Interrogating Systems That Cause Disparities: Testing the Social-Ecological Model in Low- Versus High-Density African American Communities

This study utilized the four-level social-ecological model to provide a better understanding of the disparities in health-related outcomes in high- and low-density African American (AA) communities. The current research sought to understand the relationships between mental and physical health, social-economic factors, and physical environment within this community. The goal of this study was to understand the relationship between these indicators of health, to better inform health-care strategies. The results highlight the significant difference between high- and low-density AA communities and socio-economic factors, physical environment, poor physical days, and poor mental health days. Implications for behavioral health providers are explored.

Aging, Agency, and Self-Efficacy: A Phenomenological Case Study of an Older Couple

Researchers have found that the majority of older individuals want to remain in their own home as they age. However, respecting the right of older individuals to exert control over their life while ensuring their safety can be a difficult undertaking to achieve. The aim of this research was to understand the lived experiences of an older couple who are in cognitive decline but are trying to maintain personal agency. The issue was studied using Bandura’s agency and self-efficacy theories as the theoretical framework. A phenomenological case study methodology was used. Participants were selected using a purposeful sampling strategy, and the sample was four individuals (father, mother, daughter, and grandson) from one family living at two separate residences. Data were collected using a mixed-methods approach. Qualitative data were collected by interviewing participants, and quantitative data were collected by administering a standardized cognitive assessment to the older individuals. Results indicated that the older couple were able to live independently because of the presence of the following five components: (a) adequate physical health; (b) adequate cognition, especially in the areas of memory and problem solving; (c) self-efficacy beliefs; (d) coping strategies to compensate for the declines in physical health and cognition due to aging; and (e) a support system to help the couple with activities they could no longer do on their own. In this study, each of the older individuals believed they could take care of themselves and wanted to live on their own. Independent living was only possible with significant assistance from family members.

Better to Forgive or to Forget? Marital Transgressions and Forgiveness in Older Couples

Navigating romantic transgressions in older adulthood is imperative for both relationship quality and longevity, making forgiveness a critical process. The current study examined marital transgressions and forgiveness among 64 older (age range = 56–89), higher-functioning, primarily White, married couples studied at two time points spaced 16.4 months apart. More than half the spouses did not report a transgression in the past year, and not doing so was associated with better marital functioning at both time points. Of the transgressions reported, thematic analyses revealed they fell into six categories (e.g., spouse behaving badly, financial issues), but were overall relatively minor in nature. If husbands engaged in greater avoidance after a transgression, both spouses were less maritally satisfied a year later. Findings suggest more attention to not only forgiveness approaches employed (avoidance of the issue versus avoidance of the person) but also to the potential role of gender and timing in these associations.

Social Experiences of Muslim Americans Regarding the Intolerance Displayed by Non-Muslims

Non-Muslims in the United States have openly expressed their opposition regarding Muslim Americans, which has led to the racial profiling and unequal treatment of Muslim Americans. Literature regarding the intolerance displayed by majority members indicates a need for further research that explores the point of view of minorities in the United States. Intolerance is defined as the refusal and unwillingness to respect or tolerate persons of a different social group or members of minority groups who hold beliefs contrary to one’s own. The intolerance displayed among members of different religious and cultural backgrounds can limit the ability to discover new information needed in promoting positive social change among Muslims and non-Muslims in the United States. Semistructured interviews were used to explore the social experiences of Muslim Americans of Palestinian descent in Cleveland, Ohio, regarding prejudice and discrimination displayed by non-Muslims. The theory of planned behavior and impression management theory were used as the framework for this study. Convenience and purposeful sampling were used to recruit the 10 participants chosen for this study. Template analysis, Giorgio’s psychological phenomenological method, and coding were used to analyze the data obtained from this study. Participants revealed experiencing prejudice and discrimination “everywhere” and “anywhere,” including verbal attacks and emotional distress. Participants also described the intolerance among Muslims and non-Muslims as “good and bad” or “it depends.” Information from this study can help in the development of social strategies that can be used to improve the interactions among Muslims and non-Muslims in United States.

All Social Media Is Not Created Equal: Instagram, Finsta, and Loneliness

Research on the relationships between social media use and loneliness has produced mixed findings, in part because people use social media in different ways. Finsta is a private Instagram account followed only by a small group of the user’s friends and is considered to be a more authentic form of social media. The purpose of the present study was to examine the differential associations of Instagram and Finsta use with social and emotional loneliness and to investigate off-line engagement as a potential mediator of these associations. With data from an online survey given to <em>N</em> = 330 emerging adults, a series of hierarchical linear regressions showed that Instagram use negatively predicted and Finsta use positively predicted social loneliness, whereas neither were associated with emotional loneliness. Furthermore, whereas Finsta use was not associated with off-line social engagement with friends (OSE-friend), Instagram use was positively associated with this variable. In addition, results showed that off-line social support with friends partially mediated the relationship between Instagram use and social loneliness. The findings imply that all social media are not created equal; even within the same platform (Instagram), differential associations were found with social loneliness depending on the type of account used.

