<p> Over the past two decades, Americans' omega-3 FA intake has been decreasing while the U.S. rate of depression diagnoses and antidepressant prescriptions have been increasing. The purpose of this thesis was to examine the relationship between dietary omega-3 FA intake and depression scores using a sample data set of U.S. adult survey participants in the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Specifically, this study examined the relationship between depression scores and dietary EPA, dietary DHA and total 30-day supplementation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Results showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between each independent variable and total depression scores; furthermore, indicating that as dietary EPA, DHA and 30-day PUFA intakes increase, depression scores decrease. Although results were statistically significant, the <i>R²</i> values suggest low predictive power; thus, results are not generalizable to the entire population.</p>

<p> Given the need for higher levels of support and guidance for Transitional Age Youth (TAY) who are diagnosed with a mental illness, the purpose of this project was to identify a funding source and write a grant proposal to design and implement an Internet-based support program to supplement services currently provided to TAY diagnosed with a mental illness. There are many risks associated with TAY including homelessness, substance abuse disorders, and repeated interactions with the criminal justice system. The target area is Los Angeles County, more specifically, Long Beach, California. The potential funding source for this project is the California Wellness Foundation because the criteria of the grant guidelines were consistent with the description of this program and identified population. The actual submission and/or funding of this program was not required for successful completion of this project. </p>

<p> This study explores C. G. Jung's theoretical and clinical approach to sexual phenomena as a potential means for re-visioning and improving mainstream treatments of sexual issues in psychotherapy. The research is intended to provide greater knowledge and awareness of Jung's work in this area and contribute a depth psychological perspective to the current treatment of sexual issues. Jung's writings and statements on sexual phenomena were analyzed using a qualitative hermeneutic methodology. The research brings attention to a large body of Jung's work on human sexuality, ranging from pioneering thoughts on sexual expressions of the soul, to contradictory statements on sexual phenomena. These writings comprise many important and complex perspectives on the sexual instinct and the diverse sexual expressions of the psyche. </p><p> Jung is not widely known for his views on sexuality or generally associated with the treatment of sexual issues. The research, however, finds Jung made extensive contributions to human sexuality and suggests reclaiming this knowledge might help address substantial problems in the treatment paradigm of sexual psychopathology. </p><p> This study also examines contemporary challenges in the treatment of sexual issues, including the growing movement toward diagnostic labeling, brief or symptom-focused therapies, and pharmaceutical interventions. Many in the field of sex therapy have serious concerns about the limited success and effectiveness of current approaches. These apprehensions are leading to calls for greater collaboration with diverse theoretical perspectives. The research identifies how Jung's interpretations of sexual phenomena could address concerns expressed by sex therapy practitioners and wider problems of pathologizing sexual human nature that result in untold violence and oppression around the world. </p><p> The findings and conclusions of the research suggest how Jungian and depth psychological perspectives could address gaps in sex therapy and respond to calls from sex therapists for greater collaboration. Depth psychologists have the opportunity to contribute an essential understanding of sexual phenomena and reclaim aspects of Jung's original and important contributions. The research also identifies the need for further elucidation of Jungian and depth psychological approaches to sexual issues. </p><p> Keywords: C. G. Jung, sex therapy, Jungian analysis, psychotherapy, sexual psychopathology, depth psychology, sexual disorders, sexual dysfunctions, sexuality.</p>

<p> The purpose of this proposal was to address the mental health needs of the homeless population by securing funding for an expressive arts therapy program at the Project Achieve homeless shelter of Catholic Charities, San Pedro region located in Los Angeles County, California. To determine the suitability of an expressive arts therapy program at Project Achieve, a needs assessment for the target population and a review of literature were conducted. Needs assessment and literature review findings indicated that expressive arts therapy has a strong potential for benefitting Project Achieve residents. The results of Internet and grant database searches that were performed to locate potential funding sources identified the Weingart Foundation as the most appropriate fonder for this project. A grant was written outlining the process of establishing an expressive arts therapy program at the Project Achieve shelter.</p>

<p> This secondary analysis of qualitative data explored the development of resilience among 16 women. Their transcribed interviews were analyzed with a framework based on the processes and determinants clusters of resilience among adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse identified in prior research. Processes were defined as the journey participants followed to the situation in their present life, determinants were defined as innate or learned characteristics and environmental factors. The determinants of interpersonal skills, high self-regard, spirituality, and helpful life circumstances (support &amp; services) were found to be present in less than half of the women. The processes of self-realization, self-determination, coping strategies (positive and negative), active healing were present for more than half but less than half have achieved closure regarding the maltreatment. The women reported self-sufficiency in terms of being able to live on their income and educational achievement. The findings have implications for social work practice and research. </p>

