This project addresses the promotion of role-related self-compassion (SC) in psychotherapists as part of their professional development and maintenance. There is evidence that therapists who are more self-compassionate are better-protected from emotional burnout (Beaumont et al., 2016), suggesting that self-compassion become part of therapist education(Nelson et al., 2018), but there is a lack of research regarding how this role-related selfcompassion is addressed by supervisors. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 6 clinical supervisors in Ontario and Quebec, Canada. Thematic analysis (TA) derived 5 main themes, including Participants’ Definitions of SC, Supervisee struggles leading participants to address SC in supervision Participants’ approaches to addressing SC with supervisees, Institutional structures addressing self-care, self-compassion, and Challenges associated with addressing SC in supervision. Results suggest that participants viewed self-compassion as an important component of therapist self-care, and employed a number of direct and indirect methods to address and encourage it with supervisees. Implications for practice and training are included.

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In Ontario, supporting "a system of care that provides women and their families with equitable choice in birth environment and provider," (PCMCH & MOHLTC, 2017, p.33) has been identified as one of the central objectives of the Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health's Low Risk Maternal Newborn Strategy. In theory, pregnant people in Ontario can choose to seek maternity care from a midwife, a family physician, or an obstetrician; however, in practice, pregnant people's choice of provider remains constrained. Extant literature suggests that in order to afford pregnant people the opportunity to exercise autonomous choice of provider, health systems must ensure that an acceptable range of provider options is available and accessible within the local organization of maternity care, that pregnant people are made aware of and knowledgeable about the available provider options, and that pregnant people have the ability and resources to navigate access to their provider of choice (Mackenzie, 2014; Sutherns, 2004). As a result, I designed this thesis to fill a gap in the evidence base to determine whether or not provincial policies had translated into the levels of access, awareness, and resourcing required to afford pregnant people the opportunity, ability and propensity to exercise autonomous choice of provider within the local maternity care system in Ontario's Champlain Region. I sought to elicit the structural conditions that would be necessary to equitably support pregnant people's access to and choice of a maternity care provider. In the pursuit of these objectives, I adopted an integrated knowledge translation approach (Bowen & Graham, 2013), using an explanatory sequential mixed methods design (Creswell, 2014), which encompassed two complementary stages: (1) quantitative geospatial mapping to assess pregnant people's access to the full range of maternity care providers across the Champlain Region; and (2) qualitative focus groups and individual interviews with parents, providers, and policy-makers to explore the individual, organizational, and system-level factors that are enabling or restricting access and autonomy. Using a systems approach to the investigation of this locally-identified issue, I demonstrate in this thesis that pregnant people within the Champlain Region have inequitable opportunities to exercise autonomous choice of maternity care provider due to (1) system and organizational-level factors that are creating imbalances in the supply, distribution and mix of maternity care provider options, and (2) pregnant people's differential access to the enabling information and resources required to exercise autonomous choice of provider and to navigate access to their services.

When measuring people’s trust, research show a negative trend where people’s trust over time is declining globally, where digitalization is accelerating the process. Trust is a key component in a democratic society and social studies has the task of communicating democratic values and integrate the students in the democratic process. The aim of the present study was therefore to examine how different aspects of the concept “Trust” are highlighted and portrayed within different fields of knowledge in textbooks for social studies in upper secondary school. Three aspects of trust was analyzed; social capital and trust in one’s surroundings; trust in the political system and its institutions; how the economic system influence people’s trust. The concept of trust was examined through a thematic analysis, with discourse analytical elements that calculated frequencies of latent and semantic value words. The analysis indicate that both textbooks contain a frequent space for discourses of trust, where social trust is highlighted. Furthermore the results showed a big difference between latent reasoning about trust and direct semantic reasoning about trust. When examining study questions and tasks similar results were found, where Arena 123 had the most latent codes in the answer options, while Perspektiv på samhället had the most direct trust frequencies.

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No description available.

Recent literature suggests that LGBTQ+ women of color are more likely to raise children or have children in the home compared to White LGBTQ+ women (Gates, 2013, 2015). Most of the LGBTQ+ motherhood research has focused narrowly on one domain of queer motherhood, lesbian mothers' experience of mothering (Bible et al., 2018) and centered on the experiences of White, middle-class, cisgender mothers (Brainer et al., 2020; Manley and Ross, 2020; Reczek, 2020). The interlocking nature of multiple marginalized identities places Black queer mothers at a unique intersection of oppression (Crenshaw, 1991). Exploring the complexity of lived experience among Black mothers who identify with a plurisexual identity (i.e., bi, queer, pan, or fluid; Galupo, 2018) provides family scientists and scholar-practitioners an opportunity to analyze the internal, relational, and institutional influences that reinforce or challenge racism, sexism, and homophobia. The present study sought to understand how Black queer mothers experience motherwork as queer mothers, how they build and navigate networks of support, and how they use community resources. The study was guided by intersectionality rooted within the theoretical framework of Black Feminist Thought, as well as an emphasis on motherwork as both a theoretical framework and a concept explored. Using reflexive thematic analysis, semi- structured interviews (Mtime = 79.63 minutes), photovoice submissions, and photovoice interviews (Mtime = 38.32 minutes) were conducted with 10 participants (8 of the 10 participants completed photovoice). Four key themes were identified (a) Attentiveness and Resistance to Discrimination (subtheme: Active Reflectivity in Parenting Strategies); (b) Promoting Openness of Self-Expression in Child(ren) (subtheme: Queer Identity Helps Foster Acceptance and Intentionality); (c) Negotiating Informal Support (three subthemes: Barriers to Support, Desiring Like-Minded Social Groups, and Boundaries in Close Relationships Are Critical); and (d) Emphasis on Finding the "Right" Environment to Meet Family Needs (subtheme: Utilizing Individual or Couples Therapy). Findings have implications for the family science literature by providing an in-depth, Black feminist understanding of how Black queer mothers engage in queer motherwork, navigate informal support, and strategically access community resources. / Doctor of Philosophy / Recent literature suggests that LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer) women of color are more likely to raise children or have children in the home compared to White LGBTQ+ women (Gates, 2013, 2015). Most of the LGBTQ+ motherhood research has focused narrowly on one domain of queer motherhood, lesbian mothers' experience of mothering (Bible et al., 2018) and centered on the experiences of White, middle-class, cisgender mothers (Brainer et al., 2020; Manley and Ross, 2020; Reczek, 2020). Exploring the complexity of lived experience among Black mothers who identify with a plurisexual identity (i.e., bi, queer, pan, or fluid; Galupo, 2018) provides researchers and clinicians an opportunity to consider the internal, relational, and institutional influences that reinforce or challenge marginalization. The present study sought to understand how Black queer mothers experience motherwork (e.g., identity, survival, and power) as queer mothers, how they build and navigate networks of support, and how they use community resources. The study was guided by intersectionality rooted within the theoretical framework of Black Feminist Thought, as well as an emphasis on motherwork as both a theoretical framework and a concept explored. I analyzed data from two individual interviews (including a photo-elicited interview) with 10 participants (8 of the 10 participants completed the second interview) (Braun and Clarke, 2022; Wang and Burris, 1997). Four key themes were identified (a) Attentiveness and Resistance to Discrimination (subtheme: Active Reflectivity in Parenting Strategies); (b) Promoting Openness of Self-Expression in Child(ren) (subtheme: Queer Identity Helps Foster Acceptance and Intentionality); (c) Negotiating Informal Support (three subthemes: Barriers to Support, Desiring Like-Minded Social Groups, and Boundaries in Close Relationships Are Critical); and (d) Emphasis on Finding the "Right" Environment to Meet Family Needs (subtheme: Utilizing Individual or Couples Therapy). Findings have research and clinical implications for how Black queer mothers engage in queer motherwork, navigate informal support, and strategically access community resources.

Drug use, overdose, and addiction has skyrocketed in the past twenty years (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). Negative stigma towards addiction, or otherwise known as substance use disorder (SUD), has only increased since President Nixon declared the "war on drugs" in 1971 (National Public Radio, 2007). Negative public stigma of SUD creates barriers for treatment for those who are suffering, continuing to exacerbate the stigma surrounding SUD. To understand ways to reduce stigma surrounding SUD, this study will look at narrative persuasion through transportation theory to better understand the power of stories and stories of recovery as a method to reduce stigma surrounding SUD among community members. In addition to examining narrative persuasion literature, 21 semi-structured interviews from community stakeholder groups in Virginia's Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services region 3, were conducted. To further understand the content in the stakeholder interviews, a qualitative thematic analysis using inductive themes was conducted to determine common themes surrounding substance use disorder, stigma, and ways to reduce stigma surrounding substance use disorder through narrative persuasion. Based on participant interviews, community stakeholders hold negative perceptions of those with SUD based on personal and professional experiences but believe that positive personal narratives of SUD and recovery can reduce public stigma towards those who suffer from the disorder. / Master of Arts / Drug use, overdose, and addiction has skyrocketed in the past twenty years (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). Negative stigma towards addiction, or otherwise known as substance use disorder (SUD), has risen since President Nixon declared the "war on drugs" in 1971 (National Public Radio, 2007). Negative public stigma of SUD creates barriers for treatment for those who are suffering, continuing to worsen the stigma surrounding SUD. To understand ways to reduce stigma surrounding SUD, this study will look at persuasive storytelling through transportation theory to better understand the power of stories and stories of recovery as a method to reduce stigma surrounding SUD among community members. In addition to examining narrative persuasion literature, 21 interviews from various community members in region 3 of Virginia were conducted. To further understand the content in the participant interviews, a thematic analysis was conducted to determine common themes and patterns surrounding substance use disorder, stigma, and ways to reduce stigma surrounding substance use disorder through persuasive storytelling. Based on participant interviews, community stakeholders hold negative perceptions of those with SUD through personal and professional experiences but believe that positive personal narratives of SUD and recovery can reduce public stigma towards those who suffer from the disorder.

