Older adults increasingly face difficult decisions in life threatening contexts as they move closer to death, become more likely to be diagnosed with life threatening diseases, and encounter more death within their social network (Greenberg, 2011). The purpose of this research was to understand the effect of a life-threatening decision context centered around cancer, self-esteem, other individual difference factors and cancer experience on older adults’ decision making competence, and preferences for collaborative decision making. Study participants were recruited through online circulation of the study recruitment flyer and in-person solicitations at meetings and other events at community locations (senior centers, civic group centers, and churches, etc.). Participants age 55-90 (N=202) were randomly assigned to either a mundane or life threatening condition and asked to complete the corresponding survey packet containing a measurement questionnaire. Analyses consisted of a series of analyses of variance (ANOVA) and regressions. The dependent variables were 3 major components of the DeBruin et al. (2007) Adult Decision Making Competence Scale: (a) Resistance to Framing, (b) Resistance to Sunk Cost Bias, and (c) Over/under confidence, in addition to a measure of Maximizing Tendency (Diab et al., 2008). Analyses revealed mixed results. Decision context did have an effect on decision making competence, while self-esteem showed little effect. No main effects or interactions were found between decision context, self-esteem, and preferences for collaborative decision making. Individual difference factors did effect decision making competence, with future time perspective, risk tolerance, and ego-integrity emerging as significant predictors. Furthermore, compelling results emerged pertaining to the effect of previous cancer experience on decision making competence. Results highlight the lasting effect of context and a previous cancer diagnosis on decision making competence and have implications in health care, psycho-oncology, and treatment decision making domains.

Using quantitative and qualitative data analytic techniques, the present study explores the parent-adolescent relationship from a pilot study of 15 triads (overall N = 45). First, the statistical relationship between positive relational affect and electrical brain activity was assessed during parent-adolescent conflict communication (N = 30). Specifically, using electroencephalography (EEG) technology, electrical brain activity was recorded during family problem-solving discussions between a mother, father, and adolescent child. Observational coding was used to determine participant and triad positive affect ratios (PARs). Principles of positive-to-negative affect were incorporated into an affective neuroscience framework and used as the theoretical basis for the quantitative portion of this research. Findings suggest that in relation to positive affect, hemispheric lateralization occurs during parent-adolescent problem-solving discussions. Second, the behavioral-family systems model of parent-adolescent conflict (Robin & Foster, 1989) was used to theoretically undergird the qualitative portion of the study. Based on this theoretical model, a thematic content analysis was conducted using transcripts from the triadic problem-solving discussions (N = 45). Patterns of parent-adolescent communication were assessed, and a modified grounded theory approach was applied to emergent communication themes that differed from those presented in the theory. Similarities and differences in conflict communication behaviors and positive affect ratios were compared between families. Contextual descriptions of each family are offered.

Electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) aerosolize an often nicotine-containing solution for user inhalation. ECIG nicotine delivery may depend on liquid nicotine concentration and user puffing behavior (topography). This study examined the relationship among liquid nicotine concentration, puff topography, and plasma nicotine concentration. Thirty-three ECIG-experienced and 31 ECIG-naïve individuals completed four laboratory sessions that differed by ECIG liquid nicotine concentration (0, 8, 18, or 36 mg/ml). A 3.3 volt “eGo” ECIG battery attached to a 1.5 Ohm dual coil “cartomizer” filled with 1 ml of 70% propylene glycol/30% vegetable glycerin nicotine liquid was used in two ECIG-bouts (10 puffs; 30 s IPI). Plasma nicotine concentration, puff topography, and HR were evaluated. Some ECIG/liquid combinations can deliver physiologically active doses of nicotine to users, and nicotine delivery depends on liquid nicotine concentration and user puffing behavior. Liquid contents, device characteristics, and user behavior should be considered when regulating ECIGs.

The population consisted of 9,000 Gulf Coast Licensed Professional Counselors. Surveys were returned by 609 participants. In the researcher-developed demographic survey, 586 individuals responded to the questions regarding age, gender, ethnicity, and years of counseling experience; 585 individuals responded to questions about exposure to prior trauma, and personal Katrina-related losses; 578 individuals responded to the question about the percentage of their work week that was spent counseling victims, and 579 individuals responded to questions regarding the type of mental health care strategy they participated in. There were 439 usable surveys for the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C) (Weathers, Litz, Huska, & Keane, 1994) and 448 for the Compassion Fatigue Subscale of The Compassion Fatigue and Satisfaction Self-Test for Helpers (Figley & Stamm, 1996). The PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (PCL-C) (Weathers, Litz, Huska, & Keane, 1994) was utilized to evaluate Gulf Coast Licensed Professional Counselors for vicarious traumatization within the first year of working with Hurricane Katrina survivors. A total score of 30 or above on the PCL-C is required to meet criteria for PTSD. A total of 32.1% of respondents (141 individuals) scored 30 or above- criteria for vicarious traumatization. Respondents were evaluated for current compassion fatigue symptoms using the Compassion Fatigue. A score of 36-40 indicates high risk for compassion fatigue and a score of 41 and above indicates an extremely high risk for compassion fatigue. When the participants were evaluated based on their symptoms 5 years after Hurricane Katrina, 5.1% scored 36 or above, indicating high or extremely high risk for compassion fatigue. The strategies examined were traditional clinical psychotherapy (individual, group, couples or family) and non-clinical self-care (prayer, meditation, exercise, yoga, engaging in pleasurable activities). The relationship between these types of mental health care and CFS scores were examined, and the results indicated that participation in traditional mental health counseling is associated with lower CFS scores, which indicate a lower risk for compassion fatigue, and participation in non-clinical self-care is also associated with lower CFS scores, which indicates a lower risk for compassion fatigue; however, participation in traditional mental health counseling is more strongly associated with lower CFS scores than non-clinical self-care.

A narrative qualitative research design was used to understand the journeys of three lesbians with Oneness Pentecostal backgrounds who have reconciled their religious beliefs with their sexual orientation. Three participants were selected who met the following criteria: (a) the participant is a lesbian female who (b) grew up in a Oneness Pentecostal church and (c) has reconciled being a lesbian with her religious beliefs, and who is (d) willing to discuss her outing process. These participants were interviewed. The interview questions were submitted to participants prior to the scheduled interviews. The interviews began with an open-ended inquiry. In answer to the research question, the three participants’ stories revealed that reconciliation journeys are unique and complicated. The motivation to embark on a journey of reconciliation of religious beliefs with sexual orientation stemmed from the participants’ same-sex attractions. Further motivators for the participants to explore and reconstruct religious beliefs were feelings of shame and guilt. The participants arrived at a place where they could no longer deny their feelings. As I read the participants’ stories, I analyzed the stories by utilizing the narrative therapy term of “re-authoring.” I found that the three unifying aspects of re-authoring in the participants’ stories were re-authoring religious beliefs, re-authoring definitions of family and re-authoring self. .

Abstract According to McAuliffe and Lovell (2006), regardless of the training received in skills classes, master’s level counseling students continue to be rote in their approach to clients and their use of counseling skills as opposed to understanding how skills fit into the helping process. Students also experience confusion manifested by fear, anxiety, self-doubt, and questioning of abilities to perform the required skills (Skovholt & Jennings, 2005). The purpose of this research study was to explore the lived experiences of master’s level counseling students in a beginning counseling skills class. I used Perry’s (1970) scheme of cognitive and intellectual development as a framework for my study. Participants were nine students from three counseling programs in the southern part of the United States, selected by criterion sampling. I used a psychological phenomenological design to gain insights into the nine counseling students’ skills-learning experiences. Data collection methods included student interviews, weekly journals, and course syllabi. To analyze the data, I used a modified version of Moustakas’ (1994) six-step method of data analysis. Four themes resulted from my data analysis: (1) developmental progression, (2) instructional methodology, (3) personal reactions, and (4) pre-defined structures. These themes were used to answer my three research sub-questions and the central research question. Based on the results of my study, students believed that class format, teaching interventions, personality traits, experiences outside of class, peers, time and class schedules influenced their learning of beginning counseling skills. Keywords: Counseling Students, Developmental Model, Pedagogy, Perry’s Scheme

