Adeyinka M Akinsulure-Smith
Biographic Data
| ID | 83644 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Adeyinka M Akinsulure-Smith |
| GIVEN NAMES | Adeyinka M |
| FAMILY NAME | Akinsulure-Smith |
| SIGNATURE | AKINSULURE-SMITH A M |
| AFFILIATIONS | City College of New York |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-3612-4884 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 27 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 44 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 27 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 1996 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2024 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
The adaptation of a youth mental health intervention to a peer-delivery model utilizing CBPR methods and the Adapt-ITT framework in Sierra Leone
Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) carry a significant proportion of the global burden of untreated mental health disorders. Peer-delivered programs offer LMICs with limited mental health professionals an opportunity to increase mental health service access. This study describes the process of adapting a lay-worker-delivered evidence-based youth mental health intervention to a peer-delivery model in Sierra Leone using participatory methods.…
Exploring potential mental health spillover effects among caregivers and partners of youth in Sierra Leone
Given the large mental health treatment gap in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly in post-conflict settings like Sierra Leone, and the limited healthcare infrastructure, understanding the wider benefits of evidence-based mental health interventions within households is critical. This study explored potential mental health spillover effects - the phenomenon of beneficial effects among nonparticipants - among cohabitating caregi…
What African immigrant service providers can teach us about the needs of African immigrant survivors of FGM/C
Health and social service providers who immigrated from regions with high Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) prevalence rates can provide unique insights on serving women with FGM/C experience. Specifically, we investigated African immigrant service providers' knowledge, experience, attitudes about FGM/C, and their recommendations on how to provide services to immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa who have experienced FGM/C. Derived from a la…
Promoting positive development among refugee adolescents
Of the estimated 35.3 million refugees around the world (UNHCR, Figures at a Glance , 2022), approximately 50% are children under the age of 18. Refugee adolescents represent a unique group as they navigate developmental tasks in an unstable and often threatening environment or in resettlement contexts in which they often face marginalization. In addition to physiological, social, and psychological changes that mark adolescence, refugee youth oft…
Exploring the Role of Traditional Women Society Membership Among West African Immigrant Women Who Have Experienced Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting
This study explores the complex nature of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) by juxtaposing the mental and sexual health of women who had undergone FGM/C as part of initiation/membership into a traditional women's society (TWS) with those who were also cut but not initiated into a TWS. While considerable differences emerged between TWS members and nonmembers, there was no evidence that TWS membership was protective against the physical and…
My Body, My Culture
Mental health problems among children in Sierra Leone
Globally, over 13% of children and adolescents are affected by mental disorders, yet relatively little scholarship addresses how risk factors, symptoms, and nosology vary by culture and context, especially in young children living in post-conflict and low-resource settings. To address this gap, we conducted a qualitative study to identify and describe the most salient mental health problems facing children aged 6 to 10 years in Sierra Leone, as w…
Exploring Beliefs and Attitudes Toward Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Among Healthcare Providers in New York City
Given the increase of African immigrants from countries with high female genital cutting (FGC) prevalence, this study explored U.S. healthcare providers' beliefs and attitudes regarding FGC. A total of 31 professionals who have provided services to FGC-experienced women in New York City were interviewed; data were analyzed using grounded theory. Results indicated that, although a majority of respondents emphasized maintaining a nonjudgmental and …
Mental health needs of sex trafficking survivors in New York City
Objective: It is increasingly acknowledged by academics, practitioners, and policymakers that sex trafficking can lead to various mental health sequelae, such as depression, anxiety, and trauma symptoms, and have lasting effects on the survivors' health and well-being. What has been lacking in this dialogue, however, are the firsthand stories of survivors. This qualitative, exploratory study was designed to capture the depth and complexity of sur…
Trait emotional intelligence, coping, and occupational distress among resettlement workers
Trait emotional intelligence has recently emerged as a negative predictor of work-related distress. However, research that considers the mechanisms underlying the relationship between trait emotional intelligence and distress is lacking, in particular among workers with emotionally intensive occupations. The purpose of this study was to analyze the mediating pathway of coping behaviors in the relations between trait emotional intelligence, and wo…
The Role of Mental Health Counselors in International Human Rights
West African Immigrant Perspectives on Female Genital Cutting
Knowledge and attitudes toward female genital cutting among West African male immigrants in New York City
In this project, we explored knowledge and attitudes toward female genital cutting (FGC) in a survey of 107 West African immigrants, including 36 men. Men in this study were as knowledgeable about the health consequences of FGC as women, though with a less nuanced understanding. They also rejected the practice at rates comparable to women. Despite this knowledge and rejection of FGC, most men did not express a personal preference for women with o…
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
The aims of this qualitative study were to explore key sources of emotional distress and coping strategies among West African immigrants. Thirty-eight adult West African immigrants participated in six semistructured, open-ended focus group sessions. Focus group data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. While participants reported high levels of psychological distress associated with racial/cultural discrimination, intimate partner viol…
Youth and Resilience in Postconflict Settings
In Sierra Leone, as in conflict and postconflict settings around the world, youth are coping with their exposure to violence during conflict as well as the poverty and displacement that follow war and the stigma that can persist long after involvement with armed groups has ended. Both contextual and individual factors influence whether youth overcome these barriers successfully and resume positive life trajectories, or struggle to reintegrate int…
Exploring Female Genital Cutting Among Survivors of Torture
Exploring Community Engagement and Cultural Maintenance Among Forced and Voluntary West African Immigrants in New York City
Displaced African Female Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence
Conflict throughout Africa has created havoc for many. This overwhelming chaos has led to the disintegration of social order and generated widespread gender-based violence. As a result, African women have become casualties, experienced brutal acts of sexual violence, and been forced into exile. Drawing on the tribulations of displaced African female survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, this article discusses these women's experiences an…
Exploring HIV Knowledge, Risk and Protective Factors Among West African Forced Migrants in New York City
Secondary Trauma and Local Mental Health Professionals in Post Conflict Sierra Leone
The Social Ecology of Resolving Family Conflict Among West African Immigrants in New York
The current study employs a grounded theory approach to examine West African immigrants’ resolution of parent–child conflict and intimate partner conflict. Data from 59 participants present an interactive social ecological framework, where a lack of resolution at one level results in attempts to resolve problems at higher levels. Four levels are identified within West African immigrants’ problem solving ecology, each with specific actors in posit…
Nah We Yone's De Fambul Camp
This article describes a psychosocial intervention developed by a volunteer-driven, community-based, grassroots organization designed to promote emotional well-being in displaced African children residing in the New York City metropolitan area. Drawing on their resilience, community resources, and African traditions, and using cultural, educational, and recreational activities, this unique program sought to instill cultural pride, increase self-e…
Exploring Female Genital Cutting Among West African Immigrants
Among West African immigrants in New York City
Healing in the Midst of Chaos
This article discusses the creative use of the group treatment modality to provide psychosocial support to African women refugees and asylum seekers with a history of refugee trauma, war, and human rights abuses who have fled to the United States. In particular, this article describes the African Women's Wellness Group developed by Nah We Yone, Inc., a small grassroots organization in the New York City area. This women's group draws on the tenets…
Among West African immigrants in New York City
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
The aims of this qualitative study were to explore key sources of emotional distress and coping strategies among West African immigrants. Thirty-eight adult West African immigrants participated in six semistructured, open-ended focus group sessions. Focus group data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. While participants reported high levels of psychological distress associated with racial/cultural discrimination, intimate partner viol…
Healing in the Midst of Chaos
This article discusses the creative use of the group treatment modality to provide psychosocial support to African women refugees and asylum seekers with a history of refugee trauma, war, and human rights abuses who have fled to the United States. In particular, this article describes the African Women's Wellness Group developed by Nah We Yone, Inc., a small grassroots organization in the New York City area. This women's group draws on the tenets…
The Status of Racial/Ethnic Research in Counseling Psychology
There has been a growing demandfor research that explores racial/ethnic issues within psychology. However, analyses of leading counseling psychology journals suggest that attention devoted to racial/ethnic issues is disproportionately less in comparison to other topics. This study is a content analysis of racial and ethnic issues in three journals along specific areas for their level of commitment versus complacency: studyframe, method, analysis,…
Mental health problems among children in Sierra Leone
Globally, over 13% of children and adolescents are affected by mental disorders, yet relatively little scholarship addresses how risk factors, symptoms, and nosology vary by culture and context, especially in young children living in post-conflict and low-resource settings. To address this gap, we conducted a qualitative study to identify and describe the most salient mental health problems facing children aged 6 to 10 years in Sierra Leone, as w…
