Psychology Commons^™

Exposure To Adverse Childhood Experiences (Aces) Within Rural And Underserved Communities, Lauren T. Sparks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

It can be difficult for residents of rural and underserved communities to express their own experiences involving adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). ACEs cause negative health outcomes to those who are exposed to physical, mental, or behavioral abuse. These negative outcomes can affect the individual’s mental health; therefore, it is crucial to create recovery mechanisms for communities that are in dire need of resources. The purpose of this qualitative study was to research the exposure of ACEs throughout three rural and underserved states: Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Each of these states had exposure scenarios which was determined based on the distributed …

Development Of A Novel Measure To Assess For Alcohol Misuse In Older Adults: The Alcohol Misuse Scale For Older Adults (Amsoa), Nathan Jensen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Alcohol is the most regularly used intoxicating substance in most geographic locations. Alcohol use in the United States specifically is well over global averages. While alcohol misuse is generally considered to be understood as a problem for younger adults, it is often unrecognized and understudied older adult populations. Currently, there is an absence of a comprehensive tool measuring for developmentally salient behaviors, symptoms, and features of alcohol misuse in older adulthood, which blocks researchers’ ability to measure alcohol misuse well. The purpose of this study is to develop a psychometrically valid and reliable assessment of alcohol misuse for older adult …

Expressive Arts Therapy To Support Positive Experiences Of Embodiment Among Rural Lgbtq+ Adults: A Literature Review, Ann Stromgren

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This paper investigates the use of expressive arts therapy to support LGBTQ+ adult clients in rural communities. Caring professionals in rural areas often lack training on how to work with LGBTQ+ clients, and best practices for clinical mental health counseling with rural LGBTQ+ clients have yet to be defined. Some evidence suggests that using “metronormative” best practices with rural clients may be irrelevant or cause harm (Giano et al., 2020). Although some recommendations exist for using expressive therapies with LGBTQ+ clients, they are rarely evidence-based, as very few empirical studies exist evaluating the effectiveness of expressive therapy interventions with LGBTQ+ …

Examining Telemental Health In Mississippi: Brief Report, Mario Sobrino, Monica L. Coleman, Janita Springfield, Sheerah Neal, Amanda Winburn

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

The term telemental health has become a staple of the modern counselor’s lexicon since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and has led to a surge of new research and practical information for counselors to engage in effective, socially distanced mental health services. Telemental health (TMH) is identified as the use of telecommunication, videoconferencing, and internet-based technologies to provide mental health services (Holland et al., 2018). Although TMH is regarded as an efficient treatment modality for a myriad of mental health issues, the cardinal purpose of its origination was to reduce or eliminate geographic barriers to receiving mental health treatment …

Support-Seeking By Cancer Caregivers Living In Rural Australia, Elizabeth A. Johnston, Belinda C. Goodwin, Larry Myers, Sonja March, Joanne F. Aitken, Suzanne K. Chambers, Jeff Dunn

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: Rural cancer caregivers report poor wellbeing and high unmet needs for support. This study investigates sources of support sought by cancer caregivers living in rural Australia, and factors associated with support-seeking. Methods: Informal caregivers of people with cancer completed a questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, caregiver factors and support-seeking. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses and logistic regression were used to identify common sources of support and factors associated with support-seeking. Alluvial and radar plots were used to identify and describe support-seeking profiles. Findings: Of 244 rural caregivers, 64 % reported seeking support for themselves, 72 % for the cancer patient, and …

Parent Emotion Socialization And Emerging Adult Internalizing Symptoms: Differences And Moderation By Rurality, Cheston West

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Emerging adulthood is a unique developmental period from late adolescence to late 20s during which individuals experience a multitude of developmental transitions and are at an increased risk for internalizing symptoms. Parent emotion socialization in childhood can also contribute to risk for internalizing symptoms and is shaped by parent gender and sociocultural context. Rurality is a sociocultural context that has implications for parenting, but less research has explored how parent emotion socialization varies by rurality. The present study examined maternal and paternal emotion socialization in relation to rurality and emerging adult internalizing symptoms. Participants were 270 emerging adults (18-29 years …

Implementing The Who Caregivers Skills Training Program With Caregivers Of Autistic Children Via Telehealth In Rural Communities, Cecilia Montiel-Nava, Megan Tregnago, Jeanne Marshall, Kristin Sohl, Alicia Brewer Curran, Melissa Mahurin, Melissa Warne-Griggs, Who Cst Team, Pamela Dixon

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: For families with autistic children living in rural areas, limited access to services partly results from a shortage of providers and extensive travel time. Telehealth brings the possibility of implementing alternative delivery modalities of Parent Mediated Interventions (PMIs) with the potential to decrease barriers to accessing services. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of implementing the World Health Organization-Caregivers Skills Training program (WHO-CST) via an online, synchronous group format in rural Missouri.

