Digital Commons Network^™

Emptiness As Symptom, Emptiness As Healing : Examining The Intersections Between Buddhist And Psychodynamic Perspectives On No-Self, Bruno D. Trindade

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Despite growing usage of meditation in Western psychotherapeutic practice, there is a divergence in the meaning of empty self-experience between psychodynamic psychotherapy and the Buddhist source of these meditative practices. In this theoretical study I propose that empty self-experience is manifold, including both beneficial and pathogenic forms, specifically the experience most prized in Buddhism as sunyata, and those most dreaded in personality disorders. By studying these through the theories of control-mastery and Buddhist Abhidhamma, I demonstrate how similar psychological processes are involved in overcoming pathogenic emptiness, on one hand, and in the achievement of sunyata, on the other. The findings …

New York City And Boston Upward Bound Programs : Strengthening Academic Confidence In Low-Income Students, Giselle Regalado

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study examined the impact of New York City and Boston Upward Bound Programs on academic performance among low-income college alum. The dependent variables were academic self-confidence and academic performance; and the independent variables were New York City and Boston Upward Bound Programs. Participation criteria included only alums from Upward Bound programs in New York City and Boston, college graduate, access to Upward Bound Facebook social media pages, 18 years of age or older, and read English. The sample was random and consisted of thirty-three Upward Bound alumni who completed an online survey. Albert Bandura's Self-Efficacy and Social Learning Theory …

Immigration And Depression : An Exploration Of Risks And Protective Factors, Lenissa Vilhena Barbosa

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The goal of this study was to explore whether immigration was a risk factor for the development of depression and which were the triggers and protective factors that contribute to the development of depression among a specific population (N = 51) of highly educated legal immigrants during their first years living in the US. Additionally, it sought to determine if the "immigration paradox" (Franzini, Ribble, and Keddie, 2001) could be found in this specific population as well. A quantitative exploratory method design was used, and participants were recruited using the snowball sampling technique, and participated in this research through an …

"Show Me The Face You Had Before Your Parents Were Born" : African-American New Thought Ministers And 'The Black Interior', Kaitlin N. Smith

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This theoretical research critically explores the phenomenon of contemporary African Americans seeking to cultivate individual identities that are not bound by the external demands inherent in a black racial identity. It examines the work and ideas of three African-American New thought ministers who articulate a vision of liberation that is predicated on the cultivation of an interior spiritual identity beyond the social world. This research employs two theoretical frameworks that may help to shed light on the reasons for and implications of contemporary African Americans constructing their identities in this manner. The first of these theoretical frameworks is sociologist Eduardo …

Chitlins And Lemonade : The Impact Of The Word "Nigger" On College Educated Men In The African Diaspora, Thomas W. Brown

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The study is an exploration of the impact the term "nigger" has on college educated men in the African Diaspora. The semi-structured, open-ended questions focus on the manner in which a racial derogatory term (the N-word) remains volatile even when attempted to be used positively by the oppressed. Twelve to 15 college educated men in the African Diaspora were interviewed to discover whether the term is endearing or endangering to the identity of men in the African Diaspora. Overall the study showed that the N-word promotes negative cultural concepts largely propagated through mass media that results in debilitated progress for …

Hypermasculinity, Delinquency And Adolescent Males, Emily A. Meneses

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Hypermasculinity, delinquency and or criminality, mental health disorders and race was studied to see if there was a positive or negative correlation between hypermasculinity and delinquency. This study used two instruments, the Male Roles Norms Inventory (MRNI) and the Self Report Delinquency scale (SRD) to measure hypermasculinity and adolescent delinquency. If the correlation was positive this study looked to see what if any affect mental health disorders and race had. The study found that there was no correlation therefore seeing if the correlation varied by race or having a mental health disorder was not done.

Vicarious Traumatization And Vicarious Resilience : An Exploration Of Therapists' Experiences Conducting Individual Therapy Of Refugee Clients : A Project Based Upon An Investigation At Family Health Center Of Worcester, Worcester, Massachusetts, Megan C. Welsh

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, descriptive study was to explore clinicians' experience of vicarious traumatization and/or vicarious resilience in working with refugee clients in order to gain a better understanding of vicarious trauma and the ways in which clinicians are effected by vicarious trauma. A second purpose of this study was to determine whether or not clinicians experience vicarious resilience in working with this client population, and what, if any, impact the vicarious resilience has on the clinician's treatment modalities, practice style, and personal life. Twelve face-to-face interviews were conducted at Family Health Center of Worcester with clinicians who had …

Gender Spectrum : Exploring Gender Diversity In Schools : A Project Based Upon An Investigation At Schools That Received Gender Spectrum Training On The Topics Of Gender And Gender Diversity, Meredith S. Abrams

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The world is witnessing a major shift in the way individuals in the helping professions and Western society understand gender outside the historical binary of male/female. In response to the limited literature that examines how gender and gender diversity is understood, taught, and integrated into educational institutions, the researcher provides an overview of a selected literature which informs the specific topics of gender and gender diversity in schools. This study explored how the information presented in Gender Spectrum trainings was utilized and integrated into four identified natural entry points (personal, structural, interpersonal, and instructional) for creating gender inclusive schools and …

Therapists' Experiences Treating Clients With Dissociative Identity Disorder, Alexandra E. Paull

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this exploratory study was to collect qualitative data to examine what social workers describe as their experience working with clients who fit the diagnosis of Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). This study interviewed twelve licensed therapists through in person, phone, and skype interviews. These interviews explored the experience of their clinical work and its impact on them personally. Seven major themes were identified from coding the narrative data: the challenges and rewards of treatment, characteristics of the population, characteristics of the clinicians, treatment structure, what treating their first client with this disorder was like, misconceptions, and places current …

What Does The 'Q' Stand For Anyway? : Queerness And Agency Competence, Eleanor C. Taylor

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This exploratory study’s purpose was to explore queer identity in mental health practice through the question, "Does queerness emerge as a distinct cultural category through the language of conversation, clinical practice, and administrative policy in mental health agencies that serve queer people, and in what practices is this reflected?” This project was undertaken in order to begin to fill gaps in existing cultural competence literature, particularly regarding queer identity.

This project entailed semi-structured interviews with ten participants, who worked in direct service at mental health agencies that serve LGBTQIA+ populations. This study examines the meanings and effects of queerness in …

An Exploration Of Romantic Adult Attachment, Marital Satisfaction And Parenting Stress In Couples Participating In The Supporting Father Involvement Program, Sarah T. Robins

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Over the years attachment theory and research have provided frameworks for understanding infant attachment and adult attachment. More recently, the phenomenon of romantic attachment between couples has been examined. The current mixed-methods study investigates the relationship between romantic adult attachment, marital satisfaction, and parenting stress in partners participating in the Supporting Father Involvement Program. Quantitative and qualitative results indicate that there is an association between adult attachment styles, marital satisfaction, and parenting stress. More specifically, fearful insecurities in mothers are associated with more parenting stress while secure attachments in mothers are connected to more satisfaction in the marital relationship. Fathers …

Raíces En Ambos Países : Voices Of Latino Immigrant Parents Raising U.S. Born Children In The Washington Metropolitan Area, Vanessa A. LeóN

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The following qualitative study sought to explore the living and parenting experiences of Latino immigrant parents in the Washington Metropolitan Area. Snowball sampling, via an email to the researcher's family, friends and colleagues, was used to recruit a total of twelve individuals (female=8; male=4) for participation in the study. Participants ranged from 31 to 68 years of age and had immigrated to the United States from Peru (n=6), Colombia (n=2), El Salvador (n=2), Ecuador (n=1) and Uruguay (n=1). Data for the study was gathered during individual, semi-structured interviews between the researcher and participants, which were audio recorded, transcribed and manually …

The Clinical Implications Of Dissolutioned Adoption : A Theoretical Intersection Of The Neurosequential Model Of Therapeutics And Attachment Theory, Mikayla C. Holcomb

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This theoretical investigation of adoption dissolution integrates psychodynamic theory and the neurodevelopmental impact of trauma into clinical practice with children. After providing an in depth review of available literature on adoption dissolution, the focus will shift to the chosen theories. The two theory chapters within this research utilize attachment theory as the core psychodynamic theory and the neurosequential model of therapeutics to provide a neurodevelopmental perspective and treatment interventions as related to dissolutioned adoptions. A discussion chapter will critique the chosen theories and integrate the research into practice by utilizing a case study, and lastly provide recommendations for individual therapy …

Clinician's Treatment Decisions For A Combat-Related Trauma And Military Sexual Trauma : A Comparative Study, Stefanie Carreiro

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Combat-related trauma and military sexual trauma (MST) are two types of trauma one can be exposed to while serving in the military. Although there are some similarities in the two types of trauma there are many more differences. Therefore, this study investigated what factors influence clinicians' treatment decisions for combat-related trauma and military sexual trauma and whether or not clinicians consider the differences in the two types of trauma when determining treatment approaches. A convenience sample of licensed trauma-oriented clinicians (N=108) completed an anonymous, self-administered survey online. Overall, results showed that clinician characteristics (e.g., experience and formal training, theoretical orientation, …

A Sense Of Pride Over My Size : A Qualitative Study Of Women Of Size Who Consider Themselves Body Positive, Ruth A. Salen

