A family studies professor at the University of Nebraska at Kearney is being recognized for her research on family dynamics around the world. Sylvia Asay recently traveled to Vancouver, Canada, where she received the Jan Trost Award from the International Section of the National Council on Family Relations.

Asay says her studies found families are very strong in those countries, even though they’re in economic dire straits. She says family bonds in post-Communist nations are likely stronger than even here.

Asay has traveled to nearly 30 countries in an effort better learn the strengths of families around the world. In the past few years, she’s worked with a team of 50 researchers across the globe writing books on family strengths and family violence in more than 20 countries.