JOHN DeFRAIN, PhD
Professor & Cooperative Extension Specialist
Department of Child, Youth and Family Studies
254 Mabel Lee Hall
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska 68588-0236
(420) 472-1659
Biography
John DeFrain is a Professor and Cooperative Extension Specialist in Family and Community Development. Dr. DeFrain received his doctorate in 1975 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Family Studies. Research interests focus on family strengths and challenges.
Recent studies include: Great Marriages: A Qualitative Study; Family Strengths in Australia; Family Strengths in Romania; Family Strengths and Developmental Disabilities; Family Strengths and Challenges in the South Pacific; Surviving and Transcending a Traumatic Childhood; Family Strengths and Challenges in China; The Psychological and Social Aftermath of Serious Motor-Vehicle Accidents; Strong Families, Religion, and Spiritual Well-Being.
Dr. DeFrain is currently working on Creating a Strong Family: A Step-By-Step Workbook with a team of Extension specialists and educators. The book synthesizes a discussion of family strengths research and findings with practical ideas from Extension educators across Nebraska. He continues as a member of the executive committee of the Nebraska Fatherhood Initiative, which is tied into national efforts. In 2002 he received the first Phoenix Award from the MISS Foundation for research, writing, counseling, and educational efforts to help bereaved families who have lost children. He is also working with the International Stillbirth Alliance to create an international meeting, drawing professionals and families from around the world to discuss research, policy, intervention, and emotional needs related to the experience of a stillbirth.
Recent Publications
Journal Articles
Skogrand, L., Woodbury, D., DeFrain, J., DeFrain, N., & Jones, J. E. (in press). Traumatic childhood and marriage. Marriage & Family Review.
Sittner, B., DeFrain, J., & Brage, D. (2005). Effects of high-risk pregnancies on families. The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing, 30, 121-126.
DeFrain, J., Dalla, R. L., Abbott, D. A., & Johnson, J. (Eds.). (2004). New immigrants in the Great Plains: Strengths and challenges. Great Plains Research: A Journal of Natural and Social Science, 14.
Xai, Y., Zhou, A., DeFrain, J., Meredith, W., & Combs, R. (2004). Chinese adolescents' decision-making, parent-adolescent communication and relationships. Marriage and Family Review, 36, 119-146.
DeFrain, J., Jones, J. E., Skogrand, L., & DeFrain, N. (2003). Surviving and transcending a traumatic childhood: An exploratory study. Marriage & Family Review, 35, 117-146.
DeFrain, J., & Olson, D. H. (2002). Challenges for marriages and families in America, and how social scientists can respond. Jiangsu Social Sciences, October.
Jones, J. E., DeFrain, J., Ernst, L., & DeFrain, N. (2000). The teacher's role in helping young people survive and transcend a traumatic childhood. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, Fall.
Book Chapters
DeFrain, J., DeFrain, A., & Cacciatore-Garard, J. (in press). Death. In S. Peacock (Ed.), New dictionary of the history of ideas. Farmington Hills, MI: Charles Scribner's Sons.
DeFrain, J., Cook, R., & Gonzalez-Kruger, G. (2004). Family health and dysfunction. In R. J. Coombs (Ed.), Family therapy review (pp. 3-20). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
DeFrain, J. (2002). Abortion. In R. J. Kastenbaum et al. (Eds.), Macmillan encyclopedia of death and dying (2nd ed.). New York: Macmillan Reference Group.
DeFrain, J. (2002). Miscarriage. In R. J. Kastenbaum et al. (Eds.), Macmillan encyclopedia of death and dying (2nd ed.). New York: Macmillan Reference Group.
DeFrain, J., & Stinnett, N. (2002). Family strengths. In J. J. Ponzetti et al. (Eds.), International encyclopedia of marriage and family (2nd ed., pp. 637-652). New York: Macmillan Reference Group.
Books
Olson, D. H., & DeFrain, J. (in press). Marriages and families: Intimacy, diversity, and strengths (5th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
