Thesis (Ph.D.)--Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, 1995. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 56-10, Section: A, page: 4098.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, 1996. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 58-08, Section: B, page: 4454. Adviser: Wendy Stock.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, 1997. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 59-08, Section: B, page: 4450. Chair: William Woods.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, 1999. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 60-01, Section: B, page: 0367. Chair: Laurie Roehrich.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, 1999. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 60-06, Section: B, page: 2959. Adviser: Roger L. Greene.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Fairleigh Dickinson University, 1997. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 58-03, Section: A, page: 0751. Co-Chairpersons: Margaret Gibbs; Janet Sigal.

<p> For many, bearing children is not a choice, it is considered the norm, a rite of passage. Despite this view, in the past two decades, there has been a substantial increase in the number of families without children, and the number of women who do not have children has doubled. While women who have chosen to be without children have increasingly gained acceptance in society, they continue to experience varying degrees of stigma. This research project reviewed the literature on the topic of women without children, and investigated the subjective experience of ten women who have decided to not have children. This study explored the decision process, particularly, how the participants arrived at the decision to not have children as well as the impact their choice had on their sense of self. The method used was a semi-structured interview, and data from these interviews was analyzed to identify themes that emerged from the participants&rsquo; narratives. The findings of this study revealed that the choice to forego motherhood is complex and that several factors can impact one&rsquo;s decision, including others&rsquo; opinions. Some of these factors included their background and experience of being a child as well as their role within their family. The participants made reference to the way their mothers identified with being a &lsquo;mom&rsquo; and not wanting to identify as such. They expressed doubts about their ability to manage parenting and bringing a child into a dangerous world. Also of concern was the idea of meeting the demands of parenting, including the expense of raising children. Lastly, the participants identified health reasons as a factor, as well as the physical demands of pregnancy and childbirth.</p><p>

<p> This study focused on the perspectives of ten licensed mental health practitioners regarding the resilience of African American women survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) who permanently leave male perpetrators. A generic qualitative methodology guided the exploration using individual face-to-face interviews. Data collection included individual semi-structured interviews using open-ended questions, which harmonized with the postmodern worldview and constructivist-interpretive paradigm that undergirded the study. After multiple cycles of data analysis cycles, five major themes emerged. The emergent themes were hope, family influence, self-concept, empowerment, and turning points. Maslow's hierarchy and Bronfenbrenner's bio-ecological theory provided the theoretical framework for the analysis of the themes. The study presented a discussion of the implications of the themes for understanding the resilience traits of African American women IPV survivors. Such implications are relevant to researchers, policy-makers, counselors, counselor educators, health care workers, and other human services professionals who affect the treatment of this cohort.</p>

<p> Women make up half of the workforce in America. Despite this, in traditional organizations, leadership roles are overwhelmingly held by men. Of the small number of African American women employed in the workforce, 30% hold professional or management positions and women in general are more educated, qualified and transformational than their male counterparts. Despite this, African American female leaders experience organizational barriers, social labeling, and biases driven by their intersectionality that hinders their career opportunities. Black feminist research suggests that social norms place women in subordinate roles in comparison to men in society. African American women face such social barriers at a higher level given additional societal hardships driven by racism. Literature on African American female leadership outlines the barriers, but there is a limited amount of literature that seeks to appreciate Black female leadership as it relates to their style characteristics, expertise, and experience within their organizations regarding their leadership styles and the resilience required to maintain success in their positions. In order to add to the body of research in this area, this study explored the leadership characteristics, barriers, success strategies and resilience of African American female leaders through the lenses of these women. This study assessed leadership and resilience in African American females who hold higher level positions of leadership in traditionally White, male dominated industries. The purpose of the research was to identify those factors that increase achievement, advancement and success in high ranking positions despite the documented adversities associated with African American women, who hold leadership positions. The goal was to provide a guide for women who aspire towards entering particular fields and holding similar leadership positions and to provide an outline of their success in order to offer a blueprint for organizational strategies to promote diversity and advancement for women. </p>

<p> This thesis is a heuristic exploration of the psychological death and rebirth women may experience during initiation into motherhood within American culture. Guided by the author&rsquo;s personal experience, dreams, and myths, this thesis examines the initiatory process and requirements of mothers-to-be and the cultural support typically available during the transformation occurring throughout pregnancy and childbirth. Evidence suggests that too little cultural awareness and structured support of new mothers&rsquo; psychological initiatory needs may adversely influence the onset of, and prolong, postpartum depression, a prevalent concern in the United States. In the absence of cultural support, archetypal motifs describing the symbolic and historic transition from maiden to mother may assist initiates through the complex psychological process of becoming mothers. Therefore, depth psychology may provide clinicians and laypeople with awareness of the important and timeless transition new mothers may face, as well as the language to both guide and witness maidens becoming mothers. </p>