Nathan Wheeler
Biographic Data
| ID | 155299 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Nathan Wheeler |
| GIVEN NAMES | Nathan |
| FAMILY NAME | Wheeler |
| SIGNATURE | WHEELER N |
| AFFILIATIONS | Virginia Commonwealth University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-0489-5695 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 16 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 5 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 16 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2017 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
A latent profile analysis of relationship satisfaction and self‐regulation among low‐income participants who attended relationship education with a partner
Relationship education has shown promising effects for low‐income couples on outcomes such as promoting positive communication, improving global relationship satisfaction, parenting, and individual psychological distress. Studies also indicate that couples' baseline distress (e.g., relational and individual) moderates outcomes. Yet, few studies implemented a person‐centered approach to analyzing data for those who participate in relationship educ…
Latent Profiles of Coping, Family Hope, and Support of Parents Raising a Child With Autism in an Ableist Society
Parents raising a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often face increased stress and limited support in an ableist society. This study surveyed 196 parents/caregivers to examine how social support, family relationship hope, and coping strategies relate to parental mental health. Using latent profile analysis, we identified three distinct profiles that predicted differences in depressive symptoms. Parents with high social support, strong fa…
Exploring Family Adjustment Among Parents of a Child With a Disability Attending Relationship Education
Objective: The current exploratory study examined dyadic changes in family adjustment (i.e., parental stress, positive coping, family-based support, social support) reported by parents of a child with a disability after 12-hours of relationship education (RE). Background: Parents of a child with a disability encounter social barriers that contribute to parental stress and inhibit family well-being. RE reduced psychological and relationship distre…
Family Counselors Addressing Social Determinants of Mental Health in Underserved Communities
Couple and family counselors (CFCs) practicing in underserved communities must be aware of and properly address social determinants of mental health (SDOMH). This conceptual manuscript offers an explanation of how the SDOMH domains impact families in underserved communities and provide evidence-based recommendations for infusing SDOMH into family counseling through the ecological social justice counseling theory, adapted for couple and family cou…
The Psychometric Properties of the Family Relationship Hope Scale with Parents and Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
With the rise in prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children, additional resources for mental health professionals to support the caregivers and families are necessary. The present study examined the psychometric properties of a brief, systems-oriented, strength-based assessment, the Family Relationship Hope Scale (FRHS), with parents and caregivers of children with ASD (n = 196). The FRHS is a four item, self-administered survey tha…
Using Intent‐to‐Attend to Predict Attendance in Community‐Based Relationship Education
Government‐supported relationship education has provided resources for inclusion of economically vulnerable and ethnically diverse participants; however, many grantees and programs struggled to retain couples in longitudinal studies, which has likely influenced study effects and threatened internal validity. In the present study, we assessed 1,056 couples’ baseline relationship satisfaction and intent‐to‐attend their next scheduled visit while pa…
Maintaining family stability in the age of digital technologies: An analysis of d/Discourse informing domestic screen media practices in three US families
This article examines d/Discourses about screen media and parenting as reflected in parents' discursive construction of their decision‐making processes connected with domestic media practices. The analysis focuses on three parent interviews from a dataset of 51 parent interviews conducted in three states in the USA. The article illustrates ways d/Discourses connected with health, education, ethnicity and disability that are specific to these thre…
Adverse Childhood Experiences as Predictors of Differences in Intimate Justice, Conflict, Control, and Power in Intimate Relationships
Relationship Distress in Couples With and Without Reported Existing Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Making a Case for Relationship Education (RE)
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States, costing billions of dollars per year in direct and indirect costs, and its prevalence is projected to increase exponentially over the next 15 years. Additionally, low-income and ethnic minority populations are especially at risk for CVD and CVD-related adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to examine the influence of a 12-hr, evidence-based relationship education…
Differences in Relational Distress Following RE Intervention for Low-Income Couples With or Without Chronic Illness
With a sample of 2,118 largely low-income, ethnic minority individuals with and without chronic illness (CI), this study examines couple-oriented relationship education (RE) on emotional distress levels. We applied a correlational research design to examine dyadic changes in distress following a couple RE intervention with a one-group pretest-posttest design. Female participants reported higher relationship distress at baseline. Both females and …
Grasping for Metaphors: Identity Ambiguity Contributes to the Preference for Metaphor Usage
Metaphors are frequently used linguistic devices that have the power to clarify ambiguous topics. In turn, a clear and stable self-concept is important to psychological functioning. The current article examines the potential role of self-concept clarity in understanding metaphor usage. Study 1 found that self-concept clarity negatively predicts metaphor usage. Study 2 found that experimentally lowering self-concept clarity led to more metaphor us…
Relationship satisfaction trajectories among low-income ethnic minority couples before and after a relationship education intervention
This study examined relationship satisfaction trajectories of low-income ethnic minority couples from a preintervention assessment to the fifth assessment at 120 days after enrollment in the relationship education intervention. Analysis included covariates of employment status, income, years of education, and length of relationship in the trajectories. The researchers drew the 5 waves of data from 728 couples who participated in a large, 4-year, …
Correlational Study of Differences in Distress Following Relationship Education for Individuals With or Without Chronic Illness
Relationship quality contributes to favorable health; and conversely, chronic relational stress exacerbates symptoms of chronic illness (CI). Individual-oriented relationship education (RE) demonstrates promise as an efficacious intervention to improve individual and relational distress. We used a secondary data set from a community effectiveness study and applied a correlational research design to examine changes in distress following an RE inte…
Positively Impacting Maternal Stress and Parental Adjustment through Community-Based Relationship Education (RE)
Relationship education (RE) is a brief, strength-based psychoeducational intervention for couples that demonstrates strong outcomes to decrease individual and couple stress. The current study examined changes in relationship and family adjustment for expectant mothers following RE intervention. Participants included 91 pregnant women (64.8% racial or ethnic minorities) who participated in a community-based RE program. In examination of pre and po…
The Continuum of Conflict and Control Relationship Scale (CCC-RS): Psychometrics for a Measure Designed to Discriminate Among Types of Intimate Partner Violence
Intimate partner violence (IPV) classifications have treatment implications for couples. This study tested the psychometrics of the Continuum of Conflict and Control Relationship Scale (CCC–RS) and examined differences between violence severity and CCC–RS scales. A sample of 575 low-income, ethnically diverse participants contributed data. Results indicated a 3-factor, 22-item solution
Characteristics of Couples Who Attend Family Services Counselor Visits in Relationship Education
Case management services for low-income couples receiving relationship education have been required by federal funding agencies. Studies examining relationship education outcomes for low-income couples have yet to address participant characteristics of those who attend case management services (e.g., distressed vs. nondistressed). Thus, this study examined the influence of baseline relationship satisfaction and demographics on attendance at case …
Relationship satisfaction trajectories among low-income ethnic minority couples before and after a relationship education intervention
This study examined relationship satisfaction trajectories of low-income ethnic minority couples from a preintervention assessment to the fifth assessment at 120 days after enrollment in the relationship education intervention. Analysis included covariates of employment status, income, years of education, and length of relationship in the trajectories. The researchers drew the 5 waves of data from 728 couples who participated in a large, 4-year, …
Grasping for Metaphors: Identity Ambiguity Contributes to the Preference for Metaphor Usage
Metaphors are frequently used linguistic devices that have the power to clarify ambiguous topics. In turn, a clear and stable self-concept is important to psychological functioning. The current article examines the potential role of self-concept clarity in understanding metaphor usage. Study 1 found that self-concept clarity negatively predicts metaphor usage. Study 2 found that experimentally lowering self-concept clarity led to more metaphor us…
The Continuum of Conflict and Control Relationship Scale (CCC-RS): Psychometrics for a Measure Designed to Discriminate Among Types of Intimate Partner Violence
Intimate partner violence (IPV) classifications have treatment implications for couples. This study tested the psychometrics of the Continuum of Conflict and Control Relationship Scale (CCC–RS) and examined differences between violence severity and CCC–RS scales. A sample of 575 low-income, ethnically diverse participants contributed data. Results indicated a 3-factor, 22-item solution
The Continuum of Conflict and Control Relationship Scale (CCC-RS): Psychometrics for a Measure Designed to Discriminate Among Types of Intimate Partner Violence
Intimate partner violence (IPV) classifications have treatment implications for couples. This study tested the psychometrics of the Continuum of Conflict and Control Relationship Scale (CCC–RS) and examined differences between violence severity and CCC–RS scales. A sample of 575 low-income, ethnically diverse participants contributed data. Results indicated a 3-factor, 22-item solution
Characteristics of Couples Who Attend Family Services Counselor Visits in Relationship Education
Case management services for low-income couples receiving relationship education have been required by federal funding agencies. Studies examining relationship education outcomes for low-income couples have yet to address participant characteristics of those who attend case management services (e.g., distressed vs. nondistressed). Thus, this study examined the influence of baseline relationship satisfaction and demographics on attendance at case …
Correlational Study of Differences in Distress Following Relationship Education for Individuals With or Without Chronic Illness
Relationship quality contributes to favorable health; and conversely, chronic relational stress exacerbates symptoms of chronic illness (CI). Individual-oriented relationship education (RE) demonstrates promise as an efficacious intervention to improve individual and relational distress. We used a secondary data set from a community effectiveness study and applied a correlational research design to examine changes in distress following an RE inte…
Positively Impacting Maternal Stress and Parental Adjustment through Community-Based Relationship Education (RE)
Relationship education (RE) is a brief, strength-based psychoeducational intervention for couples that demonstrates strong outcomes to decrease individual and couple stress. The current study examined changes in relationship and family adjustment for expectant mothers following RE intervention. Participants included 91 pregnant women (64.8% racial or ethnic minorities) who participated in a community-based RE program. In examination of pre and po…
Relationship Distress in Couples With and Without Reported Existing Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Making a Case for Relationship Education (RE)
