Handbook of Mental Health and Mental Disorder Among Black Americans

by Dorothy Smith-Ruiz

Overview

This handbook brings together crucial information related to mental illness among black Americans by examining the impact of social structures and conditions on the mental health of blacks. Choice

While it is generally assumed that poverty, unemployment, and discrimination have a serious impact on the psychological well-being and functioning of black Americans, very little research has been directed to understanding or documenting the black experience from the mental health standpoint. This multidisciplinary study develops a broad perspective on the subject, with implications for both clinical practice and sociological research. In addition to examining important mental health issues, the authors look at the ways in which specific social, structural, and cultural conditions and practices affect the lives of individual Black Americans and their families.

The first two parts of the book present demographic profiles of the black community and epidemiological analyses of mental disorders. The psychological stressors arising from racism are next considered, together with the social structures and coping skills that have enabled blacks to maintain networks of support. Two chapters are devoted to homicide and family violence in the black community. The remaining chapters cover psychiatric diagnosis and treatment, legal and social policy issues, and factors in positive mental health. Incorporating the contributions of sociologists, social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists as well as mental health administrators, this book provides new data and expert analyses that will be of interest to anyone working in this rapidly expanding field.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313263309
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	09/18/1990
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.81(d)
Lexile:	1420L (what's this?)

About the Author

DOROTHY S. RUIZ is Assistant Professor of Sociology at Howard University. She was a Fulbright Fellowship recipient in 1985 to study the history and culture of three West African countries. She is currently a member of several professional and community organizations.

Table of Contents

Foreword by James P. Comer
Preface
Introduction by Dorothy S. Ruiz
Health and Social Status of Black Americans
Social and Economic Profile of Black Americans, 1989 by Dorothy S. Ruiz
The Mental Health Status of Black Americans, 1983 by Alvin F. Poussaint
Epidemiological Perspectives and Issues
The Epidemiology of Mental Disorder in the Black Population by Harold W. Neighbors and Suzan Lumpkin
Depression among Blacks: An Epidemiologic Perspective by Diane Robinson Brown
Suicide Trends of Blacks and Whites by Sex and Age, United States, 1967-1986 by Jacquelyne Johnson Jackson
Racism and Mental Health
Black Mental Health and Racial Oppression by Joycelyn Landrum-Brown
Stress, Coping, and Social Support: Their Effects on Black Women by Patricia J. Dunston
Psychiatric Diagnosis and Treatment
Ethnic and Cultural Factors in Psychiatric Diagnosis and Treatment by James L. Collins, Eliot Sorel, Joseph Brent, and Clyde B. Mathura
Social Factors in Diagnosis and Treatment by Clyde B. Mathura and Melanie A. Baer
Family and Community Violence
Understanding Family Violence: An Afrocentric Analysis Based on Optimal Theory by Linda James Myers
Black-on-Black Homicide: The Implications for Black Mental Health by Carl C. Bell
Legal and Social Policy Issues
Legal Issues in Mental Health by Alice Gresham Bullock
Mental Health and Social Policy by Mary S. Harper
Positive Mental Health
Psychosocial Competence: Toward a Theory of Understanding Positive Mental Health among Black Americans by Louis P. Anderson, Chuck L. Eaddy, and Ernestine A. Williams
Coping with Color: The Anatomy of Positive Mental Health by Barbara J. Shade
Factors Contributing to Positive Mental Health in Black Americans by Anderson J. Franklin and James S. Jackson
Selected Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

This multidisciplinary work focuses on ``the social, structural, and cultural issues pertaining to the mental health status of black Americans.'' Consisting of essays contributed by sociologists, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and mental health administrators, the book contains 16 chapters divided into seven major areas: health and social status of black Americans, epidemiological perspectives and issues, racism and mental health, psychiatric diagnosis and treatment, family and community violence, legal and social policy issues, and positive mental health. As with any compilation, some chapters are more readable than others, information overlaps, and there are a variety of writing styles and perspectives. Facts and figures, overviews, and assessments of the psychological health of black Americans are all presented. This book provides a review of current research, past investigations, and theories, and suggests avenues for future research. It is most appropriate for collegiate or special collections.-- Jodith Janes, Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Library Journal

A multi-disciplinary study of the black experience from a mental health standpoint. The first part profiles the social, economic, and mental health status of black Americans. Further sections examine topics including depression among blacks, suicide trends, the connection between mental health and oppression, and legal and social policy issues. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews