This collection of essays considers the role of spirituality and religion in the lives of American women from various ethnic backgrounds, showing how faith empowers those in populations often marginalized in the United States. Religion and spirituality are sources of strength and resilience for many women, particularly ethnically diverse women. This thought-provoking text examines this psychological trend, exploring the specific ways in which women from diverse backgrounds have benefited from their faith traditions, the various spiritual pathways they have chosen, and the impact of those choices on their lives. Essays in this informative compilation show how women from African American, Latina, American Indian, Asian American, and Caucasian backgrounds recover from difficulties and traumas with the help of their faith. Contributors consider why women are more likely to endorse religious engagement than men; why ethnically marginalized women tap into spirituality for comfort more than any other population; and why many believers embrace religion as a coping mechanism throughout their lives-from adolescence to older adulthood. The work suggests ways for counselors, leaders, and religious figures to utilize this knowledge to bolster the well-being of those they serve. Compares commonalities and differences across cultures Features many different religions including folk practices, Buddhism, Christianity, Sikhism, and Santeria Offers a multi-disciplinary perspective through coverage of cultural studies, psychology, and women's issues Includes personal vignettes to demonstrate the power of faith and religion

A number of factors converged to prompt this volume at this particular time. For several years, supervisors in predoctoral and internship programs have noted the need for a compendium of selected articles to illustrate the range of research and practice of pediatric psychology. Although the field is still relatively young, the many new pediatric psychologists in recent years might benefit from a perspective on the history and development of the psychological concepts, the organizational home in the Society of Pediatric Psychology (Section V of the Division of Clinical Psychology of the Ameri can Psychological Association), and its publication archive, Journalof Pe diatric Psychology. Such "classics" help capture the richness and excitement that portrays the field. Noting the continuing need for resources to serve the specialty, the Ex ecutive Committee of the Society of Pediatric Psychologyauthorized the spon sorship of publication of the HandbookofPediatric Psychology (Routh, 1988) as a synthesis of the field by expert chapter authors. The Society then ap pointed a committee led by C. Eugene Walker and Annette M. La Greca to develop a series of biennial volumes entitled Advancesin Pediatric Psychology. A number of discussions among the editorial board of the Journal and with Plenum Publishing Corporation, the Journal's publisher, recognized the value of articles carefully selected to exemplify how pediatric psychology is done."