Papers by Dionne Stephens
“It’s more like the girl doesn’t really have to do anything”: Hispanic college women’s sexual initiation strategy perceptions
Journal of latinx psychology, May 23, 2024
Anti-human Trafficking Service Professionals in India: Challenges and Barriers to Service Provision
Journal of human trafficking, May 10, 2022
Journal of Social Issues, May 30, 2020
In this study, we examined young adult Indian women's attitudes toward domestic violence DV help ... more In this study, we examined young adult Indian women's attitudes toward domestic violence DV help seeking behaviors using a reproductive justice framework. A total of 81 young adult women age 18-24 from Mysore, India, participated via indepth qualitative focus groups. Findings suggested that informal familial systems and gender-focused formal support systems were viewed as the most acceptable networks for disclosing DV victimization. Women's organizations emerged as the second most appropriate network, particularly when it was deemed that an escalated response to DV victimization was needed. If the DV was perceived as severe or escalating, seeking judicial support was deemed appropriate. However, there were several cultural barriers that informed the women's perceptions of these systems effectiveness, including cultural beliefs about privacy, gender roles, and prior experiences. These results highlight the importance of addressing the multilevel cultural processes that serve to both facilitate and limit young adult Indian women's ability to address DV victimization. In contrast to the popular perception of abused women as passive victims, these women's assertions valuing empowerment highlight culturally specific responses to effectively addressing DV. Gender based violence (GBV) has been named an urgent global health priority by the World Health Organization (WHO; Garcia-Moreno & Watts, 2011). Characterized by acts of violence against women rooted in gender-based power inequalities, the prevalence of GBV is highest in countries in which
Online Journal of Rural Nursing and Health Care, Dec 1, 2013
Conducting research in a rural area can be challenging for nurses for a variety of different reas... more Conducting research in a rural area can be challenging for nurses for a variety of different reasons. The task at hand can be especially difficult when it involves discussing a sensitive topic, such as Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. This study was conducted to describe parental perceptions of the HPV vaccine in rural areas, while simultaneously describing a method for engaging in successful nursing research in rural areas. Methods: A team of nurse researchers completed a planned process to first understand rural culture in southeastern Georgia, and then more specifically, the families living in these three separate counties. This process initially involved developing a connection and working relationship with key community leaders, such as school principals. Following this, researchers worked on establishing rapport and trust with local parents and research participants themselves.
The effectiveness of American college sexual assault interventions in highly masculine settings: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Aggression and Violent Behavior, Jul 1, 2022
Aggression and Violent Behavior, Jul 1, 2020
A systematic review was conducted in order to assess the effectiveness of current community, scho... more A systematic review was conducted in order to assess the effectiveness of current community, school, and familybased violence prevention interventions targeted toward Latinx youth. The reviewers investigated how existing interventions decrease violence exposure, perpetuation, and externalizing behaviors among Latinx youth. Criteria for inclusion in the review and search terms were identified and agreed upon by two independent reviewers. The reviewers searched PsycINFO, Eric, and PsychArticles using detailed search terms relevant to the review's topic. A total of nine articles were included in the review and summarized narratively. Interventions were grouped and compared to one another in order to determine the most efficacious treatment method. One community-based treatment, five school-based treatments, and three family-based treatments were analyzed. There was not one level of targeted intervention that resulted in more successful violence prevention among Latinx youth as compared to other targeted levels. The reviewers concluded that there is a need for increased quality studies conducted in this area of research as well as interventions that incorporate all three levels of influence.
for sharing their experience, wisdom and honesty. Without their unfailing support throughout this... more for sharing their experience, wisdom and honesty. Without their unfailing support throughout this journey, I would not have made it. v
Hispanic Health Care International, Dec 1, 2016
Introduction: To identify factors influencing human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination up taking de... more Introduction: To identify factors influencing human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination up taking decision making among vaccinated and nonvaccinated Hispanic college women. Participants: Hispanic young women between the ages of 18 and 24 years (N ¼ 49). In total, 26 had not received the HPV vaccine, and 23 had started/completed the vaccine series. Method: Participants registered for the study via a psychology research pool at a large public university in the southeast United States after institutional review board approval. After completing a demographic information and HPV knowledge Web-based survey, participants were individually interviewed. Results: Differences in HPV vaccine knowledge emerged between vaccinated and nonvaccinated women. Fear of side effects, perceptions of risk, and sources of encouragement influenced willingness to be vaccinated against HPV. Health care providers played a central role in addressing concerns and promoting vaccination. Conclusions: Health care providers must address and integrate unique decision-making processes influencing Hispanic young adult women's perceptions of HPV vaccination.
