Increased life expectancy for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) has meant that more adults with ID are living with ageing parent-carers. Incapacity or death of the parent can lead to crisis-care management, compounding the trauma of loss for the person with ID. Existing literature has tended to focus on experiences of younger families and is limited in relation to older families with ID. The aim of this thesis was firstly, to review the literature regarding the psychological impact of life-long parental caregiving and secondly, to develop a grounded theory of the experiences and perceptions of the future for older families with ID. A literature review regarding the psychological impact of life-long caregiving included 14 studies being identified and critically reviewed. Findings revealed that parents experience satisfaction as well as stress in their caregiving roles. Despite profound fears and anxieties regarding the future care of their son/daughter, the review highlighted that most parents do not make future plans. However, there is still scope for further research investigating the perceptions of the future and barriers to planning for older families with ID. A grounded theory was co-constructed with nine older parents and three individuals with ID. ‘Tolerating uncertainty’ was found to be the core process in participants’ attempts to manage anxieties about the future. This research study provides a unique contribution to knowledge because it includes the perspective of both the older-parent and the person with ID, often an omission in the literature. It further adds to the growing evidence base of exploring the needs of older families with ID in order for interventions to be tailored accordingly. In the final chapter the process and findings of both the literature review and research study are reflected upon. The reflexivity of the researcher is also examined. The personal experience of conducting the research was both challenging and rewarding. It is important that the voices of these often marginalised groups are heard so that services can support these families in planning for the future and thus avoiding crisis-care management and increased trauma for the person with ID when their parent is no longer able to care.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI/Dissertation Abstracts International.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 239-248). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (M. Phil.)--University of Hong Kong, 1974. / Typescript.

<p> The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of group songwriting versus poetry writing on the self-efficacy of adults who are homeless. The study was conducted in the day center of an emergency shelter where participants took part in one of two conditions. The treatment condition consisted of a single music therapy songwriting session during which participants (<i> n</i> = 19) collaboratively wrote lyrics and composed the music for an original song. After the group performed the song together, with the use of handheld percussion instruments, the researcher facilitated a closing discussion. The control condition consisted of a single poetry therapy session during which participants (<i>n</i> = 14) collaboratively wrote a free-verse poem, recited it together, and concluded with a facilitated discussion. Results showed increased mean self-efficacy scores for both conditions, though neither group's improvement was significant. While there was also no significant difference in the amount of change exhibited by one condition as compared to the other, the music group did evidence a stronger trend of movement toward higher self-efficacy. Music participants had higher mean change scores on 4 out of 5 pre/posttest questions, as well as a higher overall mean change score (6% change as compared to 2% in the poetry condition). The products created in each session were analyzed for observable differences. Overlapping themes included: love, peace, happiness, unity, goals, change, positive thinking, and overcoming adversity. The songs composed by the two music therapy groups were written in verse-chorus form and produced between 6 and 8 unique, unrepeated lines. The poem written by the poetry therapy group was through-composed and produced 26 unique lines. The poetry group product also contained more themes, more sub-thematic material and greater complexity, as evidenced by more detailed explication of each idea. The unique strengths of songwriting and poetry writing in this setting were illuminated by their use in this study; specific goal areas best suited to each modality are discussed. Literature reviewed strongly suggests the need for additional research regarding the use of music therapy with adults experiencing homelessness. The results of this study suggest that both music therapy and poetry therapy are effective therapeutic approaches for this population and that songwriting specifically, may have distinct advantages in addressing self-efficacy.</p>

<p> The prevalence of sexual assault and its consequences for individuals and society has been the subject of much research and advocacy even though most cases remain unreported and when reported, rarely move through the criminal justice and legal systems. This study uses a mixed methods approach in order to understand police officer perceptions of sexual assault reports and the factors that might influence their perceptions and decision making processes. Findings indicate wide variability in police officer perceptions of reported sexual assaults as &ldquo;legitimate&rdquo; and perceptions of victims as credible. Officers consider reported sexual assaults involving strangers, the use or threat of a weapon, and evidence of injury, as more clearly legitimate. The majority of sexual assaults reported to the police are considered ambiguous, often because of prior relationship between the victim and suspect, substance use or intoxication, a lack of clear non-consent, and a lack of evidence in general. There is less variation in officer&rsquo;s reported behavioral intentions, indicating that one&rsquo;s procedural response is routine, and all reports are responded to thoroughly. Officers also show wide variability in acceptance of rape myths and attributions of blame towards the suspect. Some officers point out the propensity for false reporting in sexual assault, however, many others counter this assumption, and argue that police officers should never make judgments about the veracity of a reported sexual assault. This research has implications for the way in which first responders&mdash;often police officers, health care workers, social service providers, mental health professionals and victim advocates&mdash;take action in a dignifying manner with those who have experienced sexual assault and have reported the incident with the hopes of achieving justice.</p>

<p> This quantitative study compared the following concepts between heterosexual men and gay men: (a) self-esteem, (b) body image, (c) social support, and (d) narcissism traits. The same survey was given to 50 males, 26 of the males identified themselves as heterosexual while 24 identified themselves as gay. The findings reveal that out of the four concepts, only body investment was significantly related to participant's sexual orientation. Gay males in this study invested more on their body when compared to their heterosexual counterparts, while there was no significant relationship between selfesteem, body image, and social support for either sexual orientation.</p>

<p> Police officers are often the first contact a victim of rape has with the criminal justice system and may be the first people to whom rape victims disclose. To examine the extent to which police officers endorse rape myths, this quantitative study assessed their views about rape victims, along with the effects of demographics and experience. The Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale--Short Form was administered to 66 patrol officers in Southern California. The officers scored in the mid-range of this scale, which addresses seven different categories of common rape myths, such as "she lied" and "she asked for it." For some rape myths, females and ethnic majority officers indicated less endorsement of rape myths. These findings reveal a need for more in-depth research on police officers. Social workers who work with the victims of rape should advocate for increased education of law enforcement personnel about rape and its victims.</p>

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, 1997. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 58-02, Section: B, page: 1017.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, 2004. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 65-03, Section: B, page: 1557. Adviser: Stephen Hibbard.