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The Role And Effect Of Mindfulness In Intimate Relationships, Mazyar Karandish Dec 2019

The Role And Effect Of Mindfulness In Intimate Relationships, Mazyar Karandish

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Mindfulness practice, a present-centered approach to experience, has been shown to effectively enhance various dimensions of the human experience. Recent literature has explored how the practice of mindfulness meditation has provided benefits to practitioners seeking to enhance relationship dynamics. There are multiple examples of mindfulness-based relationship enhancement programs aiming to enhance the quality of intimate relationships in adults. This study utilizes a repeated-measures design to address whether a neutral mindfulness-based program, not geared at enhancing relationships, can significantly alter the quality of intimate relationships. The research will further examine the central mechanisms of action through which mindfulness can enhance relationships. …


Childhood Witnessing Of Domestic Violence And Its Impact On Character Development Across Time And Adulthood Relationships, Zena Ouzounian Dec 2019

Childhood Witnessing Of Domestic Violence And Its Impact On Character Development Across Time And Adulthood Relationships, Zena Ouzounian

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This phenomenological research study explored the experiences of five adult participants who reported witnessing domestic violence between their parents during childhood. Through the process of open-ended interviews, this work added further support to the existing understanding of the impact that childhood witnessing of parental violence can have on one’s adult behavior and relationships. Thus far, child witnesses to parental violence receive little attention, perhaps due to the lack of tangible evidence that they have been harmed. Existing studies in the field primarily make use of quantitative methods to examine negative outcomes of such experiences. This study identified similar themes among …


Diabetes Management For Low-Income Patients: Within-Case Analyses In Primary Care, Samuel Collier Jan 2019

Diabetes Management For Low-Income Patients: Within-Case Analyses In Primary Care, Samuel Collier

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The study evaluated the effectiveness of a diabetes management program in a co-located mental health and primary care setting in Nashua, New Hampshire. The patient-participants were primarily underserved, low-income, working-class or homeless patients from the surrounding region. A few participants were also older adults. Examination of the literature highlighted the growing diabetes epidemic at local, state, and national levels. A review of past clinical trials of diabetes programs indicated further investigation into diabetes self-management education programs that integrate medical and behavioral health components under the biopsychosocial model. Thus, for the present study, the Stanford Diabetes Self-Management Program (SDSMP; Lorig, Ritter, …


Alcohol Misuse Among Veterans: Implications For Better Treatment, Annie Taylor Jan 2019

Alcohol Misuse Among Veterans: Implications For Better Treatment, Annie Taylor

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Veterans are at an elevated risk of alcohol misuse compared to civilians due to a convergence of factors that create a highly concentrated risk of alcohol misuse among this population. Given this troubling finding and the lack of research in the realm of clinician competence related to alcohol misuse among veterans, this study attempted to fill the apparent gap in literature by way of understanding the perceptions of alcohol misuse in the veteran population and the approach to treatment by mental health providers in the Veterans’ Affairs (VA) system. In the current study, which utilized online survey methodology, VA mental …


Expectancies As A Predictor Of Prescription Stimulant Use Among Medical Students, Katherine Gorman Jan 2019

Expectancies As A Predictor Of Prescription Stimulant Use Among Medical Students, Katherine Gorman

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Research suggests that individuals’ expectations about a drug’s effects are predictive of various types of substance abuse, including nonmedical prescription stimulant use (Torrealday et al., 2008). Nonmedical prescription stimulant use, or NMPSU, refers to any use of prescription stimulants without a medical prescription, use of prescription stimulants for nonmedical purposes, or use that exceeds what is prescribed (Bavarian, Flay, Ketcham, &Smit, 2013). NMPSU is associated with a number of negative outcomes, including drug and alcohol abuse, risk-taking behavior, mental illness, physical health problems, and lower educational attainment (McCabe, Teter, Boyd, & Wechsler, 2005). While most previous research has focused on …


“We’Re Together”: An Exploration Of Interracial Couples’ Perceptions Of Support And Relational Therapy, Maxine Notice Jan 2019

“We’Re Together”: An Exploration Of Interracial Couples’ Perceptions Of Support And Relational Therapy, Maxine Notice

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Interracial couples in the United States experience disproportionate amounts of adversity throughout their relationships. Backlash for loving interracially results in denied access to supportive systems, which literature indicates occurs commonly between micro and macro systems. Using ecological systems and narrative theories, a mixed methodological study was conducted using the Fragile Families Child and Wellbeing study to explore participant’s use of relational therapy and perceptions of access support systems. Subsequently, sixty interracial couple members completed a survey expressing perceptions of relational therapy, and the influence of support systems on their usage. Results indicate interracial and same-race couples attend relational therapy at …


Striving For Credibility In The Face Of Ambiguity: A Grounded Theory Study Of Extreme Hardship Immigration Psychological Evaluations, Susan M. Burke Jan 2019

Striving For Credibility In The Face Of Ambiguity: A Grounded Theory Study Of Extreme Hardship Immigration Psychological Evaluations, Susan M. Burke

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Psychological evaluations are frequently used in extreme hardship immigration cases in the United States. These evaluations are complex; they are inherently ambiguous, and they require extensive training and specialized knowledge. General guidance for mental health professionals is available from professional organizations, the federal government, and articles in the legal and mental health literature. However, there is a lack of detailed guidance, best practices, training, and supervision so many evaluators learn on their own. Unfortunately, this has resulted in assessment processes and evaluation reports that vary widely in terms of professionalism and quality which negatively impacts the vulnerable families seeking these …


Mothering The Aggressive Child, Katja Ermann Jan 2019

Mothering The Aggressive Child, Katja Ermann

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This qualitative study explores the experience of mothers parenting significantly aggressive children, ages five to 10. Little has been known previously about how women experience this aggression or the social and psychological impacts it has on them. This dissertation highlights the women’s understandings to provide a solid basis for theoretical explication using a Constructivist Ground Theory approach. Significant findings include the invisibility and stigma the women feel and the ways in which the experience is similar and dissimilar to other forms of family violence, particularly adolescent-on-parent violence (APV). Differences were found in social stigma between women whose child has a …


Come Together: Inclusive Leadership And Public Relations Education, Heather Paige Preston Jan 2019

Come Together: Inclusive Leadership And Public Relations Education, Heather Paige Preston

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Multiple voices from educational and professional arenas have called for change in the way in which public relations undergraduates are prepared to navigate complex communication challenges in the 21st century. Some scholars have advanced leadership as a way to address this change, identifying the undergraduate public relations curriculum as the ideal place to introduce future practitioners to leadership as a way to better prepare them to initiate and participate in positive social change in complex contexts. However, scholars have neither made in-depth connections with leadership theory and practice, nor provided a framework for designing a curriculum for incorporating leadership into …


Growth After Developmental Trauma: A Co-Constructed Story, Naydine Johney Jan 2019

Growth After Developmental Trauma: A Co-Constructed Story, Naydine Johney

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

In this study, I explored post-traumatic growth as embedded in a co-constructed healing relationship between a trauma survivor and a “mentor” who has been instrumental to their recovery. It is widely known that people who are resilient in overcoming early adverse childhood experiences have had someone in their corner who believed in them. In a separate, but related body of literature, there are similarly well-documented benefits for those who have the chance to make a difference in a survivor’s life, including for example: relatives, educators, and therapists. To date, we still don’t know if survivors and their mentors hold the …


The Experience Of Relapse After Long-Term Sobriety And Subsequent Return To Sobriety, Bahram Edward Kaikhosrow Shahrokh Jan 2019

The Experience Of Relapse After Long-Term Sobriety And Subsequent Return To Sobriety, Bahram Edward Kaikhosrow Shahrokh

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

While psychiatric medications have been categorized as the same as substances of abuse in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), medications for common medical disorders were not affected by this disapproval of medication. It may be time for a new dialogue (Woody, 2015). According to Gjersing and Bretteville (2018), there has been a concerning increase in overdose deaths in the last decade. This includes a threefold increase in overdose deaths from prescription narcotics and six-fold increase in overdose deaths from heroin in the United States. When prescription opioid users find difficulty in obtaining pills, they may move on to heroin, which is much …


Psychologists' Use Of Dogs In Psychotherapy: A Therapeutic Exploration, Christine A. Treece Jan 2019

Psychologists' Use Of Dogs In Psychotherapy: A Therapeutic Exploration, Christine A. Treece

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The current fund of literature documents the many benefits of using dogs as adjunct healing agents for both physical and psychological ailments. Despite the ever-growing body of research about dogs as adjunct interventions, there is a meager amount of information available about clinician’s experience of bringing their dogs to work with them. This dissertation is an in-depth exploration of six psychologists licensed in the state of Washington who brought their dogs with them to work. Each participant’s interview was analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. From their interviews, nine primary themes were identified: Reason for the Acquisition of Dog, Nature of …


Emerging Adults’ Experiences Of Agency In Higher Education Decisions, Leah B. Benjamin Jan 2019

Emerging Adults’ Experiences Of Agency In Higher Education Decisions, Leah B. Benjamin

