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Exploring virtue ethics in psychodynamic psychotherapy: latent changes in humility, affect regulation, symptoms and well-being
No full textA rising interest in virtues in psychotherapy has spurred empirical exploration of their influence on both mental health symptoms and well-being. As such, we explored the virtue ethics premise that growth in the virtue of humility may ameliorate mental health symptoms and promote well-being. We also examined whether change in experiential avoidance was a mechanism of these changes. Using a multiple simultaneous latent change score model, we analysed latent changes among humility, experiential avoidance and the outcomes of symptoms and social well-being in a sample of clients (N = 778; M = 31.56 years of age; 59.4% female; 78.1% White) who received outpatient contemporary relational psychotherapy at a community mental health training clinic. Results indicated that change in humility corresponded to changes in symptoms and social well-being through change in experiential avoidance. Clinical implications centre on clinicians attending closely to client experiences of oscillation between self-abasement and self-superiority and utilising small ways within the therapeutic encounter to foster humility
Reflections on the Debate Concerning the Desistance Rate among Young People Experiencing Gender Dysphoria
No full textOver the last several years, a key point of controversy has emerged at the heart of the transgender child phenomenon – namely, the desistance debate. In simple terms, the debate involves this question: Of the children who experience gender dysphoria in their prepubescent years, how many of them will “persist” in this experience such that they eventually transition and/or identify as transgender in adulthood, and how many will “desist” in this experience such that, in adulthood, their sense of gender identity eventually aligns with their natal (birth) sex? The purpose of this essay is to analyze the desistance debate, both within and beyond the polarities of the culture wa
Disproportionality of Women in STEM Careers
Get PDFDespite inclusion efforts for women to be equally represented across all disciplines and at all career levels in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), there remains a significant gap between males and females within the job market. The purpose of this cross-sectional, quantitative study was to examine how gender differences in mathematics and science are related to identity and self-efficacy and students’ comparison of STEM subject competency. The secondary focus was to investigate the influence that STEM self-efficacy and STEM identity have on enrolling in advanced STEM-related classes. This research used secondary data from the follow-up High School Longitudinal Study (HSLS:09) survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Education. Participants included 20,594 Grade 11 students from public, private, and charter schools from all over the United States. Results from this study demonstrated a statistically significant different between mathematics and science self-identity, self-efficacy, and gender ability perceptions and whether or not a student enrolled in an advanced STEM-related course. Findings from this study found that enrolling in an advanced STEM-related course had the greatest effect on a student’s self-identity. Female students who were enrolled in an advanced mathematics course were more likely to perceive male students as better in mathematics than females. In science, females who were enrolled in an advanced course were more likely to say males and females had equal science ability. Based on these findings, further research is needed to examine the relationship between STEM self-identity and enrolling in an advanced mathematics or advanced science course. Future research should also explore the relationship between female high school STEM self-identity and self-efficacy scores prior to, during, and following the participation in an advanced STEM-related class
Dance: The Movement Supporting Safe, Sovereign and Satisfying Birth Experiences
Get PDFLabor dance utilizes upright positioning, hands and knees position, use of the rebozo and other alternative labor and birth positions as a traditional means of taking advantage of gravity and increasing the pelvic diameter in labor and birth. Despite recommendations by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) supporting such positions, promotion and use of labor dance remain in the margins of labor and birth experiences for most women. This literature review finds that labor dance increases safety, sovereignty and satisfaction in the labor and birth experience for women. Further, this simple tool can be used to improve the birth experiences for all women
The Role of Teacher Race on the Academic Outcomes of K-12 Black Students
Get PDFBeginning with the inception of our educational system in the United States, there has been an academic disparity that has persisted between white and Black students. Initially this could be attributed to the racist laws that only allowed students of a certain race to even be educated. Even though our educational system has been integrated and students of all races and cultures have access to the same schools, this academic disparity still exists. The purpose of this literature review is to understand the role that teacher race plays in the academic outcomes of Black students. A review of the available literature indicates that a teacher’s race plays a significant role in this continued disparity. This can be seen in the difference in academic outcomes when Black students are taught by Black teachers, compared to when they are taught by white teachers. It has also been found that white teachers hold both implicit and explicit racial biases that impact the academic outcomes of their Black students. Lastly, research indicates that zero-tolerance policies and classroom discipline methods have led to an overwhelming amount of Black students being removed from the classroom and being taken out of their learning environments. To address this inequality in educational opportunities, school administrators and teachers have to take time to identify and address their own biases, investigate their disciplinary procedures and how they impact their diverse students, and make efforts to increase the amount of Black and diverse voices that students hear and learn from during their academic experience
The Impact of Early Deprivation on a Child\u27s Cognitive and Social/Emotional Development
Get PDFThis literature review seeks to answer the question of: “What effect does early deprivation have on the cognitive and social/emotional development of a child?” Education is constantly changing, and one part that has dramatically shaped and shifted since its inception in 1975 is the area of special education. Within special education is a vast spectrum of student needs and differences. In order to be effective, teachers need to know their students’ strengths, areas of need, and anything else that plays a role in how they learn. This paper seeks to bring more clarity to how trauma, specifically the trauma of early deprivation, changes the brain structure, neural pathways, and behavior of a child and how that can present itself in the classroom. Topics such as IQ, brain structure, neural development, attention, attachment, and executive function are all addressed as their connection to early deprivation and development is revealed. By examining the studies of researchers, scientists, and psychologists, a clear connection has been made between early deprivation and cognitive and social/emotional development. It is clear from these studies that deprivation plays a large and negative role in the growth of a child in these areas
Efficacy of Kinesio Taping combined with eccentric exercise in decreasing pain in motion for overhead athletes with rotator cuff tendonitis
No full textRotator cuff tendonitis is an injury that can occur in overhead athletes with overuse and eccentric training has shown to help relieve any pain with rotator cuff tendonitis. Kinesio taping (KT) is becoming increasingly popular in the athlete population. KT and eccentric training could be beneficial and effective together, but also remains unsolved as KT has many unanswered questions. The purpose of this critical review is to determine if eccentric exercise combined with KT is superior than with just eccentric exercise in rehabilitation for overhead athletes in order to decrease pain while in motion. There were 17 articles in total used in this critical review. Twelve of the studies did not have enough evidence or had inconclusive results in supporting KT with an exercise program. Five studies had some support for KT with an exercise program. The articles provided mixed conclusions of whether or not KT did have its effect with eccentric training or from the studies, an exercise program, in decreasing pain while in motion. On the other hand, three studies showed that short-term use of KT could be beneficial while mid- to long-term effects were not supported. Due to a lack of evidence and mixed study results, there is a need for more sufficient evidence or research, specifically in the athlete population, in order to properly support the effectiveness of KT and if it makes a difference being combined with eccentric training or an exercise program
The Relation Between Physical Activity and Academic Performance
No full textPhysical inactivity has been increasingly and dangerously growing across our society due to technological progresses in our daily lives. Consequently, the lifestyle and health of adolescents and young people is showing a tendency to the appearance of negative factors and diseases like obesity or high blood pressure. This project aims to verify the existence of a relation between physical activity and academic performance. Also, it aims to understand how this relation might vary according to different genders and age groups. Research suggests the existence of a positive relation between physical activity and academic performance, especially when physical activity is conducted at a vigorous level. Also, it is proven that physical education programs do not affect negatively school performance even when regular participation takes place. Furthermore, regarding the levels of physical activity, research shows that boys present higher levels of physical activity when compared with the opposite gender. In addition, these levels of physical activity tend to decrease as the age increases. So, physical activity throughout schools should be widely encouraged and promoted
“It is What it is”: A Phenomenological Study of Undergraduate Students Enrolled in a Private Institution Who Were Required to Enroll in Zero-Credit Developmental Coursework
No full textDevelopmental coursework is the requirement most higher education institutions in the United States implement to address the academic unpreparedness that challenges many of their students. Previous research identified factors that may contribute to students exiting high school while showing signs of academic gaps. Research indicated that the college requirement of developmental coursework may aid some students; however, it can also harm other students (McCann, 2017; St. Amour, 2019). Results from previous research included adjusting how developmental coursework was offered in regard to sequencing, credit-weight, and modalities of curriculum delivery. However, missing from the equation were the students who attended these courses. This qualitative study amplifies the voices of undergraduate students who are required to enroll in developmental coursework by sharing how that experience shaped their perspectives of college. This study concludes that higher education institutions: (a) need to assist students in navigating academic policies, and (b) need to increase communication with students requiring developmental coursework from application through college graduation. Focusing on these areas can significantly increase the level of persistence toward a college degree
The Racial Attitudes of White Students at a CCCU Institution
No full textThis phenomenological study used semi-structured interviews to understand the lived experiences and racial attitudes of White students at a CCCU (Council for Christian Colleges & Universities) institution as they related to Black people. The participants were asked about their past experiences with Black people, their discussions with family about race, their present understanding of terminology related to race and racism, and their desire to support racial justice in the future. Through this study, three groups of students were identified: those that were educated on matters related to race and racism, those that were just beginning to understand these issues, and those that denied the existence of these issues. The data gathered from these interviews pointed to the need for increased discussion about race and racism by faculty, staff, and students on Christian college campuses. Universities must take a holistic approach to educating students on issues related to race and racism, by hiring and retaining faculty and staff of color, challenging preconceived notions about events and chapel on campus, and intentionally assessing the curriculum across all academic and social sector