About

Catherine Solheim is a Professor and the Director of Graduate Studies at the University of Minnesota's Family Social Science department. Her research agenda demonstrates the translational nature of Family Science and includes families and culture, refugee family resettlement and adjustment, ambiguous loss, human ecology, and social justice theories.

Research topics

• Political Science
• Sociology
• Psychology
• Social psychology
• Economics
• Business
• Clinical psychology
• Medicine
• Public relations
• Nursing
• Gender studies
• Economic growth
• Labour economics
• Marketing

Selected publications

• Inzicht krijgen in de complexiteit van de familiesystemen van vluchtelingenfamilies: volwassen tweedegeneratievluchtelingen met een Hmong- of Somalische afkomst reflecteren op hun relatie met hun ouders, eerstegeneratievluchtelingen

  Gezinstherapie Wereldwijd · 2026-04-07

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Socioeconomic Vulnerability of Emerging Adults in the United States

  2025-02-10 · 1 citations

  book-chapter1st authorCorresponding

  Abstract This chapter employs an intersectional lens to examine the realities of socioeconomically vulnerable emerging adults and their families that may lead to financial floundering. We champion the idea that financial capability is a relevant concept for this population because it goes beyond the commonly held definitions of financial literacy (i.e., an individual’s financial knowledge, skills, and behaviors) to consider equitable access to financial systems, products, and services. This more accurately reflects the lived experiences of minoritized emerging adults and their families who comprise a significant proportion of those who are socioeconomically vulnerable in U.S. society. We discuss factors that influence emerging adults’ ability to accumulate assets and build wealth, including education, employment, homeownership, and intergenerational wealth transfers. Finally, we conclude with promising solutions to remove systemic barriers so that socioeconomically vulnerable emerging adults and their families can pursue their financial goals, build wealth, achieve financial well-being, and flourish financially.

  PublisherDOI

• Referee report. For: Associations between sexual orientation, financial security and relationships with family and peers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria [version 1; peer review: 1 approved with reservations]

  Faculty of 1000 Research Ltd · 2024-01-01

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Navigating Two Worlds: Understanding Adolescent Development in Refugee Families

  International and cultural psychology/International and cultural psychology series · 2024-01-01 · 2 citations

  book-chapter1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Making Sense of Complexity in Refugee Family Systems: Second-Generation Somali and Hmong Refugee Adults’ Reflections on Their Relationships with Their First-Generation Refugee Parents

  International Journal of Systemic Therapy · 2024-09-17 · 1 citations

  articleSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Exploring Women’s Lived Experiences of Early Marriage in Rural Indonesia

  Journal of Asian Research · 2023-11-09 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Early marriage is still a global concern, and Indonesia ranks second behind Cambodia in the number of early marriages within the ASEAN region. Despite the spread of technology and the influence of Western media, some Indonesian families, especially those who live in rural areas, continue to practice early marriage. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand the reasons behind early marriage based on the perspective of Indonesian women who were married before the age of 18. Based on a phenomenological approach, thirty women, ages 18-45, from the Madurese community in Situbondo, East Java participated in the study. Results showed that young Madurese women decided to get married for love and companionship, as well as for economic benefits and protecting the family’s honor. Participants also believed that cultural norms and values related to marriage, sexual purity, and gender expectations play a role in early marriage. Suggestions for future studies and community interventions are discussed.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• For an Intercultural Pedagogy

  2023-06-21 · 2 citations

  book-chapterSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Case Study: Bob

  2023-06-21

  book-chapterSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Unlearning Teaching

  2023-06-21

  book-chapterSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Learning to Teach Interculturally

  2023-06-21

  book-chapterSenior author
  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Elizabeth Wieling

  University of Georgia

  36 shared

• Lekie Dwanyen

  Michigan State University

  29 shared

• Mary Katherine O’Brien

  Los Alamos National Laboratory

  8 shared

• Mary Jo Katras

  University of Wisconsin–Extension

  8 shared

• Elizabeth Wieling

  University of Georgia

  8 shared

• Amy Lee

  Sydney Dental Hospital

  7 shared

• Jaime Ballard

  University of Minnesota

  7 shared

• Virginia Solis Zuiker

  University of Minnesota System

  7 shared

Awards & honors

• 2014 Program Chair - National Council on Family Relations (N…
• 2008 Family Social Science Multicultural Recognition Award n…
• 1998 Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award, Auburn Univers…
• 1992 Phi Upsilon Omicron, Honor Society in Home Economics, A…
• 1992 Outstanding Faculty Award in the College of Human Scien…