Digital Commons Network^™

Implementation Of The 2009 Cacrep Standards Addiction Competencies, Tiffany K. Lee

Dissertations

Addiction issues have been and continue to be significant problems affecting the United States. Over the past few decades, substantial scholarly attention has been paid to the lack of addictions training in the counseling profession. The purposes of this mixed-method study were to examine the current status of addiction training among institutions that offer counselor education programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and determine how institutions plan to integrate the addiction-related competencies outlined in the 2009 CACREP standards.

The quantitative data were obtained from a 15-item online survey completed by 74 CACREP …

Jordan’S Mental Healthcare System, Katherine Nolan

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Mental illness is a serious health concern often neglected in healthcare schemes in countries around the world. This study surveyed the mental healthcare system in Jordan through interviews with a former student, an academic, a public and private practitioner, a representative of the WHO, and a representative of the Jordanian Ministry of Health (MoH) and a survey among students of the University of Jordan in order to describe the system in Jordan and discover common perspectives toward the system. Results show that the system is in need of increased access to mental healthcare, decreased stigma regarding mental illness, and increased …

Living For Two: Experiencing Alzheimer’S Disease Through The Caregiver, Jacob Kramer

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This investigation focuses on the effects of Alzheimer‟s disease beyond the consequences it implicates for the patient. It must be recognized that this is a disease whose repercussions affect the family caregiver of the diseased with the same strength that it disturbs the principal carrier. The sporadic characteristics of Alzheimer‟s disease, externalized through mood swings, memory loss, the eventual loss of bodily functions, and, among other symptoms, the inability to communicate, create a category of instability and volatility experienced solely by the primary caregiver. This inconsistency that the primary family caregiver comes to know not only disturbs the patient-caregiver relationship, …

Healing South Africa: The Institute For Healing Of Memories As A Lens For Post-Conflict Trauma Initiatives, Rachael C. Ward

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This paper investigates how South Africa is attempting to deal with its violent past and present, by way of helping individuals cope with trauma. The Institute for Healing of Memories was examined through a case study and the Trauma Centre for Victims of Violence and Torture was also researched. I inquired first, what is most successful about these organizations’ work, and second, whether these successful approaches could be exported to help a larger percentage of traumatized people in South Africa. My research found that the entire Healing of Memory workshop methodology is successful and would need to be exported as …

Domestic Violence As A Contributing Factor To Juvenile Substance Use, Victoria Felicitas Sophie Danz

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

This study examines the relationship between witnessing violence in the home and juvenile substance use. Data was used from an existing study and variables were recoded to be of best use for this particular work. This study found that witnessing acts of violence can lead a juvenile into drug use, but other factors are more likely to have influenced this behavior. The study shows that family and peer use of drugs is a major predictor for juvenile substance use and has a bigger influence on the juvenile's life than witnessing violence. No significant impact on drug use was found between …

An Art-Based Psychoeducational Group For Pregnant Teenagers, Lauren Burinsky

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

This thesis began as an art-based psychoeducational group for pregnant teenagers, and two out of ten sessions were completed. However, due to several limitations, the study had to be turned into a proposal for the group. The goal of the proposed group is to increase pregnant teenagers’ preparedness (as measured by both knowledge base and competence) for the rest of their pregnancy and for motherhood. Over the course of five weeks, six girls would participate in ten sessions. This group will be hosted at Healthy Families in Hampton, Virginia, and the participants will be members there. The first part of …

Clergy Burnout, Compassion Fatigue, And Art Therapy, Joanna Harris Tarr

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore how art therapy can benefit clergy who are at a greater risk for experiencing burnout and compassion fatigue due to the unique personal stressors of their profession. As members of the helping professions who support people in the community through the local church during times of stress, death, birth, marriage and other important life junctures, they are often overworked (Strumpfer & Bands, 1996). Studies have determined that many clergy experience burnout and some may decide to leave the ministry, adding to the already declining numbers of those who decide to enter the …

Intimate Partner Violence In Urban Pakistan: Prevalence, Frequency, And Risk Factors, Tazeen S. Ali, Nargis Asad, Ingrid Mogren, Gunilla Krantz

