Dr. Joslyn Armstrong is an instructor, an associate-licensed marriage and family therapist in the state of Florida, and an AAMFT-approved supervisor candidate. Joslyn is an assistant professor in the marriage, couple, & family therapy program. She is an active member in AAMFT and NCFR organizations. Dr. Armstrong is a former fellow recipient of the AAMFT Minority Fellowship program. Joslyn is an advisor for GSoCA and BSU student orgs.
Personal Statement
In my work I aim to shift the narratives of fathers, specifically Black fathers within Black families. I utilize a Black intersectional feminist framework in my research and teaching.
Areas of Expertise
- African American/Black fatherhood
- Black father-child relationship quality
- Black men and mental health services
Current Research
- Father identity & father involvement in Black families
- Black father-child relationship quality and closeness
- Black father and child outcomes such as mental health, substance use, addiction
- Black men and seeking mental health services
Publications
Armstrong, J., & Armstrong, J. (2021, Fall). A critical race approach to academic journal editor and reviewer bias in manuscript acceptance. NCFR Report, Volume 66.3, pg. 17-19.
Armstrong, J. (2020, July/August). “This Ish is Exhausting”: Acknowledging the emotional labor of Black MFTs. Family Therapy Magazine, Volume 19.4, pg. 6-9.
Armstrong, J., & Harris, S. (2019, Fall). The resiliency of black fathers dealing with work-family conflict. NCFR Report, Volume 64.3, pg. F8-9.
Armstrong, J., Chavez Carlos, F. L., Jones, J. H., Harris, S., & Harris, G. J. (2019). “A Dream Deferred”: How discrimination impacts the American dream achievement for African Americans. Journal of Black Studies, 50(3), 227-250.
Moore, D. D., Jefferson, B., & Armstrong, J. (2018). Barriers to successful fatherhood among African American men. The Griot: The Journal of African American Studies, 37(1), 54-82.
Presentations
Armstrong, J. (2022, June 23-25). A case study of Lebron James: An analysis on the significant shifts to Black fatherhood and manhood [Poster presentation]. American Family Therapy Academy annual conference, online.
Armstrong, J., & Sanchez, I. (2021, November 10-12). To the little boy inside: Working with Latino & Black men in therapy [Conference session]. Systemic Family Therapy Conference sponsored by AAMFT, virtual.
Carlos Chavez, F. L., Armstrong, J., & Sanchez, I. (2021, November 2-5). ‘I’d Like Something Better for Them’: Views on Sibling and Children’s Work Footsteps among Latino Migrant Farmworker Adolescents [Poster presentation]. National Council on Family Relations, virtual.
Armstrong, J., & Harris, S. (2021, March, 5). Grief and loss in Black families: Losing a father due to police violence [Symposium]. In collaboration with NW Association for Death Education & Bereavement Support and Compassion & Choices. Center for Community Engagement Workshop, online.
Armstrong, J. (2020, September 26). Black fathers, racial trauma of police violence, and seeking their healing [Conference session]. AAMFT Minority Fellowship Masters Training Institute, virtual.
Armstrong, J., & Harris, S. D. (2019, February 7-9). Work-Family Balance by Black Fathers [Paper session]. Southern Conference on African American Studies annual conference, Tallahassee, FL.
Armstrong, J. (2019, November 20-23). Black Father Incarceration: Implications for Father Involvement and Father-Child Relationship Quality [Poster presentation]. National Council of Family Relations annual conference, Fort Worth, Texas.
Academic Credentials
2019- PhD in Marriage & Family Therapy, Florida State University
2015- M.S. in Marriage & Family Therapy, Texas Tech University
2013- BS in Family, Youth, & Community Sciences, University of Florida