Digital Commons Network^™

The Caregiver’S Experience Of Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome, Jordyn Deschene

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

As the rate of Lyme disease diagnoses increases in the United States, it can be assumed that the frequency at which post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) is diagnosed will also increase. While research has been published on the experience of caregivers of other chronic illnesses, no studies have examined the experience of the PTLDS caregiver. This quantitative study sought to discover the most significant burdens, mental health status (levels of anxiety and depression), and level of invalidation experienced by the PTLDS caregiver. Thirty individual participants took part in this study. This study found that mental burden is a significant area …

Love Outside Margins: Mental Health And Marginalization In Intercultural And Monocultural Couples, Tara Masseratagah

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

As the number of intercultural couples increases in North America, the impact of perceived marginalization of these relationships on the mental health of individuals is an area that requires continued clinical understanding. This quantitative study sought to explore how anxiety and depression levels in intercultural and monocultural couples are associated with levels of perceived marginalization. Qualitative follow-up questions were used to understand the varying reasons for marginalization and support between couples. One hundred twenty-four individual participants in romantic relationships took part in this study; of this, 64 were in monocultural relationships and 60 were in intercultural relationships. This study found …

The Experiences Of Marriage And Family Therapists Balancing Relational Teletherapy And Self-Care During The Covid-19 Pandemic: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, Elizabeth Dumayne

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many changes to the world of mental health, especially in the delivery that marriage and family therapists provide services to their clients and while balancing their own self-care. In order to provide therapists with a base from which to work through these changes, a thorough review of the literature is provided as well as an interpretative phenomenological analysis. Chapter one provides an introduction to the topic of relational teletherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic and self-care for therapists, defines the terms teletherapy and self-care, and clarifies the conceptual frameworks at use in the dissertation: ecological systems …

Web-Based Therapeutic Horticulture Intervention: An Online Program Development Study, Dana Ludmer

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The pandemic has become a nationwide psychological trauma, posing a serious mental health risk in the United States. As the pandemic increases social disconnection and depression, amongst other psychological concerns, the need for accessible therapeutic interventions has become imperative. The purpose of this dissertation was to evaluate the interest and preferences in a web-based therapeutic horticulture intervention for connectedness and well-being. This study utilized a mixed methods approach, including both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. A needs assessment surveyed American Horticulture Therapist Association (AHTA) members as well as gardening hobbyists. Quantitative data was evaluated through descriptive statistics, while …

Clinicians Experience Using The Family As A Unit Of Treatment For Black Hiv-Positive Men Who Have Sex With Men, Steffen Gillom

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The present study examines the experiences of five licensed clinicians as they attempted to integrate the family as a unit of treatment into the treatment of Black HIV-positive men who have sex with men (BHPMSM). A single 90-minute focus group study using an interpretive phenomenological approach (IPA) was conducted with five clinicians from diverse backgrounds. The results of the study show that clinicians attempting to integrate the family into the treatment of BHPMSM shared common experiences in the areas of building community through encouraging client self-determination, navigating religion, navigating HIV stigma, feelings of incompetence, and feelings of gratification after successful …

The Diffusion Of A Discipline: Examining Social Marketing's Institutionalization Within Environmental Contexts, Liz Foote

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

As a social change discipline, social marketing has demonstrated its effectiveness in addressing many types of wicked problems. However, despite its utility in environmental contexts, it is neither well known nor widespread in its uptake in these settings. This study’s purpose is to reveal opportunities to drive the adoption, implementation, and diffusion (“institutionalization”) of social marketing within the domains of environmental sustainability and natural resource conservation. This research considers the use of social marketing as an innovative practice within a diffusion of innovations framework and uses a systems lens to examine early adopter social marketing professionals and the institutional contexts …

Exploring The Needs Of Black Single Mothers In Therapy, Nompelelo Boucher

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This qualitative study of 6 Black single mothers utilizes a focus group format to explore their experiences in mental health treatment. The specific barriers they face to seeking treatment are reviewed, given that this particular population is substantially underrepresented in mental health therapy. The study seeks to gain a better insight of what factors contribute to attracting and retaining them in therapy for positive outcomes. Six emergent themes surfaced highlighting the fact that these women overcome numerous historical and cultural barriers to present for treatment to address serious issues of stress, grief, and loss, that they have a desire to …

Structural Family Therapy For Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Single Case Experiment, Anthony George Pennant Jr.

