Overview

Africana Health Psychology: A Cultural Perspective consists of a discussion of health psychology among populations of African descent throughout the diaspora and includes those living in the US such as Caribbean and continental Africans of color. The focus of this work is on health equity with an emphasis on cultural affirmation as protective factors. This book is unique because it merges Africana/Black psychology and health psychology, endorses a strength-based, rather than a deficits-based model of health among Black people, and describes research consisting solely of African-descended participants. From the first chapter designed to disrupt the narrative to the last chapter offering hope for a brighter day, the reader is asked to suspend all preconceived notions of Black people and health. Research findings from childhood to old age are explored in culturally grounded theoretical frameworks. Resilience and spirituality are key themes throughout this volume, meant to enhance cultural competency for practitioners, scholars, students, community members, and anyone interested in expanding their skill set or leaving their comfort zones.

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9781793632432

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Reviews

This book is one of a kind! The topics and discussion points presented throughout the seven chapters fills a critical gap that has long existed regarding the relationship between health psychology and people of African descent. As indicated by Marilyn D. Lovett, much of what is written about Black people and health is focused on disparities, deficits, and comparisons. However, this book focuses on culture, history, language, consciousness, and empowerment as important aspects of everyday life that can be used to facilitate wellness and wholeness in Black communities globally. This is a must-read for all psychology educators in higher education. I am excited to use this book in my Health Psychology course! -- Naomi M. Hall-Byers, Winston-Salem State University Dr. Lovett has done an outstanding job synthesizing the literature regarding African/Black psychology and health psychology. This work addresses African populations throughout the diaspora to improve vital healthy lifestyles. We should commend this work as it contributes to the collective solution as it relates to cultural factors and facilitates positive and healthy outcomes utilizing a wholistic cultural strength perspective. This sister warrior is thoroughly immersed in her research endeavors to seek scientific truth and articulating the plethora of systemic and cultural factors used by researchers to hinder African populations from accessing the healthcare system. She provides a critical analysis of cultural strengths such as the role of Africanity, spirituality, and cultural mores in closing the gap to promote healthy outcomes for African populations. Lovett has offered cultural interventions and proactive solutions to addressing the wholistic behavioral health options by capitalizing on cultural strengths of African populations to ensure vital healthy outcomes. This is a must-read for anyone seeking holistic solutions. -- Reginald Rackley, Southern University

Author Information

Marilyn D. Lovett is currently coordinator for Africana studies and associate professor of psychological science at Valdosta State University.

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