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Ruth E. Dunkle
Wilbur J. Cohen Collegiate Professor Emerita of Social Work
Professor Ruth Dunkle's research, teaching, and clinical practice focus on gerontology. Recent research projects include "Mothers of Adult Daughters with a Serious Mental Illness: The Experience of African Americans and Whites" and "An Historical Perspective of Social Service Delivery in Detroit in the Twentieth Century." Since 1988, Professor Dunkle has served as a project co-director of the National Institute on Aging training program, "Social Research Training on Applied Issues of Aging," with Professor Berit Ingersoll-Dayton. She also serves as co-director of the Geriatric Fellowship Program with Letha Chadiha. Professor Dunkle recently wrote a book on the oldest old, which examines their future time perspectives and their coping strategies in dealing with the changes in their physical and psychological functioning, and which identifies relevant service delivery strategies for improving the quality of their lives.
Research Interests/Focus
Clinical gerontology, service delivery to the elderly, the oldest old, coping and service deliver strategies for the elderly, racial and ethnic variations in caregiving to the elderly.
Contact Information
| Phone | Room | Address | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (734) 763-6575 | [email protected] | 4668 SSWB | University of Michigan School of Social Work 1080 S. University Ann Arbor, MI 48109 |
Education
| Year | Degree | School | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | PhD | Social Science | Syracuse University, NY |
| 1973 | MSW | Direct Service/ Aging | Syracuse University, NY |
| 1969 | BS | Social Science | Syracuse University, NY |
News
| Year | Description |
|---|---|
| 2007 | Dunkle, R., Dennis, M. K., Ingersoll-Dayton, B., Chadiha, L., & Li, L. (2007, November) Mental illness in the family: The long term care plans of aging mothers, GSA Meeting, San Francisco, CA. |
| 2007 | Shen, H. W., Feld, S., Dunkle, R. E. & Schroepfer, T. (2007, November). Do they get help? Effect of characteristics on help receipt among elderly couples who both have ADL limitations, GSA meeting, San Francisco, CA. |
| 2006 | Dunkle, R., Shen, H. W., Feld, S., & Schroepfer, T. (2006). The receipt of help among elderly couples who both have ADL limitations. |
| 2006 | Dunkle, R., & Ingersoll-Dayton, B. (2006, November). Mental illness and social networks across the lifespan. Symposium presentation at GSA Meeting, Dallas, TX. |
| 2006 | Dunkle, R., Ingersoll-Dayton, B., Lawrence-Jacobson, A., Li, L., & Chadiha, L. (2006, November). Building a "life on life's terms" in three generation families. Symposium presentation at GSA Meeting, Dallas, TX. |
| 2006 | Dunkle, R. E. (2006). Innovation strategies for sustaining funding for demonstration projects. Presented at CSWE, Chicago, IL. |
| 2006 | Dunkle, R. E. (2006). What do students think about aging enriched field education? Presented at CSWE, Chicago, Il. |
| 2006 | Dunkle, R. E. (2006). Innovation strategies for sustaining funding for demonstration projects. Presented at CSWE, Chicago, IL. |
| 2005 | Dunkle, R. E., & Rhee, N. (2005, November). The influence of marital quality on depression and grief after widowhood. Presented at GSA, Orlando, FL. |
| 2005 | Dunkle, R. E., Shen, H. W., Feld, S., & Schroepfer, T. (2005, November). Couples at risk: Characteristics, problems. Presented at GSA, Orlando, FL. |
| 2005 | Dunkle, R. E., & Wintermute, T. (2005, November). Social Security Reform: What we know from history. Presented at GSA, Orlando, FL. |
| 2005 | Dunkle, R. E., & Rhee, N. (2005, November). The influence of marital quality on depression and grief after widowhood. Presented at GSA, Orlando, FL. |
| 2004 | Hadden, B. R., Damron-Rodriguez, J., Dunkle, R., Ivry, J., & Mellor, J. (2004). Competency-driven geriatric social work field education: The practicum partnership program. Presented at SSWR. |
| 2003 | Dunkle, R. E., & Kahng, S. K. (2003, January). The effects of obesity on health for people 65 years of age and older. Presented at SSWR, Washington, D.C. |
| 2003 | Dunkle, R. E., & Kahng, S. (2003, November). Latent growth curve analyses on the trajectory of self-esteem and its age variations. Presented at GSA, San Diego, CA. |
| 2003 | Dunkle, R. E., Feld, S., & Schroepfer, T. (2003, November). When do couples look beyond the marital dyad for help? Presented at GSA, San Diego, CA. |
| 2003 | Dunkle, R. E., & Kahng, S. (2003, November). Factorial structure of successful aging: Associated sociodemographic and behavioral factors. Presented at GSA, San Diego, CA. |
| 2003 | Dunkle, R. E., & Jeon, H. S. (2003, November). Coping and psychological well-being among the oldest-old. Presented at GSA, San Diego, CA. |
