Programs & Projects

• Women in Academe: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
  This task force report explores the characteristics, roles and status of women psychologists working in academic settings and documents the continued need for improvement in women's standing in academic institutions. (2000).

• Surviving and Thriving in Academia: A Guide for Women and Ethnic Minorities
  This guide discusses critical incidents and decisions that may confront women and ethnic minorities as they enter and progress through the academic pipeline. (1998).

• Toward an Inclusive Psychology: Infusing the Introductory Psychology Textbook With Diversity Content (PDF, 2.09 MB)
  This report by the Commission on Ethnic Minority Recruitment, Retention, and Training in Psychology Task Force/Textbook Initiative Work Group Provides suggestions and examples for publishers, authors, and instructors in order to help them advance psychology as an inclusive science. (2003).

• Postpartum Depression Brochure
  It's common for women to experience the "baby blues" -- feeling stressed, sad, anxious, lonely, tired, or weepy -- following their baby's birth. Whether your symptoms are mild or sever, recovery is possible with proper treatment.

• Postpartum Depression Fact Sheet
  Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a serious mental health problem characterized by a prolonged period of emotional disturbance, occurring at a time of major life change and increased responsibilities in the care of a newborn infant. PPD can have significant consequences for both the new mother and family.

• Briefing Sheet on Women and Depression
  Information on risk factors for depression in women and what is needed to better understand and treat women with depression.

• Summit on Women and Depression: Proceedings and Recommendations (PDF, 420 KB)
  This report outlines the proceedings and recommendations resulting from the 2000 Summit, which brought together more than 35 internationally renowned experts from a variety of disciplines to provide a state-of-the-art review of research findings on women and depression. (2000)

• Published Manuscripts from the Summit on Women and Depression
  Manuscripts written by Summit participants specifically for the Summit on Women and Depression and published in various journals across disciplines.

• Report of the Task Force on the Changing Gender Composition of Psychology
  This report assesses the significance and implications of the increase in the number of women entering the discipline of psychology. (1995). For more information, contact the Women's Programs Office.

• Women in the American Psychological Association (PDF, 23.7 MB)
  This report provides data on the numbers of women participating as members and serving in leadership roles in psychology, including in divisions; in state associations; on the boards and committees that make up APA's governance structure; in the publications process as editors, associate editors, and reviewers; and in APA's central office. (2006).

• Briefing Paper: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Among Women on Welfare
  This briefing paper provides a summary of recent research on the powerful and negative impact of mental health problems, such as depression, and on the high prevalence of mental health problems among poor women.

• Making 'Welfare to Work' Really Work
  This report looks at the real causes of poverty among women and what the scientific research tells us about issues such as domestic violence, education and training, the structure of work and workplace benefits, child care, and physical and mental health care. (1998).

• Responses to Workplace Violence Post 9/11: What Can Organizations Do?
  Learn what actions employers can undertake to help minimize the psychological impact of terrorist violence.

• Resolution On Male Violence Against Women
  Violence against women is a major cause of reduced quality of life, distress, injury and death for women and has serious secondary effects for families, communities, and the economy.

• Report of the Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls
  This report explores the cognitive and emotional consequences, consequences for mental and physical health, and impact on development of a healthy sexual self-image. (2007).

• Executive Summary

• What Parents Can Do

• Empowering Girls: Media Literacy Resources

The Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology: Year Two commenced in earnest on August 4, 2009 with a day-long workshop held in Toronto, Canada just prior to the APA Convention. The goal of this leadership program is to prepare, support, and empower women psychologists as leaders to promote positive changes in institutional and organizational life and increase the diversity, number, and effectiveness of women psychologists as leaders. 

One of the primary priorities of the Institute is to ensure that leadership training opportunities are available for mid-career and senior women psychologists in all of their diversities, including race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, and disability.