Ph.D., Antioch University, 2023, Antioch New England: Marriage and Family Therapy

The current study is quantitative research that used a web-based survey from multiple religious denominations in the United States to examine the relationships among perceptions of stress, work-family spillover, marital satisfaction, and family functioning of pastors. Emotional exhaustion, hours worked, personal accomplishment, and social support were analyzed as predictors from the work domain. Two measures of spillover were used to evaluate family stressors and enhancers. The stressors and enhancers were tested as mediators between work domain and personal/family life. Life satisfaction, marital satisfaction and family dysfunction were analyzed as outcome variables. The sample included 83 pastors from a convenience sample including 62 males and 21 females, with backgrounds diverse in culture, education, and denomination. Analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS (Version 26), including Pearson's correlations along with regression analysis using PROCESS macro to test for mediation. It was found that social support does increase family enhancers and work-family positive spillover but contrary to predictions, personal accomplishment appeared to impact family life by increasing emotional exhaustion, stressors, and family dysfunctions. Greater incidents of emotional exhaustion and hours worked were found to reduce the incident of enhancers and work-family positive spillover and increase family stressors and work-family negative spillover. Greater incidents of emotional exhaustion were found to reduce marital satisfaction and increase family dysfunctions. This research has practical and clinical implications for pastors, spouses, and children of pastors, educators, family scientists, therapists, and organizations who employ pastors.

Committee: Kevin Lyness PhD (Committee Chair); Lucille Byno PhD (Committee Member); Janet Robertson PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Families and Family Life; Individual and Family Studies; Mental Health; Occupational Health; Psychotherapy; Therapy

Bachelor of Arts, Walsh University, 2023, Honors

This research investigated the effects of technology on family structure and family development. An online survey was utilized to recruit 117 parent and young adult participants. In response to an anticipated lack of participants, both populations were recruited from Walsh by means of a shared email, flyers, and gift card raffle. Although participants remained anonymous, there was an included section at the end of the survey for those interested in the gift card raffle to enter their contact information. Survey questions were incorporated into the study in order to approximate how much time each participant spent on media as well. The survey results showed that both groups provided responses indicative of high media usage and that students maintained higher scores for questions seven through 14, which involved an Internet Addiction Diagnostic Questionnaire. There was however, no significant difference to support that high media users reported lower rates of family functioning. ANOVA and t-test statistics were utilized through Jamovi to analyze the results of the study and explore the hypotheses.

Committee: Yanmei Xu (Advisor); Joseph Wayand (Advisor) Subjects: Psychology; Sociology

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2020, Human Ecology: Human Development and Family Science

Across the lifespan, individuals do not receive treatment for their behavioral health conditions, with 50% of child, adolescents, and young adults with a behavioral health condition not receiving any form of treatment, and further disparities in service utilization for minority children (Han et al., 2017; Marrast et al., 2016; Olfson et al., 2015). Untreated behavioral conditions have resulted in incarceration, poor school and job performance, and ultimately, early death (Barrett et al., 2014; Breslau et al., 2009; Ford et al., 2011; Roberts et al., 2020). New ways to identify, refer, and treat behavioral health needs in primary care settings are imperative. This current dissertation presents the results of three studies which investigated associations between patient and family demographics, children's behavioral health symptoms, family functioning, and health related quality of life and parent/child congruence of reporting these constructs and explored the preliminary feasibility and acceptability of piloting a brief family functioning screener and referral pathways. Additionally, the study at the Ohio State Family Medicine Clinic. Study analyses were conducted with IBM SPSS (Version 26). The first study determined associations between demographics, children's behavioral health symptoms, health related quality of life, and family functioning to inform future family based integrated care efforts. Family functioning impairment was significantly associated with parent and child reporting of pediatric quality of life and behavioral health health symptoms. We did not find any demographic differences in family functioning by parent or child reporting based on child age, insurance status, income, parent education, or racial/ethnic minority status. Family income was the only demographic variable which was significantly associated with quality of life. Parent education was a significant demographic correlate of child reported behavioral health symptoms but not parent sym (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Keeley Pratt Ph.D. (Advisor); Kelly Purtell Ph.D. (Committee Member); Natasha Slesnick Ph.D. (Committee Member); Christopher Taylor Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Families and Family Life; Individual and Family Studies; Mental Health

Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, 2018, Psychology

Although high rates of internalizing and externalizing psychopathology have been documented among transgender and gender nonconforming (i.e., trans) youth (Aitken, VanderLaan, Wasserman, Stojanovski, & Zucker, 2016; Steensma et al., 2014; Zucker et al., 2012), some research indicates that trans children who have the support of their parents may not be at elevated risk for psychopathology relative to their cisgender peers (Hill, Menvielle, Sica, & Johnson, 2010; Olson, Durwood, DeMeules, & McLaughlin, 2016). Little research has tested contextual factors influencing the development of psychopathology among trans kids. The current study tests the relation between parent-reported peer rejection, family discord, and children's internalizing and externalizing symptoms in a sample of 49 trans children. Cross-sectional analyses revealed that peer rejection was associated with greater internalizing and externalizing symptoms. High family discord (vs. healthier family functioning) was associated with greater internalizing symptoms among kids without peer rejection. However, among kids who experienced peer rejection, there was no significant difference in internalizing symptoms between kids with high (vs. low) family discord. The current research indicates that peer rejection and family discord are differentially related to internalizing and externalizing symptoms among trans youth, and that experiences of peer rejection may be transient, rather than stable, over time.

Committee: Elise Clerkin PhD (Advisor); Katherine Kuvalanka PhD (Committee Co-Chair); Vaishali Raval PhD (Committee Member); Aaron Luebbe PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2017, Human Ecology: Human Development and Family Science

Social-emotional competence is critical to young children's success in social and academic settings across the lifespan. Non-parental primary caregivers are important socializers of children's social emotional development, particularly through the ways they respond to children's negative emotions. Despite this, little research has examined predictors of responsiveness or the ways they interact to influence responsiveness in samples of non-parental caregivers. The detrimental influence of elevated depression and stress on individual's affect and interactions has been consistently documented in research; additionally, previous research suggests that work-family conflict may decrease responsiveness in parent samples. This study examined how depression and stress was associated with family child care providers' responsiveness, and the influence of family functioning as a mediator. Direct and indirect associations were examined utilizing structural equation modeling with a national survey of 888 small licensed family child care providers from across the United States. This study found when family child care providers perceived higher levels of general stress, they reported that they utilized less positively-focused reactions, expressive encouragement, and positive social guidance; they did not report using more negative reactions or negative social guidance. When family child care providers reported higher levels of general stress and depression, they reported lower levels of family functioning. In turn, family functioning was significantly associated with each responsiveness measure, except for negative social guidance. Providers who reported higher levels of family functioning also reported responding to children in more positive ways. Additionally, higher levels of family functioning were associated with less negative reactions from family child care providers. Bootstrap analysis results found some mediation effects from family functioning for stress and responsivenes (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Cynthia Buettner PhD (Advisor); Suzanne Bartle Haring PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Early Childhood Education; Education Policy; Families and Family Life; Gender Studies; Individual and Family Studies; Mental Health; Preschool Education; Teacher Education; Womens Studies

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Xavier University, 2010, Psychology

The objectives of this study were to describe the post injury experience as reported by TBI survivors and family members, with specific focus on aggressive behaviors and family functioning. Participants were 27 TBI survivors and 21 caregiver/family members with a mean time since injury (TSI) of 13.59 years (SD=9.38). Both members of the dyad completed measures of aggression and family functioning and were interviewed separately using a semi-structured interview to gain qualitative information related to post-injury changes. Results showed no significant difference between the reports provided by the TBI survivors and the caregiver/family members. However, TBI survivors who reported an unhealthy level of family functioning endorsed a significantly higher level of aggression than TBI survivors who reported healthy family functioning. Themes that emerged related to long-term changes in the TBI survivor post-injury included the presence of anger/irritability, memory problems, and depression and increased emotionality.

Committee: Kathleen J. Hart Ph.D., ABPP (Committee Chair); John Barrett Ph.D. (Committee Member); Renee Zucchero Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Cognitive Psychology; Individual and Family Studies; Neurology

Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Education, Cleveland State University, 2012, College of Education and Human Services

Research regarding the relationship between family communication and comorbid diagnoses in youths diagnosed with Bipolar Disorders is scarce. Existing research supports the importance of family communication with psychological development of children and adolescents affected by mental illness. The disruptive nature and increased dangers associated with Bipolar Disorders justifies further research. This dissertation study used archival data to answer research hypotheses to gain understanding the relationship between family communication and a diagnosis of a Bipolar Disorder. General Linear Model analysis and Analysis of Variance were used to test for significant differences in family functioning between families where a youth member had a diagnosis of a Bipolar Disorder versus varied comorbid diagnoses. Comorbid diagnoses configurations were the independent variables. The diagnoses configurations compared were a Bipolar Disorder only, compared to a Bipolar Disorder and any other diagnosis on Axis I; A Bipolar Disorder only, compared to a Bipolar Disorder and ADHD; A Bipolar Disorder only, compared to a Bipolar Disorder and Substance Disorder; and a Bipolar Disorder only, compared to a Bipolar Disorder, ADHD and Substance Disorder. Family functioning was assessed by three dependent variables which were the General Functioning, Problem Solving and Family Communication subscales of the Family Assessment Device (Epstein, Baldwin, & Bishop, 1983). Family communication was not found to be statistically significant for any comorbid combination tested. General functioning and problem solving were statistically significant but small sample sizes prohibit generalizations. Limitations included small sample sizes, individual rather than multiple family member assessment and the omission of nonverbal behaviors as a form of communication. Discussion explores possible factors accounting for insignificance and low sample sizes.

Committee: Sarah Toman PhD (Committee Chair); Kathy MacCluskie PhD (Committee Member); Graham Stead PhD (Committee Member); Constance Hollinger PhD (Committee Member); Elliott Ingersoll PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology

Doctor of Management, Case Western Reserve University, 2020, Weatherhead School of Management

Why, despite unprecedented levels of material wealth and opportunities for success, are professionals increasingly alienated from their work? Incentives are a recent development in economic theories impacting well being, therefore, many times inviting us toward materialism, a superficial living, resulting in feelings of emptiness and lack of life purpose. Personal callings enlighten the design of life, helping to find life meaning. Drawing upon multiple disciplines, we posit an integrative emerging theory of life meaning where an appropriate balance of meaningful work, proper family functioning, and the continued development of the self lead to a meaningful life. Organizationally, proper human resource initiatives are at the cornerstone of healthy organizations where implementing spaces to develop life meaning initiatives turn into more productive, focused, engaged, and committed professionals. Proper job design, work-life balance, and the commitment to personal and professional growth are key drivers within organizations to life meaning. It is time to bring back the multidimensionality of the human being to the human resource discipline, and organizations.

Committee: David Cooperrider Ph.D. (Advisor); Philip Cola Ph.D. (Advisor) Subjects: Families and Family Life; Personal Relationships

Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), Xavier University, 2017, Psychology

Adolescents with epilepsy have multiple factors affecting their health related quality of life (HRQOL) (Stevanovic et al., 2011). The aims of this study were to examine the agreement between adolescent and parent report of family functioning and HRQOL, as well as examine the predictive value of adolescent-reported and parent-proxy family functioning and parental depressive symptoms on adolescent- HRQOL. Data from 40 parent-adolescent dyads were analyzed in the study (adolescent M age = 15.39 + 1.44 years; parent M age = 43.9 + 6.9years). Intraclass correlations identified fair parent-adolescent agreement of conflict at baseline (r = .51, p = .001) and poor agreement of involvement at baseline (r = .35, p = .05). Pearson correlations resulted in a medium, positive correlation (r = .44, p = .01) between parent and adolescent reported adolescent HRQOL. Hierarchical multiple regressions identified predictors of adolescent-reported HRQOL (R2 change = .07, F change (3, 32) = 1.77, p = .172) and parent-proxy HRQOL (R2 change = .04, F change (3, 32) = .89, p = .456). Variables of interest explained 7% of the variance in adolescent reported HRQOL and 4% for parent-proxy HRQOL, after controlling for side effects, seizure history, SES, and baseline HRQOL. Exploratory analyses identified variables of interest as significant predictors of HRQOL subscales of stigma, R2 change = .15, F change (3, 32) = 4.35, p = .01, school behavior, R2 change = .23, F change (3, 32) = 4.23, p = .01, and energy & fatigue, R2 change = .20, F change (3, 32) = 3.99, p < .05. This study suggests that parents and adolescents have different perspectives on levels of conflict and involvement within their relationships that affect adolescent HRQOL.

Committee: Janet R. Schultz Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Avani Modi Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Health; Psychology

MA, University of Cincinnati, 2007, Arts and Sciences : Psychology

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited genetic disorder that affects approximately 1 out of every 500 African Americans. The most commonly reported complaints in SCD stem from unpredictable pain episodes that result in frequent and costly health care contacts (Midence & Elander, 1996). The current study explored family functioning factors and coping strategies and their unique influence on the use of urgent health care services (emergency room visits). Data showed that the families in this study were generally low users of urgent health care services, especially ER services, as compared to previously researched averages. Additionally, data showed that the families in this study also appear to have effective family functioning and coping effectively. Data indicated families' high use of coping attempts such as using massage techniques. Families indicated avoiding frequent use of self defeating statement and feelings of hopelessness as it relates to their disease management.

Committee: A. Burlew PhD (Committee Co-Chair); Monica Mitchell PhD (Committee Co-Chair); Edward Klein PhD (Committee Co-Chair) Subjects: Psychology, Clinical

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2007, Arts and Sciences : Psychology

The current study examined family functioning, parental efficacy, and racial differences associated with increased levels of pre-adolescent efficacy, among 203 eight-to-twelve-year-old girls. Family functioning, parental efficacy, child efficacy, and race were assessed using items from The McMaster Family Assessment Device (FAD), Parent Stress Index-Third Edition (PSI), Perceived Competence Scale for Children, and the present study's intake form, respectively. Results revealed that an increase in family functioning alone did not predict an increase in child efficacy, nor was the relationship moderated by race. Increased parental efficacy was found to increase family functioning, while family functioning was subsequently found to increase child efficacy.

Committee: Dr. Ann Burlew (Advisor) Subjects: Psychology, Developmental

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, 2005, Psychology

Persons of Arab (North African/ Middle Eastern) descent have faced unique psychosocial stressors due to the socio-political backlash following the World Trade Center attacks. These are compounded by traditional acculturation challenges, leading to increased psychological distress. This study satisfies an urgent need to better understand the acculturation and mental health experiences of Arab Americans by comprehensively and rigorously investigating hypotheses introduced in the previous literature. Participants were 611 Arab Americans from 35 U.S. states who completed a secure Internet form. Variables assessed were: acculturation (Vancouver Index of Acculturation- Modified Arab Version), acculturative stress (SAFE Acculturation Stress Scale- Revised; included issues of discrimination and American foreign policy), family functioning (Family Assessment Device- General Functioning Subscale), social support (Personal Resource Questionnaire85- Revised), religious coping (Brief Arab Religious Coping Scale), anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory), depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies- Depression Scale), and a socio-demographics survey. Seven research foci were examined. First, 13 socio-demographic indexes hypothesized to relate to acculturation (including SES, generation status, length of residence in the U.S., English vs. Arabic language use, and Arabic TV viewing) were found to relate to American identity in the expected directions, while most indexes did not relate to Arab identity. Second, participants reported significantly higher anxiety and depression compared to normative samples and studies with other ethnic minority groups. Third, as hypothesized, integrated and assimilated individuals reported less stress, anxiety, and depression compared to those who were separated or marginalized. Fourth, as hypothesized, acculturation stress correlated with anxiety and depression, and both family functioning and social support related to less stress and less psychological di (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Joseph Hovey (Advisor) Subjects:

Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2011, Clinical Psychology (Arts and Sciences)

Using the Circumplex Model of Family Systems (Olson, 1989; 2000; Olson & Gorall, 2006), this study sought to conceptualize family functioning patterns and examine the relationship between family functioning and substance use severity in adolescents admitted to a residential substance use treatment center. More problematic family functioning (i.e., greater family disengagement, rigidly, enmeshment and chaos) and less healthy family functioning (i.e., lower balanced cohesion and lower balanced flexibility) was observed in the current sample compared to a non-clinical comparison sample. Substance use severity was operationalized using the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory-Adolescent-2 (SASSI-A2) and three groups of substance users were established (Low Severity, Moderate Severity, and High Severity; Miller & Lazowski, 2001). After controlling for family member substance abuse, peer substance use and the impact of trauma, family cohesion level was significantly related to substance use severity group. Study findings suggest that family based interventions need to incorporate a wide range of problematic patterns and family cohesion, in particular, is an important family functioning pattern that should be addressed in interventions for adolescents in residential substance use treatment settings.

Committee: Bernadette Heckman Ph.D. (Committee Chair); John Garske Ph.D. (Committee Member); Julie Owens Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2009, Nursing

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between child/maternal factors (child's functional status, level of technology dependence, mother's depressive symptoms, length of caregiving duration, amount of home health care nursing hours, race, family income and age of the child) and (a) family functioning, as well as (b) normalization in families with a child who is technology dependent. Additionally, this study examined whether there are differences in family functioning, normalization and mother's depressive symptoms based upon the child's level of technology dependence (mechanical ventilation, intravenous nutrition/medication, respiratory/nutritional support). A descriptive, correlational design was used in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected using the Functional Status II-Revised, Center for Epidemiological Studies- Depression, Feetham Family Functioning Survey and a subscale of the Normalization Scale in face-to-face interviews. Mothers of 103 children who are technology dependent and living at home comprised the sample. The sample of mothers aged 21-66 years were 73% Caucasian and 27% women of color, who cared for their technology dependent child aged 7 months-16 years; 73% received solely respiratory/nutritional support. Pearson correlations revealed that greater depressive symptoms and less use of normalization were significantly associated with poorer family functioning. In the hierarchical regression analysis, 35% of the variance in family functioning was explained, primarily by level of depressive symptoms. Conversely, several independent variables/covariates were found to be significant predictors and explained 34% of the variance in normalization. Better child's functional status, less depressive symptoms, fewer hours of nursing care, older child and Non-Caucasian race or Hispanic ethnicity were related to greater normalization efforts. Statistical analyses for mediation reveal that a mother's depressive symptoms are a mediator (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Carol M. Musil PhD, RN, FAAN (Committee Chair); John C. Carl MD (Committee Chair); Donna A. Dowling PhD, RN (Committee Member); Susan Tullai-McGuinness PhD, RN (Committee Member) Subjects: Families and Family Life; Health Care; Mental Health; Nursing

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 1991, Social Welfare

The relationships among family functioning, negative life events, and depression were studied in a sample of 102 African-American mothers that have received their prenatal care and subsequent follow-up for fifteen months in a large teaching hospital in Cleveland. The data were analyzed using structural equation modelling, which made it possible to account for random and systematic errors of measurement in the relationship between family functioning and depression. Also the random error of measurement in life events measures, which was estimated by a three-wave model, was made explicit. The analysis suggested that the correlation between family functioning and depression is only slightly inflated by the presence of systematic error. However, a model that accounts for systematic error fits the data significantly better than a model that does not. Negative life events were found not to be influenced by family functioning or significantly to effect depression, even when the random measurement error in negative life events was taken into account.

Committee: Claudia Coulton (Advisor) Subjects: Health Sciences, Mental Health