School of Nursing & Midwifery

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an important public health issue with severe adverse consequences. Population-based data on IPV from Muslim societies are scarce, and Pakistan is no exception. This study was conducted among women residing in urban Karachi, to estimate the prevalence and frequency of different forms of IPV and their associations with sociodemographic factors.
Methods: This cross-sectional community-based study was conducted using a structured questionnaire developed by the World Health Organisation for research on violence. Community midwives conducted face-to-face interviews with 759 married women aged 25-60 years.
Results: Self-reported past-year and lifetime prevalence of physical violence was 56.3 …

Lifeskills Training Wellness Program: An Application For Young Adults In Supermarkets, Christopher Williams, Jessica Samuolis, Kenneth W. Griffin, Gilbert J. Botvin

Psychology Faculty Publications

To address the need for workplace substance use prevention programming, National Health Promotion Associates (NHPA) developed the LifeSkills Training Wellness Program (LST-WP) with funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Young Adults in the Workplace (YIW) grant program. LST-WP adapts and extends the highly effective, school-based LifeSkills Training (LST) model program (Botvin, 1998; Botvin et al., 1995) and provides comprehensive skills training for adolescent and young adult employees in communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, drug resistance, and related life skills. Overall, the program is designed to be highly flexible to meet employee and manager needs across different …

Family Art Therapy: A Case Report Of A Family With A Child With Autism, E. Lange Eve

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

Children diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder can experience a wide range of difficulties due to social and communication impairments. These challenges also affect the child’s family and can cause stress and disturbances within the family system. This case report describes an eight-week art therapy experience with a family who has a child with autism. A Projective Imagery Family Evaluation (PIFE) was conducted, followed by a discussion session with the family and then six one-hour art therapy sessions. The sessions occurred once a week and were implemented to address the specific concerns demonstrated by the family. Participants included a mother, …

Stretching The Paradigm: Crisis As A Problem In Mental Health Research, Roger A. Lohmann

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Crisis intervention is an established paradigm of community mental health theory and practice in which the nature and circumstances of crises are assumed to be well understood and the subject of established research findings and theory. Review of existing crisis research literature fails to support such assumptions. There is, in fact, little current evidence available on the nature and circumstances of mental health crises, despite the importance of crisis intervention in contemporary practice. This paper presents descriptive findings of a study of the frequency, duration and severity of mental health crises, based on analysis of more than 500 crisis incidents …

Causes Of Smoking In Pakistan: An Analysis Of Social Factors, Sobia Nizami, Zain A Sobani, Emmon Raza, Noor-Ul-Ain Baloch, Javaid Khan

Section of Pulmonary & Critical Care

OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors contributing to the initiation and propagation of smoking in visitors to a major tertiary health center in Karachi, Pakistan.

METHODS: Seven major contributing factors to the initiation and propagation of smoking were presented to consenting study participants (n=170) in a questionnaire. Participants were then requested to use their experience and opinion to rate each of the given factors on a scale of 1 to 5 regarding its importance as a causative factor in the initiation and propagation of smoking. Results were analyzed using SPSSv16.0.

RESULTS: Preliminary analysis revealed occupational stress relief as the most important …

Behavioral Health Providers And Electronic Health Records: An Exploratory Beliefs Elicitation And Segmentation Study, Nancy C. Shank

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The widespread adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) is a public policy strategy to improve healthcare quality and reduce accelerating health care costs. Much research has focused on medical providers’ perceptions of EHRs, but little is known about those of behavioral health providers. This research was informed by the theory of reasoned action, and the technology acceptance model. This mixed methods research was conducted in two studies. The first study interviewed behavioral health providers (n = 32) to elicit beliefs about EHRs. Using the elicited beliefs from the first study, a survey of 38 Likert-scaled belief statements was administered to …

Ten Year Trends (1992 To 2002) In Sociodemographic Predictors And Indicators Of Alcohol Abuse And Dependence Among Whites, Blacks, And Hispanics In The U.S, Raul Caetano, Jonali Baruah, Karen G. Chartier

Social Work Publications

Background

The objective of this paper is to examine 10-year trends (1992–2002) in the number and type of indicators of DSM-IV abuse and dependence among Whites, Blacks and Hispanics in the U.S.

