Psychology Commons^™

The Potential Mediating Role Of Perfectionistic Self-Presentation In The Relationship Between Other Stigma, Self-Stigma, And Attitudes Towards Mental Health Help-Seeking In Asian Americans, Trevor E. Taone

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

The importance of understanding why individuals decided to engage in mental health care cannot be overstated. This importance is further highlighted in the need to examine the different factors that may help researchers and clinicians to obtain more insight into why populations with a higher demand for mental health services, such as Asian Americans, possess negative attitudes toward seeking mental health care. Stigma has been identified as a significant barrier that influences these attitudes towards help-seeking. Other stigma and self-stigma, in particular, play an important role in understanding why individuals may possess negative views about mental health care help-seeking. With …

العزلة الاجتماعية وعلاقتها بالأفكار اللاعقلانية لدى طلبة المدارس, Feras Qurit'e Al-Jobour, Ali Abdullah Al-Hourani

Journal of the Association of Arab Universities for Research in Higher Education مجلة اتحاد الجامعات العربية للبحوث في التعليم العالي

هدفت الدّراسة إلى الكشف عن مستوى كل من العزلة الاجتماعية والأفكار اللاعقلانية، والعلاقة بينهما لدى طلبة المدارس. اعتمدت الدراسة على المنهج الوصفي الارتباطي، وتكوّنت عيّنة الدّراسة من (831) طالباً وطالبة (476 طالباً و 355 طالبة)، تم اختيارهم بالطّريقة المُتيسرة في الفصل الدراسي الثاني للعام الدراسي (2023/2022)م. ولتحقيق أهداف الدراسة؛ جرى استخدام مقياس العزلة الاجتماعية ومقياس الأفكار اللاعقلانية اللذين أعدا لغايات هذه الدراسة، بعد التحقق من صدقهما وثباتهما. أظهرت نتائج الدراسة أن مستوى كل من العزلة الاجتماعية والأفكار اللاعقلانية جاء متوسطاً، وأن هناك علاقة ارتباطية موجبة دالة إحصائياً بينهما. كما أظهرت النتائج أيضاً عدم وجود فروق دالة إحصائياً في مستوى كل …

The Potential For Improv As A Therapeutic Tool In The Context Of Dialectical Behavior Therapy: Suggestions For Dbt Clinicians, Jocelyn Borden

University Honors Theses

This thesis explores the theoretical and practical intersections between improvisational theater and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), proposing that the core tenets of improv closely align with the philosophical foundation and therapeutic goals of DBT. Aimed at mental health professionals, this work provides a conceptual framework and praxis for incorporating improv-based activities into DBT skills training to enhance client engagement, experiential learning, and emotional resilience. Through an examination of improv theory, parallels with DBT principles, and practical suggestions for integration, the thesis outlines how applied improvisation can be used as a supplemental tool in traditional DBT treatment. The final section includes …

Christian Beliefs About Salvation: Measurement And Associations With Mental Health And Well-Being, Anthony Edward Rose, Timothy B. Smith

Faculty Publications

Religious beliefs influence many behaviors and perspectives relevant to wellbeing and mental health. In Christianity, beliefs about how one attains salvation may be particularly relevant to psychology, but limited scholarship has considered cognitive aspects of religiosity. This study developed and evaluated a new measure of Beliefs about Salvation (BAS) that assesses affirmations of salvation (a) by God’s grace alone and (b) by God’s grace after human repentance/ordinances, as understood by different Christian denominations. We examined the association of the BAS with three measures of mental health and six measures of influences on religiosity. In a sample of 1556 predominantly members …

Current Practice In The Provision Of Psychological Assessment, Catherine R. Hanigan, Linda J. Baum, Anderson B. Rowan

Archives of Assessment Psychology

Understanding the assessment practices of psychologists has been a focus of research since the mid-twentieth century. Previous studies focused on the types of tests utilized as well as the amount of time spent on assessment. This updated research examined professional psychologists’ current practice and use of assessment, such as specific test usage, time spent on assessment, and feedback practices. A survey instrument was created, piloted, and administered to a sample of 293 currently practicing licensed psychologists. Results indicated that current assessment practices are largely consistent with previous surveys of psychologists. The tests identified as most frequently used were the Wechsler …

