Texas Tech University

Nancy Bell, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus
Human Development and Family Sciences

 

Nancy Bell

Research Focus

For the past decade, my theoretical work has focused on the integrative potential of developmental systems, sociocultural, and dialogical theory, and on metatheory-methodology linkages.  Empirical work associated with these interests, begun in 2000 and designed for the study of developmental processes, has been narratively based and longitudinal (involving multiple interviews extending over 2-4 years*).  In addition, I mentor students in theoretically-guided narrative research on identity and other topics.

*Specific topics of the longitudinal research are: (a) student development over the first two university years; (b) two-year study of students in recovery from alcohol/other drug addictions; (c) three-four year study of young women in recovery from eating disorders; and (d) 2+ year follow up of initial interviews with adolescent girls enrolled in an all-girl middle school.

Areas of Interest

  • Sociocultural-developmental theory
  • Dialogical processes
  • Narrative
  • Identity
  • Adolescence

Selected Recent Publications

Bell, N.J., & Das, A. (2011).  Emergent organization in the dialogical self:  Evolution of a “both” ethnic identity position. Culture & Psychology, 17, 263-277.

Baron, E., Bell, N.J., Corson, K., Kostina-Ritchey, E., & Frederick, H. (2012).  Girls discuss choice of an all-girl middle school:  Narrative analysis of an early adolescent identity project.  Journal of Early Adolescence, 32, 464-487.

Bell, N.J. (2013).  Dialogical processes of self-transformation:  The sample case of eating disorder recovery.  Identity, 13, 46-72. 

Bell, N.J.  (2013).  Rhythm and semiotic structures of long-term ambivalence in the dialogical self: Eating disorder and recovery voices. Journal of Constructivist Psychology, 26,. 280-292.

Bell, N.J., Corson, K., & Baron, E. (2014).  Contingent resistances methodology:  Analyzing resistance in parents' and daughters' choice of an all-girl middle school. Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, 24, 153-166. 

Bell, N.J., Baron, E., Corson, K., Kostina-Ritchey, E., & Frederick, H. (2014).  Parent-adolescent decision making:  Embracing dialogical complexity.  Journal of Family Issues, 35, 1780-1799.

Bell, N.J. (2014).  Dialogically-based approaches to “with” and “about” the other:  Thoughts on Carl Rogers' dilemma.  Theory & Psychology, 24, 688-708.

Baron, E., & Bell, N.J. (2015).  Querying meanings of adolescent peer resistance:  A school choice decision revisited.  Journal of Youth Studies, 18, 884-899.

Bell, N.J., & Baron, E.K. (2015).  Resistance to peer influence during adolescence:  Proposing a sociocultural-developmental framework.  New Ideas in Psychology, 39, 53-62. 

Schmit, S.E., & Bell, N.J. (2017).  Close relationships and disordered eating:  Partner perspectives. Journal of Health Psychology, 22, 434-445.  

Rojas-McWhinney, J., & Bell, N.J. (2017).  The negotiation of parenting beliefs by Mexican American mothers and fathers of young children.  Journal of Family Studies, 23, 19-37.

Velez-Gomez, P., & Bell, N.J. (2018).  Identity negotiations of Colombian international students. Identity18, 1-17.       

Bell, N.J. (2019).  Relational developmental systems and family research:  Considering qualitative applications. Journal of Family Theory and Review, 11, 230-242.