1994 — 1995 |
Neal-Barnett, Angela M. |
R03Activity Code Description: To provide research support specifically limited in time and amount for studies in categorical program areas. Small grants provide flexibility for initiating studies which are generally for preliminary short-term projects and are non-renewable. |
Race, Reactivity, Variability, and Panic Disorder @ Kent State University At Kent
Little information is available about panic disorder in Black Americans. Available research suggests that panic disorder and hypertension often co- occur in this population, with stress playing an important role in both disorders. Research documenting increased autonomic arousal in response to stressors in the laboratory and naturalistic environment in individuals with panic disorder and individuals with essential hypertension has raised questions about the relationships between panic disorder and hypertension The proposed study examines heart rate and blood pressure reactivity and variability in Black females with panic disorder, Black females with panic disorder and mild (Stage 1) hypertension, Black females with mild (Stage 1) hypertension, and normotensive Black females. The specific aims of the proposed study are as follows: to investigate similarities and differences in physiologic response to stress in the laboratory setting among the four groups; to investigate similarities and differences in the variability of physiologic responses in the natural environment among the four groups; to examine the activities and emotions experienced by women in the four groups during the course of a normal day; to determine how variability in these activities and emotions may affect variability in physiologic responses during the course of a normal day; to investigate the relationships between hostility and competitiveness and physiologic response among the four groups. Eighty non-pregnant premenopausal Black females between the age of 18-51 will serve as subjects. Women will be screened using the Revised Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule adapted for use with Black Americans, a medical screening and three casual blood pressure readings. Based upon screening results, women will be assigned to one of the four groups. In the second part of the study, women will participate in a laboratory reactivity segment and 24 ambulatory variability monitoring segment. BP and HR will be monitored in both segments. Information about daily hassles, hard-driving competitiveness, and hostility will also be obtained. The proposed study will contribute to the knowledge base on panic and Black Americans. Information from the proposed may have implications for the assessment and treatment of panic disorder in this population.
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2003 — 2005 |
Neal-Barnett, Angela |
N/AActivity Code Description: No activity code was retrieved: click on the grant title for more information |
McAa: Development and Validation of the Acting White Experiences Scale
"Acting White" is one of the most negative accusations that African American adolescents can make toward each other. Often, when adolescents are accused of acting White, they begin to question or search for what it means to be Black. This search results in some African American teenagers hiding their intelligence, allowing their grades to drop, withdrawing from their White friends, associating with peers they perceive as "authentically Black" or withdrawing from Black adolescent society. Acting White also appears to be one of the most misunderstood phenomena in Black adolescent life. Many researchers, parents, teachers, and media personalities erroneously believe that acting White means valuing academic success. In reality, acting White is creating for oneself a racial identity that is perceived as being markedly different than the racial identity of others in one's school or social environment. The perception that one's racial identity differs from the status quo is influenced by an individual's beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors as evidenced by speech, dress, interests, education, and perceived self-esteem. This definition allows researchers to empirically measure the impact of acting White on African American adolescents' psychological and academic well-being using the Acting White Experiences Scale. The instrument measures whether or not an adolescent has had experiences associated with the accusation and the amount of psychological distress created by the experience. In this project, the PI will refine and demonstrate the usefulness of this scale in advancing knowledge about acting White. African American adolescents from various school settings (suburban, rural, urban, small town) will be given this scale along with several other measures related to identity and academic achievement. The data generated from this study will have significant impact on U.S. educational policy particularly as it relates to the Black-White achievement gap. The psychological impact of the acting White accusation can create in some Black adolescents a negative change in academic achievement. For policy makers, understanding the definition of acting White, the impact the accusation can have on African American adolescents, and the role racial identity plays in moderating this process will be critical to developing strategies and tools to bridge the achievement gap and help African American adolescents succeed academically.
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0.915 |
2008 — 2009 |
Neal-Barnett, Angela M. |
R21Activity Code Description: To encourage the development of new research activities in categorical program areas. (Support generally is restricted in level of support and in time.) |
Sister Circles For Professional African American Women With Panic Attacks @ Kent State University At Kent
[unreadable] DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Little information is available about the mental health needs of professional African American women. The vast majority of published research focus on low-income and working class African American women. Yet, the ranks of professional Black women are growing and the available data indicate their mental health needs are unmet. Panic attacks are the most prevalent form of anxiety experienced by professional African American women. In any given year, 100.000 African American women will experience their first panic attack. Sister Circles are support groups that draw upon the strength and courage found in African American women's friendship networks. Originating with the Black Church and Black Club movement, numerous African American organizations have used Sister Circles with varying degrees of success to raise awareness about physical health. The possibility exists that if embedded within the professional African American community, Sister Circles may provide a viable way to educate this population about panic attacks and teach strategies that will lessen the number, intensity, and impact panic attacks have on their lives. To this end, the Specific Aims are as follows: 1. In collaboration with community participants, to assess Sister Circles as a psycho-educational intervention for raising professional African American women's awareness about panic attacks, their consequences, and to teach women strategies to lessen the number, intensity, and impact of panic attacks. 2. In collaboration with community participants, to train professional African women to deliver the psycho- educational Sister Circle intervention. 3. In collaboration with community participants, to gather information that will lead to refinements in training and implementation of the psycho-educational Sister Circle intervention. Information from this project will also yield knowledge about the feasibility of collaborating with African American professional women and service organizations in educating their communities about mental health. This research involves a long-term commitment by all partners. The professional/service organizations and the research team will share ownership of the Sister Circles. The joint ownership has the potential to allow for replication of the Sister Circles model at regional and national levels for the organizations. Information from this project will yield knowledge about the feasibility of collaborating with African American professional women and service organizations in educating their communities about mental health. This research involves a long-term commitment by all partners. The professional/service organizations and the research team will share ownership of the Sister Circles. The joint ownership has the potential to allow for replication of the Sister Circles model at regional and national levels for the organizations. [unreadable] [unreadable] [unreadable]
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