About
Dr. Emma C. Schlegel’s program of research seeks to identify points of intervention during the preconception period (before first conception) for sexual and reproductive health promotion among emerging adult-aged (18-25 years) individuals assigned female at birth. Emerging adults experience disproportionately high rates of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies. Despite disproportionate health outcomes, emerging adults often lack a usual source of healthcare and rely on peers and internet resources in their decision-making. To enhance the sexual and reproductive health of this disparate subgroup and potentially improve longer-term health outcomes including maternal and perinatal health, population-specific interventions that consider emerging adult’s care utilization patterns and health self-management strategies are needed.
Dr. Schlegel’s past research focused on emerging adult-aged women’s sexual and reproductive health self-management and resulted in the generation of a grounded theory entitled the EMeRGE Theory. This theory emphasizes the importance of conversations and interpersonal relationships in emerging adult’s sexual and reproductive health self-management. Her ongoing work uses the EMeRGE theory as the foundation for intervention development.
She is currently investigating preconception health promotion preferences and strategies among sexual and gender minority individuals assigned female at birth. This work will lead to the creation of culturally and developmentally appropriate preconception health promotion interventions for an emerging adult population that experiences significant sexual and reproductive health disparities and stigmatization. The long-term goal of Dr. Schlegel’s research is to create developmentally appropriate, person-centered interventions for emerging adults, particularly sexual and gender minority individuals, to improve their preconception health which will ultimately lead to improvements in long-term health outcomes.