Meet the New Members of CSES

OSES is pleased to welcome the newest members of CSES: Hector Gonzalez. PhD, Assistant Professor at Wayne State University; and Faye Reimers, Ph.D.

Hector González, PhD (2010-2012)
Dr. González is an Assistant Professor at Wayne State University. Dr. Gonzalez received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University in 1998. He has dedicated his career to improving the health and aging of older ethnic and racial minorities in the United States with a particular focus on African Americans and Mexicans. Dr. Gonzalez’s current research focuses on epidemiology of late-life depression and ethnicity. The purpose of this research is to estimate the distribution of late-life depression and characterize depression subtypes among ethnic/racial groups in the United States. His other research also focuses on urban African American aging. Additionally, much of Dr. Gonzalez’s scholarly activities have been dedicated to understanding collective inequalities. His work has appeared in Neuropsychology, Journal of the American Geriatric Society, Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, and Journal of the American Geriatric Society, among others.

Faye Reimers, PhD(2010-2012)
Dr. Reimers received her PhD in Counseling Psychology from the Texas Women’s University in 2006. Her work focuses on indigent probationers in need of psychological treatment through the Comprehensive Assessment and Treatment Services (CATS) department. On the research side, Dr. Reimers’ dissertation was focused on the exploration of the mental health and other needs of the most disenfranchised people in our society. Supporting the need to routinely include social class, race, and gender into psychological research, she conducted a content analysis, which explored how often and in what ways these three variables were included in articles in the last 10 years (1996-2006) in the top two journals of Counseling Psychology. A recent proposal to develop a manuscript from her dissertation has been accepted by The Counseling Psychologist as part of a potential Major Contribution to that journal. In addition, Dr. Reimers was a member of the APA’s 2006 Task Force for Resources for Inclusion of Social Class in Psychology.

They join the current committee members Rashmita Mistry, PhD (Chair); Matt Diemer, PhD; Irene Lopez, PhD; and Martha Wadsworth, PhD for a term extending from January 2010 until December 2012.

The Committee identifies and acts as a catalyst in the Association’s efforts to address issues of SES and promote appropriate attention to SES in psychological research and practice. In this regard, the Committee shall: (a) collect information and documentation concerning SES; (b) promote scientific understanding of the roles of poverty and SES in health, education, and human welfare; (c) develop approaches to the application of psychology that take into account the effects of SES on psychological development and well being; and (d) advocate for social policy that will alleviate or reduce the disparities between SES groups. 

CSES Leadership Awards

Each year during the APA Convention, the Committee on Socioeconomic Status (CSES) will recognize the outstanding achievements of emerging and distinguished psychologists and friends of psychology who have made significant contributions to the understanding of socioeconomic status and the lives and wellbeing of low-income groups. This year marks the third presentation of the CSES Leadership Awards. The CSES Awards Presentation will be held during the Annual SES Network Meeting on Friday, August 13 from 3:00– 4:00 p.m. The following recipients of the 2010 CSES Leadership Awards will be recognized: Nancy Adler, PhD (Distinguished); Edith Chen, PhD (Emerging); and The Center for Social Advocacy (Organizational).

Call for Nominations to Serve on CSES Beginning in 2011

CSES is pleased to invite nominations for membership on the Committee to serve three year terms beginning in January 2011. CSES anticipates two vacancies in 2011. Nominations are accepted from individuals, APA Committees, Boards, and Divisions, as well as self-nominations.

Nominees are being sought who have expertise in psychological issues related to social class and SES inequalities; have conducted research that aided in the scientific understanding of the roles of SES/social class in psychology; and have developed approaches to the application of psychology taking into account the effects of SES on psychological development and well-being. The Committee is particularly interested in nominees with expertise and experience related to public policy, disparities in education, and social class/classism. CSES has a strong commitment to full diversity in representation (e.g., ethnicity, culture, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, geographic location, early career, retired, and those who are employed less than full time). Each nomination packet must include the following information: 1) A letter from the nominee indicating willingness to serve on CSES; 2) Brief description of the nominee’s qualification; and 3) Current CV.

Deadline: Friday, August 27, 2010. For an electronic copy of the call for nomination, visit the website or e-mail.

SES Intersecting Fact Sheets

SES Intersecting Fact Sheets are on the intersections of SES and areas of special interest for behavioral and social scientists, and are designed to highlight the relevance of SES in multiple topic areas for professionals who may not fully consider the significance of SES in their work. The fact sheets focus on defining the relationships between SES and education, employment, health, and general well-being for individuals and families, and also offer opportunities for involvement towards eliminating SES and social class disparities. The eleven fact sheets include:

• Age and Socioeconomic Status
• Children, Youth, and Families and Socioeconomic Status
• Disability and Socioeconomic Status
• Education and Socioeconomic Status
• End of Life and Socioeconomic Status
• Ethnic and Racial Minorities and Socioeconomic Status
• HIV/AIDS and Socioeconomic Status
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Persons and Socioeconomic Status
• Violence and Socioeconomic Status
• Women and Socioeconomic Status
• Work Stress and Health and Socioeconomic Status

The fact sheets are available online.

Task Force on Psychology’s Contribution to End Homelessness

Each year between two to three million people in the United States experience an episode of homelessness. Psychologists--clinicians, researchers, educators and advocates--must expand their efforts to end homelessness.

The 2009 Presidential Task Force on Psychology’s Contribution to End Homelessness was commissioned by James Bray, PhD, during his tenure as APA's president. The Task Force's mission was to identify and address the psychosocial factors and conditions associated with homelessness and define the role of psychologists in ending homelessness.

The Task Force produced a report summarizing the current literature to support recommendations to advance research, training, practice, and policy efforts on homelessness. The report was received by the Council of Representatives in February 2010 and is available at online.

Additionally, the Task Force has proposed revisions to the 1990 resolution citing more current research to aid the APA Government Relations Office in influencing relevant legislation and government funding and programming.

Join the SES Network and Listserv!

The SES Network and Liststerv is growing! The SES Network & Listserv provides a platform to share information and ideas; raise questions; and identify critical problems and issues related to socioeconomic status with over 154 representatives of various divisions, state associations, committee members, APA staff and other groups.

To join, sign up online.