Methods: We used a mixed methods design to collect qualitative and quantitative data from caregivers and program facilitators at baseline and the end of …

Understanding Help-Seeking In Rural Counties: A Serial Mediation Model Of Self-Reliance, Stigma, And Attitudes Toward Psychologists, Emily M. Keller

Doctoral Dissertations

Rural areas in the Southern United States are characterized by certain cultural values, including self-reliance. Prior research has shown that cultural values can affect stigmatizing beliefs about mental health needs and service utilization. The present study examined a four-stage chain of serial mediation where higher levels of general self-reliance would be related to increased levels of public stigma, which would, in turn, be related to greater levels of self-stigma, followed by higher self-reliance about managing mental health problems, and finally, more negative attitudes toward seeking out help from psychologists. Community members who lived in rural counties in the Southern United …

Predictors Of Special Education Inequity In Rural Rocky Mountain West Schools, Jac'lyn Bera

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Current research focusing on disproportionality and equity in schools focuses on the urban environment, resulting in a significant gap in our understanding of the challenges of rural schools. For rural, racially and ethnically minoritized (R/EM) students who have disabilities, this research is largely unavailable or minimal, and negatively affects our understanding of rural needs, barriers, and successes for this historically underserved population. There is even less research focused specifically on rural students in the Rocky Mountain West (RMW) region of the United States. Understanding these factors serves as a critical area of research, and is the focus of this study. …

An Evaluation Of A School Mental Health Program For Underserved Youth In Rural South Carolina, Tristan Collier

Theses and Dissertations

School, community, and youth-serving system partnerships can support implementing comprehensive school mental health (SMH) systems including services beyond direct therapy for students (i.e., multiple tiers of support). Utilizing a comprehensive approach to SMH allows clinicians to form stronger relationships with administrators, school staff, and most importantly, students who may need services. This comprehensive approach to SMH includes incorporating the SMH clinician into the culture and daily activities of the schools (e.g., helping direct students in the bus line), to increase the visibility of the clinician and services available as well as provide opportunities for direct outreach to students. One such …

Rural Parent's Experiences Of Stress And Resilience During The Covid-19 Pandemic And School Closure, Emily Wilson, Jungwon Eum, Yuenjung Joo, Martinique A. Sealy, Jentry Stoneman Barrett, Gwen C. Nugent, Joan Carraher, Angela G. Hinrichs

Online Journal of Rural Research & Policy

The COVID-19 pandemic has generated social and economic disruptions, resulting in cascading effects on the health and well-being of global citizens. However, little research has focused on how COVID-19 has affected rural regions, despite rurality being a critical factor for understanding community impact and response to the pandemic. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of rural Nebraskan parents with young children during the COVID-19 pandemic and school shutdown, and the strategies they used to support their families during that time. We conducted individual and group interviews with 22 white, non-Hispanic mothers living in rural towns, …

Stigma And Rurality: How Community Type Influences Stigmatizing Views Toward Mental Illness, Kirsten P. Speights

Honors Theses

Public stigma, or a set of negative attitudes and beliefs that can contribute to discrimination against those with mental illnesses, negatively affects behavioral health care and may be particularly prevalent in rural communities. The goal of this study was to examine public stigma across rural, suburban, and urban communities, as well as its association with mental health symptoms. An online survey was conducted using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) service as well as the University of Southern Mississippi’s SONA platform. Demographic data, community type, and mental health symptoms were collected via self-report inventories. When looking at the combined SONA (n= 298) …

Differences In Distress Between Rural And Non-Rural Appalachian Breast Cancer Patient / Caregiver Dyads During The First Year Of Treatment, Jordan Tasman, Callie D. Mcadams, Jillian Lloyd, Ashton J. Brooks, Patricia Nola Eugene Roberson

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Breast cancer patients and their caregivers living in rural Appalachia face substantial health disparities compared to their non-rural Appalachian counterparts. However, there is limited research on how these specific health disparities in rural Appalachian communities may impact patient psychological distress and caregiver strain during the first year of breast cancer treatment.

Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to assess differences in patient psychological distress (depression and anxiety) and caregiver strain between rural non-rural Appalachian breast-cancer-affected dyads (patients and their caregivers) during the first year of treatment.

