Influences of Psychocultural Factors of Self-Stigma on Biracial Individuals\u27 Counseling Utilization

People of color (POC; African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Latinx individuals) report to underuse mental health services in contrast to their White counterparts (Kim & Zane, 2016; Lou, Reddy & Hinshaw, 2010; SAMSHA, 2017; Yasui, Hipwell, Stepp, & Keenan, 2015). The barriers to counseling use reported for POC were poverty, insurance cost, mental illness, and stigma. Additionally, psycho-cultural barriers such as racial identity, discrimination, and self-stigma of mental health attributed to POC’s underuse of psychological services (Cheng, Kwan, & Sevig, 2013). However, these findings are limited to monoracial POC, and no studies to date have investigated these factors in Biracial individuals. There is a paucity of research examining the barriers to mental health use for Multiracial individuals. The Multiracial population is one of the fastest growing racial groups in the United States, and this population is expected to double by 2060 (Pew Research, 2015). This study addressed the gap in the literature by investigating the influences of racial identity integration, discrimination, and self-stigma on Biracial individuals’ intentions to seek counseling. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the current literature organized in themes: mental health disparity (i.e., counseling utilization percentage for POC), racial identity (Biracial identity development models), discrimination (i.e., monoracism and microaggressions) and self-stigma (mental health stigmatization). Chapter 2 was a proposed study of the psychocultural factors (racial identity, discrimination, and self-stigma) impacts on mental health utilization of 202 individuals identifying with two racial groups (Biracial). At this time, one study has been found investigating Biracial individuals’ attitudes toward counseling (Constantine & Gainor, 2004). Results of this study revealed that self-stigma of seeking (psychological) help did moderate the relationship between Biracial identity and intentions to seek counseling. The relationship between self-stigma of seeking (psychological) help did not moderate the relationship between intention to seek counseling. The findings signify the need to further understand the psychocultural barriers for Biracial individuals’ attitudes and use of counseling. Limitation, counseling implications, and future research are discussed

Influences of Psychocultural Factors of Self-Stigma on Biracial Individuals\u27 Counseling Utilization

People of color (POC; African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Latinx individuals) report to underuse mental health services in contrast to their White counterparts (Kim & Zane, 2016; Lou, Reddy & Hinshaw, 2010; SAMSHA, 2017; Yasui, Hipwell, Stepp, & Keenan, 2015). The barriers to counseling use reported for POC were poverty, insurance cost, mental illness, and stigma. Additionally, psycho-cultural barriers such as racial identity, discrimination, and self-stigma of mental health attributed to POC’s underuse of psychological services (Cheng, Kwan, & Sevig, 2013). However, these findings are limited to monoracial POC, and no studies to date have investigated these factors in Biracial individuals. There is a paucity of research examining the barriers to mental health use for Multiracial individuals. The Multiracial population is one of the fastest growing racial groups in the United States, and this population is expected to double by 2060 (Pew Research, 2015). This study addressed the gap in the literature by investigating the influences of racial identity integration, discrimination, and self-stigma on Biracial individuals’ intentions to seek counseling. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the current literature organized in themes: mental health disparity (i.e., counseling utilization percentage for POC), racial identity (Biracial identity development models), discrimination (i.e., monoracism and microaggressions) and self-stigma (mental health stigmatization). Chapter 2 was a proposed study of the psychocultural factors (racial identity, discrimination, and self-stigma) impacts on mental health utilization of 202 individuals identifying with two racial groups (Biracial). At this time, one study has been found investigating Biracial individuals’ attitudes toward counseling (Constantine & Gainor, 2004). Results of this study revealed that self-stigma of seeking (psychological) help did moderate the relationship between Biracial identity and intentions to seek counseling. The relationship between self-stigma of seeking (psychological) help did not moderate the relationship between intention to seek counseling. The findings signify the need to further understand the psychocultural barriers for Biracial individuals’ attitudes and use of counseling. Limitation, counseling implications, and future research are discussed

A Phenomenological Study of the Experiences of Master’s Level Students of Color in Counseling Programs

This qualitative study investigated the training experiences of 12 students of color in CACREP-accredited master’s level counseling programs using semi-structured phenomenological interviews. The 12 participants identified as Asian American (n = 2), Japanese American (n = 1), Chinese (n = 1), Black (n = 1), African American (n = 1), Latino and/or Hispanic (n = 3), and multiracial (n = 3). We used interpretive phenomenological analysis and identified three main themes: cultural marginalization; biculturalism; and safe or counter-hegemonic relationships. Training implications for counselor education programs are provided

Digital Addiction: What is happening with our children?

Our poster presentation will inform participants about the signs, symptoms, assessment, and resources available for children suffering from digital addiction. Early identification of digital addiction is essential for the well-being of all students