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This research study is an exploratory single case experiment which was conceptualized through the concept of change as outlined in structural family therapy (SFT). This family reported increases in their levels of cohesion, flexibility, and satisfaction with their relationships. The family reported decreases in the levels of disengagement, rigidity, chaos, and communication. Lastly, levels of anxiety increased over time and were generally rated divergently by parents and the child with autism spectrum disorder. Given the outcome of the study, SFT shows promise in being an appropriate clinical model in providing family-based therapy for families who have a child(ren) with autism …

Examining Face-To-Face And Online Supervisee Disclosure Within The Supervisory Alliance, Letitia D'Aria Unger Johnson

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this research was to examine face-to-face and online supervisee disclosure within the supervisory alliance. Just as client care pivoted to online platforms, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, so did clinical supervision, which was uncharted territory for many, including those familiar with online counseling. The methodology used was consensual qualitative research (CSR). Eight participants were recruited as a sample of convenience, and semistructured interviews were conducted via Zoom. Results indicated domains such as important characteristics of the supervisory relationship, importance of communication, supervisor characteristics related to self-disclosure, positive aspects and negative aspects of online supervision, and …

The Impact Of Creative Arts On Meaning Reconstruction And Loss Adaptation In Widowed Adults, Dani Baker-Cole

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

In counseling, helping grieving clients find meaning after significant loss is a unique, multidimensional, and lengthy process. This is particularly true in Western societies, where antithetical linear grief models, supported by hegemonic expectations to move on after loss, add exhausting pressure to speed up an individual’s natural grieving process. For that reason, this study examined how creative arts interventions such as using traditional art media and expressive writing, combined with postmodern, nonlinear, culturally sensitive bereavement models, help individuals explore their loss narrative to make meaning and adapt to loss. Specifically, this study examined the impact of a switch from traditional …

Imposter Phenomenon And Ces Doctoral Students, Michael Drane

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The aim of the study was to explore the lived experience of counselor education and supervision students who reported experiencing symptoms of imposter phenomenon (IP). The population included counselor education and supervision students in their first year of their program, with a sample of convenience (N = 4). The method used in this study was an interoperative phenomenological analysis. Data analysis revealed four major themes: (a) counselor education students express self-doubt, lack of confidence and concern about competence, (b) students rate different levels of competence in counselor education and supervision roles, (c) instructor feedback impacts student perceptions of competence, and …

Examining Gender Differences In A Forensic Sample Using The Personality Assessment Inventory, Rebecca Elliott

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Rates of female criminality appear to be rising (The Sentencing Project, 2022), and thus more women are likely to present for evaluation in a forensic capacity. A majority of research in the field of criminal behavior has focused exclusively on male populations. A dearth of research examining risk factors among female offenders has led to a lack of empirically validated tools used to assess women. Additionally, research on gender differences within a forensic population representing a wide range of referral questions has not been conducted. Women offenders present with unique and different risk factors than men (Grimbos et al., 2016); …

Attachment And Creativity Focused Counseling Intervention For Parents And Adolescents Presenting With A Trauma History, Leah Merle Batty-Hibbs

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The central research question that informed this study asks: How do attachment and creativity focused counseling interventions encourage connection between an adolescent and their parent or caregiver? The research study centered on two mother and son dyads that participated in six weeks of a therapeutic intervention. The modality utilized an attachment and creativity focused approach created by the author. Data was collected through a post intervention semi-structured interview with the parent (adult). Data was transcribed and evaluated with an interpretive phenomenological approach. Six themes were identified by a team of researchers. The findings have implications for clinical practice with parents …

