abstract: Transgender individuals who seek counseling have diverse experiences, identities, and goals. In keeping with contemporary standards of care for counseling transgender individuals, effective counselors have fluid attitudes towards the treatment of transgender clients and are tolerant of diversity among transgender individuals. This paper explores transgender counseling attitudes among first year graduate students in counseling and clinical psychology, and presents results of an exploratory factor analysis of a scale measuring transgender counseling attitudes, provides data on its psychometric properties, and explores its association with counselors' beliefs in sex differences. Results revealed that the rigidity in transgender counseling attitudes scale was valid and reliable. The study found a significant association between belief in sex differences and transgender counseling attitudes. Additionally, sexual orientation moderated this relation such that higher belief in sex differences among heterosexuals was associated with more rigid transgender counseling. Implications and limitations of the study are discussed. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.C. Counseling 2014

<p> This thesis presented a model of an existential and psychoeducational support group that integrates spirituality to support women of color as they go through the midlife transition and into middle adulthood. Women can experience increased stress, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation due to the various challenges of midlife. This paper reviewed the research that examined how women of color in the United States are often marginalized, with limited access to culturally relevant psychological health care services; in addition, these women also face a cultural stigma attached to seeking counseling. The review of literature suggests that counselors should be informed of the challenges and of the spiritual coping resources of midlife women of color. The proposed 20-week psychotherapy group aims to support women by maximizing a sense of community, self-awareness, self-growth, and freedom, given the limitations of their environment. Further research is recommended to assess the effectiveness of this approach.</p><p>

<p> The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of refractive vision correction through laser surgery (LASIK &amp; PRK) of adults of working age (22-55). This study examined and compared the symptoms of depression, stress perception, and self-esteem prior to surgery and one month after surgery, when sufficient healing has occurred. Research has shown that vision impairment has been reported to be one of the 10 most significant causes of disability in the United States, and, even though clinicians are encouraged to assess emotional response to vision loss, the psychological factors that that play a role in adjustment to vision loss have not been sufficiently studied.</p><p>

<p> Parenting a child with a disability is a unique experience, and both parents and children need to find the most effective parenting strategies. The purpose of this qualitative study is to gain a better understanding of the experiences associated with raising a child who has a disability. Specifically, this study examines what factors parents feel influence them in making decisions about their child and the expectations they have for them. In addition, it assesses how parents perceive they have modified their childrearing approaches and expectations for their child with a disability. To collect qualitative data, the investigator used narrative inquiry. This methodology was appropriate as eliciting specific stories and examples from participants allowed the team to capture the authentic experience of each one. </p><p> The primary investigator collected qualitative data through multiple interviews with parents who have children with disabilities. For purposes of this study, sampling methods were a mix between convenience and non-probability sampling. Parents included were those of children whose disability is primarily physical. The researcher conducted a semi-structured interview to examine the feelings, thought processes, challenges and overall life experience surrounding parenting a child who has a physical disability. Data was analyzed using a &ldquo;constant comparative&rdquo; method whereby the researcher constantly compares within the study the data being collected. Periodic review of the data, as well as summaries, helped identify trends warranting further analysis. </p><p> Overall, the results of this study indicate that parents and families perceive that they have needs that are not being met, empowering them to make certain parenting decisions. Based upon these perceptions, it would appear that there is a need for change in the types of services and information parents are receiving. While medical support is necessary, parents are also expressing a need for more practical forms of assistance.. This study explores several ways in which rehabilitation professionals might implement changes in order to accommodate these needs. Families whose children have disabilities expressed both a strong desire to provide the best possible care. What appears to be currently lacking is sufficient education and emotional support to channel their loving energy into setting higher expectations for their children, knowing how to effectively plan for and reach milestones, while being confident enough in their child&rsquo;s abilities to afford them opportunities to take control of their own lives.</p><p>

U.S. ex patriates are vulnerable to psychological distress due to challenges of living outside the U.S. that may contribute to decreased overall psychological and functional well-being with potentially long-term harmful consequences (Truman, Sharar & Pompe, 2011). However, there is scant evidence in the literature describing the acculturation process of this important population. Informed by Berry’s (1997) acculturation model, evidence in the literature then suggests a potential path model in which acculturation strategy (assimilation, separation, integration, and marginalization) mediates the relationship between the acculturative stress factors of perceived discrimination, linguistic challenges, and perceived social support and global psychological distress (Aichberger et al., 2015; Cokley et al., 2017; El Khoury, 2019; Luciano, Straussner, Jones, & Tosone, 2012). The researcher used a concurrent nested mixed-methods design to address the several gaps identified in the relevant literature related to the difficulties experienced by U.S. ex patriates. Measures were Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS; William, Yu, Jackson & Anderson, 1997), host-country language ability items from Selmer (2006); The Index of Sojourner Social Su p port (ISSS; Ong & Ward, 2005), the Acculturation Index (AI; Ward & Rana-Deuba, 1999) and the De pression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale Version 21 (DASS-21; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995). Measures were completed by 169 participants. Quantitative analysis was done through SPSS and MPlus to address the research question: What is the indirect effect of acculturation strategy on the direct effect of perceived discrimination, linguistic challenge, and perceived social support on global psychological distress? Results for each of the hypotheses were: (1) (assimilation) the direct effects of LC (std. est = .45, p = .00) on PD was statistically significant; (2) (separation), the direct effects of D (std. est = .43, p = .00) and SS (std. est = −.35, p = .02) on PD were statistically significant; (3) (integration), the direct effects of D (std. est =.09, p = .00) and LC (std. est = .08, p = .00) on PD were statistically significant; and (marginalization), the direct effects of D (std. est =.26, p = .01) and LC (std. est = .2, p = .00) on PD were statistically significant. No significant results were found for indirect effects demonstrating only partial support for each hypothesis. This was followed by open-ended qualitative questions related to experiences of discrimination based on race, discrimination based on gender, privilege, linguistic challenges, and social support to support and add detail to the quantitative results. Findings indicated the following themes: discrimination based on race: verbal abuse, stereotypes, unfair treatment due to skin color, suspicion/fear, and racism against Black individuals; discrimination based on gender: workplace discrimination, pay disparity, harassment, and assumption of a lack of competency; privilege: were preferential social treatment and increased economic status; linguistic challenge: understanding slang and understanding different dialects/accents; and social support: loneliness from lack of friends and family and lack of social life. Results demonstrated a lack of conclusive evidence of the universality of Berry’s model. Implications for the counseling profession and health care policy are explored. Limitations and future direction of research are also explored.

abstract: Applying interdependence and critical consciousness theories, this study adopted a two-phase sequential explanatory mixed-methods design with dyadic data to examine three overarching research questions on Asian-White interracial heterosexual couples’ well-being, in particular, psychological distress and relationship satisfaction. First, as part of Phase 1, this study examined actor and partner associations between perceived blatant or subtle racism against the Asian partner and well-being. Second, whether critical consciousness moderated the associations between perceived racism and well-being was examined. Third, as part of Phase 2, this study engaged participants to interpret how critical consciousness may have shaped their own and their partner’s well-being in the face of racism. In Phase 1, 191 self-identified Asian-White interracial heterosexual couples (N = 382 individuals) completed an online survey. In Phase 2, a subsample of eight couples (n = 16 individuals) purposefully selected from Phase 1 completed semi-structured individual interviews (Mlength = 79 minutes). Results from Actor-Partner Interdependence Models revealed positive actor associations between perceived blatant and subtle racism with psychological distress for both Asian and White partners, and a negative actor association between perceived subtle racism and relationship satisfaction for White partners. Asian partners’ higher critical consciousness placed them at risk for greater psychological distress and lower relationship satisfaction if they perceived more frequent blatant racism; however, White partner’s critical consciousness mitigated the positive associations between Asian partners’ perceived blatant or subtle racism and psychological distress. Thematic analysis for multiple perspective interviews from Phase 2 highlighted that both Asian and White partners perceived racism as intersectional and manifesting at interpersonal, relational, and systemic levels. Participants highlighted the eroding effects of subtle racism in comparison to blatant racism and how higher critical consciousness facilitated White partners to empathize with and support Asian partners to cope with the negative impact of racism. This study offers an empirical understanding of Asian-White interracial heterosexual couples’ well-being in a relationship context. Counseling psychologists and other mental health professionals working with couples can draw from this study’s implications to promote critical consciousness in White partners and enhance communication on racism-related topics to promote both Asian and White partners’ well-being. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Counseling Psychology 2020

In recent decades, researchers have firmly established the importance of religious and spiritual factors in relation to mental health. Particular expressions of relational spirituality (the ways in which persons relate to the sacred) and prayer have been differentially linked with both positive and negative mental health outcomes. Spiritual disappointment is a relational spirituality construct that has been consistently linked negative mental health outcomes. Despite theoretical links between prayer and relational spirituality, empirical researchers have largely neglected to explore the role of prayer in the ways persons relate to the sacred, particularly the association between prayer and spiritual disappointment. Knowledge of these relationships is important for those in the healing professions who are working with clients who have religious and spiritual concerns. In this dissertation, I explore the role of prayer in the relationship between spiritual disappointment and other relational spirituality factors. I begin with an introductory overview, justifying my investigation. Then I review the relevant literature in this area. Next, I describe the procedures and methods of empirical analysis. Finally, I reveal the results and discuss the implications of the findings for future research and practice.

