There has been a large body of literature on the robust protective benefits of religion and spirituality against mental illness. The majority of these studies have looked at the buffering effects of religiosity against depression and the positive association between a religious worldview and wellbeing. A primary understanding of this relationship has been that religiosity increases one's ability to cope with life's stress as well as make meaning out of suffering yet little research has been done with survivors of trauma, a population at increased risk for mental illness. Furthermore, there is evidence that the pathway to developing the protective buffer of intrinsic religiosity inherently includes periods of depression and spiritual searching which serve as the catalyst for the process yet it is not well understood how trauma may impact this development. The primary aims of this study are to investigate the relationship between religiosity and depression in adult survivors of childhood physical and sexual abuse across several religious and spiritual dimensions. Results suggest that 1) In the overall sample, high attendance and high religious faith importance are protective against a diagnosis of depression while high spiritual life importance, having a religious experience, childhood physical abuse, and childhood sexual abuse are associated with a depression diagnosis; 2) For individuals without a reported abuse history, high attendance and high religious faith importance are protective against depression while having a religious experience and rating one's spiritual life as highly important were shown to be associated with depression; 3) Childhood physical abuse significantly impacts the protective relationship between high attendance and depression diagnosis and high religious faith importance and depression diagnosis and survivors of childhood physical abuse who also rated their religious faith as important and reported high attendance were more likely to have a depression diagnosis; 4) When childhood physical abuse survivors endorse strongly agreeing that their religious/spiritual beliefs are a guide to daily living they are less likely to have a diagnosis of depression; 5) In survivors of childhood sexual abuse, high religious faith importance and being led spiritually are protective against a depression diagnosis.

The current study addresses the presence of perceived homonegative microaggressions, every day verbal, behavioral, and environmental slights towards LGB individuals. The Homonegative Microaggressions Scale (HMS; Wright & Wegner, 2012) was used to measure the frequency of LGB specific microaggressions in two samples recruited through social networking sites, LGB listservs, online LGB communities, and Amazon Mechanical Turk, an online marketplace for individuals willing to complete tasks. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on data from the first wave of 120 participants resulting in a four-factor model indicative of specific themes of microaggressions found within the HMS. A confirmatory factor analysis used on data from the second wave of 302 participants verified these findings. Additionally, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Identity Scale (LGBIS) were used to assess potential outcomes of a range of specific forms of homonegative microaggressions through a multivariate multiple regression analysis. Structural equation modeling revealed four distinct themes of homonegative microaggressions including Assumed Deviance, Second-Class Citizen, Assumptions of Gay Culture, and Stereotypical Knowledge and Behavior. Clinical implications and future directions for research are also discussed.

The primary aims of this study were to: 1) Examine prominent trajectories of social preference over the course of middle school among affluent adolescents; and 2) Identify which social preference trajectories are significantly linked to clinical status (i.e., levels of anxiety and depression) and academic performance among affluent adolescents in short-term (end of 8th grade) and long-term (end of 12th grade) adjustment. Social preference was operationalized as the difference between the number of an individual’s “liked most” peer nominations and “liked least” peer nominations, thus distinguishing middle schoolers who were genuinely prosocial, from those who may have been simultaneously well-regarded by some for their dominance or aggression, while also disliked by others in their peer group. Participants were 286, mostly Caucasian students (136 girls and 150 boys) from three middle schools in one town, where the mean annual family income was $124,000. Questionnaires were used to collect data on clinical symptoms and other outcome variables. Data on academic performance was provided by the school. Using each student’s level of social preference in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades as grouping variables, five trajectories of social preference were identified across 6th, 7th, and 8th grade: consistently high, increasing over time, decreasing over time and two fluctuating trajectories that were both low in social preference. Fluctuating trajectories were labeled Low Cluster “A” and Low Cluster “V” (capturing their curvilinear patterns across three years) and subjected to further analyses. Multivariate analysis of variance was employed to examine the links between these five prominent social preference trajectories and five outcome variables. The trajectory of social preference across 6th, 7th, and 8th grades was not related to long-term adjustment in either clinical status or academic performance, but there were significant effects on short-term adjustment. Adolescents who were consistently high in social preference reported significantly higher 8th grade GPAs and significantly lower levels of anxiety and depression than those in other trajectories. Low Cluster “A”, which was characterized by an increase in social preference from 6th to 7th grade, and a subsequent decrease from 7th to 8th grade, exhibited the lowest GPA. Low Cluster “V”, which was characterized by a decrease in social preference from 6th to 7th grade, and a subsequent increase from 7th to 8th grade, presented significantly more anxiety and depression. This study shows that, overall, middle school students at the low end of social preference suffer clinically and academically, but only in the short term (at the end of middle school) with differences dissipated by grade 12. Moreover, there are distinct changes in social status during middle school that are associated with academic and clinical status.

This dissertation focuses on the impact of sibling relationship quality on psychological outcomes in 1361 emerging adults between the ages of 18 and 29. Previous research has demonstrated a strong link between sibling relationship quality and psychosocial well-being; however, these studies have focused mostly on children, adolescents, and later life adults. There has been little research exploring the effects of sibling relationship quality on psychological well-being in emerging adults. Because emerging adulthood is a time of considerable change, it has been deemed important to better understand the association between the perceived quality of the sibling relationship (warmth, conflict, and/or rivalry) and both sibling relationship variables (age difference, gender concordance, sibling contact, and minority status) and psychological variables (positive affect, negative affect, self esteem, and altruism) during this developmental time period. Results suggest that, in this sample, the quality of the sibling relationship, as measured by warmth, conflict, and rivalry is significantly related to measures of psychological outcome, specifically affectivity, self-esteem, and altruism, while controlling for demographic and familial structural variables (age difference, gender concordance, sibling contact, and minority status) in emerging adulthood.

<p> Aggression in adolescence is associated with many negative outcomes both during adolescence and later in adulthood. In order to properly prevent and treat aggression, it is important to understand what factors are associated with the development of aggression. This study examined how exposure to family violence, posttraumatic stress, and social skills were related to both parent- and adolescent-rated aggressive behavior. This study was comprised of two components. First, a series of mediation models were examined using structural equation modeling. Second, exploratory analyses of the moderating effects of adolescent race and gender were conducted using multiple regression. The sample consisted of 583 Black, Latino, and White adolescents aged 11 to 14 who participated in the second National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW II) and were assessed with 3 waves of data over 36 months. Results from the first component of the study found that the base model that consisted of autoregressive effects and within-wave correlations provided a good fit to the data with important differences found between the parent and adolescent models. None of the mediation models were supported for either the parent or adolescent models. Results from the second component of the study found that race and gender substantially impacted the predictive relationships between the different factors and later aggression, and that these findings also differed based on whether the parent or adolescent was the informant. These findings further our understanding of how trauma-related factors and social skills relate to aggression longitudinally, which has important implications for interventions.</p>

This portfolio thesis consists of three parts: Part one - Systematic Literature Review The systematic literature explores and conceptualises the existing empirical literature relating to parent’s experiences of the transition to adulthood for their child with intellectual disabilities. A systematic search identified 16 studies relevant for this review. The transition process to adulthood is often accompanied by a number of processes, includes parental involvement and has psychological and financial impact on parents. The data was synthesised using a narrative synthesis approach, including the methodological critique of the studies. Conclusions from the evidence base are drawn, and implications for future research are considered. Part two - Empirical Paper The empirical paper explored the experiences of residential staff and healthcare professionals that have worked with young adults with intellectual disabilities who have been in the care of the Local Authority and transitioned to adult services. A qualitative approach was adopted, primarily a thematic analysis. Three superordinate and nine subordinate themes were identified. Participants’ experiences of the transition to adult services included what adulthood meant for young adults with intellectual disabilities once they departed from the care system, how transitions to adult services begin, and an absence of person-centred care occurs in adult services. The findings are discussed in the context of relevant theoretical and empirical literature, and the implications for services and future research are discussed. Part three - Appendices The appendices section provides a set of appendices relating to both the systematic literature review and the empirical paper. Also included in the appendices is an epistemological statement and a reflective statement, which consider the researcher’s experiences of conducting the empirical paper research.

