American journal of community psychology最新文献

The provision of residential and community-based services for individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) has become increasingly important following the deinstitutionalization movement. Much of the existing research on supportive housing focuses on housing outcomes rather than exploring how the program helps its residents thrive in the broader community. This study draws upon data collected from 176 people with SMI residing in 16 supportive housing locations in Portland, Oregon. Analyses explore how housing staff support relates to residents' loneliness (interpersonal level), residential satisfaction (housing and neighborhood level), and sense of community (community level). Staff support was found to be related to lower levels of loneliness, higher residential satisfaction, and a higher sense of community. Self-determination was considered as a moderator to understand the role of residents' agency in the relationships between staff support and resident experiences. Self-determination moderated the relationship between staff support and residential satisfaction for those with moderate to low self-determination, but not for individuals with high self-determination. In contrast, staff support was associated with decreased loneliness and increased sense of community regardless of self-determination. This study has implications for policymakers, researchers, and interventionists, expanding upon the limited body of research on staff support and the experiences of residents in a supportive housing environment.

We explored community-based doulas' perspectives on the acceptability of using formal screening tools to address low rates of mental health screening, diagnosis, and treatment for perinatal anxiety and depression among Black women. Using thematic analysis, we analyzed interview data from 30 community-based doulas who support Black families during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Approximately 57% of community-based doulas supported mental health screening; 23% opposed, and 20% were unsure of whether or not to screen. Four themes emerged from participants' responses, including (1) rethinking screening approaches and procedures; (2) cultural and contextual screening; (3) community-based doula roles; and (4) client mistrust of mental health questionnaires. Additionally, there were four themes that highlighted community-based doulas' perspectives of how they might advocate for this population, including (1) bridge to mental health; (2) identification and normalization of symptoms; (3) systemic issues; and (4) mental health specialization. Partnering with trusted community-based doulas might improve perinatal mental health screening and prevention efforts for Black women experiencing perinatal anxiety and depression.

Sociopolitical development (SPD)-that is, "the process by which individuals acquire the knowledge, analytical skills, emotional faculties, and the capacity for action in political and social systems necessary to interpret and resist oppression" (Watts et al., 2003, p. 185)-allows young people to engage in their communities in ways that promote justice and collective wellbeing. Participation in supportive adult-child relationships is theoretically and empirically linked to SPD. However, additional research is needed to investigate the mechanisms through which these relationships support SPD, especially during the understudied developmental period of middle childhood (ages 7-11). This paper presents a theoretical literature review with the goal of consolidating existing evidence about SPD and the social and relational forces that shape it during middle childhood. It also expands on the theory of SPD by proposing the related concept of sociopolitical socialization (SPS), which describes the kinds of socialization between young people and their relational partners that promote SPD, and by highlighting imagination as a previously implicit component of SPD with particular significance for middle childhood.

Aim: We explored the perceived barriers and facilitators faced by leaders when initiating self-help groups (SHGs) for emotional well-being using an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design that combined focus groups and an online survey. Leaders, educators, and technicians from supportive organizations participated in four focus groups (n = 22), and 46% (n = 30) of trainees from SHGs leadership training courses completed the survey. Thematic analysis of qualitative data, combined with descriptive and textual analyses of survey responses, revealed two overarching themes: learning to lead and leading in practice. Early success of SHGs was linked to leaders' self-motivation and targeted leadership training. Facilitators included shared task distribution, horizontal relationships, and active dialogue facilitated leadership, while barriers comprised perceived role overload and logistical burdens. Survey findings reinforced the importance of co-responsibility, key training elements, and external support, including meeting spaces, integration, and publicity. These results suggest that initiating and maintaining mutual SHGs for emotional well-being may require recognizing the central role of leaders. Targeted training, professional accompaniment, and a stable community network are essential supports.

Social support has long been recognized as an individual and community resource that can reduce stress and promote well-being, both in everyday life and after traumatic events. This study sought to explore the impact of two types of social support-social integration and perceived emotional support-on sexual assault survivors' longitudinal experiences of posttraumatic stress. We built on a previously conducted latent transition analysis to identify whether social integration and perceived emotional support predicted membership in each latent class, in addition to whether varied levels of support predicted transitions between latent classes over 1 year. Based on responses from a community sample of sexual assault survivors in an urban area of the midwestern United States, we found that while both types of social support predicted latent class membership, the impact of each type of support varied between latent classes, such that social integration and perceived emotional support were differently impactful depending on one's experience of posttraumatic stress. Findings contribute to the ongoing discussion of social support as a vital community resource and suggest circumstances in which social integration and perceived emotional support may each be especially useful in reducing distress and promoting health.

Well-implemented social and emotional learning (SEL) programs are associated with positive student outcomes. Through CalHOPE, County Office of Education (COE) leaders are providing implementation support to districts and schools seeking to improve SEL delivery statewide. CalHOPE uses the SHIFT model to guide the regional implementation of systemic and equity-oriented SEL. This study assesses the conceptually driven conditions among COEs for providing implementation support, including adult well-being, workplace climate, and levers of transformation (forging partnerships within and outside of the organization, providing support through funding, training, coaching, and tools, and building capacity of leaders in the form of mindsets, knowledge, skills, and efficacy, to improve the structures and routines of SEL implementation-such as having a vision, SEL leadership team, data systems, and goals/plans). Ninety-seven COE SEL leaders participating in CalHOPE reported on their conditions and activities. COE SEL leaders reported positive well-being, workplace climate, and levers of transformation. Having a greater variety of partnerships was significantly associated with a stronger presence of all levers. Findings advance our understanding of the scaling up realities of SEL implementation in a statewide effort and highlight the value of partnerships in advancing SEL implementation.

Mobile technologies have become significant resources for crisis communication and social support in recent years. However, despite empirical evidence pointing to the centrality of these technologies for parenthood in everyday life, it is yet unknown how parents' coping resources play a role in the digital environment. In this study, we examined how parents cope with prolonged political violence online, based on Bronfenbrenner's ecological theory and the three levels of coping it encompasses: personal, family, and community. We employed a photo-elicitation technique during in-depth interviews with 21 parents residing in communities near the Israel-Gaza border, to identify digital coping strategies in WhatsApp groups. The data were collected in January 2023, prior to the outbreak of the October 7th Israel-Gaza war, and therefore reflect coping processes during a period that alternated between relative calm and episodes of escalation. Theoretically, our findings contribute to expanding the core concepts of coping theories, traditionally studied in offline environments, to the digital realm. Empirically, our analysis revealed that participants developed digital coping methods at two ecological levels: personal and community. At the personal level, our participants used local WhatsApp parent groups (WPGs) to manage stress by exchanging emotional and instrumental support and venting emotions. At the community level, our participants indicated that local WPGs could help address emergencies collectively through the provision of instrumental support, emotional support, relief through humor, and as a platform for venting. Our study, by identifying how they use local digital settings, indicates the ways residents can potentially increase their personal and community resilience.

Social isolation has reached concerning rates, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Social integration is critical to combatting social isolation and loneliness by promoting a sense of community and belonging. Yet, most existing research centers on fostering close personal relationships within family and friend networks. Social integration within the neighborhood context (e.g., chatting with neighbors, participating in local organizations) is another tool that can be used to combat loneliness, but less is known about the process of social integration for residents situated in different sociodemographic groups. The current study examines variability in the process of neighborhood social integration across sociodemographic characteristics (e.g., social role, racial-ethnic identity, and housing tenure). Thematic analyses were conducted on semi-structured interviews with 29 residents of Wards 4 and 5 of Washington, D.C. Results suggested that relative to caregivers and community leaders, youth reported fewer opportunities for neighborhood social integration; frequently noted barriers were lack of shared identity, the transient nature of D.C., and school location. Despite sociodemographic heterogeneity in facilitators and barriers to neighborhood social integration, many residents called for more community programming and 'third places' to facilitate neighborhood connections.

This study aims to examine the relationship between outdoor environmental quality, trust in neighbors, and social integration among residents of public rental housing in Seoul, South Korea. It also investigates how neighborly relationships moderate this association. The study uses data from the 2016-2021 Seoul Public Rental Housing Panel Survey (SPRHPS) and applies individual fixed effects models to examine how outdoor environmental quality affects trust in neighbors. It also explores the moderating role of dwelling type characterized by apartment and non-apartment (e.g., single detached house and multiunit housing). Poor outdoor environmental quality, characterized by low greenery, inadequate amenities, and unsafe conditions, was linked to diminished trust in neighbors. Interestingly, the negative impact of these outdoor conditions on neighborly trust was less pronounced among residents of apartments compared to those living in non-apartment settings. This trend was also observed in other outcomes, such as attitudes toward social integration. These findings highlight the importance of both physical environmental improvements and fostering social connections in public housing communities to enhance social trust and overall well-being.

Felony re-enfranchisement efforts have expanded voting rights of formerly incarcerated people (FIP) across 26 states. Despite progress, research demonstrates low voter turnout and civic participation among this structurally marginalized population. We conducted a community-based participatory research project, rooted in the framework of critical consciousness, to understand how FIP experience voting. We conducted five semi-structured focus groups with 32 FIP; the majority of people were of color (85%). We find FIP articulate a nuanced, structural analysis of the injustices they face at the intersection of numerous public-serving systems, including the legal and electoral systems. Notably, they are not apathetic toward voting or civic participation. Rather, we note manufactured ambivalence as an emotional response stemming from their critical reflection-that is, while they simultaneously articulate that their needs will not be met by the system and things do not change, they are also attuned to how powerful actors, particularly politicians, make decisions impacting their lives. Despite gaps in civic education due to community disinvestment, FIP express a strong desire for building both individual and collective efficacy to address oppression. We generate key components that future initiatives should consider for promoting civics education, voting, and building political power with FIP.