Master of Science (MS), Ohio University, 2023, Clinical Psychology (Arts and Sciences)

Victims of child maltreatment have been shown to experience significant adverse outcomes including greater involvement with the criminal justice system and violent crime perpetration. However, the effects of child abuse and neglect victimization on parent risk for child maltreatment perpetration is lesser understood. Current research on the intergenerational transmission of child maltreatment has failed to consistently identify risk factors that explain this phenomenon. The current investigation examined specific child maltreatment types as predictors of parent perpetration of child physical abuse, physical neglect, and multi-type maltreatment. Using a nationally representative dataset, the effect of childhood trauma type on parent perpetration of abuse and/or neglect was tested for 1,530 females. Additionally, parent age, child sex, and parent and child ADHD were included as risk factors of child abuse and neglect. Regression analyses revealed that history of child maltreatment by type significantly predicted parent perpetration of abuse and/or neglect. Those with histories of physical neglect and sexual abuse were at the greatest risk of perpetrating physical neglect. Further, physical abuse, physical neglect, and multi-type maltreatment were significantly associated with parent perpetration of multi-type maltreatment. Parent histories of multi-type maltreatment and physical abuse significantly predicted perpetration of physical abuse. Moreover, child sex was shown to moderate the association between multi-type maltreatment victimization and parent perpetration of multi-type maltreatment. Finally, parent age moderated the association between being a victim and perpetrator of physical neglect and being a victim and perpetrator of multi-type maltreatment. Parent age also moderated the association between parent physical neglect victimization and perpetration of multi-type maltreatment.

Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, 2020, Psychology

Despite evidence indicating that psychological maltreatment (PM) has pernicious, long-lasting effects, research on this form of child maltreatment has been slow to progress. PM in childhood has been found to be a predictor of adult symptoms of anxiety and depression, substance use, and substance-related problems. Although a range of abusive and neglectful parenting behaviors can be considered psychological maltreatment, different subtypes of PM are rarely assessed. The available research examining subtypes of PM suggests that children experience distinct, and perhaps predictable, combinations of PM subtypes. Yet, research has not explored how subtypes of PM naturally co-occur or how these subtypes may differentially affect adult psychological functioning. Using latent profile analysis, the present study explored the natural co-occurrence of PM subtypes (i.e., terrorizing, spurning, exploiting/corrupting, isolating, and denying emotional responsiveness) and differences in adult psychological functioning in a community sample of 491 young women. Results indicated the best fit was a three-class model reflecting exposure to low, moderate, and high PM, across PM subtypes. Distinct PM groups were characterized by severity, but not subtype. Results also revealed statistically significant differences between the three PM groups on symptoms of anxiety and depression, substance use, and substance-related problems such that exposure to more severe PM tended to be associated with greater symptom severity. Importantly, PM did not occur in isolation as participants in the moderate and high PM groups reported high rates of child physical and sexual abuse. Research and clinical implications are discussed.

Doctor of Nursing Practice, Mount St. Joseph University , 2020, Department of Nursing

Substance abuse is a chronic disease. The evidence shows that many nurses lack the knowledge, skills, attitudes and confidence needed to help those struggling with substance abuse and this ultimately impacts patient outcomes. This project asked the question: for newly graduated registered nurses hired as nursing residents on adult, inpatient units at a large health system hospital centralized in Northwest Ohio, how does a 30-minute live in-service on substance abuse impact these RNs' perceived confidence in caring for patients with a history of substance abuse immediately and 30 days post-education in comparison to pre-education perceived confidence levels? In keeping with Knowles' Principles of Adult Learning and supported by evidence, substance abuse education was created for the target audience. An evidence-based survey tool, the DDPPQ, was used before and after the education was presented in order to assess the participants' confidence levels in caring for substance abuse patients. The analysis of the pre- and post-education survey results indicate that the participants' confidence levels significantly increased after receiving the education. These results will be disseminated in a variety of ways and adapted for larger audiences.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Ohio University, 2017, Theater

In our society, the topic of abuse has consistently made headlines—either for the severity of the abuse, the media shaming the of perpetrator, or in order to blame the victim. In an effort to confront this constant issue in our society, theater artists have portrayed acts of domestic abuse and violence onstage. These performances allow audiences to sympathize and empathize with victims while witnessing heinous acts on stage. This semester for my thesis project, I directed and produced the second production of Toni Kochensparger's play Milkwhite. Milkwhite had a total of three performances, February 26—28 in Putnam Hall's Create__space at Ohio University, and an audience talkback with the playwright after the final performance. This written portion of my thesis consists of case studies of four plays—Sarah Kane's Blasted, Harold Pinter's The Collection, Tennessee Williams's A Streetcar Named Desire, and Kochensparger's Milkwhite. Each case study analyses the types of abuse in the play, and the affect the abuse has on both abuser and victim. Additionally, the written portion contains a methods and reflection section about my production of Milkwhite. This research informed my directorial process this winter while directing Milkwhite. I believe that by researching other examples of abuse in dramatic literature, I can learn how to best use themes of abuse to tell Kochensparger's story.

Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, 2013, Psychology

The purpose of the current study was to investigate how various types of victimization and parental warmth and bonding experiences cluster together in young women's life histories in order to determine whether specific profiles of victimization relate to the development of borderline personality disorder (BPD) features. Seven hundred sixty-nine college women completed anonymous questionnaires related to their experiences with childhood maltreatment, adult sexual victimization, parental bonding and attachment, and features of BPD as well as related symptoms of general dysphoria and posttraumatic stress. A cluster analysis yielded a six-cluster solution which included a non-victimized control group, a group characterized by low paternal warmth/ bonding with moderate levels of childhood emotional abuse and little adult symptom distress, a group with no reported child maltreatment but adult sexual victimization, and three multi-type child maltreatment groups which generally evidenced the highest levels of BPD features and associated symptom distress (including a group characterized by physical and emotional abuse in addition to low parental warmth/ bonding, a group characterized by sexual re-victimization, and a group characterized by severe experiences with family violence). The current findings suggest that the co-occurrence of different types of maltreatment and poor parental bonding in childhood and adulthood may predict impairment in certain BPD feature domains and associated symptom domains of psychological distress.

Master of Arts, Ursuline College, 2008, Art Therapy and Counseling

The trauma endured by children entering foster care can be horrific. The child often works diligently to recover from the abuse and neglect that he or she has endured. The pain that the child experiences through the healing process may hamper the recovery. The child may resolve or identify issues by using art to lessen the burden and pain he may hold within himself. Art therapy as part of a treatment team approach with a child who has many needs, such as a foster child, is usually welcomed by the child, and can be very effective as part of an overall treatment plan.

Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, 2009, Psychology

The current study examined whether altered self-capacities mediate the link between child abuse and adult sexual revictimization. Data were collected from 849 female college students with anonymous surveys to assess child abuse (sexual [CSA], physical [CPA], and emotional [CEA]), adult sexual victimization (rape/attempted rape and verbal sexual coercion), and altered self-capacities (relatedness difficulties, identity impairment, and affect dysregulation). Maternal care also was examined as a contributor to adult sexual victimization given its impact on altered self-capacities. Reported experiences of adult rape and verbal coercion overlapped so substantially that three outcomes were examined: adult rape/attempted rape only, adult verbal sexual coercion only, and combined adult rape/attempt/coercion. The relationship between CSA and combined adult rape/attempt/coercion was mediated by all three altered self-capacities. However, altered self-capacities did not mediate the relationship between CPA and adult victimization. CEA was associated with altered self-capacities, but was not a significant predictor of verbal coercion only when maternal care was considered. Maternal care was the only significant predictor of adult verbal sexual coercion only when examined with all forms of child abuse and altered self-capacities. Adult rape only was not associated with child abuse or altered self-capacities. Findings indicate that altered self-capacities mediate revictimization only in the case of CSA and adult combined rape/attempt/coercion, and that maternal care is the strongest predictor of adult verbal sexual coercion. In addition, maternal care mediates the link between child abuse (all forms) and adult verbal sexual coercion. Findings support examining multiple forms of child abuse when assessing risk for sexual revictimization. Implications for intervention, including considerations for revictimization prevention on college campuses, are discussed.

Master of Arts in Psychology, Cleveland State University, 2023, College of Sciences and Health Professions

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the population's health and well-being. Specifically, young adults are vulnerable because they are susceptible to mental health disorders (Arnett et al., 2014). One area in particular that may affect mental health is romantic relationships. Previous literature has shown increased difficulties and conflict (Luetke et al., 2020), and increased withdrawal and hostility (Pietromonaco & Overall, 2022) in romantic relationships during the pandemic. These findings suggest that relationship functioning, such as attachment and dating abuse, may be impacted from COVID-19. Although literature has linked attachment and dating abuse, it is unclear how these are associated during times of stress, such as the pandemic. The current study sets out to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic may have altered young adult romantic relationships, specifically in the areas of romantic attachment and dating abuse. According to Bowlby's (1969) theory on attachment, attachment style should be stable over time. However, previous literature has shown that stressful life events may be predictors of attachment instability (McConnel & Moss, 2011). Further research has shown that dating abuse perpetration and subsequent victimization has increased during the pandemic (Aguero, 2021, Lyons & Brewer, 2021). The present study aimed to examine the stability of attachment (anxious and avoidant) and physical and psychological dating abuse during times of stress due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while also exploring the association between the changes of attachment and dating abuse. Results showed that avoidant attachment was stable across waves, however anxious attachment had small stability. Additionally, results showed that physical dating abuse perpetration and victimization had medium stability from wave 1 and 2. Lastly, psychological dating abuse perpetration had medium stability, while victimization had small stability. Further findings demonstrated that o (open full item for complete abstract)

BS, Kent State University, 2022, College of Aeronautics and Engineering

As the global economy has grown and regions throughout the world have become more connected, air transportation holds a significant role in its ability to bring people and products together. In addition, the air domain is important and essential for the delivery of emergency and humanitarian aid relief. Aircraft can quickly transport medical supplies and organs, especially in situations where access is a problem. However, with these many positives, the aviation domain, unfortunately, has become more stressful for everyone involved. Crew members are expected to have extensive training, as well as the skills and confidence to appropriately handle any situation. Moreover, pilots need to pay attention to weather, airport conditions, state of their aircraft, and also be mindful of other aircraft flying in the vicinity. Flight crew must maintain a constant awareness of any issues to make necessary reforms, and sometimes quick decisions, without hesitation. Terrorism immediately comes to mind for many people in thinking about threats to flight safety. However, psychological problems among pilots may pose additional threats of their own. For clarity, the term “psychological problems” will be used synonymously alongside those of the like such as “mental illness,” “mental health condition,” “psychiatric condition,” and more. Regardless of the terminology used, the idea is to understand the outcome of such can be catastrophic. With cycles of stigma existing in the aviation domain, pilots have been reluctant to disclose mental health problems for fear of losing their certification to fly. Many pilots may be managing depressive symptoms without treatment due to fear of negative career impacts. In fact, experts found, “Underreporting of mental health symptoms and diagnoses is probable among airline pilots due to the public stigma of mental illness and fear among pilots of being ‘grounded' or not fit for duty” (as cited in Wu et al., 2016, p. 2). On the other hand, C (open full item for complete abstract)

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

It is well documented that approximately 25–33% of children experience abuse, many of those at the hands of a primary caretaker. Within the literature on child maltreatment, there exists a paucity of research about the long-term effects of early maltreatment on adult attachments with the previous abuser, including the experiences of adults who experience the death of their previous caretakers. Additionally, most of the research on grief and bereavement assumes positive affect for the deceased by survivors. This dissertation is an in-depth examination of five adults, aged 50–70 years old, who experienced the recent death of a parent or stepparent who had sexually or physically abused them during their childhood. Individual interviews were conducted and analyzed, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Six primary themes were identified, and include: Effects of Abuse, Survival, Healing Process, Adult Relationship with Abuser, Responses to Death, and Next Steps. Each participant described their story through a developmental perspective, sharing how they had changed from the abuse as well as their coping and healing processes. Responses to death included differences from the existing grief and bereavement literature, including emotional reactions, changes in attachment styles, as well as further healing from the abuse. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA, http://aura.antioch.edu/ and Ohio Link ETD Center, https://etd.ohiolink.edu/etd.

Doctor of Philosophy, Miami University, 2015, Psychology

Numerous studies suggest the possibility that early maladaptive schemas (Young, Klosko, & Weishaar, 2003) mediate the relation between childhood maltreatment and adult depression, although few studies test this explicitly. Moreover, there are no studies available that examine four early maladaptive schemas associated with both abuse and negative outcomes as mediators of of multiple types of childhood maltreatment (tested individually) and depression. This study of 830 college women examined whether the defectiveness, mistrust, emotional deprivation, and abandonment early maladaptive schemas mediate the relation between childhood maltreatment and adult depressive symptoms. Four forms of childhood maltreatment were individually assessed: emotional, sexual, and physical abuse, and witnessing interparental violence. In addition, the presence of any form of childhood maltreatment (regardless of type) as well as number of types of maltreatment experienced (i.e., polyvictimization) were examined in mediation analyses. Through use of the PROCESS macro, which tests conditional process models, these analyses showed that defectiveness, mistrust, and abandonment, but not emotional deprivation, mediated the relation between childhood maltreatment (i.e., each of the four forms of childhood maltreatment, the presence of any form of maltreatment, and the number of types of maltreatment experienced) and adult depressive symptoms. Clinical implications of the study findings are discussed.

MS, University of Cincinnati, 2002, Education : Criminal Justice

While increased attention to domestic violence seems to have “stepped up” the court processing of intimate domestic violence cases in recent years, it appears that the intense focus on intimate relationships may have overshadowed an interest in nonintimate domestic violence. In this study, the term “domestic violence” includes the subcategories of woman battering, child abuse, elder abuse, and sibling abuse. The cases examined incorporated the latter three categories, as well as some relationships that were more difficult to categorize. A quantitative analysis was performed on 263 domestic violence cases involving nonintimate family members. The sample was gleaned from a group of misdemeanor domestic violence court cases prosecuted in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1997. This study adds to the literature on the court system's response to domestic violence cases by pointing to commonalities and divergences in the processing of such cases, as compared to those occurring among intimates.

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2003, Physical Activity and Educational Services

This study examined whether female FM patients with high scores on the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), exhibiting low levels of coping and high levels of anxiety, experienced more trauma and abuse than those who scored lower. Adult females (n=115) completed the FIQ, as well as the Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ), State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (Trait Form), and a demographic questionnaire. The study showed a correlation between high FIQ scores and high anxiety expanding previous findings outlining the significant impact of specific components of abuse and trauma prior to the age of 16 associated with higher impact of FM. The study did not reveal a relationship between the CSQ and FIQ. Longitudinal research of children both with and without documented cases of victimization is recommended to assess the impact of trauma and abuse on FM, and provide healthcare professionals with the tools to empower patients in management of the syndrome.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2008, Counselor Education (Education)

This study investigated certain demographic and treatment variables. The sample used included 125 successful completers of a residential substance abuse program with an average length of stay of 60 days. The program is located in Athens County, OH and serves adult women and allows them the opportunity to participate in treatment with their children. The research question asked in this study was: Is there a relationship between or among residential substance abuse treatment outcomes and selected demographic and treatment variables (i.e., housing status, education level, income level, single substance abuse diagnosis versus dual diagnosis, parent/child/pregnant participation/residence in treatment and employment status at the time of residential substance abuse treatment admission)? The results of this study indicated that pretreatment employment status was the only significant variable of those included in this study that is significant to treatment outcomes.

Master of Arts, University of Akron, 2009, Sociology

The primary focus of this study is the evaluation of the victimization-delinquency relationship by exploring the impact of childhood physical and sexual abuse by parents on several delinquent activities. This study specifically evaluates whether child abuse acts as a strain on the parent-child association that increases delinquent peer associations. Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescents (Kilpatrick and Saunders 1995), this project examines the direct relationship between specific types of childhood victimization (i.e. physical and sexual abuse) by parents and specific types of delinquency occurring during adolescence;the impact of specific types of childhood victimization on delinquent peer associations during adolescence; the impact of delinquent peer associations on the specific types of delinquency; and examines the impact of delinquent peer associations on the victimization-delinquency relationship. The findings of this study indicate that physical and sexual abuse have a substantial indirect effect on each of the delinquency measures via delinquent peer associations.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2024, Counselor Education (Education)

