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As a member of APA and Division 52, you have access to APA Communities.

APA Community is exclusively designed for APA members to forge meaningful connections, exchange personal and professional highlights, and stay up-to-date on the latest in psychology. From sharing life moments to exploring cutting-edge psychological research and news, APA Community invites you to engage and foster deeper connections with your fellow members.

We encourage you to access the Division 52: International Psychology Group and connect with your fellow Division 52 members.  Start a conversation, post a current event, or share about your work to other Division 52 members.  In the coming months, we will be actively engaging in the Division 52 Communities Group and rolling out new features and ways to connect.   Click on https://community.apa.org/ to get started!

For questions, reach out to Joyce Yip Green, Division 52 Communities Liason

Division 52 Congratulates its new 2024 Fellows and the recipients of its 2024 Awards!!!

2024 New Division 52 Fellows

Theodore Bartholomew, PhD – Scripps College (new APA Fellow)

Melissa Morgan, PhD – Adler University

Matthew Skinta, PhD – Roosevelt University

Luca Tateo, PhD – University of Oslo (new APA Fellow)

Jyotsna Vaid, PhD – Texas A&M University

Yu-Wei Wang, PhD – University of Maryland

Division 52 Award Recipients – see online with videos here: https://div52.net/archive/2024-awardees/

Outstanding International Psychologist
Dr. Merry Bullock
Ahimsa International

Outstanding Early Career Psychologist Award
Dr. Madeline Stenersen
Saint Louis University

Denmark-Reuder Women and Gender Award
Dr. Caterina Arcidiacono
University Federico II, Naples

Henry David International Mentoring Award
Dr. Eric Youngstrom
Ohio State University

Jean Lau Chin Award for Outstanding Psychologist in International Leadership Contributions
Serdar M. Değirmencioğlu

Jean Lau Chin Award for Graduate Student in International Leadership Contributions
Nokwanda Grava
Purdue University

Anastasi Graduate Student Research Award
Chongzheng Wei
UC Santa Barbara

Student International Research Award
Khushboo Patel
University of Louisville

Global Citizen Citation Award
Alejandro Arnaldo Barroso Martinez
School of Medicine, University of Valparaíso, Chile

Student-First-Authored Poster Contest at APA Awarded

* The opinions, information, opportunities, and materials expressed in this member-dedicated section are not necessarily supported by Division 52. Publication in this section does not constitute agreement or support from the Division. 

Eighty years and counting:  What have we learned from autism research and what do we still need to learn?

Chrystina A. Dolyniuk, Ph.D., Rider University

I recently returned from Europe, where I was immersed in community-based research that focused on the perspectives and needs of children with autism.  This recent professional experience resulted in some personal reflection on two integral questions: “What is autism?” and “What have we learned from eighty years of autism research?”

Dr. Leo Kanner first introduced autism to the world more than eighty years ago.  Since that time, thousands of clinical, theoretical and research studies have been published documenting the clinical characteristics of the autism spectrum, describing its’ symptoms, validating best practices. and suggesting ways to integrate people on the spectrum into communities.  

In eighty years, we have certainly come a long way in understanding that autism involves social communication deficits and repetitive behaviors, and we have even accepted the reality that autism is relatively common.  Worldwide, the prevalence of autism is believed to be 1 in 100 (Zeidan, Fombonne, & Scorah, et. al., 2022), or at least 1% of the human population.  In countries like the United States, where awareness and sensitivity to the condition are great, numbers are as high as 1 in every 36 individuals (CDC, 2023).  

Over the last eight decades, researchers have learned a great deal, not the least of which is an understanding that autism is clearly not one thing.  While our conceptual understanding of a spectrum fares well in providing opportunities for individual acceptance and planning of services, it still does not allow us to accurately describe all individuals with the condition.  I challenge researchers to stop trying, and do so with the utmost respect for all people with autism around the globe.

Every person develops differently within every context, surrounded by specific resources, including other individuals.  Every individual’s outcome is a complex interaction of who they are, and, more importantly, how they fit best into their surroundings.  And, as studies have shown, we cannot underplay any one force in these reciprocal exchanges.  This understanding of reciprocal relationships between environment and nature, or individual within context, have become the underlying basis for contemporary developmental theories (Lerner, 2018;  Bronfenbrenner, 1994).  

While science encourages us to look for causal relationships between variables, the reality is that it is nearly impossible to predict what causes autism, nor can we prevent it.  At this point in time, we can confidently say that decades of empirical studies have not yet identified why autism exists.  While we understand that there are risk factors and genetic predispositions that are associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), we also know that it is sometimes possible to avoid diagnosis when appropriate early intervention is provided.  Furthermore, it is likely that the spectrum is the result of multiple factors, and some of those factors simply cannot be controlled.   Thus, instead of focusing on what causes autism, I propose we take the next eighty years of research in a totally different direction.  

ASD is not a tragedy, it is a developmental difference, a challenge that today’s American children are quite familiar with.  Today’s American society doesn’t need to take part in any more community awareness events.  Americans need to be educated on how to celebrate people on the spectrum and how those individuals can live successfully in the world.    Consequently, there has been rigorous discussion about renaming April as “Autism Acceptance” (rather than “Awareness”) Month in the United States.  

While this idea is certainly appropriate in the United States, my experience suggests that awareness of the spectrum still needs to be promoted globally.   This is evident in the fact that while inclusion and community integration may be practiced in some countries, educational justice and inclusive practices are not upheld in many countries around the globe.  As is noted by the World Health Organization (2023), people with autism are often subject to stigma and discrimination, including deprivation of healthcare, education and community participation.  This type of widespread injustice is not specific to individuals on the autism spectrum, as similar forms of “ableism” have been noted by disability advocates concerned with a variety of physical, cognitive and developmental differences (European Disability Forum, 2023; World Health Organization, 2023).  My recent firsthand professional experiences have also confirmed that while some European countries are moving toward supporting full acceptance of people on the spectrum, many myths are perpetuated globally, including misunderstandings about autism being an illness, resulting from vaccination, and treatable using diets and sensory integration.   Some myths may persist because large groups of people with a variety of cultural beliefs continue to migrate across continents, as a result of significant historic events including war, oppression, or even genocide.  These events must be conceptualized within the autism scheme, since all individuals are vulnerable to them, but those with developmental differences are often left behind, forgotten, or overlooked.  

Therefore, moving forward, I believe we still need to push the importance of evidence-based research and to encourage a stronger understanding of how autism presents in various countries around the globe.  We also need to interpret, assess and prioritize autism based on cultural agendas, values, and significant historic events.  In fact, a review authored by prominent autism researchers several years ago noted that autism services are lacking in many developing countries due to a variety of social barriers (Rosen, Lord & Volkmar, 2021).  My recent experiences confirm that these problems persist in part due to systemic misunderstanding that autism is not a determinant of negative outcome, but rather a complex human characteristic that shapes thinking and demands individualized support and compassion.  

Without a doubt, autism is observed around the globe.  It is a neurological difference in processing social and sensory information and it results in behavioral differences which may or may not be misinterpreted in a variety of contexts.  Autism is also understood and appreciated differently in a variety of places around the world because there is cross-cultural disparity in general exposure, understanding and acceptance of autism.  Moreover, autism is simply not a priority in some places.

Science has taught us that neurons generate new neural pathways when there is an opportunity for new experiences.  Clearly then, all people, both on and off the spectrum, can generate new ways of understanding each other, if given the opportunity.  Let’s re-conceptualize autism as a human characteristic, thereby truly accepting an ideal of “neurodiversity”. 

Only when we accept that clinical criteria and quantitative factors have discrete limits, will we fully appreciate that adherence to controlled studies and hard science will never fully describe all people on the spectrum.   Dr. Kanner described autism characteristics eighty years ago and subsequent research has documented our understanding of those traits.  But Kanner did not describe all individuals with autism, something that only first-hand experience, qualitative data, and a thorough analysis of history and cultural context must document.  From this point forward, let’s put a human face on the spectrum and recognize that autism should be understood as a persistent human quality that exists in individuals around the world.  The diversity of experiences lived by these individuals is in flux and unpredictable.  Autism cannot be, nor should it be, defined by science alone.   Autism is, of course, as diverse as the human beings diagnosed with it.    

References

Bronfenbrenner, U. (1994). Ecological models of human development.  In International
Encyclopedia of Education, vol. 3, 21nd Ed. Oxford:  Elsevier.  Reprinted in:  Gauvain, M. & Cole, M. (Eds.), Readings on the development of children, 2nd Ed.  pp. 37-43.   NY:  Freeman Press.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023).  Community Report on Autism.  Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network:  A snapshot of Autism Spectrum Disorder among 4-year-old and 8-year-old children in multiple communities across the United States in 2023.

European Disability Forum  (2023).  Welcome to EDF, retrieved from:  https://www.edf-feph.org/

Lerner, R.M. (2018). Concepts and Theories of Human Development (4th ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203581629

Rosen, N.E., Lord, C., & Volkmar, F. (2021).  The Diagnosis of Autism:  From Kanner to DSM-III to DSM-5 and Beyond.  Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51, 4253-4270.

World Health Organization (2023).  Autism, November 15, 2023, retrieved from:  https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/autism-spectrum-disorders

Zeidan, J., Fombonne, E., Scorah, J., Ibrahim, A., Durkin, M., Saxena, S., Yusuf, A., Shih, A., & Elsabbaugh, M.  (2022).  Global prevalence of autism:  A systematic review update.  Autism Research, 15(5):  778-790.

ATOP Meaningfulworld Humanitarian Mission to Armenia

Trauma healing, Transforming Horizontal & Generational Trauma, & Nurturing Emotional Intelligence and Self-care

Why did we return to Armenia? There have been multiple traumatic events taken place with bordering Azerbaijan. The past 5 years have been bloody; wars, blockade, and ultimately the ethnic cleansing in 2023 has had devastating consequences on the population who are displaced. Approximately 110,000 Armenians residents were displaced across Armenia in villages, towns, and many have left the country due to unemployment, and scarcity of resources.

Our objectives were 1. Transform trauma of ethnic cleansing took place in Sept 2023 by Azerbaijan, 2. Transform Horizontal Violence, 3. Transform domestic violence, 4. Continue suicide prevention awareness, 5. Continue Ecological awareness, 6. Provide energetic healing, 7. Teach 7-step modality, 8. Nurture Gender empowerment, 9. Compile the oral histories of Artsakh survivors.

From 30 April to 12 May 2024, MeaningfulWorld team volunteered in Armenia for a follow up Humanitarian Outreach Mission. Dr. Kalayjian initiated and led the first outreach mission immediately after the devastating earthquake in 1988; since then, we have continued to volunteer consistently in Armenia over 25 humanitarian missions. Our team was comprised of Margo Sargsyan & me. We emphasized collecting oral histories, and helping heal the survivors who were thrown out of their homes in Artsakh, (AKA Nagorno-Karabagh). Trauma that is healed will help nurture Post-Traumatic-Growth (PTG) and prevent transmission of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to the next seven generations, as well as to prevent Horizontal Violence. We specifically used the 7-step Integrative Healing Model, tapping solution, meditation, breathwork, energy healing, Flower Essences (FES), essential oils, & Soul-Surfing.

Link to newsroom full feature here

While in Armenia, we worked with over 25 families from Artsakh in different regions. We observed improvements in their mental health (since October 2023), as most were settled in their new homes, and some had employment, and others searching for one. Children were attending schools, and universities, although searching for their friends and classmates, and yearning for their homes in Artsakh. Most expressed feelings of fear of continuing to lose lands to Azerbaijan, worry about uncertain political situation with neighbors who are not only unfriendly, but also full of hatred, and high levels of anxiety. In many workshops people expressed feelings of anxiety and fear on levels of 7-10 (10 being the most severe), after our interventions and tapping, we were able to bring those levels down to 2-3. Which is a great success, and evidence for people to continue using these modalities on their own. Some psychologists who participated shared “After your stretches, workshop, & soul-surfing, I felt so relaxed and I was able to sleep for the first time so soundly, as never before.” Expressions such as “Your method is incredibly healing, thank you for your time and passion,” exemplified their expressions.

