Journal of Black Psychology recent issues

Stigma, Culture, and HIV and AIDS in the Western Cape, South Africa: An Application of the PEN-3 Cultural Model for Community-Based Research

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:11:08 PDT

HIV- and AIDS-related stigma has been reported to be a major factor contributing to the spread of HIV. In this study, the authors explore the meaning of stigma and its impact on HIV and AIDS in South African families and health care centers. They conducted focus group and key informant interviews among African and Colored populations in Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, and Mitchell’s Plain in the Western Cape province. The audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and coded using NVivo. Using the PEN-3 cultural model, the authors analyzed results showing that participants’ shared experiences ranged from positive/nonstigmatizing, to existential/ unique to the contexts, to negative/stigmatizing. Families and health care centers were found to have both positive nonstigmatizing values and negative stigmatizing characteristics in addressing HIV/AIDS-related stigma. The authors conclude that a culture-centered analysis, relative to identity, is central to understanding the nature and contexts of HIV/AIDS-related stigma in South Africa.

"We Who Are Dark . . .:" The Black Community According to Black Adults in America: An Exploratory Content Analysis

Grayman, N. — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:11:08 PDT

The author explored the meaning of the Black community according to a purposeful sample of 60 Black adults in the mid-Atlantic United States. Purposeful stratified sampling resulted in equal numbers of participants along the lines of locale (Brooklyn, New York; Wilmington, Delaware; and Washington, D.C.), gender, and generational affiliation (older adults, middle-aged adults, and young adults). Content analysis of responses to a single open-ended survey question resulted in 11 emergent themes around the meaning of the Black community: the Black community as cultural, the Black community as residential, the Black community as global, the Black community as supportive, the Black community as visibly distinctive, the Black community as socioeconomic, the Black community as nonactualized, the Black community as nondifferential, the Black community as nihilistic, the Black community as nondefinable, and the Black community as other. Gender and generational variations in thematic endorsement were analyzed, and implications of these findings as they pertain to research, mental health programs, and policies for Blacks are discussed.

Black German Identities: Validating the Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:11:09 PDT

This study examines the reliability and validity of a German version of the Multidimensional Inventory of Black Identity (MIBI) in a sample of 170 Black Germans. The internal consistencies of all subscales are at least moderate. The factorial structure of the MIBI, as assessed by principal component analysis, corresponds to a high degree to the supposed underlying dimensional structure. Construct validity was examined by analyzing (a) the intercorrelations of the MIBI subscales and (b) the correlations of the subscales with external variables. Predictive validity was assessed by analyzing the correlations of three MIBI subscales with the level of intra-racial contact. All but one prediction concerning the correlations of the subscales could be confirmed, suggesting high validity. No statistically significant negative association was observed between the Black nationalist and assimilationist ideology subscales. This result is discussed as a consequence of the specific social context Black Germans live in and is not considered to lower the MIBI’s validity. Observed differences in mean scores to earlier studies of African American racial identity are also discussed.

Stereotype Threat Paradigm in Search of a Phenomenon: A Comment on Kellow and Jones's (2008) Study

Whaley, A. L. — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:11:09 PDT

In a recent study, Kellow and Jones apply the stereotype threat paradigm to a sample of African American students attending an urban high school. The purpose of this commentary is to provide a conceptual and methodological critique of Kellow and Jones’s study. Implications for the role of Black psychologists in evaluating research on African American populations are discussed.

Associations Between Father-Daughter Relationship Quality and the Academic Engagement of African American Adolescent Girls: Self-Esteem as a Mediator?

Cooper, S. M. — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:11:09 PDT

Positive social interactions and relationships may play an influential role in the academic success of African American adolescent girls. Though studies have suggested that the paternal relationships are particularly consequential to girls’ outcomes, few studies exist that have explored how aspects of the father-daughter relationship contribute to their academic-related outcomes. Using a sample of 122 African American adolescent girls (M= 12.2 years; SD = 1.02), this study examined how father-daughter relationship quality was associated with academic engagement. An equally important goal of this investigation was to explore self-esteem (global and academic self-esteem) as a mediator of girls’ academic engagement. Findings indicated that quality of the father-daughter relationship was positively related to girls’ academic engagement. Also, both global and academic self-esteem mediated the link between father-daughter relationship quality and academic engagement. These findings suggest the importance of father-daughter relationship quality in both the academic engagement and self-esteem of African American adolescent girls.

