Socio-Cultural Factors in Mental Health

The Impact of Race on Mental Health

Race and ethnicity are associated with a number unfavorable mental health outcomes, such as increased psychiatric hospitalization and longer periods of illness. One mechanism by which this may occur is believed to be due to racism, discrimination, and prejudice. The CMHD is working to elucidate these relationships through the study of racial differences in the counseling relationship, understanding the impact of stereotypes and microaggressions, and the role of cultural stigma on help-seeking. We are also interested in understanding resilience factors resulting from racial socialization.

Learn more about the Racial Microaggressions Project on Campus.

Studying Girl Psychometric Studies

Growing diversity in America and the expanse of psychological inquiry cross-culturally requires diagnostic clarity and the use of quantifiable and reliable methods of collecting clinical and research data. It imperative that we are able to measure psychological constructs accurately for use in cross-cultural research. The CMHD is working to establish cross-cultural validity or equivalence among several popular diagnostic instruments. These have included:

  • Psychometric properties of a brief version of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire in African Americans and European Americans.
  • The utility of the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) for the assessment of obsessive-compulsive disorder in African Americans.
  • An investigation of the psychometric properties of the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM) and mental health in a geographically representative sample of African American adults.

Related Papers

Ching, T. H. W. & Williams, M. T. (2019). The role of ethnic identity in OC symptom dimensions among Asian Americans. Journal of Obsessive Compulsive & Related Disorders, 21, 112–120.

Williams, M. T., Duque, G., Chapman, L. K., Wetterneck, C. T., & DeLapp, R.C.T. (2018). Ethnic identity and regional differences in mental health in a national sample of African American young adults. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 5 (2), 312–321. doi: 10.1007/s40615-017-0372-y

DeLapp, R. C. T., Chapman, L. K., & Williams, M. T. (2016). Psychometric properties of a brief version of the Penn State Worry Questionnaire in African Americans and European Americans. Psychological Assessment, 28(5), 499-508. doi: 10.1037/pas0000208

Williams, M. T., Chasson, G. S., & Davis, D. M. (2015). Anxiety and Affect in Racially Unmatched Dyads During Evaluation and Assessment. In A. M. Columbus (Ed.), Advances in Psychology Research. Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers. ISBN: 978-1-63482-460-6.

Williams, M. T., Davis, D., Thibodeau, M., & Bach, N. (2013). Psychometric Properties of the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory Revised in African Americans with and without Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive & Related Disorders, 2(4), 399-405. doi: 10.1016/j.jocrd.2013.07.003

black man Empowering Men of Tomorrow

The Gentlemen’s Academy (GA) is a six-week intensive program designed specifically for young men between the ages of 12-17 that are considered at-risk. At-risk criteria include conduct disorders, exposure to violence, drug and alcohol use, general life stressors, and physical violence and aggression. GA combines group and individual mental health sessions, computer based academic curriculum, physical fitness training, job readiness, as well as community service.

The mental health component, Mindful Men at Promise (MMAP) focused on appropriate self-expression, conflict resolution, mindfulness awareness, interpersonal skills, as well as overall resiliency. Group and individual sessions were provided weekly to all participants focusing on the above listed skills. Coping skills, distress management, and skills training will be taught intensively over the period of six weeks. Skills such as conflict resolution and emotional regulation were implemented into session as well.

Academic courses with computer-based curriculum were taught in the areas of English, Mathematics, Physical Science, and Cultural History. These courses were designed to challenge participants at their own level of learning. Physical fitness focused on overall well being and emphasized not only exercise, but diet, hygiene, and general health. Part of the physical fitness component involved community service by canvassing areas via bike assessing the air quality. All participants engage in at minimum five hours of community service a month. Job placement and readiness was also provided over the duration of the program with possible job placement.

The Kentucky Senate Recognized the Center for Mental Health Disparities for services rendered to the Gentleman's Academy in 2013.

Results of Satisfaction Survey

Williams, M., Bruce, S. L., Combs, J., & Alvey, H. (2014, November). Satisfaction with a Six-Week Intervention for At-Risk Juveniles: The Gentleman’s Academy Program. Report for the Louisville Metro Police Department and Greater Louisville Inc., Center for Mental Health Disparities, University of Louisville.