Master of Science / Department of Family Studies and Human Services / Farrell J. Webb / The purpose of this thesis was to examine the well-being of adults from divorced and non-divorced family backgrounds. The thrust of this thesis was to examine if and how adult well-being is influenced by family background factors, specifically support, safety, religiosity and spirituality. Data for this analysis come from the National Survey of the Moral and Spiritual Lives of Children of Divorce, a nationally representative sample of 1,510 adults ages 18-35, evenly divided by either divorced or non-divorced backgrounds. Using Social Learning and Social Exchange Theories, a path model was created to inform and guide this investigation. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify similarities or differences within and between groups and test hypotheses. Results indicate that adults from divorced homes, lower in spirituality and higher in religiosity experience lower well-being than adults from non-divorced homes, those with higher spirituality or lower religiosity. Childhood religiosity was not related to adult well-being for those from a divorced background. However, childhood religiosity demonstrated a positive relationship with adult well-being for adults from non-divorced backgrounds. The path model uncovered that, among other variables, income and family support were important predictors of well-being across groups. For the divorce group, education appears to be uniquely salient, while spirituality is more influential for the non-divorce group.

Master of Science / Department of Journalism and Mass Communications / Joye C. Gordon / The goal of this graduate-level report is to establish a research-based communications plan for the Centralia High School Alumni Association (CHSAA) in order to build permanence in relationships between alumni members and the school, as well as, to secure the financial future of the organization. The project will follow a standard public relations RACE (research, action, communication, and evaluation) model. Background research summarizing current trends in the economy, fundraising, donor motivations and solicitation tactics; CHSAA and the environment that surrounds the organization, the school, and businesses in the communities; intervening publics and primary research is analyzed. As a result of the background analysis, four key publics and corresponding strategies and tactics to reach those publics are identified. A campaign budget is proposed; a two-year time period is shown for implementation of created tactics; and finally, evaluation criteria are listed to provide CHSAA with mechanisms for measuring progress toward the end goal of CHSAA being a permanent fixture for Centralia Schools, its alumni members and surrounding communities.

Master of Science / Department of Psychology / Donald A. Saucier / Research has demonstrated that negative perceptions of rape victims may vary based on characteristics such as the victims’ race (e.g., Estrich, 1987; Wyatt, 1992). This study examined rape from feminist (e.g., Collins, 1991; hooks, 2003) and Social Dominance Theory (SDT; e.g., Pratto, 1996; Sidanius, 1993) perspectives to assess the relationship between individuals’ social dominance orientation (SDO) and differences in their attitudes toward rape victims of differing races. After reading newspaper-style vignettes describing the rape of either a White or Black victim, participants (N = 83) completed measures assessing their levels of rape myth acceptance (RMA), gender role beliefs, SDO, racism, and social desirability. Results indicated that participants’ SDO scores significantly predicted their perceptions of the triviality of the rape. Specifically, when participants’ SDO scores were higher, they perceived the rape as less trivial for White victims. However, participants higher in SDO did not perceive the rape of Black victims as being either more or less trivial. Consistent with previous research, this study also found that negative attitudes toward women significantly predicted overall negative perceptions of both the Black and White rape victims (e.g., Hockett, Saucier, Hoffman, Smith, & Craig, in press) and that individuals perceived the Black rape victims as less credible than the White rape victims (Wyatt, 1992). These results contribute to our understanding of the relationships among individuals’ attitudes about power, race, and rape by offering support for feminist theories about the relationship between rape and power, as well as for SDT and feminist theories regarding the structure of dominance.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Family Studies and Human Services / Candyce S. Russell / Marriage and family therapists (MFTs) over the past twenty years have increased their visibility by using their clinical skills and a systemic framework in other areas outside of therapy (i.e., business, school, medicine). Many of these individuals have pioneered roads of systems theory application through a creative process. Traditional creativity research has focused mainly on individual factors. However, Csikszentmihalyi’s theories of flow and creativity have offered important insight on the systemic nature of the creative process. Recently, research regarding intrinsic motivation and group creativity has provided more insight on how Csikszentmihalyi’s theory could be further developed. Furthermore, applying an ecological systems theory framework to his current model provides additional levels of influence to be examined in regards to maximizing creative potential in individuals and groups. Using deductive and inductive methodologies, an ecological systems theory of creativity is presented providing a framework for studying how MFTs that have successfully entered into non-traditional realms of systemic application go through the creative process of entering into their endeavors. Interviews with successful MFTs applying skills in non-traditional areas of applications were conducted using a modified phenomenological approach. Creative processes were outlined based on themes and patterns that emerged during the analysis. Implications of these findings are made regarding how to improve creativity in MFTs at the individual, academic, and professional field levels. In addition, implications are made regarding how to improve student recruitment and maximize potential in MFT trainees. Finally, implications regarding the maximization of productivity in university settings and applying systemic creativity to business, school, government, and education settings are presented.

Master of Science / Department of Family Studies and Human Services / Mark B. White / Although the processes by which fathers’ presence in the home affect children’s development is not known exactly, ongoing research is making strides toward a greater understanding of this concept (Lamb, 2000). Much of the research conducted on fathering came from researchers’ applying measures and concepts developed to understand mothering. This comparison of fathering and mothering has yielded little understanding of the processes by which father involvement can influence child development and, only in recent decades, has fathering begun to be studied using separate measures designed specifically to understand the unique aspects of fathering (Marsiglio, Amato, Day, & Lamb, 2001). To date, the effects of father involvement in families have been highlighted as a key factor in child growth and development, prevention of poverty, and as a buffer against adolescent risk-taking behaviors (Day & Lamb, 2004). However, in some cases, father involvement can have a very negative effect on children in families, and counter examples of research, showing the deleterious effects of negative father involvement, add an important aspect to fathering studies (Pleck, 2003). Unfortunately, the contradictory opinions and information found in research literature offer practitioners limited information upon which to base their work with fathers and their families. The following is a review of current research literature on father involvement, with an emphasis on families with adolescents. Recent improvements in researchers’ understanding and measurement of father involvement offer practical information for mental health practitioners. The written portion of this report will review current research on father involvement with adolescent children, and then in the presentation, offer suggestions for applying current fathering research to counseling practice. The goal of this report is to offer information that will narrow the research to practice gap for those working with adolescents and their families. Despite the flurry of research on father involvement in recent decades, little appears to have been done to make this research readily available to practitioners. Thus, current practices are limited, in that they are not benefiting from past research on father involvement and are not evolving with improved conceptualization and measurement of fathering activities. Given the current emphasis on evidence-based practice, this report is meant to be an added resource for practitioners, intending to help fathers in families with adolescents. In addition to a critical review of key works focusing on the effects of father involvement on adolescent children, this report will add insight to the work that clinicians do by discussing current perspectives in the fathering literature and offering suggestions for applying these ideas in the talk-therapy arena. Father influence on children during adolescence is the focus of this report due to research evidence showing that fathers influence may become increasingly important in the later stages of child development. (Amato, 1994; Faber, Edwards, Bauer, & Wetchler, 2003).

Master of Science / Department of Family Studies and Human Services / Anthony Jurich / Throughout this report, I focused on how the mother-child relationship is affected following the loss of a husband/father. I started with a case study and followed with the effects of losing a spouse, the effects of losing a parent, specifically how the mother-child relationship is impacted, and ended with a recommendation for a course of therapy, referencing back to the case study presented in the opening chapter. The loss of a husband/father is an extremely difficult occurrence, and as illustrated in this report, will have a lasting impact on the complexities of the mother-child relationship.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Family Studies and Human Services / Farrell J. Webb / The purpose of this study is to examine the affects of hegemonic influences on race and ethnicity among American families. An underlying premise of the investigation is that intra-familial socialization (what one is taught at home) and how external interaction (i.e., social environment) affects the perceptions of racial, ethnic American identity. That is, how does what is taught at home and what is absorbed in our social environments influence how we feel about being American. An overlay of generational effects, race, and gender are examined. Data were extracted from the National Opinion Research Center, General Social Surveys (GSS), for the year 2004. The final sub-sample used for this investigation consisted of approximately 1300 adults. Using theoretical constructs from generational effects, social exchange, and social integrationist approaches, an effort was made to identify what factors had the most influences on how families respond to hegemonic influence when group membership is controlled for in a series of correlations, Exploratory Factor Analyses, and Structure Equation Models (SEM) using Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS). The results revealed that there were differences associated within and among generation, and racial/ ethnic populations, and gender.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Family Studies and Human Services / Walter R. Schumm / Farrell J. Webb / Previous research on the transition to parenthood has focused predominantly on middle-class White married mothers. The present research expands upon this literature by evaluating the transition of non-married, low-income, White and Women of color experiences as new mothers in their transition to parenthood. This investigation uses the Fragile Families Child Wellbeing Study. Data from 1,195 first time mothers were examined. Baseline data on mothers, as well as one-year follow-up data, were used to evaluate the New Mothers’ Relationship Satisfaction Model. This model was developed as a response to the current literature and theory as it related to low-income, people of color, and single never married women who have been overlooked or ignored in the literature. The New Mothers’ Relationship Satisfaction Model examines the effects of expectation fulfillment, father’s behavior, experience of motherhood and family support on mothers’ relationship satisfaction. The model was then used to evaluate different groups of mothers based on their race/ethnicity and then their relationship status. Findings indicated race/ethnicity and relationship status differences among several of the constructs in the New Mothers’ Relationship Satisfaction Model. For some women the experience of motherhood and father’s behavior did not have a significant effect of their relationship satisfaction as predicted by the current literature. This investigation takes the first step in providing a comparison group of new mothers that have been overlooked by much of the research in this area. This research underscores the importance of differences that exist in mothers’ transition to parenthood and points to a need for further research with more diverse populations. Social scientists interested in the transition to parenthood must focus their research and theory on a more diverse population of new mothers in order to fully understand and give meaning to this experience.

Doctor of Philosophy / Food Science Institute / Edgar Chambers, IV / Three independent panels evaluated a total of 22 scents. Two panels were highly trained in sensory analysis techniques and performed descriptive analysis of the fragrances. In the third panel, 318 untrained respondents completed demographic questionnaires, personality tests, and surveys on fragrance attitudes and behaviors. They also evaluated the 22 scents: their perceptions of the fragrances’ sensory qualities and hedonic value were recorded, as well as the images and personalities they associated with these particular fragrances. Some methodological issues were tested, emphasizing the need for standardized procedures and consistency in fragrance evaluation. The use of consistent methodology in the preparation of fragrance samples is critical to accurately assess fragrance sensory properties. Additionally, consistent use of validated questionnaires constitutes an important strength for the fragrance industry: to better understand consumers, develop marketing strategies, and improve customers’ guidance and education. The interplay of individual differences with fragrance perception, whether from an attitudinal, sensorial, hedonic, or associative standpoint, appears complex. From a perceptual standpoint, sensory profiles generated by trained panels were representative of consumers’ perceptions, yet trained panelists discriminated better among fragrances and provided more detailed and actionable profiles. From an attitudinal and behavioral standpoint, demographic and psychological differences explained independent aspects of motivations and attitudes toward fragrances, but were not sufficient to fully account for the variability in attitudinal and behavioral patterns. Lastly, in terms of fragrance perception and image and personality associations, the combination of both intrinsic sensory characteristics and fragrance hedonic value was necessary to understand patterns of image and personality traits associated with fragrances. Interestingly, most findings were consistent even when individual differences in liking patterns for fragrances were taken into account. However, some specific dimensions, such as mood associations were preferred by clusters of respondents and depended upon individual differences. Although more research is needed to better understand the interrelationships among individual differences and all aspects of fragrance perception in real-life settings, this research provided valuable insights into these phenomena – insights that have direct implications, including understanding consumer perceptual processes, assessing potential influences of fragrances on social interactions, and providing strategic planning for marketing and advertising of personal fragrances.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Family Studies and Human Services / Candyce S. Russell / Despite multiple interventions and the increase of consumer spending on weight management, weight loss maintenance continues to allude most people. This study explores women’s narratives and the ways they made meaning of their weight loss and weight loss maintenance experiences. Examining the processes occurring within the individual and the family context, this study investigated the potential differences between weight loss and weight loss maintenance processes. A grounded theory approach guided the study design, transcription coding, and data analysis. The results revealed four categories (cycles and patterns, fluctuations and thresholds, defining self, and contextual connections) emerging from the research participants’ narratives describing their weight loss and weight loss maintenance experiences. An analytical framework, consisting of the examination of clustered categories using a multifocal lens and a toggling procedure, facilitated the development of multidimensional descriptions of the women’s experiences and guided the process of analysis. The process of analysis was isomorphic to the process the women used to formulate their narratives. The women incorporated multiple dimensions of their experiences to create narratives that described and informed their weight loss and weight loss maintenance efforts. The analysis also revealed that weight loss and weight loss maintenance are multi-dimensional processes. The dimensions reflect both similarities and differences between the processes. Some women used heroic while others used integrative efforts to lose weight. Their efforts impacted the amount of overlap they experienced between the weight loss and weight loss maintenance processes. Implications for further studies are presented for using the analytical framework to understand the meaning-making processes occurring with weight loss and weight loss maintenance. Potential clinical implications for addressing weight loss and weight loss maintenance within family and relational contexts are explained.