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Hoarding By Elderly People, Gail Steketee, Randy O. Frost, Hyo-Jin Kim

Psychology: Faculty Publications

Although hoarding has been studied in adults, little is known about problems of hoarding by elderly people. This study used a structured telephone interview with elder services providers to investigate hoarding behaviors in relation to functional impairment, cognitive deficits, and physical and psychological conditions in 62 elderly clients. Most elderly hoarders were female, unmarried, and lived alone. Extensive clutter was associated with significant impairment, interfering with basic hygiene, and posing a serious physical threat for many elderly clients. Clients were rarely insightful about their collecting and often resisted change, rendering interventions generally ineffective. Never-married status was associated with more severe …

The Discourse Of Denigration And The Creation Of “Other”, Joshua Miller, Gerald Schamess

School for Social Work: Faculty Publications

This paper attempts to reduce the distance between intellectual frameworks that inform different fields of social work practice by exploring the relationships between intrapsychic mechanisms, family dynamics, small group processes and such society wide phenomena as public denigration, scapegoating, and the systematic oppression of politically targeted population subgroups. Clinical theories are used to explore disturbing social trends such as the redistribution of wealth while cutting services to the needy, the growth of prisons and disproportionate numbers of incarcerated people of color, societal retreat from social obligation and commitment and divisive political rhetoric. Suggestions are made about how clinical social workers …

Only God Decides': Young Children's Perceptions Of Divorce And The Legal System, Kyle D. Pruett, Marsha Kline Pruett

School for Social Work: Faculty Publications

Objective: To describe research on perceptions of children aged 6 and younger from 21 families of their parents' divorce, of its impact on their families, and of legal officials. Method: Semistructured play interviews were conducted during home visits as parents were conjointly interviewed as part of a larger study on divorce in legal context. Results: Children had much misinformation about divorce as an event and process. What they did know was often inappropriate, frightening, and confusing. They resented how the process 'ruined their parents' being friends any more' and proposed reforms based on their wishes and observations. Conclusions: Greater awareness …

Beliefs In Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Gail Steketee, Randy O. Frost, Iris Cohen

Psychology: Faculty Publications

Several types of beliefs have been hypothesized to be associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), including responsibility for harm, need to control thoughts, overestimates of threat, intolerance of uncertainty, and beliefs about the consequences of anxiety and capacity to cope. The present study compared 62 subjects with OCD, 45 with other anxiety disorders (AD) and 34 controls, using 3 measures of OCD-related beliefs. OCD subjects scored higher than AD and control samples on 2 general belief measures. A closer analysis of specific belief domains indicated that OCD subjects scored higher than AD and control subjects on all 6 specific belief domains …

Hoarding, Compulsive Buying And Reasons For Saving, Randy O. Frost, Hyo Jin Kim, Claire Morris, Cinnamon Bloss, Marta Murray-Close, Gail Steketee

Psychology: Faculty Publications

Two studies examined hypotheses about compulsive hoarding, compulsive buying and beliefs about saving and discarding derived from the cognitive-behavioral model of compulsive hoarding. A cognitive behavioral model of compulsive hoarding. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 34, 341-350.]. Study 1 examined the hypotheses in a college student population, while study 2 compared members of a support group for hoarding and clutter-related problems with a nonclinical control. Across studies the hypotheses were supported. Compulsive hoarding was associated with compulsive buying and the frequency of acquisition of possessions discarded by others, suggesting that compulsive acquisition may be a broader construct than compulsive buying among …

The Applicability Of William E. Cross’S Model Of Black Identity Development And Vivienne Cass’S Model Of Lesbian/Gay Identity Formation To The Experience Of Black Lesbians, Lisa Lynelle Moore

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this research was to explore the applicability of William E. Cross' Black identity development model and Vivienne Cass' model of lesbian/ gay identity formation to the experience of Black lesbians. Through evaluating their applicability the experience of identity integration was addressed in the experience of Black lesbians whose intersections of identity may conflict within a predominately heterosexual Black community and in the visible lesbian community which is often perceived as predominately White.

Through using an interview guide comprised of ten open-ended questions developed by the researcher, sixteen women between the ages of nineteen and forty-nine participated in …

Re-Envisioning Family: Voices Of Lesbian Mothers Adopting Across Racial Lines, Robin Rice Chalfin

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

No abstract provided.

Experiences Of Bidialectism In College-Educated African Americans: An Exploratory Study, Ina N. Owens

Masters Theses

This study was undertaken to explore experiences of bidialectism in college-educated African Americans. The major questions in this study attempted to answer the following: 1) How do college-educated African Americans perceive and negotiate differences between Black and Standard English? 2) Does negotiating two language systems impact their sense of cultural identity? If so, in what ways? and, 3) Is there a conflict involved in negotiating two language systems? If so, what is the nature of the conflict?

