Date of Conferral
1-17-2025
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Human Services
Advisor
Barbara Benoliel
Abstract
Black women have been shown in mainstream media and social media in ways that reinforce negative stereotypes and reduce them to objects, which leads to the sexualization and stigmatization of their bodies and sexuality. There was a gap in understanding how exposure to social media content may influence sexual behavior and identity among young Black women, and how hypersexualized narratives sparked by stories in social media reflect sexual risk-taking. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore and track popular social media sites to determine the themes of the messages most frequently viewed targeting Black women. The research question addressed the prevalent themes of messages related to sexual risk behaviors in TikTok and Instagram targeting young Black women. Kelman’s social influence model formed the framework for the study. The model includes concepts of conformity, identification, and internalization processes that underlie exposure to negative cultural stereotypes such as the “Jezebel.” A qualitative content analysis of 300 TikTok and Instagram stories over 3 months was filtered thematically for themes and sociocultural meaning. Four themes were found: (a) sexualization and identity, (b) validation and social compliance, (c) risk normalization, and (d) resistance and counternarratives. The findings may impact social change and the social determinants of health by informing media content creators and media policy regarding health equity and more empowerment for young Black women.
Recommended Citation
Gadson, Dominique Lache', "Prevalent Themes of Messages Related to Sexual Risk Behaviors Targeting Young Black Women in Social Media" (2025). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 17195.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/17195
