The Relationship between Racial Identity and Acculturative Stress among African American Students in Counselor Training Programs

In this study, we examined racial identity and acculturative stress among 116 African American counselor education graduate students in Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited programs. Results indicated that racial identity and acculturative stress remain viable variables to take into account with African American students in counselor education programs. The participants in this study showed significant acculturative stress in their graduate programs. Implications for counselor education training programs are discussed. Dr. Stewart is an assistant professor at Midwestern State University. She has been involved in counseling for over 12 years, in the areas of rehabilitation, mental health, school, and college. Delila Owens is an associate professor of School Counseling and Counselor Education. Her primary research interests include school counseling, multicultural counseling and urban education. John Queener is a Professor at The University of Akron. His research interests surround culturally specific interventions and resistance to Multiculturalism. Cynthia A. Reynolds is a Professor at The University of Akron. Her research interests include Filial therapy, gestalt therapy and school counseling.