Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

2007

Discipline
Institution
Keyword
Publication
Publication Type
File Type

Articles 601 - 630 of 2125

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

Beyond Sibling Rivalry : An Exploratory Study Of Social Work Assessment Of School-Age Sibling Abuse, Hillary Faye. Parks Aug 2007

Beyond Sibling Rivalry : An Exploratory Study Of Social Work Assessment Of School-Age Sibling Abuse, Hillary Faye. Parks

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how clinical social workers approach assessment of siblings for physical, sexual, or emotional abuse with particular focus on assessment techniques. Thirteen clinical social workers participated in individual interviews that asked them to talk about their approach to the assessment process and to the content of that assessment. Participants were selected through a non-random sample of convenience from a child and family social service agency in New England. The findings of this study show that for this sample there is not a uniform method of assessing sibling abuse, although the content of …

Go to article

Pregnant Queer Clinicians : An Exploratory Study Of The Countertransference Experiences Of Queer Clinicians During Their First Pregnancies, Rhyannon Leah. O'Heron Aug 2007

Pregnant Queer Clinicians : An Exploratory Study Of The Countertransference Experiences Of Queer Clinicians During Their First Pregnancies, Rhyannon Leah. O'Heron

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study explores countertransference experiences of queer clinicians in work with adult female clients in a myriad of settings during their first pregnancies. Twelve clinicians with Master's degrees or higher in the fields of social work, counseling, and psychology participated. In addition, all participants self-identified as queer, lesbian, and/or bisexual women in same-sex relationships. Participants, diverse in age, religion, geographical locations, work settings, and number of years in the field, were fairly homogeneous in ethnic identity, theoretical orientation, and methods used to become pregnant. The qualitative study design, using a flexible, semi-structured interview guide, allowed for an in-depth exploration into …

Go to article

Christianity, Familial Acceptance, And Current Spirituality Among Lgb Individuals : Blessed Be The Tie That Binds?, Megan Elaine Browning Aug 2007

Christianity, Familial Acceptance, And Current Spirituality Among Lgb Individuals : Blessed Be The Tie That Binds?, Megan Elaine Browning

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study explores LGB individuals' perceptions about how acceptance by their Christian families of origin has impacted their current religiosity and/or spirituality. A qualitative semi structured interview with a demographic survey was conducted with fifteen self-identified LGB individuals who were raised in a variety of Christian households in the Southern United States. The participants were selected through a snowball sampling method and were representative of the surrounding metropolitan area. The methodology allowed for the study to be flexible and inclusive of people from diverse religious, spiritual, sexual, and cultural backgrounds. The participants discussed receiving messages as children from their church …

Go to article

Are We Dating? : An Exploratory Study Of Nonsexual, Passionate Friendships Between Women, Linda Christine Chupkowski Aug 2007

Are We Dating? : An Exploratory Study Of Nonsexual, Passionate Friendships Between Women, Linda Christine Chupkowski

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study was designed to explore nonsexual, passionate friendships between women. Particular areas of interest were challenging the binary between "just friends" and "lovers," as well as exploring the meaning of the lack of a term for identifying these friendships in women's lives. This study attempted to answer the following research question: How do women conceptualize, define, and make sense of their nonsexual, passionate friendships? This qualitative study involved interviewing 14 women selected from a sample of convenience. The interview questions were open-ended, allowing the women to share narrative accounts of their friendships in their own words. The findings indicate …

Go to article

Let's Talk About Sex : Sexual Education And Adolescent Sexual Behavior, Stephanie Grace Agnew Aug 2007

Let's Talk About Sex : Sexual Education And Adolescent Sexual Behavior, Stephanie Grace Agnew

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The study was undertaken to look at adolescents' experiences in school sexual education programs, to examine how abstinence only and comprehensive sexual education programs impact adolescent sexual behavior, and to explore whether there is a correlation between adolescents' sexual behavior and their satisfaction with their sexual health education. This study also set out to examine where adolescents turn for more comprehensive sexual health information when they are not satisfied with what they are receiving in school. This study surveyed 56 college freshmen about their middle school and high school sexual education experiences and their attitudes toward sexual health. Participants provided …

