<p>Divorce can significantly and negatively impact a child's well-being (Emery, Otto, &amp; O'Donohue, 2005; Kelly, 2000; Kushner, 2009). Although the majority of divorce disputes are settled with minimal court involvement, approximately 10% of divorcing couples require child custody evaluations. Typically, parents undergoing child custody evaluations are labeled "high-conflict," but some anecdotal evidence suggests that one parent may be driving the conflict while the other is reluctantly dragged into battle (Friedman, 2004; Kelly, 2003). Custody litigants (N = 137; 69 males, 68 females) were classified into categories of high- and low-conflict based on the presence or absence of certain variables, using archived data from a forensic psychology practice, and a rating system developed for the purposes of this study. Groups were then compared separately on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) and the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III), using three different methods of high- and low- conflict group distribution. Custody litigants tended to demonstrate profiles that were not elevated on clinical scales. Multiple t-tests did not reveal significant differences between high-conflict and low-conflict parents on MMPI-2 and MCMI-III Clinical scales. However, correlational analysis of MMPI-2 scales and Conflict Scores did show significance for a few of the scales (Scales F, 3, 6, and 8), whereas only one MCMI- III scale (Scale 7) was significant. Results were discussed in relation to a profile of MMPI-2 and MCMI-III respondents and conflict valence. </p>

<p> Latino parents of youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience numerous challenges when seeking services for their children including lack of support from medical providers, lack of knowledge on autism services, and cultural barriers that impede them from appropriately advocating for them. The purpose of this project was to write a grant proposal to develop a support program for low-income Latino parents of youth with ASD in Inglewood, California. The goal of the program is to increase awareness of ASD and improve access to services through various educational workshops for these parents. Subsequently, Latino parents of youth with ASD will be equipped with the skills needed to be a more effective advocate for their adolescents. The actual submission of this grant program was not required for the completion of the project.</p>

<p> This interpretative phenomenological analysis research study illuminates the experience of involuntary commitment for individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia in order to better understand the patient's perspective of forced hospitalization and the effects of that experience as related to future treatment. Data analyses led to the emergence of several themes regarding participants' experience during the period of involuntarily commitment: Stigmatization, Treatment by Professionals, Experience While Committed, Facilities, Effectiveness of Treatment, and Improving Treatment. Findings indicated a need to improve the practice of execution of involuntary commitment, as all participants indicated that benefits of commitment were marginal and resulted in an iatrogenic influence of commitment. However, in spite of symptomatological exacerbation, participants were able to identify various means of improving treatment, which generally entailed more compassionate care, illuminating a need for a treatment model reflective of moral care. Participants also expressed a desire for therapeutic services with an entrusted practitioner, indicating that therapy could be efficacious for treatment. Participants explicitly conveyed a desire only to see a clinician not associated with their psychiatrist, as all participants expressed mistrust of their psychiatrists. Given that participants had a desire for therapy, utilizing therapeutic modalities deemed effective for treating individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia is essential. Accordingly, depth and humanistic psychological modalities have been empirically validated as efficacious in treating individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. Research further indicates that client-centered and object-relations therapeutic approaches, with modifications, are most efficacious in order to adaptively treat individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia.</p>

<p> The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions of foster care support services providers about the most effective support services for transitioning wards from foster care to independent living. Set in a suburb of a large metropolitan area, the data for the study were from pre-interview questionnaires and audio recorded interviews of 10 foster care support services providers. Data collected underwent analysis using NVivo 9 software to identify emerging themes from the interview and to collate the common practices and most effective support services for transitioning from foster care to independent living. The five central themes resulting from 10 participants&rsquo; answers to interview and pre-interview questions included (a) beginning the emancipation process, (b) monitoring the emancipation process, (c) primary sources for a successful transition, (d) barriers hindering the successful transition, and (e) tactics developed to improve the transitional outcome. The study findings have implications for foster care support services providers&rsquo; leadership. Foster care agencies could hold collaborative meetings every month in a community facility such as a school, church, or hall, to maintain a visual on goal setting practices and to provide foster youth a sense of security and safety to improve the desire to succeed.</p>

<p>The purpose of this study was to explore the health affects caregiver stress has on caregivers in the Latino community of patients with Alzheimer&rsquo;s and dementia. The purpose of this project was to identify a potential funding source and write a grant to fund a Latino caregiver psycho-educational support group in the city of Maywood, California. </p><p> Researchers and clinical practitioners have grown concerned with the underutilization of support programs in the Latino community. The Latino community has unique needs and responds to culturally sensitive support groups. The Alzheimer&rsquo;s Association identified caregiver intervention programs as an important area of study. Funded by the Archstone Foundation, this project examines research of the unique needs this large aging community has. VISTA Adult Day Health Care Center serves a large Latino community. This program is presented as a structured psycho-educational support group. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of this project. </p>

<p> The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between depression, alcohol use, and drug abuse among military veterans. The researcher examined secondary data from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). The study focused on veterans 18 years and older. The data retrieval form used consisted of questions on alcohol use, smoking and demographics. </p><p> The study found a relationship between veterans and depression, feelings of worthlessness and feelings of hopelessness. Results from this study indicated that the younger veterans tended to feel more worthlessness. The study determined that veterans felt more hopelessness when serving less time compared to those who served for 20 years or more.</p>

<p> The purpose of this research was to explore depression among older Chinese American adults. Secondary data from the California Health Interview Survey were used to explore factors that impact depression among older Chinese-American adults living in California. This study utilized several bivariate analyses to employ results including frequency, <i>t</i>-tests, one-way ANOVA, and correlation. The study found that language spoken by the respondent is directly correlated to depression. However, the study found that language barriers did not exist among the respondents within the healthcare setting due to similar languages spoken by their primary care provider. Furthermore, a significant relationship was found between older Chinese Americans and depression when the respondent had heart disease, arthritis, gout, and/or lupus. Although, there were results consistent with the literature, there were numerous insignificant relationships between the factors explored and depression.</p>

<p> Diagnosis of cancer found in a child impacts not only the child being diagnosed, but the siblings, parents, and family as a whole. The purpose of this thesis project was to write a grant in order to fund the development and implementation of a support group for parents who have children with cancer. In partnership with Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, the program would create a 6 week long support group that would provide parents with skills, resources, and interventions needed to parent a child diagnosed with cancer. The W.K. Kellogg Foundation was selected as a funder because of the foundation's dedication to promote the health, happiness and well-being of children. This grant reviews the challenges parents have as well as the positive impact this program could have on the parents and their children. Submission and funding of this grant were not requirements of successful completion of this project. </p>

<p> Common themes that arise in working with adolescent mothers are the lack of involvement from incarcerated adolescent fathers and the scarcity of services available for them. This grant proposal targets incarcerated adolescent fathers and their families to establish healthy, long-lasting relationships through the provisions of educational and parenting skills. Children with adolescent fathers who are incarcerated suffer the most consequences. Thus, efforts promoting father involvement intent to also ameliorate child abuse, neglect, and maltreatment. Parenting Skills for Young Dads in Detention (PSYDD), provides psycho-educational and supportive services through a 10-week program, along with a father-child relationship-building component to focus on improving the quality of relationships between the fathers, their children, and the mothers of their children. The proposed program will promote the strengthening of family ties. The actual funding and submission of this grant proposal were not requirements for the successful completion of this project.</p>

<p> What often stands out in people's life stories is the presence of one person who seemed to change the course of their life. Although such life-changing relationships are portrayed in literature, and can be found all around us, there has been limited research on what makes these experiences possible. Many relevant studies have been conducted within the field of mentoring, however the transformational elements of such relationships have remained elusive. This study, through phenomenological qualitative research, involving semi-structured dyadic interviews, explores mentorships that have been identified as "transformational" and aims to discover the key attributes common in these relationships. Thirteen mentees, whose lives have been significantly changed by their mentorships, agreed to participate, along with their mentors. Several themes emerged from these narratives of transformational relationships: Commitment and Caring, Involvement, Affirmation/ Recognition of Mentee, the mentor being a Role Model and Contextualizing the Relationship, and the mentee having a Unique Experience. These common elements may provide a way to enhance mentoring efforts and facilitate life-changing relationships between adults and youth in need. </p>