Psy. D., Antioch University, 2023, Antioch Santa Barbara: Clinical Psychology

The goal of this dissertation is the design of a theoretical model that will serve as a foundational reference in the creation of new programmatic solutions for successful aging. The dissertation addresses issues germane to Erikson's eighth stage of ego integration versus despair, the struggle that characterizes it, and seeks to examine the imperatives that determine its success or failure. Strategic impediments to achieving ego integrity borne of ageism and age discrimination are addressed, such as the societal and institutional prejudices that serve to handicap day to day functioning, self-actualization, and significant participation in the enterprise. It is hypothesized that primary vehicles for self-actualization might be found by examining the unlived life. We drill down for a more granular view to look at the component behaviors and schemas that determine outcomes, and recognize that having identified them, the next step would be to develop psychotherapeutic protocols (informed by the theories outlined) that will help seniors negotiate that stage and that struggle. The incorporation of Antonovsky's Salutogenesis Theory and Sense of Coherence (SOC) construct to determine the client's evolving goodness-of-fit towards Erikson's optimized state of ego integration, provides a pivotal capacity for evidenced-based testing and quantization in any practical implementation based on this theoretical model. This dissertation will be made available in open access at AURA, https://aura.antioch.edu/ and OhioLINK ETD Center, https://etd.ohiolink.edu.

Committee: Brett Kia-Keating Ed.D (Advisor); Stephen Southern Ed.D. (Committee Member); Gary Linker Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Counseling Psychology; Developmental Psychology; Gerontology; Mental Health; Psychobiology; Psychological Tests; Psychology; Psychotherapy; Therapy

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2022, Psychology

Objective: The present study aimed to explore the relationships between Erik Erikson's adult stages of psychosocial development (intimacy/isolation, generativity/stagnation, ego integrity/despair) and suicidal ideation. It was hypothesized that more severe suicidal ideation would be significantly associated with poorer resolution of each of the three adult stages. It was also hypothesized that age would moderate the relationships between suicidal ideation and psychosocial development. Methods: Seventy-five Veterans (26-88 years old, Mage = 54.44 years) completed a diagnostic interview and met the inclusion criteria of a current depressive disorder. Self-report measures were administered to assess severity of suicidal thinking and degree of healthy psychosocial development. Results: More severe suicidal ideation was significantly associated with poorer psychosocial development across all three adult stages. Though age did not moderate this relationship for intimacy/isolation or generativity/stagnation, there was a small conditional effect of age on the relationship between integrity/despair and suicidal ideation. The strength of the integrity-ideation relationship was greatest for the youngest participants, tapering off after age 68. Conclusions: The significant associations between suicidal ideation and the adult psychosocial stages suggest that the developmental issues identified by Erikson are indeed important areas of mental health. Helping clients confront issues related to intimacy/isolation and generativity/stagnation may help reduce suicide risk across adulthood. Moreover, it may be useful to help clients resolve issues pertaining to dissatisfaction with life prior to entering older adulthood. Implications: The psychosocial issues identified by Erikson may help guide clinicians who work with suicidal clients. Results support current suicide prevention efforts to reduce loneliness and increase social supports. Findings also suggest that developing (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: James Overholser (Committee Chair); Norah Feeny (Committee Member); Josephine Ridley (Committee Member); Eva Kahana (Committee Member); Arin Connell (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Mental Health; Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, 2016, Media and Communication

While teenage pregnancy has been on the decline, overall, since the 1970s, the frequency of teenage pregnancy in the United States is much higher than its incidence in other major industrialized countries. Furthermore, in the U.S., in certain instances and communities, teenage pregnancy has remained at unacceptable levels. This dissertation explores teenage pregnancy from the perspective of teenage mothers focusing on their relationship with the media throughout the process of their pregnancy and into motherhood. This study also takes into consideration the contextual factors that impact media usage such as the environment in which participants live in, socioeconomic status, family background, interaction with peers, and school, among other possible influences. The novel approach taken here is the use of qualitative interviews from the Uses and Gratifications perspective, and the employment of Grounded Theory analysis. The participant sample comprises 30 students a school for teenage mothers in the Midwest. No previous academic studies have examined the engagement pregnant teenagers have had with the media. However, several studies have examined teenagers' exposure to sexual content on television and their subsequent sexual behavior. Research questions focus on how and when these young women find information pertaining to having a child before, during and after their pregnancy and their current engagement with the media. Responses among three groups of light, average, and heavy media usage show that pregnant teens and teen mothers usage of media was fairly consistent amongst the groups in terms of sharing progress of pregnancy and seeking health information about pregnancy online. Most of the teen mothers changed their attitude toward seeing sex in the media after having their baby. Several pregnant teens/teen mothers decreased their social media activity or deleted their social media accounts due to drama and bullying.

Committee: Ewart Skinner Ph.D. (Advisor); Priscilla Coleman Ph.D. (Other); Daniel Fasko Ph.D. (Committee Member); Sandra Faulkner Ph.D. (Committee Member); Monica Longmore Ph.D. (Committee Member); Gi Yun Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication; Demographics; Families and Family Life; Gender Studies; Womens Studies

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, 2011, Counseling Psychology

This study set out to investigate the process and structure of identity development based on Erikson's (1963) epigenetic theory of identity development. The present study used an updated identity status model (Luyckx et al., 2008a) and a cognitive processing styles model (Berzonsky, 1990) to explore how both models relate in order to extend our understanding of the identity development process. The Dimensions of Identity Development Scale (DIDS) and the Identity Style Inventory (ISI-3) were used to measure identity status and style in a sample of university students (N=419). Three hypotheses were tested to ascertain the relationship between style and status. A two-step cluster analysis procedure was used to determine the number of status clusters in this study. Results showed that six status clusters were evident, supporting hypothesis one. Regarding hypothesis two, although participants in three of the six different statuses reported preferring the processing style theoretically consistent with their status, participants in three of six statuses did not. In addition, all of the clusters endorsed the Informational processing style to the highest degree. Results related to hypothesis three showed that the relative level of endorsement of each processing style was consistent with predictions, past findings and theory. The present findings therefore support some tenets of Eriksonian theory and provide support for a process of identity development that includes both commitment formation and commitment evaluation. However, although evidence was found to support the comprehensive model of identity development proposed by Luyckx et al., the utility of a combined process and structural theory of identity development based on the work of Berzonsky (1988) and Luyckx et al. remains unclear and warrants further research.

Committee: Charles Waehler Dr. (Advisor); John Queener Dr. (Committee Member); Robert Schwartz Dr. (Committee Member); Linda Subich Dr. (Committee Member); David Tokar Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Developmental Psychology; Psychology

Master of Arts, University of Akron, 2007, Family and Consumer Sciences-Child and Family Development

Utilizing Atkinson's Life Story Questionnaire, eight adults with life long reading struggles were interviewed about their life stories. The four aspects of lifelong reading problems examined include: 1) What factors or events lead to positive or negative life experience for individuals with diagnosed or undiagnosed lifelong reading difficulties? (2) How pervasive is the theme of reading problems in the narratives of the participants or are there points in the lifespan where the theme of reading difficulties is more prevalent? (3) Utilizing Erikson's (1950) lifespan model, what are the unique transitional tasks that adults with reading difficulties face? (4) What insights can be gained regarding the social, emotional, and familial aspects of lifelong reading problems to help improve services for adults with reading difficulties?

Committee: Pamela Schulze (Advisor) Subjects: