<p> From the perspective of acculturation stress theory, the historical background of Iranian immigrants is visited in this dissertation, as well as different types of acculturation strategies that are being utilized by immigrants. This research study addresses the impacts of inadequate access to and underutilization of mental health services on the psychosocial wellbeing of Iranian families, and the lack of appropriate interventions due to ongoing stress, such as economic hardships. Furthermore, the usefulness of several inexpensive and accessible stress-reduction techniques in reestablishing psychophysiological relaxation is examined. It is noted that, in spite of their long history, such techniques are not widely recognized as effective coping skills in response to stress-inducing immigration experiences. In addition, the relaxation qualities of music are reviewed, revealing consistent therapeutic effects and significant relaxation responses elicited in the listeners. The purpose of this applied research study was to develop a proposed Hindustani music-assisted multimodal guided relaxation intervention designed to lower stress and particularly, acculturation stress experienced by Iranian families. An evaluation of the program's efficacy by validity judges concluded that this program is potentially effective for inducing relaxation responses in the listeners.</p>

<p> Substance abuse in the United States continues to be a serious topic of concern. However, the efficacy of various substance abuse treatment methods remains inconclusive. As the current literature review has returned no comprehensive recommendations for all types of substance abuse, further empirical studies are merited. The aim of the present study is to investigate the long-term effects of 12-Step group therapy on abstinence rates of heroin addicts. Data from the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research 2258 was analyzed to gain insight into the predictive relationship between 12-Step attendance and abstinence rates; the implication is that future meta-analytic studies may help indicate the most appropriate treatments for specific substance abuse disorders. The hypothesis that 12-Step attendance is a predictive factor for abstinence in this population was supported. Practical implications and future directions were discussed.</p>

<p> Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) among Filipino American men is a rarely discussed phenomenon and continues to be an understudied topic. To date, theories and empirical research on CSA disclosures are predominantly based on the experiences of White Euro-centric females and males. In this study, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyze the narratives of 12 Filipino American men with CSA histories to gain a better understanding of their CSA disclosures. Specifically, this study highlighted factors that have prevented and promoted their CSA disclosures. Overall, results in this study indicated that Filipino American men's CSA disclosures were generally uncomfortable and included notable non-verbal experiences; however, they were very much relieved by their disclosures. Core themes that reflected the barriers to their CSA disclosures included: (a) protecting the family; (b) preserving masculinity; (c) sexual taboos and boundaries; (d) lack of containment for discloser's experience; and (e) lack of intimacy and connection. Core themes that represented the promoters to their CSA disclosures included: (a) having access to intimacy and close relationships; (b) having support, stability, and safety; (c) addressing emotional issues; (d) wanting progress or a better life; and (e) gaining cognitive awareness that they were subjected to CSA. Political and societal, as well as clinical and theoretical implications of findings are discussed.</p>

<p> Although evidence-based practices (EBPs) have been identified in the literature, insufficient information exists about how to successfully implement them. As a result, implementation efforts have been met with failures. Little is currently known about what affects the success of implementation efforts for best practices such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy for adolescents (DBT-A) in an acute inpatient psychiatric setting (AIPS). A longitudinal multiphase mixed methods case study examined an implementation effort to provide DBT-A in an AIPS over a 24-month period. The process of implementation was investigated through in-depth interviews, a focus group, and field observations. Six categories were identified that affected the DBT-A implementation in an AIPS: appeal of DBT as a treatment modality, impact on patients, implementer characteristics, the implementation process, organizational dynamics and structure, and staff support. Implications for implementing EBPs within organizational environments are discussed. This study represents the first attempt to use qualitative and mixed methodology to examine the process of DBT implementation in an AIPS. </p>

<p> The question of how one may effectively build a therapeutic relationship with adolescent patients deemed to be experiencing symptomatology associated with psychotic functioning has largely evaded examination by both qualitatively and quantitatively oriented researchers. This study has attempted to discover, through semi-structured interviews with students at a residential treatment facility, whether said question may be seen to have anything approaching a useful answer. It was hypothesized that student participants would speak to a desire for those with whom they interact to understand them as persons, to behave authentically and to communicate their shared humanity. Results provided evidence that these issues and themes were included in student perceptions of human relationships, as well as indicated several other important topics related to successful and unsuccessful interactions with others. While conclusions did offer tentative insights into effectively forming bonds with severely disturbed youth, further research is necessary to determine alternative explanations for relational successes and failures.</p>

<p> The current study sought to examine the role of traditional values in China and the United States as one of the important social psychological mechanisms through which romantic relationships affect mental health. The work is guided by the Social Structure and Personality framework, focusing on the meaning construction dictated by traditional values in the stress process, while also addressing the structural and cultural origins of meanings. Specifically, I used path models to examine how those internalized values moderate the impacts of romantic relationships on the mental health of Chinese and American college students and also compared the effects across gender and nations with Multi-group SEM method. The results show that traditional values work as a major social-psychological mechanism influencing Chinese students only by exacerbating the impacts of breakups on their depression. In terms of gender and national patterns, the most important finding is that the unconditional main effect of traditional values differs across gender and nations and Chinese women are mostly harmed by those values. The results partially support the theoretical construction and also add to both the meaning studies in the stress process and the substantive research of romantic relationships and mental health.</p>

<p> This study examines the role of the intuitive function in addiction recovery. Addictive behaviors create an internal state dominated by imbalanced instinctual drives. The psychological manifestations are obsessive thoughts, anxiety, depression, guilt, shame, and a sense of isolation. This research explored how subtle unconscious influences like the intuitive function have a role in shifting this treacherous internal state. Intuition is a prominent spectrum function which bridges the unconscious and conscious by providing unexpected knowledge of unknown origins when none is consciously available, assesses potential of situations, and imparts understanding of how and when to carry out instinctual action (Jung, 1971/1976, 1948/1981a).</p><p> Field research was conducted through a qualitative, intuitive, phenomenological methodology. Twelve participants in recovery from alcoholism were asked through conversational interviews about their experience of intuition in sobriety. The participants claimed intuition initiated, sustained, and enhanced their sobriety. They were able to distinguish the intuitive function from the amplified state of need, obsessive thought, and angst. They reported synchronicities, dreams and intuitive influences were instrumental in the decision to stop drinking. In longer term recovery, the intuitive function was perceived when helping others, solving problems, learning self-care, and enhanced intuition was described as one of the biggest gifts of sobriety.</p><p> This research contributes to the field of psychotherapy by discovering the important role of the intuitive function in addiction recovery. Recognizing and helping patients cultivate intuition facilitates the apprehension of addictive behaviors. Working with unconscious functions such as intuition helps those considering sobriety, as well as those in sobriety, to establish a relationship with their unconscious other than one based on addictive patterns. Developing the intuitive function in recovery establishes a conscious relationship to the primary process beyond impulsivity and curbs instinctual impulsivity. </p>

<p>This thesis explores the potential for soul-making in the prison violence-prevention program known as GRIP&mdash;an acronym for Guiding Rage into Power. The author utilizes hermeneutic methodology to explore the meaning and evolution of the concept of soul-making within the literature of depth psychology. Using heuristic methodology, the author then analyzes what he perceived to be a profound demonstration of soul-making among the members of the GRIP prison group he cofacilitated. The findings indicate that by combining a downward move into the underworld of emotional woundedness and psychopathology with a vertical orientation that includes contact with ego-transcendent archetypal energies, the inmates participating in the GRIP program had an opportunity for deep healing and genuine soul-making. </p>

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, 1993. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 54-04, Section: B, page: 2221. Chair: William Nasby.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, 1994. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 55-10, Section: B, page: 4604. Adviser: Nancy Gourash-Bliwise.