Marion O'Brien, Ph.D.

Marion O'Brien, Ph.D.

Marion O'Brien, Ph.D., is Professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). She also serves as Director of the Family Research Center at UNCG, an interdisciplinary group of researchers interested in parent–child relationships, children's development, and family functioning.

Dr. O'Brien conducts research on parenting, parent–child relationships, child care, and the relationship between parental attitudes, parental behavior, and child development. In addition to her work with families of children with autism spectrum disorders, she studies families of children with other developmental disabilities and those who are at medical risk, and adoptive and foster care families, as well as families of children who are typically developing.

Throughout her career, Dr. O'Brien has maintained a strong focus on the application of findings from research to practice and policy. She has developed and implemented intervention programs that directly benefit children and families. She organized and directed an inclusive full-day child care and early intervention program and an in-home family intervention program in which research-based knowledge of parenting practices was applied to assist families at high risk for abuse and neglect. She has written several books that translate research findings into practical guides for professionals in human services fields.