Saul Alamilla

Acculturation, Enculturation, Perceived Racism, Minority Status Stressors, and Psychological Symptomatology Among Latino/as:

The purpose of this study was to examine the possible relations between perceived racism and minority status stressors as experienced by Latino/ as and their mental health functioning, as operationalized in terms of somatization, anxiety, and hostility. In addition, the potentially protective moderating role of enculturation and potentially harmful moderating role of acculturation on these relationships were investigated. As hypothesized, the results indicated that perceived racism and minority status stressors were positively correlated with somatization, anxiety, and hostility. Although enculturation did moderate the relationship between perceived racism and minority status stressors and anxiety and hostility, it was in an unexpected direction. Results did not indicate that acculturation played a moderator role.

Latino/a Values Scale Development, Reliability, and Validity

This article describes the development of the Latino/a Values Scale (35 items, 14 reverse-worded). Evidence of reliability and validity are presented on the basis of three studies. An examination of the factor structure of the items suggests the presence of the following dimensions: cultural pride, simpatía, familismo, and espiritismo.

Assessing for Personality Disorders in the Hispanic Client

This chapter opens with an overview of sociocultural considerations in personality assessment with Latino/as. It follows with a review of important sociodemographic information for Latino/as and more in-depth discussion of relevant sociocultural factors. The roles of personality and personality disorder(s) in shaping the management of anxiety, aggression, attachment, and other aspects of life, the distinction between personality and personality disorders, and the purpose of the personality disorder diagnosis and assessment are then discussed. The chapter reviews several extant personality measures and provides suggestions for clinical practice and research. The perspective adopted throughout the chapter is that sociocultural factors are inextricably linked to the psychosocial functioning, personality, and mental health of Latino/as and impact the assessment process.

Racial Constructs in Youth Mentoring: Reconsidering Race and Ethnicity

Youth mentoring has been enjoying a rapid growth in programs, research, and public support in the last few decades. What remains to be concluded in the literature, however, is the effect of various diversity variables in mentoring relationships. This chapter focuses on the debate around race and ethnicity matching of mentoring pairs, in support of the argument that more qualitative research is needed to reveal the more complicated interplay between structural inequalities, interpersonal power, and how mentors and mentees not only determine which inequalities are going to be salient in their relationship, but also define the meaning of these inequalities. Toward this end, this chapter offers a critical review of the literature from three angles: (a) Outcomes: Are same-race matches necessarily more beneficial than cross-race matches? (b) Process: Do ethnicity and race affect the way mentors and mentees relate? (c) Application: How should extant research shape future research and practices?

The Virtues of Community Development and Stewardship: How Communities Respond to Disasters and Build Resilience

This chapter will explore the efficacy of specific forms or types of community service intervention programs and volunteer activities in the development of community resilience and recovery from natural (i.e., hurricanes and floods) and human-related (ethnic genocide, terrorism) disasters. The therapeutic role of community gardens and urban forestry programs will be examined in four different post-disaster scenarios: the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, 2005 Hurricane Katrina, post-9/11 recuperation efforts, and the 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting. Environmentally sustainable and “green” activities that utilize the efforts and skills of community residents are addressed as effective methods in helping communities recover from various types of violence and extremist activities. The psychological and physical benefits of “Victory Gardens” and memorial gardens, green spaces, urban forestry programs, and community gardens are examined as effective programs in helping communities cope with various forms of disaster.

The Social Contract Theory Revisited: Examining the Relationship Between Greed, Conflict, and the Evolution of Cooperation

This chapter will begin by discussing the basic philosophical concepts addressing human nature (i.e., greed, opportunistic behaviors, altruism, and prosocial behaviors) as described by the British empiricists Jean Jacques Rousseau and John Locke. The views of Locke and Rousseau are discussed in the social contract theory and are particularly relevant in examining the relationship between community growth and development, individual human rights, and the rationalization of human greed. We will also discuss how these principles may be applied to groups and communities involving human interaction (i.e., intergroup contact), superordinate goals, and interdependency as essential factors in the development of cooperative alliances and related benefits (i.e., reduced conflict and aggression). Finally, this chapter will explore the history and development of cooperative exchanges and how communities might facilitate the frequency of prosocial, altruistic, and opportunistic behaviors.

Cultural Perspectives on Ethnic Diversity and Social Capital and Intergroup Relations in Diverse Communities

The current chapter explores how a focus on sociocultural factors (e.g., cultural practices, values) might improve our understanding of the relationship between ethnic/racial diversity and social capital as well as related factors (e.g., social cohesion, intergroup relations) among major groups in the United States. Specifically, the chapter will examine the extant literature on the cultural dimensions of the relationship between diversity on social capital and related phenomena (e.g., social cohesion, intergroup relations) among major groups in the United States (e.g., African/Black Americans, Asian Americans). The central question explored is: What role do cultural factors have on the relationship between different aspects of diversity and social capital among diverse groups? Prior to examining the extant literature on cultural factors associated with the major groups, the chapter will take a critical look at the literature on diversity and social capital and focus on key confounding factors. Thus, a major goal of the current chapter is to disentangle ethnic and cultural diversity from each other as well as from broader contextual factors (e.g., neighborhood disadvantage).

Community Development, Stewardship Activities, and Volunteerism: The Evolution of Human “Connectedness” and Interdependency

In this chapter the role and impact of community service work, volunteerism, and stewardship activities is addressed in relation to how community members may perceive and experience a greater sense of “connectedness” with each other and to the community itself. Additionally, evidence is explored (i.e., Buss, Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind, 2015) in addressing how cooperative and altruistic behaviors may have evolved to strengthen communities and improve resiliency among human development. Research addressing the viability of superordinate and interdependent goals (i.e., Sherif, Harvey, White, Hood, & Sherif, Intergroup Conflict and Cooperation: The Robber’s Cave Experiment, 1961) as effective processes in overcoming ethnic conflict and extremism is presented.

The Evolutionary History of Aggression and Ethnic Conflict: Why Polarization Fuels Hate and Violence

In this chapter the evolution of aggression is examined in relation to specific types or forms of conflict, including genocide, hate crimes, and extremism. Three specific theories addressing the etiology of aggression are offered: frustration–aggression theory, observational learning theory, and biological–evolutionary theory. We also revisit Ervin Staub’s contemporary research addressing the origins of extreme group violence and provide evidence of how environmental factors (i.e., styles of parenting and community service activities) may help reduce serious social problems, such as apathy and “bystander effect.” The topic of altruism and prosocial behaviors as personality traits is also offered, with an examination of how community development may address the problem associated with negative behaviors associated with group conformity and bystander effect. Finally, this chapter will provide evidence on how community development programs can help improve important sociological and psychological benefits, such as community connectedness and community competence.

Concluding Notes: The Virtues of Hope

In our efforts to rebuild communities that are more inclusive and equitable, we need to remind ourselves of the positive effects of group work and how distinct environments (i.e., “green spaces” and community gardens, forests, etc.) can help influence a greater degree of community unity, connectedness, and self-worth. Our own evolutionary history has shown us that nature has both calming and healing effects when we begin work from an interactive and cooperative perspective. In this sense, then, we are both stewards of the community and tenants of the Earth in providing a healthy environment in which we all share. Continuous themes addressed throughout this manuscript involve extremism, violence, and the unique role that communities have in helping groups of individuals realize their potential and work within a more constructive and cohesive process that brings them together. Exposure to specific types of environments (i.e., “green spaces,” community gardens, and urban forestry programs) has been identified as key elements in promoting mental (and physical) health benefits, such as reduced stress and anxiety, as well as improved sociability and civic ideologies that foster and promote interactive and democratic processes in community development (Glover, Shinew, & Parry, 2005).