There are a number of advantages to working within an integrated model framework when doing family therapy; however, few therapists test what they articulate as their model against what they really do. The purpose of this study was to test how well one therapist practiced her explicated theoretical integration in a clinical setting. Quantitative and qualitative data were gathered to answer three research questions: the level of adherence to the integration, client change, and change within the integrated model over the course of the study. The sample included three couples; data from 25 video-coded sessions, the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale and Outcome Ratings Scale, client case notes, and a reflection journal were analyzed to answer the research questions. Results indicate that the therapist remained true to the described integrated model; that all couples experienced change, some positive, some negative; and small changes to the model occurred. Other findings, limitations, and clinical implications are discussed.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between parental psychological control and adolescent externalizing behavior with adolescent internalized shame acting as a mediating variable. Gender differences were also examined. Three hundred eleven two-parent families with an adolescent were included in this study, 154 were male adolescents (Mean age at wave 6 = 16.28 years, SD = .98) and 157 were female adolescents (Mean age at wave 6 = 16.21 years, SD = .99). Results indicate that parental psychological control for both mothers and fathers at wave 4 was positively related to adolescent externalizing behavior for both boys and girls at wave 6. Psychological control by both mother and father at wave 4 was found to be related to adolescent internalized shame at wave 5 for both male and female adolescents. Adolescent internalized shame at wave 5 was related to externalizing behavior at wave 6 for both male and female adolescents. Shame was found to partially mediate the relationship between parental psychological control at wave 4 and adolescent externalizing behavior at wave 6. Implications for further research and clinical practice are discussed.

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to describe the experiences of resilience following parental divorce for university freshmen. Five participants were interviewed using a multiple case study methodology and Richardson’s (2002) resilience model as the theoretical framework. It examined how the three needs of Self-Determination theory (autonomy, relatedness, and competence) and the three categories of protective factors (individual, family, and community) contributed to resilience. Data were collected through demographic surveys, divorce artwork, resilience artwork, and interview transcriptions. General themes, typological self-determination need themes, and typological protective factor themes were developed for each individual and across cases. The findings suggested that autonomy needs and individual protective factors were the same, competence needs and most community factors were the same, and relatedness needs and family protective factors, along with the community protective factor of friends, were same. Therefore, this study linked the empirical support of protective factor research to the tenet of self-determination theory that stated that by facilitating the three self-determination needs, optimal positive psychological, developmental and behavioral outcomes occur (Deci & Ryan, 2008). Findings also revealed a) the importance of cognitive coping strategies, b) the benefit of helping others, c) the significance of the relatedness need, and d) the value of multiple types of relationships. Implications for counselors and recommendations for future research on resilience in children of divorce were provided.

Infertility affects 1 in 8 couples and the literature discusses the emotional effects infertility has on an individual. One option for infertility is to attempt medical interventions and the literature in the field does not explain why some people attempt more interventions than others. Using data from the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG), Cycle 6, this quantitative study aims to understand the relationship between traditional gender roles and values and the attempted number of medical interventions by individuals within a relationship experiencing infertility. The results from this study indicate that both males and females that are in relationship experiencing infertility are more likely to attempt medical interventions when they highly value the meaning of family, rather than their views on traditional gender roles and values for men and women.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Family Studies and Human Services / Anthony Jurich / Until recently, minimal research has been done regarding the impact of veterinary student stress on the student’s significant intimate relationships. In this study of 466 veterinary students enrolled in five different accredited U.S. Colleges of Veterinary Medicine, the association of five primary variables, perceived stress, self-esteem, academic satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, and general life satisfaction was investigated, utilizing McCubbin and Patterson’s (1983) Double ABCX Model as a guide. Six of the seven hypotheses were supported and further regression analysis yielded a model of variable associations that supported the Double ABCX Model, though significant gender differences were found. Specifically, female students perceived significantly more stress than did male students. With the exception of academic satisfaction and relationship satisfaction, all of the major variables were strongly correlated with each other. For the women, who comprised a significant majority of the sample, perceived stress had a significant impact on relationship satisfaction, as well as on self-esteem, which in turn significantly impacted academic satisfaction. Relationship satisfaction and academic satisfaction both significantly, and separately, impacted general life satisfaction, suggesting that relationship satisfaction and academic satisfaction are different constructs that operate independently of each other. However, both have a significant impact upon and are significantly associated with general life satisfaction, suggesting that neither can be neglected during veterinary training if a positive outcome is desired. For the men in this sample, stress impacted directly upon academic satisfaction, self-esteem, and general life satisfaction but did not have a direct impact upon relationship satisfaction. Instead, relationship satisfaction and general life satisfaction had a highly correlated relationship, with both significantly and strongly associated with the other. Although academic satisfaction and relationship satisfaction appear to be two separate entities, they are both important elements to achieving general life satisfaction during veterinary training and, therefore, should be equally attended to during the training process. These findings are interpreted and discussed in light of the implications for and importance of continued collaboration between veterinary students and programs and the field of Marriage and Family Therapy in an effort to understand and support students and their significant relationships during the veterinary training process.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Family Studies and Human Services / William H. Meredith / This study made use of a three round Delphi survey process to explore the influential factors in the personal clinical theory development of marriage and family therapists. The sample consisted of marriage and family therapy trainees in COAMFTE accredited masters programs around the country. The initial round began with 64 items and resulted in 94 items. The last round resulted in 94 items being rated as to their amount of influence upon the personal clinical theory development of the trainees. A core set of variables were identified that were seen to be highly influential in the theory development process. Panelists were able to reach a strong consensus on all but one of these variables. A much larger set of variables were deemed moderately high in importance and varied in the overall degree of consensus that was obtained among all panelists. The results of this study, in terms of personal clinical theory development, point to the power of the personal relationships formed in the training process. Multiple variables related to the power of personal relationships with MFT program supervisors/professors. Key graduate and undergraduate courses were identified as being highly influential. Recommendations for future study, and program emphasis are offered.

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.

Survivors of sex trafficking report numerous intrapersonal, interpersonal, and contextual challenges which likely play a role in their transition out of commercial sexual exploitation. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to begin investigating survivors’ perceptions of the transition process, namely barriers they encounter along the way. Researchers facilitated semi-structured qualitative interviews with six survivors enrolled in a residential recovery program. Analyses yielded two themes: 1) intrapersonal barriers and 2) service barriers. Intrapersonal barriers included codes such as emotional control, self-perception, addiction, and mental health. Service barriers included codes related to specialized professional support, non-professional support, tangible resources, and intangible resources. This poster will provide an overview of themes and codes, as well as a description of the practical significance of the study results. Findings have important implications for the broader understanding of sex trafficking survivor needs during a particularly vulnerable point in their long-term recovery process.

This paper presents results from cost-analysis research for treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in adults. Data for this research was provided by Cigna, a nation-wide healthcare manager in the United States of America. The sample size was 12,845 adults who were diagnosed with PTSD and received outpatient individual and family psychotherapy from one of the following mental health care providers: Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs), Master’s Nurses (RNs), Medical Doctors (MDs), Professional Counselors (LPCs), Psychologists (PSYs), and Social Workers (MSWs). Results were compared across treatment modality, across practitioner license type and between practitioner educational levels. The results demonstrated that family therapy was most cost effective and used the fewest sessions, while mixed therapy was least cost effective. Among practitioner licensure types MDs were found to be the most cost effective, while the group of RNs, MSWs and MFTs were least cost effective compared to one another. Also, no significant differences in cost effective treatment outcomes were found between Masters Level and Doctoral Level practitioners.

Articles published in the Journal of Family Psychology over a 23-year period (1990-2012) were analyzed for their attention to ethnic groups in the United States. Articles were analyzed in terms of their ethnic population of interest, topic of study, funding sources, sample characteristics, and use of measures. Findings indicated that the journal has showed an increased focus on and sensitivity to issues relevant to ethnic groups in the U.S. However, there are several gaps in research for some groups, especially for Native American populations. Recommendations are offered to family science researchers, psychologists and other mental health professionals and educators.