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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
An Exploration Of The Relationship Between Religion And Spirituality And Acculturation Stress Among International Students In The Western Massachusetts, Mun Ying Kennis Cheng
An Exploration Of The Relationship Between Religion And Spirituality And Acculturation Stress Among International Students In The Western Massachusetts, Mun Ying Kennis Cheng
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This quantitative study examined the relationship between religion and spirituality and acculturative stress among international students (n=38) in two colleges in Western Massachusetts. This study utilized three well-validated tools to measure acculturative stress for international students, religion and spirituality, and intrinsic religious motivation to test the hypothesis that religion and spirituality can help international students lessen their acculturative stress. The findings suggested no significant correlation between the variables, possibly due to a small sample size. The results showed that over 55% of students had some type of religious affiliation, and over 63% indicated they either attended churches or practiced meditation …
The Role Of Spirituality In The Reconstruction Of Identity In Older Women, Elin Hardenberg
The Role Of Spirituality In The Reconstruction Of Identity In Older Women, Elin Hardenberg
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This study examines whether spirituality plays a role in how older women integrate changes in their identity as they age. The research questions guiding this study are: 1) how do women navigate changes in identity in older adulthood; and 2) what role does spirituality play in the reconstruction of a woman’s identity in older adulthood? Erikson’s stages of development are used as a framework for understanding where participants are in their developmental process. The study was conducted by interviewing six women between the ages of seventy and ninety who self-identified as having an opinion about their relationship to spirituality. It …
The Construction Of Religion In Social Work Education, Michael Waldon
The Construction Of Religion In Social Work Education, Michael Waldon
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This social work master's thesis used a qualitative study design involving non-random sampling of syllabi at accredited master's level social work programs around the United States in order to address the question, "How is religion constructed in social work education?" Materials addressing religion were extracted from syllabi used in first year required practice classes at 15 schools in five different geographic regions around the country. The texts were then analyzed using the techniques of discourse analysis (Carbó, Ahumada, Caballero, & Argüelles, 2016), an approach that considers the active function of language, tending to structure our thinking about abstract concepts and …
Resilient Open Heart : An Exploration Of Compassion Fatigue, Compassion Satisfaction, And Spiritual Practice With End Of Life And Palliative Care Clinicians, Nathalie J. Rodriguez
Resilient Open Heart : An Exploration Of Compassion Fatigue, Compassion Satisfaction, And Spiritual Practice With End Of Life And Palliative Care Clinicians, Nathalie J. Rodriguez
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This quantitative study sought to explore how participation in spiritual practice related to self-reported levels of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction amongst a sample of 55 mental health clinicians in the end of life and palliative care field (EOLPC). The study used an online questionnaire to assess for levels and types of participation in spiritual practice. Additionally, the study utilized the Professional Quality of Life Scale Version V to measure compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and burnout. The findings of this study demonstrated that participants had lower than average levels of compassion fatigue and burnout. Participant levels of compassion satisfaction were …
Smith College School For Social Work Graduate Students' Attitudes, Behaviors, And Experiences Concerning Religion And Spirituality In Social Work Practice And Social Work Education, Candice Light
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This study explored Smith School for Social Work students' overall attitudes towards the role of religion and spirituality in social work practice. The study examined the extent to which content of religion and spirituality have been included in students' education as well as how satisfied and prepared students feel in addressing these issues in practice. Lastly, this study explored students' attitudes, behaviors, and experiences concerning alternative conceptions of religious and spiritual factors in their understanding of mental illness. Fifty-nine students from the graduating classes of 2014-2016 who had clinical experience were recruited through social media to complete an online survey. …
Client Perceptions On The Therapeutic Quality Of Care When Disclosing Spiritual And Religious Beliefs : A Mixed Methods Study, Maia Nikitovich
Client Perceptions On The Therapeutic Quality Of Care When Disclosing Spiritual And Religious Beliefs : A Mixed Methods Study, Maia Nikitovich
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
The spiritual and religious life of clients is an important clinical factor in therapy; it holds significant meaning and may support therapeutic outcome. This study explored client perceptions of the quality of care they received in therapy when disclosing their spiritual/religious life to their therapists as well as the factors that might contribute to their perceptions of care and disclosure. A total of 75 respondents participated in an online survey tool composed of quantitative and qualitative questions. Qualitative responses were coded and data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings showed that most clients (73%) shared some or all of their …
What's Faith Got To Do With It : Clinicians' Experiences Of Addressing Issues Of Religion And Spirituality In Therapy, Lauren Raymond
What's Faith Got To Do With It : Clinicians' Experiences Of Addressing Issues Of Religion And Spirituality In Therapy, Lauren Raymond
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This exploratory, mixed-methods study was conducted to investigate the experiences of clinicians who have both been in personal therapy and practice with clients, to consider the nature of addressing issues pertaining to religion and spirituality, both in the role of client and as clinician. The study sought to explore whether there was any evident correlation between clinicians' experiences in therapy or one's personal spiritual affiliation, or lack thereof, and if and how they approached the discussion of these topics with clients. The research was carried out via an online survey that was distributed to practicing clinicians via direct as well …
Spirituality, Community And Action : An Exploration Of Catholic Sisters In Social Work, Melissa L. Eells
Spirituality, Community And Action : An Exploration Of Catholic Sisters In Social Work, Melissa L. Eells
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This qualitative study explored how Catholic sisters who practice social work understand their experiences in both religious life and the field of social work. Sisters have made significant contributions to professional social services for centuries and have done so out of deep spiritual commitments; yet, modern sisters' experiences have not been examined by researchers as a source of knowledge about how spiritual belief and social work practice intersect and impact both individual growth and institutional action. A total of 12 Catholic sisters who had worked in social work settings across the U.S. participated in semi-structured interviews for this study about …
The Intersection Of Religion And Spirituality In Clinical Practice : Bridging The Gap Between Outpatient Therapy And Pastoral Counseling : A Project Based Upon An Investigation At Hartford Hospital, Institute Of Living Mental Health Center, Hartford, Connecticut, Susan A. Dimauro
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
The purpose of this study was to explore how the themes of religion and spirituality emerge in the clinical setting and how we can assess whether our current approach truly serves the needs of the clients. Recent literature has demonstrated an increasing exploration of these themes in research, while outcome analyses are slowly emerging. This suggests a tremendous opportunity to use scholarly work to bolster all working professionals in mental health who engage patients in discussions around potential religious or spiritual dimensions in their lives. Through the use of a focus group and two subsequent individual interviews, I wanted to …
Protective Factors For African American Suicide : A Theoretical Intersection Of Social Integration And Religious Coping, Shaunna T. Evans
Protective Factors For African American Suicide : A Theoretical Intersection Of Social Integration And Religious Coping, Shaunna T. Evans
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This theoretical investigation discusses how religion and spirituality protects African Americans from committing suicide. Because of the seemingly low rates within the community, suicide has not been afforded the attention it deserves in research. In addition, existing literature attributes this protection to religious and spiritual behaviors but often resorts to global indices (e.g., church attendance and prayer) as determinants. What is lacking in current research is an explanation of how African Americans use their faith to discourage suicidal behavior. Due to a steady increase in Black male suicides, it is imperative that those in academia and clinicians alike begin to …
New Questions, Multiple Meanings : Exploring Attachment Theory, Self Psychology, And Anti-Oppression Perspectives On Human-Companion Animal Relationships In The Rural West, Sarah H. Winchester
New Questions, Multiple Meanings : Exploring Attachment Theory, Self Psychology, And Anti-Oppression Perspectives On Human-Companion Animal Relationships In The Rural West, Sarah H. Winchester
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
In spite of burgeoning interest in the significance of human-companion animal relationships in social work and related fields, the theoretical conceptualization of these relationships in the context of mental health remains largely limited to the cross-species and cross-cultural application of Attachment Theory. Further, the literature on human-companion animal relationships through the lens of Attachment Theory reflects a narrow scope of research methodologies and demographic variables, thus leaving the unique, multiple meanings of these relationships – and their intersections with varying and marginalized sociocultural identities – largely unexplored. In order to address these gaps and expand theoretical discourse on the phenomenon, …
The Continual Journey : Parents' Spirituality After The Death Of A Child From Terminal Illness, Ellen C. Patterson
The Continual Journey : Parents' Spirituality After The Death Of A Child From Terminal Illness, Ellen C. Patterson
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This study sought to better understand bereaved parents' spirituality following the death of a child due to terminal illness. While previous research has looked at the role of spirituality following the death of a child, study populations have been predominantly female, Caucasian, and Christian. A goal of this study was to explore this issue among a more diverse population, in terms of religion, gender and ethnicity. The researcher met with and provided recruitment flyers to representatives of interfaith organizations, parent support groups, and local hospices. Additional recruitment included a snowball method utilizing acquaintances and colleagues of the researcher. Eleven individuals, …
"90% Catholic 100% Vodou" : Haitian Immigrant Religious And Spiritual Identity, Cindy L. Lys
"90% Catholic 100% Vodou" : Haitian Immigrant Religious And Spiritual Identity, Cindy L. Lys
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This cross-sectional exploratory qualitative study highlights the religious/spiritual identity of twelve adult Haitian American immigrants from the Chicago area and New York City using non-probability snowball sampling and a semi-structured interview with open-ended questions. The primary research question was: How have the religious/spiritual identities of Haitians evolved since their immigration to the United States? Subsumed under the primary question was the following: How did adult Haitian immigrants in the United States identify religiously and/or spiritually? How had their religious/spiritual identity changed since their immigration to the United States? How did their religious/spiritual identity affect how they cope with times of …
Sin In Therapy : A Cross Disciplinary Approach Toward Working With Religious Clients, Kelli L. Fitzgerald
Sin In Therapy : A Cross Disciplinary Approach Toward Working With Religious Clients, Kelli L. Fitzgerald
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
The United States is a remarkably religious nation. It is inevitable that clinical social workers will encounter clients whose self understanding has been shaped, or impacted, troubled and or soothed by their faith. Our religiously minded clients need us to be able to speak to the questions of deep meaning their faiths challenge and answer. Yet, we are not clergy. We have a different and important role. Moreover we may be atheists ourselves. In addition we live in a religiously pluralistic country. There is no single faith language that can accommodate all religious people. Even if a social worker were …
Dismantling The Dominant Narrative Of The Irreversibility Of Schizophrenia : Three Meaning Making Approaches To Psychosis, Sarah K. Alpern
Dismantling The Dominant Narrative Of The Irreversibility Of Schizophrenia : Three Meaning Making Approaches To Psychosis, Sarah K. Alpern
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
The dominant discourse of schizophrenia as an incurable and biologically determined disease was interrogated through the lenses of race, culture, postmodern philosophy as well as quantitative and qualitative data suggesting a causal relationship between trauma and psychosis (Ensink, 1992; Read, J., van Os, J., Morrison, A.P. and Ross, C. A., 2005; Romme and Escher, 1989, 1996, 2000). The superior outcomes of those treatment models that privileged psychosocial support over pharmaceutical interventions also called into question the primacy of the medical model, as did the longitudinal studies of the World Health Organization (WHO) and over-representation in diagnosis among African Americans (Osiezagha, …
The Impact Of Religious And/Or Spiritual Identity On The Parental Experience : Self-Perceptions Of Parents, Tiffany M. Sermini
The Impact Of Religious And/Or Spiritual Identity On The Parental Experience : Self-Perceptions Of Parents, Tiffany M. Sermini
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
The rate at which American adults are changing religious affiliations and/or incorporating multiple religious/spiritual traditions at once to suit their individual needs is growing rapidly and changing the traditional religious landscape. Three new categories of religiosity/spirituality have been identified in the literature: being both religious and spiritual, spiritual but not religious, or religious but not spiritual. This qualitative study explored how parents that self identified as having a religious/spiritual identity made meaning of these identities and how these identities influenced their parents. The majority of participants identified as being both religious and spiritual, followed by spiritual and religious and lastly …
An Exploratory Survey Of Some Christian Leaders' Views Re: Causes And Treatment Of Mental Health And Substance Abuse Problems : "Let Go And Let God?" Or More?, Katryn A. Little
An Exploratory Survey Of Some Christian Leaders' Views Re: Causes And Treatment Of Mental Health And Substance Abuse Problems : "Let Go And Let God?" Or More?, Katryn A. Little
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This exploratory study was undertaken to determine the attitudes of leaders in Christian churches toward problems with mental health or substance abuse issues. As beliefs about causation of these problems may directly impact types of help offered to those suffering, leaders were also asked to identify particular types of treatment they recommended. This study was conducted in two parts. The first part involved a snowball sampling of known associates of the researcher who were asked for their help to enroll volunteers for an online survey. The survey asked about: how many and for what purpose the leaders met with congregants; …
Seeing The Light In Psychotherapy : Exploring Transformational Change Through Object Relations, Self Psychology And Transpersonal Psychology, Tiffany Anne Romer
Seeing The Light In Psychotherapy : Exploring Transformational Change Through Object Relations, Self Psychology And Transpersonal Psychology, Tiffany Anne Romer
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This theoretical study examines the phenomenon of transformational change (TC) and explores how mental health clinicians can use object relations theory and self psychology along with transpersonal psychology to increase understanding of TC. Initially an established conception of TC is presented. Next, TC is compared with similar phenomena; spiritual awakenings, mystical experiences and quantum change. Then the history of spirituality and religion within the fields of psychology, social work, and substance abuse are reviewed. From this historical review it is inferred that a predominantly disparaging view of religion has created a therapeutic environment inhospitable to exploration profound spiritual experiences. This …
Giving Up On Giving Up : Stories Of People Who Were Previously Suicidal : A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Tricia Ann Fitzgerald
Giving Up On Giving Up : Stories Of People Who Were Previously Suicidal : A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Tricia Ann Fitzgerald
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This qualitative study explores the role of hope and spirituality in those lives of people who were previously suicidal. Eight formerly suicidal women were asked a series of questions regarding their suicidal ideation, their suicidal belief system, suicidal behavior, and their thoughts on the role of hope and spirituality in their lives. Participants' answers revealed the strength these women have. Major findings suggest that hope and spirituality play a huge role in helping people through desperate times. Almost all but one of the participants said that hope gave them the inspiration to carry on. The one person who said she …
A Channel Of Peace : The Role Of Clinicians' Spirituality In Their Clinical Process, Tiffany Rene Adams
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 …
The Effect Of Religion On Coming Out And The Sexual Identity Formation Of 18-30 Year Olds Who Self-Identify As Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Or Queer : A Project Based Upon An Independent Investigation, Marissa M. Puntigam
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
Religion, particularly within Judeo-Christian traditions, is an often cited rationale for rejection of homosexuality and persons who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer. Given the socio-cultural influence of religion, catalyzed through the media, legislation, churches, and families, such frequent defamation could be believed to elicit a moral dilemma for an individual contemplating his/her own sexual identity. This effect might be detectable through the process and age of coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or queer. This study sought to investigate the direct impact of a religious upbringing on sexual identity formation and was executed through quantitative analysis with a …
The Air That I Breathe : How Buddhist Practice Supports Psychotherapists In The Midst Of Vicarious Trauma And Burnout, Simone Lichty
The Air That I Breathe : How Buddhist Practice Supports Psychotherapists In The Midst Of Vicarious Trauma And Burnout, Simone Lichty
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This qualitative study sought to explore whether Buddhist practice is supportive to psychotherapists at risk for developing burnout and vicarious trauma. Eleven psychotherapists, practicing within the Shambhala Buddhist tradition, were interviewed. They were asked to reflect upon the risks and benefits of their clinical work and their work environments. Participants were Masters level clinicians from a range of professional backgrounds, with caseloads including at least three individuals with a trauma history. Participants identified inspiring aspects of their work, as well as aspects of their work they find discouraging or stressful. Participants were asked how they cope with work related stressors. …
Religion, Spirituality And Clinical Practice : An Exploration Of Practical Applications, Julia E. Gallichio
Religion, Spirituality And Clinical Practice : An Exploration Of Practical Applications, Julia E. Gallichio
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
The purpose of this study was to elicit clinicians' perspectives and practices with religion and spirituality in clinical practice. Recent social work researchers note the roots of social work in spirituality and believe it can reinvigorate social work practice. Four focus groups were conducted in three different geographical locations with clinicians who included social workers, psychologists, and psychiatrists. It was found that the clinicians believed that including spirituality in practice benefits the client either in secular or sectarian ways. The application of spiritual practices varied widely. The majority of participants in this study reported the use of mindfulness and meditation …
Juvenile Sex Offenders' Therapeutic Alliance : The Intricate Dynamics Of Alliance In Relation To Attachment, Trauma, And Religion, Rian Michelle Bovard-Johns
Juvenile Sex Offenders' Therapeutic Alliance : The Intricate Dynamics Of Alliance In Relation To Attachment, Trauma, And Religion, Rian Michelle Bovard-Johns
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
Therapeutic alliance is the most influential predictor of successful treatment with trans-theoretical capacity. Alliance is directly influenced by client variables which are unique to clinical context. Initial research has evidenced the effectiveness of alliance with adult sex offenders and delinquent youth. The present study extends research, incorporating variables unique to juvenile sex offenders in corrections facilities. Predominant client variables of trauma symptoms and attachment patterns are measured for 332 adjudicated male sex offenders' alliance with staff. The results reveal a significant relationship (F =8.7, DF =171, p <.000) between youths' attachment to peers and communication with fathers that positively predicts alliance and that anxiety based on trauma negatively predicts alliance. Implications future research and treatment are provided.