<p>Paracosms, or imaginary worlds, are phenomena only recently taken into account by the field of psychology, with only a smattering of publications on the topic. Whereas previous research has focused primarily on paracosms&rsquo; creative contributions to society, the perspective of this thesis postulates the value and role of the paracosm as it serves the internal system of the psyche. The paracosm is explored in its self-preserving function: an internal world that the psyche builds to replicate the infantile experience of wholeness through contact with a continuous selfobject. In this way the psyche is seen as maintaining itself through imaginal involvement in a paracosm, mirroring the self as world, when there is no external selfobject available. Hermeneutic and heuristic approaches utilize both the research of previous theorists and the author&rsquo;s reflections on her own paracosmic activity in discussing the positive and negative aspects of paracosms as a psychological, trauma-related coping mechanism. </p>

<p> This dissertation will discuss the research question, "What is the experience of providing therapy to sex abusers?" based on the results of a qualitative case study. A literature review will establish the preceding research related to sex abuse treatment. By filling a gap in previous research, this researcher seeks to encourage sex abuse treatment providers by authenticating their experiences, to provide valuable information to educators, as well as to inform legislators, the judiciary, and the general public about sex abuse treatment. Based on nine transcribed and analyzed interviews with providers of sex abuse treatment to adult male sex abusers who abuse children, this researcher discovered five themes and fourteen patterns within the providers' experiences. This study augments awareness of the field of sex abuse treatment as articulated by practicing providers.</p>

<p> Unemployment has been shown to have detrimental effects on the physical, psychological, and emotional health of unemployed men and women living in the United States. The purpose of this study was study the impact of long-term unemployment on a specific population of unemployed individuals, namely middle-aged, managerial-level U.S. males who had been involuntarily terminated from their employment.</p><p> This study found four main themes and subthemes related to the phenomenon. First, it was uncovered that the men had a shared Premonition of their eventual job loss. The second theme, Effects of Separation, detailed shared emotional, psychological, and physical effects the experience of being involuntarily separated and living through long-term unemployment had on the men. The symptoms presented in this study were categorized in subthemes of Initial Distress, Long-Term Distress, Duration of Distress, the Impact of Loss of Structure/Routine, Identity Changes, and at times some of the participants Switched to a Second-Person Narration.</p><p> The third theme, Coping with Unemployment, discussed shared strategies the men utilized to cope with their long-term unemployment experience including Retrospective Coping, Talking about the Experience Helps, Helping Others, Building Hope, and Understanding the Context of Unemployment: Age Discrimination, a subtheme that includes some participants' fears of age discrimination in their job search. The fourth and final main theme, Not Ready to Retire, noted how each of these men felt that he was not ready to retire&mdash;all five participants wanted an opportunity to work again for a variety of different reasons beyond just earning an income.</p><p> Additionally, this study explores how midlife can present itself as an opportunity for one to become more generative in the world. Unemployment can signify the beginning of a midlife crisis that ultimately may result in a re-imagining of self and re-orientation in the world. Finally, the study details ways in which this research was a result of an inspiration: an imaginal figure, Pirate, who introduced this area of research and continued to guide and inform the work throughout its completion.</p>

<p> Lack of common vocabulary has been an obstacle to the psychotherapy integration movement. This deficit has been particularly significant in the research on the psychotherapy relationship. The concept of meaningful involvement is central to the practice of reality therapy, a practice model developed by William Glasser, MD, which has not been studied extensively. The purpose of the present study was to contribute to a common vocabulary for psychotherapy integration and to clarify the definition of <i>meaningful involvement</i>. The selected research methodology was the framework method of narrative analysis coupled with the use of AnSWR, a computer-assisted data management and analysis tool. This methodology was applied to a written text, <i>Counseling with Choice Theory: The New Reality Therapy</i>. Results from the current study indicated that patterns of communication were most consistent with an instructional stance. These results were consistent with the instructional nature of reality therapy of psychotherapy, yet were not consistent with Glasser&rsquo;s focus on the therapeutic relationship as the central element of this school of psychotherapy. Further study is recommended on meaningful involvement within reality therapy in future research with data that allows for observation of nuances of communication, such as body language and tone of voice, is recommended to address this inconsistency.</p>

<p> Gowan and Gatewood's (1997) theory of coping with job loss provided a framework for studying how individuals cope with the stress of unemployment. Previous empirical evidence identified social support and financial resources as predictors of unemployed adults' coping outcomes. McKee-Ryan, Song, Wanberg, and Kinicki (2005), however, noted the need for further research to better understand the environmental and psychological coping resources used by unemployed adults. Savickas (2005) hypothesized that individuals who endorse greater amounts of adaptable thinking about their careers will also report a greater sense of well-being during career transitions. Thus, the present study examined how environmental and psychological coping resources are related to unemployed adults' well-being. In particular, this study tested whether career adaptability mediated the relationships between environmental coping resources (i.e., social support and financial resources) and well-being. Using a sample of 207 unemployed adults, it was hypothesized that career adaptability would mediate the relationship between social support and well-being and between financial resources and well-being. The SEM analyses indicated problems with the fit of the hypothesized measurement model, and thus the hypotheses were unable to be tested. Limitations of the current study's findings are discussed to inform future research and theory building. In particular, characteristics of the current sample, measurement problems, and the possible mismatch between this study's sample and Gowan and Gatewood's (1997) coping with job loss theory are discussed.</p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to demonstrate the need for a state-wide peer officer support model. Although support services were available, there were inconsistencies in how they were made available throughout the state. A survey was carried out to identify these discrepancies and advise on best practices and recommendations. One major obstacle was the issue of stigma attached to seeking assistance that prevents most officers from seeking services. The survey identified that peer officer support programs have higher rates of utilization over EAPs and mental health professionals. The vast majority of supervisors and officers were supportive of an option for peer officer training and supportive training programs. Smaller departments had fewer services available than larger departments showing a need for a state-wide peer support program. By utilizing the brotherhood of law enforcement personnel, administrators can help to build the foundation of a strong peer support model.</p>

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Texas A&M University, 2006. / "Major Subject: Counseling Psychology" Title from author supplied metadata (automated record created on Nov. 2, 2007.) Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Texas A&M University, 2008. / "Major Subject: Counseling Psychology" Title from author supplied metadata (automated record created on Oct. 13, 2008.) Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Th. M.)--Western Conservative Baptist Seminary, 1994. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 124-126).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oklahoma State University, 2004. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 97-107).