Josh Novak - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Josh Novak

Research paper thumbnail of Yours, mine, or ours? Dyadic sleep hygiene and associations with sleep quality, emotional distress, and conflict frequency in mixed‐gender, bed‐sharing couples

Journal of Sleep Research

SummaryAlthough prior research demonstrates the interdependence of sleep quality within couples (... more SummaryAlthough prior research demonstrates the interdependence of sleep quality within couples (i.e., the sleep of one partner affects the sleep of the other), little is known about the degree to which couples’ sleep hygiene behaviours are concordant or discordant, and if one's own sleep hygiene or their report of their partners’ sleep hygiene is related to worse relational, psychological, and sleep outcomes. In a sample of 143 mixed‐gender, bed‐sharing couples, each partner completed an online questionnaire consisting of the Sleep Hygiene Index (for themselves and their partner), PROMIS sleep disturbance scale, conflict frequency, PHQ‐4 for anxiety and depressive symptoms, and the Perceived Stress Scale. Paired samples t‐tests between partners were conducted using total and individual‐item Sleep Hygiene Index scores to examine similarities and differences. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) scores of dyadic reports were conducted to examine the level of agreement between...

Research paper thumbnail of A test of the dyadic associations between ineffective arguing, emotional distress, and violence perpetration and victimization among couples seeking therapy

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy

Research paper thumbnail of Mood disturbance, but not overall diet quality, is associated with fecal microbiome diversity in free-living adults

Research paper thumbnail of Health-related quality of life is associated with COPD severity: a comparison between the GOLD staging and the BODE index

Chronic Respiratory Disease, 2009

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a highly prevalent disease. Currently, severity G... more Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a highly prevalent disease. Currently, severity Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria are used to diagnose the severity of COPD, but a new grading system, the body mass index, bronchial obstruction, dyspnea, exercise (BODE) index, was recently proposed to provide useful prognostic information. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and COPD severity assessed by two criteria: the GOLD classification and the BODE index. Sixty-four patients with COPD were examined with lung function tests and specific and generic HRQOL questionnaires (St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire [SGRQ], Nottingham Health Profile [NHP]). Participants were divided into four severity groups using the GOLD guidelines and the BODE index quartiles. The association between NHP and SGRQ subscales, and the BODE index was significant ( P < 0.01). However, the GOLD class...

Research paper thumbnail of Aging together: Dyadic profiles of older couples’ marital quality, psychological well-being, and physical health

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships

The current study examined couple-level profiles to reveal systematic patterns of health and well... more The current study examined couple-level profiles to reveal systematic patterns of health and well-being in older couples. Using latent profile analysis, dyadic profiles were constructed in a national sample of 535 older, different-sex couples based on couples’ marital quality, psychological well-being, and physical health. Results revealed 4 distinct profiles: Maritally Satisfied and Healthy (63.5%), Maritally Dissatisfied and Moderately Healthy (14.7%), Maritally Satisfied with Unhealthy Wives (12.3%), and Maritally Satisfied with Unhealthy Husbands (9.3%). Husband age and education, wife education, and marriage length were significant predictors of class membership. Within-class partner concordance analyses confirmed that the latter two profiles featured the largest discordance between partners’ health and well-being. Most couples in this sample of older adults belonged to a class who demonstrated successful aging in all domains. A smaller group maintained high marital quality des...

Research paper thumbnail of Associations between Changes in Fat-Free Mass, Fecal Microbe Diversity, and Mood Disturbance in Young Adults after 10-Weeks of Resistance Training

Microorganisms

Background: The gut microbiome contributes to numerous physiological processes in humans, and die... more Background: The gut microbiome contributes to numerous physiological processes in humans, and diet and exercise are known to alter both microbial composition and mood. We sought to explore the effect of a 10-week resistance training (RT) regimen with or without peanut protein supplementation (PPS) in untrained young adults on fecal microbiota and mood disturbance (MD). Methods: Participants were randomized into PPS (n = 25) and control (CTL [no supplement]; n = 24) groups and engaged in supervised, full-body RT twice a week. Measures included body composition, fecal microbe relative abundance, alpha- and beta-diversity from 16 s rRNA gene sequencing with QIIME2 processing, dietary intake at baseline and following the 10-week intervention, and post-intervention MD via the profile of mood states (POMS) questionnaire. Independent samples t-tests were used to determine differences between PPS and CTL groups. Paired samples t-tests investigated differences within groups. Results: Our sam...

Research paper thumbnail of Family systems and obesity: A review of key concepts and influences within and between family subsystems and a call for family‐informed interventions

Journal of Family Theory & Review

Research paper thumbnail of Exploring typologies of appraisals, involvement, and distress in type 2 diabetes family members

Journal of Health Psychology

The present study conducted a latent profile analysis from a US national sample of 446 family mem... more The present study conducted a latent profile analysis from a US national sample of 446 family members to identify and predict unique clusters of family members’ PWD illness appraisals, involvement, and psychological distress. Time since diagnosis, diabetes adherence, the relationship with the PWD, age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, and economic pressure were included as predictors. Class membership was used to predict the family members’ own health behaviors (sleep quality, days of physical activity, and diet quality). Results revealed four distinct classes: Moderately Concerned, Involved, and Distressed (32.51%), Least Concerned, Distressed, and Involved (27.13%), Less Concerned and Distressed, Moderately Involved (23.77%), and Most Concerned, Involved, and Distressed (16.82%). The significant predictors and outcomes of class membership revealed interesting patterns in associations with class membership. Consequently, in addition to involving family members, health promotion and ...

Research paper thumbnail of Early Pandemic Improvements in Diet Quality Are Associated with Increased Physical Activity and Weight Loss in US Adults

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to restricted vocational (Voc-PA) and recreational physi... more In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to restricted vocational (Voc-PA) and recreational physical activity (Rec-PA) outside of the home. We conducted a nation-wide survey in the United States (US) during the mitigation peak of the pandemic (June 2020) to assess health-related changes from the previous year. A diet quality (DQ) assessment tool weighted the relative healthfulness of eating occasions from foods prepared-at-home (Home) and away-from-home (Away). Previously-validated instruments assessed PA and demographic variables; height/weight were self-reported to calculate body mass index (BMI). T-tests explored longitudinal, between-sex, and obesity status differences in DQ, PA, and BMI; Pearson correlations explored associations. Of 1648 respondents, 814 valid responses (56.8% female, 81.7% white) were analyzed. Overall and Home DQ was higher for females than males in 2020 (p < 0.001 for both). Respondents increased DQ from 2019 to 2020, primarily from Away (p < 0.001 fo...

Research paper thumbnail of Relationship Satisfaction & Diet: Exploring the Mechanisms through which Intimate Relationships Influence Physical Health

Understanding how intimate relationships influence physical health has been an important topic of... more Understanding how intimate relationships influence physical health has been an important topic of focus; however, research remains unclear on the mechanisms through which this influence occurs. The purpose of this study was to examine how relationship satisfaction relates to diet quality, through mental health (depression and anxiety) and diet self-efficacy. Using a dyadic mediation model with a sample of 234 heterosexual couples, researchers found that women\u27s higher relationship satisfaction was associated with better diet through lower depression and higher diet self-efficacy. Results revealed the same association between women\u27s relationship satisfaction and diet through lower anxiety. Interestingly, rather than mediation through mental health, the association between men\u27s relationship satisfaction and diet was mediated through their partners\u27 diet self-efficacy. This presentation will review the gendered pathways by which relationship satisfaction influences diet i...

Research paper thumbnail of What MFTs should know about nutrition, psychosocial health, and collaborative care with nutrition professionals

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 2021

Despite sufficient evidence on the role of nutrition in psychosocial health, Marriage and Family ... more Despite sufficient evidence on the role of nutrition in psychosocial health, Marriage and Family Therapists lack the knowledge for sufficient assessment and referrals in treatment. The purpose of this article is to orient MFTs to human metabolism and the effects of various nutrients, or lack thereof, on the psychosocial health in their clients. The roles of several micronutrients and macronutrients will be described as well as the effects of eating patterns and overall metabolic health on mental health. Finally, implications for MFTs as sole practitioners, domains for assessment and psychoeducation, and recommendations for collaborating with nutrition professionals will be discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Associations between Parent Physical Activity, Negative Parenting Behaviors, and Child ADHD Symptoms