Reading Patients' Personalities The Sentence Completion Way, Stephen P. Joy, Lawrence Mccloskey, Wilson Mcdermut

Archives of Assessment Psychology

Previous research has shown that reliable, valid measures of major personality traits can be derived from a sentence completion test, the Rotter Incomplete Sentences Blank (RISB). However, all previous samples consisted of undergraduates. Here, we report findings for two clinical samples (N = 120) to whom a variety of self-report inventories and structured clinical interviews were also administered. RISB-based ratings of Extraversion and Neuroticism were consistently correlated with relevant variables in both samples and displayed convergent and discriminant validity vis a vis self-reported traits. RISB-based ratings of Psychoticism were clearly associated with relevant variables in one sample with mixed but …

Demystifying Black Men’S Relationship Experiences: A Relational Cultural Exploration Of Connection And Disconnection, Taeja Monique Mitchell

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

[ABSTRACT] The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the ways in which Black men perceive connection and enact disconnection in their relationships. This study utilized relational cultural theory (Jordan, 2010, 2018) as an interpretive framework to explore and understand Black men’s relational development with special attention on connection and disconnection. Relational Cultural Theory (RCT) posits that sociocultural factors contribute to relational development, patterns, and images, which impact Black men’s capacity to connect with others. The most salient sociocultural factors that contribute to Black men’s relational experiences include racial socialization, myths about Black men, shame and societal pressure, and psychological …

Do Resiliency And Coping Skills Moderate The Relationship Between Mood Disorders And Parenting Styles Due To Parental Relationship Distress?, Tiffany Burks

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Parental relationship dynamics such as intimate partner violence (IPV), interpersonal distress (IPD), and parental alienation (PA) can significantly affect both mental health and parenting practices. This study examined whether personal strengths, specifically resilience and problem-focused coping, could help buffer these negative outcomes. Correlational analyses showed that IPV, IPD, and PA were positively associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety. IPV and PA were also negatively associated with the use of an authoritative parenting style. In contrast, resilience and problem-focused coping were linked to fewer mood-related symptoms and greater use of authoritative parenting. Multiple regression analyses revealed that IPV significantly predicted …

“You Can Rise Back Up Again”: Using Photovoice To Understand Healing From Intimate Partner Violence Among Lgbtq+ Racial-Ethnic Minority College Students, Stephanie Lim

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a longstanding public health crisis that has been linked to deleterious mental and physical health issues and negative academic outcomes among college students. Further, IPV disproportionately affects LGBTQ+ individuals and certain racial-ethnic minority students. Campus services are not adequately meeting the needs of these survivors and these efforts would be better informed by centering students disproportionately affected by IPV. Guided by intersectionality and minority stress theories, the current photovoice study examined the strengths that fostered healing and the challenges that LGBTQ+ racial-ethnic minority survivors faced in their recovery journeys. Participants were eight LGBTQ+ racial-ethnic minority …

Seen And Heard: A Visual Testimony Of Purity Culture Using Qualitative Photovoice Methodology, Amanda Brown

Dissertations

Purity culture, rooted in Christian teachings, has profoundly shaped individuals’ identities, relationships, and perceptions of sexuality, gender, and faith. While popular culture is talking about the effects of purity culture, scholarly literature is lacking. This study employed photovoice methodology to center the voices of those who grew up in purity culture, using photography and personal narratives to explore its long-term effects. The study focused on how individuals who have experienced purity culture articulate and visualize their stories, revealing nuanced insights across seven thematic domains: gender expectations, romantic relationships, faith, mental health, identity formation, sex and sexuality, and healing and …

Bridging The Gap: Exploring The Intersection Of Formal Mental Health Services And Informal Social Supports In Bipoc Communities, Patrice D. Patton-Campbell

Dissertations

Despite growing awareness of mental health disparities, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities continue to face significant barriers in accessing culturally responsive mental health care. This dissertation explores the intersection between formal mental health services and informal social supports such as family, religious institutions, and community networks to understand which systems are more trusted, accessible, and effective for BIPOC individuals. Grounded in Urban Liberation Psychology and guided by decolonial and culturally responsive care frameworks, this qualitative study draws from focus groups and interviews with 33 participants, including both community members and service providers from the Chicagoland area and …

Mindfulness As A Buffer Against Death Anxiety: Implications For End-Of-Life Care, Chad Alexander

University Honors Theses

Death anxiety, defined as the distress associated with the awareness of mortality, has profound psychological and cultural impacts. Western societies often respond to death salience through avoidance and medicalization, reinforcing defensive strategies described by Terror Management Theory. This project aimed to investigate whether mindfulness can serve as a buffer against death anxiety. A structured literature review was conducted using PsycINFO, PubMed, the Portland State University Library, and Google Scholar between January 2025 and April 2025. One study found that mindfulness moderated the effects of death anxiety on health-related quality of life in people living with HIV. Two experiments linked mindfulness …

Understanding Anti-Racism In Counselor Education: A Narratology Of Anti-Racist Pedagogy In Sociocultural Courses, Danielle G. Rodgers

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Counselors have the privilege to join children, adolescents, and adults from all walks of life in a journey of working towards mental and emotional wellness. Our code of ethics outlines “honoring diversity and embracing a multicultural approach in support of the worth, dignity, potential, and uniqueness of people within their social and cultural contexts” (p.3) and promoting social justice as two of our core professional values (American Counseling Association [ACA], 2014). The ACA also stated in their Antiracist Statement in 2020 that “we have a moral and professional obligation to deconstruct institutions which have historically been designed to benefit White …

The Red Thread: Objects As Medium, Hsin-Ning Alin Yang

Masters Theses

There are moments when people hesitate to speak their emotions or needs
—whether it’s love that feels too shy to articulate, needs that risk sounding too forceful, or feelings too vague to verbalize. By shifting the priority of emotion and communication factor ahead of pure functionality, this thesis posits that objects can serve as an alternative medium of communication.

This thesis begins by examining the root causes of communication difficulties and the coping strategies people use, ultimately identifying five situations in which objects can effectively substitute for verbal interaction. Building on these categories, the thesis explores how an object’s features, …

A Qualitative Meta-Analysis Of The Experiences Of Clients In Psychotherapy For Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: An Empirically Based Process-Oriented Staged Model, Nicholas A. Pierorazio

Graduate Masters Theses

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent and can be highly complex. Guidance for the treatment of PTSD has typically been based on quantitative meta-analyses of randomized controlled trial findings and has focused on the comparative efficacy of specific treatments, rather than how to deliver treatment. There is a need for clinical guidance that highlights moment-to-moment, in-session psychotherapy processes for psychotherapists working with clients with PTSD. In the current study, I conducted a qualitative meta-analysis, focusing on the qualitative literature investigating clients’ perspectives in order to develop an understanding of the preferences, values, and experiences of clients in individual psychotherapy for …

Give Them Their Roses: Honoring Student Affairs Professionals Of Color Combatting Secondary Racial Battle Fatigue At A Historically White Institution, Julián X. Latshang, Julián X. Latshang

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation explores the phenomenon of Secondary Racial Battle Fatigue (SRBF) and its impact on student affairs professionals of color in higher education. Grounded in critical qualitative inquiry and the lived experiences of participants, this study examines how emotional, behavioral, and physiological effects of SRBF manifest both through professionals’ direct racialized experiences and their roles supporting students enduring racial trauma. Framed by Racial Battle Fatigue (Smith, 2010) and Secondary Traumatic Stress (Figley, 1995), the research addresses three guiding questions: (a) How does SRBF manifest in professionals of color? (b) In what ways does it emerge when supporting racially traumatized students? …

How Art Therapy And Emdr Help Asylum Seekers And Refugees Move Towards Healing Trauma: A Literature Review, Anna Mogilevsky

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

In the past ten years, there has been a significant rise in the number of asylum seekers and refugee populations worldwide (UNHCR, 2022). Displaced individuals are extremely vulnerable to mental illness because of the compounded trauma experienced in their countries of origin with the stress of immigration, asylum seeking, culture shock, and language barriers. PTSD is affecting 500 million individuals globally, and refugees are especially susceptible to having these symptoms (Farrell, 2020). Art therapy and EMDR are identified as the most promising modalities for treating such trauma.

This literature review examines the various ways EMDR and art therapy have been …

Changing The Narrative: A Meta-Analysis Of Narrative Therapy And It's Changes Since Inception, Elijah J. Shriner

Honors Projects

This meta-analysis examines the effectiveness of narrative therapy across 43 studies involving diverse populations and mental health conditions. Studies included randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental designs, and case studies, with outcome measures primarily focused on depressive symptoms, interpersonal functioning, and psychological distress. Effect sizes were calculated using Hedges’ g to account for small sample bias. Overall, narrative therapy demonstrated moderate to large positive effects on symptom reduction and client well-being, though variability in study design and reporting limited the precision of some estimates. Findings support narrative therapy as a promising intervention across clinical contexts, while highlighting the need for more rigorous, …

Using Dabke To Embody Sumud: A Literature Review Of Indigenous Palestinian Dance In Relation To Ongoing Trauma, Reema Rustom

Expressive Therapies Theses

This literature review explores the psychological and psychosomatic impacts of political violence on Palestinians living under Israeli military occupation. Drawing from historical, academic, and ethnographic sources, the thesis examines how risk factors such as displacement, home destruction or demolition, and chronic exposure to military aggression contribute to trauma. Utilizing expressive arts therapy as a lens for understanding how arts-based processes support working through trauma, the review identifies existing Palestinian cultural practices that allow for the reclamation of the self, the collective, and the land. This review also highlights protective factors that support the well-being and resilience of Palestinians, such as …

The Neuropsychiatric Value Of Expressive Arts Therapy Integrated With Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy In Treating Alzheimer's Disease And Related Disorders (Adrd), Alicia C. Hesse-Cleary

Expressive Therapies Theses

Neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease, and other dementias, are progressive disorders that lead to white matter damage in the brain, resulting in structural and functional consequences that disrupt neuronal pathways and contribute to significant cognitive and behavioral impairments. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form and a leading cause of death among older adults. Nearly 97% of patients experience neuropsychiatric symptoms, which are incredibly challenging to treat effectively as the disease progresses and, in some cases, may be untreatable with pharmaceuticals. This situation significantly increases caregiver burden and healthcare costs. Traditional pharmacological treatments for these conditions have …

Hope-Centered Art Therapy Exploring The Emergence Of Relational Narratives In Nurturing Resilience In Children, Niloofar Ojani

Expressive Therapies Theses

This review examines the importance of hope and resilience in art therapy interventions for children by synthesizing current research on how art therapy can foster hope. The data were collected by reviewing published peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, reflective writing, and artmaking—arts-based research methods. The beginning sections delve deeply into the definition of hope and resilience in the context of adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs. Art therapy acts as a creative medium for fostering these qualities. It is discussed that creative expression contributes to emotional regulation, utilizes therapeutic intra- and inter-relationships as a source of hope, and connects the child with …

How Can Tattoos Be Understood As Intermodal Expressive Arts Therapy?: Integrating Visual Art, Personal Narrative, And Embodied Experience: Development Of A Method, Rachel S. Hall

Expressive Therapies Theses

This paper explores the inherent intermodal nature of tattoos through the lens of expressive arts therapy, demonstrating how tattoos integrate visual art, personal narrative, and embodied experience. A group intervention was designed and implemented in an outpatient setting, drawing on existing literature and the Expressive Therapies Continuum (ETC) to examine how tattoos function as therapeutic tools that support identity formation, emotional healing, and self-expression. The intervention guided participants through an intermodal process that began with reflective writing on identity-forming experiences, followed by visual art-making and somatic engagement. This approach illuminated the transformative potential of tattoo conceptualization within a therapeutic context, …

A Method For Developing Multicultural Musical Fluency: Reclaiming A Relationship With Traditional Ashkenazi Music, Rachael Penn

Expressive Therapies Theses

Counseling and music therapy scholars recommend that students and clinicians engage in self-inquiry to explore their cultural values to build multicultural competence. I created an arts-based method for deep reflection using theory and techniques in the literature regarding culture-centered music therapy, including ethnographic inquiry, the cultural unconscious, intersubjective theory, active imagination, embodiment, and artistic reflection. I engaged with music from my own cultural background, which included Ashkenazi klezmer music and Yiddish folksong, to reflect on my cultural values and to build a living relationship with the music. Thematic analysis revealed eight themes, including the function of the music, personal memories …

Why Disability Justice Matters In Mental Health Care And How Drama Therapists Can Help Get It Right, Anish Nakahara

Expressive Therapies Theses

Disability Justice (DJ) is an important, ever-growing aspect of mental health work that must be further explored and implemented if mental health professionals are committed to harm reduction and health equity. Drama therapy (DT) provides a unique accessibility that traditional psychotherapy does not always afford. The emphasis on encounters, relationality, and creative expression provides more avenues through which people can approach DT. Through analysis of current literature, this thesis explored the present relationship between DT and DJ, the relationship between the broader mental health care system and DJ, and how progress can continue toward competent, dignified care for disabled people. …

"La Vida Es Un Carnaval": An Exploration Of Cuban Identity And Nostalgia Through Dance/Movement Therapy - A Community Engagement Project, Maria Fernanda Mendez Mendoza

Expressive Therapies Theses

“La Vida Es Un Carnaval” is a community engagement project and thesis that explores how identity and nostalgic resilience show up through dance/movement therapy with Cuban immigrants living in the United States, specifically Massachusetts. This project brought together six Cuban-born participants, ages 26 to 67, each with their own unique migration stories; from the Rafter Balsero Crisis of 1994, to the “Wet-Foot/Dry-Foot” policy, and family reunification. Through a mix of in-person and online sessions, participants explored their experiences using intermodal activities including dance/movement therapy techniques, conversation, journaling, artwork, and music. Themes of cultural pride, “Cubanía” – Cuban-ness, culture shock, and …

Emotional Pathways: A Literature Review Of Emotion Process In Emotionally Focused Therapy And Drama Therapy, Chiao-Ting Yuan

Expressive Therapies Theses

This capstone thesis explored how emotionally focused therapy (EFT), and drama therapy (DT) could be integrated to improve emotional regulation, self-awareness, and mental healing. Based on attachment theory and emotional process framework, how these two different but complementary interventions could increase emotional participation and transformation was explored. This literature review indicated that although EFT’s structured and verbal approach is different from DT’s creative and embodied skills, the two approaches share common goals and target the same emotional process. In DT, several techniques can be found that are closely related to EFT’s emotional process. These techniques can provide a unique and …

Exploring Predictive Factors For Enabling Behavior In Family Members Of Those With Problematic Substance Use, Joseph Lemieux

Counseling and Psychology Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the underpinning driving forces for enabling behavior in affected family members with loved ones engaged in problematic substance use. With improved clarity and understanding of the variables predictive of enabling behavior, clinicians may be able to treat family members with improved precision and efficacy. Specifically, this study inquired about the relationship between enabling behavior and several variables, including (a) trauma, (b) ethnicity/race, (c) gender, (d) social support, (e) household income, and (f) age. This study surveyed 100 participants identifying as affected family members. Surveys were completed online and consisted of …

God And Psychology: How The Early Development Of Famous Psychologists Influenced Their Work, Chris Dinwiddie

Salubritas: International Journal of Spirit-Empowered Counseling

No abstract provided.

Beyond The Clinical Hour: How Counselors Can Partner With The Church To Address The Mental Health Crisis, Michelle Taylor

Salubritas: International Journal of Spirit-Empowered Counseling

No abstract provided.

A Theology Of Hope For Missing Persons And Lost Causes, Joelle Yanko

Salubritas: International Journal of Spirit-Empowered Counseling

This paper explores how unresolved tragedies—particularly missing person cases and lost causes—serve as profound reflections of the human condition and reveal the necessity of Christian eschatological hope. Missing person cases touch the deepest questions of the human soul and reveal a deep, universal longing for justice and resolution—longings that cannot be fully met within the bounds of this present life. Drawing from theological reflection, the paper argues that both suffering and miraculous resolution ultimately point toward a greater hope found in the Christian vision of union with God. This future-oriented hope, grounded in the resurrection of Christ, invites believers to …