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Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Ethnic-Racial Minority Former Foster Youth Who Identify As Queer, Cristian A. Lemus

Doctoral Dissertations

This qualitative study used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to explore the lived experiences and meaning making of former foster youth of color who identify as both ethnic-racial minorities and as either gender or sexual minorities. A total of three participants took part in this study. All participants identified as a former foster youth with at least one foster care placement in the United States, as an ethnic-racial minority, and as a gender or sexual minority. In the lived experiences of the participants three themes, and several subthemes, emerged: identity, cultural prejudice, and power dynamics. The findings supported the hypothesis former foster …

Early Diagnosis Methods For Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review, Megan Denise Mccarthy

Doctoral Dissertations

Objective: This systematic review aimed to comprehensively synthesize existing literature on early detection methods for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in children birth to 3 years, that lead to an effective and reliable early diagnosis in children 2 to 3 years of age.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted across multiple electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO following PRISMA guidelines. Studies reporting on early detection methods for ASD in infants and toddlers within ages 0 to 3 years that lead to early diagnosis of children ages 2 to 3 years were eligible for inclusion. Data extraction and quality assessment were …

Opioid Use And Borderline Personality Disorder Features: Implications For Postpartum Maternal Self-Efficacy, Andrea Gorrondona

Doctoral Dissertations

The current study sought to understand and explore the experiences of pregnant individuals who use opioids as previous research has mainly focused on identifying potential negative implications (Ryan, Marsh, Testa, & Louderman, 2006; Choi & Ryan, 2007; Grella, Needell, Shi, & Hser, 2009; de Bernabe et al., 2004). The initial sample included 178 total participants recruited from a high-risk pregnancy clinic during their pregnancy. Borderline features, approximation of borderline personality disorder (BPD) diagnosis (determined using a cutoff score of self-reported features, Kurt & Morey, 2001), opioid use status in pregnancy, and postpartum opioid use status were evaluated as potential predictors …

The Effects Of Acculturation, Marianismo, And Religiosity On Pregnancy Related Anxiety In Latina Women, Jennifer M. Zanoli

Doctoral Dissertations

There is a dearth of information about pregnancy related anxiety (PRA) in Latina women, yet a growing body of literature demonstrates adverse birth outcomes for mother and infant due to PRA. This study examined the association between acculturation, religiosity, marianismo, parity, and a Latina pregnant woman’s relationship with her healthcare provider with PRA in Latina women aged 18 and above. Acculturation was expected to be the more robust factor amongst the independent variables.

Participants in this study (n = 53) were Hispanic, Chicano, Latino or had a Latin or Spanish heritage, over the age of 18, pregnant at the …

Working With Other Immigrants Brings The Parts That I Lost Back To Me: The Experiences Of Latin American Immigrant Therapists Working With Latin American Immigrant Populations, Elizabeth P. Rivera

Doctoral Dissertations

Therapists who work with traumatized populations are vulnerable to experiencing trauma indirectly. This experience may be exacerbated for those who have experienced trauma themselves. As LatAm immigrant populations have often experienced trauma at the various migration phases, therapists who are LatAm immigrants and work with LatAm immigrant clients may also experience secondary traumatization as an inherent part of their work. While the research on secondary trauma spans decades, there is a dearth of literature on the experiences of LatAm immigrant therapists specifically. This qualitative dissertation study begins the conversation of what the lived experiences of LatAm immigrant therapists are via …

The Grindr Complex: The Behavioral Health Impact Of Sexual Racism On Latinx Men Who Have Sex With Men, Luisalfredo Plascencia

Doctoral Dissertations

Given the social history surrounding the issue of HIV/AIDS in the LGBTQ+ community and the unique and intersectional experiences that Latinx Men who have Sex Men (MSM) have in their community, this dissertation’s research will contribute to the growing work on sexual racism and how it correlates with various elements of behavioral health. The study investigated the moderation impact of Latinx cultural values of caballerismo and familismo on the relationship between experiences sexual racism to mental health symptoms. The study also examined the moderation of caballerismo and familismo and psychological flexibility on the relationship between experiences of sexual racism to …

The Role Of Trait Mindfulness, Perceived Stress, And Impulsivity In Understanding The Relationship Between Stress Mindset And Psychological Intimate Partner Aggression, Sarah Joyanna Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations

Perpetration of psychological intimate partner aggression is a pervasive health issue and has been estimated to occur in 60 to 90 percent of relationships. Effects of intimate partner violence on its victims has been demonstrated to have lasting physical and mental health issues. Psychological intimate partner aggression has been demonstrated to have particularly harmful effects, above and beyond those identified in physical intimate partner aggression. Psychological intimate partner aggression has been demonstrated to be impacted by impulsivity, stress-mindset, perceived stress, and mindfulness. The present study proposed to examine a path analysis model of the relation between stress-mindset and psychological intimate …

Evaluating Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Cptsd): Construct Validity And Correlates, Rebecca Mills Skadberg

Doctoral Dissertations

A new diagnosis present in the International Classification of Diseases-11 (ICD-11), complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), has proven controversial due to some findings which reveal symptom overlap with other disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD). This study sought to further examine construct validity of CPTSD in a community sample of trauma exposed adults, further evaluating the symptom profiles in comparison to PTSD, BPD, and also major depressive disorder (MDD) symptomology. Samples (n=805-1000, 54.5%-68.6% Female, 56.4%-61.5% White, aged 20-79) were drawn from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (NESARC-III) survey and evaluated …

Understanding Filipino Wellness: Investigating The Effects Of Colonial Mentality And Enculturation, Juliene Grace P. Fresnedi

Doctoral Dissertations

Filipino Americans are the third largest Asian American group within the United States and report significantly worse mental health when compared to other population groups. As a result of colonization by both Spain and the United States, Filipino culture has been perceived as a unique blend of cultural influences. Despite there being over 4.1 million Filipinos residing in the US there is a significant lack of research that directly investigates the well-being of this population and to what extent factors such as colonial mentality, enculturation, and generational status have an impact. The present study seeks to address this gap in …

The Association Between Psychotic Symptoms And Romantic Relationship Quality Among Young Adult Ethnic Minorites, Tashagaye T. Mckenzie

Doctoral Dissertations

This study aimed to examine the association between psychotic symptoms and the quality of romantic relationships amongst ethnic minority young adults. Approximately 10.4 million people, which represents 4.2% of the adult population in the U.S, are currently diagnosed with severe mental illnesses, including psychotic disorders. Prior research found that ethnic minorities, in general, have an increased risk of developing psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. People with SMI generally have issues being and maintaining romantic relationships. However, being in positive romantic relationships is associated with better physical and mental well-being. The final sample size for the study consisted of 411 young …