Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2024, Social Work

Substance misuse remains a serious public health problem in the United States and over 22 million Americans are currently living in recovery from a substance use disorder ([SUD], Kelly et al., 2017). Experiencing trauma is a well-known risk factor for substance misuse. More specifically, evidence has supported a strong association between experiences of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and SUD (Fletcher, 2021; Maniglio, 2011). However, the role that healing from CSA plays in the context of SUD recovery is not well understood, particularly in male survivors. Although girls experience CSA at higher rates, significant rates of boys are subjected to sexual violence in childhood and more research is needed to better understand the unique characteristics of male healing. To fill this gap, this dissertation study explored and documented the connection between healing from CSA and addiction recovery by conducting in-depth interviews with male survivors of CSA who have been in long-term addiction recovery. A variety of sampling strategies were utilized to recruit a total of 25 adult men, most of them certified peer-recovery-supporters (PRS). Interviews were conducted in the Fall of 2023 via phone or Zoom calls and recorded with the permission of participants. Audio recordings were transcribed using Otter.ai. Using aspects of both phenomenology and grounded theory, data were analyzed using three rounds of coding. Themes emerged from the data that depict the connection between healing from CSA and SUD recovery. Participants shared that substance use was a coping skill to deal with the effects of CSA. They described addiction recovery as an individualized lifelong journey towards holistic well-being. Part of this journey was facing and healing their wounds from trauma, including CSA. The male healing journey from sexual abuse was described as a gender specific process including elements such as acceptance, forgiveness, re-evaluating masculinity, disclosing the abuse, and bui (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Susan Yoon, PhD (Committee Chair) Subjects: Counseling Psychology; Psychology; Psychotherapy; Social Work

Master of Arts, Miami University, 2022, Psychology

A quarter of men in the United States experience sexual victimization during their lifetime (Breiding et al., 2014). Research regarding men's experiences post-sexual victimization is lacking. The current investigation examined associations between lifetime sexual victimization and sexual difficulties among men. Survey data were collected from 410 men (mean age = 33.99, 80.7% White/Caucasian) through Amazon's Mechanical Turk. Difficulties accessing emotion regulation strategies was tested as mediating associations between lifetime sexual victimization and sexual difficulties among men. Furthermore, as men differ in conformity to masculine norms, conformity to masculine norms of emotional inexpressiveness (beliefs that men should suppress displays of emotion) and hypermasculine sexual persona (beliefs that men should possess high sexual drive and desire) were assessed as moderators. The presence of lifetime sexual victimization was associated with greater sexual concerns and with dysfunctional sexual behavior both directly and indirectly through difficulties accessing emotion regulation strategies among men. Greater reported adherence to hypermasculine sexual persona norms strengthened associations between sexual victimization and dysfunctional sexual behavior. Implications for research, clinical practice, and public policy to address sexual victimization among men are discussed.

Committee: Terri Messman (Advisor); Vrinda Kalia (Committee Member); Elizabeth Kiel (Committee Member) Subjects: Gender; Psychology; Public Health

Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, 2013, Psychology

The purpose of the current study was to investigate how various types of victimization and parental warmth and bonding experiences cluster together in young women's life histories in order to determine whether specific profiles of victimization relate to the development of borderline personality disorder (BPD) features. Seven hundred sixty-nine college women completed anonymous questionnaires related to their experiences with childhood maltreatment, adult sexual victimization, parental bonding and attachment, and features of BPD as well as related symptoms of general dysphoria and posttraumatic stress. A cluster analysis yielded a six-cluster solution which included a non-victimized control group, a group characterized by low paternal warmth/ bonding with moderate levels of childhood emotional abuse and little adult symptom distress, a group with no reported child maltreatment but adult sexual victimization, and three multi-type child maltreatment groups which generally evidenced the highest levels of BPD features and associated symptom distress (including a group characterized by physical and emotional abuse in addition to low parental warmth/ bonding, a group characterized by sexual re-victimization, and a group characterized by severe experiences with family violence). The current findings suggest that the co-occurrence of different types of maltreatment and poor parental bonding in childhood and adulthood may predict impairment in certain BPD feature domains and associated symptom domains of psychological distress.

Committee: Terri Messman-Moore Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Margaret O'Dougherty Wright Ph.D. (Committee Member); Aaron Luebbe Ph.D. (Committee Member); Sally Lloyd Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology; Psychotherapy

PHD, Kent State University, 2009, College of Nursing

Sexual violence is a significant and prevalent problem in the United States that affects a substantial portion of the population. The consequences of sexual violence present persistent and difficult challenges for individuals. Coping resources affect how individuals deal with the effects of sexual violence. Helping others is one way people cope with, or heal from, sexual violence. Yet, not much is known about how helping others affects coping or recovery from sexual violence. Qualitative descriptive methods were used to describe the ways in which survivors of sexual violence engaged in altruism in response to their experiences with violence. Data to meet the specific aims for the proposed study was drawn from the project “Women's and Men's Responses to Sexual Violence” funded by the National Institute of Nursing Research (RO1, NR008230-01). Narrative descriptions of responses to sexual violence from 121 participants who were interviewed for the parent study were analyzed. Content analysis procedures yielded the Helping Others Typology. The Helping Others Typology contains nine categories that reflect the different ways in which survivors of sexual violence help others. The typology was compared with the Life Course Typology and each of the four frameworks of the parent study in order to understand how the findings regarding helping others are situated within the findings of the parent study. The results of this dissertation suggest that helping others was a salient concern for most participants who experienced sexual violence. Participants indicated multiple and varied ways of helping others, such as protecting children, participating in the study, being understanding, thinking about helping, choosing a helping profession, providing guidance, providing advocacy, stopping perpetrators and speaking publicly. The findings suggest that gender and ethnicity may have affected how individuals engage in helping others. Results also indicated that participants must hav (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Claire B Draucker PhD (Committee Chair); Donna S. Martsolf PhD (Committee Member); Maryhelen Kreidler PhD (Committee Member); Clare Stacey PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Mental Health; Nursing; Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, 2006, Counselor Education and Supervision

The purpose of this research was to understand the lived experience of childhood sexual abuse survivors and their partners who participated in conjoint therapy as a part of the treatment protocol for addressing issues related to the abuse. Theorists have been proposing models of therapy to address abuse recovery issues, but little evidence exists regarding the efficacy of conjoint therapy with this population and even less is understood about change mechanisms that are meaningful to the individuals who are being served. A phenomenological research model was utilized to understand the experience of four couples who had participated in conjoint therapy as part of a larger therapeutic process. Conjoint therapy as a specific approach with this population is a relatively new phenomenon and the exploratory nature and rich information gathered through the use of qualitative methods made it the most appropriate research model. Participants were interviewed using a two step approach whereby in-depth conjoint interviews were completed and then one to three weeks later individual interviews with each participant were conducted. Including two interview formats provided triangulation of information and allowed meaning creation to happen individually and in the context of conversation between the two partners. Participants experienced transformation as the core essence of experience with conjoint therapy. Three transformative dimensions of experience and one facilitative dimension of experience were extracted from the data. Participant narratives reflected significant transformation in the level of trust within the couple, the effectiveness of communication, and their ability to set boundaries both within their relationship and between their relationship and outside systems such as the survivors' families of origin. The fourth dimension was the facilitative dimension of therapeutic fit. Participants consistently focused on their relationship with their therapist as the most meani (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Patricia Parr (Advisor) Subjects:

Ph.D., Antioch University, 2023, Leadership and Change

The following autoethnographic dissertation examines my personal experiences of trauma, abuse, and violence. Drawing on journals, memories, and artifacts from my life, I use self-reflection to illustrate the impacts of trauma on my childhood and adulthood. My traumatic experiences of sexual abuse, childhood violence, and emotional abuse are situated within broader sociocultural contexts of masculinity, Hispanic culture, and social norms. This study illuminates possibilities for healing and transformation for myself and others with shared traumatic backgrounds. It calls for trauma-informed education, masculinity, and resiliency. Evocatively sharing my traumatic life events provides an accessible window into often silenced experiences, bearing witness to injustice while offering empathy, connection, and hope. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu/) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu/).

Committee: Lemuel Watson EdD (Committee Chair); Beth Mabry PhD (Committee Member); Spencer Platt PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Behavioral Psychology; Business Administration; Cognitive Therapy; Demographics; Developmental Psychology; Educational Leadership; Entrepreneurship; Ethics; Families and Family Life; Gender Studies; Hispanic American Studies; Hispanic Americans; Latin American History; Latin American Studies; Management; Mental Health; Occupational Psychology; Organizational Behavior

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2022, Antioch Santa Barbara: Clinical Psychology

This dissertation aims to prove the necessity of a social movement focused on combating Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA) in the United States and to provide a blueprint for future activists seeking to reduce CSA nationally. The following questions were asked: (1) What makes a socio-political movement successful? (2) What are the factors that sustain activists when movement success is not obvious? (3) How can the field of psychology incorporate research on CSA, historical socio-political activism, and current activism research to promote movements geared towards combating Childhood Sexual Abuse? To answer these questions, a review and synthesis of current literature on social movements and CSA was conducted in order to propose a program (a social movement) to combat CSA. The available research revealed that a successful social movement can be modeled after the Movement Action Plan (MAP) by Bill Moyer and identified several long- and short-term goals for the movement based on current research. The main focus of a social movement aiming to combat CSA should be to increase funding for CSA prevention and treatment efforts for both CSA survivors and individuals with pedophilia, increase school education programs, and create CSA task forces dedicated to locating and managing sex offenders. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA, https://aura.antioch.edu/ and OhioLINK ETD Center, https://etd.ohiolink.edu

Committee: Brett Kia-Keating Ed.D (Committee Chair); Peter Dunlap Ph.D. (Committee Member); Monique Levermore Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Counseling Psychology; Mental Health; Psychology; Social Psychology; Social Research

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2021, Psychology

Extant research suggests that borderline personality disorder (BPD) may be particularly prevalent among lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals. Given that invalidation plays a critical role in the development of BPD, one possible explanation for the increased prevalence of BPD among sexual minorities is due to high levels of invalidation. One particularly salient risk factor for invalidation and psychopathology among sexual minorities may be gender nonconformity (GNC), which is associated with various forms of invalidation and negative psychological outcomes. In this study, I aimed to provide preliminary insights into the relations among these constructs in a cross-sectional sample of LGB individuals. Childhood gender nonconformity (CGN) was associated with paternal and maternal invalidation, adverse childhood experiences, and BPD features in men but was only associated with paternal invalidation in women. Further, composite invalidation was indirectly associated with BPD features through CGN for men but not women. Although cross-sectional, these results are consistent with the interpretation that for men, CGN may serve as an impetus for invalidation, which increases risk for BPD features. Future researchers should examine these constructs in heterosexual and clinical samples, as well as longitudinally to establish temporal order of the associations.

Committee: Jennifer Cheavens PhD (Advisor); Kristen Carpenter PhD (Committee Member); Daniel Strunk PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Psychology

Master of Science (MS), Wright State University, 2020, Counseling

The author provides a critical review of the etiology of sex addiction and its relationship to childhood physical abuse. The author selected and reviewed current literature of perceived causes of sex addiction and determined strengths and limitations of each study. The author provides a review of common themes in the literature and implications for clinicians treating sex addiction in those who have experienced childhood physical abuse with an attachment-based approach.

Committee: Huma Bashir Ed D. (Advisor); Leslie Neyland-Brown Ph D. (Committee Member); Joshua Francis Ph D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Behavioral Psychology; Clinical Psychology; Counseling Psychology; Psychology; Psychotherapy; Therapy

Master of Arts (M.A.), University of Dayton, 2014, Psychology, Clinical

A relationship between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and substance abuse has been empirically validated through many different studies, within both community and psychiatric populations (Bailey, 2007; Arellano, 1996; Plant, Miller, & Plant, 2004; Saunders, Kilpatrick, Hanson, Resnick, & Walker, 1999). Substance abuse can also be thought of as a risk factor for revictimization (Classen, Palesh, & Aggarwal, 2005). The relationship between sexual assault, both CSA and revictimization, and substance use has been consistent throughout research. However, research which distinguishes between risk factors, correlates, and consequences is limited in scope. Therefore, it is necessary for research to focus on the possible mediating and moderating effects between CSA, revictimization, and substance use. This current study examined CSA and revictimization in relation to substance use in a psychiatric population. Impulsivity and insight were also examined for their potential role in the relationship between CSA and substance abuse, and revictimization and substance abuse. Results indicated that, in this sample, substance use was independent from the presence of CSA, X² (2, 115)=1.62, p=.45. It was also determined that substance use was independent from revictimization, X² (2,115) =2.54, p=.28. Additionally, there were no differences in either insight or impulse based on group. Difficulties related to archival studies, subjectivity of assessment, institutional constraints, and hospital policies are discussed in regards to the results of this study.

Committee: Carolyn Roecker-Phelps (Committee Chair); Keri Brown-Kirschman (Committee Member); Catherine Zois (Committee Member) Subjects: Behavioral Sciences; Clinical Psychology; Psychology

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2011, Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services: Educational Studies

This study investigates how ten African American clergy members fostered relationships with African American survivors of childhood sexual abuse. The research questions that guided my study investigated: 1) How do African American clergy understand the nature of their relationship with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA)? And 2) What are the types and purpose of services clergy offer survivors of CSA? The study examined the views of clergy-participants regarding CSA and their relationship to congregant-survivors of CSA. It also examined in depth the views and behaviors of three clergy-participants who revealed to me during interviews that they were also CSA survivors, and the relationships of those three clergy-participants with congregant-survivors of CSA. I applied grounded theory as the methodological approach for this qualitative study. The data collected revealed intrinsic categories, themes, and patterns. I observed that the clergy-survivors utilized coping methods such as prayer, and the outcome for each was that they each experienced empowerment. The study also examines the influence of “cultural sways,” i.e. the influence of spiritual connections, on congregants who were CSA survivors. The findings of the study revealed that the participating clergy experienced connection with CSA survivors. The themes that emerged include how clergy-participants helped congregants move beyond the pain of CSA; and how disconnection contributed to the isolation of survivors. The study will inform future research on African American clergy and CSA survivors.

Committee: Miriam Raider-Roth EdD (Committee Chair); Roger Collins PhD (Committee Member); Albert Watson PhD (Committee Member); Cheri Westmoreland EdD (Committee Member) Subjects: African American Studies

Master of Arts, Miami University, 2011, Psychology

This study explored how mothers with a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) bond with their children, promote their children's autonomy, and set effective limits. Adverse childhood experiences and current depressive symptoms were examined as risk factors negatively affecting parenting outcomes and partner support was explored as a protective factor. A community sample of 60 CSA mothers completed a questionnaire assessing severity of childhood abuse, bond with their mothers, current depressive symptoms, partner support, the survivor-child bond, and key parenting behaviors. Severity of abuse indirectly impacted all parenting dimensions through depressive symptoms The degree of maternal control experienced by the survivor influenced her bond with her child and promotion of her child's autonomy. The survivor's current depressive symptoms enhanced the risk for problems in all three parenting dimensions. Partner support predicted her bond with her child and her ability to set limits. Implications for the treatment of CSA are discussed.

Committee: Margaret O. Wright PhD (Committee Chair); Terri Messman-Moore PhD (Committee Member); Vaishali Raval PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Psychology

Master of Arts, Miami University, 2006, Psychology

This qualitative study sought an enriched understanding of the long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in adulthood by interviewing seven women about their experiences of disclosing past CSA to their romantic partners. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, Jarman, & Osborn, 1999) was used to better understand the women's personal perceptions of these experiences of disclosing and how they had made meaning of them in their lived experience. In the analysis of the interview transcripts, 13 themes emerged which were grouped into three domains: (a) Struggling in Private about Disclosure; (b) The Experience of Disclosing; and (c) The Aftereffects of Disclosure. These findings build on extant research concerning the long-term impact of CSA by providing a descriptive understanding of how women's process of disclosing to a romantic partner presents a unique context for negotiating meaning concerning aspects of identity, sexuality, intimacy, and recovery from past sexual abuse.

Committee: Margaret O'Dougherty Wright (Advisor) Subjects: Psychology, Clinical

Master of Arts (M.A.), University of Dayton, 2011, Psychology, Clinical

The objective of the present research was to provide a broader examination of the association between maladaptive interpersonal relationships and childhood sexual abuse (CSA) by examining women's personality preferences for best friends and romantic partners. This study used the Q-Method statistical procedure to examine the association between childhood sexual abuse and adult interpersonal difficulties. Women college students at the University of Dayton (N = 75) rated forty personality traits on a scale from least to most desired in a best friend and again for a romantic partner. The results revealed that women with a history of CSA showed marginally greater error variance in their preferences for romantic partners compared to women without a history of CSA.

Committee: Carolyn R. Phelps PhD (Advisor); Melissa L. Guadalupe PhD (Committee Member); Catherine L. Zois PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 1992, Social Welfare

The purpose of this study is to determine (1) whether childhood sexual abuse can be considered a traumatic event that can result in symptomatology similar to that demonstrated by individuals who have experienced war-related trauma and (2) how adult survivors of sexual abuse differ from Vietnam Veterans in their expression of symptomatology. Non-probability purposive sampling was utilized, resulting in a self-selected sample composed of 57 Vietnam veterans (VET) and 70 adults who had been sexually abused as children (GUA). Subjects were asked to complete and return a mail questionnaire, which gathered data regarding post-traumatic symptomatology, defined as Intrusion, Avoidance, Anger Experience, Anger Expression (Anger/In and Anger/Out), Intimacy Experience, Intimacy Behavior, Anxiety Severity and Anxiety Stimuli. Hotellings t2 Multivariate Test of Significance, Analysis of Variance, Discriminant Function Analysis, t Tests and Context Analysis were utilized in order to analyze the data. The results of the study indicate that the GUA and VET groups are similar, in that they both score in the direction suggestive of post-traumatic stress symptomatology on measures of Intrusion, Avoidance, Anger Experience and Expression, Intimacy and Anxiety. Significant differen ces were found only on the measure of Intrusion, with the VET group scoring higher than the GUA group. When subjects with extreme scores were removed from the analysis, significant differences were found on the measures of Anger/Out, Intrusion and Anxiety Severity, with the VET group scoring higher on the Intrusion and Anger/Out measures and the GUA group scoring higher on the Anxiety Severity measure. Content Analysis revealed differences in identification of stimuli which evoke Anxiety, with both groups reporting stimuli that were unique to their trauma experience. Examination of qualitative data also provided support for a conceptual model utilizing a cognitive perspective. Methodological issues relative t (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: n/a n/a (Advisor) Subjects:

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 1992, Social Welfare

This dissertation examines the clinical features of a sample of 87 sexually abused adolescent psychiatric inpatients in relation to 87 of their nonabused inpatient counterparts. The purpose of this investigation is to help identify and further understand the kinds of negative psychological correlates that adolescents who have been sexually victimized manifest. A group of sexually abused inpatients was compared to their nonabused inpatient counterparts on measures of psychological distress, substance abuse, and family type. The measures used to compare and contrast these two groups of disturbed adolescents examined self-esteem, depression, social competence, and family structure. The substance abuse measures examined alcohol and drug use patterns as well as the perceived benefits to drinking and drug use. Subjects in the two inpatient groups were matched on key variables including age, race, sex, socioeconomic status, and psychiatric diagnosis. Results indicated that sexually abused and nonabused adolescents were similar on measures of psychological distress and family structure. Statistically significant differences were found between groups on substance abuse measures and perceived benefits of drinking and drug use. Discussion regarding the phenomenology of the relationship between sexual abuse and substance abuse and the implications fo r inpatient treatment are summarized in this dissertation.

