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Perinatal Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Understanding Risk Factors for Black Women
No full textPerinatal posttraumatic stress disorder (PPTSD) is a relatively understudied mental health disorder that disproportionately affects women of color. This dissertation study used a reproductive justice framework to examine the role of biological, psychological, and sociocultural risk factors in the development of PPTSD in 159 Black women who were in their first year postpartum. The measures used in this study assessed participants’ method of birth, history of trauma, perceived healthcare discrimination, objective socioeconomic status, subjective social status, and PPTSD symptoms. Correlational analyses, analysis of variance, and hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the relationships among the variables. Findings revealed a prevalence rate of 12% for onset of PPTSD in the context of traumatic childbirth and that 26% of participants endorsed clinically significant PPTSD symptoms while remaining below the diagnostic threshold. Findings indicated that PPTSD symptoms varied significantly and that births involving more obstetric intervention were associated with greater PPTSD symptoms. Results also revealed that perceived healthcare discrimination and history of trauma reliably predicted PPTSD symptoms. Clinical implications, limitations and recommendations for future research are discussed
Early-Career White Counselors’ Self-Reflections on Racial Socialization and Broaching Race and Racism in Therapy
No full textWith increased cross-racial therapeutic dyads and evidence of clients of color terminating therapy early, it is necessary that counselors broach the topics of race and racism with their clients (Bahrampour, 2013; Barnes et al., 2014; Swift et al., 2012; Williams et al., 2021). Although research suggests White counselors avoid broaching (Day-Vines et al., 2021; King & Borders, 2019), there is limited understanding of counselors’ perceptions of broaching and what impacts counselors at different points in their career to engage in broaching. Given this gap in the literature, the present study explored White early-career counselors\u27 perceptions of and experiences with broaching race and racism, personally and professionally. Using a narrative framework and social constructivist paradigm, the present study interviewed 12 early-career White women counselors (Creswell, 2013). Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured individual interviews via Zoom (M = 58 minutes). Through an iterative thematic analysis, eleven themes emerged regarding participants’ racial socialization and experience broaching: (a) The influence of neighborhood context on racial socialization, (b) How to determine whether it\u27s safe to talk about race, (c) Understanding one\u27s own White identity and its influence, (d) How, when, and where White people learn about race/racism, (e) Counselors misconstrue the meaning of broaching, (f) Counselor\u27s awareness while thinking about broaching, (g) Avoidant broaching attitudes and behaviors, (h) Isolating broaching attitudes and behaviors, (i) Continuing/congruent broaching attitudes and behaviors, (j) Integrated/congruent broaching attitudes and behaviors, and (k) Infusing broaching attitudes and behaviors (Creswell & Poth, 2016). Findings provide implications for counselor training and beyond
Salinger, Marianne
No full textMarianne Salinger was born in Berlin, Germany in 1923 and moved to New York with her family when she was 15. Fleeing from the Nazis, her family first moved to England, then to Philadelphia, and then to Kew Gardens in Queens, New York. Salinger lived in Kew Gardens for the largest portion of her life. She remembers how initially, Kew Gardens was filled with immigrants, primarily Jewish immigrants, but became more Hispanic and Russian over time. She moved to the Bronx in 2016.
Salinger did not know that she was Jewish until she was nine years old and considered herself and her family German. She experienced antisemistism growing up in Nazi Germany including an antisemitic incident with a classmate. Because of Nazi policies, Salinger was forced to attend Jewish school and began learning about Jewish traditions, holidays, and customs. Additionally, she was a swimmer and was considered for the Olympic Games while in school. Life in Nazi Germany got more restrictive as time continued for Salinger and her family. Salinger remembers November 10th, Kristallnacht, being the turning point in Nazi Germany and her school collapsing. Because of their fear from the Nazis Salinger’s family hid out in their home and sold their belongings until they were safe to leave for Holland and then England. They stayed in England until their American visas arrived and they were able to travel to America via boat. They arrived in 1939. Despite living very well-off in Germany with maids and a governess, Salinger’s family had very little after immigrating to America and struggled with both the English language and their finances. She attended Richmond Hill and Cooper Union for school where she studied decorative art. After graduating from school she opened her own studio and made a living as an artist.
After WWII ended Salinger moved to Paris, France for two years to take care of the children in her family whose parents had been killed in the war. Within her family Salinger suspects that they lost around 40 people in the Holocaust. After immigrating to America Salinger’s parents separated and moved to different parts of the country so she became isolated from them. After moving back to America from France Salinger became more involved in the Kew Gardens Synagogue and was an active member of the synagogue for many years although she mentions not feeling appreciated by the other members. In addition to being active in synagogue, Salinger also enjoyed the opera and ice skating. She reflects on the world today and how it has changed from when she was young.
Keywords:
Kew Gardens, Kristallnacht, World War Two, Yiddish, French, Holocaust, Immigration, Race, School, Richmond Hill, Cooper Union, Art, Restitution, England, German
The Unprecedented Response to the Humanitarian Crisis in Ukraine: Speed and Funding Allocations
No full textThis thesis will examine the hardships Ukraine is facing throughout the war and what are the next steps to come even through challenging turn of events. It also aims to analyze and assess the speed and funding allocations associated with the unprecedented response to the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The study will investigate the factors that influenced the speed of the response, including the involvement of various stakeholders, political considerations, and logistical challenges. Furthermore, it will examine the effectiveness of funding allocations in addressing urgent needs of affected populations throughout Ukraine. The methodology will involve a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods through findings , including observations in person, data analysis, and few case studies. The findings will contribute to a better understanding of the complexities surrounding humanitarian crisis responses and provide insights into improving future interventions
The Development of Disordered Eating and Body Image Issues in Latina Adolescent Girls: A Grounded Theory Approach
No full textDespite being a growing sector of the United States (U.S.) and being at disproportionate risk for certain eating disorders, Latina adolescent girls are relatively understudied in the eating disorder (ED) field. Quantitative studies elucidate that a combination of sociocultural risk factors is associated with elevated risk for disordered eating and body image issues among Latinas, including messages received from peers, family, and the media; acculturation and enculturation; familial relationship quality; self-objectification; and discrimination. However, qualitative research examining how EDs develop in Latina girls from various countries of origin is limited and would provide greater insight into the lived experiences of Latina adolescent girls that are often not captured by questionnaire-based studies. Therefore, using separate semi-structured group discussions and individual interviews with Latina adolescent girls (aged 13-17) and their mothers, this study sought to examine risk and protective factors of disordered eating and body image issues in Latina adolescent girls. A total of 14 mother-daughter dyads participated in this study. Utilizing a grounded theory qualitative analysis framework: four overarching themes emerged as factors associated with disordered eating and body image issues in Latina adolescent girls: body image standards and media exposure, peer relationships and schooling, family relationships and ED history, and home food environment. These findings contextualize results obtained in previous quantitative studies and have important implications for developing culturally sensitive prevention and treatment recommendations for Latina adolescent girls in the U.S
Evaluating Parenting Experience and Impact of Having Children With Disabilities During COVID-19
No full textThe purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the experience of parenting (coping, stress, self-efficacy, social support, well-being) and child behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic for parents with and without children with an individualized educational plan (IEP). The COVID-19 pandemic made for challenging times for all individuals, but parents especially had to adapt their lives to accommodate the needs of their children. Parents of children with an IEP had added responsibility while navigating telehealth services for their child. One hundred eighty-two caregivers were recruited for this study to complete a set of questionnaires examining their experiences during COVID-19. Results indicated that for parents with a child with an IEP, stress, and self-efficacy predicted child behavior. Child behavior, social support, and problem-solving coping were predictors of parent stress. For the parents without a child with an IEP, parent stress and escape-avoidance were predictors of child behavior and child behavior was predictive of parent stress. Mean differences were found between parents of children with an IEP and those without in their reported stress and child’s behavior. A deeper understanding of the different experiences between these two groups during national health crises can help foster improved prevention and intervention programs for unprecedented times
“¿Y tu novio? Where’s Your Boyfriend?”: A Cultural-Ecological Analysis of Latinas’ Narratives of Teen Dating Experiences
No full textThere is a dearth of research examining the dating experiences of Latina teens—a large and rapidly growing population in the U.S. that reports high rates of teen dating violence. The purpose of this qualitative research was to explore Latinas’ teen dating experiences and the familial and sociocultural factors that impact them using a cultural-ecological perspective. Twenty- five first-, second-, and third-generation immigrant Latinas between the ages of 18 and 23 participated in the research. A purposive sample was drawn from the New York City (NYC) metropolitan area. We applied a critical narrative inquiry methodology to conduct in-depth narrative interviews with participants, following protocols approved by the IRB. We employed an inductive and iterative analytic process that combined holistic- and categorical-content approaches to identify themes within and across narratives. We identified the following themes: (1) cultural expectations and norms, (2) parents’ rules and expectations, (3) covert relationships, and (4) violence and control. This study’s findings highlight the importance of considering the cultural-ecological context in examinations of Latina teens’ dating experiences, with particular attention to how gendered power dynamics shape Latina teens’ dating experiences across multiple levels
The Impact of Mental Illness Stigma on People Diagnosed With Schizophrenia: An Analysis of Factors Contributing to Black-White Disparities in Schizophrenia Outcomes
No full textBackground: Schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders pose significant challenges and impairments, with Black individuals disproportionately affected by these conditions. Racial disparities in schizophrenia diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes are well-documented, yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study addresses the potential contribution of mental illness stigma to these disparities by examining its impact on treatment-seeking behavior, substance use as a means of aversive coping, and overall psychological wellbeing among Black people diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders (PDWS).Methods: Data from the Recovery After Initial Schizophrenia Episode-Early Treatment Program (RAISE-ETP), a cluster randomized control trial conducted from 2009 to 2012, were utilized. A total of 404 participants were enrolled from 34 outpatient community mental health centers across the United States. Mental illness stigma was assessed using the Stigma Self-Report Scale (SSRS), depressive symptoms were measured with the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS), psychological wellbeing was evaluated using an abbreviated version of the Scales of Psychological Wellbeing (SPWB), and social support was assessed using the interpersonal relations subscale of the Heinrichs-Carpenter Quality of Life Scale (QLS). Frequency of outpatient service use, psychiatric hospitalizations, and substance use types were also documented. T-tests and longitudinal path analysis was employed to explore the relationships among variables, the potential role of social support in buffering the impact of stigma, and Black-White racial differences in support for the proposed model.Results: While some racial differences emerged, including more outpatient visits by Black PDWS and less substance use, stigma did not directly predict wellbeing in the overall sample. Surprisingly, there was support for a relationship between stigma and depression symptom severity among White participants but not among Black participants. Social support did not significantly moderate the relationship between stigma and depression, although the moderation effect approached significance among Black participants. Model fit was equivalent across racial groups.Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of addressing stigma in interventions for PDWS, emphasizing its association with depression and substance use. It highlights the need for culturally sensitive, stigma-focused interventions tailored to the diverse experiences and needs of PDWS. Future research should further explore the complex interplay of stigma, depression, service utilization, substance use, social support, and race in shaping mental health outcomes among PDWS, with a focus on understanding and addressing racial disparities in schizophrenia diagnosis and treatment
Jacobs, Jack
No full textJack Jacobs’ parents, both born and raised in Poland, moved to the Bronx after surviving WWII and spending time in a Displaced Persons camp in Germany. Jacobs was born in the 1950s in the Bronx, and grew up in the West Bronx, first on Creston Avenue near Burnside Avenue and then on Harrison Avenue near Tremont Avenue. He remembers living in the same building as other members of his extended family and the neighborhood being majority Jewish, particularly with many Holocaust survivors. This meant an intensely strong Jewish environment in terms of stores, education, and synagogues.
Following his mother’s socialist, secularist, background, Jacobs was enrolled in Yiddish school through the Workmen\u27s Circle, Der Arbeter Ring, which would meet after the public school day had finished. There he learned to read and write Yiddish, before attending the Hebrew Institute of University Heights, an orthodox religious school. Education was very important in his household. His mother returned to school and would get a bachelor’s and master’s degree, eventually serving as a Supervising Social Worker for the Bronx Jewish Community Council in the East Bronx. His elementary school was overcrowded, but he got a high quality education and would attend Bronx High School of Science. Jacobs remembers Science being very strict, but also remembers how different things were during the 1967/1968 Teachers Strikes.
Jacobs’ parents would move to Co-op City as he went off to college at SUNY Binghamton. From there, he was a graduate student at Columbia and organized for a small Jewish socialist group. He cites his “socialist, secularist Yiddishist diaspora-oriented” background as influential in his future scholarly works and has overall positive memories of the Bronx, with a strong family and community to support him.
Keywords: Creston Avenue, Burnside Avenue, Harrison Avenue, Tremont Avenue, Co-op City, Poland, Vilna, Warsaw, Warsaw Ghetto, USSR, education, 1967/1968 Teachers Strike, socialist, Yiddish, protest, Bronx High School of Science, Columbia University, Workmen’s Circle, Borscht Bel
Orosius Between the Classical Tradition and the Patristic Milieu
No full textOrosius (c. 385 – 420 AD), a fifth-century Spanish priest originally from modern Braga, Portugal, wrote a world history titled the Historiarum Aduersum Paganos Libri VII (commonly referred to as the Historiae) to complement St. Augustine’s De Ciuitate Dei. This dissertation demonstrates how the Historiae were positioned between two distinct intellectual traditions: the pagan and the Christian. Specifically, it examines Orosius’ depiction of the Punic Wars as a case study of how the Spanish priest combined a classical historiographic style with a strongly Christian moralism. Its first chapter demonstrates the similarities between Orosius’ historiography and that of the Roman historian Livy, especially as seen in their respective narratives of the Punic Wars. The second chapter expands this discussion to include poetic depictions of Carthage in Roman epic and drama from the Republic and early Empire. These parallel investigations demonstrate that Orosius’ depiction of Rome, Carthage, and the Punic Wars made use of cultural tropes and stereotypes developed by pagan Roman authors in both poetry and prose. However, they also reveal that Orosius’ narrative differs from those of his pagan predecessors because it is undergirded by a specifically Christian moralism aligned with the ongoing apologetic project of the Catholic Church in the fourth and fifth centuries AD. This Christian approach is investigated more fully in the dissertation’s third and final chapter, which explores the relation between Orosius’ moral ideas and those of his mentors St. Augustine and St. Jerome, as well as those of other patristic writers of his time and of earlier generations. Based upon these comparisons, this dissertation concludes that Orosius’ work is in fundamental continuity with both his pagan predecessors and his fellow Christian apologists, but that his apologetic intent is the true heart of his work