Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Feminist Identification In Heterosexual Encounters : Exploring The Relationship Betweeen Women's Personal Values And Their Experiences Of Verbal Sexual Coercion, Shawna M. Hershberger

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Verbal Sexual Coercion by men is a common experience for young women that can lead to both physical and psychological harm (Byers and Glenn, 2012; Faulkner, Kolts and Hicks, 2008; Katz and Myhr, 2008). Clinicians who treat these young women may benefit from a deeper understanding of the role that personal values and beliefs about gender plays in the experiences of this common type of sexual coercion. The present study surveyed n=217 women between the ages of 21 to 30 about their gender role ideology, feminist identification and experiences of verbal sexual coercion to determine if there is a relationship …

Exploring The Experience Of Victim-Offender Mediation Through Winnicottian Object Relations Theory And Self Psychology, Anneke D. Ransijn

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

In light of the growing practice of victim offender mediation practice in the United States, this paper explores the experience of the victim throughout the process using the application of D.W. Winnicott's theory of object relations and Heinz Kohut's theory of Self Psychology. I will use these psychodynamic theories to provide an in-depth analysis of the victim's experience of victimization and the process of victim offender mediation, including the internal and external worlds of the victim, her needs, and the roles of those involved in the process. This study will highlight the effective interventions that may facilitate a more positive …

Replicating A Couples Group Intervention To Enhance Father Involvement And Co-Parenting In A Canadian Sample, Todd B. Chen

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

To determine whether positive outcomes from two earlier clinical trials in California could be replicated, 50 couples from the Supporting Father Involvement program in Alberta, Canada participated in a post-intervention assessment 13 to 24 months following their baseline evaluation. Because couples in the California control condition experienced no benefits and some declines in adaptation, a control condition was not offered and assessed in the Alberta program. Data from the original California couples group (n=96) and controls (n=98) served as benchmarks for evaluating the current program. The central finding was that 7 of the 8 measures assessed showed positive Baseline to …

Prospect Meadow Farm : Clients Perspective Of Beneficial Farming Acitivities, Frank J. Bayles

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This paper explores beneficial therapeutic effects of farming activities for program participants at Prospect Meadow Farm in Hatfield, Massachusetts. Prospect Meadow Farm, owned and operated by Servicenet is a therapeutic farm serving individuals with developmental and mental health conditions. This research is important because it challenges the orthodox conventions of psychiatric treatment in the United States. Furthermore, it is the first research done at Prospect Meadow Farm. The literature provides a historical context of the progress, missed opportunities and collaboration between blossoming professional occupations. Psychiatry, Occupational Therapy and Social Work occupations seem historically intertwined in progressing foundational theories related to …

What Do Clinicians Know About Human Sexuality After Leaving Graduate School?, Linzy K. Barnett

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Clinicians are trained to address a variety of issues regarding their clients' mental health, but how well are professional counselors being trained to explore "alternative" sexual expressions, erotic (counter) transference, gender identities, and the enumerable ways clients can have concerns or issues with aspects of their sexuality? Within this study 15 clinicians were interviewed regarding their experiences within graduate school and the level to which they felt competent and prepared to discuss topics of sex, gender, and sexuality within a clinical context. Many of the participants described utilizing their personal life experiences, self-sought trainings, and individual reading choices as ways …

Clinical Perspectives On Etiology, Assessment, Formulation And Treatment Of Imaginary Companions In Adolescents With Attachment Trauma, Kathryn M. Collins

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This theoretical study explored the phenomenon of imaginary companions as they present within the lives of adolescents with histories of attachment trauma. The phenomenon and is origins were explored through a review of developmental, psychoanalytic and trauma research. Theoretical perspectives of narrative therapy and Winnicottian object relations were then introduced as lenses through which to conceptualize assessment and formulation of the phenomenon, with careful consideration paid to the social context within which the phenomenon emerges. These theoretical perspectives were then applied to a discussion of assessment, formulation and treatment within a specific case example, written by Proskauer, Barsh and Johnson …

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 …

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 …

Trauma-Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy : A Quantitative Study Of Intervention Effectiveness, Nakita Dziegielewski

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study uses a quantitative lens to examine if Natural Lifemanship's ® Trauma- Focused Equine Assisted Psychotherapy ™ (TF-EAP) model is effective in reducing the psychological, emotional, and/or behavioral problems in youth with a trauma history. Secondary data was collected on behalf of Spirit Reins, the organization that implements Natural Lifemanship's ® TF-EAP ™ model, and used to determine the effectiveness of their traumainformed treatment intervention. Through a pre and post-test research design, data analysis was conducted on 40 youths' Child and Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS) total scores to determine intervention effectiveness. Findings suggest that Natural Lifemanship's ® TF-EAP …

Reaching The End : An Exploration Of Attachment And Existential Theory As A Path To Assist In The Dying Process, Jillian Debenedetto

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

In this exploration I will utilize the theory of Attachment as well as Existential Theory to assist in expounding upon available paths to assist elderly individuals in their journey at the end of life. I will present an overview of the two selected theories of Attachment as well as Existential Theory and argue that such approaches honor the venerable end stage of life. A discussion pertaining to these two theories will shed light on the question of how a clinician can seek to improve the quality of life for an individual during the end of life process and therefore assist …

Men In Social Work : A Qualitative Exploratory Study Of The Male Experience, James E. Flood

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative study examines male gender identity in social work. The purpose of this study was exploratory in nature and asked how men in social work construct and reflect on their male identity. The investigation is based on the perspectives of 12 male licensed social workers from across the country. Further, the study explores influences of male gender identity construction, the male experience in social work education and the male experience in social work practice. The most compelling findings were that while men tend to be the numerical minority in social work they still occupy more positions of privilege; that …

"Eating Bitterness" : Mental Health Help-Seeking And Chinese International Students In The United States, Ran Huo

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative exploratory study examines how Chinese international students in the United States, aging from 18 to 30 years old, 1) perceive mental health help-seeking in China, 2) how they compare Chinese and American cultural views of help-seeking, and 3) how cross-cultural experiences may influence their understanding as well as their behavior related to mental health help-seeking. Twelve Chinese international students in Massachusetts and Rhode Island provided narratives through face-to-face interviews. Generally, there was reluctance among Chinese international students to identify their mental health needs, which was revealed from the examination of language use for mental health in Chinese. As …

College Bound : Factors That Influence First Generation College Student Process, Claudia Y. Hernandez

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative study explores the biopsychosocial factors that influence first-generation Latino students in their decision to attend college, including individuals' demographic characteristics, and how first generation Latino college students cope with changes in their environment when away from home. The fact that only one in ten Latino adults between the ages of 18 and 24 have a college degree (Brindis, Driscoll, Biggs, and Valderrama, 2002) is a staggering number that highlights part of the need for this study. Twelve first generation Latino College students residing in California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and New York participated in this research study. They …

Exploring The Selfie Phenomenon : The Idea Of Self-Preservation And Its Implications Among Young Women, Amy J. Nguyen

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The purpose of this study is to explore how female users identify the act of uploading selfies as an expression of external affirmation or as an act of empowerment in terms of redefining beauty standards that are reinforced in society. In addition, this study attempts to provide a foundation for understanding the selfie phenomenon and its relationship to perceived sense of self-worth in young women from the usage of Instagram. As the literature review indicates, there is a lack of research presented on the user's emotional state in relation to using Instagram. Thus, the most appropriate research design for this …

Racial Hierarchy And Mental Health Outcomes Among Rich Nations, Jamie D. Daniels

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study examined the relationship between racial diversity and mental health outcomes among wealthy nations. It hypothesized that status anxieties would be more pronounced in those countries marked by greater diversity—a measure of social stratification or hierarchy. Lower status as measured by class has been shown in numerous studies to predict mental health outcomes, like risk of depression and psychosis for individuals. On a population level research has also found a relationship between income inequality—the degree of distance between the rich and the poor—and mental health outcomes. Regression analyses of the prevalence of mental illness against racial diversity showed no …

Impact Of Lgbtq School Climate Policy On Rates Of Suicide : Planning And Attempt Among High School Populations, Patrick N. Hagan

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study was developed to observe the correlation between the implementation of policies to improve school climate for high school students who identify as LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer), and changes in self reported suicide planning and attempts among school populations. Current academic literature notes an increase in the suicidal behaviors among LGBTQ students, and notes social and environmental factors (e.g. school climate) as potential contributing factors to suicide risk. This study compares school policy data from 49 school districts across the state of Vermont to self-reported rates of suicidal planning and attempt collected by the Vermont Department of …

How Service Learning Impacts Identity Formation And Social Responsibility In Emerging Adults, Paige M. Hustead

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative study explores the impact of service learning experiences on identity formation and social responsibility in emerging adult college students. Utilizing purposeful convenience sampling, fourteen college students at a liberal arts college in the northeast were interviewed about their nonprofit volunteer experience. Study results indicated that service learning experience positively impacted the identity formation processes of participants by allowing for identity integration and continuity, exposure to idealized mentors in the field, space for reflection on professional identity, and a deeper understanding of social responsibility. This study has implications for clinical social workers because it offers in-depth insight into the …

How Gay, Lesbian, And Bisexual Youth Develop Positive Identities During Adolescence And Young Adulthood, Lauren E. Millerd

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This qualitative study was designed to examine the ways in which gay, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents form positive identities, specifically in strength-based ways looking at factors of resilience. Twelve individuals, aged 22-28, were interviewed to give retrospective information about their adolescent development. By utilizing a semi-structured interview model for this study, the researcher was able to analyze the subjective findings utilizing thematic analysis. Significant findings include the influential nature of one's first disclosure of sexual orientation in the development of one's identity, and the positive impact that role models have for gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth during adolescence.

Expanding Understanding Of Public Policy As A Complex And Pluri-Disciplinary System: Illustrating Possibilities Of Epistemic Pluralism, Cynthia Cors

Theses and Dissertations

Science, and especially the social sciences, has developed as distinct territories, each with its own vocabulary and language-game (Wittgenstein, 1945/1958). Yet understanding and explaining science as a complex and pluri-disciplinary system has important practitioner-oriented as well as research-oriented and other benefits, benefits that can be enhanced through the use of cloud-based technologies. Understanding and explaining public policy in particular as complex can inform and transform the way problems are approached. This is particularly important for an action subject like public policy and administration that can be considered as having been influenced by many disciplines. Public administration (PA) through multiple perspectives, …

Abolishing Jailhouse Snitch Testimony, Russell D. Covey

Faculty Publications By Year

Jailhouse snitch testimony is inherently unreliable. Snitches have powerful incentives to invent incriminating lies about other inmates in often well-founded hopes that such testimony will provide them with material benefits, including in many cases substantial reduction of criminal charges against them or of the time they are required to serve. At the same time, false snitch testimony is difficult, if not altogether impossible, for criminal defendants to impeach. Because such testimony usually pits the word of two individuals against one another, both of whose credibility is suspect, jurors have little ability to accurately or effectively assess or weigh the evidence. …

Translation Techniques In Voiced-Over Multilingual Feature Movies, Katarzyna Sepielak

Sociology Faculty Publications

This paper maps out the use of translation techniques used for multilingual interactions in voiced-over movies. First, the present study aims to determine how multilingual elements are introduced into the films and what implications these elements carry. Secondly, qualitative analysis is used in view of showing which particular translation techniques are employed to transfer multilingual elements in voiced-over translation. Four multilingual movies available with Polish voiced-over soundtrack on DVD were selected: Vicky Cristina Barcelona (directed by Woody Allen, 2008), Nine (Rob Marshall, 2009), Avatar (James Cameron, 2009), and Inglourious Basterds (Quentin Tarantino, 2009). The analysis enabled us to distinguish a …

Cross-National Ongoing Crisis Communication On Social Media: A Comparative Analysis Of Twitter Regarding Asiana Airlines Crash Crisis In South Korea And Us, Young Kim, Myoung-Gi Chon, Andrea Miller

College of Communication Faculty Research and Publications

The purpose of this study is to help fill a gap in research that examines sustained cross-national crisis communication using social media. Using the 2013 Asiana Airlines crash crisis, a content analysis was conducted, analyzing the airlines’ 1,685 tweets and 1,386 public’s responses in terms of type of tweets, message strategies and publics’ emotions, communication tools (text, video, photo, hyperlinks, #hashtag, and conversation), and message tones. During the crisis, the organization used the same crisis response, a very passive response, as the US and Korean publics. As a result, the crisis response af ected different emotions of the publics based …

Marketing An Established Institutional Repository: Marquette Libraries’ Research Stewardship Survey, Rose Fortier, Emily Laws

Library Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the results of Marquette University Libraries’ survey measuring faculty knowledge and attitudes about the institution’s repository, for the purposes of creating a marketing plan for the institutional repository (IR).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts a quantitative approach through the use of a survey.

