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Psychosocial Characteristics Of Health Care Providers Who Sexually Offend Minor Patients, David Richard Davenport

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Male health care provider sexual misconduct with minor patients is an ongoing problem in the United States. Previous research has produced a scant amount of insight regarding the phenomenon, and there is a lack of causal model development. Multimodal self-regulation theory served as the guide for the research questions in this study, which explored the psychopathology, paraphilia, and negative childhood experiences of male U.S. health care providers who commit sexual misconduct against minor patients. The goal was to develop offender profiles for each of five health care provider groups. Exploratory research was used with a grounded theory design for data …

Vicarious Trauma Experienced By Human Trafficking Victim Service Providers, V'Hesspa Glenn

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Human trafficking involves the commercial exploitation of others for labor or sexual purposes and is underreported, underdetected, and underprosecuted. Vicarious trauma is described as negative reactions to working with individuals experiencing complex trauma and includes changes in helping professionals’ self and disruptions in cognitive schemas, identities, memories, and belief systems about others and the world. Many researchers have explored various aspects of human trafficking and secondary trauma in trauma-exposed helping professionals, but there is a dearth of qualitative literature that explored vicarious trauma in human trafficking victim service providers. The research question and purpose of this qualitative, interpretative phenomenological study …

Experiences Of Counselors Who Provide Services To African American Men With Repeated Domestic Violence Abuse Reports, Miselene Kruer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Domestic violence has been a major concern in the United States. To effectively work with domestic violence offenders, counselors must have the skills and knowledge needed. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand lived experiences of counselors who provide in-home counseling services to African American men who are repeat domestic violence offenders and received a subsequent abuse report within 6 months after in-home services were discontinued. The goal was to try to develop an understanding of experiences of counselors who provide services to these men. Interviews were used to collect data. I used Otter to transcribe all …

A Qualitative Study Exploring How Male U.S. Veterans Experience Empathy, Elda Marina Stepp

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThis qualitative study explored the lived experiences of male U.S. combat veterans with empathy and how this features in their transition back into society. Davis’s cognitive and emotional empathy served as the conceptual framework to expand further on this topic. Seven male U.S. combat veterans who had deployed at least once in their military career and lived as civilians for the past 10 to 15 years were interviewed through Zoom. Recruiting methods included social media, veteran meeting places, and snowballing approaches. Results from interpretative phenomenological analysis of the interview data included six main themes: feelings of compassion before deployment, feelings …

Self-Identified Atheists In 12-Step Substance Use Disorder Treatment And Aftercare, Elizabeth Clare Bayley

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Minnesota model is ubiquitous in the United States for the treatment of substance use disorder (SUD). The model uses 12 steps and is centered on a belief in god(s) or a higher power; however, it is anathema to an atheist worldview. Researchers have noted that atheists do not readily become involved with 12-step programs and tend to drop out; however, there had been no qualitative investigations of the lived experiences of atheists in 12-step SUD treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine whether 12-step SUD treatment was problematic for atheists. An integrated theoretical framework was used. Minority …

Relationships Between Social Bonds And Non-Reoffender Status Among Female Offenders, Tiffinny Beard

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe purpose of this quantitative longitudinal correlational study was to examine whether positive social bonds with caring, supportive family, prosocial peers, and spouses/partners were significantly predictive of non-reoffender status using archival data from a sample of female offenders who were under community supervision in the state of Michigan during the years 2011–2014. The study had three interval predictor variables: positive social bonds with family, prosocial peers, and spouse/partner. The dichotomous criterion variable was recidivism (i.e., reoffending within a three-year period). The study sample was 325 female offenders on probation or parole in Michigan during the years of 2011–2014. Most of …

Law Enforcement Officers’ Lived Experiences With Male Victims Of Intimate Partner Violence, Selena Sanchez

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects every race, culture, orientation, and sex. However, researchers focus largely on women as victims of IPV by men. Unfortunately, social and gender norms contribute to the focus on women as victims while adult heterosexual men remain underreported, underrepresented, and viewed predominantly as perpetrators. For example, 91% of men were arrested when IPV was reported, and officers responded to the call. This was referred to as gendered stigmatization. This transcendental qualitative phenomenological approach focused on the lived experiences of law enforcement officers who were called to the scene where IPV had occurred or was occurring, and …

Prison Medical Professionals’ Perspectives On Dignity In Death For End-Of-Life Inmates, Charlene Lupo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Health care requirements of older persons in prison are complicated, and many may require palliative care before their term is completed. The purpose of this qualitative interpretative phenomenological analysis was to explore perspectives on dignity in death for end-of-life inmates through the lens of nine prison medical professionals. Concepts of dignity provided the conceptual framework for the study. Data were collected from one-to-one audio-recorded Zoom interviews and reflective literature articles. Axial coding and thematic data analysis were used to identify five themes: committed to their vocation, lack of services in administering proper health care, institutional barriers prohibiting death with dignity, …

The Narratives Of Cross-Cultural Misidentification And Exoneration In Wrongly Convicted Men, Miki L. Ross-Elster

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Wrongful conviction is often due to misidentification, particularly cross-cultural misidentification. DNA errors and other influences (including weapon focus effect, mugshot error, police suggestibility) also increase the risk of wrongful conviction, and the process of exoneration is onerous. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experience of cross-cultural misidentification, wrongful conviction, exoneration, and the return to society of formerly incarcerated men. Implicit bias theory served as the theoretical framework and refers to both attitudes and stereotypes that people hold without realizing it and which unconsciously affect the way they see a particular person or event. A narrative analysis …

The Personality Assessment Inventory Short Form: A Closer Look In A Forensic Sample, Abigail Dotson

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) is a well-known self-report measure that aids in treatment planning and evaluation outcomes. The PAI short-form (PAI-SF) consists of the first 160 items from the full-form’s 344 items. The current study examined extra-test relationships/ correlates of the PAI-SF interpersonal scales dominance (DOM) and warmth (WRM), as well as internal correlations between the treatment rejection scale (RXR) and the warmth scale in a forensic sample. Data were collected from archival evaluations, from a private practice, of adults ages 18-69 years old. Two independent T-test analyses were conducted to determine the mean difference between violent-offense-charged and nonviolent-offense-charged …

Battle Of The Sexes: Similarities And Differences In Lay People’S Perceptions About Male And Female Sex Offenders, Felix O. Osagie Jr., Emily Pica

Modern Psychological Studies

The aim of this research was to examine public perceptions about male and female sex offenders to help address gender disparities that exist in the justice system and society. Participants (N = 226) completed the revised Community Attitudes Towards Sex Offenders Scale (ATS; Harper & Hogue, 2015) and a questionnaire concerning opinions about female sex offenders. While there were no observed differences in perceptions between gender overall, differences emerged when examining only parents. Parents perceived male sex offenders worse than female sex offenders. This study also brings awareness to gender bias regarding male and female sex offenders. The implication of …

Are We Giving Them A Fair Chance? Racial Stereotypes And The Juvenile Justice System, Cali K. Bloem, Ashley A. Hansen-Brown

Modern Psychological Studies

Prior research indicates that there are racial disparities throughout the criminal justice system and that decision-makers may use stereotypes when determining guilt and deciding on sentences for juveniles. This study looked at sentence disparities between White and Latinx juveniles, as well as potential stereotypes that could be used in decision-making. There were no differences in sentence length and severity between the White and Latinx offender. Additionally, the likelihood of the offender receiving a lesser or greater sentence as an adult did not differ among conditions. Our results also showed that participants with prior juror experience used less stereotypical language in …

The Relationship Between Adolescent Risk-Taking Behavior And Guilt Versus Shame Proneness, Ashley Kernan, Jeremiah Sullins

Modern Psychological Studies

This study examined the correlation between adolescent risk-taking behaviors and guilt versus shame proneness. The participants were given an adolescent risk-taking questionnaire that focused on negative high and low risk-taking behaviors and the TOSCA-3 questionnaire. The adolescent risk-taking questionnaire focused on the participants past behaviors from the ages of 13-18. The TOSCA-3 was used to determine if a participant was guilt-prone or shame-prone. The data collected from both instruments were analyzed for whether adolescent risk-taking behaviors were correlated with guilt proneness or shame proneness. The results of the Pearson r correlations indicated a significant negative correlation between adolescent risk-taking, shame …

The Intersubjective Perspective: An Effective Treatment Model For Incarcerated Clients, Zachary Grant Weiss

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

Although there is already a large body of theoretical literature on the utility of Intersubjective Systems Theory in working with more challenging clinical presentations, little has been written about the use of this approach in working with incarcerated clients. In this paper, I will be making the case for the utility and need for the Intersubjective Perspective in working within the forensic system. This paper will first focus on building a general framework for Intersubjective Systems Theory, and its theoretical understanding of clients’ striving towards health, love and connection. Next, this paper will take time to focus on a brief …

