The Caribbean and Oceania are understudied areas from a psychological perspective, and this book is designed to fill that knowledge gap. In addition to diverse, rich cultural traditions and abundant economic opportunity for some, these regions also reflect the challenges of modernity, including crime, poverty, ethnic tensions, adaptations to climate change, and disparities in health, education, and access to care. With contributions from noted psychologists in the Caribbean and Oceania, as well as experts from around the globe, this book provides nuanced examination of significant psychological issues in nations such as Fiji, Guyana, Belize, Haiti, Jamaica, and more. Psychologists, psychiatrists, and other mental health professionals with an interest in this part of the world, will find this volume a rich resource, as will those generally interested in the relationship between culture and psychology. This book takes you on an outstanding journey of what is occurring in cultural psychology in the 21st century. It addresses the abundance of each nation through a transformational lens of current practices in psychology in Oceania and the Caribbean. I would absolutely recommend it to anyone interested in sailing the high seas connecting the present with the endless possibilities of those who dare to journey into the waters of a divine future.”- Florence Denmark, Past-President, American Psychological Association "Chock full of expert knowledge and insights, Psychology in Oceania and the Caribbean is an indispensable resource for psychologists. A must-read that will expand your understanding of life in these regions and beyond! “- Pamela A. Hays, PhD, Author of Addressing Cultural Complexities in Practice "This is a breath-taking book in its coverage of the uniquely endowed psychology worlds of Oceania and the Caribbean. Now that Dr. Rich, Dr. Ramkumar, and colleagues have produced this awesome book volume on the cultural psychology of the rim water nations, I have a palpable sense of relief from their having addressed a huge gap in cultural psychology scholarship. This volume opens hitherto undreamed of opportunities for further studies on cultural practices in psychology in Oceania and the Caribbean!”- Elias Mpofu, PhD, DE.D, CRC, MAPS, Professor of Health Sciences at the University of North Texas, Honorary Professor of Health Sciences at the University of Sydney and Executive Board member of the Australian Psychological Society’s Rehabilitation Psychology Interest Group "This book represents a vital exploration into the purpose and practice of Psychology in island nations. It is a welcome compilation of academic writings from sociocultural perspectives within Oceania and the Caribbean and serves as a landmark account of the unique forces shaping the development and evolution of Psychology in these states." - Gerard Hutchinson MD, Professor of Psychiatry, University of the West Indies, St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago

"The Caribbean is a vast region where members of diverse ethnic groups speak many different languages and have ancestral ties to various continents. This cultural diversity results in an array of unique psychological needs. However, these groups all share a common history of colonialism, slavery, and indentured servitude that continues to impact them to this day. Thus, researchers, practitioners, and organizations must collaborate to create a unified Caribbean psychology that meets both the shared and disparate needs of those who live in the region and in the diaspora. This book brings together scholars from diverse fields, many of whom come from Caribbean backgrounds. Divided into five sections, the book begins with an overview of psychology in the Caribbean, arguing that psychology is biased towards the Euro-American perspective. Thus, it examines the conceptual bases for an indigenous approach to Caribbean psychology as part of a more globalized discipline. Each subsequent section focuses on a particular field of study: Developmental psychology; Health and community psychology; Social psychology and; Clinical psychology. Chapters within these sections cover a range of topics that will benefit not only researchers and practitioners who focus on Caribbean-specific issues, but also those who seek a more international approach to psychology"--Publicity materials. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

Perspectives in Caribbean Psychology attempts to record the unique psychological character of those who live in the Caribbean and more broadly people of African-Caribbean heritage. It considers the impact of colonialism, the struggle for domination by various European and North American countries through history on individuals, and the unique psychological realities that have emerged from attempts to come to terms with the realities of Caribbean culture and experience. Contributors address prevalent issues of violence, mental illness, stigma, psychopathology and HIV/AIDS, and chronicle the adaptation, cultural retentions, resilience and migratory tenacity of the Caribbean people, both within their geographic communities and in the Diaspora. This book makes the case for a definitively Caribbean psychology with a range of chapters on psychological assessment, understanding and treatment modalities culled from a Caribbean experience. It will be an invaluable source of reference for anyone with an interest in multicultural psychology, as well as for social work and mental health professionals working with members of the Caribbean community.

This book examines the colonial structure as it applies to Latine populations and demonstrates how the remnants of that structure continue to affect this ethnic group. It will show that the colonial perspective is aligned with a racist viewpoint and the many ways in which this undermines psychological stability. Currently, many psychologists dealing with this population focus on individual deficits or disorders without the clarifying lens of social justice. In this way, the book will unravel the various strands of socio-political stressors and the disabling effects of lingering oppression. It will serve to bring new insights to those studying this group, as well as the many mental health workers that provide services. The result is an identification of a native psychology that is uniquely tailored to these particular individuals.

This book is designed as a treatment manual for using family-based treatments with children struggling with mental illness, supporting both family therapists and the families they are helping. Based on over 40 years of research, it has been shown that involving the entire family in treatment is effective. However, family therapy is still not used as a first line of treatment. Paul Sunseri explains and explores why family-based approaches should be used with struggling young people and how this can be applied in practice. Chapters discuss the causes, contributors, and social determinants for the rise in childhood mental illness and provide empirical evidence and treatments for working with children and adolescents suffering from self-harm, suicidal ideation, anxiety, anger, and depression. Filled with case studies throughout, the book also touches on mitigating the effects of screen time in our increasingly technological lives and interventions to help reluctant children participate in therapy. This book will be invaluable reading for graduate-level students, clinicians in training, and fully licensed clinicians, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, marriage and family therapists, and clinical social workers. The book is also a practical resource for parents and other caregivers; it pulls back the curtain on therapy and teaches parents exactly what to do to best love and support their child at a time when they need it the most.

This book captures the history, lifestyles and beliefs of Caribbean people relating them without impunity to the psychology of their emotion, thought and behaviour. This book studies research on the background of historical perspectives, definitions, dimensions and a Caribbean Diaspora, the interpretation of behaviours and mental disorders with contributions from witchcraft, priestcraft and science, as well as the challenge of the local interpretation of mental illness.