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Over the past several decades, there has been a cultural shift impacting the experience of individuals in their late-teens to mid-20s in the United States. These individuals undergo a time of “cultural limbo,” during which the lines between adolescence and adulthood are blurred. The term emerging adulthood describes this distinct developmental period, which fits within the context of Erikson’s preexisting stages of psychosocial development (Arnett, 2014). A challenge for emerging adults is coming to terms with some of their more adult-like responsibilities in life. This requires making complex decisions that will impact their lives for many years to come, such …


The Provision Of Psychological Assessment Feedback To Children: A Survey Of Practitioners, Caitlin P. Dolan Jan 2019

The Provision Of Psychological Assessment Feedback To Children: A Survey Of Practitioners, Caitlin P. Dolan

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Psychological assessment, long a cornerstone of psychological practice, has been the subject of substantial empirical research and clinical devotion. Far less attention, however, has been given to the process of assessment feedback—the task of communicating psychological test results to clients. Research has demonstrated the therapeutic value of providing clients with feedback, including improved insight and functioning. Providing assessment feedback is also mandated by professional standards. Still, to date, there is minimal published research examining the actual feedback practices of psychologists, or their perspectives on such practices. That which does exist focuses on adult testing clients, not children. It is largely …


Caregivers' Experience In Wraparound: A Qualitative Study, Mackenzie Soniak Jan 2019

Caregivers' Experience In Wraparound: A Qualitative Study, Mackenzie Soniak

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

A large number of youth in the United States suffer from a severe emotional disturbance (SED). Due to a number of factors (e.g., lack of access to services, siloed service providers), many of these children have unmet severe emotional and behavioral health needs. Wraparound has been identified as a care philosophy and intervention to meet the needs of these youth. Wraparound programs aim to provide individualized, comprehensive, community-based care for children and their families. Although this intervention is widely spread across the United States, research findings on the efficacy of the approach are mixed. Previous research aimed to identify and …


Graduate Student Competencies In Working With Lesbian, Gay, And Bisexual Youth, Rachael Roberts Jan 2019

Graduate Student Competencies In Working With Lesbian, Gay, And Bisexual Youth, Rachael Roberts

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The focus and purpose of this dissertation was to explore students’ who are enrolled in APA-accredited clinical psychology doctoral programs self-perceived competency levels for working with LGB youth. This research utilized the Sexual Orientation Counselor Competency Scale (SOCCS; Bidell, 2005) in conjunction with an experience and demographic questionnaire. A survey was sent to all APA-accredited clinical psychology doctoral programs and all responses were analyzed through correlational analysis. The primary research question dealt with the possibility of a relationship between access and utilization of doctoral program training (in class or otherwise), practicum experiences, and level of confidence that graduate students have …


Sexually Objectifying Microaggressions In Film: Using Entertainment For Clinical And Educational Purposes, Jackie M. Nelson Jan 2019

Sexually Objectifying Microaggressions In Film: Using Entertainment For Clinical And Educational Purposes, Jackie M. Nelson

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Our culture is steadily becoming more aware, and less tolerant, of sexual harassment and misconduct. This is particularly evident in the wake of the viral Me Too movement beginning in 2017 which highlighted the breadth of personal experiences of sexual harassment on various social media platforms. Often the focus of these experiences is on overt sexual harassment and assault, but less attention is paid to the buildup that can lead to these terrible events. What is more, is that often these events are attributed to character flaws of the perpetrator without taking covert social norms into perspective. This dissertation takes …


Aces Wild: Making Meaning Out Of Trauma Through Altruism Born Of Suffering, Jessica Gibson Jan 2019

Aces Wild: Making Meaning Out Of Trauma Through Altruism Born Of Suffering, Jessica Gibson

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Childhood exposure to early adverse experiences is prevalent—affecting almost one-half of children from birth to 17 years old—and brings with it the potential for the long-lasting detrimental effects of traumatization. At the same time, a growing body of compelling evidence also suggests that many survivors of trauma exhibit more resilience and prosocial behaviors than individuals who have never experienced a traumatic event. This phenomenon has been coined altruism born of suffering (ABS); it is a relatively new concept in trauma research that seeks to better understand the possible positive outcomes of trauma. Building further beyond the concepts of resilience and …


Involuntary "Whiteness": The Acculturation Of Black Doctoral Female Students In The Field Of Clinical Psychology, Carmela A. Maxell-Harrison Jan 2019

Involuntary "Whiteness": The Acculturation Of Black Doctoral Female Students In The Field Of Clinical Psychology, Carmela A. Maxell-Harrison

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This dissertation is based on qualitative research that documents the experiences of Black women matriculating through clinical psychology doctoral programs in predominantly white institutions (PWIs) and the perceived psychological effects of becoming a psychologist in a stigmatized field. Additionally, the historical and collective traumas that are continually experienced by this group and their coping mechanisms are explored and highlighted. More specifically, as existing research has revealed, Black women in doctoral programs in general experience a series of responses to racialized and gendered discriminatory practices leading them to withdraw from their programs or invoke coping mechanisms that may be counterintuitive to …


The Rorschach’S (R-Pas) Capacity To Predict Quality Of The Working Alliance, Jordan G. Stewart Jan 2019

The Rorschach’S (R-Pas) Capacity To Predict Quality Of The Working Alliance, Jordan G. Stewart

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The aim of this study was to explore the Rorschach’s ability to predict the working alliance by investigating associations between specific Rorschach Performance Assessment System (R-PAS) variables and the Goals, Tasks, and Bonds dimensions of the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI). Specific R-PAS variables were chosen based their theoretical relatedness to the three dimensions of the WAI. The linear multiple regression results trended toward significance within the Goals domain, with the Human Movement Proportion score (M/MC) significantly predicting individual’s initial WAI Goals scores, indicating that individuals who possibly have difficulty modulating their emotions and tend to be more reactive in their …


Women’S Lived Experiences Of Gender Microaggressions: Dental Hygienists’ Stories, Karin E. Hovey Jan 2019

Women’S Lived Experiences Of Gender Microaggressions: Dental Hygienists’ Stories, Karin E. Hovey

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This dissertation presents research involving women’s subjective experiences of gender microaggressions. The introduction includes a review of the literature on microaggressions: (a) the types of microaggressions, (b) the emotional and psychological cost to those who experience microaggressions, and (c) how gender microaggressions against women work to maintain oppression and sexual objectification of women in American society. This current research addresses the knowledge gap created by little research on women’s lived experiences of gender microaggressions they encounter in their everyday lives, particularly in the workplace. The population studied was dental hygienists. This population is unique because of the disproportionate number of …


Computer Multitasking In The Classroom: Training To Attend Or Wander?, Elizabeth A. Rogers Jan 2019

Computer Multitasking In The Classroom: Training To Attend Or Wander?, Elizabeth A. Rogers

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study aimed to examine the phenomenon of Psy.D. students’ multitasking on the computer while in the classroom. Using an online survey of 45 questions, the study invited Psy.D. students from across the US to answer questions pertaining to their non-class-related use of computers in the classroom, including an exploration of their relationship with computers and the internet, feelings and judgments regarding multitasking in the classroom, and opinions on the behavior and its potential impact on their profession. A total of 166 people visited the survey with 145 respondents who answered it to completion. Of the 145 participants, 86% (125) …


Sexual Dysfunction: Providers’ Willingness To Ask Lgbq Veterans About Their Sexual Functioning, Melanie A. Brayman Jan 2019

Sexual Dysfunction: Providers’ Willingness To Ask Lgbq Veterans About Their Sexual Functioning, Melanie A. Brayman

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The prevalence of sexual dysfunction (SD) in veterans is high when compared to the general population because of its relationship to physical and mental health issues endured while serving their country (Hosain, Latini, Kauth, Goltz, & Helmer, 2013). Research has mainly concentrated on male, heterosexual veterans with SD and very little research has explored lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) veterans’ experiences. This is concerning considering research indicates that LGBQ veterans’ sexual minority status adds unique stressors such as fear of disclosing identity, fear of stigma, and internalized homophobia in addition to the stresses that occur from being in the …


Parental Involvement And The Mental Health Of Adolescents With Chronic Pain, Amanda Mikedis Jan 2019

Parental Involvement And The Mental Health Of Adolescents With Chronic Pain, Amanda Mikedis

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The present research examined the relationship between parental involvement and the internalizing symptomatology of adolescents with chronic pain. Parents play a significant role in the pain experience and the mental health of adolescents with chronic pain, but research on parental involvement and symptoms of anxiety and depression in adolescents with chronic pain is scarce. The aim of this study was to examine the benefits of parental involvement for the mental health of adolescents with chronic pain. Archival data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) of 616 adolescents with chronic pain was used to address the research …


The Relationship Between Mindfulness And Leadership: How Mindfulness Practices Affect Leadership Practices, James Van Auken Jan 2019

The Relationship Between Mindfulness And Leadership: How Mindfulness Practices Affect Leadership Practices, James Van Auken

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The aim of this study was to explore and understand the relationship between mindfulness practices and actual leadership practices. This qualitative study utilized narrative inquiry with phenomenological interviewing techniques to explore selective leaders who use mindfulness practices, and see how they used mindfulness in their leadership practice. Sixteen in-depth interviews were conducted and thematic analysis was utilized. Eleven themes were identified with multiple sub- and sub-sub-themes, including: “Personal, Internal Mindfulness Practice,” “Being Mindful Toward Self,” “Being Present with Others,” “Being Present with a Group,” “Mindful Shift of Focus/Attention,” “Emotional Intelligence,” “Buffering of Reactivity,” “Resilience and Recovery,” “Alignment,” “Improved Job Performance,” …


Helping Animals, Helping Ourselves: Reciprocal Benefits Of Prosocial Behaviors Directed Toward Animals, Casey A. Culligan Jan 2019

Helping Animals, Helping Ourselves: Reciprocal Benefits Of Prosocial Behaviors Directed Toward Animals, Casey A. Culligan

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This is a dissertation project on the reciprocal benefits—to volunteers and animals—of volunteering at animal shelters, rescues, and sanctuaries. I have provided a brief literature review on the relationship between prosociality and helper/recipient wellbeing, highlighting the current scarcity of research on the human enactment of prosocial behavior with animal recipients of help. I then further supported the need for continued research in this regard by examining the emerging body of research on the suggested wellbeing-benefits of human–animal interaction. An ecopsychological framework was utilized to emphasize the potential therapeutic affects (to both humans and animals) of engaging in prosocial behaviors directed …


Servant Leadership Characteristics And Empathic Care: Developing A Culture Of Empathy In The Healthcare Setting, Mark Anthony Martin Jan 2019

Servant Leadership Characteristics And Empathic Care: Developing A Culture Of Empathy In The Healthcare Setting, Mark Anthony Martin

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this study was to assess the degree to which servant leadership characteristics are exhibited in medical group practices, and the degree to which servant leadership characteristics correlated with measures of empathic care. This study featured an explanatory mixed methods research design embedded in appreciative inquiry. A total of 189 mid-level practitioners consisting of nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and practice mangers responded to a 32-item scale survey that featured a six-point Likert scale to measure servant leadership items and a 10-point continuous scale to assess measures of empathic care. The servant leadership items were based on the seven …


The Trust Decoder™: An Examination Of An Individual's Developmental Readiness To Trust In The Workplace, Molly Breysse Cox Jan 2019

The Trust Decoder™: An Examination Of An Individual's Developmental Readiness To Trust In The Workplace, Molly Breysse Cox

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This research explores an individual's self-perception of their own ability, motivation, and propensity to trust others for the purpose of validating a new construct: developmental readiness to trust others in the workplace. This construct expands research on developmental readiness to change and to lead by building a scale to measure an individual's motivation and ability to trust others in the workplace. A previously validated scale developed by Frazier, Johnson, and Fainshmidt 2013 measuring propensity to trust was included the scale building process. All items measuring motivation to trust were newly developed for this study, items measuring trust ability were adapted …


Therapist Attachment And Meaning-Making In Adolescent Residential Treatment, Lisa J. Milone Jan 2019

Therapist Attachment And Meaning-Making In Adolescent Residential Treatment, Lisa J. Milone

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This qualitative study explores therapist views of the therapeutic relationship in adolescent residential treatment from an attachment perspective. The therapeutic relationship is a strong predictor of outcomes in adult psychotherapy and a significant body of research has relied on the attachment literature to understand its importance. Research yields comparable results when examining the significance of the therapeutic relationship with children and adolescents; however, there is virtually no literature exploring it from the attachment lens. This is particularly notable for children and adolescents in residential treatment. As treatment intensity increases from outpatient to inpatient to residential, challenges and opportunities within the …


Linguistic Issues In Culturally Sensitive Assessment: A Rorschach Case Study, Lauren M. Weisberg Jan 2019

Linguistic Issues In Culturally Sensitive Assessment: A Rorschach Case Study, Lauren M. Weisberg

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The Rorschach Inkblot Test (“Rorschach”) has historically been viewed as a culturally sensitive assessment instrument because it utilizes nonverbal stimulus cards (Meyer, Viglione, Mihura, Erard, & Erdberg, 2011). As a result, it has been considered a more appropriate assessment tool for bilingual and multilingual patients than assessments which rely heavily on verbal language. However, there are no evidence-based practice recommendations for Rorschach assessment of bi- and multilingual patients, despite the incredible linguistic diversity in the United States and the widespread use of the Rorschach. This dissertation includes a case study of a multilingual French–Israeli immigrant who was admitted to an …