Psychological counseling is known to be an effective option for people in need of emotional support. Previous research has shown counseling to be valuable among various age, sex, religious, socioeconomic, and racial groups. Despite its successes, members of certain demographic groups reportedly end supportive psychological therapies early. The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences of 10 self-identified African American and Hispanic clients who prematurely terminated therapy. A particular focus of this investigation was the clients' perceptions of clinician cultural awareness. This phenomenological study yielded descriptive data in a context sufficient for analysis with the use of broad or axial coding systems. Participants indicated that the experience of benign and malign forms of cultural insensitivity precipitated their decision to terminate treatment early. Findings supported that therapists need to have greater cultural sensitivity toward the specific needs of African Americans and Hispanics in the therapy room. Additionally, some of the data was lacking in richness, which may indicate the possibilities that clients from these groups lack (a) full awareness of their roles within the power system of therapy, (b) may need encouragement to articulate a more critical point of view, or (c) the luxury to introspect about the nature of their experiences, which inhibits their responses. Based on these possibilities, future recommendations are presented for gathering richer data from minority clients who terminate therapy early. Improving cultural sensitivity, which may be a matter of respect and transparency more than culturally specific knowledge, has implications for social change by leading to higher retention and, therefore, better treatment outcomes in therapy.

Recidivism is a major social problem, as is gang membership. Gang membership has been shown to increase the risk of recidivism; however, there is a gap in the literature as to how gang-membership influences reentry experiences. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of gang affiliated reentry individuals with reentry service providers. This study examined how a gang affiliated identity shape reentry individuals' interactions with reentry organizations. An interpretative phenomenological analysis design was employed in this study. In-person, semistructured interviews were conducted with 5 participants who met inclusion criteria to facilitate an understanding of this population's reentry services. Analysis of the data resulted in 3 themes: negative experiences in relation to interactions with others based on gang identity, influence of gang identity on reentry location, and appreciation of support received despite gang affiliation. The findings were then compared with current literature and the tenant of intersectionality as well as ecological systems theory to begin to develop implications for social change. Reentry service providers can use the findings of the study to develop interventions that address the pressures of gang membership on reentry, examine the impact of location on reentry, and develop ways to deliver services in a nonjudgmental and supportive way. Additionally, the results of this study set a foundation from which future research can further explore the reentry experiences of gang affiliated individuals both in more focused qualitative studies and broader quantitative studies as well as how a gang identity impacts recidivism.

Methamphetamine abuse is a problem of public health importance among men and women in the United States. The two genders are affected even though the majority treatment programs are tailored for male alcohol addicts. The gender differences are prevalent in the acceptance of long-term substance abuse treatment programs. The study focuses on gender differences in methamphetamine abuse and whether both male and female addicts benefit from treatment. Respondent's suitability, participant's abuse condition, treatment, and progress questionnaires and interviews are used to collect data from 50 male and 50 female methamphetamine users at the Impact Residential Program in Montreal, Canada. Together, the four quantitative questionnaires yield common factors leading to methamphetamine abuse as weight loss and emotional stress for females, and increased physical activity for males. Descriptive statistics of median and quartiles are used to help describe outcomes of the treatment program. Stigma is identified as a common barrier to seeking treatment for both genders. Furthermore, parenting and childcare are not identified as barriers for females seeking treatment contrary to previous research findings but pregnancy is a key motivator to seeking treatment. The median and quartile descriptions reveal that both male and female methamphetamine abusers benefit equally from treatment programs. The findings of this study add knowledge on gender-specific efforts against methamphetamine abuse. Public health officers may use identified factors leading to methamphetamine use to foster preventive measures while officers working in treatment programs may use identified motivators and barriers to treatment to enhance program effectiveness.

A review of research concerning conformity behaviors revealed a need for large sample, multivariate approaches. To that end, seventeen variables were utilized (birth order, chronological agev sex, race, IQ, socioeconomic status, geographic area uf residencer religion, anxiety, dogmatism, rigidity, acquiescence, ego strength, confidence, extroversion/ introversion, impulsivity, and neuroticism) to describe the behaviors of 104 subjects in a Tuddenham-type setting wherein the subjects were randomly assigned to either "Asch-type" (group pressure) or "Crutchfield-type" (expert pressure) treatment conditions. Utilizing a stepwise multiple discriminant function analysis, discriminant weights were derived. The variable of rigidity was not found to be a valid predictor. With the discriminant weights and the sixteen predictive second-order variables, 218 subjects were randomly assigned to treatment conditions end their "conforming" or "not-conforming" behaviors were predicted. The data of eleven subjects who correctly perceived the contrived nature of the exper'iment were· not included. Of the 123 subjects subjected to " expert pressure," 85 were not-conformers. Chi-Square analysis of the "expert pressure" data yields c significant difference at the . 20 Level of Confidence. Of the 95 subjects subjected to "group pressure," 45 were conformers and 50 were not-conformers. Chi-Square was not significant.. Conformers to "expert pressure" were correctly identified 74 per cent of the time; conformers to "grcup pressure" were correctly identified 62 per cent of the time. Thus, it appears that conforming behaviors are predictable providing a multivariate method is used conjointly with a discriminant function analysis of the data. The most difficult behavior to correctly predict is not-conforming to "expert pressure, 11 with but 32 per cent correct. Too, but 40 per cent of the not-conforming to "group pressure 11 was correct! y p;edi cted. Conformers to 11expert pressure" were seen as typically being first-born, 20.8 year old Caucasian males or females with an IQ of 114. Their parents were high school graduates or above, and were either professional persons, business proprietors, or managers, etcetera. Their geographic area of residence was Rural East North Central United States, but this finding may be due to sampling error. Protestants were more frequently observed (n = 54) than Roman Catholics (n = 28). The conformers were slightly above average in anxiety and dogmatism. Average acquiescence 1 ego strength, and confidence were noted. low impulsivity was seen, and they were slightly extroverted. As a group, they were more neurotic than an average subject. Not-con formers to "expert pressure" were seen as first-born 21.5 year old Caucasian maler. with an IQ of 119. No clear socioeconomic status was noted due to extreme scatter. The geographic area of residence was Rural East North Central United States. They were predominantly Prctestant subjects. They were less anxious than conforn.ers, less dogmatic, and less acquiescent. They did not differ significantly in ego strength, confidence or impulsivity. However, they were more introverted and decidedly less neurotic than their conformer counterpart. Conformers to "group pressure" were equally likely to be either a first or second-born 21 year old male or female Caucasian Protestant with an IQ of 116. They were more anxious than an average subject. Dogmatism, acquiescence, ego strength, neuroticism, and extroversion/introversion were average. As a group, they were slightly more confident. Subjects who were not-conformers to "group pressure" were seen as secondborn 21.5 year old females with an IQ of 116. Two-thirds of these subjects were Protestant; one-third were Roman Catholic. No obvious socioeconomic status could be ascertained. They were less anxious than conformers to "group pressure." No significant differences were noted in dogmatism, acquiescence, ego strength, confidence, impulsivity or extroversion/introversion. They were less neurotic than their conformer counterpart.

Role conflict and workplace stress can result in psychological and physical disorders. Research has indicated that societal forces are ingrained concerning how gendered behaviors are manifested in the workplace. However, research has not included women working in male-dominated professions, nor has research examined how stress and role conflict might differ for women in these professions. Understanding the different experiences of women in two distinct professions might illuminate the diversity of experiences in these understudied environments. This quantitative study, based on role-congruity and transactional stress theories, examined and compared women's perceptions of role conflict and stress in 2 male-dominated professions. A cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data on perceived workplace role conflict and workplace stress from female aviators (n = 66) recruited from the Ninety-Nines Association of Professional Aviators and female marketing executives (n = 63) recruited from the Women's Marketers of the Berkshires. ANOVA revealed that female marketers reported higher role conflict on the success, power, and competition and conflicts in family relations subscales than did female aviators. Female aviators reported higher role conflict on the restrictive emotionality and restrictive affectionate behavior subscales than did female marketers. Female aviators perceived greater workplace stress severity whereas female marketers perceived greater workplace stress frequency. Correlations revealed relationships between role conflict and stress for female marketers, but not for female aviators. This research creats greater awareness of role conflict and workplace stress in women. Organizations may use these findings to develop strategies to eliminate the negative ramifications of gender-role conflict and workplace stress on women.

Learning disabilities (LDs), which are the most common diagnosis of students entering colleges, are found in approximately 3% of first-year college students. Little information is available, however, on the role of classroom accommodations on these students' academic performance. The purpose of this study was to determine whether academic performance, self-efficacy, and motivation of postsecondary LD students were influenced by extended testing time. Social cognitive theory and expectancy-value theory were used to frame the study. Fifty-three participants from a community college in the Southeastern United States who were approved to receive classroom accommodations completed a demographic questionnaire and measures of motivation and self-efficacy. Independent sample t tests indicated a significant relationship between extended time and self-efficacy, but extended time did not affect academic performance and there was no significant predictive relationship between extended time, motivation, self-efficacy, and academic performance. Findings focus a spotlight on the typical methods of addressing the success of college students with disabilities, and suggest that providing extra time may not have the intended effect of increasing their academic performance in the classroom. Results may be used to support additional means of increasing self-efficacy among college students with disabilities.

African American female field grade officers perform many missions in the United States Army and often excel in their careers. Unfortunately, the factors accounting for the success of African American female military officers' career are understudied, and this gap in knowledge may prevent younger female military officers from advancing their careers. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the success factors of African American female field grade officers. Participants were women who were currently serving on active duty, who retired after serving 20 or more years, or who had resigned their commissions. Success was defined as achieving rank as a field grade officer with high levels of responsibility and receiving no negative reports. Twenty participants underwent a detailed interview that lasted approximately 60 minutes. The analysis of data consisted of applying codes to portions of each participant's responses. Once applied, new codes were modified or added when new meanings or categories evolved. Throughout this study, the participants reported challenges and barriers that were based mostly on their gender, not their race. The primary challenges reported by these women were being viewed negatively as leaders, feeling as if they had to choose between raising a family or continuing to serve while in the military, feeling unable to be as competitive as her male counterparts for promotions for certain military commands, and struggling to overcome the stereotypes that still exist. This research helps illuminate factors that are related to career success of African American female military officers. This knowledge creates a positive change in the military and in other workplaces where females are increasingly working in leadership positions.

College-student binge drinking presents a significant health problem on college campuses. Binge drinking has typically been associated with male college students. The rate of binge drinking (4 or more alcoholic drinks on a single occasion) for female college students increased from 46% in 1991-1992 to 52% in 2011-2012. Female alcoholics are more vulnerable to high risk of liver disease, circulatory disorders, breast cancer, fertility issues, and early menopause. Given these risks and increases in the rate of female college student binge drinking, there is a need to identify motivations for/expectations from binge drinking among females. Using the foundation of social learning theory, the purpose of this quantitative survey study was to examine the possible predictive factors for binge drinking. Motives and expectancies included drinking to cope with negative internal moods (i.e., coping), drinking to conform, and drinking with a positive expectancy of 'liquid courage' Measurement instruments included the Alcohol Use Disorders Screening Test, Drinking Motives Questionnaire, and Comprehensive Effects of Alcohol. Participants included 244 female college students who consumed alcohol. Results from multiple regression revealed that coping and liquid courage were significant predictors of binge drinking. Conforming was not a significant predictor of binge drinking. The identification of these 2 binge-drinking risk factors provides useful information for effective female-binge-drinking awareness programs. By increasing understanding of the motives behind binge drinking and identifying healthy alternatives to drinking alcohol to cope with stress or gain courage, this study may assist those seeking to curtail the rise in female binge drinking on college campuses.

Female law enforcement officers remain an underrepresented population in ranking positions within police organizations in the United States. Current research focuses on systemic factors that inhibit female law enforcement officers within the United States from achieving positions of rank. Grounded in Costa and McCrae's five factor model of personality, this study examined female law enforcement officers' personality traits and their relation to achieved rank. This quantitative study used multiple regression analysis of survey data to determine whether the personality traits of openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and/or neuroticism alone or in combination predict rank. American female law enforcement officers in both ranking and nonranking positions were sampled from the social media site LEO-ONLY. Data collection included the personality index NEO Five Factor Inventory - 3 survey (a self-report inventory that measured the five domains of personality) and a research-developed demographic questionnaire. Data were collected electronically through the Survey Monkey website. Findings of the study indicated that a statistically significant relationship between the five factor model personality traits alone or in combination with one another and rank of female law enforcement officers was not found. Although the results of the study were not statistically significant, the study results determined that the personality traits of both ranking and nonranking female officers were similar. The results of this study will influence social change by providing a different perspective on influencing factors in rank advancement of female law enforcement officers.

Incidents of incivility in the workplace have continued to increase in frequency. Workplace incivility impacts the health and well-being of those who experience or witness the behavior and impacts morale, levels of engagement, attendance, retention, and overall organizational health. Researchers have explored the damage caused by workplace incivility, but few have focused on the impact of incivility among federally employed women. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to examine the relationship between incivility, job satisfaction, and job stress among women working in the federal sector. The affective events theory framed this study. Online surveys were used to capture perceptions of workplace incivility while controlling for demographics (i.e., age, race, ethnicity, general schedule level, position, and tenure). Survey responses from 94 federally employed women were analyzed using a regression model. Findings revealed a negative correlation between job satisfaction and job stress, and a positive correlation between incivility and job stress. The findings can be used to create a positive social change within organizations. Organizational development professionals can use the analyses to interrupt and reverse patterns of negative workplace interactions and worker mistreatment.