Projects

Influence of Masculinities on the Sexual Health Outcomes of Young Black Men

The goal of this study is to understand factors that are instrumental in how young Black men (YBM) construct, enact, and perform masculinities, and how sexual health outcomes are related to these performances. Additionally, we are interested in how the unique cultural context of the campuses influence these behavioral outcomes. Sexual script theory (SST) is used as a guiding framework for the study. Using a discursive psychological paradigm to guide data collection and analyses of qualitative data, we anticipate identifying potential key mechanisms and pathways of intervention to promote positive sexual health behaviors and risk reduction among YBM.

Black Women’s STEM Engagement: Shifting STEM, Racial, and Gender Identities in the Workforce

This National Science Foundation (NSF) funded research studies how ingrained cultural expectations regarding STEM, racial, and gender identities combined with efforts to view the self as competent in STEM fields, can determine decisions regarding identity shifting in work settings. We argue that shifting is a coping strategy that produces positive outcomes associated with social and professional development (e.g., career trajectory); however, shifting can also produce a sense of conflict that may contribute to women eventually choosing one identity over the other and may lead to negative psychological consequences. Using a multi-method approach (e.g., conducting qualitative and quantitative research), the research will examine the experiences of identity shifting among Black women in STEM. Broadly, by examining how Black women in STEM engage in identity shifting in the workplace, the proposed research will identify pathways that contribute to career success over time. This project is a collaboration with Dr. Danielle Dickens, Department of Psychology, Spelman College.

Attitudes, Motivations, and Justifications Surrounding Interpersonal Aggression

This NSF-funded research seeks to better understand intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration and victimization among Black college students (BCS) by testing a social psychologically grounded conceptual model. Given the heightened concern regarding IPV on college campuses, there is a paucity in the literature related to young BCS as victims. The neglect of the cultural and social context for young BCS is of great concern. This project seeks to fill a few gaps that exist in literature related to attitudes, motivations, and justifications of IPV among BCS. This study also includes BCS who identify as sexual minorities as they are often a neglected population in IPV-related studies. Understanding factors that place certain populations at risk (or greater risk) for experiencing IPV is important.

Infusing an Honors Curriculum to Enrich the Undergraduate Research Experience in Psychological Sciences

This NSF-funded targeted infusion project seeks to enhance the quality and experience of underrepresented (UR) undergraduate students in the Department of Psychological Sciences (DPS) at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU). This three-pronged approach will enhance the learning and training environment for students in the DPS. This infusion will foster the development of a science identity which facilitates persistence and increased academic performance. Additionally, this infusion is designed to keep UR students engaged in scientific discovery, provide an avenue for focused student-faculty interaction, and expose students to current and emerging technology. Meeting these goals and objectives will create a paradigm shift within the DPS and improve the preparation and success of our underrepresented students entering into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) graduate programs and/or professional fields.

Exploring the Sexual Health of Young Black Women in College

This study seeks to explore sexual health and behavioral outcomes for young Black women attending universities in the United States (US). The disproportionate numbers of STI/HIV cases among young Black women, combined with the prevalence of sexual decisions and behaviors that increase risk of poor sexual health outcomes among college students support the need for more research, prevention, and risk reduction activities. This study is guided by sexual scripting theory (SST) which provides a conceptual framework to explore and understand sexual conduct, meaning, and behaviors built by cultural or social groups and transformed by persons in order to contextualize their (sexual) experiences.