Attention-de cit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed childhood di... more Attention-de cit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed childhood disorders in the U.S., a ecting 9.4% of the youth population. Parenting behaviors and practices displayed in the home can directly impact the child’s expression of ADHD symptoms, speci cally hyperactivity-impulsivity behaviors. Di erences in parenting behaviors are associated with the amount of internal anxiety and stress experienced by the parent, which o en can be reduced through implementing health daily behaviors, such as physical activity. is study sought to examine the relationship between parent physical activity levels and their child’s ADHD hyperactivity-impulsivity in the home through the parenting behavior mediator of anxious intrusiveness. Ninetyve parents completed online questionnaires and a hypothetical mediated model was tested using regression and a path analysis framework. Results indicated that higher parent physical activity was associated with lower anxious intrusivene...

Research paper thumbnail of A Dyadic Latent Profile Analysis of Older Couples’ Psychological, Relational, and Physical Health

Innovation in Aging, 2021

The present study explored the heterogeneity of older couples’ psychological, relational, and phy... more The present study explored the heterogeneity of older couples’ psychological, relational, and physical health using a sample of 535 couples above the age of 62. A dyadic latent profile analysis was conducted to identify and predict unique clusters of couples’ relative psychological (depressive symptoms and daily hassles), relational (problematic affective communication and marital satisfaction), and physical health (number of health problems and self-reported health satisfaction). Predictors of class membership included relationship length, age, income, and hours worked outside the home. Results revealed 4 distinct classes: Happy & Healthy Together (63.5%), Individually & Relationally Strained (14.7%), Relationally Happy with Strained Wives (12.3%), and Relationally Happy with Strained Husbands (9.3%). Typology descriptions and predictors of class membership will be discussed. These findings highlight that health promotion efforts should be tailored to the specific psychological, re...

Research paper thumbnail of Examining foodwork and eating behaviors among heterosexual and gay male couples

Appetite, 2022

OBJECTIVES Spouses play an important role in their partner's eating behaviors, including both... more OBJECTIVES Spouses play an important role in their partner's eating behaviors, including both promoting and impeding healthy eating. The division of foodwork in the relationship (i.e., if there is individual or shared responsibility for food roles) may vary as a function of gender or sexual orientation and may be important in understanding eating behaviors. METHOD Using cross-sectional, dyadic data from 462 heterosexual and gay married couples (N = 921 individuals) residing in the United States, we accordingly sought to examine which partner was most responsible for two food roles, food shopping and meal preparation (Aim 1); whether these roles differed by gender (Aim 1a) and sexual orientation (Aim 1b); whether these food roles were related to the frequency of eating healthy and unhealthy foods (Aim 2); and whether these associations differed by gender (Aim 2a) and sexual orientation (Aim 2b). RESULTS We found that one individual was responsible for these roles in a majority of couples, although meal preparation was more likely to be shared in gay than in heterosexual couples. We also found that, in general, the person responsible for these food roles ate healthy more frequently compared to when their partner was responsible; findings for shared responsibility were more equivocal. These associations did not differ, however as a function of gender or sexual orientation. CONCLUSION Our findings contribute to a further understanding of food dynamics among heterosexual and gay male couples and have important implications for health promotion and intervention efforts.

Research paper thumbnail of Outcomes from a pilot online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy program for dementia family caregivers

Aging & Mental Health, 2021

OBJECTIVES Psychosocial and cognitive-behavioral dementia caregiver interventions are effective, ... more OBJECTIVES Psychosocial and cognitive-behavioral dementia caregiver interventions are effective, yet accessing counselor/therapist-led programs can be costly and difficult. Face-to-face therapist-led Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is highly effective in dementia caregivers, as established by two different randomized control trials. The current study evaluates a pilot ACT for Caregivers program, which is a community-based, self-guided, online adaptation of ACT. METHOD Participants (N = 51; Mage=66.0 S. D =11.7, 80% women) completed 10 self-guided sessions teaching ACT, along with accessing an online dementia education library. RESULTS Repeated measures ANOVA from pre-, posttest, and 4-week follow-up demonstrated decreased depressive symptoms, burden, and stress reactions to behavioral symptoms, and increased positive aspects of caregiving and quality of life. ACT-specific measures improved, with decreases in cognitive fusion and psychological inflexibility (AAQ-II), and improvements in living according to personal values (ValuingProgress increased; ValuingObstruction decreased). All outcomes were statistically significant (at p < .01) and sustained over 4-week follow-up. Although this was a non-clinical sample, the program demonstrated clinical significance, as average depressive symptoms were at the clinical cutoff at baseline, but one standard deviation below clinical cut-off at post-test and 4-week followup. Use of education materials was low (29% of participants used these, albeit rating them helpful), suggesting that ACT likely contributed more to overall improvements. CONCLUSION The online ACT for Caregivers pilot program offers an empirically supported translation of traditional ACT, improving accessibility, and affordability for family dementia caregivers.

Research paper thumbnail of Caregiving and caring with pride: Health behavior work among older gay married couples

Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of A framework for incorporating physical activity in treatment: Competencies, guidelines, and implications for family therapists

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 2021

Physical activity can have a profound impact on the cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of o... more Physical activity can have a profound impact on the cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of our clients' lives, and can even boost and sustain therapy outcomes. And yet, family therapists may not be trained or educated in the importance of physical activity nor how to assess, educate, and collaborate with health professionals to incorporate physical activity in treatment. As the evidence grows on the connection between physical activity and biopsychosocial functioning and more family therapists enter medical and healthcare settings, a framework for physical activity competencies is needed. As such, the purpose of this conceptual and empirical review paper is to (a) review the important brain-boosting benefits of physical activity for mental, cognitive, and social health, (b) provide a framework for the domains for family therapists for incorporating exercise in assessment and treatment, and finally, (c) outline recommendations for practice, education and supervision, and research for family therapists.

Research paper thumbnail of Associations between partner’s diet undermining and poor diet in mixed-weight, older gay married couples: a dyadic mediation model

Psychology & Health, 2020

Abstract Background Prior studies have examined how individuals may undermine their partner’s eff... more Abstract Background Prior studies have examined how individuals may undermine their partner’s efforts to maintain a healthy diet, but gay couples have not been represented in this work. Additionally, research has not accounted for mixed-weight status [lighter partner (LP) and heavier partner] nor investigated the mechanisms through which undermining is associated with dietary outcomes. Objective/Design/Measures Utilising dyadic data from 224 gay married couples across the United States, we tested associations between perceptions of partner’s diet undermining strategies and diet quality with couple food disagreements and depressive symptoms as putative, serial mediators in an actor-partner interdependence mediation model. Results Results revealed that more severe diet undermining was associated with both partners’ poorer diet quality, which was explained by more frequent couple food disagreements and higher depressive symptoms for both heavier and LPs. Conclusion These findings suggest that undermining strategies are detrimental to both partners’ relational health (increased conflict), emotional health (depressive symptoms) and physical health (diet)—regardless of weight status—and provide valuable targets for prevention and intervention. Our study underscores the interdependence of couple relations in lifestyle changes and specifically highlight the need for health professionals to discuss the partner’s indirect or unintended disruptions to the patient’s plan.

Research paper thumbnail of The Role of Gender on the Associations among Children’s Attitudes, Mathematics Knowledge, Digital Game Use, Perceptions of Affordances, and Achievement

International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of A qualitative inquiry on religious married men’s perceptions of relationship dynamics during everyday sickness

Journal of Health Psychology, 2020

The purpose of this study was to evaluate men’s perceptions of self-dynamics and partner dynamics... more The purpose of this study was to evaluate men’s perceptions of self-dynamics and partner dynamics during common everyday sickness. Five focus group interviews ( N = 44) were conducted, each lasting approximately 120 minutes. The data were analyzed using a generic qualitative approach which identified two larger themes and several sub-themes: sickness appraisals and appraisal communication (gender differences in symptom appraisal and minimization of own and partner’s sickness) and coping and support strategies (individual coping, one-way provision of support, and coping together). It seems acute sickness creates shared stressors for both partners but differentially impacts each based on gender and family roles.

Research paper thumbnail of Yours, mine, or ours? Dyadic sleep hygiene and associations with sleep quality, emotional distress, and conflict frequency in mixed‐gender, bed‐sharing couples

Journal of Sleep Research

SummaryAlthough prior research demonstrates the interdependence of sleep quality within couples (... more SummaryAlthough prior research demonstrates the interdependence of sleep quality within couples (i.e., the sleep of one partner affects the sleep of the other), little is known about the degree to which couples’ sleep hygiene behaviours are concordant or discordant, and if one's own sleep hygiene or their report of their partners’ sleep hygiene is related to worse relational, psychological, and sleep outcomes. In a sample of 143 mixed‐gender, bed‐sharing couples, each partner completed an online questionnaire consisting of the Sleep Hygiene Index (for themselves and their partner), PROMIS sleep disturbance scale, conflict frequency, PHQ‐4 for anxiety and depressive symptoms, and the Perceived Stress Scale. Paired samples t‐tests between partners were conducted using total and individual‐item Sleep Hygiene Index scores to examine similarities and differences. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) scores of dyadic reports were conducted to examine the level of agreement between...

Research paper thumbnail of A test of the dyadic associations between ineffective arguing, emotional distress, and violence perpetration and victimization among couples seeking therapy

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy

Research paper thumbnail of Mood disturbance, but not overall diet quality, is associated with fecal microbiome diversity in free-living adults

Research paper thumbnail of Health-related quality of life is associated with COPD severity: a comparison between the GOLD staging and the BODE index

Chronic Respiratory Disease, 2009

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a highly prevalent disease. Currently, severity G... more Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a highly prevalent disease. Currently, severity Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria are used to diagnose the severity of COPD, but a new grading system, the body mass index, bronchial obstruction, dyspnea, exercise (BODE) index, was recently proposed to provide useful prognostic information. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and COPD severity assessed by two criteria: the GOLD classification and the BODE index. Sixty-four patients with COPD were examined with lung function tests and specific and generic HRQOL questionnaires (St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire [SGRQ], Nottingham Health Profile [NHP]). Participants were divided into four severity groups using the GOLD guidelines and the BODE index quartiles. The association between NHP and SGRQ subscales, and the BODE index was significant ( P < 0.01). However, the GOLD class...

Research paper thumbnail of Aging together: Dyadic profiles of older couples’ marital quality, psychological well-being, and physical health

Journal of Social and Personal Relationships

The current study examined couple-level profiles to reveal systematic patterns of health and well... more The current study examined couple-level profiles to reveal systematic patterns of health and well-being in older couples. Using latent profile analysis, dyadic profiles were constructed in a national sample of 535 older, different-sex couples based on couples’ marital quality, psychological well-being, and physical health. Results revealed 4 distinct profiles: Maritally Satisfied and Healthy (63.5%), Maritally Dissatisfied and Moderately Healthy (14.7%), Maritally Satisfied with Unhealthy Wives (12.3%), and Maritally Satisfied with Unhealthy Husbands (9.3%). Husband age and education, wife education, and marriage length were significant predictors of class membership. Within-class partner concordance analyses confirmed that the latter two profiles featured the largest discordance between partners’ health and well-being. Most couples in this sample of older adults belonged to a class who demonstrated successful aging in all domains. A smaller group maintained high marital quality des...

Research paper thumbnail of Associations between Changes in Fat-Free Mass, Fecal Microbe Diversity, and Mood Disturbance in Young Adults after 10-Weeks of Resistance Training

Microorganisms

Background: The gut microbiome contributes to numerous physiological processes in humans, and die... more Background: The gut microbiome contributes to numerous physiological processes in humans, and diet and exercise are known to alter both microbial composition and mood. We sought to explore the effect of a 10-week resistance training (RT) regimen with or without peanut protein supplementation (PPS) in untrained young adults on fecal microbiota and mood disturbance (MD). Methods: Participants were randomized into PPS (n = 25) and control (CTL [no supplement]; n = 24) groups and engaged in supervised, full-body RT twice a week. Measures included body composition, fecal microbe relative abundance, alpha- and beta-diversity from 16 s rRNA gene sequencing with QIIME2 processing, dietary intake at baseline and following the 10-week intervention, and post-intervention MD via the profile of mood states (POMS) questionnaire. Independent samples t-tests were used to determine differences between PPS and CTL groups. Paired samples t-tests investigated differences within groups. Results: Our sam...

Research paper thumbnail of Family systems and obesity: A review of key concepts and influences within and between family subsystems and a call for family‐informed interventions

Journal of Family Theory & Review

Research paper thumbnail of Exploring typologies of appraisals, involvement, and distress in type 2 diabetes family members

Journal of Health Psychology

The present study conducted a latent profile analysis from a US national sample of 446 family mem... more The present study conducted a latent profile analysis from a US national sample of 446 family members to identify and predict unique clusters of family members’ PWD illness appraisals, involvement, and psychological distress. Time since diagnosis, diabetes adherence, the relationship with the PWD, age, gender, race/ethnicity, income, and economic pressure were included as predictors. Class membership was used to predict the family members’ own health behaviors (sleep quality, days of physical activity, and diet quality). Results revealed four distinct classes: Moderately Concerned, Involved, and Distressed (32.51%), Least Concerned, Distressed, and Involved (27.13%), Less Concerned and Distressed, Moderately Involved (23.77%), and Most Concerned, Involved, and Distressed (16.82%). The significant predictors and outcomes of class membership revealed interesting patterns in associations with class membership. Consequently, in addition to involving family members, health promotion and ...

Research paper thumbnail of Early Pandemic Improvements in Diet Quality Are Associated with Increased Physical Activity and Weight Loss in US Adults

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to restricted vocational (Voc-PA) and recreational physi... more In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic led to restricted vocational (Voc-PA) and recreational physical activity (Rec-PA) outside of the home. We conducted a nation-wide survey in the United States (US) during the mitigation peak of the pandemic (June 2020) to assess health-related changes from the previous year. A diet quality (DQ) assessment tool weighted the relative healthfulness of eating occasions from foods prepared-at-home (Home) and away-from-home (Away). Previously-validated instruments assessed PA and demographic variables; height/weight were self-reported to calculate body mass index (BMI). T-tests explored longitudinal, between-sex, and obesity status differences in DQ, PA, and BMI; Pearson correlations explored associations. Of 1648 respondents, 814 valid responses (56.8% female, 81.7% white) were analyzed. Overall and Home DQ was higher for females than males in 2020 (p < 0.001 for both). Respondents increased DQ from 2019 to 2020, primarily from Away (p < 0.001 fo...

Research paper thumbnail of Relationship Satisfaction & Diet: Exploring the Mechanisms through which Intimate Relationships Influence Physical Health

Understanding how intimate relationships influence physical health has been an important topic of... more Understanding how intimate relationships influence physical health has been an important topic of focus; however, research remains unclear on the mechanisms through which this influence occurs. The purpose of this study was to examine how relationship satisfaction relates to diet quality, through mental health (depression and anxiety) and diet self-efficacy. Using a dyadic mediation model with a sample of 234 heterosexual couples, researchers found that women\u27s higher relationship satisfaction was associated with better diet through lower depression and higher diet self-efficacy. Results revealed the same association between women\u27s relationship satisfaction and diet through lower anxiety. Interestingly, rather than mediation through mental health, the association between men\u27s relationship satisfaction and diet was mediated through their partners\u27 diet self-efficacy. This presentation will review the gendered pathways by which relationship satisfaction influences diet i...

Research paper thumbnail of What MFTs should know about nutrition, psychosocial health, and collaborative care with nutrition professionals

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 2021

Despite sufficient evidence on the role of nutrition in psychosocial health, Marriage and Family ... more Despite sufficient evidence on the role of nutrition in psychosocial health, Marriage and Family Therapists lack the knowledge for sufficient assessment and referrals in treatment. The purpose of this article is to orient MFTs to human metabolism and the effects of various nutrients, or lack thereof, on the psychosocial health in their clients. The roles of several micronutrients and macronutrients will be described as well as the effects of eating patterns and overall metabolic health on mental health. Finally, implications for MFTs as sole practitioners, domains for assessment and psychoeducation, and recommendations for collaborating with nutrition professionals will be discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Associations between Parent Physical Activity, Negative Parenting Behaviors, and Child ADHD Symptoms

Attention-de cit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed childhood di... more Attention-de cit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed childhood disorders in the U.S., a ecting 9.4% of the youth population. Parenting behaviors and practices displayed in the home can directly impact the child’s expression of ADHD symptoms, speci cally hyperactivity-impulsivity behaviors. Di erences in parenting behaviors are associated with the amount of internal anxiety and stress experienced by the parent, which o en can be reduced through implementing health daily behaviors, such as physical activity. is study sought to examine the relationship between parent physical activity levels and their child’s ADHD hyperactivity-impulsivity in the home through the parenting behavior mediator of anxious intrusiveness. Ninetyve parents completed online questionnaires and a hypothetical mediated model was tested using regression and a path analysis framework. Results indicated that higher parent physical activity was associated with lower anxious intrusivene...

Research paper thumbnail of A Dyadic Latent Profile Analysis of Older Couples’ Psychological, Relational, and Physical Health

Innovation in Aging, 2021

The present study explored the heterogeneity of older couples’ psychological, relational, and phy... more The present study explored the heterogeneity of older couples’ psychological, relational, and physical health using a sample of 535 couples above the age of 62. A dyadic latent profile analysis was conducted to identify and predict unique clusters of couples’ relative psychological (depressive symptoms and daily hassles), relational (problematic affective communication and marital satisfaction), and physical health (number of health problems and self-reported health satisfaction). Predictors of class membership included relationship length, age, income, and hours worked outside the home. Results revealed 4 distinct classes: Happy & Healthy Together (63.5%), Individually & Relationally Strained (14.7%), Relationally Happy with Strained Wives (12.3%), and Relationally Happy with Strained Husbands (9.3%). Typology descriptions and predictors of class membership will be discussed. These findings highlight that health promotion efforts should be tailored to the specific psychological, re...

Research paper thumbnail of Examining foodwork and eating behaviors among heterosexual and gay male couples

Appetite, 2022

OBJECTIVES Spouses play an important role in their partner's eating behaviors, including both... more OBJECTIVES Spouses play an important role in their partner's eating behaviors, including both promoting and impeding healthy eating. The division of foodwork in the relationship (i.e., if there is individual or shared responsibility for food roles) may vary as a function of gender or sexual orientation and may be important in understanding eating behaviors. METHOD Using cross-sectional, dyadic data from 462 heterosexual and gay married couples (N = 921 individuals) residing in the United States, we accordingly sought to examine which partner was most responsible for two food roles, food shopping and meal preparation (Aim 1); whether these roles differed by gender (Aim 1a) and sexual orientation (Aim 1b); whether these food roles were related to the frequency of eating healthy and unhealthy foods (Aim 2); and whether these associations differed by gender (Aim 2a) and sexual orientation (Aim 2b). RESULTS We found that one individual was responsible for these roles in a majority of couples, although meal preparation was more likely to be shared in gay than in heterosexual couples. We also found that, in general, the person responsible for these food roles ate healthy more frequently compared to when their partner was responsible; findings for shared responsibility were more equivocal. These associations did not differ, however as a function of gender or sexual orientation. CONCLUSION Our findings contribute to a further understanding of food dynamics among heterosexual and gay male couples and have important implications for health promotion and intervention efforts.

Research paper thumbnail of Outcomes from a pilot online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy program for dementia family caregivers

