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

It is well established that, while all orphanages are not equally harsh, none can provide the quality of care found in most homes. The depriving circumstances of many such institutions often leads to lingering delays across social, emotional, cognitive, psychological, and physical domains of development. However, for many international adoptees there is evidence of resilience and catch-up growth across these same domains following adoption. Adoptive identity theory provides the framework for this qualitative exploration assessing the degree of coherence among six previously-institutionalized (PI) international adoptees' narratives about the meaning and role of adoption in their lives as emerging adults. Adoptive identity theory has been applied to domestic adoptions; the model successfully predicts adopted adolescents' psychological adjustment as emerging adults. This dissertation addresses a knowledge gap, looking at the applicability of adoptive identity theory as it relates to international adoptees who have lived in an orphanage. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to examine participants' individual perspectives on the impact of beginning life in an orphanage on their post-adoption life. Four super-ordinate clusters emerged from the interview data: (a) Missing Pieces of the Adoption Story, (b) Influential People in an International Adoptees' Life, (c) Complexities Faced by International Adoptees, and (d) The Meaning of Shared Culture, Family, and Friends for International Adoptees. The results are discussed in conjunction with the existing adoption literature with the intention of informing clinical practice with this population.

Committee: Martha B. Straus Ph.D. (Committee Chair); Susan Hawes Ph.D. (Committee Member); Gina Pasquale Psy.D. (Committee Member) Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Developmental Psychology; Mental Health; Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2018, History

The Civil Rights Act and the expansion of Title IV of the Social Security Act in 1962 vastly increased the number of children and families eligible for child welfare services in the 1960s. States and counties were able to offer a significant and sustained increase in government support for expanding existing institutional child welfare programs and creating new community based programs. The combination of increased demand and increased funding resulted in the transformation of children's institutions from mostly custodial and residential charitable organizations to mostly therapeutic and community-based government-subsidized nonprofit organizations. This dissertation examines the history of three children's homes affiliated with the National Benevolent Association of the Disciples of Christ from their founding around the turn of the twentieth century to the passage of the Child Abuse Protection and Treatment Act in 1974. These case studies demonstrate how federal legislation, state regulation, and the work of a national accreditation organization, The Child Welfare League of America, influenced the creation of modern child welfare agencies.

Committee: David Hammack (Advisor) Subjects: American History; Modern History; Religion; Welfare

Master of Arts, Miami University, 2016, History

This thesis article explores the history of Cincinnati's Episcopal Hospital for Children during the Progressive Era. The article describes an extended process of professionalization whereby the diocesan charity became a vanguard organization in the nascent specialization of pediatric medicine. This transformation was largely a cultural one. While the hospital's annual reports maintained discursive continuity about its central mission, distinct interpretations of the concepts of child welfare and health by intra-organizational groups acted as the key drivers of organizational change. The Board of Lady Managers believed that the organization needed to provide holistic care, emotional security, and Christian salvation to poor children. In contrast, doctors from the hospital's Medical Board emphasized the need for scientific healthcare practices and policies. Crises and conflict pitted the two groups against one another, ultimately resulting in the Cincinnati Children's Hospital and Pediatric Research Foundation of the 1930s.

Committee: Amanda McVety (Advisor); Elena Alberran (Committee Member); Steven Conn (Committee Member) Subjects: American History; Business Administration; Economic History; Entrepreneurship; Gender Studies; Health; Health Care; Health Care Management; History; Management; Modern History; Organization Theory; Public Health; Religious History; Science History; Social Work; Sociology; Spirituality; Welfare; Womens Studies

Bachelor of Science in Education, Miami University, 2007, School of Education and Allied Professions - Middle Childhood Education

This thesis uses a multigenre format to analyze the life and contributions of Janusz Korczak, 20th century Polish educational theorist. The pieces contained within the thesis are created with research gained from writings of Korczak, as well as work from scholars in the field. A complete list of references can be found at the end of the thesis. In order to preserve the aesthetic flow of the pieces, references are not cited within the text. More specific information can be found in the notes pages at the end of the body of text. Much of the dialog, scenery, and plot in this thesis is fabricated in order to appropriately frame the historical information. All major events, general theories, and players are based in research. Nothing is included within these pages without careful research. The creative framework is carefully tailored in order to make sure that it does not detract from the factual information that is portrayed.

Committee: Tom Romano (Advisor) Subjects: