Psychiatry - November 2008 - (Page 43)

practices, strengths, and adversities faced by each ancestor. Discussion of the genograms can help each family member understand the unique cultural stories that make up their family. The values and expectations of each parent’s story should be explored in a nonjudgmental, supportive way. Limitations of this include when there is a parent absent, such as when biracial children are raised by a single parent or foster parents.12 Having the parents of a biracial child discuss the pressures that they have faced from society, such as societal opposition, stereotypical and biased assumptions, and being accepted by society at large, is recommended. The coping strategies that the parents have used should be discussed, and this can give parents more confidence in raising their children to have strong racial identities.16 A stronger, positive racial identity may serve as a protective factor, particularly for reducing the frequency of substance use and violence.13 Earlier preventive interventions targeting youth’s multiracial background as well as the issues related to race/ethnicity may be more likely to benefit multiracial youths than later interventions.13 Therapists themselves need to understand their own attitudes about people who are different from themselves as well as their attitudes toward interracial relationships.12 Such awareness is needed to maintain a nonjudgmental perspective with the counseling. Avoiding biased language is extremely important in forming and maintaining relationships with families. Therapists, if unfamiliar, should learn about the different cultural backgrounds of their patients. Addressing biracial identity development issues: a case example. Ryan was a 12-year-old biracial boy who presented to therapy for an initial complaint of depressive symptoms thought to be occurring because of social problems with peers. Ryan lived with his biological mother and stepfather, who were Caucasian, and would visit with his biological father, who was African American, on holidays and during the summer. 43 TABLE 2. Advice to parents and teachers about helping a biracial child with identity formation and related issues Know of the possible negative societal reactions biracial children may endure because of their racial heritage. Be aware of the possible risk a biracial child may face13 • racial identification issues • lowered self esteem • violence • substance abuse • feeling marginal in two cultures Understand keys to raising a psychologically healthy child18 • Be positive role models. Set a good example. The values your children acquire will be the ones they learn from you. • Cultivate a caring relationship with your child. • Have positive expectations concerning your child’s behavior. • Be available for them. There should be some time each day that your child knows you are available for them. • Provide supervision. • Keep them busy. Extracurricular activities can decrease the negative influences of peers with too much idle time. • Encourage their spiritual growth. Encourage the child to acknowledge and discuss their racial heritage with their parents and other significant individuals.14 Parents should acknowledge that their child’s racial/ethnic heritage is different from their own and recognize that as a positive.14 Give the child opportunities to develop relationships with peers from many different backgrounds by allowing them to attend integrated schools and by living in integrated neighborhoods.14 Allow the child to meet role models through participation in social activities held by support groups.14 The family should identify as an interracial unit.14 During the initial evaluation, Ryan identified himself as African American because “that’s what I look like.” Though biracial identity was not the initial focus of the therapy, it became more clear as the therapy progressed that Ryan’s presenting problems partially stemmed from identity issues. Psychiatrist: Ryan, you have said that you see yourself as African American. Child: Well, that’s what I look like. I look like my dad. Psychiatrist: I know you visit your dad sometimes around the holidays and during the summer. Do you see family members on his side during those visits? Child: I haven’t been visiting much lately, but when I do visit I see my grandmother and my dad mostly. Psychiatrist: Living at your mom and stepdad’s house, do you have contact with anyone who is African American?” Child: Not really. There are a couple of kids in my school who are AfricanAmerican but they are in different grades. Psychiatrist: What do you know about your African American heritage? Child: Not much. When I’m with my dad we don’t really talk about that stuff. Mom doesn’t talk about it either. I know I look different than the family I live with, but we don’t talk about it. Ryan identified himself as African American due to his appearance, but had little contact with anyone who was African American. His visits with his father out of state were brief and [NOVEMBER] Psychiatry 2008 43

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Psychiatry - November 2008 Editor's Message Editorial Advisory Board Contents PsychRx Letters to the Editor Measuring Adverse Events in Psychiatry Nonsuicidal Self Injury in Adolescents Relative Tolerability of Alzheimer's Disease Treatments Biracial Identity Development and Recommendations in Therapy Depression and Cardiovascular Disease: Just an Urban Legend? Three Risk Management Basics Journal Watch Classified Advertising Information for Authors

Psychiatry - November 2008

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