Rachel Okamoto

College of Family and Consumer Sciences

Human Development and Family Science

PhD Student, Graduate Research Assistant

First year PhD student in the Human Development and Family Sciences Program

Barrow Hall
115 DW Brooks Dr.
Athens, GA 30602

rachel.okamoto@uga.edu

Education

Degree Field of Study Institution Graduation
M.A. Marriage, Family, and Human Development Brigham Young University 2023
B.S. Elementary Education Brigham Young University 2021

Prior Professional Positions

Organization Title Years of Service
Brigham Young University Graduate Research Assistant 2021-2023

Awards

Award Name Awarded By Year Awarded
3 Minute Thesis University Finalist Brigham Young University 2023
Merlin and Edna Sant Endowed Scholarship Brigham Young University 2021-2023

Service

Organization Title Year(s) Service Type
HDFS Graduate Student Organization Evaluation Coordinator 2023-Present Leadership

Advisory Committee

Major Advisor - Dr. Catherine Walker O'Neal

Current Research

My research mainly focuses on the interaction of finances with family and couple processes. Specifically, I look at financial socialization and the wellbeing outcomes associated for emerging adults. I also examine ways in which finances connect with romantic relationship factors (i.e., communication, resilience, power, etc.) 

Publications

Okamoto, R. M., Saxey, M. T., Wikle, J. S., & LeBaron-Black, A. B. (2023). Confident Commitment: Financial Self-Efficacy’s Indirect Association with Romantic Relationship Flourishing Through Financial Behaviors. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 1-10.

LeBaron-Black, A. B., Yorgason, J. B., Curran, M. A., Saxey, M. T., & Okamoto, R. M. (2022). The ABC-X’s of Stress among US Emerging Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Relationship Quality, Financial Distress, and Mental Health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(20), 13125.

LeBaron-Black, A. B., Li, X., Okamoto, R. M., Saxey, M. T., & Driggs, T. M. (2022). Finances and Fate: Parent Financial Socialization, Locus of Control, and Mental Health in Emerging Adulthood. Emerging Adulthood, 10(6), 1484-1496.

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