Racial Identity, Spirituality and Health Attitudes Among African Americans PDF Download

Author: Dorrett Y. Black
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : African Americans
Languages : en
Pages : 120

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Author: Jas M. Sullivan
Publisher: SUNY Press
ISBN: 1438462972
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 374

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Book Description
Presents research on how variations in African Americans’ racial self-concept affects meaning-making and internalized oppression. Focusing on the broad range of attitudes Black people employ to make sense of their Blackness, this volume offers the latest research on racial identity. The first section explores meaning-making, or the importance of holding one type of racial-cultural identity as compared to another. It looks at a wide range of topics, including stereotypes, spirituality, appearance, gender and intersectionalities, masculinity, and more. The second section examines the different expressions of internalized racism that arise when the pressure of oppression is too great, and includes such topics as identity orientations, self-esteem, colorism, and linked fate. Grounded in psychology, the research presented here makes the case for understanding Black identity as wide ranging in content, subject to multiple interpretations, and linked to both positive mental health as well as varied forms of internalized racism. “With its impressive and varied research base, this is one of the most comprehensive books on the subject of racial identity.” — Scott L. Graves Jr., Duquesne University

Author: Paul Archibald
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : African Americans
Languages : en
Pages : 346

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Book Description
The mental well-being of individuals is a major public health issue. Mental illness and its impairment exacts both economic and emotional burden on the population, impacting all racial and ethnic groups. However, findings from five community surveys suggest that the mental health issues of African-Americans is the same as, or lower than, those of Whites. This seems at odds with the minority status hypothesis that predicts higher rates of mental disorders for African-Americans due to greater mental illness linked to stress exposures. In understanding this dilemma, studies of race and mental health have historically failed to consider the role of African-American coping capacity in the life stress process. The research has also been limited by small numbers of African Americans, few within group studies, and lack of potential confounders. Using data from National Survey of American Life (NSAL), this current research examined the moderating effect of both spirituality and racial identity on the relationship between stress and depressive symptoms. The sample included N = 3,570 African-American United States citizens 18 years or older. A multivariate linear regression approach was used to analyze the data. The findings did not support the hypothesis that spirituality moderates the relationship between depressive symptoms and stress although a direct relationship between spirituality and depressive symptoms was found. The findings did support the hypothesis that racial identity moderates the relationship with a weaker link between stress and depressive symptoms for those with higher scores on the racial identity index even in the presence of social support and sense of control. A key limitation is lack of any ability to make causal inferences as this is a cross-sectional survey. However, it does offer possible insight into the lower than expected levels of depression among African Americans. Additionally, out of the review of the literature, buttressed by the findings of the current study, an emerging theoretical model of a culturally linked stress and coping process was developed. The model should serve as a platform for additional research as well as a vehicle for expanding discussion around measurement of stress and distress; fostering dialogue between the faith-based community and public health. -- Abstract.

Author: James S. Jackson
Publisher: SAGE Publications, Incorporated
ISBN: 9780803935372
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 330

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Book Description
Relationships with family and friends, community life, religion, work, racial identity, political attitudes and participation, and physical and mental health are among the topics explored in this volume on Black Americans. It reports the findings from a survey which collected and analyzed data on social, psychological, economic and political behaviours of Americans of African descent. This survey, the first to sample a truly representative cross-section of black people in America, was designed and conducted with a sensitivity to cultural influences never attempted before.

Author: Shameka Y. Neely
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 110

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Book Description
For this dissertation two studies were conducted to examine connections between mental illness knowledge, spiritual coping measures, help seeking, and the role of the Black church. Further the relationship between racial pride, stigma, and attitudes toward Black media figures and characters who have mental illness was investigated. Manuscript One Abstract Introduction: The first manuscript is entitled Mental Illness Knowledge, Stigma and Help Seeking Behaviors: The Role of Spirituality and The African American Church, and answers two research questions. These are: a) What relationship exists between mental illness knowledge, perceived stigma, spirituality, and reported help seeking behaviors? b) Are there demographical differences between African Americans who are supportive of the Black church playing a role in addressing mental illness versus those who are not? c) What role should the African-American church play in addressing mental illness? Method: To answer the research questions, a convenience sample of 409 African American church going participants was recruited to complete an anonymous survey. Results: Mental illness knowledge correlated with several items, such as help seeking, stigma and the role of the church. In this study, most participants stated they would receive mental health services if justified. Participants who had high levels of knowledge had lower stigma levels. The majority of participants stated that they would participate in help seeking programs if the church provided those opportunities. Most of the participants were very spiritual and attended a faith-based service weekly. Manuscript Two Abstract Introduction: The second manuscript is entitled An Empire State of Mind: Racial Pride, Stigma and Perceptions of Black Mental Illness in the Media, and answers 3 specific research questions. These are: a) What relationship exists between Racial Pride, Stigma and Perceptions of Black mental illness portrayal in the media? b) Do African Americans think that the media plays a role in addressing mental illness stigma in the Black culture? c) What attitudes and perceptions exist about media portrayal of African Americans who have mental illness? Method: A convenience sample of 409 African Americans (same sample for study 1) who were members of a Black church was recruited to respond to an anonymous survey. Results: Participants were generally aware of Black mental illness among figures in the media and in television shows. Participants felt that portrayals in the media influence how the Black community perceives mental illness in their community and are aware of stigma toward it. Participants had high levels of racial pride and a moderate level of stigma against mental illness. However, they saw a need for continued discussion of mental illness in the media to decrease stigma. Participants with high levels of racial pride were more likely to be aware of Black media figures and characters with mental illness, feel that mental illness in Blacks should be discussed in the media and see the media as having a role in reducing said stigma. Participants with higher stigma about mental illness were less likely to perceive mental illness stigma in the media.

