Abstract
Three groups of black men and women (primarily student groups) participated in this exploratory study which was designed to help participants define psychological health or wellbeing for themselves. Spirituality and religion were cited as being primary components of psychological health for all groups. However, the results are only suggestive given the small number of subjects. Finally, I discuss a distinction between spirituality and religion, developmental implications, and the role of oppression in defining black psychological health.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Wilson, R., “The Historical Concept of Pluralism and the Psychology of Black Behavior.” In Smith, W.D.; Burlew, K.H.; Mosley, M.H.; and Whitney, W.M., eds.,Reflections on Black Psychology. Washington, D.C., University Press, 1979, pp. 41–56.
White, J.L., “Toward a Black Psychology,”Ebony, 1970,25, 11, 44–45, 48–50, 52.
. Smith, W.D.; Burlew, K.H.; Mosley, M.H.; and Whitney, W. M., eds.,Minority Issues in Mental Health Reading, Massachusetts, Addison-Wesley, 1978; Grier, W.H., and Cobbs, P.M.,The Jesus Bag. New York, McGraw-Hill, 1971; White, J.L.; Parham, W.D.; and Parham, T.A., “Black Psychology: The Afro-American Tradition as a Unifying Force for Traditional Psychology.” In Jones, R.L., ed.,Black Psychology. New York, Harper and Row, 1980, pp. 56–66; Akbar, N., “The Key to Black Mental Health.” In Smith, W.D.,et al., eds.,Reflections on Black Psychology, op. cit., Washington, D.C., University Press, 1979, pp. 13–21; Jones, R.L., ed.,Black Psychology, 2nd ed. New York, Harper and Row, 1980.
.
Broverman, I.K., Broverman, D.M.; Clarkson, F.E.; Rosenkrantz, P.S.; and Vogel, S.R., “Sexrole Stereotypes and Clinical Judgements of Mental Health,”J. Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1970,34, 1, 1–7.
.
Mander, A.V., and Rush, A.K.,Feminism as Therapy. New York, Random House, 1975.
Miller, J.B.,Toward a New Psychology of Women. Boston, Beacon Press, 1976.
Cleage, A., Jr.,Black Christian Nationalism. New York, William Morrow and Co., 1972.
Davis, J., and Weaver, J., “Dimensions of Spirituality.” In Spretnak, C., ed.,The Politics of Women's Spirituality: Essays on the Rise of Spiritual Power within the Feminist Movement. New York, Anchor Press/Doubleday, 1982, pp. 368–370.
; Mbiti, J.S.,African Religions and Philosophy. New York, Anchor Books, 1970; Lincoln, C.E.,The Black Experience in Religion. New York, Anchor Books, 1974.
Smith, A., Jr., “Religion and Mental Health among Blacks,”J. Religion and Health, 1981,20, 264–287; Karenga, M.,Introduction to Black Studies. Inglewood, California, Kawaida Publications 1982.
.
Smith, A., Jr.,, 264.
, 268.
.
Smith, A., Jr.,, 265.
Harper, C., personal communication, February 1984.
.
Smith, A., Jr.,.
Frankl, V.E.,Man's Search for Meaning: An Introduction to Logotherapy. Boston, Beacon Press, 1959.
Rawlings, E., and Graham, D., “Women Define Mental Health: Using a Feminist Methodology” (under review).
Ibid. Rawlings, E., and Graham, D., “Women Define Mental Health: Using a Feminist Methodology” (under review).
.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Edwards, K.L. Exploratory study of black psychological health. J Relig Health 26, 73–80 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01533296
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01533296