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2018

Theses/Dissertations

Adolescents

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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Bullying Of Linguistically Diverse Learners: Results From The Youth Risk Behavior Survey, Jenna Woodarek Dec 2018

Bullying Of Linguistically Diverse Learners: Results From The Youth Risk Behavior Survey, Jenna Woodarek

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Bullying is a serious phenomenon yielding significant consequences for youth who are victimized, often targeted due to their perceived level of difference from their peers. This “otherness” can often be amplified in minoritized populations, especially those which have multiple, cooccurring vulnerabilities to be targets of bullying. After a period of bullying rates decreasing in the US, special interest group inquiries found bullying rates to be on the rise again and reportedly motivated by ethnicity or race, immigrant status, and proficiency in the English language. The present research study aims to expand upon the existing pertinent literature base specific to the …

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Development And Usability Testing Of Quit4health, A Smoking Cessation Smartphone App For Young Adults, Katarzyna Czerniak Dec 2018

Development And Usability Testing Of Quit4health, A Smoking Cessation Smartphone App For Young Adults, Katarzyna Czerniak

Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)

Tobacco use is the leading cause of death in the United States. As of 2016, 23.5% of American 18-25 year olds reported having used cigarettes in the last month compared to 20.2% of adults and only 3.4% of adolescents. Due to the efficacy and widespread general use of mobile technology today, mobile-phone health, or mHealth apps, have become increasingly popular methods of delivering smoking cessation programs. However, there is a lack of evidence in regards to the quality and the effectiveness of using mHealth to deliver smoking cessation interventions to young adults. This study aims to fill this gap to …

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Preventing Sexual Victimization: An Assertiveness Training Program For Female Adolescents, Emily Morgan Dec 2018

Preventing Sexual Victimization: An Assertiveness Training Program For Female Adolescents, Emily Morgan

Dissertations

Unwanted sexual experiences occur too frequently in the United States and result in myriad deleterious consequences. The first instances of unwanted sexual experiences for females most frequently occur during adolescence (ages 12 to 17). Despite this, the majority of literature on sexual victimization and victimization prevention programs focus on college-aged females, thus leaving a need for research on prevention programs for adolescent females. The present study examined the effects of an assertiveness training program on the risk for sexual coercion among adolescent females. A behavioral skills training model (i.e. instruction, model, rehearsal, and feedback) was used to teach seven adolescent …

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Chronic Life Stress And Change In Stress Response Functioning In Urban Youth: The Role Of Social Support And Gender, Heather M. Marshall Nov 2018

Chronic Life Stress And Change In Stress Response Functioning In Urban Youth: The Role Of Social Support And Gender, Heather M. Marshall

College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations

Salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) has been established as a bio-marker of stress reactivity in acute stressor tasks. Much less research exists exploring whether sAA is bio-marker for chronic stress exposure, and therefore, allostatic load. Extant research is inconsistent with some evidence to support chronic stress exposure having an impact on sAA reactivity and diurnal levels of sAA, while other studies have failed to support this theory. Social support is regarded as a protective factor against stress, mental health, and physical health consequences. It has been suggested that gender may play a role in the utilization and benefits of social support networks. …

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Examining Links Between Social Anxiety And Relational Aggression In Adolescence: The Influence Of Rumination And Anger, Shannon L. Brothers Aug 2018

Examining Links Between Social Anxiety And Relational Aggression In Adolescence: The Influence Of Rumination And Anger, Shannon L. Brothers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Social anxiety is linked to more covert forms of aggressive behavior, particularly reactive and relational aggression in early adolescent and young adult samples. Adolescents with social anxiety and those who engage in reactive relational aggression are also more likely to have difficulties regulating emotions (e.g., anger) and show maladaptive cognitive coping styles (e.g., rumination). The goal of the present study was to assess the relationship between social anxiety and reactive relational aggression in adolescents (14-17 years), combining the form and function of aggression, and to examine trait anger and anger rumination as underlying factors that may explain the relationship between …

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Using Social Network Analysis To Examine The Intersection Of Adolescent Friendships And Health Behavior, Emily Long Aug 2018

Using Social Network Analysis To Examine The Intersection Of Adolescent Friendships And Health Behavior, Emily Long

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Adolescence marks a vulnerable developmental period for health behavior, and research demonstrates that social context and interpersonal relationships impact the health behavior choices of adolescents. In addition, theories of adolescent development suggest a bidirectional relationship between environmental factors, including social relationships, and health. Friendships are one of the most salient relationships during adolescence, and new methods from the field of social network analysis allow researchers to explicitly examine the mechanisms through which friends influence health behavior, and simultaneously, how health and health behavior impacts the formation of friendships. Importantly, social network methods (e.g., stochastic actor-based models, exponential random graph models) …