Another participant from Artsakh wrote on Facebook, “I received such positive energy meeting you and working with you. The oils and Flower Essences you gave helped me tremendously. Since the war I have been getting anxiety attacks, and as soon as I felt the symptoms, I picked up your lavender oil and rubbed it as you directed, then sprayed the Flower Essence of Peace & Justice, and I slept so soundly for the first time. May God Bless you always.” We provided emotional healing through emotional managements, mindfulness, breathwork, also gifted essential oils of lavender & rosemary, and Flower Essences donated by Flower Essence Society, www.Fesflowers.com. Flower Essence Services

We had several presentations at the Yerevan State University, special gratitude to Robert Sukiasyan, as well as the American University of Armenia. Our topics ranged from Genocide Prevention, denial as the last stage of Genocide, stress awareness & management, & self-care using our signature 7-step Integrative Healing Model.

We nurtured our previous collaborators, and we forged new NGO’s and other volunteer organizations. Special gratitude to Anush Martirosyan (Co-Founder | Transparent Armenia Charitable Foundation) who provided contacts of the Artsakhian families and Anna Aslanian from Union Forte Volunteering Organization who connected us with three amazing volunteers.

Link to Bari Luys

Forum Focused on Helping At-Risk Children World-Wide

“How can psychologists best help the world’s millions of at-risk children today?”  This urgent question was the focus of a public forum on July 25, 2024, at Fordham University in New York City. 

The forum’s keynote speaker was clinical psychologist Dr. Niels Peter Rygaard from Denmark, who spoke about “A global intervention to educate mental health staff.” Rygaard won the 2020 APA International Humanitarian Award for his work with at-risk children in 36 nations. [See Note 1 below.] 

Rygaard described how his legendary career began in 2005 with his publication  of ”Severe attachment disorder: A guide to practical therapy.” He soon formed Fairstart Foundation as a new global association to develop global programs to train indigenous child-care workers in school, orphanages, and diverse institutions. From 2008-2013, Fairstart served 13 European nations. More recently, Fairstart has developed multilingual, online training modules, awarding a certificate to local workers who complete the training. Fairstart has now taught 800 graduates serving 700,000 at-risk children in 36 nations on 5 continents. The Fairstart website offers diverse resources. [2]

This forum was moderated by Dr. Harold Takooshian of the Psychology Coalition at the United Nations (PCUN). [3] It featured two discussants: Dr. Marciana L. Popescu of the UN NGO Committee on Migration, and Fordham Dean Elaine P. Congress. This forum ended with lively audience dialog about at-risk children, and a book-signing of Rygaard’s new book on “Children around the world,” with Julia Larock and Elaine P. Congress. [4]

This forum was arranged by Fordham University and PCUN, in cooperation with several professional groups: Psi Chi and SPSSI-NY. [5] For any details, contact takoosh@aol.com 

Notes:  1. APA Award: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epmju564FTU 

2. Fairstart: www.fairstartfoundation.com
3. PCUN: http://psychologycoalitionun.org
4. Books: www.infoagepub.com/series/International-Psychology

5. SPSSI-NY: www.spssi.org/ny

Psychology Day at the United Nations: Four Watch Parties on April 25, 2024

As hundreds of us psychologists and students around the globe joined the UN Psychology Day webinar, how many of us would like to gather with others in a local “watch party?”

On April 25, 2024, an estimated 818 people in 75 nations participated in the Psychology Day webinar. As an experiment in 2024, a handful of PCUN representatives kindly agreed to host a watch party in at least four cities. These were announced 8 weeks in advance: New York City, Rochester NY, Los Angeles, and Geneva, Switzerland.  

As it turns out, a handful of participants in these four cities enjoyed meeting each other, but the numbers were small, compared with 818 who participated online.  The 150-minute video is available at:  https://www.psychologydayun.com/ 

Rochester, NY

Reported by Katlyn Rice

Since 2019, the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) has hosted a watch party for UN Psychology Day for psychology faculty and trainees (doctoral interns and postdoctoral fellows) to drop in between appointments.  A total of 40 people came by in 2024, about 10 at any one time, including several psychology trainees, psychologist and URMC Chief Wellbeing Officer Dr. Craig Rooney, and psychologist and University President Dr. Sarah Mangelsdorf.

Los Angeles

Reported by Tara Pir

The Institute for Multicultural Counseling and Educational Services (IMCES), as an NGO with ECOSOC status, has been associated with the United Nations for decades. For years, IMCES sponsored “Psychology Day at the UN”. The “Watch Party” this year innovatively served the purpose by having local gatherings. Although the number was small, the goal was accomplished and hopefully with more participants next year. IMCES headquarters is located in the heart of Los Angeles on the 20th floor. Attendance included psychologists, postdoctoral residents, predoctoral interns, and staff from different departments. The presentation was impressive. The spirit of entrepreneurship to provide and promote SDGs was admirable!

Geneva, Switzerland

Reported by Kelly O’Donnell

We were a small but significant group who met in a state-of-the-art classroom at the Geneva Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies. Thirteen people confirmed and five came in person (two international psychologists, an intern focusing on staff wellbeing at a UN humanitarian agency, an anthropologist and maternal health advocate-tech innovator, and a coordinator for graduate student services). Four of us stayed afterwards for 45 minutes for a lively interaction about what we appreciated and learned as well as what we questioned or wanted more information about. 

New York City

Reported by Matthew Dos Santos

All New Yorkers were invited to Fordham University’s Manhattan campus. During 3 hours, 12 students and professionals from several institutions enjoyed networking over coffee and snacks. PCUN President David Livert addressed the webinar. PCUN book Editor Julia Larock displayed her new book on “Children around the world,” at a table displaying all 5 PCUN volumes. Editor Neha Srinivas welcomed us to submit reports from our NGO to her APA International Psychology Bulletin. Elaine Olaoye described the activities of her International Council of Psychologists.   

The 2024 APA Conference in Seattle was a vibrant event for intellectual exchange and professional development, particularly for students interested in international psychology. Division 52, the International Psychology Division, offered various opportunities specifically designed for students to engage, learn, and contribute to the field.

1. Student Poster Sessions

A highlight of student involvement during the convention was the poster sessions, where students showcased their research and projects. This provided a fantastic opportunity for students to present their work to a diverse audience, receive feedback, and gain recognition within the international psychology community. Participating in these sessions enhanced students’ presentation skills and contributed to their professional visibility. Division 52 once again held the student-first-authored poster contest that recognized posters that address global and cross-national topics, include multi-national datasets or collaborators, or use data collected in a country outside the U.S. and/or the researchers originate from countries other than the U.S.

2. Networking Opportunities

Networking played a crucial role in career development, and Division 52 facilitated multiple avenues for students to connect with established professionals and peers. Dedicated networking sessions and mixers allowed students to meet and interact with international psychologists, potential mentors, and fellow students. On the first day of the convention, the Division 52 Student Committee hosted a coffee social with Division 48 (Peace Psychology) to welcome students and help them connect with mentors in the division. On the second day, Division 52 hosted a student and ECP Mixer at Din Tai Fung. These gatherings were invaluable for building relationships, sharing research interests, and exploring collaborative opportunities.

3. Student Competitions and Awards

Division 52 was committed to recognizing and celebrating student excellence. Several awards and competitions were held to acknowledge outstanding student research and contributions. These awards offered a platform for students to gain recognition for their hard work and innovative ideas. We would like to recognize:

• Nokwanda Grava from Purdue University for winning the Jean Lau Chin Award for Graduate Student in International Leadership Contributions

• Khushboo Patel from University of Louisville for winning the Student International Research Award.

• Chongzheng Wei from UC Santa Barbara for winning the Anastasi Graduate Student Research Award

The 2024 APA Conference in Seattle, through Division 52, offered a wealth of opportunities for student involvement. Whether through workshops, networking, poster presentations, competitions, mentorship, or volunteering, students found numerous ways to engage with the international psychology community, enhance their professional skills, and make meaningful connections. It was an exciting time for students to immerse themselves in the field of international psychology and make a lasting impact.

