Although there exists a plethora of studies in the field of addictions treatment examining the factors that predict successful treatment outcome, the profile of persons who benefit the most from treatment has not yet emerged. The present investigation was conducted to evaluate treatment outcomes of various groups of individuals with different substance related disorders, to determine the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity among these groups and to examine predictors of treatment outcome. Two hundred and thirty-nine substance abusing males and females were extensively assessed at admission with regards to demographic characteristics, substance use variables, psychiatric comorbidity and cognitive functioning. Six-month in-treatment performance was evaluated by monitoring length of stay in treatment, rates of abstinence, attendance in therapy sessions and completion status at discharge. Results indicated that clients with opiate addiction had the worst prognosis and outcome profiles. Elevated rates of psychiatric disorders and moderate to severe psychological distress were observed among these individuals. High levels of depression were found among females and persons abusing alcohol. Outcome data showed that the primary drug of abuse, frequency of use and reason for entering treatment were the most significant predictors of outcome. Even though these variables predicted treatment outcome, their predictive validity was minimal thus limiting interpretability of findings and dictating a need for more research.

Acute tryptophan (trp) depletion, which purportedly decreases brain serotonin, lowers mood in normal males with a multigenerational family history of major affective disorder (FH+), but not in male controls. In the present study, the hypothesis that a mood lowering response to acute trp depletion may reflect a susceptibility to depression was investigated further. As both a family history of major affective disorder (MAD) and female sex are considered to be risk factors for depression, the effects of trp depletion on mood were investigated in control and FH+ women. The temporal stability of mood change to trp depletion, when rechallenged at least one month later, was also assessed in order to appraise its utility as a putative susceptibility marker. Subjects ingested a trp deficient amino acid mixture on two separate occasions and a balanced control mixture containing trp on another occasion. Compared to the balanced condition, control women exhibited a significant lowering of mood following the trp depletion, whereas in a previous study control men did not. The sex difference in the mood response to trp depletion among controls is consistent with the fact that women are at greater risk for depression than men. Unlike controls, FH+ women showed no lowering of mood, which suggests that serotonin may not be as important in the etiology of depression in these women. The mood response to trp depletion exhibited poor temporal stability, which does not support its use as a susceptibility marker of depression in normal subjects. Its utility as a putative phenotypic marker for MAD awaits further study in FH+ subjects who respond to trp depletion. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

<p> The present study examined the influence of attachment style, social support, and family resiliency on levels of stress, depression, and anxiety in parents who have children with autism. The study concentrated on investigating the impact of attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, social support from family and friends, and family resiliency on stress, depression, and anxiety in parents who have children with autism. One hundred and eighty-nine participants, who were parents of children with autism and belonged to various local and national parent support organizations, filled out an online survey provided to them via email, newsletter, or group forum. Results showed that attachment avoidance, social support from friends, and family resiliency are significant predictors of stress. Furthermore, attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, and family resiliency were indicated as being significant predictors of anxiety and depression. The findings from this study suggest that attachment style, family resiliency, and social support outside the family are important factors to consider in the psychological well-being of parents who have children with autism.</p>

<p> Through the use of artistic-creative methodology and alchemical hermeneutic exploration, this production thesis examines the creation of images and the process of dialoguing with them as a therapeutic tool, helping to heal and empower female trauma survivors. By acknowledging and interacting with images from the unconscious, one may begin to reintegrate split or dissociated parts of the Self, ultimately leading to the reunification of psyche. Drawing upon the theories of Jung, depth psychology, and expressive arts therapy, the author presents her personal journey toward healing, selfexpression, and empowerment, which involves active imagination and dialogues with created images. The production, two original paintings, illustrates the process of accessing the unconscious through interaction with images as a way of making meaning and healing from trauma, splitting, and dissociation. Using these ideas, mental health clinicians can gain an additional modality for the successful treatment of trauma survivors. </p>

<p> The transgendered community has become more widely recognized and discussed in recent years, however our understanding of the lived experience of transgendered individuals is still underdeveloped. This research aims to increase our understanding of the experiences of transgendered individuals, while also providing suggestions for mental health practitioners who work with transgender clients. Previous research has suggested social support improves resiliency to mental health problems (Grossman, D'Augelli, &amp; Frank, 2011). This research examines the effect a trans individuals transition has on their significant relationships through a qualitative research design. Four individuals with varying gender identities were interviewed for this research, and thirteen distinct themes were ascertained through analysis of the transcripts.</p>

<p> The aim of this study was to contribute to the literature on the relationship between client pretreatment expectations and psychotherapy attendance. It investigated the construct validity of the Milwaukee Psychotherapy Expectancy Questionnaire - Brief (MPEQ-B; Marsden, 2014) and the value of Therapeutic Relationship Expectations and Change Expectations as predictors of intake attendance and the number of therapy sessions attended. Adult clients (n = 102) calling to schedule an intake appointment at a local community mental health center completed a survey of pre-treatment expectations (MPEQ-B) and psychological distress (Outcome Rating Scale, Miller &amp; Duncan, 2000). Other variables (e.g., wait-time, previous therapy experience, number of sessions attended, and demographic variables) were collected from the clients' electronic medical record (EMR). Confirmatory factor analysis of the MPEQ-B supported a two-factor model, which was consistent with previous research (Marsden, 2013; 2014). Logistic regression revealed that client Change Expectations was the only variable to uniquely predict intake attendance. Pre-therapy attrition was more likely for clients with higher ratings of Change Expectations. Multiple regression results indicated that only previous therapy attendance was a statistically significant predictor of number of sessions attended. Overall, these findings advance the literature on client expectations as a multidimensional common factor related to client therapy attendance (intake session and total number of sessions attended). These results also highlight the need for programmatic research using the Milwaukee Psychotherapy Expectancy Questionnaire (MPEQ; Norberg, Wetterneck, Sass, &amp; Kanter, 2011) and MPEQ-B, as well as measures of other types of client expectations, to better understand the influence of client expectations on a range of clinical variables.</p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to write a grant proposal to create, implement, and test the effectiveness of an innovative support and psycho-educational group program for adult survivors of childhood maltreatment. This pilot program is geared to alleviate trauma related symptoms that impair their ability to be successful members of society. Adult survivors of childhood abuse and neglect are often times undetected and not considered as obvious targets for prevention and intervention programs. For this reason, this pilot program was named Interventional Strategies for Imperceptible Survivors of Childhood Maltreatment (ISISMA) to recap their increased need for mental health services and the need to strategize concurrent and comprehensive prevention and treatment approaches. </p><p> To address the gap in services and budgetary limitations, this pilot program was delineated to provide services in a group-community setting. It is tailored to mitigate their unique needs and challenges of this marginalized population living in Anaheim and surrounding areas. This pilot program is expected to be an innovative platform for planning, expansion, and implementation of other replicated support and psycho-educational group programs.</p>

<p> Mental health stigma, while common, leads to harmful consequences. There is some evidence to show that education reduces stigma. The reduction, however, is short term and only observed in those who are relatively open and flexible with their beliefs. Emerging research suggests that variables such as empathy, perspective taking, and psychological flexibility may be key processes in stigma reduction. Relational Frame Theory (RFT) provides a framework for understanding the development of stigma, the role of inflexibility in maintenance of stigma, and how education that targets flexibility might facilitate reduction in stigma. Applications of RFT have resulted in the development of the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure, a tool that can be applied for assessment of not only implicit stigmatizing attitudes, but also the flexibility with which they are held. The current study examined the impact of divergent educational experiences on mental health stigma using college students with various levels of formal education relevant to psychological difficulties both implicitly with self-report measures and explicitly with the IRAP. Also examined were empathy and psychological flexibility as moderators of the relationship between education and stigma. Data suggest that mental health bias is a function of education, but that didactic and experiential education may have differential effects. Increases in education and empathy factors were associated with reduced stigma measured explicitly; however, these variables did not correlate with the measure of implicit stigma. Additionally, when empathy moderated the relationship between education and implicit stigma, high levels of empathy were associated with increases in implicit stigma. Inconsistencies in results from implicit and explicit measures indicate a clear need for continued research in this area to more fully understand mental health stigma and to develop reduction interventions. </p>

<p> Psychological struggle seems to be an inherent part of the human experience. Unfortunately, the public attitude towards the obese focuses more on negative stereotypes (e.g., undisciplined, ugly, stupid, and lazy) than on the underlying psychological components that lie at the heart of the struggle. Negative stereotypes like these have an affect upon the way the obese think about themselves and may lead to self-stigmatization, which in turn may interfere with a person's attempt to gain control of their health and emotional well-being when eating is used to relieve the associated distress. Many people who struggle with their weight are found to be very rigid in their thought processes regarding food. Perhaps it is not the content of food and body-related cognitions that is important, but the inflexibility with which they are held.</p><p> The current study will investigate the relationships among avoidant eating behavior, perceived stigmatization, self-stigmatization, and psychological flexibility. Participants will be recruited from a population of obese individuals who are seeking help at a bariatric clinic, and from Facebook. Participants will initially complete a packet of questionnaires on psychological flexibility, perceived stigmatization, self-stigmatization, and eating behavior online. Then for seven days they will receive four text messages a day for seven days, three of which will provide them with a link to the Periodic Assessment of Stigmatizing Experiences, and one text message providing a link to the Daily Eating Survey. It is hypothesized that 1) Perceived stigmatizing experiences (i.e., a fear of enacted stigma from society) will predict disordered eating 2) Weight- and food-related psychological inflexibility will moderate the relationship between perceived stigmatizing experiences and disordered eating 3) Self-stigma (i.e., self-devaluation due to perceived stigmatization from society) will moderate the relationship between perceived stigmatizing experiences and disordered eating 4) Psychological inflexibility will predict increased perceived self-stigma.</p>

<p> Although researchers have focused a vast amount of research on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with diverse groups, few have addressed specific ethnic groups such as Puerto Ricans. This study explored the concerns of Puerto Rican mothers of children diagnosed with ADHD. This research addressed how factors such as acculturation and cultural beliefs within Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Model impacted the process that Puerto Rican mother experienced while obtaining treatment for their children diagnosed with ADHD. Utilizing a qualitative research method and Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Model, the narratives of ten mothers of Puerto Rican descent with children between the ages of 7&ndash;11 were questioned. The questions consisted of semi-structured interviews to assess how culture and acculturation within an ecological system impacted the process of obtaining mental health services by Puerto Rican mother's children for their children diagnosed with ADHD. </p><p> The results yielded eight themes that were embedded within Bronfenbrenner's Ecological System's theory that emphasized the importance of how Puerto Rican culture and acculturation level impacted the process of obtaining services. The mothers narratives exposed the barriers and the fears they faced as Puerto Rican mothers with children diagnosed with ADHD within the Unites States. Recommendation supported the need to address the barriers and fears that Puerto Rican mothers faced as they sought treatment for their children diagnosed with ADHD. Future research suggest further exploration of this research to empower this population and enhance the process to obtain treatment. </p><p> <i>KEYWORDS:</i> attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Puerto Ricans, acculturation,Bronfenbrenner's Ecological System Model, Latinos, treatment process, mothers</p>