georgia.