Abstract:

In the psyche of an African descent person, inappropriate psychological functioning can be driven by psychological misorientation (negotiating reality with a Eurasian or nonAfrican/non-Black cognitive structure and consequently behaving in accord with Eurasian, nonAfrican images and interests) or a truncated, underdeveloped psychological Africanity (failure to achieve a psychological orientation that prioritizes the defense, maintenance, and development of African life and culture). Distinguishing between the two conditions has theoretical impact for African-centered theories of African psychological, racial identity and personality functioning. The distinction also provides vital information for the therapist, who should not conflate the two conditions. As an aid for discerning (1) if and when a state of psychological misorientation penetrates or overtakes psychological Africanity and (2) how the functioning of psychological Africanity is affected by this overtaking or penetration, a theory is articulated. A pattern of correlations between psychological Africanity and psychological misorientation measures obtained from a sample of HBCU students that supports the theory is examined.

African American Body Image: Identity and Physical Self Acceptance

By Vetta L. Sanders Thompson

This study addresses the social and community factors affecting acceptance of African American ethnic features (physical racial identity). The primary research questions considered: 1) whether there were sex differences in the acceptance of African American ethnic features (skin color, facial features, hair characteristics, etc.) and 2) identification of social factors in the acceptance of African American ethnic features. The physical racial identity subscale of the African American Racial Identity Scale (Thompson Sanders 2003) was used to measure acceptance of African American ethnic features. Results indicated that African American acceptance of the range of physical attributes noted among those of African descent is high. Differences in preferences for African specific features by sex were minimal. Male ratings of attractiveness were more likely to be affected by income and female ratings by racial socialization. The results suggest a lessened significance of European physical features among African Americans.

Racial Identity Development and Psychological Adjustment Among African American Drug Users

By Angelique Croasdale and C. Charles Mate-Kole

In order to examine differences in racial identity development between African American non-drug users and drug users, the study investigated the relationships between racial identity development and psychopathology in African American drug users. 38 drug users and 37 healthy controls were recruited. They were administered the Symptom Checklist- 90-R; Beck Hopelessness Scale, the Black Racial Identity scale, and the African Self-Consciousness scale. The results revealed significant differences between drug users and non-drug users on all the psychopathology subscales. Drug users obtained significantly higher scores on the Preencounter and Immersion phases of the Racial Identity Scale. Among drug users, there was a significant positive correlation between self- esteem and Preencounter, and a significant negative correlation between Encounter and Hopelessness. Further correlations revealed significant relationships between Encounter and Somatization, and between Encounter and Anxiety. The results provide some understanding about the underlying problems such as racial identity confusion and drug abuse among African American users. Implications for racial identity confusion and drug abuse are discussed. Racial Identity Development and Psychological Adjustment Among African American Drug Users.

Understanding HIV Risk Among African American Adolescents: The Role of Africentric Values and Ethnic Identity in the Theory of Planned Behavior

By Tiffany G. Townsend, Christina Grange, Faye Z. Belgrave, Karen D. Wilson, Angela Fitzgerald, and Kristal Owens

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to determine the predictive validity of the theory of planned behavior among a sample of African American heterosexual adolescents. The roles of ethnic identity and Africentric values in the context of the theory of planned behavior were also examined. One-hundred and forty-eight heterosexual African American adolescents participated in the study. Components of the theory of planned behavior (attitudes, peer norms, perceived behavioral control) were tested using a series of hierarchical regressions. Results showed significant relationships between the theory components and sexual intent. Regression analysis also revealed significant relationships between the cultural variables (ethnic identity and Africentric values) and theory components. Findings suggest that efforts directed toward HIV prevention should enhance identity and cultural values, which should lead to healthy attitudes, less risky peer norms and increased behavioral control. These characteristics should reduce risky sexual intentions, thereby helping to reduce the risk of HIV infection. Keywords: HIV risk, African American adolescents, Africentric values, ethnic identity, theory of planned behavior.

Social Desirability Explored With a Sample of African Descent College Students and the Black Personality Questionnaire

By Daudi Ajani ya Azibo, LaShayla Melton Arnold, and Anthony Dale

Abstract:

Theorization about the nature of socially desirable responding as articulated by David Marlowe and Douglas Crowne is advanced from an African-centered culture-specific framework regarding African descent people. Using a sample of college students of African descent, three hypotheses received confirmation: (1) greater social desirability scores than normative (Crowne and Marlowe 1964) and nine more contemporary samples (1972-2005) were found, (2) low, deracinated “negro” racial identity orientation predicted socially desirable responding suggesting an underlying need for approval whereas high, African-centered racial identity orientation failed to predict socially desirable responding suggesting no need for approval, and (3) the Black Personality Questionnaire instrument used to measure racial identity/psychological Africanity proved out overall not to be susceptible to social desirability response bias. Item (2) indicates social change implications associated with high, African-centered racial identity orientation in contrast to low, “negro” racial identity orientation.

By Wilnise Joseph, C. Charles Mate-Kole, James Conway, and Francisco Donis

Abstract:

The present study examined the psychometric properties and the cross-cultural sensitivity of the widely used Symptom Checklist-90-R among people of African descent. One hundred and ninety-four people of African descent aged 18 years and older were recruited and administered the Symptom Checklist-90-R (Derogatis, 1994). The group comprised Continental Africans, African-Americans, and African-Caribbean. The results revealed that the scores of the African groups were significantly higher than the non-patient normative group on all the dimensions of the Symptom Checklist. Within-group comparison indicated that the Continental Africans obtained significantly higher scores than the African American group on all the subscales of the Symptom Checklist. Further, the African Caribbean and the African American groups significantly differed on only four measures. Overall, the Continental Africans obtained the highest scores followed by the African Caribbean group. These findings suggest that there are distinct ethnic and cultural influences that might affect interpretation of test items thus, resulting in exaggeration in the expressions of symptomatology. The results from this study offer a broad picture of the importance of cultural competence in the mental health field.

By Sholonda Kelly and Frank J. Floyd

Abstract :