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative exploratory study investigated how women who self identify as a person of size and who have a positive body image developed their positive body identity. Through the process of a semi-structured interview, the study explored the personal experience of the participants from their youth into adulthood regarding the messages they received about their bodies and how they responded and resisted the impact of those messages. The theoretical underpinnings of this study were based on body objectification theory, stigma theory and feminist theory. Sixteen female participants participated in the study and shared what they believed contributed to their body …

The Impact Of Parental Narcissistic Traits On Self-Esteem In Adulthood, Brittany N. Bach

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Very little research directly addresses the question of how a parent's narcissistic traits affect the development of their children into adulthood. In this qualitative study, 9 adults were interviewed to explore how they experienced the effects of a parent's narcissism, especially in relation to their understanding of their own self-esteem in adulthood. All 9 participants identified these parental traits as having an impact on their self-esteem, and nearly all of them (n=8) felt these experiences significantly affected their lives as adults. Many participants described needing external support or validation from others to feel competent or worthy, and some reported feeling …

Black Women's Natural Hair Care Communities : Social, Political, And Cultural Implications, Sarauna M. Moore

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative study was undertaken to explore the social, political, and cultural implications of Black women's participation in the natural hair care community. The narratives of ten women who participate in the online natural hair care community were used to explore how this participation may effect personal and cultural identity, ideas of beauty, and social and economic capital. Women were interviewed and asked 13 questions to elicit the personal experiences of women, and their thoughts on patterns in larger society. The findings suggest that women's interactions with the online natural hair care community is dynamic on both a personal and …

Application Of Somatic Interventions In Clinical Practice, Rebecca L. Rothberg

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study examined the extent to which and the ways in which somatic interventions are integrated into clinical mental health practice, and the thoughts, feelings and beliefs behind clinicians' decisions to integrate the body into mental health treatment. The study included twelve clinicians prepared at the master's level or higher who self-identified as having utilized at least one somatic intervention in thirty days prior to screening. Participants engaged in a 45-60 minute qualitative, semi-structured interview designed to elicit a greater understanding of how individuals conceptualize their use of the body in treatment based on their individual theoretical orientation, what somatic …

Therapy Portrayal In The Media : Exploring How Viewing Scenes Of Therapy In Film And Television Affect A Person's Decision To Seek Therapy, Melissa E. Bayer

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this study was to explore how viewing media representation of therapy, expressly film and television, can affect a person's willingness to attend therapy. This study also explored a person's perceptions of media on their beliefs about therapy and what scenes of therapy and therapists impacted them. Our current society is saturated with media messages and this study looks to explore how the constant amount of media can influence us and affect our decisions, such as attending therapy. Scenes of therapy have long been portrayed in the media and frequently continue to be in the media. Fifty people …

Exploring Ways White Children Are Taught About Race And Racism, Angela M. Clark

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

In this theoretical study, I will explore ways White children are taught about race and racism, and ways this subject can be explored with White youth in therapeutic contexts. In the United States, racism continues to have a significant negative impact on the material and psychological experiences of people of color, limiting life chances while it is largely ignored by White individuals and White-dominated institutions. One factor that serves to maintain the existence and influence of racist systems is White people's ignorance of the degree to which racism is present in our institutions, dominant discourse and ideology, and in ourselves. …

The Intergenerational Transmission Of Parenting Beliefs And The Impact Of The Supporting Father Involvement Program On Parenting Beliefs In Western Canada, Rachel H. Honig

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This research examined the intergenerational transmission of parenting beliefs and the impact of the Supporting Father Involvement (SFI) program on parenting beliefs of program participants. In phone interviews, 49 participants from Western Canada were asked about parenting beliefs they hold most dear from their own growing up experience, how these beliefs influence their parenting, and if SFI strengthened or changed their beliefs. All participants had previously participated in SFI, an intervention designed to strengthen parenting, co-parenting, and couple relationships. Results from this study found the intergenerational parenting beliefs of participants to be putting the family first, discipline, unconditional love and …

Exploring The Relationship Between Maternal Childhood Maltreatment History, Parent-Child Relations And Child Emotion Regulation, Chelsie D. Sampayan

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Child maltreatment is an issue that has serious psychological and behavioral consequences in children now and in the future. This exploratory study used the developmental psychopathology framework to examine the relationships between maternal childhood maltreatment, parent-child relations, and child emotion regulation. I performed a secondary data analysis on 228 preschool-aged children (118 boys and 110 girls) and their biological mothers. Data was originally collected as part of a longitudinal study called the Child Regulation and Representation Project (CHiRRP). Mothers responded to a semi-structured interview, which was then coded for severity ratings of childhood physical abuse (CPA) and childhood sexual abuse …

Supporting Resilience In Chldren And Youth Impacted By Complex Trauma, Rachel E. Stoddard

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Exposure to repeated traumatic events, including abuse, neglect, and domestic and community violence is often referred to as complex trauma. This research was conducted to better understand the developmental impact of complex trauma on children and adolescents, and to consider what treatment approach might best serve this population. The author first examined the impact of repeated victimization on child neurobiological development, with particular attention to the areas of attachment, affect regulation, behavioral control, cognition, and self-esteem. Complex trauma treatments that are more individually focused and grounded in cognitive-behavioral theory were then compared to those that are more systems-focused and stem …

The Application Of Yoga As A Biopsychosocial-Spiritual Approach To Social Work, Karen L. Tsai

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

There is growing evidence emerging from the biomedical, behavioral science, and mental health literature suggesting that yoga may be an effective treatment for a wide range of mental health symptoms. Curiously, there has been very little social work literature published about yoga's therapeutic potential. As one of the most popular complementary and alternative approaches to health in the United States, yoga is not to be overlooked as a potential social work methodology to reach diverse populations and improve or complement mental health treatment rates and outcomes. Yoga's multifaceted ability to affect well-being makes it an important therapeutic approach to mental …

Before And After : An Exploratory Study Of The Positive And Negative Effects Of Significant Weight Loss, Jo Ann Valle

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This mixed-methods exploratory study was undertaken to better understand both the positive and negative ways in which significant weight loss is experienced by people who have intentionally undertaken the process of weight loss. Ninety-two people completed an online survey which contained both quantitative and qualitative items. Four in-depth phone interviews were conducted with respondents who completed the online survey and contacted the researcher to offer further commentary. Survey respondents noted the amount of weight they had lost, the methods used and their reasons for deciding to lose weight. Other quantitative questions asked respondents to identify how dissatisfied with their bodies …

Muslim Women In American And Hijab : A Study Of Empowerment, Feminist Identity, And Body Image, Anderson L. Beckmann

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative study examines how, if at all, the Islamic practice of hijab (veiling) empowers those women who practice and if it has any influence upon feminist identity and body image. This study is based upon the perspective of 12 adult Muslim American women living in North Carolina who practice a form of physical hijab on a daily basis. Participants were recruited using a snowball sampling technique and interviewed in person by the researcher. Questions included, but were not limited to: do you feel empowered by the hijab why or why not? Do you identify as a feminist, why or …

Alone With The Other : Paradoxes Of Shame And Recognition In Psychoanalytic Theory, Case Material And Home Alone, Nicholas J. Collura

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Shame and recognition co-occur in the human psyche. Phenomenologically, shame is relational: experienced in the world with the Other. Psychoanalytically, the shame affect is treated as one of the ego's defenses, for example, as a protection from exposure. Shame seems to either promote or prevent the subject's capacity to recognize otherness and difference. In this paper, I attempt to re-read these respective theories on shame and recognition, eventually placing shame in, among other places, Lacan's (1988) mirror stage and relational perspectives of human development. I turn to two cases, one clinical, one from popular culture, to elaborate on the paradoxical …

Best For Baby : What Factors Influence New Mothers When Choosing Between Breastfeeding And Bottle Feeding Babies Under The Age Of Two, Jacquelyn S. Andrews

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Mothers often find themselves under supported after the birth of a baby. This mixed method research study examines the factors that are considered influential to new mothers when making their initial infant feeding choice between breastfeeding and bottle feeding. This study presents the data from 1017 mothers who self identified as either primarily breast feeding mothers or bottle feeding mothers and indicated which biological, social, circumstantial, financial, psychological, and medical factors were the most influential in their choice. Both the breastfeeding and the bottle feeding samples consistently ranked health of the baby as the most influential factor. Bottle feeding mothers …

Who Cares? : Psychotherapy As Care Work, Explored Through Socialist Feminist And Relational Perspectives, Sarah L. Beller

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This project was undertaken to better understand psychotherapy within the broader historical concept of "care work." The methodological approach involved using key concepts from feminist socialist theory and relational theory to explore what it means to consider psychotherapy as care work. The two theories helped flesh out some of the tensions between "care" and "work," as well as illuminated the way that the line between the two might be seen as a dichotomy. The project has implications for psychotherapists practicing within the United States system of the "White supremacist capitalist patriarchy" who want to engage in a co-created journey with …

The Call For Help : A Theoretical Study On The Changes That Occur Between A School Social Worker And His Or Her Child Client After Reportinng To Child Protective Services On Suspected Abuse And Neglect, Aramie Brooks-Salzman

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This theoretical study explores a unique conceptualization of the relationship between a school social worker and his or her relationship with the child client and the child's family after a Child Protective Service report was made. In this paper I will explore the concepts of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth when discussing attachment theory and W.R.D. Fairbairn when discussing object relations theory. Through the lens of these two theories I will critique and improve upon the child welfare and school constructs in how families are dealt with during the process of working with Child Protective Services (CPS). Attachment and object …