| 2002 | Feld, S., Schroepfer, T., & Dunkle, R. E. (2002, November). Spouses as sole caregivers to functionally impaired partners. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Boston, MA. |
| 2002 | Dunkle, R. E., Schiller, A., Rhee, N., Buch, E., & Matthews, S. H. (2002, November). Acceptable clients: An historical examination of client-worker characteristics allowing addicted clients to remain as clients. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Boston, MA. |
| 2002 | Dunkle, R. E., & Matthews, S. H. (2002, November). The social support networks of unmarried men during the Depression. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Boston, MA. |
| 2002 | Lawrence, A., Jarman-Rodhe, L., Li. L., & Dunkle, R. E. (2002, November). Much more than the money: The value of an innovative geriatric social work fellowship. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Boston, MA. |
| 2002 | Dunkle, R. E., Jeon, H. S., & Roberts, B. (2002, November). Stress and depression among the oldest old: The role of psychosocial resources. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Boston, MA. |
| 2001 | Dunkle, R. E., Chapleski, E., Wintermute, T., Barth-Jones, D., & Steinberg, J. (2001, November). A comprehensive collaborative model for assessing and disseminating information to meet the needs of older adults in the inner core of a large urban city. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Chicago, IL. |
| 2001 | Dunkle, R. E., Schiller, A., Rhee, N., & Buch, E. (2001, September). The history of social service delivery by a foundation: 1929-1971. Presented at the Hannan Foundation, Past, Present and Future Issues in Gerontological Social Work. |
| 2001 | Dunkle, R. E., Schiller, A., & Rhee, N. (2001, November). Acceptable clients: A foundation as social service agency to the elderly in Detroit from 1929-1987. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Chicago, IL. |
| 2001 | Dunkle, R. E., Feld, S., & Schroepfer, T. (2001, November). Caregiver networks of couples. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Chicago, IL. |
| 2001 | Dunkle, R. E., Jeon, H. S., Roberts, B., & Haug, M. (2001, November). Worries over time. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Chicago, IL. |
| 2000 | Dunkle, R. E., Feld, S., & Schroepfer, T. (2000, November). Characteristics of spousal pairs: What promotes the choice of spouse as the only caregiver? Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Washington, D.C. |
| 2000 | Dunkle, R. E., Luong, V., Jeon, H. S., Roberts, B., & Haug, M. (2000, November). Worries of the very old. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Washington, D.C. |
| 1999 | Dunkle, R. E., Luong, V., Haug, M., & Roberts, B. (1999, November). Predicating health among the oldest old over time, Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, San Francisco, CA. |
| 1999 | Dunkle, R. E., Feld, S., & Schroepfer, T. (1999, November). Is the spouse always the predominant helper for IADL tasks among various racial/ethnic groups? Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, San Francisco, CA. |
| 1998 | Dunkle, R. E., & Ai, A. (1998). Gender differences in psychosocial adjustment following coronary artery bypass surgery. Presented at the Women's Health Conference. |
| 1998 | Dunkle, R. E., Schiller, A., Roberts, B., & Haug, M. (1998, November). Self representation among the very old. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Philadelphia, PA. |
| 1998 | Luong, V., Roberts, B., Haug, M., & Dunkle, R. E. (1998, November). A longitudinal view of social support among the very old. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Philadelphia, PA. |
| 1998 | Dunkle, R. E., Feld, S., Schroepfer, T., & Parry, C. (1998, November). Who helps with IADLS-Does race/ethnicity matter? Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Philadelphia, PA. |
| 1998 | Dunkle, R. E., Ai, A., Peterson, C., & Bolling S. (1998, November). Why more patients of the near elderly group prayed than the elderly following cardiac surgery? Changing social role may matter. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Philadelphia, PA. |
| 1997 | Dunkle, R. E. (1997, February). So you want to be an old woman! Women's health issues. Presented at the Ithaca College Gerontology Institute, Distinguished Speakers Series. |
| 1997 | Dunkle, R. E., Roberts, B., Haug, M., & Schroepfer, T. (1997, November). Predicting survival among the very old. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Cincinnati, OH. |
| 1997 | Dunkle, R. E., Ai, A., Peterson, C., Saunders, D., & Bolling, S. (1997, November). The positive role of self-care on psychological distress and depression on older adults following cardiac surgery. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Cincinnati, OH. |
