Sean Jefferson - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Sean Jefferson

Research paper thumbnail of Social Constitutionality of Race in America: Some Meanings for Bi/Multiracial Families

Biracial Families, 2018

In this chapter we examine how the concept of race has been conceptualized and used as a mechanis... more In this chapter we examine how the concept of race has been conceptualized and used as a mechanism of social control. We argue that race is a complex concept, one that has always been difficult to define. The fluid nature of race over time has kept it as a powerful concept and one that has maintained a unique hegemony allowing it to subordinate some groups to other who do not share the traits of those in power. Hegemony that has allowed some groups to be subordinated to others who do not share the traits of those in power. Race has particular meaning for those who share more than one race grouping or those who we call bi/multiracial. We use an ecosystemic paradigm to examine race as a person, process, and context element. It is examined across time as a critical element to any social change and development. Through each of the epochs examined here we see that race, that is being non-White in any variation, remained a basis for differential treatment and outcomes. We also conclude that although the country is slowly altering its population distribution with growth among the bi/multiracial communities, without changes within the hegemonic structure of the culture definitions of race will just be expanded to place these new racial categories on the existing color line that has existed within this country.

Research paper thumbnail of What’s Sex Gotta Do with It? Relationship and Risk Factors Influencing Infidelity in Young Couples

Relationship and risk factors of infidelity within intimate and romantic relationships were exami... more Relationship and risk factors of infidelity within intimate and romantic relationships were examined using the Relationship and Risk factors influencing Infidelity Model (RRIM). It is based in part on Sternberg’s (1998) theoretical construct known as the triangular theory of love. Relationship factors included demographics, and relationship, development, strengths, and dynamics. Risk factors included sexual compatibility, and relationship problems. Data gleaned from Wave IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) measured a subsample of approximately 1,000 respondents (n = 939) young adults from 24 to 32 years of age (M = 28.64, SD = 1.79, Mdn = 28.61) and was designed to test the accuracy of the RRIM. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to explicate the relationships found across the elements within the RRIM. The overall results revealed that the RRIM correctly classified that 72.2 % of the men and 78.8 % of women were not likely to commit infidel...

Research paper thumbnail of Developing a Self-Respect Instrument to Distinguish Self-Respect from Self-Esteem

Throughout the scientific literature, researchers have referred to self-respect and self-esteem a... more Throughout the scientific literature, researchers have referred to self-respect and self-esteem as being the same construct. However, the present study advocated that they exist as two distinct constructs. In this quantitative study, an instrument was developed to measure self-respect as a construct, and subsequently distinguish that self-respect is distinct from the construct of self-esteem. Exploratory factor analyses (EFA) indicated 32.60% of the variance was accounted for by the 11-item Jefferson Self-Respect instrument (JSR), which measured self-respect as a unidimensional construct. The reliability estimate of the scores from the JSR reached an acceptable α = .82. Fit indices (RMSEA = .031, SRMR = .037, CFI = .982, and TLI = .977) from the confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) signified a well-fitted hypothesized model of self-respect that existed as a unidimensional construct. Additionally, the CFA revealed that the construct of self-respect, and self-esteem was generally distin...

Research paper thumbnail of Black Families: A Systems Approach

Journal of Family Theory and Review, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of The Weighty World of a “Standard Bearer”: The Influence of Help-Seeking Behaviors on Feeling Pressure

Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 2017

ABSTRACT Interpersonal romantic relationships are heavily influenced by societal norms and belief... more ABSTRACT Interpersonal romantic relationships are heavily influenced by societal norms and beliefs. These beliefs can place a great deal of stress on a relationship’s capacity for self-efficacy and behavioral or emotional health. Risk factors associated with individuals’ feelings of “pressure to make their relationship look good to others” were investigated. Analyses were run using a nationally stratified sample (N = 1,112) randomly selected from 1 major metropolis within each of the 10 Administration for Children and Families regions. Results produced an overall theme showing increased pressures of “relationship standard bearing” as education or income levels increase. These results serve as a useful resource to construct relationship education curriculum components, while also providing contextual frames to clinicians and family practitioners.

