International Health & Hispanic Culture

This research project will focus on the interrelations between health and culture in the Hispanic countries and their impact on individuals and communities. The research will explore medical diseases and conditions, people\u27s traditions, beliefs, and perceptions related to health issues, home remedies, behavior change, family and community, doctor-patient relationship, and social aspects of public health. Students will have the opportunity to participate in service learning projects to help Hispanic communities and collect data for their research projects

“No One Can Make that Choice for You”: Exploring Power in the Sexual Narratives of Black Collegians

Power is enacted to oppress others, pursue wellness, or resist oppression. For Black people, societal and relational oppression influences racialized and gendered expressions of power within sexual encounters. The current study analyzed power dynamics within Black university students’ first and most recent sexual encounters. Using narrative inquiry within a critical paradigm, five narrative strategies were identified within participants’ interviews: 1) Offering a Peek into Powerlessness, 2) Detailing Disempowerment, 3) Privileging Stereotypical Power, 4) Reclaiming Power, and 5) Emphasizing Empowered Sex. Racialized, gendered sexual socialization among Black students is discussed. Counseling considerations to increase sexual wellness for Black people are explored

“Don’t feel like you have to do this all on your own”: Exploring perceived partner support of breastfeeding among Black women in Kentucky

Background: Partner support improves breastfeeding initiation and continuation among mothers. However, few studies have explored partner support for breastfeeding among Black women living in the southeastern U.S., who report the lowest rates nationally of breastfeeding compared to women of other racial groups. Ways to increase support of Black women’s breastfeeding may be best understood from an Afrocentric perspective. Research Aim: This qualitative study aimed to explore perceptions of partner support among Black mothers to abductively develop a culturally relevant framework of partner support to improve their rates of breastfeeding. Our research question was, “What partner support behaviors do Black women who breastfed for at least six months perceive to be influential to their breastfeeding process?” Methods: A multigenerational sample of fourteen Black women ages 23 to 71 from Kentucky who breastfed for at least 6 months were recruited by social media and word-of-mouth to participate in individual interviews. Professionally transcribed interviews were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) thematic analysis. Results: Guided by the Breastfeeding Coparenting Framework with an Afrocentric perspective, we identified four support themes, (a) doing research, (b) offering care, (c) verbalizing praise, (d) achieving teamwork, and three support barrier themes (e) withdrawing commitment, (f) politicking bodies, and (g) stripping agency, that Black women found to be influential to their breastfeeding experiences. Conclusion: Black women who breastfed for at least 6 months attribute their breastfeeding success, largely in part, to support received from their partners. Findings from this study inform a culturally relevant framework of partner support that can be used to facilitate intervention efforts with Black mothers and their partners to increase breastfeeding rates

Catchin\u27 Feelings: Experiences of Intimacy during Black College Students\u27 Sexual Encounters

Research regarding intimacy within Black relationships is often deficiency-focused, reinforcing negative stereotypes about Black people\u27s capacity to relate in sexual and romantic relationships. Utilizing social exchange theory and social learning theory as a combined framework, we examined intimacy-related narratives of 18 Black college students during their first and last sexual encounters. A thematic analysis constructed five themes: (a) limited knowledge of intimacy, (b) internal barriers to non-sexual intimacy, (c) external barriers to non-sexual intimacy, (d) seeking an emotional connection, and (e) experiencing intimacy. Findings suggest varying perspectives and experiences related to intimacy. Intimacy barriers and facilitators are discussed

Counseling Techniques for Working with at-Risk Youth in Residential and Outpatient Settings

The effectiveness of therapeutic group homes has been questioned as an effective form of treatment for at-risk youth. This presentation will examine the recidivism rates of at-risk youth who participated in an established residential group home program, and what the author found that works in this treatment modality