This study seeks to identify, understand, and compare the themes created by Russian and Chinese state-run media online in their framing of the United States. The study will compare the Facebook posts made by a Russian news agency and a Chinese news agency: RussiaToday and Xinhua News, respectively. The study incorporates agenda-setting, framing theory, and previous research to understand the themes present in the coverage of the United States during 2020. Additionally, the lengthy history of Russian and Chinese malign influence toward the United States, combined with the immediate nature of social media creates a unique opportunity for understanding the intersection between communication processes and international relations in the 21st Century. A total of 100 Facebook posts were collected from CrowdTangle and analyzed using a software intended for qualitative data analysis to compare the frames that exist in the selected content. The findings reveal four major topics of importance that Russia and China primarily use to frame the United States. Additionally, the frames depicted in the social media posts were compared and examined. The findings reveal that in 2020 Russia and China overwhelmingly framed the United States in a negative light by describing the United States as an enemy and by highlighting American failures. However, some positive framing – though rare – also occurred by describing the United States as an ally and by emphasizing American successes. Lastly, the findings are consistent with previous research that indicates Russia and China craft specific, tailored narratives about the United States in the pursuit of national interests. The results of this study indicate that Russia and China capitalize on polarizing events to sow discord within American society. In general, this study has the potential to provide information that can be useful for multiple government agencies in identifying counter-messaging opportunities online. / MACOM / This study examines the framing of the United States by Russia and China on social, specifically Facebook. The study utilizes the Facebook posts from two state-run news agencies – one from each country – in order to understand the way each country frames the United States. The lengthy history of Russian and Chinese malign influence toward the United States, combined with the immediate nature of social media creates a unique opportunity for understanding the intersection between mass media and international relations in the 21st Century. Recent events such as the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 presidential election, and issues of race combined with a prominent social media landscape serve as the backdrop to better understand how Russian and Chinese media operate online. The findings reveal that each country overwhelmingly frames the United States in a negative light by describing the United States as an enemy and by highlighting American failures. Surprisingly, however, some content does positively frame the United States by describing it as an ally and by highlighting American successes. Lastly, the findings show that Russia and China craft specific, tailored narratives of the United States in the pursuit of national interests, which directly supports previous literature. The results of this study indicate that Russia and China capitalize on polarizing events to sow discord within American society. In general, this study has the potential to provide information that can be useful for multiple government agencies in identifying counter-messaging opportunities online.

With a global and national shortage in the number of registered organ donors, this study employed a qualitative thematic analysis of thirteen episodes from popular medical dramas that aired between 2016-2020. The aim of this study was to allow for a better understanding of how the media utilizes entertainment television to portray storylines related to organ donation. The analyzed shows included in this study were: Grey's Anatomy, The Good Doctor, New Amsterdam, Chicago Med, and The Resident. From the analysis, six major themes emerged: Urgency of Transplant, Ethical Decision-Making, Emotional Impacts of Organ Donation on Patient and Families, Familial Relationships Impacting Donation, Viewer Education via Vicarious Learning, and Excitement Surrounding Surgery. In addition to these themes, both favorable and unfavorable cues related to organ donation were present throughout the analysis. These findings have implications for audience members via social cognitive theory. This study illuminated the ongoing efforts made by the entertainment television industry to portray organ donation in a factual manner and to provide the viewing public with potential opportunities for organ donation education. / Master of Arts / With a global and national shortage in the number of registered organ donors, this study analyzed thirteen episodes from popular medical dramas that aired between 2016-2020 to determine what themes were present amongst the analyzed shows. The analyzed shows included in this study were: Grey's Anatomy, The Good Doctor, New Amsterdam, Chicago Med, and The Resident. The aim of this study was to allow for a better understanding of how the media utilized entertainment television to portray storylines related to organ donation. From the analysis, six major themes emerged: Urgency of Transplant, Ethical Decision-Making, Emotional Impacts of Organ Donation on Patient and Families, Familial Relationships Impacting Donation, Viewer Education via Vicarious Learning, and Excitement Surrounding Surgery. In addition to the emergence of these themes, the analysis revealed both favorable and unfavorable cues related to organ donation were present in these entertainment storylines. This study illuminated the ongoing efforts made by the entertainment television industry to portray organ donation in a factual manner and to provide the viewing public with opportunities for organ donation education.