Predicting Students' Spiritual and Religious Competence Based on Supervisor Practices and Institutional Attendance

Counseling students report a lack of competence in spiritual and religious integration (SRI). As such, counselor educators and supervisors (CES) and students want to understand how to develop SRI competence. Although past research highlights SRI dialogue in training, there exists no clear understanding about the role of faculty supervisor SRI on perceived student competence. The supervision models used to inform the study included (a) the integrated developmental model, (b) the discrimination model, and (c) the spirituality in supervision model (SACRED). The purpose of this study is to determine if master’s-level graduate counseling student perceptions of faculty supervisor SRI practices predicts student perceived spiritual competence when considering attendance in faith-based and non-faith-based institutions accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP). A review of existing literature supports the use of a quantitative, cross-sectional design. An online survey was distributed to students (<em>n</em> = 59) in master’s-level CACREP counseling programs, currently in field experience, to measure perceived SRI in supervision and perceived SRI competence. A multiple linear regression reveals a statistically significant predictive relationship between supervisor SRI and perceived student competence as measured by the Spiritual and Religious Competence Assessment and the Spiritual Issues in Supervision Scale. These results inform CES about the importance of SRI and student ability to work with the spiritual and religious beliefs of clients. On this basis, it is recommended that supervisors focus on SRI in supervision. Future research should focus on additional factors related to SRI competence during counselor training.

Advancing Behavioral Health Literacy

Accessing, comprehending, and using information to make informed decisions and improve one’s overall health or well-being are the foci of health literacy. The concept of behavioral health was introduced in the early 1980s and, since then, it has influenced new ideas (e.g., behavioral health literacy and integrated behavioral health care) and gained research and public attention. My aim is to provide an overview of definitions (i.e., health literacy, mental health literacy, and behavioral health literacy) and their connection to each other. I propose an expanded and honed definition of behavioral health literacy to enhance the behavioral health literacy and well-being of the individual as well as the community, with the hope of reducing both physical and behavioral negative health conditions and improving overall quality of life for all people.

Social Media Behaviors and Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Associations With Anxiety, Depression, and Stress

The majority of research concerning public health crises and social media platforms has focused on analyzing the accuracy of information within social media posts. The current exploratory study explored social media users’ specific social media behaviors and experiences during the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic and whether these behaviors and experiences related to anxiety, depression, and stress. Data were collected March 21–31, 2020 from adults in the United States (<em>N</em> = 564) through snowball sampling on social media sites and Prime Panels. Online surveys included questions regarding social media use during the pandemic and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS). Forward stepwise modeling procedures were used to build three models for anxiety, stress, and depression. Participants who actively engaged with COVID-19 social media content were more likely to experience higher anxiety. Those who had emotional experiences via social media and used social media to connect during the pandemic were susceptible to higher levels of stress and depression. The current study suggests that during the pandemic specific behaviors and experiences via social media were related to anxiety, stress, and depression. Thus, limiting time spent on social media during public health crises may protect the mental health of individuals.

Risk Perception and Coping Strategies among Direct Support Professionals in the Age of COVID-19.

The spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) across the globe and its associated morbidity and mortality has impacted and challenged society in many ways, which resulted in adapting to a new way of life. One underrecognized and unaddressed area is the mental health of essential employees providing services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Direct support professionals (DSPs) serve an important function in the daily supervision and care of clients with IDD. It is not clear, however, how these essential workers perceived their own risk of contracting COVID-19 while working during this pandemic. Our research presents results of a national survey of 478 DSPs that focused on perceptions of risk and ways of coping with COVID-19. Using an online survey, we examined DSPs’ perception of risk and on the emotional and problem-solving strategies they used to cope with the global crisis. We found that DSPs engaged in higher problem-focused strategies rather than emotion-focused strategies in coping with the virus. As such, we show that it is critical for IDD provider organizations to assess DSPs’ needs to provide coping supports during the age of COVID.

Doing Gender and Reshaping the Self: The Rehabilitation Narratives of TBI Survivors

This article provides a review of selected studies conducted in recent years on the relationship between gender identity and recovery following traumatic brain injury (TBI) with the goal of determining whether gender constructions play a role in the lived experience of TBI survivors. The studies reviewed show that psychosocial issues resulting from perceived difficulties in doing gender can be a burden to successful recovery and that addressing these constructions can have a positive influence on long-term results. Consequently, the author argues that gender should be considered a critical element in the aetiology and management of psychosocial issues following the injury and that a combination of factors should be addressed when looking at gendered aspects of post-TBI recovery, including attitudes toward care, motivation and satisfaction with rehabilitation outcomes. In particular, stronger collaboration between the medical field and social sciences is encouraged, with the aim of exploring individual perspectives and experiences especially on a larger scale than what has currently been achieved.