Community Psychology Research Articles

Critical consciousness and anti-racist action as rooted in family processes.

Racially ethnically marginalized communities in the United States are exposed to structural and interpersonal forms of racism that have harmful effects on their health, wealth, education, and employment (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Racism and Health. https://www.cdc.gov/minorityhealth/racism-disparities/index.html, 2021). Although a plethora of research exists outlining these harmful effects, research examining how youth from diverse backgrounds effectively combat racism is lacking. Emerging research demonstrates that families may play a key role in the development of critical consciousness and participation in anti-racist actions (Bañales etal., Journal of Social Issues, 2021, 77, 964; Blanco Martinez etal., American Journal of Community Psychology, 2022, 70, 278; Lozada etal., Journal of Black Psychology, 2017, 43, 493). Yet, many key family processes have not been examined in relation to youth development of anti-racist practices. The current study included a sample of 327 racially ethnically diverse emerging adults (Mage = 18.80, SD = 1.28, range = 18-25), and explored the association between ethnic-racial socialization (cultural socialization, preparation for bias) and youth critical consciousness (reflection, motivation, action) and anti-racist (interpersonal, communal, political change) actions, and how familism values impact these associations. Results found that ethnic-racial socialization was positively associated with all aspects of critical consciousness and anti-racist actions. Results also found that familism significantly interacted with ethnic-racial socialization to predict some aspects of critical consciousness and anti-racist actions, but not others. Implications of the findings and future research directions are discussed.

Community Psychology in Emergencies and Disasters: Experience Report

Community Psychology in Emergencies and Disasters: Experience Report

Limits of self and Other xenosophic responsiveness: Including complex emotions, power differences and possible futures

In a complementary commentary on Streib, we highlight complexities of self and Other responsiveness when researching and attempting to enact xenosophic alternatives to xenophobic relations with a wide range of others and including related problematic forms of personal and group ‘egocentricity’. Using our similar attempts to be reflexive in theory and practice about self and Other responsiveness in our own social, political, community and cultural psychology research (extending Streib’s focus on developmental psychology), we use the later philosophical approach of Ludwig Wittgenstein – rather than the phenomenological philosophy of Waldenfels – to explore instances of self and ‘extraordinary Other’ relations via examples of everyday and form-of-life disagreements. We then focus on complex emotions and investigations of affective and discursive patterned features of self and Other relations to highlight features of responsiveness and collective wisdom evident in a dynamic typology of group-based and collective pride, shame and guilt relations in contexts of celebration, competition, challenge and conflict. The need to explore the limits of self and extraordinary Other responsiveness is shown by considering how possible futures and power considerations might lead us to step back from potentially becoming other to ourselves.

Clinical Psychologists’ Experiences of “Community Service” in South Africa: Community-Based Service Learning and Primary Healthcare

Many South African master’s degree programmes in Clinical Psychology integrate community psychology training modules into the first year (M1) of the coursework. Such modules often incorporate community-based service learning (CBSL) to equip trainees for work in primary healthcare settings. After completing their M1 year, trainees complete a year’s internship (M2) in a psychiatric setting, followed by a mandatory third year of “community service”, before being able to register for independent practice. This raises questions about the preparation of trainees for this additional year, including its links with CBSL and the provision of primary healthcare. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical psychologists’ experiences of and settings for community service, and resonances with and contrasts to CBSL. The data were collected through an online survey accessing reflections of trainee clinical psychologists from five South African universities (n = 12), who had recently completed, or were currently completing, their community service. The data were analysed by template analysis. The resonances in the findings seem to be linked to the trainees’ relational and attitudinal skills and concepts related to community psychology, refined and applied during their M1 year. The contrasts in the themes illustrate the predominance of traditional clinical placements during community service, with their associated demands linked to dominant clinical practice. In conclusion, this study indicates that community service settings for clinical psychologists are seldom well linked to primary healthcare or based in community settings. Recommendations are made for CBSL in the M1 year and for expanding the settings of community service more widely into primary healthcare.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CONCEPT IN THE ACTIVITY OF THE RED CROSS SOCIETY OF UKRAINE

