Tag: ethnic identity

A recent article by Lateef, H., Amoako, E. O., Nartey, P., Tan, J., & Joe, S. (2022) titled Black youth and African-centered interventions: A systematic review published in Research on Social Work Practice reveals that African-centered interventions (ACIs) may have beneficial effects for some Black youth over time, in relation to their educational attainment, mental health, and general behaviours in addition to self-esteem and ethnic identity

Being a systematic literature review, the article reviewed 10 studies that evaluated the effectiveness of ACIs for Black youth in the United States. ACIs are based on African and African diaspora cultural values and aim to promote positive outcomes for Black youth, such as academic achievement, self-esteem, ethnic identity, and health behaviours.

The authors conducted a comprehensive search of African-centered interventions (ACIs) using electronic bibliographic databases to identify studies completed in the United States and reported in peer-reviewed journals. A total of 10 studies were identified that met the full inclusion criteria of the review. The included studies had to be described as an outcome study, evaluation of a randomized control trial (RCT), or a behavioural health or psychosocial intervention; the intervention had to be described as an African-centered, Afrocentric, or similarly tailored intervention based on the principles of an African-derived cultural orientation for Black youth; and the study had to be published within a peer-reviewed journal. The authors assessed methodological rigor based on standards of assessing empirically validated interventions by the American Psychological Association (Chambless & Hollon, 1998; Gingerich & Eisengart, 2000; Kim, 2008)

The article reports that seven studies showed significant effects of ACIs on some outcome variables, while three studies showed nonsignificant or mixed results. The article discusses the key components and challenges of ACIs, such as the use of African-derived values, historical trauma-related aims, communal intervention methods, and self and communal empowerment curriculum.

Implications of the study

The study found that ACIs may have positive outcomes in academic achievement, self-concept, cultural identity, and behaviours, but also noted the heterogeneity in methodological rigor and the need for more research.

Some of the implications of the study are:

• ACIs can be a culturally sensitive and relevant approach to address the needs and challenges of Black youth, especially in racialized societies where they may face discrimination, oppression, and trauma.
• ACIs can promote a sense of belonging, empowerment, and resilience among Black youth by reconnecting them to their African heritage, values, and culture.
• ACIs can foster positive youth development by enhancing social skills, self-esteem, ethnic identity, communalism, motivation, and social change involvement.
• ACIs should be based on specific and nuanced African-centered frameworks that consider the diversity and intersectionality of Black youth identities and experiences.
• ACIs should employ more rigorous methodology, such as randomized controlled trials, manualized curricula, and validated outcome measures, to establish their empirical evidence base and effectiveness.
• ACIs should adapt to the changing needs and contexts of Black youth, such as incorporating web-based components and addressing the impact of social media on youth development.

In conclusion, the systematic review by Lateef et al. highlights the potential benefits of African-centered interventions (ACIs) for Black youth in the United States. The study reveals that ACIs can positively impact educational attainment, mental health, self-esteem, and ethnic identity, fostering resilience and empowerment. However, it also underscores the need for more rigorous research to establish a stronger empirical evidence base. The findings emphasize the significance of culturally sensitive approaches that acknowledge the diverse experiences of Black youth and adapt to changing contexts. By embracing their African heritage and values, ACIs can address the challenges faced by Black youth in racialized societies and promote positive youth development.