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Examining The Measurement Invariance Of The Mmpi-A-Rf Externalizing Scales Across Korean And American Adolescent Normative Samples, Kristoffer Yong Park Jul 2018

Examining The Measurement Invariance Of The Mmpi-A-Rf Externalizing Scales Across Korean And American Adolescent Normative Samples, Kristoffer Yong Park

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory – Adolescents – Restructured Form (MMPI-A-RF; Archer, Handel, Ben-Porath, & Tellegen, 2016) is a newly developed instrument in personality and psychopathology and has been translated into many different languages, including the Korean language (University of Minnesota Press, 2016). Due to the cultural differences between Korean and American populations, it is important that constructs measured in the MMPI-A-RF are interpretable across cultures. Focusing on the Externalizing Scales, the present study used multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis (MGCFA) to examine the measurement invariance in Korean and American adolescent normative samples. Partially supporting the hypothesis, the results showed that …

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The Impact Of Bully Victimization And Substance Use On Suicidal Behavior In Sexual Minority Youth, Ashley Christine Estoup Jun 2018

The Impact Of Bully Victimization And Substance Use On Suicidal Behavior In Sexual Minority Youth, Ashley Christine Estoup

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

Bully victimization has been shown to be associated with a variety of problems in adolescence. Adolescent bully victims endorse higher rates of substance use, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts. One possible explanation is that adolescents who are bullied use substances to cope with victimization and turn to suicidal behaviors when this coping mechanism proves ineffective. Sexual orientation is one variable that is believed to moderate these relationships. Non-heterosexual youth are more likely to be victimized by peers, engage in substance use, and experience suicidality. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between bully victimization, substance use, suicidality, …

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Social Outcome Following Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury: A Meta-Analysis, Jonathan James Mietchen Jun 2018

Social Outcome Following Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury: A Meta-Analysis, Jonathan James Mietchen

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: Children and adolescents with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at increased risk for developing social incompetence and impairment in broad psychosocial functioning. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between history of TBI, social competence, and broad psychosocial functioning using meta-analytic methods. Methods: Studies relating to social outcome following pediatric TBI were searched for using scientific, academic databases. Sixteen studies (N=2,005) met inclusion criteria, and relevant data relating to social functioning was extracted. Meta-analytic methods were used in order to obtain Hedges's g effect size data for mild, moderate, and severe TBI groups. …

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The Impact Of Mental Health Issues On Academic Achievement In High School Students, Patricia Lea Sutherland Jun 2018

The Impact Of Mental Health Issues On Academic Achievement In High School Students, Patricia Lea Sutherland

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

An adolescent’s time in school is not merely academic; they are developing socially, physically, and emotionally. Prior research has demonstrated a correlation between a student’s poor academic performance and his/her need for emotional and mental health support. This research project sought to answer the following research questions: 1) Do mental health services in a high school setting help facilitate students’ academic achievement? and 2) Does a focus on mental health issues improve overall health and well-being in high school students? Participants for this study are 10 staff members (including teachers, administrators, counselors, and others) of a high school in San …

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Focus On Fitness: Incorporating Exercise Into The Treatment Of Children And Adolescents With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Kristin Lulich May 2018

Focus On Fitness: Incorporating Exercise Into The Treatment Of Children And Adolescents With Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Kristin Lulich

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Background: Psychotropic medications, particularly stimulants are frequently used as the first-line treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Many patients and their caregivers have concerns about psychotropic options for treatment. Review of current literature demonstrates the efficacy of physical activity in reducing symptoms of ADHD. Purpose: This evidence based practice (EBP) project introduced regular, scheduled aerobic activity into the treatment plan of children and adolescents with ADHD. The aim of this EBP was to reduce symptoms of ADHD measured by caregivers using the Vanderbilt Ratings Scale. The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence Based Practice Model was used to implement this project. …

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Therapeutic Theatre With Adolescents At-Risk Of School Dropout, Dan Summer May 2018

Therapeutic Theatre With Adolescents At-Risk Of School Dropout, Dan Summer

Expressive Therapies Dissertations

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of therapeutic theatre, a method of drama therapy, on resilience among adolescents at risk of high school dropout. A mixed method approach was employed to qualitatively examine participant perspectives on resilience and quantitatively measure change in resilience. Participants engaged in weekly after-school drama therapy groups to collaborate on developing themes and a script for a performance to be witnessed by an audience of family and community members. Qualitative and quantitative findings were triangulated and embedded to examine relationships. The Behavioral Assessment System for Children Second Edition (BASC-2) and Resilience Scale …

