Carolyn West | UW - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Carolyn West

Psychology of Women Quarterly, 2007

The Sexual Experiences Survey (SES) assesses victimization and perpetration of unwanted sexual ex... more The Sexual Experiences Survey (SES) assesses victimization and perpetration of unwanted sexual experiences (eg, Koss, Gidycz, & Wisniewski, 1987). Revised versions of the SES that resulted from the work of the SES Collaboration are now available. This article reviews ...

In W. S. DeKeseredy, C. Rennison, & A. Sanchez (Eds.), The Routledge International Handbook of Violence Studies (pp. 190-209). New York: Routledge. , 2019

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a brief overview of IPV among African Americans, define... more The purpose of this chapter is to provide a brief overview of IPV among African Americans, define historical trauma and structural violence, and describe an ecological model that recognizes how historical trauma and current structural inequalities contribute to individual, relationship, community, and societal risk factors to elevate relationship violence among African Americans. In the final section, I will offer suggestions for a more comprehensive ecological model.

Radical Psychology: Multicultural and Social Justice Decolonization Initatives , 2018

In this chapter, I will provide a brief overview of IPV in the lives of African American women, d... more In this chapter, I will provide a brief overview of IPV in the lives of African American women, discuss what social justice looks like in theory, and end with practical applications for treatment intervention.

Understanding Domestic Violence: Theories, Challenges, and Remedies , 2018

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a brief overview of prevalence rates of intimate partne... more The purpose of this chapter is to provide a brief overview of prevalence rates of intimate partner violence among African Americans, describe an ecological model, which is a more comprehensive theoretical approach to understanding the risk factors that elevate the probability that African American couples will experience intimate abuse, describe some of the challenges to understanding IPV in this population, and offer some suggestions for areas to explore when conducting a culturally sensitive assessment.

Meridians: Feminism, race, transnationalism , 2018

Intimate partner violence is the use of physical, sexual, and/or psychological aggression by a cu... more Intimate partner violence is the use of physical, sexual, and/or psychological aggression by a current or former intimate partner as a tactic to maintain control. Abuse can have devastating long-term health consequences, including physical injuries and mental health problems such as depression and anxiety disorders. Despite these challenges, Black women actively seek out support from multiple formal institutions to keep themselves and their families safe. Yet Black women face structural barriers when they seek assistance. Using a Black feminist perspective, this paper describes strategies that can be employed to improve institutional responses to Black women survivors and concludes with suggestions for future practice.

I discuss how and why Mammy, Sapphire, and Jezebel images were created and how they have been rep... more I discuss how and why Mammy, Sapphire, and Jezebel images were created and how they have been replaced by corresponding contemporary images that serve a similar function, including the Strong Black Woman, the Angry Black Woman, and the Video Vixen. Specifically, I discuss how the Mammy image can contribute to role strain, which is the challenge of balancing multiple responsibilities, and concerns about physical features, including skin color, hair texture, and weight. Next, I explore how Black women's expression of anger is shaped by the Sapphire image. Finally, I discuss how the Jezebel image can influence perceptions of Black women's sexuality and victimization. I will conclude with some ways that Black women can develop more positive self-images.

Outreach Initiative. Her research examines the intersection of race and gender in workplace and a... more Outreach Initiative. Her research examines the intersection of race and gender in workplace and academic harassment and racialized sexual harassment. Dr. Buchanan was the 2007 recipient of the Association of Women in Psychology's Women of Color Award for empirical research that contributes to the psychology of women of color, MSU's 2007 Excellence in Diversity Award for research and teaching accomplishments in the areas of diversity, pluralism, and social justice, and the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Clinical Faculty Loan Repayment Awards (2004-06, 2006-08).

Violence against women, Jan 26, 2015

This study explored prevalence rates and factors associated with lifetime severe physical intimat... more This study explored prevalence rates and factors associated with lifetime severe physical intimate partner violence among U.S. Black women. Data from the National Survey of American Life were examined. Rates of severe physical intimate partner violence were higher among African American women compared with U.S. Caribbean Black women. Risk factors associated with reported abuse were similar to those found in earlier studies but differed by ethnic backgrounds. Demographic, resource, and situational factors were associated with severe physical intimate partner violence among U.S. Black women in general but made unique contributions by ethnic group. Implications and suggestions for future studies were discussed.

African Americans doing feminism: Putting theory into everyday practice. , 2010

Consider these statistics: in a sample of 100 Black women university students, 52% had experience... more Consider these statistics: in a sample of 100 Black women university students, 52% had experienced at least one sexually harassing act that was perpetrated by a professor during their academic careers. The purpose of this chapter is to attach a name and story to these disembodied statistics. The details of the harassment that I endured from February 1987 until the summer of 1990 are laid out in the first section of this chapter. In the second section, I specify how my feminist beliefs enable me to identify and craft a strategy to address the harassment. Finally, I explain how feminism helped me during my recovery process.

Researchers have been investigating partner violence for more than 20 years, yet there is a disce... more Researchers have been investigating partner violence for more than 20 years, yet there is a discernible absence of research on interper-sonal violence among lesbian couples. Three aspects of lesbian battering are reviewed here. First, the incidence rates and distinct forms that lesbian batter-ing might assume are discussed. Next, the dynamics and correlates of lesbian abuse are highlighted. The concluding section focuses on suggestions for in-tervention. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Deliv-ery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: Website: 2002" target="_1165502258_00082_">HaworthPress 2002" target="_1165502258_00082_">. 2002" target="_1165502258_00082_">com> ? 2002 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.]

Report on the American Psychological Association Task Force on Mental Health and Abortion , 2008

The Council of Representatives of the American Psychological Association charged the Task Force o... more The Council of Representatives of the American Psychological Association charged the Task Force on Mental Health and Abortion (TFMHA) with “collecting, examining, and summarizing the scientific research addressing the mental health factors associated with abortion, including the psychological responses following abortion, and producing a report based upon a review of the most current research.”

The best scientific evidence published indicates that among adult women who have an unplanned pregnancy the relative risk of mental health problems is no greater if they have a single elective first-trimester abortion than if they deliver that pregnancy. The evidence regarding the relative mental health risks associated with multiple abortions is more equivocal. Positive associations observed between multiple abortions and poorer mental health may be linked to co-occurring risks that predispose a woman to both multiple unwanted pregnancies and mental health problems.

Partner Abuse , 2012

This review seeks to synthesize the current state of knowledge regarding gender differences in ra... more This review seeks to synthesize the current state of knowledge regarding gender differences in rates of physical and psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) prevalence among the four largest racial/ethnic groups in the United States, compares rates of physical and psychological IPV between sexual minorities and heterosexuals and among subgroups of sexual minorities (gay men, lesbians, bisexuals), and summarizes correlates and risk factors that are associated with rates of IPV in both ethnic and sexual minorities. A systematic search of the published literature in the past 40 years using various search engines (e.g., PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science) was conducted. The review identified 55 studies that met criteria. Few gender differences in rates of physical and psychological aggression were found among African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, and Native American men and women. Psychological aggression was most frequently reported. Bidirectional violence, which primarily took the form of minor aggression, was the most frequently reported form of physical violence. When unidirectional aggression was assessed, it was more likely to be female perpetrated, particularly among African Americans. These gender patterns were consistent across general population, student, and community studies. Respondents who reported a history of same-sex cohabitation and those who identified as sexual minorities reported higher rates of IPV than those who reported only a history of opposite-sex cohabitation and those who identified as heterosexual. Regarding sexual minority subgroup differences, bisexuals appeared to be at a greater risk of IPV, and victimization among transgendered individuals has largely been neglected in the literature. Substance abuse and use, marginalized socioeconomic status in the form of family and neighborhood poverty, and exposure to violence during childhood as a witness or victim of violence in the family of origin were consistently linked to elevated rates of IPV. Associations also were found between level of acculturation and minority stress in the form of internalized homophobia and frequency of discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, the complex association among these variables was less clear across racial groups and sexual orientation. Research limitations and future research directions are discussed.

Sexualization, Media, & Society , 2015

As the inaugural editorial board, we are honored to announce the introduction of "Sexualizat... more As the inaugural editorial board, we are honored to announce the introduction of "Sexualization, Media, & Society" (SMS), a new research journal intended to disseminate high-quality scholarship examining the influence of sexualized media in all forms on individuals, relationships, communities, and society. Hosted by Wheelock College and Virginia Commonwealth University, this new journal adopts a critical perspective aiming to integrate social, behavioral, political, economic, cultural, and health research into a comprehensive academic and professional resource. http://sme.sagepub.com/content/current

The sexualization of childhood , 2009

Displaying anonymous, nude black female bodies has a long history in Western societies, from the ... more Displaying anonymous, nude black female bodies has a long history in Western societies, from the exhibition of enslaved women on the auction block to representations of black female bodies in contemporary hip-hop music videos. The purpose of this chapter is to (1) discuss six sexual scripts that are commonly found in hip-hop culture and music videos; (2) examine possible consequences associated with exposure to hop-hop scripts for black girls; and (3) make suggestions for intervention.

Outreach Initiative. Her research examines the intersection of race and gender in workplace and a... more Outreach Initiative. Her research examines the intersection of race and gender in workplace and academic harassment and racialized sexual harassment. Dr. Buchanan was the 2007 recipient of the Association of Women in Psychology's Women of Color Award for empirical research that contributes to the psychology of women of color, MSU's 2007 Excellence in Diversity Award for research and teaching accomplishments in the areas of diversity, pluralism, and social justice, and the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Clinical Faculty Loan Repayment Awards (2004-06, 2006-08).

Women & Therapy, 2002

This volume used a Black feminist framework to investigate childhood sexual abuse, intimate partn... more This volume used a Black feminist framework to investigate childhood sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and community violence in the lives of African American women. This article will summarize the authors' findings, review their suggestions for intervention, and provide a list of readings and resources.

Women & Therapy, 2002

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with long-term mental health consequences. This articl... more Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with long-term mental health consequences. This article reviews the results of one longitudinal study, whose sample consisted primarily of African American women. The purpose is to give voice to an understudied group of CSA survivors and to highlight the variability in risk and protective factors. Key findings related to mental health consequences, re-traumatization, and resilience are reviewed and set within the broader context of research on African American women and child sexual abuse. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.

Violence Against Women, 2000

Psychology of Women Quarterly, 2007

The Sexual Experiences Survey (SES) assesses victimization and perpetration of unwanted sexual ex... more The Sexual Experiences Survey (SES) assesses victimization and perpetration of unwanted sexual experiences (eg, Koss, Gidycz, & Wisniewski, 1987). Revised versions of the SES that resulted from the work of the SES Collaboration are now available. This article reviews ...

In W. S. DeKeseredy, C. Rennison, & A. Sanchez (Eds.), The Routledge International Handbook of Violence Studies (pp. 190-209). New York: Routledge. , 2019

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a brief overview of IPV among African Americans, define... more The purpose of this chapter is to provide a brief overview of IPV among African Americans, define historical trauma and structural violence, and describe an ecological model that recognizes how historical trauma and current structural inequalities contribute to individual, relationship, community, and societal risk factors to elevate relationship violence among African Americans. In the final section, I will offer suggestions for a more comprehensive ecological model.

Radical Psychology: Multicultural and Social Justice Decolonization Initatives , 2018

In this chapter, I will provide a brief overview of IPV in the lives of African American women, d... more In this chapter, I will provide a brief overview of IPV in the lives of African American women, discuss what social justice looks like in theory, and end with practical applications for treatment intervention.

Understanding Domestic Violence: Theories, Challenges, and Remedies , 2018

The purpose of this chapter is to provide a brief overview of prevalence rates of intimate partne... more The purpose of this chapter is to provide a brief overview of prevalence rates of intimate partner violence among African Americans, describe an ecological model, which is a more comprehensive theoretical approach to understanding the risk factors that elevate the probability that African American couples will experience intimate abuse, describe some of the challenges to understanding IPV in this population, and offer some suggestions for areas to explore when conducting a culturally sensitive assessment.

Meridians: Feminism, race, transnationalism , 2018

Intimate partner violence is the use of physical, sexual, and/or psychological aggression by a cu... more Intimate partner violence is the use of physical, sexual, and/or psychological aggression by a current or former intimate partner as a tactic to maintain control. Abuse can have devastating long-term health consequences, including physical injuries and mental health problems such as depression and anxiety disorders. Despite these challenges, Black women actively seek out support from multiple formal institutions to keep themselves and their families safe. Yet Black women face structural barriers when they seek assistance. Using a Black feminist perspective, this paper describes strategies that can be employed to improve institutional responses to Black women survivors and concludes with suggestions for future practice.

I discuss how and why Mammy, Sapphire, and Jezebel images were created and how they have been rep... more I discuss how and why Mammy, Sapphire, and Jezebel images were created and how they have been replaced by corresponding contemporary images that serve a similar function, including the Strong Black Woman, the Angry Black Woman, and the Video Vixen. Specifically, I discuss how the Mammy image can contribute to role strain, which is the challenge of balancing multiple responsibilities, and concerns about physical features, including skin color, hair texture, and weight. Next, I explore how Black women's expression of anger is shaped by the Sapphire image. Finally, I discuss how the Jezebel image can influence perceptions of Black women's sexuality and victimization. I will conclude with some ways that Black women can develop more positive self-images.

Outreach Initiative. Her research examines the intersection of race and gender in workplace and a... more Outreach Initiative. Her research examines the intersection of race and gender in workplace and academic harassment and racialized sexual harassment. Dr. Buchanan was the 2007 recipient of the Association of Women in Psychology's Women of Color Award for empirical research that contributes to the psychology of women of color, MSU's 2007 Excellence in Diversity Award for research and teaching accomplishments in the areas of diversity, pluralism, and social justice, and the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Clinical Faculty Loan Repayment Awards (2004-06, 2006-08).

Violence against women, Jan 26, 2015

This study explored prevalence rates and factors associated with lifetime severe physical intimat... more This study explored prevalence rates and factors associated with lifetime severe physical intimate partner violence among U.S. Black women. Data from the National Survey of American Life were examined. Rates of severe physical intimate partner violence were higher among African American women compared with U.S. Caribbean Black women. Risk factors associated with reported abuse were similar to those found in earlier studies but differed by ethnic backgrounds. Demographic, resource, and situational factors were associated with severe physical intimate partner violence among U.S. Black women in general but made unique contributions by ethnic group. Implications and suggestions for future studies were discussed.

African Americans doing feminism: Putting theory into everyday practice. , 2010

Consider these statistics: in a sample of 100 Black women university students, 52% had experience... more Consider these statistics: in a sample of 100 Black women university students, 52% had experienced at least one sexually harassing act that was perpetrated by a professor during their academic careers. The purpose of this chapter is to attach a name and story to these disembodied statistics. The details of the harassment that I endured from February 1987 until the summer of 1990 are laid out in the first section of this chapter. In the second section, I specify how my feminist beliefs enable me to identify and craft a strategy to address the harassment. Finally, I explain how feminism helped me during my recovery process.

Researchers have been investigating partner violence for more than 20 years, yet there is a disce... more Researchers have been investigating partner violence for more than 20 years, yet there is a discernible absence of research on interper-sonal violence among lesbian couples. Three aspects of lesbian battering are reviewed here. First, the incidence rates and distinct forms that lesbian batter-ing might assume are discussed. Next, the dynamics and correlates of lesbian abuse are highlighted. The concluding section focuses on suggestions for in-tervention. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Deliv-ery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: Website: 2002" target="_1165502258_00082_">HaworthPress 2002" target="_1165502258_00082_">. 2002" target="_1165502258_00082_">com> ? 2002 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.]

Report on the American Psychological Association Task Force on Mental Health and Abortion , 2008

The Council of Representatives of the American Psychological Association charged the Task Force o... more The Council of Representatives of the American Psychological Association charged the Task Force on Mental Health and Abortion (TFMHA) with “collecting, examining, and summarizing the scientific research addressing the mental health factors associated with abortion, including the psychological responses following abortion, and producing a report based upon a review of the most current research.”

The best scientific evidence published indicates that among adult women who have an unplanned pregnancy the relative risk of mental health problems is no greater if they have a single elective first-trimester abortion than if they deliver that pregnancy. The evidence regarding the relative mental health risks associated with multiple abortions is more equivocal. Positive associations observed between multiple abortions and poorer mental health may be linked to co-occurring risks that predispose a woman to both multiple unwanted pregnancies and mental health problems.

Partner Abuse , 2012

This review seeks to synthesize the current state of knowledge regarding gender differences in ra... more This review seeks to synthesize the current state of knowledge regarding gender differences in rates of physical and psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) prevalence among the four largest racial/ethnic groups in the United States, compares rates of physical and psychological IPV between sexual minorities and heterosexuals and among subgroups of sexual minorities (gay men, lesbians, bisexuals), and summarizes correlates and risk factors that are associated with rates of IPV in both ethnic and sexual minorities. A systematic search of the published literature in the past 40 years using various search engines (e.g., PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science) was conducted. The review identified 55 studies that met criteria. Few gender differences in rates of physical and psychological aggression were found among African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, and Native American men and women. Psychological aggression was most frequently reported. Bidirectional violence, which primarily took the form of minor aggression, was the most frequently reported form of physical violence. When unidirectional aggression was assessed, it was more likely to be female perpetrated, particularly among African Americans. These gender patterns were consistent across general population, student, and community studies. Respondents who reported a history of same-sex cohabitation and those who identified as sexual minorities reported higher rates of IPV than those who reported only a history of opposite-sex cohabitation and those who identified as heterosexual. Regarding sexual minority subgroup differences, bisexuals appeared to be at a greater risk of IPV, and victimization among transgendered individuals has largely been neglected in the literature. Substance abuse and use, marginalized socioeconomic status in the form of family and neighborhood poverty, and exposure to violence during childhood as a witness or victim of violence in the family of origin were consistently linked to elevated rates of IPV. Associations also were found between level of acculturation and minority stress in the form of internalized homophobia and frequency of discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, the complex association among these variables was less clear across racial groups and sexual orientation. Research limitations and future research directions are discussed.

Sexualization, Media, & Society , 2015

As the inaugural editorial board, we are honored to announce the introduction of "Sexualizat... more As the inaugural editorial board, we are honored to announce the introduction of "Sexualization, Media, & Society" (SMS), a new research journal intended to disseminate high-quality scholarship examining the influence of sexualized media in all forms on individuals, relationships, communities, and society. Hosted by Wheelock College and Virginia Commonwealth University, this new journal adopts a critical perspective aiming to integrate social, behavioral, political, economic, cultural, and health research into a comprehensive academic and professional resource. http://sme.sagepub.com/content/current

The sexualization of childhood , 2009

Displaying anonymous, nude black female bodies has a long history in Western societies, from the ... more Displaying anonymous, nude black female bodies has a long history in Western societies, from the exhibition of enslaved women on the auction block to representations of black female bodies in contemporary hip-hop music videos. The purpose of this chapter is to (1) discuss six sexual scripts that are commonly found in hip-hop culture and music videos; (2) examine possible consequences associated with exposure to hop-hop scripts for black girls; and (3) make suggestions for intervention.

Outreach Initiative. Her research examines the intersection of race and gender in workplace and a... more Outreach Initiative. Her research examines the intersection of race and gender in workplace and academic harassment and racialized sexual harassment. Dr. Buchanan was the 2007 recipient of the Association of Women in Psychology's Women of Color Award for empirical research that contributes to the psychology of women of color, MSU's 2007 Excellence in Diversity Award for research and teaching accomplishments in the areas of diversity, pluralism, and social justice, and the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) Clinical Faculty Loan Repayment Awards (2004-06, 2006-08).

Women & Therapy, 2002

This volume used a Black feminist framework to investigate childhood sexual abuse, intimate partn... more This volume used a Black feminist framework to investigate childhood sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and community violence in the lives of African American women. This article will summarize the authors' findings, review their suggestions for intervention, and provide a list of readings and resources.

Women & Therapy, 2002

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with long-term mental health consequences. This articl... more Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with long-term mental health consequences. This article reviews the results of one longitudinal study, whose sample consisted primarily of African American women. The purpose is to give voice to an understudied group of CSA survivors and to highlight the variability in risk and protective factors. Key findings related to mental health consequences, re-traumatization, and resilience are reviewed and set within the broader context of research on African American women and child sexual abuse. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.

Violence Against Women, 2000