In 2019, the Council of Delegates of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement adopted a Resolution on the Implementation of Community Engagement and Accountability Policy. The resolution concerns the operational programs of all organizations that are associated with the Movement and adhere to its principles. Since the beginning of the Russian armed aggression in Ukraine, the Red Cross Society of Ukraine (URCS) as the largest humanitarian organization in the country has focused its efforts on helping the most vulnerable categories of citizens, in particular, internally displaced persons (IDPs), whose number has increased several times. Involvement of communities (in particular IDPs) is about making joint decisions about how the programs and operations of the URCS are designed, managed and implemented, and about influencing management and operational decisions. The article purpose: to find out the features and prospects of implementing the concept of community engagement in the activities of the URCS. Methods applied: analysis of program documents of the URCS, which outline the principles of implementing the concept of community engagement in the Society’s activities. In practice, community engagement is a combination of science and art. The science is drawn from sociology, political science, psychology, social work, and other disciplines, and the organization’s concepts are drawn from the literature on community participation, community mobilization, voter formation, community psychology, and cultural influences. The artistry comes from the understanding, skills, and sensibilities used to apply and adapt science in ways that meet the interests of the community and the goals of specific engagement efforts.

Future Directions for Community-Engaged Research in Clinical Psychological Science with Youth

ABSTRACT Despite advances in clinical science, the burden of mental health problems among youth is not improving. To tackle this burden, clinical science with youth needs methods that include youth and family perspectives on context and public health. In this paper, we illustrate how community-engaged research (CEnR) methods center these perspectives. Although CEnR methods are well-established in other disciplines (e.g. social work, community psychology), they are underutilized in clinical science with youth. This is due in part to misperceptions of CEnR as resource-intensive, overly contextualized, incompatible with experimentally controlled modes of inquiry, or irrelevant to understanding youth mental health. By contrast, CEnR methods can provide real-world impact, contextualized clinical solutions, and sustainable outcomes. A key advantage of CEnR strategies is their flexibility—they fall across a continuum that centers community engagement as a core principle, and thus can be infused in a variety of research efforts, even those that center experimental control (e.g. randomized controlled trials). This paper provides a brief overview of this continuum of strategies and its application to youth-focused clinical science. We then discuss future directions of CEnR in clinical science with youth, as well as structural changes needed to advance this work. The goals of this paper are to help demystify CEnR and encourage clinical scientists to consider adopting methods that better consider context and intentionally engage the communities that our work seeks to serve.

Linking community participation and subjective well-being in Chinese residential communities: the mediating role of community identity and the moderating effect of loneliness

This study attempts to draw on self-determination theory and the community psychology perspective to elaborate on the mechanisms underlying the association between community participation and life satisfaction in urban residential communities. The present study examines the mediating role of community identity in the relationship between community participation and life satisfaction. Moreover, the current study investigated the moderating effect of loneliness on the mediation model. A total of 1,205 urban residents, ranging in age from 18 to 65 years, completed the Community Participation Scale, the Community Identity Scale, the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale for this study. The survey’s results suggest that community participation can be a positive predictor of community identity and life satisfaction. Moreover, the result of the mediation analysis demonstrates that the link between community participation and life satisfaction can be mediated by community identity. Furthermore, the moderated mediation model analysis indicates that loneliness moderated the link between community participation and community identity, as well as the link between community participation and life satisfaction. The mediating effect of community identity on the relationship between community participation and life satisfaction is stronger for residents with high levels of loneliness than for those with low levels of loneliness. These findings provide a comprehensive explanation for how community participation improves subjective well-being among urban residents in the context of a residential community.

Vadim Petrovsky: “Berne Himself Left Injunctions Against Empirical Research to His Successors, and It’s Time for Us to Circumvent These Injunctions”

Interview with Vadim Arturovich Petrovsky, Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Professor, Corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Education, psychologist in the modality of transactional analysis, about the synthesis of psychological practice and scientific research in the field of psychology in general and transactional analysis in particular. In this interview, issues such as the willingness of practicing psychologists of the transactional analysis modality to conduct their own research and scientific experiments are raised, the difficulties of modern psychological science, the connection and interpenetration of the practice and theory of transactional analysis are discussed. The interview also talks about the objective limitations of transactional analysis as a scientific method and the subjective characteristics of practicing psychologists in terms of writing scientific articles and conducting research. The conversation between the editor-in-chief of the journal “Transactional Analysis in Russia” and Vadim Petrovsky touched upon unexplored topics and areas of development of TA and its concepts as objects of scientific research for the psychological community not only in Russia, but also in the world. Which fields (Counseling, Psychotherapy, Education, TA in Organisations) and concepts of Transactional Analysis are most ready today to bridge the gap from practice to theory and vice versa?

Café Therapy: Integrating Mental Health Care with Organizational Resilience

Café Therapy is a novel technique that blends the convenience of coffee shop settings with counseling and therapy services, with the goal of making mental health care more accessible and stigma-free. Café Therapy not only creates additional money but also lowers barriers to getting treatment and builds social resilience through community ties by integrating mental health services into a popular and friendly coffee shop setting. This novel idea is consistent with community psychology ideas, emphasizing the need of addressing social concerns and developing support networks. Café Therapy intends to improve its effectiveness and scalability through in-depth interviews, observations, and literature research, ultimately enhancing mental health outcomes and community resilience. Café Therapy creates a holistic and supportive environment that benefits individuals and the community as a whole by providing a safe space for therapy sessions, offering group programs and workshops, promoting nutritious food and relaxation, and collaborating with local mental health organizations.

Relevansi Studi Integrasi Islam, Sains, dan Budaya Nusantara dalam Pendidikan Islam di Era Global

Information technology (ICT) from internet-connected mobile phones has changed learning models, culture, social life, imagining the future and political participation. With changes in social attitudes and community psychology, education must experience a revolution that demands new ways of mastering science in learning. Islamic education has so far made changes in models, methods and strategies to develop Islamic education to be modern and adapt to global situations and conditions. And stay within the corridor of educational ideals and goals based on the Quran and Hadith, as well as the goals of national education, the principles and philosophy of the country. Adhering to the principle of keeping good traditions and adopting new and better traditions is a paradigmatic mantra of progress, continuity, openness to innovation to achieve knowledge transfer. Therefore, this paper aims to analyze the role of Islamic integration studies, science, and archipelago culture in the global era. This writing uses a literature study approach, using books related to the topic under study as sources and research materials. Integrating Quranic values into the Islamic education system, in the context of paradigm-shifting phenomena and modern digital culture, is an inevitable logical consequence of science and information technology is absolutely necessary. This can be achieved through various approaches such as curriculum innovation, character building, creation of an educational environment and strengthening of human resources and role models.

Struggling with exactitude in a fragmented state: Intelligence testing in early twentieth-century China.

This article examines the rise and decline of the enthusiasm for intelligence testing in early twentieth-century China, focusing on the appeal, the challenges, and the critiques revolving around this psychological instrument. The introduction of intelligence testing reflected not only China's urgent needs in modernizing its merit system, but also Chinese psychologists' aspirations for pursuing exactitude and redefining the racial characteristics of their compatriots against foreign interpretations. But despite psychologists' endeavors, the political and geographical fragmentation of Republican China troubled the epistemic imperative of uniformity demanded by Euro-American psychometrics and therefore undermined the validity of measurement. Subsequently, the legitimacy of intelligence testing began to be questioned by several influential Chinese psychologists in the late 1920s and 30s. The difficulties in standardization and the hostility within the psychology community formed a vicious cycle, impeding the progress of nationwide testing. Through this history, the article demonstrates not only the elevation of measurement to epistemic authority in modern China, but also how its promise was challenged by a diverse and rapidly changing society.

Toward decolonial community psychologies from Abya Yala.

The epistemologies generated from colonized spaces such as Latin America and the Caribbean have been excluded from the dominant Euro- and US-centric discourses of community psychology. Modern science is compartmentalized into disciplines forming silos and boundaries among them. Historically, psychology has been authored by European or North American White men, claiming superior expertise as detached researchers who study, analyze, interpret, and represent the inferior objects of study. Therefore, we should ask: what type of knowledges does psychology generate, with whom, and for what? Our praxis constitutes a political act which should question and challenge coloniality. In Latin America and the Caribbean, we became increasingly aware of the importance of generating knowledges about the communal (lo común)based on the experiences of Indigenous people in the Americas. Epistemologies from Abya Yala delink from the hegemonic, US-Eurocentric paradigms and address the structural violence of the neoliberal system. To co-create an inclusive and pluriversal discipline of psychology, we need to disrupt the linguistic colonization executed by the imposition of the English language legitimized as universal. We ought to convey the many examples of epistemologies and praxes from Abya Yala that contribute to the co-construction of decolonial psychologies emerging from their own localities and cultures. We propose counterepistemologies that disrupt a monocultural, monolingustic, universal, and hegemonic epistemology. This paper reviews selected decolonial contributions from Abya Yala and sketches pathways toward the making of decolonial community psychologies anchored in pluriversal ecologies of knowledges.

