Anthony J Ferraro
Biographic Data
| ID | 770941 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Anthony J Ferraro |
| GIVEN NAMES | Anthony J |
| FAMILY NAME | Ferraro |
| SIGNATURE | FERRARO A J |
| AFFILIATIONS | Kansas State University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-8732-5662 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 25 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 16 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 25 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1998 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 3 |
Understanding Sexual Orientation Ambiguity
Elements of a person's sexual orientation develop and change across the lifespan, particularly as an individual experiences life transitions that may act as a catalyst for identity exploration. One major life transition may be the dissolution of a relationship (e.g. breaking up, divorce); however, less is known about how experiencing a relationship dissolution may relate to an individual's sexual identity, including their sexual orientation. This…
Long‐reaching impacts of childhood trauma
Working on what works
In this commentary, we revisit the current state of research on parenting education programs for divorcing and separating parents and reflect on what scholars have recommended as priorities for future research. We then explore how the collection of articles in this special issue advance those priorities in meaningful ways. Topics addressed include recommendations for parenting education program content, parenting education to better meet families…
The changing landscape of parenting education programs for divorcing and separating parents
This introduction details why there has been an emphasis placed on examining the value and efficacy of divorce and coparenting education programming. A set of articles is then described that, as a collection, provide insight into what is known and where we need to move forward as a field in the best interests of divorcing and separating parents and their children. We highlight seven original articles that provide foundations on this topic and syn…
Rethinking utility in divorce education
For children in the United States, family instability following parental relationship dissolution is common and efforts to promote effective post‐divorce co‐parenting arrangements have grown substantially in recent decades. To help families navigate transitions through the divorce process, most states require divorcing parents to complete divorce education programming. In the present study we used pre‐post data from three divorce education progra…
Fathers' status and role identities and involvement shortly after divorce
Development of the racial and ethnic discrimination stress model
Family stress models have been used extensively in family science for decades and have demonstrated utility in the examination of familial responses to stressors. Although these models have been applied to research on Black families and researchers have more recently considered the impact of integrated sociocultural context and reconceptualized models accordingly, current models do not fully explain outcomes associated with mundane extreme enviro…
Bridging Parental Conflict
Military‐related stress, self‐efficacy, and anxiety
This study utilizes a stress process framework in conjunction with a crossover perspective to conceptualize how stress, specifically military‐related stress, manifests within individuals and couples. An actor–partner interdependence mediation modeling approach was used in a cross‐sectional sample of 243 military couples to examine whether difficulties managing military‐related stress may erode one's own self‐efficacy and, in turn, contribute to g…
A Systematic Review Identifying Child-Focused Assessment Tools to Improve the Development and Evaluation of Divorce Education Programs
Announcing Family Transitions
Pre-Separation family relationships and post-separation involvement among nonresident fathers in the United States
The transition to separation is an important time for the re-configuration of family relationships and maintaining father involvement. Pre-separation family relationships may affect father involvement over this transition. This study examines associations among family relationship attributes prior to separation (father engagement, coparenting support, mothers' perceptions of paternal competence, marital status) and post-separation father involvem…
Meaning Making and Communication Influences on Perceptions of Sibling Closeness among Emerging Adults
The present study examined information and communication technology usage among emerging adults (n = 330) and the influence of meaning-making on the relationship between communication frequency and sibling closeness. Hypotheses were tested using hierarchical regressions with sibling closeness and its dimensions (affect, behavior, and cognition) as outcome variables. The results highlighted the importance of the meaning that siblings ascribe to co…
A Cross‐Lagged Panel Model of Coparental Interaction and Father Involvement Shortly After Divorce
Objective To examine (a) associations among coparental interaction (cooperation, overt conflict, covert conflict) and father involvement (engagement, in‐kind financial support), (b) associations among the three dimensions of coparental interaction, and (c) associations among the two dimensions of father involvement, shortly after divorce. Background Family relationships change shortly after divorce, yet little research has examined coparental int…
Lessons From the Field
Objective In this Lessons from the Field, we describe the lessons we learned from developing the Divorce Education Assessment Collaborative (DEAC) and creating a longitudinal evaluation plan for divorce education programs across geographically, programmatically, and format‐diverse programs. Background Although divorce education programs are commonly mandated for divorcing parents, variability in program content, format, and design can make it dif…
Communication technology use in post-divorce coparenting relationships
Divorced parents are increasingly expected to carry out shared physical custody of minor children by maintaining ongoing communication with their ex-spouse. Digital and cellular technologies have created new mediums for divorced parents to carry out communication (e.g., texting, email, and social media). In this study, we identified a typology of divorced parents' use of five communication mediums with their former spouse using latent class analy…
Development and Validation of a Short Form for the Multidimensional Co-Parenting Scale for Dissolved Relationships (MCS-DR12)
Using two independent samples, this study validated a 12-item short form of the Multidimensional Co-Parenting Scale for Dissolved Relationships (MCS-DR12). Findings supported the identified three-item subscales: Support, Overt Conflict, Self-Controlled Covert Conflict, and Externally-Controlled Covert Conflict. In a sample of parents participating in divorce education, confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the factor structure and second order f…
Beliefs about Romance and Mate Selection and Intentions to Seek Pre- or Post-Marital Counseling
Emerging adulthood is a developmental period in which many individuals begin the process of mate selection, yet a considerable number of emerging adults endorse unrealistic relationship beliefs and/or believe relationship myths. This study identified belief profiles, using latent profile analysis, among emerging adults (N = 154) about romance and mate selection and examined the association between profiles and intentions to seek pre- and post-mar…
A Growth Curve Analysis of Self-Esteem and Depressive Symptomatology Throughout Emerging Adulthood
Research suggests family-level factors remain an important contributor to emerging adult mental health. Guided by the stress process framework, this study used latent growth curve modeling to examine the role of parent–child relationships, specifically emotional closeness and conflict, in child self-esteem and depression throughout emerging adulthood. Longitudinal associations between self-esteem and depression were also explored using four waves…
The Impact of Training Videos on Attitudes About Parenting After Divorce
Many U.S. states require divorcing parents to take education classes about the impact of divorce on parents and children. As educators, psychiatrists, social workers, and others create these classes, it is important to evaluate what elements of the curriculum are effective in achieving targeted outcomes. Successful Coparenting After Divorce (https://coparenting.fsu.edu) is a free online divorce education course that focuses on issues such as the …
Research note
This research note applied self-determination theory to the study of social leisure and well-being among collegiate emerging adults. Self-determination theory posits that individuals seek out environments that promote basic psychological needs; among these needs is the need for relatedness. We examined the relationship between social leisure engagement (conceptualised as an environment that promotes connections to others) and emerging adults’ dep…
Factors Linked with Coparenting Support and Conflict After Divorce
We examined the relationship between personal and interpersonal indicators of postdivorce adjustment and dimensions of coparenting (support, overt conflict, covert conflict) using data from 176 recently divorced mothers. Mothers’ satisfaction with the divorce decree, perceptions of fathers as important for child development, and being satisfied with fathers’ parenting were associated with more supportive coparenting. Mothers’ satisfaction with th…
Helicopter Parenting and Emerging Adult Self-Efficacy
Postdivorce Parenting
Divorce is challenging for parents with children, commonly resulting in a series of individual and interpersonal adjustments. The time immediately following divorce can be particularly difficult. This study used a modified grounded theory approach to explore the experiences of 99 recently divorced mothers and fathers. Analysis of written narratives revealed 4 emergent groups of parents who described their postdivorce parenting experiences: good d…
Electronic Commerce
We live in a world increasingly propelled by technological change. The next big thrust in a quest to make our lives better, simpler and more productive is electronic commerce (or E-commerce). What is E-commerce? Who will use it? What are the barriers to its successful implementation? How will a viable consumer model be constructed? While I will examine the technology that makes this e-commerce possible, I will also examine the issues of trust and…
Communication technology use in post-divorce coparenting relationships
Divorced parents are increasingly expected to carry out shared physical custody of minor children by maintaining ongoing communication with their ex-spouse. Digital and cellular technologies have created new mediums for divorced parents to carry out communication (e.g., texting, email, and social media). In this study, we identified a typology of divorced parents' use of five communication mediums with their former spouse using latent class analy…
Research note