Findings

Like many other endeavors to measure faculty engagement with the IR, the investigators discovered that faculty knowledge of the IR is not universal. Moreover, the perceived values and motivators for faculty use of the IR were also not surprising, with faculty viewing online dissemination of their work to …

Simultaneous Robotic Manipulation And Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Feasibility In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Nicole M.G. Salowitz, Bridget Dolan, Rheanna Remmel, Amy V. Van Hecke, Kristine M. Mosier, Lucia Simo, Robert A. Scheidt

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

An unanswered question concerning the neural basis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is how sensorimotor deficits in individuals with ASD are related to abnormalities of brain function. We previously described a robotic joystick and video game system that allows us to record functional magnetic resonance images (FMRI) while adult humans make goal-directed wrist motions. We anticipated several challenges in extending this approach to studying goal-directed behaviors in children with ASD and in typically developing (TYP) children. In particular we were concerned that children with autism may express increased levels of anxiety as compared to typically developing children due to the …

Perceptions Of Control In Midwifery Assisted Childbirth: A Qualitative Examination Of The Midwifery Assisted Experience Of Childbearing, Sarah Jordan Keels

Theses and Dissertations

This study looks to uncover some of the reasons that the sub-group of women who give birth outside of a hospital setting, and the midwives who serve them, choose to have an alternative birth plan and are willing to undergo social criticism for their decision. This is a qualitative analysis based on interview data with women who utilized midwifery care and midwives themselves. In-depth interview questions focus on the decision to use a midwife, definitions of control in the prenatal and birthing experience, and any kind of facilitation midwifery is seen to give expectant mothers in relation to these concepts. …

Anthropogenic Ecological Impacts Of 17th And 18th Century Chickasaw Through A Study Of Faunal Remains, Marybeth Harte

Theses and Dissertations

A diachronic analysis of five faunal assemblages from Chickasaw sites is carried out to evaluate their anthropogenic ecological impacts during the colonial time period (A.D. 1650-1750). Change in faunal exploitation, diversity measures and disturbance taxa frequencies are analyzed to gauge these impacts. A comparison with late Mississippian period faunal use provides a benchmark to examine how shifts in the cultural system initiated new ecological impacts. Results from the faunal analysis are also compared with reports of faunal utilization and landscape management practices in the historical record. These reports provide a basis for assessing change in prey preferences according to the …

School Racial Climate And The Academic Achievement Of African American High School Students: The Mediating Role Of School Engagement, Charity Brown Griffin

Theses and Dissertations

African American students in K-12 education experience pervasive disparities in academic outcomes across all areas of the schooling experience. In order to understand the factors that promote academic achievement among individuals who face adversity, researchers have sought to examine how school environmental factors hold influence over students' academic adjustment. Drawing from an integrative model of development for ethnic minority children and a process model of engagement, this investigation explored whether three dimensions of school engagement, behavioral, emotional and cognitive, mediated relationships between school racial climate and academic performance and educational aspirations. These relationships were explored in a sample of 139 …

Identifying Identity: An Archaeological Investigation Of The Intersection Of Place And Identity At An African American Lowcountry Site, Katherine Elisabeth Goldberg

Theses and Dissertations

African and African American communities have faced pressures of marginalization and racism in the South Carolina Lowcountry since their arrival with Europeans in the seventeenth century. These pressures have been felt physically, socially, economically, politically, and even academically, through misrepresentations in historical portrayals. The field of historic archaeology is uniquely situated with access to informative sources from both the past and the present, and as such exhibits great potential in taking strides to replace the limiting presentation of a static and homogenous single African American culture with views that instead emphasize a focus on unique cultures and identities. This thesis …

Old English And Old Norse: An Inquiry Into Intelligibility And Categorization Methodology, Eric Martin Gay

Theses and Dissertations

To say that the Old English and Old Norse languages have an interesting history with one another is a declaration of utter understatement. So intertwined were these languages and their people that we, some 1,000 years later, are still attempting to discern the extent of their relationship with one another. As new evidence and the reevaluation of old evidence emerges, research in the historical Germanic languages continues to paint a clearer picture. However, the study of possible Old English and Old Norse mutual intelligibility is a subject that is comparatively new within the field, and as such is still exploring …

The State V. Perry: Comparative Newspaper Coverage Of South Carolina's Most Prominent Civil Rights Lawyer, Christopher G. Frear

Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzes news coverage of civil rights lawyer Matthew J. Perry Jr. by the South Carolina's largest newspaper, the (Columbia, SC) State at three points in his career as a lawyer, political candidate, and federal judge. At each point, Perry's legal and political work in the African American freedom struggle challenged the boundaries of the socially and politically legitimate in South Carolina and the Deep South. Perry negotiated the way forward with white officials. He helped African Americans achieve access to education, political office, and the administration of justice, and in the process helped reshape the racial caste system …