Color Consciousness and African American Adults: Self Perception, Trait Ascription, and Interpersonal Experiences

The purpose of the following study was to expand the knowledge base on color consciousness in African American life. The settings included 2 large cities, one in the Midwest and the other in the Southeast. 37 African Americans completed surveys on self-esteem, ethnic identity, intra-racial perceptions of skin color and a demographic sheet to assess color consciousness. Participants then participated in a semi-structured focus group. Bivariate regression analysis revealed darker skinned participants’ preference for darker skin (r = .43; p=.01). Paired t-test analyses reflected skin tone biases and correlation analyses suggested relationships between participant education level and ethnic identity and participant education level and parental income. Focus group analyses indicated color consciousness and the significance of skin tone in life experiences. Implications for mental health professionals are discussed

Differences among African American Junior High School Students: The Effects of Skin Tone on Ethnic Identity, Self-Esteem and Cross-Cultural Behavior

This article explains the results of a study conducted to assess differences among African American adolescents based on skin tone. It was hypothesized that students would demonstrate differences in self-esteem, ethnic identity and cross-cultural coping strategies based on their skin tones. 144 African American adolescents completed research packets. Results of ANOVA did not suggest any differences among the students on selfesteem, ethnic identity, or cross cultural interaction behaviors. However, significant correlations were found between self-esteem and ethnic identity and between self-esteem and cross cultural interaction behaviors. Implications for counseling and education are discussed

Racial Differences in the Impact of Adolescent Depression on Families in TADS

This manuscript examines racial differences in the impact of adolescent depression between White, African American, and Latino families. Findings are from the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS), a multi-site clinical research study evaluating the efficacy of CBT and Fluoxetine for treating adolescents with major depressive disorder. Primary caretakers of 439 adolescents with depression were interviewed. Results demonstrated that compared to White families, African American and Latino families were more likely to report increased feelings of tiredness or anergia (p\u3c.05) and more physical health problems (p\u3c.01) associated with caring for a depressed teen. The conclusion suggests the need for a better understanding of depression in people and families of color and offers recommendations for further research

Ethnic Differences Among Adolescents Beginning Treatment for Depression

Abstract: This study examines ethnic/racial differences at the start of treatment among participants in the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS). African American and Latino youth were compared to Caucasian youth on symptom presentation and cognitive variables associated with depression. Contrary to hypothesis, there were no significant differences in symptom presentation as measured by the interviewbased items of the Children's Depression Rating Scale -Revised (CDRS-R). However, African American and Latino youth were both rated as demonstrating more severe symptoms on the observational items of the CDRS-R compared to Caucasian youth. In terms of cognitive variables associated with depression, African Americans reported fewer negative cognitive biases compared to Caucasians, but cognitive biases were significantly correlated with depression severity across ethnic groups

Family first: the development of an evidence-based family intervention for increasing participation in psychiatric clinical care and research in depressed African American adolescents

Researchers have documented health disparities for African American and other youth of color in the area of mental health. In accordance with calls for the development of innovative methods for use in reducing these disparities, the purpose of this article is to describe the development of an evidence-based intervention targeting the use of psychiatric clinical care by African American families. The authors summarize current research in the areas of perceived and demonstrated bias in the provision of mental health services, the significance of the problem of low African American participation in psychiatric clinical research and care, and evidence-based approaches to conducting family-oriented research to address adolescent mental illness in this population. This discussion is followed by a description of the development of an intervention to improve familial treatment engagement and plans to test the intervention. The article is provided as a foundation for carefully defined plans to address the unmet mental health needs of depressed African American adolescents within a culturally relevant familial context

Expression and treatment of depression among Haitian immigrant women in the United States: clinical observations

Existing research demonstrates that culture has a profound impact on the expression and manifestation of mental illness, especially on depressive disorders among ethnically diverse populations. Currently, little research has focused on the Haitian population, despite the growing number of Haitians living in the United States. This paper discusses clinical observations of the expression of depression among Haitian immigrant women living in the United States. Specifically, this paper examines three distinctive types of depression (pain in the body, relief through God, and fighting a winless battle), explains their symptoms, and provides case examples to illustrate the expression of each type of depression. Additionally, the paper describes treatment processes for each type of depression and makes recommendations to mental health providers with respect to each type of depression. The information provided in this paper highlights the importance of a more systematic and scientific investigation of depression among Haitian women, men, and youths in the United States