Research paper thumbnail of The Weighty World of a “Standard Bearer”: The Influence of Help-Seeking Behaviors on Feeling Pressure

Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 2017

ABSTRACT Interpersonal romantic relationships are heavily influenced by societal norms and belief... more ABSTRACT Interpersonal romantic relationships are heavily influenced by societal norms and beliefs. These beliefs can place a great deal of stress on a relationship’s capacity for self-efficacy and behavioral or emotional health. Risk factors associated with individuals’ feelings of “pressure to make their relationship look good to others” were investigated. Analyses were run using a nationally stratified sample (N = 1,112) randomly selected from 1 major metropolis within each of the 10 Administration for Children and Families regions. Results produced an overall theme showing increased pressures of “relationship standard bearing” as education or income levels increase. These results serve as a useful resource to construct relationship education curriculum components, while also providing contextual frames to clinicians and family practitioners.

Research paper thumbnail of What’s sex gotta do with it? relationship and risk factors influencing infidelity in young couples

Research paper thumbnail of “We thought it would be easy”: recruitment challenges, successes and best practices for low-income couple populations

Marriage & Family Review, 2018

Recruitment challenges present ongoing struggles for social science professionals. Especially pro... more Recruitment challenges present ongoing struggles for social science professionals. Especially problematic are recruiting endeavors when target populations are highly stressed, highly mobile, and are comprised of couples rather than individuals. Included in this study is a rationale supporting the need to study recruitment challenges coupled with a literature review discussing recent recruitment research summaries. Based upon a Delphi-type discussion with couples relationship education (CRE) experts, our team constructed a qualitative study to examine recruitment challenges in low-income CRE programs. Fourteen interviews were conducted with "successful" program leaders identified by federal regional managers within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). Data were analyzed, and results detailing four main "challenge" themes, four "success" themes, and a seven-step best practice model are presented.

Research paper thumbnail of Social Constitutionality of Race in America: Some Meanings for Bi/Multiracial Families

Biracial Families, 2018

In this chapter we examine how the concept of race has been conceptualized and used as a mechanis... more In this chapter we examine how the concept of race has been conceptualized and used as a mechanism of social control. We argue that race is a complex concept, one that has always been difficult to define. The fluid nature of race over time has kept it as a powerful concept and one that has maintained a unique hegemony allowing it to subordinate some groups to other who do not share the traits of those in power. Hegemony that has allowed some groups to be subordinated to others who do not share the traits of those in power. Race has particular meaning for those who share more than one race grouping or those who we call bi/multiracial. We use an ecosystemic paradigm to examine race as a person, process, and context element. It is examined across time as a critical element to any social change and development. Through each of the epochs examined here we see that race, that is being non-White in any variation, remained a basis for differential treatment and outcomes. We also conclude that although the country is slowly altering its population distribution with growth among the bi/multiracial communities, without changes within the hegemonic structure of the culture definitions of race will just be expanded to place these new racial categories on the existing color line that has existed within this country.

Research paper thumbnail of What’s Sex Gotta Do with It? Relationship and Risk Factors Influencing Infidelity in Young Couples

Relationship and risk factors of infidelity within intimate and romantic relationships were exami... more Relationship and risk factors of infidelity within intimate and romantic relationships were examined using the Relationship and Risk factors influencing Infidelity Model (RRIM). It is based in part on Sternberg’s (1998) theoretical construct known as the triangular theory of love. Relationship factors included demographics, and relationship, development, strengths, and dynamics. Risk factors included sexual compatibility, and relationship problems. Data gleaned from Wave IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) measured a subsample of approximately 1,000 respondents (n = 939) young adults from 24 to 32 years of age (M = 28.64, SD = 1.79, Mdn = 28.61) and was designed to test the accuracy of the RRIM. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to explicate the relationships found across the elements within the RRIM. The overall results revealed that the RRIM correctly classified that 72.2 % of the men and 78.8 % of women were not likely to commit infidel...

