Joe D Wilmoth | Mississippi State University (original) (raw)
Papers by Joe D Wilmoth
Religion & Education, Dec 5, 2022
Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, Jul 3, 2015
The genesis of this special issue was an observation by the editor that almost no research examin... more The genesis of this special issue was an observation by the editor that almost no research examines the intersection of aging, religion/spirituality, and family dynamics. That observation led to an invitation to edit a special issue of JRSA that focused on families. We believe this issue begins to address this significant gap in the literature on aging. Individuals and families often have relied on religion and spirituality to help them face some of the challenges that commonly arise in later life. Furthermore, because faith traditions often are learned, lived, and passed on in families, a strong connection exists between religion/spirituality and family relationships. Studies involving aging families, families, and religion, and aging with religion/spirituality span the past 50+ years (e.g., Burchinal, 1957; Gordon & Thompson, 1960; Moberg, 1953; Thomas, 1951; Troll, 1971), yet combinations of aging families with religion/spirituality in studies have been less common. As such, the collection of articles in this special issue brings together a group of articles that builds on prior work and moves the field forward in this unique area. Specifically, the articles in the special issue have the commonality that each connects (a) spirituality/religiosity, (b) families, and (c) aging.
Journal of Human Sciences and Extension
Emerging adulthood is a period characterized by transition. Individuals in this stage of developm... more Emerging adulthood is a period characterized by transition. Individuals in this stage of development find themselves in between adolescence and young adulthood, faced with consequential decisions related to their educational attainment, career trajectory, and the overall direction of their life course. This study focused on the goal-setting behavior of emerging adults. Data were collected through interviews with individuals between the ages of 18 and 25 (N = 91). It was expected that the goals of this group would be oriented toward more individualistic pursuits, with less emphasis placed on more collectivistic goals. It also was anticipated that interviewees would have wide-ranging and multiple goals, which is reflective of the exploratory nature of emerging adulthood. Results show partial support for these hypotheses as interviewees listed more collectivistic goals than anticipated, but also were likely to list multiple and wideranging goals.
Marriage & Family Review, 2018
Two samples of university students (combined N 299; mean age 24.97; 86 % female) completed the ca... more Two samples of university students (combined N 299; mean age 24.97; 86 % female) completed the care subscale of the parental bonding instrument and the Fear of Intimacy scale. Analyses indicated that recollected parental care and fear of intimacy were negatively correlated. Concurrently, it was found that (1) participants who reported having a warm, caring relationship with at least one parent were significantly less likely to suffer from a fear of intimacy and (2) participants who scored low on the measure of fear of intimacy were more likely to have mothers who exhibited high levels of warmth and care. Results supported the proposition that the nature of the parent–child relationship has long-reaching effects on how individuals approach romantic relationships. Keywords fear of intimacy, romantic relationships, emerging adulthood, parent–child relationship According to Erikson’s (1980) psychosocial theory of develop-ment, the achievement of intimacy is the major task of early adult...
Journal of Human Sciences and Extension, 2019
Providing quality services is one of the challenges associated with the continued increase in the... more Providing quality services is one of the challenges associated with the continued increase in the nation's older adult population. Effective use of needs assessment data can be useful in assessing service need. This study measures the level of perceived need for supportive services among older adults in Mississippi. Using statewide needs assessment data, this study applies the Behavioral Model to measure the perceived need for supportive services among survey participants aged 60 and older (N = 838). Results indicate that age, race, physical health, and subjective well-being were consistent predictors of perceived need for supportive services. Results suggest the importance of understanding the factors associated with the perceived need for supportive services to more effectively plan service delivery.
To understand stressors experienced by rural adolescents and their relationship to psychosocial w... more To understand stressors experienced by rural adolescents and their relationship to psychosocial wellbeing, high school students completed the Personal Problems Checklist for Adolescents and three measures of well-being. The most frequently reported problems were in social/friendship and parental domains. The most commonly reported individual problem was "Not having any privacy." Analyses indicated significant associations between problems reported and well-being. As age increased, problems reported in parental, dating, and crisis domains decreased. Girls reported more problems than boys in the parental domain, as did participants in stepfamilies. Extension and 4-H programs may help ease the effects of stressors on rural youth.
Multigenerational households are an understudied type of grandfamily. In rural communities, these... more Multigenerational households are an understudied type of grandfamily. In rural communities, these households are likely to be economically disadvantaged and underserved. Drawing from a subset (N = 63) of low-income multigenerational households in a multistate research study, Rural Families Speak About Health, the present study compares demographic characteristics, parent and child well-being, and family processes in two types of multigenerational household structures: oneparent/grandparent families and two-parent/grandparent GrandFamilies Vol. 3 (1), 2016 62 families. Research on these multigenerational household configurations is rare despite the potential for different needs, strengths, and services. Results indicate no differences in economic hardship or disadvantage by household type. Children in one-parent/grandparent households were older, and mothers reported providing more elder care than in two-parent/grandparent homes. There were no statistically significant differences in...
Journal of Black Studies, 2012
Most studies of marriage among African Americans have adhered to a problem-oriented perspective. ... more Most studies of marriage among African Americans have adhered to a problem-oriented perspective. Consequently, relatively little is known about enduring African American marriages. As marriage confers numerous psycho-social and economic benefits, there is merit in studying the characteristics of African American marriages that stand the test of time. Seventy-one married African American couples (mean length of marriage = 32 years) provided information regarding their religious practices, perceived reasons for their marital longevity, challenges encountered, marital happiness, and common areas of disagreement. Participant couples reported being happily married, attending church frequently, praying frequently, and believing that their faith has played a large role in their marital longevity. Responses also indicated that these couples have faced and overcome challenges and disagreements to remain married.
Journal of Psychology and Theology
Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging
Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences
Family routines are observable and repetitious family behaviors that provide structure and order ... more Family routines are observable and repetitious family behaviors that provide structure and order to families, and they confer numerous benefits. This study explored the observance of regular family routines in various family structures. Parents representing four family structures (i.e., two-parent biological intact, single-parent, blended, and cohabiting families) completed a measure of family routines. Results revealed no significant differences in the observance of family routines by family structure.
Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 2009
Religion & Education, Dec 5, 2022
Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, Jul 3, 2015
The genesis of this special issue was an observation by the editor that almost no research examin... more The genesis of this special issue was an observation by the editor that almost no research examines the intersection of aging, religion/spirituality, and family dynamics. That observation led to an invitation to edit a special issue of JRSA that focused on families. We believe this issue begins to address this significant gap in the literature on aging. Individuals and families often have relied on religion and spirituality to help them face some of the challenges that commonly arise in later life. Furthermore, because faith traditions often are learned, lived, and passed on in families, a strong connection exists between religion/spirituality and family relationships. Studies involving aging families, families, and religion, and aging with religion/spirituality span the past 50+ years (e.g., Burchinal, 1957; Gordon & Thompson, 1960; Moberg, 1953; Thomas, 1951; Troll, 1971), yet combinations of aging families with religion/spirituality in studies have been less common. As such, the collection of articles in this special issue brings together a group of articles that builds on prior work and moves the field forward in this unique area. Specifically, the articles in the special issue have the commonality that each connects (a) spirituality/religiosity, (b) families, and (c) aging.
Journal of Human Sciences and Extension
Emerging adulthood is a period characterized by transition. Individuals in this stage of developm... more Emerging adulthood is a period characterized by transition. Individuals in this stage of development find themselves in between adolescence and young adulthood, faced with consequential decisions related to their educational attainment, career trajectory, and the overall direction of their life course. This study focused on the goal-setting behavior of emerging adults. Data were collected through interviews with individuals between the ages of 18 and 25 (N = 91). It was expected that the goals of this group would be oriented toward more individualistic pursuits, with less emphasis placed on more collectivistic goals. It also was anticipated that interviewees would have wide-ranging and multiple goals, which is reflective of the exploratory nature of emerging adulthood. Results show partial support for these hypotheses as interviewees listed more collectivistic goals than anticipated, but also were likely to list multiple and wideranging goals.
