Publications of the Public Interest Directorate

Report of the APA Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation
This task force conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed research on sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) and concluded that efforts to change sexual orientation are unlikely to be successful and involve some risk of harm.

Sexualization of Girls
This task force found that the proliferation of sexualized images of girls and young women in advertising, merchandising, and media is harmful to girls' self-image and healthy development.

Working Group Report on Child Maltreatment Prevention in Community Health Centers
This APA report recommends strategies for preventing maltreatment and promoting positive parenting practices.

Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest Annual Report
The committee conducted convention programming, conducted activities on the prevention of incarceration, and had task forces on diversity and multicultural guidelines.

Committee on Disability Issues in Psychology Annual Report
Priorities for 2009 included the development of disability competencies in training, recruitment and nomination of members with disabilities to other APA boards and committees, promotion of awareness and knowledge of disability issues with psychology training programs, and more.

Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs Annual Report (PDF, 236KB)
The APA Committee on Ethnic Minority Affairs (CEMA) convened two face-to-face meetings in 2010 (March 28-30 & September 24-26).

Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns Annual Report
CLGBTC presented a two-hour symposium at the 2010 APA convention in San Diego, CA, in celebration of the Committee’s 30th Anniversary.

Committee on Aging Annual Report (PDF, 43KB)
This committee held two meetings in 2010: March 19th–21st and September 24th–26th. CONA activities in 2010 addressed each goal in its Mission Statement.

Ad Hoc Committee on Psychology and AIDS Annual Report
In 2008, the committee performed a variety of consultative functions including policy and advocacy activities related to HIV/AIDS, the educational pipeline for ethnic minority researchers, collaboration with the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA), and also developed and implemented numerous projects on ethnic minority representation, international issues, and other projects.

Committee on Women in Psychology Annual Report (PDF, 37KB)
Committee members reviewed the CWP mission statement, strategic goals, laid out future initiatives/critical issues for women in psychology, and more.

Committee on Children, Youth, and Families Annual Report (PDF, 92KB)
The Committee consulted with a variety of APA boards, committees, task forces, directorates, and divisions through its liaison and monitored relationships to these groups, and placed items on the Spring and Fall 2010 cross-cutting agenda. These groups include the Board of Scientific Affairs; Board of Professional Affairs; Policy and Planning Board; Committee on Disability Issues in Psychology; and Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns.