<p> Being diagnosed with HIV challenges individuals physically, socially, and psychologically, and for most people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) in the U.S. occurs in the contexts of lives already burdened by socioeconomic disadvantage and structural racism. Despite these challenges, little research examines the developmental process of psychological adaptation to HIV diagnosis, particularly among high-risk heterosexual (HRH) low-SES PLHA of color. This study, informed by ecological theory and Critical Race Theory uses qualitative methods to address this gap by operationalizing a new multidimensional construct of adaptation comprised of three mutually reinforcing sub-constructs (acceptance, engagement in medical care, disclosure of HIV status), and examining the factors that influence adaptation. Black and Latino adult HRH-PLHA (N = 140) were recruited through peer referral in Brooklyn, NY in 2012-2015. A subset (N = 28) were purposively sampled for maximum variation for in-depth, semi-structured, qualitative interviews on the cognitive/behavioral process of adaptation to HIV diagnosis. Data were analyzed using an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Most participants were male (60.8%); Black (78.6%; [21.4% Latino]); aged 47 years (SD=7.12 years) on average. Most were unemployed (92.9%); lacked basic necessities in the past year (75.0%); had histories of homelessness (71.4%) and incarceration (85.7%); and met criteria for lifetime problematic substance use (78.6%). Analyses revealed a construct of adaptation to HIV diagnosis that is multidimensional, where each sub-construct (acceptance, engagement in medical care, disclosure of HIV status) is an important, albeit not equally influential aspect of adaptation. Rather, acceptance is the foundation of adaptation, and a prerequisite for engagement in medical care and disclosure. Successful adaptation is characterized as a dynamic process where delayed acceptance is common, disclosure is a life-long process, and for some participants, is positively transformative. Finally, findings showed adaptation is influenced by a dynamic interplay of individual-level and contextual factors (i.e. problematic substance use, social support, diagnosis in coercive environments, poverty and its resultant chaos, and the historical legacy of AZT-monotherapy). Implications include a need for interventions that incorporate trauma-informed approaches and that appreciate the pervasive influence of distal contexts (structural racism, poverty) on the lived experience of low-SES HRH-PLHA of color adapting to their HIV diagnosis.</p>

<p> This study was designed to determine if a mental health professional&rsquo;s web presence with use of social media icons (or badges) would impact upon the perceived competence of that therapist. The icons were those of the three major social networking sites, Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus. The 162 participants consisted of undergraduate students enrolled at two major universities located in the western United States. The participants were asked to think of themselves as help-seekers for purposes of this study. Three mock web pages were designed, one with no social media icons presented, one with social media icons which laid claim to a low number of Likes, Followers, and Pluses (terms of art used by Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus respectively), and one with social media icons which laid claim to an extraordinarily high number of Likes, Followers, and Pluses. Participants were evenly split between males and females, and then placed at random into groups of 27 that then viewed one of the three mock web pages. Participants were asked to rate the fictional therapist as to perceived overall competence, as well as to indicate their willingness to make initial contact with that therapist. The measurement instrument used was the Counselor Rating Form &ndash; Short Version (CRF-S). Results were not statistically significant. Findings and potential for future research are discussed.</p>

<p> Due to the increasing number of persons of Arab descent living in the United States, estimated at over 3.5 million in 2012, there has been a recognized need for a deeper understanding of acculturative, gender, and immigration-related stressors that Arab American women face. In response to this need, a one-day workshop for mental health professionals interested in or currently working with women of Arab descent living in the United States was developed. The workshop focuses on increasing knowledge of the various types of stress (e.g., acculturation, discrimination, gender role strain, parent-child relationships, care giver, familial, cultural expectations, work, school, etc.) experienced by Arab American women and providing culturally congruent stress reduction interventions. The development of the curriculum was informed by existing literature on people of Arab descent living in the United States, cultural issues in serving diverse populations, and stress management interventions. Interviews with 3 Arab American women were integrated with the literature and the 1-day workshop curriculum was developed. The curriculum was reviewed by 2 current practicing psychologists who rated the content, strengths, and weaknesses of the curriculum. Their feedback was incorporated into a compilation of suggestions and future directions for the refining and evaluating curriculum.</p>

<p> This hermeneutic and alchemical hermeneutic dissertation reviews Jungian literature related to body-based methods of practicing depth psychotherapy to address the problem of extremely limited body-based Jungian psychotherapeutic modalities. It goes on to offer explanations of the various psychological aspects of four of the five Elements within Chinese medicine. It then offers four sequences of Five Element Archetypal Qigong (FEAQ) related to the four Elements previously addressed: Wood, Fire, Metal and Water. It concludes with a discussion of findings and recommendations for future research and practice. Essentially, this dissertation uses the psychological concepts and insights contained in Chinese medicine to show how they can be applied to Jungian psychotherapy through the moving meditation of FEAQ. Body-based psychotherapies constitute a minuscule fraction of the literature and practice modalities within Jungian psychotherapy. This dissertation begins the process of increasing the validity and prevalence of body-based Jungian psychotherapy. It also implies the need for further research on the applicability of Chinese medical concepts to contemporary Western body oriented psychotherapies. </p>

<p> When a child has a terminal diagnosis, the intervention of legacy building is offered as a standard of care in all of the 77 teaching children&rsquo;s hospitals in the United States. Legacy building is a group of activities designed to create tangible items, such as hand and foot prints, locks of hair, or scrapbooks, to promote meaning making for dying individuals, while also providing support to family and friends. Nevertheless, research has yet to identify the benefits of such interventions for the surviving immediate family. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the impacts of legacy building interventions on bereaved parents and siblings. Specifically, how do legacy building interventions facilitated by healthcare professionals impact bereavement for the immediate family? A qualitative thematic analysis approach was taken to address the research question. </p><p> A total of 16 participants representing 8 families, consisting of 11 parents and 5 siblings participated in semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis was utilized and developed into 4 major parent themes emerged: (a) Introduction of legacy building, (b) Experience of legacy building items, (c) Psycho-social care, and (d) Maintaining connection. Additionally, 4 major sibling themes emerged which are (a) Experiences with legacy building items, (b) Sibling grief, (c) Psycho-social care, and (d) Maintaining connection. Implications for clinical practice will be discussed as well as future research.</p>

<p> Some psychotherapy clients have created video game avatars whose lives in virtual worlds include imaginal material and therefore invite depth psychological consideration. Using hermeneutic, alchemical hermeneutic, and artistic-creative methodologies, this thesis expands the conception of the therapeutic container to include these worlds and characters. The research explores how depth psychology can help Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists integrate their clients&rsquo; virtual lives into therapy. A literature review examines the ways computer simulations are different from other activities and describes a postmodern realm where identity is an experiment in a multiplicity of simulations that are both rich and ideological. A multicultural approach is taken in order to treat clients&rsquo; avatars and their worlds with dignity and involves an attempt to understand the cultures of technology, digital systems, and video worlds. The author proposes both an overall attitude toward and specific interventions for incorporating the virtual realm into psychotherapy.</p>

While an ever-increasing amount of literature exists regarding various aspects of ADHD, the relationship of functional impairments to important life and social skills, as well as professional functionality remains relatively unexplored. The Barkley Functional impairment scale is a recently developed and untested scale, especially with respect to other constructs of college life. While the reported validity is promising for use of evaluating functional impairments in people with ADHD, the validity and utility of the scale should be evaluated in relation to similar constructs to determine overall benefit. By doing so, researchers and other professionals in the field of counseling, rehabilitation, and professional development can address the relationships, and can improve counseling and rehabilitation services people with ADHD. Therefore, a study encompassing the relationships among measures of self-perceived functional impairment, quality of life, college self-efficacy, and career decision state could prove beneficial in understanding how aspects of ADHD affect individuals throughout the college experience. The purpose of this study was to address and to evaluate the strength of these relationships. If the self-perceived functional impairment scores were deemed to be associated with quality of life and college self-efficacy, the use of the BFIS as a diagnostic and prescriptive tool could be supported to improve the effectiveness of counseling and rehabilitation services for college students with ADHD. Four research questions guided this study. The first question stated, "Is the self-perceived functional impairment related to quality of life?" The second question stated, "Is the self-perceived functional impairment associated with college self-efficacy?" The third question stated, "What is the relationship between perceived level of functional impairment and career decision state as measured by indecision and satisfaction with choice?" The fourth question stated, "What is the relationship between perceived level of functional impairment, college self-efficacy, and career decision state with respect to self-perceived quality of life in students diagnosed with ADHD?" The hypothesis for the first question was, "There is an inverse correlation between self-perceived functional impairment and quality of life in students diagnosed with ADHD." The hypothesis for the second question was, "There is an inverse correlation between self-perceived functional impairment and college self-efficacy in students diagnosed with ADHD." The third question had two hypotheses. The first hypothesis for question three was "There is a positive correlation between level of indecision and perceived level of functional impairment." The second hypothesis for question three was, "There is a positive correlation between degree of dissatisfaction with career choice and perceived level of functional impairment." The hypothesis for the fourth question was, "Functional impairment, college self-efficacy, and career decision state all will capture significant independent variation in the prediction of quality of life in students diagnosed with ADHD." The first, second, and third hypotheses were tested using Pearson Product-Moment correlations. The fourth hypothesis was tested by using linear multiple regression. Data were collected from 150 of 1108 students registered with the Students with Disabilities Resource Center (SDRC) at Florida State University through an email questionnaire. Two emails were sent approximately two weeks apart to obtain participants. Volunteer participants were potentially compensated by having their anonymous identification number submitted to a raffle drawing to receive one of three prizes: a $150 gift card, a $75 gift card, and a $50 gift card. A web-based survey program was utilized, consisting of a background/demographics questionnaire and the Occupational Alternatives Questionnaire (OAQ), the Barkley Functional Impairment Scale-Long Form (BFIS-LF), the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief Version (WHOQOL-BREF), and the College Self-Efficacy Inventory (CSEI). This instrument was approved by the Florida State Institutional Review Board (IRB) prior to utilization with participants. Only complete surveys were used in the calculation of results. Results of the study showed the first hypothesis was accepted that quality of life is moderately and inversely associated with perceived level of functional impairment. The second hypothesis also was accepted. College self-efficacy was inversely, but weakly associated with perceived level of functional impairment. The first part of the third hypothesis was rejected that the level of indecision with career choice was related to perceived level of functional impairment. The second part of this hypothesis was accepted that dissatisfaction with career choices was weakly correlated with perceived level of functional impairment. The fourth hypothesis was confirmed that perceived functional impairment, self-efficacy, and level of dissatisfaction with career choice significantly contributed to the quality of life of students diagnosed with ADHD. Levels of functional impairment and dissatisfaction were inversely correlated with quality of life in the prediction model. The information gathered yields beneficial information about the use of the BFIS in disability and rehabilitation counseling centers as a tool for addressing perceived functional impairments and related constructs of students diagnosed with ADHD. The correlations found among self-perceived functional impairment, college self-efficacy, the dissatisfaction portion of career decision state, and quality of life of people with ADHD could significantly benefit the manner in which services are provided to people utilizing various disability services on college campuses. Based on these results, the utility of the BFIS was supported as a prescriptive tool and as an instrument for counselors to use to address the relationship between self-perceived functional impairment, college self-efficacy, dissatisfaction with career choice concerns, and quality of life in college students diagnosed with ADHD. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems in partial fulfillment of the Doctor of Philosophy. / Fall Semester 2015. / November 4, 2015. / ADHD, BFIS, Career Decision State, Quality of Life, Self-Efficacy, WHOQOL / Includes bibliographical references. / Deborah Ebener, Professor Directing Dissertation; Mary Frances Hanline, University Representative; Gary Peterson, Committee Member; Shengli Dong, Committee Member; Debra Osborn, Committee Member.

Background. While a large body of research has examined eating disorders (EDs) from a pathological perspective, little is known about factors that facilitate the recovery process. Objective. The purpose of the current study is to determine whether six dimensions of psychological well-being (PWB) predict disparate aspects of recovery. Methods. Participants (N = 132; 93.2% female; µBMI = 23.91) with self-reported ED histories completed an online survey. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine whether Ryff's (1989) six dimensions of PWB—autonomy, environmental mastery, positive relations with others, purpose in life, personal growth, and self-acceptance—alongside the ED subtypes participants had been diagnosed with throughout their lives, predict the following three aspects of recovery: 1) whether one subjectively classifies oneself as being fully recovered; 2) whether one meets objective criteria for full or partial recovery; 3) whether one's subjective perception of one's recovery status aligns with one's objective classification. Results. Evidence of multicollinearity prevented the incorporation of all six dimensions of PWB in the regression analyses, apart from self-acceptance and autonomy. Higher levels of self-acceptance were associated with an increased likelihood that participants: 1) subjectively believed that they were fully recovered; 2) met objective criteria for full or partial recovery. Lower levels of self-acceptance were associated with higher odds of accurately perceiving oneself to have an active ED. Conclusions. Self-acceptance upholds a pervasive impact on the recovery process. The necessity of targeting this construct in ED treatment is discussed. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Spring Semester 2017. / February 23, 2017. / Eating Disorders, Perception, Psychological Well-Being, Psychotherapy, Recovery, Self-Acceptance / Includes bibliographical references. / Deborah Ebener, Professor Directing Thesis; Martin A. Swanbrow Becker, Committee Member; Shengli Dong, Committee Member.

Relationships have been previously established between trauma exposure and suicide, particularly when the trauma exposure occurs during childhood, and when the event results in symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Interpersonal types of trauma (i.e., trauma within a human relationship) have been found to exhibit stronger relationships with both suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts (SA) than noninterpersonal trauma (e.g., natural disaster). More specifically, interpersonal events that are physically assaultive exhibit stronger relationships with suicide-related outcomes than other types of trauma. Existing research has compared individual trauma events; however, there is a need to understand the differences between overarching types of trauma, and to explore the relationships between interpersonal trauma, age at time of exposure, PTSD, and suicide-related outcomes. The Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide (IPTS; Joiner, 2005) theorizes that death by suicide occurs when an individual possesses perceived burdensomeness (PB), thwarted belongingness (TB), and acquired capability for suicide (AC). Empirical evidence for IPTS is emerging, and relationships have been established between PB, TB, and AC with suicide-related outcomes. While interpersonal trauma exposure has been speculated to increase risk for PB, TB, and AC, there is a need to examine these relationships further, and to identify the interactions between trauma type and IPTS constructs. The first aim of the present study was to explore the relationships between trauma type (i.e., interpersonal assaultive, interpersonal non-assaultive, and noninterpersonal), age at time of trauma exposure, PTSD symptomology, and suicide-related outcomes (i.e., SI, SA, and severity of suicide-related outcomes (SSRO; a single variable that encompasses both SI and SA)). Given the existing relationships noted in literature, it was hypothesized that all variables would be significantly related to all suicide-related outcomes, and predictive of SSRO. Specifically, it was hypothesized that interpersonal assaultive trauma would demonstrate a stronger relationship with SSRO than the other trauma types. The second goal of the present study was to explore the relationships between trauma type and the IPTS constructs of PB, TB, and AC (Joiner, 2005) with suicide-related outcomes, as well as to explore interactions between IPTS constructs and trauma type. It was hypothesized that each IPTS construct would be significantly related to all suicide-related outcomes, and predictive of SSRO. Based on the conceptual understanding that assaultive trauma events increase habituation to painful experiences (Joiner, 2005), it was further hypothesized that interactions would be found between interpersonal assaultive trauma and AC. The current sample included 515 individuals. Of this sample, 426 individuals (82.7%) endorsed a traumatic event that met the minimum threshold of stressfulness to be included in the primary analyses. Participants completed an online survey that included a Demographic Questionnaire, the Trauma Experience Questionnaire (TEQ), a Worst Event Sampling Questionnaire, an Event Stressfulness Rating item, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5; Weathers, Litz, Keane, Palmieri, Marx & Schnurr, 2013), a questionnaire regarding history of SI and SA, an abbreviated form of the Interpersonal Needs Questionnaire (INQ; Van Orden, Witte, Gordon, Bender, & Joiner, 2008), and finally, an abbreviated form of the Acquired Capability for Suicide Scale (ACSS; Van Orden et al., 2008). Participants’ qualitative reports of their “worst traumatic experience” were coded by a trauma-focused research team into one of the three trauma types: interpersonal assaultive, interpersonal non-assaultive, and noninterpersonal. Statistical analyses included bivariate correlational analyses and a series of hierarchical regression analyses. Regression analyses examined the relationships between trauma type, age at time of trauma exposure, PTSD symptomology, PB, TB, and AC with SSRO, as well as the interactions between trauma type and IPTS constructs. Results indicated that age at time of trauma exposure and PTSD symptomology were both significant predictors of SSRO, but that trauma type did not predict SSRO when the aforementioned variables were controlled for. In regard to IPTS constructs (Joiner, 2005), PB was determined to be a positive predictor of SSRO after controlling for age at time of exposure and PTSD, when interaction effects were also included in the model. However, TB and AC were both found to have significant interactions with interpersonal assaultive trauma. Implications of this study include the clinical focus on elevated PTSD symptomology, younger age at time of trauma exposure, and feelings of burdensomeness in the assessment and treatment of individuals with history of trauma exposure. Limitations include the cross-sectional nature of this research as well as limited generalizability due to characteristics of the participants. This study further contributes to empirical evidence for IPTS by supporting the relationship between constructs and suicide-related outcomes, and by being the first known study to explore the interactions between IPTS constructs and trauma type. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester 2018. / June 8, 2018. / Interpersonal Trauma, IPTS, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, Suicide, Trauma / Includes bibliographical references. / Angela I. Canto, Professor Directing Dissertation; Stephen J. Tripodi, University Representative; Martin A. Swanbrow Becker, Committee Member; Debra S. Osborn, Committee Member.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University / PLEASE NOTE: Boston University Libraries did not receive an Authorization To Manage form for this thesis or dissertation. It is therefore not openly accessible, though it may be available by request. If you are the author or principal advisor of this work and would like to request open access for it, please contact us at open-help@bu.edu. Thank you. / This study was designed to test two hypotheses: I. Dominant and Deferent persons derive more satisfaction from working in a cooperative social climate than from working tn a competitive social climate. II. Dominant and Deferent subjects derive more satisfaction from working with co-workers whose needs are complementary to their own needs than from working with co-workers whose needs are similar to their own needs. These hypotheses were deductions from a conceptual framework based on Murray's need system. The task used in this experiment was a modified version of the Yerkes memory-reasoning task. It required the subjects to determine which switch positions on two switch boxes had to be selected in order to get all eight lights on identical panel boxes lighted once and only once. Ninety-six male college students were selected as subjects on the basis of scores they had obtained on a quasi-sociometric questionnaire designed to measure manifest needs Dominance and Deference. Forty-eight Dominant and forty-eight Deferent students were selected and assigned to groups so that three types of dyads were formed: one type composed of two Dominant persons, a second type composed of two Deferent persons, and a third type composed of one Dominant and one Deferent person. The first two types represent dyads where the needs of the co-workers are similar. The third type represents a dyad where the needs of the co-workers are complementary. For each type of dyad, half of the pairs were given cooperative and half were given competitive instructions. Thus six experimental conditions were formed. Assignment of subjects to conditions was determined by matching individuals and dyads on the basis of abstract-reasoning ability. Precautions were taken to prevent prior knowledge of co-worker, time when task was performed, and manner of administering instructions from affecting the results of this study. An end-of-session questionnaire was used to measure the dependent variable, satisfaction. Four types of satisfaction were measured: general satisfaction, satisfaction with the co-worker, satisfaction with the social climate, and satisfaction with the task. A 2 x 2 x 2 x 4 analysis of variance design was used to analyze the data collected. The first hypothesis was supported. The second hypothesis was not supported; in fact the relevant mean values were in a direction opposite to the one predicted. There were a number of significant findings which had not been predicted from the conceptual frame-work . It was discovered that Dominant persons consistently derive greater satisfaction than do Deferent persons and that the major contributors to the difference in level of satisfaction for these two groups are their reactions to the social climate and their reaction to the co-'trorkers. Dominant persons are more satisfied when they cooperate than when they compete regardless of whether the needs of the co--worker are similar to or complementary to their own. The Deferent person, however, derives more satisfaction from competition, but only if he is competing with another Deferent person; he prefers cooperation with either type co-worker to competition with a Dominant co-worker. In order to determine whether the unexpected findings occurred as a result of procedural shortcomings in the study, three procedural checks were made. These checks revealed that: (1) there were definite indications that subjects did interact during the experimental sessions in a manner consistent with their measured manifest needs, (2) one-third of the subjects indicated that they had not worked in a manner consistent with instructions given to establish the social climate and (3) over one-half of the subjects indicated that they had not correctly perceived these instructions. Findings two and three above led this writer to conclude that the results of this study can be accepted only if it is ascertained that the same results would have been obtained if the apparent misunderstandings and misperceptions of the social climate instructions had not existed. It was pointed out that such determination can be made only after future research had been conducted. Recommendations were made for such research where primary attention would be directed toward eliminating the procedural shortcomings of the present study. It was pointed out that specific theoretical modifications would be necessary in order to explain the results of future studies 'tvhich are consistent with the results of the present study. / 2031-01-01