Trainee social justice advocacy: investigating the roles of training factors and multicultural competence

Theoretical research asserts that social justice advocacy (SJA) represents an extension of multicultural competence (MC). However, limited empirical literature examines if and how SJA manifests and is developed as an aspect of trainee MC. The current study used path modeling to examine direct and indirect links between aspects of training environment and trainee MC and SJA for a sample of 197 trainees embedded in counseling-oriented training programs. MC demonstrated the strongest positive association with SJA. In addition, multicultural training environment, but not social justice training environment, influenced SJA indirectly through MC. Results are encouraging of a differentiation between multicultural and social justice training emphases, with practical implications for training programs seeking to enhance and foster both MC and SJA among their trainees.     

Facing mortality: exploring the mechanisms of positive growth and the process of recalibration

Interviews with 11 participants who had suffered a range of traumas five or more years ago were analysed using thematic analysis to explore the impact of a negative event and the mechanisms involved in subsequent changes and adjustment. Participants described a sense of mortality reflected in a feeling that life was fragile as though the intellectual knowledge of their future death had been turned into an emotional reality, which had offered them opportunity to make changes across a number of life domains. For some, however, these changes were hindered through ongoing issues such as physical and psychological symptoms and legal action. The final theme reflected a process of recalibration and many described achieving a state of relative contentment. Transcending these themes were a series of mechanisms facilitating change including downward comparisons to friends and abstract others, active remembering involving forced reflection, self-talk and reading diaries, shifting priorities and a focus on the positives and lowered expectations. Overall, it is suggested that growth following trauma is achieved through a shift in the object of comparison whether it be others or themselves as either in an alternative life trajectory or even death. This may result in a greater appreciation of life, but rather than being achieved through growth in one's sense of self per se it reflects a generalised lowering of expectations and growth in comparison to a new lowered set of points of comparison.     

Predictors of Cultural Values Conflict for Asian Indian Women

This study explored the relationship between the family environments and coping styles and the cultural values conflicts of 110 Asian Indian women. Results indicated that women perceiving supportive family environments had less sex role conflict. Additionally, avoidant and emotion‐focused coping predicted high conflict regarding intimate relations and sex role expectations. Implications are discussed. Este estudio exploró la relación entre los entornos familiares y los estilos de afrontamiento y los conflictos en valores culturales de 110 mujeres de la India. Los resultados indicaron que las mujeres que perciben un entorno familiar que las apoya sufren menos conflictos con el rol de su sexo. Adicionalmente, el afrontamiento centrado en la evitación y las emociones predijo un nivel de conflicto elevado relacionado con las relaciones íntimas y las expectativas del rol de su sexo. Se discuten las implicaciones.     

Exploration of Jewish Ethnic Identity

Despite a growing amount of research on the topic of ethnic identity, Jews, and the important aspects of a Jewish identity, have not been included in the multicultural and psychological literature. Using consensual qualitative research (C. E. Hill et al., 2005), the authors sought to gain an understanding of Jewish ethnic identity in 10 American young adults, ages 20–27, who identified as Conservative Jews. Six themes were identified: (a) perception of Jewish identity based in multiple influences, (b) personalization of a Jewish identity, (c) reinforcers of a Jewish identity, (d) challenges in holding on to Jewish identity, (e) critical incidents necessitating the expression of one's Jewishness, and (f) critical incidents necessitating the denial of one's Jewishness.