Josh R Novak
Biographic Data
| ID | 760130 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Josh R Novak |
| GIVEN NAMES | Josh R |
| FAMILY NAME | Novak |
| SIGNATURE | NOVAK J R |
| AFFILIATIONS | Auburn University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-9714-1226 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 19 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 17 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 19 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2020 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
Examining Separate Financial Behaviors as Predictors of Both Spouses’ Personal Financial Satisfaction Among Different-Gender Couples in Early Marriage
Scholars have primarily relied on an aggregate score of many financial behaviors to predict financial well-being using cross-sectional data from one respondent in a family unit. Although there are benefits to using an aggregate score, it does not reveal which financial behaviors may be most salient. Using cross-sectional and longitudinal, dyadic data from 1,088 different-gender couples in early marriage, we examined both spouses’ reports of five …
Lessons from the field
Family Caregivers’ Progress Toward Values Moderates the Associations between Behavioral Symptoms of Dementia, Caregiver Burden, and Depressive Symptoms
Increasingly, dementia caregiver interventions are informed by acceptance-based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. These interventions promote psychological skills like psychological flexibility and value-based living. Less is known how these constructs interact within well-established caregiver stress processes. We examined a moderated mediation model (N = 161 dementia caregivers; PROCESS Procedure; SPSS Release 4.1), with BPS…
A dyadic analysis of anti-fat attitudes and partners’ diet-related influence among gay married men
Objectives The focus on physical appearance among gay men has potential implications for anti-fat attitudes, including those directed toward romantic partners. Partners often influence each other’s behaviors including those linked to weight, but most research has examined the consequences of these influence strategies versus their antecedents. To address this research gap, we examined how men’s own and their partners’ anti-fat attitudes were rela…
Eye of the Beholder
Diet-related undermining in older couples managing type 2 diabetes
Diet quality plays an important role in managing diabetes, and spouses often influence each other's dietary behaviors. Although much research has focused on health-promoting types of spousal involvement, less is known about health-detracting forms of involvement, such as diet-related undermining. In this cross-sectional study of 148 middle-aged and older adult couples (296 individuals; M age = 65.95, SD = 7.28) in which at least one partner had t…
Cuddle buddies
Prior research on couples' physical closeness during sleep ("cuddling") suggests a benefit to relationship satisfaction and that affectionate touch during sleep onset may also improve mood and stress. Importantly, however, this initial research has yet to connect couples' physical sleep positions at onset with attachment insecurity, stress, or sleep quality. Utilizing dyadic data from 143 mixed-gender, heterosexual bed-sharing couples, the presen…
Healthy couple, better sleep
Considerable evidence suggests couple relationship education (CRE) programs are effective in improving couples' relationship functioning, yet few studies have examined the implications of CRE programs on indicators of physical health despite substantial research supporting links between relational and physical health. This study utilized a sample of 308 couples randomly assigned to a CRE curriculum to explore the dyadic links between conflict man…
Exploring the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 and Dyadic Associations Between Mental Health and Relational Dynamics in a Sample of Married Male Sexual Minority Couples
Across studies, intuitive eating is associated with many health indicators. The Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2), the instrument for measuring intuitive eating, had not previously been explored with a sample of sexual minority [Sexual minority refers to individuals who experience consensual sexual identity, attraction, or behavior that is non normative (typically sexual minority individuals are lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, or non-heterosexual)]…
Predictors of collaborative coping in couples managing type 2 diabetes
Past work has revealed benefits for both persons with diabetes (PWD) and their partners (e.g., spouses) when engaging in collaborative coping to manage a chronic illness, yet little is known about predictors of this type of dyadic coping. Based on conceptual frameworks on communal and dyadic coping, we sought to examine how illness factors, relationship factors, and interdependent personality traits predicted the frequency of collaborative coping…
Family systems and obesity
Research on the social determinants of obesity describes the importance of family dynamics and how they can influence an individual's weight and weight‐related behaviors. These proximal influences include parent–child, couple, and limited research on intergenerational and sibling dynamics. However, familial research is often isolated to one relationship subsystem (i.e., parent–child or couple) and is not integrated into the larger Family Systems …
Exploring typologies of appraisals, involvement, and distress in type 2 diabetes family members
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 he…
Examining the link between exercise-specific relational processes and physical activity, psychological distress, and relationship satisfaction among heterosexual and gay male couples
Despite the important role of romantic relationships in physical activity, little research has examined the role of gender and sexual orientation in exercise-specific relational processes. Utilizing cross-sectional, dyadic data from 462 heterosexual and gay couples, the present study examined how exercise encouragement, exercise discouragement, and frequency of exercise disagreements are related to physical activity, psychological distress, and r…
Aging together
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 …
Early Pandemic Improvements in Diet Quality Are Associated with Increased Physical Activity and Weight Loss in US Adults
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-fr…
Examining foodwork and eating behaviors among heterosexual and gay male couples
Associations between partner’s diet undermining and poor diet in mixed-weight, older gay married couples
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…
A qualitative inquiry on religious married men's perceptions of relationship dynamics during everyday sickness
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 …
Caregiving and caring with pride
The focus of this qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of older gay married individuals around caregiving and health behavior work with their partners. The study used data from five long-partnered male couples who were recruited from a larger quantitative study of the health behaviors of gay married men and their partners. Thematic analysis identified three salient themes derived from the interview guide: (1) the health benefits of m…
Aging together
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 …
Caregiving and caring with pride
The focus of this qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of older gay married individuals around caregiving and health behavior work with their partners. The study used data from five long-partnered male couples who were recruited from a larger quantitative study of the health behaviors of gay married men and their partners. Thematic analysis identified three salient themes derived from the interview guide: (1) the health benefits of m…
Cuddle buddies
Prior research on couples' physical closeness during sleep ("cuddling") suggests a benefit to relationship satisfaction and that affectionate touch during sleep onset may also improve mood and stress. Importantly, however, this initial research has yet to connect couples' physical sleep positions at onset with attachment insecurity, stress, or sleep quality. Utilizing dyadic data from 143 mixed-gender, heterosexual bed-sharing couples, the presen…
Exploring the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 and Dyadic Associations Between Mental Health and Relational Dynamics in a Sample of Married Male Sexual Minority Couples
Across studies, intuitive eating is associated with many health indicators. The Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2), the instrument for measuring intuitive eating, had not previously been explored with a sample of sexual minority [Sexual minority refers to individuals who experience consensual sexual identity, attraction, or behavior that is non normative (typically sexual minority individuals are lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, or non-heterosexual)]…
Predictors of collaborative coping in couples managing type 2 diabetes
Past work has revealed benefits for both persons with diabetes (PWD) and their partners (e.g., spouses) when engaging in collaborative coping to manage a chronic illness, yet little is known about predictors of this type of dyadic coping. Based on conceptual frameworks on communal and dyadic coping, we sought to examine how illness factors, relationship factors, and interdependent personality traits predicted the frequency of collaborative coping…
Examining the link between exercise-specific relational processes and physical activity, psychological distress, and relationship satisfaction among heterosexual and gay male couples
Despite the important role of romantic relationships in physical activity, little research has examined the role of gender and sexual orientation in exercise-specific relational processes. Utilizing cross-sectional, dyadic data from 462 heterosexual and gay couples, the present study examined how exercise encouragement, exercise discouragement, and frequency of exercise disagreements are related to physical activity, psychological distress, and r…
Examining foodwork and eating behaviors among heterosexual and gay male couples
Caregiving and caring with pride
The focus of this qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of older gay married individuals around caregiving and health behavior work with their partners. The study used data from five long-partnered male couples who were recruited from a larger quantitative study of the health behaviors of gay married men and their partners. Thematic analysis identified three salient themes derived from the interview guide: (1) the health benefits of m…
Associations between partner’s diet undermining and poor diet in mixed-weight, older gay married couples
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…
A qualitative inquiry on religious married men's perceptions of relationship dynamics during everyday sickness
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 …
Early Pandemic Improvements in Diet Quality Are Associated with Increased Physical Activity and Weight Loss in US Adults
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-fr…
Examining foodwork and eating behaviors among heterosexual and gay male couples
Family systems and obesity
Research on the social determinants of obesity describes the importance of family dynamics and how they can influence an individual's weight and weight‐related behaviors. These proximal influences include parent–child, couple, and limited research on intergenerational and sibling dynamics. However, familial research is often isolated to one relationship subsystem (i.e., parent–child or couple) and is not integrated into the larger Family Systems …
