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Jacob Goffnett

Assistant professor

Email: goffnettj@vcu.edu
Pronouns: He/they

Jacob Goffnett, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Goffnett’s research explores the social, behavioral and psychophysiological precursors to health outcomes for LGBTQ+ adolescents and emerging adults. Among this population, Jacob is currently examining: (1) the role of identity-specific emotions in pathways to health and (2) the perceptions of community climate and size and the impact community has on well-being. Dr. Goffnett’s inquiry uses qualitative and quantitative methods, combining when relevant. Additionally, Jacob employs community-engaged, art and technology methods in research. Dr. Goffnett’s work is framed by critical theories that challenge and resist stigma and oppression to create social equity.

Jacob has 10 years of social work practice with youth across different systems of care. Most recently, Dr. Goffnett facilitated support services to LGBTQ+ youth and their families through a community center.

Areas of expertise

  • Adolescent and Youth Development
  • Adolescent and Youth Mental Health
  • Community-Based Participatory Research
  • Communities and Neighborhoods
  • Health
  • Mental Health
  • Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
  • Substance Misuse and Addictive Behaviors

Education and credentials

Ph.D., social work, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
M.S.S.W., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
B.S., sociology: social and criminal justice, Central Michigan University

View Jacob Goffnett's curriculum vitae.

Author: Goffnet, J.
Topic: Adolescent and Youth Development, Communities and Neighborhoods, Community-based Participatory Research, Health, Mental Health, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, Substance Misuse and Addictive Behaviors

Work

Selected publications

Goffnett, J., Robinson, S., Hamaker, A., Schrager, S., Goldbach, J., (2024). Shame and pride among sexual minority adolescents: Development and preliminary validation of the Sexual Minority Identity Emotion Scale. Adolescents, 4, 171-184

Goffnett, J., Clary, K..L, King, M., Kitchen, R, Matijczak, A.. (2023). Emotion work among transgender and gender diverse Texans: Balancing identity, interpersonal connections, and wellbeing. Culture, Health, & Sexuality.

Goffnett, J., Flores, R., Galen, E., Hamaker, A., & Paceley, M.S. (2023). “I'm proud to be myself”: A qualitative investigation of identity-related emotions among transgender youth. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment.

Clary, K.L., Goffnett, J., King, M., Kitchen, R., Hubbard, T. (2022). “It’s the Environment, Not Me”: Experiences Shared by Transgender and Gender Diverse People Living in Texas. Journal of Community Psychology. Advanced online publication.

Goffnett, J., Paceley, M.S., Fish, J., & Saban, P. (2022). Between Cornfields and Kinfolk: Transgender Youth Managing Identity in Midwestern Families and Communities. Family Process. Advanced online publication.

Paceley, M.S., Goffnett, J., Diaz, A., Kattari, S.K., Navarro, J., Greenwood, E. (2021). “I didn’t come here to make trouble”: Resistance strategies utilized by transgender and gender diverse youth in the Midwestern U.S. Youth.

Goffnett, J. Routon, J, & Flores, R. (2021). The Construction of Shame and Pride: A Grounded Theory Model of Identity, Emotions, and Wellbeing among Sexual Minority Adolescents. Youth & Society.

Paceley, M., Sattler, P., Goffnett, J., & Jen, S. (2020). “It Feels Like Home”: Transgender Youth in the Midwest and Conceptualizations of Community Climate. Journal of Community Psychology.

Goffnett, J. & Paceley, M.S. (2020). Challenges, Pride, and Connection: A Qualitative Exploration of Advice Transgender Youth have for Other Transgender Youth. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services.

Goffnett, J., Liechty, J.M., & Kidder, E.L. (2020). Treatment Approaches to Reduce Shame: A Systematic Review. Journal of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy, 30, 141-160.

Book chapter contributions

Paceley, M.S., Flores, R., Sanders, I., Greenwood, E., Sattler, P.S., & Goffnett, J. (2023). Family, religion, identity, and resilience: Research poems on victimization and resilience among transgender and gender diverse youth. In S. Clevenger, S. Kelly, & K. Ratajczak (Eds.) Queer victimology: Understanding the evolving study of LGBTQIA+ experiences. Texas Review Press.

Goffnett, J. & Goldbach, J. (2020). Substance use among the LGBTQ community across the lifespan. In A. Begun & P. Murray (Eds.) Handbook of Social Work and Addictive Behaviors. Routledge.

