Digital Commons Network^™

"How Can I Get Out Of This?": A Qualitative Study Of The Phenomenology And Functional Impact Of Misophonia In Youth And Families, Andrew Giles Guzick, Catherine Elizabeth Rast, Brenna Burns Maddox, Servando Rodriguez Barajas, Jane Clinger, Joseph Mcguire, Eric A Storch

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Misophonia is an increasingly recognized disorder characterized by negative emotional and sensory reactions to specific noises. Although misophonia most often begins in childhood, there has been minimal research on its clinical presentation in youth. This qualitative study explored cognitive behavioral processes that are involved in misophonia and its associated functional impairment in young people and their families.

Methods: Focused interviews were conducted with 20 youth with misophonia (ages 10-17) and their parents. Thematic analyses of these interviews using a cognitive behavioral theoretical framework were conducted.

Results: A number of themes were identified, which included internalizing and externalizing cognitive behavioral …

Empowering Minds: Navigating Mental Health Through Workshop Based Learning, Isabel E. Rocha-Fernandez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Luna Y Sol is an organization located in Santa Cruz county, specifically in Watsonville. The organization serves youth with the ages ranging from 12 to 17 and their families. Luna Y Sol supports youth with Mental Health, Trauma and those who are exposed or have direct involvement with violence. The program offers youth a safe place and community for them to visit when needed. The project implemented at Luna Y Sol consisted of a four part mental health workshop for youth. The purpose was for youth to become more aware and familiarized on the topic of mental health which included, …

Altered Sensory Processing And Pain In Youth With Sickle Cell Disease: Risk Factors And Moderators, Julia Johnston

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Youth with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience recurrent pain and increased risk for chronic pain. Neuropathic pain, characterized by alterations to the central and/or peripheral nervous systems, is not well understood among youth with SCD. Based on our current understanding of pain systems and existing literature on pain in SCD, this study aimed to elucidate psychosocial correlates of altered sensory processing (ASP) and neuropathic pain, determine biomedical risk factors contributing to the development of ASP among youth with SCD, and identify how sensory processing and biopsychosocial factors collectively influence pain experiences by assessing two plausible models. Methods: Thirty-five youth …

Understanding Attitudes Among Professionals Who Interact With Youth Who Exhibit Problematic Sexual Behavior, Erin Gardner

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Problematic sexual behaviors (PSB) among youth have been a prominent public health and social concern. Although these behaviors have previously been considered to comprise a “curiosity” or an “experimentation”, PSB is now recognized as causing harm and suffering for victims and family members while also having a considerable economic influence in medical, behavioral health, social services, and criminal justice systems. Much research has examined how perceptions and attitudes impact our behaviors towards PSB among adults, but none examines how perceptions and attitudes impact our behaviors towards youth. Knowing there are several gaps in literature, the current study was conducted to …

Treatment Not Punishment: Youth Experiences Of Psychiatric Hospitalizations, Maira Ferrer-Cabrera

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study aims to better understand adolescent psychiatric hospitalization regarding the use of coercion at the hands of clinical staff from the perspectives of former hospital staff and former patients' family members. This study was conducted from a critical theory perspective. The researcher surveyed a total of fourteen former staff members and former patients' family members. This research study emphasized quantitative data as the way data was collected. The methods utilized to gather data were online surveys that were collected through Qualtrics and further analyzed using SPSS statistic data editor. The findings of this study showed that 25% of former …

Cultural And Structural Barriers Of Utilizing Mental Health Services In A School-Based Setting For Latinx Populations, Silvia Lozano, Bridgette Guadalupe Calderon

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This qualitative research study aimed to reduce mental health service disparities in Latinx communities and helps fill in the gap by addressing cultural and structural barriers to utilizing MHS in a school-based setting for Latinx youth. There is limited research regarding Latinx parents’ perspectives and the reservations they have on utilizing school-based mental health services (MHS) for their children. This study identified six important themes: cultural factors, trust and rapport, reservations, access and awareness, parental involvement and challenges, and school-based resources. Implications for school districts are that they can use these findings to increase early intervention mental behavioral health programs …

Building Equitable Mental Health Care For Latino Children: Perspectives From Providers And Communities, Francisco Banda, Greeshma James, Karina Vasudeva, Michelle Franklin, Andrea Thoumi, Rushina Cholera

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Background: The current pediatric mental health crisis has disproportionately impacted Latino youth in the United States (US), as demonstrated by their elevated risks of depression, substance use disorder, and anxiety. Despite this, research suggests Latino youth receive inequitable mental health services.

Objective: To understand best practices, challenges, and priorities in providing accessible and equitable mental health care for Latino youth from the perspectives of front-line mental health providers and Latino community members.

Methods: A bicultural, bilingual researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 participants with expertise in Latino mental health. Topics included barriers and facilitators to mental health care access and …

Identification Of Potential Therapist “Missteps” In The Context Of Engagement In Public Mental Health Services: Analysis Of Digital Recordings And Key Informant Validation, Hyun Seon Park, Kimberly Becker, Wendy Chu, Kendal Reeder, Carolina Lechuga, Johnathan K. Ahuna, Eleanor Wu, Lanalle Darden, Rosalyn Williams, Rosana Serrano, Bruce F. Chorpita

Faculty Publications

Objective: This study aimed to characterize and validate potential therapist “missteps,” or inadvertent behaviors that may impact youth and family engagement in mental health services.

Method: Ten misstep types were coded from 224 treatment sessions provided by 92 therapists. Rapid qualitative analysis using key informant interviews was conducted to examine insights related to the occurrence, expected impact, and perceived severity of therapist missteps as an indicator of the face validity of the missteps construct and types.

Results: All 10 misstep types demonstrated good reliability (Fleiss’ k = .71−.88). All 10 misstep types appeared to have facevalidity with key informants. Key …

Provision And Long-Term Assessment Of A Specialized Clinical Evidence-Based Practice Curriculum For Master Of Social Work Students, Susan Reay

Social Work Faculty Publications

This study investigated social workers’ knowledge of the common elements in evidence-based practice to treat youth mental health conditions following a specialized curriculum during their Master of Social Work (MSW) education. Participants’ knowledge was measured during their MSW education and in their first 5 years of social work practice after graduation. The quantitative study measured participants’ knowledge of common elements three times; 86 social workers participated in the study with 67 sets of scores at three data points. Study results showed that participants knew more after completing the curriculum but knew less one to five years after graduation. Overall, however, …

Desegregating Behavioral Health Care For Medicaid Youth, Caroline M. Marsh, Valarie K. Blake

Saint Louis University Journal of Health Law & Policy

The Supreme Court held in Olmstead v. L.C. ex rel. Zimring, 527 U.S. 581, 581 (1999) that it is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for states to rely on institutionalized care when home and community-based care is more appropriate. Yet, over a quarter of a century later, states persist in institutionalizing youth experiencing behavioral health disabilities. This article explores Olmstead’s impact thus far on deinstitutionalization of youth behavioral health care, and the limits of Olmstead as a vehicle for lasting change. We argue that, although recent enforcement actions reflect critical change, Olmstead enforcements alone cannot succeed …

Second Look Commission 2024 Annual Report, Tennessee. Commission On Children And Youth.

Second Look Commission Annual Report

No abstract provided.

Youth Transitions Advisory Council 2024 Annual Report, Tennessee. Commission On Children And Youth.

Youth Transitions Advisory Council

No abstract provided.

Second Look Commission 2024 Annual Report Highlights, Tennessee. Commission On Children And Youth.

Second Look Commission Annual Report

No abstract provided.

Intergenerational Christian Community: A Vision For Spiritual Formation For All Ages, Robin Pyles

Doctor of Ministry

For decades, American churches have been struggling with shrinking attendance, particularly among young people. An increasingly polarized society that elevates individualism and secularization, along with widespread escalating age segregation, has contributed to this trend. In response to these societal norms, many local churches have defaulted to a primarily age-segregated programming model. This model results in the absence of a sense of community and belonging, and a lack of Christian spiritual formation growth among both youth and adults within the church. This research revealed that creating regular opportunities for meaningful cross-generational interactions that combine shared experiences of play, creative expression, intentional …

The State Of The Child In Tennessee 2024, Tennessee. Commission On Children & Youth.

The State of the Child in Tennessee

No abstract provided.

Making Home Here: Young Refugee-Migrant Women And The Work Of Emplacement In A Rural Appalachian Town, Valentina Muraleedharan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation centres young refugee-migrant women’s voices, perspectives, concerns, and actions living in a small, rural Appalachian town called Easton, exploring their social, cultural, and economic experiences. It infers that through their critical participation in family life and labour in making a home in a new place, young refugee-migrant women’s relations to family and place impact how they negotiate their aspirations and future im/mobilities to create pathways to emplacement. Emplacement is an ongoing process that hinges on the efforts of individuals, families, and communities to find a way in a new place by giving meaning to their surroundings. This research …

Improving Mental Health In Hispanic Communities, Paola Vargas

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

AIM Youth Mental Health is advocating for children who are suffering from lack of resources, guidance, and clinical research. The division implementing this project is the outreach program. The intern and team will passionately work together to make this event successful by creating bilingual fliers that share information about the agency's programs and training. Depression and suicide are the most common issues occurring in Monterey county as of today and has been affecting many families. Providing these resources will unite and educate professionals, parents, and students about school programs available for youths and measures for adults as well. The most …

Cultivating Abolitionist Praxis Through Healing-Centered Engagement In Social Justice Youth Arts Programs, Laurel Sarah Butler

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This is a critical-phenomenological interview-based study in which young people who participated in Social Justice Youth Arts (SJYA) programs during their teenage years engaged in a series of semi-structured interviews focused on recollecting their lived experiences in those programs and the years since. These interviews investigate the ways in which the principles of Healing-Centered Engagement (Ginwright, 2018) were present within these young people’s experiences of those programs, as well as the extent to which those experiences may have encouraged or cultivated a lived praxis of the principles of the contemporary abolitionist movement (Kaba, 2021; Kaepernick, 2021). This study describes how …

Suicide Awareness And Prevention With Montana (Three Forks) Youth, Joshua Jarvis

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: Lower the number of suicide attempts or completions with Montana (Three Forks) youth.

Significant Findings: The rate of suicide has increased dramatically over the last 30 years, and the rate for suicide for those between the ages of 5-14 have increased at least 60% since 1981 (Rosston, 2022). The population for this social change portfolio is Montana youth and the problem is suicide attempts and completions. Not all groups of youth are equally at risk for suicide, with Native Americans and the LGBTQ+ population facing a much higher risk of suicide attempts and completions (Rosston, 2022). The consequences …

Undoing Of The Carceral School System In The South Bay, California, Lizet Garcia

Geography Undergraduate Senior Theses

The school-to-prison pipeline disproportionately impacts Black and Brown low-income students. The pipeline, a well-researched phenomenon, explores the criminalization of non-white students from low-income backgrounds through surveillance and outsized disciplinary actions at their schools. Current research reveals that this disciplinary system has: not improved campus safety, cost taxpayers $35 billion annually, disrupted students' academic performance, and increased students’ lifelong experience with violence (Selvaggi, 2016). However, existing research fails to consider alternative and new systems prioritizing students' well-being and future success. My research bridges this gap by focusing on South Bay schools and communities in Los Angeles –a site currently lacking scholarship. …

Permanent Shelter In The Empire City: Youth Experiencing Family Homelessness And Navigating The Homeless Industrial Complex With A Narrative Inquiry Approach, Henry O. Love

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Many studies have examined unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness; however, a relative silence persists about the lives of youth and young adults (YYA) while in family homeless shelters. This study aims to fill the gap in the literature about the lives of youth residing in family shelters and to learn about successful transitions from adolescence to young adulthood while experiencing family homelessness. This transition interacts with various social collectives (family, peers, community), political institutions (municipal, state, and federal), and an overwhelming economic system (global racial capitalism). These complex perspectives are considered with a narrative activity-meaning system research design to understand the …

Options For Youth With Disabilities: A Focus On Competitive Integrated Employment Limits, Tatyana Safronova

University of the District of Columbia Law Review

For people with disabilities, employment outcomes are discouraging. In 2021, only 19% were employed, a third of the employment rate for people without disabilities.1 Disabled individuals worked part-time because they could not find full-time work or because of a reduction in hours. 2 Fewer disabled persons had bachelor or higher degrees, and fewer worked in professional and managerial positions than people without disabilities. 3 To make it possible for disabled adults to get well-paying jobs, we must ensure that disabled youth have a solid educational foundation. That requires that more youth graduate high school; only 68.2% of students with disabilities …

Free Play Music Therapy For "In Between" Youth In An Emergency Shelter Setting: Development Of A Clinical Method, Rebecca Kay Hoffschneider

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis explores how clinical improvisation in music therapy can be a benefit for adolescents who are considered “in between” placements. The method was created for youth who are residing at an emergency shelter with limited therapeutic services. Drawing inspiration from Juliette Alvin and free improvisation in music therapy, facilitating a low expectation, non-required, and varied instrumentation choice music therapy group may be beneficial for this population. A method was created to provide a free play music therapy group for “in between” youth ages 13- 17 at an emergency shelter with a variety of racial and cultural backgrounds and identities. …

Community Program Resource Guide Of Activities For Youth, Bernadette M. Delariva

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Youth Alliance serves 81% of clients who are economically disadvantaged in the community of Hollister, with 75% identifying as Hispanic, and 70% of participants between the ages of 6-17. The problem to address is the community's lack of youth social support. The project is a Program Resource Guide for the clients of Youth Alliance. This project will address the issues of parents being unable to find accurate start dates, prices, and any financial assistance. An expected outcome of community collaboration around providing activities for youth is a decrease in crime, drug, and violence rates within the youth population. The project …

Familia Adelante: Hope For Youth And Families At Risk, Gustavo A. Salgado

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Partners for Peace (P4P) will implement the Familia Adelante (FA) project to help at-risk Latino families. Counselors, probation officers, and parents recommend cultural change adaptation programs for Latino families. DePanfilis (2006) believes neglect damages brain development more than trauma, but self-esteem issues affect adolescent behavior more than violence. Providing evidence-based services and support can help prevent abuse and neglect. Child abuse usually leads to delinquency, antisocial behavior, and unhealthy sexual behavior in adolescents. FA projects require parents to set limits, communicate with their children, work together, love, and use discipline as a corrective tool. P4P's FA project helps immigrant families …

Sticky Situations: Understanding The Law And Life, Krystal Banks

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Law and life go hand in hand. Understanding the law and how it connects to life can be an effective tool in teaching youth and adults the value of making good decisions when it comes to life and the law. Sticky Situations places real-world situations in the context of learning how to apply the law and effectively respond to life's sticky situations.

Online Risks For Youth And Families, Brandon T. Mcdaniel Phd, Jessica Pater Phd

Health Services and Informatics Research

Parkview Mirro Center for Research and Innovation

Executive Statement

Recent congressional attention has focused on the online risks of youth [1]. Parents, caregivers, and families are often unprepared to handle many of these risks, and parents/caregivers also experience some of these risks themselves. Although not an exhaustive list, risks can include cyberbullying, social comparisons, exposure to sexualized content, gambling addiction, Internet addiction, self-harm, and negative impacts on family and personal relationships [1]. Internal platform policies and design features are not enough to fully address key aspects of risky online behavior and potentially harmful digital habits. Additionally, current public policies and …

Gang Diversion Programs In The Success Of Reducing Youth Gang Membership, Francis Songtiib Laari

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe rate of youth involvement in gang membership and crime has become a problem in Fairfax County, Virginia. It has increased violent crimes, drug trade, and incarceration rates for youths and decreased child school graduation rates. Youth gang membership is a significant public issue with broad mental and psychological implications for the child, family, and community because of the potential to commit a crime. Early exposure to gangs and violent neighborhoods can profoundly and negatively impact the residents. Researchers have explored why many children join gangs, but none have examined gang diversion programs' success in reducing youth gang membership. In …

Youth Transitions Advisory Council 2023 Annual Report, Tennessee. Commission On Children And Youth.

Youth Transitions Advisory Council

No abstract provided.

Annual Report Fy2022-2023, Tennessee. Commission On Children And Youth.

Annual Report

No abstract provided.