Marriage and Family Therapy and Counseling Commons^™

Sibling Experiences With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Analysis, Katherine Golden

Dissertations

This study explored the lived experiences of adult siblings of a child with autism utilizing the framework of ambiguous loss theory (Boss, 1999). An exploratory analysis of the sibling experience began with the research question: What are the lived experiences of adult siblings of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder? Further analysis used the theoretical framework of ambiguous loss theory with the secondary question: How have adult siblings been affected by ambiguous loss in their experiences with a sibling with autism spectrum disorder? Heidegger’s (1962) hermeneutic phenomenological approach was utilized to guide the semi structured in-depth interviews and to analyze …

Effectiveness Of Couples-Based Exposure And Response Prevention (Erp) Therapy Vs. Individual Erp Treatment For Ocd Symptom Reduction And Overall Couple Satisfaction, Priscilla Nguyen, Shana O'Connor-Wolf

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a debilitating, chronic condition characterized by recurrent intrusive thoughts followed by persistent behavioral urges and time-consuming rituals that attempt to neutralize anxiety and distress caused by those unwanted obsessive thoughts (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). This research study aims to explore the effectiveness of Couples-Based ERP in decreasing individual symptoms of OCD and evaluating the impact of treatment on relationship satisfaction. Using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) and the Dyadic-Adjustment Scale (DAS) to measure our constructs, we hypothesize that Couples-Based ERP will be effective in not only decreasing OCD symptoms, but also increasing overall relationship satisfaction.

A Systematic Review Of Bottom-Up And Top-Down Psychotherapy Methods For The Treatment Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd), Kristen Sievert

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

While numerous studies have investigated the efficacy of either Top-Down or Bottom-Up modalities in reducing PTSD symptoms, there is a paucity of research focused on comparing differences in treatment effects of Bottom-Up and Top-Down therapies. Top-Down interventions are built on an individual’s ability to become conscious of their thoughts and their subsequent capacity to change those thoughts, while Bottom-Up interventions rely on an individual’s body sensations an/or movements to access and process trauma. We investigated this gap by conducting a systematic review of Top-down and Bottom-up treatments for PTSD. To be included in the review, studies needed to examine adults …

The Effectiveness Of Combining Play Therapy With Emotionally Focused Family Therapy For The Treatment Of Children, Ages 3-6., Britney Roark

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

Present literature on emotionally focused family therapy (EFFT) overlooks treatment involving young children (Willis et al., 2016). Because preschool-aged children learn and express emotion best through the medium of play (Schaefer & Drewes, 2011), I hypothesize that EFFT will prove most effective with children ages 3-6 when combined with play therapy techniques. Marriage and family therapy interns, trained in EFFT concepts, who treat children in this age group will complete a training course on combining play therapy with EFFT. A control group will not. Initial and final measures will determine the success of treatment over a 12-week period.

Efficacy Of Solution Focused Therapy With At Risk Youth, Garret Patterson

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

Dating back to the 1980’s, Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a therapy approach that helps clients put problems in their life into context as measurable, manageable, and fixable. For many, this solution forward approach helps to improve symptoms and resolve stuck behavior patterns often stemming from childhood. This client driven, not knowing approach helps clients discover their own autonomy and understand that not only are their problems solvable, but that they themselves have the internal resources by which to solve them. However, there is still much interest as to who can benefit most from this form of therapy. However, …

Engagement In Religious Activity Compared To Peer Support: An Intervention For Suicidal Ideation Among High School Students., Meradythe Edson, Natalie Goobes, Danielle Thayer

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

Suicidal ideation (SI) can lead to suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among children ages 10-14 and the third leading cause of death among adolescents ages 15-24 (CDC). This study compares active engagement in religious activities versus peer support as an effective resource in decreasing SI among high school students in the United States. The research explains how active engagement in religious activities will produce better results than peer support alone for decreasing SI in the targeted population. Semi-structured interviews of high school students and self-report questionnaires are utilized in this study. Our research hopes to support …

The Effectiveness Of Video Game Therapy In Helping Adolescent Clients To Build Connections With Their Families, Qichang Yang

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

This study explores the role of video game therapy in enhancing family connections among adolescents. Using a mixed-methods approach, we use surveys and interviews to assess changes in family relationships for adolescents undergoing video game therapy. Preliminary findings indicate that video game therapy could be a great tool for improving familial bonds. This research adds to the understanding of non-traditional therapeutic interventions and their potential impact on family dynamics and adolescent mental health.

Impacts Of Receiving An Autism Spectrum Diagnosis As An Adult On Relationship Satisfaction And Relationship-Specific Attachment, Erika Fisch, Molly Hammond, Katie Roberts

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

Our research will explore how receiving an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis impacts adult relationship satisfaction and relationship-specific attachment. Previous research has demonstrated benefits of ASD diagnosis for individuals. We hope to expand this body of research by examining the effects of ASD diagnosis on couples. We will survey adult couples with one partner on a waitlist for an ASD evaluation using the Dyadic Adjustment Scale and the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised questionnaire. After evaluation, we will ask adults diagnosed with ASD and their partners to take the survey twice more. We hypothesize that both relationship satisfaction and attachment will improve.

Effectiveness Of Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (Efft) On Adolescent Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (Nssi) Vs Dialectical Behavioral Therapy For Adolescence (Dbt-A), Aneta Merlino

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

This study aims to explore the effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) in reducing the incidence of adolescent Non-Suicidal Self Injury (NSSI). 80 adolescents who meet the NSSI criteria, age 13-19, will be randomized to participate in a total of 12 weekly, in-person EFFT sessions, or 16 weekly in-person Dialectical Behavioral Therapy for Adolescence (DBT-A) sessions. It is hypothesized EFFT will be more effective in long term reduction of NSSI frequency, measured post treatment, and at 12 month follow up, due to an increase in interpersonal protective factors as compared to DBT-A.

Are Telehealth Interventions Efficacious In Reducing Symptoms Of Depression And Anxiety?, Megan Hoback, Mario Gaspar De Alba

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

This study aims to explore the efficacy of therapeutic interventions via telehealth on reducing depression and anxiety symptoms. The focus will be on individuals living in the United States diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and/or Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Subjects will participate in 12 individual telehealth sessions conducted across three months with a pre-test, immediate post-test, and 3-month follow up including completion of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener (GAD-7), and the Telehealth Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) to measure efficacy. We hypothesize therapeutic interventions via telehealth will be effective in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Impact Of Narrative Therapy On American Interracial Couples’ Marital Satisfaction., Emily Knutzen

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

In the United States, the number of interracial couples has continued to rise since 1967 when miscegenation laws were overturned. Interracial couples face unique challenges related to racism, discrimination, and the complexity of blending cultures. The current study aims to explore the effectiveness of Narrative Therapy (NT) in increasing interracial couples’ reports of martial satisfaction. Twenty couples experiencing low marital satisfaction will be chosen using convenience sampling and randomly assigned to an intervention and control group. Pre-test, post-test, and two-month post-test follow up scores on the Index of Martial Satisfaction will be analyzed to assess for effectiveness of treatment.

Socioculturally Informed Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy: Impacts On Biracial Couples, Angie Lai

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

This quantitative study aims to explore the efficacy of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT) for biracial couples using a randomized controlled trial with a control group and an experimental group. Each group will consist of 15 biracial couples who will receive 20 sessions of EFCT. The experimental group’s treatment will also include the 5 Practice Guidelines of Socioculturally Attuned Family Therapy (McDowell et al., 2018). Using the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DSA), the Trust Scale, and the Relationship Structures (ECR-RS) questionnaire to measure efficacy, I hypothesize that couples who receive the socioculturally informed EFCT will show greater improvement.

A Comparative Study Of Emdr And Prolonged Exposure For The Treatment Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Does Interoception Moderate Differences In Symptom Reduction?, Kristen Sievert

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

This study aims to compare the efficacy and efficiency of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and prolonged exposure (PE) in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults. Both interventions are standardized treatments for PTSD, however, each intervention’s mechanism of action are different, with EMDR being classified as a bottom-up psychotherapy model and PE being classified as a top-down psychotherapy model. A second aim of this study is to investigate whether differences in treatment response to EMDR compared to PE is moderated by interoception, a person’s ability to be aware of their internal states of their body. To …

Emotionally-Focused Therapy And Couples From Collectivistic Cultures: Impact On Relationship Satisfaction, Jacob Cain, Stephen Lee

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

This study aims to explore the efficacy of EFT in increasing marital satisfaction in couples of a non-Western, collectivist origin. Our treatment group, consisting of 30 couples of a non-Western, collectivist origin will participate in 14 sessions of EFT in which their marital satisfaction will be measured pretreatment, posttreatment, and at 6 and 12 month follow-ups. Utilizing a control group consisting of 30 couples of a Western, non-collectivist origin receiving the same treatment, we seek to explore how cultural factors such as a collectivist mindset and the de-emphasis of individual’s feelings and emotions might affect the efficacy of EFT in …

School Shootings And Preventative Strategies: An Examination Of Surviving, Learning, And Preparing For School Shootings' Impact On The Depression, Anxiety, And Behavioral Dysfunction Of Children And Adolescents., Julia Wakeham, Jamilah Andrews

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

Since the modern era began, humanity has seen a stark increase in mass shootings, where four or more people are killed. Furthermore, many of the shootings occur in vulnerable communities, like schools. With an increase in school shootings, schools have taken precautions to prepare children, using increased security, school police officers, lockdown drills, and restricting children’s clothing, which is intended to keep children safe, but reinforces the fear of shootings and associated stress responses. Our research would examine the impact of surviving and preparing for school shootings on the anxiety, depression, and general functioning of children, adolescents, and young adults.

High Illusion Of Control Adolescents: A Moderated Mediation Analyses Of The Effects Of Forms Of Counterfactual Thinking And Gender In Problem Gambling And Gaming, Larry Okechukwu Awo Dr., George Nzeadi Duru Mr.

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

Abstract

Three studies (Study 1, N = 322 male adolescents, Study 2, N = 401 male and female adolescents, and Study 3, longitudinal, N = 56 male and female adolescents) analyzed the effects cognitive and psychographic variables in the relationships among illusion of control (IC), problem gambling and problem gaming. Moderated mediation analyses results using PROCESS macro in the three studies confirmed: (1) the positive mediating effect of upward CFT in the association between IC and problem gambling and problem gaming; (2) the negative mediating effect of downward CFT in the association between IC and problem gambling and problem gaming; …

Experiencing Moral Distress Within The Intimate Partner Violence & Sexual Assault Workforce, Rachel J Voth Schrag, Sophia Fantus, Sarah Leat, Saltanat Childress, Leila Wood

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

PURPOSE: Moral distress (MD) refers to the psychological disequilibrium that emerges when institutional policies and/or practices conflict with an individual's professional values and ethics. MD has been interrogated frequently in health care and ancillary medical settings, and has been identified as a critical barrier to enhanced organizational climate and patient care. However, little work has investigated experiences of MD among members of the intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual violence (SV) workforce.

METHODS: This study investigates MD in a sample of IPV and SV service providers via secondary analysis of 33 qualitative interviews conducted with service providers in the summer …

Recurrent Pregnancy Loss - A Life Changing Condition For Women, Denisa Oana Balalau, Fernanda-Ecaterina Augustin, Delia-Maria Bogheanu, Alin-Gabriel Negulescu, Romina-Marina Sima, Anca Silvia Dumitriu, Stana Paunica, Liana Ples

Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is estimated to occur in 2.5% of women trying to conceive. Definition of RPL varies depending on used guideline. In Europe, RPL is defined as two or more lost pregnancies before 24 weeks’ gestation. Although many factors have been associated with a higher risk of recurrent miscarriage, the aetiology is unknown in about half of cases. Several factors have been related to recurrent pregnancy loss, such as: environmental, behavioral, genetic, endocrine, metabolic, autoimmune, anatomic, thrombophilia and male factor. Given the multitude of etiopathogenic factors, RPL frequently requires an interdisciplinary approach for diagnosis and treatment. By its …

Implementasi Kebijakan Bantuan Pangan Non Tunai Dalam Rangka Pengatasan Kemiskinan Di Era Covid - 19, Haura Ariesta, Fentiny Nugroho

Jurnal Ilmu Kesejahteraan Sosial

This study focuses on the implementation of the Non-Cash Food Assistance (BPNT) policy in poverty alleviation efforts in Kembangan District, West Jakarta, during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the BPNT program managed by the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia adheres to the distribution procedures, several challenges have emerged, including delays in disbursing aid funds, invalid beneficiary data, issues with E-waroeng (food stalls), account registration, delayed distribution, and occasional inadequacy of food supplies. However, supportive factors such as effective coordination, improved data management, education, active participation from local authorities, and the commitment of E-waroeng owners have contributed to …

Desa Wisata Atau Wisata Desa:Menelaah Fase Kesepian Masyarakat Pasca Pandemi Covid -19, Maureen Wanda Sabrina, Kania Saraswati Harisoesyanti

Jurnal Ilmu Kesejahteraan Sosial

The Tourism Village Policy launched by the government has developed into an ambitious initiative that can boost the community's economy. However, behind this dream, there is a complex discussion about how ready the village community is to undertake this transformation. This article discusses the stages of the community undergoing the tourism village program against the background of Taraju Village having limited access, the existence of newly formed supporting community self-help groups, and even the community's initial rejection of the development of a tourism village. Meanwhile, this tourist village has achieved achievements on a provincial and national scale. The research used …