The purpose of the study was to examine the relation between prior maltreatment history and placement instability among pre-teen children in the foster care system and perceptions of mother-child relationship when children are age 14. Using LONGSCAN data set, children were 50.5% females, and the majority self-identified as African America (58.8%). A majority of the parent sample self-reported as either single (40.7%) or married (33.2%), and a majority (53.4%) of mothers reported an annual income of $24,999 or less in 2010. Findings were that increased placement instability was linked with child perception of lower relationship quality and was associated with recent involvement with their mother. A history of prior maltreatment also was associated with child perception of lower relationship quality and higher recent involvement with mothers. Recent involvement was also found to moderate the effect of placement instability and prior maltreatment on children's perception of relationship quality with mothers. Despite limitations of the current study, findings can inform foster care practice to bring stability into the lives of the children affected by maltreatment and frequent placement changes. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Spring Semester, 2013. / March 20, 2013. / Attachment, Children, Foster care, Parent-child relationship, Recent involvement, Relationship quality / Includes bibliographical references. / Christine A. Readdick, Professor Directing Thesis; Ann K. Mullis, Committee Member; Mary Francis Hanline, Committee Member.

Military families experience numerous changes to their lives, including multiple and prolonged separations (Link & Palinkas, 2013) and frequent relocations (Weber & Weber, 2005). As a result concern has grown regarding the effects of these stressors on military families today, particularly for the two million youth in these families. This study sought to provide information regarding the stress process for military youth. Pearlin's Stress Process Model was used to examine the impact of social stressors on youths' outcomes with particular attention on context-specific stressors (Pearlin, Menaghan, Lieberman, & Mullan, 1981). This model identifies three components to explain the development of stress in individuals: sources of stress, mediators of stress, and manifestations of stress (Pearlin, 1999). Mediators of stress are the linking mechanism between the sources of stress and manifestations of stress. To test this stress process model, a sample (N =1,036) of military youth from four military installations (three within the United States and one within Europe) was analyzed. The Family and Community Resilience Laboratory (FCRL) at the University of Georgia (UGA) collected the data from military youth, ages 11 to 18, with the goal of understanding the effects of the military lifestyle on youth well-being. An exploratory latent profile analysis (LPA) and subsequent analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests were conducted to address three primary research questions. First, to what extent do the six primary dimensions of the Adolescent Coping Orientation for Problem Experiences (A-COPE) identify unique coping profiles for military youth? Second, to what extent do context-specific military (parental separations, frequent relocations and parental rank) and normative (minority status) stressors indicate an association with specific coping profile membership for military youth? Finally, to what extent are the identified coping profiles associated with group differences in depressive symptoms displayed by military youth? Results of the exploratory LPA revealed four distinct coping profiles for military youth according to the identified model fit criterion, indicating that the optimal profile solution had been reached for the data. The profiles were labeled as the Low Coping profile, Medium Coping profile, Medium-humor Coping profile and High Coping profile. Youth in all four profiles reported engaging in low levels of maladaptive coping, thus the remainder of the discussion focuses on the adaptive behaviors used within the profiles. Members of the Low Coping profile engaged in all coping behaviors at low or infrequent levels. While those of the High Coping profile engaged in all of the coping behaviors relatively often. Members of the Medium and Medium-humor Coping profile reported scores that fell within the mid-range of the scale. However, the Medium-humor Coping profile differed as it had significantly higher scores on the subscale of Being Humorous. The second step of the analysis investigated the association between context-specific and normative stressors and the identified coping profiles for military youth. Multinomial logistic regressions found no significant results for the context-specific variables of stress. Minority status was found to be the only significant stressor and indicated that minorities were more likely to be members of the Medium Coping profile than the High Coping profile when compared to non-minorities. The final analysis conducted involved four one-way ANOVAs used to identify group differences in depressive symptoms displayed based on coping profile membership. Significant differences were found for each of the depressive subscales. Post-hoc analyses revealed that the general trend was that the High Coping profile reported the fewest depressive symptoms across all indicators. More specifically, in terms of Somatic Symptoms, significantly higher scores were reported for the Medium and Medium-humor Coping profile than those in the High Coping profile. For the Depressive Affect and Interpersonal Problems subscales, the Medium Coping profile reported more depressive symptomology than the High Coping profile. For Positive Affect, the Low Coping Profile reported significantly lower levels of positive affect than all of the other profiles. Each coping profile demonstrated significant, unique associations to depressive symptoms with the High Coping profile demonstrating the best overall mental health. Results demonstrated diverse coping patterns for military youth and these coping patterns are related to varying levels of depressive symptomology. Future research is needed to understand the development and trajectory of these coping behaviors and their long-term influence on mental health outcomes. Longitudinal research and the use of multiple reports by both parents and youth can be beneficial for further understanding of the stress process. For professionals who work with military youth, this information can be useful when developing interventions and prevention programs as the use of adaptive coping may serve to buffer against depressive symptoms. Military parents can also be provided with knowledge regarding behaviors that may serve as warning signs of maladjustment (e.g., the display of poor or infrequent coping behaviors). / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2014. / July 2, 2014. / Coping, Depressive Symptoms, Latent Profile Analysis, Military Families, Youth / Includes bibliographical references. / Mallory Lucier-Greer, Professor Directing Dissertation; Carolyn Herrington, University Representative; Ming Cui, Committee Member; Lenore McWey, Committee Member; Wayne Denton, Committee Member.

