Laura Nathans, Ph.D.

Laura Nathans
Assistant Professor, Human Development and Family Studies
Dawson Building, 112B
Penn State Scranton
120 Ridge View Drive
Dunmore, PA 18512

Discipline Focus: Research in the efficacy of home visiting interventions for young children and how home visitor characteristics affect program implementation; parent involvement in children's education.

Professional and Academic Awards:

  • 2022  Outstanding Reviewer, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
  • 2021  Faculty supervisor for first place winner in Social Sciences category and winner of Library Literacy award in Penn State Scranton campus Undergraduate Research Fair
  • 2015 Outstanding Alumni Award, University of North Texas

Professional Activities and Leadership

  • Editorial Board, Journal of Social Service Research, 2020 – Present
  • Reviewer Board, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021 – Present

Refereed articles and book chapters while at Pennsylvania State University - Scranton

  • Nathans, L. L., & Chaffers, L.  (2022).  A holistic analysis of the effects of tangible domains on a multi-domain independent living program.  Journal of Public Child Welfare, 1-33.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Chaffers, L.  (2022).  Independent Living Coordinators’ effects on intangible domains in an independent living program.  Research on Social Work Practice, 1-19.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Brown, A.  (2022).  Differences in pre-service teacher attitude change about family involvement across four universities.  Societies, 12, 1-16.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Brown, A.  (2022).  The role of case studies in changing teacher candidates’ attitudes regarding parent involvement.  In R. V. Nata (Ed.), Progress in education (Vol. 72).  New York:  Nova Science Publishers.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Brown, A.  (2021).  Factor analysis of the Attitude Toward Parent Involvement survey with preservice teachers.  Sage Open, 1-11.
  • Hatton-Bowers, H., Virmani, E., Nathans, L. L., Walsh, B., Buell, M., Lanzon, P., Plata-Potter, S., & Roe, L.  (2021).  Cultivating self-awareness in our work with infants, toddlers, and their families.  Young Children, Spring 2021, 30-34.
  • Nathans, L. L., Brown, A., Harris, M., & Jacobson, A.  (2020). Preservice teacher learning about parent involvement at four universities.  Educational Studies, 1-20.
  • Nathans, L. L., Nievar, M. A., & Tucker, M.  (2020).  The effects of the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters program on Latino parenting using propensity score analysis.  Journal of Social Service Research, 46, 726-739.
  • Nathans, L. L., Gill, S., Molloy, S., & Greenberg, M.  (2019).  Home visitor readiness, job support, and job satisfaction across three home visitation programs:  A retrospective analysis.  Children and Youth Services Review, 106, 1-9.
  • Nievar, M. A., Brown, A., Nathans, L. L., Chen, Q., & Martinez-Cantu, V.  (2018).  Home visiting among inner-city families:  Links to early academic achievement.  Early Education and Development, 29, 1115-1128.
  • Gill, S., Nathans, L. L., Seidel, A., & Greenberg, M.  (2017).  Early Head Start start-up planning: Implications for staff support, job satisfaction, burnout, and turnover.  Journal of Community Psychology, 45, 443-458.
  • Parmar, P., & Nathans, L. L.  (2017).  Peer rejection.  In M. Bornstein (Ed.), Sage encyclopedia of lifespan human development. Thousand Oaks, CA:  Sage Publishing.
  • Nathans, L. L., Wang, J., & Booker, D.  (2014).  Naming and planning to overcome barriers to parent involvement in pre-service teachers’ online discussions.  In M. Snider (Ed.), Cultural diversity:  International perspectives, impacts on the workplace, and educational challenges (pp. 1-48).  New York:  Nova Science Publishers.

Refereed journal articles and book chapters prior to working at Pennsylvania State University – Scranton

  • Brown, A., Harris, M., Jacobson, A., Trotti, J., & Nathans, L. L.  (2014).  Parent Teacher Education Connection:  Preparing preservice teachers for family engagement.  The Teacher Educator, 49, 133-151.
  • Pollard, S. E., Nievar, M. A., Nathans, L. L., & Riggs, S.  (2014).  A comparison of white and Hispanic women’s stories of adjustment to the birth of a child.  Infant Mental Health Journal, 35, 193-209.
  • Nathans, L. L., Nimon, K., & Walker, D.  (2013).  Use of the multiple lens approach to multiple regression findings with a national dataset.  Multiple Linear Regression Viewpoints, 39, 25-33.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Revelle, C.  (2013).  An analysis of cultural diversity and recurring themes in preservice teachers’ online discussions of Epstein’s six types of parent involvement.  Teaching Education, 24, 164-180.
  • Jacobson, A., Harris, M., & Nathans, L. L.  (2012).  Parent and family involvement:  Are teacher candidates in Texas prepared?  TAFCS Journal, 2, 5-6.
  • Middlemiss, W., Granger, D., Goldberg, W., & Nathans, L. L.  (2012).  Asynchrony of mother-infant hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis following extinction of infant crying responses induced during the transition to sleep.  Early Human Development, 88, 227-232.
  • Nathans, L. L., Oswald, F., & Nimon, K.  (2012).  Interpreting multiple linear regression:  A guidebook of variable importance.  Practical Assessment, Research, and Evaluation, 17, 1-19.
  • Leigh, P, Nievar, M. A., & Nathans, L. L.  (2011).  Maternal sensitivity and language in early childhood:  A test of the transactional model.  Perceptual and Motor Skills, 113, 281-299.
  • Whipple, E., & Nathans, L. L.  (2005).  Evaluation of a rural Healthy Families America (HFA) program:  The importance of context.  Families in Society, 86, 71-82.
  • Ph.D. – Educational Research with a concentration in Human Development and        Family Studies, University of North Texas, Denton, TX - 2014
  • M.S. – Clinical Psychology, Institute for the Psychological Sciences, Arlington, VA - 2007
  • M.A. – Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI - 2000
  • B.A. – Psychology (magna cum laude, distinction in major), Yale University, New Haven, CT - 1997
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Papers Presented at Conferences

