Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

A Correlational Study Of The Resilience Factors That Promote Mental Health In First Responders, Tamara Rae Grayson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Too often, the title first responder (FR) has been correlated with mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, substance use, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There was a need to address the mental health of this unique at-risk population prior to developing a mindset that being a FR translates into also suffering from mental illness, due to repeated exposure to traumatic situations. The purpose of this correlational study was to identify the resilience factors in FRs, what unique and untreated exposure to traumatic events looks like in FRs, what normal treatment and early interventions for mental illnesses in FRs is, the …

The Impact Of Beliefs About Emotions On Emotion Regulation & Psychological Health, Sarah Brock

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

This study examined the effects of different beliefs about emotions (controllability vs. control value) on emotion regulation strategies and psychological health, specifically depression. Little research has examined how different types of beliefs about emotions may interact to impact the emotion regulation strategies they implement, whether that be cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression, or acceptance. Online questionnaires measuring beliefs about emotion controllability, emotion control values (i.e., whether emotions should be controlled), emotion regulation, psychological health, and coping strategies were completed by 164 participants (117 females; 42 males; 4 non-binary). The participants ranged from 18 to 33 years old. The study found evidence …

The Effects Social Media Has On Depressive And Neuro Developmental Disorders, Daniel James Goble

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social media has played a huge role in society today and is one of the most common activities in everyday life for people of all ages. Due to the long amount of time that most users spend on social media daily, some trends seem to grow and become very visible over time that have a negative impact on mental health but also on neuro developmental disorders. Neurodevelopmental disorders are identified through a list of symptoms and characteristics that show a problem in how the brain is developing. Due to social media still being very new in this generation and with …

A Phenomenological Study Of Experienced Social Justice Disparities Described By African American Public Policymakers, Lawrence L. Crenshaw

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe African American public policymaker's experiences with social justice disparities in the United States of America. Currently, social justice disparities are understood as inequities that exist as the result of policies and practices that create an unequal distribution of money, power, and resources among communities based on race, class, gender, and geographical location. A theme central to this investigation is to understand the impact of societal beliefs concerning mental and physical health concerns such as anxiety and hypertension among African Americans. This insight will aid in the development of positive societal-level psychological …

A Tool For Digital Bibliotherapy: Fostering Emotional Resiliency Through A Visual Novel, Joy Cooper

Calvert Undergraduate Research Awards

Suicide rates among children have risen over the last three years. In Clark County specifically, the numbers doubled between 2019 and 2021. The research for this project sought to find the benefits of bibliotherapy and create a tool to be used for early intervention in children displaying signs of developmental emotional and behavioral concerns. Additionally, the research focused on determining the benefits of bibliotherapy across various mediums with a particular aim on the accessibility of digital formats. The research concluded that bibliotherapy in a digital format is not only beneficial but has a tendency to produce higher engagement among children. …

Sky High Anxiolytics For Rocket City Women: A Holistic Health Approach Offered, Sandra L. Bruno

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The action research project aimed to implement a counseling model to equip clients experiencing anxiety with a holistic health approach. Anxiety is often treated by prescribed anxiolytics, although many women seeking counseling at Madison Counseling have not been formally diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. The study's goal was to provide participants with physical, mental/emotional, spiritual, and relational tools that can aid the participants in the reduction or alleviation of anxiety. The proposed model incorporated empirically proven techniques that balance the women's self to reduce symptomology by providing a healthy alternative to dealing with daily anxiety and stressors, thus reducing the …

Evaluating The Use Of Poetry To Reduce The Signs Of Depression, Anxiety, And Stress In Veterans, Misty Pearl Ely

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A veteran is anyone who has served on active duty in one of the five branches of the military, regardless of peacetime or combat exposure. Currently, veterans make up 2.2 million of our nation’s population and the rates of mental health concerns are continually on the rise due to the prolonged nature of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and New Dawn. With the drawdown of forces, the military is smaller than usual and yet must maintain the safety and security of the world at the same standard. Therefore, these service members are recycled over and over to deployments abroad and …

Religiosity: Does It Attenuate Or Exacerbate The Relationship Between Past Childhood Sexual Abuse And Depression, Anxiety And Stress?, Karmen Lashawn Payne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Individuals who experience childhood sexual abuse (CSA) suffer a global injury. In addition to the impact sexual abuse has on their mental, emotional, sexual, and physical well-being, victims of CSA also experience spiritual pain. The sequelae of pain that follow CSA may lead nonbelievers and Christians to approach churches for desperately needed help. Churches may influence the experience of those seeking help. However, the degree to which ministries are helpful is conditional on their knowledge of and preparation for working with adult victims of past CSA. Past negative sexual experiences may also harm self-cognitions, potentially influencing survivors’ ability to approach …

The Effects Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Anxiety, Stress, And Resilience In Economically Challenged Single Mothers, Gloria Jean Hill-Murray

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of economically challenged single mothers during Covid 19. Mitigating the severe anxiety and stress risks linked with COVID-19 has been a goal of public health incentives. Less effort has been spent on studying the psychological issues connected to the worldwide epidemic, particularly among economically challenged communities. The aims of the study were to explore the impact of anxiety and stress of the COVID 19 pandemic on economically challenged single mothers, to determine the needs of this group, and to identify prevention and interventions that might support them in …

A Mediation Analysis: Adult Children Of Alcoholics, Resilience, Depression, Anxiety, And Attachment Disruption With The Role Of Self-Compassion: A Moderation Analysis, Jessica Ellen Kuehne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study intends to address the gap in the literature on treatment options for adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs). The theoretical and conceptual framework for this study was centered on three main ideas: attachment styles, resilience, and self-compassion. Studies have indicated that exposure to parental alcoholism increases the risk of depression, anxiety, and insecure attachment, and ACOAs tend to have higher resilience than non-ACOAs. Researchers have examined different treatment approaches and clinical outcomes for ACOAs. Some holistic treatment choices, specifically self-compassion, have grown ubiquitous for a broad spectrum of individuals with trauma. The purpose of this study is to assess …

Sabbath-Keeping And Mental Health: The Influence Of Weekly Sabbath-Keeping On Stress, Anxiety And Well-Being, Kathryn Mcnichol

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the current study is to explore the effectiveness of a psychoeducational Sabbath intervention. Using a multiple baseline design, subsets of participants were assigned the psychoeducational intervention at varying times and completed a series of mental health questionnaires before, during, and after the intervention to assess its benefits. After receiving the psychoeducational intervention, participants began a weekly Sabbath-keeping practice. This study added to the limited existing literature on Sabbath-keeping and health, specifically mental health, by assessing the impact on anxiety, stress, and well-being. Results of this study indicated a potential connection between the practice of Sabbath-keeping and positive …

How Utilizing An Online Holistic Social Media Group Impacts Symptoms And Quality Of Life In Individuals With Anxiety, Sherri Ann Walker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The continuum between health and illness is a dynamic state influenced by stress. People are complex beings designed with interrelated parts composing a unique whole. Stress's disruption in the homeostatic balance can result in disease states in the body, mind, soul, and relationships. Panic disorder is one of these manifestations. This disorder causes physical and cognitive symptoms which impair quality of life. Although evidence-based treatments exist for panic disorder, barriers are evident for effective dissemination. This phenomenological study explored the experience of six individuals with anxiety disorder in a 30-day holistic, online social media group. Throughout the study, interviews and …

The Effectiveness Of Faith-Based Group Life Coaching On Stress And Anxiety Levels In Spouses Of Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Esperanza Pilar Guerra Lugo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Veterans who courageously served in the military are often diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and their spouses are at high risk of suffering in silence from stress and anxiety. Many spouses are also their Veteran’s caregiver which leaves little time for their own self-care needs. Being a Veteran’s 24-hour caregiver can lead to poor physical and mental health, aggravating spouses stress and anxiety levels which is often only treated with medication or goes untreated due to lack of mental health care access and the stigma that comes with it. The literature review explores the research gap of how online faith-based …

The Effect Of Anxiety On Academic Performance Among English Language Learners College Students, Sergine Cadet

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

English Language Learners (ELLs) who can write and read competently can fully participate in American schools, work environments and the society. However, ELLs face challenges while learning the English language. Anxiety is characterized as one of the issues impacting the learners’ accomplishment, which involves stages of communicative anxiety, fear of adverse assessment, test anxiety, and anxiety of English classroom. Moreover, anxiety is identified as being prevalent in the field of education and psychology as one factor that has negative influences in language acquisition (Hashemi, 2011). Studies have shown that there is a relationship between anxiety level and academic performance of …

The Association Between Witnessing Cyberbullying And Depressive Symptoms And Social Anxiety Among Elementary School Students, Diana M. Doumas, Aida Midgett

Counselor Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

Cyberbullying is a significant problem among school-aged youth. Although a growing body of literature has documented the association between cyberbullying victimization and mental health risks, there is limited research examining the impact of witnessing cyberbullying, particularly among elementary school students. To address this gap, we conducted a cross-sectional study with elementary school students (N = 122). Students completed questionnaires assessing witnessing cyberbullying, witnessing school bullying, bullying victimization, depressive symptoms, and social anxiety. Regression analyses revealed that witnessing cyberbullying was positively associated with depressive symptoms (β = 0.25, p < 0.04) and social anxiety (β = 0.30, p < 0.01), even after controlling for frequency of witnessing school bullying and bullying victimization. Further, the moderating effect of witnessing school bullying was significant for depressive symptoms (β = −0.44, p < 0.001) and social anxiety (β = …

Parental Perceived Need For Counseling For Adolescents’ Anxiety And Depression Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study, Isak Kim, Nayoung Kim

Counseling Faculty Publications

Objective

This study examined the association between parental perceived need for counseling or mental health care services and adolescents’ subgroups of anxiety and depression symptoms (Anxiety-only, Depression-only, Anxiety-Depression, and None).

Method

Adolescent sample (N = 20,486, M = 14.69  years old, SD = 1.69) was drawn from the National Survey of Children’s Health 2017–2018 (NSCH 2017–2018). A chi-square test was used to analyze the association between two categorical variables.

Results

The Chi-square test was statistically significant, Χ2(6) = 7,914.33, p < .01, V = .44. Adolescents from the Anxiety-Depression group received counseling or mental health care the most (80.94%), while 69.03% of those in the depression-only group and 44.86% in the Anxiety-only group received mental health services.

Conclusions

Caregivers of adolescents with Anxiety-only tended to perceive the least need for counseling or mental health care, …

Independent And Cumulative Impacts Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Adolescent Subgroups Of Anxiety And Depression, Isak Kim, Angélica Galván, Nayoung Kim

Counseling Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study is to investigate the independent and cumulative impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on the subgroups of anxiety and depression among 12–17 aged adolescents in the U.S. A sample of 21,496 cases was derived from the 2017–2018 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH). Four adolescent subgroups were identified depending on their mental health condition: Anxiety-only (7.2%), Depression-only (1.5%), Anxiety-Depression (6.3%), and None (85.0%). All sociodemographic characteristics such as sex, age, race/ethnicity, and family structure had significant associations with the subgroups. Two multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the independent and cumulative effects of …

The Impact Of A Christian Accommodated Mindfulness Protocol On Depression, Anxiety, Stress, Spiritual Well-Being, And Attachment To God, Tonya Thompson Gardner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Best practices require those who work in the counseling field to ensure sensitivity to cultural norms and preferences among clients. While considering appropriate therapeutic interventions and treatment protocols, it is imperative that counselors remain aware of the personal beliefs of their clients. Thus, accommodating treatments to incorporate clients’ religious preferences seeks to enhance the effectiveness and provide the greatest benefit to each client as an individual. The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of a Christian accommodated mindfulness (CAM) protocol in a Christian sample and provide further evidence of the impact of Christian accommodated mindfulness protocol by …

The Current Mental Health Status Of Professional Asl/English Interpreters In The United States As It Pertains To Disorders: Specifically Focusing On Anxiety, Depression, Stress-Related Disorders, Personalities, And Work-Related Influencers, Nicole Denu Thorn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, variable-centered, correlational research design is to assess the mental health status of professional ASL/English interpreters currently working in the field. Specifically, this study looked at levels of anxiety, depression, and secondary stress within this population. It was postulated that many factors impact the mental health of professional interpreters; therefore, internal factors such as personality as well as external factors such as job demands were assessed. The findings of the research may prove helpful in developing future interpreter education as well as mental health care for current interpreters. A brief history of the profession is given …

The Impact Prayer Has On Reducing Anxiety, Casey D. Groover

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Anxiety predates the modern world as its history is biblical. Christians have traditionally battled the conditions of anxiety, and it currently adversely impacts people in various ways today. A process used to reduce the effect of anxiety is prayer, and Christians among the Church of God denomination practice its rituals so that God will provide for their requests. This Christian prayer is experienced through different prayer rituals as God recognizes and responds to Christians using them. The results of prayers when experiencing reactions to anxiety are reported in the testimonies of ten research participants who provided three significant themes in …

Empty Cribs: Infertility Challenges For Orthodox Jewish Couples, Itay Kohane

Antioch University Full-Text Dissertations & Theses

This dissertation discusses an issue that is of importance to many people throughout their lifetime—infertility. One in every eight couples (12%) is incapable of carrying a pregnancy to term after one year of natural attempts. This paper further examines the prevalence of infertility among couples, bringing into focus more common variables such as gender and age. But, going beyond these, the present study will demonstrate that other variables including stressors such as social factors, interpersonal dynamics, and personal judgment affect couples in a manner which indirectly reduces their chances of conceiving a child. This research will touch on a number …

Adverse Childhood Experiences And The Associations With Depression And Anxiety In Adolescents, Hye Yeon Lee, Isak Kim, Jeongwoon Jeong

Counseling Faculty Publications

Objectives

There has been increasing attention to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among adolescents in the U.S because ACEs may result in severe mental health issues. Although associations between ACEs and mental health have been explored, research on how different types or combinations of ACEs render different impacts on adolescents is limited. Therefore, this study aims to (a) examine latent classes of ACEs among adolescents who have experienced at least one ACE and (b) investigate associations of each latent group of ACEs with mental health problems, depression and anxiety.

Method

Questionnaires on ACEs and depression/anxiety from the 2016 National Survey of …

The Relationship Between Mindfulness, Surrender, And God Attachment And Its Impact On Depression And Anxiety, Shalana Marlene Palermo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to explore how God attachment may impact surrender to God and how mindfulness relates to the relationship between surrender and God attachment. Additionally, this study explores how surrender, God attachment and mindfulness might work together to impact symptoms of depression and anxiety. This study comprised 82 participants from a large Christian university that was enrolled in the university’s online doctoral counseling program. Using a quantitative survey research design, participants completed the following self-report measures online: Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, Surrender Scale, Attachment to God Inventory, and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21. Bivariate and multiple …

The Use Of Test Anxiety Assessment And Anxiety Reduction Training To Predict And Improve Performance Of Collegiate Pilot Trainees, Teresa Ann Sloan, Michael Lundin, Dale Wilson, Randy Robinnette

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of Education and Professional Studies

Written, oral, and practical flight tests, along with challenging flying tasks, place pilot trainees in stressful situations. The initial goals of this research were to determine assessment tools for identifying pilot trainees who might perform poorly in stressful flight testing environments, and measure the efficacy of a test anxiety (TA) workshop on anxiety levels and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) knowledge assessments of pilot trainees. The researchers determined that: Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) scores marginally predict facilitating anxiety levels, and FAA knowledge tests, taken in authentic testing environments, correlate significantly with debilitating anxiety, facilitating anxiety, and FAA exam scores. The researchers …

Worrywarts: Alleviating Anxiety Through School Counselor Interventions, Summer Kuba

Faculty Publications and Presentations

If unaddressed, childhood and adolescent anxiety can have a lasting negative impact on students’ social/emotional development, academic success and college/career readiness. School counselors play an integral role in addressing students’ mental health needs. Through evidenced-based interventions, school counselors can effectively promote the skills and attitudes necessary to cope and even overcome childhood anxiety disorders.

The Effect Of A Bible Based Manualized Protocol Targeting Attachment To God In Anxiety And Stress, Sung Kim

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the effectiveness of the Bible-Based Stress Reduction Protocol-Attachment to God (BSRP-AG) in enhancing participants’ attachment to God and quality of life, decreasing perceived depression, anxiety, stress, and increasing overall spiritual well-being, using a randomized pretest and posttest design with waiting list control group among Hispanic population. The theory of stress, and attachment theory were discussed. At the same time, the relationship between stress, attachment, attachment to God and quality of life were considered as well. Lastly, the efficacy of Christian spiritual disciplines to improve attachment to God was argued. Thirty-four Hispanic individuals from Virginia participated in this …

Cmhc Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 1, Laura B. Kestemberg Ph.D., Laura L. Wood Ph.D., Lmhc, Rdt_Bct, Daniel Woods

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Newsletter

"Mentoring Compassionate Counselors for our Communities"

Inside this issue:

Upholding Molloy's Pillar of Service Through Group Counseling

Spring 2017 Practicum Placements

Membership NIghts

Exploring Student Stress: What Your Saliva Says about Your Anxiety

Timeline of CMHC Program Events

Welcome note from the Director

The CMHC Dept. Takes on the ACA 2017 Conference & Expo in San Francisco

Introducing New Part-Time and Adjunct Faculty

Mindfulness Behavior And Its Effects On Anxiety, Mary Mayorga, Sabina De Vries, Elizabeth Ann Wardle

Counseling and Guidance Faculty Publications

A quasi experimental study was conducted at a South West State University counseling program to investigate if using meditation techniques would lower levels of anxiety and create mindfulness attention awareness among counseling students enrolled in a counseling skills course, taught in a masters-level counseling program. A total of 29 students were recruited from three counseling skills courses, two of which were included in the treatment condition and one was designated as the control condition. Students in the treatment condition were instructed in one pointed breathing meditation and it was practiced for five minutes at the beginning of each class. The …

The Experience Of Recalling Christian Spiritual Songs On Affect Dysregulation In The Mood And Anxiety Disorders, Nancy J. Cochran

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although existing treatment methods for the mood and anxiety disorders have improved the lives of many who suffer from these conditions, there remains a significant portion of the population for whom these methods are only partially effective or are ineffective entirely. The purpose of the present study was to explore the experiences of a spiritually-integrated music therapy intervention with a nonclinical population during times of affect dysregulation. Ten participants used this intervention over the course of a two-week period and were interviewed regarding their experiences. The results indicated that the participants were impacted in their biological, spiritual, social and psychological …

The Moderating Effect Of Resilience Factors On Bully Victimization And Subsequent Psychological Adjustment Problems Among Adolescent Girls, Alexandra Hayley Quinn

Antioch University Full-Text Dissertations & Theses

Bully victimization is linked to poor psychological adjustment, low self-esteem, and social withdrawal in children and teens. However, little research to date has examined the unique experiences of adolescent girls, the specific contributions of various subtypes of bullying, and the utilization of comprehensive instruments to examine the constructs of psychological adjustment and bully victimization. Further, researchers studying these issues have called for more studies to examine buffering factors that may protect teen girls from the psychological insults associated with peer victimization. This study advances research in the field by utilizing standardized self-report measures to examine the relationship between bully victimization …