Research Agenda
My research focuses on the intersection of gender, work, and family, with specific attention on the social psychological aspects of negotiating work-family conflict and the impact of major life transitions. This focus has led me to pursue two lines of research, (1) The unique experiences associated with different phases of romantic relationships, as well as the timing and effects associated with major transitions in relationships, families, and work; and (2) The impact of work on work-family balance, particularly through the roles of overwork and burnout. Future research will continue focusing on the intersection of gender, work, and family, particularly in examining how structural and relational contexts shape couples’ work-related transitions and decision-making.
Publications
Tabor, Jaclyn, Cassie Mead, Jamie Oslawski-Lopez, and Rebecca Grady. 2025. “Division of Labor over the Life Course: Structural or Symbolic Pressures?” Journal of Marriage and Family.
Cha, Youngjoo and Cassie Mead. 2025. “Understanding the Causes of Burnout and Gender and Race Disparities in STEMM: A Multilevel Approach.” Pages 73-106 in Impact of Burnout on the STEMM Workforce: Proceedings of a Workshop, by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
Lee, Jennifer Jiwon, Kristin Kelley, Cassie Mead, and Youngjoo Cha. 2024. “’It’s Just My Personality.’ How Employees Understand their Long Work Hours in a Supportive Workplace” Community, Work, & Family
Mead, Cassie. 2023. “All is Not Fair in Love and Housework: Perceptions of Household Labor and Relationship Attitudes in Cohabitating and Married Couples.” Contemporary Perspectives in Family Research.
Works in Progress
Mead, Cassie and Jessica R. Short. “Becoming Exclusive: Shared Investments and Women’s Nonexclusive Relationship Outcomes”
Mead, Cassie “’Could You Apply for Me?’: Cognitive and Emotional Labor in the Job Search”
Dissertation
My previous research has led me to think deeper about how couples negotiate and make decisions during times of transitions, particularly when it comes to job and career transitions. For my dissertation project, I explore how dual-earner couples navigate job market decisions. Drawing on interviews with job seekers and their partners, I examine how couples balance two careers, navigate job applications, and consider individual preferences during the job search.