  • Nathans, L. L., & Brown, A.  (2022, April).  An analysis of themes regarding preservice teachers’ training in parent involvement at four universities.  Paper presented at INET Preconference, San Diego, CA.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Brown, A.  (2022, April).  The role of case studies in changing teacher candidates’ attitudes regarding parent involvement.  Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Diego, CA.
  • Nathans, L. L. (2022, March).  Virtual hybrid training.  Paper presented at the National Home Visiting Summit, virtual.
  • Nathans, L. L., Bost, K., & Roper, T.  (2022, March).  Hybrid virtual training:  Benefits, challenges, and DEIB considerations.  Poster presented at the National Home Visiting Summit, virtual.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Chaffers, L.  (2021, April).  An analysis of services provided by an independent living program.  Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research on Child Development, virtual.
  • Nathans, L. L.  (2021, February).  Curricula Design and Delivery virtual training presentation.  Paper presented at the National Home Visiting Summit, virtual.
  • Nathans, L. L., Quieroga, S., & O’Brien, D.  (2021, February).  Curricula Design and Development.  Poster presented at the National Home Visiting Summit, virtual.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Chaffers, L.  (2020, November).  A holistic analysis of an independent living program through independent living plans.  Poster presented at the National Conference on Family Relations, virtual.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Brown, A.  (2020, April).  Factor analysis of the Attitude Toward Parent Involvement survey with preservice teachers.  Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Francisco, CA.    **Cancelled due to COVID and presented in gallery in i-Poster format
  • Nathans, L. L., & Chaffers, L.  (2020, March).  An analysis of the Independent Living Coordinator’s role in providing services in an independent living program using independent living plans.  Paper presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research on Human Development, Jacksonville, FL. **Cancelled due to COVID
  • Nathans, L. L., Gill, S., & Molloy, S.  (2020, January).  Home visitor supervisory support, training, and job satisfaction across three home visitation programs.  Part of symposium presented at National Home Visiting Summit, Washington, DC.
  • Nathans, L. L., Gill, S., & Molloy, S.  (2019, November).  Home visitor readiness, job support, and job satisfaction across three home visiting programs.  Paper presented at the National Conference on Family Relations, Fort Worth, TX.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Chaffers, L.  (2019, September).  An analysis of the use and effectiveness of service plans for an independent living program.  Poster presented at the Future of Foster Care:  New Science to Address Old Problems, University Park, PA.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Brown, A.  (2019, April).  Differences in attitude change about parent involvement across four universities.  Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Toronto, Canada.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Nievar, M. A.  (2019, March).  Factor analysis of a new parenting self-efficacy measure.  Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research on Child Development, Baltimore, MD.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Chaffers, L.  (2018, November).  An analysis of an independent living program for foster youth.  Paper presented at the National Conference on Family Relations, San Diego, CA.
  • Brown, A., Nievar, M. A., & Nathans, L. L.  (2018, April).  Home visiting among inner-city families:  Links to early academic achievement.  Roundtable presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New York City, NY.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Brown, A.  (2018, April).  The role of case studies in changing preservice teachers’ attitudes towards parent involvement.  Roundtable presented at INET Preconference, New York City, NY.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Nievar, M. A.  (2018, March).  An analysis of perceptions of parenting in a Hispanic sample.  Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research on Human Development, Plano, TX.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Gill, S.  (2017, November).  Home visitor perspectives on engaging families.  Paper presented at the National Conference on Family Relations, Orlando, FL.
  • Nathans, L. L., Gill, S., & Seidel, A.  (2017, November).  Predictors of burnout among three major home visiting programs.  Paper presented at the National Conference on Family Relations, Orlando, FL.
  • Nathans, L. L., Nievar, M. A., & Tucker, M.  (2017, April).  HIPPY as a predictor of cognitive and socioemotional parenting.  Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research on Child Development, Austin, TX.
  • Nievar, M. A., Nathans, L. L., Brown, A., & Chen, Q.  (2016, November).  Home visiting in low-income families:  Links to early academic achievement.  Poster presented at the National Conference on Family Relations, Minneapolis, MN.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Gill, S.  (2016, October).  An exploration of home visitor engagement of families in Early Head Start.  Pennsylvania Early Childhood Education Summit, University Park, PA.
  • Nathans, L. L., Brown, A., Harris, M., & Jacobson, A.  (2016, April).  Teacher candidate learning about family engagement at four universities.  Paper presented at INET Preconference, Washington, DC.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Jacobson, A.  (2016, March).  The role of the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters Program and contextual variables in parenting.  Paper presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research on Human Development, Denver, CO.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Jacobson, A.  (2015, March).  The role of the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters program and contextual variables in parenting.  Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research on Child Development, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Tucker, M., Nievar, M. A., & Nathans, L. L.  (2015, March).  HIPPY home visiting:  Effects on mothers’ parenting skills.  Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research on Child Development, Philadelphia, PA.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Jacobson, A.  (2014, November).  The impact of the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters program and family and neighborhood context on parenting self-efficacy.  Poster presented at the National Conference on Family Relations, Baltimore, MD.
  • Nathans, L. L., Cornwell, S., & Austin, L.  (2014, October).  Pediatric feeding disorders:  Multidisciplinary inpatient treatment effects.  Poster presented at the annual meeting of the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Chicago, IL.
  • Brown, A., Nievar, M. A., Nathans, L. L., & Chen, Q.  (2014, July).  Intervention in early childhood:  Links to school success for diverse families.  Poster presented at the Head Start National Conference, Washington, DC.
  • Nathans, L. L., Jacobson, A., Mackey, K., & Gutierrez, S.  (2014, April).  An analysis of the effects of HIPPY and contextual variables on parenting in Hispanic families.  Paper presented at the Texas Conference on Family Relations, Fort Worth, TX.
  • Nathans, L. L., Austin, L., & Cornwell, S.  (2014, March).  An exploration of the relationship between Children’s Eating Behavior Inventory scores for inpatient and day treatment samples with inventory norms.  Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research on Human Development, Austin, TX.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Natesan, P.  (2014, March).  A confirmatory factor analysis of domains of school readiness.  Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research on Human Development, Austin, TX.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Middlemiss, W.  (2013, November).  Are infant nightwakings always viewed as problematic?  Examinations of mothers’ perceptions of infants’ needs and sleep outcomes.  Poster presented at the National Conference on Family Relations, San Antonio, TX.
  • Nathans, L. L., Nimon, K., & Walker, D.  (2013, April).  Use of the multiple lens approach to multiple regression findings with a national dataset.  Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Education, San Francisco, CA.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Revelle, C.  (2013, April).  Preparing preservice teachers to build strong partnerships with diverse families:  A qualitative analysis on awareness and sensitivity toward family diversity.  Roundtable presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Francisco, CA.
  • Nathans, L. L., Pollard, S., & Austin, L.  (2013, April).  An analysis of diagnoses and outcomes in a feeding disorders treatment program.  Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research on Child Development, Seattle, WA.
  • Nievar, M. A., Nathans, L. L., & Jacobson, A.  (2012, June).  Home visiting:  Effects on mothers’ skills and child health.  Poster presented at the Head Start National Conference, Washington, DC.
  • Harris, M., Jacobson, L., & Nathans, L. L.  (2012, April).  Parent/family involvement in Texas teacher education after No Child Left Behind.  Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Vancouver, BC.
  • Nathans, L. L., Oswald, F., & Nimon, K.  (2012, April).  Viewing multiple linear regression results through multiple lenses.  Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Vancouver, BC.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Revelle, C.  (2012, April).  A qualitative analysis of the integration of Epstein’s six types of parent involvement in preservice teachers’ responses to online discussion questions.  Paper presented at INET Preconference, Vancouver, BC.
  • Nathans, L. L.  (2012, March).  An analysis of Hispanic parenting and its relationship to family systems theory.  Poster presented at the Texas Conference on Family Relations, San Antonio, TX.
  • Harris, M., & Nathans, L. L.  (2011, October).  Parent/family involvement in Texas teacher education.  Paper presented at Consortium of State Organizations for Texas Teacher Education, Corpus Christi, TX.
  • Pollard, S., Weber, A., Nievar, M. A., Nathans, L. L., & Riggs, S.  (2011, August).  A mixed method study of adjustment to motherhood among diverse women.  Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.
  • Nievar, M. A., Ramisetty-Mikler, S., & Nathans, L. L.  (2011, April).  Maternal depression and maternal involvement in school readiness.  Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research on Child Development, Montreal, Quebec.
  • Nathans, L. L., Ramisetty-Mikler, S., & Nievar, M. A. (2011, April).  The relationships between maternal characteristics and cognitive and socioemotional development.  Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research on Child Development, Montreal, Quebec.
  • Nievar, M. A., Ramisetty-Mikler, S., Nathans, L. L., Calvin, V., Orozco, A., & Wu, M.  (2010, November).  Couple violence in low-income Hispanic families and parenting efficacy.  Poster presented at the National Conference on Family Relations, Minneapolis, MN.
  • Middlemiss, W., Nathans, L. L., & Granger, D.  (2010, July).  Maternal responsiveness and mothers’ and infants’ experiences of infant transition to sleep.  Poster presented at the annual meeting of the World Association for Infant Mental Health, Leipzig, Germany.
  • Nievar, M. A., Leigh, P., & Nathans, L. L.  (2010, July).  The development of parent-child interaction:  Maternal sensitivity and children’s interaction in the early years.  Poster presented at the annual meeting of the World Association for Infant Mental Health, Leipzig, Germany.
  • Pollard, S., Nievar, M. A., & Nathans, L. L.  (2010, July).  An integration of the ABC-X model of parenting stress and Belsky’s determinants of parenting model to explain adjustment to parenthood.  Poster presented at the annual meeting of the World Association for Infant Mental Health, Leipzig, Germany.
  • Nathans, L. L.  (2010, March).  The development of the Alliance in Home-Based Counseling Inventory.  Poster presented at the Texas Conference on Family Relations, Waco, TX.
  • Nimon, K., Nathans, L. L., & Henson, R.  (2010, February).  Commonality analysis:  A promising strategy for improving understanding of regression effects.  Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Southwest Educational Research Association, New Orleans, LA.
  • Nathans, L. L., Zimmerman, E., & McAuley, W.  (2009, August).  Role of migration and rurality in predicting cognitive impairment in nursing home residents.  Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, ON.
  • Nathans, L. L.  (2006, October).  A discussion of moral development in preschool-aged children and its relation to moral theology.  Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Catholic Social Scientists, Irving, TX.
  • Nathans, L. L., Meece, D., Barratt, M., & Kossek, E.  (2004, July).  The relationship of maternal depression to infant temperament and work quality.  Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Association, Honolulu, HI.
  • Nathans, L. L., Meece, D., Barratt, M., & Kossek, E.  (2004, May).  The relative contributions of day care and temperament to infant development.  Poster presented at the International Conference on Infant Studies, Chicago, IL.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Meece, D.  (2004, April).  Parenting behaviors and children’s regulation:  Correlates of peer-based social behavior in preschoolers.  Poster presented at biennial meeting of Society on Research in Human Development, Washington, DC.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Whipple, E.  (2003, April).  Relationships between admission risk level and efficacy in a rural Healthy Families America program.  Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research on Child Development, Tampa, FL.
  • Brophy-Herb, H., Lee, R., Stollak, G., Nathans, L. L., Levendosky, A., Kashy, D., & Casady, M. A.  (2002, July).  Family functioning and toddler social competence.  Poster presented at the annual meeting of the World Association for Infant Mental Health, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • Whipple, E., & Nathans, L. L.  (2002, July).  Evaluation of a rural Healthy Families America program:  The importance of context.  Poster presented at the annual meeting of the World Association for Infant Mental Health, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
  • Brophy-Herb, H., Lee, R., Stollak, G., Nathans, L. L., Levendosky, A., Kashy, D., & Casady, M. A.  (2002, April).  The role of family interactions in shaping toddler social competence:  Initial reports from the REACH project.  Poster presented at the International Conference for Infant Studies, Toronto, ON.
  • Brophy-Herb, H., Nathans, L. L., Stollak, G., Lee, R., Levendosky, A., & Kashy, D.  (2002, April).  The role of family interactions in shaping toddler social competence:  Initial reports from the REACH project.  Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health, Ann Arbor, MI.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Whipple, E.  (2001, June).  Predictors of attrition in a rural Healthy Families America program.  Poster presented at the annual meeting of the American Psychological Society, Toronto, ON.
  • Whipple, E., Nathans, L. L., Thuma, S., & Graham, J.  (2001, May).  Interdisciplinary implementation of a rural Healthy Families America program:  What works?  Paper presented at Michigan Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers Conference, Mackinac Island, MI.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Whipple, E.  (2001, April).  Rural implementation of a results-based child abuse prevention program with high-risk families:  An evaluation of a Healthy Families program.  Paper presented at the National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect, Albuquerque, NM.
  • Nathans, L. L., & Caldwell, R.  (2001, April).  An examination of the role of potentially abusive environments in shaping infant development.  Poster presented at the biennial meeting of the Society for Research on Child Development, Minneapolis, MN.