Researchers continually identify gender dysphoria as a significant mental health concern for many transgender individuals. Physical and mental health providers use the existing medical model to conceptualize and design treatment for gender dysphoria. This means that gender dysphoria is currently viewed and treated as an internal concern isolated to the individual. Researchers have also identified that external factors, such as discrimination and societal prejudice, have a significantly negative impact on the health of transgender individuals. Given that current conceptualizations of gender dysphoria focus on internal contributors to distress, external factors that also potentially contribute to gender dysphoria have not yet been explored. To address this gap in the literature, I conducted a study to identify and assess the severity of various external factors that may contribute to self-reported levels of gender dysphoria in transgender individuals. I recruited 195 participants who identify as transgender and who report experiencing gender dysphoria. Participants completed a survey that included the Transgender Congruence Scale, the Gender Preoccupation and Stability Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Gender Minority Stress and Resilience subscales, and the Gender Dysphoria from External Contributors Measure, a series of Likert-type scales developed for the present study that measure frequency of gender dysphoria experienced in a variety of external contexts. I conducted hierarchical multiple regression analyses to evaluate predictors for gender dysphoria from external contributors and gender dysphoria from internal contributors. Gender dysphoria from internal contributors was significantly associated with gender dysphoria from external contributors (r = 0.51). Several predictors uniquely predicted external contributors (i.e. gender-related rejection and gender-related discrimination) while others uniquely predicted internal contributors (i.e. internalized transphobia). Findings indicate that focusing solely on internal contributors generates an incomplete conceptualization of gender dysphoria. The results from this study allow for a more comprehensive understanding of gender dysphoria and the ways in which it impacts many transgender individuals. These results will be helpful in developing more accurate measures of gender dysphoria, which will lead to more effective, inclusive, and affirmative treatments for gender dysphoria and for transgender individuals in general.

Individuals with LGBTQ+ identities face discrimination and bigotry, components of their minority status stress, often on a daily basis (Meyer, 2003). Elevated levels of minority stress have been negatively associated with relationship satisfaction (e.g. Rostosky, 2007), such that as minority stress increases, relationship satisfaction often decreases as well. This is an examination of the relationship between general stress, identity-related stress, minority stress, and relationship satisfaction for sexual/gender minority and heterosexual, cisgender individuals who were currently in couple relationships lasting 6 months or longer. All participants completed the Romantic Perceptions Survey, Gender Relations Scale, and Daily Hassles Scale – Short Form. The LGBTQ+ participants also completed the LGBT Minority Stress Measure. I conducted t-test comparisons to examine group differences between heterosexual, cisgender participants and LGBTQ+ participants on relationship satisfaction, identity-related stress, and general stress. The LGBTQ+ and participants exhibited significantly higher levels of relationship satisfaction, general stress, and self-rated identity-related stress than did heterosexual, cisgender participants. I also conducted two hierarchical linear regressions to determine how general stress and identity related stress impacted relationship satisfaction for heterosexual, cisgender participants, and how general stress, identity related stress, and minority stress impacted relationship satisfaction for LGBTQ+ couples. Results of the hierarchical linear regressions were interpreted and found that general and self-rated identity-related stressors in combination predicted relationship satisfaction for LGBTQ+ participants, and general stress alone best predicted relationship satisfaction for heterosexual, cisgender participants. Specific minority status stress did not further contribute to the explanation of relationship satisfaction for LGBTQ+ participants. Results are discussed in terms of implications for research and practice.

The legitimisation of discriminatory policies is the phenomenon under scrutiny in the present study. The thesis is an extreme case study, that inductively analyses The Law on Compulsory Daycare through the ‘What’s the Problem Represented to be’ approach. Deductively, the policy is examined for the presence of othering, orientalism, and cultural racism. The problem representation assumes a binary hierarchy which results in a simplified understanding of ‘non-western’ culture attributed a few negative characteristics. The discriminatory policy is legitimised through the assumption that a lack of ‘Danish culture’ causes social problems of crime, non-participation, isolation, and under-performance in school in so called ‘ghettos’ and ‘deprived neighbourhoods’, which characterises as cultural racism, because it assumes the inferiority of ‘non-western’ culture. The thesis concludes that the ‘non-western’ is created as the ‘other’ in a way that is related to the merits of orientalism, but there is not found clear evidence of orientalism.

