Nationally renowned psychologist whose work has been devoted to improving the health of women and people of color
This profile can be shared with students to enhance the visibility of psychologists of diverse backgrounds. As an additional activity, students can be asked to conduct research to learn more about the psychologist and their work. An alternative assignment could be to ask students to find other psychologists of diverse backgrounds whose work falls into this content pillar. Keywords highlight how psychological scientists study concepts within and across pillars.
Dr. Amaro is a Distinguished University Professor and Senior Scholar for Community Health at Florida International University. Her areas of specialization are developmental, social, and educational psychology. She has received numerous awards, including election to the National Academy of Medicine, a Lifetime Achievement Award from APA’s General Psychology Division, a Scientific Publication Award from the National Association of Women in Psychology, and a Kellogg Fellowship Award for Leadership Development for Minority Women in Mental Health. Dr. Amaro is a Cuban American and founding member of the National Latino Psychological Association.
Although Dr. Amaro’s early research focused on the development of language among children who had recently immigrated to the United States, most of her career has been devoted to improving the health of women and people of color. She has assisted in developing treatment and prevention programs focused on substance abuse, mental health, and HIV/AIDS.
Amaro, H. (1995). Love, sex, and power: Considering women's realities in HIV prevention. American Psychologist, 50(6), 437-447. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.50.6.437opens in new window
Amaro, H. (1999). An expensive policy: The impact of inadequate funding for substance abuse treatment. American Journal of Public Health, 89(5), 657-659. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.89.5.657opens in new window
Amaro, H., Dai, J., Arevalo, S., Acevedo, A., Matsumoto, A., & Nieves, R. (2007). Effects of integrated trauma treatment on outcomes in a racially/ethnically diverse sample of women in urban community-based substance abuse treatment. Journal of Urban Health, 84(4), 508-522. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-007-9160-zopens in new window
Race, Substance Use, Mental Health, Development
The development of resources to broaden diversity and representation in the teaching of high school psychology resources is an APA Committee of Teachers of Psychology in Secondary Schools initiative supported by funding from the American Psychological Foundation David and Carol Myers Fund. This resource was developed by Eric Castro, Shawn C.T. Jones, PhD, Allyn Olsen, and Catherine Sanderson, PhD.