<p> Self-care is critical in minimizing the symptoms of burnout among human services professionals, but specific information on the role of self-care among social workers in healthcare settings is limited. This correlational study was designed provide a fuller understanding of this relationship. Orem's theory of self-care and the theory of reasoned action and planned behavior served as the theoretical foundations of this study. The sample included 185 members of the National Association of Social Workers, who volunteered to participate in this study. Participants completed online versions of the Maslach Burnout Inventory and Self-Care Assessment Work Sheet. Correlation and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed to test research hypotheses concerning associations between self-care and aspects of burnout among social workers in healthcare settings. The results showed that higher levels of self-care were significantly correlated with lower scores on measures of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization and higher scores on measures of personal accomplishment. No significant differences were found by practice setting in mean ratings of specified self-care activities. More years of social work practice were associated with lower burnout. Implications for positive social change include highlighting the need for self-care to prevent burnout, promoting health and wellbeing among social workers, and saving organizations the costs associated with employee burnout. Future research on self-care and burnout will be beneficial to the profession to expand current literature and highlight trends between social work practice and client populations served.</p>

<p> This systematic review of the literature explored the relationship between family, social support and psychiatric re-hospitalizations for those with severe mental illness. Also discussed were specific types of family and social support shown to be beneficial to those with mental illness. The meta-analysis reviewed 33 studies written within the last 10 years and analyzed these studies for content. Results of the analysis indicated family and social support did help to reduce rates of psychiatric hospitalizations. Results of the analysis also indicated that family support consisting of high levels of expressed emotion resulted in negative outcomes for those with severe mental illness, including higher rates of relapse and psychiatric readmissions. Findings also found other themes in the literature correlating to psychiatric readmission rates. Implications for social work and cultural relevance in social work regarding practice, future research and social policy for individuals with severe mental illness experiencing multiple psychiatric hospitalizations were also discussed.</p>

<p>To survive and effectively interact with the environment, human sensorimotor control system collects sensory information and acts based on the state of the world. Human behavior can be considered and studied at discrete time or continuous time. For the former, human makes discrete categorical decisions when presented with different alternative choices (e.g. choose Left or Right at an intersection). For the later, humans plan and execute continuous movements when instructed to perform a motor task (e.g. drive to a destination). In this dissertation we examine human behavior at both levels. Part I focuses on understanding decision-making at discrete time using Bayesian Models. We start by investigating the influence of environmental statistics in a saccadic visual search ask, in which we use a dynamic belief model to describe subjects' learning process of the environment statistics cross-trials. Then we look at a special effect of decision- making, the sequential effect, and apply the dynamic belief model to explain subjects' cross-trial learning and a drift diffusion model to explain their within-trial decision- making process. Part II focuses on examining motor control at continuous time using Optimal Control Theory. We start by investigating the objective functions in oculomotor control (saccadic eye movement, smooth pursuit, and applications in eye-hand coordination) with an infomax model. Then we apply inverse optimal control model to study impaired motor behavior in depressed individuals. In particular, we present a framework based on optimal control theory, which can distinguish the effects of sensorimotor speed, goal setting and motivational factors in goal-directed motor tasks. Finally, we propose to use facial expression as another measure of the emotional state in depressed individuals, which can be used to provide further understanding of the behavior and model parameters estimated from the proposed inverse framework.

<p> The purposes of this study were to: (1) examine the use of religious/spiritual coping by emerging adults coping with perceived life stressors; (2) assess the relationship between positive and negative forms of religious coping, and overall religious/spiritual coping with perceived stress; and (3) identify the specific religious/spiritual coping behaviors used by emerging adults when in times of perceived stress. The study analyzed self-report data collected from 715 emerging adults from a diverse undergraduate public university in California. Frequency analysis indicated that emerging adults commonly use prayer for self and others, count their blessings, and try not to sin when under moments of stress. Additionally, many of the respondents reported frequently seeking G-d's love and care, asking for forgiveness for sins, and meaning making as a means of coping with stress. Zero-order correlations revealed a positive and significant relationship between negative religious coping and perceived stress. Furthermore, when comparing differences between religious views (conflicted, secure, doubting, seeking, and not interested) t-test results found decreased use of religious coping, spiritual coping and positive religious coping for those who endorsed "conflicted" religious views. Conversely, those who indicated feeling "secure" reported higher use of religious coping, spiritual coping, and positive religious coping. Emerging adults who identified themselves as "doubting" were less likely to use of religious coping, spiritual coping, and positive religious coping and reported greater use of negative religious coping. "Seeking" emerging adults, identified using less spiritual coping. Finally, those who endorsed "not interested" reported less use of religious coping, spiritual coping, and positive and negative religious coping. Clinical implications for emerging adults and clinicians are discussed.</p>

A central question in the field of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is the role of symptom-related dysfunctional beliefs thought to underlie symptoms. This study examines change in symptoms and related dysfunctional beliefs during Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) with 32 previously treatment resistant OCD patients. Three questions were examined: (a) What is the relationship between dysfunctional beliefs and symptoms at pre-treatment; (b) How much change occurs in symptoms, and related beliefs, during specialized CBT; and (c) What is the relationship between change in cognitive and symptom variables. On average, symptoms and related beliefs of symptomatic-responders resolved to within normal limits following treatment. Beliefs of patients whose symptoms did not improve remained unchanged. Pre-treatment strength of overestimation of threat and response to unpredictability were significant predictors of symptomatic improvement. Change in overcontrol of intrusive thoughts and overestimation of threat significantly predicted change in symptoms. Theoretical and treatment implications of the findings are discussed.