Committee: n/a n/a (Advisor) Subjects:

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, 2008, Counseling Psychology

Although childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is considered a widespread problem in the United States that often has lasting implications for the survivors, there has been a paucity of theory driven research that has investigated the impact of CSA on individuals…#8482; Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS). The current research investigated the impact of “severe” CSA on the development of EMS, the impact of parental caregiver Care and Overprotection during childhood on EMS, and the interaction of CSA and primary caregiver Care and Overprotection on EMS in a sample of incarcerated women (N=161). It was hypothesized that women who experienced CSA would evidence more severe EMS than women who did not experience CSA. A MANOVA provided partial support for this hypothesis. It was additionally hypothesized that women who experienced low primary caregiver Care would evidence more severe EMS than women who experienced high primary caregiver Care. A MANOVA provided full support for this hypothesis. It was further hypothesized that women who experienced high primary caregiver Overprotection would evidence more severe EMS than women who experienced low primary caregiver Overprotection. A MANOVA provided partial support for this hypothesis. However, a MANOVA failed to evidence an interaction between CSA and primary caregiver Care and Overprotection on EMS. Although CSA was related to the development of EMS, primary caregiver Care and Overprotect during childhood appeared to be a more critical variable in terms of EMS. The current research findings were consistent with previous research which supported a correlation between CSA and features of Borderline Personality Disorder. The findings additionally underscore the importance of primary care giver relationships during childhood on subsequent psychological adjustment.

Committee: James Rogers (Advisor) Subjects: Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, 2006, Counseling Psychology

The current study investigated the relationship between racial identity and overall quality of life among Black women survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). On one hand, existing literature indicates that Black women as a racial group may experience more serious forms of CSA and report more severe traumatic impact as compared to white women survivors of CSA. On the other hand, research does not suggest lower functioning and quality of life among Black women survivors of CSA compared to their White counterparts. Thus, the researchers need to explore potential protective factors that serve as buffers and enhance the quality of life of Black women survivors of CSA. The findings of such research can guide preventive and intervention endeavors targeting Black women survivors of CSA. The current study predicted that racial identity is significantly related to quality of life among Black women survivors of CSA. Racial identity was measured by the Cross Racial Identity Scale (CRIS) and quality of life (QOL) was measured by World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief version (WHOQOL-BREF). Specifically, this study predicted that there would be a positive relationship between overall QOL and Pro-Black reference group orientation and a negative relationship between overall QOL and Non-Black reference group orientation. A sample size of 85 Black women survivors of CSA was recruited via snowball sampling. The participants responded to measures of this study either on a secure and anonymous website or through regular mail. The results showed significant negative correlation between Non-Black reference group orientation and overall QOL. Furthermore, the Self-Hatred subscale of the CRIS accounted for significant variance (9%) in overall QOL. These results are congruent with previous literature. One important clinical implication of these findings is the need for evaluating racial self-hatred among Black women of survivors of CSA to provide proper treatment if needed. The CR (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: John Queener (Advisor) Subjects: Psychology, Clinical

Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, 2013, Psychology

Betrayal trauma theory suggests that victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) may restrict awareness of the abuse in order to preserve what they perceive as a vital attachment, as well as to make it more psychologically bearable to live in an abusive context. This study builds upon betrayal trauma theory by examining multiple psychological mechanisms through which individuals restrict awareness of abuse, including dyadic splitting, dissociation, and lack of mindful awareness, in a sample of 378 community women who were currently in a relationship. The patterns of restricted awareness were examined separately, depending upon whether respondents reported severe, moderate, or no childhood sexual abuse (CSA) experiences, to determine whether such relationships were particularly relevant for women with a history of CSA. Overall, CSA victims, particularly victims of severe CSA, tended to rely on pathological processes (i.e., dyadic splitting, depersonalization, amnesia), and nonvictims tended to rely on non-pathological processes (i.e., absorption, lack of mindful awareness). The study is the first to demonstrate the role of fear of abandonment in contributing to a victim's reliance on restricted awareness. Findings highlight that, particularly for CSA victims, fear of abandonment increases reliance on restricted awareness.

Committee: Terri Messman-Moore Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Margaret O'Dougherty Wright Ph.D. (Committee Member); Aaron Luebbe Ph.D. (Committee Member); Sally Lloyd Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Womens Studies