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Adolescents With Attention-Deficit Hyperactive Disorder And/Or Oppositional Defiant Disorder Benefit From Active Arts Therapy, Caitlin Carey May 2018

Adolescents With Attention-Deficit Hyperactive Disorder And/Or Oppositional Defiant Disorder Benefit From Active Arts Therapy, Caitlin Carey

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review investigates the implementation of medication and active arts therapy with adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and/or oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Adolescents ages 13 to 19 spend most of their time in school. School systems have modified a therapeutic setting to benefit and assist students with these diagnoses. This paper analyzes whether the implementation of active visual arts and play therapy has positive effects for adolescents with ADHD and/or ODD involved in taking or not taking medication, resulting in a positive impact on their quality of life. By reviewing previous research, this literature review builds a case …

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Monster Puppets: An Intervention Developed For Adolescents In A Partial Hospitalization Program, Kathryn Lazar May 2018

Monster Puppets: An Intervention Developed For Adolescents In A Partial Hospitalization Program, Kathryn Lazar

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis aims to provide an intervention for group therapy for adolescents in a partial hospitalization program (PHP). Research on the successful outcomes of play therapy and expressive arts therapy, in addition to studies researching trauma focused care, informed the intervention “Monster Puppets” to provide a contained structure for an appropriate level of care. Group members designed and created puppets representative of monsters and created dialogues to share aspects of the puppet’s personality. The intervention was implemented in a PHP for adolescents and documented through responsive art and process notes. The intervention took place multiple times between October 2017 and …

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Music Therapy: Music Sharing Intervention With Acute Adolescents, Nicole Mount May 2018

Music Therapy: Music Sharing Intervention With Acute Adolescents, Nicole Mount

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis explores a music therapy song sharing group method with acute adolescents in community-based acute treatment and partial hospitalization. While there is research on music therapy and acute adolescents, there is a gap in the literature surrounding the topic of acute adolescents participating in music therapy group sessions. Research on music therapy and adolescents focuses on interventions for an outpatient setting and/or a variety of different interventions. There was limited research on inpatient music therapy with adolescents and more research on adult inpatients working with music therapy. The method presented here incorporates sharing personal songs that clients have a …

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How Art And Entrepreneurship Meet The Needs Of Homeless Youth, Lauren Blackerby May 2018

How Art And Entrepreneurship Meet The Needs Of Homeless Youth, Lauren Blackerby

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The following thesis focuses on the idea of how art can meet the needs of homeless youth. First, the literature is examined to answer the questions: Who are homeless youth? What are their needs? And, how have their needs been met? Then there is a look into resiliency, what it is and how it relates to homeless youth. Finally, the disciplines of social work, health care, entrepreneurship, art education, and art therapy are examined in how these disciplines can each meet the specific needs of homeless youth. This thesis concludes by presenting a theoretical program focused on art education and …

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Integrating Art Therapy And Horticultural Therapy To Best Serve The Needs Of At-Risk Adolescents: A Literature Review, Kara Rodecker May 2018

Integrating Art Therapy And Horticultural Therapy To Best Serve The Needs Of At-Risk Adolescents: A Literature Review, Kara Rodecker

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This capstone thesis examines existing literature on art therapy, horticultural therapies, and positive youth development, as they specifically meet the emotional needs of at-risk adolescences. The following paper provides an overview of the adolescent stage of development and how early attachment styles and environmental risk factors contribute to youth being labeled as at risk. At risk adolescents are more likely to have missed out on early attachments that are necessary to experience empathetic attunement, which should serve as the foundation of relationships throughout their life. The multiple environmental risk factors contribute to a sense of lack of control over their …

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Mind-Body Approach To Treating Developmental Trauma In Adolescents: A Group Therapy Manual For Residential Treatment Facilities, Kayla Prosser May 2018

Mind-Body Approach To Treating Developmental Trauma In Adolescents: A Group Therapy Manual For Residential Treatment Facilities, Kayla Prosser

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Among the most traumatized youth are those placed in residential treatment centers. This population reports exposure to abuse and neglect at an alarming rate in comparison with the general population. These youth are often described as irritable and angry and characterized by antisocial, delinquent and problematic behaviors. As such, they are assigned diagnostic labels based on checklists of surface level symptoms while trauma histories and chronic stress are ignored or minimized. As a result, treatment focuses on management of disruptive behaviors as opposed to addressing the root cause of the dysfunction, the trauma. Developmental trauma impacts an individual in a …

