Racial Identity, Phenotype, and Self‐Esteem Among Biracial Polynesian/White Individuals

The Counseling Psychologist

Cox

Smith

et al. 2016

Self Cite

This study examined psychotherapy utilization, presenting concerns, reported distress levels, and psychotherapy outcomes among Polynesian American students presenting for services at a counseling center at a large intermountain university on the mainland U.S. We collected data at intake, during therapy sessions, and at termination for 415 Polynesian American students over a 17-year period. Polynesian American students were equally likely to utilize counseling services as European American students but were more likely to drop out earlier. At intake these students shared higher numbers of presenting concerns and greater levels of selfreported emotional and psychological distress than did European American students. Implications for counseling center programs and services are discussed.

Section: Research Questionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…• Understanding Polynesian Americans' strong cultural identity (Allen, Garriott, Reyes, & Hsieh, 2013).…”

Section: Cultural Factors In Utilization/dropout Rates and Treatment mentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychotherapy Utilization and Presenting Concerns Among Polynesian American College Students

The Counseling Psychologist

Cox

Smith

et al. 2016

Self Cite

“…Polynesian Americans have been conspicuously underrepresented in all aspects of psychological research. A few studies have examined Native Hawaiians and/or Pacific Islanders in general (McCubbin, 2006;McCubbin & Dang, 2010;McCubbin, Ishikawa & McCubbin, 2007), but very little empirical investigation has specifically focused on Polynesian Americans, particularly on their psychological well-being in the mainland U.S. (Allen, Garriott, Reyes & Hsieh, 2013;Allen & Heppner, 2011).…”

Section: Collectivistic Coping Strategies For Distress Among Polynesimentioning

confidence: 99%

Collectivistic coping strategies for distress among Polynesian Americans.

Smith

2015

Psychological Services

Self Cite

Previous research has shown that psychological services designed to assist clients in coping with stressful or traumatic events are more effective when aligned with clients' cultural values, practices, and worldviews. However, limited research is available regarding the preferred coping strategies of Polynesian Americans. In examining collectivistic coping styles and their association with previous distress among 94 Polynesian Americans, we found that participants were highly likely to use family support and religion/spirituality to buffer the initial and residual effects of impairment attributable to distressing events, and private emotional outlets, such as psychotherapy, very infrequently. The use of private emotional outlets was associated with lower impairment from distress, although family support was much more predictive of lower impairment and positive psychological well-being. Mental health professionals can align their services with the cultural values of Polynesian Americans by accounting for collectivistic coping styles and family dynamics.

“…Polynesian Americans have been conspicuously underrepresented in all aspects of psychological and spiritually oriented psychotherapy research. A few studies have examined Native Hawaiians and/or Pacific Islanders in general (McCubbin, 2006;McCubbin, Ishikawa, & McCubbin, 2008), but very little empirical investigation has specifically focused on Polynesian Americans, particularly on their spiritual and psychological well-being in the mainland United States (Allen, Garriott, Reyes, & Hsieh, 2013;Allen & Heppner, 2011). Most of the Polynesians in the United States reside in the western region namely, Hawaii, California, Washington, and Utah (Allen et al, 2013).…”

Section: Spiritually Oriented Approaches For Trauma With Religious Etmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition, the origins of this people are important in understanding their psychological and spiritual functioning and health. Specifically, Polynesian Americans emigrated from what is known as the Polynesian triangle (Allen et al, 2013;Allen & Heppner, 2011). The triangle, which stretches from New Zealand to Easter Island and then north to Hawai'i, is a concentrated area in the northern, central, and southern areas of the Pacific Ocean that consists of many islands, including Hawai'i, Kingdom of Tonga, Samoa (Western and American), Tahiti, Cook Islands, New Zealand, Fiji, French Polynesia, Easter Island, Marquesas Islands, and others.…”

Section: Spiritually Oriented Approaches For Trauma With Religious Etmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spiritually Oriented Psychotherapy for Trauma and Meaning Making Among Ethnically Diverse Individuals in the United States

Reconstructing Meaning After Trauma

Richards

Lea

2017

Esmeralda, a 42-year-old Latina woman from Mexico, had moved to the Reconstructing Meaning After Trauma 98 there still remains more research and understanding needed to employ these strategies in the counseling session (Richards & Bergin, 2014). Additional training from experts and practitioners using these interventions with diverse populations in session would be helpful for psychotherapists who may want to incorporate spiritually oriented strategies with their clients. We hope that this chapter will stimulate interest of other educators, scholars, and researchers to advance the understanding and knowledge of spiritually oriented psychotherapy strategies for trauma among diverse populations. Many lives affected with traumatic experiences, such as the loss of Esmeralda's son, thankfully, can be helped through hope and spiritual strategies. Frankl (1985), a concentration camp survivor during World War II, believed that life has meaning under all circumstances, even the most miserable ones. He contends that our main motivation for living is found in our will to find meaning in life. This opportunity to utilize spiritual methods to find meaning in what we do, and what we experience, or at least in the stand we take when faced with a situation of suffering, gives us hope and courage to continue.