Cultural Attunements and Ecological Wellbeing: Embodied Conditions for Mental Health Interventions.

A critical need for mental health interventions is clear in the modern era. Bodily attunements to place and space can help cultivate belongingness and heal the anxious modern body, as well as facilitate community solidarity to combat the loneliness and isolation that many are experiencing. Human systems and services have the potential to facilitate meaningful experiences for community members and to incite joyful, thoughtful, or motivating multisensory interactions. Humans' surroundings have paramount effects on inhabitants and should offer opportunity and inspiration. This paper suggests that such inspiration be drawn from ecological knowledge that can garner healing and wellbeing and offers suggestions and recommendations for doing so. Humane designs are integrated with nature and include environmental access and information that encourages civic participation. This work uses theories and models in ecological community psychology and cultural ecology as well as anthropological approaches to human health to offer somatic principles for healthy community planning and development and for integrating such nature-based health principles into existing structures, including the built environment as well as education. Healing through nature is highlighted here as an approach for attuning to post-pandemic landscapes in order to move into the future in the most generative, sustainable, and supportive ways possible.

Imperial algorithms: Contemporary manifestations of racism and colonialism.

In this special issue, we invited contributions that critically examined issues of imperialism, colonialism, power, justice, etc. to expand the canon of anticolonial scholarship and critical scholarship in community psychology. Our two objectives were: (1) to build on the canon of anticolonial and critical race scholarship to cultivate an empirical and theoretical body of work and conceptual frameworks about racism and colonialism within the field of community psychology and (2) to unpack the different manifestations of racism in society from the lens of community psychology and reflect on the implications of these varied forms of injustice in the contemporary moment. Rooted in African epistemology and methodology (Martin, 2012), we find the concept of the algorithm to serve as a potent metaphor for the ways in which these oppressive structures operate given the prevalence of algorithms in our daily lives and the algorithm is symbolic of the information age and predictive powers that seem to govern society beyond conscious control. In this sense, imperial algorithms are these structures, patterns, processes, and procedures that perpetuate imperialism. These imperial algorithms manifest as neo-colonialism, surveillance, social engineering, carcerality, reality warping of contemporary racism, health disparities exacerbated by COVID-19, and environmental grids of oppression.

마음챙김(Mindfulness) 기반 치유문화의 비판적 고찰

Currently, the phenomenon that is attracting the most attention in the field of Korean Buddhism can be said to be a healing culture based on mindfulness.
 Inspired by the active application and use of mindfulness in Western psychology and psychiatry, the Buddhist community is almost uncritically accepting and popularizing various Western mind-body healing programs based on mindfulness. Furthermore, the Buddhist community shows great interest in research and program development that combines traditional Buddhist practice and healing.
 Jon Kabat-Zinn (1944~) created and successfully popularized MBSR (Mindfulness Based on Stress Reduction), a healing program to reduce stress in patients with chronic diseases or pain. Currently, MBSR is gaining popularity around the world, and is being actively used in psychological counseling and treatment in Korea as well, especially in the psychology community. Even the K-MBSR program has been developed and is being distributed. However, in the process of spreading MBSR in the West, there is positive evaluation that it is an expedient (upāya) use of Dharma, while negative criticism that it is a transformation and distortion of Buddhist practice and spiritual commercialization in neoliberal society is also significant.
 Accordingly, focusing on MBSR, which can be said to be the origin of mindfulness-based programs, we would like to critically examine the meaning of mindfulness, its correlation with sati of Vipassanā, a traditional Buddhist practice, and the phenomenon of mindfulness as a healing culture.
 The encounter between Eastern and Western cultures is having a lasting impact on Korean Buddhist practice. So far, Korean Buddhism has been dominated by a Zen-centered, masculine, elitist, monastic, and authoritarian ethos. In the era of spirituality in the 21st century, healing culture is emerging as an alternative as there is a need to remodel Buddhism into a feminine, accepting, empathetic, popular, and democratic Buddhism. However, as risk factors are detected, if we recognize the importance of not only internal and personal mindfulness, but also external and social participation mindfulness, and respond in a timely manner, we can realize the fundamental purpose of Buddhism, which is achieving success, leaving suffering, and gaining joy. I look forward to opening a new chapter.

ISSP position stand on cultural praxis in sport psychology: reaffirming our commitments to the ethics of difference, cultural inclusion, and social justice

ABSTRACT The international sport psychology community is intricately interconnected with the broader geopolitical landscape. Therefore, our community can be a powerful agent, transforming political polarisation in sports into respectful conversations of differing opinions, valuing diversity, and promoting cultural safety, inclusivity, and ethical practices. The International Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP) has been at the forefront in providing a comprehensive scientific review of pressing topics facing our communities, sharing the best scientific and applied practices, and inspiring sport psychology professionals to envision a more equitable future. The current heated debates about self-identity and gender expression, protecting women athletes’ rights and opportunities, performance and mental health, and athlete activism, compel us to reaffirm our commitment to cultural praxis in sport psychology. This position stand demonstrates how cultural praxis can become a catalyst for genuine change, paving the way to a more culturally responsive, just, and inclusive future in sport psychology.

Atypical jobs in psychology: Public safety and criminal justice reform consultant.

This article samples the career of Dr. Guy O. Seymour, whose undergraduate studies were completed at La Universidad Interamericana in Puerto Rico. He earned his MA and PhD in clinical, counseling, and community psychology at Boston University. The first bilingual person of color appointed to the professional staff of the city of Boston's general hospital, he founded the nation's first multicultural internship program and rose to be the chief psychologist of the Boston Department of Health and Hospitals. His career path led him to develop psychological services in nontraditional workspaces, including medical, police, fire, and correction departments and for the International Olympic Games. At the end of his career, a family member's encounter with marijuana laws led to an interest in advocacy for criminal justice reform. Since retirement from practice, he has continued to volunteer with efforts to decriminalize marijuana possession and to abolish cash bail for pretrial and misdemeanor offenses. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Social justice attitudes in a deep divided society: the case of Jewish Arab bilingual schools in Israel

ABSTRACT This paper uses Israel as a case study to investigate the contribution that schools have on their graduates’ social justice attitudes. Using (Ajzen, I. 1991. “The Theory of Planned Behavior.” Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes 50 (2): 179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T) theory of planned behaviour alongside the social justice scale developed by (Torres-Harding, S. R., B. Siers, and B. D. Olson. 2012. “Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the Social Justice Scale (SJS).” American Journal of Community Psychology 50 (1-2): 77–88. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-011-9478-2), this study aim is to investigate whether Jewish Arab bilingual elementary schools who foreground social justice as part of their educational mission contribute to their graduates’ attitudes towards social justice. In order to carry out our investigation, a quantitative method was used and two types of schools were chosen: state schools, whose main objective is to create solidary among the Jewish majority in society, and Jewish-Arab bilingual schools, whose aim is to promote understanding among Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel and a social justice agenda. Our hypothesis was that perceptions of social justice would be significantly higher among Jewish Arab bilingual schools’ graduates when compared to state schools’ graduates.

Editorial: The contribution of scientific psychology to public policy decisions

The inaugural editorial of the Ibero-American Journal of Psychology and Public Policy (IJP&PP) aims to introduce the scientific community of Ibero-American psychology to the meaning and purposes behind this periodical, which seeks to facilitate the connection between academic research and professional practice in programs and institutions. It does so by providing evidence that supports the implementation of public policies that incorporate a psychosocial perspective. The discussion of the results of the first four published studies is a starting point for the contribution that psychological science can make to human welfare in Ibero-America. From the editorial team of IJP&PP, we make a call to action for the active participation of the Iberoamerican scientific community in the contribution of research and experiences related to psychology and public policies.

History and Iatrogenic Effects of Conversion Therapy.

Research indicates that sexual orientation change efforts (SOCEs) are not effective and furthermore commonly lead to iatrogenic effects such as depression, anxiety, and even suicide. Negative attitudes toward homosexuality derive from most formal religions and are incarnated in medical and psychological theories that support and encourage SOCEs. Oppression of sexual minorities makes it unlikely that change requests by patients are voluntary. Recently there has been a dramatic change as the field moves from reparative to affirmative approaches. Here, we review the history of SOCEs, their consequences, current affirmative treatments, and future directions in the field as they pertain to the well-being of the queer community. From an institutional community psychology perspective, we argue that even if true conversion were possible, such efforts are unethical and should not be pursued even if requested. As is the case with all psychological/psychiatric interventions, the issue is not "can" but "ought."