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Mental Health Literacy: Investigating Adolescents’ Knowledge Of Depression And Professional Sources Of Help, Jessica A. Meeks May 2018

Mental Health Literacy: Investigating Adolescents’ Knowledge Of Depression And Professional Sources Of Help, Jessica A. Meeks

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders affecting adolescents, and there is evidence suggesting that there are adolescents suffering from depression who are not receiving treatment (Mojtabai, Offson, & Han, 2016). The increasing presence of mental health professionals and mental health services in public schools is one solution to the treatment gap. However, less is known about adolescents’ understanding of depression and treatment options. The current study utilized an online survey to examine the mental health literacy of 38 ninth grade students. Results indicated that adolescents have a moderate ability to recognize and label depression from brief …

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Neuro-Cognitive Factors In Adolescent Psychotherapy, Jean F. Ndzana May 2018

Neuro-Cognitive Factors In Adolescent Psychotherapy, Jean F. Ndzana

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Cognitive and developmental differences between teenagers and adults must be overcome to ensure a level playing field in the process of counseling. Exploring the developmental factors involved, and discussing associated treatment interventions can help the counselor close this gap by improving client adherence to treatment and outcomes. This paper consists of a review of the current literature in neuropsychology, neuroscience, cognitive linguistics and counseling, as it relates to brain and cognitive developments in adolescence. These findings are referenced to show the many developmental changes that occur in adolescence, and how those changes can be a hindrance to successful participation in …

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The Effects Of Perceived Social Rank On Socially Anxious Adolescents, Ernest Garcia May 2018

The Effects Of Perceived Social Rank On Socially Anxious Adolescents, Ernest Garcia

Senior Theses

Anxiety has become the United States’ most common mental health disorder affecting about one third of both adolescents and adults. The American College Health Association has also reported an increase in undergraduate students reporting “overwhelming anxiety” from 50% in 2011 to 62% in 2016. While anxiety affects individuals in different age groups, adolescence can be a time of heightened anxiety, in part because of the constant evaluation from others and because the processes that allow individuals to understand and interact with another, are still developing. Social anxiety has also been linked with perceived social rank, a system that is presumed …

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Understanding The Practitioner’S Role In The Therapeutic Setting: Working With Youth That Identify As Black Or African American And Lgbt, Katie L. Ubl May 2018

Understanding The Practitioner’S Role In The Therapeutic Setting: Working With Youth That Identify As Black Or African American And Lgbt, Katie L. Ubl

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

This systematic review aimed to find responses for practitioners to better engage in the therapeutic setting with multiple minority youth that identify as LGBT Black or African American. These multiple minority populations are at high risk for mental health. A systematic review analyzed data using grounded theory. Twelve articles categorized data within the ecological framework: micro, mezzo, and macro levels. For practitioners to better engage with LGBT Black or African American youth in the therapeutic setting, responses were found in all three levels of the ecological framework. Dominant responses for social work practitioners to better engage in the therapeutic setting …

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Treatment Barriers In Mental Health: Perspectives Of Using Mobile Technology, Ryan Goman May 2018

Treatment Barriers In Mental Health: Perspectives Of Using Mobile Technology, Ryan Goman

Master of Social Work Clinical Research Papers

Mental health problems are common with adolescents and given that adolescents are the biggest consumer of mobile technologies, these technologies hold a tremendous promise as a unique intervention. The research method used is a qualitative study with four clinicians to address themes in their experiences of utilziing mobiel technology with adolescents. Much of the research finds that using technology with adolescents improves patient satisfaction through areas around convenience, eas of use, and availabiltiy. The research findings show common themes related to adaptability, reduced stigma, clinical relationship and lack of access. This research is important because it highlights the social work …

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Event-Related Potential Studies Of Error Monitoring To Affective And Non-Affective Stimuli In Adolescents And Emerging Adults, Rebecca K. Reed May 2018

Event-Related Potential Studies Of Error Monitoring To Affective And Non-Affective Stimuli In Adolescents And Emerging Adults, Rebecca K. Reed

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

It is hypothesized that prefrontal cortex (PFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) function may be still under development in adolescents. As the generator of the error-related negativity (ERN) and the N2, the ACC is expected to be sensitive to the degree of development with age. In adults, these top-down control areas ideally serve to direct attention to goal-relevant information, which can increase the likelihood of making a correct choice, even in fast-response laboratory based tasks. However, adolescents may show increased susceptibility in these top-down control areas when the stimulus is social and emotional. In the first study, event-related potentials were …

