Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Cultural Competence in Therapy with African Americans

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Cultural Competence in Applied Psychology

Abstract

African Americans experience unique obstacles when interfacing with mental health services. Evidence of persistent disparities in treatment engagement, utilization, and quality between African Americans and European Americans has led many to conclude that treatment must be culturally tailored for African Americans. Underlying calls for increased cultural competence are assumptions regarding the effectiveness of standard treatment approaches with African Americans and the ubiquitous benefits of cultural tailoring. In this chapter, we critically assess these assumptions and review the empirical literature on treatment outcomes with African Americans and the effects of culturally tailored interventions. Overall, we find that psychotherapy, including standard and culturally tailored treatment, is generally effective with African Americans. Additionally, we show that although cultural tailoring can enhance treatment outcomes, not all forms of tailoring are equally efficacious and some types can even attenuate outcomes. Based on the empirical evidence, we provide recommendations for tailoring treatment and improving the quality of mental health services for African Americans.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    Cohen’s d is the most common effect size estimate used for clinical trials. It represents the standardized mean difference in outcomes between treatment and comparison conditions. Cohen (1988) considered a d of 0.2 as small effect, 0.5 as medium effect, and 0.8 as a large effect.

  2. 2.

    Bernal’s eight elements of cultural adapted treatments include (1) providing therapy in the clients’ preferred language, (2) matching clients with therapists of similar ethnic/racial backgrounds, (3) utilizing metaphors/objects from client cultures, (4) including explicit mention of cultural content/values, (5) adhering to the client’s conceptualization of the presenting problem, (6) soliciting outcome goals from the client, (7) modifying the methods of delivering therapy based on cultural considerations, and (8) addressing clients’ contextual issues (Bernal & Sáez-Santiago, 2006).