Neha Srinivas, Division 52 Student Chair 2024
nehasrinivas16@gmail.com

Olivia Mounet, Division 52 Student Chair Elect
omounet@fielding.edu

Upcoming Webinars:

Webinar – Reproductive Justice: A Special Issue of International Perspectives in Psychology

International Perspectives in Psychology: Research, Practice and Consultation

Ines Meyer, School of Management Studies, University of Cape Town, South Africa

Mendiola (Joy)Teng-Calleja, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, Philippines

Current Issue:

Volume 13, Issue 3: 2024 https://econtent.hogrefe.com/toc/ipp/current

IPP Featured Articles

The International Perspectives in Psychology Journal is excited to share this month’s featured articles with all of you!

Predicting Professional Psychological Help-Seeking Intentions for Indians Through Envisioning Counseling and Psychotherapy as Western Cultural Healing Practices

by Bedi. R., Ahn J., Choubisa R., & Ruparel N.

Frank and Frank’s (1991) model posits that common factors shared by all healing methods are responsible for their therapeutic benefits and that cultural influences shape these factors. Based on discrepancies in mental health service use worldwide and cross-cultural differences in the conceptualization of mental distress and wellbeing, this study investigated Indians’ intentions to seek professional help from a frame of psychotherapy as a (Western) culturally-encapsulated healing method. Using a sample of 377 university students from India, the predictive ability of six cultural variables (Asian values, European American values, importance of one’s ethnic group to their identity, commitment to one’s ethnic group, westernization, and cultural mistrust), derived from Frank and Frank’s (1991) common factors model, was examined. The results suggest that leading a highly westernized lifestyle and adhering to European American cultural values are predictive of greater help-seeking intentions. Thus, rather than a cross-cultural dissemination of psychotherapy, an assessment of Indians’ westernization (as indicated by their lifestyle and cultural values) may help identify those who are more likely to seek and benefit from Western healing practices such as psychotherapy and those who may seek and find Indian traditional healing practices to be more culturally appropriate and effective.

The findings justify the examination of cultural variables, such as European American values and Western lifestyle, in predicting the professional psychological help-seeking intentions of Indians. This type of information helps identify which individuals are likely to use counseling or psychotherapy in times of distress and which would be more likely to use and perhaps benefit more from culturally Indigenous healing practices to maximally promote their well-being. The results help promote the 2016–2030 UN Sustainable Development Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

https://econtent.hogrefe.com/doi/10.1027/2157-3891/a000092

IGNITE Psi Chi Research Conference 2024

Join Psi Chi in New York City on November 21 to develop the critical skills needed to
conduct high-quality research and contribute to research projects of global scale like Psi
Chi’s NICE Crowd. Attendance is funded by the NSF! Register today. Questions? Contact us.
https://www.psichi.org/page/research#ignite

Ernst E. Boesch Prize 2025 – Call for Nominations

A Senior Pledge

Robert F. Morgan

Theme: Hold on I’m Coming Eric Clapton, B.B. King, David Porter & Isaac Hayes

The march of a thousand miles begins with a single step. And after that single step, we stop and rest. Maybe a snack and a nap.

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

Welcome to this edition of our Division 52 newsletter! This issue highlights the APA 2024 Convention in Seattle, held this past August.  It was a tremendous success as our Global Dialogues sessions provided invaluable opportunities for international collaboration, highlighting the importance of cultural exchange in addressing today’s global challenges. Kudos to our convention co-chairs Carlos Zalaquett and Theo Lazarus for the amazing work they did to ensure an international presence in our virtual programming. Looking ahead, we are already preparing for APA 2025 in Denver, Colorado.  We encourage you to begin preparing your abstracts for submission.

We’d also like to extend a special congratulations to this year’s APA awardees. Their outstanding contributions to international psychology inspire us all, and we encourage you to celebrate their achievements as you read through this issue.  As always, we are deeply grateful to all who contributed to this newsletter. Your work continues to push the boundaries of what we can achieve together in the field of international psychology.

With gratitude and joy,

Joyce, Neha, Antonio, and Gabriel

Please email questions, comments, or suggestions to ipbdiv52@gmail.com. The deadline for submissions for the January issue is Dec 15th, 2024.  The link to the submission guidelines can be found here.