Treating Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Ethnic and Racial Groups

Depression, anxiety, and stress are responsible for an overwhelming number of mental health care visits, and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) offers the most popular, empirically supported approach to treating these conditions. Yet little is known about the effectiveness of CBT with African American, Latino, Asian American, and Native American populations – ethnic and racial groups that make up nearly half the population of the United States.  

This volume shows therapists how to adapt cognitive behavioral treatments for use with racial and ethnic minority clients.  Contributors demonstrate how a client’s particular sociocultural background contextualizes her experience and understanding of mental health issues.  They examine the influence of sociocultural context on experiences of social anxiety among Asian-Americans, the role of racial identity in the way stress and anxiety are experienced by African-American clients, and much more. They propose adaptations of standard CBT treatments to maximize their effectiveness for all clients, regardless of race or ethnicity.  

Edward C. Chang, PhD, is professor of psychology and social work and is a faculty associate in Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

He received his BA in psychology and philosophy from the State University of New York at Buffalo and his MA and PhD degrees from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. Dr. Chang completed his APA-accredited clinical internship at Bellevue Hospital Center–New York University Medical Center.

He serves as a program evaluator for the Michigan Department of Community Health–Social Determinants of Health, working with the Asian Center of Southeast Michigan. Dr. Chang also serves as an associate editor of Cognitive Therapy and Research. He has published nearly 200 empirical and scholarly works focusing on optimism and pessimism, perfectionism, loneliness, social problem solving, and cultural influences on behavior.

Christina A. Downey, PhD, is assistant vice-chancellor for academic affairs and student success and associate professor of psychology at Indiana University Kokomo.

She received her BA in psychology from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, and her MS and PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Dr. Downey completed her APA-accredited clinical internship at the University of Michigan Center for the Child and Family and the University of Michigan Psychological Clinic.

Dr. Downey has published articles on various topics in journals such as Eating Behaviors, Psychology & Health, the Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, and The Journal of Effective Teaching and has published several chapters on positive psychology and its history. She also serves on the editorial board of Cognitive Therapy and Research. She was coeditor of the Handbook of Race and Development in Mental Health (2012) with Edward C. Chang and Positive Psychology in Racial and Ethnic Groups: Theory, Research, and Practice (2016) with Edward C. Chang, Jameson K. Hirsch, and Natalie J. Lin.

Jameson K. Hirsch, PhD, is associate professor and assistant chair of the Department of Psychology at East Tennessee State University.

He received his BS in psychology and MA in clinical psychology from East Tennessee State University and his PhD from the University of Wyoming. Dr. Hirsch completed his APA-accredited clinical internship at State University of New York Upstate Medical University and his postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.

He is on the editorial boards of Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, Journal of Rural Mental Health, International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, and Cognitive Therapy and Research.

Dr. Hirsch has made more than 300 presentations, published more than 100 articles, and coedited three books examining the role of sociocultural, cognitive–behavioral, and emotional characteristics, particularly protective factors, in psychological well-being and physical health.

Elizabeth A. Yu, MS, is a graduate student in the clinical science area in the Department of Psychology at the University of Michigan.

She received her BA and MS in psychology and is working toward her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Ms. Yu has conducted, presented, and published research on a wide range of topics including perfectionism, optimism and pessimism, hope, well-being, depression, suicide risk, and meaning in life. Key to her research interests is the consideration of culture and context, especially in ethnic minority populations.

Depression, anxiety, and stress are responsible for an overwhelming number of mental health care visits, and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) offers the most popular, empirically supported approach to treating these conditions. Yet little is known about the effectiveness of CBT with African American, Latino, Asian American, and Native American populations - ethnic and racial groups that make up nearly half the population of the United States. This volume shows therapists how to adapt cognitive behavioral treatments for use with racial and ethnic minority clients. Contributors demonstrate how a client's particular sociocultural background contextualizes her experience and understanding of mental health issues. They examine the influence of sociocultural context on experiences of social anxiety among Asian-Americans, the role of racial identity in the way stress and anxiety are experienced by African-American clients, and much more. They propose adaptations of standard CBT treatments to maximize their effectiveness for all clients, regardless of race or ethnicity.

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