Psy. D., Antioch University, 2024, Antioch Seattle: Clinical Psychology

This study explored the lived experiences of romance and love among the Adult Third Culture Kids (ATCKs) population. A total sample of 10 participants was collected for the purpose of the study (five female and five male). Participants were of varying ethnicities, 25–46 years of age, met the study criteria for TCK identity, and reported at least one previous or current romantic relationship. Participants endorsed a history of a mobilized lifestyle and living in countries differing from their own passport country prior to the age of 18. Utilizing an Interpretive Phenomenological approach, participants were interviewed remotely and asked to describe their personal experiences with love, romance, and past/current romantic relationships. Data collected from these interviews ultimately revealed the importance of having a significant connection with a partner as the foundation of the loving experiences. This connection was accomplished via the sharing of language, cuisines, and cultural experiences. Finding commonalities in life perspectives and interests added to this felt sense of connection. ATCKs were faced with challenges regarding a sense of acceptance from their partner and their partner's friends/family. In addition, some ATCKs were also faced with the unique concern of whether they would be followed abroad. This was a significant form of commitment. Participants were asked to characterize the commitment, passion, and intimacy experiences within their romantic relationships per the Sternberg Triangular Theory of Love. Commonalities of traits associated with each of these love qualities suggests that the Sternberg Triangular Theory of Love is applicable to the lived experiences of ATCKs. Furthermore, the Triangular Theory of Love Scale was an optional measure provided to participants who were not interviewed. Results from this measure were acquired from 16 ATCK females, 14 of which are married. Averages from the measure revealed a significant degree of intimacy and (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Dr. Melissa Kennedy (Committee Chair); Dr. Constantina Kass (Committee Member); Dr. Michael Sakura (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2024, Arts and Sciences: Chemistry

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiols on gold surfaces are pivotal in the realm of controllable surface chemistry due to their ease of formation from the solution phase and the ability to be characterized through various techniques. Understanding the nanoscale formation processes of SAMs is essential for creating defect-free SAMs tailored for applications in bio- and nanotechnology. While numerous studies have focused on characterizing SAMs post-formation, the process at the nanoscale has been less explored. This thesis delves into the formation and controlled desorption of SAMs on gold, alongside the development of electrochemical aptamer-based (E-AB) sensors on microelectrode platforms. In the first project, we investigate the formation of defect-free SAMs and the underlying mechanisms at the nanoscale. Using scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM), we monitored SAM formation via a soluble redox reporter on a polycrystalline gold foil through voltammetric and amperometric techniques. By varying the concentration of 3-mercapto-1-propanol [HS(CH2)3OH], 6-mercapto-1-hexanol [HS(CH2)6OH], and 9-mercapto-1-nonanol [HS(CH2)9OH], we assessed the effects of thiol chain length, concentration, and substrate location on monolayer formation. Our findings indicate that SAM formation is concentration-dependent and varies at grain boundaries, with real-time changes in the quasi-steady-state current observed during the self-assembly process. The second project focuses on the controlled desorption of self-assembled thiol monolayers on gold surfaces, aiming to enable precise surface engineering for diverse applications in surface science, nanotechnology, and biomedicine. Employing SECCM, we investigated the substrate and potential-dependent desorption process, highlighting the influence of alkanethiol chain length and substrate crystallinity. Our study provided significant insights into the desorption behavior at the nanoscale, revealing phenomena obscured (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Ryan White Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Ashley Ross Ph.D. (Committee Member); Noe Alvarez Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Chemistry

Ph.D., Antioch University, 2024, Leadership and Change

This dissertation connects the recent DEIB movement within organizations to larger social justice movements, specifically those that impact workers and the workplace. Critical human resource development (CHRD) professionals, who serve as “insider activists”, are highlighted due to their work to continue movement objectives within organizations. Through testimonios and critical platicas, this study explores how Black and Latino/x LGBTQ+ CHRD professionals, in particular, are experiencing the workplace, especially as it relates to their engagement with how DEIB is practiced within organizations. Through this study, these professionals provide insights into the ways that workplaces can be redesigned and reimagined to be more critically conscious and equitable spaces, especially for those from marginalized backgrounds. Their reflections can work to enhance the ways that DEIB is practiced within organizations. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

Committee: Philomena Essed PhD (Committee Chair); Lemuel Watson EdD (Committee Member); Kia Darling-Hammond PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: African American Studies; African Americans; Black Studies; Ethnic Studies; Gender Studies; Glbt Studies; Hispanic American Studies; Hispanic Americans; Management; Minority and Ethnic Groups; Organizational Behavior

Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, 2023, Communication Disorders

Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing, is a common consequence of head and neck cancer (HNC) and its associated treatments. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) often play an integral role in the rehabilitation of swallowing difficulties for people with HNC. In clinical speech pathology, it is of utmost importance to base treatment decisions on high-quality evidence. One key tenant of evidence-based practice that is often overlooked is the client perspective. To date, limited research has explored the perspectives of individuals with HNC who have received treatment for dysphagia, especially HNC survivors living in the United States (U.S.). To close this gap, the aim of this project is to establish an increased comprehension of the perspectives of individuals with HNC who have been treated for dysphagia. Specifically, the project explores participant perceptions of which elements of dysphagia care led to positive clinical experiences and which elements created barriers to positive experiences. Six individuals participated in individual, semi-structured interviews to share their experiences with HNC and dysphagia treatment. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, the interview data were coded and analyzed. A set of themes emerged from the recurrent and substantiated ideas within the data. The ability to participate in dysphagia therapy was limited by the physical effects of cancer treatments. Swallowing difficulties caused the participants to experience psychological and emotional reactions. Participants revealed that they had no concerns with accessing treatment financially. However, several individuals were not provided with a speech therapy referral until significant swallowing difficulties developed. Generally, the participants found value in their dysphagia treatments and faced no difficulty accessing speech therapy once they were referred. Future research directions and clinical implications were provided to improve patient-centered care for individuals wit (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Brent Archer Ph.D., CCC-SLP (Advisor); Colleen Fitzgerald Ph.D., CCC-SLP (Committee Member) Subjects: Speech Therapy

PHD, Kent State University, 2022, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences

The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study was to garner a greater understanding of professional counselors' experiences and understandings of the role and boundary changes in their personal relationships following counselor education and preparation. Additionally and interrelatedly, professional counselors' experiences and understandings of close others seeking informal, counseling-related help from them were also explored. Data were collected from eight participants in the form of semi-structured interviews. The participants were licensed professional counselors in Ohio who graduated from CACREP-accredited counseling programs no more than five years before the initial interview date. The data were analyzed using the six steps of IPA. Four superordinate themes and 16 corresponding subthemes emerged from the data. The four superordinate themes included: (a) personal relationship skills and awareness are enhanced by positive personal growth, (b) close others' misperceptions of counseling influence their role expectations, (c) context matters in experiences with non-client, close others seeking informal counseling-related help, and (d) multiple approaches are used for navigating personal relationship boundaries. Findings from the current study contribute to the professional literature beyond the existing anecdotal and ancillary accounts of these phenomena. Moreover, the findings from this study bring additional implications and recommendations for counselor educators and supervisors and continued advocacy efforts to light.

Committee: Jane A. Cox (Committee Co-Chair); Lynne Guillot Miller (Committee Co-Chair); Alicia R. Crowe (Committee Member) Subjects: Counseling Education

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, 2022, Counselor Education

School-aged children with mental health disorders experience a higher risk for poor academic achievement and can experience problems such as poor grades, bullying, truancy, suicidality, homicidality, and high-risk behaviors (Baker, 2013; CSH, 2004; Lambie et al., 2019; Rones & Hoagwood, 2000; Vanderbleek, 2004). Professional school counselors (PSCs) promote children's mental health in various tiered interventions and approaches (CSH, 2004). However, there are significant barriers that impede PSCs' ability to meet students' mental health needs. School-based mental health services are one way to fill the gap of needed mental health services in schools. The delivery of school-based mental health services significantly overlaps with the services that PSCs can provide (Burt et al., 2012; CSH, 2004; Gampetro et al., 2012). Past research indicates that a partnership between PSCs and SBMHCs is necessary to implement effective mental health services, but little research exists that explores the dynamic between these two professional sectors (Adelman & Taylor, 2002; Baker, 2013; Burt et al., 2012; Gampetro et al., 2012). The researcher used interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) methodology to study PSCs' perceptions of their experiences working with SBMHCs in their schools. The research team developed six superordinate, overarching themes, with 26 subordinate themes subsumed within the superordinate themes. The six superordinate themes are: Perceptions of Roles, Perceptions of Systemic Influences, Perceptions of Discord, Perceptions of Support, Perceptions of Collaboration, and Perceptions of Mental Health Access. Included is a discussion of each of the superordinate themes, and implications for school counseling practice, considerations for schools, and implications for SBMHCs.