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Drama Therapy And Transgender Adolescents, Ryan Lisman Apr 2018

Drama Therapy And Transgender Adolescents, Ryan Lisman

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Transgender adolescents in the United States are currently a vulnerable population that often regularly face discrimination and are at a high risk for hate crimes (Center of Excellence for Transgender Health, 2016). Developing and implementing therapeutic interventions and models for working with transgender adolescents is essential at this time. In American society, there has recently been a cultural shift towards a greater sense of acceptance for the LGBTQ community (Benson, 2013), but within that, the transgender community has been consistently left behind in many aspects of progress that LGB (Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual) people have benefited from (Benson, 2013). There …

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Humor And Dance Movement Therapy (Dmt) With Adolescents Dealing With Depression And Anxiety: A Literature Review, Novick Leora Apr 2018

Humor And Dance Movement Therapy (Dmt) With Adolescents Dealing With Depression And Anxiety: A Literature Review, Novick Leora

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Researchers have found that anxiety and depression are prevalent diagnoses within the adolescent population, due to increased stressors in several areas of their lives. Research also suggests that humor leads to increased social bonding, and that it can be a powerful tool for encouraging the expression of emotions. Finally, dance movement therapy (DMT) has been found to be a successful practice with adolescents, due to its non-verbal nature and relevance to body image. However, research regarding specific DMT interventions involving humor is lacking. This literature review examines the impact of humor on adolescents with depression and anxiety, and its possible …

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The Relationship Between Maternal Distress And Adjustment Problems In Adolescents With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: An Examination Of Family Routines And Communication As Moderators, Ryan Nicole Cummins Apr 2018

The Relationship Between Maternal Distress And Adjustment Problems In Adolescents With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: An Examination Of Family Routines And Communication As Moderators, Ryan Nicole Cummins

LSU Master's Theses

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common disorder in youth. The presence of comorbid internalizing and externalizing symptoms is a frequent occurrence in ADHD youth; comorbid symptoms are associated with poor adjustment into adolescence and negative trajectories into adulthood. There are many contributing factors in the development of comorbid symptoms (e.g., parental distress and family environment). Thus, it is important to understand the relationship between contributing factors and the ways in which family consistency helps to manage problem behaviors in adolescents with ADHD. One way to increase consistency is through the use of routines and positive communication. The present study examined …

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Group-Based Songwriting With Adolescents In A Partial Hospitalization Program, Jonathan Blake Mar 2018

Group-Based Songwriting With Adolescents In A Partial Hospitalization Program, Jonathan Blake

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The growing field of music therapy aims to help those who suffer from an array of disorders, anxieties, and diagnoses using a wide collection of interventions and activities. Songwriting has been a useful tool for music therapists for many years. Popular interventions that utilize lyric replacement, fill-in-the-blank or Mad Lib style, and improvisational blues songwriting, have been very effective across a range of populations including children, adolescents, and the elderly. This project aims to bridge a gap in the research by implementing an original idea, which I devised, which encouraged clients to engage organically in a group setting. This intervention …

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A Peer-Support Mental Health Response Training For Lgbtqia+ Adolescents., Megan A Chernosky Mar 2018

A Peer-Support Mental Health Response Training For Lgbtqia+ Adolescents., Megan A Chernosky

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Honors Theses

This paper will discuss the correlation between participation in a mental health peer-support training and adolescents’ self-reported feelings of preparedness to deal with mental health crises. The paper will focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other non-heterosexual, non-cisgender youth (LGBTQIA+) between the ages of 13 and 21 years old. The study used a quantitative, written survey with eighteen questions before the intervention, and another with five questions after the intervention. The study originally involved eleven participants, but the number of participants decreased to seven due to attrition. The intervention was administered to every participant. The data …

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An Examination Of Factors That Affect The Utilization Of Mental Health Services By Adolescents, Nichole A. Murray Jan 2018

An Examination Of Factors That Affect The Utilization Of Mental Health Services By Adolescents, Nichole A. Murray

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Mental disorders among adolescents are on the rise and are among the most common chronic conditions, constituting a national epidemic. Prevalence rates indicate that 20–40% of the adolescent population in the U.S. suffers from emotional or behavioral difficulties significant enough to lead to functional impairment. Further, estimates suggest that more than 20% of the adolescent population has a diagnosable mental disorder, which significantly impacts their functioning substantially at school, at home and in their communities. Despite national agendas to address the mental health needs of adolescents, studies suggest that approximately 50 percent of adolescents with mental health needs do not …

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