Counselors often grapple with a lack of confidence and self-efficacy when conducting suicide risk assessments and treating individuals at risk of suicide. We conducted an online survey involving master's-level clinicians and students (N = 132). The survey explored the association between perceived spiritual support (independent variable) and counselor self-efficacy (dependent variable) while also investigating the moderating role of four attitude constructs: avoidance of communication, suicide as common, suicide as acceptable, and preventability of suicide. When accounting for covariates, greater perceived spiritual support was associated with higher counselor self-efficacy scores. Of the total variation in self-efficacy scores, 4.3% can be explained by perceived spiritual support. Notably, three of the attitude constructs (common, acceptable, and preventable) did not significantly moderate the relationship between perceived spiritual support and self-efficacy. However, avoidance of communication attitudes surfaced as a moderator between perceived spiritual support and counselor self-efficacy, F = 12.964, p = .001. This finding suggests that mental health professionals who hold avoidance attitudes may experience a weakened connection between their perceived spiritual support and their self-efficacy in handling suicide risk assessments. This study sheds light on the complex interplay between perceived spiritual support, attitudes toward suicide, and self-efficacy in suicide risk assessment among mental health professionals. Implications for future research and practice are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

The health disparities experienced by Black older adults are associated with social determinants of health, all of which are inextricably linked to anti-Black racism. Research led by counseling psychologists has implications for promoting mental and physical health equity. We describe a new model, based on the integration of the radical healing framework and the community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, for promoting mental and physical health and wellness among Black older adults. This model is called the radical healing CBPR model. Finally, we provide an example of a program informed by this model that helped improve the health outcomes and quality of life of Black older adults living in the low-income area of a city in the southeastern part of the United States. Notably, Black adults similar to the program participants, participated in the development and implementation of this program in ways that are consistent with the radical healing CBPR model.

Objectives:Sleep disturbances may partially account for the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) disparities experienced by Black older adults when compared to non-Hispanic White (NHW) adults. The present study examined the role of self-reported sleep duration and the belief that one is not getting enough sleep on physical and mental HRQoL among Black older adults. Design:Participants were 281 community-dwelling, economically disadvantaged Black older adults between 60 and 97 years of age (Mean=69.01, SD=6.97) who lived in a large city in the Southeastern United States. The present study uses baseline data from a larger intervention study aimed at promoting social connection and food security among older adults. For this study (and as part of the larger intervention), participants completed an assessment battery that included (1) a demographic data and health questionnaire that included self-reported sleep duration and a belief that one is not getting enough sleep questions; (2) the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Health-Related Quality of Life-14 Healthy Days Core Module; and (3) the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief Form. Results:Descriptive results show that most participants slept less than 7 hours and felt like they did not get enough sleep. Results from 2 hierarchical regressions also showed that believing one is not getting enough sleep predicts lower self-reported mental and physical HRQoL. Conclusion:While sleep deprivation has a serious impact on quality of life for Black older adults, sleep disturbances in this population are understudied. Interventions to improve sleep duration and quality among Black older adults may help reduce disparities in quality of life between Black older adults and NHW adults.

OBJECTIVE:Abortions for medical reasons, which happen in the event of fetal abnormalities or maternal life endangerment, are highly politicized and understudied given their prevalence. Our objective was to understand the health care experiences of U.S. individuals who had an abortion of a wanted pregnancy for medical reasons in the second or third trimester. METHODS:Participants were recruited on Facebook and completed surveys with their demographic information, their perception of their health provider's cultural sensitivity, their patient satisfaction, and their satisfaction with their decision to proceed with an abortion for medical reasons. RESULTS:Participants were 132 women who were mostly between the ages of 31 and 40 (72.7%), highly educated (84.1% had at least a 4-year college degree), and non-Hispanic White (85.6%). There was no statistically significant difference in patients' rated highest average item score on their providers' Competence or Sensitivity; however, average item scores of providers' Competence and Sensitivity were both higher than Respect scores. Linear regression results show that experiencing patient-centered care significantly predicted patient satisfaction (β = .73, t(131) = 12.03, p < .001) and decision satisfaction (β = .37, t(131) = 4.63, p < .001). CONCLUSION:Our findings underscore the importance of training providers to deliver patient-centered care that empowers patients to adapt to challenging situations, such as the diagnosis of medical concerns during pregnancy. Providers understanding and supporting the complex process of an abortion for medical reasons can ameliorate the emotional impact of this procedure.

Objective: Existing abortion stigma research has rarely isolated the reason for termination; thus, the consequences of termination for medical reasons (TFMR) are poorly understood. We aimed to understand the association of stigma and social support with decision satisfaction in TFMR.Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study on the experiences of 132 individuals who had a TFMR in the second or third trimester. We recruited participants via Facebook. Most participants were non-Hispanic White (85.6%), between 31 and 40 years old (72.7%), highly educated (84.1% with a 4-year degree), and married (89.4%). Participants completed an online demographic data questionnaire, including questions about stigma and social support, and an adapted satisfaction with decision survey. We used t-tests to explore the connection of stigma and social support with decision satisfaction.Results: Results did not reveal an association between stigma and decision satisfaction, but showed that higher social support is associated with higher decision satisfaction. Decision satisfaction was higher in participants who experienced more than one source of support [t(130) = 2.527, p = 0.01], compared with those reporting only one source of support, and in those who experienced support from a relative [t(130) = 1.983, p = 0.049] and physician [t(130) = 2.357, p = 0.020] than in those who did not.Discussion: Social support can alleviate the suffering related to TFMR. Exploring how different forms of social support, including therapy groups, can impact decision satisfaction might help develop interventions to improve postabortion outcomes.Practice Implications: Provider training must encourage providers to (1) support patients having a TFMR and (2) connect patients with other sources of support.

Sleep disturbances are a common and unmet health problem in Latinx. While Latinx report similar sleep disturbances as non-Hispanic Whites [NHW], Latinx suffer from these disturbances to a greater degree than their NHW counterparts. Sleep disturbances are associated with increased risk of chronic health conditions, which Latinx experience at high rates. Research also points to significant sleep differences within Latinx. Given that Latinx are a rapidly growing population in the United States, sleep disparities between Latinx and NHWs and sleep differences within Latinx warrant further investigation. While research on Latinx sleep is growing, the last narrative review on US Latinx sleep health was published by Loredo and colleagues in 2010. Our narrative review expands on Loredo et al.'s work, adding the literature on Latinx sleep published since 2010 (N = 70). A total of 78 peer-reviewed articles related to young to middle-aged (i.e., 18-65 years) healthy Latinx adult sleep were identified in three databases-PsycInfo, PubMed/Medline, and Web of Science. With the socioecological model as framework, this review (1) summarizes current evidence pertaining to sleep health in healthy, community dwelling, urban Latinx adults; (2) discusses measurement challenges related to investigating Latinx sleep disparities and differences; and (3) discusses potential contributors to Latinx sleep. The prevalence of short sleep duration, long sleep duration, and poor sleep quality is high among Latinx; there are differences by Latinx subgroup. Our review identifies several multi-level influences associated with poor sleep: SES, sexual minority status, racial discrimination, access to care, neighborhood environment, and shift work. N = 250/250.

Black older adults experience poorer health and health-related outcomes than their non-Hispanic White counterparts. Novel, tailored strategies to promote health and prevent adverse health-related outcomes that are aligned with the preferences and values of Black older adults are needed given the limited effectiveness of “one-size-fits-all” approaches. The present study evaluated the impact of a 9-week, community-based participatory research-informed program called the Health-Smart Holistic Health Program for Seniors that aimed to improve health and prevent adverse outcomes among Black older adults by targeting body mass index (BMI), loneliness, food insecurity, and physical and psychological health-related quality of life. Participants ( N = 139) were community dwelling, economically disadvantaged Black older adults living in an underserved area. Results indicated that from pre-intervention to post-intervention there were (a) significant decreases in BMI, loneliness, and food insecurity and (b) significant increases in the participating seniors’ psychological and physical health-related quality of life. Most of these changes were maintained at a 3-month post-intervention follow-up. These results have implications for similar efforts attempting to prevent adverse health outcomes among Black older adults, a high-risk and understudied group. Such efforts should be tailored and should address factors at multiple levels.

Research on Hispanic sleep (1) remains far behind research on non-Hispanic White sleep, and (2) seldom focuses solely on Hispanic women. A convergent parallel mixed-methods study design was used to examine (1) sleep quantity, quality, and habits; (2) the association of sleep and health; and (3) perceived barriers to healthy sleep in middle-aged Hispanic women living in [a large Midwest city]. A total of 78 Hispanic women were surveyed, and 27 of these Hispanic women participated in focus groups. Participants had: poor sleep quantity, quality, and sleep hygiene. In focus groups, participants identified three barriers to healthy sleep: poor sleep hygiene, responsibilities and related stress, and additional mental health concerns. While poor sleep quantity and quality have serious health consequences for Hispanic women, sleep disorders in Hispanic women have been understudied. This study underscores barriers to healthy sleep and the associations between sleep and health in Hispanic women.

This chapter will focus on cross-border ties that Latinx immigrants maintain with their countries of origin. The authors discussed factors related to ethnic identity, language, and biculturalism/multiculturalism and explored issues associated with navigating changes faced when returning to their native countries, such as shifts in roles and social identities. The authors also engaged in reflecting about the significance of support and finding symbolic ways for individuals to uphold a connection with their roots. Finally, the chapter ends with a discussion on the importance of representation and advocacy for the Latinx immigrants.

Latinx in the USA experience disparities in morbidity and mortality when compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts. Patient-centered culturally sensitive health care (PC-CSHC) has been deemed a best practice approach to alleviate and eliminate these disparities. However, literature on how Latinx patients perceive their care and what indicators of PC-CSHC may be most related to treatment outcomes is limited. This study collected data from 81 adult Latinx participants who had been admitted to an inpatient care unit to understand the following: (a) their perception of their providers' PC-CSHC in three different areas: Competence/Confidence, Sensitivity/Interpersonal, and Respect/Communication; (b) whether there are differences between English- and Spanish-speaking Latinx patients in their perception of their providers' PC-CSHC; and (c) whether these PC-CSHC indicators were associated to patient satisfaction, patient-provider communication, and therapeutic alliance. Participants were mostly male, older than 55 years of age, and working or lower class, with English as their primary language. Results showed that patients rated their providers' Competence (M = 3.57, SD = .46) higher than both Sensitivity, t(68) = .04, p = .04, (M = 3.49, SD =.54), and Respect, t(53) = 2.765, p = .008, (M = 3.38, SD = .57). English-speaking Latinx were overall less satisfied with their providers than Spanish-speaking Latinx, in particular in their communication. Finally, higher provider cultural sensitivity appears to be a predictor of patient satisfaction, patient-provider communication, and working alliance. Implications for refining provider trainings to treat this vulnerable and understudied (i.e., Latinx) population are discussed.

This study aims to understand the health correlates of sleep deficiencies in non-elderly U.S. Hispanic(1) women. Data from a sample of U.S. Hispanic women (n = 1531; ages 18-65 [M = 39.98; SD = 12.85]) who completed the 2017 National Health Interview Survey were analyzed to understand (1) sleep duration and quality; (2) the association of sleep patterns with key health indicators; and (3) whether these relationships are mediated by health behaviors (ie, healthy eating and physical activity). Shorter sleep duration was associated with a higher likelihood of often feeling anxious and having hypertension. Worse sleep quality was associated with a higher likelihood of being overweight, having fair or poor health status, often feeling depressed, often feeling anxious, having high cholesterol, and having asthma. Doctor's recommendation to engage in physical activity and to decrease calorie intake served as mediators in some of these relationships. Results indicate that among Hispanic women: (1) sleep is an important determinant of a variety of health outcomes and (2) the association of sleep and many health outcomes are mediated by healthy eating and physical activity. Further research on the association of sleep and risk of chronic disease among Hispanic women is needed. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Non-Hispanic Black women have the highest rates of overweight/obesity of any group in the United States. To date, few interventions have worked to reduce overweight/obesity in this population. This study investigated the views of Black women with overweight and obesity treated in a primary care setting regarding desired and undesired verbal and non-verbal behaviours by providers in provider-patient clinical encounters focused on losing weight, maintaining weight loss, and/or obesity. Two focus groups and an individual interview (n = 15) were conducted. Qualitative data analysis yielded five distinct themes, with 11 codes (listed in parenthesis): (a) desired weight-focused discussions (codes: Discussing weight loss with patients and discussing weight-loss maintenance with patients), (b) desired weight-focused support (codes: Supporting patients experiencing weight loss and supporting patients experiencing weight gain), (c) undesired weight-focused discussions (codes: Things to avoid during weight loss discussions and things to avoid during weight gain discussions), (d) desired attitudes and behaviours during weight-focused discussions (codes: Show caring and understanding and encourage behaviour change for weight loss), and (e) building physician-patient rapport (codes: Enable patients to feel respected by doctors, enable patients to feel comfortable with doctors and enable patients to trust their doctors). The qualitative approach employed in this study generates a deep understanding not only of the experiences of Black women patients but also of potential strategies that physicians could employ to succeed in their discussions with patients regarding healthy weight achievement and maintenance.

STEM achievement gaps between Latinx and their non-Hispanic White (NHW) counterparts emerge in early childhood and persist through adulthood. Culturally relevant STEM interventions can help counter some of the Latinx higher attrition rates in STEM, especially if they are initiated in elementary school. This study assesses the feasibility, acceptability, and impact on STEM Career Interest of an evidence-based, after-school STEM Program for elementary school Latinx children from Spanish-speaking families. Twenty-three 3rd to 5th grade children in a dual-language school in Colorado participated in 8 weekly STEM lessons, a field trip, and a culturally relevant fair with Latinx STEM professional role models. The following measures were used: (1) attendance rates, (2) changes in a STEM Career Interest Survey, and (3) children and caregivers' reported satisfaction with the program. Attendance and satisfaction with the program were high. Students' STEM Career Interest showed a statistically significant increase between pre- and post-program; however, the subscales of the STEM Career Interest Survey did not show a significant increase. It was feasible to implement the STEM interest program at the center of this study with elementary school Latinx students, and the program demonstrated success in increasing students' STEM Career Interest. Moreover, the program is novel in that it addresses a significant barrier to economic mobility in the Spanish-speaking Latinx community (i.e., the high attrition rates in STEM participation). With some adaptations (e.g., longer duration), this program can serve as a model for interventions in other schools or academic settings.

Low income senior African Americans are at risk for low health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Loneliness may exacerbate the effects of stress on health. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of perceived stress and loneliness on the HRQoL of low income senior African Americans (N = 281). Results indicate that loneliness may exacerbate the inverse relationship of perceived stress with psychological HRQoL among this sample. Additionally, both loneliness and perceived stress were associated with poorer physical HRQoL. The present study has implications for interventions seeking to improve HRQoL among a similar sample of senior adults given that loneliness is a modifiable variable.

Background: This project aims to understand the sociodemographic and health correlates of poor sleep in U.S. Hispanic older adults. Methods: Data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP): Wave 2 were analyzed to understand the prevalence of poor sleep among Hispanic older adults, sociodemographic predictors of sleep patterns, and the association between sleep quality and chronic disease. Only the data from Hispanic participants (n = 345) were used in the present study. Self-reported demographic, self-reported and actigraphy-measured sleep, and self-report health measures were used. Results: Results of regression analyses indicated that self-reported restless sleep significantly predicted self-rated physical and mental health, hypertension, pain, and self-rated general happiness. Feeling rested was significantly associated with self-rated physical health and mental health, pain, and self-rated happiness. Neither restless sleep nor feeling rested were significant predictors of diabetes. Actigraphy-measured sleep duration was not significantly associated with health outcomes. Conclusions: While sleep deprivation has serious physical and mental health consequences for Hispanics, sleep disorders in Hispanic older adults have been overlooked in research. This study sheds some light on the associations between sleep and health in Hispanic older adults. Examination of potential mechanisms linking poor sleep with mental and physical health in Hispanic older adults is a critical next step. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

AIMS:Uninsured/underinsured individuals with chronic health conditions report low health-related quality of life. Empowerment-based strategies (e.g., hope) may improve the health-related quality of life of uninsured/underinsured individuals with chronic health conditions by enabling them to take charge of their health.METHODS:The present study used structural equation modeling to examine the relationships among number of chronic health conditions, the components of hope (i.e., agency and pathways), and the health-related quality of life of 197 uninsured/underinsured adults in the United States living with at least one chronic health condition.RESULTS:Results indicate that number of chronic health conditions negatively impacted health-related quality of life and that agency significantly mediated that relationship.CONCLUSIONS:Results from this study can be used to promote health-related quality of life by empowering individuals to take charge of their lives despite their unique contextual circumstances.