Hannah Williamson

Dr. Williamson’s program of research focuses on strengthening families, particularly among under-served groups, including low-income and ethnic minority couples. Williamson conducts basic and applied studies that examine relationship processes and test various theoretically derived intervention strategies for disadvantaged couples. Her research work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, the Administration for Children and Families, and the Russell Sage Foundation, and recognized by research awards from various organizations, including the American Psychological Association, Psi Chi, APA Division 1 (General Psychology), APA Division 12 (Society of Clinical Psychology), and the Society for a Science of Clinical Psychology.

More from Dr. Williamson

Much of my research focuses on low-income couples, a population that has been under-represented in relationship science, despite having disproportionately higher levels of relationship distress and dissolution. Existing research on close relationships provides a reasonably strong account of relationship functioning in the middle-class, yet by focusing almost exclusively on interpersonal processes among economically stable couples this approach overlooks the possibility that chronic stress and socioeconomic disadvantage undermine processes that promote close and enduring family bonds. I confront this problem by conducting research on low-SES couples, as well as conducting comparative studies between low-SES and more affluent couples. The cycle of poverty in the U.S. is intrinsically linked to family processes and family demography, which is why I have focused my career on addressing the challenges faced by families living in poverty.

Student Opportunities

If you are interested in applying to my lab for graduate school, please see my lab website for more information about the research we conduct.

If you are interested in working in my lab as a research assistant, please see my lab website for instructions on how to apply.