The association between sexual minority status and poor mental health is well established. However, despite the recent increase in studies investigating health disparities between heterosexual and sexual minority youth and adults, few consider the multidimensional and developmental nature of sexuality when assessing its association with mental health outcomes over various contexts and time. The current study employed the use of complex methodology to assess human sexuality across multiple dimensions (i.e., sex, romantic/sexual attraction, romantic/sexual behavior, and sexual orientation/identity) and developmental stages (i.e., adolescence to adulthood) to assess between and within-group differences on outcomes of depression and suicidality. The influence of interpersonal relationships (parental and peer) and contexts (school and community) on the association between sexual status and mental health outcomes were also examined. In Study 1 latent class analysis was used to identify three groups in adolescence that varied in sexual status. Group comparisons indicated that those who were same- or both-sex attracted reported higher levels of depression and suicide concurrently and at later developmental stages. Proposed risk and protective factors did not fully attenuate differences in outcomes, although the cumulative influence of these effects mitigated differences for depression in early adolescence. Repeated measures latent class analysis on indicators of sexuality from adolescence to adulthood (Study 2) identified five groups that varied in sexual status and sexual maturation and that were differentially related in suicidality and depression over time. Groups identified by sexual minority status characteristics (same- or both- sex attraction or behavior, or nonheterosexual identities) were most at risk across time; however, these groups also demonstrated differences from one another. Longitudinal associations with outcomes identified differential timing of risk, and the analysis of risk and protective factors indicated that youth contexts alter the association between sexual status and mental health outcomes. When assessing the relationship between sexual status groups and trajectories of depression from adolescence to adulthood (Study 3) results indicated four distinct trajectories characterizing chronic low risk, early risk, later risk, and chronic high risk. Findings indicated that groups characterized by sexual minority attraction, behavior, and identity were associated with later and chronic high risk trajectories from adolescence to adulthood when compared to heterosexual groups. Together, results indicate both between- and within-group differences in sexual status and the subsequent association with mental health outcomes. Investigation of risk and protective factors revealed that youth interpersonal relationships and environments act as both mediators and moderators of the relationship between sexual status and mental health, with more robust influences on depression than suicidality and on concurrent rather than longitudinal outcomes. Implications for research, theory, programming, and policy are also discussed. Overall, finding support previous sexual minority health disparities research but highlight the need for within-group studies to assess how differences among sexual minorities and their experiences contribute to mental health outcomes across the lifespan. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2014. / June 3, 2014. / Depression, LGBT, Mental health, Sexual development, Sexuality, Suicide / Includes bibliographical references. / B. Kay Pasley, Professor Directing Dissertation; John Taylor, University Representative; Ming Cui, Committee Member; Wayne H. Denton, Committee Member.

Everyday stress is associated with negative maternal-adolescent relationship quality, which can impact adolescent mental and physical well-being. Guided by family stress theory, the purpose of this study was to test the associations between everyday stressors, open family communication, maternal social support, and maternal-adolescent relationship quality with a sample identified as at-risk for child maltreatment. Consistent with family stress theory, the resources of open family communication and maternal social support were hypothesized to be associated with the relationship between everyday stressors and maternal-adolescent relationship quality. The sample was from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN) and included 460 biological and adoptive mothers. Path analyses were used to analyze the direct and indirect relationships proposed in the model. In this sample, results demonstrated maternal everyday stress was negatively associated with later maternal-adolescent relationship quality. Additionally, maternal everyday stress was negatively associated with both open family communication and maternal perception of social support, while open family communication and maternal perception of social support were positively associated with later maternal-adolescent relationship quality. Based on these results, clinically addressing resources such as open family communication and maternal perception of social support would be beneficial for families in which there is low maternal-adolescent relationship quality. However, these results were based on a specific population and a secondary dataset; therefore future research would benefit from including additional respondents and measures. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2014. / May 13, 2014. / At-Risk Sample, Family Stress Theory, Maternal-Adolescent Relationships, Resources / Includes bibliographical references. / Lenore M. McWey, Professor Directing Dissertation; Anne E. Barrett, University Representative; Wayne H. Denton, Committee Member; Ming Cui, Committee Member.

ABSTRACT Acquired hearing loss occurs when one loses their hearing postlingually. The condition is increasing as the world's population ages and is also increasing in younger adults as well. Little quantitative data is available on how hearing loss affects spouses' or partners' intimate relationships. Thus, the focus of this study is to explore how hearing loss affects spouses' marital adjustment. Eighty-two couples participated and couple members individually completed surveys that provided the data for this quantitative study. The statistical method used was stepwise multiple regression. The study variables were: degree of hearing loss, sudden versus gradual loss, spouses' personality, perceived social support, and spouses' marital adjustment. Use of assistive technology was tested as a moderator of the relationship between the degree of hearing loss and spouses' marital adjustment. Also, perceived social support was tested as a mediator of the relationships between degree of hearing loss, sudden versus gradual loss, spouses' personality, and marital adjustment. Perceived social support was the most significant predictor of spouses' marital adjustment and predicted higher levels of marital adjustment. Presence of children in the home was significantly associated with lower levels of marital adjustment. While use of assistive technology significantly predicted spouses' marital adjustment, it was not found to moderate the relationship between degree of hearing loss and spouses' marital adjustment. Perceived social support was found to mediate the relationships between openness and marital adjustment and conscientiousness and marital adjustment but not for the degree of hearing loss, sudden versus gradual loss, agreeableness, emotional stability, or extraversion. Implications for clinical practice are also presented. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2014. / July 8, 2014. / Effects of hearing loss, Hearing loss, Marital adjustment, Marital adjustment following hearing loss, Spouses' marital adjustment / Includes bibliographical references. / B. Kay Pasley, Professor Directing Dissertation; Carla Wood Jackson, University Representative; Marsha L. Rehm, Committee Member; Robert E. Lee, III, Committee Member.

The relationship between identity formation and religious/spiritual commitment has been connected theoretically since Erikson's work in the mid-20th century. Specific relationships within the constructs, such as spiritual maturity through identity exploration, have not been researched thoroughly. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between identity and faith formation processes in college students (N = 285) from a large public university in the southeast. Participants were self-identified Christians within the approximate age group known as emerging adulthood (i.e., 18-25), and completed questionnaire packets with measures of identity style, religious ego-identity status, faith maturity- commitment/integration, faith maturity-exploration, and strength of faith. Mature identity formation processes were highly associated with faith maturity-commitment/integration, moderately associated with questioning beliefs within faith maturity-exploration. Informational identity style exhibited predictive value for both outcome measures of faith maturity. Those practicing and representing mature identity processes are more likely to integrate their faith into their relationships. Construct validity concerns regarding the measure of faith maturity-exploration (i.e., Quest Scale) are discussed. Significant relationships concerning outside crisis, sex, and denomination affiliation with faith maturity measures emerged. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Spring, 2012. / March 20, 2012. / Christian, development, faith, identity, maturity, spiritual / Includes bibliographical references. / Ronald L. Mullis, Professor Directing Thesis; Ming Cui, Committee Member; Roy Baumeister, Committee Member.

A two-group randomized experimental study was used to evaluate the impact of sexual negotiation training as compared to standard health education on improving sexual risk outcomes (i.e., condom use, knowledge about a partner's sexual history, and condom use self-efficacy) among college students (n = 183). A repeated measure ANOVA revealed that, compared to those in the comparison group, participants who received sexual negotiation training were significantly more likely to report greater condom use at post-test. Secondly, intentions did not mediate the link between condition and post-test sexual risk outcomes (i.e., condom use and knowledge about a partner's sexual history). Finally, regression analyses examined whether relationship factors (i.e., relationships satisfaction, trust, commitment, communication) predicted sexual risk outcomes among participants in exclusive dating relationships (n = 108). Relationship satisfaction was significantly associated with condom use at post-test among those in exclusive relationships. Overall, the public health implications of these findings warrant attention. Findings from this study illustrate the benefits of sexual negotiation education at improving condom use and call for the development and implementation of sexual negotiation training among college students, an underserved population. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2012. / May 29, 2012. / college students, condom use, efficacy, sexual history, sexual negotiation / Includes bibliographical references. / Frank Fincham, Professor Directing Dissertation; Mary Gerend, University Representative; Lenore McWey, Committee Member; Ming Cui, Committee Member.

