Natasha Crooks
Biographic Data
| ID | 148487 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Natasha Crooks |
| GIVEN NAMES | Natasha |
| FAMILY NAME | Crooks |
| SIGNATURE | CROOKS N |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Illinois Chicago |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-0178-2844 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 34 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 80 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 34 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2018 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 6 |
Honoring Black Love and Protecting Black Women’s Sexual Health
This qualitative descriptive study explored how 30 Black cisgender women aged 23–65 conceptualize Black love and examined its impact on their sexual health and vulnerability to HIV. Thematic analysis was undertaken to identify codes, themes, and subthemes of the data. Three overarching key themes were co-constructed: (1) Black love with subthemes of self-love, romantic love, and community love, (2) Struggle love with subthemes of coping with ster…
Acceptability, Feasibility, and Implementation Outcomes of a Family-Based Intervention for Black Men and Girls
Family-based interventions may reduce the risk of acquiring HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among Black girls in the United States, but few have engaged Black male caregivers. We examined key implementation outcomes of IMAGE, IMARA for Black Male Caregivers, and Girls Empowerment, an adapted evidence-based intervention for Black girls (13–18 years old) and their male caregivers. We conducted a pilot test of IMAGE with 40 girl…
Examining the Role of Racial and Neighborhood Context in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy
Neighborhood environments inundated with poor social conditions-including structural racism, poverty, residential segregation, systemic bias, and language/communication barriers with providers may significantly increase a person susceptibility to adverse health outcomes. Black women living in socially vulnerable communities face increased risk for HDP, reflecting the compounded effects of these structural inequities. To address the multifaceted s…
Risk, Adultification, Messaging, and Protection Scale ( RAMPS )
Adultification, protection, and stereotyping of Black girls and their associated sexual and reproductive health risks are understudied concepts that are challenging to measure. This study developed and validated the Risk, Adultification, Messaging, and Protection Scale (RAMPS), designed to assess the relationship between sexual development, adultification, messaging, and protection, which are constructs of the Becoming a Sexual Black Woman framew…
Provider Perspectives on Group PrEP Care for Sex Workers
Reducing new HIV infections is crucial. Sex workers continue to face disparities in both HIV infection rates and inadequate prevention care. Stigma, criminalization, and financial instability hinder access to vital HIV prevention methods, including Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). Evidence-based, community-centered PrEP care may help address these issues. An evidence-based group PrEP care model, Centering PrEP (C-PrEP +), could empower communitie…
There's More to Being a Provider
Objective: The current study explores how African-American men are socialized about marriage. Background: The literature on African-American men and marriage largely focuses on attitudes toward and motivation to marry, paying little attention to how they come to form their attitudes that drive their motivation. It is important to understand how African-American men are socialized on the topic of marriage to provide a point of intervention and pre…
Dark skin girls are unworthy of protection”
Current systems, such as families, schools, and media, should seek to address stereotyped messages and mistreatment that harm Black girls' development. Programming surrounding colorism, gendered racism, and discrimination may serve as an opportunity to begin dismantling systems rooted in Eurocentric preferences that encourage the oppression and mistreatment of Black girls based on skin tone. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights rese…
Protecting your body and loving yourself
Black girls in the USA face disproportionate rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, and sexual violence, prompting research into the sociocultural factors such as adultification, race and gender discrimination, and stereotyped messaging, impacting Black girls' sexual development. While existing literature finds that Black female caregivers utilise protective strategies to mitigate potential harm to Black girls, little is known abou…
Effects of female caregiver communication and behavior on sexual behavior of South African adolescent girls and young women post-HIV/STI intervention
The role of Black men in protecting Black girls' sexual development
Centering PrEP
In direct alignment with community empowerment, we followed the ADAPT-ITT framework, phases 1-6, to iteratively adapt Centering Healthcare to suit the stated HIV Prevention and PrEP care needs of sex workers in Chicago. The study represents the first time the first time Centering has been adapted to suit the HIV prevention and PrEP care needs of sex workers. Addressing a gap in HIV prevention care for sex workers, Centering PrEP harnesses the pow…
Experiences of gender-based violence among Somali refugee women
Gender-based violence (GBV) is an all-encompassing term that speaks to acts or threats that may lead to physical, sexual or emotional harm to an individual based on their gender. This paper provides a scoping review of research on gender-based violence among Somali refugee women in different parts of the world. Using the socio-ecological model as a framework, we reviewed 30 empirical studies focusing on some form of GBV among Somali refugee women…
Strategies for engaging Black male caregivers in family-based research
Black men are less likely to participate in research studies due to historical abuses and mistrust, which has consequences for various health issues, including research to increase the sexual health and well-being of young girls and women. This paper aims to present strategies from research staff on how to engage Black male caregivers in family-based research. After our five Black research team members (i.e., researchers, recruiters, facilitators…
Writing Qualitative Research Proposals Using the Pathway Project Mapping Tool
This article describes using the Qualitative Pathway Project Mapping Tool (QL-PPMT) to guide the development of rigorous qualitative research proposals. The original PPMT was initially developed to assist nursing students in planning their quantitative research proposals and has been widely used by faculty to advise student research projects. In this paper, we have adapted the 26 sections of the PPMT to provide a comprehensive checklist and road …
Structural Violence and Stress Experiences of Young Pregnant Black People
Experiences of Sex Workers in Chicago during Covid-19
COVID-19 exacerbated health disparities, financial insecurity, and occupational safety for many within marginalized populations. This study, which took place between 2019 and 2022, aimed to explore the way in which sex workers ( n = 36) in Chicago were impacted by COVID-19. We analyzed the transcripts of 36 individual interviews with a diverse group of sex workers using thematic analysis. Five general themes emerged regarding the detrimental impa…
Application of Adapt-ITT
Adapting evidence-based interventions to incorporate Black girls and their Black male caregivers should be driven by a relevant theoretical framework that aligns with the target population(s). Adapting the intervention in partnership with the community has been shown to improve acceptability and feasibility as it is responsive to community needs. Using a systematic process like the ADAPT-ITT model will ensure that the new program is ready for eff…
Growing Up Too “Fast”
Do parental protective factors matter? Predicting HIV/STI risk among a sample of justice-involved African-American girls
The Role of the Strong Black Woman in Black Female Sexual Development
Black girls and women are disproportionately impacted by sexual health disparities, including an increased risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI). Early sexual development among Black females heightens their risk of HIV/STI. Utilizing the Becoming a Sexual Black Woman (SBW) framework, this study sought to understand how early sexual development and stereotype messages may underpin HIV/STI risk, building on and furthering the discus…
Obstetric experiences of young black mothers
Disseminating Evidence-Based Interventions for Adolescent HIV Treatment and Prevention in Sub-Saharan Africa
Over two-thirds of adolescents living with HIV worldwide reside in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite widespread availability and access to evidence-based HIV prevention and treatment, dissemination has been inadequate. This commentary distinguishes between implementation and dissemination, reflecting on the unique barriers to dissemination of evidence-based programs in SSA. We present a seven-strategy blueprint developed by United States Agency f…
Engaging Vulnerable Populations in Community-based Participatory Research
These lessons provide insight for future researchers to consider as they aim to develop strong and equitable community partnerships. Power sharing is required to maintain equitable community partnerships. Balancing community needs with academic expectations is essential to sustain funding. Emphasizing cultural safety and collaboration can address institutional roadblocks
Ballroom Icons and the Power to Promote Covid-19 Vaccination Among Black and Brown LGBTQ + Individuals
AffiliationsRandi Beth Singer, Natasha Crooks, Rebecca Singer, Crystal Patil, and Alicia Matthews are with the College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago. Noel Green is with the Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, University of Chicago. Jahari Stamps is with the House of Ferre, Chicago
Culturally Safe Nursing Care for Black Sex Workers in the Greater Chicago Area, 2020‒2021
Complex structural and social factors have created health inequities for Black sex workers. Black people, including those engaged in transactional sex, report leaning on spiritual beliefs to guide health-related decision-making, including whether to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Public health nurses can improve the health of Black sex workers through culturally safe care, which may include a community-stated vision of spiritual support. (Am J Public …
The Process of Becoming a Sexual Black Woman
Interventions at multiple levels of the social ecology throughout the life course may help reduce STD/HIV risk among black women in the United States. Future research should include examination of the experiences of black females younger than 18 and evaluation of the protective strategies employed by older black females
Investigating Longitudinal Associations Between Racial Microaggressions, Coping, Racial/Ethnic Identity, and Mental Health in Black Girls and Women
Racial microaggressions pose significant risk to health and well-being among Black adolescents and adults. Yet, protective factors (i.e., coping, racial/ethnic identity) can moderate the impact of racial microaggressions over time. Unfortunately, few studies have evaluated the role of these protective factors longitudinally or specifically among Black girls and women. In the current study, we focused on the experiences of Black girls and women an…
Obstetric experiences of young black mothers
Re-entry experiences of Black men living with HIV/Aids after release from prison
Covid-19 Prevention and Protecting Sex Workers
Addressing sexually transmitted infections in the sociocultural context of black heterosexual relationships in the United States
Growing Up Too “Fast”
The Role of the Strong Black Woman in Black Female Sexual Development
Black girls and women are disproportionately impacted by sexual health disparities, including an increased risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI). Early sexual development among Black females heightens their risk of HIV/STI. Utilizing the Becoming a Sexual Black Woman (SBW) framework, this study sought to understand how early sexual development and stereotype messages may underpin HIV/STI risk, building on and furthering the discus…
Engaging Vulnerable Populations in Community-based Participatory Research
These lessons provide insight for future researchers to consider as they aim to develop strong and equitable community partnerships. Power sharing is required to maintain equitable community partnerships. Balancing community needs with academic expectations is essential to sustain funding. Emphasizing cultural safety and collaboration can address institutional roadblocks
Writing Qualitative Research Proposals Using the Pathway Project Mapping Tool
This article describes using the Qualitative Pathway Project Mapping Tool (QL-PPMT) to guide the development of rigorous qualitative research proposals. The original PPMT was initially developed to assist nursing students in planning their quantitative research proposals and has been widely used by faculty to advise student research projects. In this paper, we have adapted the 26 sections of the PPMT to provide a comprehensive checklist and road …
Culturally Safe Nursing Care for Black Sex Workers in the Greater Chicago Area, 2020‒2021
Complex structural and social factors have created health inequities for Black sex workers. Black people, including those engaged in transactional sex, report leaning on spiritual beliefs to guide health-related decision-making, including whether to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Public health nurses can improve the health of Black sex workers through culturally safe care, which may include a community-stated vision of spiritual support. (Am J Public …
Structural Violence and Stress Experiences of Young Pregnant Black People
Do parental protective factors matter? Predicting HIV/STI risk among a sample of justice-involved African-American girls
Ballroom Icons and the Power to Promote Covid-19 Vaccination Among Black and Brown LGBTQ + Individuals
AffiliationsRandi Beth Singer, Natasha Crooks, Rebecca Singer, Crystal Patil, and Alicia Matthews are with the College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago. Noel Green is with the Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, University of Chicago. Jahari Stamps is with the House of Ferre, Chicago
Re-entry experiences of Black men living with HIV/Aids after release from prison
The Process of Becoming a Sexual Black Woman
Interventions at multiple levels of the social ecology throughout the life course may help reduce STD/HIV risk among black women in the United States. Future research should include examination of the experiences of black females younger than 18 and evaluation of the protective strategies employed by older black females
Perceived neighborhood violence and crime, emotion regulation, and PTSD symptoms among justice-involved, urban African-American adolescent girls
Justice-involved African-American adolescent girls who report high NVC and use dysfunctional ER strategies are particularly vulnerable to the development of PTSD symptoms. Interventions with this population may benefit from targeting dysfunctional ER strategies to mitigate or prevent neighborhood violence related PTSD symptoms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)
Protecting young Black female sexuality
In the USA, Black girls and women face significant health disparities and disproportionately experience violence, racism, discrimination, stereotype messaging and elevated STI/HIV rates. Research shows the importance of familial systems and effective communication in decreasing risky behaviours among Black girls. This grounded theory study explored the sociocultural conditions that influence the process of becoming a sexual Black woman. Analytic …
Covid-19 Prevention and Protecting Sex Workers
Addressing sexually transmitted infections in the sociocultural context of black heterosexual relationships in the United States
Ethics of research at the intersection of Covid-19 and black lives matter
This paper describes how to ethically conduct research with Black populations at the intersection of COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement. We highlight the issues of historical mistrust in the USA and how this may impact Black populations’ participation in COVID-19 vaccination trials. We provide recommendations for researchers to ethically engage Black populations in research considering the current context. Our recommendations include un…
Examining Whiteness in Obstetric and Pediatric Simulations
Background: Whiteness is a systemic construct that functions to make itself invisible and prevent its racialization. Whiteness informs the nursing profession on all levels and impacts how nurses learn, relate to, and perpetuate whiteness through structural, curricular, interpersonal, and ideological means. The aim of this study was to use an antiracist framework to analyze manifestations of whiteness in select prelicensure obstetric and pediatric…
Investigating Longitudinal Associations Between Racial Microaggressions, Coping, Racial/Ethnic Identity, and Mental Health in Black Girls and Women
Racial microaggressions pose significant risk to health and well-being among Black adolescents and adults. Yet, protective factors (i.e., coping, racial/ethnic identity) can moderate the impact of racial microaggressions over time. Unfortunately, few studies have evaluated the role of these protective factors longitudinally or specifically among Black girls and women. In the current study, we focused on the experiences of Black girls and women an…
Disseminating Evidence-Based Interventions for Adolescent HIV Treatment and Prevention in Sub-Saharan Africa
Over two-thirds of adolescents living with HIV worldwide reside in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite widespread availability and access to evidence-based HIV prevention and treatment, dissemination has been inadequate. This commentary distinguishes between implementation and dissemination, reflecting on the unique barriers to dissemination of evidence-based programs in SSA. We present a seven-strategy blueprint developed by United States Agency f…
Engaging Vulnerable Populations in Community-based Participatory Research
These lessons provide insight for future researchers to consider as they aim to develop strong and equitable community partnerships. Power sharing is required to maintain equitable community partnerships. Balancing community needs with academic expectations is essential to sustain funding. Emphasizing cultural safety and collaboration can address institutional roadblocks
Ballroom Icons and the Power to Promote Covid-19 Vaccination Among Black and Brown LGBTQ + Individuals
AffiliationsRandi Beth Singer, Natasha Crooks, Rebecca Singer, Crystal Patil, and Alicia Matthews are with the College of Nursing, University of Illinois Chicago. Noel Green is with the Chicago Center for HIV Elimination, University of Chicago. Jahari Stamps is with the House of Ferre, Chicago
Culturally Safe Nursing Care for Black Sex Workers in the Greater Chicago Area, 2020‒2021
Complex structural and social factors have created health inequities for Black sex workers. Black people, including those engaged in transactional sex, report leaning on spiritual beliefs to guide health-related decision-making, including whether to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Public health nurses can improve the health of Black sex workers through culturally safe care, which may include a community-stated vision of spiritual support. (Am J Public …
Experiences of Sex Workers in Chicago during Covid-19
COVID-19 exacerbated health disparities, financial insecurity, and occupational safety for many within marginalized populations. This study, which took place between 2019 and 2022, aimed to explore the way in which sex workers ( n = 36) in Chicago were impacted by COVID-19. We analyzed the transcripts of 36 individual interviews with a diverse group of sex workers using thematic analysis. Five general themes emerged regarding the detrimental impa…
Application of Adapt-ITT
Adapting evidence-based interventions to incorporate Black girls and their Black male caregivers should be driven by a relevant theoretical framework that aligns with the target population(s). Adapting the intervention in partnership with the community has been shown to improve acceptability and feasibility as it is responsive to community needs. Using a systematic process like the ADAPT-ITT model will ensure that the new program is ready for eff…
Growing Up Too “Fast”
Do parental protective factors matter? Predicting HIV/STI risk among a sample of justice-involved African-American girls
The Role of the Strong Black Woman in Black Female Sexual Development
Black girls and women are disproportionately impacted by sexual health disparities, including an increased risk of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI). Early sexual development among Black females heightens their risk of HIV/STI. Utilizing the Becoming a Sexual Black Woman (SBW) framework, this study sought to understand how early sexual development and stereotype messages may underpin HIV/STI risk, building on and furthering the discus…
Obstetric experiences of young black mothers
The role of Black men in protecting Black girls' sexual development
Centering PrEP
In direct alignment with community empowerment, we followed the ADAPT-ITT framework, phases 1-6, to iteratively adapt Centering Healthcare to suit the stated HIV Prevention and PrEP care needs of sex workers in Chicago. The study represents the first time the first time Centering has been adapted to suit the HIV prevention and PrEP care needs of sex workers. Addressing a gap in HIV prevention care for sex workers, Centering PrEP harnesses the pow…
Experiences of gender-based violence among Somali refugee women
Gender-based violence (GBV) is an all-encompassing term that speaks to acts or threats that may lead to physical, sexual or emotional harm to an individual based on their gender. This paper provides a scoping review of research on gender-based violence among Somali refugee women in different parts of the world. Using the socio-ecological model as a framework, we reviewed 30 empirical studies focusing on some form of GBV among Somali refugee women…
Strategies for engaging Black male caregivers in family-based research
Black men are less likely to participate in research studies due to historical abuses and mistrust, which has consequences for various health issues, including research to increase the sexual health and well-being of young girls and women. This paper aims to present strategies from research staff on how to engage Black male caregivers in family-based research. After our five Black research team members (i.e., researchers, recruiters, facilitators…
Writing Qualitative Research Proposals Using the Pathway Project Mapping Tool
This article describes using the Qualitative Pathway Project Mapping Tool (QL-PPMT) to guide the development of rigorous qualitative research proposals. The original PPMT was initially developed to assist nursing students in planning their quantitative research proposals and has been widely used by faculty to advise student research projects. In this paper, we have adapted the 26 sections of the PPMT to provide a comprehensive checklist and road …
Structural Violence and Stress Experiences of Young Pregnant Black People
Psychology (20 works) · Medicine (19 works) · Sociology (16 works) · Gender Studies (13 works) · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (12 works) · Nursing (12 works) · Public health (11 works) · Developmental psychology (10 works) · Political science (10 works) · Psychiatry (10 works)