Brian Higginbotham
Biographic Data
| ID | 304005 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Brian Higginbotham |
| GIVEN NAMES | Brian |
| FAMILY NAME | Higginbotham |
| SIGNATURE | HIGGINBOTHAM B |
| AFFILIATIONS | Utah State University |
| VERIFIED | No |
| TOTAL WORKS | 21 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 22 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 21 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2006 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2025 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Effectiveness of relationship education among high school youth: The role of context
Resilience theory suggests that youth under more adversity benefit more from resource-based interventions. Most evaluations focused on majority youth, with few exploring under-represented youth from different contexts of adversity. This mixed method study evaluated the effectiveness of the Love Notes curriculum. We compared program outcomes for youth from various educational backgrounds with different levels of disadvantage (urban high schools, a…
How do I work this? A mixed‐methods evaluation of relationship education for high school youth
Using the Vulnerability-Stress-Adaption Framework to Predict Remarital Stability
This study used three-wave dyadic data to test parts of the Vulnerability-Stress-Adaption (VSA) model in a sample of remarried heterosexual couples (N = 777). Multiple pathways between adaptive processes, remarital quality, and remarital stability were examined. Adaptive processes included spouses’ positive and negative socioemotional behaviors and their perceptions of those behaviors, which were tested with the actor-partner interdependence mode…
Psychological Distress, Destructive Conflict, and Parenting among Residential and Nonresidential Fathers
We utilized the Determinants of Parenting process model to examine correlates of paternal parenting by father’s residential status. Data consisted of fathers (N = 1,784) who participated in a federally funded Responsible Fatherhood program. Study variables were assessed through fathers’ self-reports. Using a structural equation modeling framework, the results of multi-group analyses revealed differences in parenting by father’s residential status…
Couple Relationship Education: Before and During Covid-19
The restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic have required program planners to re-evaluate the provision of relationship education (RE). The current mixed-methods study focuses on the Healthy Relationships [State] initiative's transition from in-person to virtual online RE programing, measuring program impact and comparing the outcomes between the two delivery methods for individuals participating in Couple LINKS, a curriculum designed for a…
Impact of Positive and Negative Socioemotional Behaviors on Remarital Instability
We examined the trajectories of remarried couples' ( N = 1161) positive and negative socioemotional behaviors, which reflect the expression of love versus hostility, in relation to remarital instability across the first 3 years of remarriage. The measures of behaviors included both self and partner reports. Guided by the Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation model of marriage, we used multi-level modeling framework to test the proposed processes at bet…
Predicting Parenting and Stepparenting Difficulties among Newly Remarried Parents
Positive parent-child relationships in cases of remarriage are associated with more harmonious stepfamily relationships; however, little research has focused on factors influencing parenting difficulties in early remarriage. In this study, we examine factors that are associated with parenting and stepparenting difficulties for newly remarried biological parents and stepparents from a family systems theory perspective. Regression analyses indicate…
Evaluation of Topics in Utah's ONE‐Hour Divorce Education Program
Divorce education programs are mandatory in most states. Despite the ongoing debate in the field regarding the appropriate duration of these programs, the goal of the current study was to identify the following five content areas in divorce education that may be most relevant for predicting favorable outcomes: (1) impact of divorce on children, (2) impact of divorce on family relationships, (3) financial responsibilities of divorcing parents for …
Efforts to Design, Implement, and Evaluate Community‐Based Education for Stepfamilies: Current Knowledge and Future Directions
Stepfamilies are prevalent and have increased in numbers over the past several decades in the United States. Indications are that these families may experience enhanced vulnerabilities and inequities related to relational, psychological, and physical health outcomes; thus, they represent an important target population for family life educators. Efforts have been made to develop detailed, research‐informed conceptual frameworks to guide best pract…
A Longitudinal Hierarchical Examination of Smart Steps for Stepfamilies With Ethnically and Economically Diverse Couples