Attachment Theory To Inform Intervention In Correctional Populations With Adverse Childhood Experiences And Substance Use Disorders, Samantha Mendoza

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

Research shows a correlation exists between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and poor mental health such as psychiatric and substance use disorders (Adshead, 2018). Research further suggests a correlation between ACEs and insecure attachment in adults (Adshead, 2018). The National Institute on Drug Abuse (2020) estimates 85% of the correctional population either has a substance use disorder or was incarcerated for a drug-related offense. This paper theorizes that those involved in the correctional system with a history of high ACE scores and substance use also experience insecure attachment, which is not currently addressed in correctional SUD programs. Attachment theory moderates the …

Cyberbullying Victimization As A Predictor Of Depressive Symptoms Among Selected Adolescents Amidst The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jeyaseelan Maria Michael, Marc Eric Reyes

Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia

Cyberbullying victimization has become a significant mental health concern, particularly among adolescents at risk of experiencing negative consequences like depression. As the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic forced everyone to stay at home and participate in all their educational, recreational, and entertainment activities online, this study investigated the relationship between cyberbullying victimization (CV) and depressive symptoms among 612 college students in Tamilnadu, India. We hypothesized that experiences of cyberbullying victimization would predict depressive symptoms among the participants. Adolescent participants aged 18 to 19 years old from colleges in Tamilnadu completed an online survey composed of the Cybervictimization questionnaire for adolescents …

Reviewers And Referees

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Author Biographical Notes

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Volume 24, Full Contents, Mssj Staff

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

Editors' Note, Nirupama Devaraj, Bharath Ganesh Babu

Midwest Social Sciences Journal

No abstract provided.

An Experimental Test Of The Impact Of Varying Questionnaire Response Format On Prevalence Rates For Sexual Violence Victimization And Perpetration, Raeann E. Anderson, Kelly Cuccolo

Psychology Faculty Publications

Objective: This study examined the impact of a dichotomous versus scaled response format on prevalence rates of sexual violence perpetration and victimization, thus conceptually replicating Hamby et al., 2006 and extending those findings to the context of sexual violence.

Methods: Two samples were recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk and were randomly assigned to either a dichotomous or scaled response format of the same questionnaire. Sample 1 was used to examine perpetration and received a perpetration specific version of the Post-Refusal Sexual Persistence Scale (PRSPS). Sample 2 was used to examine victimization and received a victimization specific version of the PRSPS. …

Personality Dimensions Of Male And Female Law Enforcement Recruits Related To Academy Success, Chantel Duda

Honors Theses

Research has found that male and female law enforcement recruits complete academy training at different rates, with female recruits typically completing at lower rates than male recruits. While the literature on the topic demonstrates a variety of training characteristics that explain some of the difference, it is possible that typical personality differences between men and women play a role in some of the unexplained disparities in academy passing rates. This study attempted to discern differences between personality characteristics among male and female academy recruits using survey data from two major metropolitan law enforcement academies. It was hypothesized that male cadets …

The Influence Of Comorbid Gad On Er Utilization In Urban Youth With Asthma, David A. Karpe

Theses and Dissertations

Current literature indicates a strong association between asthma and the early onset of comorbid generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in minors and their primary caregivers. Studies show that asthma prevalence increases with certain demographic factors, such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and housing quality. Evidence also suggests that GAD influences decision-making, especially when deciding to utilize emergency room (ER) services for asthma-related concerns. This study analyzed the effect of comorbid GAD on minors with asthma and ER utilization. The data were provided by an earlier Stress & Justice Study (S&J) baseline survey, an investigation aimed at understanding the impact of parental criminal …

Material Difficulty And Individual Difference Factors Moderate The Eyewitness Confidence-Accuracy Relationship, Wenbo Lin

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Recent studies have shown that eyewitness confidence is positively associated with high identification (ID) accuracy, but some eyewitness researchers have expressed concerns regarding the reliability of this confidence-accuracy relationship in applied settings (e.g., are there circumstances or moderator variables that make this relationship less reliable?). For the present study, we considered two types of moderator variables: material difficulty (i.e., the difficulty level associated with different sets of eyewitness stimuli) and individual difference factors such as face recognition ability. Experiment 1 examined whether these moderator variables significantly impair the confidence-accuracy relationship and Experiment 2 examined whether these same moderator variables equally …

The Understanding Of Digital And Multimedia Evidence (Dme) By Attorneys And Digital Forensic Examiners (Dfe) Within The United States Criminal Justice System, Joseph Levi White

Dissertations

One goal of this research was to determine potential themes that may influence the understanding of Digital and Multimedia Evidence (DME) by attorneys and Digital Forensic Examiners (DFE) within the United States Criminal Justice System. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather information from experienced criminal attorneys and DFEs regarding potential influences on their understanding of DME. The results of these interviews were transcribed, and the data coded to allow for qualitative analysis. Five themes were developed from this data and are thought to play a role in understanding of DME by attorneys and DFEs: motivation for involvement in the …

Sustaining Boys' Motivation Over The Transition To Middle School: Can Interpersonal Resources Protect Boys From Engagement Declines Across Sixth Grade?, Brandy Anne Brennan

Dissertations and Theses

Recent research has highlighted the challenges boys face in school. Boys are overrepresented on indicators of negative academic outcomes, such as detention, suspension, and dropout, as well as underperformance on state and national tests. Moreover, these effects may be long lasting: Compared to females, male students are less likely to graduate high school, enroll in college, and complete a college degree, and they may be particularly vulnerable in middle school. As students enter middle school, their motivation and engagement normatively decline, and these losses may be especially problematic for boys. Nevertheless, research documents the importance of close relationships with parents, …

Relation Of Emotion Regulation Difficulties, Self-Compassion, And Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms, Emily Anne Kalantar

Dissertations and Theses

Exposure to potentially traumatic events is associated with high emotion regulation difficulties, development of posttraumatic stress disorder, and elevated healthcare expenditures. Emotion regulation difficulties are related to worse clinical and sub-clinical posttraumatic stress symptomology relative to use of effective emotion regulation strategies. Yet, significant variance in posttraumatic stress symptom severity remains unexplained after accounting for emotion regulation difficulties, suggesting identification of additional explanatory variables is warranted. Considerable research suggests high (vs. low) self-compassion, which entails extending kindness to oneself, is related to more effective emotion regulation and low posttraumatic stress symptom severity. As such, self-compassion may be one variable that …

The Role Of Emotional Attention Regulation In High Psychopathy Incarcerated Males, Michael K. Webb

Dissertations and Theses

This study examined the role of emotional attention regulation in men (N = 60) currently incarcerated in a Midwestern prison. Modern conceptualizations define psychopathy as a multifaceted and dimensional construct that includes atypical experience of affect, interpersonal problems, and remarkable social deviance. Attentional differences and deficient emotional experience have been shown to predict psychopathy and other outcomes related to the construct. However, attentional and emotional functioning in individuals high in psychopathy is complex and results have been shown to vary across discrete emotion states and experimental paradigms. The negative preception hypothesis (Kosson et al. 2018) suggests that these differences may …

Racial/Ethnic Disparities In Mental Health Diagnosis Of Maltreated Youth, Shadie Burke

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Racial/ethnic marginalized youth are more likely to receive a misdiagnosis of a mental health disorder than their White peers. Misdiagnosis contributes to existing disparities for racial/ethnic marginalized groups by leading to longer durations of untreated and worsening mental health symptoms. For maltreated youth, receiving a misdiagnosis can lead to a failure to connect with appropriate mental health services, medication regimens, therapeutic foster homes, and academic and developmental resources. To date, very few empirical studies have identified disparities in mental health diagnosis among racial/ethnic marginalized maltreated youth. The present study examined two key research questions: (1) what racial/ethnic disparities in diagnoses …

Memory Distortion For Footage Of An Emotionally Disturbing Police/Civilian Encounter: Investigating The Influence Of Bias And Trauma, Eric A. Korzun

Student Theses

Although body-worn cameras (BWCs) are expected to be objective tools for increasing police transparency and accountability, research refutes the idea that people can objectively view footage. Instead, research shows that people’s personal biases—for example, the extent to which people view the police like themselves, measured by the Identification with Police Scale (IPS; Tyler & Fagan, 2008) —shape how they view and interpret BWC footage (Jones, Crozier, & Strange, 2017). Additionally, studies of memory distortion reveal that people can come to remember traumatic events as worse than they originally experienced (Strange & Takarangi, 2012). Taken together, then, when viewing traumatic BWC …