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Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

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Full-Text Articles in Clinical Psychology

Attachment Styles And The Impact Of Extradyadic Behaviors In Polyamorous Relationships, Noah Corey Jan 2023

Attachment Styles And The Impact Of Extradyadic Behaviors In Polyamorous Relationships, Noah Corey

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study examines the emotional experience of extradyadic behavior (EDB) in polyamorous relationships through an attachment lens. Estimated prevalence rates suggest that one in nine people in the United States have engaged in polyamory at some point in their life (Moors et al., 2021). Attachment theory addresses with anxiety and separation in relationships, feelings likely aroused by extradyadic behavior, yet it has been minimally applied to this population (Moors et al., 2015, 2019). The current study utilized a phenomenological approach where eight participants were interviewed, examining the emotional experience of EDB in polyamorous relationships through an attachment lens. The study …


Exploring The Lives Of Animal Activists: A Qualitative Study, Erin K. Mckenney Jan 2023

Exploring The Lives Of Animal Activists: A Qualitative Study, Erin K. Mckenney

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The animal rights movement, despite its historical roots, has only recently garnered attention in the realm of social sciences, increasingly being recognized as a facet of social justice. This dissertation delves into the intersection of animal rights activism and gender, primarily focusing on the parallels drawn between the oppression of women and animals/nature. The noticeable dominance of women in the animal rights movement, as suggested by previous studies, formed the basis for adopting an eco-feminist approach to explore this issue, highlighting the shared oppression and exploitation faced by women and animals. In-depth, in-person interviews were used to collect data on …


The Impact Of Poorly Facilitated Anti-Racist Conversations, Brandon Kirkwood Jan 2023

The Impact Of Poorly Facilitated Anti-Racist Conversations, Brandon Kirkwood

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

It is well established that the graduate school experience is significantly different for students of color; on top of a rigorous training program, they face additional distinct challenges including racism, discrimination, and feelings of isolation. Insidious Trauma theory provides the framework for this quantitative exploration assessing the impact of poorly facilitated anti-racist conversations on the physical and emotional wellbeing of clinical psychology graduate students of color. George Floyd’s murder, among many other incidents of racial injustice, was a powerful catalyst that propelled academic institutions into action. Anti-racist dialogue became the intentional focus of graduate classes almost overnight. Well-meaning but insufficiently-prepared …


With Liberty And Justice For All: Psychological And Functional Consequences For Service Members Acquitted Of Sexual Assault, Jamie Leavey Jan 2023

With Liberty And Justice For All: Psychological And Functional Consequences For Service Members Acquitted Of Sexual Assault, Jamie Leavey

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Policy makers are tasked with changing laws and improving systemic processes in response to evolving moral standards. As societal outrage grew regarding sexual assault in the military, those in power sought to balance what was perceived as a system that ignored, retaliated against, or unfairly burdened victims. However, as the pendulum swung toward victims’ rights and privileges, those accused of this crime inherited the burden of an imbalanced system. In the military context, the experience of the accused is impacted by the lack of separation between functional domains of life (e.g., work, home, community), multiple roles of military commanders (e.g., …


Protective Behavioral Strategies And Negative Consequences Of Alcohol Use Among College Athletes, Nirmala Jayaraman Jan 2023

Protective Behavioral Strategies And Negative Consequences Of Alcohol Use Among College Athletes, Nirmala Jayaraman

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Alcohol use is associated with a variety of negative consequences among young adults (Benton et al., 2004). Current studies are considering how protective behavioral strategies (PBS), such as acting as a designated driver, alternating with a non-alcoholic beverage, or watching out for a friend at a party, can be analyzed to better understand what factors contribute to alcohol consumption and drinking behavior (Borden et al., 2011). The purpose of this study was to further understand the relationship between the use of specific protective behavior strategies and negative consequences related to drinking alcohol among college athletes. The present study used survey …


Examining The Relationship Between Non-Suicidal Self-Injury And Attachment Styles, Larissa Grundmanis Jan 2023

Examining The Relationship Between Non-Suicidal Self-Injury And Attachment Styles, Larissa Grundmanis

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Non-suicidal self-injury, or NSSI, can be defined as the “intentional, self-inflicted destruction of body tissue performed without suicidal intent using methods that are not socially sanctioned” (Martin et al., 2017, p. 425). Lifetime prevalence has been found to be between 5.9% and 18% (Cassels et al., 2019; Klonsky, 2011), indicating that there is a need to understand NSSI so that individuals can be helped to reduce the frequency of their harming behaviors. There is reason to believe that one’s attachment style is associated with the engagement of NSSI (e.g., Wrath & Adams, 2019). Research shows mixed results regarding the types …


When The Bough Breaks: Alcohol Misuse Among Jamaican Young Adults, Marsha Smith Jan 2023

When The Bough Breaks: Alcohol Misuse Among Jamaican Young Adults, Marsha Smith

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The incidence of alcohol misuse globally continues to be a significant problem with copious adverse health and social causes and implications. The prevalence of alcohol misuse in Jamaica, British West Indies, instigated the trifold objective of this study. The ecological systems model provided a framework for conceptualizing multilayered biological and social processes that interact to determine mental health. This study examined anxiety and depression, family structure, and perceived parental warmth and control as predictors of alcohol misuse among young adults ages 18 to 30 residing in Jamaica. The current study revealed a correlation between alcohol misuse and higher levels of …


Autistic Authors' Narratives Of Trauma And Resilience: A Qualitative Analysis, Tessa Smith Jan 2023

Autistic Authors' Narratives Of Trauma And Resilience: A Qualitative Analysis, Tessa Smith

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This qualitative dissertation investigates current research gaps regarding autistic individuals’ experience of trauma and resilience in the face of adversity. Specifically, it conceptualizes trauma and resilience through a neurodiverse lens, through identifying themes in memoirs written by five autistic authors related to trauma, potentially traumatic events, resiliency, and posttraumatic growth. Through Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, I identified individual, interpersonal, and societal factors impacting the memoirists experiences of trauma, through the identification of 11 superordinate themes. Prominent themes at the individual level included self-acceptance and emotion regulation promoting resilience. At the contextual level, sensory processing and uncertainty coincided with experiences of trauma. …


“Avoid It Like The Plague”: Adults' Lived Experience Of Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, Megan Knedgen Jan 2023

“Avoid It Like The Plague”: Adults' Lived Experience Of Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, Megan Knedgen

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of adults with a DSM-5 diagnosis of avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) aiming to describe key features of ARFID as it is understood by treatment-seeking adults. Nine treatment-seeking adults with a full-threshold diagnosis of ARFID (aged 20–42) were recruited. In-depth, semi-structured, qualitative interviews were conducted to explore participants’ experiences and perceptions of avoidant and/or restrictive eating. Transcripts were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis, through which three group experimental themes were generated: (a) “A tradeoff between safety and freedom,” (b) “A broken self,” and (c) “Being seen: A double-edged sword.” This study’s findings …


Psychologist Perspectives On The Treatment And Assessment Of Problematic Sexual Behavior In Neurodivergent Youth, Emily R. Marhan Jan 2023

Psychologist Perspectives On The Treatment And Assessment Of Problematic Sexual Behavior In Neurodivergent Youth, Emily R. Marhan

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The following dissertation explored the subjective experience of mental health clinicians regarding their perceptions of providing treatment and assessment to neurodivergent youth (ND) who exhibited problematic sexual behavior (PSB). Prior to this study, scant research has been conducted pertaining to the treatment and assessment of youth who exhibit PSB, and less still on those with comorbid neurodivergence (Jones & Chaplin, 2017; Malovic et al., 2016; Pratt, 2013). This study utilized Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to inform interpretations of participant responses collected through semi-structured interviews. Participants consisted of five licensed psychologists with experience providing assessment and/or treatment to both neurotypical and ND …


Living With Awareness, Courage, And Love: An Accessible Behavioral Intervention To Improve Well-Being, Emerson J. Hardebeck Jan 2023

Living With Awareness, Courage, And Love: An Accessible Behavioral Intervention To Improve Well-Being, Emerson J. Hardebeck

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Accessing mental healthcare is difficult and has become more so as demand escalated during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In an attempt to address this problem, an established behavior therapy, Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP), has recently been adapted into a group-based format called Living with Awareness, Courage, and Love (ACL), which can be disseminated inexpensively and quickly due to its reliance on laypeople, rather than clinicians, as facilitators. This randomized-controlled trial evaluated the effects of a six-week ACL group on participants’ well-being across several domains. Compared to participants in the control group, those in the ACL intervention formed a significantly closer …


Binge Drinking And Protective Behavioral Strategies Among Greek And Non-Greek College Students, Maria Niitepold Jan 2023

Binge Drinking And Protective Behavioral Strategies Among Greek And Non-Greek College Students, Maria Niitepold

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

One of the most problematic habits of college students, binge drinking, has been of particular interest among researchers as a result of the increased risk of harm experienced by students engaging in this high-risk behavior. Fraternity and sorority students have also come under scrutiny for habitually engaging in binge drinking and experiencing significant levels of negative consequences as a result. Little is currently understood about the differences between Protective Behavioral Strategy (PBS) use of Greek and non-Greek students. The aim of this study was to examine the differences in rates of binge drinking and PBS use among Greek and non-Greek …


Metaphor And Intersubjectivity: The Use Of Metaphor Within A Metaphor, Sara Jalbert Jan 2023

Metaphor And Intersubjectivity: The Use Of Metaphor Within A Metaphor, Sara Jalbert

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Psychotherapists experience encounters in psychotherapy that present the opportunity for metaphor and imagery to be utilized as methods of intervention that enhance attunement in the therapeutic dyad. Working within imagery, tropes, and metaphor may facilitate experiential processing and integration of information. Metaphor has been used across cultures for many years to describe abstract concepts and to apply deeper meaning to the confines of logical thought. This paper discusses the literature on metaphor as an object of shared language, enhancing the space which minds share in the therapeutic dyad, and posits that metaphor has the ability to enhance intrapsychic levels of …


Psychoanalytic And Psychodynamic Practitioners Survey, Rebecca Moussa Jan 2023

Psychoanalytic And Psychodynamic Practitioners Survey, Rebecca Moussa

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

There has been little consensus in the field of psychology in what defines a psychoanalytic/psychodynamic (PA/PD) practitioner or psychologist. This dissertation analyzed the data from the 2021 Psychoanalytic and Psychodynamic Practitioner’s Survey. The analyzed data was used to further understand who these practitioners are and how they practice by exploring (a) practice patterns, (b) education and training experiences, (c) demographics of practitioners, (e) practice settings and populations, (f), clinical problems addressed, and (g) needs and interest assessment for new specialty and subspecialty board certification. The results were analyzed and revealed relevant information about individuals’ ethnic/racial identification and the intersecting factors …


From Intersubjectivity To Activism: A Case For Engaged Psychoanalytic And Psychodynamic Psychology, Abigail Bliss Jan 2023

From Intersubjectivity To Activism: A Case For Engaged Psychoanalytic And Psychodynamic Psychology, Abigail Bliss

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This dissertation consists of a book proposal, including a completed introduction and first chapter, in addition to detailed chapter outlines summarizing the content for the actual book. After framing this project and exploring its inspiration, which includes Freud and his free clinics (Danto, 2005), the first chapter begins with explorations of multiple theories of intersubjectivity and the analytic third, considering how contemporary sociopolitical factors might affect the intersubjective experience. To this end, I demonstrate how race, politics, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the incorporation of telehealth practices affect the intersubjective experience in psychoanalytic/psychodynamic (PA/PD) psychotherapy. I then research and review PA/PD …


Nonsuicidal Self-Injury And Real-Life Self-Disclosure Among Internet Users, Matthew Tanner Jan 2023

Nonsuicidal Self-Injury And Real-Life Self-Disclosure Among Internet Users, Matthew Tanner

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore several unknown issues regarding disclosure of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) among users of social media. NSSI is a category of behaviors that cause intentional harm to the body without the intent to commit suicide. However, individuals who self-injure may unintentionally risk serious and even life-threatening harm. Moreover, the stigma and resultant shame associated with NSSI discourage reporting and thus complicate research into the behavior. This study examined the factors involved in individuals’ decisions to disclose NSSI. The current study uses primarily descriptive statistics from an internet-based survey to explore the following questions: (a) …


Internalized Transphobia And The Development Of Disordered Eating Behaviors In Gender Diverse Adults, Bonnie Kester Jan 2023

Internalized Transphobia And The Development Of Disordered Eating Behaviors In Gender Diverse Adults, Bonnie Kester

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Gender diverse individuals experience a multitude of oppressive interactions within our society and receive incessant messages of invalidation, oppression, and aggression. These chronic stressors have been shown to increase the risk of developing disordered eating behaviors within this population. The current study aims to explore how internalized transphobia may affect the development of disordered eating behavior as viewed through the Minority Stress Framework. This study explored the lived experience of being gender diverse in our society and how this may relate to the development of disordered eating behavior while also investigating protective factors. This study utilized a qualitative phenomenological methodology, …


Executive Functioning Among The Karyotypes In Turner Syndrome And Implications For Interventions, Sara Scull Jan 2023

Executive Functioning Among The Karyotypes In Turner Syndrome And Implications For Interventions, Sara Scull

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Turner syndrome (TS) is a genetic disorder seen in phenotypically female (pf) individuals who have either a complete or partial absence of the second sex (X) chromosome. TS includes different karyotypes, and it presents with a variety of phenotypic and genotypic features. In general, the neuropsychological profiles for individuals diagnosed suggest that TS can contribute to challenges in various aspects of daily life, including social and emotional functioning. With regard to academic performances, individuals with TS often present with relative strengths in a range of verbal abilities and relative weakness in visual-spatial/perceptual abilities, nonverbal memory, motor function, processing speed, executive …


Finding Body Appreciation Through The Weight-Neutral Framework, Hannah Goehner Jan 2023

Finding Body Appreciation Through The Weight-Neutral Framework, Hannah Goehner

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Body dissatisfaction is a critical risk factor for well-being; however, it can be considered normative in women. Body dissatisfaction is exceptionally high for women in larger bodies (Murnen, 2011). Due to body dissatisfaction’s prevalence and risk, mental health providers must assist higher-weight women in developing body appreciation. This qualitative study aims to comprehend how weight-neutral treatments promote body appreciation among higher-weight women. Utilizing a feminist and positive psychology framework, the study explored how higher-weight women developed body appreciation, how weight-neutral treatment promoted this development, and what outside factors assisted their progression. Comparison analysis between the weight-neutral and weight-focused samples was …


A Study On Sexual Shame And Sexual Functioning In Adult Sexual Assault Survivors, Aili Jones Jan 2023

A Study On Sexual Shame And Sexual Functioning In Adult Sexual Assault Survivors, Aili Jones

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

A large portion of women will experience sexual violence in their lives. As many as one in four women report having experienced sexual assault, and there are some who believe that the true number of sexual assault survivors is much higher. Women who are sexually assaulted experience a wide range of emotional, physical, and sexual symptoms related to the trauma. The psychological impacts of sexual violence, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety have been studied and treatments developed. The sexual functioning of sexual assault survivors, however, has not been as thoroughly studied. One relatively new area of study …


A Mixed-Methods Exploration Of Quality Of Life In Forensic Inpatients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders On The Social Learning Program, Alexa Hutzenbiler Jan 2023

A Mixed-Methods Exploration Of Quality Of Life In Forensic Inpatients With Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders On The Social Learning Program, Alexa Hutzenbiler

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This mixed-methods study explored the quality of life and lived experiences of adult individuals with diagnoses of schizophrenia spectrum disorders residing and receiving treatment on the Social Learning Program (SLP) at Fulton State Hospital, a high-security state forensic facility. Eleven participants completed the WHOQOL-BREF quantitative quality-of-life measure. Ten participants completed in-depth, semi-structured, qualitative interviews. Interviews were transcribed then analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. The major themes that emerged included “Working the Program,” “Relationship Dynamics with Self and Others,” “Meaning,” “I’ve Been Having Breakthroughs,” and “Areas for Improvement in the Program.” Combined, the findings of the present investigation demonstrate the utility …


Diabetes Distress In U.S. Adults During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review, Joanna Leah Sullivan Jan 2023

Diabetes Distress In U.S. Adults During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review, Joanna Leah Sullivan

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common metabolic disease that continues to grow in prevalence, affecting around 11% of the U.S. population in 2019. Although DM has a clear medical cause, a growing body of research points to social determinants of health (SDOH) and psychosocial factors as important mediators of prevalence and severity of DM. Diabetes distress, a mental health phenomenon arising out of the challenges of living with a stigmatized and demanding chronic disease, is one such factor. Given the heightened effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on psychosocial stressors and vulnerability to mental health disorders, it is important to understand …


An Emerging Masculinity: A Qualitative Study Of Majority-Status Men's Gender Socialization, Emily Sargent Jan 2022

An Emerging Masculinity: A Qualitative Study Of Majority-Status Men's Gender Socialization, Emily Sargent

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Majority-status American men have been found to disproportionately experience suicide, homicide, perpetration of sexual assault and intimate partner violence, as well as, alcohol and drug-related concerns. Current research considers gender socialization of traditional constructs of masculinity to be “toxic” for men and others (i.e., Women, gender and sexual minorities). This study sought to explore young men’s current experience of masculinity identity development in America. Six participants who self-identified as White, straight, English speaking, educated, cisgender, and emerging adult men shared their lived experience of masculinity via virtual video interviews. To assess results of this qualitative study, interpretive phenomenological analysis was …


Web-Based Therapeutic Horticulture Intervention: An Online Program Development Study, Dana Ludmer Jan 2022

Web-Based Therapeutic Horticulture Intervention: An Online Program Development Study, Dana Ludmer

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The pandemic has become a nationwide psychological trauma, posing a serious mental health risk in the United States. As the pandemic increases social disconnection and depression, amongst other psychological concerns, the need for accessible therapeutic interventions has become imperative. The purpose of this dissertation was to evaluate the interest and preferences in a web-based therapeutic horticulture intervention for connectedness and well-being. This study utilized a mixed methods approach, including both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. A needs assessment surveyed American Horticulture Therapist Association (AHTA) members as well as gardening hobbyists. Quantitative data was evaluated through descriptive statistics, while …


Examining Gender Differences In A Forensic Sample Using The Personality Assessment Inventory, Rebecca Elliott Jan 2022

Examining Gender Differences In A Forensic Sample Using The Personality Assessment Inventory, Rebecca Elliott

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Rates of female criminality appear to be rising (The Sentencing Project, 2022), and thus more women are likely to present for evaluation in a forensic capacity. A majority of research in the field of criminal behavior has focused exclusively on male populations. A dearth of research examining risk factors among female offenders has led to a lack of empirically validated tools used to assess women. Additionally, research on gender differences within a forensic population representing a wide range of referral questions has not been conducted. Women offenders present with unique and different risk factors than men (Grimbos et al., 2016); …


Experiences Of Queer Women And Nonbinary Individuals With Mental Health Care Services During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Elizabeth Claire Simpson Jan 2022

Experiences Of Queer Women And Nonbinary Individuals With Mental Health Care Services During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Elizabeth Claire Simpson

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative effect on mental health. Queer women and nonbinary individuals disproportionately experience mental health issues when compared to heterosexuals, often facing challenges in receiving care from providers who are sensitive to their concerns and competent in their care. Objective: To report experience of queer women and nonbinary individuals in the United States with mental health care services before and during the pandemic. Methods: Data were gathered via a 43-item survey about experiences with mental health care services before and during the pandemic that was posted on four social media sites, and flyers hung …


No Time For That: Graduate Psychology Student Perspectives On Self-Care Culture, Anthony Primavera Jan 2022

No Time For That: Graduate Psychology Student Perspectives On Self-Care Culture, Anthony Primavera

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Graduate psychology students face numerous stressors that can hinder their performance both academically and clinically as they move through their education and into the professional world (Pakenham & Stafford-Brown, 2012; Shen-Miller, 2011). Engagement with regular self-care not only can enhance a sense of well-being, but also plays a crucial role in shielding an individual from some of the most harmful effects of stress (Wise et al., 2012). Graduate level psychology programs are inherently positioned to teach graduate trainees about the importance of self-care practices and to help them develop self-care habits that they can take into future careers. It appears …


Managing Expectations After Expecting: A Phenomenological Study Of Anger And Societal Expectations In New Motherhood, Jennifer Monahan Demella Jan 2022

Managing Expectations After Expecting: A Phenomenological Study Of Anger And Societal Expectations In New Motherhood, Jennifer Monahan Demella

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The literature on motherhood is dominated by topics on the roles of attachment, prenatal care, and childrearing. Research on the negative effects of motherhood is typically described in terms of postpartum depression (PPD) or postpartum mood disorder (PPMD). However, anger is a prominent component in motherhood, which may not be seen through the criteria of PPD or PPMD. Additionally, angry mothers conflict with the mythos of the Good Mother. In this phenomenological study, the thematic structure of mothers’ experience within the first year of their newborns’ life are examined. Data from interviews with seven women who were four to ten …


Entitlement, Psychological Vulnerability, And Criminality: An Expansion On Grubbs And Exline's (2016) Model, Allison Dart Jan 2022

Entitlement, Psychological Vulnerability, And Criminality: An Expansion On Grubbs And Exline's (2016) Model, Allison Dart

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The current study examines the predictive relationships among Entitlement, criminal thinking, and psychological vulnerability. Eighty male incarcerated individuals participated in this research and four measures were administered to each participant: the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACEs), the Texas Christian University Criminal Thinking Scale (TCU-CTS), the Woodcock Johnson-IV Cognitive Brief Intellectual Abilities scale (WJ-IV COG BIA), and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2-RF). Results yielded the following findings: Behavioral/Externalizing Dysfunction was the best predictor of Entitlement. Behavioral/Externalizing Dysfunction and Thought Dysfunction were the best predictors of each of the other aspects of criminogenic thinking. Emotional/Internalizing Dysfunction did not reliably …


Youth Leadership Through Adventure: Alums' Perspectives On The Experience Of Leadership, Raynalde Schagen Jan 2022

Youth Leadership Through Adventure: Alums' Perspectives On The Experience Of Leadership, Raynalde Schagen

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

In this study, I examined the perspectives that emerging adult alums of a program called Youth Leadership Through Adventure (YLTA) have of their adolescent experiences of being a leader. Eight YLTA alums engaged in semi-structured interviews focusing on the research questions: What are the lived experiences of leadership in emerging adult alums of YLTA? What factors of their adolescent involvement were most influential in their emerging adult lives? As a youth development program, YLTA is supported by Adapt and the North Country Health Consortium (NCHC), two nonprofit organizations devoted to improving health conditions and habits of individuals residing in the …