Adverse Religious Experiences And Lgbtq+ Adults, Alex Fox

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The aim of this study is to explore the ways in which LGBTQ+ people are affected by adverse or traumatic experiences related to religion or spirituality. Many LGBTQ+ adults were reared in environments where negative, disaffirming beliefs or teachings about sexual orientation or gender identity were pervasive. This study utilized a mixed-methods approach to data collection and analysis. Participants responded to a brief online survey, the data from which was used for quantitative statistical analysis. Twelve participants were selected at random from a pool of survey volunteers and took part in in-depth interviews regarding adverse religious experiences (AREs). Results of …

Multiracial Experiences Within Counselor Education: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, Cleopatra Bertelsen

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of the study was the examine the experiences of Multiracial individuals who, while attending CACREP accredited counseling programs. The participants were self- identified Multiracial Counselors who graduated from between 2012–2022.Data collection included an anonymous qualitative survey examining the Multiracial experiences with race, racism, and antiracism while attending counseling programs. Data was analyzed by a team of Multiracial and Multiethnic People of Color. Results identified four themes. The first theme highlighted outdated aspects of the counseling curriculum regarding race, racism, and antiracism. The second theme recognized some ways universities are moving forward in addressing race, racism, and antiracism. The …

Developing The Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Power, And Privilege Assessment In Cft/Mft: A Delphi Study, Carrie Hatch

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs) and Couple and Family Therapists (CFTs) engage in clinical practice from a systemic framework. This framework positions MFTs to consider the impact of social systems on the MFT/CFT field and their clients. Issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion, power, and privilege (DEIPP) impact all of the systems in which we operate. Currently, there is no consensus on a tool measuring training clinicians’ competencies related to DEIPP beyond self-report. There is a need for a DEIPP competency measure because, currently, the most widely used measure is self or observer report, which may not provide a complete …

The Mechanism Of Reducing Anxiety Through Mindfulness Interventions: Digital Therapeutic Program, Maria Neizvestnaya

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the prevalence of anxiety disorders, making it a population health concern in the United States and worldwide. The growing need for effective prevention and treatment of anxiety coincides with a deficit of mental health providers and physicians. With the healthcare system currently overwhelmed and the slow training pipeline of new providers, the gap between patient demand and treatment providers will not be closed in the next decade. There is a growing need for evidence-based treatments for anxiety disorders that can increase access to care while addressing the underlying mechanisms of anxiety. Digital therapeutics is a fast-developing …

Speaking Of Transformation: Discourse, Values, And Climate Adaptation Planning In San Antonio, Texas, Lindsay Ratcliffe

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

As climate change accelerates and social inequity grows, adaptation planning and policy must respond to both problems. Adaptation scholars increasingly call for transformative solutions that not only address problems with the status quo but articulate ethical commitments to justice and equity. City climate action and adaptation plans (CAAPs) have begun to center these commitments, but little is known about how such responses become articulated and change as CAAPs are developed and passed. This dissertation, a critical case study of San Antonio’s first CAAP, SA Climate Ready, addresses this gap by focusing on changes to the discourse of climate equity during …

Experiences Of Queer Women And Nonbinary Individuals With Mental Health Care Services During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Elizabeth Claire Simpson

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative effect on mental health. Queer women and nonbinary individuals disproportionately experience mental health issues when compared to heterosexuals, often facing challenges in receiving care from providers who are sensitive to their concerns and competent in their care. Objective: To report experience of queer women and nonbinary individuals in the United States with mental health care services before and during the pandemic. Methods: Data were gathered via a 43-item survey about experiences with mental health care services before and during the pandemic that was posted on four social media sites, and flyers hung …

It Takes Two: Professional Interconnections And Potential Collaborations Between Small-Town Family Attorneys And Couple/Family Therapists, Wendy Lenk Mcclary

