Jen D. Wong

http://u.osu.edu/jenwong/

• PhD, Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University
• MS, Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University
• BS, Developmental and Social Psychology, Hampshire College

• Adult Development and Aging
  • Big Data (e.g., MIDUS)
  • Daily Diary Design
  • Health and Well-Being (psychological, physical, and psychological functioning)
  • Leisure Based Physical Activities
  • Social Roles and Transitions (caregiving and retirement)
  • Stress Processes (e.g., exposure, reactivity)
• Behavioral Aspects of Health
• Human Development and Family Studies
  • Caregiving for Individuals with Disabilities (e.g., autism spectrum disorders, chronic health conditions)
  • Development in Midlife and Late Adulthood
  • Normative and Non-normative Transitions
• Work and Family Studies
  • Work and Family Stressors

Jen D. Wong is a gerontologist with training in human development and family science, social and developmental psychology, and developmental disabilities. Informed by the life course perspective and stress theory, Jen’s research program focuses on two major social roles (work/retirement and family care) that individuals often experience in midlife and late adulthood and the subsequent well-being and health implications. Her research also investigates the role of social leisure on well-being and health during the encore years (aged 55 to 75). A common thread in Jen’s research program is the examination of demographic and psychosocial factors (e.g., age, gender, stress) as they intersect with social roles to influence well-being and health.

Population of Research Interests: Midlife and late adulthood

Key Terms: Social roles (work/retirement; family care); social leisure; demographic and psychosocial factor (stressors); self-report and biomarkers (e.g., cortisol) of well-being and health

• Associate Professor, Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, 2020-Present
• Assistant Professor, Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, 2013-2020
• Honorary Fellow, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 2013-2015
• Research Associate, Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 2012-2013
• NICHD Postdoctoral Fellow in Developmental Disabilities, Waisman Center, 2010-2012

• Son, J. S., Chen, G., Liechty, T., Janke, M. C., West, S. T., Wong, J. D., & Naar, J. (2024). The role of facilitators in the constraint negotiation of leisure-time physical activity. Leisure Sciences, 46, 123-142.
• Chen, G., Janke, M. C., Liechty, T., Wong, J. D., West, S. T., Son, J. S., Juris, J., & Johnston, C. (2023). Sport participation for adults aged 50+ years: A socioecological analysis. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 97, 354-373.
• Pittman Calderon, P. S., Wong, J. D., & Hodgdon, B. T. (2022). A scoping review of the physical health and psychological well-being of individuals in interracial romantic relationships. Family Relations, 71(5) (Special Issue: Transformative Family Scholarship: Theory, Practice, and Research at the Intersection of Families, Race and Social Justice), 2011-2029.
• Hodgdon, B.T., Wong, J. D., & Pittman, P.S. (2022). The psychological well-being and physical health of sandwiched caregivers in the United States: A scoping review. Families, Systems, & Health. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/fsh0000716       
• Hodgdon, B. T., & Wong, J. D. (2022). Family caregivers’ psychosocial well-being in the context of the great recession. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 94(4), 478-495.
• Liechty, T., West, S., Juris, J., Son, J., & Wong, J. D. (2022). Sport for women in later life. In L. J. Ingram, K. Tarko, & S. L. Slocum (Eds.), Women, leisure and tourism: Self-actualization and empowerment through the production and consumption of experience (pp. 36-46). UK; MA: CAB International. ISBN: 9781789247985
• Hodgdon, B. T., & Wong, J. D. (2021). Influences of work and family spillover on filial and sandwiched caregivers’ psychological well-being. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 92(2), 197-214.
• Yorgason, J. B., Wheeler, B., Wong, J. D., *Stott, K., Roper, S. O., & Nielson, K. D. (2019). Is higher stress associated with higher resilience? Examining married couples’ experiences managing comorbid diabetes and osteoarthritis. Family Science Review, 23(1), 122-140.
• Shobo, Y., & Wong, J. D. (2019). Healthcare professionals’ retirement intentions: The roles of financial and work factors. Journal of Financial Therapy, 10(1), 45-63.
• West, S., Liechty, T., Naar, J., Son, J. S., Wong, J. D., & Janke, M. (2019). NRPA older adult leisure-time physical activity survey results: Implications for park and recreational agencies. National Recreation and Park Association.
• Wong, J. D., Son, J. S., West, S. T., Naar, J., & Liechty, T. (2019). A life course examination of women’s team sport participation in late adulthood. Journal of Aging and Physical Health, 27(1), 73-82. doi: 10.1123/japa.2017-0193. 
• Choi, W., Liechty, T., Naar, J., West, S. T., Wong, J. D., & Son, J. S. (2018). “We’re a family and that gives me joy”: Exploring interpersonal relationships in older women’s softball using socio-emotional selectivity theory. Leisure Sciences. Advance online publication: doi.org/10.1080/01490400.2018.1499056.
• Hu, Y. H., Chiu, C. J., Wong J. D., Lin, D. C., & Wray, L. A. (2018). The role of leisure activities in the relationship between marital transition in later midlife and psychological well-being trajectories. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 86(4), 327-346. doi: 10.1177/0091415017729683
• Naar, J., Wong, J. D., West, S. T., Son, J. S., & Liechty, T. (2017). A socioecological  approach to women’s participation in competitive softball during middle and late adulthood: Implications for the future. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation, 33(3), 170-181. doi: 10.1097/TGR.0000000000000153 [Special Issue on Leisure and Physical Activity for Millennials, Generation X, and Current Cohort of Seniors]
• Wong, J. D., & Shobo, Y. (2017). The influences of daily stressors on morning cortisol levels in midlife and older retirees: The moderating roles of age and gender. Journal of Aging and Health, 29(5), 858-879. doi: 10.1177/0898264316645551
• Wong, J. D., & Shobo, Y. (2017). The moderating influences of retirement transition, age, and gender on daily stressors and psychological distress. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 85(1), 90-107. doi: 10.1177/0091415016677974
• Wong, J. D., & Shobo, Y. (2017). Types of family caregiving and daily experiences in midlife and late adulthood: The moderating influences of marital status and age. Research on Aging, 39(6), 719-740. doi: 10.1177/0164027516681050 [Special Issue on Aging with Disability]
• Wong, J. D., & Shobo, Y. (2016). The influences of employment status and daily stressors on physiological functioning in a sample of midlife and older adults. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 83(1), 26-43. doi: 10.1177/0091415016645348
• Wong, J. D., Mailick, M. R., Greenberg, J. S., Hong, J., & Coe, C. L. (2014). Daily work stress and awakening cortisol in mothers of adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders or fragile X syndrome. Family Relations, 63, 135-147.
• Wong, J. D., & Almeida, D. M. (2013). The effects of employment status and daily stressors on time spent on daily household chores in middle-aged and older adults. The Gerontologist, 64, 81-91.
• Wong, J. D., Seltzer, M. M., Greenberg, J. S., Hong, J., Almeida, D. M., & Coe, C. L. (2012). Stressful life events and daily stressors affect awakening cortisol level in midlife mothers of individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Aging and Mental Health, 16, 939-949.
• Almeida, D. M., & Wong, J. D. (2009). Life transitions and daily stress processes. In G. H., Elder, Jr., & J. Z. Giele (Eds.), The craft of life course research (pp. 141-162). New York:  Guilford Press.
• Wong, J. D. & Hardy, M. A. (2009). Women’s retirement expectations: How stable are they?Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 64, 77-86.