Digital Commons Network^™

The Phenomenology Of Residential Youth In Child Welfare Settings And The Social Workers Who Work With Them., April Leigh Rorabaugh

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study examines the experiences and challenges faced by social workers in child placement for adolescents aged 12-18 within North Carolina’s child welfare system, an issue that warrants immediate attention. Hardworking and determined social workers are on the ground fighting in an already overtaxed system that is resulting in options that are frighteningly few for the care our youth so desperately need. Many of the most vulnerable children in the welfare system are being placed in other states for residential treatment. This is not only traumatic but also robs youth of everything they are familiar with at such a …

Examining The Development Of Resilience Through Youth Sports, Mae Grigsby

Graduate Teacher Education

Research has indicated that resilience was an essential skill necessary for facing life’s adversities. The completion of 15 qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Italy, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Slovakia, and The United States determined that sports provided numerous benefits in childhood and into adulthood. Based on this research, sports offered a stable, supportive environment with positive interpersonal relationships that fostered resilience and supported youth when faced with setbacks, giving them skills they would use well into their futures. With a growing number of youths impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), protective factors such as resilience …

Msw Professional Portfolio, Sierra Trivaye Singer

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Establishing The St. Paul Ame Church’S Community Youth Chaplain Ministry To Equip African American Youth To Manage Their Mental, Emotional, And Spiritual Health, Michelle A. Creer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

African American youth face a myriad of challenges that negatively impact their well-being. As such, this study explores the role of community youth chaplaincy interventions in helping African American youth manage their mental, emotional, and spiritual health. The study focused on training the trainers who will guide and support the young people. The training and self-application/intervention centered on building resilience, identity formation, addressing racial trauma, and nurturing spiritual growth through understanding that God created participants in His image and their identity is in Christ. Nine adult participants who are engaged in churches and activities within the African American community, contributed …

Can We Close The Rhode Island Women’S Prison?, Nick Horton

Roger Williams University Law Review

No abstract provided.

Embracing Vulnerability And Evolving Through Trauma: Teacher Educators’ Collaborative Autoethnographic Reflections, Christina Gray, Lambert

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This collaborative autoethnography examines how two university-based teacher educators navigated personal trauma while continuing their academic and caregiving work. Using narrative portraits, the study explores how collaborative storytelling enabled the authors to embrace vulnerability, surface hidden experiences, and make sense of trauma within the normative and relational conditions of academic professionalism. Analysis of the narratives highlights three interrelated mechanisms that supported wellbeing amidst trauma: the ongoing negotiation of teacher identity, the capacity to accept help and relational support, and intentional self-care through reflective practice. Rather than positioning recovery as linear or complete, the study illuminates how educators may continue to …

Unaccompanied Migrant Minors: A Psychiatric Case Series Review, Cecilia De Vargas, Eden Hernandez Robles, Fernando Doval Perez, Leslie Salazar-Hinojosa, Danielle Parker, Javier Segovia, Aleli Campbell, Deborah J. Clegg

International Journal on Responsibility

Unaccompanied children and adolescents who migrate from Central America and Mexico into the United States (U.S.) are exposed to and experience trauma throughout the process of migration. These traumatic experiences result in an increasing prevalence of psychiatric illnesses and challenges to treatment. This study presents a psychiatric patient record review of minors and their complex trauma. Unaccompanied migrant minors (UMM) ages 12-17 (28 males and 22 females; n = 50) received comprehensive psychiatric assessments at the El Paso Texas Tech Child and Adolescent Psychiatry outpatient clinic. Their charts were reviewed for psychiatric diagnosis, treatment progress, and trauma experiences before, during, …

Person-Centered Trauma-Informed Care (Pctic): A Training Needs Assessment For Home And Community-Based Services In West Virginia, Ranjita Misra, A. Brianna Sheppard, Natalie Wilson, Megan C. Govindan, Matthew Myers, Amanda Acord-Vira, Steven Wheeler, Heather Henderson, Christena Ross, Laura Cooper, Rachel A. Goff

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Person-centered, trauma-informed care (PCTIC) is a combined, holistic service model promoting the well-being and empowerment of trauma survivors.

Purpose: This study examined the PCTIC knowledge, skills, and abilities needed by West Virginia (WV) Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) direct service professionals (DSPs) to serve clients that may have experienced trauma.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with diverse stakeholders (n = 32) from 19 organizations that provide HCBS services in all 55 counties. Interviews focused on identifying current training, needs and knowledge gaps, and priority areas for additional PCTIC training. ATLAS.ti software was used to manage and code. Validity …

Contributions Of Adverse Childhood Experiences, Racism, Therapy And Health Habits To Cardiovascular Health In African American Adults, Tahra Chaunice Nobles

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation explores the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), racism, health habits, and therapy engagement on cardiovascular disease (CVD) among Black adults. This study builds on the Biopsychosocial Model and Allostatic Load Theory to examine how trauma, racism, and health habits influence cardiovascular health outcomes in the African American population. Through a quantitative analysis, this study investigates whether ACEs, experiences of racism, engagement in health habits, and participation in therapy contribute to the development or mitigation of CVD in Black adults. A total of 83 participants were included in the study, with data collected on ACEs, the frequency of …

Supporting Students And Educators Impacted By Early Trauma In Early Childhood Education, Lauren Rice

Graduate Teacher Education

Research has indicated that early childhood trauma continues to be an increasing concern for educators across the nation. In fact, “early childhood trauma is a mounting public health concern, as approximately twenty-five percent of children in the United States either witness or experience a traumatic event before the age of four years” (Razza, 2019, p. 82). As the number of students impacted by trauma has increased, there was a need for an increase in teacher resources and training to support educators in the classroom (Brunzell et al., 2016).

Does Resilience Moderate The Relation Between Caregiver Behaviors And Post-Traumatic Symptoms In Young Adults?, Akila Uma Gopalkrishnan

Master's Theses

Exposure to a potentially traumatic event (PTE) is not an uncommon experience for children and adolescents. After exposure to adverse events, youth may experience significant maladjustment and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). As such, researchers continue investigating potential risk and protective factors contributing to youth post-trauma adjustment. Considering their critical role in children’s development, caregivers likely play a key role in youth post-trauma adjustment. However, the field lacks studies on caregiver behaviors following youth PTE exposure and on factors, such as resilience, that could influence how children respond to stress and caregiver environments. I aimed to evaluate: (a) how perceived caregiver …

Distinguishing Symptoms Of Racial Trauma From Conventional Trauma, Michelle Yoong

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

Trauma research in psychology has traditionally been shaped by a White-centric framework, leading to the underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minority experiences. This study aims to establish racial discrimination as a distinct traumatic stressor with significant psychological consequences by exploring the distinction between racial and conventionally recognized traumatic stressors and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). It also aims to address inconsistent and exclusionary assessment methodology involving underrepresented racial minority (URM) populations, including the neglect of racial trauma and discrimination measures in trauma research. Participants consisted of URMs who sought enrollment in a clinical trial for opioid use disorder at a community …

Occult Abdominal Trauma Screening In The Evaluation Of Suspected Child Physical Abuse., Tagrid M. Ruiz-Maldonado, Joanne N. Wood, Antoinette L. Laskey, Christopher S. Greeley, Angela Bachim, Daniel M. Lindberg, James Anderst, John Melville, Carmen Coombs, Nancy S. Harper, Lori Frasier, Farah W. Brink, Caitlin E. Crumm, Kristine A. Campbell

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Occult abdominal trauma (OAT) screening with transaminases, followed by abdominal computed tomography (CT) for transaminase values greater than 80 IU/L, has been recommended in cases of suspected physical abuse. This study aimed to evaluate case characteristics associated with OAT evaluation and determine OAT prevalence in these children.

