African American Children and Mental Health

How does one go about shifting the psychology of a people whose sense of worth, purpose, and potential have been denigrated and disenfranchised for decades? What specific factors conspire to douse African American children's dreams before they reach adolescence? And what can we learn from African American families determined to help their children beat the odds and succeed?

This unique two-volume set examines the forces affecting psychological development and achievement motivation in African American children today. These books address the current political, global, economic, and social contexts as they impact African American families and tackle the tough issues of genes, environment, and race. Experts from leading universities, research institutes, federal agencies, and nonprofit organizations discuss factors such as parenting beliefs and practices, peer influences, school and community environments, racial profiling, race and ethnicity, spirituality, and immigrant status.

Nancy E. Hill is associate professor in the Department of Psychology and Neurosciences at Duke University, Durham, NC; visiting associate professor at Harvard University, Graduate School of Education, Cambridge, MA; and faculty affiliate of the Center for Developmental Science at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC.

Tammy L. Mann, PhD, is executive director of the Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute at United Negro College Fund which focuses on examining barriers and facilitators of educational attainment for African Americans and other underrepresented minorities across the P-16 education pipeline.

Hiram E. Fitzgerald is series editor for the Praeger series, Child Psychology and Mental Health. He is associate provost for university outreach and engagement, University Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI; and adjunct professor of psychiatry at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.