Date of Award

1-1-2023

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

College/School/Department

Department of Psychology

Content Description

1 online resource (iii, 98 pages) : illustrations (some color)

Dissertation/Thesis Chair

James F Boswell

Committee Members

Elana B Gordis, John P Forsyth

Keywords

Mass media and race relations, African Americans in mass media, African Americans

Subject Categories

Clinical Psychology

Abstract

Viewing media coverage of violent acts committed against Black individuals (i.e., police violence and other racially motivated violence) can lead to distressing mental health impacts including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms. While several cognitive-behavioral and acceptance-based therapy techniques may help therapists to support Black clients in these moments, little is known about how these interventions are perceived by prospective therapy clients. Acceptability of these interventions may also differ by therapist race, and Black individuals of differing identities and with life experiences may hold different views. This therapy analogue study included N = 179 Black adult participants recruited in the Albany, NY area and through social media who completed an online survey. Participants were randomized to view one of four videos of a simulated therapist-client interaction: a White therapist using cognitive restructuring (n = 40), a White therapist using value-guided action (n = 45), a Black therapist using cognitive restructuring (n = 36), or a Black therapist using value-guided action (n = 51). Participants provided ratings of their perceptions of the therapist, the therapist’s credibility, and expectancies for therapy. Contrary to hypotheses, there were no significant between-group differences between therapist race and intervention conditions on these dimensions. However, some participant characteristics including age, racial identity centrality and public regard, and exposure to media coverage were associated with differing perceptions of the therapist. Among participants for whom media coverage of anti-Black violence was a more salient issue, the White therapist was perceived more positively in the cognitive restructuring condition than the values condition. These results suggest that culturally responsive cognitive restructuring, as well as value-guided action, can be effective interventions for patients coping with racial trauma symptoms after viewing anti-Black violence media coverage.

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