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Themes In Help-Seeking Of Female Military Sexual Assault Survivors, Priscilla Phan

Doctoral Dissertations

While large efforts have been made to address military sexual assault, there are still barriers in the help-seeking journey that need attention. This study aimed to examine barriers and facilitators to formal and informal help-seeking behaviors and to understand the role of stigma in survivors' help-seeking behaviors for female military sexual assault survivors. Through semi-structured interviews, the study explored the help-seeking experiences and mental health sequela of fourteen female military sexual assault survivors. This study focused on cis-gender women over the age of eighteen who experienced a military sexual assault, by another military service member, while on active-duty. Women shared …

Evaluating The Client Base And Housing Outcomes Of A Community Based Organization Serving Unhoused Adults, Emi Caprio

Doctoral Dissertations

There is a well-documented, bidirectional relationship between mental health and housing instability. When coupled with the complex historical, societal, and political factors contributing to houselessness, the result is a unique set of mental health needs within this community. Despite this, there is a low rate of mental health service utilization and a dearth of research on how to tailor services to meet the needs of unhoused individuals. Additionally, first-hand perspectives are often omitted, as this population is seen as “hard to reach”. The goal of this two-phase mixed-methods program evaluation was to better understand the demographic and mental health profiles …

Beyond ‘Manning Up’: The Impact Of Hegemonic Masculinity & Gender Norms On Mental Health Help-Seeking Among College Men, Joslyn Barragan

Master's Theses

This narrative inquiry study was conducted to explore college men's conceptualization of masculinity and gender norms and their relationship with mental health-related help-seeking behaviors. Through semi-structured interviews with seven men, I gathered their perceptions of mental health support and the obstacles they encountered in accessing it. Drawing from Connell's conceptualization of masculinities, this study locates their narratives within the broader framework of societal expectations, highlighting the complexities of men's attitudes and behaviors toward mental health counseling. Ultimately, five critical narratives were discovered: a) Initial models of masculinity emerge through socialization; b) Men encounter barriers to mental health care from all …

Violent Outcomes In Adult Males Raised In Absent Biological Father Homes During Early Childhood, Wallace Robert Ascencio

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The absence of a biological father during early childhood can evoke numerous and often potentially violent or life-altering adverse outcomes for adult males during adulthood. Research on the long-term effects of father absence on adult men raised without a biological father during early childhood has garnered considerable attention among institutions, U.S. policymakers, and criminologists. The goal of this research was to extrapolate data related to the absent father phenomenon in Southeastern Washington state and how it leads to violent outcomes in adult males. This transcendental phenomenological qualitative study used structured interviews and assessments to explore the lived experiences and outcomes …

Emergent Themes In Identity Development For Transracial Adoptees: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Andrew G. Cecil

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to examine the identity development processes of transracial adoptees in college, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to explore the lived experiences of individuals from this community through in-depth interviewing. This study identified nine superordinate themes and eighteen sub-themes providing knowledge on the dynamic processes of multidimensional identity development of transracial adoptees in college. Despite variability and differences across participant experiences, these themes function as major paradigms illustrating participants’ understanding of their respective identity development and lived experiences. The results of this study may serve as a basis for further exploration of transracial adoptees’ identity …

Peer Support For Second Victims In The Healthcare Setting, Levi Gangi

Advances in Clinical Medical Research and Healthcare Delivery

Adverse and traumatic events happen regularly in healthcare settings, and often they create a clinician “second victim” who struggles with feelings of guilt, isolation, doubt, and incompetence. Research has shown that clinicians desire support in the wake of such adverse events, but that factors such as stigma, culture of perfection, and lack of an available structured peer program limit the support that might be offered. Healthcare institutions contract with EAP (employee assistance program) agencies to provide counseling for employees, but it is more likely that a second victim will seek out or welcome help first from a peer who shares …

Cooperative Extension’S Role In Addressing The Opioid Overdose Crisis: Best Practices From The Heart Initiative Model, Hailey Judd, Alise Williams Condie, Ashley C. Yaugher, Mateja R. Savoie-Roskos, Gabriela Murza, Timothy Keady, Sadie Wilde, Rachel Myrer, Maren Wright Voss

Journal of Extension

Cooperative Extension is in a unique position to address health and wellness concerns across the country, particularly in rural areas with local Extension services. One innovative model, the Health Extension: Advocacy, Research, and Teaching (HEART) Initiative, unites Extension, community organizations, and community members in collaborative activities to address the complex, multifaceted components of substance use disorder. The model utilized a multidisciplinary team and community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach with evidence-based practices to increase Extension’s abilities to guide and tailor programming to local needs and to create significant impacts. Cooperative Extension’s long history of engagement in the community, with state and …

Program Evaluation Of The James Madison University School Psychology Students Of Color Succeeding Mentoring Program, Sa'mone Moore

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

The James Madison University (JMU) School Psychology Program created the Students of Color Succeeding in Psychology (SoCS) Mentoring Program during the summer of 2022 with the help of school psychology professors and four racially and ethnically minoritized (REM) school psychology graduate students. The SoCS Mentoring Program was created to develop a mentoring relationship between current REM JMU school psychology graduate students and REM JMU school psychology alumni who were practicing school psychologists. The program hoped to provide mentoring to create community and professional relationships while also providing space for REM students and practitioners to converse about experiences that may occur …

Is The Lightbulb Still-Still On?: Social Representations Among Undergraduates, A Replication And Extension, Nahdira Rollins

Creative Studies Graduate Student Master's Theses

Research has illuminated the differences between implicit and explicit theories of creativity—though scientific theories have been tested and can be theoretically sound, implicit beliefs among the general population can run contrary to academic theory. As important as it is for researchers to know and understand creativity from an empirically founded perspective, it is equally as important for them to understand creativity theories that come from the general understanding and perspectives of those who aren’t associated with academic research. By replicating Glăveanu’s 2011 study Is the lightbulb still on?: Social Representations of creativity in a western context, the current study examines …

Clinical Supervision Through A Multicultural Lens: Burnout, Vigor, And Supervisee Quality Of Life, Jacob Alexander Moore

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The present study sought to replicate and extend existing research (Hutman & Ellis, 2020; McNamara et al., 2023) on the relations among perceived clinical supervisor multicultural competency, and physical and psychological quality of life outcomes for supervisees. Utilizing a serial mediation analysis with a sample of 285 mental health supervisees, this study tested the predictive role of multicultural competency (MC) on supervisee quality of life (QoL), as mediated by the supervisor working alliance (SWA) and burnout/vigor (B/V) of the supervisee as a multivariate set, respectively. Multivariate multiple regression analysis was conducted to test the serial mediation hypotheses. Results indicated that …

Impact Of Placement Disruption On School Outcomes In Maltreated Youth, Mallory Constantine

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

School attendance is a crucial component of a youth’s ability to access resources and attain educational success. Maltreated youth are at increased risk for school absences, poor school performance, impairment in cognitive processes, and development of psychopathology. Disruption from their known systems (i.e., family, social, school) as a result of removal from home creates unique and substantial barriers for maltreated youth in attending and engaging in school. The present study used a sample of maltreated youth and binomial logistic regression analyses to determine if the number of lifetime placements impacts school outcome variables of school attendance, classroom behavior, and academic …

Case Trial Evaluations Of An Optimization Approach To Mental Health And Sport Performance For Adolescent Athletes, Dereck Davy Phrathep

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

This dissertation will consist of five chapters – an introduction (Chapter 1), three original empirical studies (Chapters 2-4), and a conclusion (Chapter 5). Chapter 2 was accepted for publication by the Sport Social Work Journal (Phrathep et al., 2022a). Chapter 3 was accepted for publication by Clinical Case Studies (Phrathep et al., 2022b). Chapter 4 was accepted for publication by Frontiers in Sports and Active Living (Phrathep et al., 2023). These three manuscripts are linked by a primary interest in the evaluation of an optimization approach as an efficacious intervention for optimizing mental health and sport performance among adolescent athletes …

Msw Portfolio: A Growth Mindset Approach, Katherine D. Bettcher

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

A growth mindset approach to Advanced Integrated Practice in Social Work.

Informed Consent Document Delivery: Effects On Appalachian Caregivers' Comprehension, Trust In Researchers, And Willingness To Participate, Tess A. Simpson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether altering an informed consent document (ICD), in ways that either promote or inhibit accessibility, would affect potential participants’ willingness to participate in a child development laboratory-based study. Specifically, I was interested in assessing the willingness to participate of historically underrepresented groups, especially Appalachian caregiver-child dyads. I altered three parameters of a previously approved and employed ICD to explore whether these parameters impacted Appalachian caregivers’ comprehension of the study, willingness to participate, and trust in the researchers. The manipulated parameters included reading level, utilization of illustrative pictures, and inclusion of text-to-speech …

The Lived Experiences Of African Canadian Custodial Caregivers Of Minors With A Diagnosis Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Alberta, Canada, Angelina Abong Atsimbom

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a broad range of symptoms, skills, impairments, or disability. It is characterized by a persistent deficit in group communication and social interaction, limited behaviors such as walking, and less interest in interacting with others and participating in social events. Existing studies suggest that there are many unique challenges associated with caring for a child with ASD. Despite growing evidence of an increase in diagnosis and greater awareness of the challenges associated with caring for children on the autism spectrum, there remains a gap in the research about the unique experiences of custodial caregivers of minors …

Experiences And Perspectives Of Healthcare Professionals With Hypnotherapy For Adult Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors, Ja'quavia Lynn Demus

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) has been defined as one of the most prevalent forms of childhood trauma. Current treatment approaches for adult survivors of CSA often fail to provide timely or sufficient relief, indicating a pressing need for more diverse and innovative therapeutic approaches to achieve optimal recovery. Hypnosis is one treatment method available and has been proven to provide reliable and timely recovery for other complex traumas. The purpose of this study was to gain knowledge on healthcare professionals expressed experiences and treatment of adult CSA survivors, while also exploring their efficacy and usage of clinical hypnotherapy as a …

Disparities Surrounding The Availability Of Feminine Hygiene Products In The Workplace, Marlene Ventura

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Menstrual inequality in the workplace continues to exist, affecting financial welfare, mental health, physical health, and access to care. Women have been enduring disparities related to menstruation, including stigma, shame, and period poverty, which are often exacerbated in the workplace. This study aims to explore the experiences of women who do not have access to free feminine hygiene products in the workplace.

The researcher conducted one-to-one interviews in person with employed women (n=9). The questions were semi-structured and based on a survey with nineteen questions addressing areas of menstrual inequality in the workplace. Seven themes were identified: 1) work performance, …

Do Social Support, Supervisory Feedback, And Job Stress Matter To An Employee’S Sense Of Ownership? Context In The Lodging Sector, Aladin M. Ibrahim, Zyra R. Cabrera, Rodin S. Pescuela

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

In the face of intensified competition within the hospitality sector, exacerbated by the challenges of post-pandemic recovery, organizations are increasingly focused on re-engaging employees impacted by workforce reductions and retaining those who demonstrate a strong sense of attachment, care, and commitment to their workplace. These ownership behaviors are pivotal in fostering organizational stewardship and driving performance. However, the question arises: how can organizations cultivate and enhance these positive employee behaviors? This study investigates the influence of leader- and work-related factors, including social support, supervisory feedback, and job stress, on employees’ sense of ownership towards their organization. Employing a survey methodology, …

Adult Coping As A Function Of Perceived Parental Support, Brenda Manning

Journal of Counseling and Psychology

The present study examined the function of perceived parental support in childhood on adult coping strategies. A convenient sample taken from social media collected data from fifty-three participants aged 20-68 who completed the Parental Acceptance-Rejection Questionnaires (PARQ) and Screening Tool for Adult Children of Alcoholic Traits (STACAT). Participants indicated moderate levels of parental (maternal and paternal) rejection (M=130.61, SD=37.67). Additionally, participants reported moderate levels of adult children of alcoholic traits related to perceived parental rejection (M=99.86, SD=22.82). Results indicated a statistically significant positive relationship (r = .534; p =.001) between perceived parental acceptance-rejection and adult children of alcoholic traits, suggesting …

Latinos' Intimate Partner Violence, Abuse, And Interventions: Developing A Latcrit Analysis And Critique, Adrian Luis Manriquez, Eric S. Mankowski

Psychology Faculty Publications and Presentations

The paper utilizes LatCrit and critical psychology perspectives in order to review and critique the literature on Latinos' intimate partner violence and abuse and intervention programs. LatCrit theories are described and reviewed, and then applied to the literature on IPV predictors among Latinos. The review demonstrates that the research literature on the predictors, correlates, and antecedents of Latino males' IPV behaviors focuses largely on the individual level of analysis, and consequently suffers from three main limitations: use of deficit models in research; decontextualized assessment and evaluations of IPV; neglect of higher levels of analysis influencing IPV in Latinx communities. Implications …

Exploration Of Therapists' Use Of Bibliotherapy As A Clinical Strategy For Military Children, Destiny Huff

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Military-connected children face unique life stressors related to their parents serving in the military. Therapists play an integral role in supporting these families. Specifically, research on therapists’ use of bibliotherapy as a clinical strategy to support these children’s needs is recommended. Bibliotherapy uses written material such as books, stories, and poems to address clients’ needs. The purpose of this interpretive descriptive qualitative study was to explore therapists’ use of bibliotherapy as a clinical strategy to address the unique stressors faced by military children ages 3-8 years old. Shrodes’s model of bibliotherapy was used as the theoretical framework. Data were collected …

Using Behavioral Skills Training To Promote Online Safety Skills In Individuals With Developmental Disabilities, Robert Lynn

Theses

Abstract

Children are spending more time online, which is putting them at risk of encountering online predators. There have been attempts to minimize the occurrence of these encounters, but most of these involved instructional training and parent supervision. One alternative intervention for addressing safety skills that has been shown to be effective is behavior skills training (BST), which is a procedure based on behavior analytic literature. BST involves instructions, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of BST on the acquisition of online safety skills in adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities. In-situ …

Developing A Connection To Nature: The Role Of Pet Ownership In Childhood, Alexia Barrable, Samantha Friedman

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

Connection to nature is associated with a range of benefits to well-being in both childhood and adulthood. Childhood experiences seem to play a big role in how adult nature connection develops. Among the many predictors of higher connection to nature, relationships with animals, including pets, likely play an important role in facilitating feelings of closeness with nature. In this paper we present two survey studies, one of children (n = 64, age = 6–16 years) and one of adults (n = 356, age = 18–80 years). Our aim was to find out if children who own pets have …

Bridging The Gap: Psychopharmacologic Education And Side Effect Screening For Non-Prescribing Mental Health Professionals, Elaine Fitzgerald

Dissertations

Abstract

Problem: The United States is experiencing a growing demand for pediatric mental health support. Surges in mental health diagnoses and psychotropic medication prescriptions have occurred, compounded by a shortage of psychiatric providers. Non-prescribing mental health professionals are well-positioned to recognize psychotropic medication side effects. However, psychologists and counselors lack formal pharmacology education.

Methods: The quality improvement (QI) initiative was guided by the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model. The evidence-based psychopharmacologic education for non-prescribers utilized a quasi-experimental pre- and post- test design. Data collected from clinicians included knowledge, confidence, and skill concerning psychotropic medications. The Psychotropic Medication Monitoring Checklist (PMMC) screen clients …

“We’Ve Been Doing Mindfulness Since Time Immemorial”: Provider Experiences Using Mindfulness-Based Interventions In American Indian And Alaska Native Communities, Jalene L. Herron

Psychology ETDs

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) individuals are underrepresented in mindfulness research. Mindfulness may be relevant to some AI/AN traditions and aid in providing culturally responsive mental healthcare. This study examined the experiences of providers who use mindfulness-based interventions with AI/AN clients. Twenty-five providers completed interviews about their experiences. Three primary themes were identified using thematic analysis: 1) using a cultural lens in providing therapy, where providers integrate cultural practices and utilize a client centered approach; 2) framing mindfulness in AI/AN contexts through cultural adaptations to demonstrate the applicability of mindfulness to cultural settings; and 3) processes in implementing culturally …

Black And Latiné Parents' Perspectives On Supporting Their Children's Emotional And Physical Health, Daniel K. Cooper, Jayxa K. Alonzo, Tracey Goldson, Isabel R. Jordan, Fatima Jatoi, Isabella Mallozzi, Francesca Lupini

Faculty Publications

Informed by integrative models of cultural resilience, the purpose of this study was to (a) explore how parents are promoting their children's emotional and physical health, with a focus on race and ethnic-racial socialization strategies, and (b) identify the barriers and challenges parents are experiencing in supporting their children's health. Ethnically racially matched qualitative interviews were conducted with 33 parents (82% women, 64% Black, 36% Latiné). Results of thematic analysis revealed three overarching themes: (a) Strategies for Promoting Children's Physical and Emotional Health, (b) Challenges Promoting Children's Physical and Emotional Health, and (c) Impact of Racism on Parenting and Children's …

The Hidden Impact Of Sociocultural Determinants In Adolescence, Lauren B. Robins, Nicholas Schmoyer, Atiya Smith, Krystal L. Clemons, Jill Kivikoski

Journal of Human Services Scholarship and Interprofessional Collaboration

This study, guided by the Social Determinants of Health framework and Social Ecological Model, examined how SDOH impact the presence of anxiety during adolescence. This study set out to understand what sociocultural determinants predict anxiety, using the 2018 National Survey of Children’s Health dataset. The analysis included a logistic regression to determine the predictability of SDOH on anxiety in adolescence. The results indicated that various SDOH are significant predictors of anxiety, while also indicating that the absence of adverse SDOH predicts the lack of anxiety. Further, unique findings related to race/ethnicity, age, and gender set the stage for additional research …

Volunteer Training, Tenure, And Facilitation Of Essential Elements In 4-H: Examining Conditions That Promote Positive Youth Development Practices, Kimber Sarver, Kate Fogarty, Tracy Johns, Sarah Thomas Hensley, Dale W. Pracht

Journal of Youth Development

The 4-H program relies on trained volunteers to facilitate youths’ acquisition of life skills in relevant subject matter areas (STEM, Healthy Living). A large part of the 4-H professionals’ objective is to undergird their volunteers in program delivery. The content of volunteers’ training emphasizes the 4 essential elements for youth development programming, namely: 1. Creating an atmosphere of belonging for diverse youth; 2. Promoting generosity through service to their families and communities; 3. Supporting youth mastery of globally applicable life skills and specific skills within subject matter areas of expertise; and 4. Facilitating youths’ sense of independence by self-selecting topics …

Measuring Evidence Application In Routine Mental Health Settings: Testing A Coding System And Providing A Proof Of Concept, Eleanor Wu

Theses and Dissertations

Over the past 25 years, there have been increasing calls to advance the application of evidence in routine mental health settings for youth and families. Methods in the field for characterizing evidence application have played a critical role in shaping these efforts, which, to-date, have largely focused on measuring providers’ adherence to practices from evidence-based programs in treatment sessions. While this program-centric paradigm for characterizing evidence application has supported the widespread implementation of evidence-based programs in public mental health settings, it is limited in scope and applicability for characterizing all the ways that evidence may be applied across a service …

A Serial Mediation Model Of Depression And Drinking Motives Underlying Problem Drinking Among Hispanic College Women Following Rape, Michiyo Hirai, Laura L. Vernon, Andrew E. Dials

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Problem drinking and depression are common following sexual assault. The current study applied a coping motives model of drinking and examined the association between rape experiences and problem drinking serially mediated by depression symptoms and coping-depression drinking motives among Hispanic college women. A total of 330 college women were classified into a single rape experience (SGL) group (n = 44), a multiple rape experiences (MLT) group (n = 70), and a no sexual assault experience group (n = 221). Participants completed self-report measures online. Serial mediation analyses with multi-categorical predictors found that significantly increased alcohol consumptions in …