Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2005. Graduate Programme in Education. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 412-432). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pNR11614

Thesis (D. Min.)--Dallas Theological Seminary, 1999. / Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 220-228).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Dallas Theological Seminary, 2006. / Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-125).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 1999. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 225-236). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

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The current paper examines the relationship between social support, perceived social status and health in the context of the Hispanic Paradox. It was hypothesized that social support will predict perceived social status which, in turn, is an important factor in predicting physical health among Mexican immigrants. The current paper also hypothesized that stress mediates the relationship between perceived social status and health. Three hundred and twenty male and female Mexican immigrants (ages 18-79) completed questionnaires, wore ambulatory blood pressure monitors for 24 hours, and submitted blood samples. Results supported some, but not most hypotheses. Greater social support was related to higher perceived social status (p = 0.01) and stress mediated two indirect relationships between perceived social status and health outcomes. Specifically, as perceived social status increased calories consumed decreased (p = 0.01) and self-reported health improved (p = 0.02). Still, there were no direct relationships between perceived social status and health outcomes and only two stress mediated relationships. Implications of the results and future directions are addressed. The paper discusses the possibility that higher education and possible variations in degree of acculturation among study participants might have resulted in a unique relationship between perceived social status and health. The paper also addresses the role that a high LDS affiliation among participants might play in the relationship between perceived social status and health of Hispanic immigrants. Finally, the relationship between perceived social status and self-reported health as the study's most consistent finding is discussed.

<p> Parents raising a self-identified sexual minority child face unique challenges, such as stress, shame, and guilt, when compared to parents with heterosexual children. While literature exists regarding parents&rsquo; experiences in raising a sexual minority child, little is known about the specific challenges faced by first generation Latino parents. To address this gap, the current study explored the experiences of first generation Latino parents (N = 9) raising a sexual minority child, from the parent&rsquo;s perspective. In-depth interviews were conducted by telephone and audio-recorded. The qualitative findings suggest that Latino parents face stigma from their family and community. In addition, Latino parents rely on their sexual minority child as a means of information regarding the LGBTQ community. These findings may be useful to inform the way service professionals and social service programs are developed to meet the needs of first generation Latino parents and LGBTQ youth. </p>

<p>Although the phenomenon of psychosis in schizophrenia has been extensively studied, limited attention has been paid to the relationship of ethnicity/culture and the form and quality of psychotic symptoms. It is widely assumed that culture significantly influences the phenomenology of mental illness. Psychotic experiences, such as delusions and hallucinations, are likely no exception. There is a relatively small body of literature on cross-cultural differences in delusional symptoms that has yielded mixed findings. The purpose of this study was to contribute to the literature by examining potential differences in delusional symptoms among 2 cultural groups of schizophrenia patients: individuals of Latino and White European descent living in the United States. This study utilized archival participant data that were collected at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) as part of the Consortium for Neuropsychiatric Phenomics via the Human Translational Applications Core. 58 schizophrenia patients of Latino and White European descent completed a demographics interview assessing various ethno-cultural characteristics, the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Axis I Disorders&mdash;Patient Edition to determine diagnostic eligibility, and The Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms, a clinical rating scale from which information regarding the content and severity of delusional symptoms was derived. Analyses revealed no statistically significant differences in delusional symptom content and severity between Latino and White European patients with schizophrenia. Strategies to improve methodology and refine conceptualization of cultural factors and psychotic phenomena for future research are highlighted. Clinical implications for the integration of a foundational framework of culture within diagnostic formulation, case conceptualization, and treatment planning are discussed. </p>

<p> This dissertation looks at the impact of common stressors on the offspring of classical Pentecostal Hispanic/Latino Pastors in the greater New York Area, especially as these relate to their retention in the Christian faith. Chapter 1 covers the context and purpose of the study, and outlines the problem, the research model, and the theological framework. The literature review in Chapter 2 explores what a healthy pastoral lifestyle should look like and reviews possible reasons why some PKs leave the Christian faith and others do not. Chapter 3 presents the quantitative and qualitative data collected from PK surveys, Non-PK surveys, and interviews. The findings in Chapter 4 support the hypothesis that PKs who remain in the faith tend to have lower PK stressor inventory scores than PKs who leave the faith. The interpretation of the data includes possible causes, trends, and implications for PKs and their home and church environment. The findings support an argument for a more effective support system for PKs in response to the unique and complex challenges they face. The recommendations made in Chapter 5 are thus for solid strategies that will support the PK population through education, strategic spiritual formation, specialized conferences, small groups and networking. </p>

Reducing obesity remains a public health priority of urgent necessity. In an effort to address this need and plan future health interventions, a survey of obesity-related knowledge and beliefs was administered in a small population of Hispanic women in an urban Phoenix health center. This paper describes the project design and project findings. A cross sectional univariate descriptive design was conducted by administration of Obesity Risk Knowledge Survey (ORK-10) and the Obesity Belief Scale (OBS). Self-administered surveys were provided to patients during regularly scheduled health visits at the Wesley Health Center in Downtown Phoenix. Participants included 12 Hispanic women aged 18 years or older, with a body mass index greater than 25. Results from the OBS scale were analyzed to evaluate whether respondents held positive or negative beliefs in the OBS subscales. The Theory of Planned Behavior then served as a model to guide evaluation of the findings from the OBS subscales. Results of the ORK-10 were calculated for overall score, with higher scores associated with greater obesity knowledge (range 2 - 8, (mean (S.D.) = 5.3(1.8)). Findings from the OBS subscales were assess on 7 point Likert scale. The Health Beliefs subscale responses were overwhelmingly positive while the Social and Aesthetic Beliefs and Cost subscale scores were found to have negative beliefs. Results from the survey did not reflect positive intention among the participants. While attitude toward the behavior was overwhelmingly positive among survey participants, social behavior norms, and perceived control were reflected negatively by survey responses. Based on The Theory of Planned Behavior negative responses in any of these categories suggests that population has negative intention and is thus incapable of successful behavior change.