An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound of Cure (OPPOC): Addressing Racism and Promoting Ethnic-Racial Identity Development in BIPOC Adolescents

• In Event: Virtual Poster Session
  In Virtual iPresentation Only: SIG-Critical Educators for Social Justice Virtual Poster Session

Abstract

Systemic racism in school perpetuates persistent mental health and academic disparities for Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) youth. Ethnic-racial identity (ERI) during adolescent development may buffer the effects of racism and foster resilience. This paper presents the rationale for An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure (OPPOC), a novel psychoeducational intervention aimed at equipping BIPOC youth to cope with racism by promoting ERI. OPPOC advances the knowledge and practice of remedying and repairing harms of racism by translating ERI development theories into a practical intervention. Our mixed-methods trial can test preliminary effectiveness and implementation outcomes. Findings can help elucidate intervention efficacy and guide culturally responsive training of school psychologists and other pediatric practitioners.

Authors

• Jonathan Lightfoot, Hofstra University

• Laura Godfrey, Hofstra University

• Moriah Sukhlal, Hofstra University

• Ariana Wasret, Hofstra University