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Full-Text Articles in Counseling

A Phenomenological Study Of The Cross-Cultural Transitions Of University-Level Missionary Kids, Naomi Walter Apr 2024

A Phenomenological Study Of The Cross-Cultural Transitions Of University-Level Missionary Kids, Naomi Walter

Senior Honors Theses

The cultural identity and transitions of a Third Culture Kid (TCK) is often a matter of discussion and debate. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the factors that influence the identity and the cross-cultural transitions of university-level TCKs, with a specific focus on Missionary Kids (MKs). The study involved semi-structured interviews of seven undergraduate university students, over the age of 18 and currently involved in the university's Missionary Kid Scholarship program. Results revealed several key themes including identity, community, and friendship expectations that influenced the transition process. Participants generally displayed a positive transition, and the findings provide …


Counseling And Mental Health Stigma Among College Students: An Examination Of Gender, Mattie Albright Apr 2024

Counseling And Mental Health Stigma Among College Students: An Examination Of Gender, Mattie Albright

Senior Honors Theses

Male perceptions of masculinity are commonly studied in the psychological world as inhibitors to seeking mental health help or counseling. This research proposal addresses the roles of gender-role conflict and self-stigma of help-seeking in how they predict the male tendency to seek help at lower rates than females. The sample being analyzed in this study will consist of male and female students in the psychology department at Liberty University. Participants will complete the Self-Stigma of Seeking Help Scale (SSOH), the Gender-Role Conflict Scale I (GRCS-I), and the Attitude Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale (ATSPPHS). Results will explore which factor …


A Phenomenological Study Of Implementing Social-Emotional Learning Skills Virtually And Its Influence On The Teacher-Student Relationship, Felicia S. Spratt Apr 2024

A Phenomenological Study Of Implementing Social-Emotional Learning Skills Virtually And Its Influence On The Teacher-Student Relationship, Felicia S. Spratt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological research design seeks to investigate the experience of teachers in Illinois urban school districts who have virtually implemented Social-Emotional Learning skill sets and describe any impact virtual implementation has had on the teacher-student relationship. This data was viewed through teachers who implemented the social and emotional learning skill sets in an urban middle school. Social-emotional learning is often implemented in a classroom while teaching students regular academic requirements. The theory used to guide this study was Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, with self-actualization being the ultimate achievement goal on the pyramid. The theory explained the connection between the …


A Phenomenological Study Detailing Psychotherapeutic Perspectives Of Psychotherapists Who Treat Individuals Living With Pathological Dissociative Practices, Ebony M. Martinez Apr 2024

A Phenomenological Study Detailing Psychotherapeutic Perspectives Of Psychotherapists Who Treat Individuals Living With Pathological Dissociative Practices, Ebony M. Martinez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The present phenomenological study endeavors to offer a comprehensive and profound insight into the phenomenon of pathological dissociation and the working experiences of psychotherapists who specialize in treating individuals with this condition. The primary objective of this study is to shed light on the intricate nature of pathological dissociation and provide a better understanding of the challenges that psychotherapists encounter during the therapeutic process. Nine licensed psychotherapists agreed to share their expertise and experiences in working with pathological dissociation. The trauma model was used as the theoretical framework to interpret reported pathological dissociative experiences. Based on participant reports, this theory …


A Phenomenology Of Naturally Embedded Trauma-Informed Practices Within Public Montessori Classroom Environments, Misty Autry Lewis Apr 2024

A Phenomenology Of Naturally Embedded Trauma-Informed Practices Within Public Montessori Classroom Environments, Misty Autry Lewis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of 12 classroom teachers in different public Montessori schools in four different geographical regions of the United States. The interview was designed to allow the teachers to describe their Montessorian approach regarding areas of safety, social interaction, and respectful classroom environments to support students who may be experiencing the consequences of childhood trauma. The theories that guided this study were Albert Bandura’s (1977) social cognitive theory and the humanistic or person-centered theory of Carl Rogers (Rogers & Kramer, 1995). These theories facilitated the development of an understanding of …


Finer Women Don’T Haze: Hazing Disclosure Variations Based On External Environmental Factors, Kim Drayton Apr 2024

Finer Women Don’T Haze: Hazing Disclosure Variations Based On External Environmental Factors, Kim Drayton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this novel quantitative comparative study was to determine if there were any variations in hazing disclosure among educational institutions based on the geographical region and educational setting of affiliated Zeta Phi Beta Sorority undergraduate chapters within the United States. The structural requirement that undergraduate chapters belong to a host institution creates a connection in which both can contribute to the persistence of hazing if not recognized and effectively addressed. This study included 353 colleges and universities across seven regions and four educational settings. The Fisher-Freeman-Halton Exact Test, employing Monte Carlo approximations, revealed highly significant associations between the …


A Transcendental Phenomenological Study: Identifying The Unmet Needs Of Homeless Veterans With Or Without Mental Disorders From A Healthcare Provider Perspective, Thomas L. Scott Apr 2024

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study: Identifying The Unmet Needs Of Homeless Veterans With Or Without Mental Disorders From A Healthcare Provider Perspective, Thomas L. Scott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study explores the experiences of healthcare providers in addressing the unmet needs of homeless veterans and individuals experiencing homelessness in San Antonio, Texas. Data analysis revealed three overarching themes: access to resources, lack of desire for housing, and job satisfaction/discharge status. Under the access to resources theme, barriers limiting access to needed assistance for homeless Veterans and other people experiencing homelessness were identified, including limited support, agency challenges, lack of self-care, and moving forward. Theme two highlighted challenges addressing the lack of desire for housing among some homeless individuals and subthemes such as limited services, holistic approaches, community involvement, …


A Phenomenological Study Exploring Saudi Married Women’S Experience Of Emotional/Psychological Intimate Partner Violence, Kholoud Ahmed Helmi Apr 2024

A Phenomenological Study Exploring Saudi Married Women’S Experience Of Emotional/Psychological Intimate Partner Violence, Kholoud Ahmed Helmi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This hermeneutic phenomenological study explored the meaning of experiencing emotional/psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) for Saudi married women in Riyadh before and after Vision 2030. Nine Saudi women who married before 2015 were selected based on the Composite Abuse Scale results. The study's central question was: How do Saudi Arabian married women who experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) interpret their emotional/psychological IPV experience before and after Vision 2030? The guiding two questions were: 1) How do Saudi Arabian married women who have experienced intimate partner violence cope or react to their emotional/psychological violence? 2) How do national, social, and relational …


A Phenomenology Study- Vicarious Trauma Among School Counselors And Teachers Working With Students From The Northern Triangle In Elementary Title I Schools, Janeth B. Santiesteban Apr 2024

A Phenomenology Study- Vicarious Trauma Among School Counselors And Teachers Working With Students From The Northern Triangle In Elementary Title I Schools, Janeth B. Santiesteban

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The present phenomenological study aimed to describe the lived experiences of school counselors and teachers working at elementary Title I schools in Maryland with students from the Northern Triangle (a region of Central America comprising El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras). The assumption was that these education professionals may undergo struggles and demands that may put them at risk of vicarious trauma due to the trauma those students and their families have endured. The theory guiding this study was the transactional theory of stress and coping (Lazarus,1966; Lazarus & Folkman, 1984) and the stress theory (Cohen et al., 1997), which converge …


“Thrown In Cold Turkey”: Perceived Preparedness And Self-Efficacy In Counseling Trainees Transitioning To The Application Of Theory In A Practicum Or Internship, Monique Alicia Starling Mar 2024

“Thrown In Cold Turkey”: Perceived Preparedness And Self-Efficacy In Counseling Trainees Transitioning To The Application Of Theory In A Practicum Or Internship, Monique Alicia Starling

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental, phenomenological study was to describe master’s-level counseling trainees’ (MLCTs) perceived preparedness to treat real clients before transitioning to their practicum or internship experience. Adult learning theory and self-efficacy development theory guided this study. The research questions were (a) How do master-level counseling trainees describe their experience of perceived preparedness to real clients before transitioning to their practicum or internship experience? (b) How do study participants describe the influence that the counseling program curriculum, including structure and practicum timing, had on their readiness to transition to practicum or internship? (c) How do study participants describe the …


Moderated Mediated Model Of Religiosity, God Image, And Self Compassion, Amanda Strivings Mar 2024

Moderated Mediated Model Of Religiosity, God Image, And Self Compassion, Amanda Strivings

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Religious engagement can be a protective factor as well as contribute to negative mental health outcomes in religious populations. Early experiences in the parent-child relationship influence how individuals view God, which influences how they emotionally experience and engage with religion. Previous research has explored the relationships between religiosity, view of God, and self-compassion. This study explored the influence of three separate views of God on the cross-generational maintenance of religiosity and as sociocultural factors that influence self-compassion within the context of religiosity. Results supported several direct and indirect relationships. The analysis included one simple mediation model to explore the mediating …


Phenomenological Study Of Resiliency Among Native Americans, Mary K. Laungayan Mar 2024

Phenomenological Study Of Resiliency Among Native Americans, Mary K. Laungayan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand what resilience factors, if any, contribute to the reversal of adverse reactions to intergenerational trauma, in Native Americans. The study will attempt to use the data collected to determine an implementation of support that will build a scaffolding of resilience that can benefit Native American Children. The theory guiding this study is the resiliency theory, which conceptualizes positive variables that guide behaviors in individuals who have been exposed to historical trauma and experienced, Adverse Childhood Effects (ACEs) (Zimmerman, 2013). Using an exploratory qualitative design, this study worked to gather data from …


Unlocking Hope: Exploring Suicide Protective Factors Through The Georgia Student Health Survey, Megan Kinsey Thrasher Mar 2024

Unlocking Hope: Exploring Suicide Protective Factors Through The Georgia Student Health Survey, Megan Kinsey Thrasher

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to determine the relationship between teenage suicide of Georgia public high school students as it relates to school connectedness, peer support, and adult support as determined by the Georgia Student Health Survey (GSHS). The GSHS is an anonymous statewide survey instrument given to secondary Georgia public school students. Archival data from completed GSHS results were used in this analysis. The significance of the research study is to determine if the survey provides reliable information to the Georgia Department of Education and local educational agencies as a useful tool and indicator of potential …


Abusive Management And Workplace Trauma In The Mental Health Field: A Phenomenological Study, Amanda White Mar 2024

Abusive Management And Workplace Trauma In The Mental Health Field: A Phenomenological Study, Amanda White

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Workplace trauma can take place in various forms including abusive supervision or management, workplace bullying, vicarious traumatization, violence, compassion burnout, and workplace stress. For the most part, the perpetrators of these incidents can either be strangers, peers, or management within the organization. The aftermath of workplace trauma can be detrimental to a person’s physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health and cause work-related issues. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the personal experiences of those in the mental health field who have been traumatized in the workplace specifically by the management within the organization. This study was directed …


Counselors Perception Of Life Experiences Affecting Their Longevity In Counseling, Melissa S. Kennedy Mar 2024

Counselors Perception Of Life Experiences Affecting Their Longevity In Counseling, Melissa S. Kennedy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to examine counselor perceptions of life experiences on clinicians remaining in the counseling field. The theory guiding this study is self-efficacy as it relates to clinicians’ positive experiences that supported them in counseling over time. In total, 10 state-licensed mental health counselors participated in semi-structured interviews with the researcher. The data collected was analyzed for common themes from all interviews. The common themes included the following: personal trauma, intrinsic motivation, faith, community building, theoretical application, and enjoyable activities. Counselors should engage in more positive activities to increase longevity in counseling.


The Lived Experiences Of Premarital Counseling And Its Influence On Martial Satisfaction, Donna M. Saulter-Carney Feb 2024

The Lived Experiences Of Premarital Counseling And Its Influence On Martial Satisfaction, Donna M. Saulter-Carney

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experience of married couples from various demographic backgrounds who have engaged in premarital counseling in Maryland. How do couples experience premarital counseling is the study’s central research question. The theory guiding this study is Gottman’s (1993) cascade model of marital dissolution. This model offers a theoretical framework for understanding how minor issues in marriage can exacerbate and foster the entire marital experience. The study is quantitative research using an interpretive phenomenological design to recruit the participants for the study. The study conducted face-to-face semi-structured interviews with couples to …


The Effect Of Music On Spiritual Well Being Among Hospice Patients, Mathai Abraham Feb 2024

The Effect Of Music On Spiritual Well Being Among Hospice Patients, Mathai Abraham

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The life expectancy of a hospice patient is approximately six months or less. Hospice care is not for the cure of the disease. It is the care provided to the patients for the symptom management of the disease. Hospice care, known as end-of-life care, is very important for a comfortable and peaceful passage. Holistic care for the hospice patient is the goal of the hospice care plan. A hospice patient’s spiritual well-being can be maintained by spiritual support through a spiritual presence and spiritual conversation; all hospice care institutions' disciplines can provide adequate spiritual aid through their interaction with patients, …


A Correlational Study Of The Resilience Factors That Promote Mental Health In First Responders, Tamara Rae Grayson Feb 2024

A Correlational Study Of The Resilience Factors That Promote Mental Health In First Responders, Tamara Rae Grayson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Too often, the title first responder (FR) has been correlated with mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, substance use, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There was a need to address the mental health of this unique at-risk population prior to developing a mindset that being a FR translates into also suffering from mental illness, due to repeated exposure to traumatic situations. The purpose of this correlational study was to identify the resilience factors in FRs, what unique and untreated exposure to traumatic events looks like in FRs, what normal treatment and early interventions for mental illnesses in FRs is, the …


Suicide In Black Adolescents: How Does The Relationship And Attachment Styles Impact The Grieving Experience Of Non-Custodial Black Grandmothers, Edith Marie Walton-Carter Feb 2024

Suicide In Black Adolescents: How Does The Relationship And Attachment Styles Impact The Grieving Experience Of Non-Custodial Black Grandmothers, Edith Marie Walton-Carter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this descriptive phenomenological study was to gain insight into the relationship and grief experiences of the non-custodial Black/African American grandmother(s) who have lost a grandchild by suicide. The theories guiding this study are attachment theory, psychosocial stages of development, and grief and loss. The central research questions are used to explore the attachment and relationship between the Black grandmother(s) and grandchild(ren) and whether suicide changes the grieving experience. Participants were selected through purposeful sampling. The sample size for this study includes six Black women between the ages of 48-65 who are non-custodial grandmothers and have experienced grief …


Crisis Management And Peer Support, Kevin H. Eaton Feb 2024

Crisis Management And Peer Support, Kevin H. Eaton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This mixed-methods Doctor of Ministry Research Project examined peers’ roles during crisis management situations and sought to improve their knowledge, skills, readiness, and confidence during crises. Peers are often the first to see precursors of a crisis or are the first present when a crisis ensues. This was true in the ministry context of a United States Army Reserve unit. A training program was developed to equip participants on crisis precursor identification, prevention, intervention, stabilization, post-intervention, and normalization concepts and techniques. Additionally, ethical consideration, professional resources, and resiliency concepts were trained. The concepts were delivered via an online web-based platform …


A Phenomenological Study On The Contributors Of Compassion Fatigue With Substance Use Disorder Counselors During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jennifer A. Galvano Feb 2024

A Phenomenological Study On The Contributors Of Compassion Fatigue With Substance Use Disorder Counselors During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jennifer A. Galvano

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study aimed to understand the experience of compassion fatigue in substance use counselors in Western New York during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many studies have reviewed burnout, compassion fatigue, and secondary trauma and have discussed the outcomes of their unmanaged effects on healthcare professionals. Few have focused directly on the impact that key contributors of compassion fatigue have on substance abuse disorder (SUD) counselors. This qualitative study is designed to support substance abuse counselors’ mental health and well-being. Counselors are exposed to clashing situations such as turnover, larger caseloads, client trauma, regulations, lack of training, lack of understanding of …


A Study On The Effects Of Biblical Counseling Techniques On Teacher Relationships With Students With Autism, Matthew Mcneill Feb 2024

A Study On The Effects Of Biblical Counseling Techniques On Teacher Relationships With Students With Autism, Matthew Mcneill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Christian school students with Autism Spectrum Disorder are in need of greater spiritual care from their teachers. Autism Spectrum Disorder is a concept which is becoming increasingly present in the world of education. With this growing presence, autism is becoming an issue in Christian education, as it seems that Christian educators struggle to understand it and to care for their students with autism spiritually. Further, little to no research has been done regarding autism and this area. The purpose of this study was to train Christian special educators in biblical counseling techniques and perspectives in order that they might better …


Effectiveness Of Emotionally Focused Therapy (Eft) With Chinese Couple Clients: From The Chinese Eft Therapists' Cultural Lens, Yifan Wang Jan 2024

Effectiveness Of Emotionally Focused Therapy (Eft) With Chinese Couple Clients: From The Chinese Eft Therapists' Cultural Lens, Yifan Wang

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the Chinese EFT (Emotionally Focused Therapy) therapists’ experiences of working with Chinese couples in EFT sessions, as well as to discover how the cultural factors play a role in the effectiveness of EFT use with Chinese couples. This study was conducted by finding out 10 EFT-oriented therapists and analyzing via online interviews their experiences of working with Chinese couples. The theories guiding this study are based on Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). One of the founding therapists of this approach is Dr. Sue Johnson. EFT is heavily influenced by attachment theory, which …


Indirect Effects Of Self-Compassion On Self-Forgiveness Through Self-Esteem And Self-Condemnation With Gender Moderation: A Parallel Moderated Mediation Analysis, Jill A. Marin Jan 2024

Indirect Effects Of Self-Compassion On Self-Forgiveness Through Self-Esteem And Self-Condemnation With Gender Moderation: A Parallel Moderated Mediation Analysis, Jill A. Marin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Two studies explored the relationship between self-compassion and self-forgiveness as well as the role of self-esteem, self-condemnation, and gender in that relationship. Since self-forgiveness is associated with greater well-being, the studies’ importance included gaining knowledge to increase well-being by investigating factors that contribute to self-forgiveness. Research questions were if the relationship between self-compassion and self-forgiveness was mediated by self-esteem and self-condemnation and if gender moderated those mediations. Two quantitative correlational studies, of 94 MTurk and 114 social media participants, used online Qualtrics surveys with established measurements to collect data. Associations, mediators, and moderators were examined by bivariate correlations, mediation analysis, …


An Existential-Phenomenological Exploration Of The Experience Of Being A White Undergraduate Psychology Student In A Multicultural Counseling Course, Mona Lynnette Swallow Jan 2024

An Existential-Phenomenological Exploration Of The Experience Of Being A White Undergraduate Psychology Student In A Multicultural Counseling Course, Mona Lynnette Swallow

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This existential-phenomenological study sought to explore the experiences of White undergraduate psychology students enrolled in a multicultural counseling course to gain an understanding of how White students described their lived experiences while enrolled in the course. This was accomplished by conducting virtual interviews with nine participants recruited through an online university announcement. Three key experiential constituents emerged from the data supporting previous research of the conflicts White students experience as they process understanding their racialized identities as members of the dominant ethnic-racial group in U.S. society in context to the topics discussed in the course. This lack of understanding was …


Death Notification For The Law Enforcement Chaplain; Considering Models That Emphasize The Ministry Of Presence, Steven W. Brooks Jan 2024

Death Notification For The Law Enforcement Chaplain; Considering Models That Emphasize The Ministry Of Presence, Steven W. Brooks

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Against a backdrop of protocols developed in the medical community for delivering bad news (news of a distressing nature) to patients and survivors (e.g., friends and family of a patient or victim), a straightforward procedure is described for law enforcement chaplains who must deliver death notifications to civilians. A description of and appreciation for the ministry of presence is explored. Specifically, the ministry of presence, modeled after Jesus’ example in the Incarnation and His development of disciples, is described as the cornerstone of chaplaincy.


The Impact Of Moral Injury On Character Identity For Divorced Catholics: A Character Domain Perspective, Mary Susan Mcauliff Dec 2023

The Impact Of Moral Injury On Character Identity For Divorced Catholics: A Character Domain Perspective, Mary Susan Mcauliff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Catholics who are faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church on the indissolubility of marriage and who experience a civil divorce are at high risk for moral injury. This study was anchored on a character domain theoretical framework, and it investigated the impact of moral injury on character identity (measured by self-discrepancy) through the mediation of the perception of suffering. Religiosity was explored as a moderator for the relationships of moral injury to perception of suffering, perception of suffering to character identity, and moral injury to character identity. Participants (N = 251) were recruited from social media groups, various …


The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic For High School Counselors: A Phenomenological Investigation, Melissa Ann Jensen Dec 2023

The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic For High School Counselors: A Phenomenological Investigation, Melissa Ann Jensen

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to discover the comprehensive effect that the COVID-19 pandemic had and may still be having on high school counselors in the Houston metropolitan area. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory guides this study as it notes an individual’s ability to advance toward self-actualization in one’s personal and professional life. The COVID-19 pandemic altered one’s ability to accomplish those steps. Interviews with high school counselors assisted in gathering personal experiences as to how much the COVID-19 pandemic impacted their ability to become their best selves, both personally and professionally. Two focus groups were conducted to …


Beyond Acculturation And Resilience: International Students Navigating Shame And Self-Concept, Shauna Thompson Dec 2023

Beyond Acculturation And Resilience: International Students Navigating Shame And Self-Concept, Shauna Thompson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study highlights the unique experiences of international students while they pursue higher education, manage adjustment issues, and navigate internal struggles. To explore whether English proficiency and family expectations correlate with self-concept and acculturation resilience, this study focused on the acculturation process, incorporating aspects of shame and self-concept that contribute to a student’s motivation and resilience. International students commonly face academic and personal challenges while adjusting to an environment that requires fluency in English. Additionally, many experience the pressure of high expectations from their families in their countries of origin. This study used a sociocultural approach to explore how international …


A Phenomenological Study Of The Effects Of Unresolved Sexual Trauma On Intimacy In African American Women Relationships, Gianna Latrice Jackson Dec 2023

A Phenomenological Study Of The Effects Of Unresolved Sexual Trauma On Intimacy In African American Women Relationships, Gianna Latrice Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) has multifaceted effects on survivors. The psychological distress stemming from CSA often leads to the development of abnormal cognitions and behaviors that persist throughout a survivor's lifetime. While substantial research has focused on the long-term consequences for women who have experienced childhood sexual assault, there is still a need to explore the experiences of African American (AA) women who have encountered CSA and how it shapes their ability to engage in intimate sexual relationships. This phenomenological study aims to investigate the lived experiences of AA women who have endured CSA, with a particular focus on the …