Lynda Brown Wright

Parent Involvement at School Entry: A National Examination of Group Differences and Achievement.

This research examined the scope of parental involvement at school entry and sought to determine what, if any, differences existed between ethnic groups. In addition, the researcher attempted to determine if parental involvement was related to academic achievement at school entry. Participants were the African American and European American parents and children who participated in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS-K; US Department of Education, 2005). Results from this project suggest that ethnic differences in parental involvement are present at school entry. In particular, European American parents were more like to be involved in home-based parental involvement activities such as reading to their children while African American parents were more likely to be involved in school related activities such as volunteering at school. In addition, the analysis suggests that parent involvement was only slightly related to reading achievement at school entry. The study is discussed in terms of its implications for future research towards narrowing the achievement gap.

Impact of Stress Reduction Interventions on Hostility and Ambulatory Systolic Blood Pressure in African American Adolescents.

This study examined the impact of breathing awareness meditation (BAM), life skills (LS) training, and health education (HE) interventions on self-reported hostility and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) in 121 African American (AA) ninth graders at increased risk for development of essential hypertension. They were randomly assigned to BAM, LS, or HE and engaged in intervention sessions during health class for 3 months. Before, after, and 3 months following intervention cessation, self-reported hostility and 24-hour ABP were measured. Results indicated that between pre- and postintervention, BAM participants displayed significant reductions in self-reported hostility and 24-hour systolic ABP. Reductions in hostility were significantly related to reductions in 24-hour systolic ABP. Between postintervention and follow-up, participants receiving LS showed a significant reduction in hostility but not in 24-hour ABP. Significant changes were not found for the HE group in 24-hour ABP or self-reported hostility, but these change scores were significantly correlated. The implications of the findings are discussed with regard to behavioral stress reduction programs for the physical and emotional health of AAs.

Relationship of John Henryism to cardiovascular functioning at rest and during stress in youth.

John Henryism, a coping style characterized by a strong predisposition to confront daily psychosocial stressors in an active and effortful manner, has been associated with cardiovascular (CV) disease risk in adults. This study examined the relationship of John Henryism to CV functioning at rest and during laboratory stressors (i.e. forehead cold stimulation, postural change, and treadmill exercise) in 173 normotensive 10-to 17-year-old African-American and White children. High John Henry scores were associated with higher blood pressure, higher total peripheral resistance, and lower cardiac index at rest. These relationships were qualified by an interaction with socioeconomic status (SES) such that those from lower SES backgrounds who were high on John Henryism had particularly high levels of resting CV measures. No significant associations were observed with CV reactivity to the stressors. Findings are discussed in terms of possible impact of coping styles to environmental stress upon physiological functioning and health.

African American Women Living with HIV/AIDS: Mental Health Issues

Abstract The number of African American women infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is alarming. As with any other reaction to catastrophe or life threatening diseases, from the time African American women first learn of their HIV-positive serostatus they navigate various levels of acceptance and a multitude of mental health issues. This manuscript explores these issues related to African American women with HIV/AIDS. Careful consideration is given to the stages of adjustment and related mental health challenges that women might experience. Also explored are the reciprocal impact of children, other family members and significant others on the mental health status of African American women living with HIV/AIDS. Implications for clinical practice are also identified.