Education

B.S., Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 2000
M.PH., Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 2001
Ph.D., Community Health Sciences, Specialization in Maternal and Child Health, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 2007
3rd year FIRST Postdoctoral Fellow, 2007- present

Research Statement

African-American adolescent females are disproportionately impacted by the HIV epidemic.  Recent findings suggest that gender and culturally appropriate HIV prevention interventions can significantly reduce HIV-associated sexual risk behaviors among this vulnerable population.  However, African-American adolescent females are not a homogeneous group.  Rather they consist of subgroups with diverse risk profiles and, as a consequence, a differential likelihood of HIV acquisition.  Thus, tailored interventions are urgently needed. My primary responsibilities include working on two randomized controlled trials that aim to increase HIV/STD-protective behaviors among African- American adolescent females. Each randomized controlled trial (RCT) was designed and tailored to address the specific needs of particular subgroups of adolescents with the goal of increasing their capacity for becoming safe, healthy, and STD/HIV-free members of society. In addition, each study includes a multiple, long-term (> 6 month) follow-up period, allowing for a thorough examination of sustainable intervention effects and behavioral mediators over time.

Publications

Crittenden, C. P., Boris, N. W., Rice, J. C., Taylor, C. A., & Olds, D. L. (2009).The role of mental health factors, behavioral factors, and past experiences in the prediction of rapid repeat pregnancy in adolescence.  Journal of Adolescent Health, 44:25–32.

DiClemente, R. J., Crittenden, C. P., Rose, E., Sales, J. M., Wingood, G. M., Crosby, R. A., & Salazar, L. M. (2008). Psychosocial predictors of HIV-associated sexual behaviors and the efficacy of prevention interventions in adolescents at-risk for HIV infection: What works and what doesn’t work?  Psychosomatic Medicine, 70; 598–605.

DiClemente, R. J., Crittenden, C. P., Rose, E. & Sales, J. M. (2008). A social contextual perspective to optimize the prevention and control of STIs/HIV among adolescents. In: HIV/AIDS: Global Frontiers in Prevention/Intervention, C. Pope, R. White, & R. Malow (Eds.), London, UK: Routledge. pp. 215–226.

DiClemente, R. J., Wingood, G. M, Crittenden, C. P., & Rose, E. (2008). Translational research: Adapting effective evidence-based HIV interventions to diverse environments. In: The Uncharted Path from Clinic-Based to Community-Based Research. B. Stanton, J. Galbraith, & L. Kaljee (Eds.), Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers. pp. 201–217.

Shaz, B. H., Demmons, D., Crittenden, C. P., Carnevale C. V., Lee, M., Burnett, M., Easley, K. & Hillyer, C. D.  (In press). Motivators and barriers to blood donation inAfrican American college students. Transfusion Science and Apheresis.

Emory University School of Public Health
Department of Behavioral Science and Health Education
Robert W. Woodruff Health Sciences Center
1520 Clifton Road NE, Room 220
Atlanta, GA 30322
Tel: 404.727.9872
Fax: 404.712.9738
Email: ccritte@sph.emory.edu