Research and Presentations
My research examines how family structure, relationships, and financial behavior shape financial outcomes. This page brings together peer-reviewed publications, doctoral research, ongoing scholarship, and academic conference presentations.
Peer-Reviewed Publications
JOURNAL OF FINANCIAL THERAPY · 2024
Financial Infidelity in Blended Families: Determinants and Detriments
Van Cleve, M., McWhorter Keamo, A., Lutter, S., & Yorgason, J. (2024). Journal of Financial Therapy, 15(2), 2. doi:10.4148/1944-9771.1411.
Examines financial secrecy, trust, and relational dynamics in blended families.
JOURNAL OF FINANCIAL PLANNING · 2022
The Psychology of Estate Planning with Blended Families
Van Cleve, M., & Klontz, B. (2022). The psychology of estate planning with blended families: How financial planners can better help blended families develop an estate plan that works. Journal of Financial Planning, 35(8), 74–88.
Explores the psychological and relational considerations that influence estate planning in blended families.
DOCTORAL RESEARCH · TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY
Dissertation
Three Essays on Blended Families: Examining Financial Satisfaction and Estate Planning
Van Cleve, M. (2026). Three Essays on Blended Families: Examining Financial Satisfaction and Estate Planning. [Doctoral dissertation, Texas Tech University]. TTU Electronic Theses and Dissertations.
Manuscripts Under Review
Ongoing research submitted for scholarly peer review. These manuscripts have not yet been published in peer-reviewed journals.
McWhorter Keamo, A., & Van Cleve, M. (2025). Love and money: Measuring financial well-being in cohabiting versus married couples. [Manuscript under review].
McWhorter Keamo, A., & Van Cleve, M. (2026). Family Financial Socialization and Adult Relationship Satisfaction: The Role of Financial Satisfaction. [Manuscript under review].
Van Cleve, M., & James, R. (2026). An estate planning paradox in blended families: Greater need, less planning. [Manuscript under review].
Van Cleve, M., Kieren, N., & Heckman, S. (2025). Childhood co-residence with both biological parents from birth to age 18 and economic outcomes across the life course. [Manuscript under review].
Van Cleve, M., & Lutter, S. (2026). Financial Satisfaction in Blended and Nuclear Families: A Dyadic Perspective. [Manuscript under review].
Van Cleve, M., & McWhorter Keamo, A. (2026). Wealth differences in blended and nuclear families: Implications for financial planning. [Manuscript under review].
Working Papers
Van Cleve, M., & Reiter, M. (2026). Racial and ethnic wealth inequality in blended families. [Manuscript in preparation].
Conference Presentations
Peer-reviewed presentations delivered at academic and professional conferences, including research sessions, breakout sessions, and workshops.
2026
Keamo, A., & Van Cleve, M. (2026). Family Financial Socialization and Adult Relationship Satisfaction: The Role of Financial Satisfaction [Breakout session]. CFP Board Connections Conference. Las Vegas, NV, United States.
Keamo, A., & Van Cleve, M. (2026). Family Financial Socialization and Adult Relationship Satisfaction: The Role of Financial Satisfaction [On-Demand session]. AFCPE Symposium. Bethesda, MD, United States.
Van Cleve, M. (2026). Blended Families, Blended Finances: The Hidden Dynamics Behind Financial Satisfaction Across Family Structures [Pathway workshop]. Financial Therapy Association. Austin, TX, United States.
Van Cleve, M., & James, R. (2026). An estate planning paradox in blended families: Rejecting equality by choice, accepting intestacy by default [Breakout session]. AFCPE Symposium. Bethesda, MD, United States.
Van Cleve, M., Kieren, Nicholas, & Heckman, Stuart. (2026). How Childhood Family Stability and Structure Shape Adult Financial Outcomes [Breakout session]. ACCI Conference. Long Beach, CA, United States.
2025
Keamo, A., & Van Cleve, M. (2025). Love and Money: Financial Well-Being and Financial Health in Cohabiting versus Married Couples [Breakout session]. CFP Board Connections Conference. Chicago, IL, United States.
Van Cleve, M. (2025). Blended Families and Finances: The Truth Behind Yours, Mine, and Ours [Breakout session]. AFCPE Symposium. Glendale, AZ, United States.
2023
Van Cleve, M., & McWhorter Keamo, A. (2023). Financial Infidelity: Practical Interventions for Assisting Blended Families [On-Demand session]. AFCPE Symposium. New Orleans, LA, United States.
Van Cleve, M., & McWhorter Keamo, A. (2023). Don’t Tell the Stepparent: Enmeshment and Financial Infidelity in Families with Stepchildren [Breakout session]. Financial Therapy Association. Charlotte, NC, United States.