Academic Books
In this section, you will find a collection of my published academic books and edited monographs. These works cover a range of topics and provide in-depth insights into my research areas. Browse through the links below to discover some of the broader contributions I have made to my field.
An Integrated Investigation of Family Violence
The book develops an integrated framework to analyze four different types of family violence: intimate partner violence, child abuse, elder maltreatment, and sibling bullying. The framework is based on evolutionary biopsychology, social psychology, and sociology, offering a comprehensive understanding of the key determinants of family violence. Although the theories developed apply cross-culturally, the work summarizes more directly the latest empirical research on family violence in the United States and Canada. It demonstrates that, while each type of family violence shares in common various underlying causal or risk factors, the evidence reveals, too, that certain mechanisms are highly specific to particular family relationships. Academicians, service professionals, and educated consumers alike who are intrigued by the complexities of human aggression and family violence will find here trusted summaries of key explanatory principles that build upon the state-of-the-art research from across many different scientific disciplines.
Sociological Theory, Methods, and Perspectives
The current book contributes to the complicated discussion of knowledge construction by demonstrating how social scientific theories of diverse subject matter in sociology, criminology, and psychology can be contextualized and operationalized from distinct paradigms. Each chapter introduces one or more theoretical perspectives as the authors examine, explicitly or implicitly, the epistemological foundations for how one might evaluate the main concepts and establish valid “truth claims.” No one pathway to such truth claims exists, as the diverse perspectives that these authors embrace shall demonstrate. The monograph thus intentionally includes a range of theoretical perspectives and methodologies to highlight the case for what might be designated as scientific equifinality. In effect, the notion suggests that more than one pathway can be selected to help observers move closer and closer to the truth, but each perspective shares in common the assumption that rigorous methodologies are required that transcend mere personal opinion.
Labour Market Changes and Family Transactions
An In-Depth Qualitative Study of Families in British Columbia
By Joseph H. Michalski and Mary-Jean Wason
Based on in-depth interviews with 25 families in British Columbia, how do families connect to the labour market and what strategies do they use to help resolve their core concerns about family and work? The interviews highlight the importance of certain family dynamics to effective coping and employability, such as agreed upon roles concerning chores and child care, emotional support within the family, family composition, and the availability of external supports for child care. Each family appears to have a "social bottom line" in attempting to balance its decisions around labour market participation and its family life.
The Assets of Canadian Families, 1997
A National Survey of Clients Accessing Family Service Agencies
By Joseph H. Michalski
When people are facing personal troubles, we tend to look at their weaknesses and problems, not at the resources they have to cope with their problems. This study is the first portrait of the assets that individuals and families bring when they arrive at family service agencies across Canada in search of help. It documents their socioeconomic situation, and their social connections to family, neighbourhood, and professional contacts. It also describes the "presenting issues" for which they are seeking help.