5-3 Final Project Milestone Two: Concepts in Community Psycholog The second milestone for the final project includes three tasks: The Future of CP Explain your vision for the future of CP. Include s
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Goals, Overview, and Application
Katherine Alexandre
Southern New Hampshire University
March 24, 2024
Goals, Overview, and Application
Goals
Write a brief, one-page statement explaining your professional goals and career interests, particularly as they relate to CP.
As a nurse whose nursing profession is shaped by the community psychology (CP) approach, I am driven by the passion to make holistic human well-being and social justice ideals a reality in our communities. The intended purpose is to narrow the gap between health services and the social determinants of health by ensuring a more equitable and better patient outcome. Inside the scope of the CP, I want to design and implement local programs that aim at solving the issues regarding social, economic, and environmental issues that are believed to be the main causes of health inequality (Nutbeam & Muscat, 2021). I am determined to build partnerships with citizens, agencies, and interdisciplinary groups in order to identify the contributing factors to ill health. Furthermore, I will ensure that the established solutions enable them to improve their living standards. One particular area that I aspire to champion is to attain health equity for marginalized and disadvantaged populations, which encompasses racial and ethnic minorities, poor individuals, and those facing cultural or geographical barriers to health care. The application of CP methods will enable me to advocate for social justice and social equity, and the aim is to break down the impact of structural inequalities that breed health inequality.
Moreover, I intend to be a member of health promotion and disease prevention programs focusing on education, empowerment, and collective action at the community level. My vision is to become a catalyst for positive change. I will perform needs assessments, facilitate support groups, and advocate for policy changes (Cyril et al., 2016). In this way, I see a community as a unit that can take control of its health and well-being. My nursing professional goals are inextricably connected with the niche of community psychology. I am working with a CP perspective in order to develop a setting where individuals and communities can prosper, thus ensuring resilience, empowerment, and social cohesion. Uniting through shared empathy, compassion, and cultural humility, I am determined to spur the course of health equity and create an impartial world where all citizens are treated equally.
2. Overview
Write a two-page response to the following questions:
a. What is CP?
Community psychology (CP) is a distinguished stream in psychology that not only targets the complex relationship between individuals and their social surroundings. Contrary to traditional psychology, which deeply analyzes individual factors, CP mainly deals with a wider context of a person's community, culture, and society. CP relies on collaboration with community members, organizations, and stakeholders to determine and handle the prevailing social issues, inspire a sense of wellbeing, and prevent mental health problems (Saegert & Carpiano, 2017). It aims to help people and their environments by clarifying their capabilities, capabilities, and powers of change. The ideas of social justice, diversity, and empowerment form the main principles of CP. The workers in this sector play a role in reducing social injustice, supporting people who are being marginalized, and promoting fair practices that respect human dignity.
b. How did it start?
Community psychology (CP) came about due to the shortcomings of clinically oriented psychology in addressing social issues and community wellness. The roots of this movement date back to the decade of the 1960s and 1970s, which was marked by considerable social unrest and activism, especially in the US. Then, some social movements, such as the civil rights movement, the anti-war movement, and the feminist movement, used the power structure and raised the issues of systemic injustice and inequality. These movements showed the need for psychotherapy based on social factors—it should be broader than individual therapy to address social, economic, and political factors shaping people's lives. These movements contributed to efforts among psychologists like Seymour Sarason, Murray Levine, and Julian Rappaport to come up with a novel approach to psychology that paid attention to social issues within the framework of communities (Riemer et al., 2020). They realized that it was necessary to identify individuals in their various social networks and give them the tools necessary to resolve their own issues. As a result, the term "community psychology" was adopted as a more appropriate nomenclature for the area that had been developing steadily. In the beginning, CP intended to impede the onset of mental health problems, change society, and engage in community work to build mental capacity and promote well-being. Such principles as social justice, power for the people, and participatory action research constituted the core values of the emerging field.
c. Are the conditions that gave rise to it still present?
Yes, the factors that sparked community psychology (CP) in the 1960s and 1970s are still present today, although they may have undergone transformations. The state of inequalities, injustices, and differences in resource access are still ingrained in the context of the experiences of individuals and communities on a global basis. Despite the fact that significant advances are observed in some spheres, persistent problems remain in communities; these include poverty, discrimination, health care, education, and employment (Nundy et al., 2022). Despite the dissolution of structural barriers like racism, sexism, ableism, and other forms of oppression, marginalized groups still suffer from health disparities and social inequalities. Finally, issues like climate change, globalization, technological advancements, and political polarization have made the community's well-being more complex and difficult to address. These problems, if not addressed, will continue to intersect with existing social problems, accentuating their impact and establishing new barriers to social equity and social justice. Additionally, recent events, like the COVID-19 pandemic, have unveiled and amplified the existing social and economic inequalities, adversely impacting marginalized communities. The pandemic has emphasized the significance of addressing systemic problems and supporting the development of robust communities that can handle adversities collectively.
3. Application
Write a two-page response to the following questions:
a. What conditions or issues in CP are most pertinent to your professional goals and career interests?
In my nursing career I am particularly interested in some problems that are relevant to community psychology (CP). Health inequity is a serious problem. The availability of fair and reliable healthcare for underprivileged populations is a pressing problem. Racial and ethnic minorities, low-income groups, and those who cannot access health care due to cultural or geographic obstacles are the main targets. Through understanding the social determinants of health through a CP approach, my aim is to advocate for policies and programs that will guarantee equal access to health services as well as the social amenities. Community engagement should be also involved. One of the key elements of successful culturally competent interventions is to forge strong partnerships with community members as well as organizations (Henderson et al., 2018). I take into consideration bringing the community on board in the process of decision-making with an aim of creating a sense of belonging and responsibility thus ensuring that all programs are driven by the community. Prevention is one of the main goals. CP stresses the necessity of tackling health problems at their core and developing wellness by educating, preventing, and intervening early. Through the implementation of preventive measures, which include health screenings, health education, and lifestyle change, I hope to remove the burden of chronic diseases and improve the overall health outcomes of our community. In addition, mental health promotion is a very important issue. CP understands that mental health concerns may be influenced by social, economic, and natural elements. As a nurse, I wish to deliver comprehensive care that tackles not only the physical but the psychological and emotional aspects of wellbeing as well. I plan to partner with mental health experts, community entities, and policymakers in order to promote the accessibility of mental health services and to de-stigmatize mental illness in the community.
b. How will community psychology add to your understanding of how to respond to these conditions or issues?
Community psychology (CP) provides a broad framework that will significantly enrich my perception of how to react to pertinent conditions and problems related to my professional goals in nursing. First of all, CP takes into consideration the whole aspect of health, which goes beyond the individual factors to the overall social, cultural, and environmental determinants of health. By grasping the interrelatedness of these issues, I will be capable of combating health disparities and providing equitable healthcare. However, CP focuses on community empowerment, cooperation, and partnership. Community participation principles like participatory research and community-based interventions ensure the effective involvement of community members and organizations in the process of needs assessment, priority setting, and solution implementation (Wallerstein et al., 2017). In this way, I will be able to make sure that interventions are culturally relevant, respond to the community's needs, and are sustainable in the long run. On the other hand, CP stresses preventive medical care, health education, and promotion. Through efforts that reduce risk factors and promote health, CP works hand in hand with my desire to offer comprehensive care as a nurse. Using community principles of cooperation, I will be able to take steps to provide health education, screening, and early intervention to reduce the public health burden and improve the entire community's health outcomes. Moreover, CP realizes that mental health encompasses general social and environmental issues. I can work towards reducing stigma, increasing access to mental health services, and establishing a supportive environment for mental health by integrating mental health promotion initiatives into the community.
References
Cyril, S., Smith, B. J., & Renzaho, A. M. (2016). Systematic review of empowerment measures in health promotion. Health promotion international, 31(4), 809-826.
Henderson, S., Horne, M., Hills, R., & Kendall, E. (2018). Cultural competence in healthcare in the community: A concept analysis. Health & Social Care in the Community, 26(4), 590-603.
Nundy, S., Cooper, L. A., & Mate, K. S. (2022). The quintuple aim for health care improvement: a new imperative to advance health equity. Jama, 327(6), 521-522.
Nutbeam, D., & Muscat, D. M. (2021). Health promotion glossary 2021. Health promotion international, 36(6), 1578-1598.
Riemer, M., Reich, S. M., Evans, S. D., Nelson, G., & Prilleltensky, I. (Eds.). (2020). Community psychology: In pursuit of liberation and wellbeing. Bloomsbury Publishing.
Saegert, S., & Carpiano, R. M. (2017). Social support and social capital: A theoretical synthesis using community psychology and community sociology approaches.
Wallerstein, N., Duran, B., Oetzel, J. G., & Minkler, M. (Eds.). (2017). Community-based participatory research for health: Advancing social and health equity. John Wiley & Sons.
