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Poverty, a social determinant of health, disproportionately affects families with children. Public and private safety nets, or support networks available in times of need, can help address poverty and its consequences. Independently, strong safety nets (public or private) promote health and well-being, yet little is known about how private and public safety nets combine and evolve over time. Using latent class and latent transition analyses, this study examined public and private safety net configurations of mothers with low-income, sociodemographic characteristics associated with these configurations, and safety net changes over time. Using data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study from child ages 1, 5, and 9 (N = 2,251), results indicated that mothers were sorted into four safety net configurations (public support only, private support only, all high, and all low) and 30%–53% of each class of mothers transitioned from one safety net configuration to another at the next neighboring wave, underscoring the importance of examining both public and private supports simultaneously and longitudinally. Membership in configurations with low private support (e.g., public only, all low) and sociodemographic disadvantage (e.g., more poverty, recent experience of hardship) predicted transitions, commonly leaving mothers without advantage in the riskiest safety nets. To promote a more responsive, equitable safety net, lengthening public safety net program certification periods and increasing outreach efforts (e.g., through schools, churches) to potentially eligible mothers could strengthen and stabilize safety nets to lessen poverty and its consequences for economically marginalized families. Public Policy Relevance Statement: The potential benefits of public and private safety nets, or support networks available in times of need, are clear. Study findings suggested four safety net configurations, and mothers, particularly those facing high disadvantage, were susceptible to risky safety nets and instability. Broadening program outreach and lessening the burden of program receipt could be valuable approaches in decreasing poverty and its consequences for economically marginalized families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of studies now confirm that the COVID-19 pandemic has increased and exacerbated mental health problems in the general population. Previous quantitative studies have found similar effects on mental health symptoms among adults with histories of childhood adversity; however, qualitative research is needed to provide a more in-depth understanding of pandemic-related experiences among this vulnerable population. Using semistructured qualitative interviews, we explored perceptions of adults with histories of child maltreatment and neglect to better understand the overall impact of the pandemic on their mental health, reported changes in stress and alcohol use, and reported coping strategies during the first year of the pandemic (N = 40). Approximately half of participants reported that the pandemic had greatly (negatively) impacted their life, relationships, and well-being. Contributing stressors included being fearful of getting sick, navigating work changes, and experiencing economic and housing hardships, grief and loss, and social isolation. Fewer than half of the sample reported more stress (46%), whereas a third (33%) indicated no changes to stress, and 10% had reduced stress. The majority (80%) indicated no changes in their alcohol use. Most participants reported they used positive coping strategies during the pandemic. Three primary themes emerged related to participants' perceptions of getting through difficult times: seeking outside support, engaging in positive reframing, and drawing on internal strength and resources. Findings can guide prevention strategies that strengthen social support and foster resilience among vulnerable populations of adults with histories of childhood maltreatment. Public Policy Relevance Statement: Increased stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted adult mental health. This study found that adults with histories of child maltreatment exhibited resilience and employed positive coping strategies to navigate difficulties. Prevention strategies that support mental health and strengthen social support networks can reduce feelings of isolation and bolster resilience, particularly among adults with histories of childhood adversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whereas the behavioral and health sciences have been mainly concerned with the private good, there is an urgent need to understand and foster the collective good. Without a coherent framework for the common good, it will be extremely difficult to prevent and manage crises such as pandemics, illness, climate change, poverty, discrimination, injustice, and inequality, all of which affects marginalized populations disproportionally. While frameworks for personal well-being abound in psychology, psychiatry, counseling, and social work, conceptualizations of collective well-being are scarce. Our search for foundations of the common good resulted in the identification of three psychosocial goods: mattering, wellness, and fairness. There are several reasons for choosing them, including the fact that they concurrently advance personal, relational, and collective value. In addition, they represent basic human motivations, have considerable explanatory power, exist at multiple ecological levels, and have significant transformative potential. The complementary nature of the three goods is illustrated in an interactional model. Based on empirical evidence, we suggest that conditions of justice lead to experiences of mattering, which, in turn, enhance wellness. Challenges and opportunities afforded by the model at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, occupational, communal, national, and global levels are presented. The proposed psychosocial goods are used to formulate a culture for the common good in which we balance the right with the responsibility to feel valued and add value, to self and others, in order to promote not just wellness but also fairness. Public Policy Relevance Statement: For the behavioral sciences to have a strong impact on social, educational, and health policies, there is a need to formulate a clear conception of the common good. Such conception has been lacking. In this article, we argue that the common good consists of conditions of justice, experiences of mattering, and outcomes of wellness. We illustrate the applicability of the model across ecological levels of analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the association between material deprivation and subjective poverty with children's subjective well-being (SWB) as well as the possible moderating effect of religiosity on this correlation among a representative sample of 2,733 Israeli fourth and sixth graders, Jews, and Arabs. All measures were based on children's reports, using a survey. The findings show that religiosity plays a protective role in this association. For children with stronger religious beliefs, the association between material deprivation and subjective poverty with subjective well-being is weaker and even insignificant in some of the models, which explains 28%–33% of the variance. Religious practice is not found to have a significant moderating effect on the association between material well-being and subjective well-being, suggesting that religiosity manifests differently among children and adults. These results show the significance that religiosity can play among children at risk as a protective factor. In light of the findings, we emphasize the importance of developing culturally sensitive interventions when tackling child poverty, taking into consideration the role of religiosity in their lives and its impact on children's well-being. More studies are needed, aiming at explaining the effect of religiosity on children's well-being. Public Policy Relevance Statement: There is little research on the role of religiosity in the association between child poverty and subjective well-being. The present study, based on a representative sample of Israeli children, shows that religious belief plays a protective role in the association between material deprivation, subjective poverty, and children's subjective well-being, while religious practice does not have such an effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If a human rights approach centering people's mental health was integrated across all systems, Sofia and her family would have greater access to mental health supports through these different pathways. In the case of Sofia and her family, mental health and well-being are worsened by many structural determinants as well as barriers to accessing appropriate and timely mental health promotion and preventive health services. A PCMH practice in the context of Sofia's life would consider family, social, and cultural factors as part of Sofia and her family's comprehensive health assessment, which includes routine mental health screenings. Over a decade ago, the Lancet Commission on Global Mental Health declared that "there can be no health without mental health", yet today, health systems are far from addressing challenges associated with achieving optimal mental health. [Extracted from the article]

Bronfenbrenner's framework highlights the importance of considering ecological systems to understand child well-being. Children entering foster care often experience disruption across systems. Yet, prior research has focused on specific disruptions linked to outcomes. This longitudinal study examined the impact of multiple ecological disruptions (i.e., changes in or separation from siblings, friends, school, church, community) on children's internalizing symptoms and externalizing behaviors over time. This study included 211 children between the ages of 6 and 13 years (M = 10.23, SD = 2.37; 55.0% female; 57.3% African American). Children entered foster care for up to four reasons: Neglect (73.9%), physical abuse (29.4%), dependency (10%), and/or sexual abuse (9.5%). Most of the children experienced a change in school (64.0%), 46.9% were separated from siblings, 25.1% lost friends, 12.8% experienced community disruptions, and 10.0% were separated from church. Hierarchical Linear Modeling was employed to examine the association between ecological disruptions and longitudinal internalizing symptoms and externalizing behaviors, while controlling for baseline internalizing and externalizing, demographic variables (i.e., child age, gender, and race), and maltreatment severity. Maltreatment severity, along with school and community disruptions related to the presence of internalizing symptoms. Loss of friends was associated with the absence of externalizing behaviors, while community disruption was associated with the presence of externalizing behaviors. This study suggests that maintaining children's connections to their school and community is important for well-being. Under certain circumstances, separation from friends may relate to improved behavioral functioning. Future research should explore additional and interacting facets of children's ecological systems and related outcomes. Public Policy Relevance Statement: Children entering foster care often experience disruption across multiple aspects of their lives. This study suggests that maintaining children's connections to their school and community is important for well-being. Under certain circumstances, separation from friends may relate to improved behavioral functioning; still, friends play an important role in children's lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the association between the contemporary role of parenting and the well-being of its agent—the parent. In particular, I focus on parental feelings of guilt as a mechanism underlying the association between parenting styles and difficulties to adjust to changing circumstances, in the face of COVID-19. The sample was recruited through social networks and included 382 Israeli parents, mostly educated mothers (ages 23–57, average education 16.4 years) who reported being the primary caregiver in a committed relationship. All participants filled out online self-report questionnaires that addressed their parenting style, parental guilt feelings, and difficulties to adjust in the face of COVID-19. The analysis of these questionnaires indicated a significant direct association between hostile/coercive parenting and adjustment difficulties, and an indirect significant association between engaged/supportive parenting and adjustment difficulties through parental guilt feelings. These findings are discussed in light of the Conservation of Resources Theory and in light of parental contemporary social imperatives. Public Policy Relevance Statement: Social imperatives that shape contemporary parenting force parents to attempt to be the "perfect" parents by intensively meeting their children's needs. This study emphasizes the toll that such parenting takes on its agents—the parents—as it can provoke feelings of guilt that are associated with poor well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual identity stress may damage the well-being of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals, but limited research has examined the potential protective factors in this context. The present study addressed this research gap by testing a psychological flexibility model of sexual identity development and positive mental health among LGB individuals. We hypothesized that psychological flexibility would be associated with greater engaged living (i.e., valued living and life fulfillment), which would, in turn, be linked to lower sexual identity stress (i.e., identity uncertainty, acceptance concern, internalized homonegativity, sexuality concealment, and difficult process of identity development) and then better well-being (i.e., emotional, psychological, and social well-being). A total of 401 LGB individuals completed questionnaire measures of psychological flexibility, engaged living, sexual identity stress, and well-being. Structural equation modeling showed that psychological flexibility was related to greater engaged living, which was, in turn, related to lower sexual identity stress and then better well-being. Bootstrap analyses further revealed that psychological flexibility had significant indirect effects on sexual identity stress via engaged living and on well-being via engaged living and sexual identity stress. In addition, multigroup analyses demonstrated that the mediation model held across women and men and across lesbian/gay and bisexual individuals. Theoretically, this study elucidated how psychological flexibility could enable LGB individuals to reduce sexual identity stress and improve well-being through living a valuable and fulfilling life. Practically, this study pointed to the utility of psychological flexibility training in facilitating LGB individuals to develop a positive sexual identity and enhance positive mental health. Public Policy Relevance Statement: This study revealed the adverse effects of sexual identity stressors on emotional, psychological, and social well-being among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals and demonstrated how the stressors and associated adverse outcomes could be mitigated through the means of psychological flexibility. Given the salutary effects of psychological flexibility against sexual identity stressors, the provision of psychological flexibility training, such as acceptance and commitment therapy, may represent one important way to help LGB individuals develop a positive sexual identity and enhance positive mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transforming communities to be healthier and more equitable prosents a systemic challenge best addressed by those with native knowledge of the system. Community coalitions are a promising structure for tackling local health inequities, if they approach the change process with multiple local stakeholders and with systemic change in mind. Maturity models offer a framework for system assessment by defining sequential stages toward ideal development. Providing coalitions with a structure for self-assessing community change, the Community Transformation Map (CTM) is a maturity model that operationalizes concepts hypothesized to foster systemic change. This 40-item tool encourages self-assessment, dialogue, and reconciliation of community transformation