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This study examines the relationship between contextual factors and attendance in a family-based HIV prevention program for low-income, urban, African-American women and their children. Participants' motivations to become involved, their concerns about discussing sex-related issues with their children, recruiters' perceptions of respondents' understanding of the program, and environmental stressors were examined. Participants' level of motivation and recruiters' success in improving respondents' understanding of the program were significant correlates of attendance. Stressors experienced by the family and concerns around talking with children about sex were not significantly associated with participation. Recommendations to enhance involvement in family-based HIV prevention programs are made. doi:10.1300/J137v15n02_16 [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the past few years, terrorism has introduced most Americans to trauma on their own soil. However, African-Americans have lived through trauma and terrorism within the US. for centuries. African-Americans have very different perceptions of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11, 2001. Historical data reveal that African-Americans have endured various forms of domestic terrorism for hundreds of years. Based on a national survey, most African-Americans have very different perceptions of 9/11 than European-Americans. The authors propose there is a great deal to be learned from African-Americans regarding how to manage terrorism. But, to cull the valuable lessons from African-Americans' experience of terrorism, there has to be respect for African -American experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the development and implementation of a family-based prevention program aimed at promoting health and preventing HIV risk exposure during preadolescence and early adolescence in urban, African American children living in areas with high rates of HIV infection. Adolescents are becoming sexually active at earlier ages at the same time that HIV and AIDS are becoming more prominent issues for urban families. The AIDS crisis in urban centers heralds a need for prevention. However, many prevention programs targeting urban parents have been characterized by low participation rates. Urban prevention programs have been criticized as being unrelated to the concerns of parents and the context within such parenting occurs. Furthermore, the suspicion of university-initiated research and intervention coupled with the stigma associated with AIDS have made efforts to intervene in urban, African American communities particularly challenging. Nonetheless, a number of HIV prevention programs for children and adolescents have been implemented and evaluated. Despite the need for developmentally and culturally sensitive preventive interventions, few intervention programs have relied on developmental and/or culturally specific research.

This article describes an ecophenomenological model of domestic violence that helps to conceptualize the ways in which various contextual factors inform the experiences of African American victims of partner violence. The implications of this model for the culturally competent treatment of African American victims of partner abuse are discussed, as is the issue of violence as an outgrowth of an African American male entitlement dysfunction. The article also examines culturally grounded messages that contribute to the development of attitudes that promote violence against African American women. In addition, the article explores the patient's own relational life as a site of meaning making and sustained healing. Finally, the article considers the therapeutic alliance as a source of healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the major theories advanced to explain the existence of suicide and homicide trends in the African-American community. Tendency for both homicide victims and perpetrators to show a propensity for getting into physical altercations; Biological causes of homicide; Exacerbation of the problem in a social context where adolescents are becoming mothers.

The author offers his thoughts on the study on the other-race effect in face processing among African American and Caucasian individuals with schizophrenia by Amy E. Pinkham and company. He said that this study is valuable because it is a paradigmatic example of the proper way to look at cultural, racial, and ethnic variables to heighten the validity of scientific study for all races.

The article focuses on challenges and obstacles encountered when treating mentally ill African American patients. The first skill needed to appropriately treat patients from the African American community is to avoid stereotyping members of such a diverse group. An important factor for avoidance of stereotyping is the consideration of the social context of individual patient. It emphasizes the need for psychiatrists to explore the protective factors surrounding the patients.