Role: Faculty

Professional highlights

Invited/nonrefereed presentations

  • Goffnett, J., Garthe, R.C., Kim, S. (June 2021). The Role of Caring Adults and a Supportive School Climate for Transgender and Gender Expansive Youth. Society for Prevention Research. Virtual Conference.
    • *Awarded Abstract of Distinction
  • Flores, R., Goffnett, J., & Galen, E. (June 2021). “I'm Proud to be Myself and Proud to Help”: A Qualitative Study of Context, Identity, and Emotion among Transgender Youth. LGBTQ+ Research Symposium. Virtual Conference.
  • Goffnett, J. & Garthe, R.C. (October 2020). Dating Violence Victimization among Transgender Youth: The Intersectionality of Gender and Geographic Region. American Public Health Association. Virtual Conference.
  • Goffnett, J., Thomas, D., Watts, K. (November 2018). LGBTQ+ Social Work Student Narratives: Identifying Advocacy Strategies to Enhance LGBTQ+ Inclusion. Council on Social Work Education, Orlando, FL.
  • Goffnett, J., Paceley, M.S., Sattler, P. (January 2020). Trans Youth Navigating Identity Disclosure in the Midwest: Contextual Factors in the Family, School, and Community. Society for Social Work and Research. Washington, D.C.
  • Paceley, M.S., Goffnett, J., Sattler, P., Jen, S. (January 2020). Midwestern Trans Young People and Conceptualizations of Community and Community Climate. Society for Social Work and Research. Washington, D.C.
  • Goffnett, J., Liechty, J. & Kidder, E. (January 2019). Treatment Approaches to Reduce Shame: A Systematic Review. Society for Social Work and Research. San Francisco, CA.

Selected research projects and funding

  • 2023 - Present: Loan Repayment Program, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
    • Role: Primary Investigator (PI)
    • Proposal: Longitudinal Resilience to Alcohol Misuse among Sexual Minority College Students
  • 2023 - Present: Office of Research Pilot Award, $5,000, School of Social Work, Virginia Commonwealth University
    • Role: Primary Investigator (co-PI)
    • Proposal: Designing transgender and gender-diverse inclusive healthcare spaces: A multi-phase qualitative exploration and prototype development
  • 2022- Present: Springfield Research Grant, $20,000. American Psychological Foundation (APF)
    • Role: Primary Investigator (Co-PI)
    • Proposal: Examining the Impact of a Photovoice Art Exhibit to Dispel LGBTQIA+ Stereotypes and Biases
  • 2022 - 2023: Multidisciplinary Research Grant, $28,110. Texas State University
    • Role: Co-Investigator (Co-I)
    • Proposal: Exploring psychophysiological and impulsive health behaviors among transgender people in affirming and non-affirming virtual reality (VR) environments.

Teaching areas and interests

  • Human Behavior in the Social Environment
  • Power, Privilege, & Oppression
  • Social Work Research
  • Social Work Practice with LGBTQ+ Individuals, Families, and Communities

Courses taught

  • SLWK 311: Social work and Anti-Oppressive Practices
  • SLWK 313: Social Work Theory and Assessment With Individuals and Micro Systems
  • SLWK 603: Power, Privilege and Oppression
  • SLWK 609: Foundations of Research in Social Work Practice

Areas of teaching and mentoring expertise

  • Gender and Sexuality
  • Social Determinants of Health Inequities
  • Critical Consciousness
  • Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood
  • Mixed-Methods Research
  • Community-Engaged Research

Accomplishments

  • Robert C. and Sandra Connor Endowed Faculty Fellowship, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
  • Ackerson Award for Excellence in Student Teaching, School of Social Work, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • LGBTQIA Catalyst Award, LGBT Resource Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • Council on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression Scholarship, Council on Social Work Education

Affiliations and service

Community trainings and workshops

  • Sexual orientation and gender diversity in behavioral health care: Delineating best practices with LGBTQ+ Arkansans. (January 2022). West Arkansas Guidance and Counseling Center Continuing Education Training: Fort Smith, AR.
  • Implicit bias & LGBTQ+ inclusivity: Overcoming nature to nurture best practices. (September 2020). Mahomet-Seymour School District Professional Development Workshop: Mahomet, IL.
  • Socially constructing shame and pride: Understanding identity development and wellbeing among LGBTQ+ people. (February 2020). First Mennonite Church: Urbana, IL.
  • Take Pride: Flourishing by overcoming shame and embracing vulnerability. (May 2019). Women at Meijer (WAM) Development Summit, Meijer Inc.: Grand Rapids, MI.

Ad-hoc reviewer

  • Psychology of Sexual Orientation & Gender Diversity
  • Journal of Adolescent Research
  • Children and Schools
  • Journal of Community Psychology

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