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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)
  • Sibling Aggression and Abuse Research and Advocacy Initiative (SAARA)
  • The Center for the Study of NIBRS Animal Cruelty Data Advisory Board

Courses Taught

Undergraduate Program

  • SOWK 390 - Introduction to Research Methods

Graduate Program

PhD Program

  • SOWK 805 - Research Practicum I
  • SOWK 806 - Research Practicum II
  • 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
  • SOWK 612 - Family Assessment and Intervention
  • SOWK 631 - Clinical Social Work Practice with Family Violence

Publications/Research Listings

Perkins, N. H., Dressman, K. A.*, Kelly, B. L. & Lees, E. (2026). Comparisons of physical and emotional sibling violence in childhood and adult attachment in close relationships between lesbian, gay, bisexual, and heterosexual individuals. Journal of Family Violence. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-025-01027-4

Dressman, K. A.*, Perkins, N. H., & Shadik, J. A. (2026). Factors associated with physical and mental health in a sample of queer and heterosexual MSW students. Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work, 23(3), 439-456. https://doi.org/10.1080/26408066.2025.2587091

Tucker, C. J., Whitworth, T. R., & Perkins, N. H. (2025). Sibling aggression and abuse: Invisible and widespread public health problems. American Journal of Public Health, 115(9), 1383-1387. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307983

Reiter, J. E., & Perkins, N. H. (2024). The need for strengths-based measures and brief assessments for parent survivors of intimate partner violence: A call to action. Clinical Social Work Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-024-00979-2

Rai, A., Ayalew, Y. D.*, Perkins, N. H., Saasa, S., & Grossman, S. F. (2024). Correlates of in-law abuse among male and female immigrants in the United States. Journal of Family Violence. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-024-00781-1

Perkins, N. H., Dressman, K. A.*, Kelly, B. L. & Lees, E. (2024). Experiences of physical and emotional sibling violence in childhood and adult attachment in a sample of lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 107(1), 235-251. https://doi.org/10.1177/10443894241285532

Perkins, N. H., Kim, R.*, & Shadik, J. A. (2024). Physical and emotional sibling violence behaviors with closest-aged siblings in childhood: An exploratory study examining associations with sibling relationships in adulthood. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 17, 1067-1078. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-024-00646-1

Perkins, N. H., & Rai, A. (2024). Physical and emotional sibling violence among South Asian immigrants in the United States. Journal of Family Violence, 39, 637-649. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-023-00493-y

Perkins, N. H., Shadik, J. A., & Reiter, J. E. (2024). Parental witnessing of physical and emotional sibling violence in their children: Associations with parental experiences of physical and emotional sibling violence and ACEs in childhood. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment, & Trauma, 33(5), 624-643. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2024.2322957

Shadik, J. A., Perkins, N. H., & Kim. R.* (2023). Understanding physical and emotional sibling violence: Perspectives from group facilitators of parent intervention groups for child maltreatment. Journal of Family Issues, 44(2), 475-497. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0192513X211051392

Perkins, N. H., Shadik, J. A., Cales, M. A*, & Ortiz, S. P.* (2023). MSW students’ experiences with ACEs and capacity to address sibling violence: A pilot study. Social Work Education: The International Journal, 42(3), 302-317. https://doi.org/10.1080/02615479.2021.1967311  

Perkins, N. H., Rai, A., & Grossman, S. F. (2022). Physical and emotional sibling violence in the time of COVID-19. Journal of Family Violence, 37, 745-752. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-021-00249-6