Wendy K. Watson

Wendy K. Watson serves as an Associate Professor in the Gerontology Program at Bowling Green State University's College of Arts and Sciences and is an active affiliate of the Center for Family & Demographic Research (CFDR). Her scholarly work addresses critical gaps in gerontological research with a focus on sexuality, relationships, and identity development in later life.

She earned her Ph.D. from Texas Tech University in 2006, establishing her expertise in aging populations and women's health trajectories across the lifespan.

Dr. Watson's research program investigates intimate relationships in later life, dating and remarriage dynamics among older adults, sexual health behaviors, HIV prevention education for seniors, and women's identity development. Her qualitative methodology captures personal narratives that reveal how older women navigate cultural expectations while constructing personal meaning in relationships, directly informing culturally competent healthcare practices.

Analysis of her 2008-2012 publications reveals consistent interdisciplinary focus bridging gerontology, public health, and social sciences. Key themes include the impact of chronic conditions on sexual relationships, community-based HIV/AIDS education for older adults, and the psychosocial dimensions of later-life dating and remarriage. Her work demonstrates how aging populations experience sexuality within cultural contexts while highlighting healthcare system gaps.

Her publications in journals like the Journal of Aging Studies and Journal of Women & Aging reflect peer recognition, particularly for community partnerships such as the HIV/AIDS education initiative for older adults that translated research into practical health interventions.

While specific grant details aren't provided, her collaborative projects including university recovery program research demonstrate active engagement in applied scholarship. As a CFDR affiliate, she contributes to interdisciplinary teams examining how aging impacts family dynamics and demographic trends through the lens of sexuality and health equity.