Self-Efficacy in African American Adolescent Males Living in Urban Public Housing

Nebbitt, V. — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:20:19 PDT

African American adolescent males are one of our nation's most vulnerable populations. They lag behind their female counterparts in education, labor market participation, and career development. Several studies have found self-efficacy (e.g., an individual's beliefs in their capabilities to produce a desired result) improves the life chances for this vulnerable population of youth. Using a sample of 213 African American adolescent males from urban public housing living in two large cities, this article assesses the role of individual, social, and community correlates in promoting or inhibiting self-efficacy in African American adolescent males. Univariate, bivariate, and sequential regression analyses were employed. The sample reported a mean age of 15.5 (SD = 2.5) years. Self-efficacy was positively correlated to attitudes toward deviance, maternal support, maternal supervision, paternal support, and social cohesion. The regression model explained 32% of the variance in self-efficacy. Parents' behavior explained most of the variants in self-efficacy. It should be noted, however, that increases in community cohesion was associated with the largest increase in self-efficacy. Implications for practice are discussed.

Correlates of Spirituality Among African Americans and Caribbean Blacks in the United States: Findings From the National Survey of American Life

Taylor, R. J., Chatters, L. M., Jackson, J. S. — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:20:20 PDT

The present study examined differences in reports of spirituality among African Americans, Caribbean Blacks (Black Caribbeans), and non-Hispanic Whites using data from the National Survey of American Life. Bivariate analyses indicated that African Americans were most likely to endorse statements regarding the importance of spirituality in their lives ("How important is spirituality in your life?") and self-assessments of spirituality ("How spiritual would you say you are?"), followed by Caribbean Blacks and non-Hispanic Whites. Regression analyses indicated that African Americans and Caribbean Blacks had significantly higher levels of spirituality than did non-Hispanic Whites. However, there were no significant differences in spirituality between African Americans and Caribbean Blacks. Separate regression analyses for African Americans and Caribbean Blacks indicated distinctive patterns of sociodemographic and denominational correlates of spiritual sentiments. Findings are discussed in relation to available survey and ethnographic data on self-assessments of spirituality.

Stigmatization, Stress, and the Search for Belonging in Black Men Who Have Sex With Men Who Use Methamphetamine

Jerome, R. C., Halkitis, P. N. — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:20:20 PDT

Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV. Methamphetamine use has been identified as a source of HIV risk in gay and bisexually identified men, yet the relationship between methamphetamine use and sexual risk among BMSM specifically remains unclear. The goal of this qualitative study was to investigate psychological, contextual, and developmental factors informing methamphetamine use and HIV risk behavior among a sample of heterosexual, gay, and bisexual BMSM (N = 52) in New York City. Methamphetamine use and sexual risk were associated with stress induced by stigmatization arising from and within larger dominant White gay culture, stigmatization incurred within the community, internalized homophobia, and stress induced by living under the shadow of the perceived inevitability of contracting HIV as BMSM. Methamphetamine use was associated with venues where participants could be sheltered from experiences of racism, homophobia, and dominant hegemonic images of Black masculinity, while exploring and developing same-sex desires, thereby instilling a sense of community belonging. Suggestions for culturally appropriate strategies for treating both methamphetamine use and HIV risk behaviors among BMSM are discussed.

Academic Race Stereotypes, Academic Self-Concept, and Racial Centrality in African American Youth

Okeke, N. A., Howard, L. C., Kurtz-Costes, B., Rowley, S. J. — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:20:20 PDT

The relation between academic race stereotype endorsement and academic self-concept was examined in two studies of seventh- and eighth-grade African Americans. Based on expectancy-value theory, the authors hypothesized that academic race stereotype endorsement would be negatively related to self-perceptions. Furthermore, it was anticipated that the relation between stereotype endorsement and self-perceptions would be moderated by racial centrality. The hypothesis was supported in two independent samples. Among students with high racial centrality, endorsement of traditional race stereotypes was linked to lower self-perceptions of academic competence. The stereotype/self-concept relation was nonsignificant among youth for whom race was less central to their identities. These results confirm the supposition of expectancy-value theory and illustrate the interweaving of group and individual identity with motivational beliefs.

