Dr. Delores Smith

Associate Professor

My research has focused on psychosocial development across the lifespan with particular emphasis on the childhood and adolescence periods. I am particularly interested in understanding fundamental cultural processes with regard to their effects on children’s adjustment and functioning. Hence, I have a broad interest in cultural socialization processes and their impact on family and child outcomes. Specific areas of interest include socioemotional adjustment, identity issues, cross-cultural family processes and functioning, and issues of diversity as they relate to children’s adjustment in the family, school, and community contexts.

A related area of interest is violence in the home and community and its impact on the psychosocial functioning of families. This research examines the ecological correlates of violence from a cross-cultural perspective.

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Hunter, S. B., & Smith, D. E. (2008). Predictors of children's understandings of death: Age, cognitive ability, death experience and maternal communicative competence. Omega: Journal of Death and Dying, 57(2), 147-162.

Smith, D. E. & Green, K. (2007). Violence among youth in Jamaica: A growing public health risk and challenge. Pan American Journal of Public Health, 22(6). 417-124.

Smith, D. E. & Ashiabi, G. S. (2007). Poverty and child outcomes: A focus on Jamaican youth. Adolescence, 42, 837- 858.

Green, K. & Smith, D. E. (2006). Change and Continuity: Child-birth and parenting across three generations of women in the United Arab Emirates. Child: Care, Health & Development, 33 (3), 266-274.

Wilburn, V., & Smith, D. E.(2005). Stress, self-esteem and suicidal ideation in late
adolescents. Adolescence, 40, 33-45.

 Smith, D. E ., & Mosby, G. (2003). Jamaican child-rearing practices: The role of corporal punishment. Adolescence, 38, 370-381.

Fox, C. A., Smith, D. E ., & Wilson, C. (2003). The status of adolescent self-image in Trinidad and Tobago: A cross-cultural perspective. Journal of Caribbean Studies, 17, 179 -200 .

Smith, D. E., & Barrett, S. C. (1999). Secondary school selection process and the functioning of Jamaican students. Caribbean Journal of Home Economics, 1, 37-55.

Wu, Y. J., & Smith, D. E. (1997). Self-esteem of Taiwanese children. Child Study Journal, 21 (1), 1-19.

Contact Information

1215 W. Cumberland Ave
241 Jessie Harris Building
Knoxville, TN 37996-1912

Phone: 865-974-5222
Email: delsmith@utk.edu

Contact CEHHS

335 Claxton Complex 1122 Volunteer Boulevard
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996

Phone: 865-974-2201
Fax: 865-974-8718