Counseling Psychology Commons^™

Examining The Shift In Occupational Identity After A Brain Injury, Mikelle Bryson-Campbell

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Occupational identity is defined by Kielhofner (2002) as a sense of who we are as an occupational being, based on our past, current, and future occupational roles. When a life disruption occurs such as a brain injury (BI) and the disruption impacts the ability to conduct an occupation deemed meaningful an important process of transition occurs (Muenchberger, Kendall, & Neal, 2008). In turn occupational identity may shift to reflect the current health and economic status of the individual and what occupations are judged as meaningful.

The current study examined the shift in occupational identity in BI survivors in a two …

Exploring Parental Experiences And Decision-Making Processes Following A Fetal Anomaly Diagnosis, Ramona L. Fernandez

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Often the first indication that something may be wrong in a seemingly normal pregnancy occurs during the first detailed ultrasound appointment between 16 and 20 weeks gestation. Even the most tentative suspicions of fetal anomalies is jarring. Parent’s default reality of a normal pregnancy and a ‘perfect child’ changes to one of risk factors and the possibility of an ‘unhealthy child’. This study begins with the realization of this first loss in a series of losses that follow for parents as they grapple with diagnostic information to be able to make informed medical decisions regarding their fetus and pregnancy. The …

Examining Risk: Profiles Of Adult Male Perpetrators Of Intimate Partner Violence, Carolyn Carrier

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of this study was to examine risk profiles presented by men who have assaulted their partner versus those who have killed their partner in an act of intimate partner violence (N =526). Three groups of men were examined: men who have killed (DVDRC) and men involved in a batterer intervention program (BIP) either post-adjudication (CO) or as a part of a specialized pre-adjudication (EI) program for domestic violence offences. Twenty risk factors were compared across the three groups. Primary findings of the study suggest that men who kill their partners are different than men who did not and …

Understanding Gendered Pathways To Criminal Involvement In A Community-Based Sample: Relevance Of Past Trauma With Female Offenders, Amelia S.Y. Wu

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The study explored the relevance of gender and past trauma on the pathways to criminal justice involvement in a sample of community based offenders (N = 90). The primary focus was on women and their experiences in examining the association between their traumatic past experiences and their current criminal behaviours. Results from correlation and Chi-Square analyses suggested that the presence of past trauma plays a relevant role in understanding criminal justice pathways for all offenders regardless of gender. Findings also indicated that the experience of trauma is an important factor in defining women's experiences with criminal justice in terms …

Adolescents Perceptions Of Victims And Perpetrators Of Cyberbullying, Jasprit K. Pandori

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Abstract

Cyberbullying is a form of bullying that occurs through technological means, such as social networking, and instant messaging, among others. It can be constant, and at other times may occur in isolated incidents, but despite the timeline of progression, some scholars argue that the effects are almost always catastrophic (Kowalski, Limber, & Agatston, 2012). The present study examined the behavioural characteristics of cyberbullying victimization and perpetration, along with help seeking behaviours and reporting likelihood amongst adolescents in southwestern Ontario. A mixed methodology was utilized. Quantitative secondary data from a large scale survey completed by a school board in southwestern …

Gender And Grade Differences In How High School Students Experience And Perceive Cyberbullying, Jeremy D. Doucette

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Gender and grade differences in how high school students experience and perceive cyberbullying was examined through a survey and focus groups with youth in southwestern Ontario, Canada. Survey findings revealed that boys reported cyberbullying more often than girls on most items while girls reported experiencing cyberbullying more often than boys on most items. Grade alone did not account for significant differences, but interactions with gender were sometimes found. The focus groups revealed that most students believe that girls cyberbully more than boys, but that boys are more likely than girls to view cyberbullying as a form of joking, and to …

Children's Understanding And Experience Of Anger Within Their Peer Groups, Nicole J. Hamel

