Diane McLaughlin, Ph.D.

Vitae

Research Interests

Understanding how the characteristics of the places in which people live influence individuals’ and families' opportunities, behavior, and well-being is the central theme of my research. My current research foci include educational, occupational and residential aspirations and attainment of rural youth, and the consequences of economic restructuring and demographic change for family structure, employment opportunities and income inequality in rural and urban areas.

Outreach/Extension Interests

My outreach and extension efforts support community development efforts. Most recently, I have participated in the development of educational materials related to understanding community change.  I also am interested in integrating outreach with resident teaching to provide opportunities for students to gain experience working with community leaders and organizations in ways that benefit the communities.

Current/Recent Courses

• CED 152 Community Development Concepts and Practice
• CEDEV/RSOC 452  Rural Organization
• RSOC 516 Social Change in Rural America
• RSOC 552 Theoretical Frameworks of Rural Community Research

Recent Selected Publications

Alter, Ted, Kathy Brasier, Diane McLaughlin, Fern Willits, Teri Ooms and Sherry Tracewski. 2010. Baseline Socioeconomic Analysis for the Marcellus Shale Development in Pennsylvania. Report to Appalachian Regional Commission. Wilkes-Barre, PA: The Institute for Public Policy & Economic Development.                                                                          

McLaughlin, Diane. 2010. Stay or Go? Where Do Rural Pennsylvania Students Want to Live as Adults? RYE Fact Sheet, Spring 2010. University Park, PA. Penn State, 4 pp. 

McLaughlin, Diane. 2010. Change in Educational Aspirations from 7th to 11th Grade. RYE Fact Sheet Spring 2010. University Park, PA, Penn State, 4 pp. 

McLaughlin, Diane. 2010. Stay or Go? Factors Associated with Rural Youth Residential Plans. RYE Fact Sheet Summer 2010. University Park, PA. Penn State, 4 pp.

McLaughlin, Diane. 2010. What do 11th Grade Students in Rural Pennsylvania Do When They Are Not In School? Difference by Gender and Educational Aspirations. RYE Fact Sheet Fall 2010. University Park, PA, Penn State, 4 pp. 

McLaughlin, Diane K. and Alisha. J. Coleman-Jensen.  2008. “Nonstandard Employment in the Nonmetropolitan United States.” Rural Sociology 73:631-659.

McLaughlin, Diane K., C. Shannon Stokes, P. Johnelle Smith and Atsuko Nonoyama. 2007. “Differential Mortality Across the U.S.: The Influence of Place-Based Inequality." Pp. 141-162 in Linda M. Lobao, Gregory Hooks, and Ann R. Tickamyer (eds.) The Sociology of Spatial Inequality. Albany, NY: SUNY Press.

Snyder, Anastasia R., Diane K. McLaughlin and Jill Findeis. 2006. “Household Composition and Poverty among Female-headed Households with Children: Differences by Race and Residence.” Rural Sociology. 71:597-624.

Parisi, Domenico, Diane K. McLaughlin, Steven Michael Grice, Michael Taquino, and Duane A. Gill. 2006. “Exiting TANF: Influence of Individual and Local Conditions Across Racial Groups.” Social Science Quarterly 87:76-90.

Snyder, Anastasia R. and Diane K. McLaughlin. 2004. “Risky Behaviors Affecting Rural Adolescents’ Health” Pp. 89-100 in Nina Glasgow, Lois Wright Morton and Nan Johnson (eds.) Critical Issues in Rural Health. Ames, IA: Iowa State University Press.
 
McLaughlin, Diane K. 2002. “Changing Income Inequality in Nonmetropolitan Counties, 1980 to 1990."  Rural Sociology 67:512-533.

Recent Awards

Howard B. Palmer Faculty Mentoring Award, 2005, The Pennsylvania State University.

Community of Teaching Excellence Award, 2003, College of Agricultural Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University.