This research note applied self-determination theory to the study of social leisure and well-being among collegiate emerging adults. Self-determination theory posits that individuals seek out environments that promote basic psychological needs; among these needs is the need for relatedness. We examined the relationship between social leisure engagement (conceptualised as an environment that promotes connections to others) and emerging adults’ dep…
Meaning Making and Communication Influences on Perceptions of Sibling Closeness among Emerging Adults
The present study examined information and communication technology usage among emerging adults (n = 330) and the influence of meaning-making on the relationship between communication frequency and sibling closeness. Hypotheses were tested using hierarchical regressions with sibling closeness and its dimensions (affect, behavior, and cognition) as outcome variables. The results highlighted the importance of the meaning that siblings ascribe to co…
Electronic Commerce
We live in a world increasingly propelled by technological change. The next big thrust in a quest to make our lives better, simpler and more productive is electronic commerce (or E-commerce). What is E-commerce? Who will use it? What are the barriers to its successful implementation? How will a viable consumer model be constructed? While I will examine the technology that makes this e-commerce possible, I will also examine the issues of trust and…
Helicopter Parenting and Emerging Adult Self-Efficacy
Postdivorce Parenting
Divorce is challenging for parents with children, commonly resulting in a series of individual and interpersonal adjustments. The time immediately following divorce can be particularly difficult. This study used a modified grounded theory approach to explore the experiences of 99 recently divorced mothers and fathers. Analysis of written narratives revealed 4 emergent groups of parents who described their postdivorce parenting experiences: good d…
Factors Linked with Coparenting Support and Conflict After Divorce
We examined the relationship between personal and interpersonal indicators of postdivorce adjustment and dimensions of coparenting (support, overt conflict, covert conflict) using data from 176 recently divorced mothers. Mothers’ satisfaction with the divorce decree, perceptions of fathers as important for child development, and being satisfied with fathers’ parenting were associated with more supportive coparenting. Mothers’ satisfaction with th…
The Impact of Training Videos on Attitudes About Parenting After Divorce
Many U.S. states require divorcing parents to take education classes about the impact of divorce on parents and children. As educators, psychiatrists, social workers, and others create these classes, it is important to evaluate what elements of the curriculum are effective in achieving targeted outcomes. Successful Coparenting After Divorce (https://coparenting.fsu.edu) is a free online divorce education course that focuses on issues such as the …
Research note
This research note applied self-determination theory to the study of social leisure and well-being among collegiate emerging adults. Self-determination theory posits that individuals seek out environments that promote basic psychological needs; among these needs is the need for relatedness. We examined the relationship between social leisure engagement (conceptualised as an environment that promotes connections to others) and emerging adults’ dep…
A Growth Curve Analysis of Self-Esteem and Depressive Symptomatology Throughout Emerging Adulthood
Research suggests family-level factors remain an important contributor to emerging adult mental health. Guided by the stress process framework, this study used latent growth curve modeling to examine the role of parent–child relationships, specifically emotional closeness and conflict, in child self-esteem and depression throughout emerging adulthood. Longitudinal associations between self-esteem and depression were also explored using four waves…
Development and Validation of a Short Form for the Multidimensional Co-Parenting Scale for Dissolved Relationships (MCS-DR12)
Using two independent samples, this study validated a 12-item short form of the Multidimensional Co-Parenting Scale for Dissolved Relationships (MCS-DR12). Findings supported the identified three-item subscales: Support, Overt Conflict, Self-Controlled Covert Conflict, and Externally-Controlled Covert Conflict. In a sample of parents participating in divorce education, confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the factor structure and second order f…
Beliefs about Romance and Mate Selection and Intentions to Seek Pre- or Post-Marital Counseling
Emerging adulthood is a developmental period in which many individuals begin the process of mate selection, yet a considerable number of emerging adults endorse unrealistic relationship beliefs and/or believe relationship myths. This study identified belief profiles, using latent profile analysis, among emerging adults (N = 154) about romance and mate selection and examined the association between profiles and intentions to seek pre- and post-mar…
A Cross‐Lagged Panel Model of Coparental Interaction and Father Involvement Shortly After Divorce
Objective To examine (a) associations among coparental interaction (cooperation, overt conflict, covert conflict) and father involvement (engagement, in‐kind financial support), (b) associations among the three dimensions of coparental interaction, and (c) associations among the two dimensions of father involvement, shortly after divorce. Background Family relationships change shortly after divorce, yet little research has examined coparental int…
Lessons From the Field
Objective In this Lessons from the Field, we describe the lessons we learned from developing the Divorce Education Assessment Collaborative (DEAC) and creating a longitudinal evaluation plan for divorce education programs across geographically, programmatically, and format‐diverse programs. Background Although divorce education programs are commonly mandated for divorcing parents, variability in program content, format, and design can make it dif…
Communication technology use in post-divorce coparenting relationships
Divorced parents are increasingly expected to carry out shared physical custody of minor children by maintaining ongoing communication with their ex-spouse. Digital and cellular technologies have created new mediums for divorced parents to carry out communication (e.g., texting, email, and social media). In this study, we identified a typology of divorced parents' use of five communication mediums with their former spouse using latent class analy…
Meaning Making and Communication Influences on Perceptions of Sibling Closeness among Emerging Adults
The present study examined information and communication technology usage among emerging adults (n = 330) and the influence of meaning-making on the relationship between communication frequency and sibling closeness. Hypotheses were tested using hierarchical regressions with sibling closeness and its dimensions (affect, behavior, and cognition) as outcome variables. The results highlighted the importance of the meaning that siblings ascribe to co…
Military‐related stress, self‐efficacy, and anxiety
This study utilizes a stress process framework in conjunction with a crossover perspective to conceptualize how stress, specifically military‐related stress, manifests within individuals and couples. An actor–partner interdependence mediation modeling approach was used in a cross‐sectional sample of 243 military couples to examine whether difficulties managing military‐related stress may erode one's own self‐efficacy and, in turn, contribute to g…
A Systematic Review Identifying Child-Focused Assessment Tools to Improve the Development and Evaluation of Divorce Education Programs
Announcing Family Transitions
Pre-Separation family relationships and post-separation involvement among nonresident fathers in the United States
The transition to separation is an important time for the re-configuration of family relationships and maintaining father involvement. Pre-separation family relationships may affect father involvement over this transition. This study examines associations among family relationship attributes prior to separation (father engagement, coparenting support, mothers' perceptions of paternal competence, marital status) and post-separation father involvem…
Working on what works
In this commentary, we revisit the current state of research on parenting education programs for divorcing and separating parents and reflect on what scholars have recommended as priorities for future research. We then explore how the collection of articles in this special issue advance those priorities in meaningful ways. Topics addressed include recommendations for parenting education program content, parenting education to better meet families…
The changing landscape of parenting education programs for divorcing and separating parents
This introduction details why there has been an emphasis placed on examining the value and efficacy of divorce and coparenting education programming. A set of articles is then described that, as a collection, provide insight into what is known and where we need to move forward as a field in the best interests of divorcing and separating parents and their children. We highlight seven original articles that provide foundations on this topic and syn…
Rethinking utility in divorce education
For children in the United States, family instability following parental relationship dissolution is common and efforts to promote effective post‐divorce co‐parenting arrangements have grown substantially in recent decades. To help families navigate transitions through the divorce process, most states require divorcing parents to complete divorce education programming. In the present study we used pre‐post data from three divorce education progra…
Fathers' status and role identities and involvement shortly after divorce
Development of the racial and ethnic discrimination stress model
Family stress models have been used extensively in family science for decades and have demonstrated utility in the examination of familial responses to stressors. Although these models have been applied to research on Black families and researchers have more recently considered the impact of integrated sociocultural context and reconceptualized models accordingly, current models do not fully explain outcomes associated with mundane extreme enviro…
Bridging Parental Conflict
Long‐reaching impacts of childhood trauma
Understanding Sexual Orientation Ambiguity
Elements of a person's sexual orientation develop and change across the lifespan, particularly as an individual experiences life transitions that may act as a catalyst for identity exploration. One major life transition may be the dissolution of a relationship (e.g. breaking up, divorce); however, less is known about how experiencing a relationship dissolution may relate to an individual's sexual identity, including their sexual orientation. This…
Psychology (22 works) · Developmental psychology (18 works) · Family Dynamics and Relationships (17 works) · Social Psychology (15 works) · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving (13 works) · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics (10 works) · Coparenting (7 works) · Social Psychology (7 works) · Sociology (6 works) · Clinical Psychology (5 works)