EDUCATION

Ph.D.- Human Development
The University of Georgia- Athens, Georgia.

M.A.- American Studies
The University of Buffalo- Buffalo, New York.

B.A.- Individualized Studies
York University- Toronto, Ontario.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Dr. Stephens' research examines socio- historical factors shaping minority populations’ sexual health processes, with emphasis on gender and ethnic/ racial identity development. This work is conducted through the Sexual Health and Cultural Identities Lab. Her most recent research examines the constructions of sexual scripts and their influence on sexual risk outcomes across ethnic groups. Through tracking of sexual life trajectories, Dr. Stephens' goal is to identify developmental factors promoting resilience and buffering negative health outcomes.

For course information and sample syllabi click here

SELECT AWARDS

Blackboard Greenhouse Exemplary Course Award
Blackboard Inc. & Blackboard Learning System

Jessie Bernard Outstanding Contribution to Feminist Scholarship
National Council on Family Relations

Interventions for High-Risk Sexual Behavior Training Institute
Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction- University of Indiana.

Ethel Parker International Fellowship
American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences

Summer Research Fellow
The Womanist Consortium- University of Georgia.

        

SELECT PUBLICATIONS

Stephens, D.P., Phillips, L.D. & Few, A.L. (In press).  Examining African American Female Adolescent Sexuality within Mainstream Hip Hop Culture Using A Womanist-Ecological Model of Human Development. In S. Loyd, A.L. Few and K. Allen (Eds.) Handbook of Feminist Theory, Methods and Praxis in Family Studies. Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.

Stephens, D. P. & Few , A. (2007). Hip Hop Honeys or Video Hos: African American preadolescents' understandings of Popular Culture-based female sexual scripts. Sexuality and Culture, 11, 4, 48- 69.

Stephens, D. P. & Few, A. L. (2007). The effects of images of African American women in Hip Hop on early adolescents’ attitudes toward physical attractiveness and interpersonal relationships. Sex Roles: A Journal of Research, 56, 251- 264.

Stephens, D.P. & Phillips, L. (2005). Integrating Black Feminist Thought into conceptual frameworks of African American adolescent women’s sexual scripting processes. Sexualities, Evolution and Gender 7, 1, 37- 55.

Phillips, L., Reddik- Morgan, K. & Stephens, D. P. (2005). Oppositional Conciousness within an Oppositional Realm: The case of Feminism and Womanism in Rap and Hip Hop, 1976- 2004. Journal of African American History, Special Issue- Hip Hop History: Past, Present and Future, 90, 3, 19- 32.

Rouse- Arnett, M.T., Long Dilworth J.E.. & Stephens, D. P. (2005). The Influence of Social Institutes on African American women's sexual values and attitudes. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy , 17, 2, 1-15.

Darrow, W, Montanea, J.E, Fernandez, P., Stephens, D.P. & Gladwin, H. (2004). Eliminating Disparities in HIV Disease: Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health in Broward County, Florida. Ethnicity and Disease, 14, 108- 116.

Stephens, D. P. & Phillips, L. (2003). Freaks, Gold Diggers, Divas and Dykes: The Socio- historical development of African American adolescent females’ sexual scripts. Sexuality and Culture, 7, 3- 47.