Committee: Madeline Clark (Committee Chair); Madeline Clark (Advisor); Yanghong Liu (Committee Member); Tahani Dari (Committee Member); John Laux (Committee Member) Subjects: Counseling Education; Mental Health; School Counseling

Master of Science, The Ohio State University, 2022, Agricultural and Extension Education

To address the phenomena of social media marketing of show livestock in Ohio, researchers must understand the elements of social media marketing materials being produced by show livestock producers. This provides researchers with the ability to inform future research of social media marketing within agriculture. Upon examination, it was determined that producers rely heavily on photographs, videos, and graphics (advertisements, flyers, catalogs, etc.). Accordingly, four elements of photography, four elements of videography, and three elements of graphic design were chosen by researchers gain a better understanding of the quality of materials being produced by show livestock producers. This study integrated the use of the Importance-Performance Analysis model to assess the quality of the materials being produced, and the importance the producers put on their elements. The strategies that were identified for this research are the following: the elements investigated for the use of photographs or videos in the posts were (1) exposure (lighting), (2) angle, (3) rule of thirds, (4) quality. If a graphic is included in social media post, the attributes being investigated are (1) type, (2) color, and (3) arrangement. Findings from this study showed that while performance of following the rule of thirds and professional appearance of photographs was high, it was not something that was particularly important to them. Conversely, importance of professionally appearing videos was of high importance, but none of the participants had videos that appeared to be professionally produced. Following the rule of thirds in videos fell into low importance and low performance. Thus, rule of thirds in video may not be an area that producers should focus on at this time. All the other elements of videography and photography fell into the keep up the good work quadrant for the importance-performance analysis. Lastly, all the elements of graphic design fell into the keep up the good work (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Emily Buck (Advisor); Joy Rumble (Committee Member) Subjects: Agricultural Education; Agriculture; Animal Sciences; Animals; Communication; Curriculum Development; Education; Journalism; Marketing; Mass Communications; Web Studies

MA, University of Cincinnati, 2022, Arts and Sciences: Psychology

This thesis examines migrant workers' perceptions of their workplace, labor, and labor organizing/organizations. Ample literature details the discrimination and oppression migrant workers face in the workplace, provides overview of various forms of labor organizing, including labor unions and community-unionism, and explains the effects they have on worker wellbeing. This research sought to fill the large gap in the literature considering migrant workers' own perceptions on these topics, as well as avenues of possible action to address migrant worker discrimination. Data were gathered via semi-structured interviews with migrant workers over video calls, and interviews were analyzed utilizing Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Findings indicated that migrant workers reported some form of exploitation at their workplace, though specific manifestations vary across participants. Participants also had widely varying perceptions of labor unions, and were generally unfamiliar with worker centers and community unionism. Ways forward indicated by the participants indicate working on policy to address discrimination as well as having more information available to migrant workers in regards to labor organizing/organizations and their labor rights.

Committee: Anjali Dutt Ph.D. (Committee Member); Carlie Trott Ph.D. (Committee Member); Stacie Furst-Holloway Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Social Psychology

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2021, Antioch Seattle: Clinical Psychology

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP, n.d.), 40% to 50% of individuals seeking mental health services terminate prematurely due to lack of access, lack of transportation, financial constraints, child mental health professional shortages, and stigma related to mental health. These barriers contribute to primary care providers assessing and managing mental health concerns at increasing rates, particularly symptoms consistent with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a neurobiological disorder beginning in childhood that is defined as “a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development” (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013, p. 59). Current literature shows that ADHD and psychological trauma have similar symptom presentation and influence on one another. The present study explored primary care providers' assessment and management process for ADHD, including how psychological trauma is incorporated and barriers that primary care providers experience. Semistructured interviews were conducted with three board certified general pediatricians based in the United States who have conducted assessments of ADHD with children and adolescents. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), a qualitative phenomenological approach, was used due to its ability to emphasize and summarize the lived experiences of the participants. This research identified 10 superordinate, or shared, themes throughout the three interviews: professional identity, diagnostic considerations, aspects of assessment, factors impacting assessment, types of treatment, factors impacting treatment, personal abilities and confidence, limitations in school training, need to self-education, and increasing access to care. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of primary care providers' assessment and treatment processes for ADHD with children and adolescents, with particular interes (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Mark Russell (Committee Chair) Subjects: Behavioral Psychology; Behavioral Sciences; Clinical Psychology; Health Care; Medicine; Mental Health; Psychology

