This study explored gender role conformity as a predictor of infertility-related distress and relational health in women and men undergoing treatment for infertility. Other factors that have been linked to infertility-related distress, including diagnosis type, treatment type, and insurance coverage were also explored. Study participants were comprised of 185 women and 147 men who had received a diagnosis of primary infertility and were undergoing medical treatment for infertility. Participants completed an online measure which included the following instruments: the Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI: Newton et al., 1999); the Conformity to Feminine Norms Inventory (CFNI: Mahalik et al., 2004); the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (CMNI: Mahalik et al., 2003); and the Relational Health Indices (RHI: Liang et al., 2001). Findings from the study demonstrate a significant relationship between gender role conformity and infertility-related distress for both men and women. Women reported significantly greater levels of infertility-related distress than did men. Biological sex was a stronger predictor of infertility-related distress than was gender role conformity for both men and women. No significant differences in distress scores were found for individuals grouped by diagnosis type, treatment type, or insurance coverage status were detected. When the couple was used as the unit of analysis, no differences were found between couples with congruent distress scores and incongruent distress scores. Clinical implications linking the study findings with individual and couple-based interventions, as well as ideas for future research, are discussed.

Keynote plenary

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Thesis advisor: Belle Liang / Traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors often experience isolation from their primary support network following their injury (Marsh, Kersel, Havill, & Sleigh, 1998). Computer-mediated support groups (CMSGs) offer a virtual platform for individuals with complex medical concerns to exchange emotional and informational support (Braithwaite, Waldron, & Finn, 1999). To date, no research has examined the use of CMSGs, such as TBI-related Facebook support groups, for TBI survivors. There is also limited research investigating how emotional and informational support provided and received (i.e., supportive exchanges) relate to well-being and online relational health (Liang et al., 2002). This study examined the relationship between four supportive exchanges and well-being and relational health for TBI survivors using TBI-related Facebook support groups, as well as whether a gender norm—emotional control—and network preference moderated these relationships. Participants included 191 TBI survivors recruited across 14 TBI-related Facebook support groups. Multiple regression analyses tested whether four supportive exchanges directly predicted well-being and relational health after controlling for age and extraversion. Results revealed that supportive exchanges did not predict well-being. However, emotional support provided, emotional support received, and informational support received all predicted higher levels of online relational health. Informational support provided predicted lower levels of online relational health. Additional multiple regression analyses tested whether emotional control and four aspects of network preference moderated the relationship between supportive exchanges and well-being and relational health. Although higher levels of emotional control directly predicted lower levels of relational health, and a preference for weak-tie support networks (e.g., online acquaintances) predicted lower levels of well-being, the moderating effects were generally not significant. The findings underscore the importance of supportive exchanges in developing online relational health for TBI survivors using Facebook support groups. It also suggests that this relationship was not dependent on emotional control and network preference. Future research should investigate other factors affecting supportive online communication for TBI survivors and when they may benefit most from online support. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2018. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Counseling, Developmental and Educational Psychology.

abstract: The purpose of this constructivist grounded theory study was to explore the perceptions of adult female sexual assault victims/survivors about their wellbeing: their definitions and descriptions of wellbeing; the impact of the assault on wellbeing; and barriers and facilitators to achieving wellbeing following assault. Feminist theory provided the sensitizing concepts for this research. Data were collected via semistructured interviews with 22 adult women who had experienced at least one episode of sexual assault at or above the age of 18. Data analysis included first, second, and third level coding techniques, memo writing, and data displays. Participants experienced negative effects to their overall wellbeing as well as to the wellbeing domains of physical, mental, career/economic/financial, relational, and spiritual. The findings of this study support wellbeing as a core category encompassing the five domains listed above, also described in the literature. The participants also confirmed and expounded in depth on the dynamic, interactive, and overlapping nature of each of the domains of wellbeing and their ability to enhance, maintain, or worsen health status and overall wellbeing. In addition, a new construct emerged that cut across all domains, that of safety, and the overarching significance of culture was recognized. Additional research should continue to explore wellbeing in diverse populations of sexual assault victims/survivors. Additional research should also explore the significance and function of safety in sexual assault victims/survivors. Formal and informal supporters of sexual assault victims/survivors should be aware of the complex ways that sexual assault affects women. In addition, they should be aware of helpful resources for sexual assault victims/survivors. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Nursing and Healthcare Innovation 2015

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