After the family, the African American church stands as the second most significant institution in African American communities (Lincoln, 1999; Lincoln & Mamiya, 1990; Paris, 1985).  The first presentation integrates “slave narratives” as historical references as well as review current research on religious behaviors among African Americans to provide an overview regarding the role of African American faith communities in promoting mental health outcomes.  The second presentation begins to address the paucity in the African American religious literature concerning theology and mental health outcomes such as self-esteem. 

1.5 Hrs MCEP/CEU/LCPP

This presentation will trace the history of race as a theoretical and research construct within the field of psychology and the impact on African-centered/Black Psychology. The presenters will examine the current theoretical and research paradigms that focus on race and culture and highlight the significant philosophical issues that serve to impact African-centered Black Psychology.

This symposium seeks to build the case for reparations for Africans in America from a multi-systemic Fanonian perspective with implications for the prison industrial complex through examining the context for which reparations occur and the specific cases for which people of African descent have been denied their due reparations.

Well-being for African American women encompasses  many factors.  Physical, mental and spiritual health all contribute to overall wellness.  To explore these areas in all dimensions is the goal of this workshop.  We will review health disparities, myths and barriers to wellness, review basic questionnaires to assess overall health and provide a healthy plan of action to increase well being and longevity. Special emphasis will be on movement and the power of the Dance.

This symposium will discuss the findings of a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation supported study that explored factors that statistically improve educational outcomes for African American males by analyzing academic success indicators from three national surveys. Findings will assist psychologists, policy makers, educators, school advocates, and families to plot the path to academic success for school-aged African American males. 

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.

2 Hrs MCEP/CEU/LCPP

This presentation comprises original and current members of the ABPsi Psychological Assessment, Testing and Education Committee; and other prominent psychologists with extensive histories challenging development and implementation of psychological tests and their impact on people of African ancestry. Presenters will examine testing standards and applications in clinical and educational paradigms.

This presentation introduces a comprehensive theory of personality, particularly suited for those dominant in phenotypic expressions of melanin. The Integrative Cultural Fusion Model (ICFM) builds on the Octahedron Model of Personality Development (OPD). It was developed to clarify the inappropriateness of Eurocentric “beliefs” to the total health of melanin dominant people. To that end a critical and overdue need to shift the paradigm to alternative views built upon the concepts of SANKOFA and MAAT are offered.

The purpose of the instrument is used to determine the level of success within an African American marriage. According to the U.S. Bureau of Census, in 2000, 16% of African American males were married, as compared to 60% of whites; 37% of African American females were married as compared to 57% of white females. A healthy successful marriage is theorized by a couple’s ability to effectively communicate and problem solve collectively. The instrument closely correlates with the equity theory.

By elucidating the processes, measurement and interventions, the symposium will provide an interactive discussion of how Black students negotiate racism based stressors in school.

This paper explores utilizing the paradigm of Critical Consciousness Development in clinical work with African-American males. We will explore the major themes of this paradigm specifically its relevance in assisting African-American males to deconstruct negative ideas of masculinity that have caused intraspsychic dissonance and interpersonal dysfunction (i.e. parataxic distortion).

African American teenage mothers have received nominal attention, yet research on those with child protective service involvement is virtually obsolete. The researchers propose a model to be used for wrap-around services that address the needs of this population which include education, counseling, and being paired with a mentor.

Using current research and personal experiences, this presentation will examine the unique training, mentoring, teaching and evaluative experiences of Black, female, teaching assistants at a predominantly white institution.  Suggestions for program improvements, best practices as well as the impact of these experiences on students’ decision to enter academe will be addressed.

1.5 Hrs MCEP/CEU/LCPP

The purpose of this presentation is to identify characteristics of African American learning disabled students who have mental health issues which are classified as social and emotional disturbance.   In this presentation we will also highlight coexisting mood disorders which results affect an individual’s coping difficulties.  We will identify learning strategies and intervention techniques which will increase these learning disabled students’ ability to receive educational instruction.

This symposium will discuss the experiences of African American students majoring in psychology at a predominantly White university, the University of Texas at Austin, and a historically Black university, Prairie View A & M University. In this symposium students will discuss in detail various aspects of their experiences in their respective psychology departments. Specific emphasis will be placed on how introduction to Black Psychology and the Association of Black Psychologists has been critical to the development of the next generation of conscious Black Psychologists.

1.5 Hrs MCEP/CEU/LCPP

Historically, there have been challenges and barriers, real and imagined, which have prohibited African-descended males from consistent, meaningful involvement with their children and families. This presentation will address issues pertaining to African American men (fathers) and what is needed in order to survive and thrive in this society.

This descriptive survey study examines the cultural variant approach (Allen, 1978) which provides insights examining African American parenting practices and effects on psychological adjustment as a function of parenting style. Results found that among African Americans parenting styles that exhibit high love and high discipline foster positive psychological outcomes.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading causes of death in the United States.  The morbidity and mortality rates are especially critical among African-American adults. The purpose of this study is to assess the impact a diabetes prevention program has on health outcomes of individuals in a church setting.

This poster presentation will examine Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and gender differences in youth exposed to violence. The researchers will review and compare positive and negative coping strategies and resiliency factors utilized by these youth.

This poster will present preliminary data from qualitative studies of doctoral clinical psychology students who have completed five quarters of multicultural classes. The themes that emerge and their implications for both diversity education and clinical work will be discussed.

The call for the use of culturally relevant pedagogy to improve the academic outcome of African American students is becoming increasingly louder in educational discourse. This research aims to expound upon these theories by  examining the context of Bahamian education and culturally relevant pedagogy in a (non-American, Black) Bahamian context.

The purpose of this presentation is to present the development and validation of the Whitlow-Measure of Afrocentric Relationship Attitudes (MARA).  There is no known relationship assessment that utilizes an Afrocentric approach (Asante, 1981, 1987; Kambon, 1998) in attempting to understand the dynamics of the Black relationship.  Thus, this scale is a vital contribution to the field of counseling psychology. This scale will be useful in the areas of research, practice, and social activism.

One cannot deny that before the Civil Rights Act, there was a social dogma that insisted on “black inferiority.” The long-term social and legal insistence of this inferiority and the abuse that reinforced it would ensure in the minds of Blacks that self-sufficiency would lead to negative consequences.

This poster presentation will discuss the phenomenon of African American students purposefully underperforming in their academic achievement in exchange for social acceptance.  The influence of peer relationships, student/faculty relationships, dimensions of parental involvement, cultural influences, and racial identity development will all be examined.

In a study of 98 Black adolescent girls, ethnic identity, affiliation and belonging, and skin tone significantly predicted self-esteem. Girls with higher affiliation and belonging perceived themselves as lighter when compared to other Blacks. Also, older girls perceived their skin color as lighter and were less satisfied with their skin color.

The relation between racial identity attitude clusters and mental health outcomes were examined in a sample of 317 Black American college students.  Findings support previous research.  Participants in the Multiculturalist cluster reported greater levels of psychological well-being, while those in the Immersion Anti-White cluster group reported the lowest levels of psychological well-being.

When bell hooks writes, “Our mental well-being is dependent on our capacity to face reality.  We can only face reality by breaking through our denial” (Hooks 2005: 16), she aims to speak publicly about a killer that is silently affecting the African American community.  That killer is depression.

This article tackles the very important issue of self-esteem and identity among a cohort of Africans in this Diaspora. This new paradigm which has emerged from a litany of negativity regarding the plight of Africans is a critical approach that is rife with positivism that is necessary yet has been excluded from the rhetoric. The findings of this study not only address this matter but also add to the strength of the African people by suggesting that there is even more resilience than has been previously proposed.

The current study examined Joiner’s interpersonal theory of suicide risk, Hope Theory, depression, and anxiety scores among 127 African American participants.  Hope predicted components of Joiner’s theory, anxiety, and depression. These results suggest that hope may serve as a protective factor for some symptoms of common mental disorders.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited genetic disorder that affects approximately 1 out of every 500 African Americans. Health care expenditures have risen substantially for persons with chronic illnesses. Identifying the psychosocial variables associated with utilization of health care services can aid in the development of intervention to reduce costs.

A reflective comparison of Black political influences and the effects of transgenerational substance abuse on Black families over the past 40 years, uncovered a pattern of hope and optimism followed by a downward spiral toward poverty and desolation. We purport that current political influences will empower Black families to recover.

This qualitative study highlights how young Black professionals can successfully transition from academics to community leaders. More specifically, this research presents strategies to successfully engage the Black community. Through grounded theory, researchers present a collection of experiences, highlighting how elders in the community have dealt with this transition.

This research examined the effectiveness of the Afro-cultural theme verve (density/variability) and meaningful learning on motivation, academic engagement, and context clue learning.   Results revealed that verve improved context clue learning and motivation improved in variability and meaningful conditions. This study shows the positive impact of culture and meaning in the classroom. 

Research examining relationships between race- related stress and academic/performance outcomes is sparse, and much of this work has been conducted among college students. We examined the relationships between race -related stress, disruptive behaviors, need for cognition, and GPA. A fully mediated and a partially mediated model were tested to determine if race- related stress is directly linked to students GPA or mediated by the other variables.

The current study investigated the relationship between hope and religiosity, and the effect of religiosity on suicide risk in a predominantly African-American sample. Results indicated that hope and religiosity were highly positively related. Contrary to hypotheses, results indicated that religiosity was not significantly related to suicidal risk or suicidal ideation.

School attachment is important in the success of high school students.  This study seeks to identify variables that predict school attachment in African American high school juniors and seniors.  Can kinship support, achievement orientation, parental education level, attachment to God, and school/community involvement predict school attachment for African American juniors and seniors?  Are these variables moderated by student gender?

Does the African American Acculturation Scale’s cultural mistrust items relate to socioeconomic levels among African Americans attending Traditional Institutions or Historically Black Colleges?  The AAAS was administered at a PWI and HBCU.  Results showed strong relationships between cultural mistrust and SES for TI students but no significance for HBCU students.  

This study seeks to understand the development of an African centered identity in adults that were not explicitly exposed to African centered lifestyles by their parents or guardians. The investigator aims to compare the developmental stage theories of racial identity for African Americans with the process of cultural identity development.

At infancy brains are at the highest state of plasticity and learning language occurs easiest and more naturally.  During this critical period infants must engage in cognitively stimulating experiences that promote language development.  This study capitalizes on this period by exposing babies to a multisensory approach to teaching reading.

African Americans are more often diagnosed with schizophrenia than European Americans. These findings have been interpreted as misdiagnosis. Misdiagnosis however does not clarify how clinicians arrive at divergent diagnoses. The purpose of the proposed study is to investigate the cognitive processes of categorization, reasoning, and conceptual development in psychodiagnostic decisions.

High levels of religiosity have been associated with increased ability to refuse unsafe sexual encounters. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of risky sexual behavior. Never having smoked marijuana or drank alcohol was a recurring predictive variable for safer sex practices. Experiential dimensions of spirituality was found to be a predictor of condom usage as well as belief in sex before marriage, whereas Paranormal beliefs served as a predictor of not using drugs or alcohol before intercourse.

The purpose of this poster session is to provide information about transitioning to adult education for parents of African American students and special education teachers and introduce the newly designed African-centered transitional pamphlet that will enable them to better prepare their children/students to develop a transition plan.

In addressing the “human good” of our community,  this Mbongi Assembly is charged with the task of addressing( a) the historical and contemporary use of the music, especially Hip-Hop,  to demean, distort, damage,  and/or debilitate the “mind-set” and overall psychological well-being of African (Black) people; (b) the way(s) in which Hip-Hop serves or can serve to rehabilitate and/or repair the mind-set and overall psychological well-being of African (Black) people; and (c) identifying strategies, programs and projects for ABPsi (Black psychologists) and Hip-Hop artists, producers and directors to solve and resolve the problematics affecting the African (Black) community.