Training to be a Community Psychologist in the Age of a Digital Revolution

Authors

  • Renato Liboro University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Canada
  • Sherry Bell University of Nevada, Las Vegas, USA
  • Martin van den Berg California State University, Chico, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15402/esj.v9i1.70785

Keywords:

Community-Based Participatory Research, Community Psychology, digital technology, social media, training

Abstract

Reflecting on pedagogy and curricula that have shaped the field of community psychology, we review the history of training community psychologists since the field’s inception in the United States. We then examine relevant academic literature documenting how digital technologies in the 21st century have been successfully used in community-based participatory research (CBPR) studies conducted by community psychologists to promote engaged scholarship, the field’s core values (e.g. sense of community, social justice, collaboration), and its commitment to social change. While early ideas for improving scholars’ training emphasized adopting practices to meet changing community needs, our review of literature on CBPR and other community-engaged scholarly work by community psychologists in the last two decades has revealed that digital technologies’ ability to promote the field’s values and goals still needs to be fully harnessed. Lastly, we offer practical recommendations for community psychology undergraduate and graduate training programs to consider and implement so they can incorporate digital technologies into their programs and harness their potential to promote engaged scholarship, the field’s core values, and its commitment to social change. 

References

Akom, A., Shah, A., Nakai, A., & Cruz, T. (2016). Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) 2.0: How technological innovation and digital organizing sparked a food revolution in East Oakland. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education: QSE, 29(10), 1287–1307. https://doi.org/10.1080/09518398.2016.1201609

Barton, A. K., Andrulis, D. P., Grove, W. P., & Aponte, J.F. (1976). A look at community psychology training programs in the seventies. American Journal of Community Psychology, 4(1), 1-11.

Bennett, C. C., Anderson, L. S., Cooper, S., Hassol, L., Klein, D. C., & Rosenblum, G. (1966). Community psychology: A report of the Boston conference on the education of psychologists for community mental health. Boston University Press.

Brewer, L. C., Hayes, S. N., Caron, A. R., Derby, D. A., Breutzman, N. S., Wicks, A., Raman, J., Smith, C. M., Schaepe, K. S., Sheets, R. E., Jenkins, S. M., Lackore, K. A., Johnson, J., Jones, C., Radecki Breitkopf, C., Cooper, L. A., & Patten, C. A. (2019). Promoting cardiovascular health and wellness among African Americans: Community participatory approach to design an innovative mobile-health intervention. PLOS One, 14(8), e0218724. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0218724

Bronfenbrenner, U. (1977). Toward an experimental ecology of human development. American Psychologist, 32(7), 513-531. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.32.7.513

Bucci, S., Schwannauer, M., & Berry, N. (2019). The digital revolution and its impact on mental health care. Psychology and Psychotherapy, 92(2), 277–297. https://doi.org/10.1111/papt.12222

Craig Rushing, S., & Stephens, D. (2012). Tribal recommendations for designing culturally appropriate technology-based sexual health interventions targeting Native Youth in the Pacific Northwest. American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research (Online), 19(1), 76–101. https://doi.org/10.5820/aian.1901.2012.76

Dalton, J., & Wolfe, S. (2012). Joint column: Education connection and the community practitioner. The Community Psychologist, 45(4), 7-14.

Dewees, S., & Marks, B. (2017). Research Note - Twice Invisible: Understanding Rural Native America. First Nations Development Institute.

Dooris M. (2013). Expert voices for change: Bridging the silos—towards healthy and sustainable settings for the 21st century. Health Place, 20, 39-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2012.11.009

Doty, J. L., Brady, S. S., Monardez Popelka, J., Rietveld, L., Garcia-Huidobro, D., Doty, M. J., Linares, R., Svetaz, M. V., & Allen, M. L. (2020). Designing a mobile app to enhance parenting skills of Latinx parents: A community-based participatory approach. JMIR Formative Research, 4(1), e12618. https://doi.org/10.2196/12618

Feis, C. L., Mavis, B. E., Weth, J. E., & Davidson, W. S. (1990). Graduate training and employment experiences of community psychologists. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 21(2), 94–98. https://doi.org/10.1037/0735-7028.21.2.94

Fowler, P. J., & Toro, P. A. (2008). Personal lineages and the development of community psychology: 1965 to 2005. Journal of Community Psychology, 36(5), 626-648. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.20243

Frasquilho, D., Ozer, E. J., Ozer, E., Branquinho, C., Camacho, I., Reis, M., Tomé, G., Santos, T., Gomes, P., Cruz, J., Ramiro, L., Gaspar, T., Simões, C., Piatt, A. A., Holsen, I., & Gaspar de Matos, M. (2018). Dream teens: Adolescents-led participatory project in Portugal in the context of the economic recession. Health Promotion Practice, 19(1), 51-59. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839916660679

Friedline, T., Naraharisetti, S., & Weaver, A. (2020). Digital redlining: Poor rural communities’ access to fintech and implications for financial inclusion. Journal of Poverty, 24(5-6), 517-541. https://doi.org/10.1080/10875549.2019.1695162

Gamariel, F., Isaakidis, P., Tarquino, I., Beirão, J. C., O’Connell, L., Mulieca, N., Gatoma, H. P., Cumbe, V., & Venables, E. (2020). Access to health services for men who have sex with men and transgender women in Beira, Mozambique: A qualitative study. PLOS One, 15(1), e0228307. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0228307

Gibbs, L., Kornbluh, M., Marinkovic, K., Bell, S., & Ozer, E. J. (2020). Using technology to scale up youth-led participatory action research: A systematic review. Journal of Adolescent Health, 67(2), 14-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2019.10.019

Halsall, T. G., & Forneris, T. (2016). Behind the scenes of youth-led community events: A participatory evaluation approach using photovoice in a Canadian First Nation community. Youth Engagement in Health Promotion, 1(2) 1-12. https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/youthengage/article/view/0203

Hergenrather, K. C., Geishecker, S., Clark, G., & Rhodes, S. D. (2013). A pilot test of the HOPE Intervention to explore employment and mental health among African American gay men living with HIV/AIDS: Results from a CBPR study. AIDS Education and Prevention, 25(5), 405-422. https://doi.org/10.1521/aeap.2013.25.5.405

Hswen, Y., & Bickham, D. S. (2018). Engaging African American teens in co-creating and disseminating social media based HIV prevention messages. Journal of Hospital Management and Health Policy, 2, 41-41. http://doi.org/10.21037/jhmhp.2018.07.06

Hubach, R. D., Dodge, B., Cola, T., Battani, P., & Reece, M. (2014). Assessing the sexual health needs of men who have sex with men (MSM) residing in rural and mixed rural areas. The Health Education Monograph Series, 31(2), 33-39.

Iscoe, I., Bloom, B. L., & Spielberger, C. D. (Eds.). (1977). Community psychology in transition: Proceedings of the National Conference on Training in Community Psychology. Hemisphere.

Jimenez, T. R., Sanchez, B., McMahon, S. D., & Viola, J. (2016). A vision for the future of community psychology education and training. American Journal of Community Psychology, 58(3-4), 339–347. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12079

Kaufman, J. S., Christian, M. C., Crusto, C. A., Gordon, D. M., Simon, P., Strambler, M. J., Sullivan, T. M., Ward, N. L., & Tebes, J. K. (2016). Reflections on a community psychology setting and the future of the field. American Journal of Community Psychology, 58(3-4): 348–353. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12108

Kebritchi, M., Lipschuetz, A., & Santiague, L. (2017). Issues and challenges for teaching successful online courses in higher education: A literature review. Journal of Educational Technology Systems, 46(1), 4–29. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047239516661713

Kelly, J. G. (1970). Antidotes for arrogance: Training for community psychology. American Psychologist, 25(6), 524-531. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0029484

Kelly, J. G. (1971). Qualities for the community psychologist. American Psychologist, 26(10), 897-903. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0032231

Kim, K. K., Ngo, V., Gilkison, G., Hillman, L., Sowerwine, J., & Karuk Youth Leaders. (2020). Native American youth citizen scientists uncovering community health and food security priorities. Health Promotion Practice, 21(1), 80-90. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839919852098

Kloos, B., Hill, J., Thomas, E. T., Wandersman, A., Elias, M. J., & Dalton, J. H. (2012). Community Psychology: Linking individuals and communities (3rd Ed.). Wadsworth.

Koonin, L. M., Hoots, B., Tsang, A. C., Leroy, Z., Farris, K., Jolly, B. T., Antall, P., McCabe, B., Zilis, C. B. R., Tong, I., & Harris, A. M. (2020). Trends in the use of telehealth during the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic — United States, January–March 2020. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), 69(43), 1595-1599. http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6943a3

Kornbluh, M., Kohfeldt, D., Banks, D., & Brott, H. (2019). Sharing strengths and struggles in the classroom and beyond: Results from the teaching community psychology survey. Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice, 10(1), 1-29. https://www.gjcpp.org/en/article.php?issue=31&article=187

Kornbluh, M., Neal, J. W., & Ozer, E. J. (2016). Scaling-up youth-led social justice efforts through an online school-based social network. American Journal of Community Psychology, 57(3-4), 266–279. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12042

Li, C. S., & Irby, B. (2008). An overview of online education: Attractiveness, benefits, challenges, concerns and recommendations. College Student Journal, 42(2), 449-458.

Libo, L. M. (1974). A research-versus-service model for training in community psychology. American Journal of Community Psychology, 2(2), 173–177. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00878044.

Liboro, R. M., Shuper, P. A., & Ross, L. E. (2021). Scaling up information sharing on HIV associated neurocognitive disorder: Raising awareness and knowledge among key stakeholders. SAGE Open, 11(2), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211016898

Liboro, R. M., & Travers, R. (2016). Fundamental researcher attributes: Reflections on ways to facilitate participation in Community Psychology doctoral dissertation research. Gateways: International Journal of Community Research and Engagement, 9(1), 145-158. http://dx.doi.org/10.5130/ijcre.v9i1.4353

Lichty, L. F., Kornbluh, M., Mortensen, J., & Foster-Fishman, P. (2019). Claiming online space for empowering methods: Taking photovoice to scale online. Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice, 10(3), 1-26. https://www.gjcpp.org/en/article.php?issue=33&article=201

Meyer, M. L., & Gerrard, M. (1977). Graduate training in community psychology. American Journal of Community Psychology, 5(2), 155-164. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00903200

Meyers, J. (1984). Training in consultation. American Journal of Community Psychology, 12(2), 233–239. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00897047

Montero, M. (1996). Parallel lives: Community psychology in Latin America and the United States. American Journal of Community Psychology, 24(5), 589-602. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf02509715

Montero, M., & Varas Diaz, N. (2007). Latin American community psychology: Development, implications, and challenges within a social change agenda. In S. M. Reich, M. Riemer, I. Prilleltensky, & M. Montero (Eds.), International community psychology: History and theories (pp. 63–98). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-49500-2_4

Nelson, G., Lavoie, F., & Mitchell, T. (2007). The history and theories of community psychology in Canada. In S. M. Reich, M. Riemer, I. Prilleltensky, & M. Montero (Eds.), International community psychology: History and theories (pp. 13–36). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-49500-2_2

Nelson, G., & Tefft, B. M. (1982). A survey of graduate education in community psychology in Canada. Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health, 1(2), 6-13.

Newbrough, J. R. (1973). Community psychology: A new holism. American Journal of Community Psychology, 1(3), 201-211. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00881567

Ohmer, M., Booth, J., & Farzan, R. (2021). RU connected? Engaging youth in designing a mobile application for facilitating community organizing and engagement. Journal of Community Practice, 29(3), 257-279. https://doi.org/10.1080/10705422.2021.1963383

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development [OECD]. (2020). Linking Indigenous communities with regional development in Canada. OECD Rural Policy Reviews. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/fa0f60c6-en

Pew Research Center. (2021, April 7). Internet/Broadband Fact Sheet. https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/internet-broadband/?menuItem=6b886b10-55ec-44bc-b5a4-740f5366a404

Poushter, J., Bishop, C., & Chwe, H. (2018, June 19). Social media use continues to rise in developing countries, but plateaus across developed ones. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2018/06/19/social-media-use-continues-to-rise-in-developing-countries-butplateaus-across-developed-ones/

Prilleltensky, I. (2001). Value-based praxis in community psychology: Moving toward social justice and social action. American Journal of Community Psychology, 29(5), 747-778. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010417201918

Rappaport, J. (1977). Community Psychology: Values, research and action. Holt, Rinehart & Winston. Reich, S., Riemer, M., Prilleltensky, I., & Montero, M. (Eds.). (2007). International community psychology: History and theories. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-49500-2

Rice, M. F. (2003). Information and communication technologies and the global digital divide: Technology transfer, development, and least developing countries. Comparative Technology Transfer and Society, 1(1), 72–88. https://doi.org/10.1353/CTT.2003.0009

Roehrle, B., Akhurst, J., Carr, N., Herrera Sanchez, I. M., Arcidiacono, C., Lawthom, R., Stark, W., & EFPA Standing Committee on Community Psychology (2020). Community psychology in higher education in Europe: Results of a survey and discussion of the basic competency approach. Journal of Community and Applied Psychology, 30(5), 494-507. https://doi.org/10.1002/casp.2459

Russ, S., Latif, Z., Hazell, A. L., Ogunmuyiwa, H., Tapper, J., Wachuku-King, S., Sevdalis, N., & Ocloo, J. (2020). A smartphone app designed to empower patients to contribute toward safer surgical care: Community-based evaluation using a participatory approach. JMIR mHealthand uHealth, 8(1), e12859. https://doi.org/10.2196/12859

Smith, M., Morita, H., Mateo, K. F., Nye, A., Hutchinson, C., & Cohall, A. T. (2014). Development of a culturally relevant consumer health information website for Harlem, New York. Health Promotion Practice, 15(5), 664-674. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524839914530401

Society for Community Research and Action (n.d.) Competencies for Community Psychology Practice. Retrieved February 14, 2023 from https://www.scra27.org/what-we-do/practice/18-competencies-community-psychology-practice/

Tanner, A. E., Mann, L., Song, E., Alonzo, J., Schafer, K., Arellano, E., Garcia, J. M., & Rhodes, S. D. (2016). weCARE: A social media-based intervention designed to increase HIV care linkage, retention, and health outcomes for racially and ethnically diverse young MSM. AIDS Education and Prevention, 28(3), 216–230. https://doi.org/10.1521/aeap.2016.28.3.216

Teti, M., Pichon, L., & Myroniuk, T. W. (2021). Community-engaged qualitative scholarship during a pandemic: Problems, perils and lessons learned. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 20, 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069211025455

Trickett, E. J. (1984). Toward a distinctive community psychology: An ecological metaphor for the conduct of community research and the nature of training. American Journal of Community Psychology, 12(3), 261–279. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00896748

Unertl, K. M., Schaefbauer, C. L., Campbell, T. R., Senteio, C., Siek, K. A., Bakken, S., & Veinot, T. C. (2016). Integrating community-based participatory research and informatics approaches to improve the engagement and health of underserved populations. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association: JAMIA, 23(1), 60–73. https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocv094

Valdez, E. S., & Gubrium, A. (2020). Shifting to virtual CBPR protocols in the time of Corona Virus/COVID-19. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 19, 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406920977315

Veronese, V., Clouse, E., Wirtz, A. L., Thu, K. H., Naing, S., Baral, S. D., Stoové, M., & Beyrer, C. (2019). “We are not gays… don’t tell me those things”: Engaging ‘hidden’ men who have sex with men and transgender women in HIV prevention in Myanmar. BMC Public Health, 19(1), 63. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-6351-3

Weinstein, R.S. (1981). Teaching community intervention in a clinical program: Reflections in the themes of supervision. American Journal of Community Psychology, 9(6), 681–696. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00896249

Published

2023-09-01

How to Cite

Liboro, R., Bell, S., & van den Berg, M. (2023). Training to be a Community Psychologist in the Age of a Digital Revolution. Engaged Scholar Journal: Community-Engaged Research, Teaching, and Learning, 9(1), 21–38. https://doi.org/10.15402/esj.v9i1.70785

Similar Articles

<< < 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.