Reexamination of Young Children's Racial Attitudes and Skin Tone Preferences

Jordan, P., Hernandez-Reif, M. — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 08:20:20 PDT

This study continues the line of research on children's racial preferences that dates to Kenneth and Mamie Clark's classic research that revealed that Black children preferred White dolls and attributed more positive characteristics to White dolls than to Black dolls. In the current research, the authors examined Black and White preschool children's preferences for cartoon characters of different skin tones and whether their preferences shifted after listening to a moral story depicting a Black child as a hero. Findings are discussed in the context of how method of presentation may affect young children's responses and children's preferences in relation to race awareness and self-identification.

Message from the New Editor-in-Chief

Cokley, K. — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:25:00 PDT

Psychology of Health Disparities Among African American Populations: An Overview

Murray, C. B., Woods, V. D. — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:25:00 PDT

Eliminating Health Disparities: Challenges for African American Psychologists

Townsend, T. G., Belgrave, F. Z. — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:25:00 PDT

Social Ecology, Genomics, and African American Health: A Nonlinear Dynamical Perspective

Madhere, S., Harrell, J., Royal, C. D. M. — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:25:00 PDT

This article offers a model that clarifies the degree of interdependence between social ecology and genomic processes. Drawing on principles from nonlinear dynamics, the model delineates major lines of bifurcation involving people's habitat, their family health history, and collective catastrophes experienced by their community. It shows how mechanisms of resource acquisition, depletion, and preservation can lead to disruptions in basic metabolism and in the activity of cytokines, neurotransmitters, and protein kinases, thus giving impetus to epigenetic changes. The hypotheses generated from the model are discussed throughout the article for their relevance to health problems among African Americans. Where appropriate, they are examined in light of data from the National Vital Statistics System. Multiple health outcomes are considered. For any one of them, the model makes clear the unique and converging contributions of multiple antecedent factors.

The Experience of Discrimination and Black-White Health Disparities in Medical Care

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:25:00 PDT

The current study of Black patients focuses on how discrimination contributes to racial disparities in health. The authors used a longitudinal methodology to study how perceived past discrimination affects reactions to medical interactions and adherence to physician recommendations. In addition, they explored whether these reactions and/or adherence mediate the relationship between discrimination and patients' health. The participants in this study were 156 Black patients of low socioeconomic status at a primary care clinic. Patients completed questionnaires on their current health, past adherence, and perceived past discrimination. Then, they saw a physician and rated their reactions to the visit. Four and 16 weeks later they reported on their adherence to physician recommendations and overall health. Perceived discrimination was significantly and negatively associated with patient health, reactions to the physician, and adherence. Path analyses indicated that adherence mediated the relationship between discrimination and patient health, but patient reactions to the interaction did not.

Gender Disparities in Physician-Patient Communication Among African American Patients in Primary Care

DiMatteo, M. R., Murray, C. B., Williams, S. L. — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:25:00 PDT

This study investigates the role of gender in physician-patient communication among African American patients in primary care. Patients (N = 137) aged 33 to 67 were nested within 79 southern California primary care physicians' practices. In 48 interactions (35%), the physician was female and/or a member of a minority group. The study directly assessed gender differences through audiotaped physician-patient interactions as well as by measuring patients' and physicians' perceptions of their visit. This study employed a multi-informant design, in which independent raters assessed both physician and patient in audiotaped interactions, and both physician and patient self-reported on aspects of their visit. Discussions of prevention and health promotion were found to be significantly more common with male patients than with female patients but only when the physician was a nonminority male; these disparities disappeared when the physician was female and/or minority. Findings are discussed in terms of physician training, particularly for men and nonminorities.

Culturecology, Women, and African-Centered HIV Prevention

Nobles, W. W., Goddard, L. L., Gilbert, D. J. — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:25:00 PDT

The Healer Women Fighting Disease Integrated Substance Abuse and HIV Prevention Program for African American women is based on a conceptual framework called "culturecology" and an African-Centered Behavioral Change Model (ACBCM). Culturecology poses that an understanding of African American culture is central to both behavior and behavioral transformation. The ACBCM model suggests that behavioral change occurs through a process of resocialization and culturalization. These processes minimize negative social conditions and maximize prosocial and life-affirming conditions. The participants were 149 women—105 in the intervention group and 44 in the comparison group. Findings show significant changes among participants from pretest to posttest in (1) increasing motivation and decreasing depression (cultural realignment), (2) increasing HIV/AIDS knowledge and self-worth (cognitive restructuring), and (3) adopting less risky sexual practices (character development). The African-centered approach demonstrates promise as a critical component in reducing and/or eliminating health disparities in the African American community.