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States, costing billions of dollars per year in direct and indirect costs, and its prevalence is projected to increase exponentially over the next 15 years. Additionally, low-income and ethnic minority populations are especially at risk for CVD and CVD-related adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to examine the influence of a 12-hr, evidence-based relationship education…
Differences in Relational Distress Following RE Intervention for Low-Income Couples With or Without Chronic Illness
With a sample of 2,118 largely low-income, ethnic minority individuals with and without chronic illness (CI), this study examines couple-oriented relationship education (RE) on emotional distress levels. We applied a correlational research design to examine dyadic changes in distress following a couple RE intervention with a one-group pretest-posttest design. Female participants reported higher relationship distress at baseline. Both females and …
Grasping for Metaphors: Identity Ambiguity Contributes to the Preference for Metaphor Usage
Metaphors are frequently used linguistic devices that have the power to clarify ambiguous topics. In turn, a clear and stable self-concept is important to psychological functioning. The current article examines the potential role of self-concept clarity in understanding metaphor usage. Study 1 found that self-concept clarity negatively predicts metaphor usage. Study 2 found that experimentally lowering self-concept clarity led to more metaphor us…
Relationship satisfaction trajectories among low-income ethnic minority couples before and after a relationship education intervention
This study examined relationship satisfaction trajectories of low-income ethnic minority couples from a preintervention assessment to the fifth assessment at 120 days after enrollment in the relationship education intervention. Analysis included covariates of employment status, income, years of education, and length of relationship in the trajectories. The researchers drew the 5 waves of data from 728 couples who participated in a large, 4-year, …
Maintaining family stability in the age of digital technologies: An analysis of d/Discourse informing domestic screen media practices in three US families
This article examines d/Discourses about screen media and parenting as reflected in parents' discursive construction of their decision‐making processes connected with domestic media practices. The analysis focuses on three parent interviews from a dataset of 51 parent interviews conducted in three states in the USA. The article illustrates ways d/Discourses connected with health, education, ethnicity and disability that are specific to these thre…
Adverse Childhood Experiences as Predictors of Differences in Intimate Justice, Conflict, Control, and Power in Intimate Relationships
The Psychometric Properties of the Family Relationship Hope Scale with Parents and Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
With the rise in prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children, additional resources for mental health professionals to support the caregivers and families are necessary. The present study examined the psychometric properties of a brief, systems-oriented, strength-based assessment, the Family Relationship Hope Scale (FRHS), with parents and caregivers of children with ASD (n = 196). The FRHS is a four item, self-administered survey tha…
Using Intent‐to‐Attend to Predict Attendance in Community‐Based Relationship Education
Government‐supported relationship education has provided resources for inclusion of economically vulnerable and ethnically diverse participants; however, many grantees and programs struggled to retain couples in longitudinal studies, which has likely influenced study effects and threatened internal validity. In the present study, we assessed 1,056 couples’ baseline relationship satisfaction and intent‐to‐attend their next scheduled visit while pa…
Family Counselors Addressing Social Determinants of Mental Health in Underserved Communities
Couple and family counselors (CFCs) practicing in underserved communities must be aware of and properly address social determinants of mental health (SDOMH). This conceptual manuscript offers an explanation of how the SDOMH domains impact families in underserved communities and provide evidence-based recommendations for infusing SDOMH into family counseling through the ecological social justice counseling theory, adapted for couple and family cou…
Exploring Family Adjustment Among Parents of a Child With a Disability Attending Relationship Education
Objective: The current exploratory study examined dyadic changes in family adjustment (i.e., parental stress, positive coping, family-based support, social support) reported by parents of a child with a disability after 12-hours of relationship education (RE). Background: Parents of a child with a disability encounter social barriers that contribute to parental stress and inhibit family well-being. RE reduced psychological and relationship distre…
A latent profile analysis of relationship satisfaction and self‐regulation among low‐income participants who attended relationship education with a partner
Relationship education has shown promising effects for low‐income couples on outcomes such as promoting positive communication, improving global relationship satisfaction, parenting, and individual psychological distress. Studies also indicate that couples' baseline distress (e.g., relational and individual) moderates outcomes. Yet, few studies implemented a person‐centered approach to analyzing data for those who participate in relationship educ…
Latent Profiles of Coping, Family Hope, and Support of Parents Raising a Child With Autism in an Ableist Society
Parents raising a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often face increased stress and limited support in an ableist society. This study surveyed 196 parents/caregivers to examine how social support, family relationship hope, and coping strategies relate to parental mental health. Using latent profile analysis, we identified three distinct profiles that predicted differences in depressive symptoms. Parents with high social support, strong fa…
Psychology (15 works) · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics (11 works) · Clinical Psychology (10 works) · Developmental psychology (8 works) · Medicine (8 works) · Ethnic group (7 works) · Relationship education (7 works) · Social Psychology (7 works) · Distress (6 works) · Clinical Psychology (5 works)