Multicultural Psychology Commons^™

Familias Latinas Unidas: Intervention To Increase Hispanic Enrollment In Higher Education, Yency E. Garcia

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Familias Latinas Unidas (FLU) is a 12-week psychotherapy program designed for Hispanic high school students and their parents. It especially targets students between the ages of 15 and 18 who would be the first in their family to attend college. FLU addresses cultural stressors that are known to interfere with the pursuit of higher education in this population. FLU has been endorsed by community leaders in Education and will be implemented across Southern California.

Meal And Food Selection Patterns Of Binge Episodes In Ethnically Diverse Adults, Abigail Grace Alido

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Food selection and associated patterns among ethnically diverse adults with binge eating deserves greater attention given binge eating prevalence among ethnic minorities. The aims of this study were to examine meal patterns, location, and food selection during binge episodes in an ethnically diverse sample of adults seeking binge eating treatment. Participants were 29 adults (86% female) with a mean age of 36.5 (SD = 11.2). Participants had an average body mass index of 32.4 (SD = 8.74). Approximately 41% of participants self-identified as Hispanic/Latino. The Eating Disorder Diagnostic Interview (EDDI) was administered to determine binge eating behavior and to obtain …

Factors That Inhibit Or Enhance Maternal Coping With Stillbirth In Chhattisgarh, India, Lisa R. Roberts

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Background: Over half of the known stillbirths occur in four highly populated countries—India among them. While acknowledged as a significant public health issue in western societies, little is known about maternal coping with stillbirth in developing countries. The purpose of this mixed methods study is to explore how issues of gender and power, social support, coping efforts, and religious beliefs influence perinatal grief outcomes among poor women in rural Chhattisgarh, India.

Methods: In Phase 1 of this mixed methods study, grounded theory methods were used to explore perceptions regarding stillbirth. A de-identified medical records review of 536 deliveries at Christian …

Social Cognitive Predictors Of Diabetes Outcomes In Latinos And Whites, Diana Brown

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Investigating health care disparities in ethnic minority populations is an increasingly urgent issue as these disparities lead to higher morbidity and mortality in minorities (National Center of Health Statistics, 2000). There is clear evidence that Latino Americans, the fastest growing minority group in the United States, are more likely to be diagnosed with and experience more severe complications from type 2 diabetes than Anglo Americans. This study surveyed 38 White and 33 Latino diabetes patients from outpatient clinics in an academic medical center. Cultural values (individualism and collectivism), mental health (social support, mental health), and self-efficacy (diabetes and exercise) were …

Psychological Distress And Change In A Pediatric Obesity Population, Amy Rebecca Beck

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Pediatric overweight and obesity is a growing national epidemic with 15 percent of children ages 6-19 considered obese and at least 22 percent considered overweight. While there is considerable research pointing to contributing factors of obesity, there is a paucity of research which elucidates what contributes to successful intervention. Considering that by the year 2050, nearly 50 million Americans may be obese, understanding the factors delineating success of weight loss and prevention is a necessity. The purpose of this study was to utilize archival data from the LLU Growing Fit Program to evaluate the levels of psychological distress experienced by …

The Effects Of Communication On Adolescent Sexual Behavior In Eastern Europe, Sharon Mieras Perugini

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

HIV/AIDS rates have continued to rise in Eastern Europe where adolescents are particularly vulnerable. The theory of reasoned action (TRA) has successfully been applied to understanding adolescent sexual risk behavior and provides a theoretical framework for the prevention of HIV/AIDS. According to TRA, attitudes and subjective norms predict behaviors via the mediating role of intentions, and in order to have an impact on behavior, changes must occur at the attitude and subjective norm level. Because parents have been found to influence their children's attitudes, subjective norms, and intentions, the moderating effects of parent communication on sexual risk behavior of adolescents …

Cultural And Psychological Influences On Diabetic Adherence, Keikilani Mcmillin-Williams

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Diabetes mellitus is a serious disease that poses a particular healthcare challenge because progression is considered controllable (Cox, et al, 1985; Vinicor, et al, 1996) yet treatment adherence, and thus outcome, is very poor (Gonder-Frederick, Cox, & Ritterband, 2002; Goodall, 1991). Culture is a lethal risk factor for diabetic contraction and treatment maintenance. Latinos within the United States are two-to-three times more likely to develop complications and die than non-Latinos (Haffner et al, 1996; Rubin, Peyrot, & Saudek, 1991) and are less likely to adhere to treatment (Lipton, Losey, Giachello, Mendez, & Girotti, 1998). Efforts to eliminate health disparities have …

Culture Shock And Adaptation Among Student Missionaries To Japan, Sheryl J. Craig

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to delineate certain parameters of the experience of student missionaries to Japan. This study was a longitudinal, descriptive study which identified background characteristics, aspects of the adaptation process, and stages and intensity of culture shock.

A group of twenty-seven student missionaries were followed from their arrival in Japan, which occurred over a three-month summer period, through the following May, just prior to their expected departure. Data were gathered using interviews, questionnaires, a semantic differential (to measure attitudes), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

The time when subjects were most at risk for high anxiety, poorer …

Depression And Non-Responsive Behavior Displayed By Low Socio-Economic Latino Mothers In An Urban Child And Youth Clinic, Raquél María Aguayo

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

During the researcher's experience as a public health nurse, she became aware of two types of depressed women. The first type is the withdrawn, weeping, self-isolating woman while the second type cited numerous physical complaints which prevented her from caring for her home and children. Both exhibited non-responsive behavior to her children's needs.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not low socio-economic latino mothers displaying non-responsive behavior had levels of depression different than low socio-economic latino mothers displaying responsive behavior.

Non-responsive behavior Is defined as an inability to utilize clinic services appropriately for health by exhibiting …