Individuals have suffered from depression for decades. Although depression is under diagnosed, it is one of the most common disorders seen by psychiatrists. The purpose of this research study was to understand whether students' perceived stress level was a significant predictor of students' depressive symptoms. The study explored social cognitive theory to assist in understanding the relationship between depressive symptoms and perceived stress in female minority students. Although depressive symptoms and perceived stress in students have been explored exhaustively, these variables had not been explored specifically among minority students and then compared to nonminority students. Using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale, depressive symptoms and perceived stress in a sample of 109 minority and nonminority, female, undergraduate students were measured. A quantitative analysis was conducted to answer the research questions. For the first research question, data analysis confirmed that perceived stress significantly predicted depressive symptoms in minority, female, undergraduate students. For the second research question, data analysis did not support moderation. Lastly, for the third research question, data analysis confirmed that perceived stress for minority students was significantly different from the distribution of perceived stress for nonminority students. Understanding depressive symptoms from a social cognitive perspective can be initiate positive social change. The results of the study can be used to design targeted interventions (e.g., support groups, cognitive therapy) for mental health in different areas, including colleges, universities, mental health agencies, and hospitals.

Nonprofit agencies are instrumental in U.S. society and local communities. While there is significant outreach targeted for wealthy and middle-class Caucasian families, there is a lack of targeted effort for African Americans. The purpose of this case study was to explore the strategies development directors use to engage and retain African American donors. The focus of the research questions was what factors lead to successful engagement campaigns for African Americans. The qualitative case study was suitable for gathering data from multiple sources of information, including an interview questionnaire and existing literature. A purposeful sampling strategy was appropriate for choosing 5 development directors from 5 nonprofit organizations for the open-ended interviews. Transcribed data were analyzed by comparing responses that led to theme creation. Source triangulation utilized for trustworthiness and response interpretation revealed community development, fostering relationships and intentional engagement are themes that attract African Americans. Results of the study showed development directors who utilize community based and family oriented themes and targeted social media campaigns reach more African American patrons. The social implications outlined in this study are intended to assist nonprofit leaders create a stable donor base so they can positively impact the local community. By addressing engagement strategies with a significant portion of the community, nonprofit leaders can attract and retain this largely untapped market for continued sustainability.

Air pollution is a major concern in heavily populated cities such as Los-Angeles, California. Particulate Matter (PM) pollution in Hispanic and Black American neighborhoods in Los Angeles tends to be higher than adjacent non-minority areas. Research has indicated that certain carbon-storing trees can be used to reduce PM pollution. The purpose of this qualitative, interview research project was to determine the feasibility of using carbon-storing trees to reduce PM pollution in Hispanic and Black American neighborhoods in Los Angeles. Using an ecological theoretical framework, 10 subject matter experts were interviewed about their knowledge of carbon-storing properties and the feasibility of planting 10 different types of trees to reduce PM in the target neighborhoods. The results indicated that oak and pine trees are the most feasible in accomplishing PM reduction within the target areas based on factors like leaf structure, size, and adaptation to Southern California climate and soil. The least feasible trees included California sycamore, Fremont cottonwood, ox horn bamboos, American sweetgum, and yellow poplar. Public health officials may use this study's findings to bring social change to communities by encouraging the development and implementation of tree planting plans that may reduce PM pollution for all populations across the United States. The responsibility of implementing a tree planting strategy would be up to city planners and public health officials (stakeholders) in affected communities. To accomplish this, stakeholders would need to determine the financial costs and specific locations for planting oak and pine trees.

This study aimed to provide insights into the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) people within LGBTQ+ culture, and to explore how they disclose or conceal their sexual identities within different social environments. A qualitative study enabled me to become immersed within the stories of LGBTQ+ people, in order to better understand the construct and importance of LGBTQ+ culture. Through in-depth interviews and focus groups, 14 members of the LGBTQ+ community from around the nation volunteered to share their experiences with LGBTQ+ culture and their negotiation of identity within heterosexual culture. From participants’ stories, key themes were identified: sexual identity and the processes of integrating multiple aspects of identity (i.e., ethnic, religious, gender), characteristics and values within the LGBTQ+ and heterosexual cultures, and how LGBTQ+ people make decisions to conceal or “come out” about their sexual identity depending on the environment. Participants described three levels of identification as LGBTQ+: individual, proximal social group, and a broader LGBTQ+ culture. The narratives converged to reveal a process, contextual navigation, for how LGBTQ+ people conceal or disclose (“come out”) their sexual orientation depending on safety within a given environment. We suggest that people working with LGBTQ+ individuals should encourage engagement in the LGBTQ+ culture, as this may provide support for identity development and facilitate mental health outcomes.

The purpose of this applied dissertation study was to determine the effect of a mentoring program, the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, on eighth-grade graduation rates of minority male students at one middle school in South Florida. An achievement gap exists between minority and majority male students in this school district indicating a need for an intervention program for those minority males at risk of dropping out of school. Such a program would serve minority males by providing a positive role model in their lives. The 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project was utilized at this middle school in South Florida to assist minority students in forming positive relationships as they transitioned to high school. For this study, 20 parents and 20 mentors from one middle school were surveyed about their satisfaction with the program. Students were surveyed about their perceptions of the program and its impact. Students’ graduation rates were obtained from official school records and broken down by ethnicity. Students and parents were encouraged to continue their participation in the mentoring program, which provided the participants with additional resources in and out of school. The results of the study revealed improvement in graduation rates among minority male eighth-grade students enrolled in the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project as compared to minority male eighth-grade students who did not participate in the mentoring program. Parents and mentors reported that the program assisted the students in achieving better academic and conduct grades in school. The study demonstrated the positive impact of the project on eighth-grade minority males in one middle school in Florida.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Previous research has identified impulsive personality traits as significant risk factors for a wide range of risk-taking behavior, substance use, and clinical problems. Most work has been conducted in primarily White samples, leaving it unclear whether these patterns generalize to racial and ethnic minorities, who have higher rates of negative consequences of substance use behavior. The most widely used assessment of impulsive traits is the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior scale, which has strong psychometric properties across demographic subgroups, such as gender and age; however, data supporting its use in racial and ethnic minorities is less well-developed. The aims of this study are to 1) examine the measurement invariance of the UPPS-P Impulsive Behavior Scale-Short Form (Cyders et al., 2014) across racial minority groups and 2) determine if impulsive personality traits differentially relate to substance use outcomes across racial groups. Participants were 1301 young adults (ages 18-35, fluent in English), recruited through an online survey for both college students at a large public university and Mechanical Turk, a crowdsourcing online platform. Measurement invariance was assessed using multigroup confirmatory factor analysis. Differential validity was assessed using a structural equation modeling framework. I established model fit for each racial group (White group: RMSEA= .067, CFI= .94; Black group: RMSEA= .071, 90% CFI= .952; Asian American group: RMSEA= .073, CFI= .94; Hispanic group: RMSEA=.081, CFI=.934). Based on change in CFI/RMSEA indices, I concluded strong measurement invariance of the Short UPPS-P as a valid scale of impulsive behavior across racial groups. In the White group, findings indicated significant relationships between multiple SUPPS-P traits and alcohol and substance use. In the Asian American group, positive relationships were found between sensation and alcohol use (p=.015) and negative urgency and drug use (p=.020). I found that there were no differences in the relationships between the Short UPPS-P traits and substance use outcomes across White and the racial and ethnic groups studied (p’s>.06).

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