The Social Ecology of Resolving Family Conflict Among West African Immigrants in New York
The current study employs a grounded theory approach to examine West African immigrants’ resolution of parent–child conflict and intimate partner conflict. Data from 59 participants present an interactive social ecological framework, where a lack of resolution at one level results in attempts to resolve problems at higher levels. Four levels are identified within West African immigrants’ problem solving ecology, each with specific actors in posit…
The adaptation of a youth mental health intervention to a peer-delivery model utilizing CBPR methods and the Adapt-ITT framework in Sierra Leone
Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) carry a significant proportion of the global burden of untreated mental health disorders. Peer-delivered programs offer LMICs with limited mental health professionals an opportunity to increase mental health service access. This study describes the process of adapting a lay-worker-delivered evidence-based youth mental health intervention to a peer-delivery model in Sierra Leone using participatory methods.…
Displaced African Female Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence
Conflict throughout Africa has created havoc for many. This overwhelming chaos has led to the disintegration of social order and generated widespread gender-based violence. As a result, African women have become casualties, experienced brutal acts of sexual violence, and been forced into exile. Drawing on the tribulations of displaced African female survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, this article discusses these women's experiences an…
West African Immigrant Perspectives on Female Genital Cutting
White Racial Identity and Expectations About Counseling
Although there have been several studies that have explored people's expectations about counseling, to date there has been no such exploration from a racial-cultural perspective. This study sought to explore the relationship between White racial identity attitudes and expectations about counseling. Although the results showed that men and women differ in their expectations about counseling and in their levels of White racial identity attitudes, t…
White Racial Identity and Expectations About Counseling
Although there have been several studies that have explored people's expectations about counseling, to date there has been no such exploration from a racial-cultural perspective. This study sought to explore the relationship between White racial identity attitudes and expectations about counseling. Although the results showed that men and women differ in their expectations about counseling and in their levels of White racial identity attitudes, t…
The Status of Racial/Ethnic Research in Counseling Psychology
There has been a growing demandfor research that explores racial/ethnic issues within psychology. However, analyses of leading counseling psychology journals suggest that attention devoted to racial/ethnic issues is disproportionately less in comparison to other topics. This study is a content analysis of racial and ethnic issues in three journals along specific areas for their level of commitment versus complacency: studyframe, method, analysis,…
Healing in the Midst of Chaos
This article discusses the creative use of the group treatment modality to provide psychosocial support to African women refugees and asylum seekers with a history of refugee trauma, war, and human rights abuses who have fled to the United States. In particular, this article describes the African Women's Wellness Group developed by Nah We Yone, Inc., a small grassroots organization in the New York City area. This women's group draws on the tenets…
Exploring Female Genital Cutting Among West African Immigrants
Among West African immigrants in New York City
Exploring HIV Knowledge, Risk and Protective Factors Among West African Forced Migrants in New York City
Secondary Trauma and Local Mental Health Professionals in Post Conflict Sierra Leone
The Social Ecology of Resolving Family Conflict Among West African Immigrants in New York
The current study employs a grounded theory approach to examine West African immigrants’ resolution of parent–child conflict and intimate partner conflict. Data from 59 participants present an interactive social ecological framework, where a lack of resolution at one level results in attempts to resolve problems at higher levels. Four levels are identified within West African immigrants’ problem solving ecology, each with specific actors in posit…
Nah We Yone's De Fambul Camp
This article describes a psychosocial intervention developed by a volunteer-driven, community-based, grassroots organization designed to promote emotional well-being in displaced African children residing in the New York City metropolitan area. Drawing on their resilience, community resources, and African traditions, and using cultural, educational, and recreational activities, this unique program sought to instill cultural pride, increase self-e…
Displaced African Female Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence
Conflict throughout Africa has created havoc for many. This overwhelming chaos has led to the disintegration of social order and generated widespread gender-based violence. As a result, African women have become casualties, experienced brutal acts of sexual violence, and been forced into exile. Drawing on the tribulations of displaced African female survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, this article discusses these women's experiences an…
Youth and Resilience in Postconflict Settings
