Jennifer Kerpelman
Professor & Extension Specialist
Office: 201 Spidle Hall
Mail Address: 203 Spidle Hall
Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
Tel (334) 844-4149
Fax (334) 844-4515
jkerpelman@auburn.edu
Ph.D., Auburn University, 1994

Research Interests

The main emphasis of my research is the examination of adolescent and young adult development within the context of close relationships. More specifically, my research addresses identity development processes occurring within relationships with parents, peers, and romantic partners. I also examine how identity is associated with important outcomes in the domains of school, career, and romantic relationships. Another direction of my work addresses factors that help explain the nature and quality of adolescents' and young adults' romantic relationships. Of particular interest is the intersection between identity formation and romantic relationship beliefs and processes. In addition to conducting basic research, I am involved in the evaluation of the effectiveness of relationships education for adolescents. This applied research project has focused primarily on high school youth and is being expanded to younger adolescents. How educating parents to communicate effectively with their adolescents about romantic relationships also is being explored. All of the research projects in which I am engaged are being conducted in collaboration with other faculty members and with graduate and undergraduate students.

Selected Publications:

Kerpelman, J. L., Pittman, J. F., Adler-Baeder, F., Eryigit, S.*, & Paulk, A. L.* (in press). Evaluation of a statewide youth-focused relationships education curriculum. Journal of Adolescence (special issue on prevention and intervention).

Eryigit, S.*, & Kerpelman, J. L. (in press). Using the Identity Processing Style Q-sort to examine identity styles of Turkish young adults. Journal of Adolescence.

Pittman, J.F., Kerpelman, J. L., Lamke, L. K., & Sollie, D.L. (in press). Development and validation of a q-sort measure of identity processing style: The Identity Processing Style Q-sort. Journal of Adolescence.

Kerpelman, J., Eryigit, S.* & Stephens, C.* (2008). African American adolescent's future education orientation: Associations with self-efficacy, ethnic identity, and perceived parental support. Journal Youth and Adolescence, 37, 997-1008.

Kerpelman, J. L., Pittman, J. F., & Adler-Baeder, F. (2008). Identity as a moderator of intervention-related change: Identity style and adolescent's responses to relationships education. Identity, 8, 151-171.

Adler-Baeder, F., Kerpelman, J. L., Schramm, D. G.*, Higgenbotham, B.*, & Paulk, A.* (2007). The Impact of Relationship Education on Adolescents of Diverse Backgrounds. Family Relations, 56, 291-303.

Kerpelman, J. & White, L.* (2006). Interpersonal identity and social capital: The importance of commitment for low income, rural African American adolescents. Journal of Black Psychology, 32, 219-242.

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