American Journal of Sexuality Education, Oct 1, 2016
This study identifies health beliefs influencing Hispanic college men's human papillomavirus (HPV... more This study identifies health beliefs influencing Hispanic college men's human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake decision making processes. Hispanic college men were interviewed about their HPV vaccine knowledge, and information seeking behaviors. Overall, participants did not view HPV infection or vaccination as an immediate concern or priority; belief that it was a virus that only affected women, and a sense of invulnerability informed their positions. Despite these issues, most men were willing to consider getting the HPV vaccine if they received more education from health care providers, and cost concerns were addressed. These findings pointed to gaps in our understandings of Hispanic college men's HPV vaccination beliefs and provided insight into the importance of integrating this population's unique beliefs into campus health providers efforts aimed at increasing vaccination rates. The most common sexually transmitted infection is human papillomavirus (HPV), which nearly all sexually active people will get at some time in their life (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2015). HPV causes most cervical and anal cancers, as well as genital warts. It can also lead to other such types of cancers as penile and throat (CDC, 2015). Fortunately, the HPV vaccine has been approved in the United States for young people ages 9-26, and has been identified as a safe and effective approach to preventing cancers and other HPV-related illnesses (Elbasha & Dasbach, 2010). However, preliminary studies indicate that young men are not as willing as young women to be vaccinated (
Journal of Interpersonal Violence, Jul 19, 2016
This study used the theory of planned behavior to identify urban Black adolescents' beliefs about... more This study used the theory of planned behavior to identify urban Black adolescents' beliefs about male-to-female verbal sexual coercion. Interviews were conducted with 91 urban, Black adolescents (53 boys and 38 girls) to identify their behavioral, normative, and control beliefs about verbal sexual coercion perpetration (for males) and resistance (for females). Boys reported that perpetrating verbal sexual coercion could result in negative relationship outcomes, and the main benefit of using this tactic was to obtain sex. Unsupportive peers and some male family members were seen as encouraging boys to use verbal sexual coercion, whereas parents were seen as opposed to the use of coercion. Being in a private context with a girl and having persuasive skill were seen as facilitating the use of coercion, whereas being with an experienced or skilled girl was a barrier. For girls, positive relationship outcomes and sexual health risks were the benefits and pitfalls of resisting verbal sexual coercion. "Real" friends and family were described as supporting girls' resistance to coercion, while "fake" friends, promiscuous girls, and male peers were seen as not supporting resistance. Girls believed being in a safe, public context would make it easier to resist coercion,
The Role of Skin Color on Hispanic Women’s Perceptions of Attractiveness
Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, Dec 5, 2011
Social Networks Influence Hispanic College Women's HPV Vaccine Uptake Decision-Making Processes
Women's reproductive health, Jul 3, 2014
This qualitative study was designed to assess current and preferred social networks that influenc... more This qualitative study was designed to assess current and preferred social networks that influence human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine decision making in a sample of Hispanic college women. Individual, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 41 Hispanic college women attending a large southeastern Hispanic-serving institution. Television commercials and discussions with mothers were found to be the most influential social networks for current HPV vaccination beliefs. Internet sites, close family members, and healthcare providers' communications were preferred social networks for HPV vaccine information. Perceived accessibility and sense of comfort influenced the order in which these social networks' communications would be accepted. Findings suggest that Hispanic college women utilize specific social networks to gather information and make decisions about HPV vaccination. Continued efforts are needed to promote further understanding of the purpose of the HPV vaccine via these preferred sources of information.
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Papers by Dionne Stephens