Faculty Bio

Krystal Cashen

Assistant Professor of Psychology

Education

• B.A., Vassar College
• M.S., Ph.D., University of Massachusetts Amherst

About

Krystal Cashen joined the faculty at Ohio Wesleyan University in the fall of 2022. Prior to
coming to OWU, she earned her PhD in Developmental Psychology at the University of
Massachusetts Amherst where she worked with the Rudd Adoption Research Program. Dr.
Cashen completed her postdoctoral training in the Psychology Department at the University of Kentucky.

Dr. Cashen's research focuses on development in LGBTQ+ parent and adoptive families. In
particular, her research examines how experiences unique to these family contexts (e.g.,
stigmatization, community connections) shape outcomes such as identity development and
close relationships in emerging adulthood. She takes a mixed-methods approach to her
research by regularly incorporating both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

Recent Publications

• Cashen, K. K. (2022). Community connections among emerging adults with sexual minority
  parents. LGBTQ+ Family: An Interdisciplinary Journal. Advance online publication.
  https://doi.org/10.1080/27703371.2022.2058670
• Lo, A. Y. H., Cashen, K. K., & Grotevant, H. D. (2021). Adoptive parenting cognitions in the era of open adoption: Is Shared Fate Theory still relevant? Family Relations. 70(4), 1117-
  1131. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12557
• Cashen, K. K., Wyman Battalen, A., Sellers, C. M., McRoy, R. G., & Grotevant, H.D. (2021). The role of tech-mediated and traditional modes of communication in adult adoptees'
  contact with birth mothers and birth fathers. Family Relations. 70(1), 120-129.
  https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12477
• Cashen, K. K., & Grotevant, H. D. (2020). Relational competence in emerging adult adoptees: Conceptualizing competence in close relationships. Journal of Adult Development. 27(2), 83-94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-019-09328-x (Note: Publication reflects masters thesis work)
• Cashen, K. K., Altamari, D. K., Grotevant, H. D., & McRoy, R. G. (2019). Hearing the voices of emerging adult adoptees: Perspectives on adoption agency practices. Child Welfare, 97(4), 1-22.