<p> The purpose of this study is to explore the therapist&rsquo;s perspective regarding the clients and family who receive in-home therapy, their perspectives on the therapists practicing in the field, and the industry as a whole. A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted in order to explore the emergent themes from transcribed audiotaped interviews of 12 participants. The participants were all licensed therapists working with child and adolescents and their families within the home. The participants were recruited through a purposive snowball sample.</p><p> Seven major themes emerged from the study, these themes were as follows: (a) home and environment; (b) clients and their families; (c) treatment; (d) time; (e) the therapists; (f) experience; and (g) competency. Additional findings were presented, the developmentally disabled, burnout, and the work of psychologist in the in-home therapy field. This study also presented conclusions, recommendations for future research and a summary of the work as a whole.</p>

<p> This thesis examines the role of limited English proficiency (LEP) as a contributing significant barrier to the mental health access for Chinese living in America. The literature purports that language barriers do present significant challenges to providing timely and effective mental health services worldwide. Additionally, studies highlight two reoccurring themes on the mental health of Chinese Americans, including their underutilization of mental health services and the premature termination of treatment in comparison to other nonminority clients. Using the 2009 dataset from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) 2009 Adult Questionnaire, data was analyzed and it was concluded that a relationship exists between mental health status and language proficiency. Further study is necessary to determine where it may be best for health professionals to invest their efforts in the mental health care of this deserving population. It would behoove organizations, communities, and health care leaders to peer deeper into the interconnected relationship between mental health utilization and language proficiency.</p>

Screening for Human Papillomavirus (HPV), known to be a precursor of Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions (SIL), involves an expensive Polymerase Chain Reaction technique. Cost-effective methods for the identification of women at highest risk were assessed. Our objective was to identify whether abuse, psychopathology, and attachment styles vary amongst women with highest risk compared with controls. From a total cohort of 631, 33 women were selected based on their papanicolaou smear results. Structured and semi-structured interviews relating to Abuse, psychopathology and attachment Styles were employed. Preliminary data revealed an increase in partner abuse in women with persistent HPV (36.4%) compared to SIL (7.1%) & controls (18.2%). Insecure attachment styles were more often reported by index groups (SIL-83%; HPV persistent-63%). More index cases suffered the following Axis I disorders: (Substance abuse, Major Depression, Social Phobia) and Axis II disorders (Histrionic, Borderline, Narcissistic, Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder). These computerized screening measures could focus definitive diagnostic procedures (DNA sequencing) upon the most vulnerable population.

<p> College student mental health is a significant issue for educational leaders, as mental health needs are increasing in prevalence and severity (ACHA, 2013; Gallagher, 2013). Eisenberg, Downs, Golberstein, and Zivin (2009) note that mental health issues cause adverse occupational, academic and social outcomes, impacting student success, retention, and persistence (Belch, 2011; Cleary, Walter, &amp; Jackson, 2011). Anxiety and depression, which are more prevalent in women (ADAA, 2007; APA, 2013), are the most common mental health issues affecting college students (ACHA, 2013; Gallagher, 2013). </p><p> Coyne and Downey (1991) correlated social support with improved mental health outcomes. Baron (2010) indicated that involvement in student organizations may promote development and connection, thereby enhancing learning and retention (Chambliss &amp; Takacs, 2014). Female students may engage in campus life by joining sororities, which are prominent and influential on many campuses (Lien, 2002). The purpose of this research was to investigate sorority member mental health, specifically anxiety and depression. The relationships between anxiety, depression, and student characteristics were examined. </p><p> This correlational, ex-post facto study explored the presence and severity of anxiety and depression of women (N =72) who self-identified as living in sorority housing. Permission was obtained to review data from the 2013-2014 Healthy Minds Study (Eisenberg &amp; Lipson, 2014), including demographic information and results from the PHQ-9 (Kroenke, Spitzer, &amp; Williams, 2001) and the GAD-7 (Spitzer, Kroenke, Williams, &amp; L&ouml;we 2006). Data analyses produced frequencies, correlations, and t-tests. </p><p> Findings revealed the following: 20% of respondents reported anxiety, with 8% percent reporting severe anxiety; 15% of respondents reported depression, with 5% reporting major depression. Financial difficulty was correlated with depression (<i>r</i> =.27, <i>r²</i>=.07, <i> p</i>=.008) and a significant relationship existed between the presence of anxiety and depression (<i>r²</i>=.36, <i> r</i>2=.13, <i>p</i>=.004). No statistically significant difference existed in reported symptoms of anxiety and depression of women residing in sorority housing compared to those residing elsewhere. Information about mental health may assist sororities in providing support and resources to members. Educational leaders, mental health practitioners, faculty, and student affairs staff can also benefit from this information as they work to help address student mental health needs, student retention, persistence, and success. </p>

<p> This study was designed to explore how the experience of past parental alienation and current estrangement from adult child(ren) affected aging alienated parents particularly in the domains of depression and life satisfaction. This study also explored the link between past parental alienation and late-life estrangement from adult child(ren). The sample of 65 participants responded to an online survey after responding to a recruitment flyer posted on Craig's List. </p><p> The results showed mild to moderate levels of depression and moderate dissatisfaction with life among the study participants. Higher levels of parental alienation were significantly associated with higher levels of depression and greater dissatisfaction with life. Participants also overwhelmingly reported that past parental alienation had contributed to their current estrangement from their adult child(ren). </p><p> Further research is needed on the impact of parental alienation on the well-being of aging parents.</p>

<p> Since age has been identified as a leading risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) and as the U.S. population ages, ADRD has become a community concern. Latinos face greater risk due to systemic psychosocial stressors such as limited community-based supportive services, lack of trained bilingual health care professionals, and low quality of treatment and preventative care. The purpose of this project was to develop a dementia program targeting the underserved Latino community of Orange County, California, identify potential funding sources, and develop a grant proposal on behalf of the Orange County Vital Brain Aging Program at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian. The proposed program will increase awareness on ADRD while decreasing barriers in health care utilization through community-based education and psychosocial and cognitive assessments. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant were not requirements for the successful completion of this project.</p>

<p> Hwa-Byung, known as an anger illness, was conceptualized in Korean culture and listed in the glossary under Culture-Bound Syndromes in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed.; DSM-IV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Hwa-Byung develops when the emotions of anger have been suppressed for a long period of time and it becomes difficult to control those feelings. Common complaints of Hwa-Byung have two dimensions, psychological and physical symptoms. The prevalence of Hwa-Byung exhibits gender differences in that the majority of individuals who experience Hwa-Byung are women between the ages of 40 and 60. However, as the number of Korean immigrants in the United States continues to increase and their issues draw attention from researchers, the topic of Hwa-Byung receives little. Because Korean immigrants in the United States share a cultural background with their origin of ethnicity, and at the same time, may also assimilate the American culture during the acculturation process, this study will address the cultural differences in Hwa-Byung between native Koreans who live in South Korea and Korean immigrants in the United States. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to examine the differences and similarities of Hwa-Byung in native Korean middle-aged women in South Korea and Korean immigrants in the United States, roughly between the age range of late-30's to middle 60's, by investigating the influencing factors of stressful life events, stress response, anger expression, and demographic background. </p><p> A sample size of at least 200 participants, required for each group, using both paper-pencil and web-based methods, depended on participants' preferences, which were influenced by a gap in ages and the level of familiarity with and/or ability to access Internet. Participants were randomly selected from major cities, both in South Korea (including Seoul, Incheon, Busan, Daejeon, and Gyeonggi Province) and the United States (including Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles), using similar proportions of ages for both groups for the equivalences of participants in cross-cultural research. </p><p> Survey measures included five instruments: (a) the Hwa-Byung scale (Kwon, Kim, Park, Lee, Min, &amp; Kwon, 2008); (b) Life Stress for Korean women (Chon &amp; Kim, 2003); (c) stress response inventory (SRI) (Koh, Park, &amp; Kim, 2000); (d) anger expression (Hahn, Chon, Lee, &amp; Spielberger, 1997), and (e) demographic background that measured the variables used in this study. To minimize the weakness of language differences used in the different cultural contexts, survey packages for Korean immigrant participants in the United States were formatted in both Korean and English for each item. Thus, a translation process became necessary, especially for the Korean instruments of the Hwa-Byung Scale, Life Stress for Korean women and Stress Response Inventory (SRI), from Korean into Englishtwo of which were (originally developed by Korean researchers) . On the other hand, native Koreans submitted only the Korean version of questionnaires because they fully understood the meaning of questionnaire statements, as well as in order to get rid of possible distractions by the inclusion of English sentences.</p>

<p> This thesis is a heuristic exploration of the psychological death and rebirth women may experience during initiation into motherhood within American culture. Guided by the author&rsquo;s personal experience, dreams, and myths, this thesis examines the initiatory process and requirements of mothers-to-be and the cultural support typically available during the transformation occurring throughout pregnancy and childbirth. Evidence suggests that too little cultural awareness and structured support of new mothers&rsquo; psychological initiatory needs may adversely influence the onset of, and prolong, postpartum depression, a prevalent concern in the United States. In the absence of cultural support, archetypal motifs describing the symbolic and historic transition from maiden to mother may assist initiates through the complex psychological process of becoming mothers. Therefore, depth psychology may provide clinicians and laypeople with awareness of the important and timeless transition new mothers may face, as well as the language to both guide and witness maidens becoming mothers. </p>

<p> This study examines the impact adult supervision, role models, and civic engagement has on the health status of adolescents. The dependent variable was health status of adolescents. The independent variables were adult supervision, role models, and civic engagement. The results revealed that adult supervision is related to the health status among adolescents. Specifically, adolescents whose parents were married are more likely to report excellent to very good health. Adolescents who do not live with both parents are more likely to report that they feel hopeless and restless. One of the most consistent predictors of adolescent health status in the area of adult supervision was frequency of an adult around after school hours. Another consistent predictor of health status among this population was gender. Being female was related to worse health status among adolescents. Role model was also a predictor of excellent to very good health status among adolescents.</p>

<p> Citizenship/immigration status, high poverty rates and gender specific issues, present a significant problem, when addressing the mental health needs of Latino adolescents. This study utilized data from the 2009 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). The independent variables for the study were citizenship/immigration status, socioeconomic status, and gender. The dependent variable was mental health. To examine the relationship between the independent and dependent variables, a frequency and regression analysis was performed. The results of the study indicate that citizenship/immigration status and gender are significant predictors of mental health among Latino adolescents. The results of the study suggest that social workers, community leaders, community members, and mental health providers, should explore selecting effective interventions with optimal outcomes for the mental health of this population.</p>