Richard M. Suinn (1933-2024).

Richard M. Suinn, an eminent psychologist known for his work in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), sports psychology, ethnic minority issues, and professional association leadership, passed away on January 5, 2024, in Fort Collins, Colorado, at the age of 90 years. Suinn was born on May 8, 1933, in Hawai'i. Suinn was an expert in anxiety management and developed the widely used Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale. He was the first psychologist appointed team psychologist to a U.S. Olympic team, applying his CBT expertise to five Olympic teams. Suinn developed the Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation Scale, the most widely used measure of Asian American acculturation. He served as a president of the American Psychological Association (APA) where he opened the door for APA presidents of color, and the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) and a member of the Board of Directors of APA, the American Psychological Foundation, American Board of Professional Psychology, Association for the Advancement of Psychology, ABCT, and the Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA). (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Incidence and Correlates of Emergency Department Visits for Deliberate Self-Harm Among Asian American Youth.

PURPOSE: This study examined the epidemiology of self-harm emergency department (ED) visits among Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) youth, and associated factors. METHODS: We used California ED visit records in 2010 and 2011 to calculate incidence rates of self-harm ED visits for AAPI versus non-Hispanic White (NHW) patients aged 10-29 years. Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared for AAPI versus NHW patients presenting with self-harm. We used modified Poisson regression models to estimate the relative risk of recurrent ED self-harm visits for AAPI versus NHW patients and examined the association of insurance type and gender with recurrent self-harm among AAPIs. RESULTS: Rates of self-harm ED visits for young AAPI patients were 38 and 26 per 100,000 among females and males, respectively. Although AAPI patients presenting with self-harm were equally or less likely than NHW patients to have comorbid psychological and substance use diagnoses at their index visit, they were 25% more likely to be admitted to hospital. However, they were 40% less likely to have a recurrent ED self-harm visit. Among AAPI patients, those who used Medicaid were significantly more likely than those with other insurance to be admitted as inpatients. DISCUSSION: Young AAPI patients presenting to EDs with deliberate self-harm have different sociodemographic and clinical profiles compared to NHW patients. Our study also demonstrates significant heterogeneity in risk of recurrent self-harm by gender and insurance type among AAPI patients. This information may be useful for future intervention programs among self-harming AAPI youth.

Minority status, depression and suicidality among counseling center clients.

Objective This study examined race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and financial stress and their association with depression and suicidality among university counseling center clients. Methods: The sample included 3,189 participants who received services at a university counseling center. Results: Asian American college students reported more depressive symptoms than European American and Hispanic students and were more likely to have a depression diagnosis than European American and African American students. Female and lesbian/gay/bisexual/questioning (LGBQ) individuals had higher depressive symptom scores, were more likely to have a depression diagnosis, and history of suicidal ideation and attempts than male and heterosexual individuals, respectively. Students with high financial stress reported higher depression scores and were more likely to have experienced past and current suicidality. More minority statuses were associated with higher risk for depression and suicidality. Conclusions: Counseling center clients who identified with one or more minority groups had higher risk for depression and suicidality.

West Meets East in a New Two-Polarities Model of Personality: Combining Self-Relatedness Structure With Independent-Interdependent Functions.

Self and relatedness are the two most essential dimensions of personality, as indicated in many personality theories, and have been supported by numerous empirical studies conducted in the western (individualistic) and eastern (collectivist) contexts. However, because of a confusion or failure to distinguish the structure and function of personality, popular theories (e.g., the Big Five model) do not make logic distinctions between these two basic personality dimensions. In terms of the cultural-relevant feature, both self and relatedness and their specific aspects may be variously highlighted in different cultural settings. On the basis of a re-examination of several crucial two-dimension (namely, self and relatedness) personality theories derived from the east and west, we reconstruct a new two polarities personality model to include not only self and relatedness but also the independent and interdependent functions in terms of some popular personality theories from western and eastern cultures. Theoretically and empirically, self and relatedness should be the basic structures of personality, whereas independence and interdependence should be the basic functions of personality. Self and relatedness have independent and interdependent functions; however, due to the cultural relevance of personality, the functions should be variously emphasized in different contexts. Several possible future research directions are discussed.

Reducing mental health disparities by increasing the personal relevance of interventions.

One of the most persistent health disparities is the underutilization of mental health services by people of color. Neither evidence-based treatments (universal focus) nor culturally adapted treatments (group focus) have reduced these disparities. We propose the personal relevance of psychotherapy (PROP) model, which integrates universal, group, and individual dimensions to determine the personal relevance of interventions. A cultural example of personal relevance among people of East Asian ancestry involves "face" (i.e., one's prestige and position in society), which may moderate treatment outcomes. Pragmatic intervention approaches focused on helping individuals cope with specific external problems, compared to managing a "personal" disease, can effectively "restore" face. Thus, social problem-solving interventions may be more personally relevant to many people of East Asian ancestry than are approaches that are internally focused. In addition, we posit that social neuroscience can offer unique opportunities above and beyond self-report measures when assessing the impact of PROP and the personal relevance of interventions for diverse populations. Our preliminary evidence upon testing this hypothesis indicated that among Asian Americans, exposure to problem-solving therapy content elicited significantly greater neural activity in brain areas associated with personal relevance compared to exposure to cognitive-behavioral therapy content. Identifying personally relevant interventions has the potential to reduce mental health disparities by increasing engagement with mental health services for diverse groups. The increased client engagement produced by personally relevant interventions also has the potential to make mental health services more effective for diverse groups. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Measurement Invariance of the Five Factor Model of Personality: Facet-Level Analyses Among Euro and Asian Americans.

Relative to broad Big Five domains, personality facets provide incremental value in predicting life outcomes. Valid between-group comparisons of means and correlates of facet scores are contingent upon measurement invariance of personality measures. Research on culture and Big Five personality has been largely limited to cross-national comparisons of domains, without assessing measurement invariance across ethnoracial groups within the same country. Using the NEO Inventories, we tested facet-level measurement invariance between Euro (N = 418, 63.2% women, Mage = 18.43) and Asian Americans (N = 429, 56.6% women, Mage = 18.00). Multigroup exploratory factor analysis within a confirmatory factor analysis framework showed partial strong invariance. Assertiveness and activity did not load onto extraversion as strongly for Asian Americans. Self-consciousness showed a stronger cross-loading onto extraversion among Asian Americans than Euro Americans. Achievement striving, competence, warmth, tender-mindedness, and excitement seeking showed noninvariant intercepts across groups. Collectivistic values emphasizing interpersonal harmony and modesty should be considered when examining narrow and broad traits among Asian Americans.

Complexities in the history of diversity and social justice: Reply to Harvey (2019).

The authors provide a reply to Harvey's (2019) comment on the authors' article regarding the American Psychological Association's efforts to promote diversity and social justice (Leong et al., 2017). (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

A psychometric evaluation of the Loss of Face Scale.

Face and loss of face (LOF) are important social and clinical constructs in many cultures. The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of the LOF Scale in 4 samples of European Americans and Asian Americans with a total of 2,057 participants. We found LOF Scale scores to have high internal reliability across all samples. Confirmatory factor analyses comparing 1- and 2-factor models supported a 1-factor structure for both European and Asian Americans, albeit 4 items (Items 3, 13, 14, and 20) were found to be noninvariant across the 2 groups. Two error covariances between Items 2 and 3, and between Items 11 and 20 were both substantial and invariant across groups. Tests of latent mean differences revealed a mean LOF score that was significantly higher for Asian Americans than for European Americans. Finally, the LOF scores correlated with affective distress and self-construal equally for Asian Americans and European Americans, correlated with some factors in collective self-esteem for both groups, and correlated with acculturation for Asian Americans. These results supported the LOF Scale as a psychometrically sound tool for assessing the unidimensional concept of the LOF across cultures. (PsycINFO Database Record

APA efforts in promoting human rights and social justice.

This article reviews the American Psychological Association's (APA) efforts in promoting human rights and social justice. Beginning with a historical review of the conceptualizations of human rights and social justice, the social challenges that have faced the United States over time are discussed in relation to the APA's evolving mission and strategic initiatives enacted through its boards, committees, and directorates. From early efforts on the Board for Social and Ethical Responsibility in Psychology and the Board of Ethnic Minority Affairs to the establishment of the Public Interest Directorate, the APA's efforts to address these human rights and social justice challenges through its task force reports, guidelines, and policies are described. Specifically, issues related to diversity and underrepresentation of minority group members and perspective within the APA, as well as women's issues (prochoice, violence against women, sexualization of young girls, human trafficking) were central to these efforts. These minority groups included racial and ethnic minority groups; immigrants and refugees; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and queer individuals; and those with disabilities. Later attention shifted to broader social justice challenges within a public health perspective, such as AIDS, obesity, and violence. Also included is a brief discussion of the Hoffman Report. The article ends with a discussion of future directions for the APA's efforts related to human rights and social justice related to health disparities, violent extremism, social inequality, migration, cultural and racial diversity, and an evidence-based approach to programming. (PsycINFO Database Record

Stigma, mental health, and counseling service use: A person-centered approach to mental health stigma profiles.