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Attorneys who specialize in family practice may experience significant rates of mood disorders and substance reliance. Law schools typically do not provide supportive coursework or mentoring to help students learn to manage their feelings and those of crisis-impacted clients. Lawyers may well consider that understanding emotional needs and providing emotional support does not fall within their codes of practice. Societal stigma may prevent family attorneys and their clients from seeking therapy. Small-town attorneys may be particularly vulnerable to professional stress and safety concerns. The purpose of this study was to explore and understand the lived experiences of family attorneys practicing …

The Lived Experiences Of Sports Retirement Among Elite, Action Sports Athletes, Gracie Struthers

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study explored the lived experiences of sports retirement among elite, action sport athletes. This study examined participants’ retirement experiences, their well-being post-retirement, and recommendations participants had for current athletes about retirement. Interviews were conducted remotely with four participants. Participants identified as Caucasian, in the 25–38 age range, had been involved with their sport competitively for 17.75 years, and had been retired for 3.37 years. Data was collected and analyzed utilizing Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Participants’ experiences during retirement illustrated a significant disruption in their lives and the way they lived. This disruption was characterized by significant grief and distress, …

Predicting Customer Loyalty In The Mobile Banking Setting: An Integrated Approach, Nhuong Bui, Zach Moore, Hayden Wimmer, Long Pham

Computing: Faculty Publications

This study uses a novel theoretical approach that combines two multidimensional service quality models that focus on customer satisfaction, perceived value, and customer loyalty as outcomes of service quality in the context of mobile banking. Additionally, the study assesses the potential moderating effects of switching costs between mobile banking service quality and customer loyalty. The study found a strong direct effect between service quality, perceived value, customer satisfaction, and loyalty. The moderating effect of switching costs was found to be inconsequential to customer loyalty. The study demonstrates that financial institutions should focus on building and maintaining functional, secure mobile banking …

Developing, Monitoring, And Reporting Of Fidelity In Aphasia Trials: Core Recommendations From The Collaboration Of Aphasia Trialists (Cats) Trials For Aphasia Panel, Nicholas Behn, Madeleine Harrison, Marian C. Brady, Caterina Breitenstein, Marcella Carragher, Julius Fridriksson, Erin Godecke, Argye Hillis, Helen Kelly, Rebecca Palmer, Miranda L. Rose, Shirley Thomas, Donna Tippett, Linda Worrall, Frank Becker, Katerina Hilari

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background:

Developing, monitoring, and reporting of fidelity are essential and integral components to the design of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in stroke and aphasia. Treatment fidelity refers to the degree to which an intervention is delivered as intended and is directly related to the quality of the evidence generated by RCTs. Clear documentation of treatment fidelity in trials assists in the evaluation of the clinical implications of potential benefits attributed to the intervention. Consideration of the implementation requirements of a research-based intervention as intended in a clinical context is necessary to achieve similar outcomes for a clinical population. Despite this, …

Connectivity Shapes Functional Diversity And Maintains Complementarity In Surf Zones On Exposed Coasts, Christopher J. Henderson, Ben L. Gilby, Andrew D. Olds, Jesse Mosman, Rod M. Connolly, Glenn Hyndes, Brendan Kelaher, Brooke Maslo, Alan Williams, Thomas A. Schlacher

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Habitat complexity and connectivity can influence the number of species and their diversity across a landscape. For the surf zones of ocean-exposed beaches, globally one of the longest habitat interfaces, the assumed low structural complexity, and apparent homogeneity, of the sandy seafloor habitats predicts low taxonomic and functional diversity. Here, we assessed how the configuration of the seascape and the context of different beach structure functional diversity and functional niche space of fish assemblages in surf zones. We expected that beaches that were well connected with highly productive and complex estuarine and reef habitats would support a greater level of …

Musculoskeletal Injury Epidemiology In Law Enforcement And Firefighter Recruits During Physical Training: A Systematic Review, Myles Calder Murphy, Holly-Ann George, Muhammad Naqi, Patrick J. Owen, Paola Chivers, Nicolas H. Hart

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: Report the injury epidemiology of law enforcement and firefighter recruits. Design: A systematic epidemiological review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines was completed. Data sources: Five online databases were searched from database inception to 5 May 2021. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies: Prospective and retrospective studies that reported data on musculoskeletal injuries sustained by law enforcement or firefighter recruits were included. We reported on all components of injury where data were available. All injury incidence rates were calculated as per 1000 training days (Poisson 95% CI) to allow comparisons between studies. Study quality …

Dancing Between Two Worlds: Training Experiences Of Dual Credentialed Counselors, Lisa Rudduck

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Several challenges exist in the implementation of integrated care given that SUD/Addiction treatment has historically been segregated from the broader health care system (Office of the Surgeon General, 2016). One expression of the gap that persists is that for counselors who want to administer SUD/Addiction and mental health counseling, or co-occurring services, in Washington State they are required to satisfy state requirements for two separate credentials. The purpose of this study was to conduct an in-depth exploration into the training experiences of Dual Credentialed Counselors (DCCs) in Washington State where two separate credentials are required to administer co-occurring counseling. In …

A Journey To Finding Space In The Tension: Experience Of Instructors' Relationship With Religion And Spirituality In Doctoral Psychology Programs, Samantha Mcgee

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Religion and spirituality, when viewed through a holistic lens, can reflect important aspects of a person’s identity. It can be a source of well-being and also struggle. The fields of religion, spirituality and psychology have had a history of being polarized, with some efforts to integrate the two fields. Tensions exist at multiple ecological levels around the topic of religion and spirituality, which can make it easier to avoid discussing it in classrooms and therapy rooms. It is important to address and create room for discussion of experiences around religion and spirituality in classrooms that are training psychologists so they …

Traditional Healing In Psychology On The Caribbean Island Of Montserrat, West Indies, Yvette Adelcia Cabey

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

In Montserrat, traditional healing medicines consist of herbal treatments and customary therapeutic methods such as ritual practices and herbal teas also known as “Bush and Weed” (Duberry, 1973, p.1). The purpose of this study is to discuss herbs known as “Bush,” in Montserrat, and how they benefit psychological wellbeing among the communities in Montserrat. A subsequent intention of this study is to address how an understanding of Montserratian Traditional Healing remedies can be beneficial to Western Psychological practice and enhance the efficacy for psychological healing. The gap in the literature indicates that few studies are examining mental health methods in …

Entitlement, Psychological Vulnerability, And Criminality: An Expansion On Grubbs And Exline's (2016) Model, Allison Dart

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The current study examines the predictive relationships among Entitlement, criminal thinking, and psychological vulnerability. Eighty male incarcerated individuals participated in this research and four measures were administered to each participant: the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACEs), the Texas Christian University Criminal Thinking Scale (TCU-CTS), the Woodcock Johnson-IV Cognitive Brief Intellectual Abilities scale (WJ-IV COG BIA), and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF). Results yielded the following findings: Behavioral/Externalizing Dysfunction was the best predictor of Entitlement. Behavioral/Externalizing Dysfunction and Thought Dysfunction were the best predictors of each of the other aspects of criminogenic thinking. Emotional/Internalizing Dysfunction did not reliably …

Youth Leadership Through Adventure: Alums' Perspectives On The Experience Of Leadership, Raynalde Schagen

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

In this study, I examined the perspectives that emerging adult alums of a program called Youth Leadership Through Adventure (YLTA) have of their adolescent experiences of being a leader. Eight YLTA alums engaged in semi-structured interviews focusing on the research questions: What are the lived experiences of leadership in emerging adult alums of YLTA? What factors of their adolescent involvement were most influential in their emerging adult lives? As a youth development program, YLTA is supported by Adapt and the North Country Health Consortium (NCHC), two nonprofit organizations devoted to improving health conditions and habits of individuals residing in the …