Psy. D., Antioch University, 2014, Antioch New England: Clinical Psychology

In 2009, Gawande published an article in The New Yorker that put the unknown mid-sized South Texas city of McAllen on the map. The article stated that McAllen was one of the most expensive health care markets in the country; it caused such media-frenzy that in a few days President Barack Obama (2009) began citing McAllen in his speeches for health care reform. Gawande concluded that overspending in the area was due to overutilization of medical services. The present study examined whether mental health services are overutilized based on archival data on McAllen's mental health services collected from Medicaid, Tropical Texas Behavioral Health (a McAllen area community mental health center [CMHC]), and The Behavioral Center at Doctors Hospital at Renaissance (a McAllen area private hospital). Findings yielded that diagnostic-related groups significantly impacted the average length of stay, as well as total costs for psychiatric inpatient treatment in McAllen, TX. Schizophrenia spectrum disorders required more days of treatment within the hospital than Bipolar disorders and further more days than Depressive disorders. Correspondingly, inpatient treatment of Schizophrenia spectrum disorders cost an additional $5,554.80 when compared to Bipolar disorders and $9,095.16 more than for Depressive disorders. Additionally, the readmission rate at Doctors Hospital was 26.72%, with nearly 1/4 of patients being readmitted at least once, and nearly 7% had 4 or more psychiatric hospitalizations within a one-year period. This readmission rate was higher than the national average perhaps because of inadequate after-care outpatient treatment in McAllen. Medicaid data showed that Texas consistently failed to contribute any state moneys to mental health spending; and that Massachusetts saw a considerably smaller increase in mental health expenditures over a 10-year period for both inpatient and outpatient services when compared to the United States as a whole (i.e., 26% vs. 260% for (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Gargi Roysircar Ph.D. (Committee Chair); David Hamolsky Psy.D. (Committee Member); Carlotta Willis Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), Wright State University, 2019, School of Professional Psychology

Previous research on gender conflict and strain quantitatively measured traditional masculinity ideology from western societal norms. The current study added to the previous research and qualitatively studied masculinity performance in men from different cultures: Black, Asian, Latino. Results from this study added to masculinity research due to the mixed method approach of both quantitative and qualitative research in males from diverse groups. Information gained from this study enabled masculinity to be operationally defined by different cultural focus groups and compared in order to explore distinct masculinity expression. Information was gained by measuring traditional masculinity ideology quantitatively on the Male Role Norms Inventory-Short Form (MRNI-SF). In addition, the males participated in separate focus groups to provide narratives of their masculinity performance beyond their traditional masculine ideology measured on the MRNI-SF. The current study showed that traditional masculine gender ideology was similar within all males, but how they expressed their masculine ideology appeared different in the Black, Asian, and Latino focus groups. Information from the current study will add to the masculinity research and increase understanding on the complexity of masculinity expression due to the integration of multiple cultural variables. Such knowledge will also enhance the cultural competence of providers and improve mental health resources for diverse men.

Committee: Steven Kniffley Jr. sy.D., M.P.A., ABPP (Committee Chair); Scott Fraser Ph.D., ABPP (Committee Member); Chris Modica Ph.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: African American Studies; African Americans; African Literature; Asian American Studies; Asian Studies; Black Studies; Clinical Psychology; Counseling Education; Counseling Psychology; Gender; Gender Studies; Hispanic American Studies; Hispanic Americans; Latin American History; Latin American Literature; Latin American Studies; Mental Health; Psychology; Psychotherapy; Quantitative Psychology; Social Psychology; Social Research

Psy. D., Antioch University, 2018, Antioch Santa Barbara: Clinical Psychology

The occurrence of specific types of mental health problems could be influenced by several factors. Immigration experiences can bring additional distress to the individual. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to expand current knowledge of the experience of Latinas immigrating to the United States during their adolescence in hopes to get a deeper understanding of possible mental health concerns of this specific population. This study included an extensive review of literature regarding adolescent development, Latino immigration into the United States, cultural identity, gender issues, racism, xenophobia, and mental health concerns. A phenomenological methodology approach was used for this study to understand the messages and common themes from interviews directly from individuals who have experienced this phenomenon. The criteria for this study included a sample of eight participants. These participants screened met the criteria; adult women immigrating as adolescents to the United States from any Latin American country. Participants shared their testimonies and provided meaningful information regarding the significance of their immigration experiences as adolescents. Themes identified were participant's experiences of leaving their country, arriving in the United States, and adjustment during the first year after immigration. Interviews lasted for approximately 60 minutes with each participant who answered 11 open-ended questions about their experiences. The interviews conducted were in the participants' language of choice (Spanish/English). The data obtained from the interviews was translated as necessary, transcribed and analyzed using Dedoose Software using qualitative methodology. In this study, six meaning themes emerged. Data results revealed adolescent Latina immigrants might experience family distress, parenting, separation/reunification, emotional process of adjustment, cultural/social issues, socioeconomic matters, and psychological (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Ronald Pilato PsyD (Committee Chair); Salvador Trevino PhD (Committee Member); Oksana Yakushko PhD (Committee Member) Subjects: Counseling Psychology; Families and Family Life; Gender; Hispanic Americans; Latin American Studies

Master of Arts, University of Toledo, 2015, Psychology - Clinical

The Latino population in U.S. is a rapidly growing demographic, including over 15 million individuals as of the 2010 Census (U.S. Census Bureau, 2010). Symptom distress and mental illness are prevalent among Latinos (Alegria et al., 2007; Alegria et al., 2008; OMH, 2012). However, there are significant differences in prevalence rates of psychiatric diagnoses (Alegria et al., 2007; Alegria et al., 2008) and rates of mental health help-seeking and service utilization (Alegria et al., 2002; OMH, 2012) between Latinos and other demographic groups. Current mental health recovery models emphasize that recovery from serious mental illness (SMI) is a personal journey (Henderson, 2010, SAMHSA, 2012). Consumer narratives have played an important role in identifying key themes of the recovery process (Corrigan et al., 1999; Ridgway, 2001; Young & Ensing, 1999). However, the recovery experiences of Latino consumers are notably absent. This study sought to deepen the recovery literature by developing a Latino-centered model of mental health recovery. One-on-one interviews were conducted with eight Latino consumers and four family members of Latino consumers regarding their experiences with recovery. Themes were assessed using grounded theory analysis. Primary themes emerging from the analysis include a split between the Latino values of family unity and caring for family members, and a systematic lack of knowledge of the nature of mental illness and recovery. Overall, the coping strategies described by Latinos in the sample were found to be consistent with those described in other recovery models. However, Latinos in recovery appear to be especially empowered when connected with quality mental health care and community organizational support. A majority of participants also demonstrated a strong desire to self-advocate and give back to the community. Stigma and lack of education on mental illness among Latinos were frequently cited as harmful for Latino consumers (open full item for complete abstract)

Committee: Wesley Bullock (Committee Chair); Jason Levine (Committee Member); Gregory Meyer (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Minority and Ethnic Groups

Bachelor of Arts, Wittenberg University, 2012, Psychology

The present study aimed to contribute to the understanding of the effects of acculturation on immigrant youth mental health and positive social behaviors. Acculturation levels, along with family environment, amount of and feelings towards language brokering tasks, and parents' level of English proficiency, were investigated in order to describe the relationship between the individual and collective impact of each on mental health. Surveys were administered to 14 students of Mexican descent between the ages of 9-14. The majority of the participants were born in the United States (71%), while 21% were born in Mexico. Results from correlation analyses showed that fewer mental health problems for immigrant youth were associated with higher integration levels of acculturation while fewer prosocial behaviors endorsed by the youth were associated with a higher assimilation level of acculturation. The family environment was found to have both a positive and negative impact on youth mental health and prosocial behavior. More mental health difficulties for the youth were found to be associated with family cohesion and out of control anger, while youth prosocial behavior was found to be associated with more family harmony. Less family harmony and support along with more fighting in the family seemed to shape the child's feelings of language brokering negatively. A simple regression suggested that both mother's and father's English ability were good predictors of youth mental health and prosocial behavior respectively. Family harmony and fighting were also suggested as good predictors for youth prosocial behavior.

Committee: Stephanie Little Dr. (Advisor); Fernando Blanco Dr. (Committee Member); Lauren Crane Dr. (Committee Member) Subjects: Psychology