Work

The Association Between Implicit Racial Bias and Mindfulness in Mental Health Practitioners

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: The mental health research literature on implicit bias is limited (Boysen, 2009), and little is known about how factors that are associated with self‐perceived multicultural counseling awareness, such as mindfulness, relate to implicit racial bias in practicing mental health professionals. Using a correlational research design, we examined the association between mental health practitioners' implicit bias, self‐perceived multicultural counseling competence, facets of dispositional mindfulness, and mindfulness practices. A total of 137 mental health professionals completed an online questionnaire. Results revealed a negative relationship between the observing component of dispositional mindfulness and the implicit racial preference associating White and “good” words. In addition, results indicated that the frequency of engaging in mindfulness practices negatively predicted implicit racial preference associating White and good. Implications for counselor training, practice, and future research are discussed.

Source: Journal of Counseling & Development

DOI: 10.1002/jcad.12350

Authors: Nathaniel N. Ivers, David A. Johnson, Jennifer L. Rogers

Institution: Wake Forest University

Language: English

Topic: Counseling Practices and Supervision

Subfield: Social Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,500