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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
The Relationship Between Complementary Medicine And Quality Of Life Among Women With Breast Cancer, Nicole Diane. Lombardo
The Relationship Between Complementary Medicine And Quality Of Life Among Women With Breast Cancer, Nicole Diane. Lombardo
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This exploratory study examines the relationship between complementary medicine and quality of life among women with breast cancer. The objective of this study was to better understand why women choose to use these techniques, which techniques they were using, how effective they perceived them to be, and the overall impact on quality of life. There were twelve women that participated in a semi-structured interview process where they were asked a series of questions about their breast cancer experience. Participant's ages ranged from 32-65 years old, and annual household income varied from less than $30,000 to greater than $75,000. Eleven participants …
Parental Childhood Sexual Abuse : Trauma-Specific Effects On Therapists, Rebecca Elizabeth Randall
Parental Childhood Sexual Abuse : Trauma-Specific Effects On Therapists, Rebecca Elizabeth Randall
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
The purpose of this study was to explore how working with clients who have experienced the specific trauma of parental childhood sexual abuse impacts the therapist. Most of the literature on vicarious traumatization dose not differentiate between trauma-specific affects of working with particular populations of trauma survivors. The sample for this qualitative study was comprised of twelve licensed clinicians who had worked with a minimum of five survivors of parental childhood sexual. The major findings of the study were that there are trauma-specific risks for vicarious traumatization when working with survivors of parental childhood sexual abuse because of the degree …
A Comparative Qualitative Study Of Marianismo : Mexican And Mexican American Women's Perspectives On Their Latina Values, Women's Roles And Their Parents' Influence, Jennifer Marie Vazquez
A Comparative Qualitative Study Of Marianismo : Mexican And Mexican American Women's Perspectives On Their Latina Values, Women's Roles And Their Parents' Influence, Jennifer Marie Vazquez
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
The research study had three goals. First, the study explored and compared adherence to Marianismo values in Mexican women born in Mexico and Mexican- American women born in the U.S. The hypothesis was that Mexican women would endorse more Marianismo values because Mexican-American women who are born, raised and educated in the U.S. are more likely to adopt more American values. Second, the study gathered and compared the women's perspectives on cultural differences between U.S. and Latino culture views of the women's role. Third, the study sought to further understand the relationship between acculturation and Marianismo to ascertain differences and …
The Revaluation Of Pathology : Narrative, Nietzsche And The Emergence Of The Storied Body :, Jenessa Margaret Radocchio
The Revaluation Of Pathology : Narrative, Nietzsche And The Emergence Of The Storied Body :, Jenessa Margaret Radocchio
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This research project is a theoretical inquiry into the connections and significations between philosophy and contemporary clinical practice. It is hypothesized that postmodernism has a direct and meaningful impact on the work of clinical social workers and mental health professionals generally. For a more manageable study and to make the topic more accessible to the reader, one type of philosophy (postmodernism) was chosen to be analyzed, along with its clinical counterpart (narrative therapy). To ground the study, Nietzschean ideology and narrative therapy were analyzed and discussed through the lens of self-mutilation. It was found that many significant connections exist between …
Exploring Spirituality/Religion Related Interventions Used By Mental Health Workers In Psychotherapy And Counseling, Deanna Wilcoxson Dodd
Exploring Spirituality/Religion Related Interventions Used By Mental Health Workers In Psychotherapy And Counseling, Deanna Wilcoxson Dodd
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study is designed to gain understanding about the question: In what ways do mental health professionals incorporate spiritual and/or religious interventions during psychotherapy? It builds on existing research, focusing on specific interventions that have been carried out in a variety of mental health disciplines. The study is an attempt to further identify and document such interventions. It also explores factors that contribute to the successful use of the interventions within therapy sessions. Twelve highly experienced mental health workers in the eastern United States were interviewed, including clinical social workers, licensed professional counselors, pastoral counselors, clinical …
The Space Between : Transracial Adoptee's Racial Identity And The Role Parents Play In Identity Development, Kristen Denise Mccully
The Space Between : Transracial Adoptee's Racial Identity And The Role Parents Play In Identity Development, Kristen Denise Mccully
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This study explored how transracial adoptees perceive their racial identity and the role that parents play in identity development. In particular, people who participated in this study were asked to reflect on the messages they received about their racial/ethnic identity and how racism may have played into these messages. Interviews were conducted with 12 transracial adoptees who were over the age of 18 at the time of the study. Participants were asked questions about the diversity of the neighborhoods in which they grew up; how their parents recognized their race/ethnicity; how their parents contributed to their racial identity development; how …
A Relational-Exploratory Study : How Attitudes Towards Deafness Affect Quality Of Behavioral Health Services Provided To The Deaf/Deaf/Hard Of Hearing Client, Ann Haseltine. Tarmey
A Relational-Exploratory Study : How Attitudes Towards Deafness Affect Quality Of Behavioral Health Services Provided To The Deaf/Deaf/Hard Of Hearing Client, Ann Haseltine. Tarmey
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This study utilized a relational-exploratory design in an attempt to develop a clearer understanding of how attitudes towards deafness are related to potential quality of services rendered. It was hypothesized that amount of contact or level of knowledge of deafness might affect attitudes. It was inferred that attitudes that are more positive would result in more appropriate services, and attitudes that are more negative would result in less appropriate services. The sample was compromised of students at the undergraduate and graduate level as well as experienced clinicians recruited from a community mental health center in rural New Hampshire (N=86). Participants …
"They Keep Moving Me" : An Examination Of The Effects Of Multiple Placements On Foster Youth Utilizing The Theories Of Attachment And Resilience, Meleah M. Chamberlain
"They Keep Moving Me" : An Examination Of The Effects Of Multiple Placements On Foster Youth Utilizing The Theories Of Attachment And Resilience, Meleah M. Chamberlain
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
More than half a million youth in the U.S. are in out-of-home care each year, and they experience an average of three placements. Foster youth already face many disadvantages and multiple placements increase the risk. Through a review of the literature, this study compares and contrasts the applicability of the theories of attachment and resilience to the experience of foster youth with multiple placements. This study applies the theories of attachment and resilience to foster youth in two ways. First, this study explores how the theories help explain or predict the experience of multiple placements for foster youth. Second, this …
Combat-Related Trauma : An Historical Analysis Through A Biopsychosocial Lens, Jamie Lynn Loveland
Combat-Related Trauma : An Historical Analysis Through A Biopsychosocial Lens, Jamie Lynn Loveland
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
The purpose of this study was to historically examine the biopsychosocial effects of combat-related trauma in veterans with the purpose of guiding treatment. The evolution of the combat-related trauma diagnosis from WWI to present conditions in Iraq and Afghanistan was examined, inclusive of etiology, symptomatology, pathology, and treatment interventions as understood through a biological, psychological and social perspective. Clinical social workers are well aware that new ideas with regards to treatment methodology do not occur in a vacuum. To be considered and accepted they must be compatible with existing ideas created through other sciences, technological advancement, economic conditions, political climate, …
Breast Cancer Survivors' Views Of How Support Groups And Activism Have Affected Their Healing Process, Elizabeth M. Burnworth
Breast Cancer Survivors' Views Of How Support Groups And Activism Have Affected Their Healing Process, Elizabeth M. Burnworth
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
The purpose of this study was to explore what effects participation in breast cancer support groups and activism had on the lives of breast cancer survivors. The effects of activism and support group participation on healing and the meanings women made of their experiences were documented through women's voices. Themes of general support and outlook on life were also explored. Through the use of in-depth, open-ended, qualitative interviews, twelve women were invited to tell the stories of their illness, activism, and healing. The findings of this study confirmed previous studies, which document the importance of support for breast cancer survivors …
Middle School Teachers' Perceptions Of Their Schools' Formal And Informal Administrative Policies On Children Labeled With Behavioral Problems, Tierra Danielle Watkins
Middle School Teachers' Perceptions Of Their Schools' Formal And Informal Administrative Policies On Children Labeled With Behavioral Problems, Tierra Danielle Watkins
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This exploratory qualitative study was undertaken to identify teachers' perceptions of the formal and informal administrative policies that are used to identify children as having behavioral problems. Additionally, it sought to identify their thoughts regarding the administrative policies on children who have been identified as having behavioral problems. Middle school teachers in the public school system who have at least three years teaching experience were recruited from Philadelphia and New York City Public School Districts. Twelve teachers participated in the study. Participation included answering a demographic questionnaire as well as sitting for a taped interview in which questions were asked …
Primary Caregiving Fathers : I Was An Interloper In A Woman's World, Meghan L. Cavanaugh
Primary Caregiving Fathers : I Was An Interloper In A Woman's World, Meghan L. Cavanaugh
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This study sought to ascertain how fathers who are primary caregivers understand their roles as fathers and caregivers. This qualitative, exploratory study aimed to expand the body of knowledge on primary caregiving fathers, which has, to date, largely focused on outcomes-based research. Heterosexual, married men with children under five years of age, who had been primary caregivers for at least six months, were recruited from Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New York. Twelve primary caregiving fathers participated in this study. Questions focused on such topics as: 1) the decision-making process; 2) what the participants understood their roles as fathers and primary …
Understanding The Issues Of Hiv/Aids And Adolescents Through The Concerns, Perceptions, And Recommendations Of Adult Service Providers To The Teen Population Of Rhode Island, Oriana Mae. Campanelli
Understanding The Issues Of Hiv/Aids And Adolescents Through The Concerns, Perceptions, And Recommendations Of Adult Service Providers To The Teen Population Of Rhode Island, Oriana Mae. Campanelli
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
The purpose of this study was to gain further understanding of the attitudes of teens and their service providers toward the HIV/AIDS crisis, currently affecting large numbers of mostly black and Hispanic male and female adolescents engaged in heterosexual sexual relationships. This study focused on adult providers of services to adolescents in Rhode Island in order to gain a clearer understanding of the complex psychosocial issues of a complex disease, and a complex age group, including the special vulnerabilities of at-risk adolescents, and to explore what efforts at prevention and early treatment are being carried out, what efforts are recommended, …
Factors Affecting Help-Seeking Behaviors For Mental Health Services Among Filipino Americans, Melissa Dimalanta Camorongan
Factors Affecting Help-Seeking Behaviors For Mental Health Services Among Filipino Americans, Melissa Dimalanta Camorongan
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This qualitative study explored help-seeking behaviors for mental health services among Filipino Americans. Filipinos are the second largest Asian American population in the United States and have been identified as one of the high-risk Asian American groups for mental disorders. Yet as a population they remain understudied and underserved. Existing studies are quantitative and have been conducted on college age students that are transitioning to adulthood. We know little about the help-seeking behavior for mental health services among Filipino Americans in adulthood and in their own voice. This study involved face-to-face interviews with a sample of 12 persons of Filipino …
Eastern European Adoption : A Theoretical Study Of Attachment Disorder Through A Self Psychology Lens, Andrea Leadbetter Larkin
Eastern European Adoption : A Theoretical Study Of Attachment Disorder Through A Self Psychology Lens, Andrea Leadbetter Larkin
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This theoretical research paper focuses on both attachment theory and self psychology to examine the consequences institutions have on infant mental health. The research specifically addresses Eastern European institution infants that develop reactive attachment disorder. The research discusses the current treatment solutions for reactive attachment disorder using the two aforementioned theoretical lenses. Institution infants are an important target for research because the pathogenic care provided by institutions inherently disrupts the infants early attachment needs. The findings of this study were as follows: 1) It would benefit potential adoptive parent to participate in educational training about reactive attachment disorder. 2) Adoptees …
Sometimes Love Ain't Enough : A Study Of The Perceived Relationship Barriers As Reported By 12 Heterosexual African American Women And Men, Stephanie Harris
Sometimes Love Ain't Enough : A Study Of The Perceived Relationship Barriers As Reported By 12 Heterosexual African American Women And Men, Stephanie Harris
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
The goals of the current study were to explore what barriers African American men and women experience in their past and/or current relationships and to explore in what way, if any, thesis issues correspond with those issues reported by White Americans. This researcher also wanted to examine if gender role issues and racism have contributed to the problems faced by African Americans couples. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 African American men and women, all of whom had a past and/or current heterosexual relationship of two years or longer. Interview questions focused on the troubling issues in the relationship, perceived …
Risk And Protective Factors Associated With Juvenile Delinquency And Juvenile Sexual Offending Behavior : The Role Of Ethnic Identity, Exposure To Violence, And Parenting Practices And Attachment, Elsa G. Lage
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This study examined whether having a strong ethnic identity plays a protective role against juvenile delinquency and sexual offending behavior; the link between having witnessed domestic violence, having been physically abused, and having experienced both types of maltreatment and subsequent juvenile delinquent and sexual offending behavior; and, the link between parental support and attachment versus alienation, inconsistency in parenting, and communication patterns and subsequent juvenile delinquent and juvenile sexually aggressive behaviors. Paper and pencil surveys were collected from 332 sexual abusers and 170 non-sexually offending youth at 6 residential facilities in a Midwestern state. Participants responded to questions regarding traumatic …
Role Model Development In Young African American Males : Toward A Conceptual Model, Christian Edward Gale
Role Model Development In Young African American Males : Toward A Conceptual Model, Christian Edward Gale
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This theoretical study explores the impact of role models on the adolescent African American male identity development. The study examines the current vulnerable status of African American males in the United States and reveals how they are presently at an overwhelming disadvantage to lead fulfilling and productive lives. In order to understand the phenomenon, this study utilizes literature on general identity development, male identity development, and ethnic identity development, in order to investigate how African American males define themselves and how role models can impact their identity development. Since there is some evidence in current literature that imitation and modeling …
The Experience Of Voluntarily Childless Women In Contemporary New England, Sharon Marie Manning-Kelly
The Experience Of Voluntarily Childless Women In Contemporary New England, Sharon Marie Manning-Kelly
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
The purpose of this study was to gain understanding of the experiences of women who have chosen to remain childless. Voluntarily childless women's experiences of regret and or satisfaction with the decision to not have children are considered against other variables and themes which emerged in review of the literature. This qualitative exploratory study used flexible methods to interview twelve women, located through a process of snowball sampling, who identified themselves as being voluntarily childless. Participants who met criteria were older than the age of 35 and had made a conscious decision at some point in their lives to not …
Do Personality And Other Individual Differences Affect The Development Of Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms In Male Police Officers?, Megan Kane. Myers
Do Personality And Other Individual Differences Affect The Development Of Post Traumatic Stress Symptoms In Male Police Officers?, Megan Kane. Myers
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This study was undertaken to determine whether personality and other individual differences such as age, race, combat military experience, police experience, job assignment, and job satisfaction were associated with posttraumatic stress symptoms in male police officers. Secondly, I sought to determine if there a police personality distinct from that of the general population. Questionnaire packets containing three instruments were distributed to 109 male police officers. Thirty officers completed and returned the study materials which included: a demographic questionnaire; a personality inventory to assess the domains of neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness; and a trauma scale to assess …
Dealing With Migration Loss : The Resilience Of Latinas And Their Coping Strategies, Aurora Perales
Dealing With Migration Loss : The Resilience Of Latinas And Their Coping Strategies, Aurora Perales
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This study was undertaken to discover resiliency factors and coping strategies utilized by Latinas in dealing with migration loss. Research conducted on people of color and particularly on women is limited. Strengths-based research on these communities is also minimal available. This study aimed to address the various gaps of information. Twelve Latinas with diverse ethnic backgrounds were interviewed. The women demonstrated an ability to articulate their experiences with migration loss and an ability to identify coping strategies. The participants of the study utilized many resiliency tools and coping strategies in order to survive and thrive in spite of having endured …
The Efficacy Of Narrative Therapy Approaches With Self-Injurious Clients, Erica H. Johnson
The Efficacy Of Narrative Therapy Approaches With Self-Injurious Clients, Erica H. Johnson
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of narrative therapy approaches with self-injurious clients. Self-injury is an issue gaining momentum, particularly among adolescent clients. Narrative therapy is a therapeutic technique that has gained popularity globally in the last several decades, due to its movement away from the expert mentality in mental health care. Both self-injury and narrative therapy are issues with limited research available. Fourteen clinicians trained in narrative therapy approaches were interviewed in a qualitative research design. The results of twelve of the interviews were utilized in the findings and two interviews were not included in the studies' …
Women's Attitudes And Perceptions About Sexual Fantasy And How It Relates To Sexual Satisfaction In A Committed Relationship, Jillian Marie Weis
Women's Attitudes And Perceptions About Sexual Fantasy And How It Relates To Sexual Satisfaction In A Committed Relationship, Jillian Marie Weis
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This quantitative study was completed to explore how women's attitudes and perceptions regarding sexual fantasy are related to sexual satisfaction in a committed relationship. Previous research on sexual fantasy focused on frequency of sexual fantasy, gender differences regarding themes of sexual fantasy, level of guilt associated with sexual fantasy, and the acceptance of pornography as sexual fantasy. The survey was presented on the Internet based website, Survey Monkey. Over the course of 30 days, 129 women responded to the survey. The survey included fourteen items that ranged from demographic questions to questions regarding attitudes towards fantasy, and open-ended questions. The …
Oh God Where Art Thou? : Does A Relationship To The Divine Help Women From Diverse Religious And Spiritual Backgrounds Make Meaning In The Aftermath Of Intimate Partner Violence? : Implications For Clinical Social Work, Lori Lucia. Donley
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This study was undertaken in response to recommendations for further investigation by previous researchers regarding resiliency and vulnerability concerning recovery from trauma survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) relevant to their religious and spiritual belief systems. Nine female IPV survivors, who had successfully exited the abusive relationship and identified as actively involved in a religious and/or spiritual tradition were interviewed. Three psychotherapists were interviewed who had professional experience treating this population. A qualitative research design was adopted in order to gather data from subjects considered to be experts in their own experience. Semi-structured open-ended interviews were conducted and coded. Major …
Sticks And Stones : The Impact Of Negative In-Group Interactions On African American Racial Identity, Donna Christine. Bell
Sticks And Stones : The Impact Of Negative In-Group Interactions On African American Racial Identity, Donna Christine. Bell
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
The purpose of this study was to identify any relations between African American persons' actual or perceived negative interaction with their racial group and their racial identity. The study worked to answer the question: Is the experience of self-reported negative interactions within the African American community predictive of the level of an individual's racial identity? The hypothesis of this study was that while the existence of these interactions may impact an individual's private regard, it would not impact the centrality of the individual's racial identity. This was a mixed method study using an online survey to gather information from 174 …
Righteous Passage : Youth With Emotional And Behavioral Difficulties Making The Transition To Adulthood, Robin Anne. Smith
Righteous Passage : Youth With Emotional And Behavioral Difficulties Making The Transition To Adulthood, Robin Anne. Smith
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This thesis focuses on the transition to adulthood of young people with emotional and/or behavioral difficulties (E/BD). These young people present complex, multi-dimensional challenges at the nexus of social work, special education and mental health practice. Through there is growing recognition of the many difficulties this population experiences, there is much less clear consensus about evidence-based, best practice for intervention with this population. The present paper highlights the importance of the challenges faced by E/BD youth for practice and social policy; summarizes what is known about this population and these challenges through a comprehensive review of the literature; identifies extant, …
Source Of Connection, Strength And Identity : An Exploration Of How A Belief In The Divine As Feminine Affects Women's Internal And External Relationships, Stephanie Amanda. Melmed
Source Of Connection, Strength And Identity : An Exploration Of How A Belief In The Divine As Feminine Affects Women's Internal And External Relationships, Stephanie Amanda. Melmed
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This is a qualitative, exploratory study in which thirteen women were interviewed about their belief in a God and/or the Divine as feminine and how they understand this belief to affect their relationship to their sense of self, and to their community. This study was undertaken to explore how women who hold this belief, use a female God concept as an internal and external resource. This study used a non-random sample. A semi-structured interview was conducted with each participant either in-person or over the telephone. The inclusion criteria to participate in the study were: identifies as a woman, eighteen years …
Bi The Way : A Quantitative, Exploratory Study Of Social Workers' Attitudes Regarding Bisexuality, Tova Emma Feldmanstern
Bi The Way : A Quantitative, Exploratory Study Of Social Workers' Attitudes Regarding Bisexuality, Tova Emma Feldmanstern
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
Attitudes towards bisexuality among mental health professionals in the United States have been vastly understudied. The existing research has been done primarily on and by psychologists and suggests that there is considerable bias against bisexuality found in the psychology field, and in the general population of the United States. There has been no systematic inquiry into social work attitudes towards bisexuality. This quantitative study was designed to make its contribution to filling this gap by surveying social workers' attitudes towards bisexuality, using an existing scale, the Attitudes Regarding Bisexuality Scale (Mohr, 1999), combined with a demographic questionnaire. The complete instrument …
How Has Legal Marriage Affected The Experience Of Social Supports For Same-Sex Individuals Who Were Married In Massachusetts, Dawn N. Geller
How Has Legal Marriage Affected The Experience Of Social Supports For Same-Sex Individuals Who Were Married In Massachusetts, Dawn N. Geller
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This study explored the experiences of the new population of individuals who married a same-sex partner since it was legal in Massachusetts. The study focused on the effect legal marriage had on their experiences of social supports. Seventy-three individuals responded to the on-line survey, 54 of which answered the essay question that contributed to the findings of this study. The findings of this study reflect that the experiences of individuals who have married a same-sex partner vary in part due to the social supports and levels of acceptance of their marriage from family, friends, coworkers, neighbors and other institutions. The …
An Exploratory Study Of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual And Transgender Veterans Of Recent U.S. Conflicts, Kimberly J. Garland
An Exploratory Study Of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual And Transgender Veterans Of Recent U.S. Conflicts, Kimberly J. Garland
Theses, Dissertations, and Projects
This exploratory study was undertaken for the purpose of expanding the understanding of the experiences of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender veterans who have served under the policy of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue. Twenty Lesbian, Gay and Transgender veterans completed an anonymous, online survey. Diversity within the sample was particularly pronounced in terms of sexual orientation, gender identity, and the roles that these veterans served in the military. The findings of this study indicate that LGBT service members and veterans face much adversity both within and out of the military and that Transgender service members and veterans face …