Community Psychology Commons^™

Mental Health And Psychosocial Service Needs And Utilization: Qualitative Analysis Of Key Informant And Focus Group Data From Syrian Refugees And Jordanian Nationals In The Kingdom Of Jordan

Reed M. Mueller, Ph.D.

Moral Emotions And Social Activism: The Case Of Animal Rights, Harold A. Herzog, Lauren L. Golden

Harold Herzog, PhD

Why do some people and not others become involved in social movements? We examined the relationships between a moral emotion—disgust—and animal activism, attitudes toward animal welfare, and consumption of meat. Participants were recruited through two social networking websites and included animal activists, promoters of animal use, and participants not involved in animal-related causes. They took an online survey which included measures of sensitivity to visceral disgust, attitudes toward animal welfare, and frequency of meat eating. Animal activists were more sensitive to visceral disgust than were promoters of animal use or nonaligned participants. Disgust sensitivity was positively correlated with attitudes toward …

Assessing The Psychoeducational Approach To Transcendence And Health (Path) Program : An Intervention To Foster Self-Transcendence And Well-Being In Community-Dwelling Older Adults., Valerie Lander Mccarthy, Sharon Bowland, Lynne A. Hall, Jennifer Connelly

Valerie L. McCarthy

The late-life developmental process of self-transcendence shapes elders’ perspectives on self, others, the nature of this world, and of a dimension beyond the here and now. This qualitative pilot study evaluated the Psychoeducational Approach to Transcendence and Health (PATH) Program, a psychoeducational intervention to promote self-transcendence and well-being in community-dwelling women at a senior center. The intervention involved eight weekly group sessions using group processes, mindfulness practices, creative experiences, and independent at-home practice. The findings supported the underlying theory-based structure and content of the intervention and indicated the intervention may empower elders to attend to self-care, develop acceptance, and learn …

Transforming Impossible Into Possible (Tip): A Group Work Model In Workforce Development, Philip Young P. Hong

Philip Hong

This presentation introduces a newly developed social work group intervention model in workforce development. Transforming Impossible into Possible (TIP) program empowers participants to develop self-awareness, confidence, hope, goal-orientation, leadership, accountability, conscientiousness, and grit, it is anticipated that it improves both employment and retention outcomes.

A First Look At Natural Mentoring Among Preadolescent Foster Children, Johanna K.P. Greeson, Lindsey Weiler, Allison E. Thompson, Heather Taussig

Johanna K.P. Greeson, PhD, MSS, MLSP

Perceived Similarity, Expectation-Reality Discrepancies, And Mentors' Expressed Intention To Remain In Big Brothers/Big Sisters Programs, Benjamin Paul Madia, Catherine J. Lutz

Catherine Lutz Zois

Studies have begun to document the academic and psychosocial benefits of Big Brothers/ Big Sisters programs for at-risk youth (Rhodes, Grossman, & Resch, 2000). However, investigators have noted a problem with mentor attrition (Meissen & Lounsbury, 1981). The purpose of the current study was twofold. First, we explored the relative importance of specific dimensions of perceived similarity (including similarity in attitudes, interests, race, and personality) as well as mentors' expectation-reality discrepancies in predicting mentors' expressed intention to remain in Big Brothers/Big Sisters programs. Second, we examined a model whereby interpersonal attraction and relationship quality served as mediators of these associations. …

Childhood Adversity, Adult Homelessness And The Intergenerational Transmission Of Risk: A Population-Representative Study Of Individuals In Households With Children, J J. Cutuli, Ann Elizabeth Montgomer, Michelle Evans-Chase, Dennis P. Culhane

Dennis P. Culhane

Meta-Analytic Study: Student Connectedness Across On-Ground, Fully Online, And Hybrid Contexts, Hannah L. Smith, An H. Dang, R. M. Mueller

Reed M. Mueller, Ph.D.

A Meta-Analysis On Involvement In Learning Outcomes Across On-Ground, Online, And Hybrid Classroom Settings, An H. Dang, Hannah L. Smith, R. M. Mueller

Reed M. Mueller, Ph.D.

Effects Of Domestic Violence And/Or Forced Migration On Psychosocial Developmental Systems, Megan Levy

Megan Levy

This paper proposes an inter-dependency among three different Psycho-Social Developmental Models: Bronfenbrenner’s Nested or Ecological Systems, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and Erikson’s Developmental Stages, and that, when activated, this link may trigger a psychosocial regression in the person escaping domestic violence and/or forced to migrate.

The Relationship Between Community Investment In Permanent Supportive Housing And Chronic Homelessness, Thomas Byrne, Jamison Fargo, Ann Elizabeth Montgomery, Ellen Munley, Dennis P. Culhane

Dennis P. Culhane

Validation Of The Employment Hope Scale: Measuring Psychological Self-Sufficiency Among Low-Income Jobseekers, Philip Young P. Hong, Joshua R. Polanin, Terri D. Pigott

Philip Hong

The Employment Hope scale (EHS) was designed to measure the empowerment-based self-sufficiency (SS) outcome among low-income job-seeking clients. This measure captures the psychological SS dimension as opposed to the more commonly used economic SS in workforce development and employment support practice. The study validates the EHS and reports its psychometric properties. Method: An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted using an agency data from the Cara Program in Chicago, United States. The principal axis factor extraction process was employed to identify the factor structure. Results: EFA resulted in a 13-item two-factor structure with Factor 1 representing “Psychological Empowerment” and Factor …

Invited Response To "Think Again: Prostitution", Donna M. Hughes Dr.

Donna M. Hughes

Aziza Ahmed begins her article “Think Again: Prostitution” with the oldest slur against women: that “prostitution may be the world’s oldest profession” (January/ February 2014).

Curriculum Vitae, Judah J. Viola

Judah J. Viola, Ph.D.

No abstract provided.

Risk Factors For Becoming Homeless Among A Cohort Of Veterans Who Served In The Era Of The Iraq And Afghanistan Conflicts, Stephen Metraux, Limin X. Clegg, John D. Daigh, Dennis P. Culhane, Vincent R. Kane

Dennis P. Culhane

Community-Level Characteristics Associated With Variations In Rates Of Homelessness Among Families And Single Adults, Jamison D. Fargo, Ellen A. Munley, Thomas H. Byrne, Ann Elizabeth Montgomery, Dennis P. Culhane

Dennis P. Culhane

Homelessness Research: Shaping Policy And Practice, Now And Into The Future, Dennis P. Culhane, Vince R. Kane, Mark Johnston

Dennis P. Culhane

Universal Screening For Homelessness And Risk For Homelessness In The Veterans Health Administration, Ann Elizabeth Montgomery, Jamison D. Fargo, Thomas H. Byrne, Vincent R. Kane, Dennis P. Culhane

Dennis P. Culhane

Building And Strengthening Collaborative Evaluation Partnerships, Judah J. Viola, Bradley D. Olson, Suzette Reed, Tiffeny R. Jimenez

Judah J. Viola, Ph.D.

No abstract provided.

The 2012 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (Ahar) To Congress: Volume 2, Estimates Of Homelessness In The United States, Claudia Solari, Alvaro Cortes, Scott Brown, Jill Khadduri, Dennis P. Culhane

Dennis P. Culhane

Towards A Learning For Disaster Resilience Approach: Exploring Content And Process, Neil Dufty

Neil Dufty

This paper is a first attempt to scope the possible content and learning processes that could be used in a holistic Learning for Disaster Resilience (LfDR) approach as a possible improvement to current disaster education, communications and engagement practices. The research found that LfDR should not only cover public safety aspects, but also learning about the community itself, including how to reduce its vulnerabilities and strengthen resilience. In relation to learning process, a review of learning theory found four broad learning theory groups - behavioural, cognitive, affective, social – that have relevance to LfDR. The research identified a range of …

Educating And Transforming The Future Public Health Workforce: Lessons Learned From Developing & Implementing An Innovative, Interdisciplinary Mph Graduate Course For Public Health Practice, Leah Neubauer, Kristin Jacobson

Leah C. Neubauer

The Affordable Care Act allocated $250 million in 2010 for disease prevention via four critical priorities, including Public Health Training and Research & Tracking. Public health educators in academia have an opportunity to reexamine and reconstruct educative preparations for public health workers to adequately identify and address the environmental, social, and behavioral issues that impact health across the life span. Public health professionals are obligated to consider the larger political, social, and economic implications forces surrounding their work to affect the largest possible positive outcomes in communities ' health. This presentation will highlight the establishment of a graduate MPH course …

Qualitative Analysis Of Definitions Of Rape Among Social Media Users, Rachel Marie Smith, Bradley Lynn Goodnight

Rachel Marie Smith

No abstract provided.

Slaves To Contradictions: 13 Myths That Sustained Slavery, Wilson Huhn

Wilson R. Huhn

People have a fundamental need to think of themselves as “good people.” To achieve this we tell each other stories – we create myths – about ourselves and our society. These myths may be true or they may be false. The more discordant a myth is with reality, the more difficult it is to convince people to embrace it. In such cases to sustain the illusion of truth it may be necessary to develop an entire mythology – an integrated web of mutually supporting stories. This paper explores the system of myths that sustained the institution of slavery in the …

Instructor Spotlight: Leah C. Neubauer, Leah Neubauer

Leah C. Neubauer

No abstract provided.

“911” Among West African Immigrants In New York City: A Qualitative Study Of Parents’ Disciplinary Practices And Their Perceptions Of Child Welfare Authorities, Andrew Rasmussen

Andrew Rasmussen

Immigrant parents’ perceptions of child protective services may have important implications for their engagement in public institutions that are central to their children’s well being. The current study examined West African immigrants’ perceptions of child welfare authorities and the role of disciplining and monitoring in these communities’ meaning making. A multiethnic group of 59 West African immigrants (32 parents and 27 adolescent children) living in the United States were interviewed in 18 focus groups and eight individual interviews between December 2009 and July 2010. Data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach; strategies for rigor included triangulation (multiple interview formats, …

Help-Negation For Suicidal Thoughts In Sub-Clinical Samples Of Young People, Coralie Joy Wilson

Coralie J Wilson

Across the popular and academic literature, it is widely recognised that young people with persistent suicidal thoughts are at high risk for suicide completion. It is also accepted that seeking and receiving appropriate help offers protection against the development of acute forms of suicidality, along with suicide completion. Yet, as promising as appropriate help-seeking appears for suicide prevention, a growing number of studies suggest that suicidal ideation itself may impede the help-seeking process. There is evidence that acutely suicidal samples will negate or avoid available help, and there are indications that the help-negation process may occur in samples before levels …

A Closer Look At The Relationship Between Superstitious Behaviors And Trait Anxiety, Brandy Futrell

Brandy Futrell

This study examines the relationship between superstitious behaviors and trait anxiety. Researchers randomly selected participants from college campuses for a 28-question survey measuring superstitiousness and the 20-question State-Trait-Anxiety-Inventory (STAI) to measure symptoms of anxiety. Results show a positive correlation between superstitious behaviors and an increase in anxiety symptoms. Significant gender differences were found; women scored higher on superstitiousness survey and the STAI-X2 test. Superstitious behaviors were a significant indicator for developing trait anxiety.

Factors Associated With Participation And Retention In A Group Treatment For Child Sexual Abuse, Mollie Dittmer, Grace Hubel, David J. Hansen

David J. Hansen

The current study examines factors associated with participation and retention in a child sexual abuse (CSA) outpatient program. Participation and retention are vital if children are to receive the intended benefits of treatment designed to promote healthy coping following CSA. However, little is known about factors that impede or encourage families to consistently attend sessions. Several factors possibly related to child participation and retention were examined, including demographic variables such as income level and education, characteristics of the abuse, and parent and family pretreatment functioning. Participants in the sample included 175 children and adolescents and their non-offending primary caregivers seeking …

Student School Engagement Among Sexual Minority Students: Understanding The Contributors To Predicting Academic Outcomes, Kristie Seelman, N. Walls, Cynthia Hazel, Hope Wisneski

Kristie L Seelman

Hierarchical multiple regression is used to examine whether student school engagement predicts grade point average (GPA) and fear-based truancy among 315 sexual minority youth aged 13 to 24 years. Results indicate that student school engagement is a significant predictor of GPA, and this relationship is strongest in the presence of a gay–straight alliance. Having an adult ally at school is associated with a decrease in fear-based truancy, while student school engagement predicts a decrease in fear-based truancy only for youth who have higher levels of subjective fear at school. Implications for future research and for practice among school-based helping professionals …