This presentation will explore general mental health issues for African descent psychotherapy clients.  Issues facing subpopulations such as adults, children, couples, families, the elderly and mental health care disparities will be reviewed.  Eurocentric and Afrocentric models of psychotherapy with African descent clients will be discussed along with specific implications for clinical practice.

This paper presents preliminary findings from the development of the Classroom Social Justice and Equity Questionnaire, an instrument that examines inequitable teacher practices and classroom experiences, and implications of this instrument for research and culturally relevant preventions to meet the psychosocial and academic concerns of Black students in secondary schools.

This presentation will discuss findings from a preliminary investigation of the psychological and physical consequences of unnatural hair care practices among African American women.  Implications for counseling, education, and prevention to facilitate natural hair care practices and the well-being of African American women will be addressed.

This presentation addresses the influence of culture on the mental health presentation of African American youth.  In addition, issues with the assessment and diagnosis of African American youth are highlighted.  Specifically, inappropriate methods to assess and diagnose this population are pinpointed and more culturally- sensitive approaches are suggested.

In an effort to promote mental health and wellness on Black campuses, this program will identify and discuss the myths and stigmas which are often associated with students of color seeking mental health treatment. This program will also present the dynamic and innovative strategies successfully utilized by the outreach team at the Howard University Counseling Service in Washington, DC.

This presentation provides participants with information and strategies for increasing the resilience and school success of African American students. Participants will become knowledgeable of practical approaches for school psychologists to identify, communicate, and address resiliency factors which increase school success among African American students.

Current research supports that African Americans have a lower suicide rate than Whites (U.S. Census Bureau, 1994).  The rationale behind this evidence is that cultural values and beliefs are responsible for empowering them to not commit suicide in the wake of adversity.  In 2003, it was reported that one African American dies by suicide every 4.5 hours.

1.5 Hrs MCEP/CEU/LCPP

African healing work is holistic—addressing the mental, physical, and spiritual aspects of the individual within community context.  The demonstrations and dialogue of this session will be on working holistically with clients to clear and transform negative emotional energies using Kemetic Yoga, nutrition, and herbs in conjunction with cognitive practices.

3 Hrs MCEP/CEU/LCPP

The purpose of the proposed workshop is to review current laws and regulations pertaining to supervision of practicum students, interns and psychological assistants.  The workshop will provide an overview of clinical supervision – its purposes, outcomes and approaches.  Particular attention will be focused on addressing the developmental issues of African American trainees and effective strategies for joining and intervening with African American clients and families

Recent research suggests that stereotype threat influences performance. The present study investigated if and how locus of control affects stereotype threat and task performance. Consistent with the literature, this study also supports a major finding that people can experience stereotype threat irrespective of race. Implications and suggestions for future research are provided.

By chronicling the progression of alcohol use among African Americans, we invoke Sankofa –remembrance of the past to understand why we are who we are today. We discuss how historical, pre-slavery alcohol use relates to African Americans’ current drinking patterns and problems, and how this knowledge can guide research

Cheikh Anta Diop’s Two Cradle Theory and a comprehensive exploration of African American history are used to explore the profound impact of environment on human behavior and the development of the African American Culture. A diagnosis and treatment are then developed using African values and principles.

The Black Student Union (BSU) provides Black students with community and emotional support. BSU involvement can, however, reduce student satisfaction with the university by alerting them to pervasive institutional racism. How can Black psychologists support BSU members in their efforts to develop an African self-consciousness and simultaneously encourage their matriculation?

The Mainstream Orientation Questionnaire (MOQ) has been used to assess an individual's endorsement of mainstream values. The present study had 180 participants. Results replicate the positive correlations between MOQ and Hostility, Neuroticism, and blood pressure. These findings encourage the further investigation of the MOQ’s relationship to psychological and physiological well-being.

Women view relationships as a deep emotional connection, whereas men view relationships as a physical connection. It has been speculated that in certain societies males are taught not to express their emotions as much as women. This research will explore the relationship between intimacy and connectedness and how parenting styles mediate the two.

Research indicates that black queer men are disproportionately burdened by depressive distress and anxiety disorders as compared to their white gay and heterosexual counterparts. This study utilizes focus groups to explore issues surrounding the mental health status of this population in an attempt to shed light on potential influencing factors.

Studies that investigate predictors of HIV risk have used models of behavior that don’t consider power in relationships of AA women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse (CSA).  This study adds to the body of research which suggests that CSA survivor counseling should address community, cultural norms and ethnic differences.

Throughout history, music has been an instrumental part of the religious experience in the lives of African Americans.  The music genre in African American communities has evolved from the Negro spiritual to the latest genre of rap.  Researchers indicate that sacred and secular music also have been associated with several positive outcomes  and encourage positive psycho-developmental outcomes. This symposium panel explores the relationship between different genres of rap music (i.e., sacred and secular) and mental health outcomes among African Americans

Research by and about people of African descent is underrepresented in the psychological literature. The purposes of this professional development workshop are to help graduate students and junior scholars understand and successfully navigate the publishing process. Productive emerging scholars will share their experiences and strategies in publishing and building a research program. Journal editors will provide advice about writing an article including 1) targeting a journal, 2) submitting a manuscript, 3) understanding the review process, 4) deciphering the editor’s letter, 5) revising and resubmitting the manuscript, and 6) regrouping after rejection.

The presenters of this workshop utilized an episode of The Boondocks in graduate multicultural psychology courses to illustrate multiple social justice issues, particularly those influencing political prisoners. Presenters will highlight the importance of exploring student response to course topics and provocative media via narrative discourse

The Azibo Nosology is a system for diagnosing 18 culture-pecific mental disorders afflicting African descent people (ADP) published in the Journal of Black Psychology in 1989.  It is the only nosology extant that is explicitly linked to African-centered personality theory. The Azibo Nosology II containing 23 disorders—the original 18 and 5 additional/new disorders-will be introduced.

Exploring both direct and tacit messages, this session will encourage a provocative debate about interpretations and manifestations of internalized racism, gendered and ethnic specific racial socialization.

1.5 Hrs MCEP/CEU/LCPP

How we manage our emotions and react to stress are major causes of many dis-eases that affect African American individuals and communities. This experiential symposium provides an overview of African-centered emotional management issues, theory and practice. Participants will have the opportunity to dialog about these issues and experience emotional management techniques and body awareness exercises designed to help individuals and communities mitigate the negative consequences of stress.

This research examined the risk behaviors (i.e. drug use, sexual activity) among African American adults (college and non-college).  Having a positive racial identity was hypothesized to be associated with positive well-being. The results showed there were statistically significant differences between groups. College students had a higher racial identity score than non-college participants.

In addressing the “human good” of our community,  this Mbongi Assembly is charged with the task of addressing: The historical and contemporary use of the media,  particularly TV and Movies,  to demean, distort, damage,  and/or debilitate the “mind-set” and overall psychological well-being of African (Black) people.; the way(s) in which the media can serve to rehabilitate and/or repair the mind-set and overall psychological well-being of African (Black) people and identifying strategies, programs and projects for ABPsi (Black psychologists) and actors/artist, producers and directors to solve and resolve the problematics affecting the African (Black) community.