As efforts to end systemic racism gain momentum across various contexts, it is critical to consider antiracist steps needed to improve psychological science. Current scientific practices may serve to maintain white supremacy with significant and impactful consequences. Extant research practices reinforce norms of homogeneity within BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color) populations, segregate theories, and methods derived from BIPOC groups, apply disparate standards to the evaluation of research on white versus BIPOC populations, and discourage BIPOC scholars from pursuing research careers. Perhaps consequently, disparities persist on a range of psychologically relevant outcomes (e.g., mental and physical health). This article presents examples of how epistemic oppression exists within psychological science, including in how science is conducted, reported, reviewed, and disseminated. This article offers a needed contribution by providing specific concrete recommendations for different stakeholders, including those involved in the production, reporting, and gatekeeping of science as well as consumers of science. Additionally, a discussion of accountability steps are offered to ensure that psychological science moves beyond talk and toward action, with possible strategies to measure outcomes, stimulate progress, promote dialogue and action, challenge inequity, and upend the influence of white supremacy in psychological science.

Contrary to commonly held assumptions, weight misperception among a non-clinical sample of youth who were overweight or obese predicted lower future weight gain. Efficacy of efforts to correct weight misperception should be rigorously examined to assess for both intended and unintended consequences.

Objective Research on adversity is often skewed toward assessing problematic functioning; yet many women display resilience following traumatic experiences. Examining individual, relational, community, and cultural variables can provide new knowledge about protective factors associated with resilience in women exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV). Controlling for demographics and circumstances of the violence, this study evaluated predictors of resilience, including spirituality, social support, community cohesion, and ethnic identity. Method The sample consisted of 112 women (Mage=32.12, SD=5.78) exposed to physical, psychological, and/or sexual intimate partner violence in the past 6 months. Approximately 70% of participants were Black. Hierarchical linear regression modeling was conducted to examine factors related to resilience. Model 1 included demographics (age, education, and socioeconomic status) and stressful life experiences. Model 2 added circumstances of the violence: IPV severity, IPV perpetration by participant, and number of violent partners. The third and final model added spirituality, social support, community cohesion, and ethnic identity. Results The final model was significant, F(11, 97)=6.63; p<.001, adj. R2=36.5%; with greater social support (β=.24; p=.009), more spirituality (β=.28; p=.002), and fewer violent relationships (β= −.25; p=.003) predicting higher resilience among women exposed to IPV. Conclusion While risk factors associated with IPV are well-researched, little is known about factors related to resilient functioning, especially among minority populations. Knowledge gained from this study can advance the field of violence research by its identification of potentially mutable variables related to resilience. Such research could be applied to developing strength-based interventions for at-risk populations of violence-exposed women.

As efforts to end systemic racism gain momentum across various contexts, it is critical to consider anti-racist steps that will be required to improve psychological science. Current scientific practices serve to maintain white supremacy with significant and impactful consequences. Extant research practices reinforce norms of homogeneity within BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color) populations, segregate theories and methods derived from BIPOC groups, apply disparate standards to the evaluation of research on White vs. BIPOC populations, and discourage BIPOC scholars from pursuing research careers. Perhaps consequently, mental and physical health disparities remain largely unimproved. In this article we present examples of how epistemic oppression exists within psychological science, including how science is conducted, reported, reviewed, and disseminated. Specific recommendations are offered for many stakeholders, including those involved in the production, reporting, and gatekeeping of science as well as consumers of science. Additionally, we present a diversity accountability index for journals with potential benchmarks for measuring progress as one strategy to promote dialogue and action, challenge inequity, and upend the influence of white supremacy in psychological science.

The objective of this article was to determine (1) the existence of individually varying patterns of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and nutrition intake risk; and (2) how these risk-patterns relate to youth's demographics, Body mass index (BMI) and psychosocial functioning. Participants (N = 9,304) from the 2007 8th Grade Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Cohort completed the revised Self-Description Questionnaire II. Age, sex, height, and weight were used to calculate body mass index (BMI) z scores and percentiles. Three risk profiles emerged via Latent Profile Analyses: "Active + Healthy Diet" (AHD; 16.3% Obese); "Sedentary + Unbalanced Diet" (SUD; 21.3% Obese); and "Screen-Time + Recreational Food" (STRF; 25.0% Obese). Significant differences in BMIs, psychosocial factors, and demographic characteristics were found across the profiles. Differential patterns of physical activity, sedentary behavior, and nutritional choices were found to predict BMI and psychosocial functioning. These findings may be helpful to refine and develop modular-based prevention and weight control intervention programs.

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the cross-sectional association between weight misperception among young adults with overweight/obesity and disordered eating behaviors. Method In a subsample young adults with overweight or obesity participating in Wave III (2001–2002) of The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (n=5,184), we examined the cross-sectional association between weight under-perception (i.e., perceiving oneself to be at a healthy body weight or underweight) and disordered eating (fasting/meal skipping for weight control, purging/pills for weight control, overeating/loss of control eating, and use of performance-enhancing products/substances). Results About 20% of young adult females inaccurately perceived their body weight to be in the healthy range compared to 48% of males. Individuals who misperceived their weight as healthy were significantly less likely to report fasting/meal skipping (Females: OR:0.25, 95% CI:0.14–0.43; Males: OR:0.31, 95% CI:0.20–0.48) and vomiting or taking diet pills/laxatives/diuretics (Females: OR:0.10, 95% CI:0.04–0.25; Males: OR:0.10, 95% CI:0.04–0.25) for weight control. Among females, those who misperceived their weight status as healthy were also less likely to report overeating or loss of control eating (OR;0.41, 95% CI:0.24–0.71). Greater use of performance-enhancing products/substances was seen among males who under-perceived their weight as healthy (OR:2.06, 95% CI:1.57–2.72) and among both females (OR:2.29, 95% CI:1.40–20.0) and males (OR:2.27, 95% CI:1.13–4.55) who perceived themselves to be underweight. Discussion Weight under-perception among young adults with overweight/obesity may convey some benefit related to disordered eating behaviors, but could be a risk factor for the use of performance-enhancing products/substances.

Mental health services have been routinely underutilized. This study investigated the influence of parents' gender, race, and psychopathology on perceived barriers and attitudes toward mental health utilization for themselves and for their children. A unique contribution of this study is the examination of father, mother, and child factors influencing service utilization from the parents' perspective. A total of 194 African American and Caucasian parents were recruited from the community to participate. Parents completed measures on barriers and attitudes toward treatment for themselves and for their children, history of mental health service utilization for themselves and for their children, and their own current psychological symptoms. Results indicated that 36.3% and 19.4% of parents and children, respectively, had used mental health services during their lifetime. Parents perceived fewer barriers and had more positive attitudes toward seeking services for their children than for themselves. Race and gender differences were found in parents' perceptions of barriers and attitudes toward treatment. Furthermore, barriers, attitudes, and psychopathology predicted parents' plans for future utilization of mental health services. The clinical implications of this study and directions for future research are discussed.

Adolescents are disproportionately impacted by HIV in the United States. Optimal effects from antiretroviral therapy (ART) can be achieved through stringent adherence to a daily medication regimen; for adolescents, this may be interrupted due to complex barriers unique to this age group. We previously conducted formative qualitative interviews with HIV-infected adolescents to identify key barriers facing adolescents regarding ART adherence and potential strategies to address these barriers. These data were used to inform an ART adherence intervention designed to overcome difficulties unique to HIV-infected adolescents (e.g., internalized stigma and HIV-related shame, disclosure to sexual partners, social life, and extracurricular activities at school, etc.). The resulting intervention-''Positive Strategies To Enhance Problem-solving Skills (Positive STEPS)''-combines five individual counseling sessions with daily text message reminders. We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial of the intervention against a standard of care control and report on the feasibility of procedures and participant acceptability of the intervention in terms of content, structure, and format. ART adherence was measured in both arms through Medication Event Monitoring System pill caps and self-report. Feasibility and acceptability of the Positive STEPS intervention was evidenced by 90% retention for the intervention sessions; 100% completion of the four-month assessment; and positive responses on postintervention evaluation forms (all intervention participants rated Positive STEPS as ''acceptable'' or ''very acceptable'') and brief exit interviews. At the 4-month assessment visit, the change in ART adherence among the intervention group [mean change score = 13%, standard deviation (SD) = 29.5] was significantly higher compared with the standard of care group (mean change score =-26%, SD = 26.0; Cohen's d effect size = 1.43, confidence interval = 0.17-2.49, p = 0.02). Future testing of the intervention in a fully powered randomized controlled trial to determine efficacy is warranted.