Multicultural Psychology Commons^™

Digital Learning And Healing: Impacts Of Ai In Art Therapy, Cassandra E. Buffington-Bates

Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice

Art therapy, a creative approach to mental and emotional healing, is evolving with digital technologies to improve accessibility and care. This paper explores how artificial intelligence (AI) enhances art therapy by fostering emotional intelligence, collaboration, and personalized interventions. It highlights AI’s potential to support therapy while addressing challenges like empathy, data privacy, and training gaps. Through a literature review, the study offers insights into integrating AI with human-centered practices, providing innovative solutions for emotional and cognitive well-being.

Associations Between Individual And Structural Level Discrimination And Psychological And Physiological Stress Indicators During Pregnancy, Özlü Aran, Melissa Nevarez-Brewster, Kimberly D'Anna-Hernandez, Julia Dmitrieva, Curt A. Sandman, Laura M. Glynn, Elysia Poggi Davis

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

In the United States (U.S.) pervasive health disparities in prenatal care disproportionately impact marginalized individuals. The present study investigates whether discrimination at the individual and structural levels are associated with indicators of psychological and physiological stress among pregnant Latinx people living in the U.S., including both U.S. and foreign-born individuals. Pregnant participants (n = 109) reported on birthplace, lifetime experiences of racial and ethnic discrimination, perceived levels of stress, acculturation, social support, and provided residential address data and hair samples for cortisol analysis. Regression analysis revealed that individual level discrimination was linked to higher psychological stress during pregnancy ( …

Black Somatic Liberatory Practices: The Africanist Aesthetic In Psychotherapeutic Movement Observation, Ebony Nichols

Counseling and Psychology Dissertations

This critical ethnographic qualitative study explored Black body-based healing practices and coping strategies used to resist and titrate the impact of racism and oppression. It also examined how Black individuals use their bodies to regulate their nervous systems to heal and cultivate liberatory practices. Grounded in theoretical frameworks such as Black Psychology, African Indigenous Healing Systems, Liberation Psychology, and Critical Race Theory, this research investigated the intersections of Black Aesthetics, Psychology, and the body through the lens of the Africanist Aesthetic. The study employed interaction analysis and reflexive thematic analysis to analyze non-verbal and verbal data collected from two focus …

Hmongcentric Niche Charter Schools: The Role Of Social Capital On Students’ Perceived Academic Competence, Zha Blong Xiong, Ting Xu, Kyle Nickodem, Malina Her

Journal of Southeast Asian American Education and Advancement

Using Coleman’s (1988) social capital theory, this study investigated the connection between family and school social capital and the perceived academic competence of students enrolled in Hmongcentric niche charter schools. The study analyzed 124 participants consisting of third, fourth, and fifth-grade students residing in Minnesota, with 93% identifying as Hmong. Results of structural equation modeling showed that school social capital, as measured by school attachment and school connection, is significantly linked to students’ perceived academic competence. Further analyses suggested that school attachment, especially in charter schools that focus on culture and language, plays a more crucial role in shaping students’ …

Association Between Decisional Conflict And Quality Of Life Among Parents With A Child Undergoing Hospital-Based Treatment For A Recent Cancer Diagnosis, Augustine Provencio

Doctoral Dissertations

Having a child with a chronic illness, such as cancer, can cause families significant distress. Parents of these children must make frequent decisions relating to their child’s care. Depending on factors such as health literacy and support from medical staff, parents may have varying levels of decisional conflict (DC) throughout the decision-making process. Compounding stress throughout their child’s illness can often contribute to lower levels of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) while their child is receiving hospital-based treatment. Parents with a non-English language preference (NELP) often have greater challenges navigating healthcare systems due to a lack of resources and limited …

Receptions Of Mental Health Emergency Services In New York City, Daniel R. Samost

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Mental health emergency response has become a highly scrutinized topic following the Black Lives Matter movement and several notable incidents of mental health emergency service users being killed by police responders. Qualitative interviews were conducted with mental health emergency service users to better understand the experience of using mental health emergency services, garner critical feedback of the service, and explore recommendations to improve future response. A total of 23 participants conducted interviews and detailed 40 incidents of mental health emergency service utilization. These interviews were then coded and analyzed. There were a few major findings from the data. Just over …

Bridging The Gap: Harnessing Emerging Technology To Narrow The Academic Achievement Gaps Of Minority Students, Dionne Williams, Terence Vinson, Kristi Young, Danielle Williams, James R. Mixon

The Journal of the Research Association of Minority Professors

The academic achievement gap of Black, Hispanic, and Native American students has historically lagged as it relates to Caucasian students. This work defines academic achievement as standardized test scores, graduation rates, and college completion rates. The persistent educational disparities faced by minority students remain a significant challenge for school systems. The integration of technology offers a promising solution to help narrow these academic achievement gaps and provide equitable learning opportunities. Technology offers educators the ability to utilize self-paced instructional programming, ensuring that the educational needs and deficiencies of minority students are addressed. This work explores how innovative technological tools, ranging …

Contributions Of Adverse Childhood Experiences, Racism, Therapy And Health Habits To Cardiovascular Health In African American Adults, Tahra Chaunice Nobles

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation explores the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), racism, health habits, and therapy engagement on cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Black adults. This study builds on the Biopsychosocial Model and Allostatic Load Theory to examine how trauma, racism, and health habits influence cardiovascular health outcomes in the African American population. Through a quantitative analysis, this study investigates whether ACEs, experiences of racism, engagement in health habits, and participation in therapy contribute to the development or mitigation of CVD in Black adults. A total of 83 participants were included in the study, with data collected on ACEs, the frequency of …

The After Effects Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On The Mental Health Of International V/S Domestic Students - A Qualitative Study, Keerat Sidhu Bhatti

Doctoral Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the mental health of both international and domestic graduate students, exacerbating social isolation, financial strain, and psychological distress. This qualitative study examines the long-term effects of the pandemic on these student populations, exploring shared and divergent experiences, coping strategies, and evolving priorities. While both groups faced heightened anxiety and academic disruptions, international students encountered additional stressors, including cultural displacement, visa uncertainties, and limited support networks. Domestic students, in contrast, struggled with routine disruptions but had greater access to familial and social support. Across both groups, the pandemic prompted a reassessment of personal and professional priorities, …

The Multicultural Orientation Framework In Couple Therapy, Jasmine R. Davis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Couples’ cultural values and beliefs are important to their relational connection. Cultural values and beliefs can be sources of strength in relationships, but they can also lead to impasses. As such, clinicians and researchers could benefit from a cultural framework to inform conceptualization and treatment when working with couples. The Multicultural Orientation (MCO) framework has three pillars: cultural humility, cultural comfort, and cultural opportunities. The MCO framework is empirically supported for use in individual and group psychotherapy but has not been applied to couple therapy. This dissertation includes two parts. First, we outline a conceptual framework for the application of …

There Is No Finish Line: The Ramps Framework – An Evolving Model For Working With Racial Identities In Sport And Performance Psychology, Dylan Vas

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

The field of sport psychology has persisted in its calls for action on increasing cultural competence, being more inclusive of underrepresented identities, and progressing towards social justice (AASP, 2024b; Bejar et al., 2022; Fisher et al., 2003; Martens et al., 2000; Quartiroli, et al., 2023; Ryba et al, 2013; Ryba et al., 2024). This work attempts to contribute to these calls by providing attention on racial identity – including the proposal of an actionable and novel model, The Racial Identity Model of Psychology in Sport (RAMPS) Framework. The proposed model incorporates publications from sport psychology, clinical psychology, and social justice …

A Religious Etiology Of Genito-Pelvic Pain And Pain With Penetration, Emily L. Carlson

Theses and Graduate Projects

Pelvic pain during penetration (PPDP) has been described using various diagnostic terms, including vaginismus, dyspareunia, and vulvodynia. The most recent and comprehensive classification is Genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder (GPPPD) which is characterized by psychological distress associated with pain during or in anticipation of vaginal penetration (DSM-5-TR; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2022). The etiology of PPDP is multifactorial, involving a complex interplay of biological, psychological, and relational factors. Religious and cultural influences may play a significant role in shaping individuals’ experiences of sexual pain. This study investigated the etiology of PPDP in relation to the religious influences among women raised in Judeo-Christian …

The Illusion Of “El Chingon”: A Scoping Review On How Machismo Affects Mental Health And Behavior, Vanessa Estrada Garza

McNair Summer Research Program

Machismo is a set of cultural values tethered to the gender binary, defined by the specific gender roles and expectations that men have to act upon. These ideals create a male archetype based on aggression, stoicism, superiority, and the enabling of sexist attitudes. Research has shown that rigid hypermasculine attitudes have a negative effect on mental health (e.g., depression and anxiety symptoms) and behavior (e.g., aggression and substance abuse). However, given its cultural context, much less is known about how machismo may manifest based on different demographic variables. Therefore, the goal of this scoping review was to understand the relation …

Lgbt+ Poc Well-Being And Resilience, Terra Reynoso

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Historically, both LGBT+ individuals and People of Color have each been subjected to stressors linked to oppression, with those belonging to both groups experiencing a potentially higher degree of distress. This study examined factors that contribute to resilience and well-being in LGBT+ People of Color to highlight potential means to mitigate this distress, guided by queer theory and intersectionality theory in order to provide a relevant framework to inform preliminary research, interview questions, and content analysis. Interviews were conducted with twelve participants with subsequent content analysis revealing the use of social support networks, access to community, productive coping strategies, and …

Historically Minoritized Racial Groups At A Midwestern University: Behaviors, Attitudes, And Beliefs Toward Mental Health And Well-Being, Kemmel Palmer

Dissertations

The rising prevalence of mental health concerns among college students, especially those from historically minoritized racial groups, underscores persistent disparities and substantial barriers encountered within Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). This qualitative inquiry examined the mental health behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs of college students from five historically minoritized racial groups—Black/African American, Latino/Hispanic, Asian Pacific Islander Desi American, Middle Eastern/Middle Eastern American, and Indigenous/Native American—at a midwestern university. Utilizing a phenomenological methodology, the study employed five focus groups comprising 51 participants representing a wide range of academic levels, gender identities, and sociocultural backgrounds.

The findings from this study reveal deeply embedded and …

"It Can Be Hard To Stand Up Straight In A Crooked Room:" Examining The Mediating Effects Of Black Women's Gendered Racial Identity On The Relationship Between The Strong Black Woman/Superwoman Schema And Collective Coping, Devin Willis

Dissertations

Prior research on the Strong Black Woman (SBW)/Superwoman (SW) schema has produced mixed findings. Both positive and negative outcomes of Black women’s internalization of this schema have been identified. These mixed findings may be linked to the measurement of the SBW/SW schema and the relationship with other culturally relevant variables. There have been significant positive relationships identified between Black women’s gendered racial identity (GRID) and the internalization of gendered racial stereotypes (i.e., the SBW/SW). Methods for coping with stereotypes have also been identified as influential when considering Black women’s coping behaviors.

The purpose of this study is to examine the …

Cross-Cultural Data On Romantic Love And Mate Preferences From 117,293 Participants Across 175 Countries, Marta Kowal, Piotr Sorokowski, Biljana Gjoneska, Katarzyna Pisanski, Gerit Pfuhl, Leonardo Aguilar, Steve M.J. Janssen, Benjamin Gelbart, Patrícia Arriaga, Jan Antfolk, Katarina Zvončáková, Linda H. Lidborg, Jorge Contreras-Garduño, Mikhail V. Kozlov, Taciano L. Milfont, Marco A.C. Varella, Valerija Križanić, Mahmoud Boussena, Tina Kavčič, Diana Ribeiro Da Silva, Brahim Hamdaoui, Fatima Zahra Sahli, Karlijn Massar, Eliane Deschrijver, Tatsunori Ishii, Hakan Cetinkaya, Oksana Senyk, Farida Guemaz, Koen Ponnet, Yahya Don, Dušana Šakan, Gyesook Yoo, Ravit Nussinson, Joaquín Ungaretti, Ali R. Can, Izzet Duyar, Jiří Čeněk, Joao Carneiro, Norbert Meskó, Luca Kozma, Ellen K. Nyhus, Mona Vintila, Oulmann Zerhouni, Farid Pazhoohi, Maja Zupančič, Sinem Söylemez, Austin H.-E. Wang, Marietta Papadatou-Pastou, Irena Pavela Banai, Pavol Prokop, Mohd Sofian Omar Fauzee, Reza Afhami, Jean C. Natividade, Roberto Baiocco, Mara Morelli, Toivo Aavik, Ezgi Toplu-Demirtaş, Singha Tulyakul, Anna Wlodarczyk, Razleh Chegeni, Anabela C. Santos, Dmitry Grigoryev, Dmitrii Dubrov, Dimitri Chubinidze, Gözde Ikizer, Nana Burduli, Johanna Czamanski-Cohen, Rizwana Amin, Petros Roussos, Evgeniya Hristova, Rūta Sargautytė, Ekaterine Pirtskhalava, Tenuunjargal Avirmed, Arooj Najmussaqib, Abdelilah Charyate, Shagufta Batool, Tatiana Volkodav, Yoshihiko Kunisato, Yuki Yamada, Asako Toyama, Mariia Perun, Seda Dural, Tetyana Mandzyk, Anna Studzinska, Ognen Spasovski, Felipe E. García, Caterina Grano, Merve Boğa, Mehmet Koyuncu, Sangeeta Singh, Ju Hee Park, Derya Atamtürk, Samuel Lins, Martin Pírko, David Lacko, Balazs Aczel, Ferenc Kocsor, Ádám Putz, Tobias Otterbring, Pavol Kačmár, Efisio Manunta, Théo Besson, Nasim Ghahraman Moharrampour, Çağlar Solak, Ignacio Estevan, Merve Topcu Bulut, Nicolas Kervyn, Moises Mebarak, Jackson G. Lu, Nejc Plohl, Bojan Musil, Adil Samekin, Kirill G. Miroshnik, Clément Cornec, Isabella Giammusso, Ulf-Dietrich Reips, Maria Rosa Miccoli, Miriam Parise, Sabrina Stöckli, Tiago Marot, Sibele D. Aquino, Amanda Londero-Santos, Antonio Chirumbolo, Aybegum Memisoglu-Sanli, Jaroslava V. Valentova, Cemre Karaarslan, Ivana Hromatko, Kevin S. Kertechian, Ogeday Çoker, Matheus F. F. Ribeiro, Carlota Batres, Ilker Dalgar, Stephanie J. Eder, Katarina Mišetić, Marios Argyrides, Vita Mikuličiūtė, Silvia Mari, Elisabeth Oberzaucher, Kathrin Masuch, Alan D. A. Mattiassi, Salma Samir Omar, Elena Piccinelli, Eda Ermagan Caglar, Diogo Lamela, David A. Frederick, Aleksander Kobylarek, Ma. Criselda T. Pacquing, Marc Eric Santos Reyes, Marcos Zumárraga-Espinosa, Feten Fekih-Romdhane, Talía Gómez Yepes, Edgardo Etchezahar, Katarzyna Galasinska, Jan P. Röer, Ayşegül Şahin, Miguel Landa-Blanco, Arkadiusz Urbanek, Chee-Seng Tan, Rita Castro, Ksenija Cunichina, Anna Krasnodębska, Daniel Conroy-Beam, Franciszek Ostaszewski, Izabela Chałatkiewicz, Beatriz Abad-Villaverde, Bastien Trémolière, Alexios Arvanitis, Gulmira Topanova, Wiliam J. Chopik, Grace Akello, Ariela F. Pagani, Silvia Donato, Peter Fedor, Tomasz Frackowiak, Simon Ozer, Marlon Mayorga-Lascano, Farah Khan, Maryanne L. Fisher, Princess Lovella G. Maturan, Tatiana Semenovskikh, Sanjana Dutt, William Tamayo-Agudelo, Gulnara Ismukhanova, Laith Al-Shawaf, Luisa Angelucci, Adam Bode, Sercan Balım, Jovi C. Dacanay, Chiemezie S. Atama, Kai A. D. Morgan Campbell, Tchilissila A. Simões, Barış Özener, Paula Błauciak, Filipe Prazeres

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Psychological studies on close relationships have often overlooked cultural diversity, dynamic processes, and potentially universal principles that shape intimate partnerships. To address the limited generalizability of previous research and advance our understanding of romantic love experiences, mate preferences, and physical attractiveness, we conducted a large-scale cross-cultural survey study on these topics. A total of 404 researchers collected data in 45 languages from April to August 2021, involving 117,293 participants from 175 countries. Aside from standard demographic questions, the survey included valuable information on variables relevant to romantic relationships: intimate, passionate, and committed love within romantic relationships, physical-attractiveness enhancing behaviors, gender …

Research Proposal: Complex Relationship Of Religious Community, Psychological Health, And Socioeconomic Status Of Spanish Speaking Residents Ages 18-50 In Lynchburg, Va, Faith Park

NEXUS: The Liberty Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies

Previous research has shown a clear quantitative correlation between socioeconomic status and religious gatherings as well as psychological health and religious gatherings. However, there have been few studies on the interconnectedness of mental health, socioeconomic stability, and religious identity and gathering. Research thus has not addressed the personal implications and the benefits of individual perspectives that can be offered through a qualitative methodology. Thus, this research proposes an ethnographic methodology which may provide insights that do not limit the subjectivity of mental health, religious experiences, and socioeconomic struggles.Through an integration of psychology, anthropology, and sociology, the proposed research hopes to …

Finding Meaning In Loss: The Role Of Attachment Styles, Coping Strategies, And Resilience, Salma Seyam

Theses and Dissertations

Grief is a deeply personal yet universal experience impacted by personal, social, and cultural factors. The present study examines how attachment styles, coping mechanisms, and resilience impact both grief intensity and the ability to find meaning after a loss, within an Egyptian sample. While previous studies have explored the experience of grief, few have looked at these factors within a Middle Eastern cultural context. A total of 140 bereaved Egyptians who experienced the loss of a loved one within the past three years completed standardized measures assessing grief intensity (Prolonged Grief Disorder-Revised; PG-13-R), coping strategies (Brief COPE), meaning-making (Grief and …

The Potential Mediating Role Of Perfectionistic Self-Presentation In The Relationship Between Other Stigma, Self-Stigma, And Attitudes Towards Mental Health Help-Seeking In Asian Americans, Trevor E. Taone

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

The importance of understanding why individuals decided to engage in mental health care cannot be overstated. This importance is further highlighted in the need to examine the different factors that may help researchers and clinicians to obtain more insight into why populations with a higher demand for mental health services, such as Asian Americans, possess negative attitudes toward seeking mental health care. Stigma has been identified as a significant barrier that influences these attitudes towards help-seeking. Other stigma and self-stigma, in particular, play an important role in understanding why individuals may possess negative views about mental health care help-seeking. With …