Tom Buchanan
Associate Professor and Acting Department Head
Ph.D., 2002, University of Cincinnati
Contact Information:
308E Brock Hall
(423) 425-4435
Tom-Buchanan@utc.edu
Office Hours:
Mondays & Wednesdays 9:50 - 10:50, 1:00-2:00 and by Appointment
Recent Courses:
Introduction to Sociology 1510
Social Statistics 2500
Research Methods 3140
Research Seminar 4140
Professor Buchanan's research interests are very broad, but generally relate to race and gender differences in the areas of work, health, and gender role attitudes. Tom has investigated competing explanations for women's surprisingly high job satisfaction amidst unjust pay. In his paper, "The Healthy Homeless Minority", Tom explored race differences in health among the homeless. More recently, Tom has investigated the impact of traditional gender roles on self-efficacy and perceptions of gendered work performance. In addition, Tom has been conducting research related to students with disablilities.
Before coming to Chattanooga, Tom received his Ph.D. from the University of Cincinnati where he worked with David J. Maume as a project manager for the Kunz Center for the Study of Work and Family. For the Kunz Center, one of Tom's assignments was to conduct a panel interview study of individuals making the transition from welfare to work in Hamilton, Ohio. Tom received his M.A. in Sociology from the University of Mississippi where he did qualitative research among catfish workers in the Mississippi Delta.
Prior to gradute study, Tom's interest in sociology was influenced by various social work experiences. He worked as a child abuse/neglect investigator and case worker in Cincinnati, in a teen runaway shelter and in a psychiatric hospital in Louisville, and in a special education classroom with children with serious emotional challenges in Indiana.
Recent Publications
Buchanan, Tom. 2011. "Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Well-Being: Is Social Impairment an Issue for College Students with ADHD?" Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability 24: 193-210.
LeMoyne, Terri, and Tom Buchanan. 2011. "Does 'Hovering' Matter? Helicopter Parenging and its Effect on Well-Being." Sociological Spectrum 31: 399-418.
Buchanan, Tom, Matt St.Charles, Michelle Rigler, and Charles Hart. 2010. "Why are Older Faculty Members More Accepting of Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder? A Life-course Interpretation." The International Journal of Disability Development and Education 57:351-369.
Cubbins, Lisa and Tom Buchanan. 2009. "Racial Disparities in Health: The Role of Lifestyle, Education, Income, and Wealth." Sociological Focus 42:172-191.
Buchanan, Tom and Nikesha Selmon. 2008. "Race and Gender Differences in Self-efficacy: Assessing the Role of Gender Role Attitudes and Family Background?" Sex Roles 58:822-836..
Buchanan, Tom. 2008. "The Same Sex Referent-Work Satisfaction Relationship: Assessing the Mediating Role of Distributive Justice Perceptions." Sociological Focus 41:177-196.
Updated 3/21/2011
