Psychology Commons^™

Harm Reduction In Psychotherapy, Jillian Cramer

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

With approximately 22 people dying due to opiate-related harms everyday in Canada (Government of Canada, 2023), there is a great need to offer low-barrier, evidence-based services for people who use substances across various disciplines, including healthcare, social services, and psychotherapy. This qualitative study examined the experiences of Canadian social justice-informed counsellors who work with clients who use substances from harm reduction frameworks of care. Seven counsellors were interviewed on their personal experiences implementing harm reduction in psychotherapy. Through a reflexive thematic analysis, five themes surfaced: axiology of harm reduction work, development of therapist surrounding harm reduction, main focuses of harm …

Exploring The Experience Of Disclosing In The Workplace, Jillian Auger

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

An alarming rate of workplace violence/harassment is observed each year, with negative outcomes that affect the organization (i.e., financial loss) and those directly involved (i.e., job loss, financial strain, fear of being blamed, being labeled a ‘troublemaker’). The literature indicates that, for many victim-survivors, there is little hope for positive outcomes following a disclosure of workplace violence/harassment. In fact, some studies show that negative reactions to disclosure can compound and intensify the impact of violence/harassment on psychological functioning. However, minimal research has been devoted to the experiences of victim-survivors regarding the outcomes of a disclosure. Utilizing virtual semi-structured interviews, the …

Self-Worth And Identity: The Influence Of Workplace Violence And Harassment In Canadian Workplaces, Chelsea Reid

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

As innately social beings, individuals crave acceptance and yearn to find a sense of purpose in life. More often than not, this sense of purpose is linked to careers or roles within a system. Examination of individuals’ perception of self-worth following acts of violence in the workplace is limited. The gap in the literature on self-worth following experiences of violence and harassment is critical to explore because not only is self-worth linked to overall well-being, but individuals also vary in outcomes following the survival of violence (Breines et al., 2008; Sojo et al., 2016). Violence within the workplace is evident …

Culture And Identity In Relation To Mental Wellness For The Haudenosaunee Community, Rammiyaa Devanathan

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Since the arrival of European settlers, Indigenous peoples have experienced immeasurable adversities. The intergenerational trauma caused by colonization and legislation aimed at cultural desecration has contributed to mental health concerns. Assimilation policies that made cultural practises illegal pushed knowledge and ceremonies underground and led to cultural and spiritual disconnection. The effects of colonization are as pervasive today as they were in the past. Western models of psychological intervention are antithetical to Indigenous worldviews and ways of knowing. As a result, mainstream mental health services have had limited effectiveness. Existing mental health literature on Indigenous peoples is largely rooted in a …

“Is That My Agenda Or Is That Serving The Client?”: Perspectives Of Social Justice-Oriented Counsellors On Working With Clients Who Express Oppressive Views, Lily G. Mackenzie

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Current North American public discourse is strongly influenced by widespread sociopolitical divide. Given that sociopolitical events seem to permeate conversations in the therapy room (Farber, 2018; MacLeod, 2013), it is essential that therapists are prepared to navigate conversations with clients who have beliefs different from their own. This qualitative study explored the experiences of Canadian social justice-oriented counsellors who have worked with clients with oppressive views. Seven counsellors were interviewed about their experiences of working with oppression in the therapy room. Through qualitative content analysis, informed by a phenomenological approach, five core themes emerged: effect of personal identities, determination of …

Counsellors' Beliefs On Social Justice And The Medicalization Of Counselling, Christopher Mullin

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Counselling is becoming more standardized under a medicalized discourse of diagnosis and manualized treatment partly due to changing standards and administrative needs (Strong, 2017). Through semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, this study explored how social justice-oriented counsellors are impacted by the medicalization of counselling. Counsellors stated medicalization was pathologizing individuals, marginalizing groups, and homogenizing therapeutic work. Driven by systems and industries gatekeeping resources, maintaining the social status quo, and the profession’s pursuit of prestige and profit through the medical model, the medicalization of counselling has been steadily growing. Counsellors centered the profession’s emerging identity as primarily relational in the nature …

Understanding Transitional Mental Health And Interpersonal Needs Of Newcomer Youth During Resettlement: Seeking Guidance To Strengthen Mental Health Programming, Anjali Ruparelia

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study investigated the supports that newcomer youth may need to promote positive well-being and foster healthy relationships during early resettlement. This study employed qualitative methodology using semi-structured interviews with four newcomer youth between the ages of 14 and 21 years old who have been in Canada for at least two years. Interview data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis (RTA). The results indicated that newcomer youth experience significant resettlement challenges and barriers including language barriers, culture shock, and feeling lonely and isolated within their new environments. However, newcomer youth participants also reported that they found various strengths and resources …

Opening A Crack To Let The Light In: An Exploration Of An Online Group Adolescent Compassion Focussed Therapy Intervention, Euan Pb Fraser Tait

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The current study’s goal is to expand the adolescent compassion focused therapy (CFT) literature by exploring participant experiences of a novel CFT protocol which was delivered in an online group therapy format. This study is a mixed methods approach using surveys, open-ended questionnaires, and interviews to explore participants’ experience and expression of feelings of inadequacy (FOI) and self-compassion. Thematic analysis findings revealed that participants struggled primarily with FOI relating to evaluative contexts such as school and sports and that these FOI also carried with them implications of self-worth and perfectionism. Through participating in the program, participants were able to de-shame …

Addressing Intimate Partner Violence: Effective Risk Management With Male Perpetrators, Simrat K. Tung

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This research aimed to identify the competencies required of intimate partner violence (IPV) specialists to effectively manage risk posed by male perpetrators of violence. Two methods were utilized– a scoping review of existing literature, and semi-structured interviews with 19 experts in the field. Researchers analyzed 140 documents and the transcribed interviews, extracting and compiling excerpts relating to competencies for assessing and managing risk and safety. Reflexive thematic analysis and methodological data triangulation were used to identify and compare competencies derived from literature and practice-based knowledge. Triangulation revealed overlap for themes of knowledge about IPV, promoting safety, assessing risk, collaborating with …

Evaluating The Impact Of A Compassion Focused Therapy Group On Parent And Caregiver Psychological Flexibility, Katarina M. Guillen

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Compassion focused therapy (CFT) for parents and caregivers is an emerging evidence-based intervention that aims to teach caregivers how to manage their own stress and frustration, as well as co-regulate their children’s emotions and self-soothing capabilities. Previous research has found that CFT interventions can improve parental self-compassion, psychological flexibility, and increase their sense of self-efficacy. The present study aimed to determine whether parental burnout and psychological inflexibility can be reduced through a novel CFT caregiver protocol. Results of the present study provide preliminary support for the utility of the intervention. Analyses of relations between constructs as well as the quantitative …

Enhancing Youth Healthy Relationships Programming In Indigenous Communities Through Co-Creation And Collaboration: A Feasibility Study, Kelsey Huson

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The Healthy Relationships Plus – Enhanced (HRP-E) program was designed for vulnerable youth to develop healthy relationships skills and reduce risk behaviours; however, it has not yet been adapted for Indigenous populations. This study used a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to explore the feasibility and fit of the HRP-E program for Indigenous youth through co-creation and collaboration with the Yellowhead Tribal Council (YTC) and its nations. Data was collected through individual interviews with YTC staff, researchers, and community members (educators, helpers, Elders, youth). Participants discussed potential barriers, facilitators, and recommendations for implementation of the HRP-E program for Indigenous youth. …

Lina Saadeddin_Supporting Transition Resilience Of Newcomer Groups (Strong) - Examining Impact Of Strong On Youth, Feasibility Of Community Implementation, And Parental Engagement, Lina Saadeddin

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study investigated the feasibility of virtual Supporting Transition Resilience of Newcomer Groups (STRONG) delivered through a community agency. STRONG is a Tier-2 intervention developed to enhance resilience and coping among newcomer youth. Ten youth participants from two STRONG groups completed pre-and post-surveys and participated in a focus group to describe their experiences. Parent sessions were added to STRONG programming. Five parents completed a satisfaction survey and a focus group to share their feedback. Two clinicians and one community manager provided feedback on the implementation in two focus groups. The study used a mixed-method approach. While there were no significant …

Exploring Effectiveness Of Implementation Of The Mindup Program Through Implementor Perspectives, Maria Jelic

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Developing feasible universal school-based programs that help children develop social and emotional competencies is crucial for the development of improved mental health in children, especially those who have been exposed to trauma. Educators need to be motivated to implement such programs with high quality so that intended outcomes are more likely to occur, but a variety of both internal and external factors can affect implementation. The present study explores these factors by inviting the perceptions of implementers and support staff who were involved in an SEL program called MindUP. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight participants, the interviews were transcribed …

Psychotherapists’ Approaches To Transgender Affirmative Psychotherapy, Jordyn Banks

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This qualitative research study investigated how psychotherapists understand trans-affirmative psychotherapies and apply them to transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) populations in their practice. Additionally, this study aimed to gain a better understanding of how psychotherapists who work with these populations work with microaggressions should they occur in session with a TGNC client. Five Canadian psychotherapists were interviewed in-depth about their experiences and a qualitative content analysis revealed 5 themes: (1) the person-centered nature of trans-affirmative psychotherapy, (2) accessing the ability to repair the therapeutic relationship post-microaggression, (3) the role of shame, (4) the universality of trans-affirmative therapy, and (5) therapist …

The Experiences Of Iraqi Refugees In Canada: A Life History Study Of War And Resilience In The Aftermath Of Migration, Nada Nessan

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This thesis reports on a life history narrative on the experiences of Iraqi refugees who resettled in Canada after living through war. The aim of this study is to help change the narrow perspectives on the mental health of war affected populations to a broader perception shaped by cultural and social aspects and to inform the development of meaningful and cultural relevant programs and policies with a particular attention to the concept of resilience.

The first part of the study presents the chronological narratives, or profiles. of eight participants. The second part of the study is a thematic discussion of …

Acceptability Of Making Mindfulness Matter (M3): A Community Based Program For Families Experiencing Adversity, Emilia Pacholec

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study utilized a mixed methods sequential embedded design to explore the acceptability of Making Mindfulness Matter (M3), an eight-week, concurrent intervention for families who have experienced adversity, from the parent’s perspective. M3 incorporates education and skills development around mindfulness, social-emotional learning, positive psychology, and neuroscience. Participants were 74 families, with children ages four to nine, who participated in the M3 program at a family support and crisis centre. Frequency data was collected for attendance and skills use between sessions. An inductive content analysis was used to identify the key themes pertaining to parent’s experience with the M3 program. The …

Unique Challenges In Risk Assessment With Rural Domestic Violence Victims: Implications For Practice, Nicole L. Youngson

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Through interviews with violence against women (VAW) workers (n=14), the present study examined workers’ perspectives of risk factors and the challenges in assessing risk for women experiencing domestic violence (DV) in rural locations. The present study also examined what promising practices VAW workers are utilizing when working with women experiencing DV in rural locations. Qualitative analysis indicated several risk factors including the location (i.e., geographic isolation, lack of transportation, and lack of community resources) and cultural factors (i.e., accepted and more available use of firearms, poverty, and no privacy/anonymity). Moreover, qualitative analyses indicated several challenges for VAW workers assessing risk …

Direct And Indirect Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (Nssi) Expression: An Investigation Into The Nature Of Nssi And Childhood Maltreatment, Emma Truffyn

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) involves deliberate damage to the body without suicidal intent. St. Germain and Hooley (2012) classify two forms of NSSI: direct and indirect. Direct NSSI is expressed through behaviours with immediate results (e.g. cutting), whereas indirect NSSI is expressed through means that are damaging to the body without immediate injury (e.g. promiscuity, substance abuse, risk behaviours, etc.). Research supports that NSSI behaviours occur in youth with histories of childhood maltreatment (CM; Trocmé et al., 2010); however, no study has examined if experiences of CM influence NSSI expression. Utilizing the InterRAI Child and Youth Mental Health tool (N …

Down Syndrome Caregivers’ Support Needs: A Caregiver Perspective, Katie Hart

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of the study was to gain an understanding of the support needs caregivers of children with Down syndrome (DS) experience and to provide recommendations to services and advocacy agencies in the community. Caregiver perspectives were gained from individual interviews addressing the research question “Are parents of individuals with DS supported, why or why not?” Caregivers were involved in the analysis of the data through Concept Mapping procedures. Participants generated eight thematic clusters representing the support needs of caregivers of children with DS. The themes included online social support, community support gaps, areas where support is lacking, Down Syndrome …

Perceptions Of Settlement Workers On The Needs And Challenges Of Female Syrian Refugees, Sheffy Bhayee

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Syrians account for a large proportion of recent refugee migrants to Canada. Settlement workers are the main point of contact for refugees; they remain with these individuals from the day of arrival until they have successfully settled. They are not only providers of information and assistance to meet basic needs but carry the responsibility of ensuring cultural integration. For this, it is crucial to understand the intersectional identities of the incoming migrant; coupled with traumatic experiences of fleeing from war, carrying cultured gender roles, and dealing with the anxiety and stress of relocation. The current study describes the settlement experiences …

Help Wanted: Investigating Help-Seeking Behaviour Among Post-Secondary Students In Relation To Their Mental Health And Well-Being, Stephanie Karam

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Research has been done on the importance of addressing mental health concerns while obtaining an undergraduate degree. Despite this, some students do not seek help and their mental health needs are unmet. The objective of the current study was to gain a holistic understanding of the barriers and facilitators affecting the help-seeking behaviour of undergraduate students, as told through the student perspective. Data was collected through an online consultation survey, which asked students for their perspectives of mental health supports on campus.A thematic analysis revealed a lack of promotion of mental health services, lack of academic time off, stigma, and …

Community Based Support Group For Siblings Of Children With Down Syndrome: A Pilot Study, Ashley R. Amicarelli

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The developmental delays associated with Down syndrome (DS) have been shown to affect the well-being of all family members. Research has shown that typically developing (TD) siblings experience increased maladjustment such as internalizing difficulties, behavioural problems and increased stress, however there has been limited research focusing on interventions for this population. Two sibling dyads participated in this pilot study examining the effects of a social support group for TD siblings overall adjustment. Although the was a lack of strong empirical evidence supporting the intervention, five qualitative themes emerged outlining their coping, emotions, experiences and sibling relationships. This research can help …

The Impact Of Maltreatment On Children And Youth: Exploring The Potential Mediating Effects Of Resilience To Traumatic Life Events, Rebecca Pschibul

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Abstract

Childhood is an acutely vulnerable period for trauma, as it can significantly influence normative childhood development. Specifically, trauma resulting from maltreatment (i.e., neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and witnessing domestic violence) offers unique challenges, as it often includes violations of boundaries and trust by caretakers. The aim of the present study was to examine child and youth maltreatment, and its impact on internalizing (e.g., mood disturbances) and externalizing behaviours (e.g., behavioural deviance). The sample was comprised of 9,002 participants who were assessed between the years of 2012-2017 on the interRAI Child and Youth Mental Health instrument (ChYMH). The ChYMH …

Nonsuicidal And Suicidal Intent Among Children And Youth With Histories Of Trauma: The Role Of Protective Factors, Rebecca West

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Developmental trauma remains a significant problem as several domains of impairment in children and youth exposed to trauma are affected. The momentum of research is currently focused on the consequences of developmental trauma reflected in disruptions in cognitive, neurological and psychological development which places children and youth at an elevated risk in developing maladaptive coping behaviours. Children and youth who report a history of trauma are typically more likely to engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicidal self-injury (SSI). This research explores whether social support and cognitive and executive functioning moderate the relationship between developmental trauma history and involvement in …

Female And Male Perpetrators Of Domestic Homicide: A Gendered Phenomenon?, Jackie Salas

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Domestic violence is a global issue extending across regional, cultural, and social boundaries. In 2017, 137 women across the world were killed everyday by intimate partners or relatives. By far, women over-represent victims of domestic violence and domestic homicide across time. Although disproportionate, equally concerning is the issue of violence against men. Researchers have started to question whether the risk factors related to male and female’s use of violence is gendered, however no clear consensus has been reached. A retrospective case analysis was completed using domestic homicide cases reviewed by the Domestic Violence Death Review Committee based in Ontario, Canada. …

Can I Lend A Hand? Investigating The Promotion Of Student Resiliency In A University Setting, Kevin Spencer Kilarski

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The mental health needs among postsecondary students have been observed to be increasing. Fostering resiliency in the campus environment has been identified as central to improving student mental health. The present study investigated student perceptions of how resiliency is supported in a university setting and what gets in the way of supporting student resiliency. Data was collected via campus-wide emails that explored student perceptions of mental health and resiliency at an institutional level. Through a thematic analysis, six main themes were produced that addressed common experiences of mental health support on campus: mental health awareness and education, student wellness resources, …

Prior Help-Seeking And Intuition Of Danger In Domestic Homicide Victims., Kristina Giacobbe

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Domestic violence and homicide can be reduced when victims seek effective and timely assistance or friends, family and community professionals offer support. One important factor in help-seeking is a victim’s intuitive sense of fear. Several factors related to this fear were examined including the presence of children in the home, perpetrator’s controlling behaviours, and mental health and/or addiction concerns of victims of DH. A retrospective case analysis was performed using domestic homicide case data reviewed by the Domestic Violence Death Review Committee (DVDRC) in Ontario, Canada. Victims who displayed an intuitive sense of fear were compared to victims who did …

The Association Between Child And Youth Mental Health Service Urgency And Exposure To Childhood Interpersonal Trauma, Catherine Marshall

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Children/youth with a history of maltreatment experience a variety of different developmental, psychiatric and health problems and ensuring there is streamline access to services is imperative to their recovery. Yet, there are few reports of standardized methods for directing and prioritizing risk for children seeking services. The current study,utilizingretrospective data collected from theinterRAIChild and Youth Mental Health Screener (ChYMH-S), aimed to address this gap and explore the relationship between childhood maltreatment and mental health screening outcomes. A sample of 4-18-year-olds (N= 19,645) was studied to explore how differences in maltreatment history, gender, and legal guardianship impacted service prioritization. The findings …

How To Support Caregivers And The Bereaved: Psychoeducation And Personal Coping Techniques, Vanessa Eva Marie Eyre

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Canada has an increasing and ageing population and because of this it is experiencing an increase in its rate of deaths. Because of this the requirement for hospice and end-of-life support will likely increase. This creates the need for research on best practices regarding supporting individuals in the caregiving role, but also how they personally cope with the challenges they face. The first segment of this study looked at caregivers of individuals with life-limiting illnesses’ experiences of receiving a psychoeducation grief resource package that contained a variety of educational materials that fall into the following categories of support: emotional, spiritual, …

Searching For Wisdom: A Phenomenological Investigation Of Women's Perspectives Following Participation In An Ovarian Cancer Supportive Care Group, Helen Butlin

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study used a novel methodology of hermeneutic-poetic-phenomenology to explore perspectives of women living with ovarian cancer. Each had participated in a supportive care group process Soul-Medicine prior to volunteering. Three women, Beth, Carrie, and Denise contributed to this study. The methodology was grounded in Gaston Bachelard’s philosophy of poetic-phenomenology. Data was analyzed with attention to image-centred knowledge; material imagination; reverie; and horizons of hope to elucidate their implicated aspects of wisdom and the ways participant’s formed their personal wisdom integrating feminist theories of embodiment and bioethics.

Findings are framed through three images of a uniquely formed inner ‘wisdom-compass’, an …