Considering Consent: What We Can Learn From Bdsm, Jennie Pless, Kate A. Morrissey Stahl, Madison Reeves

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

Consent is a pivotal, defining feature of BDSM. As such, much can be learned by examining conceptualizations of consent among those who engage in BDSM. Using a mixed methods approach, this study explores how 92 BDSM practitioners conceptualize and practice consent. Participants defined consent as an ongoing, enthusiastic, and voluntary agreement. We examine how BDSM practitioners ensure consent, educate others about consent, and handle consent violations. Findings include strategies for consent education and sexual assault prevention. This study highlights the importance of greater awareness and understanding of BDSM and consent.

Transitions From Traditional Gender And Sexuality Roles To Non-Conforming Identities Through Performance Art: A Multiple Case Study, Adrianne Trogden, Dorin Captari-Scirri

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

This qualitative multiple case study examined how two individuals from religiously conservative households navigated transitions from traditional gender and sexuality roles to non-conforming and queer identities through performance art. Using case study methodology, five interconnected themes emerged: Performing Gender - pressure to "act masculine," Performing Sexuality – pressure to "act straight," Performing Art - freedom of expression of gender and sexuality on stage, Shame and fear transformed when accepted sexuality, and Finding one's voice and identity - gender and sexuality. Stage performance art served as an underlying foundation, providing a transformative space for safely exploring previously constrained gender and …

Sex And Stigma: The Cisgender Woman’S Experience, Regin Dean, Kara Schneider, Lucas M. Perez, Tae Joon Kim, Ryan G. Carlson

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

This study examines how sexual stigma and societal expectations affect the self-esteem of college-aged women within the context of casual sex. Using a qualitative, thematic design, participants were recruited through purposive sampling and interviewed using semi-structured protocols. Thematic analysis revealed three overarching domains: Identity & Self-perception (empowerment, femininity and body image, fluidity), Social Factors (familial and cultural expectations, shame and comparison, formative relationships), and Developmental Influences (social media, scrutiny, knowledge gaps). Findings demonstrate how stigma is internalized and reinforced through interpersonal and media influences, underscoring the need for counseling practices that address both individual wellness and systemic advocacy.

Purity Culture And Sexual Shame, Dr. Amanda Gray, Dr. Kat R. Klement

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

We investigated the relationship between Christian purity culture (PC) exposure/endorsement and sexual shame in 1,273 participants. Purity culture (PC) is a belief system predicated on sexual abstinence until heterosexual marriage and traditional gender roles. Correlational data showed that PC exposure was associated with higher sexual shame, particularly among women, and only among those who no longer endorsed PC. However, we did not find a causal relationship between PC exposure and sexual shame. Based on these findings, we provide recommendations for countering sex-negative messages during adolescence to improve healthy sexual development and better health and relationship outcomes.

Publishing With Purpose: Exploring Publication Trends Among Counselor Education In Cacrep-Accredited Programs, Janita Whitney Daggy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Scholarly publication is a cornerstone of faculty evaluation, professional identity, and knowledge development in counselor education. Despite calls for empirical investigation into publication trends, limited research has examined the scope, distribution, and impact of counselor educator scholarship across Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). This quantitative, cross-sectional bibliometric study examined publication trends, thematic alignment, and citation patterns among 222 counselor educators across 25 CACREP-accredited doctoral programs from 2000 to 2026. Using GS profiles as the primary data source, bibliographic records from 4,876 peer-reviewed publications across 2,132 journals were extracted and analyzed using the Bibliometrix package, igraph, …

Unveiling The Journey: A Phenomenological Study On The Lived Experiences Of Caregivers Raising An Adolescent With Diabetes, Lakeisha L. Doman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe caregivers’ experiences raising a middle to late adolescent (ages 14 – 19) with diabetes in Virginia. The study focused on how caregivers perceive stress and develop coping skills while navigating the transition to independence. Guided by Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, this study examined how caregivers appraised stress, evaluated available resources, and sustained engagement in their role. Ten primary caregivers in Virginia were recruited using purposeful sampling. Semi-structured interviews guided data collection. Data was analyzed using Moustakas’ phenomenological approach. Findings indicated that caregiving during adolescence is a …

A Qualitative Case Study Of Equine Assisted Services At Healing Strides Facility, Erica Lynn Gray

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative case study is to portray how a well-run facility conducting equine assisted services works from an intra-organizational perspective. It is a bounded qualitative case study that focuses on the equine assisted services provided, the program and services designed and the rationale for choosing those programs, how services are operationalized and facilitated by practitioners, how equine welfare is considered, and the experiences and perspectives of those participating in the organization, development, or facilitation of equine assisted services at Healing Strides. This study uses Robert K. Yin’s theory driven methodological approach to qualitative case studies that focuses …

Anchored In The Shifting Tides: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study Of Paramedic Resilience And Worldviews, David Eric Wolff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of paramedics in Western society, who self-report sustaining positive psychological well-being despite their emotionally and psychologically demanding work, examining the interplay of their narrative identity, spirituality, worldviews, and social connections. The stories paramedics construct about their realities can reveal the underlying meanings and how their role has molded who they are, best viewed through a threefold constructivist theoretical framework: narrative identity theory to understand how paramedics make sense of their experiences, transformational learning theory to identify how paramedics adjust their worldviews to while coping, and posttraumatic growth theory …

Psychological Impact Of Career Roles On African American Women: A Qualitative Study On The Long-Term Effects On Behavioral Health Providers' Field, Yolanda Seals-Stewart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is an untold narrative regarding the levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. This leaves a gap in researchers understanding systemic, cultural, and social factors that shape mental health outcomes in a unique way. There is also a deeper need for exploration of resiliency and coping skills strategies utilized by African American women in the behavioral health field, as well as how behaviors such as discrimination, workplace dynamics, and microaggression impact the overall psyche. By addressing these gaps, a more thorough understanding of the long-term psychological effect can be addressed, and these women can receive support mechanisms and interventions that …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Experience Of Nigerian Christian Clergy Of Persecution And Insecurity In Nigeria, John Ekwoanya

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of Nigerian Christian clergy and persecution and insecurity in Nigeria using an online site. The central research question was: How do Nigerian Christian clergy describe their experiences in meeting the expectations of their congregants and communities amidst persecution and insecurity? Interviews were conducted to collect data from 10 participants and an analysis was performed. The results showed that Nigerian Christian clergy, under threats of fear, still meet the needs of their congregants, and that the congregants continue to seek support from their clergy. It was also found that …

A Phenomenological Study Examining The Challenges Mothers Face With Reentry Into The Workforce After Giving Birth, Carrie Bell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of new mothers with postpartum depression (PPD) who reentered the workforce in Arkansas. The study aimed to discover the psychological, organizational, and social difficulties these mothers experienced during the transition from maternity leave to regular employment. Using feminist theory, attachment theory, and social constructivism as guiding frameworks, the study investigated the effects of gendered workplace structures, interrupted maternal-infant bonding, and sociocultural expectations in shaping how mothers perceived themselves and their work. A purposive sampling strategy was applied to select participants who had returned to work within one year …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Experiences Of Facilitators Who Attended A Training Program And Led An Experiential Couple’S Workshop Influenced By The Principles Of Emotionally Focused Therapy, Isabelle Valenciano

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe relationship educators’ lived experiences of attending a facilitator training and leading an experiential couple’s workshop grounded in emotionally focused therapy. Experiential learning theory (Kolb, 1984) was the lens used to gain a better understanding of participants’ concrete, novel experiences. Marriage education programs may be an intervention method for distressed couples seeking relationship assistance, prevention, and preparation. As an intervention, marriage education programs show promise for improving several aspects of relationships (Gordon et al., 2019). The increased number of distressed couples in marriage education workshops and programs indicates the need for …

Faith And Flourishing: Describing The Lived Experiences Of Christian Counselors Who Integrate Christian Faith Into Their Wellness, Angela Joy Stanley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experience of counselors who integrate Christian faith into their wellness. The basis for this study was rooted in the work of Myers and Sweeney’s (2004) model of the indivisible self and the spiritual framework of coping for optimal health as introduced by Walker et al. (2015). Both models provide a holistic approach to wellness that recognizes the complexities of wellbeing which require the integration of multiple dimensions. Further, each model points to spirituality as an essential part of wellness. The research questions that guided this study were as follows: …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of African American Adults Who Self-Identify As Christians Serving As Caregivers For Their Parents Or Family In The Southeastern United States, Margaret J. Lee

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, transcendental-phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of African American adult children who self-identify as Christians and serve as caregivers for their parents or family members in the southeastern United States. Despite the prevalence of caregiving within African American families, research typically does not capture the unique cultural and spiritual contexts that shape these experiences. The theories guiding this study are Bowen's family systems theory (Bowen, 1978) and the Afrocentric Perspective. These theories examine family dynamics and cultural expectations. This study sought to understand how faith, cultural values, and familial dynamics shape caregivers' experiences, …

The Silent War Within: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Male Veterans' Lived Experiences Following Military Sexual Trauma In Southwestern Louisiana, Belinda K. Richard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Military sexual trauma (MST) is an important and often overlooked issue affecting male veterans. Research indicates that men encounter MST at notable rates and confront distinct challenges in accessing care. Although the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides specialized MST services, there remains a significant gap in the literature regarding men's underutilization of these resources, particularly given their disproportionate presence in the VA's traditionally male-dominated healthcare system. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the lived experience of men currently living in Southwestern Louisiana who have experienced military sexual trauma while on active duty. The theories guiding this …

Exploring Counselors’ Perceived Preparedness For Private Practice Business Oriented Responsibilities, Corey L. Hancock Jr.

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to understand how fully licensed counselors who graduated from CACREP-accredited programs and did not receive formal business training during graduate school make sense of their preparedness for the business responsibilities of private practice. This study was informed by the theoretical frameworks of relational-cultural theory (RCT; Jordan, 2017) and transformative learning theory (TLT; Mezirow, 1991). Participants were fully licensed counselors with a masters or doctoral degree from a CACREP-accredited counseling program and owned a private practice. Seven participants (n = 7) were included in the study, participating in 60-90 minute semi-structured interviews. An …

The Narratives Of Where Black Men On The South Side Of Chicago Found Emotional Connection While Growing Up, Yakima Diemer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this narrative inquiry study was to explore and understand the lived experiences of Black men from the South Side of Chicago. This study explored, through storytelling, the life experiences of Black men from the South Side of Chicago regarding their emotional connectedness with their primary caregivers in addition to who they turned to, and what they turned to in order to feel a sense of support and connection if and when there were none. Participants for this study included Black men who were over the age of 25 and reported being raised on the South Side of …

A Phenomenology Study: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Latino Women In The South Of California With Symptoms Of Depression And The Influence Of Faith And Religion In Their Recovery, Ivette G. Perez-Paquien

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This is a qualitative study of a phenomenological nature that explores the phenomenon and experiences of Latina women with depressive symptoms residing in Southern California, as well as the influence of faith and religion on their recovery. The investigation of this phenomenon was conducted using the theoretical model of descriptive research proposed by Husserl, along with the data analysis technique for descriptive phenomenological research based on the approach designed by Richard Krueger. The research question posed to guide this study was: What are the experiences described by Latina women suffering from symptoms of depression regarding faith, religion, and their recovery …

Does Enrollment In A Career, Technical, And Agricultural Education (Ctae) Program Predict Students’ Maladaptive Behaviors And High School Graduation Rates In A Rural Georgia High School: A Descriptive And Correlational Analysis, Breanna M. Strickland

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examines the effectiveness of the Career, Technical, and Agricultural (CTAE) program in a rural Georgia high school and its effectiveness on high school graduation rates and maladaptive behaviors in the setting. Grounded in both the Social Learning Theory and Happenstance Theory, this study explores how structured and unplanned experiences influence student outcomes. A quantitative, non-experimental correlational design was used to analyze archivable data from approximately 512 students across six cohorts spanning the 2015-2016 school year through the 2024-2025 school year. Variables in the study include CTAE participation, behavioral referrals, and graduation rates.

Findings from the study reveal positive …

Understanding Intergenerational Relationships Of Asian Immigrants And Their Adult Children: A Phenomenology, Christine Yiu

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Many studies have examined the challenges U.S. immigrants face during acculturation, but few have examined Asian immigrants’ intergenerational relationships with their adult children. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of Asian American adults in intergenerational relationships with their first-generation immigrant parents. The theoretical frameworks were Berry’s Acculturation Theory, Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, and the Christian Worldview. The central research question was: How do Asian American adults describe and make meaning of their intergenerational relationships with first-generation immigrant parents? Participants were nine Asian Americans, aged 23 to 35, with at least one first-generation Asian immigrant …