Counselor Education Commons^™

Psychometric Synthesis Of The Drug Abuse Screening Test 20-Item Version (Dast-20), Erin Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Numerous research articles have reported differing data on the psychometric properties of the 20-item version of the Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST-20, Skinner, 1982a). Aggregating this diverse information can lead to a better understanding of how to use and interpret the instrument with clients and research participants. In this psychometric synthesis, evidence of reliability and validity of the DAST-20 scores was aggregated in order to provide a more comprehensive summary of the psychometric properties of the instrument to better inform counseling professionals when using the DAST-20. Overall, the available evidence indicates that the DAST-20 produces reliable and valid scores when …

Empowering Mothers: A Conceptual Model For Promoting Perinatal Mental Wellness Among Women In The United States, Kayla Acklin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Globally, there are certain expectations surrounding becoming a mother related to pregnancy and the birth. For many women, the birth of a child represents a natural event filled with joy. Societally, the expectation is that pregnancy, birth, and the transition into motherhood are normal, positive experiences for all women (Davis-Floyd & Cheyney, 2019). However, research shows that some women develop impairments in physical and mental health functioning and wellbeing as a result of the major physical and psychosocial changes that take place during the transition into motherhood (Austin et al., 2010; Ayers & Pickering, 2001; O’Hara et al., 2014).

This …

Technology And Pleasure: A Qualitative Study On Using Mobile Applications For Online And Offline Sexual Purposes, Gabriella Locke

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The internet has long been considered an accessible, anonymous, and affordable platform for sexuality and the emergence of smartphone applications has made facilitating online and offline sexual behaviors even easier for young adults. Despite the increase, there continues to be a lack of detailed research on the experiences of young adults who use these types of applications. This qualitative study explored how young adults use mobile applications to engage in online and offline sexual behaviors and the motivations and perceived benefits and risks of such behavior. This study, analyzed using inductive thematic analysis, completed eight semi-structed interviews with individuals between …

Elementary School Counselors' Experiences Working With Children Who Self-Harm, Maegan Tatum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Elementary-aged children struggle with low self-esteem, are often impulsive, and struggle to develop appropriate coping skills. As such, many children have begun to experiment with self-harm. Because children spend a great deal of time in school, school counselors are often the first to know that a student has self-harmed. Although school counselors have extensive experience working with students who self-harm, most school counselors indicate a need for more training and implementation of school district policies regarding self-harm. Additionally, current literature focuses on the experiences of middle and high school counselors because self-harm and NSSI are primarily noted in adolescents. In …

Opinions, Attitudes, And Self-Efficacy Of Secondary School Counselors In Ramp And Non-Ramp Designated Schools And Their Work With Students With Disabilities, Christine Denise Lewis Pugh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The American School Counseling Association (ASCA) implemented standards that aid the professional school counselor via a comprehensive program to serve all students (ASCA, 2019). This study examines secondary school counselors working in RAMP and non-RAMP designated schools. The designation of recognized ASCA model programs (RAMP), which awards schools when they successfully implement comprehensive programs, leads one to believe that RAMP programs exhibit effectiveness, while understanding that lacking RAMP certification does not mean a comprehensive school counseling program does not exist. The current study surveyed secondary school counselors’ attitude, self-efficacy, and opinions toward work with students with disabilities. An independent samples …

Mediating Effects Of Mental Health Literacy And Stigma On The Relationship Between Mental Health Status And Psychological Help Seeking Behavior Among Collegiate Student Athletes, Brent Wade Powell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Student athletes experience unique demands that create specific mental health challenges, yet they tend to utilize mental health services at lower rates when compared to the general student population. Participants were 282 (174 males, 108 females) current NCAA student athletes. A mediated regression was used to determine the mediating effects of Mental Health Stigma (MHS) and Mental Health Literacy (MHL) on the relationship between Mental Health Status and Psychological Help Seeking Behavior (PHS). Results indicated a statistically significant relationship between mental health status and psychological help seeking behavior, R2 = .05, F(1, 280) = 13.74, p < .001. Mental health status predicted PHS (? = -.22, 95% CI [-.11, -.04]). A multiple regression analysis was conducted on PHS based on MHS and MHL, F(2,279) = 9.49, p < .001. MHS was a statistically significant predictor of PHS uniquely accounting for approximately 4.2% of the variance. MHL was not significant and uniquely accounted for .1% of the variance. Analysis of a supported mediation model was conducted using MHS as the single mediator. Controlling for the mediator, the direct effect indicated by the relationship between mental health status and PHS, (? = -.046, 95% CI [-.094, .007], z = -2.04, p = .04), denoting a partial mediation and small effect. The total indirect effects with the mediator was statistically significant, (? = -.028, 95% CI ([-06, -.003]), z = -2.327, p = .02, indicating a moderate effect and accounting for 61% of the model effect. Results from this study can be used to inform program development, institutional supports, and inform further research into reduction of MHS and increasing MHL. Keywords: student athletes, mental health status, mental health stigma, mental health literacy, psychological help seeking behavior

The Lived Experiences Of Males Within A Committed Relationship Who Are The Primary Caregivers For A Partner Diagnosed With Frontotemporal Dementia, Aniela Scanlon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF MALES WITHIN A COMMITTED RELATIONSHIP WHO ARE THE PRIMARY CAREGIVERS FOR A PARTNER DIAGNOSED WITH FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA

By

Aniela Kathryn Scanlon

August 2020

Dissertation supervised by Dr. David Delmonico

Spouses who are caregivers for their partner with dementia experience significant changes within the relationship and in their daily lives. There is a focus in the extant literature on female caregivers and types of dementia that are more mainstream, like Alzheimer’s disease. However, little is known about the lived experiences of male primary caregivers for a spouse or partner diagnosed with dementia such as frontotemporal dementia. …

Best Practices: The Relationship Between School Counselors' Self-Efficacy And Conducting Suicide Risk Assessments, Maisha Roneal Davis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative non-experimental cross-sectional study is to investigate the self-efficacy of middle and high school counselors in the state of Louisiana as it relates to their ability to conduct youth suicide risk assessments. Broadly, the study compares the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP accredited and non-accredited school counselors to determine if CACREP accreditation equips school counselors with higher self-efficacy. To this end, the study employs the Counselor Suicide Assessment Efficacy Survey (CSAES) scale to analyze degrees of self-efficacy in conjunction with a demographic survey of sample characteristics associated with educational preparation, …

The Role Of Boredom, Loneliness, And Technology Use As Predictors Of Sexual Responsibility Among Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Natalie Drozda

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictors of sexual responsibilities (i.e., sex positivity and sexual health as well as sexual risk responsibility) for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The predictors examined included boredom, loneliness, online risk behavior, intent to use dating apps/websites for casual sex, and intent to use dating apps/websites for romance. Gender differences in sexual responsibility subscales were also explored. ANOVAS yielded women with autism exhibited more sexual responsibility on both subscales than men. Multiple regression analyses were used to determine significant predictors of Sex Positivity and Sexual Health as well as Sexual Risk Responsibility …

Cultural Identity Salience, Individuation, And Life Satisfaction In Emerging Adulthood, Matthew L. Nice

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study examined emerging adults’ (18-29 years old) cultural identity domains of race/ethnicity identity, gender identity, sexual identity, spiritual identity, and socioeconomic class identity with their features of individuation from parents and life satisfaction. Additional emphases were placed on understanding the differences between college-going and non-college-going emerging adults and the differences between early (18-23 years old) and later (24-29 years old) emerging adulthood. This study supported both significant and non-significant relationships among the cultural identity domains salience with the features of individuation and life satisfaction. Emerging adults who attend college were revealed to have higher life satisfaction than those …

Mental Boundaries As A Moderator Of The Relationship Between Social Support And Self-Esteem, John Mathe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the research was to explore the relationship between mental boundaries, self-esteem, and social support. With a sample of 295 participants, correlations and a moderation analysis were conducted to examine the relationships between mental boundaries, self-esteem, and social support. The study found that mental boundaries have a significant relationship with self-esteem and social support; however, mental boundaries do not moderate the relationship between self-esteem and social support. This study also examined the structure of the Boundary Questionnaire 18 (BQ18), utilizing an exploratory factor analysis. Suggestions for future research and implications for clinical work are offered, as well as …

Perceived Quality Of Clinical Supervision And Level Of Vicarious Trauma In Therapists-In-Training, Jessica L. Mantia

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the relationship between perceived quality of clinical supervision and levels of vicarious trauma (VT) and secondary traumatic stress (STS) in a sample of novice therapists who reported working with survivors of sexual trauma. The researcher included therapist’s personal sexual trauma history and history of therapy for sexual trauma as covariate variables. Results did not support the predictive value of clinical supervision in determining level of VT or STS in this population. There were no meaningful differences among groups based on personal history of sexual trauma or participation in therapy. A high percentage of participants in this sample …

Midlife Suicide: Examination Through An Ecological And Interpersonal Lens, Jayna Bonfini

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Suicide has increased over the past decade among midlife adults in the United States. It is the fourth leading cause of death among persons aged 35–54 years and the eighth leading cause of death among persons aged 55–64 years. The primary purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study is to examine, describe, and understand the lived experiences of midlife adults who have contemplated suicide and who have sought assistance and support from their peers via an online forum for those with an interest in and/or history of suicidality. Bronfenbrenner’s (1977) bioecological model, Joiner’s (2005) interpersonal theory of suicide, and van Manen’s …

The Mediating Role Of Differentiation In The Relationship Between Mindfulness And Working Alliance, Caleb P. Thompson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study involved a mediation analysis exploring the relationship of counselor’s perceptions of mindfulness and working alliance through differentiation of self. Sample data (N=80) was collected and analyzed using the PROCESS mediation model to quantitatively determine the indirect effect of counselor’s perceptions of mindfulness and their perceptions of working alliance through the variable of differentiation of self. This indirect effect was not statistically significant, b = .08, 95% CI [-.11, .25], therefore no mediating effect was demonstrated for differentiation. A follow-up moderation analysis was also conducted on these same three variables. Results revealed that at low levels of …

Overcoming Negative Employer Attitudes: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Employeees With Visual Impairments, James Mcneil

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Negative employer attitudes toward people with visual impairments who are already employed is a topic that rarely has been discussed in the literature. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore, understand, and describe how employees with visual impairments process and overcome perceived negative employer attitudes. Seventeen themes emerged as a result of this study. Some of the themes emphasize the lived existentials (lived time, lived space, lived body, and lived other) connected with being the object of an employer’s negative attitude. Other themes emphasize the risk factors that exist in the environment(s) of employees with visual impairments …

Does Emotional Intelligence Moderate The Effect Of Field Work Experience On Counseling Students' Group Counseling Self-Efficacy, John Lewis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Counselor educators and supervisors need a comprehensive understanding of counseling students group counseling development with the aim of assessing student learning outcomes and facilitating academic and supervisory interventions that support development. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between emotional intelligence and group counseling self-efficacy and determine the feasibility of using emotional intelligence to predict changes in group counseling self-efficacy. Results indicated that although there was significant increase in group counselor self-efficacy after a semester of fieldwork experience, the results showed no significant relationship between emotional intelligence and group counselor self-efficacy. Practical implications and future directions for …

Substance Use Helpers: An Exploration Into The Relationship Between Professional Quality Of Life And Posttraumatic Growth, Denise Haggerty

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There has been limited research on the potential for substance use helpers to have positive experiences as a result of their therapeutic work, previous research on the field of substance use treatment and the impact of working with individuals whom struggle with substance use disorders has been explored. The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between substance use helpers’ professional quality of life (compassion satisfaction, secondary traumatic stress, and burnout) with posttraumatic growth. In addition, this study also sought to determine if a relationship exists between personal and professional characteristics of substance use helpers and …

Investigating A Mental Health Literacy Intervention Among Economically Disadvantaged Youth, Jayna Mumbauer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mental health is a critical and pervasive issue for children and adolescents in the United States, with one in five youth living with a diagnosable mental health condition (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017). Despite the increasing rates of mental health disorders, barriers to treatment are abundant and most young people do not receive appropriate treatment (Merikangas, 2009). Mental health literacy is the knowledge and beliefs surrounding mental health that guide recognition, management, and prevention (Jorm, 1997, p. 143). Mental health literacy is a particularly important framework for youth from economically disadvantaged backgrounds as they face increased vulnerabilities to …

