Interventions Supporting Positive Psychosocial Functioning of Black Adolescent Girls: A Narrative Review

Abstract

ABSTRACT The disparate experiences of Black adolescent girls across academic and behavioral domains when compared to their same-gender peers call for further examination and discussion to aid in tailoring support efforts. This narrative review aims to identify processes that contribute to the psychosocial functioning of Black girls, an understudied area of research. By employing an intersectional framework grounded in Black feminist ideology, this article explores the racial identity and socialization of Black girls, their academic and behavioral experiences within school and beyond, how the strong Black woman schema can conceal the needs of Black girls, and the impact of racial stress. Identified themes of support for Black girls include gender-specific programming that focuses on positive racial identity development, messages regarding positive racial views as part of racial socialization, psychoeducation on the impact of racial trauma as well as lessons on power, privilege, and oppression to aid in self-understanding and cultivate critical consciousness.