The purpose of this study was to examine the trajectory of marriages following reported experiences with infidelity. General Stress Theory was used to conceptualize the effect of infidelity on subsequent marital stress. Using longitudinal data from the Panel Study of Marital Instability Over the Life Course, I explored the effects of infidelity on short-term and long-term consequences for individuals (depression and personal satisfaction) and their relationships (marital distress, domestic violence, marital instability, and divorce). I used t-tests, logistic regression, and hierarchical regression to test my hypotheses. Examination of the results suggests that infidelity is significantly associated higher levels of short-term depression, lower levels of personal satisfaction, and higher levels of marital distress, domestic violence, and marital instability. These findings remain true for marital distress, domestic violence, and marital instability over a longer period, but not for depression or personal satisfaction. Infidelity was not significantly related to short-term divorce, but did significantly impact whether the individual reported being ever divorced. When only a respondent's spouse committed infidelity, respondents were not more likely to report feelings of depression than respondents who had committed infidelity themselves. Reports of domestic violence were not significantly affected by the wife committing infidelity compared to instances in which only the husband committed infidelity. Unexpectedly, a wife's infidelity significantly reduced the probability of subsequent divorce. Limitations, implications for practitioners, and suggestions for future research are discussed. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Fall Semester, 2012. / August 7, 2012. / affairs, cheating, extradyadic, extramarital, infidelity / Includes bibliographical references. / B. Kay Pasley, Professor Directing Dissertation; Betsy J. Becker, University Representative; Ming Cui, Committee Member; Robert E. Lee, Committee Member.

This longitudinal study includes 397 parents from the National Survey of Families and Households and examines whether the effects of corporal punishment on future disobedience, when controlling for previous disobedience, differ depending on parental involvement, race, gender, or age. Hypotheses were tested using factorial ANCOVA, ordinary least squares regression, and a series of one-way ANOVAs. Results indicate that corporal punishment was not helpful in reducing disobedience for any involvement and demographic subgroups, and it seemed to be more harmful when used on older children and when used by less involved fathers on their sons. These findings are interpreted from the perspective of social bonding theory. Recommendations for researchers, policymakers, and professionals are discussed. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Fall Semester, 2012. / October 23, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references. / Lenore McWey, Professor Directing Dissertation; Carter Hay, University Representative; Ann Mullis, Committee Member; Ron Mullis, Committee Member.

Researchers have demonstrated that several risk factors are linked to adolescent delinquency, but less is known about how these factors are specifically linked to female adolescent delinquency. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which a history of maltreatment and perceived family support were associated with serious offending for female adolescents (after controlling for family structure, age of first offense, race, and socio-economic status) using secondary data from the Juvenile Justice Information System (JJIS) of Florida. Hirschi's (1969) social control theory was used to help illuminate the underlying pattern of family processes associated with female adolescent delinquency. The sample consisted of 1,160 adolescent females who were aged 14-17 years old, who had a referral to the Department of Juvenile Justice between July 1, 2009 and February 1, 2012, and had completed the Positive Achievement Change Tool (PACT) Full Assessment. Logistic regression was used to better understand which family processes were associated with serious delinquency after controlling for family structure, age of first offense, race/ethnicity, and socio-economic status. Results indicated no forms of maltreatment were significantly associated with serious delinquency. In fact, the only significant association was an inverse relationship between self-perceived support of extended family and serious delinquency. Future research could help illuminate trends related to serious delinquency by consistently utilizing more specific and consistent definitions of the variables included in this study. Clinical implications of these findings include promoting and strengthening family support among at-risk youth using a variety of evidence-based therapeutic interventions. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Family and Child Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Fall Semester, 2012. / October 4, 2012. / delinquency, family support, logistic regression, maltreatment / Includes bibliographical references. / Lenore McWey, Professor Directing Dissertation; Carter Hay, University Representative; Ann Mullis, Committee Member; Wayne Denton, Committee Member.