References

  • Abdou, C. M., & Fingerhut, A. W. (2014). Stereotype threat among black and white women in health care settings. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 20(3), 316–323.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alegría, M., Canino, G., Ríos, R., Vera, M., Calderon, J., Rusch, D., & Ortega, A. N. (2002). Mental health care for Latinos: Inequalities in use of specialty mental health services among Latinos, African Americans, and non-Latino Whites. Psychiatric Services, 53(12), 1547–1555.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alegría, M., Carson, N. J., Goncalves, M., & Keefe, K. (2011). Disparities in treatment for substance use disorders and co-occurring disorders for ethnic/racial minority youth. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 50(1), 22–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • American Psychological Association. (2002). Criteria for evaluating treatment guidelines. The American Psychologist, 57(12), 1052–1059.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • American Psychological Association. (2003). Guidelines on multicultural education, training, research, practice, and organizational change for psychologists. The American Psychologist, 58(5), 377–402.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Areán, P. A., Ayalon, L., Hunkeler, E., Lin, E. H., Tang, L., Harpole, L., et al. (2005). Improving depression care for older, minority patients in primary care. Medical Care, 43(4), 381–390.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Arnold, L. E., Elliott, M., Sachs, L., Bird, H., Kraemer, H. C., Wells, K. C., et al. (2003). Effects of ethnicity on treatment attendance, stimulant response/dose, and 14-month outcome in ADHD. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71(4), 713–727.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Banks, R., Hogue, A., Timberlake, T., & Liddle, H. (1996). An Afrocentric approach to group social skills training with inner-city African American adolescents. Journal of Negro Education, 65(4), 414–423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bean, R. A., Perry, B. J., & Bedell, T. M. (2002). Developing culturally competent marriage and family therapists: Treatment guidelines for non-African-American therapists working with African-American families. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 28(2), 153–164.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive behavior therapy: Basics and beyond. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Belgrave, F. Z., Chase-Vaughn, G., Gray, F., Addison, J. D., & Cherry, V. R. (2000). The effectiveness of a culture- and gender-specific intervention for increasing resiliency among African American preadolescent females. Journal of Black Psychology, 26(2), 133–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benkert, R., Peters, R. M., Clark, R., & Keves-Foster, K. (2006). Effects of perceived racism, cultural mistrust and trust in providers on satisfaction with care. Journal of the National Medical Association, 98(9), 1532–1540.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Benish, S. G., Quintana, S., & Wampold, B. E. (2011). Culturally adapted psychotherapy and the legitimacy of myth: A direct-comparison meta-analysis. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 58(3), 279–289.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bernal, G., & Sáez-Santiago, E. (2006). Culturally centered psychosocial interventions. Journal of Community Psychology, 34(2), 121–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bernstein, J., Bernstein, E., Tassiopoulos, K., Heeren, T., Levenson, S., & Hingson, R. (2005). Brief motivational intervention at a clinic visit reduces cocaine and heroin use. Drug & Alcohol Dependence, 77(1), 49–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boden, M. T., Kimerling, R., Jacobs-Lentz, J., Bowman, D., Weaver, C., Carney, D., et al. (2011). Seeking safety treatment for male veterans with a substance use disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder symptomatology. Addiction, 107(3), 578–596.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borduin, C. M., Mann, B. J., Cone, L. T., Henggeler, S. M., Fucci, B. R., Blaske, D. M., et al. (1995). Multisystemic treatment of serious juvenile offenders: Long-term prevention of criminality and violence. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 63(4), 569–578.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Borowsky, S. J., Rubenstein, L. V., Meredith, L. S., Camp, P., Jackson-Triche, M., & Wells, K. B. (2000). Who is at risk of nondetection of mental health problems in primary care? Journal of General Internal Medicine, 15(6), 381–388.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Boyd-Franklin, N. (1989). Black families in therapy: A multisystems approach. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyd-Franklin, N. (2010). Incorporating spirituality and religion into the treatment of African American clients. The Counseling Psychologist, 38(7), 976–1000.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brondino, M. J., Henggeler, S. W., Rowland, M. D., Pickrel, S. G., Cunningham, P. B., & Schoenwald, S. K. (1997). Multisystematic therapy and the ethnic minority client: Culturally responsive and clinically effective. In D. K. Wilson, J. R. Rodrique, & W.C. Taylor (Eds.) Health-promoting and health-compromising behaviors among minority adolescents (pp. 229–250). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: Experiments by design and nature. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cabral, R. R., & Smith, T. B. (2011). Racial/ethnic matching of clients and therapists in mental health services: A meta-analytic review of preferences, perceptions, and outcomes. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 58(4), 537–554.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Carter, M. M., Mitchell, F. E., & Sbrocco, T. (2012). Treating ethnic minority adults with anxiety disorders: Current status and future recommendations. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 26(4), 488–501.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Carter, M. M., Sbrocco, T., Gore, K. L., Marin, N. W., & Lewis, E. L. (2003). Cognitive behavioral group therapy versus a wait-list control in the treatment of African American women with panic disorder. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 27(5), 505–518.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castro, F. G., & Alarcón, E. H. (2002). Integrating cultural variables into drug abuse prevention and treatment with racial/ethnic minorities. Journal of Drug Issues, 32(3), 783–810.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analyses for the social sciences. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohn, L. D., & Becker, B. J. (2003). How meta-analysis increases statistical power. Psychological Methods, 8(3), 243–253.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cokley, K. O. (2005). Racial (ized) identity, ethnic identity, and Afrocentric values: Conceptual and methodological challenges in understanding African American identity. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52(4), 517–526.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, S. P., Arnette, N. C., Bethea, K. S., Graves, K. N., Rhodes, M. N., Harp, S. E., et al. (2009). The Grady Nia Project: A culturally competent intervention for low-income, abused, and suicidal African American women. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 40(2), 141–147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diamond, G. D., Reis, B. F., Diamond, G. M., Siqueland, L., & Isaacs, L. (2002). Attachment-based family therapy for depressed adolescents: A treatment development study. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 41(10), 1190–1196.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Feske, U. (2008). Treating low-income and minority women with posttraumatic stress disorder: A pilot study comparing prolonged exposure and treatment as usual conducted by community therapists. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 23(8), 1027–1040.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Foa, E. B., McLean, C. P., Capaldi, S., & Rosenfield, D. (2013). Prolonged exposure vs. supported counseling for sexual abuse-related PTSD in adolescent girls: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of the American Medical Association, 310(24), 2650–2657.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fortuna, L. R., Alegria, M., & Gao, S. (2010). Retention in depression treatment among ethnic and racial minority groups in the United States. Depression and Anxiety, 27(5), 485–494.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Frank, J. D., & Frank, J. B. (1993). Persuasion and healing: A comparative study of psychotherapy. Baltimore, MD: JHU Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Genshaft, J. L., & Hirt, M. (1979). Race effects in modifying cognitive impulsivity through self-instruction and modeling. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 27(1), 185–194.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ginsburg, G. S., & Drake, K. L. (2002). School-based treatment for anxious African Americans adolescents: A controlled pilot study. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 41(7), 768–775.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gone, J. P. (2011). Is psychological science a-cultural? Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 17(3), 234–242.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Griner, D., & Smith, T. B. (2006). Culturally adapted mental health intervention: A meta-analytic review. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 43(4), 531–548.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hahm, H. C., Cook, B. L., Ault-Brutus, A., & Alegría, M. (2015). Intersection of race-ethnicity and gender in depression care: Screening, access, and minimally adequate treatment. Psychiatric Services, 66(3), 258–264.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hall, G. C. N., Ibaraki, A. Y., Huang, E. R., Marti, C. N., & Stice, E. (2016). A meta-analysis of cultural adaptations of psychological interventions. Behavior Therapy, 47(6), 993–1014.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S. W. (2011). Efficacy studies to large-scale transport: The development and validation of multisystemic therapy programs. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 7, 351–381.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S. W., Melton, G. B., & Smith, L. A. (1992). Family preservation using multisystemic therapy: An effective alternative to incarcerating serious juvenile offenders. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 60(6), 953–691.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S. W., Pickrel, S. G., Brondino, M., & Crouch, J. L. (1996). Eliminating (almost) treatment dropout of substance abusing or dependent delinquents through home-based multisystemic therapy. American Journal of Psychiatry, 153(3), 427–428.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hettema, J., Steele, J., & Miller, W. R. (2005). Motivational interviewing. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 1, 91–111.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hodge, D. R., Jackson, K. F., & Vaughn, M. G. (2012). Culturally sensitive interventions and substance use: A meta-analytic review of outcomes among minority youths. Social Work Research, 36(1), 11–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hook, J. N., Davis, D. E., Owen, J., Worthington Jr., E. L., & Utsey, S. O. (2013). Cultural humility: Measuring openness to culturally diverse clients. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 60(3), 353–366.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Horrell, S. C. V. (2008). Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy with adult ethnic minority clients: A review. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 39(2), 160–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huey Jr., S. J. (2013). A meta-analysis of culturally tailored versus generic psychotherapies. Presented at the 121st Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association, Honolulu, HI.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huey Jr., S. J., Tilley, J. L., Jones, E. O., & Smith, C. A. (2014). The contribution of cultural competence to evidence-based care for ethnically diverse populations. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 10, 305–338.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Huey Jr., S. J., & Jones, E. O. (2013). Improving treatment engagement and psychotherapy outcomes for culturally diverse youth and families. In F. Paniagua & A. Yamada (Eds.) Handbook of multicultural mental health: Assessment and treatment of diverse populations (2nd ed., pp. 427–444). San Diego, CA: Elsevier Academic Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Huey Jr., S. J., Henggeler, S. W., Rowland, M. D., Halliday-Boykins, C., Cunningham, P. B., Edwards, J., et al. (2004). Multisystemic therapy effects on attempted suicide by youths presenting psychiatric emergencies. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 43(2), 183–190.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Huey Jr., S. J., & Polo, A. J. (2008). Evidence-based psychosocial treatments for ethnic minority youth. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 37(1), 262–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ibaraki, A. Y., & Hall, G. C. N. (2014). The components of cultural match in psychotherapy. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 33(10), 936–953.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Imel, Z. E., Baldwin, S., Atkins, D. A., Owen, J., Baardseth, T., & Wampold, B. E. (2011). Racial/ethnic disparities in therapist effectiveness: A conceptualization and initial study of cultural competence. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 58(3), 290–298.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Interian, A., Martinez, I., Rios, L. I., Krejci, J., & Guarnaccia, P. J. (2010). Adaptation of a motivational interviewing intervention to improve antidepressant adherence among Latinos. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 16(2), 215–225.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, K. F., Hodge, D. R., & Vaughn, M. G. (2010). A meta-analysis of culturally sensitive interventions designed to reduce high-risk behaviors among African American youth. Journal of Social Service Research, 36(3), 163–173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson-Gilfort, A., Liddle, H. A., Tejeda, M. J., & Dakof, G. A. (2001). Facilitating engagement of African American male adolescents in family therapy: A cultural theme process study. Journal of Black Psychology, 27(3), 321–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson-Ahorlu, R. N. (2013). “Our biggest challenge is stereotypes”: Understanding stereotype threat and the academic experiences of African American undergraduates. The Journal of Negro Education, 82(4), 382–392.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, L. V. (2009). Claiming your connections: A psychosocial group intervention study of black college women. Social Work Research, 33(3), 159–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, L. V., & Warner, L. A. (2011). Evaluating culturally responsive group work with black women. Research on Social Work Practice, 21(6), 737–746.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaslow, N. J., Leiner, A. S., Reviere, S., Jackson, E., Bethea, K., Bhaju, S., et al. (2010). Suicidal, abused African American women’s response to a culturally informed intervention. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 78(4), 449–458.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaslow, N. J., Thompson, M. P., Meadows, L. A., Jacobs, D., Chance, S., Gibb, B., et al. (1998). Factors that mediate and moderate the link between partner abuse and suicidal behavior in African American women. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 66(3), 533–540.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Katz, E. C., Brown, B. S., Schwartz, R. P., King, S. D., Weintraub, E., & Barksdale, W. (2007). Impact of role induction on long-term drug treatment outcomes. Journal of Addictive Diseases, 26(2), 81–90.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Katz, E. C., Brown, B. S., Schwartz, R. P., Weintraub, E., Barksdale, W., & Robinson, R. (2004). Role induction: A method for enhancing early retention in outpatient drug-free treatment. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72(2), 227–234.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kenny, D. A., Calsyn, R. J., Morse, G. A., Klinkenberg, W. D., Winter, J. P., & Trusty, M. L. (2004). Evaluation of treatment programs for persons with severe mental illness: Moderator and mediator effects. Evaluation Review, 28(4), 294–324.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kirmayer, L. J. (2012). Cultural competence and evidence-based practice in mental health: Epistemic communities and the politics of pluralism. Social Science & Medicine, 75(2), 249–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kliewer, W., Lepore, S. J., Farrell, A. D., Allison, K. W., Meyer, A. L., Sullivan, T. N., & Greene, A. Y. (2011). A school-based expressive writing intervention for at-risk urban adolescents’ aggressive behavior and emotional lability. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 40(5), 693–705.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Klonoff, E. A., & Landrine, H. (2000). Revising and improving the African American acculturation scale. Journal of Black Psychology, 26(2), 235–261.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kohn, L. P., Oden, T., Muñoz, R. F., Robinson, A., & Leavitt, D. (2002). Adapted cognitive behavioral group therapy for depressed low-income African American women. Community Mental Health Journal, 38(6), 497–504.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kumpfer, K. L., Alvarado, R., Smith, P., & Bellamy, N. (2002). Cultural sensitivity and adaptation in family-based prevention interventions. Prevention Science, 3(3), 241–246.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Liddle, H. A., Dakof, G. A., Turner, R. M., Henderson, C. E., & Greenbaum, P. E. (2008). Treating adolescent drug abuse: A randomized trial comparing multidimensional family therapy and cognitive behavior therapy. Addiction, 103(10), 1660–1670.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Longshore, D., & Grills, C. (2000). Motivating illegal drug use recovery: Evidence for a culturally congruent intervention. Journal of Black Psychology, 26(3), 288–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Longshore, D., Grills, C., & Annon, K. (1999). Effects of a culturally congruent intervention on cognitive factors related to drug-use recovery. Substance Use & Misuse, 34(9), 1223–1241.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mak, W. W., Law, R. W., Alvidrez, J., & Pérez-Stable, E. J. (2007). Gender and ethnic diversity in NIMH-funded clinical trials: Review of a decade of published research. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 34(6), 497–503.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Metzger, I., Cooper, S. M., Zarrett, N., & Flory, K. (2013). Culturally sensitive risk behavior prevention programs for African American adolescents: A systematic analysis. Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 16(2), 187–212.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Milby, J. B., Schumacher, J. E., Raczynski, J. M., Caldwell, E., Engle, M., et al. (1996). Sufficient conditions for effective treatment of substance abusing homeless persons. Drug & Alcohol Dependence, 43(1), 39–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, W. R., Hendrickson, S. M. L., Venner, K., Bisono, A., Daugherty, M., & Yahne, C. E. (2008). Cross-cultural training in motivational interviewing. Journal of Teaching in the Addictions, 7(1), 4–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, W. R., & Rollnick, S. (2012). Motivational interviewing: Helping people change. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Montgomery, L., Burlew, A. K., Kosinski, A. S., & Forcehimes, A. A. (2011). Motivational enhancement therapy for African American substance users: A randomized clinical trial. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 17(4), 357–365.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Munder, T., Gerger, H., Trelle, S., & Barth, J. (2011). Testing the allegiance bias hypothesis: A meta-analysis. Psychotherapy Research, 21(6), 670–684.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Murray, R. P., Connett, J. E., Buist, A. S., Gerald, L. B., & Eichenhom, M. S. (2001). Experience of Black participants in the Lung Health Study smoking cessation intervention program. Nicotine Tobacco Research, 3(4), 375–382.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Noël, L. T., & Whaley, A. L. (2012). Ethnic/racial differences in depression among U.S. primary care patients: Cultural considerations in screening and detection. Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 21(4), 314–330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pieterse, A. L., Todd, N. R., Neville, H. A., & Carter, R. T. (2012). Perceived racism and mental health among Black American adults: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 59(1), 1–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rastogi, S., Johnson, T. D., Hoeffel, E. M., & Drewery, M. P. (2011). The black population: 2010 census briefs. Washington, DC: US Census Bureau.