Eight interviews were conducted with graduate students who were both Black and Standard English speakers. Subjects ranged in age from 22 to 50. …

Spouse Enabling Of Alcohol Abuse: Conception, Assessment, And Modification, Edwin J. Thomas, Marianne Yoshioka, Richard D. Ager

School for Social Work: Faculty Publications

This article presents a conception of spouse enabling of partner alcohol abuse, a review of its dysfunctions, and an approach to assessment and modification to reduce spouse enabling behavior. Based on experience with its use in unilateral family therapy with many spouses of treatment-refusing alcohol abusers, procedural guidelines, treatment methods, two case examples from a crossover experimental dyad, and clinical results for the two cases in the dyad are described. Also presented are practice issues, characteristics of spouse enabling as the), relate to disenabling intervention, and areas of possible application of the disenahling program.

The Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale: Interview Versus Self-Report, Gail Steketee, Randy Frost, Karen Bogart

Psychology: Faculty Publications

Several studies have demonstrated the reliability and validity of the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) conducted by trained interviewers. The present study examined several aspects of a self-report YBOCS version relative to the usual interview format in two non-clinical samples (ns = 46 and 70) and in a clinical OCD sample (n = 36) and a clinical non-OCD group (n = 10). The self-rated instrument showed excellent internal consistency and test-retest reliability, performing somewhat better than the interview. There was good agreement between symptom checklist categories across the two versions, though clinical subjects reported more symptoms on the self-report form …

The Effect Of Movie Portrayals Of Therapy And Therapists On College Students' View Of Therapy And Therapists, Karin Perlman

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study was undertaken to explore the effects of movie portrayals of therapy and therapists on the public's view of therapy and therapists. lt was hypothesized that much of the information that forms individuals' views of therapy comes from the media, specifically the portrayals they see in movies.

To explore to what extent subjects felt their impressions of therapy and therapists were informed by movies and by other sources, volunteers were enlisted to fill out questionnaires. The questionnaire asked subjects to identify and then describe the sources of information that they felt have formed their understanding of therapy and therapists. …

Nagging And Other Drinking Control Efforts Of Spouses Of Uncooperative Alcohol Abusers: Assessment And Modification, Marianne R. Yoshioka, Edwin J. Thomas, Richard D. Ager

School for Social Work: Faculty Publications

This article presents a conception of spouse drinking control and an approach to assessment and modification to reduce the customary drinking control efforts of spouses of alcohol abusers unmotivated to enter treatment. Modification of the nonalcoholic spouse’s customary drinking control is offered as an important early step in helping to prepare him or her to become a positive rehabilitative influence. Based on its use in unilateral family therapy with 68 spouses of uncooperative alcohol abusers, procedural guidelines, criteria for use, and two case examples from a crossover experimental dyad are described. Also presented are clinical results illustrating the success of …

Whose Daughter Are You? : Exploring Identity Issues Of Lesbians Who Are Adopted : A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Anne Mi Ok Bruining

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

No abstract provided.

Experience Of Stigmatization And Discrimination Of Former Psychiatric Inpatients, Amy Rappaport

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

In our culture as well as other cultures, there are social norms that are prescribed and expected to be followed. If an individual does not act in accordance with these social norms, there are often consequences. In Edgerton's (1971) article, "Anthropology, Psychiatry, and Man's Nature," he states, "Sometimes, of course, the sanctions against deviant behavior are supernatural, consisting of immediate and horrible punishment by gods, spirits, ancestors or the like" (p. 45). In present day culture in the United States, the researcher contends that there are both traditional and modern belief systems that serve to ostracize the stigmatized deviant.

'Pleonexia': A Modern Pathology Of Self, George R. Ingham

Masters Theses

This study is an examination of the compulsion to shop or acquire commodities seen as a culturally and historically distinctive pathology of the modern self. The Greek term 'pleonexia' ('acquisitiveness') is borrowed as a covenient and more accurately descriptive term than the common 'shopaholic'. Pleonexia is seen as a complex, habitual, impulsive behavior which attempts to maintain order and continuity in the sense of self. Pleonexia represents a failure in self­cohesion, an attempt to counter feelings of emptiness created by the fragmentation and objectification of desire in our commodity culture. Such internal functions as regulation of feelings, self-esteem, as well …

An Exploratory Study Of Men In The Anti-Abortion Movement: A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Laura E. Sabatini

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study was undertaken to examine the characteristics and possible motivations of male anti-abortion activists. Specifically, this study explored the following questions:

1. How is the intense dedication of these men to the anti-abortion movement related to their perceptions of current societal structures? Do they experience legalized abortion as a threat to their external world views?

