Mental and Social Health Commons^™

Protective Behavioral Strategies, Alcohol Expectancies, And Drinking Motives In A Model Of College Student Drinking, Ashley N. Linden, Cathy Lau-Barraco, Robert J. Milletich

Psychology Faculty Publications

An extensive body of research asserts alcohol expectancies, or beliefs regarding the effects of alcohol, as an important influence on drinking. However, the extent to which expectancies are related to drinking motives and protective behavioral strategies (PBS) has yet to be examined. Existing alcohol mediational models suggest associations between expectancies and drinking motives as well as positive drinking motives and PBS use. Thus, it is possible that drinking motives and PBS use act as intervening factors in the relationship between expectancies and alcohol outcomes. Consequently, the cross-sectional study presented here aimed to test the indirect effect of expectancies (i.e., social …

Substance-Abusing Mothers And Fathers' Willingness To Allow Their Children To Receive Mental Health Treatment, Michelle L. Kelley, Gabrielle M. D'Lima, James M. Henson, Cayla Cotton

Psychology Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to examine attitudes of substance-abusing mothers and fathers entering outpatient treatment toward allowing their children to participate in individual- or family-based interventions. Data were collected from a brief anonymous survey completed by adults at intake into a large substance abuse treatment program in western New York. Only one-third of parents reported that they would be willing to allow their children to participate in any form of mental health treatment. Results of chi-square analyses revealed that a significantly greater proportion of mothers reported that they would allow their children to participate in mental health treatment …

Effects Of Parental Alcoholism And Trauma Exposure On Depressive Symptoms: A Path Model With Resilience, Social Support, And Family Satisfaction, Erin Doty Kurtz

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The goal of this study was to explore the different effects of parental alcoholism and history of trauma exposure on depressive symptoms in an emerging adult, college population. In particular, mediating effects of resilience, social support, and family satisfaction were evaluated for both parental alcoholism and previous interpersonal trauma exposure using structural equation modeling (SEM). Participants were 708 students (217 male, 491 female) attending a large mid-Atlantic state university. It was . anticipated that social support and family satisfaction would be key mediators between parental alcoholism and depressive symptoms, while resilience and social support would be significant mediators between interpersonal …

Implications For Art Therapy With Foster Children: A Literature Review, Audrey Karney

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

This literature review summarizes the psychological needs of foster children and the potential benefits of utilizing art therapy in addressing these concerns. Social workers play a major role in the lives of foster children however; their primary responsibility is often logistics and legal matters. Art therapists can fill this gap by providing foster children opportunities for creative self-expression and enhanced communication through other means besides verbalization. Through art therapy, foster children can develop their self-esteem, sense of safety, relationships, social skills, and a sense of their personal history. Also included in this literature review is a case study proposal to …

Child Emotional Abuse And Its Relationship To Obesity, Kelly Anderson Driscoll

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

Over the past 30 years in the United States childhood obesity has more than tripled (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010). In 2008, 18.5% of adolescents of the age 12-18 years old were obese in the United States (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2010). With the increase of obesity Americans have spent approximately 9% of their total medical costs on obesity-related illnesses (Finkelstein, Fiebelkorn, &Wang, 2003). Previous research documented the relationship between virtually every form of child abuse and subsequent obesity. Restricting focus to child emotional abuse, while studies have linked emotional abuse to the long-term consequence of …

Experiences Of Resident Assistants With Potentially Suicidal Students: Identification, Referral, And Expectations, Katherine M. Bender

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Resident Assistants (RAs), living on campus and tasked with advising students while keeping them safe, are in a position to identify and refer students who may be at risk for suicide or other mental health issues. This study examined RA ability to identify students at risk for suicide, RA comfort in working with students at risk for suicide, RA actions taken when working with students who may be at risk for suicide, and RA expectations for shared information about students the RAs have referred for counseling because they may be at risk for suicide. The study found that RAs report …

The Role Of Personality In Individual Perceptions Of The Value Of Visual Journaling In Art Therapy Graduate Education, Daniel J. Koon

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

This preliminary qualitative study used a mixed methods approach to explore the relationship between personality and individual perceptions regarding the value of the self-care practice of maintaining a visual journal. Twenty-two students from the Graduate Art Therapy and Counseling Program at Eastern Virginia Medical School participated in a pre-screening session, in which they completed the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) Form M Self-Scorable. Ten of the twenty-two participants, five introverts and five extraverts, were selected based on the results of the MBTI. Over a one-month research period, participants each completed two ten-question surveys and a face-to-face interview. Participant responses were compared …

Altered Bookmaking With Lgbt Individuals: A Coming Out Process, Amber Nicole Lewis

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

According to current research, there is a scarcity of literature aimed at providing art therapy support groups for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) individuals to who are having difficulties revealing their sexuality orientation and gender identity. Fear of disapproval from family, work colleagues, school peers, and the general public make this process difficult. Group therapy and involvement in supportive LGBT communities are efficacious methodologies that could potentially help this community by providing a supportive place that is safe to explore their struggles (Davies, 1996). The coming out process could be addressed by developing accessible group art therapy experiences as a …

Art Therapy From Client And Therapist Perspectives: A Mixed Methods Study, Danielle L. Jweid

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

In order to constantly improve and enhance any field, research must explore all aspects. This study explored the experience of art therapy from the clients’ perspective and how the therapist views the client experience.

The participants in this study included two client-therapist dyads that were tracking the art therapy treatment experience over the course of four to five weeks. The study involved quantitative and qualitative data collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Questionnaires were filled out by therapist and client at the end of each session for the duration of the study and then the results were quantified and presented …

The Impact Of The Art Show And Open Studio On The Adolescent Art Experience: Considerations For The Field Of Art Therapy, Kimberly A. Huston

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

As adolescents developmentally explore their self-concept, their involvement in art can help foster a positive artist identity and positive self-concept. Art therapy research is lacking in the quantitative effects and effectiveness of an open studio and art show on adolescent art self-concept. In this non-clinical study, three adolescent participants, ages 13-14, attended three 90-minute open studio sessions and one concluding art show. Results were measured by the Art Self-Concept Inventory (ASCI) pre- and posttest. Additional quantitative and qualitative data was obtained by the Art Experience Questionnaire at the conclusion of the intervention. Results showed that score on the ASCI increased …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Emotional Experience Of Adults Taking The Art Therapy-Projective Imagery Assessment, Emily Hege

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

This study is a phenomenological qualitative study on the emotional experience of adults taking the Art Therapy-Projective Imagery Assessment. The literature review of this study includes research on: the emotional experience of test taking, therapeutic, collaborative, and person centered assessment, emotional response to looking at art, emotional regulation during test taking, as well as research on art therapy assessment. This participants of this study included four adults between the ages of 18 and 16 years of age, recruited from the Sentara Center for Simulation and Immersive Learning at Eastern Virginia Medical School. The participants were administered the Art Therapy- Projective …

Perceptions Of Art Therapy Among Medical Students, Laura A. Sibiski

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

This study utilized a mixed methods survey to address the perceptions of art therapy among medical students currently enrolled at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS). Of 530 students, 179 completed the online survey, which resulted in a 34% respondent rate. Overall, respondents indicated that they find the treatment of psychosocial factors/symptoms secondary to medical illness very important and psychiatry and psychotherapy/counseling as somewhat effective in doing so. The respondents reported a lack of knowledge regarding the field of art therapy and an overall interest in learning more about art therapy and the program specific to EVMS. Suggestions for further integration …

Depressive Symptoms And Bookmaking In Group Art Therapy With Female African American College Students, Joselyn Spence

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

This mixed methods study examined the experience and effects of bookmaking in art therapy on the depressive symptoms of a 22 year-old female African American college student through a six-week art therapy intervention using bookmaking. It was hypothesized that bookmaking in art therapy would lead to a decrease of depressive symptoms. The hypothesis was supported as evidenced by a 14-point decrease on the Beck Depression Inventory-II. Additionally, the participant reported that the experience with bookmaking in art therapy was an effective tool in decreasing her depressive symptoms by giving her an outlet and a place to share her feelings.

Exploring Views Of The Family Unit As Conveyed By Kinetic Family Drawings Created By Children From The Filipino-American Group, Rebecca Masia

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

There have been contrasting opinions about children’s drawings. Considerable research is in support of culture having an influence on the drawings of children and adolescents, in that there are visible differences in drawing style, content, etc. Whereas, other research states that many characteristics in children’s drawings are universal constructs. Focus was placed on the family unit in terms of art assessment because research supports that the family cannot be understood outside of the context of culture. The current study sought to recognize how children portray the family unit and whether culturally-specific patterns would emerge through their family drawings.

Due to …

Cognition In Adults’ Experience Of The Art Therapy-Projective Imagery Assessment, Gaelan Harmon-Walker

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

The Art Therapy-Projective Imagery Assessment (AT-PIA) is a direct-observation clinical interview consisting of six drawings. It is administered by art therapists to children, adolescents, and adults to identify developmental level, areas of clinical concern, strengths, defenses, diagnoses, and potential for engaging with art processes and materials in a therapeutic relationship. Although assessment remains a research priority for art therapists, paucity exists in the literature regarding art therapy clinical interviews.

This qualitative multiple case study explored the experiences of five adult standardized patients, recruited from the Sentara Center for Simulation and Immersive Learning. Participants were individually administered the AT-PIA and then …

The Impact Of Dementia Of The Alzheimer’S Type On Drawing Style: A Comparison Between Human Figure Drawings Completed By Elderly Adults With And Without Dementia Of The Alzheimer’S Type, Kate Cronjé

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

This study utilized a descriptive and comparative non-experimental design in order to examine differences between Human Figure Drawings (HFDs) completed by 25 adults between the age of 65-100with a known diagnosis of Dementia of the Alzheimer’s Type (DAT), and 22 adults in the same age range with no known diagnosis of DAT. Instrumentation included the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) paired with the modified Formal Elements Art Therapy Scale (FEATS) and the Human Figure Drawing (HFD). The MMSE was applied in order to screen for cognitive impairment, and the FEATS/HFD quantified drawing characteristics across five scales: Prominence of Color, Color Fit, …

Body Image: Indicators And Concern As Demonstrated In A Brief Art Therapy Group, Ashley Busch

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

Research indicates that adolescent girls are prone to partake in pathological eating habits and internalization of the “thin ideal,” which increases their predisposition for developing a negative body image. Negative body image, in turn, increases the risk of developing an eating disorder. This study examined art therapy’s effectiveness in identifying body image concern in a group of pre-adolescent girls. Three girls participated in the single-session art therapy intervention that contained three art tasks related to body image. Two qualitative measures and one qualitative pretest/posttest measures were included to evaluate body image concern and the overall effectiveness of the intervention. Each …

The Three Dimensions Of Cultural Competency In Art Therapy Education: Awareness, Knowledge, And Skills, Evans Baker

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

The subject of multicultural competent practice has gained attention from the mental health professions for the last few decades. Many health profession’s associations took actions to ensure that cultural competent practice is one of the major focuses in the educational setting. The American Art Therapy Association understood the necessity of multicultural competency education and in December 2011, announced the Multicultural / Diversity Competencies as a guideline for practicing art therapists and educators to establish cultural competency standards. Lack of research in the subject of multicultural competency inspired this study to examine the art therapy education program in a wide range …

Searching For Graphic Indicators Of Resilience In A Homeless Youth Population: A Research Proposal, Aubrey Hall

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

The presence of resilience in a person may determine their ability to bounce back from adverse experiences. This proposal suggests art therapy as an excellent modality for building resilience and therefore also a means for measuring the degree of resilience an individual possesses. Information regarding the Person Picking an Apple from a Tree (PPAT) drawing is analyzed in the following paragraphs and connections between the drawing and resilience are discussed. This researcher supports the PPAT directive as a tool for assessing resilience in a homeless youth population.

The Art Therapy Technique Of ‘Life Review’: Its Impact On Existential Issues In Older Adults, Emily Victoria Willen

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

For many older adults, the aging process brings many existential and end-of-life concerns. These concerns may be related to their experiences, their self-concept, and the choices they made throughout their lives. Older adults who are able to sufficiently address these issues are less vulnerable to feelings of depression and hopelessness. The geriatric population is in need of services that will help them resolve existential issues and integrate their experiences into a cohesive sense of self.

This qualitative case study explored the effectiveness of using the art therapy technique of the life review to help an older adult resolve existential questions …

Investigating Similarities And Differences As Measured By The Durel And Gsq Between Three Subgroups Attending A Local Aa Meeting To Develop A Profile Of Long Term Attendees, Keesha Masean Kerns

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Alcoholics Anonymous groups are growing in popularity due to their cost effectiveness and history of dependability. Although the program clearly has the numbers to support its popularity, skeptics continually analyze its claims of effectiveness through research. While research pertaining to AA is diverse, very little is presented concerning factors that contribute to retention in the program. The primary purpose for this quantitative study was to investigate the similarities and differences in the various stages of participants of a sample attending a local AA program, identify variables that contribute to retention in the AA sample, and to use Grounded Theory to …

Protective Behavioral Strategy Subtypes As Moderators Of The Relationship Between Alcohol Consumption And Alcohol-Related Problems, Benjamin A. Kite

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Protective behavioral strategy (or drinking control strategy) use is widely regarded as an effective tool for reducing negative consequences from consuming alcohol (Martens et al., 2005; Martens et al., 2008). Research has shown that frequent protective behavioral strategy use buffers the relationship between alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems (Borden et al., 2011), and that gender moderates this effect (Benton et al., 2004); however. The present research was used to expand on previous research showing that protective behavioral strategy use can buffer the relationship between alcohol consumption and alcohol-related problems. Further, the assessment of protective behavioral strategy use across gender was …

Art Therapy And Autism Spectrum Disorder: Building Sibling Connections, Melissa Scott Mariner

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

Families of children with autism encounter unique challenges. This thesis is a report of the case material from providing clinical art therapy to one sibling dyad with the goal of assessing and strengthening the sibling relationship.

Three one-hour individual art therapy sessions with the sibling were alternated with three dyad art therapy sessions to address the sibling’s experience and promote increased communication, interaction, and reciprocity between the siblings. The case report was generated from a semi-structured interview with the parents, a family art therapy assessment, session observations, and artwork created in session. The art processes used provided participants with an …

Neuro-Linguistic Programming And Its Application To Art Therapy Practice, Terri-Gene Jenereaux Fowler

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

Art therapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) both promote methods of self-discovery and exploration through sensory channels: art therapy by enhancing creative thinking and problem solving through art making product and processes, and NLP by using sensory based observation to assist in mapping out individuals' cognitive processes. Art therapy has not embraced the NLP sensory information available as have other therapeutic disciplines. The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) approved programs have not integrated NLP into their curriculums. This investigation incorporates a review of the relevant literature, including the sparse entries relating NLP to art therapy practice, followed by the results of …

Correlates Of Consistent Condom Use Among Female Entertainment Workers In Shanghai, China: A Repeated Measures Analysis, Xiushi Yang, Guomei Xia

Sociology & Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Female entertainment workers (FEWs) in China are at increased risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, but correlates of their risky sexual behaviour remain poorly understood. Using data from a series of four surveys, this paper employs repeated measures analysis to identify individual and social correlates of consistent condom use among FEWs in Shanghai. Results reveal that both individual cognitive and social influence factors are statistically significant in their bivariate relationships to consistent condom use with a stable or non-stable partner; only prevention motivation and perceived self-efficacy in condom use remain significant in the multiple regressions. When individual and …

Alcohol Use And Trauma Exposure Among Male And Female Veterans Before, During, And After Military Service, Michelle L. Kelley, Jennifer Runnals, Matthew R. Pearson, Marinell Miller, John A. Fairbank, Va Mid-Atlantic Mirecc Women Veterans Workgroup

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: The present study examined lifespan and combat-related trauma exposure as predictors of alcohol use among male and female veterans. Posttraumatic stress and depressive symptoms were examined as mediators of the effects of trauma exposure on alcohol use.

Methods: Data were examined from 1825 (1450 male, 375 female) veterans and active duty service members who took part in a multi-site research study conducted through the Department of Veterans Affairs Mid-Atlantic Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (VISN 6 MIRECC).

Results: For both men and women, depressive symptoms significantly mediated the effects of non-combat trauma exposure experienced before, during and …

The Assessment Of Protective Behavioral Strategies: Comparing The Absolute Frequency And Contingent Frequency Response Scales, Benjamin A. Kite, Matthew R. Pearson, James M. Henson

Psychology Faculty Publications

The purpose of the present studies was to examine the effects of response scale on the observed relationships between protective behavioral strategies (PBS) measures and alcohol-related outcomes. We reasoned that an "absolute frequency" scale (stem: "how many times..."; response scale: 0 times to 11 + times) conflates the frequency of using PBS with the frequency of consuming alcohol; thus, we hypothesized that the use of an absolute frequency response scale would result in positive relationships between types of PBS and alcohol-related outcomes. Alternatively, a "contingent frequency" scale (stem: "When drinking ... how often ..."; response scale: never to always …

Daily Use Of Protective Behavioral Strategies And Alcohol-Related Outcomes Among College Students, Matthew R. Pearson, Gabrielle M. D'Lima, Michelle L. Kelley

Psychology Faculty Publications

The purpose of the present study was to examine associations between use of protective behavioral strategies (PBS) and alcohol-related outcomes (alcohol consumption, negative alcohol consequences, and positive alcohol consequences) using a daily diary approach. This approach is less affected by retrospective memory biases than typical self-reports of alcohol-related variables and allows the examination of both between-subjects and within-person effects. Using hierarchical linear modeling of data from 40 subjects who completed daily dairies for up to 15 days, we found significant within-person variation in PBS use over time, and each type of PBS had unique relationships with alcohol-related outcomes. For example, …

Predictive Effects Of Good Self-Control And Poor Regulation On Alcohol-Related Outcomes: Do Protective Behavioral Strategies Mediate?, Matthew R. Pearson, Benjamin A. Kite, James M. Henson

Psychology Faculty Publications

In the present study, we examined whether use of protective behavioral strategies mediated the relationship between self-control constructs and alcohol-related outcomes. According to the two-mode model of self-control, good self-control (planfulness; measured with Future Time Perspective, Problem Solving, and Self-Reinforcement) and poor regulation (impulsivity; measured with Present Time Perspective, Poor Delay of Gratification, Distractibility) are theorized to be relatively independent constructs rather than opposite ends of a single continuum. The analytic sample consisted of 278 college student drinkers (68% women) who responded to a battery of surveys at a single time point. Using a structural equation model based on the …

Unplanned Drinking And Alcohol-Related Problems: A Preliminary Test Of The Model Of Unplanned Drinking Behavior, Matthew R. Pearson, James M. Henson

Psychology Faculty Publications

Much research links impulsivity with alcohol use and problems. In 2 studies, unplanned (or impulsive) drinking is assessed directly to determine whether it has direct effects on alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. In Study 1, we examined whether unplanned drinking serves as a proximal mediator of the effects of impulsivity-like traits on alcohol-related outcomes. With a sample of 211 college student drinkers, we found that the Unplanned Drinking Scale was significantly related to alcohol use, and perhaps more important, had a direct effect on alcohol-related problems even after controlling for frequency and quantity of alcohol use. Furthermore, unplanned drinking partially …