Methods

Data are from the 1991–1992 National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey (NLAES; n = 42,862) and the 2001–2002 National Epidemiologic Study on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC; n = 43,093). Both surveys used multistage cluster sample procedures to select respondents 18 years of age and older from the U.S. household population.

Results

Increases in the prevalence of alcohol abuse between 1992 and 2002seem associated to a rise in …

Maternal Effects On Ethanol Teratogenesis In A Cross Between A/J And C57bl/6j Mice, David Gilliam, Nate Valdez, Scott Branson, Ashley Dixon, Chris Downing

SPS Faculty Publications

Genetic factors influence adverse pregnancy outcome in both humans and animal models. Animal research reveals both the maternal and fetal genetic profiles are important for determining the risk of physical birth defects and prenatal mortality. Using a reciprocal-cross breeding design, we investigated whether the mother’s genes may be more important than fetal genes in determining risk for ethanol teratogenesis. Examination of possible synergistic genetic effects on ethanol teratogenesis was made possible by using two mouse strains known to be susceptible to specific malformations. Inbred A/J (A) and C57BL/6J (B6) mice were mated to produce four fetal genotype groups: the true-bred …

Long-Term Effects Of Self-Control On Alcohol Use And Sexual Behavior Among Urban Minority Young Women, Kenneth W. Griffin, Lawrence M. Scheier, Bianca Acevedo, Jerry L. Grenard, Gilbert J. Botvin

CGU Faculty Publications and Research

High risk alcohol use and sexual behaviors peak in young adulthood and often occur in the same individuals. Alcohol use has been found to impair decision-making and contribute to high risk sexual activity. However, the association between alcohol use and risky sexual behavior may also reflect enduring individual differences in risk taking, sociability, self-control, and related variables. Both behaviors can serve similar functions related to recreation, interpersonal connection, and the pursuit of excitement or pleasure. The present study examined the extent to which high risk drinking and sexual behavior clustered together in a sample of urban minority young adult women, …

Gratitude Intervention And Its Effect On Substance Abusers, Patricia Kelleen Mcclanahan

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of an intervention seen to increase life satisfaction in substance abuse treatment. While treatment models have improved, results remain low for long-term abstinence. The study participants were substance-abuse treatment clients at Mental Health Systems (MHS). This study will measure, in terms of increased life satisfaction, the effectiveness of a daily gratitude list on the negative mindset of substance abusers in treatment. The focus of this study will be the use of intervention that has been seen as beneficial in enhancing personal well-being.

What Children Should Know About Cancer: Parent's Perception, Kristyn Gina Sutton

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this project will focus on how and for what reasons parents inform their children of their cancer. Through the use of focus groups and the participation of parents, sick and healthy, this study will bring to light the truth of what parents feel their children should know about their cancer and why they may feel it necessary to tell them about their cancer.

What Are The Characteristics Of Families With Three Or More Referrals To Children And Family Services Within A Twelve Month Period?, Elizabeth Irene Valenzuela

Theses Digitization Project

In order to better serve those famailies that are chronically involved with Children and Family Services and prevent their future involvement with the system, social service workers should be able to identify and understand what characteristics are causing referral. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of families with three or more referrals within a twelve month period that significantly impact the number of referrals a family receives.

Effects Of Substance Abuse Services On Child Reunification, Peter Charles Shorts

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to conduct a descriptive and inferential analysis of the effect of substance abuse treatment upon the family reunification process. The research revealed a significant relationship between the median age of custodial parents whose parental rights were terminated and the median age of parents whose parental rights were not terminated.

The Stigmatization Of Methadone Maintenance Treatment And Its Effect On Social Support, Kenia Gabriela Rivas, Franceen Mary Rosales

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to explore the correlation between perceived stigmatization from family as well as friends and its probable effects on social support from the same. Methadone Maintenance Treatment (MMT) is a treatment modality that has been proven to help achieve abstinence. However, due to controversy over MMT, this has brought stigmatization, social injustice and powerlessness to those who seek out treatment.

African-Americans' Perceptions Of Hospice Care, Gina Elizabeth Wagner

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to reveal how African Americans view hospice care and how cultural values, economic factors and the amount of knowledge about hospice further impact the experiences African Americans have with hospice.

Psychosocial Needs Of Family Caregivers Of Cancer Patients, Graziano Mario Mauriz

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study was to examine caregivers' psychosocial needs in order to develop supportive programs and implement proper interventions intending to improve their quality of life and quality of care for their loved one's affected by cancer.

Objectively-Measured Physical Activity And C-Reactive Protein: Nhanes 2003–2004, Paul D. Loprinzi, Bradley J. Cardinal, Carlos J. Crespo, Gary R. Brodowicz, Ross Andersen, Edward J. Sullivan, Ellen Smit

Community Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

The association between physical activity (PA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) is inconsistent, with nearly all studies using self-report measures of PA. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between objectively-measured PA and CRP in U.S. adults and children. Adults (N=2912) and children (N=1643) with valid accelerometer data and CRP data were included in the analyses. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the odds of meeting physical activity guidelines across CRP quartiles for children and among adults with low, average, and high CRP levels. For adults, after adjustments for age, gender, race, body mass index, smoking, diabetes, …

Quality Of Service And Treatment Adherence In Individuals With End Stage Renal Disease, Kyle Joseph Fraga

Theses Digitization Project

The purpose of this study will focus on the patient's attitudes about their treatment. There is a certain stigma attached to dialysis that makes it an undesirable form of treatment. Individuals on dialysis may feel dependent and vulnerable. In addition, hospitals and dialysis clinics can be an unwelcoming and intimidating place. A person's belief about their treatment will influence how well they adhere to it.

Financial Disagreements And Marital Conflict Tactics, Jeffery Dew, J Dakin

Human Development and Family Studies Faculty Publications

Recent studies have suggested that relative to other types of marital disagreement, financial disagreements are more problematic for couples. Using data from the National Survey of Families and Households (N = 3,861 couples), we tested whether different types of marital disagreements predicted self-reported marital conflict tactics. Considering the findings overall, financial disagreements were among the consistent top predictors of conflict tactics, including using heated arguments more frequently than calm discussion. Contrary to previous studies, however, disagreements over housework also predicted conflict tactics about as strongly as financial disagreements. Husbands’ reports of financial disagreements were more closely associated with conflict tactics …

Relationship Between Graduate Students' Statistics Self-Efficacy, Statistics Anxiety, Attitude Toward Statistics, And Social Support, Michelle Perepiczka, Nichelle Chandler, Michael Becerra

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

Statistics plays an integral role in graduate programs. However, numerous intra- and interpersonal factors may lead to successful completion of needed coursework in this area. The authors examined the extent of the relationship between self-efficacy to learn statistics and statistics anxiety, attitude towards statistics, and social support of 166 graduate students enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs within colleges of education. Results indicated that statistics anxiety and attitude towards statistics were statistically significant predictors of self-efficacy to learn statistics, yet social support was not a statistically significant predictor of self-efficacy. Insight into how this population responds to statistics courses and …

2011 Annual Report, Center For Applied Research On Substance Use And Health Disparities

Center for Applied Research on Substance Use and Health Disparities Annual Reports

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Childhood Sexual Abuse On Women In Recovery For Substance Abuse, Barbara Eileen Egan

Theses Digitization Project

This study assessed if women who are survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse and receive treatment for this issue, when they were in treatment for substance abuse, stayed sober longer and thus experienced a healthier and happier recovery. The benefit of this research is two-fold as it not only leads to better treatment programs for women who have this co-occurring condition, it also allows for better treatment outcomes and as a result is more cost effective for treatment agencies. The data was collected confidentially through surveys that were distributed at 10 local Alcoholic's Anonymous meetings in the Inland Empire area.

Seven Pillars Of Small War Power, Randy Borum

Mental Health Law & Policy Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.