Go to article

A Homicide In The Family : The Dual Perspective Of Mothers' Experience Parenting And Use Of Community Resources And Community Providers' Report On Services Utilized By Mothers And Their Children, Leah Elizabeth Berkowitz Aug 2007

A Homicide In The Family : The Dual Perspective Of Mothers' Experience Parenting And Use Of Community Resources And Community Providers' Report On Services Utilized By Mothers And Their Children, Leah Elizabeth Berkowitz

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This research study was conducted to clarify the impact of the experienced homicide of a family member on mothering, post-homicide. Data was gathered regarding mothers' use and perception of community support services and providers' perception of the efficacy of those services currently available to surviving family members. Potential alternatives to already-existing services and modes of delivering these services to families impacted by violence were explored. In this dual-perspective flexible methods study, seven mother-participants and four community providers – comprised of three victim/witness advocates, who currently work in Massachusetts Court-based District Attorney's offices and one licensed independent clinical social worker, who …

Go to article

Nonresidential Fathers' Perceptions Of The Influence Of Their Acrimonious Divorces On Their Relationships With Their Children, Rachel Hava Green Aug 2007

Nonresidential Fathers' Perceptions Of The Influence Of Their Acrimonious Divorces On Their Relationships With Their Children, Rachel Hava Green

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative, exploratory study looked at nonresidential fathers' perceptions of the influence of their acrimonious divorces on their relationships with their children. For the purpose of this study, the term nonresidential fathers referred to fathers of biological or adopted children who were no longer living in their children's homes due to divorce. Twelve nonresidential fathers were interviewed in February and March of 2007. All of the men were recruited from the email listserv of the Pennsylvania chapter of Fathers' and Children's Equality, Inc. In an hour and a half interview, they answered 11 guiding questions which were all recorded on …

Go to article

Space Exploration : Mapping Students' Perception Of The Smith College Campus, Stephanie Alexandra Keep Aug 2007

Space Exploration : Mapping Students' Perception Of The Smith College Campus, Stephanie Alexandra Keep

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

In keeping with the values of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), this longitudinal exploratory study was developed with the belief in the importance of assessing the individual perception of the client when planning, creating, and implementing a change effort for which the client has been named beneficiary. The study was undertaken to measure spatially how people perceive their environments as a means to support community planning, specifically focusing on whether an environmental change effort, the new Campus Center, can affect students' perception of community support, satisfaction, safety, and formal and informal socialization. A mapping questionnaire was sent out …

Go to article

Nature And Quality Of Care : Two Measures Partially Addressing Impediments To Adequate Childcare For Vulnerable Children, Chad Wayne. Kordt-Thomas Aug 2007

Nature And Quality Of Care : Two Measures Partially Addressing Impediments To Adequate Childcare For Vulnerable Children, Chad Wayne. Kordt-Thomas

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study explored the level of care accessible to most young children, especially those living in or near poverty and with acute social-emotional needs. A critical analysis of childcare systems generated a demonstration of the multiple impingements upon care providers' abilities to furnish warm, responsive care. Children who most need skilled and attuned care, those with extraordinary sets of needs, were shown to be placed most at risk for expulsion from their group care settings. This phenomenon was interpreted through the relational conceptualization of mental health consultation to childcare developed at the Daycare Consultants component of the Infant-Parent Program, University …

Go to article

A Nation Divided : An Exploration Of National Identity And Immigration Through Analysis Of Naturalized Mexican And Non-Hispanic White Citizen's Attitudes Toward Undocumented Immigration In The United States, Mekhala Miriam. Koshy Aug 2007

A Nation Divided : An Exploration Of National Identity And Immigration Through Analysis Of Naturalized Mexican And Non-Hispanic White Citizen's Attitudes Toward Undocumented Immigration In The United States, Mekhala Miriam. Koshy

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study sought to understand the intersection of citizenship status and national identity as factors impacting perceptions of undocumented immigration in the U.S. Increased national identity is proposed to coincide with low levels of support and more negative associations with undocumented immigration. An additional hypothesis asserts immigrants and non-immigrants alike will illustrate parallel attitudes, though the naturalized group will retain more positive attitudes towards the impact and future of U.S. immigration. The current research was undertaken to illustrate how immigrants are compelled towards native-cultural distancing to gain access to privileges afforded to adherents to Anglo practices deemed as 'American' culture. …

Go to article

The Integration Of Exercise As An Adjunct Treatment For Depression By Clinical Social Workers In Massachusetts : A Study Designed To Expand The Practice Of Area Social Workers, Thomas Lawrence Lusignan Aug 2007

The Integration Of Exercise As An Adjunct Treatment For Depression By Clinical Social Workers In Massachusetts : A Study Designed To Expand The Practice Of Area Social Workers, Thomas Lawrence Lusignan

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this study is to explore the practice of clinical social workers utilizing exercise as an adjunct treatment to psychotherapy for major depression. A significant motivation in undertaking this study for the researcher was the limited attention to the effectiveness of exercise as an intervention in the treatment of depression by clinical social workers. While there is significant literature on the value of exercise in maintaining and improving physical and mental health of exercisers, there is a scarcity of material relating to the perspectives, experiences and practices of clinical social workers who are integrating exercise into treatment of …

Go to article

From The Perspectives Of Both : The Impact Of The Therapist's Job On The Relationship Between Therapists And Their Partners, Linda S. Mcginnis Aug 2007

From The Perspectives Of Both : The Impact Of The Therapist's Job On The Relationship Between Therapists And Their Partners, Linda S. Mcginnis

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study was done in order to examine, from the perspectives of therapists and their partners, the impact of the therapist's job on the couple's relationship. Each participant was encouraged to offer examples of both positive and negative experiences in their relationship and how they believed these experiences were affected – if at all – by the mind-set and/or skill-set of the therapist. Twelve participants were interviewed: six therapists and their partners. The major findings were that most of the participants believed that the therapists' use self-reflection during times of conflict had a positive impact on the relationship. The extended …

Go to article

From Consciousness To Action : Are There Common Identifiable Life Experiences Among People Who Actively Organize Against Oppression, Nikita Pion-Klockner Aug 2007

From Consciousness To Action : Are There Common Identifiable Life Experiences Among People Who Actively Organize Against Oppression, Nikita Pion-Klockner

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This thesis explores the question: Are there common identifiable life experiences among people who actively organize against oppression? This qualitative study included demographic as well as open and closed survey questions. The research explored seventy-one participants' interpretations of how they came to take action. The study explores how these participants first developed political consciousness, political efficacy, and the motivation to organize against oppression. Those identifiable life experiences that precede people taking action to organize against oppression are reviewed. This researcher found that there are common life experiences among people who are empowered, have political efficacy, and are taking action to …

Go to article

Restorative Justice : Including Victims, Offenders And Communities In Criminal Justice Dialogue, Jessica C. Ames Aug 2007

Restorative Justice : Including Victims, Offenders And Communities In Criminal Justice Dialogue, Jessica C. Ames

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Restorative justice (RJ), an alternative to the dominant retributive justice system, is a more holistic approach that encompasses the victim, offender and the community. This study supplemented existing research by exploring the perceptions of RJ experts and facilitators on the impact of RJ practices on offender reentry, as well as victim and community satisfaction. The study addressed the following questions: What is restorative justice? What are the major outcomes and challenges? What is the role of social work? The review of the literature compared the retributive justice model with a restorative justice framework for responding to crime. As restorative justice …

Go to article

Latina Mothers : An Exploratory Study On Their Attachment With Their Children, Patricia Becerra Aug 2007

Latina Mothers : An Exploratory Study On Their Attachment With Their Children, Patricia Becerra

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This research study was conducted as a strategy in learning more about Latino culture, specifically how Latino culture influences a mother's attachment to her child. In this study I will operationally define "Latina" as an immigrant mother who was born in Mexico, Central America, or South America or who has at least one parent that is Latino/a. This researcher found that there is a gap in the literature about attachment in Latino families. This study aimed to uncover the meaning of attachment in Latino families and conceptualize its meaning when compared to predominant "white" culture style of attachment. Research on …

Go to article

Couples' Decision-Making Processes : First-Time Parenthood In Dual-Career Partnerships, Amelia Fern Hube Aug 2007

Couples' Decision-Making Processes : First-Time Parenthood In Dual-Career Partnerships, Amelia Fern Hube

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Dual-career couples are increasingly becoming the norm in society, and for these couples experiencing first-time parenthood, having been raised in a world of stay-at-home mothers and breadwinning dads, the decisions for how to manage childcare and career choices can be challenging. This qualitative study was undertaken to explore the question, "What are the experiences of couples in dual-career partnerships as they approach the birth of a first child?" Twelve partnered, first-time parents were asked a series of questions about their experiences with their partners, families and work environments as they navigated choices related to careers and childcare. Participant narratives revealed …

Go to article

El Ser A TravéS De Las Fronteras Y El Tiempo: The Experience Of Mexican Immigrant Women And Their Sense Of Self, Nidia A. Ponce Aug 2007

El Ser A TravéS De Las Fronteras Y El Tiempo: The Experience Of Mexican Immigrant Women And Their Sense Of Self, Nidia A. Ponce

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative study investigates immigration as a defining event in the experiences of Mexican undocumented immigrant women. Specifically, the line of inquiry is guided by one main research question: How do individuals subjectively perceive their immigration experiences as shaping their sense of self? The study reviews a wide range of psychosocial literature on identity definitions, historical views of identity, models of identity development, immigration, biculturalism and the effect of international relocation on identity. Furthermore, the circumstances and reasons for leaving one's country of origin are diverse and complex for every immigrant. This study provides some understanding of a few general …

Go to article

Mythesis.Com : The Irony Of Technology : An Object Relational Approach To Understanding The Interplay Of Identity Construction And The Emergence Of The "True Self" Through The Privilege Of Anonymity On The Internet, Katherine Suzanne Sapp Aug 2007

Mythesis.Com : The Irony Of Technology : An Object Relational Approach To Understanding The Interplay Of Identity Construction And The Emergence Of The "True Self" Through The Privilege Of Anonymity On The Internet, Katherine Suzanne Sapp

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This was an exploratory study of the ways in which online social networks like Myspace.com can impact perceptions of the user in terms of self and others. Specifically, the focus was on how online experiences may have different levels of impact on these perceptions depending upon users' self identifying as having a concealable stigmatized identity based on sexual orientation or disability. Research for this study was conducted through an online survey and was promoted using the classifieds posting forum on Myspace.com. There were 100 respondents who accepted the terms set forth in the Informed Consent. Seventy-six of these initial respondents …

Go to article

Negotiating The Self : An Exploratory Study On The Gender Identity Formation Of Second-Generation Asian Indian American Women, Sonal H. Soni Aug 2007

Negotiating The Self : An Exploratory Study On The Gender Identity Formation Of Second-Generation Asian Indian American Women, Sonal H. Soni

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This purpose of this study was to explore how second-generation (defined in this study as immigrants' children born in the United States or brought here under the age of ten with their parents and raised in the United States) Asian Indian American women understand, negotiate and perform gender roles. In particular, the study examined the dating rituals and practices of second-generation Asian Indian women in order to ascertain how these women have understood messages about dating from their parents, friends, the broader dominant culture and other sources to construct their gender identity. It also examined how Asian Indian ethnic identity …

Go to article

To Kill Or To Be Killed? : An Examination Of Influential Factors Within African American Communities Resulting In The Rise Of Youth Violence, Telea. Shepard Stovall Aug 2007

To Kill Or To Be Killed? : An Examination Of Influential Factors Within African American Communities Resulting In The Rise Of Youth Violence, Telea. Shepard Stovall

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this exploratory qualitative study is to determine the perspectives of African American males pertaining to their beliefs about the prominent influential factors within their communities that are leading to the rise of youth violence. This study was undertaken to further explore the phenomenon of youth violence and to give a voice to the participants allowing them to share their experiences of living in a high crime urban neighborhood. Narratives were gathered from twelve African American males between the ages of 18 and 25, using a structured self-designed interview guide. Participants were asked about youth violence, the characteristics …

Go to article

The Association Between Physical, Sexual, And Emotional Abuse And Physical Pain : A Comparison Of Psychiatric Patients In Ontario, Canada And Burlington, Vermont, Kathryn Irene Vigil Aug 2007

The Association Between Physical, Sexual, And Emotional Abuse And Physical Pain : A Comparison Of Psychiatric Patients In Ontario, Canada And Burlington, Vermont, Kathryn Irene Vigil

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the relationship between inpatient psychiatric patients' histories of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse (Abuse) and their current experience of physical pain. This study explored this association between Abuse and physical pain in adult inpatient psychiatric patients in two locations—Burlington, Vermont and Ontario, Canada. It was hypothesized that rates of Abuse between the two locations would not differ significantly, but that patients with a history of Abuse would score higher on a pain scale (report more severe pain) than those without an Abuse history. Through secondary data analyses using previously collected data …

Go to article

Live Today : Transition From Patient To Long-Term Cancer Survivor, Lynn Ann. Mazur Aug 2007

Live Today : Transition From Patient To Long-Term Cancer Survivor, Lynn Ann. Mazur

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study was undertaken to examine the illness-related adjustment experiences of adults who have survived five years beyond the crisis and trauma of cancer diagnosis and the recommended medical treatment. The study explores the transition from being a cancer patient to becoming a long-term survivor. The study's purpose is to increase understanding of the growing population of long-term cancer survivors currently numbering more than 10 million in the US. This exploratory study involved 12 participants living in or near the Boston, Massachusetts area. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants who were diagnosed at or after age 35, with a …

Go to article

Women's Perceptions Of Different Power Dynamics In Their Sexual Encounters With Both Women And Men, Genna Blaine Brodsky Aug 2007

Women's Perceptions Of Different Power Dynamics In Their Sexual Encounters With Both Women And Men, Genna Blaine Brodsky

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study explored women's fluid sexuality by asking the following question: Do women who have had sexual encounters with both women and men experience different power dynamics based on their partners' gender? There was minimal literature devoted to this topic. Past research focused on gender differences within relationships, violence used as a resource of power in heterosexual and lesbian relationships, theory written on relational therapy, and articles on female sexual fluidity. Eleven women from San Francisco were interviewed to explore their thoughts and feelings on how they experienced different power dynamics during sexual encounters with women and men. The interviews …

Go to article

Confronting Race And Racism : Social Identity In African American Gay Men, Benjamin A. Kudler Aug 2007

Confronting Race And Racism : Social Identity In African American Gay Men, Benjamin A. Kudler

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative study examines how race and racism function in gay communities, looking at factors facing African American gay men in their identity formation and daily experience. Specifically, this study has examined the presence of sexual racism, sexualized racial stereotypes that affect the way men of color are viewed by white gay men. Twelve self-identified African American gay men living in the Boston metropolitan area were recruited by word-of-mouth and snowball sampling. Drawing on existing areas of research, each participant was administered a demographic survey and interviewed about his experiences within predominately white middle-class mainstream gay communities. African American gay …

Go to article

Transcending Culture : The Universality Of Grief, Kelly Diane Meade Aug 2007

Transcending Culture : The Universality Of Grief, Kelly Diane Meade

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study explored how culture influences the grieving process. This study was undertaken in part to expand on the limited research on this topic. Some of the literature, including various studies, indicates that social context affects the experience and expression of grief (Catlin, 1992). Twelve individuals who had lost their "loved ones," defined by the researcher as a significant other, family member or close friend, at least two years but not longer than five years ago were interviewed for this study. Participation included answering questions regarding their experience of grief and various factors that influenced their grieving process. The results …

Go to article

Experienced And Inexperienced Therapists : A Comparison Of Attitude Toward And Use Of Countertransference Disclosure, Sara R. Willott Aug 2007

Experienced And Inexperienced Therapists : A Comparison Of Attitude Toward And Use Of Countertransference Disclosure, Sara R. Willott

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This descriptive exploratory study examines the relationship of clinical experience and attitude toward countertransference disclosure and use of countertransference disclosure. The study surveyed therapists for answers to the following questions: Are there any differences in the attitude towards countertransference disclosure between experienced and inexperienced clinicians? Are there any differences in the use of countertransference disclosure between experienced and inexperienced clinicians? Is there an association between attitude toward and use of countertransference disclosure for the sample as a whole; and is there any variance in this association between experienced and inexperienced therapists? Three-hundred-and-thirty-seven therapists completed the survey, yielding significant results. The …

Go to article

Are We Attracted To Romantic Partners Who Tend To Resemble Our Caregivers?, Rebecca Kohrman Kohrman Aug 2007

Are We Attracted To Romantic Partners Who Tend To Resemble Our Caregivers?, Rebecca Kohrman Kohrman

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study was undertaken to explore the phenomenon of romantic attraction. It sought to explore the degree of which imago theory (Hendrix, 1988) may pertain to people's choices of romantic partners and asked the following research question: Are we attracted to romantic partners who tend to resemble our early caregivers? Twelve participants were interviewed as part of this qualitative study, which included three men and nine women. At the time of the study participants ranged in age from 20-57 years old and were all in a heterosexual relationship ranging from seven months to 21 years. The findings of this study …

Go to article

Art As Therapy For The Therapist : The Role And Experience Of Artistic Expression In The Life And Work Of Psychotherapists Who Also Identify As Artists, Danielle T. Tansino Aug 2007

Art As Therapy For The Therapist : The Role And Experience Of Artistic Expression In The Life And Work Of Psychotherapists Who Also Identify As Artists, Danielle T. Tansino

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study explored the experiences and meaning of artistic expression in the lives and work of psychotherapists who also create visual art. Utilizing a semi-structured, open-ended interview format, ten experienced therapists were interviewed about their experiences creating art and how they believed their artistic identity impacted their clinical work. Participants had varying degrees of experience creating art and utilized several types of artistic media included: painting, photography, mixed media, and jewelry-making. Participants described a wide range of emotions associated with their creative process and many reported that involvement with art enriched both their lives and clinical work. Many described creating …

Go to article

Attachment In Older Adolescent Romantic Relationships, Whitney E. Young Aug 2007

Attachment In Older Adolescent Romantic Relationships, Whitney E. Young

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this exploratory/descriptive study was to explore the possible relationship between attachment styles of individuals in romantic relationships during older adolescents. The research question that guided this research is: Is there an association between the individual attachment style of each partner in a romantic relationship? A flexible methods approach of data collection, with a standardized data collection instrument was used to procure the necessary data for this independent research. The sample of this study was purposive and a snowball strategy was used in finding participants. The sample consisted of 19 couples (38 individuals); the inclusionary/exclusionary criteria for the …

Go to article

Undocumented Latino Immigrants' Opinions On Seeking Counseling From Non-Latino Clinicians And Their Views Of What Would Constitute Culturally Competent Services, Maria Angelica. Mccoy Aug 2007

Undocumented Latino Immigrants' Opinions On Seeking Counseling From Non-Latino Clinicians And Their Views Of What Would Constitute Culturally Competent Services, Maria Angelica. Mccoy

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study was undertaken to allow Latino immigrants who have lived undocumented in the U.S. and never received mental health services, describe their experiences in the U.S. and views of mental health services to an audience of mental health providers. Six men were interviewed individually. In addition to demographic questions, they were asked about their daily experience of being undocumented, how they related to non-Latinos, where they normally turned for emotional support, whether they would seek mental health services from a Latino or non-Latino clinician and what advice they would give the clinician regarding how to best help them. The …

Go to article

First Prev Next Last