Over the past decade, relationship education has grown as a means of enhancing couple relationships. This longitudinal study was designed to examine the experiences and outcomes of 2,828 adults who participated in the Smart Steps for Stepfamilies: Embrace the Journey program. Self-report measures of relationship quality, commitment, and relationship instability were administered prior to participation, then immediately, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 y…
Is One Hour Enough? Evaluating Utah’s Online Divorce Education Course Based on Course Length Satisfaction
Divorce education programs for couples with children have become mandatory in many states. State-specific courses vary in terms of delivery method and program length. Using data from 1,690 parents who participated in Utah’s online divorce education course, this study examined program effectiveness based on course length satisfaction. Overall, results suggest the program was effective in obtaining its objectives; however, comparisons between group…
Validating the Remarriage Belief Inventory as a Dyadic Measure for Stepcouples
Stepcouples remain a comparatively understudied group and few established measures specific to these couples exist. The Remarriage Belief Inventory assesses beliefs and attitudes relevant to couple dynamics in stepfamilies and has been validated using samples of individuals. An important next step in instrument development is the examination of the factorial structure for use with husband-wife dyads. Results from a dyadic confirmatory factor anal…
Healthy Relationship Education: A Statewide Initiative Case Study and Outcome Evaluation
Couple and relationship education (CRE) is effective in improving relationship quality and communication skills. However, its methods and structures of delivery (e.g., content, intensity, and settings) vary widely and have lacked empirical scrutiny. This article examines both the structure (i.e., initiative inputs and outputs) and the outcomes of one healthy relationship initiative. First, we use the comprehensive framework for CRE proposed previ…
Experiences of Latino Men in Stepfamily Education
Relationship education evaluations have historically overlooked the experiences of ethnically diverse populations and stepfamilies. Using qualitative methods, this study examines the experiences of 16 Latino men in a stepfamily relationship education program. The four emergent themes dealt with recruitment and participation, improved family relationships, the value and importance of the family, and normalization of the participants' stepfamily si…
Stepfamily Education: Case Study of Two Lesbian Couples
This article presents the stories of two couples who became stepfamilies by bringing biological children from a previous relationship into a new relationship with a same-sex partner. The study is conducted within the context of multicultural feminist theory. Their experiences of attending a stepfamily relationship education (RE) course are told from their personal points of view. The findings of the study are presented as a case study. The study …
Endorsement of Remarriage Beliefs, Spousal Consistency, and Remarital Adjustment
The consistency of remarriage-related cognitions between stepfamily members has been posited to be of “primary importance” in functional stepfamily systems. This study evaluates the consistency tenant of the multidimensional cognitive development model using common remarriage beliefs. Using a sample of 447 newlywed remarried couples, results from hierarchical regressions indicate that individual endorsements of remarriage beliefs are more predict…
Stepfathers and Stepfamily Education
Although stepfamily education is believed to improve family relationships, little is known about how stepfamily education impacts stepfather relationships specifically. Using a systems theory approach, this qualitative study examines the experiences of 14 European American stepfathers who participated in a 12-hour research-based stepfamily education course. Although the majority of men initially needed some encouragement to attend, they all felt …
Facilitating Stepfamily Education for Latinos
Relationship education programs can serve as a resource to families in developing and maintaining strong familial relationships, particularly for underserved populations. This qualitative study focuses on effective strategies, used by 14 facilitators, to teach Latino participants attending Smart Steps: Embrace the Journey stepfamily education courses in a western state. Results indicated two major themes regarding culturally appropriate strategie…
Stepfamily Education: A Case Study
Stepfamily Education: Perceived Benefits for Children
This article explores ways in which stepfamily education benefits children. The study is based on interviews with 40 parents and 20 facilitators who were part of a multisite stepfamily program. Three main themes emerged from the interviews. Children were perceived to benefit by their parents' increased empathy, engagement in family time, and enhanced relationship skills. Children benefited from expressing their feelings and developing their own r…
Gabe, Grace and Jean Lipman-Blumen, Making Adult Stepfamilies Work: Strategies for the Whole Family When Aparent Marries Later in Life
"Gabe, Grace and Jean Lipman-Blumen, MAKING ADULT STEPFAMILIES WORK: STRATEGIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY WHEN APARENT MARRIES LATER IN LIFE." Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 37(3), pp. 486–487
Healthy Relationship Education: A Statewide Initiative Case Study and Outcome Evaluation
Couple and relationship education (CRE) is effective in improving relationship quality and communication skills. However, its methods and structures of delivery (e.g., content, intensity, and settings) vary widely and have lacked empirical scrutiny. This article examines both the structure (i.e., initiative inputs and outputs) and the outcomes of one healthy relationship initiative. First, we use the comprehensive framework for CRE proposed previ…
Endorsement of Remarriage Beliefs, Spousal Consistency, and Remarital Adjustment
The consistency of remarriage-related cognitions between stepfamily members has been posited to be of “primary importance” in functional stepfamily systems. This study evaluates the consistency tenant of the multidimensional cognitive development model using common remarriage beliefs. Using a sample of 447 newlywed remarried couples, results from hierarchical regressions indicate that individual endorsements of remarriage beliefs are more predict…
A Longitudinal Hierarchical Examination of Smart Steps for Stepfamilies With Ethnically and Economically Diverse Couples
Over the past decade, relationship education has grown as a means of enhancing couple relationships. This longitudinal study was designed to examine the experiences and outcomes of 2,828 adults who participated in the Smart Steps for Stepfamilies: Embrace the Journey program. Self-report measures of relationship quality, commitment, and relationship instability were administered prior to participation, then immediately, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 y…
Facilitating Stepfamily Education for Latinos
Relationship education programs can serve as a resource to families in developing and maintaining strong familial relationships, particularly for underserved populations. This qualitative study focuses on effective strategies, used by 14 facilitators, to teach Latino participants attending Smart Steps: Embrace the Journey stepfamily education courses in a western state. Results indicated two major themes regarding culturally appropriate strategie…
Stepfamily Education: A Case Study
Impact of Positive and Negative Socioemotional Behaviors on Remarital Instability
We examined the trajectories of remarried couples' ( N = 1161) positive and negative socioemotional behaviors, which reflect the expression of love versus hostility, in relation to remarital instability across the first 3 years of remarriage. The measures of behaviors included both self and partner reports. Guided by the Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation model of marriage, we used multi-level modeling framework to test the proposed processes at bet…
Psychological Distress, Destructive Conflict, and Parenting among Residential and Nonresidential Fathers
We utilized the Determinants of Parenting process model to examine correlates of paternal parenting by father’s residential status. Data consisted of fathers (N = 1,784) who participated in a federally funded Responsible Fatherhood program. Study variables were assessed through fathers’ self-reports. Using a structural equation modeling framework, the results of multi-group analyses revealed differences in parenting by father’s residential status…
Validating the Remarriage Belief Inventory as a Dyadic Measure for Stepcouples
Stepcouples remain a comparatively understudied group and few established measures specific to these couples exist. The Remarriage Belief Inventory assesses beliefs and attitudes relevant to couple dynamics in stepfamilies and has been validated using samples of individuals. An important next step in instrument development is the examination of the factorial structure for use with husband-wife dyads. Results from a dyadic confirmatory factor anal…
Stepfamily Education: Case Study of Two Lesbian Couples
This article presents the stories of two couples who became stepfamilies by bringing biological children from a previous relationship into a new relationship with a same-sex partner. The study is conducted within the context of multicultural feminist theory. Their experiences of attending a stepfamily relationship education (RE) course are told from their personal points of view. The findings of the study are presented as a case study. The study …
Gabe, Grace and Jean Lipman-Blumen, Making Adult Stepfamilies Work: Strategies for the Whole Family When Aparent Marries Later in Life
"Gabe, Grace and Jean Lipman-Blumen, MAKING ADULT STEPFAMILIES WORK: STRATEGIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY WHEN APARENT MARRIES LATER IN LIFE." Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 37(3), pp. 486–487
Stepfamily Education: Perceived Benefits for Children
This article explores ways in which stepfamily education benefits children. The study is based on interviews with 40 parents and 20 facilitators who were part of a multisite stepfamily program. Three main themes emerged from the interviews. Children were perceived to benefit by their parents' increased empathy, engagement in family time, and enhanced relationship skills. Children benefited from expressing their feelings and developing their own r…
Stepfamily Education: A Case Study
Stepfathers and Stepfamily Education
Although stepfamily education is believed to improve family relationships, little is known about how stepfamily education impacts stepfather relationships specifically. Using a systems theory approach, this qualitative study examines the experiences of 14 European American stepfathers who participated in a 12-hour research-based stepfamily education course. Although the majority of men initially needed some encouragement to attend, they all felt …
Facilitating Stepfamily Education for Latinos
Relationship education programs can serve as a resource to families in developing and maintaining strong familial relationships, particularly for underserved populations. This qualitative study focuses on effective strategies, used by 14 facilitators, to teach Latino participants attending Smart Steps: Embrace the Journey stepfamily education courses in a western state. Results indicated two major themes regarding culturally appropriate strategie…
Experiences of Latino Men in Stepfamily Education
Relationship education evaluations have historically overlooked the experiences of ethnically diverse populations and stepfamilies. Using qualitative methods, this study examines the experiences of 16 Latino men in a stepfamily relationship education program. The four emergent themes dealt with recruitment and participation, improved family relationships, the value and importance of the family, and normalization of the participants' stepfamily si…
Stepfamily Education: Case Study of Two Lesbian Couples
This article presents the stories of two couples who became stepfamilies by bringing biological children from a previous relationship into a new relationship with a same-sex partner. The study is conducted within the context of multicultural feminist theory. Their experiences of attending a stepfamily relationship education (RE) course are told from their personal points of view. The findings of the study are presented as a case study. The study …
Endorsement of Remarriage Beliefs, Spousal Consistency, and Remarital Adjustment
The consistency of remarriage-related cognitions between stepfamily members has been posited to be of “primary importance” in functional stepfamily systems. This study evaluates the consistency tenant of the multidimensional cognitive development model using common remarriage beliefs. Using a sample of 447 newlywed remarried couples, results from hierarchical regressions indicate that individual endorsements of remarriage beliefs are more predict…
Healthy Relationship Education: A Statewide Initiative Case Study and Outcome Evaluation
Couple and relationship education (CRE) is effective in improving relationship quality and communication skills. However, its methods and structures of delivery (e.g., content, intensity, and settings) vary widely and have lacked empirical scrutiny. This article examines both the structure (i.e., initiative inputs and outputs) and the outcomes of one healthy relationship initiative. First, we use the comprehensive framework for CRE proposed previ…
Validating the Remarriage Belief Inventory as a Dyadic Measure for Stepcouples
Stepcouples remain a comparatively understudied group and few established measures specific to these couples exist. The Remarriage Belief Inventory assesses beliefs and attitudes relevant to couple dynamics in stepfamilies and has been validated using samples of individuals. An important next step in instrument development is the examination of the factorial structure for use with husband-wife dyads. Results from a dyadic confirmatory factor anal…
Is One Hour Enough? Evaluating Utah’s Online Divorce Education Course Based on Course Length Satisfaction
Divorce education programs for couples with children have become mandatory in many states. State-specific courses vary in terms of delivery method and program length. Using data from 1,690 parents who participated in Utah’s online divorce education course, this study examined program effectiveness based on course length satisfaction. Overall, results suggest the program was effective in obtaining its objectives; however, comparisons between group…
Evaluation of Topics in Utah's ONE‐Hour Divorce Education Program
Divorce education programs are mandatory in most states. Despite the ongoing debate in the field regarding the appropriate duration of these programs, the goal of the current study was to identify the following five content areas in divorce education that may be most relevant for predicting favorable outcomes: (1) impact of divorce on children, (2) impact of divorce on family relationships, (3) financial responsibilities of divorcing parents for …
Efforts to Design, Implement, and Evaluate Community‐Based Education for Stepfamilies: Current Knowledge and Future Directions
Stepfamilies are prevalent and have increased in numbers over the past several decades in the United States. Indications are that these families may experience enhanced vulnerabilities and inequities related to relational, psychological, and physical health outcomes; thus, they represent an important target population for family life educators. Efforts have been made to develop detailed, research‐informed conceptual frameworks to guide best pract…
A Longitudinal Hierarchical Examination of Smart Steps for Stepfamilies With Ethnically and Economically Diverse Couples
Over the past decade, relationship education has grown as a means of enhancing couple relationships. This longitudinal study was designed to examine the experiences and outcomes of 2,828 adults who participated in the Smart Steps for Stepfamilies: Embrace the Journey program. Self-report measures of relationship quality, commitment, and relationship instability were administered prior to participation, then immediately, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 1 y…
Predicting Parenting and Stepparenting Difficulties among Newly Remarried Parents
Positive parent-child relationships in cases of remarriage are associated with more harmonious stepfamily relationships; however, little research has focused on factors influencing parenting difficulties in early remarriage. In this study, we examine factors that are associated with parenting and stepparenting difficulties for newly remarried biological parents and stepparents from a family systems theory perspective. Regression analyses indicate…
Couple Relationship Education: Before and During Covid-19
The restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic have required program planners to re-evaluate the provision of relationship education (RE). The current mixed-methods study focuses on the Healthy Relationships [State] initiative's transition from in-person to virtual online RE programing, measuring program impact and comparing the outcomes between the two delivery methods for individuals participating in Couple LINKS, a curriculum designed for a…
Impact of Positive and Negative Socioemotional Behaviors on Remarital Instability
We examined the trajectories of remarried couples' ( N = 1161) positive and negative socioemotional behaviors, which reflect the expression of love versus hostility, in relation to remarital instability across the first 3 years of remarriage. The measures of behaviors included both self and partner reports. Guided by the Vulnerability-Stress-Adaptation model of marriage, we used multi-level modeling framework to test the proposed processes at bet…
Using the Vulnerability-Stress-Adaption Framework to Predict Remarital Stability
This study used three-wave dyadic data to test parts of the Vulnerability-Stress-Adaption (VSA) model in a sample of remarried heterosexual couples (N = 777). Multiple pathways between adaptive processes, remarital quality, and remarital stability were examined. Adaptive processes included spouses’ positive and negative socioemotional behaviors and their perceptions of those behaviors, which were tested with the actor-partner interdependence mode…
Psychological Distress, Destructive Conflict, and Parenting among Residential and Nonresidential Fathers
We utilized the Determinants of Parenting process model to examine correlates of paternal parenting by father’s residential status. Data consisted of fathers (N = 1,784) who participated in a federally funded Responsible Fatherhood program. Study variables were assessed through fathers’ self-reports. Using a structural equation modeling framework, the results of multi-group analyses revealed differences in parenting by father’s residential status…
How do I work this? A mixed‐methods evaluation of relationship education for high school youth
Effectiveness of relationship education among high school youth: The role of context
Resilience theory suggests that youth under more adversity benefit more from resource-based interventions. Most evaluations focused on majority youth, with few exploring under-represented youth from different contexts of adversity. This mixed method study evaluated the effectiveness of the Love Notes curriculum. We compared program outcomes for youth from various educational backgrounds with different levels of disadvantage (urban high schools, a…
Psychology (21 works) · Developmental psychology (16 works) · Family Dynamics and Relationships (16 works) · Social Psychology (15 works) · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving (13 works) · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics (12 works) · Stepfamily (12 works) · Sociology (10 works) · Medicine (7 works) · Social Psychology (7 works)