SEXUAL SCRIPTS AND AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN: EMPIRICAL VALIDATION OF STEPHENS AND PHILLIPS’ (2003) HIP-HOP SEXUAL SCRIPTING MODEL WITH AFRICAN AMERICAN COLLEGE WOMEN

Sexuality reflects not only biological processes but also the social, cultural, and political ideals of the context in which it develops. The purpose of this study was to increase our understanding of the unique socio-cultural factors that influence young African American women’s sexuality. This was achieved through an exploration of Stephens and Phillips’ (2003) Hip–Hop sexual scripting model. To gain this understanding, Q methodology was used to empirically test Stephens and Phillips’ (2003) Hip-Hop sexual scripting model for young African American women with a college sample. Participants were 40 African American college students from a Southwestern University. Participants in the study completed nine q-sorts and demographic and qualitative questionnaires. The study yielded useful findings regarding the validity of Stephens and Phillips (2003) sexual scripts among a college sample of African American women. In addition, it seemed that there was shared meaning among groups of participants regarding the important features of each script. It is suggested that the results have significant implications for theory and practice. Finally, this study provides important support for the use of Q methodology in the exploration of African American women's sexuality.Educational Psychology, Department o