Exploring typologies of appraisals, involvement, and distress in type 2 diabetes family members
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 he…
Examining the link between exercise-specific relational processes and physical activity, psychological distress, and relationship satisfaction among heterosexual and gay male couples
Despite the important role of romantic relationships in physical activity, little research has examined the role of gender and sexual orientation in exercise-specific relational processes. Utilizing cross-sectional, dyadic data from 462 heterosexual and gay couples, the present study examined how exercise encouragement, exercise discouragement, and frequency of exercise disagreements are related to physical activity, psychological distress, and r…
Aging together
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 …
Healthy couple, better sleep
Considerable evidence suggests couple relationship education (CRE) programs are effective in improving couples' relationship functioning, yet few studies have examined the implications of CRE programs on indicators of physical health despite substantial research supporting links between relational and physical health. This study utilized a sample of 308 couples randomly assigned to a CRE curriculum to explore the dyadic links between conflict man…
Exploring the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 and Dyadic Associations Between Mental Health and Relational Dynamics in a Sample of Married Male Sexual Minority Couples
Across studies, intuitive eating is associated with many health indicators. The Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2), the instrument for measuring intuitive eating, had not previously been explored with a sample of sexual minority [Sexual minority refers to individuals who experience consensual sexual identity, attraction, or behavior that is non normative (typically sexual minority individuals are lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, or non-heterosexual)]…
Predictors of collaborative coping in couples managing type 2 diabetes
Past work has revealed benefits for both persons with diabetes (PWD) and their partners (e.g., spouses) when engaging in collaborative coping to manage a chronic illness, yet little is known about predictors of this type of dyadic coping. Based on conceptual frameworks on communal and dyadic coping, we sought to examine how illness factors, relationship factors, and interdependent personality traits predicted the frequency of collaborative coping…
Lessons from the field
Family Caregivers’ Progress Toward Values Moderates the Associations between Behavioral Symptoms of Dementia, Caregiver Burden, and Depressive Symptoms
Increasingly, dementia caregiver interventions are informed by acceptance-based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. These interventions promote psychological skills like psychological flexibility and value-based living. Less is known how these constructs interact within well-established caregiver stress processes. We examined a moderated mediation model (N = 161 dementia caregivers; PROCESS Procedure; SPSS Release 4.1), with BPS…
A dyadic analysis of anti-fat attitudes and partners’ diet-related influence among gay married men
Objectives The focus on physical appearance among gay men has potential implications for anti-fat attitudes, including those directed toward romantic partners. Partners often influence each other’s behaviors including those linked to weight, but most research has examined the consequences of these influence strategies versus their antecedents. To address this research gap, we examined how men’s own and their partners’ anti-fat attitudes were rela…
Eye of the Beholder
Diet-related undermining in older couples managing type 2 diabetes
Diet quality plays an important role in managing diabetes, and spouses often influence each other's dietary behaviors. Although much research has focused on health-promoting types of spousal involvement, less is known about health-detracting forms of involvement, such as diet-related undermining. In this cross-sectional study of 148 middle-aged and older adult couples (296 individuals; M age = 65.95, SD = 7.28) in which at least one partner had t…
Cuddle buddies
Prior research on couples' physical closeness during sleep ("cuddling") suggests a benefit to relationship satisfaction and that affectionate touch during sleep onset may also improve mood and stress. Importantly, however, this initial research has yet to connect couples' physical sleep positions at onset with attachment insecurity, stress, or sleep quality. Utilizing dyadic data from 143 mixed-gender, heterosexual bed-sharing couples, the presen…
Examining Separate Financial Behaviors as Predictors of Both Spouses’ Personal Financial Satisfaction Among Different-Gender Couples in Early Marriage
Scholars have primarily relied on an aggregate score of many financial behaviors to predict financial well-being using cross-sectional data from one respondent in a family unit. Although there are benefits to using an aggregate score, it does not reveal which financial behaviors may be most salient. Using cross-sectional and longitudinal, dyadic data from 1,088 different-gender couples in early marriage, we examined both spouses’ reports of five …
Psychology (17 works) · Developmental psychology (12 works) · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics (10 works) · Medicine (10 works) · Social Psychology (9 works) · Clinical Psychology (8 works) · Social Psychology (8 works) · Clinical Psychology (7 works) · Eating Disorders and Behaviors (7 works) · Psychiatry (7 works)