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

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

Mental health has been a topic that is slowly gaining more acknowledgement and awareness over time. However, despite the elevation in awareness, there are many cultures where mental health issues remain subject to stigma, which discourages an individual from seeking, or even acknowledging, mental health treatment and services. This study focuses upon varying perceptions of mental health by exploring in-depth the perception of mental health within the Punjabi community and how Punjabi culture affects such perceptions. Specifically, this research study examines how young adults who immigrated from Punjab, India to British Columbia (B.C.) perceive and respond to mental health concerns. This study uses a qualitative approach through the lens of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) that aims to provide a detailed examination of personal lived experience. Participants included five young adults who recently immigrated from Punjab to British Columbia within the past five years. Stigma and shame, relationships, international student status, and cultural awareness were the four superordinate themes generated from the interviews. All participants shared the importance of establishing a sense of community and having a support system that fostered feelings of understanding and acknowledgment. Participants also shared the criticality of working with a competent mental health professional who understands the specific experiences and struggles that immigrants face. Providing support, resources, and mandatory mental health information sessions as immigrants arrive to B.C. would be beneficial as they navigate through the complexities of the health care system. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

Committee: Christopher Heffner (Committee Chair); Michael Sakuma (Committee Member); Maleeha Abbas (Committee Member) Subjects: Mental Health; South Asian Studies

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, 2023, Psychology-Adult Development and Aging

Microaggressions are the everyday, somewhat covert, verbal and nonverbal manifestation of prejudice. The current ageist microaggression framework was not developed using the standard focus group approach, nor does it address how ageist microaggressions might differ depending on a person's other identities (Gietzen et al., 2022). The purpose of the study was to establish how the intersections of age, race, and gender uniquely influence the development of an age microaggression taxonomy. This study was guided by the following research questions: (1) How are interpersonal experiences of ageism framed/interpreted by older adults? (2) Can these interpersonal experiences be conceptualized within a microaggressions framework? If there is evidence to suggest a taxonomy of ageist microaggressions can be developed, how will it be similar or different than the taxonomies of other identity-based microaggressions? (3) Are the interpersonal experiences of ageist microaggressions unique depending on a person's age, gender, and/or race/ethnicity, and if so, can this be clearly delineated within taxonomy development? Results of an interpretive phenomenological analysis of four diverse focus groups found a total of sixteen ageist microaggressions: Ageist Comments, Social Eradication, Workplace Prejudice and Discrimination, Health-Related Discrimination, Self-Deprecating Ageist Humor, Age-Appropriate Judgments, Assumptions Regarding Physical Abilities, Assumptions Regarding Mental Abilities, Elderspeak, Overaccommodations, Social Exclusion, Gendered Ageist Assumptions, Expectation of Age-Related Problems, Denial of Disability Experience, Emotional Nullification, and Benevolent Invalidations. Theoretical implications of this taxonomy such as affirming microaggression theory, and practical implications such as providing a system for articulating everyday instances of ageism are discussed.

Committee: Toni Bisconti (Advisor); John Queener (Committee Member); Juan Xi (Committee Member); Jennifer Stanley (Committee Member); Eric Allard (Committee Member); Olivia Pethtel (Committee Member) Subjects: Developmental Psychology; Gerontology; Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), University of Dayton, 2023, Educational Leadership

This study was conducted to expand and contribute to the corpus of trauma-informed pedagogical knowledge and research. With the high prevalence of trauma in college student populations, it is critical for institutions to understand the experiences of faculty members who engage daily with traumatized students. Using an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach, this qualitative inquiry explored the lived experiences of faculty members who teach traumatized students in higher education and the impacts those experiences have had. Eight faculty members from various institutions of higher education across the United States took part in hour-long, semi-structured interviews regarding their experiences of teaching traumatized students. The transcribed and coded data, viewed through the lenses of secondary trauma and crossover theoretical frameworks, revealed that teaching traumatized students, in combination with an absence of trauma-informed professional preparation, has impacted the wellbeing of faculty, negatively influenced their teaching self-efficacy beliefs, and resulted in negative perceptions toward employing institutions. The glaring need for trauma-informed pedagogical training for faculty members in higher education is successfully established in this study.

Committee: Thomas Lasley (Committee Chair); Cassie Barlow (Committee Member); Steven Hinshaw (Committee Member); Mary Ziskin (Committee Member) Subjects: Education; Education Policy; Educational Leadership; Higher Education; Higher Education Administration; Organizational Behavior; Psychology

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2022, Antioch New England: Clinical Psychology

Graduate psychology students face numerous stressors that can hinder their performance both academically and clinically as they move through their education and into the professional world (Pakenham & Stafford-Brown, 2012; Shen-Miller, 2011). Engagement with regular self-care not only can enhance a sense of well-being, but also plays a crucial role in shielding an individual from some of the most harmful effects of stress (Wise et al., 2012). Graduate level psychology programs are inherently positioned to teach graduate trainees about the importance of self-care practices and to help them develop self-care habits that they can take into future careers. It appears though, that these programs are often falling short in promoting self-care education and practices for their students, and students take notice of this (Bamonti et al., 2014; Munsey, 2006; Zahniser et al., 2017). The present qualitative dissertation study used an interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) based method. Graduate psychology students were interviewed and were administered the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) with the goal of learning about: (a) how they experience their graduate school's promotion of self-care, and (b) how this may or may not interact with their comfort level in engaging with self-care activities, as well as their perceived stress levels (Cohen & Williamson, 2022).

Committee: Roger Peterson Ph.D., ABPP (Committee Chair); Alexander Blount Ed.D. (Committee Member); Barbara Belcher-Timme Psy.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Psychology; Psychotherapy

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2022, Antioch Seattle: Clinical Psychology

Sex is an integral part of human nature and identity (Sanabria & Murray, 2018), yet many clinical psychology programs may not offer adequate sexuality training. This study explored clients' needs for support surrounding sexuality, clinical competence in human sexuality, and the availability of human sexuality training in doctoral psychology programs across the United States. In an effort to create a large sample size, I randomly chose 25 doctoral psychology programs to examine the nature of their sexuality trainings or sex education. Only two of these programs offered classes or trainings, though neither of the programs required the courses for program completion. Due to the qualitative nature of this study and availability of subjects, I chose to interview six locally based individuals who sought therapy from a clinical psychologist within 10 years of this study. Most subjects reported that while sex and sexuality were important factors in their therapeutic endeavors, their therapists lacked awareness or comfort around discussions of sexuality. The findings in this study suggest that the (a) lack of human sexuality training in doctoral psychology curriculums and (b) overall dissatisfaction of the six individuals I interviewed may indicate a need for further studies examining quality and availability of human sexuality training in doctoral psychology programs, and (c) the lack of training offered by doctoral psychology programs may limit clinicians' clinical competency.

Committee: Chris Heffner PsyD,PhD (Committee Chair); Dug Lee PhD, ABPP (Committee Member); Sara Beth Lohre PsyD (Committee Member) Subjects: Education; Psychology; Psychotherapy; Therapy

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

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2022, Antioch New England: Clinical Psychology

In this study, I examined the perspectives that emerging adult alums of a program called Youth Leadership Through Adventure (YLTA) have of their adolescent experiences of being a leader. Eight YLTA alums engaged in semi-structured interviews focusing on the research questions: What are the lived experiences of leadership in emerging adult alums of YLTA? What factors of their adolescent involvement were most influential in their emerging adult lives? As a youth development program, YLTA is supported by Adapt and the North Country Health Consortium (NCHC), two nonprofit organizations devoted to improving health conditions and habits of individuals residing in the north country of New Hampshire. YLTA is implemented in middle and high schools in this region. In this dissertation, I describe the components of and evidence base for YLTA. I point to literature that highlights the importance of researching youth development programs and adolescent and emerging adult experiences of leadership. Through both a developmental perspective and the relational leadership model I offer a theoretical framework through which to conceptualize and discuss the findings. I outline the method of recruitment and procedure for the qualitative approach to data collection including an explanation of interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA), and the analysis and interpretation of results. Five clusters of themes surfaced through the analysis. The themes suggest that (a) alums are committed to the program for various reasons, (b) alums gained a sense of self through program participation, (c) YLTA supported multiple aspects of alums' development, (d) the YLTA culture and community were significant factors in alums' experiences, and (e) three other aspects of YLTA programming (conferences, its emphasis on reflection, and its timing) were highly influential in alums' experiences. I discuss the implications of these findings for the YLTA program, limitations of the study, and potential areas for (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Martha Straus PhD (Committee Chair); Katherine Evarts PsyD (Committee Member); William Hafford PsyD (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical 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

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

PHD, Kent State University, 2020, College of Public Health

As concerns rise over weight-based stigma and victimization, eating disorder prevention and treatment has gained recognition as a public health priority. Presently, approximately 30 million Americans experience eating disorder symptoms. These disorders are characterized by chronicity and relapse and have the potential for severe and enduring negative health outcomes, including cardiovascular compromise. More alarming, eating disorders have the highest risk of mortality of any mental health disorder. Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is an emerging pattern of disordered eating which appears to share characteristics of anorexia nervosa (AN), but differs in its primary motivation. It has been suggested that ON is driven by a pathological desire to consume only highly nutritious foods, absent of a concern over body weight. Current diagnostic criteria for AN require the presence of distorted body image, suggesting that AN prevention and treatment approaches may not be appropriate for individuals with, or at risk for developing ON. Accordingly, it is necessary to determine if ON and AN are unique disorders, by developing knowledge of how and why the disorder manifests, as the design of appropriate interventions relies upon an understanding of motivations for pursuing dietary restriction. While several published case studies on the subject of ON have provided detailed information about characteristics of the disorder, they do not provide adequate evidence to inform prevention and treatment strategies which might be effective in multiple contexts, or with a variety of individuals. Further, currently available instruments have been unable to distinguish between AN and ON, and in some cases, between individuals with knowledge of healthy diet and those with pathological obsessions. Although there has been an increased interest in ON, the definition, diagnostic criteria, and true prevalence of the condition remain unclear, warranting further exploration of this nascent disorder. The p (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Jeffrey Hallam (Committee Co-Chair); Sheryl Chatfield (Committee Co-Chair); Jennifer Warren (Committee Member); Janice Yoder (Committee Member) Subjects: Public Health

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

The purpose of this research study is to share scholarly data that may assist in the recognition and cultural understanding of LatinX Chief DOs in higher education institutions. This multi-phase, qualitative study critically considers the participants' sociopolitical, psychological, and, cultural situated-ness as equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) leaders in higher education institutions (HEIs). Despite the psychological stressors, the participants described how and why they are energized by their commitment to creating change as social justice campeonas (champions). This study explains why LatinX DOs leading EDI institutional change in the 21st century, places them in precarious sociopolitical circumstances. Cultural values are identified by the research study participants as foundational to their identity, sources of motivation, tenacity, and, strength for leading EDI, institutional change. An interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) methodology is applied to this study describing, interpreting, contextualizing, and gaining in-depth insights into specific concepts of the phenomena; of “being” LatinX DOs in HEIs leading EDI. Eight participants were identified through a purposive process. Referred to here as “co-researchers,” they engaged as experts of their own interpretations, and as narrators of their own stories. This study included non-Westernized epistemological and ontological perspectives. A hermeneutic, subjective-reflective process of interpretation explored the co-researcher's social, contextual, and cultural truths—the wholeness of their experiences. The co-researchers engaged in a multi-phase, qualitative study which included individual interviews, and, two facilitated focus groups held over multiple days. The co-researchers developed a co-constructed, collective narrative highlighting the urgency to interrupt and change oppressive patterns and behaviors in themselves, in their respective institutions, and, the communities to which they belong. (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Lize Booysen DBL (Committee Chair); Elizabeth Holloway PhD (Committee Member); Angelo Gomez JD (Committee Member) Subjects: Education; Educational Leadership; Higher Education; Hispanic Americans; Multicultural Education; Womens Studies

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2019, Human Ecology: Human Development and Family Science

This study's purpose was to explore the question: what is the lived experience of family members of those who identify as Mexican American and as a sexual minority member? Research into the experiences of sexual minority youth and their families of origin continues to lag behind other populations (Woodward & Willoughby, 2013). Research on families of origin for sexual minority persons in the Mexican-American communities is especially scant (Franklin, 2015). Using a purposively homogeneous sample of 4 families, the researcher conducted semi- structured interviews which were transcribed and analyzed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, Flowers & Larkin, 2009). The goal of this study was to produce results which will assist family researchers and therapists in their work with sexual minority persons and their families by providing analysis of lived experiences which might be similar to other persons and their families, offering insight into risks and resiliencies present in similar persons' lives. Studies have repeatedly found higher rates of suicidal ideation and attempts among members of sexual minorities (D'Augelli & Hershberger, 1993); though it is unclear whether this phenomenon is mirrored in completed suicides. With Centers for Disease Control reporting that Latinos continue to be disproportionally affected by HIV disease, representing 20% of new infections while making up only 16% of the US as a whole, and nearly all those new infections in the Latino community resulting from male-to-male sexual contact, the vast majority (67%) among those under 35 years of age, increased study of Latino families of sexual minority adolescents and young adults would appear to be more urgent now than ever before (CDC, 2015). It appears that further research into how families incorporate into their lived experience the discovery of having sexual minority members might prove beneficial to both young people and their parents. As researchers exploring the effect (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Suzanne Bartle-Haring Ph.D. (Advisor); Susan Saltzburg Ph.D (Committee Member); Keeley Pratt Ph.D. (Committee Member); Judith Tate Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Families and Family Life; Personal Relationships; Psychotherapy

