National University System Repository
Not a member yet
5119 research outputs found
Sort by
Review of Recent Publications in Forensics: International Perspectives on Resilience
Get PDFThis capstone literature review makes recommendations for practice and research based on the findings of several recent publications focused the concept of resilience in forensic settings regarding their contributions to policy, practice, and research. These discussions connect to broader conversations of crime and recidivism and two related lines of research: risk/deficit and protection/strength. Each study offers its own unique contributions to these areas of research and answers the calls for global perspectives on resilience. The findings from each of the studies support the notion that resilience is a dynamic process that involves the interactions of multiple risk and protective factors (e.g., cognitive functioning, social network, environmental health), both internal and external to the individual who is experiencing adversity. The practical implications of these findings are severalfold, including advocacy for clinicians who work in forensic environments to be educated in trauma therapies to enhance existing techniques and promote individualised treatment planning and collaborative work practices (e.g., multiple helpers who reinforce treatment strategies across different agencies/clients contact points). Together, these recommendations for practice can help clinicians to support their clients in further developing individual skills and social resources. This has the potential to enhance clients' resilience to challenging situations and reduce stress, thereby lowering their likelihood of recidivism. Last, methodological recommendations for future research include utilizing mixed methods and longitudinal designs aimed at improving researchers' ability to discern the effects of factors in relationship with resilience, as well as to achieve a more holistic understanding of resilience by including multiple perspectives and types of data
Nature as Co-Therapist: Integrating Nature-Based Group Therapy for Adolescents Struggling with Anxiety
Get PDFThis paper explores how nature-based group therapy can impact adolescents struggling with anxiety. With rising mental health concerns among youth, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an urgent need to expand our traditional understanding of sit down talk therapy. The capstone examines various forms of nature-based interventions, including wilderness therapy, adventure therapy, forest therapy, surf therapy, and garden/horticultural therapy through a narrative literature review methodology. The literature review was guided by developmental theory, Kaplan's restoration theory, and the biophilia hypothesis. Findings from recent studies across multiple countries, particularly Norway, South Korea, and the United States, demonstrated that nature-based group therapy can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms in adolescents while also improving overall well-being, social connection, and physical health. The literature review reveals that combining the healing properties of nature with psychotherapeutic techniques can provide an innovative and holistic approach to mental health treatment for youth. However, several limitations to this approach were identified, including accessibility concerns, confidentiality issues, privacy in outdoor spaces, weather constraints, and the need for more Canadian research focused on individual versus group programming for adolescents in natural settings, as well as programming that is possible through the winter months. This capstone contributes to the field of counseling psychology by providing evidence-based support for expanding traditional therapeutic spaces to include outdoor settings, potentially offering more effective intervention options for adolescents with anxiety
What Is the Impact of Attachment Towards Substance Usage in Youth and Its Effect on Being Unhoused?
No full textThis work focuses on youth, substances, and becoming unhoused through a predicted attachment theory relationship. In this work, attachment will be defined and dissected, showing the impact that it has on youth through various forms such as parents, caregivers, peers, and schools, and describes the benefits and consequences of attachment and lack thereof. Substances and becoming unhoused are explained as linear predictive factors for a lack of attachment. Gaps in current research are highlighted and given suggestions for advancing work in the field. Interventions to address the current issues with youth and attachment that may lead to substance use and being unhoused are also provided as to suggest different methods for promoting the health and wellbeing of youth in a pre- and post-situational way. Overall, this paper seeks to shed light on the drastic realistic impact that attachment can have on youth, their substance use, and potential for becoming unhoused, and provides suggested methods to tackle this problem
The Impact of Math Games on Students Engagement and Attitudes Towards Mathematics for Students in First Grade
Get PDFThis action research study explored the impact of gamification on first-grade students' engagement and attitudes toward math. Conducted in a classroom of 17 students in Washington, the study employed four action cycles. The first cycle established a baseline for student engagement and attitudes. Subsequent cycles introduced a new gamified math lesson each week, examining improvements in engagement and attitudes compared to traditional direct instruction lessons. Gamification was found to positively impact both. Validation of data included student surveys, teacher observations, math community circles, student interviews, mentor-teacher discussions, and digital game reports
Forever Young: The Benefits of Play and Playfulness in Adult Well-being
No full textPlay and Playfulness are often overlooked as meaningful contributors to adult well-being. A growing body of research, however, highlights the psychological, emotional, and social significance of play and playfulness in adulthood. Through an integrative literature review, this capstone explores the benefits of play and playfulness in adult well-being and how they can be utilized by mental health professionals in therapeutic settings. Key themes include the cognitive and emotional benefits of play in emerging, middle, and later adulthood; the function of play in fostering empathy, perspective taking, and resilience; and the role of playfulness in strengthening interpersonal and community relationships. Findings suggest that play and playfulness are not frivolous or meaningless behaviours and traits but that they are powerful psychological resource that promotes adaptability, well-being, and relational depth. Further discussion on how to cultivate both play and playfulness in therapeutic contexts is also discussed, along with
recommendations for practice and future research. This capstone paper concludes with affirming play and playfulness as vital yet underutilized dimensions of adult well-being that merits deeper consideration in both research and practice
Strength in Adversity: Understanding Resilience in Families Raising Children with Developmental Disabilities
No full textThis literature review explores the resilience of caregivers raising children with developmental disabilities (DD). The central research question guiding this review is: What are the psychosocial impacts of raising a child with disabilities and what factors contribute to the resilience of families? This review highlights historical perspective of disabilities and its impact on societal views of people with disabilities. Caregivers’ experiences of stress, frustration, grief and loss are discussed, while also investigating the role of societal stigma and cultural differences. This review also highlights the effects on marital relationships and gender differences in the caregiving roles. Despite the challenges, caregivers demonstrate resilience and strength in facing caregiving challenges. The internal factors such as self-efficacy, positive coping strategies, and external factors such as support systems, access to resources were found to be effective. The discussion highlights that resilience is not merely an individual psychological capacity but is shaped by access to healthcare, professional and community support, financial stability, and culturally sensitive practices. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for inclusive policies, expanded support services, and more research that includes the voices of fathers, siblings, and extended family members
Religious Beliefs and Attitudes Towards Mental Health and Support Seeking Among Afro-Caribbean Christian Immigrants
No full textThis review explores the relationship between religious beliefs, attitudes toward mental health, and support seeking among Afro-Caribbean Christian immigrants in Canada. Included studies were peer reviewed, published in English between 2017 and 2025, and explored intersections among religion, mental health, and immigrants (e.g., Christian immigrants and Afro-Christian immigrants). Findings revealed migration is associated with financial difficulty due to unemployment and underemployment, cultural differences between country of origin and the new host country, language barriers, and availability and accessibility of services. These social and economic challenges are key contributors to the mental health and well-being of Afro-Caribbean immigrants. To cope with these challenges Afro-Caribbean Christian immigrants rely on religious beliefs and practices albeit with positive and negative implications on their perceptions of mental health and their attitudes toward seeking support. Some Afro-Caribbean Christian immigrants prefer to rely on religious coping methods such as praying, fasting, and worshipping while those who explore formal mental health support feel hindered by stigma associated with religious and other cultural beliefs. Findings highlight the necessity of psychoeducation about mental health in Black communities, the involvement of religious/spiritual leaders in merging the gap between mental health and religion in Black communities, and the incorporation of religion and religious beliefs in the therapeutic space. Further research into the role of gender, denominations, and cross-generational practices within Afro-Caribbean immigrant communities is needed to refine practice and policy
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: An Exploration of Causes, Prevention, and Supports
No full textFetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a complicated, epigenetic neurodevelopmental disorder caused by the parents' consuming alcohol preconception and maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy and lactation. The discussion explores the paternal contribution to FASD via epigenetic-mediated alterations in sperm, and the seldom-studied influence of maternal alcohol consumption on oocyte quality and postnatal offspring outcomes. This review integrates animal and human research to demonstrate how alcohol perturbs neurodevelopmental trajectories, guided by neurodevelopmental, epigenetic, and ecological systems theories within a biopsychosocial framework. Integrative thematic synthesis is employed to systematically collect and appraise empirical research on the intergenerational effects of alcohol. The discussion highlights the need for inclusive, trauma-informed, and culturally safe public health interventions, arguing for a shift away from the blame placed on mothers to an understanding of dual parental responsibility for reproductive health. Ultimately, this review aims to enhance FASD prevention through preconception counselling, widespread screening, and system changes that support disadvantaged populations. This paper also seeks to increase the knowledge of young couples about the harmful impact of alcohol before, during, and after pregnancy. It suggests the shared responsibility of both parents. It offers new knowledge to mental health professionals, counsellors, and policymakers striving to reduce stigma and to promote resilience in families living with FASD
Effects of Borderline Personality Traits on the Psychosocial Functioning of Adolescent Girls
Get PDFThis capstone paper explores the effects of borderline personality traits (BPTs) on the psychosocial functioning of adolescent girls. Drawing on current research, it highlights how BPTs such as emotional dysregulation, identity disturbance, impulsivity, and intense interpersonal difficulties negatively impact key areas of functioning, including social relationships, academic engagement, and mental health. Although borderline personality disorder (BPD) is traditionally associated with adults, emerging evidence supports the validity of diagnosing BPD traits in adolescence, revealing that even subthreshold features are linked to increased distress and impaired functioning. Adolescent girls appear particularly vulnerable due to a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors, including gendered expectations and relational stress. Early identification and intervention are crucial, as adolescence represents a window of opportunity for altering maladaptive trajectories and improving long-term outcomes. This paper concludes with recommendations for developmentally appropriate, evidence-based approaches for whole school and targeted interventions
Faculty Attitudes Toward Online Graduate Students with Disabilities and the Accommodations Needed by Those Students
No full textGuided by the critical disability theory framework, this dissertation explores the attitudes of faculty members towards online graduate students with disabilities, the appropriateness of accommodations for those students, and faculty members’ personal approach to providing or withholding support. A review of the literature found that graduate students with disabilities may not receive appropriate support to complete their online degree programs because they often have to deal with faculty members who have negative attitudes towards them, accommodations provided by the university which may not be appropriate, and faculty members being unaware of accommodations or not being trained in best practices to support their students. These factors may have a negative impact on their ability to complete their online graduate degree programs. Archival data from a survey done at an online university in the United States in response to a literature review which called for additional studies on faculty perceptions of working with graduate students in the online environment. Using a secondary data source gives the researcher the opportunity to gain a more in-depth understanding of the data in ways which are different from the original study. Using manual coding methods to perform qualitative content analysis on the 130 responses to the original survey questions, the researcher discovered faculty attitudes towards working with their students were generally positive. But when it came to the faculty attitudes towards providing accommodations, the prevalent academic culture of resistance and skepticism towards students with disabilities belonging in higher education was corroborated. Noting that faculty believed there was more that the institution should be doing to support both students with disabilities and the faculty working with them, the researcher also discovered faculty members who not only were transforming the way they interacted with their online graduate students with disabilities but who also desired changes to the university policies and procedures to increase graduation rates for those students