Faculty & Staff

• FAM 252: Introduction to Family Science 
• FAM 253: Human Sexuality
• FAM 652: Readings in Family Theory & Research
• FAM 690: Research Methods in Family Science
• FAM 777: Applied Statistics in Family science
• UK 101: Academic Orientation

• Divorce & Stepfamilies
• Posthumous Reproduction
• Human Sexuality

The primary focus of Dr. Hans' research has been twofold: (a) post-divorce financial issues, and (b) posthumous reproduction. His research on post-divorce financial issues has centered on issues that arise following remarriage, which sets it apart from the vast majority of work in this area that has focused on the immediate aftermath of relationship dissolution. The ethical dilemmas surrounding posthumous reproduction have been called "the most challenging, difficult, and sensitive . . . in the field of medicine" (Bahadur, 2002, p. 2769) and, although some medical, legal, and bioethical literature exists on this topic, the social science perspective taken by Dr. Hans is less common. Dr. Hans has also published numerous articles on various topics centering on the theme of human sexuality.

Dr. Hans developed the Family Index Database in 1999 and served as editor until 2005, when he took on a consulting role for EBSCO Information Services. He has also been editor of both the print (2001-2011) and online (since 2011) versions of Graduate and Undergraduate Study in Marriage and Family, the most comprehensive guide to family-related study ever compiled.

Beginning in 2000, Dr. Hans served a two-year term as President of the Missouri Council on Family Relations. He has also been both Vice-Chair (2008-2010) and Student & New Professional Representative (2000-2002) of the Family Science Section of the National Council on Family Relations. He is currently on the Editorial Board of Family Relations, a scientific journal for applied research on family-related topics.

A McNair Scholar (1998-1999) and Fulbright Scholar to Ukraine (2010-2011), Jason has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. He received the 2009 United States Department of Agriculture's Excellence in Teaching Award, and in 2008 he was recipient of the Provost's Outstanding Teacher Award at the University of Kentucky. The prestigious Rollins Society inducted him in 2003 for his contributions to the family science community, and in 2002 he was awarded the National Council on Family Relations Outstanding New Professional Award in recognition of his outstanding potential for contribution to family science. Jason is the only student to receive awards as both the most outstanding graduate instructor (2002) and researcher (2004) at the University of Missouri, and he is also the only two-time recipient of the University of Missouri Parents Association Teaching Award (2002, 2004).

Hans, J. D., & Gillen, M. (in press). Social Security survivors benefits: The effects of reproductive pathways and intestacy law on attitudes. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, 41.

Washington, K. N., & Hans, J. D. (2013). Romantic attachment among young adults: The effects of parental divorce and residential instability. Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, 54.

Hans, J. D., Kersey, M., & Kimberly, C. (2012). Self-perceived origins of attitudes toward homosexuality. Journal of Homosexuality, 59, 4-17.

Hans, J. D., & Kimberly, C. (2011). Abstinence, sex, and virginity: Do they mean what we think they mean? American Journal of Sexuality Education, 6(4), 329-342.

Hans, J. D., & Kimberly, C. (2011). An educational intervention to change planned behavior concerning midwife-assisted out-of-hospital childbirth. Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health, 56, 371-375.

Haselschwerdt, M. L., Hardesty, J., & Hans, J. D. (2011). Custody evaluators' beliefs about domestic violence allegations during divorce: Feminist and family violence perspectives. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 26, 1694-1711.

Ashurst, K. L., Hans, J. D., Smith, D. R., & Jones, K. R. (2010). Positive youth development in the midst of coping with parental cancer: Implications for youth development research and practice. Journal of Youth Development, 5(3), 45-56

Hans, J. D., Gillen, M., & Akande, K. A. R. (2010). Sex redefined: The reclassification of oral-genital contact. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 42, 74-78.

Hans, J. D., & Coleman, M. (2009). The experiences of remarried stepfathers who pay child support. Personal Relationships, 16, 597-618.

Hans, J. D. (2009). Beliefs about child support modification following remarriage and subsequent childbirth. Family Relations, 58, 65-78.

Hans, J. D., Ganong, L. H., & Coleman, M. (2009). Financial responsibilities toward older parents and stepparents: The effect of divorce and remarriage on filial obligations. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 30, 55-66.

Ashurst, K. L., Hans, J. D., & Smith, D. R. (2009). The resilience factor: What extension can learn from adolescents coping with parental cancer. Journal of Extension, 47, Article 2RIB3.

Hans, J. D. (2008). Attitudes toward posthumous harvesting and reproduction. Death Studies, 32, 837-869.

Hans, J. D. (2008). Should child support continue for children attending college? Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 48(3/4), 109-125.

Hans, J. D. (Ed.). (2008). Graduate and undergraduate study in marriage and family (2008-2010): A guide to bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs in the United States and Canada. Lexington, KY: Family Scholar Publications.