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LGBT Psychosocial Theory and Practice in the UK: A Review of Key Contributions and Current Developments
Published in Elizabeth Peel, Victoria Clarke, Jack Drescher, British Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Psychologies, 2020
Victoria Clarke, Elizabeth Peel
A recent decision by the editor of The Psychologist–the official publication of the BPS–to publish a homophobic letter caused outrage among LGBT psychologists (see Accoroni et al., 2004). However, incidents such as this are now relatively rare. Less rare is the exclusion of non-heterosexuals from psychological research across a whole range of topics. Kitzinger (1996) and others (e.g., Peel, 2001b) have interrogated in particular the exclusion of lesbian experience in feminist psychology. Likewise, most counselling, therapy and clinical psychology training programmes in the UK offer limited coverage of lesbian and gay issues in their course content, yet significant numbers of lesbians, gay men and bisexuals present for counselling and therapy (Neal and Davies, 1996).
Specific Needs of the Female Adult
Published in David B. Cooper, Jo Cooper, Palliative Care Within Mental Health, 2018
It is proposed that threats to disruptions of connections are seen as losses of relationships but also as something intrinsic, such as a loss of herself. Services that emphasize women’s needs for high-quality relationships and being connected, rather than seeing this as a weakness that may benefit women’s well-being. Feminist psychology also suggests that traditional theories that emphasize the primacy of separation and independence from others as indicators of health and maturity, downplay the positive aspects of mutuality and sensitivity to others, and the ability for women to experience, comprehend and respond to the inner state of another person, which is highly complex and an ego strength (Walker, Kaplan & Surrey 1984). In relation to this, the ‘buffer hypothesis’ (Cohen & Wills 1985), which theorises that social support or supportive social networks may mediate mental health by buffering the negative effect of stress on a person’s mental well-being, may demonstrate the significance of maintaining social relationships, especially for women. It has been suggested that mental health outcomes for developing countries are at least as good and probably better compared to the West (Bentall 2003; WHO 1979), whereby social networks may be more robust. Hence, the development, maintenance and reciprocity of social relationships with others and social support are perhaps critical for women to sustain healthy psychological well-being, something that should perhaps be considered when thinking about female specific needs.
Minding the Body: Psychotherapy in Cases of Chronic and Life-Threatening Illness
Published in Ellyn Kaschak, Minding the Body: Psychotherapy in Cases of Chronic and Life-Threatening Illness, 2014
The articles dealing with these illnesses range from the intimate to the academic, the personal to the scholarly, that admixture that is the hallmark of feminist psychology. Joan Chrisler presents an overview of issues involved in dealing with women diagnosed with autoimmune disorders, while Mary White, Jeanne Parr Lemkau and Mark Clasen discuss the specifics of fibromyalgia. These articles are complemented by that of Paula Caplan, who describes her struggle to arrive at an accurate diagnosis for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Interestingly, Caplan is an expert on psychological diagnoses and issues involving the DSM and found herself embroiled in an analogous situation in seeking an accurate diagnosis of her own illness. Judy Lerner and Maureen Reid-Cunningham present a personal and professional discussion of Lerner’s illness (fibromyalgia) and injury (broken leg). The therapist and client together discuss the effects of their mutual experience of illness and the course of therapy based on a feminist relational model.
Women in a man’s world: Coaching women in elite sport
Published in Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 2023
Hannah Levi, Ross Wadey, Tanya Bunsell, Melissa Day, Kate Hays, Pete Lampard
To expose and resist oppression, critical feminist psychology draws from various other disciplines. Here, we draw upon the theory of hegemony. Hegemony complements the idea of power by coercion with the notion of power by popular, and at its most powerful level, spontaneous consent. As Stoddart (2007, p. 201) argues, hegemony “appears as the ‘common sense’ that guides our everyday, mundane understanding of the world.” Citing Gramsci, he explains it as a view of the world that is “inherited from the past and uncritically absorbed” (Stoddart, 2007, p. 201), that serves to reinforce the dominant groups in society. Drawing on sociological interpretations of hegemony, Connell (1995) defines the concept of hegemonic masculinity as a mechanism of domination that is responsive to changes in the conditions of patriarchy. In this way, hegemonic masculinity, and femininity, are not static but are the “configuration of gender practice which embodies the currently accepted answer to the problem of the legitimacy of patriarchy” (Connell, 1995, p. 77). This theory provides a conceptualization of power that is nuanced, thereby allowing recommendations for action that is equally nuanced and actionable in relation to applied settings.
Is Evolutionary Psychology Theory Appropriate for Abortion Research?
Published in Women's Reproductive Health, 2022
Nonetheless, Adair and Lozano (2022) raised thought-provoking ideas and gave helpful suggestions for future feminist psychology research, such as examination of the potential benefits of abortion. They also suggested researching the effects of abortion stigma “as it is embodied and transmitted through restrictive abortion legislation” as it can “create practical barriers and even negative health consequences for people attempting to exercise their adaptive choice” (p. 17). This is a great suggestion, and I recommend taking this idea further by examining the effects of stigma and anti-abortion legislation on people working with abortion patients in clinics, advocacy organizations, and abortion funds. In sum, it is commendable that Adair and Lozano (2022) advocated for more research on abortion in feminist psychology, where there is plenty of room to fill. I hope that their article sparks ideas, debate, and, ultimately, more research on this important topic.
Julia A. Sherman, Beating Depression and Bipolar Disorder without Drugs: A Memoir of Survival in a Male-Dominated World
Published in Issues in Mental Health Nursing, 2023
She has been able to use her education, training, and research to overcome huge mental challenges and lifelong obstacles. With this seminal book/memoir, she has secured a prominent position in feminist psychology. Her book is a powerful call for women everywhere to band together to use their awesome political power to improve the lives of women of all races, classes, and educational levels. She blends personal, professional, and scientific knowledge and experiences together to make her case that psychotherapy today is misogynistic and slanted toward the heavy use of dangerous drugs—she offers that there are other, more benign, humane, and more successful ways to treat patients, especially women.