Our past research studies
- Parents’ knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and intent to be vaccinated
Because age at first intercourse is around 14-15 years old, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC, 2006) have recommended HPV vaccination of girls at 11 or 12 years old. Public debate rages because of fears that the vaccine will increase sexual activity. The need for this study became apparent as parents, health care providers and community leaders began to explore how this vaccination would be provided, who would want their daughter tested and the expense of the vaccine was recognized. 
The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to examine the influence of a) parents’ knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes, b) parental characteristics and c) beliefs of significant others on intent to vaccinate for HPV. The study primarily interviewed parents residing in Haitian and African American communities.
This project was Co- directed by Dr. Tami Thomas of the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University. Marsha Francois, Myrlnd Verdelus, and Myrland Vincent were research assistants on this project.
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Race, relationships & romance: The influence of skin color on sexual scripting
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The aim of this study was to identify the processes through which meanings about sexuality are developed by racial/ ethnic minority heterosexual women and men. Of particular interest are the ways in which phenotypic traits (including skin tone, hair body image)
and  associated racial beliefs inform intimate relationship attitudes via sexual scripting processes. Racial/ ethnic minority, for the purpose of this research, is defined as any individual identifying as Hispanic non- white or of African descent (including to Afro- Caribbean, African, African American or bi/ multiracial). Results showed that Hispanic women desired a midrange "tan" skin color and viewed light or pale skin as unattractive. Women of African descent reported that while they found darker skin attractive, it was not viewed as attractive in dating contexts. Both groups reported that skin color informed dating experiences.
Dr. Dionne Stephens was the Principal Investigator on this project. Erika Aguilar, Vivianne Ariola, Zoanne Finzi- Smith, Richard Garcia and Alexandra Hernandez were research assistants on this project.
Racial/ ethnic minority women's sexual scripting beliefs’ influence on Nurse Practitioner interviewing processes
 This was a collaborative project undertaken with Dr. Tami Thomas of the Medical College of Georgia.
We examined how gender, racial and ethnic sexual scripts inform sexual health beliefs in the context
of medical services. The influence of these scripts on shaping Nurse Practitioners' methods of communication and services will be explored. Qualitative and quantitative measures explore such
areas as medical services seeking behaviors, beliefs about sexuality, and sexual health knowledge. Data was collected from various racial and ethnic minority female populations. The research found that there emerging adult women wanted their nurse practioner to provide sexual health information during each visit. Offering information in a caring, sensitive and knowledgable manner was viewed as important
Dr. Stephens and Dr. Tami Thomas were Co- Principal Investigators on this project. Ingrid Boveda and Alejandra Perry were research assistants on this project.
 Female sexual scripting in Hip Hop culture
This study assessed the existence and influence of eight female sexual scripts identified by Stephens and Phillips (2003) in Hip Hop culture: the Diva, Gold Digger, Freak, Dyke, Gangster Bitch, Sister Savior, Earth Mother, and Baby Mama. The ways in which African American preadolescents through emerging adults gave sexual meaning and value to sexual images displayed in Hip Hop cultural contexts were examined. It was found that the sexual scripts presented in mainstream Hip Hop videos provided sexual health information and behavioral expectations for preadolescent and adolescent African American populations. Beliefs about skin color, sexual permissiveness and physical attractiveness directly informed attitudes about appropriate sexual behaviors for African American women.
Dr. Dionne Stephens was the Principal Investigator on this project.
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