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2019, Communication Studies (Communication)

In this dissertation, I present an exploration of the social construction of adoptee identity before, during, and after search and reunion with their birth families. Guided by the Communication Theory of Identity (CTI), I examined identity layers and emergent identity gaps and investigated the use of online communication and supportive communication on adoptees' relationships with their family members. Using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA), I interviewed 51 adoptees using semi-structured interviews. In chapter one, I introduce the historical constructions of adoptions and present arguments for researching my particular sample. Chapter two offers extant literature related to adoption, identity, technological communication and supportive communication, with an explication of the guiding theoretical framework, the CTI. The methods chapter details the foundational work of IPA including phenomenology, hermeneutics, and idiography. Here, I also describe my participants and the detailed process of constructing this dissertation. I present my analyses in chapters four through seven. Chapter four illustrates the complex formation and development of adoptive identity as it intermingles with the four layers of identity described in CTI. In chapter five, I extend the discussion on identity by explaining the potential identity gaps that form during search and reunion. Chapter six is a presentation of the implications of modern technologies on adoption search and reunion. Finally, in chapter seven I argue that supportive communication has the ability to shape identity for adoptees and is vital for adoptee well-being. I conclude with a discussion of theoretical and practical implications, limitations, and avenues for future research.

Committee: Laura Black (Advisor); Lynn Harter (Committee Member); Stephanie Tikkanen (Committee Member); Charlie Morgan (Committee Member) Subjects: Communication

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2018, Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services: Educational Studies

Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) is recognized as one of the most common causes of infant mortality in the first year of life, however, there is a lack of literature that specifically addresses experience of parents who are bereaved within this context. This gap inhibits the ability of those serving the CHD population to design systems that adequately support parents in instances of infant death. This qualitative study aimed to explore the phenomenon of parental experience of infant loss in the context of CHD through semi-structured interviews. Eight bereaved mothers participated in the study. Data were analyzed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT) provided the conceptual lens through which findings were interpreted. IPA involved a rigorous process of coding text, developing case-specific thematic tables, and cross-case analysis. Three major themes were identified: Loss of an Assumptive World, Knowledge and Knowing, and Relational Context. Participants experienced emotional difficulty and a need to adjust their foundational expectations for life at two primary points – at the time of CHD diagnosis and at the time of infant loss. Information seeking, information sharing, information acquisition, and sense-making were all important aspects of participant experience. Understanding facts about their child's healthcare was of critical importance to families, as was comprehending the content and implications of those facts. All parents indicated a desire to be informed and engaged by their child's healthcare providers, but the exact level of transparency and involvement that they expected varied. Issues of knowledge and knowing were relevant throughout the journey, including the prenatal period, as they learned to navigate the hospital system, during circumstances of complications and unwanted outcomes, and in the post-loss time period. For many parent participants the need for information gathering extended well into t (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Lisa Vaughn Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Vicki Plano Clark Ph.D. (Committee Member); Miriam Raider-Roth Ed.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Social Research

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

In June 2015, the marriage equality movement in the United States succeeded at the federal level. This study documents individuals' perceptions of how the fight for marriage equality affected their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors within their own marriages to same-sex spouses. I conducted interviews with eight married individuals (five men and three women) who were married prior to the Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide. Areas of inquiry included (a) motivation to get married, (b) factors affecting commitment, (c) willingness to utilize couple therapy, and (d) factors affecting thoughts about divorce. I hypothesized that, for some individuals or couples, the fight to legalize same-sex marriage nationwide may have imposed pressure to promote the cause of marriage equality or fight antigay stigma and prejudice, thereby affecting commitment in their marriage. The primary interest in this study was to better understand the way individuals think about their marriages and how they were affected by the marriage equality movement. I used interpretive phenomenological analysis to analyze the data. Most participants endorsed some degree of political or social justice themes in their reasons for getting married or among the factors impacting their thoughts and feelings about marriage. Fewer participants thought political and social justice concerns would impact their commitment or thoughts about divorce, though this was a factor for two individuals. Participants did not see their willingness to use couple therapy as impacted by the marriage equality movement or by political and social justice concerns. Participants also described the impact of the marriage equality movement and the associated sociocultural/political turmoil on their lives in general. This study has implications for therapists working with same-sex couples or individuals struggling with relationship concerns. Political factors can be present among the motivations of a couple to g (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Kathi A. Borden PhD (Committee Chair); Barbara Belcher-Timme PsyD (Committee Member); David Arbeitman PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology

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

Helping clients develop resources and stability required to tolerate reprocessing memories can be a considerable part of psychotherapy, particularly with clients who are suffering symptoms related to complex developmental trauma or cumulative multiple-event trauma. There is a paucity of research regarding how experienced EMDR Therapy practitioners experience helping their clients to develop resources required to tolerate reprocessing of trauma memories. This dissertation is an in-depth study of five participants, each a licensed mental health practitioner in the State of Washington, who are trained in EMDR and experienced working with clients who are suffering symptoms of trauma. Each participant was interviewed and the interviews were analyzed using Interpretive Phenomenal Analysis. Four primary themes were identified: Therapist Experience, Trauma Conceptualization, Stabilization, and All these Tools. Each participant described their experience in the context of their own motivators, their own conceptualization of what their clients were experiencing, and their understandings of what worked in helping their clients to stabilize throughout the process of therapy. Participants acknowledged the significant role that EMDR Therapy training had in shaping both their understanding and treatment of trauma. They also described the complexity of working with traumatized clients and the importance of common factors, such as relationship, trust, and safety in their work. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA, http://aura.antioch.edu/ and Ohio Link ETD Center, https://etd.ohiolink.edu/etd.

Committee: William Heusler Psy.D. (Committee Chair); Dana Waters Psy.D. (Committee Member); Kelly K. Brown Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Counseling Psychology; Psychology; Psychotherapy

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2016, Antioch Seattle: Clinical Psychology

History has shown, time and again, that parenting practices in America change in the face of important social, political, cultural and ideological transitions. Such influences are often concealed, but nonetheless greatly impact not only the way mothers parent their children but also how they think of themselves in their mothering role. Historical and feminist scholars have helped to elucidate how broad historical legacies and current ideologies, such as patriarchy, capitalism, neoliberalism, and feminism itself, continue to shape dominant discursive understandings about motherhood. Using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, eight first time mothers from mostly white, middle class, educated and full time working lifestyles were interviewed to explore their experiences with developing a parenting practice, particularly in the face of numerous saturated cultural influences. Results revealed that participants were most likely to seek advice from close trusted peers, they were unlikely to seek or receive advice from their own parents, they tended to only trust the advice of patient-centered healthcare professionals, and their experiences and understandings of mothering were implicitly shaped by the forces of patriarchy, neoliberalism, and scientism, as well as their own intuitive maternal thinking. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA, http://aura.antioch.edu/ and Ohio Link ETD Center, https://etd.ohiolink.edu/etd

Committee: Suzanne Engelberg Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Dana Waters Psy.D. (Committee Member); Andrea O'Reilly Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Gender Studies; Psychology

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2015, Antioch New England: Clinical Psychology

This qualitative study explored the experience of the death of a sibling in childhood. Seven memoirs written by individuals who lost a sibling in childhood were analyzed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Themes focused on the child's lived experience of sibling loss, parental and familial function, and factors identified as supporting the child's grieving and functioning. Where relevant, an in-depth review of the existing literature of relevant psychological research and theories supported and expanded on the themes identified in the narratives. As the purpose of this research was to inform a model for understanding the life and grief of a bereaved sibling, the study informed ways in which to facilitate the child's grieving process in the therapeutic setting and concrete implications for mental health treatment were identified.

Committee: Theodore Ellenhorn PhD (Committee Chair); Martha Straus PhD (Committee Member); Porter Eagan PsyD (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2015, Antioch New England: Clinical Psychology

This qualitative dissertation project explored how young-old adults have healed from the traumatic experience of being sexually abused in childhood. This project utilized an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to analyze themes across the young-old adults' responses. Data collection consisted of interviewing six participants (age 51-58) who have had a history of child sexual abuse (CSA) from a loved one or other trusted individual and have felt that they have healed and demonstrated resiliency from the experience. Ten general themes emerged: (a) Getting older has helped me develop a better understanding and helped me to become less emotionally reactive; (b) After the abuse, I went through a period in which I felt unworthy and that I was at fault; (c) After the abuse, I went through a period where I was sexually active to fill a void; (d) It is difficult to make meaning out of something so terrible; (e) As a child, I didn't have anyone who was supportive after the abuse event; (f) As an adult, at least one primary relationship was essential in my healing; (g) Talking about my experience was important in my healing; (h) Finding out “I wasn't alone” was essential in my healing; (i) Helping others has been essential in my healing process; (j) I've experienced typical physical changes as a result of the aging process. Although all participants reported having no one to turn to for support as a child, each participant indicated that at least one primary relationship in adulthood was imperative in their healing. Additionally, each participant indicated that getting older had led them to greater understanding and helped them to become less reactive.

Committee: Roger L Peterson PhD, ABPP (Committee Chair); Lorraine Mangione PhD (Committee Member); William Slammon PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology