Other Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Affording Emerging Adulthood: Parental Financial Assistance Of Their College-Aged Children, Laura M. Padilla-Walker, Larry J. Nelson, Jason S. Carroll

Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to examine parents’ attitudes about and patterns of providing financial assistance to their children during college, and how varying levels of parental financial support were related to children’s beliefs (e.g., perceptions of adulthood), behaviors (e.g., work hours, drinking, and drug use), and identity development. The sample consisted of 402 undergraduate students (62% women) recruited from four college sites across the United States (M age = 19.89), and one of their parents (310 mothers and 92 fathers). Using cluster analysis, results suggested four distinct approaches to parental financial involvement and found that emerging adults’ …

New Mothers And Media Use: Associations Between Blogging, Social Networking, And Maternal Well-Being, Brandon T. Mcdaniel, Sarah M. Coyne, Erin K. Holmes

Faculty Publications

Drawing on Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory and prior empirical research, the current study examines the way that blogging and social networking may impact feelings of connection and social support, which in turn could impact maternal well-being (e.g., marital functioning, parenting stress, and depression). One hundred and fifty-seven new mothers reported on their media use and various well-being variables. On average, mothers were 27 years old (SD = 5.15) and infants were 7.90 months old (SD = 5.21). All mothers had access to the Internet in their home. New mothers spent approximately 3 hours on the computer each day, with most of …

The Association Between Consumer Debt And The Likelihood Of Divorce, Jeffrey P. Dew

Faculty Publications

As part of the Center for Financial Security’s 2010 symposium, this study examined the association between consumer debt and divorce. Longitudinal data from the National Survey of Families and Households (N = 4,574 couples) indicated that consumer debt was positively associated with divorce. Financial conflict completely mediated this association for both husbands and wives and marital satisfaction also completely mediated the association for wives. These findings suggest that when families take financial steps to secure their financial stability they may also be taking steps to secure their relationship stability.

Promoting Couples Collaboration In Type 2 Diabetes: The Diabetes Support Project Pilot Data, Paula Trief, Jonathan G. Sandberg, Robert Ploutz-Snyder, Rebecca Brittain, Donald Cibula, Kasandra Scales, Ruth S. Weinstock

Faculty Publications

A pilot study was conducted to assess the feasibility and potential efficacy of a couples focused diabetes intervention in which a collaborative problem-solving approach to diabetes self-care was promoted. Couples (N = 44), in which one partner had Type 2 diabetes and was in poor blood glucose control were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a couples intervention, and individual intervention, or individual diabetes education. The intervention included goal-setting, dietary behavior change, and a focus on emotions. For those in the couples arm, this was done within the framework of promoting collaborative communication between the partners. All intervention …

Getting To The Root Of Relationship Attributions: Family-Of-Origin Perspectives On Self And Partner Views, Brandt C. Gardner, Dean M. Busby, Brandon K. Burr, Sarah E. Lyon

Faculty Publications

A large body of research has been devoted to the study of family-of-origin (FOO) experience influences on future relationship outcomes and processes. In addition, substantial information exists regarding the role relationship attributions play in connection with relationship quality and stability. Yet, limited information has been forthcoming regarding how the FOO experience has an influence on attributions made in romantic relationships. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to assess the impact of the FOO experience on attributions made about one’s own communication and personality variables, as well as the communication and personality variables of one’s partner from a sample of individuals …

Exploring Programmatic Moderators Of The Effectiveness Of Marriage And Relationship Education Programs: A Meta-Analytic Study, Alan J. Hawkins, Scott M. Stanley, Victoria L. Blanchard, Michael Albright

Faculty Publications

This study uses meta-analytic methods to explore programatic moderators or common factors of the effectiveness of marriage and relationship education (MRE) programs. We coded 148 evaluation reports for potential programmatic factors that were associated with stronger intervention effects, although the range of factors we could code was limited by the lack of details in the reports. Overall, we found a positive effect for program dosage: moderate-dosage programs (9–20 contact hours) were associated with stronger effects compared to low-dosage programs (1–8 contact hours). A programmatic emphasis on communication skills was associated with stronger effects on couple communication outcomes, but this difference …

Mining The Meanings And Pulling Out The Processes From Psychology Of Religion’S Correlation Mountain, Loren D. Marks, David C. Dollahite

Faculty Publications

The article illustrates how rigorous quantitative studies in three distinct and promising areas opened the door to additional related qualitative work. Using qualitative narratives from a landmark sample of 184 diverse religious families, the authors discuss and illustrate two research methods and that have been useful to them: triangulating data in the context of family, and seeking truth through progressive questioning. Next, consistent with the paper's primary purpose, the authors highlight three areas where the strong, correlation-based research foundation provided by quantitative social scientists of religion has created some prime, complementary opportunities for follow-up work by qualitative researchers. …

Relational Aggression Among Students, Ellie L. Young, David A. Nelson, America B. Hottle, Brittney Warburton, Bryan K. Young

Faculty Publications

Some types of bullying are harder to spot than physical aggression, but they still damage students' self-esteem and impede academic success.

Relational And Social-Cognitive Correlates Of Early Adolescents’ Forgiveness Of Parents, Katherine J. Christensen, Laura M. Padilla-Walker, Dean M. Busby, Sam A. Hardy, Randal D. Day

Faculty Publications

This study examined how mother and father–child relationship quality and marital forgiveness were related to early adolescents’ forgiveness of mothers and fathers. Adolescents’ social-cognitive skills (empathy and emotional regulation) and parents’ forgiveness of child were examined as mediators. Mother, father, and child self-reported questionnaires and observational data were taken from Time 1 and Time 3 (two years later) of the Flourishing Families Project, and included 334 two-parent families with an early adolescent (M age at Time 1 = 11.24; 51% male; 76% Caucasian). Using path analyses via structure equation modeling, mother–child relationship quality and adolescents’ own social-cognitive skills were …

The Dakota Father Friendly Assessment: Measuring Father Friendliness In Head Start And Similar Settings, Joseph M. White, Sean E. Brotherson, Adam M. Galovan, Erin K. Holmes, Jennifer A. Kampmann

Faculty Publications

Head Start programs offer a setting to examine support that facilitates father involvement. The Dakota Father Friendly Assessment (DFFA) is designed to evaluate an organization's level of father-friendliness. To establish its psychometric properties, a sample of North and South Dakota early childhood staff (N = 609) completed the DFFA. A number of measure were included as indicators of validity. Factor analysis of the DFFA confirmed the presence of four expected factors and revealed a fifth factor (loadings ranged from .40 to .80). Coefficient alphas for DFFA sub scales ranged from .71 to .87. Moderate relationships existed between DFFA sub …

Religiosity, Self-Control, And Antisocial Behavior: Religiosity As A Promotive And Protective Factor, Robert D. Laird, Loren D. Marks, Matthew D. Marrero

Faculty Publications

Three hypotheses with the potential to provide information on the role of religiosity as a promotive and protective factor in early adolescence were tested. Adolescents (N = 166, M age = 13 years, 49% female, 49% European American, 45% African American) and mothers reported their own personal importance of religion and the frequency of their attendance of religious services. Greater mother importance and attendance was associated with greater adolescent importance and attendance. Mother importance was indirectly linked to adolescent antisocial behavior through adolescent importance. Less adolescent importance and attendance were associated with low self-control and low self-control was associated …

The Financial Management Behavior Scale: Development And Validation, Jeffrey P. Dew, Jing Jian Xiao

Faculty Publications

Although research on financial management behavior is common, few financial management behavior scales exist that are simultaneously multi-dimensional, psychometrically validated, and validated using nationally representative data. Using data from a nationally representative sample of adults, this study developed and examined the psychometric properties of a new scale of financial management behaviors. The Financial Management Behavior Scale (FMBS) displayed adequate reliability (alpha = .81). The FMBS was highly associated with other measures of financial management behaviors and was predictive of participants’ actual levels of savings and consumer debt. These findings suggest that the full FMBS is a reliable and valid measure …

Lsu Agcenter: Extension-Based Parenting Program Successful, Diane D. Sasser, Linda C. Robinson, Loren D. Marks

Faculty Publications

Louisiana State University AgCenter, in partnership with Louisiana Department of Social Services, launched the Parents Preparing for Success Program (PPSP) - a multifaceted parenting education program targeting low-income, expectant, or new mothers on December 4, 2003. Instructors have referred clients to additional outside agencies, including continuing education programs, mental health and counseling services, employment agencies, and income tax preparation assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA).

Family Therapy With Eastern European Immigrants: Recommendations For Practice, Mihaela Robila, Jonathan G. Sandberg

Faculty Publications

Purpose – The increased number of Eastern European immigrants provides many opportunities to work with these immigrants and issues related to immigration. The purpose of this article is to examine Eastern European immigrants’ adaptation patterns and provide recommendations for family therapy working with the group.

Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 120 Eastern European immigrants. Data analysis was conducted using constant comparisons.

Findings – Common immigration experiences illustrating the need for services have been identified, along with barriers that might prevent the use of social services. The results indicate similarities and differences among the different groups regarding their immigration …

Religiosity In Adolescence And Emerging Adulthood, Carolyn Mcnamara Barry, Larry J. Nelson

Faculty Publications

According to IEA Civic Education Study, approximately half of American adolescents participate in religious groups (Torney-Purta et al. 2001) and half of American 18–24-year-olds report religious beliefs to be important (Inglehart et al. 2004). Thus, religious experiences are an important aspect of the lives of many adolescents and emerging adults (approximately ages 18 to the mid-20s) in the USA. Specifically, adolescents are fully immersed in identity exploration and ideally resolve this search in emerging adulthood. They embark on a quest to solidify their values and beliefs about countless issues, including religiosity. This essay will review the literature on religiosity among …

Is Love A Flimsy Foundation? Soulmate Versus Institutional Models Of Marriage, W. Bradford Wilcox, Jeffrey P. Dew

Faculty Publications

Steven Nock argued that love—understood narrowly in terms of emotional and sexual intimacy—was a flimsy foundation for relationships and that the institution of marriage provided a firmer footing for stable, high-quality relationships than love alone. Relying on data from the Marriage Matters Survey of 1414 married men and women in Louisiana (1998–2004), we extended Nock’s insights to consider whether contemporary marriages organized along institutional lines enjoyed more stability, satisfaction, and less conflict than marriages organized around a soulmate model. Largely consistent with Nock’s perspective, we found that individuals who embraced norms of marital permanency and gender specialization and were embedded …

Parenting In Emerging Adulthood: An Examination Of Parenting Clusters And Correlates, Larry J. Nelson, Laura M. Padilla-Walker, Katherine J. Christensen, Cortney A. Evans, Jason S. Carroll

Faculty Publications

The changing nature of the transition to adulthood in western societies, such as the United States, may be extending the length of time parents are engaged in “parenting” activities. However, little is known about different approaches parents take in their interactions with their emerging-adult children. Hence, this study attempted to identify different clusters of parents based on the extent to which they exhibited both extremes of control (psychological control, punishment, verbal hostility, indulgence) and responsiveness (knowledge, warmth, induction, autonomy granting), and to examine how combinations of parenting were related to emerging adult children’s relational and individual outcomes (e.g. parent–child relationship …

Beyond Employment And Income: The Association Between Young Adults’ Finances And Marital Timing, Jeffrey P. Dew, Joseph Price

Faculty Publications

This study tested an extension of the theory of marital timing (Oppenheimer, Am J Sociol 94:563–591, 1988) by assessing whether visible and less visible financial assets and debt mediated the relationship between employment and the likelihood of marriage. We conducted these prospective, longitudinal analyses using a sample of 1,522 never-married young adults from the National Survey of Families and Households. For participants who were not cohabiting at Wave 1, financial issues such as car values predicted marriage but did not mediate the relationship between work hours, occupational prestige, and the likelihood of marriage. For cohabiting participants, employment factors were the …

Contemporary Contradictions And Challenges Facing Married Fathers And Mothers, Erin K. Holmes, Jennifer Baumgartner, Loren Marks, Rob Palkovitz, Olena Nesteruk

Faculty Publications

Part one of this review chapter provides a brief historical overview of the fathering role. Following this overview, some cultural contradictions and challenges facing fathers, particularly married fathers, are outlined and discussed. Key issues of focus in this section include married fathers balancing economic provision, household work, and involvement in child rearing. Part two of the chapter will overview cultural challenges and contradictions facing mothers, particularly married mothers. The contradictory challenges often inherent in marriage-based mothering include the pressures too simultaneously provide "intensive mothering" and to be extensively involved in a career. In sum, the chapter will illustrate how married …

Compatibility Or Restraint? The Effects Of Sexual Timing On Marriage Relationships, Dean M. Busby, Jason S. Carroll, Brian J. Willoughby

Faculty Publications

Very little is known about the influence of sexual timing on relationship outcomes. Is it better to test sexual compatibility as early as possible or show sexual restraint so that other areas of the relationship can develop? In this study, we explore this question with a sample of 2035 married individuals by examining how soon they became sexually involved as a couple and how this timing is related to their current sexual quality, relationship communication, and relationship satisfaction and perceived stability. Both structural equation and group comparison analyses demonstrated that sexual restraint was associated with better relationship outcomes, even when …

The Relationship Among Couple Relationship Quality, Physical Functioning, And Depression In Multiple Sclerosis Patients And Partners, Justin K. Mcpheters, Jonathan G. Sandberg

Faculty Publications

Using Engel's biopsychosocial model and family systems theory, this study explored the associations between multiple sclerosis (MS) patient and partner reports of physical functioning, depression, and could relationship quality. Fifty-four couples recruited from the MS society completed self-reported questionnaires about couple relationship quality, demographic data, and physical functioning. In regression analyses, couple relationship quality positively related to MS patient physical functioning and depression negatively related to MS patient physical functioning. Both MS patient and partner reports of couple relationship quality negatively related to depression scores in partners. While MS patient reports of couple relationship quality negatively related to MS patient …

Older Couples’ Management Of Multiple-Chronic Illnesses: Individual And Shared Perceptions And Coping In Type 2 Diabetes And Osteoarthritis, Jeremy B. Yorgason, Susanne Olsen Roper, Brandan Wheeler, Kristen Crane, Rebekah Byron, Leslie Carpenter, Jonathan G. Sandberg, Rachel Sheffield, Dawn Higley

Faculty Publications

Using data from interviews with 28 older couples in which 1 spouse was diagnosed with diabetes and osteoarthritis, we examined illness perceptions and coping activities as they relate to illness management and relationship resilience. Qualitative analysis of interview transcripts revealed categories of data related to perceptions, coping, and cross category comparisons. Findings suggest that couples experience both negative and positive perceptions of their illnesses, indicating a balance between the reality of their illness challenges and an optimistic outlook of the future. Coping activities included a variety of tasks and were performed by individuals, by both spouses in a shared effort, …

Understanding Positive Father-Child Interaction: Children's, Fathers', And Mothers' Contributions, Erin K. Holmes, Aletha C. Huston

Faculty Publications

Guided by a systemic ecological framework for father involvement, we investigate children's, mothers', and fathers' contributions to observed father-child interaction. Analyses of 586 married resident fathers, their wives, and a target first-grade child (participants in the NICHD Study of Early Child Care) demonstrate that an additive model of father involvement accounts for the quality of father-child interaction better than a model which focuses on only one component of the system. Father parenting beliefs, child language skills, child social skills, maternal employment, and dyadic mother-child interaction quality each additively and significantly contribute to positive father-child interaction. Father average income and education …

Couple Relationship Education At Home: Does Skill Training Enhance Relationship Assessment And Feedback?, W. Kim Halford, Keithia Wilson, Bronwyn Watson, Tony Verner, Jeffry Larson, Dean M. Busby, Thomas Holman

Faculty Publications

To evaluate the effective components of couple relationship education, 59 newlywed couples were randomly assigned to one of two couple relationship programs (CRE): (1) RELATE, which involved receiving feedback mono their relationship based on the on-line RELATE assessment; or (2) RELATE + Couple CARE, which was RELATE plus completing the 6 unit Couple CARE relationship skill training program. Relative to RELATE, RELATE + Couple CARE produced more improvement in couple communication, and high relationship satisfaction across the next 12 months in women. Men sustained high and similar relationship satisfaction in either condition. Skill training CRE has additional benefits for couples …

“I Believe It Is Wrong But I Still Do It”: A Comparison Of Religious Young Men Who Do Versus Do Not Use Pornography, Larry J. Nelson, Laura M. Padilla-Walker, Jason S. Carroll

Faculty Publications

While researchers have found a negative association between religiosity and pornography use, little, if any, research has examined the specific aspects of religiosity that might be related the use of pornography. Therefore, the purpose of this study of religious young men was to compare those who view pornography with those who do not on indices of (a) family relationships, (b) religiosity (i.e., beliefs, past/present personal religious practices, and past family religious practices), and (c) personal characteristics (identity development, depression, self-esteem, and drug use). Participants were 192 emerging-adult men ages 18-27 (M age = 21.00, SD = 3.00) attending a …

"My Kids And Wife Have Been My Life": Married African American Fathers Staying The Course, Loren Marks, Katrina Hopkins-Williams, Cassandra Chaney, Olena Nesteruk, Diane Sasser

Faculty Publications

On the opening page of a recent edited volume titled Black Fathers in Contemporary American Society, Blankenhorn and Clayton (2003:1) ask, "Is any demographic fact more disturbing, more demanding of our collective attention, than the fact that the great majority of African American children do not live with their fathers?" However, they hasten to add some good news as well. The same page reads, conversely: "Is any demographic fact more hopeful, or more demanding of our collective encouragement, than the fact the proportion of African American children living with both of their biological, married parents, although still quite low, …

Workplace Flexibility, Work Hours, And Work-Life Conflict: Finding An Extra Day Or Two, E. Jeffrey Hill, Jenet Jacob Erickson, Erin K. Holmes, Maria Ferris

Faculty Publications

This study explores the influence of workplace flexibility on work-life conflict for a global sample of workers from four groups of countries. Data are from the 2007 International Business Machines Global Work and Life Issues Survey administered in 75 countries (N 􏰀24,436). We specifically examine flexibility in where (work-at-home) and when (perceived schedule flexibility) workers engage in work-related tasks. Multivariate results indicate that work-at-home and perceived schedule flexibility are generally related to less work-life conflict. Break point analyses of sub-groups reveal that employees with workplace flexibility are able to work longer hours (often equivalent to one or two 8-hr days …

The Work-Family Interface In The United States And Singapore: Conflict Across Cultures, Adam M. Galovan, Tamara Fackrell, Lydia Buswell, Blake L. Jones, E. Jeffrey Hill, Sarah June Carroll

Faculty Publications

This article examines the work–family interface in a cross-cultural comparison between two nationally representative samples from the United States (n 􏰀 1,860) and Singapore (n 􏰀1,035) with emphasis on work–family conflict. Family-to-work conflict was negatively related to marital satisfaction in both Singapore and the United States, although the effect was stronger in the United States. Similarly, family-to-work conflict was positively related to job satisfaction in the United States but was negatively related in Singapore. As expected, schedule flexibility was negatively related to depression in the United States, but in Singapore the relationship was positive. These findings suggest that theoretical relationships …

Invocations And Intoxication: Does Prayer Decrease Alcohol Consumption?, Nathaniel M. Lambert, Frank D. Fincham, Loren D. Marks, Tyler F. Stillman

Faculty Publications

Four methodologically diverse studies (N = 1,758) show that prayer frequency and alcohol consumption are negatively related. In Study 1 (n = 824), we used a cross-sectional design and found that higher prayer frequency was related to lower alcohol consumption and problematic drinking behavior. Study 2 (n = 702) used a longitudinal design and found that more frequent prayer at Time 1 predicted less alcohol consumption and problematic drinking behavior at Time 2, and this relationship held when controlling for baseline levels oof drinking and prayer. In Study 3 (n = 117), we used an experimental …

Has The Marital Time Cost Of Parenting Changed Over Time?, Jeffrey P. Dew

Faculty Publications

Qualitative and quantitative research has suggested that married couples handle the increasing demands of intensive parenting norms and work expectations by reducing spousal time (e.g., the time that spouses spend alone with each other). Using nationally representative time-diary data, this study examined whether married individuals with children at home lost more spousal time in the years 1975–2003 than individuals without children at home. The analyses showed that on average married individuals have reduced their spousal time by 50 minutes a day. Contrary to expectations, however, individuals with minor children at home had lower time declines than individuals without children. The …