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This article is the first to provide empirical support for the concept of microaffirmation in psychology and education. The theory of microaffirmation stems from the idea that it is important and useful to focus on positive experiences in the hopes that they might be promoted or replicated. Using Consensual Qualitative Research methodology, we examined the microaffirmation experiences of graduate students who were culturally diverse in terms of race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, international status, and other identities. We identified four domains related to microaffirmation: the construct of microaffirmation itself, the experience of the recipient of microaffirmation, the qualities of people who microaffirm, and outcomes of microaffirmative behavior. We discuss ways in which psychologists, educators, and advocates can work effectively with culturally diverse students in higher education settings to support their academic adjustment. We provide suggestions for future research and implications for theory and practice., Author(s): Julie M. Koch [sup.1] , Douglas Knutson [sup.2] , LaTrice Loche [sup.3] , Rogers W. Loche III [sup.4] , Hang-Shim Lee [sup.5] , Dillon J. Federici [sup.1] Author Affiliations: [...]

LGBTQ+ people experience mental health concerns while also exhibiting resilience. One potential means of promoting well-being is mindful interaction with nature or plants. However, most research in this area focuses on heterosexual, cisgender individuals. In the present study, the researchers used a phenomenological approach to explore the experiences of 25 LGBTQ+ people who identify as plant parents or gardeners. Findings indicated meaningful benefits, including ways in which plants fostered connections and relationships, promoted well-being, and encouraged participants to be mindful and grounded. Implications for clinical practice, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When a partner comes out as transgender within the context of an established heterosexual marriage, the impact to the cisgender-heterosexual spouse is often overlooked. The researchers utilized a Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) approach to explore the experiences of cisgender-heterosexual spouses who have had a partner disclose a transgender identity, and what played a role in maintaining their marriage. We interviewed twelve participants whose partners came out as transgender after marriage. Data analysis revealed nine domains: marriage; learning about my partner and transition; learning about myself; family; reactions; mental health; support; social influence; and cultural influence. Findings indicate that participants underwent a vast array of both positive and negative experiences and shared a variety of factors that contributed to their decisions to remain married or not. We discuss implications for clinical practice, limitations, and directions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increased demand for mental health services on college campuses has prompted an expansion of what it means to support mental and emotional well-being in the campus community. Although college counseling centers are vitally important, literature suggests that residence life staff already play prominent roles in promoting college students' mental health and responding to their concerns. One way that residential life departments and other student affairs offices can meet students' needs is through promotion of students' strengths. In this study, we explored the relationships between character strengths, subjective well-being, and social group participation in 253 college students. Results show a positive correlation between these variables. We discuss implications of these findings for student affairs professionals and paraprofessionals working with students. [Discussion questions developed by Hannah Hench and Denise L. Davidson.]

In this study, we explored possible differences between students studying the fine arts and their non-art major peers on three separate variables: mental health, stress, and time spent on academic work. We found that students who study the fine arts report higher rates of mental distress, stress, and spend more time on academic work than do their non-art major peers. We offer recommendations for therapists working in university and college counseling settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholars have called for strengths-based approaches, particularly with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and nonbinary (LGBT/NB) clients to buffer against minority stress. Scholars have recommended that intake forms include questions about strengths. This study examined reported strengths from intake forms at a community clinic. A Consensual Qualitative Research-Modified (CQR-M) approach was used to analyze the strengths as reported by LGBT/NB clients. A total of 173 strengths from 64 individual participants were coded, yielding six domains: Connection, Interpersonal Skills, Abilities and Achievements, Role-Oriented, Self-Efficacy, and Resilience. We discuss clinical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As issues related to transgender and gender diverse individuals gain more national media attention, professional organizations that promote mental health and LGBTQ + rights continue to advocate for equality and inclusion. Barriers to equality and inclusion for transgender and gender diverse individuals can include a variety of factors including discrimination in educational and workplace settings, and issues related to housing, poverty, and homelessness. To examine the impact of a media intervention on changing attitudes toward transgender and gender diverse individuals. A total of 223 students from a large, Midwestern university in the USA participated and received a 45-minute media intervention along with pre- and post-testing. A split-plot factorial ANOVA to investigate potential differences in attitudes and beliefs toward transgender and gender diverse individuals using the Transgender Attitude and Beliefs Scale indicated a statistically significant interaction based on a media intervention where F(1, 109) = 7.042, p =.009. A split-plot factorial ANOVA to investigate potential differences in willingness to engage in social action on behalf of this population measured by the Social Justice Scale did not indicate a statistically significant interaction based on the media intervention where F(1, 109) =.881, p =.350. These findings suggest that a variety of potential media interventions can increase positive attitudes and beliefs toward marginalized groups, but a stronger and/or additional intervention is needed for participants to engage in social action on behalf of the group. Implications and limitations of the study are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined job stress and acculturation strategy among African American professionals. Traditionalist and Assimilation Acculturation strategies were measured using the Measurement of Acculturation Strategies for People of African Descent (Obasi 2005). Job stress was measured with the Job Stress Survey (Spielberger & Vaag, 1999). Participants were recruited from professional organizations in the United States. Results indicated that those who chose assimilation as an acculturation strategy also reported a higher lack of organizational support and higher total job stress. This finding is contrary to the hypothesized relationship that traditionalist behaviors would be related to higher job stress. These findings are discussed in terms of understanding the impact of cultural factors and acculturation strategies on workplace stress., Introduction In the United States, African Americans have endured a tradition of substandard employment patterns. Following the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, however, inequality in employment received [...]

People with multiple minoritized identities, such as those that identify as a minoritized sexual orientation and/or gender identity and as a Person of Color (POC), report higher levels of distress that may result from complex systems and various sources of discrimination. Resilience is an adaptive response to oppression that enables marginalized communities to resist the impact of discrimination and rejection. The current study surveyed levels of resilience, distress, and elements of resiliency and how they differed among emerging adults who identify as non-LGBTQ+ POC; LGBTQ+ POC; LGBTQ+ White people; and non-LGBTQ+ White people. Data were collected from 1,194 participants at three large universities in the United States. A multivariate analysis of variance was conducted that yielded significant differences by groups. Post-hoc analysis revealed significant differences among the measured variables of interest. Of note, individuals who identified as LGBTQ+ POC reported lower distress and higher resilience, hope, and significantly higher spiritual support when compared to LGBTQ+ White participants. These results highlight how individuals who possess multiple minoritized identities may experience buffers to rather than additive minority stress, and spirituality may play a key role in this resilience. Implications for psychologists and helping professionals are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past several decades, new career theories have been developed in an attempt to explain the changing nature of work. Careers are now commonly considered to be self-driven and contingent on factors such as personal values and mobility. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine how identification with cultural individualism and collectivism influences participants' overall protean and boundaryless career attitudes and overall job satisfaction. The data were collected from 203 working adults in the United States. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine whether identification with certain cultural dimensions was predictive of levels of job satisfaction and adherence to particular career attitudes. Results indicated that several cultural variables within the individualism and collectivism constructs do have moderate predictive value in determining career attitudes and job satisfaction. The findings also supported previous research studies that sought to differentiate between the protean and boundaryless career attitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholars continue to call for research-informed treatment approaches for transgender clients. The existing literature directs therapists to learn about unique issues facing transgender individuals and to provide affirming therapy for transgender clients. We offer a person-centered approach to treatment for transgender individuals that integrates current scholarship with person-centered theory and offers specific interventions for use with transgender clients. These theoretical applications and interventions are offered for both interpersonal and intrapersonal work with clients. Following our analysis, we offer future areas of emphasis for treatment and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INCREASED DEMAND FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES has prompted an expansion of what it means to support mental and emotional well-being in the campus community. Although college counseling centers are vitally important, literature suggests that residence life staff already play prominent roles in promoting college students' mental health and responding to their concerns. One way that residential life departments and other student affairs offices can meet students' needs is through promotion of students' strengths. In this study, we explored the relationships between character strengths, subjective well-being, and social group participation in 253 college students. Results show a positive correlation between these variables. We discuss implications of these findings for student affairs professionals and paraprofessionals working with students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholars who investigate drag performance tend to focus on associations between female impersonation and gender theories or social gender norms. Current conceptualizations of drag and gender identities draw on qualitative studies that either narrowly focus on gender through theoretical lenses or that comment on gender with secondary analyses. We sought to explore multiple psychological and sociocultural dimensions of identity and drag performance using a semi-structured interview protocol. Our participants were 12 gay cisgender male drag queens. We employed Consensual Qualitative Research method to analyse the resulting transcripts and we identified the following four domains pertinent to participants' perspectives: making sense of gender, gender expectations, female impersonation, and transition through drag. Within these domains, we identified nine categories. In general, participants reported that their participation in the study was the first time they had deeply considered the gendered implications of drag performance and/or their own gender identity. We discuss implications for gender theory and offer suggestions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Around the globe, trans and gender diverse people have a wide range of access to health care, psychological as well as physical, that is unique to their home country's context. Some of the contributing factors are nations' health care systems, laws and policies surrounding discrimination, adequate resources, and under-trained health care professionals. Unfortunately, inability or difficulty in accessing transition related health care and support leads to negative impacts on mental health. In this article, the authors describe the unique contexts related to transgender health care in Canada, Japan, South Africa, and the United States. We focus specifically on the financial cost of transition for trans and gender diverse people, including gender affirming surgeries as well as mental and health care more broadly. We discuss the role of mental health professionals as advocates for gender affirming care and the fundamental human right to health care. We include discussions of therapy, assessment, medical care such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and surgeries, and additional invisible costs. We highlight the importance for all mental health professionals to be aware of the impacts to trans and gender diverse people's mental health when their fundamental health care needs are not met. Furthermore, we provide recommendations for how mental health professionals can advocate for their clients' access to transition related care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative research on levels of depression and gender dysphoria in drag populations is lacking. It is possible that this lack occurs because researchers tend to include drag queens within transgender samples. Such sampling practices may result in inaccurate assumptions about drag queen populations. This study established rates of depression and gender dysphoria in a sample of self-identified cisgender drag queens. Participants reported low levels of gender dysphoria and significantly lower levels of depression than have been found among trans women, however, these participants presented with higher rates of depression than have been found among gay men who do not perform drag. Higher rates of involvement in drag performance were positively correlated with depression and negatively correlated with gender dysphoria. Results indicate that self-identified cisgender drag queens are unlikely to experience gender dysphoria and are less depressed than samples of trans women. The researchers discuss implications and future directions for mental health practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]