Racial Factors and Mental Health Among African American Men (1 CE)

Number of Credits: 1

This Course is for: Clinical Psychologists, Counselors, and MFTs

Course By: Rachel Schoor, PhD

Content by: Chae, D. H., Powell, W. A., Nuru-Jeter, A. M., Smith-Bynum, M. A., Seaton, E. K., Forman, T. A., ... & Sellers, R. (2017). The role of racial identity and implicit racial bias in self-reported racial discrimination: Implications for depression among African American men. Journal of Black Psychology, 43(8), 789-812. 

Course description: Racial discrimination is a psychosocial stressor that has been linked to adverse mental health outcomes. However, the presence or absence of racial discrimination can be ambiguous. Elements of racial identity may determine how ambiguous negative experiences are interpreted, and later reported, in racial discrimination survey measures. The relationships between racial discrimination, racial identity, implicit racial bias, and depressive symptomology among 95 African American men from 30 to 50 years of age were explored. Racial centrality was positively associated with reports of racial discrimination, while implicit anti-black bias was negatively associated with reports of racial discrimination. Statistical models were developed to predict elevated depressive symptoms. Participants with the greatest risk of having higher depressive symptomology were those who held greater anti-black implicit beliefs and reported lower rates of racial discrimination. Unconscious, as well as conscious, processes related to racial identity were important considerations when assessing the impact of racial discrimination on mental health. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify 3 psychological problems that have been associated with racial discrimination
2. Understand the relationship between the elements of racial identity and discrimination
3. Integrate the impact of conscious and unconscious processes with the study findings and identified study weaknesses

Course Outline:

• Read and understand The role of racial identity and implicit biases in self-reported racial discrimination: Implications for depression among African American men
• Review the Course Description and Learning Objectives
• Consider the study strengths and weaknesses, as well as the factors pertaining to racial identity, implicit biases, racial discrimination, and risk factors for depression
• Work through the post-test questions; keep in mind that answer selections should be derived from the respective article
• Return to the referenced article for any missed questions and/or to better understand the relationships between racial identity, implicit biases, racial discrimination, and depression symptomology among African American men

Approvals: