Thesis (Ph. D.)--Bob Jones University, 1988. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 295-307).

<p>An individual's financial position of dependence or independence can impact a person's state of psychological well-being and his/her level of functioning in society. Being financially independent can provide a sense of security and empower an individual to increase their quality of life. However, being financially dependent on others can create a hardship of fear and uncertainty about how to feed one's family or pay the rent. A number of published studies (Kruttschnitt, 1982; Natalier, 2007; Powles, 1991; Rogers, 2004; Schneider, 2000; Strube & Barbour, 1983) have been performed for specific topics related to financial dependency; however, the various developmental stages people experience when they are financially independent or financially dependent has not yet been researched or characterized. The goals of this study are: 1) to examine and identify the developmental stages of financial dependence and independence that individuals experience over the life span, and 2) to determine the benefits and challenges people encounter as a result of experiencing each of these stages of financial dependence and independence. Gaining a greater understanding of the common experiences people have in each of these states of financial dependence and independence will enable psychology and sociology professionals to better recognize the needs and concerns of their clients.

<p> This project employed the Development and Research Utilization Model (DRU) to compile a counseling group manual to help transition freshman college students from divorced homes. Analysis revealed that divorce is unfortunately a common occurrence affecting approximately four out of every eight marriages. Research showed that children from divorced homes are more likely to become anxious or depressed. Further study showed college campuses do not have the on-campus support needed for freshmen who were adversely affected by their parents&rsquo; divorce. The development phase of the DRU consisted of a literature review which affirmed the need for specific resources and help for this freshmen population. College students from divorced homes struggled with academic achievement and showed emotional, mental health, economic, and adjustment issues. Counselors at colleges and universities need to have support for students coming from divorced homes, and this manual will equip group leaders.</p><p>

<p> This research explores what happens to some men when, despite the best of intentions and heroic efforts on all sides, a marriage ends in divorce. Using a blend of alchemical hermeneutics and hermeneutic phenomenology, this qualitative study explores the lived experience of 5 heterosexual men who suffered psychologically in divorce. Divorce was examined from Freudian, Jungian, and archetypal perspectives using the depth psychological lenses of alchemy, mythology, and fairy tale. A hybrid method of qualitative analysis was created that incorporated the use of psychodrama to analyze the data. From the results of this study, the journey through divorce for suffering men can be seen as being comprised of 3 stages: a Coming Storm, a Tempest, and an Aftermath. The intrapsychic destruction experienced by many men in divorce was also viewed as an attempt at an undoing of the <i>hieros gamos</i>, or sacred marriage. From the results of this investigation, it is further postulated that such a divorce may be a psychological impossibility. The author&rsquo;s experience as a divorced man informs his observations and conclusions. </p><p>

<p> Considering the profound levels of trauma exposure among the growing refugee population worldwide, there is an urgent need to better understand the complex interactions of factors associated with resilience as a key protective factor against adversity. This study used a mixed-methods approach to investigate the relationship between demographic factors, environmental stressors, trauma coping self-efficacy, cultural factors, resilience, and PTSD among Syrian refugees in Germany. Quantitative findings showed that nearly half of all survey participants (n = 127) met the criteria for a probable PTSD diagnosis (n = 59, 46.5%). Environmental stressors were significant predictors of PTSD, explaining 45.7% of the variance after accounting for significant demographic factors (&beta; = &ndash;.683, t = &ndash;9.842, p = 0.000). Participants who had food concerns were 42.8 times more likely to have probable PTSD than participants who reported having enough food (OR = 42.8, 95% CI = 5.6 to 330.1, p &lt; 0.000). Not being content with one&rsquo;s housing situation increased the odds of having probable PTSD 14.7 times compared to individuals who had no housing concerns (OR = 14.7, 95% CI &ndash;5.7 to 36.6, p &lt; 0.000). Qualitative findings indicated five main themes that represent threats to positive adaptation to life in Germany: 1) communication difficulties, 2) socioeconomic living conditions, 3) family related issues, 4) cultural differences, discrimination, and social isolation, and 5) asylum procedure. Implications for treatment and future research are discussed.</p><p>

<p> This liberation-psychology study included several years&rsquo; immersion in the Tibetan refugee community in Dharamsala, India, where I offered Somatic Experiencing-informed (SE) sessions to exprisoner refugees. During the course of conversations with refugees, this study shifted from an investigation of SE as a trauma-healing intervention to a cross-cultural dialogical approach to the healing of the psychological and physical sequelae of forced displacement, imprisonment, and torture of Tibetan expolitical prisoners. Tibetan refugee expolitical prisoners living in Dharamsala, India, were asked to describe their emotional and somatic sequelae, as well as the alleviated factors and conditions of these sequelae, which stemmed from experiences of political incarceration, loss of homeland, torture, and escape. Purposeful sampling was employed, and 17 participants were observed in a 2-day Freirean-inspired dialogic workshop participant observations in which sequelae and processes of amelioration and responses to the Western SE therapy were identified and recorded. Also, 12 participants were interviewed on their experiences and perceptions of the workshop; 9 of whom volunteered for SE sessions. Data were analyzed by thematic content analysis. </p><p> Major findings on emotional distress included loneliness due to separation from friends and families, helplessness to assist other Tibetans, and distress of &ldquo;non-being&rdquo; brought on by occupation, displacement, and unofficial refugee status. Physical sequelae were digestive problems, difficulty breathing, pain and tightness, dizziness, weakness, and fatigue. A Buddhist approach was distinguished as a dependable route to mental health and Tibetan Buddhist methods were highlighted as unique in achieving lasting well-being. Community interdependence and preservation of Tibetan Buddhist culture were preferred over individualized approaches to trauma healing. Implications include a potential shift in international trauma fieldwork to a cross-cultural psychological approach.</p><p>

<p> Adolescent boys without strong and healthy male role modeling are more likely to act out, dropout, and be behavior referrals at school. A literature review revealed that fatherless (physically or emotionally) boys are two times more likely to drop out of school, which leads to greater opportunities to participate in antisocial behaviors. Identification of this knowledge gap revealed a potential solution as to what adolescent boys are going to receive, and the process designed to meet those missing developmental needs. The research question that was asked and answered: Is there a statistically significant difference in behavior between adolescent boys who attend a 10-week counselor-facilitated group, and adolescent boys that do not attend the adolescent boys&rsquo; group? The introduction of a rite of passage program using an operational model based on psychosocial theory and bioecological theory of human development provides an avenue to redirect fatherless adolescent boys toward healthy emotional adulthood and stay in school. The problem statement outlined Erikson&rsquo;s and Bronfenbrenner&rsquo;s theories of development and offered the pedagogy in the form of a rite of passage to address the healthy developmental needs of adolescent boys. The intervention group and the untreated group had 50 participants. A paired sample t test analyzed the data to determine if there is a difference in the variable before and after treatment comparing all subjects on five different variables. This result showed that boys&rsquo; behavior on average was better after attending the 10-week program. The untreated group effect was significant in a negative direction during the 10 weeks without treatment reflected in the after scores of each dependent variable. The meaningful change in higher scores indicated the effect on boys&rsquo; behavior in school getting worse. Future research could include studying a larger group of boys from a more diversified population and to continue collecting data for a longer time to study staying power of the changes.</p><p>

<p> The research question in this thesis asks: Can the archetype of the crone be deliberately utilized as a means to individuation in a woman&rsquo;s life after leaving Mormonism (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)? Employing both a hermeneutical and heuristic methodology, the investigation encompasses the archetype of the crone, her history, and her appearance in myth, metaphor, and stories as well as the crone&rsquo;s reemergence in modern culture. Patriarchy within the Church, gender roles defined by Mormon leadership, and gender inequality within the Church structure are reported. The use of fear, guilt, and shame by Mormon leadership to gain control over members of the Church is scrutinized. The author&rsquo;s personal story as a child of Mormonism, her life within the religion, her marriage and motherhood, her eventual exit from the Mormon Church, and her use of the crone to empower herself to develop an identity post-Mormonism are presented.</p><p>

<p> This thesis is an alchemical hermeneutic exploration of shame from the depth psychological perspective of a complex. Literature is reviewed related to a definition of the shame complex and understanding its etiology and phenomenological and psychological effects. Through a depth psychological analysis of the author&rsquo;s personal experience, which includes developing and living with a shame complex, the path toward healing shame is realized as the ability to find the courage to uncover and disclose a personal narrative in the presence of an empathetic analyst, who had the competence to contain and bear witness to his client&rsquo;s story. For the author, this courageous act has allowed a transformative journey from living with the dehumanizing, toxic effects of shame to realizing a healthy, integrated, humanizing, and enriched quality of life.</p><p>

Abstract not available.