Clinical Psychology Commons^™

Know Your Worth: A Qualitative Study Examining Factors That Psychologists Consider When Setting Their Fees, Emily Rispoli M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Fee-setting in psychotherapy is a routine yet complex aspect of clinical practice that shapes access to care, the sustainability of private practice, and the therapeutic relationship. Despite its importance, limited research has examined how psychologists determine their fees in modern practice. Existing literature has largely focused on ethical guidelines, economic considerations, and the meaning of money in therapy, with less attention to how clinicians navigate fee-setting in real-world contexts. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the factors licensed psychologists consider when setting and adjusting their fees in self-employed, out-of-network private practice. Fourteen psychologists (Ph.D. and Psy.D.) participated …

Mental Health Stigma And Its Associations With Depression, Suicidality, And Help-Seeking Among Muslims Living In The United States, Tarnem Amer M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Muslims living in the United States (MLUS) have higher rates of depression (Sloan & Haner, 2023) and are more likely to report a history of suicide compared to other faith groups (Awaad et al., 2021). Nonetheless, help-seeking rates among Muslims remain lower than those among non-Muslims (Ahmad et al., 2023). Mental health stigma has been identified as a key barrier to seeking care, but its mechanisms and outcomes have been understudied among MLUS. The present study examined three types of stigma (mental health public stigma, mental health self-stigma, and mental health help-seeking stigma) and their associations with psychiatric symptoms and …

Self-Efficacy Of The Minority Student Therapist: Exploring The Intersections Of Impostorship And Internalized Racism, Marilenny Herrera M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

The self-efficacy of ethnic and racial minority student therapists is significantly influenced by the complex interplay of the impostor phenomenon (IP) and internalized racism, which are often compounded by broader societal and systemic factors. IP, which is common among minority individuals (Bravata et al., 2020), has been shown to be shaped by racialized experiences that impact perceptions of competence and belonging (Cokely et al., 2017). It is important to understand how these factors may affect minority student therapists, particularly as the number of psychology doctorate recipients from underrepresented minority groups continues to rise (American Psychological Association, 2019). The present qualitative …

The Lived Experience Of Intimate Partner Violence For Females In Emerging Adulthood: A Qualitative Study, Laurel Dobkin M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Emerging adulthood is the developmental period between ages 18 to 25 where individuals begin to explore their worldviews and develop intimate relationships. This period is important for developing a sense of identity and self (Arnett, 2000, 2014). During this period, negative events or relationships, such as intimate partner violence (IPV), may have detrimental effects (Erikson, 1968; Barreto & Frazier, 2012). While literature suggests that IPV has high rates and negative consequences in emerging adulthood (Bhattacharjee & Gopal, 2022; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2024; Shen & Kusunoki, 2019), there is little research on the subjective experience of females …

Sink Or Swim: Standard Swim Lessons As A Novel Intervention For Reducing Generalized Anxiety In Children, Joseph S. Brier

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health conditions in children ages 6–18, with an estimated worldwide prevalence of 6.5% (Rapee et al., 2023; Polanczyk et al., 2015). Although psychological interventions are highly effective, only about 60% of children with anxiety receive professional help within 12 months of symptom onset (Ghandour et al., 2019). Swimming lessons may represent a widely available, low-cost, and naturally motivating alternative intervention for anxiety. Learning to swim targets mechanisms responsible for the development and maintenance of anxiety, including avoidance and maladaptive cognitions (Mowrer, 1951; Dymond & Roche, 2009), and emerging evidence suggests that treating one …

Roots To Recovery: How Therapeutic Horticulture Can Heal Sexual Trauma, Fiona E. Larsen-Teskey

Scripps Senior Theses

Sexual assault is one of the most prevalent sources of trauma among females. While still requiring more research, therapeutic horticulture (TH), also known as gardening therapy, has so far shown promising results regarding trauma recovery. In this study, I seek to discover how TH can aid in female sexual assault recovery. To determine its impact, I will conduct a three-month experiment with two groups: those who receive cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and those who receive CBT plus TH. I will specifically measure three common side effects survivors face: dissociation, shame, and PTSD. These categories will be measured through surveys and …

Does The Use Of Protective Behavioral Strategies Moderate The Relationship Between Perceived Peer Cannabis Use And Personal Use?, Mia Forsythe, Erica E. Mcdonald, Melissa N. Manning, Audrey L. Bell, Alicia Moulder, Cathy Lau-Barraco

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

The perception that close friends frequently use substances (i.e., descriptive norms) has been shown to increase personal use frequency and subsequent negative consequences. Within alcohol literature, protective behavioral strategies (PBS), actions aimed at reducing negative consequences of substance use (e.g., avoiding use before work), have been shown to moderate the effect of this relationship. However, this relationship in cannabis use remains unexplored. Thus, the current study examines PBS use as a moderator between descriptive norms and cannabis use frequency. We hypothesize that a positive association between descriptive norms and cannabis frequency will be weakened by greater PBS use. Undergraduate past-month …

Under Pressure: Associations Between Discrimination, Expressive Suppression, And Coping Drinking Motives Among Sexual Minority Women, Erica E. Mcdonald, Mia Forsythe, Audrey L. Bell, Melissa N. Manning, Alicia Moulder, Cathy Lau-Barraco

Knowledge and Creativity Expo

Within Minority Stress Theory, heterosexist discrimination has been linked to drinking to cope (DTC) motives, or drinking as a way to manage negative emotions. DTC motives are associated with heightened negative consequences from drinking. Prior research has found that high levels of expressive suppression (i.e., inhibition of ongoing emotion-expressive behavior) confer risk for coping motivated drinking. Given sexual minority women’s (SMW) elevated risk for DTC motives, examining expressive suppression and discrimination as correlates may address an important gap in literature. Thus, the current study examined expressive suppression as a factor impacting the relationship between external discrimination and coping motives among …

Fur-Ever In Memory: College Student Grief And Coping After Pet Loss, Rohit Paruchuri

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Pet loss is a significant yet often overlooked form of bereavement, particularly among college students who are navigating emerging adulthood. Pets play an important role serving as a source of emotional support and are often viewed as family members; however, grief following pet loss is a type of disenfranchised grief, meaning it is not accepted by the society as something significant and often overlooked when compared to grief following human loss (Spain et al., 2019). Research suggests that grief following pet loss can mirror responses to human loss including sadness, guilt, loneliness, and disruption of daily routines (Eckerd et al., …

Student Perceptions Of Clinical Psychology Workforce Diversity, Ogochukwu Obi

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Clinical psychology remains a predominantly White field, with more than four in five current clinical psychology academics and practitioners being White. Increased racial representation in the field could contribute to more culturally responsive treatment research and practice and improved treatment outcomes. Barriers to increasing racial representation exist across all levels of psychology education and careers. The current study focuses on a potential barrier to pursuing a clinical or counseling psychology doctorate for Black undergraduate psychology majors. Research on social identity theory, perceived identity compatibility theory, and social-cognitive career theory show students’ identities can influence career aspirations, educational experiences, and sense …

Developing And Evaluating A Multidimensional Measure Of Pride In The Lgbtqia+ Community, Donovan Edward

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Pride in LGBTQIA+ spaces has thus far been an ethereal concept with no universally agreed-upon definition. Previous literature frequently connects pride to traits such as resilience, comfort, confidence, and identity expression. This is a critical oversight, as most measures of LGBTQIA+ experiences focus on the negative aspects of queer experiences (e.g., vulnerability, victimization) or are created to evaluate non-LGBTQIA+ perceptions of LGBTQIA+ people, falsely characterizing this community in a deficit-based light. In response, this study aimed to offer a holistic definition of pride and develop a psychometrically sound measure of pride stemming from culturally salient expressions by using rigorous analytical …

Personality Assessment Inventory Profiles In Adults Seeking Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessment, Emily Kinsey

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The current study aimed to examine differences in interpersonal functioning and response validity among adults presenting for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) assessment compared to those seeking services for other clinical concerns. The study used archival data from 238 client files collected in an outpatient clinical setting. Interpersonal functioning was assessed using the Dominance (DOM), Warmth (WRM), and Nonsupport (NON) subscales of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI; Morey, 1991). Response validity was evaluated using the Negative Impression Management (NIM) and Positive Impression Management (PIM) scales. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) showed no significant group differences across DOM, WRM, and NON …

Beyond Ssris: Omega-3 Fatty Acids And The Neurobiology Of Impulsivity In Borderline Personality Disorder, Sujean Doo

Scripps Senior Theses

Impulsivity is a central and clinically significant dimension of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and is strongly associated with self-harm, aggression, and suicide risk. Despite its prognostic importance, pharmacologic management of impulsivity in BPD remains inconsistent. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are frequently prescribed; however, randomized controlled trials demonstrate limited efficacy for impulsive-aggression, and some patients experience a paradoxical behavioral activation. Meta-analytic and systematic reviews further suggest that mood stabilizers and second-generation antipsychotics may outperform antidepressants, yet no specific medication is indicated to target impulsive behavioral dyscontrol.

This thesis synthesizes findings from systematic reviews, randomized trials, and neuroimaging research to evaluate …

Attention Or Affect? Evaluating The Discriminant Validity Of Cpt-3 Performance, Gavin F. Price

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The Conner Continuous Performance Test Third Edition (CPT-3) is a behavior-based measure of attention-related problems commonly used to assess Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Research into the discriminant validity of the CPT-3 remains limited, particularly regarding the influence of internalizing symptoms such as anxiety and depression on performance. The current study examined whether CPT-3 performance was more strongly associated with cognitive indicators of inattention or internalizing symptoms, such as depressive or anxious symptoms. Archival data from 105 adult clients at Murray State University Psychological Center was analyzed. Cognitive inattention was measured using Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI) – Working Memory Index (WMI) discrepancy …

Family Functioning And Stress In Arab American Young Adults, Sahar Kaouk

Selected Full-Text Dissertations 2020-

Family functioning plays a central role in the lives of Arab American young adults, yet little research has examined how family dynamics relate to stress in this population. Guided by Bowen’s (1978) Family Systems Theory, this study investigated the relationship between family functioning and perceived stress, as well as the roles of Differentiation of Self (DoS), Reflective Coping, and collectivistic orientation. Participants included 225 young adults ages 18 to 25 who self-identified as Arab American. Data were collected using self-report measures, and structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized model. Results indicated that family functioning was indirectly related …

Social Media, Masculine Body Ideals, And The Drive For Muscularity: A Serial Mediation Model Across Sexual Identities, Sean P. Mcdaniel

Theses and Dissertations

Body image concerns among men are increasingly prevalent yet remain understudied compared to women’s experiences. Drawing on objectification theory, the present study examines the relationship between social media influence and men’s drive for muscularity through a serial mediation model. Specifically, the present study investigates whether the internalization of masculine body ideals and engagement in body surveillance behaviors mediate the link between social media influence and the drive for muscularity. Furthermore, the present study model attempts to explore how these processes differ across sexual identities, given evidence that sexual minority men face distinct sociocultural pressures regarding appearance. Adult male-identifying social media …

Showpony, George Theodore Ellington

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

The poetry collection Showpony focuses on the real-life experiences of a woman in her twenties during the 1970s, who is treated by psychiatrist Dr. Robert J. Stoller at UCLA in a desperate attempt to make her normal. Mrs. G struggles with homicidal and suicidal thoughts, psychosis, as well as her homosexuality and transgender identity. Showpony examines the ways in which psychology has pathologized these experiences and the ramifications for patients, particularly those who have been publicly showcased as examples of their conditions used to train future students. The collection critiques the exploitation of patients by psychiatrists and psychologists, highlighting unethical …

Intergenerational Resilience: Exploring Whether Positive Childhood Experiences Buffer The Transmission Of Harsh And Neglectful Parenting, Patricia J. Dixon

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

Childhood abuse and neglect are associated with lasting negative mental and physical health outcomes across the lifespan. In contrast, positive childhood experiences (PCEs) can promote long-term health and wellbeing and mitigate the harmful effects of childhood adversity. A primary risk factor for child maltreatment is parental experiences of maltreatment whereby history of childhood trauma increases the likelihood of utilizing harsh and/or neglectful parenting towards one’s children. This study employed secondary data analysis of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health to test whether cumulative PCEs confer protective effects against the generational transmission of harsh and neglectful parenting. Consistent …

An Investigation Into Distinctions Between Nonsuicidal Self-Injury And Disordered Eating Behaviors, Kyle Ross

West Chester University Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Final Projects

The investigation of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and eating disorders (EDs) is important for the field of clinical psychology to clearly conceptualize and treat self-destructive behaviors. The present study aimed first to understand experiences of NSSI and ED behaviors and then to determine the best way to conceptualize indirect versus direct self-harm behaviors to inform treatment. Four research questions focused on (1) experiences of the behaviors, (2) functions of the behaviors, (3) conceptualization of direct/indirect self-harm, and (4) descriptions of treatment experiences. Interviews were conducted with nine people (eight women, one nonbinary) with a mean age of 31 years old. Participants …

Formal Vs. Informal Disclosure Of Campus Sexual Assault: Social Reactions, Institutional Responses, And Associated Posttraumatic Stress, Karyna Fowler

Honors Theses

With research demonstrating increasing rates of sexual victimization on college campuses (Koss et al., 1987; Koss et al., 2022), sexual assault disclosure has become a critical construct with implications for victim-survivors’ posttraumatic stress (PTS) and healing. In the present mixed-methods study, college students (N = 558) at Bucknell University completed a survey assessing sexual victimization, disclosure, peer responses, institutional betrayal and support, and PTS; a subset (n = 9) participated in qualitative interviews examining social reactions, barriers to disclosure, and present functioning. Consistent with hypotheses, women reported significantly higher rates of sexual victimization than men; disclosure was relatively infrequent (26.5%) …