Conference

Exploring Multiculturalism, Privilege, and Social Justice: Recommendations for Group Work with College Students

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Abstract

An integral and overlooked component in the identity development of college student populations—whether they are of majority or minority status—is the exploration of privilege and oppression. One way to facilitate such growth is through psychoeducational/psychotherapeutic groups with a specific focus on multiculturalism. Though the literature in the area of diversity and group work is still in its infancy, psychoeducational/psychotherapy groups for college students focusing on multiculturalism have the potential to (1) help students recognize the universality of experiences related to privilege and oppression; (2) develop empathy for diverse experiences, (3) engage in cathartic emotional reactions to social injustice and (4) build interpersonal, coping, and developmental skills to talk about and deal with social inequity. This presentation will offer approaches for working with privilege and oppression in time-limited groups with college students.