Center for Family and Demographic Research

Kara Joyner
kjoyner@bgsu.edu 
(419)372 -7166
Curriculum Vitae

Associate Professor of Sociology

Ph.D., The University of Chicago, 1997 

Dr. Joyner’s research addresses how a variety of factors influence the formation and dynamics of friendships and sexual relationships, including single relationships (e.g., dating), cohabiting relationships, and marriages.  It also considers how different types of relationships influence individual well-being, and it examines the factors that moderate this influence.  Her research uses quantitative methods to test hypotheses developed from rational choice and social psychological perspectives.  It involves researchers not only from sociology, but those with training in psychology, economics, and multi-disciplinary programs. Currently Dr. Joyner is a Co-Principal Investigator on an NIH-funded program project (directed by H. Elizabeth Peters) that examines the transition to fatherhood. As Co-PI, she has been organizing and conducting core analyses that evaluate the quality of men’s reports of births in the NSFG 2002, NLSY 79, and NLSY 97.

Recent Publications:

Savin-Williams, R.C., Joyner, K., and Rieger, G. (2012). “Prevalence, Stability, and Change of Sexual Orientation Identity During Young Adulthood." Archives of Sexual Behavior 41(1), 103-110.

Joyner, K., Peters, H.E., Hynes, K.,  Sikora, A.,  Rubenstein, J., and  Rendall, M. (2012). "The Quality of Male Fertility Data in Major U.S. Surveys." Demography 49(1):101-124.

Sassler, S. and  Joyner, K. (2011). “Social Exchange and the Progression of Sexual Relationships in Emerging Adulthood.” Social Forces 90(1): 223-246.

Savin-Williams, R. C., Cohen, K. M., Joyner, K., & Rieger, G. (2011). Rejecting the refutation that never was: Reply to Meyer's (2010) comments on Savin-Williams, Cohen, Joyner, and Rieger (2010). Archives of Sexual Behavior 40:659-661.

Savin-Williams, R.C., Cohen, K.M.,  Joyner, K., and  Rieger, G. (2010). “Depressive Symptoms among Same-Sex Oriented Young Men: The Importance of Reference Group.” Archives of Sexual Behavior 39:1213-1215.

Joyner, K. (2009). “Justice and the Fate of Married and Cohabiting Couples.” Social Psychology Quarterly 72(1):61-76.

Joyner, K. (2009). “Interracial Friendship” In Harry T. Reis and Susan Sprecher (Eds.), Encyclopedia of Human Relationships. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Joyner, K. (2009). “Contraception,” In Richard Shweder (Ed.), The Chicago Companion to the Child. Pp. 213-214. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Joyner, K. (2009). “Adolescent Childbearing,” In Richard Shweder (Ed.), The Chicago Companion to the Child. Pp. 163-164. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

 Hynes, K.,  Joyner, K.,  Peters, H.E., and  Yang, F. (2008). “The Transition to Early Fatherhood: National Estimates Based on Multiple Surveys.” Demographic Research 18(12):337-376.

 Carmalt, J.,  Cawley, J.,  Joyner, K., and  Sobal, J. (2008). “Body Weight and Matching with a Physically Attractive Romantic Partner” Journal of Marriage and the Family 70(5):1287-1296.

Joyner, K. (2008). “Transition to Parenthood” In Deborah Carr (Ed.), Encyclopedia of the Life Course and Human Development. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale.