Laura R Johnson
Biographic Data
| ID | 3794427 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Laura R Johnson |
| GIVEN NAMES | Laura R |
| FAMILY NAME | Johnson |
| SIGNATURE | JOHNSON L R |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Mississippi |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-0668-8259 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 18 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 58 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 18 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2007 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2023 |
| H-INDEX | 5 |
Is positive youth development a pathway for sustaining peace in Tanzania? Predicting peace attitudes among adolescents
Cattle, Cultivation, and Culture
Optimizing majority world youths’ capacity for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is an essential endeavor for psychology, yet African adolescents are rarely represented in psychology research. In this paper, we explore positive youth development (PYD) among Maasai adolescents, amid rapidly changing sociocultural and environmental circumstances in Northern Tanzania. Three methods were selected to elicit perspectives of thr…
Assessing Assets Among Street-Connected Youth
Street-connected adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa have been neglected in scholarly research. Extant literature is largely problem focused. This study describes strengths and assets among street-connected youth in Tanzania, using a participatory, mixed methods approach. Adolescents ( N = 38, 13-17 years) in a rehabilitation center for street youth in Northern Tanzania completed a Swahili version of the Developmental Assets Profile (DAP). They eng…
Predicting Civic Competencies Among East African Youth and Emerging Adults
Self-efficacy has been examined around the world, with research indicating its importance for personal and civic development. The General Self-Efficacy Scale has been translated into 33 languages; however, no African language version has been well established, and research on self-efficacy in the region is rare. A measure of self-efficacy in Swahili, a language widely used in East Africa, could spur research. We describe the development of the Sw…
Views on Depression From Traditional Healing and Psychiatry Clinics in Uganda
In Uganda, depression is a growing concern, yet mental health professionals are in short supply, and help is often sought from traditional healers. To develop an integrated system of care, we must understand sociocultural aspects of depression including beliefs about help seeking and treatment. In a mixed methods study, we used semi-structured interviews and self-report measures to assess depressed patients ( N = 30) seeking treatment in traditio…
Searching for a Screener
Although mental health program development and service delivery have progressed in Malaysia since its independence in 1957, a shortage of mental health professionals remains a main barrier to mental health care ( Haque, 2005 ). Stigma and cultural beliefs about mental illness may further impede psychological help-seeking. An easy-to-use mental health screener such as the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) could be used to streamline me…
Getting Active in the Gulf
Cultivating Youth's Capacity to Address Climate Change in Uganda
Cultivating youth's capacity to address climate change is critical for a sustainable future. This is especially true in developing countries in equatorial Africa where agrarian communities are severely affected by climate change. We examine a youth development program designed to increase knowledge and capacity for leadership and action in response to climate change. Ugandan youth, ages 16 to 24 years, participated in multiday residential worksho…
Toward Inclusivity, Adaptation, and Collective Action in Ecopsychology
Development of Visitor Identity through Study Abroad in Ghana
During the summers of 2006–2009, groups of U.S. college students completed a cross-disciplinary study abroad experience in Ghana, West Africa, entitled 'Landscapes in Ecotourism.' Beyond topical issues of community landscape design and sustainable tourism development, broad themes were explored including (a) cultural awareness of Ghana and Africa, (b) the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade (TAST), and (c) the concept of African Diaspora. This study sough…
Ethnic Identity, Self-Efficacy, and Intercultural Attitudes in East African and U.S. Youth
Positive intercultural attitudes and civic action are increasingly important for youth around the world given the economic, social justice, and environmental challenges they face. Among U.S. youth and emerging adults, ethnic identity and self-efficacy are related to positive intercultural attitudes and may prompt civic engagement. Youth’s efficacy and civic involvement are critically important in sub-Saharan Africa, where rates of civil conflict …
Coping with an Ecological Disaster
On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil platform exploded, releasing five billion barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico over five months (referred to as the Gulf Oil Spill). This oil spill affected Gulf Coast communities, harming both sea and land wildlife, damaging the fishing industry, and destroying natural resources. In the wake of such a disaster, many people experience decreases in their quality of life. However, coping mechanisms suc…
Ethnic identity and civic attitudes in Latino and Caucasian youth
Understanding youth's perceptions of their civic skills is important for enriching the lives of youth as well as society. This study explored the relationship between civic attitudes, leadership skills, and ethnic identity in Northwest Georgia schools using two measures, the Civic Attitudes and Skills Questionnaire (CASQ) and the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM). In sharp contrast with Georgia school demographics, these schools are predo…
Why can’t we be friends
Youth Civic Action
Effective and sustainable solutions to contemporary environmental challenges, such as climate change, poverty, and intercultural conflict, will depend, in part, on the involvement and innovation of youth. To meet these challenges in an increasingly global world, youth need new connections, skills, and opportunities for civic engagement that transcend their local communities and national borders. In this article, we highlight the need for both int…
Contrasting concepts of depression in Uganda
Depression is a rising public health concern worldwide. Understanding how people conceptualize depression within and across cultures is crucial to effective treatment in a global environment. In this article, we highlight the importance of considering both lay and professional perspectives when developing a culturally competent and contextually relevant model for service delivery. We conducted interviews with 246 Ugandan adults to elicit their ex…
From Shy Lamb to Roaring Lion
Youth Civic Engagement in China
China is a key player on the global stage, and nearly 300 million Chinese youth stand to be affected by rapid social and ecological transformations. Programs that promote developmental assets in Chinese youth could increase their resilience in the face of contemporary stressors and enhance their capacity to contribute to China's development. In this paper we describe a unique, service-learning approach to youth development, the Jane Goodall Insti…
Why can’t we be friends
Youth Civic Engagement in China
China is a key player on the global stage, and nearly 300 million Chinese youth stand to be affected by rapid social and ecological transformations. Programs that promote developmental assets in Chinese youth could increase their resilience in the face of contemporary stressors and enhance their capacity to contribute to China's development. In this paper we describe a unique, service-learning approach to youth development, the Jane Goodall Insti…
Views on Depression From Traditional Healing and Psychiatry Clinics in Uganda
In Uganda, depression is a growing concern, yet mental health professionals are in short supply, and help is often sought from traditional healers. To develop an integrated system of care, we must understand sociocultural aspects of depression including beliefs about help seeking and treatment. In a mixed methods study, we used semi-structured interviews and self-report measures to assess depressed patients ( N = 30) seeking treatment in traditio…
Getting Active in the Gulf
Development of Visitor Identity through Study Abroad in Ghana
During the summers of 2006–2009, groups of U.S. college students completed a cross-disciplinary study abroad experience in Ghana, West Africa, entitled 'Landscapes in Ecotourism.' Beyond topical issues of community landscape design and sustainable tourism development, broad themes were explored including (a) cultural awareness of Ghana and Africa, (b) the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade (TAST), and (c) the concept of African Diaspora. This study sough…
Ethnic identity and civic attitudes in Latino and Caucasian youth
Understanding youth's perceptions of their civic skills is important for enriching the lives of youth as well as society. This study explored the relationship between civic attitudes, leadership skills, and ethnic identity in Northwest Georgia schools using two measures, the Civic Attitudes and Skills Questionnaire (CASQ) and the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM). In sharp contrast with Georgia school demographics, these schools are predo…
Assessing Assets Among Street-Connected Youth
Street-connected adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa have been neglected in scholarly research. Extant literature is largely problem focused. This study describes strengths and assets among street-connected youth in Tanzania, using a participatory, mixed methods approach. Adolescents ( N = 38, 13-17 years) in a rehabilitation center for street youth in Northern Tanzania completed a Swahili version of the Developmental Assets Profile (DAP). They eng…
From Shy Lamb to Roaring Lion
Youth Civic Engagement in China
China is a key player on the global stage, and nearly 300 million Chinese youth stand to be affected by rapid social and ecological transformations. Programs that promote developmental assets in Chinese youth could increase their resilience in the face of contemporary stressors and enhance their capacity to contribute to China's development. In this paper we describe a unique, service-learning approach to youth development, the Jane Goodall Insti…
Youth Civic Action
Effective and sustainable solutions to contemporary environmental challenges, such as climate change, poverty, and intercultural conflict, will depend, in part, on the involvement and innovation of youth. To meet these challenges in an increasingly global world, youth need new connections, skills, and opportunities for civic engagement that transcend their local communities and national borders. In this article, we highlight the need for both int…
Contrasting concepts of depression in Uganda
Depression is a rising public health concern worldwide. Understanding how people conceptualize depression within and across cultures is crucial to effective treatment in a global environment. In this article, we highlight the importance of considering both lay and professional perspectives when developing a culturally competent and contextually relevant model for service delivery. We conducted interviews with 246 Ugandan adults to elicit their ex…
From Shy Lamb to Roaring Lion
Why can’t we be friends
Ethnic Identity, Self-Efficacy, and Intercultural Attitudes in East African and U.S. Youth
Positive intercultural attitudes and civic action are increasingly important for youth around the world given the economic, social justice, and environmental challenges they face. Among U.S. youth and emerging adults, ethnic identity and self-efficacy are related to positive intercultural attitudes and may prompt civic engagement. Youth’s efficacy and civic involvement are critically important in sub-Saharan Africa, where rates of civil conflict …
Coping with an Ecological Disaster
On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon oil platform exploded, releasing five billion barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico over five months (referred to as the Gulf Oil Spill). This oil spill affected Gulf Coast communities, harming both sea and land wildlife, damaging the fishing industry, and destroying natural resources. In the wake of such a disaster, many people experience decreases in their quality of life. However, coping mechanisms suc…
Ethnic identity and civic attitudes in Latino and Caucasian youth
Understanding youth's perceptions of their civic skills is important for enriching the lives of youth as well as society. This study explored the relationship between civic attitudes, leadership skills, and ethnic identity in Northwest Georgia schools using two measures, the Civic Attitudes and Skills Questionnaire (CASQ) and the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM). In sharp contrast with Georgia school demographics, these schools are predo…
Cultivating Youth's Capacity to Address Climate Change in Uganda
Cultivating youth's capacity to address climate change is critical for a sustainable future. This is especially true in developing countries in equatorial Africa where agrarian communities are severely affected by climate change. We examine a youth development program designed to increase knowledge and capacity for leadership and action in response to climate change. Ugandan youth, ages 16 to 24 years, participated in multiday residential worksho…
Toward Inclusivity, Adaptation, and Collective Action in Ecopsychology
Development of Visitor Identity through Study Abroad in Ghana
During the summers of 2006–2009, groups of U.S. college students completed a cross-disciplinary study abroad experience in Ghana, West Africa, entitled 'Landscapes in Ecotourism.' Beyond topical issues of community landscape design and sustainable tourism development, broad themes were explored including (a) cultural awareness of Ghana and Africa, (b) the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade (TAST), and (c) the concept of African Diaspora. This study sough…
Getting Active in the Gulf
Searching for a Screener
Although mental health program development and service delivery have progressed in Malaysia since its independence in 1957, a shortage of mental health professionals remains a main barrier to mental health care ( Haque, 2005 ). Stigma and cultural beliefs about mental illness may further impede psychological help-seeking. An easy-to-use mental health screener such as the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) could be used to streamline me…
Views on Depression From Traditional Healing and Psychiatry Clinics in Uganda
In Uganda, depression is a growing concern, yet mental health professionals are in short supply, and help is often sought from traditional healers. To develop an integrated system of care, we must understand sociocultural aspects of depression including beliefs about help seeking and treatment. In a mixed methods study, we used semi-structured interviews and self-report measures to assess depressed patients ( N = 30) seeking treatment in traditio…
Predicting Civic Competencies Among East African Youth and Emerging Adults
Self-efficacy has been examined around the world, with research indicating its importance for personal and civic development. The General Self-Efficacy Scale has been translated into 33 languages; however, no African language version has been well established, and research on self-efficacy in the region is rare. A measure of self-efficacy in Swahili, a language widely used in East Africa, could spur research. We describe the development of the Sw…
Assessing Assets Among Street-Connected Youth
Street-connected adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa have been neglected in scholarly research. Extant literature is largely problem focused. This study describes strengths and assets among street-connected youth in Tanzania, using a participatory, mixed methods approach. Adolescents ( N = 38, 13-17 years) in a rehabilitation center for street youth in Northern Tanzania completed a Swahili version of the Developmental Assets Profile (DAP). They eng…
Cattle, Cultivation, and Culture
Optimizing majority world youths’ capacity for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is an essential endeavor for psychology, yet African adolescents are rarely represented in psychology research. In this paper, we explore positive youth development (PYD) among Maasai adolescents, amid rapidly changing sociocultural and environmental circumstances in Northern Tanzania. Three methods were selected to elicit perspectives of thr…
Is positive youth development a pathway for sustaining peace in Tanzania? Predicting peace attitudes among adolescents
Psychology (13 works) · Political science (12 works) · Sociology (10 works) · Geography (8 works) · Developmental psychology (7 works) · Social Psychology (7 works) · Youth Development and Social Support (7 works) · Psychiatry (5 works) · Public relations (5 works) · Social Psychology (5 works)