Counseling Commons^™

Assessing Genetic Counselors' Clinical Approach And Practices Regarding Pathogenic/Likely Pathogenic Variant Downgrades, Grant Bonesteele

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Although rare, variant downgrades from a pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variant to a variant of uncertain significance can have a significant impact on patients and their families in the clinical cancer setting. However, there is a lack of literature about how to approach these potentially challenging cases as a genetic counselor. Therefore, we aimed to characterize genetic counselors’ experiences, approach, and practices to variant downgrade cases using an online survey. The survey asked participants how they would approach variant downgrade scenarios involving the CDH1 or ATM genes with variable family histories. Genetic counselors appear to be united in whether they would …

An Analysis Of The Effects Of Covid-19 On Students At The University Of Mississippi: Family, Careers, Mental Health, Hannah Newbold

Honors Theses

This study analyzes the effects of COVID-19 on students at the University of Mississippi. For students, COVID-19 changed the landscape of education, with classes and jobs going online. Students who graduated in May 2020 entered a poor job market and many ended up going to graduate school instead of finding a job. Access to medical and professional help was limited at the very beginning, with offices not taking patients or moving appointments to virtual only. This would require that each student needing help had to have access to quality internet service, which wasn’t always guaranteed, thus producing additional challenges.

These …

Unifying Is Medicine: Providing Holistic Treatments For Substance Use And Truama, Dulce Virginia Leguizamo, Erika Zemmol

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The focus of this qualitative, exploratory research project will be holistic treatments for clients with trauma and substance use. The researchers hypothesize that some of the most effective treatments incorporate the five virtues of compassion, cultural sensitivity, community, competency, and client-centeredness. Another important element which these researchers have identified is honoring the mind-body-spirit connection in helping clients heal from trauma and substance use. These researchers conceptualize an effective treatment for clients with trauma and substance use as what we call The Medicine of Unifying. Incorporating the five virtues, we hypothesize that The Medicine of Unifying can be achieved by uniting …

Mental Health, Substance Abuse And Recidivism: Perceptions Of Key Justice System Stakeholders In Southern California, Tabari Zahir

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Despite the 2011 landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court ordering the California authorities to address prison overcrowding, the Golden State still faces significant challenges dealing with the size of its correctional population. Recidivism plays a preponderant role in slowing down the momentum toward overcoming relatively high rates of incarceration across the state. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of key human services stakeholders about the intersection of three major challenges in the California criminal justice system: mental health, substance use, and recidivism. Embracing a continuum of care approach, this study ultimately attempted to explore …

Treatment Access For Dual Diagnosis Substance Use And Mental Health Disorders, Pedro Banuelos

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

In 2018, of 1.3 million Latinx adults in the United States facing concurrent issues with substance use disorders (SUD) and mental health disorders (MHD) 93% remained untreated for either diagnosis. This is concerning since Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) data reveals that this population is at greater risk for suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts. They also face structural barriers such as employment, housing, legal involvement, and insurability that further impede access to treatment.

This study’s purpose was to examine barriers to accessing treatment for Latinx populations confronting co-occurring SUDs and MHDs. This study used a qualitative design …

Homelessness And Mental Health: A Participatory Action Research Approach, John D. Rogers

Dissertations, 2020-current

The co-occurring problems of homelessness and mental illness is addressed through Participatory Action Research. A group of five people who have experienced homelessness and mental illness collaborated with the principal researcher through interviews and a working group in order to generate responses to the challenges they encounter. The study sought to examine several research questions which included exploring the lived experiences of individuals who are homeless and are diagnosed with a mental illness, the barriers that they experience, their practical recommendations to support individuals dealing with these challenges. Four key themes emerged: The trauma of homelessness, addiction, and mental illness, …

K-12 Economically Disadvantaged Students, Poverty, And Education: Ecological Narratives Of Successful Raised-In-Poverty, Texas Educators, Rebecca N. Morris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research study aimed to understand how successful Texas educators who grew up in poverty understood and improved the educational experience of economically disadvantaged students. This study utilized a structural ecological theory and three theories of social relationships (Social Identity, Standpoint, and Cultural Capital). This phenomenological and qualitative study used a cross-sectional, descriptive, online case study design rooted in narrative nonfiction. Virtual interviews with six successful Texas educators that grew up in poverty were conducted. A narrative method of analysis was utilized to generate codes then organize them into themes, and to construct and compare the narrative findings. The results …

Virtual School Counseling Amid The Covid-19 Pandemic, Tawonda Maria Hunter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

School counselors work with students and families to remove or minimize social, emotional, and academic barriers to education. In a traditional setting, school counseling can be rewarding yet not without obstacles. These obstacles or challenges are compounded when variables like role changes, shifts in the work setting, and a pandemic are present. This phenomenological study aimed to understand the lived virtual school counseling experience amid COVID-19 for elementary school counselors in Georgia. The phenomenological theoretical framework by Edmund Husserl was the theory guiding this study. This theoretical framework helped provide a rich description of school counselors' lived experiences working virtually …

Development Of Spiritual Competency In Counseling: A Pilot Research Study Of Graduate Students At End Of Training, Rebecca Dawn Hill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Researchers suggested religious practice and spirituality are multicultural or diversity counseling competencies. Professionals who treat religious and spiritual concerns are sought by a majority of clients. Religious and spiritual training is critical for the ethical treatment of the client, a part of developmental wellness and integrated holistic health theories, and also vital to optimum physical and mental health development. Yet, spiritual and religious competencies are often neglected in graduate studies, leaving counselors fearful and inadequately trained to address spiritual and religious concerns with clients. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) requires training in graduate education …

The Biblical Model Of Marriage In Preventing Divorce: Maintaining Healthy Relationships Among Couples, Aviva B. Gafford Williamson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this thesis project is to provide methods for married couples to follow as it relates to Ephesians 5:25-33 and Hope-Focused Marriage Counseling. As divorce rates increase and couples struggle to remain in their marital union, this project brings relevant data, information, research, and solutions to couples so they can maintain. This project provides insight from the perspectives of couples and ministers as it relates to characteristics of a healthy marriage, the current state of marriages, common marital issues, biblical principles, and solutions to resolve problems so that couples can have healthier marriages based on what God envisioned …

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 Influence Of Student Disciplinary Participation In Post-Secondary Education On Career Decision Self-Efficacy, Jerry S. Collins

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

College disciplinary issues may affect students’ education and career plans similar to academic issues, yet not enough research has been conducted to analyze this subject area. Students who engage in a disciplinary process for violating a university’s code of conduct may be subject to sanctions deemed appropriate to help them learn from the experience and enhance their personal development during college. However, these students may not understand their behaviors’ potential impact on their desired career goals. Society continues to place increasing demands on more important career realization for students. Nevertheless, disciplinary education may not be adequate to help students genuinely …

College Transition : Voices Of First-Generation Minority Stem Students, Grazia Gangitano

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) college transition experience for first-generation minority students can be arduous. Despite advancements with inclusivity in higher education institutions in the U.S., first-generation college students of color from lowincome households (FGML) find their first-year college transition difficult to navigate. Higher education institutions were created and still are in some ways encapsulated in white, Christian, male ideals (Alenuma-Nimoh, 2016). Therefore, when FGML start their college transition they can feel out of place and can struggle with the academic adjustment in their pursuit of a STEM degree (Bowman & Sharon, 2016; Dika & D’Amico, 2016; Goonewardene, …

The Cases They Carry : A Narrative Analysis Of Crisis Counselors Working In Behavioral Health Emergency Settings, Rachel E. Sugerman

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Utilizing a qualitative approach informed by narrative inquiry, this study considered the ways in which eight crisis counselors working in behavioral health emergency settings make meaning of their experiences. Participant narratives focused on the intense, multidimensional, and often emotionally demanding nature of crisis work, something they understood to be inherent to working within these settings. The findings revealed that these crisis counselors often felt isolated, unsupported, and unprepared for their positions, leaving them to negotiate the demands of the work and to make meaning of their experiences on their own. Participants developed various methods of coping, yet these techniques were …

A Descriptive Case Study Of The Challenges Of Drug And Alcohol Counselors, Ruben Herron

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Substance abuse is the number one public health problem in Oklahoma and nationally. Annual related expenses of substance abuse in Oklahoma are nearly $2 billion. This qualitative descriptive case study asks the question what are the challenges of substance-abuse counseling? The researcher will be describing in detail the history of drug and alcohol treatment and counseling in America. Using interviews, observations and document collection which will allow the interviews voices to be heard.

Exploring Online Mental Health Services: A Qualitative Study For First-Year College Students, Leandrian J. Wright

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

American first-year college students are faced with mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression, which can have a negative impact on their academic performance. Research shows that students who suffer from mental illness, such as anxiety and depression, fear their condition will be perceived negatively by their peers and professors. The literature also suggests that U.S. colleges and universities can be more proactive in offering students resources for their mental health concerns to decrease anxiety and depression. It appears that absent or limited mental health resources have failed to address rising cases of student mental illness, and more specifically, …

The Influence Of Emotion Regulation On The Emotional Well-Being Among Diverse College Students, Shandia Robertson Gardiner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Emotion regulation is essential as it may help to enhance long-term well-being, improve work performance, enrich personal relationships, and lead to better overall health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between emotion regulation and emotional well-being among diverse university students when moderated by perceived discrimination. A similar study was conducted by Lavanya and Manjula (2017), with an Indian student population divided into two groups. The study's findings showed a significant correlation between emotion regulation strategies and psychological problems among the two groups. Results indicated negative emotion regulation strategies were associated with psychological issues among group two …

Acculturative Stress Counseling With Immigrant High School Students, Identity Development, And School Belonging, Tony Yang

Counselor Education Capstones

The literature review investigates how acculturative stress relates to the ethnic identity development and feelings of school belonging of immigrant high school students and how school counselors can use this information to facilitate acculturative stress focused counseling to support student needs and development. The literature review first synthesizes information on acculturative stress, experiences of immigrant high school students, and suggestions for acculturative stress focused counseling to explore how school counselors can approach the topic of acculturative stress with their immigrant high school population. Specifically, the literature review explores the ethnic identity development of immigrant high school students and the role …

Strategies For Increasing Attendance For Identified Student Populations Via Online Engagement Methods During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Catherine Douglas

Counselor Education Capstones

This Capstone literature review discusses a school counselor’s role in increasing attendance in schools. The review discusses the common risk factors of absenteeism and the new risk factors that arose after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic changed the strategies that school professionals should use to increase engagement in learning, increase school attendance, and check on the well-being of identified student populations. The review brings light to several strategies that may help counselors increase school attendance with online education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Strategies include: incorporation of gameplay into lessons, keeping consistency with the …

Parental Influences On Their Child’S Education And Their Success In School, Rachel Crosby

Counselor Education Capstones

The purpose for this literature review is to investigate the connection of parental involvement and their children’s academic success and attitudes towards education. Based on previous research, all indicate there are numerous benefits for parents, schools, students, and the community if the parents become and remain involved in the educational process of their child. This literature review also explores the roles that schools influence on how parents become involved in the schools. Levels of parental involvement include little to no involvement, standard involvement, and extreme involvement will all be discussed. Extreme parental involvement in their children’s education has been talked …

Clinicians Use Of Mindfulness-Based Practices During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Leah Ridley, Samuel J. Giese, Shelby Cogan, Chelsea Hughes

Thinking Matters Symposium

Alternative mental health treatments like mindfulness hold a great deal of promise, but limited research exists on their success and application with the adolescent population. This study investigates the primary research question, “What are the experiences of clinicians providing mindfulness-based treatment to school-aged children in Maine during the COVID-19 pandemic?” This explanatory mixed methods study involves a quantitative survey of clinicians, and will be followed by a virtual focus group to further unpack the value of mindfulness-based practices when working with school-aged children. Survey data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis; focus group data will be …

Relationship Between Servant Leadership Style And Teacher Job Satisfaction And Retention, Morgan Stamschror

Counselor Education Capstones

Effective school leaders are vital to the success of a school. The leadership style of a school leader, specifically principals, affects teacher satisfaction and retention. Servant leadership is a well-known leadership style in the business and organizational psychology field but has applications in the education setting as well. This report discusses how principals can be servant-leaders by putting others first and themselves second. As a result, teacher job satisfaction and retention are affected. Therefore, it is important for educators to learn how principals can most effectively lead teachers and other support staff. Training and professional development opportunities are essential for …

The Impact Of Teacher Training On Adhd: Assessing Classroom Interventions And Teacher's Self-Efficacy, Cheryl Young Hamilton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been a topic that has gained widespread attention, especially in the last decade. Researchers have attempted to study the growing epidemic in numerous ways, from understanding the cause to helping children and adults learn how to deal with the lifelong diagnosis. More recently, the mainstream topic has leaned towards institutional factors that continuously a lack of support for teachers within the classroom. Teachers and educators around the world have been placed at the forefront to manage something that may appear foreign. Consequently, school districts are left with the daunting task of following federal regulations that they …

The Effect Of Smartphone Addiction And Self-Control On Phubbing Behavior, Binti Isrofin, Eem Munawaroh

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

Phubbing is a behavior of ignoring the interlocutor and focusing more on smartphones. This behavior, which is quite common recently, has a negative impact on social interactions. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of smartphone addiction and self-control on phubbing behavior. This study employed a correlational research design. Three hundred and seventy-nine samples involved in this study were recruited using random sampling techniques. The data were collected using the Smartphone Addiction Scale, Phubbing Scale, and Self-Control Scale. The data were analyzed using regression analysis assisted by JASP software version 0.11.10. The findings show that smartphone addiction …

Does Internet Gaming Disorder Hinder Academic Performance?, Erwin Bramana Karnadi, Stevanus Pangestu

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

In 2018, the WHO has categorized gaming disorder as an official disease. One of the ways to estimate a person’s gaming disorder level or status is to use the IGD-20 Test. The purpose of our research is to determine whether or not internet gaming disorder (IGD) has a significant negative impact on academic performance using binary dependent and two-staged least squares models. We obtained data from 390 Indonesian university students, consisting of their academic performance, IGD level, gaming behavior, and several of their economic and demographic characteristics. We found that 5.13 percent of the respondents have IGD. Using both probit …

The Effect Of Focused Group Discussion To Enhance Students’ Understanding On Premarital Sexual Behavior Risks, Annisa Arrumaisyah Daulay, Syawaluddin Nasution

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

This study investigates the effectiveness of information service using a focus group discussion technique to improve students’ understanding on the risks of premarital sexual behavior. It used a quantitative experiment method with one group pretest-posttest design, while its 30 subjects were selected using purposive sampling. The data analysis process was carried out using a t-test. The research results indicate improved students’ understanding of the risks of premarital sexual behavior after they join information service with focus group discussion technique. Therefore, focus group discussion is effective to enhance students’ understanding of premarital sexual behavior risks.

Badranaya: A Board Game To Enhance Prospective Multicultural Counselors’ Impartial Character, Nora Yuniar Setyaputri, Yuanita Dwi Krisphianti, Rosalia Dewi Nawantara

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

The discriminative behavior upon individual personalities that multicultural counselors have frequently operated causes low neutrality in encountering an issue and individual labeling. That behavior indicates the counselors lack impartial character. Thus, this study aims to develop a guidance and counseling media of Badranaya (multicultural counseling board game) that promote unbiased character, referring to Semar’s great characters. It used modified Borg and Gall development procedures, while its data were obtained through valid and reliable experts assessment questionnaire and impartial character scale. The numerical data analysis results from guidance and counseling experts, as well as educational media development experts, signify that this …

Psychoeducational Groups Based On Dasa Pitutur From Sunan Kalijaga: An Indigenous Counseling To Enhance Other Group Orientation, Mulawarman Mulawarman, Zakki Nurul Amin, Muslikah Muslikah, Sigit Hariyadi, Kusnarto Kurniawan

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

Some Western counseling approaches are not applicable in local cultures. Consequently, counselors have to accommodate the local culture to improve the efficacy of their services. This research aims to formulate indigenous counseling based on the Javanese culture of Dasa Pitutur from Sunan Kalijaga. Using that culture, the counselors are expected to improve the participants’ cultural skills and respect for other cultures. It used the hermeneutic method with discourse analysis to interpret the messages’ structure and pragmatic. The analysis result signifies that the Dasa Pitutur values are relevant with the other group orientation. The primary message taught in Dasa Pitutur is …

Effectiveness Of An Online Intervention Combating Mental Health Stigma On Adolescent Help-Seeking Behaviors, Chelsea Krayecki

Counselor Education Capstones

Mental health stigma has been shown to be a barrier to seeking help for mental health concerns. This is especially true for adolescents due to important developmental characteristics. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) (2021), depression is one of the major causes of mental health concerns and disability among adolescents. In addition, the WHO (2021) also states that mental health conditions account for 16% of global burden of illness in people ages 10-19-years-old. The current pandemic has only increased these concerns, as social, emotional, and mental well-being has been impacted by the pandemic (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, …

Everyday Memory In People With Down Syndrome, Yingying Jennifer Yang, Zachary M. Himmelberger, Trent Robinson, Megan Davis, Frances Conners, Edward Merrill

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Although memory functions in people with Down Syndrome (DS) have been studied extensively, how well people with DS remember things about everyday life is not well understood. In the current study, 31 adolescents/young adults with DS and 26 with intellectual disabilities (ID) of mixed etiology (not DS) participated. They completed an everyday memory questionnaire about personal facts and recent events (e.g., school name, breakfast). They also completed a standard laboratory task of verbal long-term memory (LTM) where they recalled a list of unrelated words over trials. Results did not indicate impaired everyday memory, but impaired verbal LTM, in people with …