Marriage & Family Review, 2018
Two samples of university students (combined N 299; mean age 24.97; 86 % female) completed the ca... more Two samples of university students (combined N 299; mean age 24.97; 86 % female) completed the care subscale of the parental bonding instrument and the Fear of Intimacy scale. Analyses indicated that recollected parental care and fear of intimacy were negatively correlated. Concurrently, it was found that (1) participants who reported having a warm, caring relationship with at least one parent were significantly less likely to suffer from a fear of intimacy and (2) participants who scored low on the measure of fear of intimacy were more likely to have mothers who exhibited high levels of warmth and care. Results supported the proposition that the nature of the parent–child relationship has long-reaching effects on how individuals approach romantic relationships. Keywords fear of intimacy, romantic relationships, emerging adulthood, parent–child relationship According to Erikson’s (1980) psychosocial theory of develop-ment, the achievement of intimacy is the major task of early adult...
Journal of Human Sciences and Extension, 2019
Providing quality services is one of the challenges associated with the continued increase in the... more Providing quality services is one of the challenges associated with the continued increase in the nation's older adult population. Effective use of needs assessment data can be useful in assessing service need. This study measures the level of perceived need for supportive services among older adults in Mississippi. Using statewide needs assessment data, this study applies the Behavioral Model to measure the perceived need for supportive services among survey participants aged 60 and older (N = 838). Results indicate that age, race, physical health, and subjective well-being were consistent predictors of perceived need for supportive services. Results suggest the importance of understanding the factors associated with the perceived need for supportive services to more effectively plan service delivery.
To understand stressors experienced by rural adolescents and their relationship to psychosocial w... more To understand stressors experienced by rural adolescents and their relationship to psychosocial wellbeing, high school students completed the Personal Problems Checklist for Adolescents and three measures of well-being. The most frequently reported problems were in social/friendship and parental domains. The most commonly reported individual problem was "Not having any privacy." Analyses indicated significant associations between problems reported and well-being. As age increased, problems reported in parental, dating, and crisis domains decreased. Girls reported more problems than boys in the parental domain, as did participants in stepfamilies. Extension and 4-H programs may help ease the effects of stressors on rural youth.
Multigenerational households are an understudied type of grandfamily. In rural communities, these... more Multigenerational households are an understudied type of grandfamily. In rural communities, these households are likely to be economically disadvantaged and underserved. Drawing from a subset (N = 63) of low-income multigenerational households in a multistate research study, Rural Families Speak About Health, the present study compares demographic characteristics, parent and child well-being, and family processes in two types of multigenerational household structures: oneparent/grandparent families and two-parent/grandparent GrandFamilies Vol. 3 (1), 2016 62 families. Research on these multigenerational household configurations is rare despite the potential for different needs, strengths, and services. Results indicate no differences in economic hardship or disadvantage by household type. Children in one-parent/grandparent households were older, and mothers reported providing more elder care than in two-parent/grandparent homes. There were no statistically significant differences in...
Journal of Black Studies, 2012
Most studies of marriage among African Americans have adhered to a problem-oriented perspective. ... more Most studies of marriage among African Americans have adhered to a problem-oriented perspective. Consequently, relatively little is known about enduring African American marriages. As marriage confers numerous psycho-social and economic benefits, there is merit in studying the characteristics of African American marriages that stand the test of time. Seventy-one married African American couples (mean length of marriage = 32 years) provided information regarding their religious practices, perceived reasons for their marital longevity, challenges encountered, marital happiness, and common areas of disagreement. Participant couples reported being happily married, attending church frequently, praying frequently, and believing that their faith has played a large role in their marital longevity. Responses also indicated that these couples have faced and overcome challenges and disagreements to remain married.
Journal of Psychology and Theology
Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging
Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences
Family routines are observable and repetitious family behaviors that provide structure and order ... more Family routines are observable and repetitious family behaviors that provide structure and order to families, and they confer numerous benefits. This study explored the observance of regular family routines in various family structures. Parents representing four family structures (i.e., two-parent biological intact, single-parent, blended, and cohabiting families) completed a measure of family routines. Results revealed no significant differences in the observance of family routines by family structure.
Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 2009