from shadow to light: supporting grieving african american youth through multiple connectedness
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From Shadow to Light: Supporting Grieving African American Youth Through Multiple Connectedness. Dr. Laura S. Wheat, LPC, NCC Georgia Regents University Augusta, GA. Overview. Introduction Case Example Grief in Adolescence – incl. challenges for African American Youth PVEST - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
From Shadow to Light: Supporting Grieving African American Youth Through Multiple Connectedness
Dr. Laura S. Wheat, LPC, NCC
Georgia Regents University
Augusta, GA
Overview Introduction Case Example Grief in Adolescence – incl.
challenges for African American Youth
PVEST Multiple Connectedness Strategies for Support
The Case of Rashad
Adolescents, in creating individual
identity, view themselves as
invincible and deny the idea of “my personal death.”
Adolescent Grief• Threatens natural branching away
from family
• Disrupted peer relationships and school life possible
• As they grow older, their responses begin to resemble adult reactions
Adolescent Grief• May also have combination of more
childlike reactions mixed with adult responses
• May feel overwhelmed by emotions and unable to discuss with families
• Peers’ opinions extremely significant
Adolescent Grief• Exaggeration of natural coping
mechanisms–Withdrawal– Aggression– Risk taking behaviors
Grieving African American YouthLimited researchOften “invisible”May be stigmatized due to
stereotypingConsider within group differences
while also keeping general possibilities in mind
Phenomenological Variant of Ecological Systems Theory (PVEST)
Multiple Connectedness“Thick” support
Disenfranchised youth tend to have more positive outcomes when connected to multiple systems
Systems also need to be connected to each other as well as the teen
Rashad
Church
Neighborhood
School
Strategies to Support Multiple Connectedness in AAY
• Start by adding connections based on the grieving youth’s needs and strengths (PVEST)– “snowball” connections may be more natural– Seek connections that are
culturally/contextually relevant• Provide education so that everyone is on
the same page about grief• Look for connections that support
positive identity development after loss (role models)
Brainstorm Time!