Handbook of Girls' and Women's Psychological Health

Book excerpt: "The Handbook of Girls' and Women's Psychological Health presents a contemporary view of psychological health for girls and women that integrates psychology, physiology, society, and culture. A range of 50 chapters integrates current research, scholarship, and practice on the risks and protective factors that influence women's health and well-being across the life span. Within and biopsychosocial framework, the Handbook explores mind and body, risks and resilience, research and interventions, cultural diversity, and public policy." "This Handbook underscores the importance of gender in the lives of girls and women developmentally across significant phases of the life span. Considering the importance of cultural context, this book illustrates how gender socialization in female development and behavior affects self-evaluation, identity processes, and the social roles that girls and women adopt. Its chapters illustrate how externally induced risks such as poverty, discrimination, and violence present challenges to healthy development. Significantly, the chapters also draw attention to long overlooked and compelling strengths and capacities that provide a firm basis for growth and health."--BOOK JACKET.