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of this study was to describe how children understand, experience and express their anger with others in their peer group, from their perspectives. Semi-structured focus groups were conducted with third grade students in an elementary school. Children were asked three questions: 1) What did you learn about dealing with anger this week? 2) What are some good/positive things that happened between you and your classmates this week? 3) What are some not so good or negative things that happened between you and your classmates this week? Six themes emerged from analysis of the transcripts of the semi-structured focus …

Understanding Gendered Criminal Involvement With A Community-Based Criminal Sample: Assessing Substance Abuse And Mental Health Needs, Stacy Taylor

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study explored the gendered effect of substance abuse and mental health issues on the pathways to criminal convictions with a criminal population in the community setting. The data was retrieved through a file review of a sample of 48 female and 42 male offenders who received crisis care during a one-year period, at a community corrections agency in a medium-sized urban community in Ontario. The data collected was based upon factors derived from the LSI-R (Andrews & Bonta, 1995) and the Women’s Supplemental Risk/Needs Assessment (Van Voorhis, Wright, Salisbury & Bauman, 2010). Results of the present study revealed gender …

Conjoint Therapy For Intimate Partner Violence Among Aboriginal Couples: Service Providers' Perspectives On Risk And Safety, Ellissa M. Riel

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has been studied at length and consists of different forms including emotional, physical and sexual, which in isolation or combination have significant effects on the health of those involved. While there has been research on conjoint therapy for the mainstream population, there is no current research on Aboriginal couples. Interventions for family violence in Aboriginal communities should take a culture-based approach and focus on healing for the whole family. The purpose of this research was to identify risk and safety issues from the perspective of service providers for couples therapy with Aboriginal clients for IPV. A …

Non-Suicidal Self-Injury With Girls In Tertiary Care: Implications For Assessment And Treatment, Amanda J. Kerry

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study examined what differentiates girls in a residential treatment program who engage in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) from the girls who do not. Participants included 68 females between the ages of 6 to 17 who resided at a tertiary mental health care facility for children and youth. Secondary data from the Brief Child and Family Phone Interview (BCFPI) was employed to measure internalizing and externalizing behaviours, histories maltreatment, and family disruptions. The findings indicate no significant differences between the low, moderate, and high risk groups. However, according to the primary caregivers’ reports, girls who appear to enjoy themselves are less …

Factors Responsible For Work-Life Conflict: A Study Comparing The Teaching And Legal Professions, Waleska A. Vernon

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The purpose of this study was to examine the nature of work-life conflict (WLC) as experienced by mid-career members of the teaching and legal professions with a view to both determining the extent to which the universal WLC factors identified by previous research apply to specific professions and identifying any WLC factors unique to the teaching and legal fields. Participants included four business law firm lawyers and four teachers working in large urban Ontario settings, all with at least five years of experience working in their field. A phenomenological design using semi-structured interviews was employed. Eight themes were identified for …

Exploring Attachment And The Transition To Motherhood For Survivors Of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Laura E. Bellhouse

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

This study explored the experiences of 8 new mothers who were survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The women completed interviews during their second trimester of pregnancy and 4-6 months following the birth of their child. Specifically, the study focused on attachment during the transition to motherhood. The women’s experiences were examined using a qualitative research design. Two major themes relating to attachment emerged from the data: Trauma and the Impact on Self in Relationships and Moving Forward into Motherhood. Implications for counselling and research are discussed.

First Nations Youths' Experiences With Wellness: A Four Directions Approach, Jamie L. Warren

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

First Nations youth are a growing population at risk for multiple outcomes that affect their well-being. The effects of colonization and the residential school legacy continue to impact First Nations communities today, creating a cycle of intergenerational trauma to affect the next seven generations. As First Nations youth are at a social and economic disadvantage for maintaining balance in well-being, the purpose of this study was to identify through the Medicine Wheel teachings 1) what youth saw as contributors to well-being, 2) their vision for well-being, and 3) ways to achieve their vision. Using a qualitative approach, the results described …