2. How is their behavior related to them as individuals, with unique gender role ideology? Do they experience legalized abortion as a threat to their internal world views?

3. Is their behavior related to an internal character rigidity separate from apparent beliefs and values? …

Clinical Dilemmas And Countertransference Reactions For Therapists Of Pre-Operative Transexual Clients, Rachel Lynne Wichman

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

An exploratory study was undertaken to examine the clinical dilemmas that are inherent to working with a pre operative transsexual population, and associated countertransference reactions. Interviews were conducted with twelve therapists who had treated pre-operative transsexual clients. The interviews revealed that three clinical dilemmas were significantly referred to by the subjects as they described their countertransference reactions—diagnostic considerations, the therapists' clinical role in treatment of transsexual clients, and therapists' traditional sex role conditioning. The findings indicated that countertransference reactions for therapists working with pre-operative transsexual clients were an outgrowth of the clinical dilemmas found in treating this client population.

Obsessive Compulsive Personality Traits In Marathon And Recreational Runners, Amy C. Sterling

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether marathon runners exhibit a higher degree of obsessive compulsive personality traits than do recreational runners. Because competing in a marathon requires a great amount of energy and discipline, incidences of traits such as perseverance, rigidity, orderliness and drive were examined in both male and female marathon and recreational runners. To carry ·out this investigation, semi-structured interviews regarding running history were conducted with two non-probability sample groups of 12 marathon and 12 recreational runners; each group consisted of seven men and five women. In addition~ each runner completed a true/ false test …

Transsexualism: The Lifelong Paradox : A Project Based Upon An Investigation At A Correctional Facility In A Western State, Mary E. Iannuccillo

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This exploratory study was undertaken to test the validity of the current definitions of male transsexualism, add to our understanding of the etiology, and address the controversial treatment implications. The experiences of four self-defined male transsexuals were compared with the clinical and theoretical findings of the two major theories, one proposing a non-conflictual etiology with a female core gender identity as opposed to those who have found conflictual roots with an ambiguous core gender identity. The theorists in both groups present descriptive profiles of male transsexualism, and identify two major sub-divisions called primary and secondary. The profiles address both etiological …

Familial Factors Influencing Female Transsexualism, Teresa Louise Buck

Masters Theses

A clinical survey of eight clinicians, drawing from their experiences with thirteen cases, was conducted to explore familial influences on the formation or maintenance of gender dysphoria in females so as to result in transsexualism. In preparation for disclosing and discussing these findings three areas are reviewed: (1) historical references to transsexualism from ancient and modern cultures; (2) differential definitions of transvestism, homosexuality, and transsexualism; and (3) theoretical perspectives on the etiology and phenomenology of female transsexualism.

The clinical survey did not provide sufficient multi-generational family material to effectively assess the influence of the family beyond the nuclear family. Some …

The Transsexual Conflict, Dualism In Identity As Explored Through Group Psychotherapy, Linda Ann Schloss

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This descriptive study utilized case observations for the purpose of developing a conceptual understanding of transsexualism and identifying variables and hypotheses for empirical study. This research, combining library and clinical investigation, reports on those findings which were gathered from five preoperative transsexual patients in group therapy. It was hoped that in addition to serving as a source of information, this exploration would stimulate further research in the area of gender identity.

The Self Concept Of Black And White Disturbed Adolescent Girls In Residential Treatment, Cheryl A. Smith

Masters Theses

The purpose of the present study was to examine the extent to which race and self concept were associated in a group of disturbed adolescent girls in residential treatment. I The study drew on an earlier investigation of self concept, which conceived of the self concept as a part of the personality of an individual that acted as a motivating force. The study assumed that self concept was implicated in the dynamics of the disturbances that brought adolescents into treatment, and its purpose was directed towards securing a better understanding of the girls.

The study was conducted with a non-probability …

The Altering Of Family Attitudes Toward The Child With Prolonged Illness As A Causative Factor Of Behavior Problems, Harriett Rinaldo

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

No abstract provided.

A Study Of Forty Problem Children Of Sephardic Extraction, To Determine The Special Problems They Present To A Jewish Agency And To Discover Methods Of Dealing With These Problems, Lucille Shyev

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

No abstract provided.

Social Problems Relating To Neurosyphilis, Margaret E. Moffitt

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

No abstract provided.