In Sierra Leone, as in conflict and postconflict settings around the world, youth are coping with their exposure to violence during conflict as well as the poverty and displacement that follow war and the stigma that can persist long after involvement with armed groups has ended. Both contextual and individual factors influence whether youth overcome these barriers successfully and resume positive life trajectories, or struggle to reintegrate int…
Exploring Female Genital Cutting Among Survivors of Torture
Exploring Community Engagement and Cultural Maintenance Among Forced and Voluntary West African Immigrants in New York City
Knowledge and attitudes toward female genital cutting among West African male immigrants in New York City
In this project, we explored knowledge and attitudes toward female genital cutting (FGC) in a survey of 107 West African immigrants, including 36 men. Men in this study were as knowledgeable about the health consequences of FGC as women, though with a less nuanced understanding. They also rejected the practice at rates comparable to women. Despite this knowledge and rejection of FGC, most men did not express a personal preference for women with o…
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
The aims of this qualitative study were to explore key sources of emotional distress and coping strategies among West African immigrants. Thirty-eight adult West African immigrants participated in six semistructured, open-ended focus group sessions. Focus group data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. While participants reported high levels of psychological distress associated with racial/cultural discrimination, intimate partner viol…
Trait emotional intelligence, coping, and occupational distress among resettlement workers
Trait emotional intelligence has recently emerged as a negative predictor of work-related distress. However, research that considers the mechanisms underlying the relationship between trait emotional intelligence and distress is lacking, in particular among workers with emotionally intensive occupations. The purpose of this study was to analyze the mediating pathway of coping behaviors in the relations between trait emotional intelligence, and wo…
The Role of Mental Health Counselors in International Human Rights
West African Immigrant Perspectives on Female Genital Cutting
Mental health needs of sex trafficking survivors in New York City
Objective: It is increasingly acknowledged by academics, practitioners, and policymakers that sex trafficking can lead to various mental health sequelae, such as depression, anxiety, and trauma symptoms, and have lasting effects on the survivors' health and well-being. What has been lacking in this dialogue, however, are the firsthand stories of survivors. This qualitative, exploratory study was designed to capture the depth and complexity of sur…
Exploring Beliefs and Attitudes Toward Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Among Healthcare Providers in New York City
Given the increase of African immigrants from countries with high female genital cutting (FGC) prevalence, this study explored U.S. healthcare providers' beliefs and attitudes regarding FGC. A total of 31 professionals who have provided services to FGC-experienced women in New York City were interviewed; data were analyzed using grounded theory. Results indicated that, although a majority of respondents emphasized maintaining a nonjudgmental and …
My Body, My Culture
Mental health problems among children in Sierra Leone
Globally, over 13% of children and adolescents are affected by mental disorders, yet relatively little scholarship addresses how risk factors, symptoms, and nosology vary by culture and context, especially in young children living in post-conflict and low-resource settings. To address this gap, we conducted a qualitative study to identify and describe the most salient mental health problems facing children aged 6 to 10 years in Sierra Leone, as w…
Exploring potential mental health spillover effects among caregivers and partners of youth in Sierra Leone
Given the large mental health treatment gap in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly in post-conflict settings like Sierra Leone, and the limited healthcare infrastructure, understanding the wider benefits of evidence-based mental health interventions within households is critical. This study explored potential mental health spillover effects - the phenomenon of beneficial effects among nonparticipants - among cohabitating caregi…
What African immigrant service providers can teach us about the needs of African immigrant survivors of FGM/C
Health and social service providers who immigrated from regions with high Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) prevalence rates can provide unique insights on serving women with FGM/C experience. Specifically, we investigated African immigrant service providers' knowledge, experience, attitudes about FGM/C, and their recommendations on how to provide services to immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa who have experienced FGM/C. Derived from a la…
Promoting positive development among refugee adolescents
Of the estimated 35.3 million refugees around the world (UNHCR, Figures at a Glance , 2022), approximately 50% are children under the age of 18. Refugee adolescents represent a unique group as they navigate developmental tasks in an unstable and often threatening environment or in resettlement contexts in which they often face marginalization. In addition to physiological, social, and psychological changes that mark adolescence, refugee youth oft…
Psychology (24 works) · Sociology (23 works) · Political science (17 works) · Medicine (15 works) · Psychiatry (15 works) · Social Psychology (15 works) · Immigration (14 works) · Migration, Health and Trauma (14 works) · Mental health (12 works) · Clinical Psychology (10 works)