Banks, K. H., Goswami, S., Goodwin, D., Petty, J., Bell, V., & Musa, I. (2021). Interrupting internalized racial oppression: A community based ACT intervention. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 20, 89-93. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2021.02.006
There is a dearth of psychological intervention research to guide clinicians in supporting individuals who are impacted by systemic racism. Internalized racial oppression, adopting the negative beliefs about one’s group, is one pathway through which racism affects mental health. Techniques from Acceptance Commitment Therapy have been found to decrease internalized self-stigma and to mitigate negative mental health symptoms. The current pilot study examined the feasibility of a group-based intervention for Black women targeting internalized racial oppression. We found pre-post decreases in internalized racial oppression and shame, and psychological distress.
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