Journal of Community Psychology

To examine whether parent–child communication, measured separately for mothers and fathers, directly influences the coping strategies (active, distraction, and problem‐focused) used by early adolescents, and whether this association was mediated by sibling support. Parent–child relationship has been found to influence the coping strategies that children use. Additionally, according to Family Systems theory, sibling relationships are an integral part of children's positive development. Therefore, it is possible that sibling support mediates the association between parent–child communication and children's coping strategies. Data for this project were taken from a large‐scale longitudinal study and were collected from N = 1561 adolescents (Mage = 12.75). Results suggested that parent–adolescent communication had a significant direct impact on all three coping strategies. Furthermore, sibling support partially mediated the relationship between parent–adolescent communication and all three coping strategies. Along with parents, siblings are also a source of socialization for adolescents and have implications for their development.

Although extensive research has supported the impact of parental socioeconomic status (SES) on adolescents' depression, the mechanisms underlying this process remain unclear. Social capital, the set of normative resources derived from social integration (including social trust, reciprocity, and social networks), is intergenerationally transmissible and has a significant influence on adolescent development. As such, we explored whether parent–child social capital similarity mediates the effects of family SES on depressive symptoms in adolescents (i.e., family SES → parental social capital → adolescent social capital → adolescents' depressive symptoms) across various indicators of SES. Data from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies survey spanning 2,671 adolescents (aged 10–18) and their parents were analyzed using the actor‐partner interdependence mediation model. Results showed that the impact of family SES on adolescents' depressive symptoms was mediated by the social capital similarity between mothers and adolescents (maternal social capital → adolescent social capital), but not by the social capital similarity between fathers and adolescents. Overall, we found evidence supporting the said mediation mechanism of parent–child similarity in social beliefs (i.e., social capital) in mothers, but not fathers. The current findings suggest that mother–child similarity in social beliefs could serve as a potential explanatory mechanism and possible intervening target for depression during adolescence. Moreover, the findings have vital implications in that they could inform the development of targeted interventions to mitigate SES‐related mental health disparities among the youth population, thus improving quality of life.

Professional development (PD) to help teachers learn to use curriculum materials can be effective in aiding fidelity of implementation and supporting student learning. PD may be particularly necessary for curricula focused on students' ethnic‐racial identities, given educators' potential discomfort and limited formal training focused on strategies for discussing race/ethnicity in class. The Equipping Educators for Equity through Ethnic‐Racial Identity (E⁴) PD prepares educators to implement an eight‐lesson ethnic‐racial identity curriculum with high school students. We tested whether fidelity of implementation of the ethnic‐racial identity curriculum varied by two training modalities: in‐person versus remote. Teachers' (N = 14) fidelity of implementation across 55 classrooms was assessed via 440 observations. Teachers' fidelity regarding curriculum adherence was high (76%) and did not vary significantly by training modality. Remote and in‐person training resulted in similar fidelity of implementation, suggesting remote trainings may enable scaling up without sacrificing impact.

Behavior problems in young children, especially among families from disadvantaged backgrounds (e.g., facing greater risk of poverty, social exclusion, discrimination, and violence), often result in referrals to mental health clinics. However, low‐income families from historically marginalized racial and ethnic backgrounds disproportionately experience barriers to accessing, engaging, and completing treatment. This study examined the recruitment and referral network of a parenting program providing Parent‐Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) in a large urban academic medical center and affiliated community‐embedded clinics, as well as the impact of recruitment/referral sources on screening paperwork completion, intake attendance, and treatment completion. Data from 2510 families referred between 2018 and 2022 were analyzed, considering demographic factors and recruitment adaptations during COVID‐19. Referral sources included but were not limited to community agencies, social media, and healthcare providers. Logistic regression analyses determined the likelihood of completing the screening paperwork, attending intake, and completing treatment based on recruitment/referral sources. Every recruitment/referral source increased the likelihood of screening paperwork completion (except community outreach). Every source increased the likelihood of attending intake (except previously enrolled families). Treatment completion was significantly more likely for those referred from pediatricians, friends, behavioral health, and Google. After COVID‐19 (post March 2020), families were more likely to complete the screening paperwork, attend intake, and complete treatment compared to families screened before COVID‐19. Effective recruitment and retention strategies are crucial for engaging families in mental health services. Findings emphasize the role of community and healthcare providers, word‐of‐mouth, and Google and the benefits of telehealth (indicated by post‐COVID‐19 results), in improving treatment access and retention, highlighting the need for flexible service delivery methods.

This study examined college students' perceptions about whether volunteering as a youth mentor impacts their experience of flourishing. The aim was to examine how specific experiences in the mentoring program (e.g., relationships with staff and peers, belonging to an organization, and skill development) may lead to flourishing. This study was conducted using a phenomenological study design and was guided by the broaden‐and‐build theory of positive emotions. Participants (N = 9) were recruited on a midwestern campus from a voluntary program where college students mentor youth in an after‐school setting. Aspects of the mentoring experience that contribute to college students' experience of flourishing and opportunities for growth were examined.

Offering evidence‐based parenting interventions to caregivers virtually has the potential to increase the reach and public health impact of interventions. As virtual adaptations to evidence‐based interventions increase, attention must be paid to implementation fidelity, as high fidelity is associated with better program outcomes. This study examined implementation fidelity of a virtual adaptation of the family‐based Guiding Good Choices program delivered to 292 families in primary care in three large healthcare systems during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Attendance, dosage, adherence, quality of delivery, and participant engagement were examined quantitatively and qualitatively using interventionist and observer surveys, attendance records, and focus groups with interventionists. Interventionists and observers reported high levels of dosage, adherence, quality of delivery, and participant engagement, but attendance was lower than anticipated. Results suggest that delivering parenting programs virtually in primary care with high fidelity is feasible, but retaining participants may remain challenging in this modality, particularly during a global pandemic.

Rates of postpartum depression have been higher than typical during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This study examines the persistence of depressive symptoms at 12–30 months postpartum and the role of perceived access to social support in depression outcomes. In total, 242 individuals who gave birth in the United States during the COVID‐19 pandemic responded to an online survey that assessed depressive symptoms and supports in the postpartum period. A subset of 12 participants completed semi‐structured interviews. Over 35% of respondents reported symptoms consistent with clinical depression at 12–30 months postpartum. Lower household income, COVID‐related worries during pregnancy, experiences of intimate partner violence, and lack of perceived access to informal supports were predictors of depressive symptoms. Qualitative findings contextualize and highlight the role of supports in postpartum wellbeing. This study adds to the growing research about persistent postpartum depression and highlights the necessity of informal and formal supports in the postpartum period.

Aims Knowledge about unaccompanied women experiencing homelessness in the US remains scant. This study used a feminization of homelessness framework to compare time that unaccompanied women and men spent in the coordinated entry system (US process for housing service prioritization and allocation) based on reasons for entering homelessness. Methods Bivariate tests and negative binomial models were run using data for persons within one southern U.S. community in 2022 ( N = 3,258). Results Women spent 232 mean days less in the system than men, and more entered homelessness due to unaffordable housing, eviction, and domestic violence; men entered due to institutional discharge, substance abuse, or job loss. For women, domestic violence predicted less time; substance abuse or being Black predicted more. For men, job loss, mental illness, being Black, or having a disability predicted longer time. Conclusion Results underscore the benefits of women‐centered trauma‐responsive housing, and prioritizing job training and mental healthcare for men. Universally, structural inequalities and racial discrimination are the backdrop of unaccompanied homelessness.

Social safety theory suggests that individuals from minoritized racial and ethnic groups or sexual and gender diverse (SGD) groups are exposed to multilevel and interacting stressors, which can set the stage for adverse health outcomes. Using a social safety framework, we examine interactions between discrimination and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on health outcomes and how these interactions may differ by race and ethnicity or SGD status among young adults. An online survey with 2287 young adults (mean age = 25.8 years; 55.5% female) assessed ACEs and interpersonal discrimination and sleep quality, problematic alcohol or cannabis use, and post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Linear regression analyses tested interactions between ACEs and discrimination in relation to the outcomes among the overall sample and stratified by race and ethnicity or SGD status. In the overall sample, there was one significant interaction between ACEs and discrimination, such that those experiencing both greater exposure to ACEs and greater discrimination reported higher PTSD scores. Race‐stratified models showed that among people of color experiencing high levels of ACEs, greater discrimination was associated with greater PTSD scores. SGD‐stratified models showed that for problematic alcohol use and PTSD there was a significant interaction between ACEs and discrimination only among non‐SGD participants. Consistent with social safety theory, findings highlight the potential health consequences of experiencing both discrimination and childhood adverse experiences. Intervention efforts are needed to help young people increase coping skills and other strategies to promote resilience when experiencing major life stressors.

Decades of research have explored how neighborhood conditions relate to child and adolescent health, spawning numerous reviews focused on specific predictors, outcomes, or populations. Less is known about the design and characteristics underpinning this work. We conducted a scoping review of 754 studies examining neighborhood conditions and health‐related factors among children and adolescents (aged 0–18) published between 2015 and 2024. This growing area of literature is largely based on observational, cross‐sectional evidence of associations between objective socioeconomic status (SES) conditions and health, with over 100 studies focusing on associations between neighborhood SES and physical health, specifically. The findings of this review suggest that the current “state of the science” on neighborhoods and health among children and adolescents often does not lend itself to strong developmental conclusions, due to a reliance on observational, cross‐sectional designs. Moreover, extant literature provides limited insight into whether neighborhood conditions beyond SES are associated with health. Longitudinal studies of multidomain neighborhood conditions and health represent important directions for future research.

While young adult homelessness impacts nearly one in ten young adults in the United States, limited work has explored the implementation of housing programs which support young adults. In this paper, we describe research on two case examples of housing programs for young adults in the United States: systematic program observations from Marsha and Marian's Neighbors, a shared housing program in the Mid‐Atlantic region, and resident interviews from Laurel House, a permanent supportive housing program in the Rocky Mountain West. While the program designs and methods for researching each program were distinct, we collectively identified tensions which largely impacted both programs: considerations around community , youth choice and voice , and impact and outcomes . Finally, we identify key decision points for young adult housing programs to consider when working to meaningfully support young peoples' needs.

Drug misuse causes serious health problems, including the increased risk of addiction, particularly among adolescents. Hence, a family‐based drug prevention program is designed to reduce problems among youth and encourage positive development at the family level. This study aims to explore the effectiveness of the Family on Alert (FoA) program implemented by the National Anti‐Drug Agency in Malaysia. A qualitative method was used employing Focus Group Discussion (FGD) with 18 informants from NADA's state officers of Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory, Selangor, Johor, Kedah, and Sabah. Thematic analysis was used to systematically organize the data by coding and coordinating the data into themes. Findings demonstrated that the FoA program implemented by the National Anti‐Drugs Agency in Malaysia has positively impacted the participants. Additionally, strategic partnerships with other government and non‐government agencies have improved FoA achievement across hot‐spot states in Malaysia. This study could give valuable input for the government to develop and implement policies supporting family‐based approaches to drug prevention in the future.

Refugee youth across the world cope with the complexity of fulfilling developmental tasks and cultural adaptation requirements while struggling with different stressors and problems. This situation has been pointed out in scientific studies that refugee youth are vulnerable in terms of mental health. However, refugees may differ in the severity of their mental health problems due to certain personal or interpersonal factors. To examine these factors, we linked mental health to psychological stress in a sample of Turkish and refugee youth. We discussed the potential roles of daily material stress, well‐being, perceived social support and resilience among Turkish and refugee youth. 552 Turkish host youth and 500 refugee youth participated in the study. Questionnaires were prepared for Turkish and bilingual refugees, and Turkish youth participated in the study face‐to‐face. The findings revealed that the perception of well‐being may have different meanings for refugees and Turkish youth: while refugees associate well‐being with basic needs like nutrition and inclusion in education, Turkish youth often see systemic challenges in education as obstacles to well‐being, which increases their stress levels. The study points to factors that need to be considered in explaining and protecting the mental health of refugees and Turkish youth involved in the Turkish education system.

Social capital provides information and resources to help immigrant parents navigate social structures and support their families' well‐being (Bankston, 2014; Serrano‐Villar et al., 2017; Surkan et al., 2023). This study explored how unique components of structural and relational social capital influenced Latina immigrant mothers' ability to navigate social structures and support their children's education. Conducted within the context of a bilingual preschool that primarily serves Latine immigrant families, this study utilized social network analysis and survey data to examine the effects of mothers' structural and relational social capital. Findings suggested unique effects of Latina immigrant mothers' direct and indirect connections, and that their development of structural and relational social capital influenced their navigational support, parenting self‐efficacy, and educational involvement. These results support community‐focused programming that connects Latina immigrant mothers to one another, promoting the exchange of social and cultural assets to benefit their children and families.

The Amplify and Advocate programme was designed to implement youth‐led advocacy campaigns across Ireland, addressing gaps in early intervention, service accessibility and youth participation in mental health policy. Grounded in participatory, rights‐based approaches, the project aimed to empower young people to influence mental health services and policies. Using the Lundy Model of Participation, World Café methodology, and COM‐B and APEASE frameworks, the programme delivered co‐designed advocacy training and supported young people in developing and implementing community‐based campaigns. Participants engaged in local needs assessments, action planning, stakeholder engagement and policy advocacy. Eleven youth‐led advocacy campaigns were launched, focusing on early intervention, equitable access, community collaboration, service integration, increased funding and amplifying youth voice. Evaluations indicated improved advocacy skills, increased engagement in policy discussions, and strengthened partnerships with service providers and policymakers. Findings demonstrate the effectiveness of participatory, youth‐led advocacy in shaping mental health services and influencing policy. The project highlights the importance of structured advocacy training, stakeholder collaboration and sustainability planning to maintain long‐term impact. Recommendations focus on integrating youth‐led advocacy within policy frameworks and ensuring ongoing investment in participatory mental health initiatives.

Interest in resilience at both the individual and group levels is increasing in response to disasters. The Conjoint Community Resiliency Assessment Measure‐10 (CCRAM10), actively utilized in disaster‐related research, is a shortened 10‐item scale developed to measure community resilience. This study aims to explore the factor structure of CCRAM10 and to verify its measurement invariance. Data were collected from 1200 Korean adults, and factor analysis along with measurement invariance for gender and age groups was conducted. The analysis indicated that, like the original scale, CCRAM10 appropriately consists of five subfactors and has secured measurement invariance, confirming its usefulness for community resilience research.

Recent surveillance data indicate an estimated 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). More males than females are diagnosed with ASD and children of color are less likely to be identified with ASD than White children. Given the rising prevalence estimates and persistent gender and racial/ethnic differences in diagnostic rates, it is time that we seek to better understand ASD as it relates to culture, care, and lived experience from the perspective of those we serve. Utilizing qualitative methods, the current research study sought to understand the lived experiences of three autistic women and three women caregivers of autistic children as it relates to the identification, diagnostic, and service delivery processes. In‐depth focus group research revealed five major themes ranging from feelings associated with the diagnosis, dissatisfaction with services, the perspective of culture within autism and the family, and how culture should be considered by service providers in treatment planning and implementation. These results are discussed in the context of future research, and implications for autism service providers are provided.

Few homeless‐experienced individuals use vocational rehabilitation services. Using qualitative methods, as part of a pilot study at VA Greater Los Angeles (GLA), we characterized the perspectives of homeless‐experienced persons and homeless program staff on vocational services. We also explored relationships among employment, housing, and well‐being in this group. We interviewed homeless‐experienced persons enrolled in vocational rehabilitation services embedded in GLA's permanent supportive housing program (PSH) (n = 19); as well as vocational rehabilitation staff (n = 10). Interviews were analyzed using rapid qualitative methods. Our analysis found that embedding vocational services within PSH enabled easy access, continual support, and care coordination, but there was a mismatch between job opportunities and consumers' employment preferences and goals. Employment positively impacted quality of life and recovery. In conclusion, increase vocational service use among homeless‐experienced persons, integrating vocational services within PSH programs may improve access. PSH consumers desired tailored services, with meaningful vocational options aligned with their professional goals.

This study examined associations between COVID‐19 stress and the utilization of engaged and disengaged coping responses among diverse Black youth during the COVID‐19 pandemic. In addition, the role of mentor social‐emotional support was tested as a moderator of these associations. Participants were 1232 youth ages 11 to 18 year old from the United States who identified as Black/African American. Analyses indicated that COVID‐19 stress was positively associated with both engaged and disengaged coping. Results also showed a significant interaction between COVID‐19 stress and mentor social‐emotional support in the prediction of engaged coping, such that COVID‐19 stress positively predicted engaged coping more pronouncedly at lower levels of mentor support than at higher levels of mentor support. Similarly, there was also a significant interaction between COVID‐19 stress and mentor social‐emotional support in predicting disengaged coping, such that at low levels of mentor support, COVID‐19 stress was marginally associated with disengaged coping. At high levels of mentor support, COVID‐19 stress was no longer significantly associated with disengaged coping. The current study highlights that the social‐emotional support of mentors can attend to the psychosocial strengths of Black youth even in the face of concurrent, ongoing stressors.

The community attitudes towards mental illness scale (CAMI) is widely used to measure authoritarianism, benevolence, social restrictiveness, and community mental health attitudes held by general populations and medical professionals. This study compares the fit of published alternative factor structures of the CAMI to a general population English‐speaking sample and examines what mental illnesses individuals think about when responding. Using data from 749 US MTurk participants, confirmatory factor analysis supported a modified version of Morris' (2012) structure — fear/exclusion, social control, and goodwill — χ²(183) = 1094.44, p < 0.001, RMSEA = 0.08, CFI = 0.90, SRMR = 0.06. Most participants (73.6%) considered specific mental illnesses, with bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia most common. Some found challenges defining mental illness. Comparing structures of a widely cited tool and identifying what respondents think about while completing the scale assists the many researchers using the CAMI. This clarifies our understanding of community stigma and improves our capacity to reduce it.

Risky Kids is an Australian community‐based program that seeks to build resilience in children and adolescents by teaching ‘risk intelligence’ through parkour, ninja, and free‐running skills, underpinned by psychological approaches. The aim of this study was to explore children's and parents’ experiences of the Risky Kids program. We interviewed 18 children aged 6–13 years and held three focus groups with 15 parents and caregivers across three sites (two metropolitan and one regional). Guided by phenomenological design, template analysis was used to generate codes, categories and themes. We identified four overarching themes: (1) Learning to Navigate Risk; (2) Risky Kids is Different; (3) Coaches Facilitating Growth and Change; and (4) Stronger Minds and Bodies. Findings suggest that a facilitated risky play program can offer a supportive, safe space for children to develop confidence and resilience, and may particularly benefit children who prefer non‐competitive group activities that nurture individual strengths and accommodate all abilities. Families reported that the program offered valuable opportunities to enhance children's mental wellbeing, including social, emotional and behavioural regulation. Large‐scale quantitative evidence is required to examine children's outcomes—both physical and psychological, with a focus on resilience—including investigation of mechanisms of change.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth face disparities in mental health and substance use. LGBTQ+ community‐based organizations (CBOs) offer resources that may combat stress and mental health concerns; however, limited research has examined their programs or practices. We explored the facets of youth mental health services offered by LGBTQ+ CBOs in the US. Qualitative interviews were conducted with staff at 16 LGBTQ+ CBOs in the US. Findings revealed four overarching themes. Mental health program objectives and characteristics included four sub‐themes: counseling and therapy, safe spaces and community, case management, and education. Factors influencing the development of LGBTQ+ mental health programs included two sub‐themes: program creation and youth influence. Factors influencing the delivery of LGBTQ+ youth mental health programs included four sub‐themes: program planning and coordination, inclusive and intersectional processes, training and curriculum resources, and capacity‐building resources. Implications for LGBTQ+ CBOs are discussed.

This study evaluates whether the association between neighborhood cohesion and frequency of anxiety symptoms varies by racial/ethnic group in the United States (US). Our study includes 89,617 respondents ages 18 and older from the National Health Interview Survey (2013–2018). We fit multivariate generalized linear regression models with interactions between neighborhood cohesion and race/ethnicity to test our hypotheses. We find that greater neighborhood social cohesion is associated with a lower frequency of anxiety symptoms for all racial/ethnic groups. However, this relationship was strongest for NL‐Whites and Asians compared to NL‐Black and Latine adults. No significant differences in this relationship were found between NL‐Black, Latine, and Asian adults. Our study suggests that examining markers of mental health, such as anxiety symptoms, among the US population should consider variations in associations by race/ethnicity to expand our understanding of contextual factors that are associated with these outcomes. Population‐based assessments of mental health markers should consider how sociocultural mechanisms operate differently by race/ethnicity.

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) encompass childhood trauma linked to chronic health issues. Often discussed on a micro‐level, ACEs need a holistic perspective, emphasizing community‐based research and contextual resilience to address systemic barriers effectively. Following the principles of community‐based participatory research, two focus groups, composed of 15 people, were conducted to learn about community members' recommendations on what would be supportive for their communities. The study investigates the built environment, values, and resource accessibility, emphasizing the importance of outdoor access, community spaces, connectedness, and inclusive resource provision. The findings contribute to the literature by comprehensively understanding residents' perspectives on neighborhood well‐being, explicitly highlighting the significance of a well‐designed built environment, shared values, and accessible resources in fostering resilient and vibrant communities.

Closed religious communities cultivate a robust communal identity, shared faith, values, and norms among their members, providing them with social and emotional support. Deviance carries significant consequences, specifically disintegrating members’ sense of belonging. Gambling disorder (GD) is characterized by harmful gambling behaviors that negatively affect individuals’ lives. While gambling is a prevalent recreational activity, within closed religious communities, addiction, including GD, is viewed as a violation of religious teachings, values, and communal norms. This study explores GD's impact on the sense of belonging of Jewish Ultra‐Orthodox men and their spouses in Israel. This research employed constructivist grounded theory, interviewing twenty‐two men with GD and eleven spouses and uncovered two complementary themes. The first, “Depleting versus replenishing of the personal aspects of sense of belonging,” elucidates GD's different effects on the men and spouses’ sense of belonging. The second, “Paying the toll,” illuminates the emotional experiences and actions of the men and the spouses in reaction to societal conditional negative regard directed at them, disintegrating the sense of belonging of the men, but also that of the spouses who did not deviate from communal norms. The paper introduces the novel concept of “an empty pool/pull,” portraying these individuals’ limbo state. The “empty pool” represents the depletion of faith, adherence to religious commandments, and communal values for the men, while the “empty pull” signifies the inclination of the men and the spouses to conform amid the community's unfulfilled promise of protection. The study advocates for further research and offers clinical insights for therapists.