Papers by Lamise Shawahin
Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2021
Despite evidence that chronic stress, racism, and discrimination impact the well-being and the ri... more Despite evidence that chronic stress, racism, and discrimination impact the well-being and the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Black women, there are few evidence-based interventions that improve wellbeing and reduce the risk for CVD in women of minority groups. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the psychobehavioral and anti-inflammatory benefit of a race-based stress reduction program "Resilience, Stress, and Ethnicity (RiSE) for Black women at risk for CVD. Methods: Black women were recruited from the Chicagoland community and randomized to either the 8-week RiSE intervention (n = 40) or control group (n = 34). Participants were assessed for coping strategies, psychological distress, and blood levels of TNF-alpha and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) at baseline and at 4 and 8 weeks after baseline. Results: Participation in RiSE was associated with a more rapid decline in the use of avoidance coping (b =-0.3585, SE = 0.1705, p < .01). Reductions over time in TNF-alpha (b =-0.0163, SE = .0087, p = .08) and hsCRP (b=-0.4064, SE = 0.2270, p = .08) approached statistical significance. Conclusions: Findings provide preliminary evidence in Black women at risk for CVD that RiSE contributes to decreases in avoidance coping. Although preliminary, these results suggest RiSE to be an effective intervention to promote improved coping associated with racism and discrimination in minorities.
Shawahin, Lamise N. M.S.Ed., Purdue University. August, 2016. Psychosocial Factors and Mental Hea... more Shawahin, Lamise N. M.S.Ed., Purdue University. August, 2016. Psychosocial Factors and Mental Health among Muslim Americans. Major Professor: Dr. Ayse Ciftci. Muslim Americans are at risk for experiencing systematic and interpersonal acts of discrimination (Rippy & Newman, 2006). Such experiences of discrimination can lead to the development of depressive symptoms. Thus, it is critical to understand factors that may influence the relationship between experiencing discrimination and developing depressive symptoms. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between psychosocial adversities (i.e., perceived discrimination), psychosocial resources (i.e., coping strategies, religious community support) and depressive symptoms. Hypotheses regarding both the relationships among the variables, as well as the mediating role psychosocial resources play in the relationship between perceived discrimination and depressive symptoms were assessed. Muslim Americans (N=272) com...
The Counseling Psychologist, 2019
In this article, a diverse group of early, mid, and advanced career scholars call for counseling ... more In this article, a diverse group of early, mid, and advanced career scholars call for counseling psychology to continue to evolve in our integration of social justice action in our field. In doing so, we first consider our history as proponents and enactors of social justice, highlighting the ways in which counseling psychologists have served as social justice leaders in psychology. We then discuss our field’s contemporary challenges to, and opportunities for, social justice progress as we work toward equity and justice. Finally, we offer recommendations for counseling psychologists individually and as a field to move forward in our social justice action. Given our longstanding social justice values and our unique training as counseling psychologists, if we aim with intentionality to use our skills toward systems change, counseling psychologists are poised to have a strong and proactive role as social change agents within psychology and society at large.
Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2019
Growing evidence demonstrates that perceived discrimination and racism are significant contributi... more Growing evidence demonstrates that perceived discrimination and racism are significant contributing factors to psychological distress, low-grade chronic inflammation, and cardiovascular health disparities among minorities, particularly among Black women. Despite this evidence, there are no evidence-based complementary therapy interventions available to ameliorate chronic stress associated with racism and discrimination. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of a novel, 8-week, group-based stress reduction program, Resilience, Stress and Ethnicity (RiSE), designed to help Black women at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) develop effective coping skills for dealing with chronic stress uniquely associated with being a minority. Methods: We conducted two semi-structured focus groups with Black women (N = 22) following their participation in the 8-week RiSE program. We analyzed the data using constant comparative qualitative methods. Results: Attrition rate was low (13%) with all participants attending at least 6 of the 8 classes. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the program and the majority (81%) reported practicing the skills that they learned in real-life stressful situations. In describing the participants' response to the program, four key categories emerged from the data: (1) Increasing awareness of stressors associated with perceived discrimination and racism; (2) Coping with race-based stressors; (3) Coping with other sources of stress; and (4) Increasing sense of empowerment and emotion regulation. Conclusions: Findings suggest that RiSE is feasible and effective in helping Black women at risk for CVD cope with chronic stress associated with being a minority. Given evidence that perceived discrimination and racism are underlying factors in many inflammatory-based chronic diseases, this research may have broader implications for reducing health disparities across a wide-spectrum of chronic illnesses in which women minorities are disproportionately affected.
Psychology of Violence, 2018
Objective: Veterans of color represent a unique intersection of individuals at risk of experienci... more Objective: Veterans of color represent a unique intersection of individuals at risk of experiencing racialized discrimination during their military service and of developing negative mental health outcomes. At the same time, there has been little guidance for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health-care providers in how to address these clinical issues in a culturally competent manner. This article describes a group-based intervention targeting race-based stress and trauma among veterans implemented at 4 different sites. Method: The authors describe the development and application of this intervention, including information about development of the group and general aims as well as the process of implementing the group across settings. Results: The authors address broad factors to consider when implementing the group, including navigating diversity dimensions within the group and addressing provider cultural competence and identity. Finally, the authors review recommendations for future directions for implementing the group within and outside of a VA setting, seeking institutional support for the group, and developing measures to assess the efficacy of the group. Conclusions: The intervention described in this article has the potential to serve as a model for development of similar interventions both within VA health-care centers and non-VA health-care settings.
Journal of Counseling & Development, 2012
The authors provide a brief overview of counseling and mental health care in Palestine, including... more The authors provide a brief overview of counseling and mental health care in Palestine, including their history and a summary of their current status. Finally, a discussion is presented of future trends in the development of the profession with regard to recent changes in the region.
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Papers by Lamise Shawahin