Barriers and Facilitators in Discussing Race and Racism with Youth: Overcoming Passivity and Building Confidence.
Saved in:
| Title: | Barriers and Facilitators in Discussing Race and Racism with Youth: Overcoming Passivity and Building Confidence. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Tseng, Yachi (AUTHOR), Garfias, Yasmin (AUTHOR), Daniels, Alayna (AUTHOR), Kennedy, Devin (AUTHOR), Dorsey, Shannon (AUTHOR), Blanks Jones, Jasmine (AUTHOR), Triplett, Noah S. (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology. Mar/Apr2026, Vol. 55 Issue 2, p313-324. 12p. |
| Subjects: | Racism, Cultural humility, Community mental health services, Cultural awareness, Race, Therapeutic alliance, Youth health |
| Abstract: | Objective: This study examined youth-serving community mental health clinicians' multicultural counseling knowledge and awareness and their perceived barriers and facilitators in discussing race and racism with clients. Additionally, the study explored how clinicians' knowledge and awareness were related to their reports of barriers and facilitators in addressing race and racism. Methods: The current study is a mixed-method study of 119 youth-serving community mental health clinicians across Washington State. We explore qualitative themes in clinicians' reports of perceived barriers and facilitators in broaching topics of race and racism. We also examine if reported barriers and facilitators correlate with the Multicultural Counseling Knowledge and Awareness Scale. Results: Qualitative themes emerged at the client-, clinician-, organizational-, and societal-levels. Barriers included clinicians not engaging in racism-related discussions unless clients initiated them, clinicians' discomfort or lack of confidence, and clinicians' perceptions of harm or limitations because of their racial identification. Clinicians were more willing to broach topics of race or racism with older clients, with stronger perceptions of rapport, and when topics were broached earlier in therapy. There was no statistically significant correlation between the count of perceived barriers or facilitators' and clinicians' multicultural counseling knowledge and awareness. Conclusion: Qualitative and quantitative data highlight considerations for assessing and supporting clinicians' cultural humility. Enhancing multicultural competency and humility can help clinicians recognize their strengths and limitations, fostering a deeper understanding of clients' cultural backgrounds. Encouraging clinicians to facilitate open discussions about race and racism is a key step in this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | Objective: This study examined youth-serving community mental health clinicians' multicultural counseling knowledge and awareness and their perceived barriers and facilitators in discussing race and racism with clients. Additionally, the study explored how clinicians' knowledge and awareness were related to their reports of barriers and facilitators in addressing race and racism. Methods: The current study is a mixed-method study of 119 youth-serving community mental health clinicians across Washington State. We explore qualitative themes in clinicians' reports of perceived barriers and facilitators in broaching topics of race and racism. We also examine if reported barriers and facilitators correlate with the Multicultural Counseling Knowledge and Awareness Scale. Results: Qualitative themes emerged at the client-, clinician-, organizational-, and societal-levels. Barriers included clinicians not engaging in racism-related discussions unless clients initiated them, clinicians' discomfort or lack of confidence, and clinicians' perceptions of harm or limitations because of their racial identification. Clinicians were more willing to broach topics of race or racism with older clients, with stronger perceptions of rapport, and when topics were broached earlier in therapy. There was no statistically significant correlation between the count of perceived barriers or facilitators' and clinicians' multicultural counseling knowledge and awareness. Conclusion: Qualitative and quantitative data highlight considerations for assessing and supporting clinicians' cultural humility. Enhancing multicultural competency and humility can help clinicians recognize their strengths and limitations, fostering a deeper understanding of clients' cultural backgrounds. Encouraging clinicians to facilitate open discussions about race and racism is a key step in this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 15374416 |
| DOI: | 10.1080/15374416.2025.2475494 |
