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Nathan H. Perkins, PhD

Associate Professor

Mission in Action

The focus on social justice within the School of Social Work at Loyola University is consistent with the lens which I use when teaching and engaging in research. Incorporating the discussion of social justice within the context of research helps me present social work research to students as a tool that can be used to affect change for those that are socially and/or economically oppressed. The research I conduct regarding physical and emotional violence between siblings highlights an under-examined area including a marginalized group (children) who experience violence by those individuals closest to them. I feel it is my responsibility as a social worker to uncover ways to expunge violence in this context so that children do not use violence as a mechanism to address stressful situations in childhood or when adults. Regardless of context, I believe the consideration of social justice should intersect with everything we as social workers do in order to help under-privileged individuals empower themselves with the hopes of positive, systemic social change.   ​

Education

  • PhD, Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2014
  • MSW, Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2009
  • MS, Human Development and Family Science, Ohio State University, 2002
  • BA, Psychology and French, Ohio University, 1998

Research Interests

Sibling violence; Intersection of sibling violence and other forms of interpersonal violence;  Violence within family systems; Child welfare and the rights of children; Instructional approaches for research methods; Intersection of research, social work practice (micro & macro), and social justice in social work education.

Professional/Community Affiliations

  • Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
  • Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR)
  • American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC)
  • National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence across the Lifespan (NPEIV)

Courses Taught

Undergraduate Program

  • SOWK 390     Introduction to Research Methods

Graduate Program

PhD Program

  • SOWK 810     Seminar on Theory, Practice, and Research

MSW Program

  • SOWK 506     Methods of Social Work Research
  • SOWK 530S   Field Seminar Foundation Level  
  • SOWK 606     Practicum in Research in Social Work

Publications/Research Listings

  • Charles, J. L. K., Perkins, N. H., Ward, C. J., Abell, M., &Secret, M. (Accepted). Research knowledge of advanced standing and traditional MSW students: A comparison among student groups. Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work
  • Perkins, N. H., Spira, M., & Key, J*. (2018). Intergenerational transmission of physical and emotional sibling violence: A potential connection to elder abuse. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 99(3), 256-268. doi:10.1177/1044389418782429
  • Perkins, N. H., & Shadik, J. A. (2018). A parent’s perceptions of physical and emotional sibling violence. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 99(1), 78-86. Doi: 10.1177/1044389418756638
  • Secret, M., Abell, M., Ward, C., Charles, J. L. K., & Perkins, N. H. (2017).Research knowledge assessment: A study of MSW students’ acquisition and retention of research knowledge. Journal of Social Work Education, 53(3), 480-494. doi: 10.1080/10437797.2016.1266977
  • Brady, S. R., Leisey, M., Coles, D. C., Perkins, N. H., Lee, J., Monico, C., Mann-Williams, A., Rotabi, K. S., & Young, J. A. (2017). Letter to the Editor: Respecting multiple epistemologies in social work. Journal of Social Work Education 53(2), 361-364. doi: 10.1080/10437797.2017.1283272
  • Perkins, N. H., Coles, D. C., & O’Connor, M. K. (2017). Sibling violence and policy: An examination of Fox-Harding’s child care value perspectives. Child & Youth Services, 38(1), 4-23. doi: 10.1080/0145935X.2016.1166947
  • Perkins, N. H., & Stoll, A. J*. (2016). Practical considerations of physical and emotional sibling violence in foster families: A summary of the current literature. Journal of Family Social Work, 19(5), 407-419. doi:10.1080/10522158.2016.1217577
  • Perkins, N. H., & O’Connor, M. K. (2016). Physical and emotional sibling violence: A necessary role for social work. Social Work, 61(1), 91-93. doi: 10.1093/sw/swv048
  • Brady, S. R., Perkins, N. H., Shadik, J.A., Monico, C., Young, J., Mann-Williams, A., Sawyer, J., & Klein, M. (2015). The meaning of the cohort community in social work doctoral education. Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping, 21(1), 64-71.
  • Perkins, N. H., & Kovacs, P.(2014). Lessons learned from conducting research with participants receiving dialysis for end-stage renal disease. Journal of Social Work in End-Of-Life & Palliative Care, 10(4), 304-308. doi:10.1080/15524256.2014.975316
  • Shadik, J. A., Perkins, N. H., & Kovacs, P. (2013). Incorporating discussion of sibling violence in the curriculum of parent intervention programs for child abuse and neglect. Health & Social Work, 38(1), 53-57.doi:10.1093/hsw/hls066
  • Kovacs, P., Perkins, N. H., Nuschke, E, & Carroll, N. (2012). How end-stage renal disease patients manage the Medicare Part D coverage gap. Health & Social Work, 37(4), 225-233.doi:10.1093/hsw/hls031
  • Abell, M. L., Davey, T. L., Clark, P., & Perkins, N. H. (2010). Community case management intervention for hard-to-place homeless families leaving emergency shelter. Journal of Social Distress and the Homeless, 19(1 & 2), 121-148.