Thesis (Ph.D.)--Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, 1999. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 60-06, Section: B, page: 2958. Adviser: Bruce Bongar.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, 1988. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-06, Section: B, page: 2369. Chairperson: Karl J. Mueller.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, Dept. of Sociology, 2007. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-09, Section: A, page: 4100. Adviser: Bernice A. Pescosolido. Title from dissertation home page (viewed May 8, 2008).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of California, San Francisco, 2007. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-04, Section: B, page: 2258. Adviser: Kathryn A. Lee.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Fairleigh Dickinson University, 1999. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 60-02, Section: B, page: 0819. Chairperson: David L. Pogge.

Background. Because there have been few studies examining resilience associated with postnatal (PN) depression, this study aimed at formulating and testing a theory-based model integrating both traditional resilience paradigms and non-traditional factors including existential beliefs about life, motherhood and religion. Method. Study hypotheses addressed prediction of PN depression, stress and resilience, and the confounding influence of negative affectivity (neuroticism). Study variables included PN depression (Edinburgh PN Depression Scale, EPDS), stress, neuroticism, self-esteem, mother's distress and ambivalence, purpose/meaning, religious belief, parity, age, marital and social status. They were assessed with standardized self-report instruments and, following a pilot, administered to a probability sample of women four months postpartum in a one-wave, community, postal survey. Because the overall response rate was so low (49%) only the Europeans were included in the study (N = 225; response-rate = 78%). Statistical hypothesis-testing included linear and logistical multivariate model-twilding techniques, and principal components analysis. Results. Sixteen percent scored in the major depression range (EPDS > 12), and 14% in the minor depression range. Depression was associated with stress, neuroticism, purpose/meaning, mother's distress and (marginally) religious belief, but not with self-esteem, mother's ambivalence, age, parity or social class. Although neuroticism was strongly associated with depression, and also overlapped with most psycho-social variables, nonetheless stress, purpose/meaning, and mother's distress maintained significant relationships with depression after neuroticism was statistically controlled. Stress was associated in part with the perception of losing one's freedom in the motherhood role (neuroticism controlled). When resilience was defined as high stress coupled with low depression, it was associated with low levels of neuroticism and mother's distress. When resilience was defined in terms of high levels of maternal satisfaction, it was associated with high purpose and low ambivalence. Principal components analyses revealed that (1) stress scores reflected two dimensions suggestive of distress and self-efficacy; and (2) depression, stress, neuroticism, self-esteem and purpose were markers for the same underlying component, whereas mother's distress and ambivalence were markers for another (unrelated) component. Conclusion. This study underlines the relevance of temperament, self-efficacy, self-transcendence, existential beliefs and motherhood-related cogniitions to the understanding of PN depression and stress. / Subscription resource available via Digital Dissertations only.

The purpose of this study was to determine the stages and processes of relationship development in a computer-mediated support group. Using grounded theory methodology, a secondary data analysis was conducted of 22 weeks of textual message exchanges among 15 chronically ill women. The study's outcome is a new middle range theory, Connecting in Cyberspace. This theoretical framework is the first attempt to describe the processes and phases of a computer-mediated support group and is intended as a beginning guide for nursing practice in an electronic environment. Orienting is defined as the start-up period in which members experience techno-uncertainty and unsettled impressions of fellow group members. The next stage, Intensifying, evolves from orienting and represents overcoming the uncertainty of phase one. It is heralded by high messaging activity fueled by the novelty of communicating in a new environment and the ability to connect with others in similar situations. As Intensifying's excitement fades, the group enters a settling and blending period termed Integrating. Integration's focus is the group's work to support one another, share life events and suggest coping alternatives. In the Concluding phase, the group's task is to transition away from the official group experience and to determine what contact they will have with one another afterward. Six relationship processes were identified in the data. Maintaining is the process by which participants sustained functioning of the group. Committing, an affiliative process, involves giving back to the group, entrusting the group with significant personal information, providing explanations or updates about one's participation or situation and extending oneself to group members. Maintaining and Committing followed similar trajectories as they peaked in weeks three through six, then gradually declined until the group's termination. The secondary processes support functioning of the primary processes and remained constant throughout the operation of the group. Initiating is the process by which participants commence messages to each other while Responding processes are communication that reply to previous messages. Grouping is the participants' identification with the group. Terminating comments are expressions of appreciation and saying goodbye that function to transition members away from the group.

No description available.

Master of Science / Department of Family Studies and Human Services / Anthony Jurich / Throughout this report, I focused on the effects that the loss of a parent has on an adolescent during the various stages of adolescent development. Drawing upon research already completed on divorce during adolescence, I speculated on the similarities and differences between losing a parent through divorce or death during the adolescent stages of development. Loss by any means is tragic and life altering. However, as I attempted to illustrate, it was even more defining when encountered during the period of adolescence.

Master of Science / Department of Family Studies and Human Services / Joyce Baptist / Theraplay is a technique used to replicate healthy parent-child interactions in order to build healthy attachments. Theraplay is a short-term therapeutic approach that is intimate, physical, personal and enjoyable. The goal of Theraplay is to improve attachments, self-esteem and trust in the relationship. The use of Theraplay has been shown to be beneficial for people of all ages including infants up to geriatric clients. This report offers an overview of Theraplay, provides clinical issues in which Theraplay can be implemented, describes the Theraplay process, and gives implications for further research. Because Theraplay is a highly specialized field, this report also gives information on how to become certified in Theraplay. This report was written for Masters' and Doctoral students in the mental health field that have an interest in working with clientele with attachment injuries.