<p> The purpose of this study was to explore the role that the healing process has in the lives of adult male survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The sample included 12 male participants who had been sexually abused as children. Qualitative methods were employed to interview the sample of 12 male survivors, and their testimonies were analyzed to gain insight into the way that individuals cope overtime with sexually related trauma.</p><p> The findings of this research revealed that a majority of participants continue to experience symptoms associated with the stigma related to their experience as survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Many continue to harbor feelings of anger and resentment towards their perpetrator(s), as well as feelings of hypersexuality, and the use of substances as a way to manage their trauma, which can impact their interpersonal relationships in some cases. An encouraging note, 50% of the participants in this study indicated that they have come to terms with the abuse and have accepted their experience, expressing spirituality as a way to cope, also 50% stated self-forgiveness, indicating that they have gained some insight about themselves as survivors of a traumatic life situation.</p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to write a grant to fund a psychoeducational program for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The goals of this program are to: (a) increase their knowledge about (AD) and the caregiving role, (b) increase their skills in caregiving individuals with (AD), (c) enhance their competence as caregivers, and (d) decrease caregiver distress. An extensive literature review was performed to assess the needs of caregivers and support the method of this proposed program. Archstone Foundation was identified as a potential funder for this program. Tri-City Mental Health Center (TCMHC) in Pomona is selected as the host agency for this psychoeducational program. The psychoeducational program will consist of 2-hours sessions delivered once a week for 6 weeks, providing both educational and supportive interventions. Actual submission of the grant was not required for successful completion of this project.</p>

<p> The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of group songwriting versus poetry writing on the self-efficacy of adults who are homeless. The study was conducted in the day center of an emergency shelter where participants took part in one of two conditions. The treatment condition consisted of a single music therapy songwriting session during which participants (<i> n</i> = 19) collaboratively wrote lyrics and composed the music for an original song. After the group performed the song together, with the use of handheld percussion instruments, the researcher facilitated a closing discussion. The control condition consisted of a single poetry therapy session during which participants (<i>n</i> = 14) collaboratively wrote a free-verse poem, recited it together, and concluded with a facilitated discussion. Results showed increased mean self-efficacy scores for both conditions, though neither group's improvement was significant. While there was also no significant difference in the amount of change exhibited by one condition as compared to the other, the music group did evidence a stronger trend of movement toward higher self-efficacy. Music participants had higher mean change scores on 4 out of 5 pre/posttest questions, as well as a higher overall mean change score (6% change as compared to 2% in the poetry condition). The products created in each session were analyzed for observable differences. Overlapping themes included: love, peace, happiness, unity, goals, change, positive thinking, and overcoming adversity. The songs composed by the two music therapy groups were written in verse-chorus form and produced between 6 and 8 unique, unrepeated lines. The poem written by the poetry therapy group was through-composed and produced 26 unique lines. The poetry group product also contained more themes, more sub-thematic material and greater complexity, as evidenced by more detailed explication of each idea. The unique strengths of songwriting and poetry writing in this setting were illuminated by their use in this study; specific goal areas best suited to each modality are discussed. Literature reviewed strongly suggests the need for additional research regarding the use of music therapy with adults experiencing homelessness. The results of this study suggest that both music therapy and poetry therapy are effective therapeutic approaches for this population and that songwriting specifically, may have distinct advantages in addressing self-efficacy.</p>

<p> The prevalence of sexual assault and its consequences for individuals and society has been the subject of much research and advocacy even though most cases remain unreported and when reported, rarely move through the criminal justice and legal systems. This study uses a mixed methods approach in order to understand police officer perceptions of sexual assault reports and the factors that might influence their perceptions and decision making processes. Findings indicate wide variability in police officer perceptions of reported sexual assaults as &ldquo;legitimate&rdquo; and perceptions of victims as credible. Officers consider reported sexual assaults involving strangers, the use or threat of a weapon, and evidence of injury, as more clearly legitimate. The majority of sexual assaults reported to the police are considered ambiguous, often because of prior relationship between the victim and suspect, substance use or intoxication, a lack of clear non-consent, and a lack of evidence in general. There is less variation in officer&rsquo;s reported behavioral intentions, indicating that one&rsquo;s procedural response is routine, and all reports are responded to thoroughly. Officers also show wide variability in acceptance of rape myths and attributions of blame towards the suspect. Some officers point out the propensity for false reporting in sexual assault, however, many others counter this assumption, and argue that police officers should never make judgments about the veracity of a reported sexual assault. This research has implications for the way in which first responders&mdash;often police officers, health care workers, social service providers, mental health professionals and victim advocates&mdash;take action in a dignifying manner with those who have experienced sexual assault and have reported the incident with the hopes of achieving justice.</p>

<p> This quantitative study compared the following concepts between heterosexual men and gay men: (a) self-esteem, (b) body image, (c) social support, and (d) narcissism traits. The same survey was given to 50 males, 26 of the males identified themselves as heterosexual while 24 identified themselves as gay. The findings reveal that out of the four concepts, only body investment was significantly related to participant's sexual orientation. Gay males in this study invested more on their body when compared to their heterosexual counterparts, while there was no significant relationship between selfesteem, body image, and social support for either sexual orientation.</p>

<p> Police officers are often the first contact a victim of rape has with the criminal justice system and may be the first people to whom rape victims disclose. To examine the extent to which police officers endorse rape myths, this quantitative study assessed their views about rape victims, along with the effects of demographics and experience. The Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale--Short Form was administered to 66 patrol officers in Southern California. The officers scored in the mid-range of this scale, which addresses seven different categories of common rape myths, such as "she lied" and "she asked for it." For some rape myths, females and ethnic majority officers indicated less endorsement of rape myths. These findings reveal a need for more in-depth research on police officers. Social workers who work with the victims of rape should advocate for increased education of law enforcement personnel about rape and its victims.</p>

Thesis (Ph.D.)--The University of Auckland (New Zealand), 2006. / (UnM)AAI3214157. Adviser: Niki Harre. Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-04, Section: B, page: 2284.

<p> Demographic trends indicate a significant increase in the number of adults over 65, especially those 85 and older (Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, 2010). Community services may be reduced or eliminated due to fiscal constraints (NGA, 2010). Recruiting and retaining volunteers to act as legal guardians (VGs) for incapacitated older adults may be essential in meeting increased community service demand for guardians. </p><p> This mixed method study built upon prior research to include themes of qualitative semi-structured interviews and quantitative results from the Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI; Clary et al., 1998; Clary, Snyder, &amp; Stutkas, 1996) with VGs from a mid-Atlantic not-for-profit guardianship agency. Quantitative data suggest VG motivations score higher than the comparison sample on subscales measuring factors, such as Values (humanitarian, altruistic reasons), and lower than comparison sample on the Career, Enhancement, and Protective factor subscales. Qualitative data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide and analyzed using the Generic Inductive Qualitative Method (Hood, 2007). Interviews conducted with 12 volunteer guardians indicated themes related to why VGs chose this task, such as 'helping the unbefriended (Values factor),' 'giving back/paying forward,' and 'learning to help.' Themes illustrative of how the guardians performed this volunteer task included 'how they with conflict,' 'need for a good match (client to volunteer),' and 'asking for help.' </p><p> In addition, findings seem to indicate that volunteers with human service training employed a more directive case management style. Volunteers without human service training provided more collaborative, functionary guardian services. Qualitative interview data were also collected from six board and agency staff and indicated a difference in perception between administration and VGs related to the 'need for a good match,' as well as 'recruitment' methods. </p><p> Implications for practice include the need to provide more support and assistance to volunteers without human service training, understanding the need for guardian-client matches that would be more compatible with the guardian type, as well as a need for improved, specific recruiting methods. Implications for future research include the development of a model to recruit and train volunteer guardians that could be replicated by social service, faith-based, and other not-for-profit agencies.</p>

<p> The purpose of this thesis was to examine the factors associated with psychological distress among older Vietnamese adults. Utilizing information from secondary data called the California Health Interview Surveys (CHIS), a quantitative research method was completed for this study. The study explored levels of psychological distress with several factors including demographic characteristics, language use and proficiencies of patients, patients' understanding of rights to request for an interpreter during doctor visits, number of visits to doctors' offices, language used by doctors during consultation (English, Vietnamese, or other), and lastly, quality of interaction with doctors. </p><p> The result of this study indicated significant relationships among several factors and the level of psychological distress among older Vietnamese adults. These factors, include: demographics, patients' understanding of rights to an interpreter, number of doctor visits, language used by doctors during consultation, and doctor-patient communication.</p>

<p> The purpose of this project was to develop a potential psycho-education group for trans gender and gender variant (TGV) adolescents in need of services based on the most recent literature. A search for a funder was conducted using the Long Beach Nonprofit Partnership Library and the local LGBTQ Center of Long Beach. The grant-funded support group will target TGV adolesents age 13 to 17 in need of resources including, but not limited to a safer environment, social and medial transition support, legal aid, and mental health support. The goals of the project include increased support, increased mental health, and increased community outreach. The actual submission and funding of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of the thesis project. </p>