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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Can Analysis Align With Antiracism? : An Exploration Of The Experiences Of Psychoanalysts Working Toward Social Justice, Madeline Rae Nussbaum Jan 2011

Can Analysis Align With Antiracism? : An Exploration Of The Experiences Of Psychoanalysts Working Toward Social Justice, Madeline Rae Nussbaum

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This research study is an exploration of the ways in which practicing psychoanalysts work towards antiracism in clinical practice. The study is based on an independent and in-depth investigation of 9 practicing psychoanalysts who self-identify as committed to the goals of antiracism. The study examines the ways in which theoretical orientation, analytic training, and clinical practice experience impact the analysts' commitment to antiracism and their ability to feel effective in their work. The study was designed using the constructivist grounded theory method for data collection and analysis. This method takes into account the social location of the participants and the …


Exploring The Experiences Of Lesbian Couples Using Fertility Services, Sarah Caitlin Williams Jan 2011

Exploring The Experiences Of Lesbian Couples Using Fertility Services, Sarah Caitlin Williams

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative study explores the experience of lesbian couples that have used, are using, or attempted to use fertility services since 2003. Thirty-three self identified lesbian women who were in a lesbian relationship at the time of using fertility services participated in the study by completing an online survey consisting of primarily open ended questions. Demographic information such as age and race were asked about both member of the couple.. Findings were analyzed using content analysis. Participant narratives revealed the complexities, challenges, successes, supports relied upon and obstacles encountered when using fertility services; as well as the strength and resiliency …


Using Hip-Hop As An Empowerment Tool For Young Adults : An Exploratory Study : A Project Based Upon Independent Investigation, Jihan Danae Sims Jan 2011

Using Hip-Hop As An Empowerment Tool For Young Adults : An Exploratory Study : A Project Based Upon Independent Investigation, Jihan Danae Sims

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative study was developed to explore the role that hip-hop music plays in the lives of young adults and empowerment. The researcher was interested in clinical applications of hip-hop music to address high attrition rates of youth in traditional models of therapy. Although there is much literature on the topic of hip-hop music, there is less written about the role that hip-hop music plays in the development of an individual's sense of self and empowerment. The latter was the focus of this study. Twelve participants were interviewed in the Los Angeles area regarding their experience of listening to and …


Exploring Leadership Through International Education: Civic Learning Through Study Abroad In Uganda, Adam Weinberg, Rebecca Hovey, Carol Bellamy Jan 2011

Exploring Leadership Through International Education: Civic Learning Through Study Abroad In Uganda, Adam Weinberg, Rebecca Hovey, Carol Bellamy

Lewis Global Studies Center Staff Publications

Leadership education in the 21st century cannot ignore the global risks, opportunities and realities of our interconnected world; so too international education cannot avoid its responsibility to provide the knowledge and vision needed to resolve critical issues we will face as a global community. We argue that a model of international education is needed which acknowledges the diverse global community in which institutions are based and learning takes place. In linking leadership and international education, we propose an alternative approach to both based on recognition, reciprocity and responsibility toward others.


Piety And Redistributive Preferences In The Muslim World, Thomas B. Pepinsky, Bozena C. Welborne Jan 2011

Piety And Redistributive Preferences In The Muslim World, Thomas B. Pepinsky, Bozena C. Welborne

Government: Faculty Publications

This article tests two competing theories of the relationship between piety and redistributive preferences in the Muslim world. The first, drawn from the new political economy of religion, holds that more pious individuals of any faith should oppose redistributive economic policies. The second, drawn from Islamic scripture, holds that pious Muslims should favor more redistributive economic policies. Employing survey data from twenty-five countries, the authors find that there is no clear relationship between piety and redistributive preferences among Muslims. The authors find that more pious Muslims are less likely to favor government efforts to eliminate income inequality, but they find …


A Channel Of Peace : The Role Of Clinicians' Spirituality In Their Clinical Process, Tiffany Rene Adams Jan 2011

A Channel Of Peace : The Role Of Clinicians' Spirituality In Their Clinical Process, Tiffany Rene Adams

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative study examined how experienced clinicians who self-identify as spiritual perceive the role their spirituality has in their clinical practice. The specific research question was: How do clinicians incorporate their own spirituality into their clinical practice? This study was undertaken because of the limited amount of research exploring the relationship between clinicians' personal spirituality and the influence it has in their clinical practice. Given the limited amount of research in the area, a phenomenological approach was used. Thirteen licensed mental health clinicians who self- identified as spiritual filled out a questionnaire and were interviewed. The professions the participants belonged …


Queering The Ncaa : How Athletic Administrators At National Collegiate Athletic Association Institutions Include Transgender Athletes, Lisa Margaret Brookens Jan 2011

Queering The Ncaa : How Athletic Administrators At National Collegiate Athletic Association Institutions Include Transgender Athletes, Lisa Margaret Brookens

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This thesis examines how Athletic Administrators (AA) at National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) institutions include transgender identities in their policies and practices. The main hypothesis presumes that people in positions of power within the NCAA membership have less inclusive opinions regarding transgender student-athletes (TSA). A mixed methods design was used, and an anonymous web-based survey tool was employed to address AA perceptions. Inferential statistics along with queer-feminist theory were utilized to document and deconstruct dominant themes generated during data collection. The participant pool included 511 AA's recruited by use of an exhaustive email list of the two top AA's at …


"Not My Priority" : Perspectives From Lgbtq Individuals Who Do Not Identify Marriage Equality As Their Primary Political Concern, Elizabeth Anne Chandler Jan 2011

"Not My Priority" : Perspectives From Lgbtq Individuals Who Do Not Identify Marriage Equality As Their Primary Political Concern, Elizabeth Anne Chandler

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study was undertaken to explore a little researched and relatively little discussed area – for people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Queer (LGBTQ) who do not identify marriage equality as their primary political concern, what is and why? Also explored was how do they relate to this movement and what issues do they choose to prioritize? Thirteen participants living in the San Francisco Bay area were interviewed in person, and then interviews were transcribed and analyzed to expose themes. They were asked to share certain demographic information such as age, gender or gender identity, racial or …


The Psychological And Emotional Experiences Of Pregnant And Postpartum Incarcerated Women, Kimberly Erin Gillette Jan 2011

The Psychological And Emotional Experiences Of Pregnant And Postpartum Incarcerated Women, Kimberly Erin Gillette

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This theoretical thesis explores the experiences of pregnant and postpartum incarcerated women, with particular emphasis on the impact of attachment insecurity, relational trauma, and forced separation from their infants. The majority of incarcerated women are dually diagnosed with substance abuse disorder and other clinical disorders on Axis I or II of the Diagnostic Statistic Manual IV. Often the symptoms displayed from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder are mistaken for personality disorders which prejudice staff and providers against these women. Thorough assessments need to be conducted using a compassionate lens to accurately interpret the psychological effects of interpersonal violence and other traumas and …


New Homes, Different Places : Demographic Transitions In The Worcester County Ma Foster Care System : A Project Based Upon An Investigation At Y.O.U., Inc. Foster Care Program In Worcester Ma, Anne Wassell Hopkinson Jan 2011

New Homes, Different Places : Demographic Transitions In The Worcester County Ma Foster Care System : A Project Based Upon An Investigation At Y.O.U., Inc. Foster Care Program In Worcester Ma, Anne Wassell Hopkinson

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This case study examines the broader trends in demographic change experienced by children in the foster care system in Worcester County, Massachusetts by comparing information regarding removal and placement locations of youth in the Y.O.U., Inc. foster care program with 2000 census data describing the poverty levels, household incomes and racial composition of these locations. The findings demonstrate that children were likely to be removed from areas with high levels of poverty and low numbers of non-Hispanic white residents and placed into areas with low levels of poverty and high numbers of non-Hispanic white populations. This demographic analysis is contextualized …


The Invisible Home Front : Impact, Coping, And Needs Assessment Of Family And Friends Of Unmarried U.S. Military Service Members Deployed To Iraq And Afghanistan, Sarah Elizabeth Keyes Jan 2011

The Invisible Home Front : Impact, Coping, And Needs Assessment Of Family And Friends Of Unmarried U.S. Military Service Members Deployed To Iraq And Afghanistan, Sarah Elizabeth Keyes

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Purpose: U.S. military institutions define service members' loved ones as including only dependent (married) spouse and children and provide information and support services to this group. However, around 50% of active duty military service members are unmarried and have "nondependent" loved ones such as parents, siblings, significant others, and friends who cannot access any of the military-provided information and support services. The aim of this study was to document the impact of war zone deployments on the family, significant others, and friends of unmarried service members and their coping methods, and to describe the support resources needed by this group. …


An Exploration Of The Potential Interplay Between Mood Disorder And The Artistic Process, Daphne Nayar, Daphne Kaur Nayar Jan 2011

An Exploration Of The Potential Interplay Between Mood Disorder And The Artistic Process, Daphne Nayar, Daphne Kaur Nayar

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative study was to provide a deeper understanding of the complex reciprocal interplay between an artist's diagnosable mood symptoms and his or her creative process through the personal narrative of the artists. To this end, 15 artists of both solitary and performance orientated disciplines were interviewed utilizing a semi-structured open-ended interview format. These artists included painters, poets, an actor, a performing artist, vocalists and musicians, who had all considered themselves to be professional artists for at least five years. As part of the inclusion criteria, each of the artists had been diagnosed with either Depression (Dysthymia …


Moving From The Couch To The Mat : Clinicians And The Practice Of Yoga, Their Practice And Recommendations Of Yoga As An Adjunct To Therapy, Sarah Maria Mcnulty Jan 2011

Moving From The Couch To The Mat : Clinicians And The Practice Of Yoga, Their Practice And Recommendations Of Yoga As An Adjunct To Therapy, Sarah Maria Mcnulty

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this exploratory/descriptive survey was to inquire of therapists who might or might not have a personal yoga practice, whether they recommend it to their clients as an adjunct to therapy. There has been an increasing research literature regarding the treatment of both physical and mental health issues with body work modalities that go beyond traditional –talking cure– interventions; yoga has been shown in some such studies to have positive influence on the lives of those who practice it, including clinicians themselves for purposes of self-care and avoiding burnout. Questions posed by the current survey were –Do clinicians …


"Living In Front Of A Mirror" : Staff Members' Perspectives On Living And Working In Residential Therapeutic Communities, Rebecca Sierra Shulman Jan 2011

"Living In Front Of A Mirror" : Staff Members' Perspectives On Living And Working In Residential Therapeutic Communities, Rebecca Sierra Shulman

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative study was developed in order to gather information on residential therapeutic communities for individuals in mental health recovery. Although there is much literature on the therapeutic community modality, little is written about residential therapeutic communities (RTCs) in which staff members alongside clients in the community. The researcher was interested in gathering perspectives of current and former staff members who have worked and lived in such communities. Ten participants from two separate residential therapeutic communities in New England were interviewed. Participants must have shared a home with clients for at least 3 months. All participants were asked open-ended questions …


Personal Experiences Of Formerly Obese Individuals Maintaining Significant Weight Loss : A Descriptive Study : A Project Based Upon An Investigation At The Weight Management Program Of San Francisco, Inc., San Francisco, California, Jennifer L. Simon Jan 2011

Personal Experiences Of Formerly Obese Individuals Maintaining Significant Weight Loss : A Descriptive Study : A Project Based Upon An Investigation At The Weight Management Program Of San Francisco, Inc., San Francisco, California, Jennifer L. Simon

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study explored and described how psychological processes relate to maintaining significant weight loss. The goals for this study were to add to the weight literature the personal experiences of individuals maintaining significant weight loss and to better understand the needs of these individuals so as to develop psychological interventions that are effective in assisting with successful weight loss maintenance (WLM) and in reducing the perceived difficulty of WLM. Twelve formerly obese adults currently engaged in WLM, recruited primarily from The Weight Management Program of San Francisco, Inc., were interviewed about their perceptions, thoughts, emotions, and self-concepts as they reflected …


Listening For The Unconscious : An Exploration Of Lacanian Clinical Perspectives Applied To Social Work Practice, Katharine Barbey Thomas Jan 2011

Listening For The Unconscious : An Exploration Of Lacanian Clinical Perspectives Applied To Social Work Practice, Katharine Barbey Thomas

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative study explores clinical perspectives based on the work of Parisian psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan (1901-1981) applied to social work practice. Through in-depth interviews with five Lacanian clinicians residing in North America, this study asks what the unconscious as a clinical reality offers social workers in incorporating and listening for yet another dimension of human experience. The findings from the interviews will contribute to a critical reflection on social work's core values outlined in the code of ethics under the headings of "service," "social justice," "dignity and worth of the person," and "the importance of human relationships". In turn, this …


Voices Being Heard : Experiences Of Adults With Congenital Hearing Loss Being Raised In Hearing Families, Kimberly Anne Wedner Jan 2011

Voices Being Heard : Experiences Of Adults With Congenital Hearing Loss Being Raised In Hearing Families, Kimberly Anne Wedner

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative research was conducted to study how people with congenital hearing loss experienced the impact of being raised in families where all other members were hearing. Literature pertaining specifically to people with congenital hearing loss was limited. Therefore this study reviewed previous written works mainly on families with a deaf member and linked them to the topic of people with congenital hearing loss in hearing families. The literature spoke to the importance of family members collectively contributing to the needs of a person with a disability on many levels. The theoretical framework of family therapy was used to study …


Homing Geographies : Sexuality And Community Among Homeless Youth In Los Angeles, Heather Chelsey Wollin Jan 2011

Homing Geographies : Sexuality And Community Among Homeless Youth In Los Angeles, Heather Chelsey Wollin

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Scholarly literature on sexuality and homeless youth has focused almost exclusively on young people nested within a culture of risk on the streets. This study broadens the body of work on this population by exploring how homeless and runaway youth in Los Angeles make meaning of their sexualities. While these individuals are extremely vulnerable and fragile, they also display remarkable resilience. Researchers conducted two sets of in person, semi-structured interviews with six homeless youth at a homeless service agency in Los Angeles as part of an HIV peer intervention project. The interviews focused on sex education and messages about sexuality, …


Feelings Of Preparedness In Assessing, Preventing And Treating Suicide Among Social Work Graduates, Katherine H. O'Brien Jan 2011

Feelings Of Preparedness In Assessing, Preventing And Treating Suicide Among Social Work Graduates, Katherine H. O'Brien

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Research on suicide assessment and prevention is limited in the social work field although social workers are the largest group of mental health practitioners treating individuals experiencing suicidal ideation. Recent literature points out social workers receive less than two hours training in suicidology during their graduate training programs. This study evaluates levels of preparedness and comfort in assessing and preventing suicide based on graduate training opportunities for MSW's. The study analyzed data received from 58 completed online surveys. Major findings show that social workers who received training on suicide assessment and prevention in their field placement internships were more prepared …


The Hilltown Elder Network : A Study In Service To Elders : A Project Based Upon An Investigation At The Hilltown Community Development Center, Chesterfield, Ma., Deborah Grande Jan 2011

The Hilltown Elder Network : A Study In Service To Elders : A Project Based Upon An Investigation At The Hilltown Community Development Center, Chesterfield, Ma., Deborah Grande

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study assessed the value and efficacy of in-home services offered by The Hilltown Elder Network (HEN). Pre-existing data first obtained through an annual "Client Satisfaction Survey" issued by HEN administration to HEN clients during FY 2010 was examined. Of the 100 surveys mailed, sixty-nine program participants between the ages of 62 and 95 years, the median age being 84, responded. The agency-designed mixed methods survey functioned to solicit program input, to gauge participant satisfaction and also operated as a tool to gather necessary data for program funding. The objective of the HEN Program was to help seniors to remain …


What Factors Deter Self-Identified White Anti-Racist Social Workers From Interrupting Acts Of Racism In Interpersonal Interactions, Mary Jane Panke Jan 2011

What Factors Deter Self-Identified White Anti-Racist Social Workers From Interrupting Acts Of Racism In Interpersonal Interactions, Mary Jane Panke

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Current National Association of Social Workers codes, mandates, and policies require members to work to end racism. Although there is a strong need for social workers to consistently act against racism there are times social workers choose not to interrupt racism in interpersonal interactions. This study was interested in learning how social workers understand their decisions not to act against racism to gain a better understanding of the barriers to interrupting racism. This information may assist social workers in meeting their personal and professional obligations to combat racism. Ten self-identified White anti-racist social workers were interviewed for this qualitative study. …


The Door(S) Of No Return : How The Legacy Of Slavery Impacts Birth Outcomes For African American Women, Jennifer Baxendale Lally Jan 2011

The Door(S) Of No Return : How The Legacy Of Slavery Impacts Birth Outcomes For African American Women, Jennifer Baxendale Lally

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This theoretical study will explore the health disparity between the birth outcomes for white Americans and African Americans. Over the past five years there has been an increase in the literature coming out of the medical community examining this disparity. The recent interest has to do, in part, with the unresolved mystery these stark discrepancy posses. Through an exploration of historical developments beginning with the trans Atlantic slave through to the current state of African American women's reproductive health I will attempt to expand the understanding of how we as a society might better address the great imbalance in health …


Sexual Attraction To Clients : Are Master Of Social Work Students Trained To Manage Such Feelings?, Jennifer Davis Begun Jan 2011

Sexual Attraction To Clients : Are Master Of Social Work Students Trained To Manage Such Feelings?, Jennifer Davis Begun

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This exploratory/descriptive study was undertaken to determine if master of social work students in a current field placement experienced sexual attraction to clients, and whether they felt adequately trained on the subject. The study also inquired about how the students handled their feelings of sexual attraction and whether they discussed them with their supervisor and/or fellow students. An email was sent out to the researcher's fellow social work students asking them to complete the qualitative and quantitative survey and to pass it along to others in master of social work programs. To be eligible, all survey respondents had to be …


The Integration Of Psychoeducation About Healing Environments And Placemaking And The Effect On Mental Health For Clients, Christienne D. Constabile Jan 2011

The Integration Of Psychoeducation About Healing Environments And Placemaking And The Effect On Mental Health For Clients, Christienne D. Constabile

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study was undertaken to determine the effect of integrating psychoeducation about healing environments and placemaking in the therapeutic setting. Additionally, this researcher and clinician proposed that if clinicians can empower clients to create a healing environment for themselves both in their private spaces and in their larger community, then such integration would facilitate improved mental health for clients. This researcher engaged in a theoretical study by examining the data on healing environments and placemaking on individuals and communities. At the basis of the study is the premise, as espoused by Kurt Lewin, that behavior is a function of the …


The Effects Of Alternative Treatments Such As Yoga And Meditation As Adjunctive Therapy On Adolescent Alcohol Abusers With A History Of Trauma, Ann Marie Hegarty Jan 2011

The Effects Of Alternative Treatments Such As Yoga And Meditation As Adjunctive Therapy On Adolescent Alcohol Abusers With A History Of Trauma, Ann Marie Hegarty

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study was undertaken to determine whether alternative forms of treatment such as yoga and meditation, when used adjunctively with traditional therapies, are effective in the treatment of adolescents with both alcohol use disorder (AUD) and a history of trauma. There have been studies linking relaxation therapy and meditation to improved outcomes in similar adult populations but very few have studied adolescents. Given the early onset of use and abuse of alcohol by many of those who also have a history of trauma, this study sought to explore the opinions of clinicians who utilize these alternative treatments. A total of …


Discerning What Can Be Learned From Seasoned Sentence Mitigation Practioners' Experiences Of The Accused And Their Family Members As Historians, Specifically In The Context Of Socio-Cultural Factors, In The Development Of Life History Presentation In Capital Defense Proceedings, Lisa Michele Kelly Jan 2011

Discerning What Can Be Learned From Seasoned Sentence Mitigation Practioners' Experiences Of The Accused And Their Family Members As Historians, Specifically In The Context Of Socio-Cultural Factors, In The Development Of Life History Presentation In Capital Defense Proceedings, Lisa Michele Kelly

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative study employed a study of thirteen participants, including social workers, who interview the accused and their family members in death penalty cases, to discern what could be learned from seasoned sentence mitigation practitioners' experience of defendants and their family members as historians. Those interviewed in sentence mitigation investigations are asked to discuss sensitive information while in the midst of a legal process surrounding a violent crime and rendering the accused and their family members extremely vulnerable. The information interviewees provide may have direct bearing on sentencing of the accused. In capital cases, defendants are highly unlikely to avoid …


Antisociality, Childhood Sexual Trauma, And Cognitive Distortions Surprisingly Not Predictive Of Deviant Sexual Arousal In Male Sex Offenders Who Have Abused Children, Amanda Klein Slatus Jan 2011

Antisociality, Childhood Sexual Trauma, And Cognitive Distortions Surprisingly Not Predictive Of Deviant Sexual Arousal In Male Sex Offenders Who Have Abused Children, Amanda Klein Slatus

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

In this study I examined potential predictive factors of deviant arousal. Variables were chosen based on the relationship shown in previous literature between variables and sex offending and recidivism. The sample for this analysis consisted of 100 incarcerated sex offenders who completed the Life History Survey (Burton, 2003). This is a subset of the sample surveyed by Burton (2003). The hypotheses of this study were that antisociality, childhood sexual trauma, and cognitive distortions would each be predictive of deviant arousal and the interaction between the variables would be the strongest predictor of deviant arousal. No predictive relationships were found and …