Reimagining Care: Experiences Of Trauma-Informed Approaches And Deinstitutionalization In Caribbean Child Welfare,
2025
Antioch University Seattle
Reimagining Care: Experiences Of Trauma-Informed Approaches And Deinstitutionalization In Caribbean Child Welfare, Sarah L. Subhan
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
This study explored the perceptions and experiences of child welfare professionals on trauma-informed care and implications for deinstitutionalization in Trinidad and Tobago. The qualitative study utilized research interviews from 21 participants to inform findings. The participants included professionals from various agencies who work with children in care and protection. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data, yielding six overarching themes (1) the need for training and capacity building in child protection, (2) systemic and organizational challenges to trauma informed care, (3) cultural and community factors impacting child protection, (4) the need to support family units as a pathway to …
The Effect Of Need For Closure, Gender Essentialism, And Contact On Transphobia,
2025
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
The Effect Of Need For Closure, Gender Essentialism, And Contact On Transphobia, Jacob E. Vargas
College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research
Using a motivated social cognition framework, this study explores whether there is an indirect effect of need for closure on transphobia via gender essentialism and whether this relationship is moderated by transgender contact. Data were collected from an undergraduate sample of 405 cisgender participants (nmen = 159, nwomen = 246). A simple mediation and a moderated mediation were used to examine the hypothesized relationships, controlling for participant gender. Results reinforced the positive correlation between gender essentialism and transphobia and the negative correlation between transgender contact and transphobia. However, the mediation and moderation hypotheses were not supported. Need …
Harming To Healing: Exploring Harm Reduction In Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Treatment,
2025
Claremont Colleges
Harming To Healing: Exploring Harm Reduction In Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Treatment, Athena Lewin
Scripps Senior Theses
Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) is a maladaptive behavior that impacts individuals from all backgrounds, yet existing interventions often neglect harm reduction tactics that may enhance treatment outcomes. This study presents a quasi-experimental design to assess the effectiveness of harm reduction education when combined with a dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) based and motivational interviewing (MI) based counseling for young women (ages 18-26) who meet the criteria for Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Disorder (NSSID). Participants will be randomly assigned to either a control group receiving only DBT/MI based therapy or an experimental group receiving both the DBT/MI based therapy and harm reduction education, which will …
Navigating Online Dating: Exploring The Intersection Of Attachment Styles, Parental Attachments, And Sociosexuality In Online Dating Among College Students,
2025
University of Central Florida
Navigating Online Dating: Exploring The Intersection Of Attachment Styles, Parental Attachments, And Sociosexuality In Online Dating Among College Students, Jensley Velez-Lozada
Honors Undergraduate Theses
The aim of this thesis is to explore the connection between attachment styles, parental attachment, and sociosexuality as predictors of online dating attitudes among college students. As society navigates this new digital era of online dating, how does it continue to transform young adults as they form romantic and sexual connections? It becomes increasingly important to understand the psychological mechanisms that influence these behaviors. This study examined how anxious and avoidant attachment styles, parental attachment, and sociosexuality may have contributed to online hookup attempts and outcomes behaviors. It also examined how these variables interacted and influenced both the likelihood of …
The Effects Of Schema Therapy On Shame In Victims Of Intimate Partner Violence,
2025
University of South Carolina
The Effects Of Schema Therapy On Shame In Victims Of Intimate Partner Violence, Annette Ibarra Skeen
Theses and Dissertations
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is prevalent in the United States and worldwide. Despite the deleterious effects of IPV on personal and societal wellness, there is limited research on effective interventions for IPV victims. Among the detrimental effects of IPV on mental health, shame is a common emotion experienced by IPV victims. Shame can contribute to an array of mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, PTSD, substance abuse, and suicidality. Using a multiple baseline, singe case design, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of Schema Therapy (ST) on shame on IPV victims. Based …
Hypnosis: An Evidenced Based Treatment,
2025
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Hypnosis: An Evidenced Based Treatment, Gregory P. Brown
Psychiatry & Behavioral Health Faculty Research
Review of meta analyses and systemic review level studies of hypnosis in the treatment of anxiety, burnout, and depression.
From Street Codes To School Codes: Transformative Educational Intervention For Gang Affiliated Student. An Active Research Study,
2025
University of the Pacific
From Street Codes To School Codes: Transformative Educational Intervention For Gang Affiliated Student. An Active Research Study, Alexandra Saldivar
University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations
Gang-affiliated youth face significant challenges in educational and community settings, often resulting in lower graduation rates, limited career opportunities, and an increased risk for behavioral problems. While gang activity on school campuses has increased in recent years, there is limited research and little effort specifically tailored to meet the needs of this vulnerable population. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the WhyTry intervention, a resilience-focused program designed for at-risk populations, modified with additional counseling and a gang-intervention emphasis to address the unique challenges gang-affiliated students face. The study explores whether the modified WhyTry program can improve academic performance, …
The Long-Term Psychological Effects Of Violent Crime On Victims: A Review Of Evidence And Supportive Interventions,
2025
Missouri State University
The Long-Term Psychological Effects Of Violent Crime On Victims: A Review Of Evidence And Supportive Interventions, Jayden E. Oleksyn-Lamb
Graduate Theses/Dissertations
This study utilizes anonymous survey data collected from 26 mental health professionals in various regions of Canada to understand which psychological disturbances are the most prevalent among victims of violent crime as well as which psychological interventions are most beneficial for treating violent crime victims. The data revealed that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), anger, guilt, self-blame, and shame are each highly prevalent. Findings also revealed that certain therapeutic methods including Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Supportive Counselling (SC), Progressive Relaxation (PR), Cognitive Reprocessing Therapy (CPT) and Cognitive Restructuring (CR) are associated with …
Radical Hope Amid Generational Oppression And Puerto Rican Well-Being,
2025
Virginia Commonwealth University
Radical Hope Amid Generational Oppression And Puerto Rican Well-Being, Natalia Gomez Giuliani
Theses and Dissertations
Oppressive systems (e.g., colonialism, racism, capitalism) create a disparate distribution of power that, through various mechanisms, negatively impacts the health and well-being of members of the oppressed group. Boricuas have experienced over 500 years of oppression, with the island currently maintaining a colonial relationship with the United States. As these adverse effects of oppression are identified, the need for protective factors (e.g., hope) has emerged. This study explored how islander Boricuas practice radical hope, understand their history of oppression and resistance, and how they perceived it to impact their overall well-being. Utilizing a phenomenological qualitative approach, I conducted 15 semi-structured …
Hyperreality Ain’T Really Real: Postmodernity, Social Media, & Blackness,
2025
Virginia Commonwealth University
Hyperreality Ain’T Really Real: Postmodernity, Social Media, & Blackness, Micah White
Theses and Dissertations
This qualitative study examines the interplay between postmodernity, social media, and African American identity formation through focus group analysis and Grounded Theory methodology. The research investigates how social media’s postmodern features—fragmentation, hyperreality, commodification, and context collapse—shape identity development among African Americans, who historically navigate cultural disruption and systemic racism. Data from semi-structured interviews with two generational focus groups revealed that participants engaged in sophisticated identity curation to balance authenticity and protection in racially charged digital spaces. Key findings highlight the tension between empowerment and marginalization, as social media served as both a platform for racial affirmation and a source of …
Yoga As A Self-Care Practice For Mental Health Counselors Who Treat Trauma,
2025
Northern Illinois University
Yoga As A Self-Care Practice For Mental Health Counselors Who Treat Trauma, Kari Michelle Fitzgerald
Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations
Given the high rates of burnout and compassion fatigue among trauma-exposed counselors, understanding effective self-care practices is critical for sustaining clinical effectiveness and well-being. Utilizing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), exploration of the lived experiences of licensed mental health counselors who treat trauma and use yoga as a self-care practice was conducted. Eight participants who were regular yoga practitioners each participated in one semi-structured interview and submitted one pre- and one post-interview reflective journal entry. Thematic analysis was used to identify six major themes; 1) emotional impact and sacred responsibility of clinical work, 2) yoga as a regulating and restorative practice, …