Aging & Mental Health, 2021

OBJECTIVES Psychosocial and cognitive-behavioral dementia caregiver interventions are effective, ... more OBJECTIVES Psychosocial and cognitive-behavioral dementia caregiver interventions are effective, yet accessing counselor/therapist-led programs can be costly and difficult. Face-to-face therapist-led Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is highly effective in dementia caregivers, as established by two different randomized control trials. The current study evaluates a pilot ACT for Caregivers program, which is a community-based, self-guided, online adaptation of ACT. METHOD Participants (N = 51; Mage=66.0 S. D =11.7, 80% women) completed 10 self-guided sessions teaching ACT, along with accessing an online dementia education library. RESULTS Repeated measures ANOVA from pre-, posttest, and 4-week follow-up demonstrated decreased depressive symptoms, burden, and stress reactions to behavioral symptoms, and increased positive aspects of caregiving and quality of life. ACT-specific measures improved, with decreases in cognitive fusion and psychological inflexibility (AAQ-II), and improvements in living according to personal values (ValuingProgress increased; ValuingObstruction decreased). All outcomes were statistically significant (at p < .01) and sustained over 4-week follow-up. Although this was a non-clinical sample, the program demonstrated clinical significance, as average depressive symptoms were at the clinical cutoff at baseline, but one standard deviation below clinical cut-off at post-test and 4-week followup. Use of education materials was low (29% of participants used these, albeit rating them helpful), suggesting that ACT likely contributed more to overall improvements. CONCLUSION The online ACT for Caregivers pilot program offers an empirically supported translation of traditional ACT, improving accessibility, and affordability for family dementia caregivers.

Research paper thumbnail of Caregiving and caring with pride: Health behavior work among older gay married couples

Journal of Gay & Lesbian Social Services, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of A framework for incorporating physical activity in treatment: Competencies, guidelines, and implications for family therapists

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 2021

Physical activity can have a profound impact on the cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of o... more Physical activity can have a profound impact on the cognitive, emotional, and social aspects of our clients' lives, and can even boost and sustain therapy outcomes. And yet, family therapists may not be trained or educated in the importance of physical activity nor how to assess, educate, and collaborate with health professionals to incorporate physical activity in treatment. As the evidence grows on the connection between physical activity and biopsychosocial functioning and more family therapists enter medical and healthcare settings, a framework for physical activity competencies is needed. As such, the purpose of this conceptual and empirical review paper is to (a) review the important brain-boosting benefits of physical activity for mental, cognitive, and social health, (b) provide a framework for the domains for family therapists for incorporating exercise in assessment and treatment, and finally, (c) outline recommendations for practice, education and supervision, and research for family therapists.

Research paper thumbnail of Associations between partner’s diet undermining and poor diet in mixed-weight, older gay married couples: a dyadic mediation model

Psychology & Health, 2020

Abstract Background Prior studies have examined how individuals may undermine their partner’s eff... more Abstract Background Prior studies have examined how individuals may undermine their partner’s efforts to maintain a healthy diet, but gay couples have not been represented in this work. Additionally, research has not accounted for mixed-weight status [lighter partner (LP) and heavier partner] nor investigated the mechanisms through which undermining is associated with dietary outcomes. Objective/Design/Measures Utilising dyadic data from 224 gay married couples across the United States, we tested associations between perceptions of partner’s diet undermining strategies and diet quality with couple food disagreements and depressive symptoms as putative, serial mediators in an actor-partner interdependence mediation model. Results Results revealed that more severe diet undermining was associated with both partners’ poorer diet quality, which was explained by more frequent couple food disagreements and higher depressive symptoms for both heavier and LPs. Conclusion These findings suggest that undermining strategies are detrimental to both partners’ relational health (increased conflict), emotional health (depressive symptoms) and physical health (diet)—regardless of weight status—and provide valuable targets for prevention and intervention. Our study underscores the interdependence of couple relations in lifestyle changes and specifically highlight the need for health professionals to discuss the partner’s indirect or unintended disruptions to the patient’s plan.

Research paper thumbnail of The Role of Gender on the Associations among Children’s Attitudes, Mathematics Knowledge, Digital Game Use, Perceptions of Affordances, and Achievement

International Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of A qualitative inquiry on religious married men’s perceptions of relationship dynamics during everyday sickness

Journal of Health Psychology, 2020

The purpose of this study was to evaluate men’s perceptions of self-dynamics and partner dynamics... more The purpose of this study was to evaluate men’s perceptions of self-dynamics and partner dynamics during common everyday sickness. Five focus group interviews ( N = 44) were conducted, each lasting approximately 120 minutes. The data were analyzed using a generic qualitative approach which identified two larger themes and several sub-themes: sickness appraisals and appraisal communication (gender differences in symptom appraisal and minimization of own and partner’s sickness) and coping and support strategies (individual coping, one-way provision of support, and coping together). It seems acute sickness creates shared stressors for both partners but differentially impacts each based on gender and family roles.