    Google Scholar 

  • Resnicow, K., Baranowski, T., Ahluwalia, J. S., & Braithwaite, R. L. (1999). Cultural sensitivity in public health: Defined and demystified. Ethnicity & Disease, 9(1), 10–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rivas-Drake, D., Syed, M., Umaña-Taylor, A., Markstrom, C., French, S., Schwartz, S. J., & Lee, R. (2014). Feeling good, happy, and proud: A meta-analysis of positive ethnic–racial affect and adjustment. Child Development, 85(1), 77–102.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, D. E. (2003). The social and moral cost of mass incarceration in African American communities. Stanford Law Review, 56, 1271–1305.

    Google Scholar 

  • Samples, T. C., Woods, A., Davis, T. A., Rhodes, M., Shahane, A., & Kaslow, N. J. (2014). Race of interviewer effect on disclosures of suicidal low-income African American women. Journal of Black Psychology, 40(1), 27–46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Satel, S., & Forster, G. (1999). Multicultural mental health: Does your skin color matter more than your mind. Washington, DC: Center for Equal Opportunity.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sayegh, C. S., Hall-Clark, B. N., McDaniel, D. D., Halliday-Boykins, C. A., Cunningham, P. B., & Huey Jr, S. J. (2016). A preliminary investigation of ethnic differences in resistance in multisystemic therapy. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 5, 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, R. C., & Feisthamel, K. P. (2009). Disproportionate diagnosis of mental disorders among African American versus European American clients: Implications for counseling theory, research, and practice. Journal of Counseling & Development, 87(3), 295–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simons, R. L., Murry, V., McLoyd, V., Lin, K. H., Cutrona, C., & Conger, R. D. (2002). Discrimination, crime, ethnic identity, and parenting as correlates of depressive symptoms among African American children: A multilevel analysis. Development and Psychopathology, 14(2), 371–393.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Skiba, R. J., Horner, R. H., Chung, C. G., Rausch, M. K., May, S. L., & Tobin, T. (2011). Race is not neutral: A national investigation of African American and Latino disproportionality in school discipline. School Psychology Review, 40(1), 85–107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smedley, B. D., Stith, A. Y., & Nelson, A. R. (Eds.). (2003). Unequal treatment: Confronting racial and ethnic disparities in healthcare. Washington, DC: National Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, T. B., Rodríguez, M. D., & Bernal, G. (2011). Culture. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 67(2), 166–175.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, T. B., & Silva, L. (2011). Ethnic identity and personal well-being of people of color: A meta-analysis. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 58(1), 42–60.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, T. B., & Trimble, J. E. (2016). Participation of clients of color in mental health services: A meta-analysis of treatment attendance and treatment completion/attrition. In T. B. Smith & J. E. Trimble (Eds.) Foundations of multicultural psychology: Research to inform effective practice (pp. 95–114). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Snowden, L. R. (1999). African American service use for mental health problems. Journal of Community Psychology, 27(3), 303–313.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Snowden, L. R. (2003). Bias in mental health assessment and intervention: Theory and evidence. American Journal of Public Health, 93(2), 239–243.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Snowden, L. R. (2012). Health and mental health policies' role in better understanding and closing African American–White American disparities in treatment access and quality of care. American Psychologist, 67(7), 524–531.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Snowden, L. R. (2014). Poverty, safety net programs, and African Americans’ mental health. American Psychologist, 69(8), 773–781.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stotts, A. L., Schmitz, J. M., Rhoades, H. M., & Grabowski, J. (2001). Motivational interviewing with cocaine-dependent patients: A pilot study. Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology, 69(5), 858–862.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sue, S., Zane, N., Hall, G. C. N., & Berger, L. K. (2009). The case for cultural competency in psychotherapeutic interventions. Annual Review of Psychology, 60, 525–548.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Townes, D. L., Chavez-Korell, S., & Cunningham, N. J. (2009). Reexamining the relationships between racial identity, cultural mistrust, help-seeking attitudes, and preference for a Black counselor. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 56(2), 330–336.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2001). Mental health: Culture, race, and ethnicity—A supplement to mental health: A report of the surgeon general. Rockville, MD: Author.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • van der Stouwe, T., Asscher, J. J., Stams, G. J. J., Deković, M., & van der Laan, P. H. (2014). The effectiveness of Multisystemic Therapy (MST): A meta-analysis. Clinical Psychology Review, 34(6), 468–481.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Walitzer, K. S., Dermen, K. H., & Connors, G. J. (1999). Strategies for preparing clients for treatment: A review. Behavior Modification, 23, 129–151.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Washington, H. A. (2006). Medical apartheid: The dark history of medical experimentation on Black Americans from colonial times to the present (1st ed.). New York, NY: Doubleday.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webb, M. S. (2008a). Does one size fit all African American smokers? The moderating role of acculturation in culturally specific interventions. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 22(4), 592–596.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Webb, M. S. (2008b). Treating tobacco dependence among African Americans: A meta-analytic review. Health Psychology, 27(3), S271–S282.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Webb, M. S. (2009). Culturally specific interventions for African American smokers: An efficacy experiment. Journal of the National Medical Association, 101(9), 927–935.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Webb, M. S., de Ybarra, D. R., Baker, E. A., Reis, I. M., & Carey, M. P. (2010). Cognitive–behavioral therapy to promote smoking cessation among African American smokers: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 78(1), 24–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weersing, V. R., & Weisz, J. R. (2002). Community clinic treatment of depressed youth: Benchmarking usual care against CBT clinical trials. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 70(2), 299–310.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weinrach, S. G., & Thomas, K. R. (2004). The AMCD multicultural counseling competencies: A critically flawed initiative. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 26(1), 81–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weiss, B., Harris, V., Catron, T., & Han, S. S. (2003). Efficacy of the RECAP intervention program for children with concurrent internalizing and externalizing problems. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71, 364–374.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wendt, D. C., & Gone, J. P. (2012). Rethinking cultural competence: Insights from indigenous community treatment settings. Transcultural Psychiatry, 49(2), 206–222.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Westen, D., Novotny, C. M., & Thompson-Brenner, H. (2004). The empirical status of empirically supported psychotherapies: Assumptions, findings, and reporting in controlled clinical trials. Psychological Bulletin, 130(4), 631–663.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Whaley, A. L. (2001). Cultural mistrust and mental health services for African Americans: A review and meta-analysis. The Counseling Psychologist, 29(4), 513–531.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whaley, A. L., & Davis, K. E. (2007). Cultural competence and evidence-based practice in mental health services: A complementary perspective. American Psychologist, 62(6), 563–574.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, D. R., & Williams-Morris, R. (2000). Racism and mental health: The African American experience. Ethnicity and Health, 5(3–4), 243–268.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Williams, M., Powers, M., Yun, Y. G., & Foa, E. (2010). Minority participation in randomized controlled trials for obsessive–compulsive disorder. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 24(2), 171–177.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Eduardo Jones, Stanley J. Huey Jr. & Miriam Rubenson

Authors
  1. Eduardo Jones
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Stanley J. Huey Jr.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Miriam Rubenson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stanley J. Huey Jr. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA

    Craig L. Frisby

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Nevada - Reno, Reno, Nevada, USA

    William T. O'Donohue

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Jones, E., Huey, S.J., Rubenson, M. (2018). Cultural Competence in Therapy with African Americans. In: Frisby, C., O'Donohue, W. (eds) Cultural Competence in Applied Psychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-78997-2_22

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation