Prof Seanna (Shawna) Leath studies how cultural and ecological factors inform positive developmental outcomes among Black youth and young adults, with a particular focus on gendered and racialized processes.聽
She directs the聽F辞蝉迟别谤颈苍驳听H别补濒迟丑测听Identities and聽Re蝉颈濒颈别苍肠别听(FHIRe) Collaborative, a diverse and incredible research team of undergraduate and graduate students and community partners who are collectively invested in Black women and girls鈥 health and wellness. Within the lab, we use Black feminist epistemologies and interdisciplinary approaches in education and psychology to understand how intersectional systems of oppression (e.g., ableism, classism, racism, and sexism) influence Black women and girl鈥檚 daily experiences, as well as their health and wellness across the lifespan.聽
We draw upon quantitative (cross-sectional surveys, daily diary, and longitudinal surveys) and qualitative (individual interviews, focus groups, and case studies) methods聽to examine Black women and girls鈥 developmental trajectories related to gendered racial identity, academic performance, social connection, and mental health.聽
Additionally, we strive to co-create mutually beneficial and sustainable community partnerships, with the goal of leading research and social programming initiatives that directly improve the wellbeing of Black women and girls through developmental science. To learn more about some of our recent projects, visit聽fhirelab.org.聽
Selected Publications:
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Leath, S., Butler-Barnes, S., & Haynes-Thoby, L. (2022). 鈥淭hey just keep coming鈥: Exploring how racialized violence informs racial grief and resistance among Black mothers.聽Journal of Child and Family Studies.聽
- Leath, S., Ball, P., Mims, L., Butler-Barnes, S., & Quiles, T. (2022). 鈥淭hey need to hear our voices鈥: A multidimensional framework of Black college women鈥檚 sociopolitical development and activism.聽Journal of Black Psychology, 48(3-4), 392-427.
- Leath, S., Quiles, T., Samuels, M., & Chima, U. (2022). 鈥淥ur community is so small鈥: A qualitative exploration of intraracial academic and social norms among Black students attending PWIs.聽American Educational Research Journal, 59(4), 752-787.
- Butler-Barnes, S.,聽Leath, S.,聽Iniss-Thompson, M.I., Allen, P.C., & D鈥橝lmeida, M.E. (2022). Racial and gender discrimination by teachers: Risks for Black girls' depressive symptomatology and suicidal ideation.聽Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology.聽Advance online publication.聽
- Leath, S., Jones, M., & Butler-Barnes, S. (2021). An examination of ACEs, the internalization of the Superwoman Schema, and mental health outcomes among Black adult women.聽Journal of Trauma and Dissociation, 22(3), 1-16.
