<p> An analysis was conducted to examine the prevalence and risk factors for depressive symptoms and the factors associated with accessing healthcare among 2 groups of immigrant postnatal Mexican women living in California less than 10 years. Using Andersen's Behavioral Model for Health Care Utilization, this study's findings are consistent with prior research. The demographic variables of the women who lived in the United States less than 5 years and women who lived in the United States less than 10 years did not differ. Recent immigrants were more likely to see the doctor more frequently or wait less time between visits. Over 90% of participants experienced limited English proficiency. The percentage of women experiencing depression symptoms was 12.6%. The fmdings underscore the need for social workers to assess the risk factors associated with postpartum depression and evaluate the predisposing, enabling and need factors of Mexican immigrant women associated with accessing care.</p>

<p> The following grant project was established to develop and implement a music therapy program at Children Are Our Future, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that services foster and probation youth through residential treatment in Los Angeles County. To establish this program research into psychosocial issues affecting adolescents in outof- home care, as well as current interventions to mediate the issues, was conducted. Music therapy, as an alternative form of therapy, was supported through evidence-based research and all relevant information pertaining to alternative forms of therapy was researched and included in order to reinforce the position for the program. The Weingart Foundation was chosen as a funding source after conducting a thorough search for a compatible grant funder and a grant proposal was written. Actual submission and/or funding of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of this project.</p>

<p> This dissertation reports the results of a cross-sectional investigation into the bicultural identity and Khmer language competence of Cambodian refugees (N = 41) deported to Cambodia by the United States government for committing an aggravated felony. This group was expected to have been an Americanized group as most arrived to the US before age 12 (S. Keo, personal communication 12/29/2009) and to manifest high rates of psychopathology secondary to war trauma under the Khmer Rouge and stressors from violent, poor US communities where they grew up (Marshall, Schell, Elliott, Berthold, &amp; Chun, 2005). Differences in individuals' well-being and reported growth following deportation were expected to correlate with reported integration of internal ethnic identities and competence in Khmer (Cambodian) language. Results indicate limited relationships between main variables. Implications for future research are discussed.</p>

<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>