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2012

Theses/Dissertations

College students

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Articles 1 - 30 of 31

Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Life In College : An Exploratory Study Examining Undergraduate Students' Experiences With Indirect Aggression, Mary M. Mclaughlin Dec 2012

Life In College : An Exploratory Study Examining Undergraduate Students' Experiences With Indirect Aggression, Mary M. Mclaughlin

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The aim of this project was to examine college students' perceptions about a destructive, covert form of bullying known as "indirect aggression." Indirect aggression is a type of social manipulation in which the aggressor manipulates others to attack the victim. This study also collected information about the "reality TV" viewing habits of the sample during high school. The goal was threefold: to pilot a methodology for examining perceptions of indirect aggression in the college student population, to expand our understanding of this covert form of bullying in young adults, and to examine the relationship of reality TV exposure to indirect …

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The Natural Hair Transformation : A Journey Of Resilience And Resistance, Melissa H. Cranston-Bates Dec 2012

The Natural Hair Transformation : A Journey Of Resilience And Resistance, Melissa H. Cranston-Bates

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The study sought to explore the self-identity motives, challenges, and rewards of the natural hair transformation experienced by Black women college students. Women in this study made the decision to stop the use of chemicals that alter the natural state of their hair. The study found that while many participants faced resistance and negative reactions from their families and individuals in their social circles, most described the natural hair transformation as one that was ultimately empowering across several categories of identity. At the same time, participants described immediate and lasting injuries, both physical and psychological, resulting from the use of …

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Breaking The Silence : Uncovering The Gendered Communication Patterns Before, During, And After Instances Of Sexual Assault At Nescac Colleges, Carolyn A. Curtis Dec 2012

Breaking The Silence : Uncovering The Gendered Communication Patterns Before, During, And After Instances Of Sexual Assault At Nescac Colleges, Carolyn A. Curtis

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Sexual assault is a pervasive problem that many college women face. This study explores the gendered communication patterns employed by men and women prior to, during, and after instances of heterosexual sexual assault on New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) college campuses. It was hypothesized that gender plays a role in instances of sexual assault in that norms of masculinity and femininity influence the communication employed by men and women, with women's voices being silenced, muted, and ignored and men's voices being assertive and dominant. Nine mental health and sexual assault professionals, from eight different colleges, were interviewed to …

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Native American Students' Experiences Of Cultural Differences In College: Influence And Impact, Leslie Elizabeth Clark Dec 2012

Native American Students' Experiences Of Cultural Differences In College: Influence And Impact, Leslie Elizabeth Clark

Theses and Dissertations

The culture of most colleges and universities is very different for Native American students with close ties to their traditional communities. "Traditional," in a Native American sense, means multiple interconnections of emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual identity that combine to define expectations for the Native American way. This traditional cultural perspective is often in conflict with college cultures where typically only the academic or social aspects of identity are addressed. Research on college students of several ethnicities has found that the experience of post-secondary education can change individuals' attitudes, values, and behaviors. However, none of these studies focused on the …

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Efficacy Of An Expectancy Challenge To Reduce Non-Prescribed Use Of Stimulant Medications Among College Students, Allison Kathryn Labbe Dec 2012

Efficacy Of An Expectancy Challenge To Reduce Non-Prescribed Use Of Stimulant Medications Among College Students, Allison Kathryn Labbe

Psychology - Dissertations

Non-prescribed use of stimulant medications among college students, such as Ritalin®, and Adderall®, has become a public health concern. Expectancies, which are beliefs that individuals hold regarding the consequences of engaging in a particular behavior, are known to play a prominent role in the initiation and maintenance of alcohol and drug use. This study had two aims: (1) to determine if an expectancy challenge could reduce participants' academic performance expectancies related to non-prescribed use of stimulant mediations, and (2) to determine if change in expectancies mediates consumption of the drug. Seventy-eight undergraduate students were randomized to either the expectancy challenge …

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Relationships Among Acculturation, Self-Positivity Bias, Stigma, And Condom Use In A Sample Of Urban College Students, Molly Neff Oct 2012

Relationships Among Acculturation, Self-Positivity Bias, Stigma, And Condom Use In A Sample Of Urban College Students, Molly Neff

Theses and Dissertations

Despite an increase in interventions targeted at lowering the rate of HIV/AIDS among college students, the rate of HIV/AIDS infections has not decreased. The purpose of this study was to identify factors (i.e., HIV-sexual knowledge, self-positivity bias, peer norms, acculturation, perceived risk of HIV, HIV-related stigma, and condom use) that may affect condom use among college students who live in an area where the prevalence of HIV is relatively high. The current study utilized a sexually active sample (N=397) of diverse college students (predominantly African American and White) in an urban setting to examine the relationships. Path analysis was used …

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Screening And Brief Intervention For Hazardous Alcohol Use: A Pilot Study In A College Counseling Center, Danielle Terry Lynnette Aug 2012

Screening And Brief Intervention For Hazardous Alcohol Use: A Pilot Study In A College Counseling Center, Danielle Terry Lynnette

Psychology - Dissertations

In the United States, college drinking has been identified as a public health concern. The pervasive and detrimental use of alcohol on college campuses inspired calls for wider implementation of empirically supported interventions in college settings. Despite strong evidence of the efficacy of brief interventions, no studies have examined the efficacy and feasibility of integrating a screening and brief intervention (SBI) into college mental health services. The aims of the following study were to (a) to determine the feasibility and acceptability of implementation and, (b) to examine the short-term impact of SBI on alcohol use, treatment utilization, client satisfaction, and …

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Exploring Genealogical Roots And Family History And Their Influence On College Student Development: A Qualitative Study, Matthew L. Reiser Jul 2012

Exploring Genealogical Roots And Family History And Their Influence On College Student Development: A Qualitative Study, Matthew L. Reiser

Theses and Dissertations

Family genealogy research has grown exponentially over the past decade, making it an area worthy of scholarly inquiry (Smith, 2010). Genealogy is now one of the world's most popular hobbies, with hundreds of millions of people worldwide actively engaged in some form of family research (Veale, 2004). In the United States, there has recently been a significant increase in the interest of searching out one's genealogical roots (Triseliotis, 1998). For most young people, the years from late teens to early twenties represent a period of profound change (Arnett, 2000). Many young adults search for and solidify their identity during the …

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Caffeinated Alcohol Use And Anxiety Symptoms Among College Students, Ashley N. Linden Jul 2012

Caffeinated Alcohol Use And Anxiety Symptoms Among College Students, Ashley N. Linden

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Recently, the combination of alcohol and caffeine (i.e., caffeinated alcohol) has been growing in popularity among college students. Consumption of caffeinated alcohol has been shown to result in negative consequences (e.g., required medical attention, engaged in driving and sexual risk behaviors). It may be important to investigate the potential risk this may have on students with mental health issues, such as those with anxiety symptoms, as they may already be at heightened risk for substance-related problems. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between anxiety and caffeinated alcohol use in a college student sample. The aims …

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Motivations And Constraints Of Cal Poly Rpta Students To Participate In International Group Travel, Selena Ramirez Jun 2012

Motivations And Constraints Of Cal Poly Rpta Students To Participate In International Group Travel, Selena Ramirez

Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration

The number of student travelers is increasing around the world. The purpose of this study was to determine the motivations and constraints of California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), San Luis Obispo Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration (RPTA) students to participate in international group travel. Data were collected through an online questionnaire. Thirty-two females and five males participated in the study. Previous literature suggests that motivation can be understood through internal factors that push travelers from within and pull factors of the destination that attracts travelers. According to the findings of the study, students are mostly motivated to travel in …

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The Role Of The Bystander Effect On Domestic Violence Within College Relationships, Caitlin Gallagher Jun 2012

The Role Of The Bystander Effect On Domestic Violence Within College Relationships, Caitlin Gallagher

Honors Theses

This current study evaluates what factors contribute to bystander intervention when dealing with sexual assault and abuse on college campuses. Bystander intervention is a concept that is still in its infancy, concerning research and development. Through unsuccessful trials of spreading rape awareness on college campuses by focusing on the victims, the focus has shifted to educating the bystander, or college students as a whole. Factors that appear to be a major influence are drinking and going out more than twice a week. When alcohol is put in the mix, decision-making is impaired; therefore consent cannot be given. The collected data …

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Disconnected: College Freshmen Experience Communication Without Technology, Lacey Myers May 2012

Disconnected: College Freshmen Experience Communication Without Technology, Lacey Myers

Honors Theses

We are in a technological revolution, where “Generation Next” is surviving and thriving in a digital world. New and improved methods of communication through technology have altered the way we live and communicate. Today’s young adults, who have grown up with personal computers, cell phones and the internet, are living in a whirlwind of innovation and advancement “and are now taking their place in a world where the only constant is rapid change” (Pew Research Center, 2007). They cannot remember or imagine a world without such advanced technology. Modes of digital communication such as the cell phone, internet, and social …

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A Multi-Component Intervention To Reduce Alcohol Consumption In College Freshmen, Kimberley L. Jelinek May 2012

A Multi-Component Intervention To Reduce Alcohol Consumption In College Freshmen, Kimberley L. Jelinek

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Alcohol consumption is a health concern on all college campuses in the United States. College students’ alcohol consumption is a highly prevalent behavior, with 44% reporting that they are consuming alcohol at the binge level or greater (Wechsler & Nelson, 2008). The purpose of this evidence-based practice (EBP) project was to answer the clinical question: In college freshmen, how does a multi-component intervention influence alcohol consumption over a four-month period? The Transtheoretical Model of Behavioral Change (TTM) and Diffusion of Innovations (DoI) were used to guide the project. Evidence demonstrates that implementing brief intervention, promoting substance-free events, and increasing campus …

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Information, Organization, And Target Perceptions Of Student Services For Community College Students, Benjamin Andrew Martin May 2012

Information, Organization, And Target Perceptions Of Student Services For Community College Students, Benjamin Andrew Martin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study addresses several research questions. First, it explores methods for organizing information regarding health services so as to keep information accessibility at an optimal level. Second, this project identifies student perceptions concerning accessibility and organization of information about student services. This study also assesses students' awareness of the available services. The study combined qualitative and quantitative methodology, involving two distinct stages of data collection. Results suggest age is largely unrelated to a belief schools should provide student services but positively correlated with the knowledge of the location of student services. Nearly all student services were positively correlated with the …

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Measuring Employability Among College Students: A Validity Study, Megan Rodgers May 2012

Measuring Employability Among College Students: A Validity Study, Megan Rodgers

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The practice of assessment in higher education is often focused on measuring outcomes of student success. However, the potential for a student to obtain a job (i.e., their employability) after graduation is often not directly measured. This reality is unfortunate given the competitive job market and rising cost of an education. One scale, the Employability Skills Inventory (ESI) has been identified as a potential assessment instrument that purports to measure skills necessary for employment in most occupations. Before deciding to use any scale for a particular purpose, one must establish that the scale is both reliable and valid. The focus …

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Evaluating Complementary And Alternative Medicine (Cam) Utilization In A College Sample: A Multisite Application Of The Sociobehavioral Model Of Healthcare Utilization, Kimberly M. Pratt May 2012

Evaluating Complementary And Alternative Medicine (Cam) Utilization In A College Sample: A Multisite Application Of The Sociobehavioral Model Of Healthcare Utilization, Kimberly M. Pratt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among U.S. college students and the general public is substantial and growing; however, research on the characteristics of college students who use CAM and the factors that influence their decision to use CAM is scarce. Even fewer studies have explored such factors within the framework of an empirically supported theory. The college years are seen as an important time for developing long-lasting health behaviors and in many ways college students play an important role in setting the foundation for future healthcare. Thus, it is important for healthcare practitioners to have a clear …

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Factores Involved In College Students' Use Of Counseling Services, Terri Flansburg Apr 2012

Factores Involved In College Students' Use Of Counseling Services, Terri Flansburg

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to identify key factors associated with students’ use of college counseling services. Six common factors were seen throughout the available related research: stigma, gender, culture, experience & knowledge, fear and accessibility. In order to ascertain if and to what extent these factors influence college students’ decision to seek counseling, students at an urban Catholic university were invited to take part in an anonymous online survey through their school-sponsored daily e-news. The survey included questions related to the six factors drawn from the literature, and was completed using Qualtrics, an online survey tool. There were …

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The Effects Of Personalized Boosters For A Computerized Intervention Targeting College Student Drinking, Abby L. Braitman Apr 2012

The Effects Of Personalized Boosters For A Computerized Intervention Targeting College Student Drinking, Abby L. Braitman

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Heavy episodic alcohol use within the college student population is both widespread and problematic (Benton et al., 2004; Core Institute, 2006; Hingson, Zha, & Weitzman, 2009; O'Malley & Johnston, 2002; Perkins, 2002; Singleton, 2007). More than 40% of college students report at least one symptom of alcohol abuse or dependence (Knight et al., 2002). Computerized interventions are widely used because of their advantages over in-person interventions. They are more cost-effective and can quickly deliver tailored individual feedback to more students. Computerized interventions can be administered to large groups of students (e.g., incoming students, athletes, fraternities/sororities). However, a (2007) meta-analysis by …

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The Impact Of Service-Learning On College Students' Civic Development And Sense Of Self-Efficacy, Rachel Gershenson-Gates Mar 2012

The Impact Of Service-Learning On College Students' Civic Development And Sense Of Self-Efficacy, Rachel Gershenson-Gates

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

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The Effects Of Formal Group And Extracurricular Involvement On College Students’ Self-Esteem, Ramona Catherine Negroponte Jan 2012

The Effects Of Formal Group And Extracurricular Involvement On College Students’ Self-Esteem, Ramona Catherine Negroponte

Honors Papers

The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of college students' engagement in formal group activities on self-esteem levels. Youth and adolescent extracurricular involvement was also taken into account to help determine influence on college participation. Hypotheses suggested that group affiliation would positively affect self-esteem and that extracurricularly motivated children would be more likely to join formal activities in college. A sample of 149 Oberlin College students completed a survey that included the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and nine of these subjects were selected for in-depth interviews. Both quantitative and qualitative data results indicated that formal group members’ self-esteem …

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The Spatial Properties Of Music Perception: Differences In Visuo-Spatial Performance According To Musicianship And Interference Of Musical Structure, Christa Theresa Vassillière Jan 2012

The Spatial Properties Of Music Perception: Differences In Visuo-Spatial Performance According To Musicianship And Interference Of Musical Structure, Christa Theresa Vassillière

Honors Papers

Spatial cognition has been implicated in the perception and production of music within both behavioral and neurological experimental paradigms. Using performance on mental rotation of a three-dimensional object, the present study examined the visuo-spatial abilities of conservatory and non-conservatory students. Participants performed the rotation task under no distraction followed by performance with an interference task, which consisted of detecting either tempo or pitch changes. Conservatory students performed better on the mental rotation task both with and without interference. Musical structure (Western classical versus Indian classical) and musical aspect (tempo changes and pitch changes) influenced how much interference was produced in …

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Life Without Boundaries: A Positive Deviance Inquiry Of Communication Behaviors That Influence Academic Success Of Learning-Disabled University Students, Davi Kallman Jan 2012

Life Without Boundaries: A Positive Deviance Inquiry Of Communication Behaviors That Influence Academic Success Of Learning-Disabled University Students, Davi Kallman

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The label of "disabled" causes many learning-disabled students to downplay their disability in order to avoid alienation and isolation. Hence, many of learning-disabled students go through years of education without accommodations, increasing the likelihood for academic failure. Students who do have accommodations are still at risk of failure especially if they lack strong support systems and suffer from low expectations. Simply put, dropout rates among learning-disabled students are a complex social problem. The dropout rate among these students is nearly double that of general education students (Blackorby & Wagner, 1996). Dropping out has devastating financial, educational, and social repercussions for …

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Correlates Of Marijuana Use In A Hispanic College Sample, Joseph Ephraim Charter Jan 2012

Correlates Of Marijuana Use In A Hispanic College Sample, Joseph Ephraim Charter

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Currently there is a dearth of literature regarding marijuana and its correlates of use, particularly in Hispanics. Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug, and its use has increased in recent years. This study aimed to assess correlates of marijuana use in a Hispanic college student sample. Data were collected from 549 participants from University psychology courses. Participants completed a comprehensive survey packet consisting of: demographics, marijuana use history, tobacco and alcohol use, depression, anxiety, stress, and acculturation. Descriptive analyses were used to provide a characteristic profile of Hispanic college student marijuana use. Eight percent reported past 30-day marijuana …

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Understanding And Exploring Narcissism: Impact On Students And College Campuses, Emily J. Hudson Jan 2012

Understanding And Exploring Narcissism: Impact On Students And College Campuses, Emily J. Hudson

CMC Senior Theses

"Narcissist" is a term that may be used lightly to describe or label someone that is self-centered. However, research that suggests a possible increase in narcissistic personality tendencies among college-aged American students has a very real and serious impact on society. The goal of this paper is to examine the evolution of the concept of narcissism and its detrimental effects on society. This will then be applied to the impact that narcissism has on college students and campus environments. It is important to note that individuals high in narcissistic traits encounter many problems including difficulties with interpersonal and professional relationships, …

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The Role Social Influence Has On Dormitory Residents' Responses To Fire Alarms, Michael Otting Leytem Jan 2012

The Role Social Influence Has On Dormitory Residents' Responses To Fire Alarms, Michael Otting Leytem

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Public response to fire alarms has been a major concern for decades. In particular, college dormitories pose a real threat for a catastrophic event if proper fire protocol is not carried out. Social influences may play a role in the decision dorm residents make when a fire alarm is sounded. More specifically, this research addresses to what degree does an authority figure, like a community advisor (CA), a friend, an unknown resident, or being alone, influence self-reported responses to fire alarms. Significant evidence was found confirming our hypothesis that participants in an alone condition reported being more likely to exit …

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Student Perceptions Of Minnesota State University, Mankato's Alcohol And Drug Policy, Renee Lips-Bush Jan 2012

Student Perceptions Of Minnesota State University, Mankato's Alcohol And Drug Policy, Renee Lips-Bush

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of students’ perceptions of the current alcohol and other drug use policy at Minnesota State University, Mankato (MNSU) now and in the future. The study explores undergraduate students’ perceptions through surveys disseminated in the fall of 2010 and fall of 2011. The study is part of a four year longitudinal study, which began in 2010 after the implementation of a revised alcohol and other drug use policy.

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The Impact Of Parental Alcohol Use On Alcohol-Related Cognitions, Cathryn Frances Glanton Jan 2012

The Impact Of Parental Alcohol Use On Alcohol-Related Cognitions, Cathryn Frances Glanton

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This research was designed to examine parental and cognitive factors that are structurally related to intention for alcohol consumption in college students as well as potential gender differences in these relationships. Multiple-group comparison was used in structural equation modeling to assess data-to-model fit of the hypothesized model. Perceived parental alcohol use, positive expectancies, abstinence self-efficacy in social situations, and intent to drink alcohol were structurally modeled and examined. Seven hundred and fourteen college students completed a number of self-report measures in the data collection stage of the study. Results showed good fit indices of the hypothesized model in both men …

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Assessing The Relationship Of Career Goal Autonomy And Intrinsic Content On Vocational And General Well-Being, Andrew E. Kerlow-Myers Jan 2012

Assessing The Relationship Of Career Goal Autonomy And Intrinsic Content On Vocational And General Well-Being, Andrew E. Kerlow-Myers

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Self-Determination Theory (SDT; Ryan & Deci, 2000) argues that if the goals pursued in a life domain are not congruent with the needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, well-being in that domain will be negatively impacted or at best, stagnant. Goals are an important part of career interventions (Lent, Brown, & Hackett, 1994), yet no research to date has assessed the importance of need congruent goals in the career domain. The present study assessed the effect of career goal autonomy (CGA) and career goal intrinsic content (CGIC) on well-being in the career domain (vocational well-being; VWB) and two components of …

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How Does The Nonprofit Workforce Perceive College Student Service Learners In Their Workplace?, Elisa M. Martin Jan 2012

How Does The Nonprofit Workforce Perceive College Student Service Learners In Their Workplace?, Elisa M. Martin

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This qualitative case study explores the perceptions that employees from one nonprofit workplace have of college students completing community service as part of an undergraduate class with the Community and Public Service Program (CPSP). Social cognitive theory was used to frame the research questions. Factors of work stress, public service motivation, and volunteer/service learner management practices were considered. In-person interviews and a focus group were conducted with fifteen employees. In addition, four personnel from the CPSP and two students taking a class with CPSP and performing service at the case study site were also interviewed. Findings show that employees appear …

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Barriers To Group Psychotherapy For African-American College Students, Angela L. Harris Jan 2012

Barriers To Group Psychotherapy For African-American College Students, Angela L. Harris

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

There is limited research on African-American college students and their participation in group psychotherapy in a university counseling center setting. This study examined the barriers to group psychotherapy for African-American college students. A 61 item survey was designed to obtain African-American college students' views on their willingness to participate in group therapy, expectations of group psychotherapy, expectations of group members, expectations of group leaders, coping skills when in distress, and multicultural considerations relating to group psychotherapy. Data collected from a sample (N = 108)was analyzed using descriptive statistics and regression analyses. Results of the this study found that coping strategies …

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