METHODS: Injured children aged younger than 60 months undergoing Child Abuse Pediatrics (CAP) consultation for suspected physical abuse from February 2021 to May 2023 were identified in CAPNET, a multicenter research network. Children with symptoms or signs of intra-abdominal injury were excluded. We identified case characteristics associated with transaminase screening …

Emotional Wellbeing Of Asylum-Seeking Children After Release From Immigration Detention, Luis H. Zayas, Alice P. Villatoro, Tatiana Londoño, Jaime Fuentes-Balderrama

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

Families seeking asylum in the United States are often placed in detention centers after fleeing crime, violence, and government ineffectiveness in their countries. Migration brings more hardship, terror, and trauma. The cumulative psychological and social effects from detention need to be better understood. This exploratory study examines the effects of detention and family separation on immigrant children’s psychosocial wellbeing after released. We recruited 81 Central American children previously detained with their parents to assess their wellbeing since release. A third of the children had been separated from their parents during detention. Over a third of parents and less than a …

Rwu Law Alumni Newsletter November 2024, Roger Williams University School Of Law

RWU Law

No abstract provided.

Leading The Families Of First Baptist Church Of Long Beach, Ca, To Support The Foster Care And Adoption Community, David B. Delaney

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The PLACED project is a faith-driven initiative to equip First Baptist Church to support the foster care community through practical care, education, and community engagement.

Remembering Lost Lives And Collective Healing From Trauma: Homicides, Incarceration, And Pain-Driven Advocacy In The Jane And Finch Community, Ardavan Eizadirad, Devon Jones, Greg Leslie, Tamasha Grant

Education Faculty Publications

This article serves as a vessel for knowledge mobilization and activism as research, intertwining remembrance of lost lives and communal healing by sharing collective pain amongst the authors and bolstering mutual support. Guided by personal encounters with violence including death, homicides, and incarceration, four authors comprising a teacher, social worker, and two community activists, unveil their 20-year+ advocacy journey in the Jane and Finch community in Toronto, Canada including their involvement with programs and services through the non-profit organization Youth Association for Academics, Athletics, and Character Education (YAAACE). The pain and suffering are shared as symptoms of systemic trauma inflicted …

Remembering Lost Lives And Collective Healing From Trauma: Homicides, Incarceration, And Pain-Driven Advocacy In The Jane And Finch Community, Ardavan Eizadirad, Devon Jones, Tamasha Grant, Gerg Leslie

Education Faculty Publications

This article serves as a vessel for knowledge mobilization and activism as research, intertwining remembrance of lost lives and communal healing by sharing collective pain amongst the authors and bolstering mutual support. Guided by personal encounters with violence including death, homicides, and incarceration, four authors comprising a teacher, social worker, and two community activists, unveil their 20-year+ advocacy journey in the Jane and Finch community in Toronto, Canada including their involvement with programs and services through the non-profit organization Youth Association for Academics, Athletics, and Character Education (YAAACE). The pain and suffering are shared as symptoms of systemic trauma inflicted …

Tsunami Exposure And Mental Health Consequences: Protective Role Of Cultural Coping Strategies, Thulitha Wickrama, Michael J. Merten, K. A.S. Wickrama, Amanda Terrell

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

There is a knowledge gap regarding the link between disaster exposure and adolescent mental health problems in developing countries. This study examines the case of Sri Lanka to investigate (a) the immediate and long-term mental health impact of the 2004 tsunami disaster on adolescents and (b) the potential moderating effects of unique cultural and family practices that prevail in Sri Lanka. This study used a random sample of 160 adolescents (ages 12–19) and their mothers who were exposed to the tsunami disaster while living in a southern Sri Lankan village and provided prospective data immediately after the disaster (2005) and …

Project Attain: Advancing Trauma-Informed Care For Youth With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities And/Or Gender Diverse Youth, Kady F. Sternberg, Charlotte E. Bausha, Charlotte Jones, Erin Knight, Crystal N. Steltenpohl, Rebecca R. Parton, Jennifer L. Mclaren, Erin R. Barnett

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and/or gender diversity are at higher risk of experiencing trauma. Provider knowledge is lacking; trauma, disability, and LGBTQ+ resources are often siloed; and few providers screen for trauma in this population. This paper describes the design, delivery, and initial evaluation of Project ATTAIN (Access to Trauma-informed Treatment and Assessment for Neurodivergent and/or Gender-expansive Youth).

ATTAIN is an ongoing 5-year state-wide initiative aiming to assess readiness to engage in new roles and practices over time; provide state-wide training and consultation in trauma, disability, and LGBTQ+-informed practices; install screening and assessment of trauma exposure and …

Amdip Annual Meeting Of Law School Diversity Professionals: Hosted By Roger Williams University School Of Law: April 23-25, 2024, Roger Williams University School Of Law

School of Law Conferences, Lectures & Events

No abstract provided.

Growing Through Adversity: The Relation Of Early Childhood Educator Post-Traumatic Growth To Young Children’S Executive Function, Caron A. C. Clark, Holly Hatton-Bowers, Kimia Akhavein, Sarah Rasby, Gilbert R. Parra

Department of Educational Psychology: Faculty Publications

Introduction: Early childhood educators (ECEs) play a critical role in supporting the development of young children’s executive functions (EF). EF, in turn, underpins lifelong resilience and well-being. Unfortunately, many ECEs report adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) that may compound high stress levels associated with an emotionally and physically demanding profession. ACEs have well-established negative implications for adult well-being and may dampen ECEs’ capacities to engage in emotionally responsive interactions with children. However, many individuals who experience ACEs also report post-traumatic growth experiences that foster empathy, self-determination, and resilience. Such post-traumatic growth may equip teachers with skills to engage in responsive …

Waking The Nightmare: Understanding The Relationship Between Trauma And Sleep In Children, Jacklyn Ewald

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

This clinical dissertation expands upon previous research investigating the impact of trauma on children’s sleep quality. Prior research utilized subjective reports of trauma’s impact on sleep in children or objective measures which studied a specific traumatic event. This study used objective measures through cardiopulmonary coupling to study sleep in children with trauma exposure. Participants completed a questionnaire which included the Pediatric Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Related Life Events Screener (PEARLS) or Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) questionnaire, Pediatric quality of life scale, the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire, and demographic information. Trauma was defined by endorsement of any items on the …

Trauma Across Culture: A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Historical Effect Of Colonialism, Genocide, And Resilience On Descendants Of Indigenous Peoples In The United States, Monique Lumas-Wright

Theses and Dissertations

Throughout history, massive killings have gravely affected the succession of cultures, and the impact of its traumatization is vast. The centuries-long enslavement of African Americans, the ethnocide of Native American/Alaskan Natives, and the genocide of European Jews represent some of the most horrific catastrophes of human history through the destruction of identity, culture, language, and religion. The destabilization of these distinct groups and the extreme violence experienced by historical injustices have resulted in cultural, mental, emotional, and physical obstructions with profound economic, psychological, and health impacts encompassing both the wounds inflicted by oppression and resilience. The literature review examined the …

Crisis Migration Adverse Childhood Events: A New Category Of Youth Adversity For Crisis Migrant Children And Adolescents, Beyhan Ertanir, Cory L. Cobb, Jennifer B. Unger, Teresa Celada-Dalton, Amy E. West, Ingrid Zeledon, Patrizia A. Perazzo, Miguel Ángel Cano, Sabrina E. Des Rosiers, Luis H. Zayas

School of Social Work Faculty Publications

The present article proposes an extension of the concept of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) to apply to crisis migration - where youth and families are fleeing armed conflicts, natural disasters, community violence, government repression, and other large-scale emergencies. We propose that adverse events occurring prior to, during, and following migration can be classified as crisis-migration-related ACEs, and that the developmental logic underlying ACEs can be extended to the new class of crisis-migration-related ACEs. Specifically, greater numbers, severity, and chronicity of crisis-migration-related ACEs would be expected to predict greater impairments in mental and physical health, poorer interpersonal relationships, and less job …

The Effects Of Adolescent Trauma, Mental Health Treatment, And Demographic Variables On Educational Outcome, Christopher Postema

Dissertations

Poor educational performance in adolescence can occur due to trauma, substance use, or other stressors. This study used conflict theory as a foundation, suggesting differences in educational outcomes can be attributed to systems perpetuating the current power structures that cause inequality in academic opportunities and performance. Trauma in adolescence can have adverse effects on educational outcomes and emotional stability. Research suggests that mental health therapy as well as a reduction in trauma symptoms can improve educational outcomes. Race, gender, substance use, socioeconomic status, and employment are important variables that could influence educational outcomes. Interaction terms were found in the literature …

A Formative Evaluation Of ‘Mind Matters: Overcoming Adversity And Building Resiliency’ With Hispanic Adolescents Prior To And During Covid‑19, Heidi Adams Rueda, Abigail Vera, Arminda Marcial, Amanda Mariano

Social Work Faculty Publications

Youth living in poverty are more likely to experience cumulative stressors including multiple adverse childhood events. Further, the Covid-19 pandemic has disproportionality affected Hispanic youth and communities, leading to unprecedented levels of trauma. This research responded to a need for a youth resiliency-building program in an urban and impoverished area with a majority Hispanic population. We conducted a formative evaluation of a youth intervention entitled Mind Mat- ters: Overcoming Adversity and Building Resilience, which aims to help youth overcome adversity and to build resilience via psychoeducation and skill development. Just prior to the pandemic in the United States (August-December, …

Northeast Tennessee Educators’ Perceptions Of Academic Outcomes Of High School Students Who Completed A Community-Based, Resilience-Informed Course Presented At School, Carla Whiles

Ed.D. Dissertations

Adverse childhood experiences negatively affected the mental and physical health of adults and children and were linked to cognitive difficulties and decreased academic outcomes at all levels of education. Resilience, the ability for one to bounce back from adversity, was widely accepted to mitigate the negative effects of adversities and resilience intervention programs were becoming more common in schools. The purpose of this qualitative interpretive study was to examine northeast Tennessee educators’ perceptions of the academic outcomes of high school students who completed a community-based, resilience-informed course presented at school. After conducting semi-structured interviews with 11 participants, I discovered the …

Strengths And Resilience Among Central American Parents Seeking Asylum In The United States, Frances Morales, Kathleen Hawkins, Danielle Gonzalez, Alexander Garcia, Sita G. Patel, Alfonso Mercado

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

This study examined the experiences of immigrant parents seeking asylum in the United States after recently fleeing the Northern Triangle region of Central America, attending both to the traumatic events and the strengths that mitigate this experience. The study employs a convergent parallel mixed-methods design to describe the experiences of 51 parents after being processed by U.S. immigration officials for seeking asylum. Quantitative analyses measured trauma exposure and psychological distress and posttraumatic stress symptoms, as well as religiosity, dispositional optimism, and perceived quality of life. Qualitative analyses examined migratory experiences more deeply. Quantitative findings suggest that participants displayed high levels …

Playing In An Earthquake: Development Of A Method Integrating Traumaplay And Drama Therapy Core Processes, Lisa Bumpus

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

TraumaPlay is a specific play therapy model designed to meet the unique needs of children with exposure to traumatic and/or adverse experiences through clearly identified treatment components. With this, drama therapy has also been considered as a viable treatment option, particularly in the school setting, for children with exposure to traumatic and/or adverse experiences. Additional literature has identified overlaps between play therapy and drama therapy practices. As such, the aim of this thesis was to propose a method which explores whether the drama therapy core processes can be integrated with TraumaPlay’s foundational treatment goals to augment the therapeutic process of …