Shemeka Thorpe
Biographic Data
| ID | 200462 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Shemeka Thorpe |
| GIVEN NAMES | Shemeka |
| FAMILY NAME | Thorpe |
| SIGNATURE | THORPE S |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Kentucky |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-2931-7178 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 32 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 35 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 32 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2019 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
“Nobody Ever Sat Me Down to Talk About That Kind of Stuff”: A Thematic Analysis of Heterosexual Black Men’s Genital Hygiene Messages
8 heterosexual Black men ages 24-43 participated in semi-structured interviews as a part of the Generation Genital (Gen2) Messages Study. Grounded in the culture-centered approach's epistemological commitment to centering marginalized voices, this study integrates sexual socialization theory as an analytical framework to examine how sociohistorical and sociocultural constructs of masculinity shape heterosexual Black men's grooming and hygiene pra…
I’m going to use the formula God gave me”: The Role of the Black Church in Breastfeeding Support for Black Mothers
You shoot it up your vagina and that’s supposed to heal it?’: Black women’s perceptions of vaginal steaming in the USA
Vaginal steaming, a practice rooted in traditional medicine and popularised in wellness culture, has gained both biomedical concern and social interest. Although often framed as medically risky or scientifically unfounded, little is known about how Black women in the USA, whose reproductive health experiences are shaped by systemic neglect, commodification, and historical trauma, perceive this practice. Guided by a Black feminist lens, this quali…
Breastfeeding Barriers Among Black Mothers: Maternal Guilt, Shame, and Other Affective Stressors
Black women initiate and continue breastfeeding at lower rates than any other racial and ethnic group. The current study qualitatively examines barriers to breastfeeding among Black mothers. Participants included 37 Black cisgender mothers stratified by age with varying breastfeeding experiences. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Results highlighted maternal guilt, shame, and/or other affective barriers (i.e., concerns about l…
“Make Sure You Wash Your Monkey”: Multigenerational Vaginal Hygiene Messages from Black Women
In the United States, the messages Black women receive about vaginal hygiene are often rooted in misogynoir. As a result, Black women across multiple generations may engage in extensive vaginal hygiene practices that are harmful to their health as a means of decreasing the potential for dehumanization or confirming racist stereotypes. The purpose of the current qualitative study is to explore the messages four generations of Black women (n = 12) …
“God Did for Me What I Couldn’t Do for Myself”: Understanding Religiosity, Spirituality, and Locus of Control Among Black Americans Who Use Opioids
Sexual healing: Qualitative methods as a radical pleasure intervention against anti-Black sexology
(Hargons & Thorpe, 2022) invite qualitative methodologists to investigate these constructs with more authenticity, pleasure, joy, sex-positive discourses, and a commitment to citing Black women; this is a radical pleasure disruption to scholastic anti-Blackness. In addition to the epistemologically liberating undertaking, there may also be opportunities to facilitate sexual healing-the movement toward an optimal sexual self-through the qualitativ…
It was the Best Sex of My Life”: A Qualitative Analysis of Black Women’s Most Pleasurable Sexual Experiences
Sexual pleasure is an integral component of sexual health, human rights, and overall wellbeing and can be a helpful lens for understanding the agency and freedom present at the individual, relational, and community level. Further, one's most pleasurable sexual experience can be a pivotal moment that allows for expanded understandings of pleasure and can change how one structures future sexual experiences. It is particularly important to study sex…
I Know That It Exists, But Will I Ever Achieve Pleasure?” Black Women’s Perceptions of Sexual Pleasure after Experiencing Sexual Pain
Correlates of Transactional Sex Among Black Men and Women Who Misuse Opioids
The rise in opioid misuse coincides with increased sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV incidence. Transactional sex is an under-researched phenomenon among Black Americans who misuse opioids, and may increase their risk of STI or HIV transmission. Given the disproportionate impact of the opioid epidemic on Black Americans and the risks associated with opioid misuse, the current study aims to investigate sociostructural factors, history o…
Black people’s constructions of good sex: Describing good sex from the margins
Existing conceptualizations and measures of good sex are varied and inconclusive. Additionally, few studies have defined good sex from the margins, thus definitions are primarily informed from privileged perspectives. People with marginalized racial, gender, and sexual identities can offer culturally informed definitions of good sex that may expand current definitions. This study fills that gap by identifying factors that constitute good sex amon…
Just be strong and keep going’: The influence of Superwoman Schema on Black women’s perceived expectations of coping with sexual pain
Superwoman Schema, a conceptual framework that reflects Black women's ability to overcome gendered racism and stress, affects the way Black women choose to cope with health-related issues. The purpose of this study was to investigate how Black women perceive they should cope with sexual pain using the Superwoman Schema as an analytic and interpretative guide. Data were derived from participants who completed an individual interview on sexual pain…
The roles of vicarious trauma exposure and perceived social support in codeine syrup misuse among Black men living in prisons
Using General Strain Theory, this study investigates the effects of vicarious trauma exposure and perceived social support on nonmedical codeine syrup misuse among Black incarcerated men nearing community re-entry. Data were drawn from the Helping Incarcerated Men project, a study examining mental health, substance misuse, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviors among Black men living in prisons who were within 180 days of release. …
It Felt Sexually Liberating”: An Examination of How Black Women’s Awareness of Kink and BDSM Informs Their Sex Lives
Kink and BDSM can have healing and liberatory potential for practitioners, whether kink-identified or not, particularly Black women and those who are members of alternative sexual communities. This study presents data from N = 22 kink/BDSM-identified, experienced, and non-kinky/BDSM Black ciswomen on their awareness of and engagement in kink and BDSM (bondage and discipline, sadism and masochism, dominance, and submission). Qualitative data were …
From Sin to Sexual Self-Awareness: Black Women’s Reflection on Lifetime Masturbation Messages
My partner will think I’m weak or overthinking my pain’: How being superwoman inhibits Black women’s sexual pain disclosure to their partners
Black women experience persistent sexual pain that may often last longer than White women. Despite the value of sexual communication to alleviate sexual pain concerns, many women do not disclose sexual pain to their partners. Limited research explores barriers to disclosing sexual pain to partners among Black women. This study seeks to fill this gap. Relying on an integration of Sexual Script theory and Superwoman Schema, the study explored the b…
Listen to Black Women: The Power of Black Women’s Collective Sexual Wisdom About Strategies to Promote Sexual Pleasure and Reduce Sexual Pain
It’s what boys do”: Valence, source, and content of Black men’s masturbation messages
Religion, psychiatric symptoms, and gender role conflict among incarcerated Black men
Extant literature is mixed on the role of religiosity as a protective factor for mental health concerns and the effectiveness of faith-based prison programs on a reduction in recidivism. Religiosity and psychiatric symptoms are associated with gender role conflict, yet little is known about these relationships among Black incarcerated men. Undergirded by gender role conflict theory, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between religio…
The Peak of Pleasure: US Southern Black Women’s Definitions of and Feelings Toward Sexual Pleasure
Sexual identity factors and minority stressors associated with healthcare stereotype threat and access to care among Black sexual minority women
Black sexual minority women (SMW) are disproportionately impacted by negative health outcomes, healthcare discrimination, and provider bias. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate which sexual identity characteristics and minority stressors are associated with healthcare stereotype threat and healthcare access for Black SMW. Using secondary data from the Generations Study data, N = 142 Black and/or biracial cisgender women were a…
An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Black Women’s Meaning and Experiences of Sexual Anxiety
Sexual anxiety can activate the stress response cycle during sex, compromising a woman's ability to experience sexual pleasure. Black women face additional cultural and contextual factors, such as hypersexualization, partner scarcity, and higher rates of sexual trauma that may increase the magnitude, frequency, and odds of experiencing sexual anxiety. However, limited research has explored this phenomenon among Black women. Thus, we sought to qua…
Black sexual minority women’s social well-being and psychological distress
149) who responded to the Generations Study's initial round of surveys collected in 2016-2017. Participants were between the ages of 18-60, with a mean of 29.3 years old. Descriptive and bivariate correlations were conducted for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) stigma, internalized homophobia, gender presentation, ethnic identity affiliation, LGB community connectedness, and social support. Multiple regression models were conducted to analyze cor…
Why Would I Talk To Them About Sex: Exploring Patient-Provider Communication Among Black Women Experiencing Sexual Pain
Ineffective patient-provider communication poses a potential health risk to Black women if medical providers are not addressing their needs or concerns. Additionally, less than half of OBGYNs report asking their patients about sexual difficulties, which limits women's opportunities to disclose their experiences of sexual pain. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore Black women's experiences of patient-provider communication about sex…
Balancing the sexology scales: A content analysis of Black women’s sexuality research
Existing research adopting a sex positive and intersectional framework for investigating Black women's sexualities is scarce. We conducted a 46-year (1972-2018) content analysis of sexualities research focussed on Black women. It sought to examine which sexualities topics were published most; whether the publications aligned with sex-positive, neutral or negative discourse; what methodologies were used; and differences in how various identities w…
Why Would I Talk To Them About Sex: Exploring Patient-Provider Communication Among Black Women Experiencing Sexual Pain
Ineffective patient-provider communication poses a potential health risk to Black women if medical providers are not addressing their needs or concerns. Additionally, less than half of OBGYNs report asking their patients about sexual difficulties, which limits women's opportunities to disclose their experiences of sexual pain. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore Black women's experiences of patient-provider communication about sex…
The Peak of Pleasure: US Southern Black Women’s Definitions of and Feelings Toward Sexual Pleasure
Sexual identity factors and minority stressors associated with healthcare stereotype threat and access to care among Black sexual minority women
Black sexual minority women (SMW) are disproportionately impacted by negative health outcomes, healthcare discrimination, and provider bias. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate which sexual identity characteristics and minority stressors are associated with healthcare stereotype threat and healthcare access for Black SMW. Using secondary data from the Generations Study data, N = 142 Black and/or biracial cisgender women were a…
Relational and Partner-Specific Factors Influencing Black Heterosexual Women’s Initiation of Sexual Intercourse and Orgasm Frequency
Listen to Black Women: The Power of Black Women’s Collective Sexual Wisdom About Strategies to Promote Sexual Pleasure and Reduce Sexual Pain
An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Black Women’s Meaning and Experiences of Sexual Anxiety
Sexual anxiety can activate the stress response cycle during sex, compromising a woman's ability to experience sexual pleasure. Black women face additional cultural and contextual factors, such as hypersexualization, partner scarcity, and higher rates of sexual trauma that may increase the magnitude, frequency, and odds of experiencing sexual anxiety. However, limited research has explored this phenomenon among Black women. Thus, we sought to qua…
Social Motivations for College Hookups
Religion, psychiatric symptoms, and gender role conflict among incarcerated Black men
Extant literature is mixed on the role of religiosity as a protective factor for mental health concerns and the effectiveness of faith-based prison programs on a reduction in recidivism. Religiosity and psychiatric symptoms are associated with gender role conflict, yet little is known about these relationships among Black incarcerated men. Undergirded by gender role conflict theory, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between religio…
Breastfeeding Barriers Among Black Mothers: Maternal Guilt, Shame, and Other Affective Stressors
Black women initiate and continue breastfeeding at lower rates than any other racial and ethnic group. The current study qualitatively examines barriers to breastfeeding among Black mothers. Participants included 37 Black cisgender mothers stratified by age with varying breastfeeding experiences. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Results highlighted maternal guilt, shame, and/or other affective barriers (i.e., concerns about l…
It was the Best Sex of My Life”: A Qualitative Analysis of Black Women’s Most Pleasurable Sexual Experiences
Sexual pleasure is an integral component of sexual health, human rights, and overall wellbeing and can be a helpful lens for understanding the agency and freedom present at the individual, relational, and community level. Further, one's most pleasurable sexual experience can be a pivotal moment that allows for expanded understandings of pleasure and can change how one structures future sexual experiences. It is particularly important to study sex…
The roles of vicarious trauma exposure and perceived social support in codeine syrup misuse among Black men living in prisons
Using General Strain Theory, this study investigates the effects of vicarious trauma exposure and perceived social support on nonmedical codeine syrup misuse among Black incarcerated men nearing community re-entry. Data were drawn from the Helping Incarcerated Men project, a study examining mental health, substance misuse, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviors among Black men living in prisons who were within 180 days of release. …
It Felt Sexually Liberating”: An Examination of How Black Women’s Awareness of Kink and BDSM Informs Their Sex Lives
Kink and BDSM can have healing and liberatory potential for practitioners, whether kink-identified or not, particularly Black women and those who are members of alternative sexual communities. This study presents data from N = 22 kink/BDSM-identified, experienced, and non-kinky/BDSM Black ciswomen on their awareness of and engagement in kink and BDSM (bondage and discipline, sadism and masochism, dominance, and submission). Qualitative data were …
It’s what boys do”: Valence, source, and content of Black men’s masturbation messages
Sexual Health Interventions for Black Women in the United States: A Systematic Review of Literature
Objective: The purpose of this systematic review was to identify and evaluate approaches used in sexual health interventions targeting Black women in the United States. Methods: We conducted a review of 15 sexual health intervention studies for Black women published between January 2000 and May 2017 in the United States. Results: Each intervention focused on HIV/sexually transmitted infection prevention, incorporated an asset and deficit-based ap…
Relational and Partner-Specific Factors Influencing Black Heterosexual Women’s Initiation of Sexual Intercourse and Orgasm Frequency
Social Motivations for College Hookups
Balancing the sexology scales: A content analysis of Black women’s sexuality research
Existing research adopting a sex positive and intersectional framework for investigating Black women's sexualities is scarce. We conducted a 46-year (1972-2018) content analysis of sexualities research focussed on Black women. It sought to examine which sexualities topics were published most; whether the publications aligned with sex-positive, neutral or negative discourse; what methodologies were used; and differences in how various identities w…
First-year college students’ alcohol and hookup behaviours: Sexual scripting and implications for sexual health promotion
This study used a sexual scripting framework to analyse data from the Online College Social Life Survey to examine the role of individual, (e.g. gender, race and alcohol use), relational (partner type, condom use behaviours), and contextual factors (sex ratios and fraternity/sorority affiliation) influencing 4,292 first-year college students' hookup experiences. Results suggest that hookups are relatively "safe", with the the majority involving n…
Incarcerated Black men’s restrictive emotionality: The influence of parental closeness and childhood abuse
The present study suggests childhood abuse, specifically sexual abuse by multiple individuals, is an important risk factor for restrictive emotionality among Black incarcerated men. Additionally, this study highlights the importance of close supportive relationships, particularly with parents, as factors to consider for prevention and intervention approaches, and correctional strategies to foster emotional wellness for this population
Correlates of Sexual Self-Consciousness Among Black Women
Sexual Attitudes, Religious Commitment, and Sexual Risk Behaviours among College-Aged Women
Sexual double standards tend to marginalize women and restrict their sexual expression in comparison to men. Sexual attitudes can heavily influence women’s propensity to engage in sexual risk behaviours. One’s sexual attitudes, whether more conservative or liberal have been shown to influence differing experiences of power and assertiveness in sexual relationships. Religiosity is often linked to an individual’s sexual decision-making and practice…
Religion, psychiatric symptoms, and gender role conflict among incarcerated Black men
Extant literature is mixed on the role of religiosity as a protective factor for mental health concerns and the effectiveness of faith-based prison programs on a reduction in recidivism. Religiosity and psychiatric symptoms are associated with gender role conflict, yet little is known about these relationships among Black incarcerated men. Undergirded by gender role conflict theory, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between religio…
The Peak of Pleasure: US Southern Black Women’s Definitions of and Feelings Toward Sexual Pleasure
Sexual identity factors and minority stressors associated with healthcare stereotype threat and access to care among Black sexual minority women
Black sexual minority women (SMW) are disproportionately impacted by negative health outcomes, healthcare discrimination, and provider bias. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate which sexual identity characteristics and minority stressors are associated with healthcare stereotype threat and healthcare access for Black SMW. Using secondary data from the Generations Study data, N = 142 Black and/or biracial cisgender women were a…
An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Black Women’s Meaning and Experiences of Sexual Anxiety
Sexual anxiety can activate the stress response cycle during sex, compromising a woman's ability to experience sexual pleasure. Black women face additional cultural and contextual factors, such as hypersexualization, partner scarcity, and higher rates of sexual trauma that may increase the magnitude, frequency, and odds of experiencing sexual anxiety. However, limited research has explored this phenomenon among Black women. Thus, we sought to qua…
Black sexual minority women’s social well-being and psychological distress
149) who responded to the Generations Study's initial round of surveys collected in 2016-2017. Participants were between the ages of 18-60, with a mean of 29.3 years old. Descriptive and bivariate correlations were conducted for lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) stigma, internalized homophobia, gender presentation, ethnic identity affiliation, LGB community connectedness, and social support. Multiple regression models were conducted to analyze cor…
Why Would I Talk To Them About Sex: Exploring Patient-Provider Communication Among Black Women Experiencing Sexual Pain
Ineffective patient-provider communication poses a potential health risk to Black women if medical providers are not addressing their needs or concerns. Additionally, less than half of OBGYNs report asking their patients about sexual difficulties, which limits women's opportunities to disclose their experiences of sexual pain. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore Black women's experiences of patient-provider communication about sex…
From Sin to Sexual Self-Awareness: Black Women’s Reflection on Lifetime Masturbation Messages
My partner will think I’m weak or overthinking my pain’: How being superwoman inhibits Black women’s sexual pain disclosure to their partners
Black women experience persistent sexual pain that may often last longer than White women. Despite the value of sexual communication to alleviate sexual pain concerns, many women do not disclose sexual pain to their partners. Limited research explores barriers to disclosing sexual pain to partners among Black women. This study seeks to fill this gap. Relying on an integration of Sexual Script theory and Superwoman Schema, the study explored the b…
Listen to Black Women: The Power of Black Women’s Collective Sexual Wisdom About Strategies to Promote Sexual Pleasure and Reduce Sexual Pain
It’s what boys do”: Valence, source, and content of Black men’s masturbation messages
Correlates of Transactional Sex Among Black Men and Women Who Misuse Opioids
The rise in opioid misuse coincides with increased sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV incidence. Transactional sex is an under-researched phenomenon among Black Americans who misuse opioids, and may increase their risk of STI or HIV transmission. Given the disproportionate impact of the opioid epidemic on Black Americans and the risks associated with opioid misuse, the current study aims to investigate sociostructural factors, history o…
Black people’s constructions of good sex: Describing good sex from the margins
Existing conceptualizations and measures of good sex are varied and inconclusive. Additionally, few studies have defined good sex from the margins, thus definitions are primarily informed from privileged perspectives. People with marginalized racial, gender, and sexual identities can offer culturally informed definitions of good sex that may expand current definitions. This study fills that gap by identifying factors that constitute good sex amon…
Just be strong and keep going’: The influence of Superwoman Schema on Black women’s perceived expectations of coping with sexual pain
Superwoman Schema, a conceptual framework that reflects Black women's ability to overcome gendered racism and stress, affects the way Black women choose to cope with health-related issues. The purpose of this study was to investigate how Black women perceive they should cope with sexual pain using the Superwoman Schema as an analytic and interpretative guide. Data were derived from participants who completed an individual interview on sexual pain…
The roles of vicarious trauma exposure and perceived social support in codeine syrup misuse among Black men living in prisons
Using General Strain Theory, this study investigates the effects of vicarious trauma exposure and perceived social support on nonmedical codeine syrup misuse among Black incarcerated men nearing community re-entry. Data were drawn from the Helping Incarcerated Men project, a study examining mental health, substance misuse, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk behaviors among Black men living in prisons who were within 180 days of release. …
It Felt Sexually Liberating”: An Examination of How Black Women’s Awareness of Kink and BDSM Informs Their Sex Lives
Kink and BDSM can have healing and liberatory potential for practitioners, whether kink-identified or not, particularly Black women and those who are members of alternative sexual communities. This study presents data from N = 22 kink/BDSM-identified, experienced, and non-kinky/BDSM Black ciswomen on their awareness of and engagement in kink and BDSM (bondage and discipline, sadism and masochism, dominance, and submission). Qualitative data were …
“Make Sure You Wash Your Monkey”: Multigenerational Vaginal Hygiene Messages from Black Women
In the United States, the messages Black women receive about vaginal hygiene are often rooted in misogynoir. As a result, Black women across multiple generations may engage in extensive vaginal hygiene practices that are harmful to their health as a means of decreasing the potential for dehumanization or confirming racist stereotypes. The purpose of the current qualitative study is to explore the messages four generations of Black women (n = 12) …
“God Did for Me What I Couldn’t Do for Myself”: Understanding Religiosity, Spirituality, and Locus of Control Among Black Americans Who Use Opioids
Psychology (27 works) · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (17 works) · Social Psychology (17 works) · Sociology (17 works) · Clinical Psychology (15 works) · Medicine (15 works) · Gender Studies (14 works) · Human sexuality (14 works) · Developmental psychology (12 works) · Psychiatry (10 works)