RESEARCH INTERESTS

My research interests have grown over the course of my graduate study. Currently I am focused on completing my dissertation entitled “College Students’ Perceptions of Healthy Sexuality”. I believe the field of health education and more concisely sexuality education has still not made the shift from disease prevention to health promotion. The vast majority of sexuality research still focuses on what we can do to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections and lower the occurrence of unintended pregnancy. While I value these efforts and view them as important components of education, I feel a rather large gap exists where sexual health promotion should be. Where are students learning that sexuality is normal, natural, and a positive influence in their lives? Not in too many places.

My dissertation uses a mixed methods approach at examining students’ subjective perceptions of healthy sexuality. I intend to determine different ways specific groups of students conceptualize healthy sexuality. I feel it is extremely important to know what students think of healthy sexuality. This can inform and, in a sense, evaluate current sexual health educational practice. The findings of my study will serve to begin numerous lines of more specific inquiry with regard to specific perceptions of healthy sexuality and has the potential to lead

I have many other interests with regard to sexuality education. The State of Ohio is rather unique with regard to comprehensive sexuality education. Political chaos and controversy in our state has lead me to develop interests in policy development and legislative processes at both the state and federal levels. I believe that scientific evaluation of sexuality programs is absolutely necessary. Billions of U.S. dollars are wasted every year due to the lack of appropriate evaluation protocol. Health educators need to make evaluation a priority as we continue to establish ourselves as a profession so that programs that work become the majority rather than unique occurrences.

My area of interest is not limited to sexuality alone, although the majority of my work so far has been within this focus. I have a vested interest in health in general and in health education becoming a more valued and respected profession. At this point in my professional development I am constantly developing new interests and new ways to go with regard to research opportunities.