| 1997 | Dunkle, R. E., Feld, S., & Schroepfer, T. (1997, November). Racial/ethnic variations in the use of formal and informal caregivers. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Cincinnati, OH. |
| 1996 | Dunkle, R. E., Schroepfer, T., Haug, M., & Roberts, B. (1996, November). Quality of life among the very old. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Washington, D.C. |
| 1996 | Dunkle, R. E., & Ai, A. (1996, November). Effects of prayer on psychosocial adjustment following coronary artery bypass surgery. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Washington, D.C. |
| 1996 | Dunkle, R. E., Feld, S., Wray, L., Gallant, M., Gibson, G., & Lindgren, C. (1996, November). Racial/ethnic variation in caregiving. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Washington, D.C. |
| 1996 | Dunkl, R. E., & Ai, A. (1996, August). Psychosocial adjustment and health care practices following CABG. Presented at the American Psychological Association. |
| 1996 | Dunkle, R. E. (1996, October). Mobility and older adults: Promoting independence while maintaining safety. Presented at the Medical School, University of Michigan. |
| 1995 | Dunkle, R. E., & Lynch, S. (1995, November). Quantity and quality of support in networks. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Los Angeles, CA. |
| 1995 | Dunkle, R. E. (1995, November). Medical self care in old age, a discussant for a symposium for the Gerontological Society of America, Los Angeles, CA. |
| 1995 | Dunkle, R. E., Norgard, T., Roberts, B., & Haug, M. (1995, November). The role of goal consistency in well-being and depression among the very old. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Los Angeles, CA. |
| 1994 | Dunkle, R. E. (1994, May). The future and us: A look at geriatric social work. Presented at the Geriatric Social Workers of Southeast Michigan, Madonna College. |
| 1994 | Dunkle, R. E., Parker, M., & Aikayama, H. (1994, April). Eldercare: An issue that has come of age for military families. Presented at The United States Army of Europe Medical Department Symposium. |
| 1994 | Dunkle, R. E., Norgard, T., Roberts, B., & Haug, M. (1994, November). Factors influencing future goals among the very old. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Atlanta, GA. |
| 1993 | Dunkle, R. E., Montcalm, D., Roberts, B., & Haug, M. (1993, November). The effect of self efficacy on the relationship between stress and changes in depression over 18 months for elders 85+ years of age. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, New Orleans, LA. |
| 1993 | Dunkle, R. E., & Kart, C. (1993, November). A review and evaluation of existing and emerging long term care services in the United States. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, New Orleans, LA. |
| 1992 | Dunkle, R. E., & Montcalm, D. (1992, November). Predicting service use among caregivers. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Washington, DC. |
| 1992 | Dunkle, R. E., Roberts, B., & Haug, M. (1992, November). Correlates of depression and mental health among the very old. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Washington, DC. |
| 1992 | Dunkle, R. E., Roberts, B., & Haug, M. (1992, November). Sex differences in coping resources among the very old. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Washington, DC. |
| 1991 | Dunkle, R. E., & Norgard, T. (1991, November). Elders, family support and post hospital care planning. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, San Francisco, CA. |
| 1991 | Dunkle, R. E., Roberts, B., & Haug, M. (1991, November). Relative risk of functional decline among community dwelling elders over the age of 85. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, San Francisco, CA. |
| 1991 | Dunkle, R. E., & Yamada, H. (1991, November). Determinants of positive feelings toward caregiving: Spouse vs. younger relative caregivers. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, San Francisco, CA. |
| 1991 | Dunkle, R. E., & Greene, R. (1991, November). Is denial of future long term care likelihood aversive to later adjustment of the elderly to long term care placement. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, San Francisco, CA. |
| 1990 | Dunkle, R. E., Adamek, M., Roberts, B., & Haug, M. (1990, November). The relationship between self-efficacy and depression among the very old. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Boston, MA. |
| 1990 | Dunkle, R. E., Roberts, B., & Haug, M. (1990, November). Transitions in depression over time for the very old. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Boston, MA. |
| 1990 | Dunkle, R. E., Roberts, B., & Haug, M. (1990, November). Functional decline as a predictor of mentality among the very old. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Boston, MA. |