African American Health Initiative Planning Project: A Social Ecological Approach Utilizing Community-Based Participatory Research Methods

Woods, V. D. — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:25:00 PDT

Much of the scientific literature in the area of health continues to ask the question, "How can we get African Americans involved in research and prevention activities?" The African American Health Initiative represents an answer to this question and is in many ways a success story of a local Black population that willingly engaged in health planning through a community-based participatory research process. A mixed-method sequential exploratory design was utilized to implement the health planning process. A social ecological model was created with five levels of influence and was utilized as a guide for engagement. A total of 1,078 individuals (95% Black) participated. A comprehensive plan was created with nine recommendations for the improvement of the health of the local and neighboring Black populations.

Development and Validation of Instruments to Assess Potential Religion-Health Mechanisms in an African American Population

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:25:00 PDT

The health disparities that negatively affect African Americans are well-documented; however, there are also many sociocultural factors that may play a protective role in health outcomes. Religious involvement is noted to be important in the African American community and to have a positive association with health outcomes. However, few studies have explained why this relationship exists. This article reports on the development and validation of instruments to assess two proposed mediators of the relationship between religiosity and health for an African American population: perceived religious influence on health behaviors and illness as punishment from a higher power. We used a systematic iterative process, including interviews and questionnaire data from African Americans who provided feedback on item wording. We also solicited input from African American pastors. In a sample of 55 African Americans, the instruments appeared to have strong internal reliability ( = .74 and .91, respectively) as well as test-retest reliability (r = .65, .84, respectively, p < .001). Evidence for construct validity is also discussed, as are recommendations for health disparities research using these instruments.

List of Reviewers

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:25:00 PDT

Coping With Hurricane Katrina: Psychological Distress and Resilience Among African American Evacuees

Lee, E.-K. O., Ce Shen, , Tran, T. V. — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:33:20 PST

Hurricane Katrina was one of the most devastating natural disasters in the U.S. history. The economic, physical, and psychological damage to survivors of Katrina may ultimately be incalculable. While this natural disaster affected all racial groups, it was low-income African Americans who disproportionately experienced the greatest suffering. This study examines factors related to psychological resilience in the Hurricane Katrina evacuee sample (N = 363) drawn from the Kaiser Washington Post Harvard Poll #2005 WPH020. The structural equation model (SEM) used explains 34% of the total variance on Katrina victims' resilience measured by their perceived sense of recovery. Findings suggest that those evacuees who reported psychological distress as a reaction to the disaster were less likely to report that they would fully recover from the disaster. All three Hurricane Katrina experience-related variables— being insured, home destruction, and human loss—have significant effects on psychological distress, with human loss having the strongest effect. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

Multiple Risks, Emotion Regulation Skill, and Cortisol in Low-Income African American Youth: A Prospective Study

Kliewer, W., Reid-Quinones, K., Shields, B. J., Foutz, L. — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:33:20 PST

Associations between multiple risks, emotion regulation skill, and basal cortisol levels were examined in a community sample of 69 African American youth (mean age = 11.30 years; 49% male) living in an urban setting. Multiple risks were assessed at Time 1 and consisted of 10 demographic and psychosocial risk factors including parent, child, and observer reports. Parents rated the child's emotion regulation skill at Time 2, 6 months later. Three saliva samples were collected one morning in the week following the Time 2 interview and assayed for cortisol, a stress hormone. Regression results indicated that multiple risks at Time 1 were associated with depressed cortisol levels at Time 2, but that patterns of association differed across levels of emotion regulation skill and sex. Youth with good emotion regulation skills showed no differences in cortisol across low and high levels of risk. In contrast, females with poor emotion regulation skill showed strong negative associations between multiple risks and basal cortisol levels. Hypocortisolism is a response of some youth to multiple risks, but protective factors can attenuate this association.

Comparison of African American and Afro-Caribbean Older Adults' Self-Reported Health Status, Function, and Substance Use

Keane, F., Tappen, R. M., Williams, C. L., Rosselli, M. — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:33:20 PST

African American and Afro-Caribbean elders differ in regard to ethnic group membership, place of birth, and years of residence in the United States. In this study, the authors compare self-rated health status, function, and reports of substance use in these two groups. Fifty low-income African American and fifty low-income Afro-Caribbean adults older than 55 were matched on gender, income, and age (within a range of 3 years) for this study. Self-reported mental and physical health (SF-8), function (basic and independent activities of daily living), and tobacco and alcohol use were measured. Significant differences between the two ethnic groups were found on four of the SF-8 domains, the physical health summary measure, and tobacco use but not on the mental health summary measure, function, or alcohol use. The differences that emerged suggest a more positive health status and healthier behavior in the immigrant Afro-Caribbean group. Results may be explained by the healthy immigrant effect relating to better health of immigrant as opposed to nonimmigrant populations.

Racial Identity as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Perceived Applicant Similarity and Hiring Decisions

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:33:20 PST

While most research on the impact of race on employment evaluations has focused on non-Blacks' perceptions of hiring decisions, the current study extends existing research by focusing on such perceptions in a Black sample. Relying on similarity theory and identity theory, this study hypothesized that the selection-related decisions made by Black raters would be influenced by perceived similarity and elements of Black identity. Specifically, it was proposed that Black identity, as measured by the model of racial identity, would moderate the relationship between perceived similarity and recommendations to interview and hire job applicants. The results provided partial support for a "similar to me" effect for Black raters but failed to support the hypothesized moderation.

Black Canadians' Coping Responses to Racial Discrimination

Joseph, J., Kuo, B. C. H. — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:33:21 PST

On the basis of a cultural coping framework, the present study examined coping responses to racial discrimination among 190 Black Canadians. The study assessed the respondents' coping with both general (i.e., problem- and emotion-focused coping) and Africultural coping strategies (i.e., spiritual-centered, collective, and ritual-centered coping) across three different racial discrimination vignettes (i.e., interpersonal, institutional, and cultural discrimination). Furthermore, three individual and cultural difference variables, African self-consciousness, social desirability, and past race-related stress, were controlled in the analyses. As predicted, the results of the profile analysis and multivariate analyses showed that both general and Africultural coping were used by the participants in responding to all three types of discrimination. Additionally, differential coping patterns were found depending on the context of racial discrimination. Overall, the study suggests that Black Canadians are exposed to multiple race-related stressors that require them to adopt a flexible repertoire of general and culture-specific coping strategies.

Racial Socialization's Moderating Effect Between Poverty Stress and Psychological Symptoms for African American Youth

Wilson, D., Foster, J., Anderson, S., Mance, G. — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:33:21 PST

Research indicates that African Americans living in an oppressive society may be at an increased risk of experiencing psychological symptoms. Oppressive society has been defined as the continual denial of resources to marginalized groups. This study examined the possible moderating effects of racial socialization (using Scale of Racial Socialization—Adolescent) in the relationship between poverty and psychological symptoms (externalizing and internalizing symptoms). The sample consisted of 105 African American adolescents, aged 11 to 15, from a large midwestern city. Racial socialization was expected to reduce psychological symptomatology. There was an unexpected finding of a positive relationship between racial socialization and externalizing symptoms. Although significant moderating effects were found for racial socialization, no protective effect was demonstrated in this study. Future research directions are discussed.

Relationships Between Weight and Body Dissatisfaction, Body Esteem, and Teasing in African American Girls

Tyler, C., Johnston, C. A., Dalton, W. T., Foreyt, J. P. — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:33:21 PST

This study assessed the relation between weight and weight-related factors (i.e., body dissatisfaction, body esteem, teasing frequency, and the effects of teasing) in a community sample of prepubescent African American girls. African American girls (N = 97) in Grades 3 to 5 completed the McKnight Risk Factor Survey—Third Edition and had their heights and weights taken to calculate body mass index (BMI). Participants were from two public elementary schools with a predominantly African American student population in a Southern metropolitan city of the United States. Increased weight was associated with higher levels of body dissatisfaction and a greater frequency of weight teasing by peers. Weight was not associated with body esteem. These relationships between weight and related factors may be important for understanding how weight affects psychosocial functioning in a community sample of African American girls.