Methods: A total of 48 Appalachian breast cancer patients (with a …

Rural Pregnant Women’S Experiences With Substance Use Disorder: A Qualitative Study, Cami Weber

Dissertations

Rural pregnant women with substance use disorder (SUD) are an understudied vulnerable population that often experiences poor pregnancy outcomes (Higgins et al., 2019; Jumah, 2016; Kramlich et al., 2018; Shaw et al., 2015). Despite the high prevalence and high burden associated with SUD, rural women are less likely than non-pregnant women to seek addiction treatment and complete an outpatient treatment program during pregnancy (Shaw et al., 2015). This study aimed to give voice to rural Missouri women with SUD. The research questions explored the life experiences and motivations for seeking treatment using a qualitative, descriptive research design with grounded theory …

Affirming Care: A Cultural Assimilator For Rural Clinicians Working With Lgbtqia+ Populations, Craig B. Creech

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Although the juggernaut of progress continues to provide minority groups, including members of the LGBTQIA+ population, opportunities to achieve equal representation and protection under the law, numerous challenges remain. Significant prejudicial and discriminatory actions, fortified by heterosexism and heteronormativity, not only threaten this community’s continued advancement, but also poses an existential threat to the physical, emotional, psychological, and social well-being of its members. Therefore, it is imperative that psychological clinicians receive adequate academic and practical skills-based training to thoroughly understand and respond to the unique obstacles faced by LGBTQIA+ clients. This goal, while laudable, is made even more difficult for …

Sexual Victimization And Disordered Eating Among Sorority And Fraternity Members, Jennifer L. Mcginness

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A clear relationship exists between a history of sexual victimization and disordered eating behaviors characteristic of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. Additionally, college students and more specifically, members of Greek organizations are at an increased risk of experiencing sexual victimization and developing disordered eating behaviors. However, there is a lack of research on the effect of Greek membership on the development of different types of disordered eating behaviors following sexual assault. Additionally, research has neglected to address novel disordered eating patterns, such as those characteristic of orthorexia nervosa, and the presence of these patterns following sexual assault. To …

Skills And Strategies For Health Care Decision-Making With Children, University Of Montana Rural Institute For Inclusive Communities

Early Childhood

Being a decision-maker for your own healthcare is important. Families and healthcare providers want children to become good decision-makers. For some children this takes more support, practice, and some special tools. Learning this skill should begin in childhood and continue into adulthood. This guide and its resources help families and healthcare providers support children to learn the skills they need.

Child And Family Tip Sheet: Communicating With Families, University Of Montana Rural Institute For Inclusive Communities

Early Childhood

Working with families is an important part of working with children. Ideally, child care providers, teachers and families learn from and support each other. Here are some ideas to keep in mind as you communicate with families.

Child And Family Tip Sheet: Communicating With Children, University Of Montana Rural Institute For Inclusive Communities

Early Childhood

Communication is the act of sharing ideas, feelings, and concepts with others. Communication can be verbal and nonverbal. Some children may have difficulty expressing themselves. Other children may have difficulty understanding what is said to them. It is important to identify and encourage all children’s attempts to communicate.

Contextualizing Bipoc High School Students’ Racialized Experiences Under Trump, Christina Ung

Master's Theses

This thesis contextualizes public high school experiences of self-identified students of color during Trump’s presidency. The study features three recent high school graduates from the same campus, and their perspectives on a series of topics related to their racial identity. It was important that this research served as a space for marginalized voices to share their lived experiences, as they are frequently left out of American curriculum. More specifically in this case, the high school is located in a small, rural town where the population is majority white and politically conservative. Through the lens of critical race theory (CRT), data …

Child And Family Tip Sheet: Making Connections With Children, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Early Childhood

The rewards for putting time and energy into connecting with a child come back to you in many ways. When children are in a caring environment, they learn to treat one another with care.

Child And Family Tip Sheet: Create A Learning Environment, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Early Childhood

A child’s environment communicates expectations and supports their development. The space around children impacts their sense of order, invites play, and promotes feelings of ownership.

Child And Family Tip Sheet: Building Skills Through Toys, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Early Childhood

Children learn important skills from interacting with peers and play materials. Here are things to think about when evaluating toys for a group-play setting.

A Description Of Covid-19 Lifestyle Restrictions Among A Sample Of Rural Appalachian Women, Michele Staton, Martha Tillson, J. Matthew Webster

Journal of Appalachian Health

Background: COVID-19 has led to swift federal and state response to control virus transmission, which has resulted in unprecedented lifestyle changes for U.S. citizens including social distancing and isolation. Understanding the impact of COVID-19 lifestyle restrictions and related behavioral risks is important, particularly among individuals who may be more vulnerable (such as rural women with a history of substance use living in Appalachia).

Purpose: The overall purpose of this study was to better understand the perceptions of lifestyle changes due to COVID-19 restrictions among this vulnerable group.

Methods: The study included a mixed methods survey with a convenience sample of …

Alcohol Use Subgroups Among Rural Middle School Students: The Impact Of Community Violence Exposure, Courtney B. Dunn

Theses and Dissertations

A substantial portion of early adolescents initiate alcohol use. This represents a significant public health concern due to its association with a variety of adverse consequences. Although person-centered analytic approaches such as latent class analysis have been used to describe heterogeneity in adolescents’ alcohol use, most prior studies have focused on high school or older samples. This may obscure patterns of alcohol use that emerge during early adolescence. The current study identified and described subgroups of adolescents based on their alcohol use in a racially diverse sample of rural middle school students. Because research and theory indicate that exposure to …

A One-Session, Brief Acceptance And Commitment Therapy Workshop For Chronic Pain Patients: A One-Sample Pretest-Posttest Prospective Exploratory Study, Kelly Anne Thomas Ms

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Chronic pain affects one in every four persons (NIH, 2010). For individuals residing in rural communities where chronic pain treatment is often not accessible (Artnak et al., 2011), a one-session brief mental health intervention is a critical healthcare need. More specifically, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for chronic pain is a novel treatment approach in need of more research (Society of Clinical Psychology, 2016). This current study contributes to the gap in the literature by implementing an ACT workshop in a rural healthcare setting for individuals with chronic pain. It was hypothesized that the workshop would increase adaptive coping mechanisms …

Examining Differences In Achievement Of Physical Activity Best Practices Between Urban And Rural Child Care Facilities By Age, Danae Dinkel, John P. Rech, Yage Guo, Matthew R. Bice, Emily Hulse, Donnia Behrends, Christina Burger, Dipti Dev

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

Go Nutrition and Physical activity Self Assessment in Child Care (NAP SACC) is an evidence based intervention developed to positively impact childhood obesity in early childhood education (ECE) facilities. One focus of Go NAP SACC is the development of physical activity best practices. However, little research has examined differences in achievement of best practices based on age of child and geographic location. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in the achievement of physical activity best practices between urban and rural childcare facilities by age-specific recommendations (infants, toddlers, and preschoolers) and in the overall physical activity environment. Urban …

Strategic Planning In Small Nonprofit Behavioral Health Organizations, Amanda Machamer Becker

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Rural communities in the United States depend on small community-based nonprofits to provide access to food, nutrition, transportation, and other social determinants of health. Despite this essential role, some leaders of small nonprofits forgo participating in strategic planning because they believe that the process can be time consuming and expensive. Strategic planning may help organizations of any size to be organized, mission focused, outcome based, and successful. The strategic planning process helps to identify which outcomes demonstrate effectiveness and increase program sustainability. The purpose of this study was to explore the ways that strategic planning may assist small rural community-based …

Volunteer Motivation Of Individuals In Rural Pacific Northwest, Lenea Kindred Pierzchanowski

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Volunteering is a selfless social action in which an individual chooses to participate through personal motivations. These actions of public service are a combination of need-based vacancies within organizations and unpaid compensation for filling those needs. The purpose of this research was to identify motivational attributes of individuals who volunteer in the identified rural area using one-on-one semi-structured interviews through the lens of the volunteer process model, in addition to the social identity, ecological, and social capital theories. The 15 participants for this study were over the age of 18, fluently spoke and read English, and had been a volunteer …

Demographic, Psychosocial And Perceived Environmental Factors Associated With Depression Severity In A Midwest Micropolitan Community, Jason D. Daniel-Ulloa, Barbara I. Baquero, Christine M. Kava, Mayra L. Smith-Coronado, Nicole L. Novak, Dan Sewell, Adriana Maldonado, Heidi L. Haines, Claudia Gates, Edith Parker

Health Behavior Research

The purpose of this study was to inform a community-engaged partnership concerned with mental health in their community by exploring factors associated with depression among a sample of residents in a micropolitan city in a rural state. Social and contextual factors are important influences on depression risk, but most research in this area has focused on urban settings. Micropolitan areas (midsize rural communities centered around a population core of 10,000-50,000 people) are home to the majority of rural residents and this specific social and economic context may have unique influences on depression risk. Using a random-digit-dial sampling method, adult residents …