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Rose Wesche

Rose Wesche, Assistant Professor

Rose Wesche, Assistant Professor
Rose Wesche, Assistant Professor

Department of  Human Development and Family Science
295 West Campus Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24061
540-231-5437 | rwesche@vt.edu

Rose Wesche joined the Human Development and Family Science department at Virginia Tech in 2019 as an Assistant Professor. Rose’s research focuses on how diverse interpersonal relationships, including friendships, romantic relationships, and casual sexual relationships, are associated with adolescents’ and young adults’ well-being. Rose uses diverse statistical methodologies and theoretical perspectives to examine how interpersonal relationships create risks and benefits related to health. Rose received her doctorate in HDFS from Penn State and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Oberlin College.

Accepting new grad students: Yes; can serve on student committees
In need of students for research team: No
Name of research team: Healthy Emerging Adult and Adolescent Relationships (HEAR) Lab

  • Adolescent development
  • Adolescent health, including sexual health, mental health, and substance use
  • Sexual and romantic relationships
  • Friendships and peer acceptance
  • LGBTQ health
  • Ph.D., in Human Development and Family Studies, Penn State University
  • M.S., in Human Development and Family Studies, Penn State University
  • B.A., in Psychology, Oberlin College

Regular professional memberships:

  • Co-chair, Society for Research on Adolescence Social Policy Committee
  • Member, Society for the Study of Emerging Adulthood 2021 Conference Committee
  • Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
  • Society for Research on Adolescence
  • Society for Research in Child Development
  • Society for the Study of Emerging Adulthood

Wesche, R., Claxton, S. E., & Waterman, E. A. (2021). Emotional outcomes of casual sexual relationships and experiences: A systematic review. The Journal of Sex Research, 58(8), 1069-1084. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2020.1821163

Kaestle, C. E., Allen, K., Wesche, R., & Grafsky, E. (2021). Adolescent sexual development: A family perspective. The Journal of Sex Research, 58(7), 874-890. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224499.2021.1924605

  • HD 3224: Middle Childhood and Adolescence
  • HD 2314: Human Sexuality
  • HD/PHS 5254: Social Epidemiology and Health Inequality
  • HD 5514: Research Methods

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