Research paper thumbnail of Developing a Self-Respect Instrument to Distinguish Self-Respect from Self-Esteem

Throughout the scientific literature, researchers have referred to self-respect and self-esteem a... more Throughout the scientific literature, researchers have referred to self-respect and self-esteem as being the same construct. However, the present study advocated that they exist as two distinct constructs. In this quantitative study, an instrument was developed to measure self-respect as a construct, and subsequently distinguish that self-respect is distinct from the construct of self-esteem. Exploratory factor analyses (EFA) indicated 32.60% of the variance was accounted for by the 11-item Jefferson Self-Respect instrument (JSR), which measured self-respect as a unidimensional construct. The reliability estimate of the scores from the JSR reached an acceptable α = .82. Fit indices (RMSEA = .031, SRMR = .037, CFI = .982, and TLI = .977) from the confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) signified a well-fitted hypothesized model of self-respect that existed as a unidimensional construct. Additionally, the CFA revealed that the construct of self-respect, and self-esteem was generally distin...

Research paper thumbnail of Black Families: A Systems Approach

Journal of Family Theory and Review, 2020

Research paper thumbnail of The Weighty World of a “Standard Bearer”: The Influence of Help-Seeking Behaviors on Feeling Pressure

Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 2017

ABSTRACT Interpersonal romantic relationships are heavily influenced by societal norms and belief... more ABSTRACT Interpersonal romantic relationships are heavily influenced by societal norms and beliefs. These beliefs can place a great deal of stress on a relationship’s capacity for self-efficacy and behavioral or emotional health. Risk factors associated with individuals’ feelings of “pressure to make their relationship look good to others” were investigated. Analyses were run using a nationally stratified sample (N = 1,112) randomly selected from 1 major metropolis within each of the 10 Administration for Children and Families regions. Results produced an overall theme showing increased pressures of “relationship standard bearing” as education or income levels increase. These results serve as a useful resource to construct relationship education curriculum components, while also providing contextual frames to clinicians and family practitioners.

Research paper thumbnail of The Weighty World of a “Standard Bearer”: The Influence of Help-Seeking Behaviors on Feeling Pressure

Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 2017

ABSTRACT Interpersonal romantic relationships are heavily influenced by societal norms and belief... more ABSTRACT Interpersonal romantic relationships are heavily influenced by societal norms and beliefs. These beliefs can place a great deal of stress on a relationship’s capacity for self-efficacy and behavioral or emotional health. Risk factors associated with individuals’ feelings of “pressure to make their relationship look good to others” were investigated. Analyses were run using a nationally stratified sample (N = 1,112) randomly selected from 1 major metropolis within each of the 10 Administration for Children and Families regions. Results produced an overall theme showing increased pressures of “relationship standard bearing” as education or income levels increase. These results serve as a useful resource to construct relationship education curriculum components, while also providing contextual frames to clinicians and family practitioners.

Research paper thumbnail of What’s sex gotta do with it? relationship and risk factors influencing infidelity in young couples

Research paper thumbnail of “We thought it would be easy”: recruitment challenges, successes and best practices for low-income couple populations

Marriage & Family Review, 2018

Recruitment challenges present ongoing struggles for social science professionals. Especially pro... more Recruitment challenges present ongoing struggles for social science professionals. Especially problematic are recruiting endeavors when target populations are highly stressed, highly mobile, and are comprised of couples rather than individuals. Included in this study is a rationale supporting the need to study recruitment challenges coupled with a literature review discussing recent recruitment research summaries. Based upon a Delphi-type discussion with couples relationship education (CRE) experts, our team constructed a qualitative study to examine recruitment challenges in low-income CRE programs. Fourteen interviews were conducted with "successful" program leaders identified by federal regional managers within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). Data were analyzed, and results detailing four main "challenge" themes, four "success" themes, and a seven-step best practice model are presented.