Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 7, 2026

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
"Love Your Love Life": Disadvantaged African American Adolescents Cocreate Psychoeducational Romantic and Sexual
Hayley Stokar1, Lauren Davis1, Bidisha Sinha1
1Hayley Stokar, PhD, is assistant professor, Purdue University Northwest, Westville, IN. Lauren Davis, MSW, and Bidisha Sinha, MPH, are doctoral students, School of Social Work, Loyola University of Chicago. Lauren LaMarca, MSW,MA, is a Peace Corps volunteer for youth and family community development, Dominican Republic. Alexander Harris, MSW, is treatment recreational coordinator, Larimer County Community Corrections, Fort Collins, CO. Kenyatti Hellum is a candidate for bachelor's degree, Western Illinois University, Macomb. Katherine Tyson McCrea, PhD, MDiv, LCSW, is professor, School of Social Work, Loyola University of Chicago, 820 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611.
Abstract:
Sexually transmitted disease transmission, dating violence, trafficking, and unplanned pregnancy disproportionately afflict disadvantaged African American adolescents, and social services to effectively remedy this crisis need improvement. Moreover, disadvantaged African American adolescents have been significantly underrepresented in mental health, social services, and best practices research, so existing evidence-based practice models are insufficiently inclusive of these adolescents' perspectives. As a remedy, this study describes a formative evaluation of a youth-led, participatory action-based summer and after-school program, Love Your Love Life. Over eight successive semesters, 155 African American adolescents authored instructional materials including a guide to dating, a documentary, a workbook, a PowerPoint presentation, social media messages, and skits, and then led seminars for their peers. The highly engaged adolescents contributed valuable information about their strengths, challenges, and preferences, and suggested improvements to make sexual and romantic health curricula more relevant for their peers.
Related Concept Videos
Community Based Intervention
Foundations of Community Mental Health Programs
Central to the success of community-based interventions is the...
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Relationship Formation
Relationship Growth
Models of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention II
The agent-host-environment model states that disease results...