This portfolio thesis consists of three parts: a systematic literature review, an empirical paper and a set of appendices. The thesis as a whole considers the effects of meditation-based interventions for people living with dementia and age-related cognitive impairments, and their caregiver on wellbeing, including their experiences of meditation-based interventions and appropriate adaptations to these interventions. The first section is a systematic literature review that explores the domains of wellbeing which have been targeted and measured in studies of meditation-based interventions for people living with dementia and mild and subjective cognitive impairment, and the effects of these interventions. The review also considers the methodological quality of the evidence in this area. Fourteen papers were identified and synthesised using a narrative approach. The findings are discussed within the context of previous literature relating to meditation interventions for people living with dementia and age-related cognitive impairments. The clinical and research implications for these findings are also considered. The second section is an empirical study that explores how dementia dyads experience and engage with an adapted mindfulness-based intervention and what the impact of this is on subjective wellbeing. The research used a qualitative method, gathering data using a Grounded Theory approach, which due to not meeting data saturation was analysed using Thematic Analysis. Four superordinate and 11 subordinate themes emerged from the data. The results of this analysis are discussed in the context of previous literature relating to mindfulness-based interventions for people living with dementia and their caregivers, previous adaptations, the impact of these interventions on dyadic wellbeing and dyadic conceptualisations of mindfulness. The clinical and research implications for these findings are also discussed. The third section consists of a set of appendices which relate to the systematic literature review and empirical paper. Within these appendices are a reflective and epistemological statement, which includes the primary researcher’s reflections on the journey of these pieces of research, and the philosophical position and underlying assumptions of the research.

This portfolio thesis has three parts: a systematic literature review, an empirical report and supporting appendices. Part One: A systematic literature review in which empirical papers utilising Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for people with neurological conditions and acquired brain injuries are reviewed for effectiveness for psychological flexibility and wellbeing. A systematic database search identified sixteen studies to be reviewed. Methodological considerations of studies were considered, and their findings were examined using narrative synthesis. Clinical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed. Part Two: An empirical paper combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies to explore the implications of feeling personally responsibility for a brain injury. The quantitative component aimed to examine the relationship between perceived responsibility for injury and shame, and whether self-compassion moderated this relationship. The qualitative data was analysed thematically to explore participants’ experiences of shame, responsibility and self-compassion. The findings are discussed in relation to theory and implications for clinical practice and future research. Part Three: Appendices supporting the systematic literature review and the empirical paper, and a reflective statement on the research process.

This portfolio thesis is comprised of three parts: 1) a systematic literature review, 2) an empirical report and, 3) supporting appendices. Part one is a systematic literature review which aimed to explore healthcare system factors that are related to self-care in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. A systematic search of four key databases identified nineteen empirical papers for review. A narrative analysis of the evidence is provided and key factors relating to self-care are identified and summarised. A review of methodological quality and standard of reporting of reviewed studies is also provided. Implications for the field of research and for clinical practice are discussed. Part two is an empirical report of an original piece of research exploring compassion and shame in relation to self-care in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. Quantitative analysis aimed to investigate whether shame has a negative effect on self-care, and whether compassion has a role in buffering the impact of shame. In an additional qualitative element, experiences of shame in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes were explored. The findings of the study are discussed in relation to previous literature and theory, and implications for future research and clinical practice are considered. Part three contains the appendices relating to the systematic literature review and the empirical report. It additionally includes an epistemological statement, and a reflective statement focussing on the research process.

This portfolio thesis consists of three parts: a systematic literature review, an empirical paper and appendices relating to both research projects. The first section is a systematic literature review which aimed to synthesise research into resilience in relation to people living with dementia, caregivers and dementia dyads to understand the factors which maintain resilience and the extent to which a dyadic perspective is taken. Ten papers met the inclusion criteria and were synthesised using narrative synthesis, with findings categorised into individual, community and social resources. The findings suggest that people living with dementia and their caregivers utilise resources in order to maintain their resilience; however, research has failed to consider the dyadic perspective. The findings from the review are discussed in relation to the wider context of literature, with implications for future research discussed. The empirical research aimed to develop a theory and understanding of shared resilience between people with dementia and their spouses. The research aimed to develop a definition of resilience, understand what helps couples to develop and maintain their resilience, as well as consider the impact that resilience has on their relationship and well-being. The research used a qualitative Constructivist Grounded Theory approach interviewing 12 couples. Findings indicate that resilience was understood as continuing with a ‘normal’ life and that a couple’s relationship and shared sense of resilience was essential to continue with a ‘normal’ life. The findings from the review are discussed in relation to the wider context of literature, with implications for future research discussed. The importance of dyadic research within dementia is emphasised and the significance of the relationship in living well.