This study examines the childhood and social experiences of 10 women with trichotillomania (compulsive hair pulling) and the various pathways that led them to the discovery of trichotillomania. Trichotillomania is a chronic and devastating condition that affects a significant number of women, which has long-term consequences that can be debilitating and psychologically and emotionally scarring. The 10 women participated in semi-structured interviews during which they were asked to describe their childhood and social experiences. This is the first study that has attempted to understand childhood and social experiences from the perspective of women living with trichotillomania. Utilizing a grounded theory approach (Strauss & Corbin, 1998), the interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed. A model, based on the core category, The Road to Discovering Trichotillomania: The Issue of Control, was developed to reflect the experiences of these women. The model is constructed on five major themes: Looking Back: How It All Began; Childhood Environment; Relationship Between Specific Experiences and the Discovery of Hair Pulling; The Role of Hair Pulling; and The Journey of Hair Pulling. The women identified the events (both internal and external) that precipitated the first episode of hair pulling. The underlying theme of these events was the perception that things were out of their control. The discovery of trichotillomania came about as a result of the women’s attempts to regain control of their experiences and environment. The findings of this study make an important contribution to the current literature on trichotillomania by attempting to understand the complexities of the factors involved in the discovery of this condition. In presenting the lived experiences of these 10 women, this study moves the discussion beyond the pathology and towards a richer understanding of trichotillomania. The study’s limitations, implications for future research, and final thoughts are also discussed.

This study examines the childhood and social experiences of 10 women with trichotillomania (compulsive hair pulling) and the various pathways that led them to the discovery of trichotillomania. Trichotillomania is a chronic and devastating condition that affects a significant number of women, which has long-term consequences that can be debilitating and psychologically and emotionally scarring. The 10 women participated in semi-structured interviews during which they were asked to describe their childhood and social experiences. This is the first study that has attempted to understand childhood and social experiences from the perspective of women living with trichotillomania. Utilizing a grounded theory approach (Strauss & Corbin, 1998), the interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed. A model, based on the core category, The Road to Discovering Trichotillomania: The Issue of Control, was developed to reflect the experiences of these women. The model is constructed on five major themes: Looking Back: How It All Began; Childhood Environment; Relationship Between Specific Experiences and the Discovery of Hair Pulling; The Role of Hair Pulling; and The Journey of Hair Pulling. The women identified the events (both internal and external) that precipitated the first episode of hair pulling. The underlying theme of these events was the perception that things were out of their control. The discovery of trichotillomania came about as a result of the women’s attempts to regain control of their experiences and environment. The findings of this study make an important contribution to the current literature on trichotillomania by attempting to understand the complexities of the factors involved in the discovery of this condition. In presenting the lived experiences of these 10 women, this study moves the discussion beyond the pathology and towards a richer understanding of trichotillomania. The study’s limitations, implications for future research, and final thoughts are also discussed.

abstract: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted using a grounded theory approach (Charmaz, 2006) to examine the subjective experiences of mindfulness. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 individuals who practice mindfulness on a regular basis. Data analysis revealed domains related to the experience, conditions, strategies and consequences related to the practice of mindfulness. The following main themes emerged: subjective experience, mechanism of practice, use of metaphors, contextual influences, and shift in perception. An emerging theoretical model related to the experience of mindfulness is also proposed. Implications, limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Counseling Psychology 2013

The purpose of the present study was to examine the perceptions of mental health professionals regarding the impact of female sexual assault on heterosexual romantic relationships. Specifically, the implications of non-partner sexual assault were investigated. A qualitative approach was selected in order to examine this topic. Data was generated through semi-structured interviews with five mental health professionals and subsequently analyzed using a thematic analysis approach offered by Braun and Clarke (2006). Four broad themes materialized from this analysis to effectively capture the data, including: a) implications of individual processing, b) significant relationship changes, c) response to external variables, and d) pre-assault functioning affects post-assault response. The resultant implications of these findings are discussed in light of relevant research. Practice implications and future research directions are also highlighted. / Counselling Psychology

This article takes a closer look at interactions defined as domestic violence. The intension is to understand how using violence at home can be legitimized with the point of departure of the violent person. The article is therefore based on interviews with three people who have used violence towards a family member. Their stories illuminate processes divided into three phases; in the first phase, the informants perceived the situation which leads to violence as characterized by stress and a feeling of being inferior. In the second phase, the act of violent itself is a way of communicate a disagreement, the target being control over a chaotic situation and its actors. In the third phase, when explaining the events in a retro perspective, it is not referred to as violence, and it is not discussed within the home. The informant tends to normalize the use of aggressive behavior with a group acceptance. Their individual legitimization techniques are related to group and societal aspects in the discussion. To prevent further violence, I argue, the violent people need an established place within the healthcare system in Norway.

This article takes a closer look at interactions defined as domestic violence. The intension is to understand how using violence at home can be legitimized with the point of departure of the violent person. The article is therefore based on interviews with three people who have used violence towards a family member. Their stories illuminate processes divided into three phases; in the first phase, the informants perceived the situation which leads to violence as characterized by stress and a feeling of being inferior. In the second phase, the act of violent itself is a way of communicate a disagreement, the target being control over a chaotic situation and its actors. In the third phase, when explaining the events in a retro perspective, it is not referred to as violence, and it is not discussed within the home. The informant tends to normalize the use of aggressive behavior with a group acceptance. Their individual legitimization techniques are related to group and societal aspects in the discussion. To prevent further violence, I argue, the violent people need an established place within the healthcare system in Norway.

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This study explores the impact of an overnight camp experience for impoverished South African youth. I worked as a Youth Development Worker with the Ukulapha Community Outreach Project for six months in 2016. My research looks at one non-formal education (NFE) program in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa through the lenses of critical theory and critical pedagogy. Emancipatory learning, social justice, and empowerment were the particular themes that framed my research. I used a qualitative design including an autoethnographic element to conduct my research. The study included six in-person semi-structured interviews with camp participants, one year after the conclusion of the camp. Additionally, four students provided participant journals where they wrote about their experience at the camp. I wove into the study my own participation, observations, journaling, and a blog. Findings show that the camp provided diverse skills development for personal empowerment, a new possibility to learn with and through nature, leadership development, and important intergenerational learning. Issues of gender were also highly prevalent, however. The five recommendations for future research that come from the study include the need for a more in depth follow up study with the same and more participants, involvement of a South African researcher who can conduct interviews in isi-Zulu, a longer camp, and outreach to different aged youth and youth from other South African provinces. / Graduate

Parents with adolescents often find themselves caught in the stress and strain that normally accompanies this stage of life. It is when parents cannot meet the demands of troubled adolescents that they find themselves seeking family therapy. Most of what is reported about the process of therapy continues to be from the therapist's or reseacher's perspective. There has been an increased interest in what clients have to say about their experiences. The purpose of this study was to develop a detailed description of how parents of adolescents who attended family therapy in private practice settings viewed their experiences. Fifteen parents who had been to therapy with their adolescent were recruited by their therapist to be interviewed for this study. A multicase qualitative design and constructivist theoretical framework guided the investigation. The constant comparative analysis was used to develop four core categories that described the subtitles of parents' therapeutic experience. Five case stories illustrated the core categories and parents' quotes were used to further embellish the findings. The findings included parents' experiences prior to beginning therapy, during therapy as well as reflections in retrospect. The pre-therapy presentation, based on expectations and past experiences in treatment, affected the way parents initially approached therapy. A supportive therapeutic climate was necessary for parents to trust and become open to possibilities and do the hard work required to make changes. The story of their current experience was part of the family therapy process. Parents recognized changes and what they valued about their experiences in family therapy. / Master of Science

This study examines a collaborative creation and application of an evaluation process for a teen shelter. An independent researcher collaborated with the key administrators of a teen shelter to create an agency-specific evaluation process that gathered both quantitative and qualitative data from three separate participant groups: teen clients of the shelter, their parents, and the staff who work at the shelter. Results of the creation process indicate that collaborating with key administrators is imperative when developing agency-specific evaluations with the goal of program improvement. Application results indicate that the clients and staff at this particular shelter felt the program was very helpful. Responses included participants' ideas as to what was helpful and what aspects of the program made the experience beneficial. Participants offered positive feedback about the effective aspects of the program, as well as suggestions for improving some weaker aspects of the program. Shelter administrators were pleased with the evaluation process and results and were enthusiastic about applying the results toward program improvement. / Master of Science