Journal of Black Psychology

This study examinedthe impact of self-reported memory deficits on psychological well-being among a sample of 998 elderly African American persons. Using multiple regression and employing other related variables (that previously have been identified as common predictors of psychological well-being), the findings of this study suggest that the risk of having a lower level of psychological well-being was greater for persons with more memory problems, even after demographic characteristics, functional limitations, health status, and cognition were included in regression equations. Self-reported memory deficits werefound to be the strongest predictor of psychological well-being. The strength of relationship between self-reported memory deficits and psychological well-being was stronger among women than men.

This study examined the effects of mentor ethnicity, cultural sensitivity, and student level of cultural mistrust on perceptions of mentor credibility and cultural competence. African American men attending west coast community colleges listened to a tape-recorded mentoring session in which the faculty mentor was described as eitherAfrican American or European American and was portrayed as either culturally responsive or culturally unresponsive. Mentor ethnicity, as well as an interaction between mentor ethnicity and participant level of cultural mistrust, were found to be related to perceptions of mentor credibility/effectiveness. In addition, mentor ethnicity and cultural sensitivity were found to be related to perceptions of mentor cross-cultural competence.

Eight Black and 8 White children attempted to purchase cigarettes in stores in Black versus White neighborhoods in California, where selling cigarettes to children is illegal. Each of the 16 children attempted to purchase cigarettes 36 times, in the same stores, at the same time of day, from I hour to 4 days apart, and in the same manner Results revealed thatBlack children were sold cigarettes significantly more often than White children, that they were sold these cigarettes by non-Black clerks and particularly in all-Black neighborhoods, and that adult customers made no efforts to stop them. These data indicate that racial discrimination on the part of non-Black store clerks and indifference on the part of the Black community both play a role in children's access to tobacco. The needfor Black communities to sustain tobacco control activities to prevent smoking among Black children is highlighted.

Blacks are the largest group of single individuals in America; they also have the lowest male to female gender balance. However, little is known about the romantic perceptions of single Black daters. Data were obtained via a question-naire from a group of professional single Black men (n = 44) and Black women (n = 91). Of interest were perceptions of their existing relationships with respect to satisfaction, equity, power, and romantic alternatives and ideals. Findings indicate significant gender differences: Males and females indicated similar levels of overall satisfaction, but females reported perceiving less equity and wielding more power in their relationships than did males. Males and females did not differ in their perceptions of available romantic alternatives, butfemales did report their existing relationships to be less ideal than did males. Sexual relations and partner's physical attractiveness were significant predictors of satisfaction for both males and females; equity was also significantforfemales.

One hundred and eleven African American and White participants viewed photographs and determined the likelihood that African American and White male andfemale solos would be selectedfor membership to a work group on the basis of affirmative action or ability. Participants also provided judgments on a 7-point Likert-type scale about the overall groups contained in the photographs. As predicted, differences in selection attributions were associated with racial differences among participants. Participants' judgments of the overall work groups reflected both in-group and out-group homogeneity effects. These and other results are discussed, as are the implications for organizational settings.

This study focuses on the context of risk taking in a group of African American women. Correlates and predictors of risk-taking behavior in a sample of 278 African American women were examined to explore the nature of risk taking related to HlVinfection. It was hypothesized that increased riskforHIVinfection would be associated with engaging in a variety of risky behaviors across several domains. Results indicate that the women in this sample engaged in risky behaviors related not only to HIVbut also to other significant health risks, such as cigarette smoking and substance use. Risk for HIV infection, as measured by condom use, was predicted by individual and peer-related factors. The concept of pervasive risk is proposed to explain the behavior of individuals who are at high riskfor HIV/AIDS, yet continue to engage in risky behaviors.