Exploring Acceptable Alternatives To Psychotherapy For Distressed Clients In Integrated Primary Care,
2017
Antioch University, New England
Exploring Acceptable Alternatives To Psychotherapy For Distressed Clients In Integrated Primary Care, Paul N. Leandri
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
Integrated Primary Care (IPC) is an effective, cutting-edge modality to treating both physiological and psychological problems using a holistic approach within primary care. One of the primary challenges associated with IPC is figuring out the most cost-effective way of treating the largest possible number of patients with behavioral health-related conditions, within staffing constraints. This has led to a preference for time-limited psychological interventions that work well for common mild behavioral health conditions. These time-limited interventions, however, are often inadequate for patients struggling with moderate to severe psychological distress. As such, we need alternative treatment options for this population. Research has …
Double Whammy: Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Of Older African Americans Experiencing Hiv & Age Related Comorbidities,
2017
Antioch University Santa Barbara
Double Whammy: Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Of Older African Americans Experiencing Hiv & Age Related Comorbidities, James W. Chavers
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
HIV among older African Americans represents one of the fastest and largest growing populations of infected groups in America (CDC, 2008). With the availability of anti-retrovirals (ARV), or AIDS cocktail drugs, HIV has become a chronic illness. As African Americans are living longer with HIV, they are encountering the diseases that are consonant with aging. The effect of aging with HIV and an age-related comorbid condition can be physically and emotionally debilitating. Many of these older adults are also dealing with poverty, stigma, poor healthcare access, and limited social support. The purpose of this study was to explore how these …
An Exploration Into The Lived Experience Of The Jazz Funeral,
2017
Antioch University Santa Barbara
An Exploration Into The Lived Experience Of The Jazz Funeral, Caryn R. Whitacre
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
This qualitative phenomenological study set out to explore and understand the subjective lived experience of the Jazz Funeral ritual of New Orleans, Louisiana. This dissertation was guided by two principal research questions: 1) What is the lived experience of participation in the Jazz Funeral ritual? and 2) What elements of the Jazz Funeral are beneficial to bereavement as reported by the subjects? Research data were collected and arranged through the utilization of phenomenological research protocol. By recognizing that people are the experts of their own lived experience and listening to participants describe their lived experiences of this ritual, this researcher …
Understanding The Experience Of Immigration Among Adult Mexican-Born Males Living In The United States: An Exploration Of Grief, Loss, And Coping,
2017
Antioch University Santa Barbara
Understanding The Experience Of Immigration Among Adult Mexican-Born Males Living In The United States: An Exploration Of Grief, Loss, And Coping, Mauricio B. Ortiz
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
This study uses psychoanalytic object relations theory to understand and analyze the lived experiences of adult Mexican males which will include the psychological meaning of loss and grief resulting from immigrating into the United States. The literature review illustrates and serves as a guide to broaden the understanding of the complex psychological and emotional processes that adult Mexican immigrants experience when faced with the reality of adapting to a host-culture. Participants were interviewed through a descriptive phenomenological approach seeking a complete description of their lived immigration experiences of grief, loss, and coping. After analysis of the transcriptions, several notable themes …
The Patient-Physician Relationship From The Perspective Of Economically Disadvantaged Patients,
2017
Antioch University, New England
The Patient-Physician Relationship From The Perspective Of Economically Disadvantaged Patients, Myah Caruso
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
This qualitative study utilized interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) to explore the patient-physician relational experience from the perspective of patients of lower socioeconomic status (SES). Research shows that physicians engage in collaborative care less frequently with patients of lower SES than with their more advantaged counterparts and that lower SES patients participate less during office visits. Information on the patient-physician relational mechanisms that inhibit collaborative care from the perspective of low SES patients is a key gap in this literature. Five adult patients from the lower socioeconomic strata, who were established patients of a primary care physician were recruited from a …
The Development Of Intrinsic Motivation In Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder,
2017
Antioch University, New England
The Development Of Intrinsic Motivation In Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Carissa Jean Krapf
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has become a common diagnosis among children today. The numbers have grown exponentially in the last several decades and, despite extensive research and various treatment modalities, many children continue to struggle with its disruptive symptoms. Current research reports a poor prognosis for this population with difficulties continuing into adulthood. One of the difficulties noted is in their ability to develop intrinsic motivation when their behaviors have been managed by extrinsic rewards. Self Determination Theory (SDT) was used to conceptualize the difficulties around developing intrinsic motivation when an individual experiences symptoms of ADHD which impact several areas of …
Iraqi Refugees And Cultural Humility: A Mental Health Professional Training Program,
2017
Antioch University, New England
Iraqi Refugees And Cultural Humility: A Mental Health Professional Training Program, Megan Brunmier Marsh
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
This paper describes the development of a thorough nine-hour professional training program targeting the cultural humility of mental health clinicians who are treating new Iraqi refugee communities. I used the 15-step evidence-based Comprehensive Program Development Model created by Calley (2009) for the design of the structure, curriculum, and materials for this proposed program (Calley, 2011). The training program is informed by conceptual frameworks of cultural competence and humility, ecological systems theory, and social justice with goals of (a) exploring clinicians’ cultural attitudes in order to improve self-awareness at multiple levels (e.g., physiological, psychological, interpersonal), (b) increasing clinicians’ knowledge about Iraqi …
First Mothers/Birth Mothers: Social Support And Long-Term Psychological Stress And Growth,
2017
Antioch University, New England
First Mothers/Birth Mothers: Social Support And Long-Term Psychological Stress And Growth, Megan L. Lyons
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
Adoption has become a growing area of research. While much of the existing research focuses on the adoptees and their adoptive parents, this study aimed to focus on the first mothers/birth mothers and their life experiences related to placing an infant, or infants, for adoption. The aim of this study was to determine areas for future clinical focus and support program development throughout the adoption process. The study worked toward this goal by considering the availability and impact of perceptions of social support on the psychological stress and growth of first mothers/birth mothers post-adoption and sought to: (a) determine the …
Unforgiving Pain: A Qualitative Exploration Of Chronic Pain And Self-Forgiveness,
2017
Antioch University, New England
Unforgiving Pain: A Qualitative Exploration Of Chronic Pain And Self-Forgiveness, Ellette K. Dipietro
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
This dissertation describes a qualitative study exploring associations between self-forgiveness and pain perception in the narratives of women with chronic pain. Quantitative research has demonstrated strong relationships among chronic pain, affect, and health, and among forgiveness, affect, and health. The largely unexplored overlap between these areas suggests the possibility of an inverse relationship between self-forgiveness and pain perception. A single preliminary study was found in the research literature supporting this relationship (Carson et al., 2005). A literature review explores the construct of forgiveness, differentiates religious and psychological conceptualizations, distinguishes other from self-forgiveness, and touches on the connections among forgiveness, health, …
Disclosure Of Gender And Sexual Minority Identities In Military Cultures Post-Dadt,
2017
Antioch University, New England
Disclosure Of Gender And Sexual Minority Identities In Military Cultures Post-Dadt, Katherine E. Evarts
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
The repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) banned legally-supported discrimination against United States (US) military personnel who identify with sexual minority identities, but has the repeal also had an impact on gender and sexual minority veteran and military personnel comfort with disclosing such identities to Veterans Affairs (VA) mental health providers? The current research illuminates veteran and military personnel perspectives about this possible shift in VA mental health care culture, as well as about ways that such disclosure could be further facilitated in order to improve the care provided. US veterans who identify with sexual minority identities have multiple, …
The Experience Of Qigong Among Women Cancer Survivors,
2017
Antioch University Seattle
The Experience Of Qigong Among Women Cancer Survivors, Jennifer Sveund
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
Research has shown that qigong can be beneficial for a variety of health related conditions; However, evidence suggests that in the United States, a lack of well designed clinical trials limits the efficacy of qigong in the context of cancer treatment. Research has indicated that careful consideration should be given to the design of randomized control trials using qigong due to the conflicting philosophical methodologies. In the United States, qigong has been under investigated, particularly lacking are qualitative inquiries into qigong use and cancer survivorship. This study is an interpretative phenomenological inquiry that sought to understand women’s experience of qigong …
Provider Perspectives On Self-Injurious Behavior: Past, Present, And Future Directions,
2017
Antioch University, New England
Provider Perspectives On Self-Injurious Behavior: Past, Present, And Future Directions, Laura A. Hilton
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
Self-Injurious behavior (SIB) has received a great deal of attention in recent years. Although concern about the prevalence of this behavior has increased, some therapists feel that they cannot adequately treat those who engage in self-injurious behavior (Miller, 2005). In this study, mental health providers were asked to complete a brief survey about their experiences providing treatment to those who engage in self-injurious behavior. The goal was to gather information with respect to their experiences treating self-injurious behavior. The study explored provider perspectives with regard to attitude, prognosis, best treatment practices, clinical preparedness, and comfort level in treating individuals who …
The Effects Of Session And Outcome Rating Scales Used In A Wraparound Setting,
2017
Antioch University, New England
The Effects Of Session And Outcome Rating Scales Used In A Wraparound Setting, Alexandra Giatrelis
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
This study investigated the usefulness of session and outcome rating scales within a wraparound program in New England. The extensive needs of youth with serious emotional disturbance (SED) categorizations and their families require highly coordinated systems of care that not only deliver adequate services, but contend with the momentum of often contentious and unsuccessful relationships these families have typically experienced with social service systems. Outcome and session rating scales, along with measures of fidelity, hold the potential to provide rapid feedback on both outcome (outside of sessions) and working alliance (within sessions), as well as the consumers’ perspective on the …
Behavioral Interventions That Treat Aggression: Employees Implementation Experiences Within Adult Psychiatric Settings,
2017
Antioch University, New England
Behavioral Interventions That Treat Aggression: Employees Implementation Experiences Within Adult Psychiatric Settings, Alyse Catherine Donovan
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
When adults hospitalized within inpatient psychiatric settings engage in aggressive behavior, it can have detrimental psychological and physical effects on not only other patients, but on hospital employees. Several adult psychiatric inpatient facilities have successfully reduced rates of patient aggression through the implementation of behavioral interventions. While there is much research on factors that lead to successful implementation of evidence based interventions, the literature had not yet explored the subjective experience of employees who are asked to implement behavioral plans in adult psychiatric settings. This study utilized Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis to gain an understanding of employees’ perceptions of barriers and …
Transracial Adoptees’ Thoughts On Culturally Competent Parenting,
2017
Antioch University, New England
Transracial Adoptees’ Thoughts On Culturally Competent Parenting, Molly Conley
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
Transracial adoption, the adoption of a child of a different race than those of the adoptive parents, occurs in approximately 40% of all adoptions. While transracial adoption alone is not sufficient to cause mental health concerns, it does pose a series of unique challenges that can impact self-esteem, racial identity, and sense of belonging in adoptees. Much of the research on adoption focuses on adoptive parents, collecting quantitative data from adoptees, and mental health professionals’ views of adoptees’ experiences. This study elicited feedback from adult transracial adoptees on Vonk’s 2001 model of culturally competent parenting. Data were interpreted using Interpretive …
A Model For Implementing Residential Mental Health Treatment In Nys Correctional Settings,
2017
Antioch University, New England
A Model For Implementing Residential Mental Health Treatment In Nys Correctional Settings, Lauren K. Gillis
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
Like the community, correctional institutions have been ill-prepared in providing care to persons with serious mental illnesses (SMIs) who engage in combative behaviors, in what generally seems to amount to innocuous social interactions. These persons have been increasingly incarcerated over the past several decades because of violent behaviors, severely complicating the effort to provide effective mental health treatment for this population. Even though correctional residential mental health units have been instituted, successfully implementing what works has shown to be, at best, transient in these settings. Through the emergence of implementation science principles, though, there is now a pathway to implement …
How Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing (Emdr) Trained Therapists Stabilize Clients Prior To Reprocessing With Emdr Therapy,
2017
Antioch University Seattle
How Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing (Emdr) Trained Therapists Stabilize Clients Prior To Reprocessing With Emdr Therapy, Edward H. Brendler
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
Helping clients develop resources and stability required to tolerate reprocessing memories can be a considerable part of psychotherapy, particularly with clients who are suffering symptoms related to complex developmental trauma or cumulative multiple-event trauma. There is a paucity of research regarding how experienced EMDR Therapy practitioners experience helping their clients to develop resources required to tolerate reprocessing of trauma memories. This dissertation is an in-depth study of five participants, each a licensed mental health practitioner in the State of Washington, who are trained in EMDR and experienced working with clients who are suffering symptoms of trauma. Each participant was interviewed …
Service Members’ Perspectives On Treatment: Bridging The Military-Civilian Divide,
2017
Antioch University, New England
Service Members’ Perspectives On Treatment: Bridging The Military-Civilian Divide, Kevin R. O'Leary
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
The difficulties some service members have reintegrating into and reconnecting with civilian society are well established across the literature. Despite the veteran’s voices describing these struggles to connect with civilians and the current zeitgeist in psychotherapy on the therapeutic relationship and multicultural competence, little attention has been given to the implications of the civilian military divide in therapy. This study used a mixed method approach to conduct an exploratory study of 70 service members’ perceptions of working with a civilian and active duty or veteran therapist and what factors contribute to therapeutic alliance. Of interest are service members’ beliefs about …
Effects Of A Mindfulness-Based Mobile Application On Empathy And Mindfulness With Psychotherapists,
2017
Antioch University, New England
Effects Of A Mindfulness-Based Mobile Application On Empathy And Mindfulness With Psychotherapists, Sarah M. Kopencey
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
This study explores the feasibility of using a mindfulness-based mobile application (MBMA) with psychotherapists, and investigates whether the use of the MBMA has an impact on psychotherapists’ levels of empathy and mindfulness. The study employs a within-subjects, pretest-posttest design in which participants (n=16) completed questionnaires 30 days apart. Between these questionnaires, the participants utilized the smartphone application Insight Timer (Insight Network, Inc., 2016) on a daily basis. Professionally qualified therapists and doctoral psychology trainees currently practicing psychotherapy who have no or minimal experience with mindfulness practice were considered for inclusion in this study. The study generated paired samples t-tests using …
Psychologists' Hope For Recovery At First Diagnosis Schizophrenia: A Training Model,
2017
Antioch University, New England
Psychologists' Hope For Recovery At First Diagnosis Schizophrenia: A Training Model, Marissa Sicley-Rogers
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
Recovery from schizophrenia is a widely disputed topic among mental health professionals. In spite of scholarly research supporting improved prognosis in schizophrenia, some mental health professionals maintain the belief that recovery from schizophrenia is impossible. A constructionist paradigm frames an understanding of recovery, and describes how different recovery models of schizophrenia may be integrated. From a qualitative approach, this study explores diagnosed individuals’ personal accounts of recovery from schizophrenia. Narrative research provides a framework for analyzing first person, written accounts of recovery from schizophrenia from a criterion-based sample of 18 participants. The results of the study provide insight into dynamic …