Effects Of Perceived Procedural Justice On The Relationship Between Visa Application Outcome And Psychological Distress: Evidence From Ghanaians And Nigerians Applying For U.S. Student Visas,
2025
Eastern Illinois University
Effects Of Perceived Procedural Justice On The Relationship Between Visa Application Outcome And Psychological Distress: Evidence From Ghanaians And Nigerians Applying For U.S. Student Visas, Harriet Swanzy-Baffoe
Masters Theses
Visa interviews are not just bureaucratic processes; they can have significant psychological effects on applicants. This study examined the impact of U.S. student visa outcomes on psychological distress among West African applicants, with particular attention to perceptions of procedural justice during the interview process. The study surveyed 203 Ghanaian and Nigerian individuals who had previously applied for a U.S. student visa. Psychological distress was measured using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and perceptions of fairness were measured with a custom-developed Procedural Justice Scale. Independent samples t-tests showed that denied applicants reported significantly higher distress, although elevated symptoms were also …
Race Into The Future: Counselor Educators' Experiences Training With An Antiracist Pedagogy,
2025
Northern Illinois University
Race Into The Future: Counselor Educators' Experiences Training With An Antiracist Pedagogy, Darita Rose Grays
Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations
This dissertation explores the role of counselor educators in incorporating an antiracist pedagogy to prepare counselors-in-training to work as culturally competent counselors with all clients, with emphasis on marginalized groups. The research examines the lived experiences of counselor educators, focusing on how their personal and professional journeys influence their approach to integrating antiracist teaching strategies in counselor education programs. It highlights the critical need to address and acknowledge racism within counselor training while emphasizing the importance of developing an antiracist identity among both educators and trainees. The study further explores the potential of antiracist pedagogy in fostering a more inclusive, …
Path Analysis Of Person, Socio-Cognitive, Environmental Factors On International Counseling Students’ Researcher Development,
2025
University of Northern Iowa
Path Analysis Of Person, Socio-Cognitive, Environmental Factors On International Counseling Students’ Researcher Development, Priyanka Jha
Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations
Counseling and counselor education programs consider researcher development as a core component of professional development, preparing students and scholars to contribute to knowledge and evidence-based practices in the field. Despite this importance, researcher development remains understudied, especially for international graduate students in counseling and counselor education programs. Guided by the Social Cognitive Career Theory framework, this dissertation quantitively examined the impact of person, socio-cognitive, and environmental factors on researcher development for international graduate students. This study was correlational in nature and adopted a cross-sectional survey design. The sample for the current study was 85 international graduate students or recent graduate …
Beyond Borders: Exploring Counselors’ Perceptions Of Multicultural Counseling Competencies Following Cultural Immersion,
2025
Northern Illinois University
Beyond Borders: Exploring Counselors’ Perceptions Of Multicultural Counseling Competencies Following Cultural Immersion, Kassandra M. Kavanaugh
Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations
Research has revealed that cultural immersion can increase multicultural counseling competencies in counselors-in-training (Barden & Cashwell, 2014; Barden et al., 2015; Choi & Protivnak, 2016; Dietz & Baker, 2019; Gaia, 2015; Wathen & Kleist, 2015). In light of the increasing diversity within the counseling profession and cultural competency continuing education requirements, the examination of cultural immersion as a means of shaping counselors' cultural competence is both justified and imperative. By utilizing interpretive phenomenological analysis, five participants were interviewed to better understand professional counselors’ perceptions of their multicultural counseling competencies following cultural immersion. The results from this study identified five themes, …
Embodied Affliction: Somalis’ Perception Of Trauma,
2025
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Embodied Affliction: Somalis’ Perception Of Trauma, Ahmed M. Hassan
All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects
Somali immigrants and refugees have a high rate of trauma, mainly because of their traumatic experiences during the Somali civil war and subsequent migration. Nevertheless, they do not readily access available psychological services in the countries to which they migrate. Research of the past two decades has revealed that different cultures conceptualize and communicate mental distress differently from one another. Those differences affect how Western mental health providers approach the treatment of clients who immigrate from an unfamiliar culture to Western countries, where the biomedical model of mental health dominates the health care system. Improved cultural awareness and communication between …
The Development Of A Children’S Book Designed To Use Bibliotherapy And Mindfulness Skills To Promote Interoception In Young Children With Insecure Attachment As A Result Of Adverse Childhood Experiences,
2025
University of the Pacific
The Development Of A Children’S Book Designed To Use Bibliotherapy And Mindfulness Skills To Promote Interoception In Young Children With Insecure Attachment As A Result Of Adverse Childhood Experiences, Zenaida Agramonte
University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations
One third of children in the United States have experienced trauma known in the literature as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). The long-term outcomes of ACEs have a higher likelihood of reducing interoceptive awareness—the ability to sense internal body signals like heart rate, hunger, pain, and emotions. Research suggests that interventions, such as mindfulness and attachment therapies are useful for increasing interoceptive awareness, regulating emotions, and fostering secure attachment in adults. However, apart from attachment, interventions are lacking for young children. Bibliotherapy is one such intervention designed for young children which potentially fosters secure attachment between child and adult storytellers and …
How Marriage And Family Therapy Graduate Programs Awaken, Develop, And Teach Clinical Intuition: A Hermeneutic Qualitative Phenomenological Study,
2025
Antioch University
How Marriage And Family Therapy Graduate Programs Awaken, Develop, And Teach Clinical Intuition: A Hermeneutic Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Jessica Fountas
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
This research explored how marriage and family therapy graduate programs awaken, develop, and teach clinical intuition. Using criterion-based sampling and snowball sampling, six licensed marriage and family therapists participated in a two-step hermeneutic phenomenological study consisting of individual semistructured interviews and a follow-up focus group. Requirements for participation were licensed marriage and family therapists who were in clinical practice, had experienced the phenomenon of clinical intuition and awakening of clinical intuition, and used clinical intuition in therapy with clients and in systemic supervision with supervisees. The research findings highlighted 14 themes: Reflection of the Experience of Clinical Intuition; Bodily Knowing, …
Cultivating Empathy: A Content Analysis Of Empathic Themes In Best-Selling Children's Books,
2025
Antioch University
Cultivating Empathy: A Content Analysis Of Empathic Themes In Best-Selling Children's Books, Elnaz J. Afousi
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
This study examines the presence and nature of empathic content in best-selling children’s picture books, with a focus on developmental relevance for preschool-aged readers. Using a modified version of the iEPIC empathy coding system, 10 titles from the New York Times best-seller list were analyzed to assess the frequency and complexity of three empathy-related constructs: Emotion or State Description (ESD), Exploring Emotion or State (EES), and Empathic Understanding or Concern (EUC). Results indicate that while all books contained some empathy-related content, ESD3 (self-reflective emotional descriptions) and EUC2/EUC4 (understanding and helping others) were most prevalent, suggesting an emphasis on both intrapersonal …
A Ticket To The Show: Reclaiming The Margins Of Film History Through The Orphan Film Movement,
2025
Antioch University
A Ticket To The Show: Reclaiming The Margins Of Film History Through The Orphan Film Movement, Charlotte Roi
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
This dissertation explores the history, development, and legacy of the Orphan Film Movement (OFM), a vital initiative dedicated to identifying, preserving, and promoting cinematic works that have been neglected, forgotten, or left without clear copyright holders. Through the lens of Critical Archival Theory, the research traces the emergence of the OFM from its foundational roots in the broader film preservation movement and examines its evolution through academic, institutional, and community-based advocacy. Drawing on historical research, symposium analysis, and theoretical engagement, this study demonstrates how the OFM reshapes historical narratives, democratizes preservation practices, and redefines what constitutes cultural memory in film …
