Survival guilt and the Afro-American of achievement.

Success is not without psychological pain for many individuals, and is known to be particularly burdensome for many Afro-Americans. Untoward responses get in the way of ongoing success and dilute their wishes/efforts to make meaningful contributions to others who are struggling to climb another rung in the "achievement ladder." Health professionals must remain alert to these problems, and work toward developing and providing effective intervention services-both for guilty achievers and for those who perceive that they have been left behind.