1406 research outputs found
Sort by
DEVELOPMENT OF BIBLIOTHERAPY FOR EMETOPHOBIA IN CHILDREN
Get PDFEmetophobia has been cited in the literature as one of the least understood and largely understudied anxiety disorders and is estimated to impact 2-7% of the population (Boschen, 2007; Graziano et al., 2010; Hunter & Anthony, 2009; Marks, 1987; Veale & Lambrou, 2006). Even less is known about emetophobia in children, and research has primarily focused on case studies to highlight the phenomenology of emetophobia as well as the trajectory of treatment (Graziano et al., 2010). Given the limited knowledge on emetophobia, few resources exist to aid and facilitate treatment (i.e., children’s storybooks or treatment manuals). Including children’s books in treatment has been found to be successful in addressing a variety of social, emotional, and behavioral concerns with children (Heath et al., 2017). The purpose of this project was to highlight the need for a children’s storybook on emetophobia and to create a book to enhance treatment for children who have a fear of vomiting or serve as a standalone resource for families. A literature review has been conducted on emetophobia and bibliotherapy to demonstrate the utility of children’s books in treatment. Existing children’s storybooks for anxiety disorders were reviewed to determine the number of evidenced-based practices. Results indicated that the storybooks reviewed had an average of 3.5 evidence-based practices embedded within their narratives. Finally, a children’s book proposal with 10 evidence-based practices was developed for submission to the American Psychological Association (APA), which includes a complete manuscript with accompanying reader’s note and a query letter with a brief synopsis of the book and a description of the intended audience. This storybook can serve as an adjunct to the treatment of emetophobia, allowing for the integration of bibliotherapy into treatment, which has not been previously possible. A children’s book on this topic also serves as an accessible and alternative option for the delivery format of mental health services for children suffering from emetophobia
The Impact of Homelessness on LGBTQIA+ Youth
No full textHomelessness among LGBTQIA+ youth, particularly in urban areas like New York City, presents a critical social issue with profound implications. This study investigates the detrimental impact of homelessness on young people aged 17 to 25 who identify within the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, exploring the associated challenges and proposing potential solutions. Methods involved semi-structured interviews conducted with homeless LGBTQIA+ individuals aged 17 to 24. These interviews aimed to illuminate experiences with homelessness, mental health issues, and access to healthcare and support networks. Results from the interviews revealed a disturbing pattern of mental health challenges exacerbated by homelessness and prior trauma. All participants reported experiencing mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Additionally, a significant majority (8 out of 15) disclosed instances of sexual assault or rape while homeless, highlighting the heightened vulnerability of LGBTQIA+ youth to violence on the streets. The implications of these findings underscore the urgent need for intervention. Advocates can play a crucial role in fostering a more equitable and supportive environment for LGBTQIA+ adolescents facing homelessness. Key recommendations include promoting safe and inclusive shelter alternatives tailored to LGBTQIA+ youth, enhancing access to mental health services specifically attuned to their needs, and advocating for anti-discrimination policies and regulations to protect this vulnerable population
The Impact of Anaclitic and Introjective Personality Dimensions on the Relationship Between Romantic Conflict and Suicidal Ideation in Adults
No full textThis study explores how personality dimension interacts with romantic conflict, desire for communication and suicidality. Participants were 104 adults from an online platform who reported present involvement in a romantic relationship and suicidal ideation. Average age of participants was 35.84 (SD= 9.943) with 36.9% identifying as male, 58.3% female, and 4.8% identifying with genders other than cisgender male/ female. Participants identified as White (68%,) Black or African American (8.7%), Latin, Latinx, Hispanic, or Spanish Origin (9.7%), Asian (6.8%), two or more races (5.8%) and American Indian or Alaskan Native (1%). Personality dimensions were measured using the Depressive Experience Questionnaire (Blatt, D\u27Afflitti, Quinlan, 1976). Rates of suicidal ideation, desire for communication and romantic conflict were obtained over 14 consecutive days using daily diary methodology.
There was not a significant relationship between romantic conflict and suicidal urge r (99) = .18, p = .073). There was a significant negative main effect found between desire for communication and suicidal urge (B = 2.48, SE = 0.88, t = 2.83, p =.0057). There was a significant negative interaction found by self-critical personality on desire to communicate and suicidality ( B = -0.02, SE = .01, t = -3.21, p =.0018) such that participants who reported higher than average levels of self-critical traits experienced a greater effect of desire to communicate on suicidality (B =-.69, z = -4.65, p \u3c.001), when compared to average or lower than average levels of self criticism (b= -.28, z = -3.21, p =.001, B = 0.101, z = 0.639, p =.523, respectively). Results indicate that the effect of desire to communicate during conflict on suicidality is partially moderated by self-critical personality dimension. For those with higher rates of self- criticism, lower desire to communicate during romantic conflict may be at in- creased risk for suicidal ideation
The Shape of Depressive Symptom Change: Comparing Sudden and Gradual Gains in Routine Practice
Get PDFSudden gains, or rapid symptom reductions between two consecutive sessions, have been shown to predict better psychotherapy outcomes, especially for depression (e.g., Shalom & Aderka, 2020). However, several gaps remain in the existing literature on sudden gains, including underrepresentation of naturalistic studies and the circularity critique that it is tautological to examine symptom reduction during treatment as a predictor for overall pre to post-treatment symptom improvements. Furthermore, little is known about whether and which extra-therapeutic factors, or factors that exist within a client’s life outside treatment, are associated with sudden gains. To address these gaps, the current study examined the impact of reversed and unreversed sudden gains on treatment outcomes and the association between social conflicts experienced during treatment period and sudden gains, using records review data from a naturalistic sample of 233 depressed adult clients at a university-based psychology training clinic. To address the circularity critique, clients with sudden gains were compared to those with gradual gains, or symptom reductions across multiple sessions that are of a similar magnitude to sudden gains. Results showed that clients with unreversed sudden gains experienced significantly greater pre- to post-treatment reductions in depression symptoms than those with reverse sudden gains or gradual gains. However, there were no group differences on treatment outcomes based on quality of life. The degree of social conflicts during the treatment period were not significantly associated with sudden gains. The present findings inform more nuanced understanding of the sudden gains effects and provide implications for how the phenomenon can be leveraged to optimize treatment length and outcomes
Maintaining well-being within a culture of ableism: The false self, defenses, and the disability identity
Get PDFDisabled individuals face rampant discrimination in the form of ableist microaggressions (Kattari, 2019) and healthcare neglect (Komisar et al., 2005; Power & Bartlett, 2019), yet research on the impact of ableism on well-being is lacking. Watermeyer (2012) posits that disabled people employ necessary defensive strategies to cope with the reality of such oppressive confounds, such as Winnicott’s False Self (1960)—the artificial persona one consciously or unconsciously employs to protect oneself from social rejection. However, in the only study known to the researcher that assesses the role of the False Self within the disability community, Eichengreen & Hoofien (2017) explore discriminatory experiences that could contribute to developing the False Self without directly naming them as ableist microaggressions. Therefore, the present study examined whether there is an optimal level of the False Self that can aid in well-being in the lives of disabled individuals experiencing ableist microaggressions and navigating their identity as a disabled individual within the disability community. Results from the sample of 329 disabled individuals who rely on Medicaid-funded disability services indicated that higher levels of the False Self produce significantly better well-being outcomes when an individual experiencing frequent ableist microaggressions does not have a strong disability identity. In contrast, the False Self had a significant and negative impact on well-being when an individual experiences a strong disability identity and high levels of ableist microaggressions. This implies that the False Self is only adaptive when one is not living in a social environment where they can integrate disability into their self-concept and experience peer support of the disability community. The implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed
Teachers’ Perceptions of the Effects of Small Pull-Out Instruction in English Language Arts on Students with Interrupted Formal Education from Central American Countries at the Secondary School Level
Get PDFThis study investigated the effectiveness of small pull-out instruction in English Language Arts (ELA) on the academic performance of Central American Students with Interrupted Formal Education (SIFE) at the secondary level. Specifically, the study explored the perceptions of ENL teachers regarding the impact of small-group instruction on SIFE students. A mixed methods approach was used to achieve the research objectives, including a survey questionnaire and interview questions. The study also explored themes such as how small group instruction can positively impact SIFE students, the challenges of academic readiness and reading skills, and the roles of specialized programs and resources. This study provided insights into effective teaching strategies to help SIFE students achieve academic success and participate effectively in the United States school system. The study contributes to the existing literature on English Language Learners (ELLs) education and provides insights for teachers and educators working with this student subpopulation
Does Friendship Quality Moderate the Association Between Social Anxiety and Loneliness in College Students?
Get PDFThere is a strong positive association between social anxiety and loneliness (Maes et al., 2019). This relationship appears to be weaker the higher the quality of children’s friendships (Erath et al., 2010). While the moderational relationship has been demonstrated among middle school children, it is not known whether it extends into the college population. There are important developmental differences between adolescents and college students. For example, the increased reliance on friendships that is typical during college may result in an increase in the protective nature of friendship quality in the relationship between social anxiety and loneliness (Danneel et al., 2019; Heinrich & Gullone, 2006). These differences suggest that the relationships between friendship quality, social anxiety, and loneliness should be examined in the older group. I hypothesized that the association between social anxiety and loneliness would be moderated by friendship quality such that the higher the quality of friendships, the weaker the association between social anxiety and loneliness in the college population. The results revealed a negative correlation between loneliness and friendship quality, and a positive correlation between loneliness and social anxiety, as well as friendship quality and social anxiety. However, the relationship between social anxiety and loneliness was not moderated by friendship quality. These findings are important to consider in the effort to understand social anxiety and loneliness in college. The examination of other variables is necessary in the association of social anxiety and loneliness to discover potential protective factors
International NGOs Addressing Global South Realities: Hazardous Agricultural Child Labor in Costa Rica
No full textThe dominant stance in the international discourse on child labor held by international institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the Global North argues for its prevention and eradication due its detrimental impact on children’s health and development. In the Global South, there are communities who acknowledge that, while some labor can be hazardous, allowing children to work can also enable wider socialization and a potential to contribute to the family and earn for themselves. Can organizations successfully implement programs in communities with differing perspectives and protect children from tangible harm? Costa Rica is currently leading the charge to get rid of child labor within Latin America; however, there are still 30,000 children in what the government considers to be hazardous labor. This transdisciplinary qualitative case study explores the efforts to combat hazardous child labor within Costa Rica by Defensa de Ninos y Ninas Internacional Costa Rica, an international NGO, and how their projects and methodology account for Costa Rican realities despite their Global North roots. Through a three- month internship with the organization from September to November 2023, field research was conducted via participant observation, interviews, surveys, archival research, and arts-based research regarding their work on agricultural child labor, one of the most hazardous and customary forms of child work. The findings high- light a lack of targeted approaches to combat hazardous labor for children in comparison to adolescents. Despite a stated prioritization of community collaboration, community beliefs that contradict the normative international child labor standards guiding the organization and the country’s policies are disregarded. In addition, there have been no directed efforts to aid the communities most impacted by hazardous child labor in the country, such as Indigenous and Afro-descendant youth. This research suggests discarding the abolitionist approach for more hazard- focused and community-conscious work to maximize child protection efforts
Accessing My Autistic Self: Reflections from Autistic Adults on the Benefits of Program Engagement with the Autism Society
No full textAutism, a neurological and developmental disability that impacts interaction, communication, and behavior, has historically been situated as a disorder that needs to be cured, fostering ableist stigma and social exclusion to the detriment of the well-being of the autistic community. Given prior literature’s disproportionate attention to youth and males, its exclusion of autistic voices in a participatory manner, and its operationalization of a medical model, I sought to identify the personal realities of autistic adults in the context of their engagement with a local non-profit support service that offers social, recreational, and educational programming. In “Accessing my autistic self: Reflections from autistic adults on the benefits of program engagement with the Autism Society of Central Virginia in Richmond, Virginia,” I employ the perspectives of autistic adults to not only explore how the ASCV supports autistic adults through its current programming, but how the organization may better support autistic adults going forth. Drawing from critical disability, feminist standpoint, and self-determination theories within a transformative paradigm, this autoethnographic qualitative case study explores my own experiences as a recently diagnosed, autistic adult female as I navigate a new identity in community through a three-month internship with the Autism Society of Central Virginia (ASCV) from September to November 2023. In consideration of the diverse realities and support needs of individuals on the autism spectrum, which remain misunderstood and underrepresented, I supplement my personal reflections with archival research, surveys, participant observations, and three semi-structured interviews with female autistic adults. Findings indicate that the ASCV’s programs support autistic adults in Richmond, Virginia through their provision of supportive, accessible spaces in which participants may engage in community, where their strengths and interests are valued, their contributions acknowledged, and their lived experiences leveraged as leadership. Through programs’ facilitation of autism community connectedness, participants expand their understandings of autism while forming interpersonal connections with peers and questioning conventions of normality. As participants acknowledge the diversity of the autism spectrum and personally unmask, they improve their autistic self-identification and self-realization. I conclude that the support enjoyed through program engagement may be conceptualized as advancements in participants’ feelings of relatedness, competence, and autonomy. The desire for opportunities that further promote self- determination are evinced in participants\u27 recommendations for expanded educational- and instructional-based programming
\u27Pura Vida\u27 Reimagined
No full textIn the heart of Costa Rica, an innovative model of cooperatives flourishes, anchored in the Pura Vida spirit that reflects a relaxed, community-centric lifestyle. Owned and controlled by the people who use their services or who work at them, Costa Ri- can cooperatives have historically played a key role in accelerating local economies, nurturing community development, and increasing the market share for these local communities. Originating in agriculture and constrained by a stagnant mindset, these cooperatives confront challenges that modern technology can address, opening the door for technology to be a catalyst in unleashing the next phase of Costa Rica\u27s social and industrial revolution. This research aims to assesses how technology can be utilized by cooperatives to improve project impact, widen market access, and contribute to local economic regeneration for local communities. Conducted over a three month internship with a local tech cooperative in Costa Rica, this study employs a range of methodologies, including interviews, archival research, and participant observations. Current observations suggest that the Costa Rican culture, while central to national and social identity, often impedes ambitions of growth, leading to a society which is slow to adapt to new opportunities and advancements. Further, there’s a gap in education about the true potential of technology, particular- ly within the framework of enhancing ‘Pura Vida’, causing reluctance in individuals who are not exposed to or open to change. This resistance emphasizes the need for a fundamental shift in mindset in individuals, which could limit the economic, social, and accessibility dimensions this society. In this way, the strategic application of technology within cooperatives emerges not just as a tool for economic and social advancement, but as a vibrant manifestation of the \u27Pura Vida\u27 ideals, uniting modern innovation with the timeless values at the heart of Costa Rican life