priorities via an appreciative inquiry process. The CTM was created and applied with 18 community coalitions participating in the 100 Million Healthier Lives initiative. It was iteratively drafted with representatives from across the initiative. These coalitions self-administered the CTM four times over 24 months. Coalitions used the CTM to reconcile perspectives, identify priorities, and create transformation action plans. After the fourth administration, ten semistructured interviews were conducted with coalition members. Thematic analysis revealed good contextual validity. Coalitions saw value in the CTM's productive dialogue and the shared understanding it created, but reported perceived burden in conducting repeated administration. The CTM's value is in structuring community members' reflection on complex, systemic problems. The CTM is rooted in international improvement and change principles and continues to be adapted for other change initiatives. Public Policy Relevance Statement: New millennium public health requires extensive collaboration and new ways of thinking about problems that affect entire systems. Community-based health coalitions understand different parts of their local system and should be leveraged for assessing local concerns and deciding what actions are needed. The CTM's feasibility and perceived value as a user-led tool of community transformation suggests funders and policymakers should incentivize the time and resources needed for communities to create shared understanding of local systemic problems and potential ways forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following deinstitutionalization, services and housing for people with serious mental illnesses (SMI) became concentrated in economically disadvantaged urban centers. As these areas gentrify, affordable housing for people with SMI is increasingly found in nonurban areas. Although nonurban environments provide benefits for the general population, people with SMI living in nonurban areas perceive higher levels of mental illness stigma. Thus, the relationship between perceived stigma and negative outcomes such as high psychological distress and low sense of community may be stronger in nonurban areas. Data collected from 300 adults with SMI living in urban and nonurban areas were analyzed using a moderated regression design. Urbanicity did not moderate the relationships between perceived stigma and negative outcomes. However, associations were found between urbanicity, perceived stigma, sense of community, and psychological distress, supporting the need to address mental illness stigma in all settings. Public Policy Relevance: Affordable housing for people with SMI is increasingly found in nonurban areas as urban centers gentrify. People with SMI perceive higher levels of stigma in nonurban compared to urban areas. This study investigates the impact of this perceived stigma on people with SMI in nonurban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social isolation is a significant social problem in the United States that many health and welfare organizations have begun to acknowledge and address. Unfortunately, extremely little research focuses on social isolation among ethnic minority populations. This study investigated the association between social isolation from family and friends and the mental health of African Americans and Black Caribbeans. Using data from the National Survey of American Life (2001-2003), we explore 2 indicators of mental health: depressive symptoms (CES-D) and serious psychological distress (Kessler 6). The negative binomial regression analysis examined both objective isolation (infrequent contact) and subjective isolation (lack of emotional closeness) from family and friends. Overall study findings indicated that infrequent contact (objective social isolation) and diminished emotional closeness (subjective social isolation) from family and friends were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms and serious psychological distress for both African Americans and Black Caribbeans. The addition of subjective social isolation to regression models attenuated the association between objective social isolation and depressive symptoms for both groups. However, the addition of subjective social isolation attenuated the association between serious psychological distress for African Americans but not for Black Caribbeans. These findings contribute to the very limited, but growing body of research on the negative association between social isolation and the mental and physical health of ethnic minorities. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wellbeing of Latinx immigrants in the United States varies widely. Immigrants' changes and maintenance of their cultures, a process known as acculturation, has been postulated to explain differences in wellbeing. However, the mechanisms by which acculturation impacts wellbeing are not fully understood. This study sought to understand the relation between acculturation and wellbeing through a person-environment fit lens, with the hypothesis that the better immigrants can acculturate in ways they prefer (e.g., taking on the practices, values, and identifications they desire), the better their self-reported wellbeing. An explanatory mixed-method approach was used to examine this hypothesis. Four hundred thirty-eight Latinx immigrants (ages 18-77, M = 37.88) who had lived in the United States for less than a year to 55 years (M = 16.75 years) completed survey measures in Arizona, New Mexico, Maryland, and Virginia. A subset (n = 73) participated in 12 focus groups. The sample included naturalized citizens (31.0%) along with authorized (33.2%) and unauthorized (35.8%) immigrants, and matched community immigration patterns. Data were analyzed through path analyses and constructivist grounded theory methods. Results indicated that the better Latinx immigrants could acculturate in the ways they preferred, the better their wellbeing. This relation was explained, in part, through lower levels of acculturative stress. This research suggests that practitioners and policymakers should consider ways to support immigrants to acculturate in the ways they desire as opposed to solely focusing their efforts on particular acculturation strategies. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the growing trend of White parents adopting children from different racial backgrounds, and heeding the call for more research on adoption-related issues, the present study examined the relationship between perceived racial discrimination and mental health of 206 adult transracial adoptees adopted by White parents. In addition, the study examined adoptive parent racial socialization as a buffering variable in the perceived discrimination-mental health link. We hypothesized that racial discrimination experiences would be related to greater psychological distress and poorer psychological well-being. Furthermore, we expected the relationships between perceived discrimination and mental health outcomes to be weaker for transracial adoptees who reported higher levels of parental racial socialization by their adoptive parents during their youth, but stronger for those reporting lower levels of parental racial socialization. Interestingly, our results showed that racial socialization functioned differently depending on the mental health outcome under investigation. Although, as expected, racial discrimination was positively associated with psychological distress and negatively related to psychological well-being, parental racial socialization only moderated the discrimination-distress link. Limitations and implications for research, practice, and policy are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a sample of 60 adults with serious mental illness in an inpatient psychiatric hospital, the present study examined the role of therapeutic relationship characteristics between consumers and mental health providers and consumers' views of recovery-oriented service delivery and individual well-being. Specifically, the present study examined how consumers' reports of working alliance and provider directiveness were associated with consumers' views of recovery-oriented service delivery and individual well-being. After controlling for demographic characteristics, self-reported psychiatric symptoms and number of hospitalizations, findings suggested that consumers' reports of stronger working alliance and higher levels of provider directiveness were significantly related to higher perceptions of recovery-orientation in the inpatient hospital setting. Findings indicated that consumers' views of stronger working alliance were associated with higher levels of individual well-being. Implications of findings are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the perceived impact of religious discrimination and Islamophobia on Muslim Americans' well-being during the 2016 United States presidential election campaign. Data were collected from a national sample of 1,130 Muslim Americans. Perceived religious discrimination (PRD) was measured using the Perceived Religious Discrimination Scale. Results of canonical correlation analysis showed that perceived Islamophobia was associated with safety (β = .45, p < .001), level of stress (β = -.25, p < .001), level of religiosity (β = -.11, p < .05), and employment (β = .11, p < .05). PRD was associated with preexposure to religious-based discrimination; β = -.12, p < .05), safety (.47, p < .001), level of stress (β = -.33, p < .001), religiosity (β = -.15, p < .010), and years in the United States (β = .16, p < .010). Results also suggest that some Muslim subgroups, such as women and older people, may face "double jeopardy" based on multiple stigmatized identities. When addressing mental health concerns in marginalized groups, it is necessary to link health with social justice and examine how social injustices may affect people's well-being. (PsycINFO Database Record [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parents aging out of the child welfare system face a constellation of unique risk factors that threaten the well-being of themselves and their children. Although parenting interventions are an important resource for providing much-needed services to parents aging out, there is currently a lack of evidence-based parenting interventions that address the unique needs of this population. The purpose of this project was to systematically adapt an evidence-based parenting intervention for parents aging out. An established adaptation framework was used to guide this process, and acceptability and feasibility outcomes were evaluated as part of a pilot study of the adapted intervention. Preliminary intervention adaptations included modifications to program delivery and program content. Study findings indicated a high level of parent satisfaction with the adapted intervention but challenges to feasibility because of inconsistent attendance and the substantial effort required for intervention delivery. This study constitutes a critical first step toward increasing the reach of evidence-based parenting interventions among parents aging out of the child welfare system and underscores the need for continued efforts to develop sustainable and effective parenting services for this at-risk population. (PsycINFO Database Record [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing body of research suggests that greater exposure to spiritual struggles is associated with more physical and mental health problems. Spiritual struggles involve difficulties that a person may encounter with his or her faith, which may include having a troubled relationship with God, encountering difficulties with religious others, or being unable to find a sense of meaning in life. However, little is known about the way in which spiritual struggles may differ across racial/ethnic groups. The purpose of this study was to assess variations in spiritual struggles, health, and well-being among Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics. We examined two ways in which race/ethnic variations may arise. First, the differential-exposure perspective suggests that some groups may experience more spiritual struggles than others. Findings from a recent nationwide survey suggest that Blacks experience more spiritual struggles than either Whites or Hispanics. Second, the differential-impact perspective suggests that the relationship between spiritual struggles, health, and well-being varies across racial/ethnic groups. Findings from the current study suggest that when spiritual struggles arise, Blacks experience fewer symptoms of physical illness, less anxiety, and they tend to be happier than Whites or Hispanics. The theoretical implication of these findings is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This editorial introduces this special section of the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. The Global Alliance for Behavioral Health and Social Justice (formerly the American Orthopsychiatric Association) has developed the theme for its track at the 2016 Annual Research and Policy Conference on Child, Adolescent, and Young Adult Behavioral Health. The Global Alliance, the parent organization of the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, has long sought to address prevailing social conditions by treating them as problems to be solved through multilevel, contextually grounded social interventions. Indeed, throughout the organization's history, it has advocated for focusing on the effects of social determinants of health (e.g., racism, violence, poverty, oppression, war) on behavioral health and for doing so across contexts, such as the family, community, and broader social environment. In keeping with the organization's history and the current social context, the theme for the Global Alliance's track was "Changing norms, strategies, and systems to support behavioral health and social justice." This special section includes articles that build on four of the presentations and two award addresses delivered as part of the Global Alliance's track. (PsycINFO Database Record [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychological or emotional neglect is a recognized form of child maltreatment in the United States. However, neglect as a form of maltreatment and particularly psychological neglect as a subtype are understudied relative to other forms of maltreatment. One reason for this is that few measures of psychological (or emotional) neglect are available and there remains some uncertainty about how to define and measure it. In this article, we put forth a theoretical definition of psychological caregiving, including omission of care or psychological neglect of adolescents by their primary caregivers. We present an operationalization of psychological caregiving/neglect using adolescent self-reported survey items. A confirmatory latent variable modeling approach was used to measure and validate psychological caregiving/neglect in 2 adolescent (age 11 to 17) population cohorts involved with Child Protective Services (CPS) in the United States. The latent variable fits the samples well in both cohort populations indicating a valid construct, is mostly invariant across gender and age, is stable over time, and has good reliability. The measure also shows concurrent validity, associating strongly with all problem behavior domains. Questionnaire items similar to those used in this measure could be included along with other items in future studies of adolescent populations. We recommend further dialogue and development of this construct as a potential major contributing factor to the health and well-being of individuals and to advance research in the area of emotional care and neglect experiences in adolescence. (PsycINFO Database Record [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Young Black Men, Masculinities, and Mental Health (YBMen) project is a Facebook-based intervention that provides mental health education and social support to young Black men. The YBMen project was created to better understand and address the pressures and needs of young Black men, particularly with regard to issues related to their conceptualization of masculinity and mental health. Black men from a 2-year liberal arts college in the Midwest (United States) enrolled in the YBMen pilot project. The purpose of this study is to report what participants in the YBMen pilot project liked and disliked about the intervention, along with their suggestions for improvement. Qualitative results from the 8 Black men who actively participated in the YBMen Facebook intervention and completed the postintervention interview are reported. A systematic analysis identified 9 subthemes that described participants' reactions to different components and characteristics of the Facebook intervention. Results indicated that opportunities for relationship building and connectivity, coupled with engaging popular culture references used in the intervention encouraged young Black men to actively participate in the YBMen Facebook intervention. The YBMen project has potential to improve the health and well-being of young Black men by providing nontraditional resources that are easily accessible, culturally sensitive, and gender-specific. Implications of the YBMen project as an effective Internet-based program that promotes mental health and increases social support among young Black men are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the conflict the cohort of adults known as the Millennials has been affected by. More specifically this article takes a look at how changes in the economy and society have influenced Millennials and what can be done to promote their well-being and that of future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although parental socialization practices are critical to a child's social development, little is known of the details of how parental practices function to meet the specific challenges of supporting young boys' development as African American and men. Accordingly, this article offers a window onto how 15 parents of African American boys (ages 3-8) conceive and implement strategies for their sons' social and emotional development. Using ethnographic observations and structured interview data, this article explores the ways they promote emerging racial and gender identities and socioemotional well-being. Findings reveal that highly incongruous messages and expectations are communicated to young boys about race and gender. The study's findings have implications for young African American boys' emerging racial and gender identities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parental warmth and parental authority-control patterns have been documented as practices with highest significance for children's well-being and development in a variety of life areas. Various forms of these practices have been shown to have a direct positive effect on children and also to protect children from adverse effects of numerous stressors. However, surprisingly, few studies have examined the role of these practices as possible protective factors for children exposed to intractable conflict and political violence. Participants in this study were Jewish ( n = 88) and Arab ( n = 105) Israeli families, with children aged 7-12.5 ( M = 10.73, SD = 0.99). Children completed questionnaires assessing political violence exposure, behavioral, psychological, and social difficulties, and perceived paternal and maternal warmth. Mothers and fathers completed questionnaires assessing parental warmth, parental authority-control, and the child's difficulties. Results showed parental warmth to be a significant moderator of political violence, related to low levels of behavioral and social difficulties of children. Parental authority-control patterns were not protectors from adverse effects of political violence exposure. Maternal authoritarian authority-control showed an effect resembling a risk factor. Differential roles of parental warmth and authority-control, fathers' versus mothers' roles, and ethnic differences are discussed, and practical clinical implications are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on subjective well-being indicates that it is associated with academic success and positive school functioning. Despite a wealth of empirical research demonstrating the benefits of interventions aimed at increasing middle and high school students' well-being, few educational institutions have adopted evidence-based curricula that address this construct as a means of promoting future academic and social achievement. In addition, numerous studies have begun to identify several factors that contribute to well-being and thus have helped children and adolescents to be successful in both academic and social domains. These critical factors include personal goal setting, structured mentoring or life coaching, increasing gratitude, problem solving, and interpersonal skills. The present article provides a broad discussion of relevant research findings on these factors and advocates for the adoption of curricula that incorporate these components in order to ensure that best practices are utilized in the school environment and for positive youth development. Lastly, a theoretical proposal for empirically based assessment and interventions that encompass key components associated with increased child and adolescent well-being is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tripartite model of subjective well-being (SWB) incorporates 3 components: frequent positive emotions, infrequent negative emotions, and an overall positive evaluation of life circumstances (). In light of the large amount of time that youth spend in school, this study investigated a tripartite model of school-related SWB among adolescents, based on 3 measures of SWB appropriate for adolescents. The measures included a measure of school satisfaction (SS) and measures of positive and negative emotions experienced specifically during school hours. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to analyze the factorial validity of 3- and 4-factor models of school-related SWB in a sample of 921 adolescents. Results indicated that a 4-factor model comprised of positive emotions, negative emotions, fear-related negative emotions, and SS best described the structure of school-related SWB in the current sample. Results also revealed a comparable factor structure for male and female students. The study points to the possible benefits of a contextualized approach to SWB that takes into account the specific environments in which adolescents live. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the degree to which caregiver social connectedness influences the effects of strain associated with caring for a child with severe emotional disturbance (SED) on caregiver well-being. We propose a model describing the relationships among the variables of interest and investigate elements of this model. Caregiver strain and social connections were significantly associated with caregiver well-being. Although, no significant interaction effects of caregiver strain and social connections were detected, study findings suggest that caregiver well-being can affect child progress and adjustment. Implications for child- and family-serving systems are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This longitudinal study examined the influence of parenting behaviors, well-being, and risk factors of low-income adolescent mothers on the cognitive and language abilities of children from infancy to age 3. Participants consisted of 1,240 mother-child dyads enrolled in the Early Head Start Research and Evaluation Project. Data were collected using structured interviews with the mothers and from videotaped mother-child interactions during play activities when children were approximately 14 months old and again at 36 months of age. Positive parenting behaviors exhibited toward the 14-month-old children predicted gains in both cognitive and language abilities more so than did maternal well-being, risk factors within the family setting, and demographic risk factors. Gains in cognitive abilities from infancy to age 3 were predicted by supportive parenting, higher family resources, and lower family conflict when children were infants. Gains in language abilities were predicted by supportive parenting, support for language and learning in the home environment, and higher family resources when children were infants. Finally, path analyses showed that maternal age had an indirect effect on child cognitive and language abilities at age 3 through effects on parenting behaviors. Older mothers were more likely to be supportive during play at age 14 months, which in turn promoted enhanced developmental outcomes at age 3. Implications for intervention and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than two decades after , , and published their research on protective mechanisms and processes that are most likely to foster resilience, ambiguity continues regarding how to define and operationalize positive development under adversity. This article argues that, because resilience occurs even when risk factors are plentiful, greater emphasis needs to be placed on the role social and physical ecologies play in positive developmental outcomes when individuals encounter significant amounts of stress. Four principles are presented as the basis for an ecological interpretation of the resilience construct: decentrality, complexity, atypicality, and cultural relativity. These 4 principles, and the research upon which they are based, inform a definition of resilience that emphasizes the environmental antecedents of positive growth. This framework can guide future theory development, research, and the design of interventions that promote well-being among populations who experience environments that inhibit resilience-promoting processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to determine the current level and distribution of well-being among Kuwaiti citizens who have lived either in the middle or in the shadows of war since Kuwait was invaded by Iraq in August 1990. A measure of Kuwaiti well-being, the Kuwaiti Raha Scale, was developed and utilized as the primary indicator in the first National Household Survey (NHS) of well-being in Kuwait. The findings presented are part of an international program of research focusing on national trauma and mental health for which the Kuwaiti NHS was developed. From a population of 935,922 (2004), 830 households were randomly drawn, from which 487 were approached and 416 successfully recruited and surveyed. In contrast to prevailing views in the literature, level of well-being (Raha) was not associated with either educational attainment or wealth. Rather, the results indicate that well-being is more associated with health and religion. Implications of these findings for a new theory of well-being in a deeply religious society are offered along with suggestions for a program of research. The policy implications of the NHS are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research literature on the emotional well-being of grandparents raising grandchildren has identified an array of factors that predict psychological distress among this population of caregivers. However, little is known about whether grandparents’ alcohol and/or other drug (AOD) use among some grandparents may negatively affect their emotional well-being. Moreover, a synthesis of the research literature on mental health and AOD misuse suggests a plausible link between psychological distress and AOD use may exist among some grandparents raising grandchildren. Using a probability sample of grandparents raising their grandchildren, multivariate analyses conducted in this study show that grandparents who misused a drug and used alcohol had lower levels of emotional well-being compared with grandparents who did not use or misuse such substances. Clinical implications concerning the mental health needs of this underserved population of caregivers are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The longitudinal course and quality of intimate relationships were tested in relation to maternal depressive symptoms in a sample of 1,275 families from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development. Assessments of mothers’ intimate relationship status, intimate relationship quality, and depressive symptoms were obtained on 11 occasions from the birth of a child through age 15. Consistent with predictions, results from hierarchical linear models indicated that maternal depressive symptoms over time were associated with a lower probability of being married and lower levels of relationship quality. The strength of the association between relationship quality and depression was stronger than the linkage between relationship course and depression. Sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., mother age, child gender, ethnicity) were more predictive of trajectories of relationship course than relationship quality. Findings are discussed in terms of efforts to prevent and treat the longitudinal interplay between poor intimate relationship functioning and partners’ psychopathology and its implications for the overall health and well-being of parents, couples, and children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a social stress perspective, the authors studied the mental health effects of added burden related to socially disadvantaged status (being African American or Latino, female, young, and identifying as bisexual vs. gay or lesbian) in a community sample of 396 self-identified lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults. Mental health outcomes were social and psychological well-being contrasted with depressive symptoms. When mental health deficiencies by disadvantaged social status were detected, the authors examined whether LGB community connectedness and positive sexual identity valence played a mediating role, reducing the social status disparity in outcome. The authors found different patterns when looking at social versus psychological well-being and positive versus negative mental health Outcomes. Bisexuality and young age, but not gender and racial/ethnic minority status, were associated with decreased social well-being. In bisexuals, this relationship was mediated by community connectedness and sexual identity valence. Although no differences in social or psychological well-being were found by gender, female gender was associated with depressed mood. The authors conclude that there is limited support for an additive stress model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although studies indicate that adolescents diagnosed with mental disorders are stigmatized by the American public, we know very little about the extent to which stigma is experienced by these youth and its effects on their well-being. This cross-sectional study utilizes interviews with 60 adolescents treated in a wraparound program to examine: (a) the extent to which adolescents diagnosed and treated for psychiatric disorders experience mental illness stigma and cope by using secrecy, (b) the extent to which stigmatization is associated with self-concept (self-esteem, mastery, future outlook) and morale (depression), and (c) which clinical and demographic characteristics are associated with perceived stigma. A secondary purpose was to explore the usefulness with adolescents of stigma measures created and adapted primarily from Link's adult stigma scales (Link et al., 1991, 1997). The results support both optimistic and pessimistic interpretations regarding stigma and its effects on adolescents diagnosed and treated for mental disorders. The scales developed for this study demonstrate good internal consistency and construct validity and show promise as tools for further research on stigma as experienced by youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social justice perspectives have revealed the ways that racist, sexist, heterosexist and classist assumptions are embedded within conventional mental health theory and practice. Moreover, recent research has explored the pathogenic influence of structural oppression on the emotional well-being of people impacted by it. How can practitioners develop socially just interventions in keeping with these findings, especially with regard to their practice with clients from oppressed groups? In addressing this question, the authors propose the participatory development of socially just mental health practice and provide three examples of their community-based work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors report on the psychometric properties of the Kuwait Raha Scale (KRS), a measure developed to assess well-being among Kuwaitis. Specific aims of the study were to (a) evaluate competing models of the latent structure of the KRS using exploratory factor analysis and identify the best model, (b) compare the model developed from a nationally representative sample with the initial model reported with Kuwaiti undergraduate students, and (c) assess the discriminant validity of the KRS with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Factor analysis suggested that a 5-factor model best suited the data, whereas the development of the KRS indicated a 4-factor model. Differences in the latent structure found between the current study and the original examination of the KRS factor structure may be attributed to the demographics of the samples used in the 2 studies. Whereas the earlier study used a sample of undergraduate college students, the current study acquired a nationally representative sample of the Kuwaiti population. Discriminant validity of the KRS with the GHQ indicated that the KRS and the GHQ measure different dimensions of health. Implications for theory and research are discussed, with particular attention to overcoming the challenges confronting the meaning and measurement of well-being in developing countries and stimulating interdisciplinary research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated how the tendency to express forgiveness, purpose, and religiosity in a free- response essay relates to emotional intelligence and self-concept in 89 5th-graders (mean age 10.84 years) from an urban public school district in New Jersey. Readers coded essays for expressions of forgiveness, purpose, and religiosity using originally developed rubrics. These data were compared with self-reports on scales of emotional intelligence and self-concept. It was hypothesized that expressions of the predictor variables would correlate positively with emotional intelligence and self-concept. In contrast to expressions of purpose, which were common among students, expressions of forgiveness and religiosity were infrequent. Furthermore, forgiveness was not significantly related to either criterion variable; purpose was positively related to self-concept (but not to emotional intelligence); and religiosity was negatively related to emotional intelligence (but not to self-concept). Correlational analyses by gender revealed a possible trend toward more robust relationships being observed among females than males; however, the differences between the correlation coefficients observed among males and females failed to reach statistical significance. Several of the study's unanticipated findings suggest the need for further empirical work investigating the psychological correlates of these constructs in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on altruism has focused on its positive roots, whereas research on the effects of victimization and suffering has focused on aggression and difficulties in functioning. However, anecdotal evidence, case studies, and some empirical research indicate that victimization and suffering can also lead people to care about and help others. This article examines the relation of "altruism born of suffering" to resilience and posttraumatic growth, and proposes potentially facilitating influences on altruism born of suffering during, after, and preceding victimization and trauma. These include experiences that promote healing, understanding what led harm doers to their actions, having received help and having helped oneself or others at the time of one's suffering, caring by others, and prosocial role models. We suggest psychological changes that may result from these influences and lead to altruistic action: strengthening of the self, a more positive orientation toward people, empathy and belief in one's personal responsibility for others' welfare. The article critically reviews relevant research, and suggests future research directions and interventions to promote altruism born of suffering. Given the amount of violence between individuals and groups, understanding how victims become caring rather than aggressive is important for promoting a more peaceful world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between 1989 and 2005, Israel absorbed over a million new immigrants, about 90% of whom were from the Former Soviet Union (FSU). The present study investigated the adaptation of these FSU new immigrants in a sample of 301 participants (67% women, ages 25-45 years), who completed inventories measuring personal resources (tolerance of ambiguity and cognitive flexibility), cognitive appraisals (of employment, language, and housing problems), coping strategies, well-being, distress, and willingness to remain in Israel. A structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis showed that tolerance for ambiguity and cognitive flexibility contributed positively to control appraisals, task-oriented coping, and level of participant well-being, and negatively to threat/loss appraisals, emotion/avoidance-oriented coping, and distress. Control appraisals contributed to task-oriented coping, whereas threat/loss appraisals contributed to both emotion/avoidance-oriented and task-oriented coping. Control and challenge appraisals, and task-oriented coping, contributed positively to participant willingness to remain in Israel, whereas emotion/avoidance-oriented coping contributed positively to distress levels, which in turn were negatively related to willingness to remain in Israel. The results of this study have significant implications for such aspects of immigrant adaptation as absorption policies and the provision of individual care by professionals and organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single mothers are at increased risk of psychosocial disadvantage, social isolation and physical and mental health difficulties. The authors present (1) the results of group cohesion assessments completed by mothers participating in a trial of community-based support/education groups, and (2) assessments of the association between group cohesion ratings and intervention outcomes of maternal self-evaluations of well-being (mood, self-esteem, and social support) and parenting. Mothers participating in groups completed the Group Atmosphere Scale, a measure of group cohesion, post-group. Overall, most participants provided strong ratings of group cohesion. Significant associations were found between group cohesion and specific positive outcomes. This suggests a positive association between group cohesion and mood, self-esteem, social support, and parenting, in this trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The link between deprivation and trauma during earliest childhood and psychosocial functioning and health in later life was investigated in a group of child Holocaust survivors. In a nonconvenience sample 203 survivors, born between 1935 and 1944, completed questionnaires on Holocaust survival experience and several inventories on current health, depression, posttraumatic Stress, loneliness, and attachment style. Quality of postwar care arrangements and current physical health independently predicted lack of well-being in old age. Loss of parents during the persecution, year of birth of the survivors (being born before or during the war), and memories of the Holocaust did not significantly affect present well-being. Lack of adequate care after the end of World War II is associated with lower well-being of the youngest Holocaust child survivors, even after an intervening period of 60 years. Our study validates Keilson's (1992) concept of "sequential traumatization," and points to the importance of aftertrauma care in decreasing the impact of early childhood trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current theory assumes that intimate partner violence (IPV) victims' helpseeking is a process that unfolds over time rather than a one-time event, but this assumption has never been explored with longitudinal data. This study describes the pattern of formal helpseeking efforts in a sample of 406 IPV victims over the course of a year. Further, we explore the relationship between legal and extralegal helpseeking, reflecting current controversy over how these two types of interventions should be coordinated. We constructed and tested latent growth curve models using structural equation modeling to explore helpseeking patterns, and found that repeated helpseeking was common, with 80% seeking additional help during follow-up. Results also showed that legal and extralegal helpseeking decreased together over time, and that this similarity in pattern can best be described as a connection between behaviors that are similarly influenced by time-specific events like re-abuse, rather than a connection between overarching trajectories. Results suggest that time varying factors are more important than stable characteristics in predicting helpseeking patterns, and support coordination through a one-stop-shopping model rather than primarily through referral systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children's exposure to violence is often found to be an important predictor of child outcomes. The measures most frequently used to assess it have not been systematically examined, and there is little consensus about how to use these measures. This study examined a version of the Things I Have Seen and Heard Scale in a sample of 784 children who completed the scale at both age 6 and 8. There was only modest support for the use of the scale as a set of single-item measures or as a simple sum of items. Exploratory factor analyses suggested that the scale consisted of two factors: a global/community violence scale and a home violence scale. The evidence for validity of the scales was stronger at age 8 than at age 6. These findings suggest that there may be some limits to the utility of self-reports of violence exposure in very young children. However, there is initial evidence that the global/community scale is a reliable and valid indicator of young children's exposure to violence. Further use and exploration of the subscales is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The literature on African American suicide and the acculturation literature were examined to derive a possible explanation for increases in suicide deaths for African American men and apparent resilience for African American women. Historically, African Americans were believed to be unaffected by suicide because of protective factors (e.g., strong religious values and cohesive familial support systems) embedded in the culture. However, minority mental health investigators have found that acculturation sometimes leads to negative consequences for individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds. Accordingly, acculturation and acculturative phenomena are proposed as a model to shed light on African American male suicide as African Americans increasingly engage mainstream values, beliefs, and practices in the absence of traditional protective factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes a collaborative action research project, carried out in Germany and designed to promote the integration of family systems thinking and methods into the core practices of everyday psychiatric care. During 1997–2002, ‘good practice’ guidelines were compiled in an initial research project, involving 17 in- and outpatient psychiatric services. In the second phase of the project (2002–2008), the approach is now well established, being taught and evaluated in three state hospitals in Germany. This article outlines the development of the project and the application of family systems psychiatry principles, demonstrating their feasibility and value in a number of different psychiatric hospitals. Two clinical vignettes illustrate the usefulness of the family systems approach as a comprehensive framework for delivering recovery-focused inpatient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined whether sense of coherence mediated relationships of perceived racial discrimination and of collective self-esteem to psychological distress (depression and anxiety) among 122 Vietnamese American college students. Higher levels of perceived racial discrimination (PRD) were associated with a reduced sense of coherence (SOC) and with higher levels of depression and anxiety. Path analysis found that SOC partially mediated the relationship of PRD to depression as well as to anxiety. Higher collective self-esteem (CSE) was associated with a stronger SOC, which in turn was associated with lower depression and anxiety. SOC mediated the relationship between CSE and depression, and part of the relationship between CSE and anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multiperspective account of the issues and subsequent interventions for families affected by parental mental illness is reviewed in this article, including those involving the children, the parent with mental illness, other family members, agencies, and society in general. An overview of various issues and interventions for families affected by parental mental illness is seen as potentially useful for practitioners and program developers as well as providing a resource bank for systematic evaluation, research, and policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A review of 16 controlled outcome evaluations of housing and support interventions for people with mental illness who have been homeless revealed significant reductions in homelessness and hospitalization and improvements in other outcomes (e.g., well-being) resulting from programs that provided permanent housing and support, assertive community treatment (ACT), and intensive case management (ICM). The best outcomes for housing stability were found for programs that combined housing and support (effect size = .67), followed by ACT alone (effect size = .47), while the weakest outcomes were found for ICM programs alone (effect size = .28). The results of this review were discussed in terms of their implications for policy, practice, and future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feelings of competency in the parental role, termed parenting self-efficacy, have been associated with well-being and positive parenting outcomes. Given the unique stresses inherent in raising a child with autism, parents may find it challenging to maintain a positive sense of well-being and self-efficacy. Study aims were to investigate associations between maternal self-efficacy and parenting cognitions among mothers of children with autism. Mothers (n = 170) completed questionnaires on paper or via the Internet. In a hierarchical linear regression, depression, parenting stress, agency, and guilt each accounted for unique variance in maternal self-efficacy when controlling for time since diagnosis and the presence of a second child with a disability. Autism knowledge was not associated with parenting self-efficacy. Self-efficacy appears to be associated with well-being, agency, and feelings of guilt among mothers of children with autism. Parent- and family-based interventions designed to support parental well-being and focusing on parenting cognitions may enhance parenting self-efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examined the emotional well-being of 108 Latina and non-Latina White mothers who were coresiding with a youth or adult with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It was hypothesized that Latina mothers would be more satisfied with coresidence than non-Latina White mothers, and that satisfaction with coresidence would mediate the relationship between ethnicity and outcomes. When controlling for demographic characteristics, non-Latina White mothers were more distressed and had lower levels of psychological well-being than Latina mothers. As hypothesized, satisfaction with coresidence mediated this difference. Qualitative analysis revealed that both groups of mothers valued family cohesion as a positive aspect of coresidence. However, Latina mothers were less likely to report negative aspects of coresidence than non-Latina White mothers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effects of using a multidisciplinary, integrated, whole-person, team advocate approach to educate and empower participants with multiple chronic illnesses and coordinate, monitor, and support their health care process. Individuals (N = 39) from Midwest hospitals participated and completed self-report instruments. Changes in participants' functioning were also measured with diagnostic measures completed by the team advocates. The results indicate that the participants' perceptions of physical functioning, physical well-being, control, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction increased. Additionally, health-related behavior changes were reported, and short-term costs were significantly lower than projected costs. Finally, the participants rated their health care services in the program as more effective than previous health care services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]