Relationship Among School Counselors' Perceptions Of Poverty, Color-Blind Racial Attitudes, And Multicultural Counseling Competencies : A Formula For Change Makers., Shaun M. Sowell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The relationship among school counselors’ attribution of poverty, color-blind racial attitudes, and self-perceived multicultural competence (knowledge and awareness) were examined in this dissertation. Additionally, the researcher reviewed the impact of having lived in low-income environments had on school counselors’ beliefs of poverty attribution. Lastly, the impact graduating from a CACREP accredited program had on poverty attribution was explored. Results, implications, and limitations are addressed.

An Investigation Of College Student-Athletes' Mental Health Stigma, Help-Seeking Attitudes, Depression, Anxiety, And Life Stress Scores Using Structural Equation Modeling, Saundra Tabet

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the directional relationship between student-athletes' degree of mental health stigma, help-seeking attitudes, depression, anxiety, and life stress scores. This investigation tested the theoretical model that student-athletes' (N = 621) degree of mental health stigma (as measured by the Perceived Devaluation-Discrimination Scale – Adapted [PDD-A; Eisenberg et al., 2009]) contributed to their attitudes towards help-seeking (as measured by the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help – Short Form [ATSPPH-SF; Fisher & Farina, 1995]) and levels of depression (as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire – 9 [PHQ-9; Kroenke et al., 2001]), anxiety (as …

Science Occupational Images And Aspirations Of African American/ Black Elementary Students, Saron Lamothe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Within the United States, more than a million jobs in science and engineering (S&E) are projected over the next few years; yet, the Nation lacks the workforce to meet these demands. Despite the need for a more diverse, qualified workforce, African Americans/Blacks remain disproportionately underrepresented in science occupations, science degree attainment, and in science postsecondary majors. The lack of science participation is reflective of how minority secondary students view science and science occupations as many consider the pursuit of a science career as unfavorable. Moreover, minority secondary students, who do choose to pursue science occupations, seem to possess inaccurate (or …

A Trauma-Informed School-Based Mental Health Counseling Intervention To Promote The Social-Emotional And Academic Functionality Of Children Living In Poverty, Mary Perleoni

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a trauma-informed school-based mental health counseling intervention (TI-SBMHCI) on students enrolled in three Title I elementary schools. This study aimed to examine the impact of a TI-SBMHCI on participants' social-emotional functionality, trauma symptomology, and academic behavior. Counselors-in-training provided a 10-week TI-SBMHCI based off of Bath's (2008) The three Pillars of Trauma-informed Care and data was collected at pretest (first session), mid (fifth session), and posttest (tenth session). In addition, this investigation examined if participants showed greater improvement in academic behavior in comparison to students who did not receive a …

A Qualitative Inquiry Into The Systemic Influences Upon The Wellness Of Home And Community Based Counselor, Elizabeth Moore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Home and community based counseling services have become instrumental to the treatment of children and adolescents struggling with mental illness. Counselors working in these systems of care face significant challenges in this unique setting. Most home and community based counselors (HCBCs) face these challenges as recent graduates, not having adequate preparation for the home setting, while receiving little supervision. HCBCs have reported feeling isolated and unsupported and question their effectiveness as counselors. Macchi, Johnson, and Durtschi’s (2014) results point to the importance of self-care to HCBC wellness, especially when the HCBC is lacking supervision. Yet, we are unable to glean …

Re-Queering The Trans Binary: Gender Nonconforming Individuals’ Experiences In Counseling And Therapeutic Settings, Michael Stephens

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to unearth the narratives of gender nonconforming (GNC) individuals’ experiences of mental health services. The term gender nonconforming refers to individuals who do not identify with a strictly male or female concept of gender identity. There is an insubstantial research that has been conducted into the provision of effective mental health services for gender nonconforming individuals. Most of the studies in the literature review used the term transgender to highlight gender minority experience of counseling.

This study used gender nonconforming to separate from this terminology confusion. Individuals who identify with the identity label of transgender can be …

Wellness And Karate, Cristina Kumpf

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The promotion of wellness is an integral part of the counseling field and is considered to be a central focus to the counseling process (Barden, Conley, & Young, 2015; Myers, 1992). The counseling profession adopted the concept of wellness because it harmonizes with many of the founding principles of the ACA and is seen as a process of questing toward optimal health and well-being in body, mind, and spirit (Barden, Conley, & Young, 2015; Myers, 1992; Myers, Sweeney, & Witmer, 2000). Additionally, ACA Code of Ethics (2014) state that counselors “engage in self-care activities to maintain and promote their own …

Using Reality Therapy In Clinical Supervision : A Psychotherapy-Driven Model., Quentin Hunter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Clinical supervision is the signature pedagogy of counseling, with most professional counselors engaging in some type of supervision during their careers (Bernard & Goodyear, 2014). Psychotherapy-based models of supervision are the oldest models, originally intended to train supervisees to practice a specific psychotherapy (e.g., psychodynamic, behavioral; Watkins & Scaturo, 2013). Pearson (2006) indicated that contemporary clinical supervision could be informed by both the research in the role of development in clinical supervision and the tenets of a theory of psychotherapy. Although Pearson (2006) provided a conceptualization of psychotherapy-driven models of supervision, there is little research into the efficacy of such …

Race In Predominately White Schools : Implications For School Counselors., Katelyn Marie Gosnell Richey

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the phenomenon of white school counselors and the discussions about race that occur at predominately white schools. Research in the area of predominately white schools and discussions about race is severely lacking (Chandler, 2009; Chandler & McKnight, 2009). Additionally, many researchers and authors reported that conversations about race are either avoided or poorly managed in K-12 schools (Brown & Brown, 2010; Chandler & McKnight, 2009; Lintner, 2004; Burrell & Walsh, 2001; ; Loewen, 2007; Zimmerman, 2004). This points to an even greater importance on school counselors cultivating these conversations with the students at the schools in which …

A Qualitative Study Of Counseling Students’ Attitudes Toward The Use Of Medication Assisted Treatments With Opioid Dependent Clients, Bethany L. Ackerman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Dissertation supervised by Dr. William Casile

Counseling students’ perceptions of medication assisted treatment for opioid addition was explored. This study sought to understand how the students’ attitudes and beliefs regarding the use of medication assisted treatments developed, and also how these attitudes and beliefs may affect client care and professional career choices. Specifically, this study examined how their professional counselor education experiences played a role in the formation/development of these attitudes and beliefs.

This qualitative study was conducted with six counseling students who participated in semi-structured, individual interviews. At the time of the study, all of the students were currently …

Life Satisfaction Typologies Among Roman Catholic Secular Clergy: A Q Methodological Investigation, Raju Antony

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Life satisfaction typologies among Roman Catholic secular clergy were studied using a Q methodological design. Using Q-Assessor, a web-based tool for Q methodological studies, 33 priests sorted and ranked 34 predetermined statements about their life satisfaction. By-person factor analysis and varimax rotation extracted three predominant category prototypes – pro-spirituals, professionals, and pro-relationals– representing three different views regarding the life satisfaction of clergy. The findings led to the creation of an explanatory model recognizing a multi-factorial pathway to understanding clergy life satisfaction.

The Relationship Between Doctoral-Level Teaching Preparation Strategies In Cacrep-Accredited Counselor Education Programs And Self-Efficacy Toward Teaching, Eric Galen Suddeath

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study focused on the preparation of doctoral students enrolled in counselor education and supervision (CES) programs for their future responsibilities as teachers. Specifically, this study examined the relationship between CES doctoral students’ self-efficacy toward teaching, as measured by the Self-Efficacy toward Teaching Inventory (SETI), and several teaching preparation strategies identified in the CES literature and accreditation standards: formal coursework on college teaching, fieldwork experiences in teaching, and supervision of teaching fieldwork experiences. Data were collected from 171 CES doctoral students through an electronic survey tool. This study found that all of the identified teaching preparation variables were signicantly related …