Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

A Cross-Cultural Approach To Vocal Music Therapy In Cancer Care, Development Of A Method, Erin Raber

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Many of the techniques and methods used in the music therapy field today are derived from non-Western and ancient methods of healing with sound and music; however, these methods are often seen as falling outside the boundaries of professional music therapy. This study demonstrated the need to expand music therapy and mental health practices beyond ethnocentric orientation by exploring the efficacy of a cross-cultural vocal music therapy method to address biopsychosocial and spiritual concerns in cancer care. The method was an expressive, voice-based music therapy approach combining theories and ideas from transpersonal and psychodynamic frameworks and ancient and modern sound …

Becoming Diaspora: A Comparative Analysis Of Palestinian Diaspora Groups In New Jersey And Lebanon, Reem Zidan Farhat

Senior Theses

This study analyses the relationship of members of the Palestinian diaspora with their host countries and how these conditions affect their relationship to their Palestinian identity. The two case studies chosen are Palestinian communities in New Jersey suburbs and the Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon. In the case of Palestinians in Lebanon, their longing for return is shaped by the fact that they are essentially foreigners in Lebanon. Despite being the third or fourth generation of Palestinians born in Lebanon, these refugees are excluded socially, economically, and politically. Thus, their connection to Palestine is tied directly to their status as …

Public Discourse On Migration In Germany And The United States Before And After 2015: Racist Media Narratives In The Global Right, Amy Chang

Senior Theses

Within the past decade, migration has become an increasingly controversial subject in Western countries, producing a right-wing and nationalist backlash. In Europe, Germany became the core of the Syrian refugee crisis in 2015 and gained global attention for Chancellor Angela Merkel’s open-door policy towards refugees. This substantial influx of refugees into the country caused a sharp discursive shift regarding migrants and refugees in the German media during and after 2015. At the same time, Donald Trump announced his eventually successful presidential campaign by cultivating a starkly anti-immigrant platform, which generated disproportionate media attention for his campaign and intensified anti-immigrant rhetoric …

Authoritarianism And The Rentier State - Venezuela And Nigeria, Victoria Zobeida Castillo

Senior Theses

The oil states scattered throughout the developing world are no more democratic or peaceful than they were at the beginning of the twentieth century's natural resource era. In fact, some countries are worse, tainted by civil unrest, plummeting per capita income, and rising inflation. These socioeconomic ailments are often referred to as the Resource Curse or Dutch Disease. Mineral wealth, however, should not be confused with the dangers of sole oil wealth. The oil states are significantly more likely to be governed by authoritarian leaders. The irony of oil's unusual properties of fluctuating prices and secretive contracts do not solely …

The Need For Economic Diversification In The Oil-Dependent Nations Of Saudi Arabia, Uae, And Nigeria: Possible Pathways And Outcomes, Alia Alzubair

Senior Theses

Economic diversification is seen as a key to the political and economic survival of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Nigeria. Each nation is currently considered an oil-dependent country, meaning that the bulk of its income comes from oil. Since oil will soon be depleted and other countries are moving toward green technology, the demand for oil is expected to continue to drop. Hence, the need for diversification. This paper conducts a comparison of the key policies each country is attempting to implement to produce a diversified economy. The paper concludes that various factors will prevent each country from successfully diversifying …

How Secularism Engenders Citizenship: A Comparison Of Secularism In France And Turkey, Naomi Janet Izett

Senior Theses

This paper explores the nature of secularism and how it is used and understood in France and Turkey. I argue that governments can reassert their authority over their citizens by controlling national identity and citizenship through the vessel of secularism. I assert that this process creates tensions between citizenship and identity that are sharply revealed when analyzing the discourse surrounding veiled women. This paper presents an overview of the relevant literature written about this topic, then moves on to compare France and Turkey by examining the history of secularism in both countries and how this term has changed over time. …

The Great Yemeni Chess Game, John Frederick Mueller

Senior Theses

Since the establishment of a unified and internationally recognized country in 1990, Yemen and its people have struggled to reconcile their differences, leading to numerous civil wars. The most recent civil war, which officially started in 2014, has decimated the nation and its people as it continues unabated. Yemen’s geo-strategic location as well as the political and religious nature of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Iran’s rivalry has led them to back opposing sides in Yemen’s civil war. Both parties' involvement in the conflict has intensified and prolonged the fighting. As a result, Yemen’s key infrastructures, such as their …

Exploring White Extremism As A Function Of Historical Legacy, Globalization, And Populism In The United Kingdom, United States, And Australia, Catherine Gassiot

Senior Theses

In this thesis, I will examine the contemporary issue of white extremism in the context of increasing globalization and populism. The Western world has witnessed an increase in terrorism by white extremists in the last decade. The object of this thesis is to identify the factors which prompted the present increase and different character of white extremist groups in comparison to prior white extremist movements like the racist skinheads in the 1980s and 1990s. To answer this question, I evaluate historical racism, impacts of globalization, the rise of right-leaning populism, racist skinhead subcultures of the 1980s and 1990s, and contemporary …

Mindful, Aware Parenting: The Pathway To Raising Emotionally Regulated Children, Brid Martin, Bridget C. Martin

Mindfulness Studies Theses

To address several key elements in raising emotionally regulated children, this paper reviews existing literature on social-emotional skills and traits essential for children’s development, including emotional intelligence and self-regulatory skills as well as morality, compassion, and kindness. Parents play a crucial role in helping these skills to evolve, beginning with parental self-awareness and the ability to review how early experiences shape current practices. The research presented examines key parental competencies, styles, and practices influential in the process of raising emotionally regulated children. The practice of mindfulness by parents is considered, and evidence suggests, that it can be foundational in developing …

Treatment Anxiety Education For Pediatric Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Patients, An Evidence Based Project, Mary Nagel

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Abstract

Background

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect and affects almost 1% of all live births. Treatment anxiety is common among children with CHD who undergo multiple procedures early in their lifetime. Dramatically increased life spans for this cardiac population has led to a shift from focusing on survival to their long-term health outcomes.

Methods:

Administration of the Peds QL Cardiac Module 3.0 assesses health related quality of life (HRQOL) during annual visits to a Cardiac Neurodevelopmental (ND) Clinic by evaluating the level of Treatment Anxiety a patient experiences during healthcare appointments. The questionnaire scores are …

Family Bereavement Implications For Military Personnel: A Policy Proposal, Dehussa Urbieta

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

Introduction: The death of a child is a devastating tragedy. Evidence demonstrates a link between bereavement and increased mortality risks and decrements in physical and mental health. Factors are compounded in active-duty service members through arduous duty environments, deployments, relocations, and inadequate support systems.

Methods: A focused literature search of bereavement specifically concentrated on child loss and the sequela on survivor mental health and functioning was conducted. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the Melnyk Evidence-Based Practice Model. The Evidence-Based Public Health Model was used as a guide for policy development.

Evidence-Based Intervention: Draft a military parental bereavement …

Standardized Education On Physician Orders For Life Sustaining Treatment (Polst) Conversations, Venessa Oteniya

Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Manuscripts

According to research literature, 15% of Medicare beneficiaries spend more than 7 days in the intensive care unit before they die. These Medicare beneficiaries receive aggressive, life-prolonging medical treatments that might not be in agreement with their wishes. Approximately 13% of SNF residents have improperly completed POLST forms that can result in intensive treatments that patients did not want. One barrier to the lack of POLST completion in SNFs is staff difficulty with understanding and explaining the form, a result of inadequate education.

In August 2020, the San Diego Coalition for Compassionate Care formed an education program to provide virtual …

The Need For School-Based Trauma-Informed Drama Therapy Interventions: A Literature Review, Nicole Ventura

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

In this capstone thesis, the author explores the availability and accessibility of school-based trauma-informed drama therapy interventions as a means to address the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). A significant amount of research exploring the impact of ACEs is focused on the long-term negative effects they have on adults, reflecting back on how the adverse childhood experiences impacted their continued development (Brown et al., 2009; Chapman et al., 2004). However, less attention has been paid to the impact of such experiences on children during their childhood. Rather than waiting for ACEs to turn into lifelong physical and mental health …

Singing For Speech: A Choral Program For Communication Skills For Clients With Parkinson's. A Review Of The Literature, Carol Smolenski

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neuro-degenerative condition that impacts motor functions, causing tremors, postural instability, and difficulties initiating or coordinating movement. The resulting loss of oral-motor coordination, decline in respiratory function, and impacts on gait and posture all can affect the voice, leading to declines in effective expressive language. Challenges with communication can lead to social isolation and withdrawal. This literature review provides rationale for the establishment of a highly structured choir program, to be jointly administered by a certified music therapist and a licensed speech pathologist, to support speech and communication goals. The proposed protocol includes techniques derived from …

Developing A Movement-Based Group For High Schoolers With Anxiety During Covid-19, Samantha Harding

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with negative mental health outcomes, including increased rates of anxiety among adolescents. Adolescents with social-emotional disabilities experience additional challenges adapting to disruptions in routine and coping with feelings of anxiety caused by the pandemic. While effective treatments for reducing symptoms of anxiety exist, a large proportion of adolescents with clinical or sub-clinical levels of anxiety lack access to such treatment or do not seek out treatment on their own. Schools are seen as an ideal setting to implement programs that teach adolescents effective coping skills, however, the pandemic has drastically altered school settings and …

Applying Dance/Movement Therapy Elements Using An Emotion-Based Approach With Chinese Bilingual Children Via Telehealth: Development Of A Method, Florenca Chong

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The current study examined the effect of applying dance/movement therapy elements using an emotional-based approach on Chinese bilingual children in the telehealth format. Previous research showed that Asian American children and bilingual children were at higher risk of developing mental health problem. Several effective emotional regulation programs for children have incorporated body-based elements, emotion storybooks, and different types of creative arts. Neuroscience research revealed that dance/movement therapy could activate mirror neurons and generate feelings of being understood and empathized with to reach therapeutic effects. Language/ethnicity match of therapist and client was found to be important variables affecting the outcomes of …

The Implementation Of Mindfulness And Dance/Movement Therapy For Women With Postpartum Depression: A Literature Review, Angel Nga Ying Chan

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review discusses the impact and effectiveness of using mindfulness-based interventions and a dance/movement therapy approach on mothers with postpartum depression (PPD) to promote their holistic well-being. The experience of giving birth and the transition to motherhood can be rewarding and remarkable, yet challenging and overwhelming. It is widely suggested if a mother who suffers from postpartum depression is left untreated and unattended, the ongoing depression and emotional distress can have negative impacts on their child’s well-being and development. The practice of mindfulness with women with PPD is suggested to be significant in reducing depression and improving psychological well-being …

Mindfulness-Based Interventions For Prenatal Stress, Anxiety, And Depression, Fiona Kate Rice

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Pregnant people in the United States (US) face myriad barriers to resource accessibility when seeking support, including financial gatekeeping, discrimination, and cis-gendering of the process. Commodification of prenatal support is exhaustive and contributes to a growing exclusivity of traditionally accessible interventions designed to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and to promote positive fetal outcomes and parent-child bond. Mindfulness-based interventions are particularly appropriate for reducing stress, anxiety, and depression in pregnancy. Mindfulness-based interventions are intersectional, accessible means of pregnancy and childbirth support with evidence-based outcomes of positive birth experiences and results. Mindfulness is defined as nonjudgmental awareness of the present moment. …

The Ripple Effect: ‘Training The Trainer’ On The Impact Of Body Image Through A Dance/Movement Therapy Technique, Marina Gearhart

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis describes the capstone project which was a psychoeducation and experiential workshop for fitness trainers. The workshop investigated the impact trainers’ work may have on the body image of their clients through a dance/movement therapy (DMT) technique. The aim was to enhance the trainers’ sensitivity around body image issues of their clients and to create a space for vulnerable movement conversation that may in turn lead to better mental health advocacy for their clients within the scope of ethical practice. The participants of the workshop were six white female identifying trainers ranging from 24 to 35 years of age. …

Embodied Drama Therapy With Incarcerated Youth: A Literature Review, Susannah Rosenthal-Schutt

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The implementation of embodied drama therapy practices with incarcerated youth helps foster a sense of community, connection, and belonging. Little research exists on the impact of drama therapy on incarcerated youth; therefore, this thesis provides guidance on the creation of drama therapy programs for incarcerated youth. The research is divided into three main sections: (a) drama therapy in juvenile detention centers; (b) drama therapy for youth in schools and other settings; and (c) expressive therapies in juvenile detention centers. This examination of the impact of drama therapy interventions on youth in other settings, such as schools and hospitals, reveals effective …

Advocating For Neuro-Informed Music Therapy For Ptsd In Diverse Populations, A Literature Review, Shanell A. Percy

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Research indicates that music positively affects the brain, health, and wellness and continues to be researched for its effectiveness in treating PTSD. Traumatic memories are stored in the brain structures of the limbic system. Music has been shown to affect these brain structures, giving prospect to its use through music psychotherapy interventions as an effective treatment for PTSD. This review of music therapy literature assesses the effects of music on the brain, identifies current models for treating PTSD with music therapy, and considers culturally informed approaches to treatment. A widely known gap in the research of evidenced-based studies of music …

Community Art For Rebuilding College Communities Following The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Literature Review, Amber Haney

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This paper is an examination of arts-based community engagement projects as a way to creatively engage, support, and endorse healing in college communities. This paper was written with consideration for potential long-term impacts on college students, individually and collectively, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout this paper, college student mental health trends in the United States are addressed and existing community engagement projects that center around community, healing, and resilience are examined. This paper argues that art therapy practices that are meant to advance societal healing can occur outside of the traditional, clinical individual or group therapy session …

Education In Emotional Intelligence: An Arts Therapies Based Method, Tatiana Nya Ford

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

By age 11, children are expected to have developed healthy, appropriate, and controlled emotional and social literacy. They should have learned basic social norms, the ability to regulate their emotions, and a strong sense of empathy. These lessons in emotional intelligence prepare children for the roles they will play in adolescence and adulthood. Unfortunately, due to the shift in social interactions from in-person to virtual, children’s emotional intelligence might be at a risk of decline. Fortunately, studies support that the expressive arts therapies can improve interpersonal and intrapersonal skills and behaviors. This thesis aims to develop and implement a method …

Neuro-Informed Music Therapy For The Treatment Of Anxiety And Depression: A Literature Review, Sarah E. Sullivan

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This capstone thesis project is a literature review of research specifically regarding the neuroscience and neurochemistry of music and how it can inform music therapy treatment of mental health. Mental health is a large, overarching term that includes many disorders that refer to one’s psychological and/or emotional condition(s), which further includes an individual’s social well-being. This can include, but is not limited to, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This paper will focus in on a research-based, neuro-informed music therapy treatment of anxiety and depression. The goal of this paper was to provide research toward a future method in …

Using Paper Theatres As An Expressive Arts Therapy Method: Activating Imaginal Worlds In Community Arts Practice, Silvina S. Ibanez

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Paper theatres are an artistic form that became widely popular in 19th century Europe. Also known as toy theatre and model theatre, a paper theatre has a small build-your-own proscenium and pre-cut paper characters that can be manipulated. Different styles of paper theatre can be found in several cultures.

In contemporary art, the use of paper theatres in several modalities led to an exploration of whether such theatres also could be used as an art therapy method. Research was conducted into expressive art therapy principles, Jungian perspectives, and recent studies in neurosciences. The studies included in the literature review confirmed …

Exploring The Potential Of Expressive Arts Therapy In Crisis Intervention: A Literature Review, Margot Mantilla

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

In this literature review various crises and crisis intervention techniques are reviewed alongside expressive arts theories and process to determine how the Expressive Arts can be utilized for crisis intervention. As there is not a well-developed relationship between crisis intervention and the Expressive Arts, various acute care setting which utilize the expressive arts and creative arts therapies are explored to determine how effective the Expressive Arts could be in effectively managing, de-escalating, and learning from a crisis. The finding of this research determines that although there are grounds for the Expressive Arts to be utilized for crisis intervention, substantially more …

Exploring The Therapeutic Relationship As A Central Focus Through Expressive Arts Therapy In Oncology, Akshata Parekh

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The treatment for cancer can be physically, mentally, emotionally and socially challenging. These treatments have side effects like physical body pain, hair loss, changes in weight, energy, nausea and more. These physical changes impact the social, mental and emotional well-being of the patient and makes this journey of the life-threating prognosis of cancer very tough to confront. Expressive arts therapy provides a safe space for the patients to address their mental health concerns as a result of this treatment. The Capstone Thesis Project explored expressive arts therapy interventions with 95 patients through single or multiple sessions while going through their …

Positive Self Imagery Collage: An Expressive Arts Therapy Intervention Developed For Adolescents In A Virtual Partial Hospitalization Program, Mackenzie Lee

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This thesis describes an intervention for adolescents in a virtual, group-based partial hospitalization program (PHP). Research in various effective therapeutic methods including supportive music and imagery (SMI), trauma-informed art therapy with adolescents, strength-based psychology, and digital artmaking informed my intervention, “Positive Self Imagery Collage” (PSIC). Group members created virtual collages representative of a SMI experience designed to imagine oneself “trying on” positive traits. PSIC was implemented in a virtual PHP via Zoom for adolescents. The intervention was documented through personal journaling and virtual artmaking. PSIC took place multiple times between January and March 2021, each time with a new set …

Stories To Be Told: A Literature Review Of Therapeutic Performance Theatre And Historic Trauma In Ireland, Lauren Hammes

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

As research regarding the effects of trauma has expanded, particularly the effects of intergenerational trauma and historic trauma, there has been growing examples as to how drama therapy can be used to help individuals and groups address and start healing from the effects of such traumas (Volkas, 2009; Sajnani, 2009). A component of drama therapy is autobiographical performance theatre, and is defined as a form of therapeutic theatre that specifically draws on an individual’s story to create an original performance piece. This paper will examine the use of autobiographical performance theatre and how it can be a helpful intervention to …

Storytelling And Performance As Dance/Movement Therapy: A Literature Review, Taylor Ottley

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Inspired by a personal experience, this thesis discusses the use of storytelling and performance as dance/movement therapy. I answer these research questions: What practices, if any, exist in the field of DMT? What is the full spectrum of benefits for dancers and witnesses? What populations are best suited for this work? Non-DMT resources were chosen for their therapeutic value and adaptability to DMT contexts. I categorize the literature by these themes: “Making the Invisible Visible: Stories of Mental Illness”; “Processing Tragedy”; “Storytelling and Performance with a Social Justice Aim”; “Exploring Individuality”; “Crafted by Intuition: DMT’s Authentic Movement”; and “Physical Storytelling.” …