Drawing from the foundations of developmental science and vocational psychology, the present study examines the career development of risk-immersed young adults (n = 543) confronted with challenges in the school-to-work transition. The present study leverages The Psychology of Working Theory (Blustein, 2006; Duffy, Blustein, Diemer, & Autin, 2016) and Career Construction Theory (Savickas, 2012) as two complementary career development frameworks that are well-suited to be integrated as a career-specific expression of Spencer’s (1997) Phenomenological Variant of Ecological Systems Theory (PVEST); a broader theory of human development focused on young people developing in social contexts offering more risk than protective factors. The integration of these theories provides an identity-focused cultural ecological (ICE; Spencer, 2006) perspective on the career development of young people at risk of being derailed from productive career pathways during the critical school-to-work transition. The author employs a correlational, cross-sectional, quantitative research design to examine survey responses from a sample of 543 risk-immersed young adults. Structural equation modeling was used to examine the associations between contextual predictors (i.e., social marginalization, economic constraints) and vocational identity development, as well as the mediating role of psychosocial career constructs career adaptability and work volition. Results indicate that social marginalization had both direct effects on vocational identity development and indirect effects via work volition, but not career adaptability. Overall, results suggest that higher levels of social marginalization is associated with lower levels of vocational identity development and higher levels of self-doubt; in part, as a function of one’s perceived work volition. Additional positive direct associations were observed between mediating variables and vocational identity processes, suggesting that higher levels of career adaptability and work volition promote career exploration and commitment and reduce self-doubt about one’s career choice. Findings are discussed with a focus on implications for theory, research, practice, and policy to better serve the career development needs of risk-immersed youth. / 2021-09-28T00:00:00Z

This study explored the relationship between dispositional mindfulness, posttraumatic outcomes (i.e., stress and growth) and cognitive coping strategies (i.e., intrusive rumination, deliberate rumination, and positive reappraisal) that may support more positive posttraumatic outcomes. In blending a literature base addressing posttraumatic growth with a literature base exploring mindfulness and positive reappraisal, it appears that dispositional mindfulness is uniquely situated to positively influence posttraumatic cognitions, recovery and growth. The relationship between mindfulness, cognitive coping and posttraumatic outcomes was investigated in a sample (N=437) of university students given the high, traumatic exposure prevalence rate (e.g., 72%-92%) and the elevated rates of posttraumatic distress observed in college students (approximately 20% report clinical or subclinical levels of distress). Path analysis revealed that both dispositional mindfulness and the amount of schematic disruption associated with the traumatic exposure had significant direct and indirect effects on posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth. Interpretation of the path analysis suggested three, broad paths: 1) An intrusive path linking traumatic disruption to posttraumatic stress through intrusive rumination, 2) A deliberate path linking traumatic disruption to both posttraumatic outcomes through deliberate rumination, associated with greater posttraumatic stress and greater posttraumatic growth, and 3) A mindful-reappraisal path linking mindfulness to both posttraumatic outcomes through positive reappraisal and both ruminative types, associated with reduced posttraumatic stress and greater posttraumatic growth. Results suggest that dispositional mindfulness, the amount of schematic disruption following a traumatic exposure, and cognitive coping styles all affect posttraumatic outcomes. As such, appropriately selected and implemented mindfulness-based interventions may facilitate recovery and growth in the aftermath of trauma. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester 2015. / June 2, 2015. / coping, mindfulness, positive reappraisal, posttraumatic growth, posttraumatic stress, rumination / Includes bibliographical references. / Angela Canto, Professor Directing Dissertation; Neil Abell, University Representative; Debra Osborn, Committee Member; Alysia Roehrig, Committee Member; , .

When self-worth and belonging in sport is based on the win column, the scoreboard, or the judges’ table, athletes may inevitably face ‘not enough,’ shame-inducing experiences in their sport (Coakley, 2016; Lazarus, 2000; Ryall, 2019). Shame is a destructive psycho-socio-cultural experience of psychological isolation that can lead to performance deficits and even withdrawal from sport (Elison & Partridge, 2012; Hofseth et al., 2015). An already vulnerable population to shame-proneness (DeFreese & Smith, 2013; Miller & Hoffman, 2009), research needs to better understand how US college student-athletes respond to shame in ways that promote their efficacy and well-being. Given no study has explored shame resilience in college student-athletes, this study aims to be the first (to this author’s knowledge) to explore shame resilience for college student-athletes. Through a parallel-databases, convergent mixed-methods design (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2017), quantitative data was collected (online survey) and analyzed (descriptive, Pearson correlation, regression analyses) from 40 college student-athlete participants, and qualitative data was collected (semi-structured interviews) and analyzed (thematic analysis, Braun, Clarke, & Weate, 2016) from 15 college student-athlete participants. Despite limitations of generalizability and transferability by methodological design, sample size, and sample demographics, synthesis of the quantitative arm and qualitative arm of this study revealed the following convergent findings: (1) sport-based shame may negatively impact sport competence and experience, (2) the internalization of the performance ethic (i.e., worth based on outcome success) may lead to sport-based shame, and (3) self-compassion may represent an intrapersonal shame-coping strategy for sport-based shame. In addition, one qualitative-dominant divergent finding revealed that interpersonal support (empathic accuracy, situational feedback, and task/mastery team climates) might lead to intrapersonal shame resilience for college student-athletes. Study findings hope to generate not only scholarly significance through expanding the empirical base on shame resilience in sport, but also practical significance inspiring future development of sport-based shame resilience interventions to enhance optimal experience and well-being in US college sport participants.