Academics

Faculty & Staff

photo of Paul Benson

Paul Benson, PhD

  • Professor of Sociology, College of Liberal Arts
  • Telephone: 617.287.6253
  • Fax: 617.287.6288
  • Office Location: Wheatley Hall,04,00004

Areas of Expertise

Sociology of Mental Health, Medical Sociology, Public Policy

Degrees

PhD, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Professional Publications & Contributions

  • Paul R. Benson. In Press. “Network characteristics, perceived social support, and psychological adjustment in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder." Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.

  • Paul R. Benson. 2011. "Marital quality and psychological distress in mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders." Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 12: 674-684.

  • Paul R. Benson, Dave Daley, Kristie L. Karlof, and Dotty Robison. 2011. “Assessing expressed emotion in parents of children with autism: The Autism-Specific Five Minute Speech Sample.” Autism 15: 65-82.

  • Paul R. Benson and Kristie L. Karlof. 2010. “Distress and styles of coping in parents of children with ASD.” Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 4: 217-228.

  • Paul R. Benson and Kristie L. Karlof. 2009. “Anger, stress proliferation, and depressed mood among parents of children with ASD: A longitudinal replication.” Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 36: 685-695.

  • Paul R. Benson and Kristie L. Karlof. 2008. “Parent, child, and family predictors of latter adjustment among siblings of children with autism.” Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 2: 583-600.

  • Paul Benson, Kristie L. Karlof, and Gary N. Siperstein. 2008. “Maternal Involvement in the education of young children with autism spectrum disorder.” Autism 12: 47-63.

  • Paul R. Benson. 2006. “Child symptom severity and depressed mood among parents of children with ASD: The mediating role of stress proliferation.” Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 36: 685-695.

Additional Information

View Professor Benson's Curriculum Vitae

Current Research

During the past several years, Professor Benson has been involved in research projects evaluating recent changes in mental health policy and services at the state and national level. These include community-based mental health services, family support services, and mental health services under managed care.