Ph.D., Antioch University, 2021, Leadership and Change

Womanism is a term curated by Alice Walker (2004) that centers Black women's lived experiences, past and present, encouraging Black women to no longer look to others for their liberation (Floyd-Thomas, 2006). Soul 2 Soul Sister's Facing Racism program is facilitated by Womanist instructors, who work with groups of mostly white people to address anti-Black racism. This qualitative study explored the experiences of white participants who took part in this program, Facing Racism, which holds Womanism as its central guiding principle. Although pre- and post-surveys were routinely conducted over the years about participants' experiences with Facing Racism, this study sought to take a deep dive using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis to understand how the white participants made sense of the Facing Racism experience and the longer-term outcomes it promoted in addressing and ending anti-Black racism. The interpretive phenomenological analysis explored the experiences of white people who completed the Facing Racism program. Eight white participants were interviewed using open-ended questions. The key findings of the study included: a) indications of the transforming impact of Womanist and intergroup dialogue in anti-racism work, b) revelations of the preconceptions and biases antithetical to ending anti-Black racism that participants brought with them, c) an affirmation of anti-racism work that works beyond the intellect and the importance of heart and gut/soul work, and d) the identification of racial justice work as life-long work. The key contributions include: a) the verification of a Womanist epistemology as an effective means to address anti-Black racism, b) the value of Womanist ethos in conducting anti-Black racism work centering Black women and Black experiences, c) the introduction and nomenclature of a love-based revolution to address and eradicate anti-Black racism, d) identification of ways for white people to dismantle white supremacy (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Donna Ladkin Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Aqeel Tirmizi Ph.D. (Committee Member); Rev. Regina Groff Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: African American Studies; African Americans; Black Studies; Clergy; Gender; Gender Studies; Philosophy; Womens Studies

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2021, Antioch New England: Clinical Psychology

The current qualitative study addresses parents' experience when their child receives an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis in early childhood. Specifically, the study explores the parent–child relationship, the participants' perception of autism, and parents' overall mood before and after their child was diagnosed with ASD. The study used a semistructured interview to collect data from five mothers recruited from the Rhode Island Consortium of Autism Research and Treatment (RICART). The data were analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis, which divided the data into superordinate and emergent themes. The discussion section includes discussion of the data in the context of previous literature, limitations, and clinical implications. Finally, the dissertation concludes with my personal reflections on the study and the conclusion.

Committee: Kathi Borden PhD (Committee Chair); Gina Pasquale PsyD (Committee Member); Kate Evarts Rice PsyD (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology

Ph.D., Antioch University, 2021, Antioch Seattle: Counselor Education & Supervision

Diversity of cultural identities, such as abilities, age and generational cohort affiliation, and socioeconomic status and the practice of clinical supervision are rarely addressed in the professional counseling literature. Subsequently, there is a need for a greater understanding of how expanded cultural identities are addressed by clinical supervisors in the practice of clinical supervision. This research study focused specifically on how age and generational cohort affiliation are addressed as a cultural consideration by clinical supervisors during the practice of clinical supervision. For this study, the Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis research approach was utilized to answer the research questions: 1. How do clinical supervisors experience addressing age and generational cohort affiliation during the practice of clinical supervision? 2. How do clinical supervisors experience addressing their own age and generational cohort affiliation with counseling supervisees? Data was collected through participants' individual semi-structured interviews (N = 5). Data analysis of the participants' interview transcripts exploring the lived experiences of clinical supervisors when addressing age and generational cohort affiliation as a cultural consideration in clinical supervision revealed three identified overarching themes: (a) feeling competent/incompetent, (b) feeling connected/disconnected, and (c) feeling respected/disrespected. Evident in the study is the gap of knowledge in the professional counseling literature regarding age and generational cohort affiliations and the resulting perception of clinical supervisors. Implications for future study include expanding the participant sample's diversity and size to include missing voices in terms of cultural identities and explore the lived experiences of counseling students, counseling supervisees, and counselor educators with regard to their experiences with the cultural identities of age and generational coho (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Ned Farley PhD (Committee Chair); Manivong Ratts PhD (Committee Member); Dusty Destler PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Aging; Counseling Education; Mental Health; Psychotherapy; Therapy

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2021, Antioch New England: Clinical Psychology

This dissertation explored the unique experiences of general education teachers teaching in an inclusive classroom (which will also be referred to as a “mainstream classroom”) with a combination of students with and without autism (which will also be referred to as “autism spectrum disorder” and “ASD”). This was a qualitative research study that applied the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) research method, as presented by Smith, Flowers, and Larkin (2009). The participants in this study were seven general education teachers, each of whom taught kindergarten or fourth grade. Purposive sampling was used to gain a better understanding of the teachers' experiences across the elementary school careers of students with autism. Four teachers taught in Massachusetts, two in New Jersey, and one in New York City. Out of the seven participants, three were kindergarten teachers and the remaining four were fourth-grade teachers. Through semi-structured interviews, participants' experiences were shared. The data analysis involved generating emergent and superordinate themes of teacher perceptions to aid in the understanding of the teachers' experiences. This study explored whether these experiences differed across grade levels and geographic locations, and how they compared across the full data set. Finally, the findings were discussed in the context of previous literature, what the limitations were to this study, what future directions there were for research on this topic, and my personal reflection.

Committee: Kathi Borden PhD (Committee Chair); Deirdre Brogan PhD (Committee Member); Mina Panayoutou-Burbridge PsyD (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology

Ph.D., Antioch University, 2020, Antioch New England: Marriage and Family Therapy

As the dynamics of the United States' social landscape shifts in relation to the diversity of culture, ethnicity, values, and traditions, and as religion and spirituality have become highly diverse and fluid, diversity in spirituality has received limited attention in the field of marriage and family therapy. Utilizing an interpretative phenomenological analysis, this qualitative investigation explores common meanings and experiences of emotional intimacy of couples in heterosexual relationships where there are differences in spirituality. Overall, the results of this investigation demonstrate that in situations where heterosexual couples who display differences in spirituality attentively attuned to their individual and relational needs, their emotional intimacy satisfaction was enhanced; in situations where couples' attentiveness to their spirituality and religious differences was undermined, their individual needs suffered, and their emotional intimacy was impeded. Furthermore, this study shows that it is not so much the differences in the contents of spiritual beliefs between spouses in married relationships that determine the direction of their emotional intimacy satisfaction but their shared or divergent values on spirituality. Clinical implications for therapists are provided alongside study limitations and recommendations for future research.

Committee: Denzel Jones PhD (Committee Chair); Kevin Lyness PhD (Committee Member); Norja Cunningham PhD (Committee Member); Lucille Byno PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Behavioral Psychology; Behavioral Sciences; Clinical Psychology; Counseling Psychology; Families and Family Life; Individual and Family Studies; Mental Health; Pastoral Counseling; Personal Relationships; Psychology; Psychotherapy; Religion; Social Work; Spirituality; Therapy

Ph.D., Antioch University, 2020, Leadership and Change

In the United States, cross-sector partnerships, a form of collaboration, are becoming increasingly common in practice (Gray & Purdy, 2018). However, questions remain regarding the effectiveness of these partnerships and if the many challenges of using them can be overcome. In particular, the intersection of cross-sector partnerships and power, which can deeply impact these partnerships, needs more attention. This study used interpretive phenomenology to understand, from the participant perspective, (a) the experience and construction of power, (b) the impact of power on participants, and (c) how power dynamics in these initiatives compare to dynamics in organizations. Seventeen participants from four homelessness-focused Collective Impact (CI) initiatives, a popular cross-sector partnership model, were interviewed about their experiences. In addition, I reviewed key documents about each initiative. Data was interpreted using a variety of theoretical lenses, including critical theory, as well as my own work experience in this area, and carefully analyzed through iterative re-engagement, reflexivity, and thematic analysis. The findings revealed that power presented in six different ways: resources, structures and processes, identity, resistance, formal leadership, and framing and communication. When examining the differences between collaborations, differences in these six areas, as well as the identity and ways of operating of the partner who began the partnership, seemed to influence the experience of power. Financial resources were a dominant form of power and provided some partners with disproportionate influence. Dominant partners were also able to stack power across these six areas. The impacts of power dynamics were largely negative. Other significant findings included that some partners did not experience power at all. Critical theory and positive framing may explain this outcome. I call for an expanded CI model with a sixth condition related to power. As par (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Lize (A.E.) Booysen DBL (Committee Chair); Donna Ladkin PhD (Committee Member); Kirk Emerson PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Public Administration; Public Policy; Social Psychology; Social Research

Ph.D., Antioch University, 2020, Leadership and Change

Christian churches in the United States are notoriously resistant to change, whether in regard to leadership, worship style, church governance, positions on social issues, or myriad other aspects of congregational life. Yet the ability to navigate change successfully is vitally important to churches' continued survival and renewed relevance. A particular body of literature, consisting of both scholarly and practitioner-oriented works, has attempted to address the necessity and the challenges of change in a church context. However, the literature is largely silent when it comes to the perspectives of those who are most impacted by congregational change: namely, the congregants themselves. Therefore, this study sought to address both a problem in practice and a gap in the literature by exploring congregants' experiences of change in their churches. The study utilized interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA), a qualitative methodology dedicated to exploring, in detail, significant lived experiences. Data were collected using semistructured, in-person, one-on-one interviews with eleven participants who had recently experienced change in their churches. These congregants represented six Protestant denominations, three geographic regions of the United States, and churches that had faced a wide variety of changes. Data were analyzed, first individually and then collectively, to identify the themes that emerged from the participants' experiences. The five major themes characterizing the majority of the participants' experiences were the centrality of faith, the presence of conflict or discord, a predominance of negative emotions, an aspect of learning, and a sense of resolution. These findings were then interpreted through the lenses of Christian theology and adult development theory—specifically, the constructive developmental theory of Robert Kegan and the faith development theory of James Fowler. By providing a much needed “perspective from the pew,” this study contr (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Jon Wergin PhD (Committee Chair); Donna Ladkin PhD (Committee Member); Matthew Lyons PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Clergy; Organizational Behavior; Religion; Religious Congregations

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2019, Antioch New England: Clinical Psychology

This dissertation presents research involving women's subjective experiences of gender microaggressions. The introduction includes a review of the literature on microaggressions: (a) the types of microaggressions, (b) the emotional and psychological cost to those who experience microaggressions, and (c) how gender microaggressions against women work to maintain oppression and sexual objectification of women in American society. This current research addresses the knowledge gap created by little research on women's lived experiences of gender microaggressions they encounter in their everyday lives, particularly in the workplace. The population studied was dental hygienists. This population is unique because of the disproportionate number of women dental hygienists and male dentists for whom they work. Additionally, results seemed to support the concept of gender microaggressions as an imbedded part of the profession of dental hygiene. Phenomenological studies of lived experiences can be of particular relevance for the ideographic practice of clinical psychologists and psychotherapists. The transferability of themes distilled from the language of individual experience to therapeutic understanding is a strength of phenomenological research methods, particularly when integrated with a hermeneutic model of interpretive dialogue. The research applied Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to aid in the understanding of women's expressions of their experiences of and how they coped with microaggressions, in order to inform psychotherapeutic practice. Results from the study revealed nine superordinate themes including: (a) experiences of gender microaggressions, (b) reactions and emotional responses, (c) perceived intentions of the aggressor, (d) consequences for taking a stand against microaggressions, (e) coping mechanisms, (f) implicit effects of gender microaggressions, (g) ambiguity about gender microaggressions, (h) thoughts on gender microaggressions, and (i) (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Susan Hawes PhD (Committee Chair); Gina Pasquale PsyD (Committee Member); Barbara Belcher-Timme PsyD (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2018, Antioch New England: Clinical Psychology

This dissertation documents an effort to spark an explicit conceptualization of the Adventure Curriculum for Physical Education (ACPE) as a universally delivered Social Emotional Learning (SEL) program. The ACPE program is a K-12 program that integrates adventure activities into a physical education curriculum for the purpose of fostering student social and emotional skills (Panicucci, Hunt, Constable, Kohut, & Rheingold, 2003). The ACPE program was first implemented in 1971. Initially inspired by the philosophy of Outward Bound, ACPE developers at Project Adventure sought to bring a sense of adventure to the school setting in order to support student self-empowerment. Although ACPE was developed prior to the advent of the SEL framework, it maintains goals closely aligned with the skills and activities that are integral to SEL. For example, ACPE program goals include student demonstration of adaptive personal and social behavior, interpersonal skills, decision making skills, goal setting, risk taking, problem solving, and student understanding and respect for individual differences (Panicucci et al., 2003).The aim of the present project was to generate themes pertaining to student experiences of ACPE programming. To this end, this project applied a qualitative research orientation to explore four middle school students' perspectives on their own experiences and social emotional learning as participants in the ACPE program. Research methods followed the Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach, as presented by Smith and Osborn (2008). Participants included two 7th-grade students (1 female, 1 male), and two 8th-grade students (2 female) who were interviewed individually at school. Each participant was asked about experiences from Wellness classes based on ACPE programming. Three broad themes were identified from student accounts: (a) Novel Experiences, (b) Empowerment, and (c) Moral Development. Students recounted meaningful experiences as being novel, em (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Martha Straus PhD (Committee Chair); Susan Hawes PhD (Committee Member); William Slammon PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2017, Antioch Seattle: Clinical Psychology

There has been a rising interest in addiction medicine and addiction treatment in both the medical and behavioral health science fields. Research suggests having a family member with a substance abuse problem has negative impacts on both physical and mental health (Orford, Copello, Velleman, & Templeton, 2010a). Despite advances toward understanding the experiences of family members affected by a loved one's addiction, the siblings of substance abusers have been largely excluded from scientific research and literature. As a result, little is known about how siblings experience the impacts of a brother or sister's addiction; even less is known about the experiences of adolescent siblings sharing a home with a substance-abusing sibling. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of and meanings made by adolescents living with the phenomenon of a sibling's addiction. Five adolescents participated in a semi-structured interview exploring the question: What is it like to be the brother or sister of a person with a substance abuse problem? Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyze data and six themes were identified: personal impact; familial impact; social impact; coping strategies; shared ways of knowing, being, and seeing; and ways of understanding. The results indicated siblings experience profound emotional and relational impacts, which include stress, anxiety, sadness, and anger as a result of the trauma, betrayal, and grief associated with a sibling's substance abuse. Experiences of invalidation within the family and stigmatization within the community were associated with strained relationships and increased isolation. A comparison of the results to existing research on adult siblings of substance abusers revealed the negative impacts experienced by adolescent siblings of substance abusers continue into adulthood. Participants' ability to identify and describe these negative impacts directly contributes to the health care fi (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Mary Wieneke Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Jane Harmon-Jacobs Ph.D. (Committee Member); Barbara Lui Ph.D. (Committee Member); Phil Cushman Ph.D. (Other) Subjects: Behavioral Psychology; Behavioral Sciences; Clinical Psychology; Counseling Psychology; Developmental Psychology; Families and Family Life; Health Care; Health Education; Health Sciences; Mental Health; Psychology; Psychotherapy; Public Health; Public Health Education; School Counseling; Social Psychology; Social Research; Social Work; Therapy

Doctor of Musical Arts, The Ohio State University, 2017, Music

Modest Mussorgsky's song cycle Songs and Dances of Death is a series of four miniature dramatic scenes. The text was supplied by Arseny Golenishchev-Kutuzov, who developed a keen relationship with the composer when they shared an apartment. A glance at Mussorgsky's musical life and growth in the “Mighty Handful” circle helps us comprehend the evolution of his compositional style. At the peak of his musical maturity, the composer devoted himself to compositions in the realist, nationalist style. However, Songs and Dances of Death seems to have softened the edge of his style by incorporating lyricism, and possibly also impressionism and symbolism, into his works. Mussorgsky's music in Songs and Dances of Death is tonal but it does not adhere to a traditional Western music theoretical analysis. Therefore, the musical analysis presented is based on defining the terms musical environment and musical energy as they emerge from the compositional components, an approach that provides yet another dimension of musical understanding in works like Mussorgsky's. Russian diction is discussed in great detail along with a comprehensive summary of the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) system for the Russian language.

Committee: Robin Rice (Advisor); Edward Bak (Committee Member); Alexander Burry (Committee Member); Katherine Rohrer (Committee Member) Subjects: Music; Performing Arts; Slavic Literature