Social cognitive career theory proposes that contextual supports and barriers play key roles in the career choice process, yet little research has examined hypotheses involving these variables. Participants (111 college students) completed measures of math/science-related course self-efficacy, coping efficacy, outcome expectations, interests, goals, and perceived contextual supports and barriers. Findings indicate that self-efficacy and outcome expectations were jointly predictive of interests and choice intentions. Support and barrier percepts produced only weak direct relations to choice, though barrier percepts were found to moderate interest-choice relations. A model portraying barriers and supports as linked to choice indirectly (via their impact on self-efficacy) produced better fit to the data than did a model specifying barriers and supports as directly linked to choice. Implications for future research and counseling are discussed.
Internalized racism poses harm to Asian Americans' well-being, mental health, body image, and relationships, while reinforcing racism and anti-Blackness. Rather than pathologizing Asian Americans who internalize racism, this article offers an understanding of its origins within the context of white supremacy and ways of healing and dismantling internalized oppression by cultivating critical consciousness, which includes both awareness of oppression and action to change systems of oppression. Recommendations for psychologists include inviting conversations and naming internalized oppression directly, integrating awareness and psychoeducation about internalized oppression into psychotherapy practice, teaching mindfulness and self-compassion, empowering and encouraging clients to take social action, and promoting critical consciousness in community interventions. In addition to helping clients heal from the harms of internalized racism, psychologists are encouraged to engage in antiracism work as a means of preventing the harms of racism.
Public Significance StatementThis article provides an analysis of research on internalized racism and its harmful impact on Asian Americans and offers strategies for psychologists to support Asian Americans in healing from internalized racism by inviting conversations and naming internalized oppression directly, integrating awareness and psychoeducation about internalized oppression into psychotherapy practice, teaching mindfulness and self-compassion, and empowering and encouraging clients to take social action.
Pervasive anti-Asian racism and xenophobia during the COVID-19 pandemic pose risks to Asian Americans’ mental health and wellness. Parents and caregivers play a vital role in children’s identity development and beliefs about race and racism. This article offers an analysis of anti-Asian racism during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on Asian American (AA) adults’ and children’s wellness. In addition, based on reviews and analyses of the literature, we propose a framework of critical consciousness informed antiracist parenting (CCIARP) for AA parents, practitioners, and educators who work with them to understand and heal from existing and continuing racial trauma as well as strategies and tools to enact social change toward a more just future. CCIARP recommendations include (a) cultivating antiracist awareness, (b) building skills and engaging in activism, and (c) fostering an antiracist parent–child relationship. Limitations and future research needed to apply this framework are included in the discussions.
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