Author: Penelope J. Kinsey, PhD
Publisher: Xlibris Corporation
ISBN: 1483653927
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 407

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Book Description
This book speaks to those who influence the delivery of health care services to African Americans, especially policy makers, politicians, and health care providers whose attitudes and beliefs affect the extent to which provided services are effective, reliable, humane, and compassionate. In addition, the purpose is to be of use to a full range of professionals who provide education, health care, and social services for African Americans, irrespective of the program, the service, or the professional discipline. The goal is to facilitate cultural competence in health care delivery.

Author: Kyriakos S. Markides
Publisher: Center for Mexican American Studies
ISBN:
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 170

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Book Description

Author: Helen A. Neville
Publisher: SAGE Publications
ISBN: 1483350177
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 585

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Book Description
The Handbook of African American Psychology provides a comprehensive guide to current developments in African American psychology. It presents theoretical, empirical, and practical issues that are foundational to African American psychology. It synthesizes the debates in the field and research designed to understand the psychological, cognitive, and behavioral development of African Americans. The breadth and depth of the coverage in this handbook offers both foundational material and current developments. Although similar topics will be covered in this text that are included in other works, this will be the only work in which experts in the field write on contemporary debates related to these topics. Moreover, the proposed text incorporates other issues that are typically not covered in related books. The contributing authors also identify gaps in the literature and point to future directions in research, training, and practice. Key Features: Contains the writings of renowned editors and contributors: The most well-respected and accomplished editors and authors in the area of African American psychology, and psychology in general, have come together to lend their expert analysis of issues and research in this field. Designed for course use: With a consistent format from chapter to chapter and sections on historical development, cutting-edge theories, assessment, intervention, methodology, and development issues, instructors will find this handbook appropriate for use with upper-level undergraduate and graduate-level classes Offers unique coverage: The authors discuss issues not typically found in other books on African American psychology, such as ethics, certification, the gifted and talented, Hip-Hop and youth culture, common misconceptions about African Americans, and within-group differences related to gender, class, age, and sexual orientation.

Author: Robert Joseph Taylor
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 0761917098
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 321

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Book Description
Religion in the Lives of African Americans: Social, Psychological, and Health Perspectives examines many broad issues including the structure and sociodemographic patterns of religious involvement; the relationship between religion and physical and mental health and well-being; the impact of church support and the use of ministers for personal issues; and the role of religion within specific subgroups of the African American population such as women and the elderly. Authors Robert Joseph Taylor, Linda M. Chatters, and Jeff Levin reflect upon current empirical research and derive conclusions from several wide-ranging national surveys, as well as a focus group study of religion and coping. Recommended for students taking courses in racial and ethnic studies, multicultural and minority studies, black studies, religious studies, psychology, sociology, human development and family studies, gerontology, social work, public health, and nursing.

Author: National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 0309452961
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 583

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Book Description
In the United States, some populations suffer from far greater disparities in health than others. Those disparities are caused not only by fundamental differences in health status across segments of the population, but also because of inequities in factors that impact health status, so-called determinants of health. Only part of an individual's health status depends on his or her behavior and choice; community-wide problems like poverty, unemployment, poor education, inadequate housing, poor public transportation, interpersonal violence, and decaying neighborhoods also contribute to health inequities, as well as the historic and ongoing interplay of structures, policies, and norms that shape lives. When these factors are not optimal in a community, it does not mean they are intractable: such inequities can be mitigated by social policies that can shape health in powerful ways. Communities in Action: Pathways to Health Equity seeks to delineate the causes of and the solutions to health inequities in the United States. This report focuses on what communities can do to promote health equity, what actions are needed by the many and varied stakeholders that are part of communities or support them, as well as the root causes and structural barriers that need to be overcome.