| 1990 | Dunkle, R. E., Matthews, S., & Adamek, M. (1990, November). Research on older families when more than one member responds: Producing and interpreting findings. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Boston, MA. |
| 1990 | Dunkle, R. E., Lockery, S., Kart, C., & Coulton, C. (1990, November). Factors contributing to the early rehospitalization of the elderly. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Boston, MA. |
| 1989 | Dunkle, R. E. (1989, May). Long term care needs of the very old. Presented at the Office Network of Educational Consultants in the Field of Aging, Miami University, Oxford, OH. |
| 1989 | Dunkle, R. E. (1989, May). Helping the families of demented elders. Presented at the Breckenridge Retirement Community, Willoughby, OH. |
| 1989 | Dunkle, R. E. (1989, February). Memory deficits & aging. Presented at the Breckenridge Retirement Community, Willoughby, OH. |
| 1989 | Dunkle, R. E. (1989, November). Using survey techniques to assess the well-being of the elderly - An example of the effects of stress on the "old-old". Presented at the International Gerontology Symposium, Yeungnam University, Korea. |
| 1989 | Dunkle, R. E., & Kart, C. (1989, November). Assessing self-care capacity among the elderly. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Minneapolis, MN. |
| 1989 | Dunkle, R. E., Roberts, B., & Haug, M. (1989, November). Correlates of depression and general mental health among the oldest old. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Minneapolis, MN. |
| 1989 | Dunkle, R. E., Roberts, B., & Haug, M. (1989, November). Transitions in function over time for the very old. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Minneapolis, MN. |
| 1988 | Dunkle, R. E. (1988, May). Training gerontological social workers, Nordic Gerontological Society, Vjela, Denmark. |
| 1988 | Dunkle, R. E. (1988, September). Issues of depression and dementia in the old. Presented at the Breckenridge Retirement Community, Willoughby, OH. |
| 1988 | Dunkle, R. E., Roberts, B., & Haug, M. (1988, November). Sex differences in coping styles among the very old. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, San Francisco, CA. |
| 1987 | Dunkle, R. E., & Kola, L. (1987, February). Caregivers in the workplace. Presented Council on Social Work Education, St. Louis, MO. |
| 1987 | Dunkle, R. E. (1987, April). Helping older people make decisions for long term care. Presented at the Annual Hospital Association of Ohio. |
| 1987 | Dunkle, R. E. (1987, May). Helping hospital social workers facilitate the elder's adjustment to long term care. Presented at the Social Service Deptartment, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI. |
| 1987 | Dunkle, R. E., & Raphelson, M. (1987, June). Social assessment of the elderly. Presented at the Multidisciplinary Assessment of the Elderly, Gothenberg, Sweden. |
| 1987 | Dunkle, R. E., Roberts, B., & Haug, M. (1987, November). The effect of stress on the physical functioning of persons over the age of 85. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Washington, DC. |
| 1987 | Dunkle, R. E. (1987, April). Factors affecting decision making for long-term care, Society for Behavioral Medicine, Boston, MA. |
| 1986 | Dunkle, R. E., Coulton, C., & Vielhaber, D. (1986, November). The professional caregiver's influence on the elderly and their family. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, Chicago, IL. |
| 1986 | Dunkle, R. E. (1986). Family life of old people. Presented at the Twelfth Annual Ohio Foundation Conference, Ohio Network of Grantmakers. |
| 1985 | Dunkle, R. E. (1985). Elderly and alcoholism. Presented at the Ohio Regional Council on Alcoholism, Canton, OH. |
| 1985 | Dunkle, R. E., & Coulton, C. (1985, July). The relationship of factors of decision making to adjusting to a long term care setting. Presented at the International Gerontological Society, New York, NY. |
| 1985 | Dunkle, R. E., & Coulton, C. (1985, November). The relationship of discharge planning to the mental health of elders in need of long term care. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, New Orleans, LA. |
| 1984 | Dunkle, R. E., Nevin, M., & Coulton, C. (1984, November). Effective management of dementia patients in hospital and community settings. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, San Antonio, TX. |
| 1983 | Dunkle, R. E. (1983, January). Isolation and the elderly. Presented at The Cancer Project. |
| 1983 | Dunkle, R. E. (1983, April). Sexuality of aging. Presented at the Veterans Administration Workshop "Graying of America," Cleveland, OH. |
| 1983 | Dunkle, R. E. (1983, May). Issues in discharge planning for the elderly. Presented at the Social Service Department, Trumball Memorial Hospital, Warren, OH. |
| 1983 | Dunkle, R. E., & Coulton, C. J. (1983, July). The role of the elderly patient and their family in the discharge planning process. Presented at the Systems Science in Health Social Services for the Elderly and the Disabled, Montreal, Canada. |
| 1983 | Dunkle, R. E., Powell, I., Goode, R. & Joyce, K. (1983, November). Service implications for a community based geriatric assessment unit. Gerontological Society of America, San Francisco, CA. |
| 1983 | Dunkle, R. E., & Bookin, D. (1983, November). Elder abuse: Issues for the practitioner. Presented at the Gerontological Society of America, San Francisco, CA. |
| 1982 | Dunkle, R. E. (1982, May). Working with the cognitively impaired older person [keynote address]. Presented at the Anniversary Symposium of the All-University Gerontological Center, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY. |
| 1982 | Dunkle, R. E., & Eckert, J. K. (1982, November). Need for services in the elderly experiencing urban change. Presented at the Gerontological Society, Boston, MA. |
| 1981 | Dunkle, R. E., & Coulton, C. J. (1981). The decision making process among the hospitalized elderly in need of long term care. Presented at the Ohio Network of Educational Consultants in Field of Aging. |
| 1981 | Dunkle, R. E. (1981, June). Sensory changes associated with aging. National Endowment for the Humanities, Summer Institute, Old age in history and literature, Cleveland, OH. |
| 1981 | Dunkle, R. E. (1981, June). Psychology of aging. Presented at the National Endowment for the Humanities, Summer Institute, Old age in history and literature, Cleveland, OH. |
| 1981 | Dunkle, R. E., & Coulton, C. J. (1981, November). Long term care decisions among the elderly in acute care setting. Presented at the Gerontological Society, Toronto, Canada. |
| 1981 | Dunkle, R. E., & Morgenstern, A. M. (1981, November). The effect of increasing the elder's resources on the exchange relationship. Presented at the Gerontological Society, Toronto, Canada. |
| 1981 | Dunkle, R. E., & Hooper, C. R. (1981, November). A team approach to the treatment of the depressed elderly aphasic. Presented at the Gerontological Society, Toronto, Canada. |
| 1980 | Dunkle, R. E., & Kosberg, J. (1980, Febrary). Inculcating minority group aged content and issues into a professional school of social work. Presented at the Council of Social Work Education, Los Angeles, CA. |
| 1980 | Dunkle, R. E. (1980). The effect of history on the future of the social work profession: An examination of service delivery to the elderly. Presented at the Ohio Network of Educational Consultants in the Field of Aging. |
| 1980 | Dunkle, R. E. (1980, April). Sex roles across the life span. Presented at the Center on Aging, Akron University, Akron, OH. |
| 1980 | Dunkle, R. E. (1980, November). Economic and social factors in service utilization. Presented at the Gerontological Society, San Diego, CA. |
| 1979 | Dunkle, R. E. (1979, May). Informal support systems in diverse settings. Presented at the Western Gerontological Society, San Francisco, CA. |
| 1979 | Dunkle, R. E. (1979, November). Natural support systems: The feasibility of foster care for the elderly among various social strata. Presented at the Western Gerontological Society, San Francisco, CA. |
| 1979 | Dunkle, R. E., & Kosberg, J. (1979, April). Inculcating minority group aged content and issues into a professional school of social work. Presented at the Ohio Network of Educational Consultants in the Field of Aging. |
| 1979 | Dunkle, R. E., & Eckert, J. K. (1979, November). Differential use of health services among two groups of older hotel dwellers. Presented at the Gerontological Society, Washington, DC. |
| 1978 | Dunkle, R. E. (1978, November). A theoretical examination of the cultural value of sex role identification. Presented at the Gerontological Society. |
| 1977 | Dunkle, R. E. (1977, March). Sex differences in perception of health as affected by life change and change in environment. Presented at the Western Gerontological Society, San Francisco, CA. |
| 1976 | Dunkle, R. E. (1976, November). The relationship between stress and illness: An analysis of the possible contributory factors. Presented at the Gerontological Society, New York, NY. |
| 1975 | Dunkle, R. E. (1975, November). Racial differences in the confidant relationship. Presented at the Gerontological Society, Louisville, KY. |
| 1974 | Dunkle, R. E. (1974, November). The edge of womanhood. Presented at the Gerontological Society, Portland, OR. |
| 1973 | Dunkle, R. E. (1973, November). Role discontinuity as it affects change in adjustment of women to aging. Presented at the Gerontological Society, Miami, FL. |
| 1972 | Dunkle, R. E. (1972, November). Life experiences and adjustment of women to aging. Presented at the Gerontological Society, San Juan, PR. |