The purpose of this quantitative study was to ascertain the extent to which the level of postsecondary readiness among youth residing in Independent Living Programs is influenced by the level of one or more of the following; graduation preparedness, independent living skills, sustainable independent living skills, and knowledge of their foster care rights. Approximately 15% of the 437,465 youth residing in foster care during FY 2016–2017 reached the age of emancipation. A quantitative research design was used in this descriptive study to examine the relationship between postsecondary readiness among youth residing in Independent Living Programs and their level of (a) graduation preparedness, (b) independent living readiness, (c) sustainable independent living skills, and (d) knowledge of their foster care rights. Participants placed in Georgia Independent Living Programs and preparing to exit the foster care system or emancipated from foster care were selected for this study using the purposive sampling method. Each of the 69 participants completed the Postsecondary and Education Readiness Survey. The instrument was pilot tested with 10 participants and determined to be valid and reliable. The data for the study were analyzed using the following statistical tests: descriptive statistics, frequency distribution, standard deviation, cross tabulation, and Spearman Rho. Participants represented a diverse group, including male, female, between the ages of 16 to 20 years old, black/African American, white, Hispanic/Latino/Spanish, other ethnic background, and between 1 and 18 years in foster care. The following results related to the four research questions/hypotheses: (a) there was a significant (moderately positive) relationship between the postsecondary readiness and graduation preparedness variables; (b) there was a significant (weak positive) relationship between the postsecondary readiness and independent living skills variables; (c) there was a significant (weak positive) relationship between the postsecondary readiness and sustainable independent living skills; and (d) there was a significant (weak positive) relationship between the postsecondary readiness and foster care rights variables. The following recommendations were inspired by the results of this study: increase funding for the Educational Training Voucher (ETV) program, provide additional independent living training for foster care youth and caregivers, and partner with other agencies serving young adults.

According to Cohn (2015), by the year 2065 about one-in-three Americans would be an immigrant or have immigrant parents projecting that incoming immigrants, and their children will steer majority of the United States (U.S.) population growth in the next 50 years. According to the projections for 2065, 78 million will be immigrants and 81 million will be individuals born in the U.S. to immigrant parents (see Figure 1). After immigrants from Mexico and China, the third largest immigrant group residing in the U.S. is from Asian-Indian origin. The percentage of Asian-Indian immigrants compared to all other immigrants in the U.S. has consistently proliferated. Considering this pattern of incoming Asian-Indian immigrants, research on parental involvement among Asian-Indians raising children who are U.S. citizens and future Americans is sparse. According to a national level study on paternal involvement with young children, “virtually no research has examined fatherhood among immigrants. Eighteen percent of current births are to mothers born outside of the U.S.; if the fathers also are foreign-born, this is a major gap in existing knowledge” (U.S. Department of Education, 2001, p. 22). The current study aimed to understand Asian-Indian immigrant couples’ factors influencing fathers’ involvement with school-aged children (6-10 years). Specifically, the study focused on the marital adjustment, parenting self-efficacy and gender-role beliefs about parenting. Parenting is believed to be codependent and nested within a family and cultural structure. While parenting research consistently demonstrates more maternal involvement with children, often fathers’ involvement gets little or no attention. One of the major limitations of fathering research is single source data, often comprising of only mothers’ reports. The purpose of this study was to address this research gap by examining the nested nature of human development using family systems theory. Actor-partner interdependence model (APIM), a type of dyadic data analysis, was used to examine the actor (spillover) and partner (crossover) effects of parents’ independent variables on their as well as their partners’ reports of paternal involvement. Self-report surveys were collected from 127 Asian-Indian immigrant parents. All the measurement scales had high reliabilities. Results for fathers revealed significant spillover effects of marital adjustment, parenting self-efficacy, and parenting gender role beliefs on fathers’ involvement, and for mothers, only marital adjustment effect on their reports of father involvement. These findings indicate that father involvement is enhanced when both fathers’ and mothers’ are adjusted in their marriage, when fathers’ feel competent in their parenting role and they have egalitarian gender beliefs about parenting. Partner or crossover effects were found from mothers’ marital adjustment onto fathers’ reports of involvement and, fathers’ parenting self-efficacy onto mothers’ reports of fathers’ involvement. These partner effects reveal that fathers’ involvement depend on how adjusted mothers are in their marriage and, mothers’ reports of fathers’ involvement depend on how efficient fathers are in their parenting role. In summary, the current study strongly supported family systems theory and demonstrated how the current immigrant parents, and the future families of America, adapt to succeed and re-structure lives in their ‘new home’.

This student presentation explores resilience on two levels; in the first instance it is the subject of a self published children’s book written by a student group. On a second level, resilience is observed on a meta-cognitive level, as a quality that the student publishers have to display to complete their task and reach a successful outcome, namely publication. Publication is a task none of them had undertaken before. Achieving professional publication is not guaranteed and the possibility of rejection of the manuscript is a distinct possibility. Resilience is defined as the capacity for positive adaptation, mastery and management of challenging situations and experiences. This presentation explores aspects of resilience through the journey of a fictional animal character, paralleled by the journey of the student authors who created the character and conceived the story. Resilience stems from countless variables including family, environmental factors, current events, and genetic predispositions. Ways to support resilience in children include responsive relationships, strengthening core life skills, and reducing sources of stress in the lives of children and families. In real life, resilience promoting behavior aims to prevent lasting harm to children and families. A stable environment, exposure to education or skill sets, and a support system are crucial factors in enhancing coping skills. To address some of these themes in a child-friendly manner, the student group in the parenting class wrote a children’s book, describing the resilience displayed by a young Giraffe, as he initially gets lost and ultimately finds a home. The steps the lead animal character goes through demonstrate resilience and can serve as a model in seeking out appropriate outcomes. The students hoped that the book contained lessons-to-be-learned for young school-aged readers, as it explored problem solving in difficult situations such as getting lost and seeking best outcomes. In producing the book, the lead student author (and also the presenter of this paper) had to stretch her own comfort zone. Just like the lead character in the children’s book she produced, the presenter had to overcome obstacles in the path towards ultimate professional publication and distribution, acquire appropriate skill sets, and seek and utilize support from significant persons who could mentor and guide her along the way. Similar to the lead character in the book, it was a journey that contained numerous obstacles, and situations that were daunting. Reflecting on the publication process, there were parallels with situations that may require resilient behavior, while also encouraging the student to reflect on her own role in reaching an acceptable outcome by not giving up, seeking appropriate support and utilizing new skill sets.

There were no studies found in the literature that primarily focused on threatened harm as type of maltreatment. This study utilized Florida's child welfare administrative data to explore threatened harm as a type of maltreatment, particularly as a predictor of recurrence of maltreatment within six and 12 months for children who had a verified report of maltreatment in FY2005-2006. Threatened harm was examined in three ways; when it was reported as the only maltreatment, the initial maltreatment, and in situations where there was a prior report. The most prevalent acts of threatened harm were examined separately. It was examined as a predictor of recurrence of any maltreatment and also as a predictor of recurrence of a different type of maltreatment. The results of bivariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that children who experienced threatened harm were at increased odds for recurrence of maltreatment overall. The odds were found to be greater within 12 months, for children who had a prior report and for children who experienced a substance related threatened harm. Children with a prior report were also found to be more likely to experience recurrence of a different type of maltreatment. Implications of these findings are discussed.