The current study examined reports of stigma toward mental health services, depressive symptoms, flourishing, and mental health service use among a sample of 8,285 college students across the United States who completed the Healthy Minds Study. The study aimed to: (a) identify profiles of public and personal stigma against mental health service utilization, and (b) examine the demographic predictors of stigma group membership and mental health service utilization. Latent profile analyses revealed 3 distinct groups based on public and self-stigma (i.e., "High Self, High Public Stigma," "Average Self, High Public Stigma," and "Low Self, Low Public Stigma"). Subsequent analyses examined demographic characteristics and mental health across the 3 groups. Results indicated significant differences in age, gender, race/ethnicity, mental health, and mental health service use across the 3 groups. Results further showed that students with high perceived need for mental health services, identifying as male or Asian, and belonging to the "High Self, High Public Stigma" group had lower likelihood of seeking mental health services in the past year. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record

Diverse perspectives are welcome: Reply to Martin (2017).

Martin's (2017) comment on Chandra and Leong (2016) highlighted (a) lack of definitional clarity of the concept of adaptability, (b) conceptual generality of the model, and (c) incomplete citations of the literature on adaptability. In this reply, the authors contend that lack of definitional clarity of adaptability is symptomatic of the multitude of definitions of adaptability by psychologists of diverse persuasions. Conceptual generality of the diversified portfolio model (DPM) stems from the choice of a broad definition of adaptability, which extends beyond the narrower definitions provided by scholars including Martin, as well as the capability of the model to mesh with this broad definition. Incomplete citations result from the choice to use a few well-known conceptualizations of adaptability for the purpose of exposition from among the thousands of extant studies on adaptability. The central point of Chandra and Leong (2016) is that diversification is an important antecedent and determinant of adaptability and imparts greater adaptability however defined or measured. (PsycINFO Database Record

A diversified portfolio model of adaptability.

A new model of adaptability, the diversified portfolio model (DPM) of adaptability, is introduced. In the 1950s, Markowitz developed the financial portfolio model by demonstrating that investors could optimize the ratio of risk and return on their portfolios through risk diversification. The DPM integrates attractive features of a variety of models of adaptability, including Linville's self-complexity model, the risk and resilience model, and Bandura's social cognitive theory. The DPM draws on the concept of portfolio diversification, positing that diversified investment in multiple life experiences, life roles, and relationships promotes positive adaptation to life's challenges. The DPM provides a new integrative model of adaptability across the biopsychosocial levels of functioning. More importantly, the DPM addresses a gap in the literature by illuminating the antecedents of adaptive processes studied in a broad array of psychological models. The DPM is described in relation to the biopsychosocial model and propositions are offered regarding its utility in increasing adaptiveness. Recommendations for future research are also offered. (PsycINFO Database Record

How racial/ethnic bullying affects rejection sensitivity: the role of social dominance orientation.

The authors built upon models of workplace bullying to examine how racial/ethnic bullying can lead to racial/ethnic minorities' sensitivity to future discrimination via its effects on race/ethnic-related stress. With a sample of racial/ethnic minorities, they found support for this process. Individual differences in social dominance orientation (SDO) also attenuated the mediation: The indirect effect of race/ethnic-related stress was weaker for minorities who endorse hierarchy legitimizing ideologies (high in SDO) compared to minorities low in SDO. Practical implications for the management of minority employees' experiences of discrimination are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

A critical review of culturally sensitive treatments for depression: recommendations for intervention and research.

Recent meta-analyses and reviews have showed that culturally adapted mental health interventions are more effective for racial and ethnic minorities than traditional unadapted psychotherapy. Despite the advances in providing culturally sensitive mental health services, disparities among racial and ethnic minorities still exist. As a body of literature on culturally sensitive treatments accumulates, there is a need to examine what makes a treatment for specific presenting problems culturally sensitive. This article presents a critical review of existing culturally sensitive treatments for depression because it is one of the most common and debilitating mental disorders. In particular, we examined what treatment modalities were used, what types of adaptations were implemented, and what populations were targeted. The conceptual framework this review uses to categorize existing culturally sensitive treatments includes a top-down, a bottom-up, or an integrative approach. The review reveals that the majority of culturally sensitive treatments for depression employed an evidence-based bottom-up approach, which involved general and practical adaptations, such as translating materials or infusing specific cultural values. Most studies used cognitive-behavioral strategies and included Latinos and African Americans. Recommendations and future directions in interventions and research are discussed to decrease mental health care disparities among ethnic minorities.

Disentangling immigrant status in mental health: psychological protective and risk factors among Latino and Asian American immigrants.

This study aimed to disentangle the psychological mechanisms underlying immigrant status by testing a model of psychological protective and risk factors to predict the mental health prevalence rates among Latino and Asian American immigrants based on secondary analysis of the National Latino and Asian American Study. The first research question examined differences on the set of protective and risk factors between immigrants and their U.S.-born counterparts and found that immigrants reported higher levels of ethnic identity, family cohesion, native language proficiency, and limited English proficiency than their U.S.-born counterparts. The second research question examined the effect of the protective and risk factors on prevalence rates of depressive, anxiety, and substance-related disorders and found that social networking served as a protective factor. Discrimination, acculturative stress, and family conflict were risk factors on the mental health for both ethnic groups. Clinical implications and directions for future research are provided.

A meta-analytic study: the relationship between acculturation and depression among Asian Americans.

Acculturation is an important and popular cultural research variable among specific ethnic populations that is used to explain the process of assimilating into the host culture. Acculturation has often been used to account for psychosocial changes and health outcomes and has been used to explain health disparities among ethnic groups. Using Asian Americans as an illustrative ethnic group, the authors see that researchers have highlighted the influence of acculturation on health outcomes. Some researchers suggest that this relationship is positive, whereas others postulate that the opposite is true. Because of the highly complex and divergent findings in the literature, this meta-analysis addresses the question of how acculturation (as measured by acculturation scales) is related to depression (a specific mental health outcome) among the Asian American population living in North America. Analyses were based on 38 studies. The meta-analyses reveal that when acculturation is measured as assimilation to the American culture, there is a small but statistically significant negative relationship between acculturation and depression scores. When acculturation is measured as orientation to the Asian culture, the relationship between acculturation and depression scores is also negative, but not statistically significant.

Depression among Asian Americans: Review and Recommendations.

This article presents a review of the prevalence and manifestation of depression among Asian Americans and discusses some of the existing issues in the assessment and diagnosis of depression among Asian Americans. The authors point out the diversity and increasing numbers of Asian Americans and the need to provide better mental health services for this population. While the prevalence of depression among Asian Americans is lower than that among other ethnic/racial groups, Asian Americans receive treatment for depression less often and its quality is less adequate. In addition, the previous belief that Asians somatize depression may become obsolete as more evidence appears to support that Westerners may "psychologize" depression. The cultural validity of the current DSM-IV conceptualization of depression is questioned. In the course of the review, the theme of complexity emerges: the heterogeneity of ethnic Asian American groups, the multidimensionality of depression, and the intersectionality of multiple factors among depressed Asian Americans.

Toward a new approach to the study of personality in culture.

We review recent developments in the study of culture and personality measurement. Three approaches are described: an etic approach that focuses on establishing measurement equivalence in imported measures of personality, an emic (indigenous) approach that studies personality in specific cultures, and a combined emic-etic approach to personality. We propose the latter approach as a way of combining the methodological rigor of the etic approach and the cultural sensitivity of the emic approach. The combined approach is illustrated by two examples: the first with origins in Chinese culture and the second in South Africa. The article ends with a discussion of the theoretical and practical implications of the combined emic-etic approach for the study of culture and personality and for psychology as a science.

Impact of measurement invariance on construct correlations, mean differences, and relations with external correlates: an illustrative example using Big Five and RIASEC measures.

The impact of measurement invariance and the provision for partial invariance in confirmatory factor analytic models on factor intercorrelations, latent mean differences, and estimates of relations with external variables is investigated for measures of two sets of widely assessed constructs: Big Five personality and the six Holland interests (RIASEC). In comparing models that include provisions for partial invariance with models that do not, the results indicate quite small differences in parameter estimates involving the relations between factors, one relatively large standardized mean difference in factors between the subgroups compared and relatively small differences in the regression coefficients when the factors are used to predict external variables. The results provide support for the use of partially invariant models, but there does not seem to be a great deal of difference between structural coefficients when the measurement model does or does not include separate estimates of subgroup parameters that differ across subgroups. Future research should include simulations in which the impact of various factors related to invariance is estimated.