Society and researchers acknowledge that substance use disorders impact the entire family, not just the user. Most research focuses on alcoholism within families and rarely deviates specifically to other substances such as opioids, cocaine, meth, or marijuana. At times, parents with substance use disorders, such as opioids, are not present, whether physically or emotionally, for their children. The parents' absences can impact their children's experiences, such as how they create and maintain interpersonal relationships during childhood and adulthood. Despite this acknowledgment, little research exists on the experiences of children living with parental opioid use disorders from their perspective, instead utilizing the user's perspective of how they believe their substance use disorder impacts their children. To better understand the resulting impact of parental opioid use disorders, the researcher used a phenomenological research design to explore the first-hand experiences of adults who lived with parental opioid use disorders and the different interpersonal relationships experienced during childhood and adolescence. This study identified patterns of shared experiences and encouraged more research related to the long-term effects of parental opioid use disorders in adults, its impact on their interpersonal relationships, and identifying and understanding the counseling needs of clients affected by their parent's opioid use disorder.

Doctor of Education (Educational Leadership), Youngstown State University, 2024, Department of Teacher Education and Leadership Studies

Approximately 11 million women and five million men in the United States report experiencing interpersonal violence (e.g., sexual violence, physical violence, psychological harassment, or stalking) before the age of 18 (CDC, n.d. -a). Victims may face a decline in grades, depression, anxiety, unwanted pregnancy, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, or even death (Adhia et al., 2019; CDC, n.d. -a; CDC, 2017, 2019a; East & Hokoda, 2015). Educators are an important mitigating factor of teen dating violence, and therefore, must understand its dynamics to develop strategies to keep students safe (Offenhauer & Buchalter, 2013; Storer & Strohl, 2017; Taylor et al., 2016). A mixed methods study was conducted to evaluate the overarching research question: What is the capacity of educators to prevent or mitigate adolescent interpersonal violence? The quantitative section of the study features the survey results of 115 diverse education staff. The qualitative section highlights the interviews of 13 select educators. The data analysis includes a correlational analysis (i.e., regression) and identification of themes from the open-ended responses. Results indicated concerns regarding a lack of knowledge of social media and technology, limited time, sparse curricula, and limited resources to prevent or mitigate adolescent interpersonal violence. State legislation and district policies also limit the capacity of educators to support students' needs, especially those from vulnerable populations who are more susceptible to victimization (e.g., Black, LGBTQ, and students with a disability) (Agius-Ferrante & Oak, 2020; Crawford, 2023; East & Hokoda, 2015; Norris-Brown et al., 2020). Implications of this study suggest that while educators want to help students develop healthy relationships, most staff are not provided the time, resources, training, or professional autonomy to make this a reality.

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

This dissertation is a contextual autoethnography of my lived experience with stigmatization, stereotypes, and institutional obstructions as a divorced single mother who previously experienced intimate partner violence and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. The purpose of the study is to shed light on the complexity of the single motherhood experience, both internally and externally. From 2009 to 2019, the institutions I accessed for assistance as a single mother and those I interacted with for my children, my job, my health, and even within the church were unnecessarily burdensome financially, physically, and emotionally. This dissertation takes a contextual look at print media, legal statutes, laws, other domestic violence cases, court cases, and institutional issues in my lifetime that may have affected either those I encountered or my perceptions. While looking at my autoethnography and the contextual experience of the time period, I will also be examining Jack Holland's (2006) A Brief History of Misogyny: The World's Oldest Prejudice to extend his findings into the realm of a single mother's lived experience. Holland's work will show how the dualism of misogyny has infiltrated every institution through patriarchy's ideal conception of family, which uses hegemonic masculinities as its strong-arm enforcer for societal control with stereotypes and stigmatizations as the quickest way to keep single mothers in line. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu/) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toledo, 2023, Counselor Education

Substance abuse continues to be a growing concern in America with more efforts to improve the overall quality of treatment for Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). A history of trauma experiences significantly increased the likelihood of an individual turning to substances to cope. However, psychological abuse remains understudied with its relation to substance use behaviors. This study will explore independently licensed counselors' experiences, perspectives, and processes when working with clients with substance use disorders who have experienced psychological abuse. A transcendental phenomenological tradition was used by the researcher and research team members to analyze the experiences of the participants (N = 12). The following themes were found within those experiences: a) Comprehending Contributing Factors to Clients' Addiction, b) Acknowledging Challenges to Proper Treatment, c) Implementing Clinical Interventions for Successful Treatment, and d) Observing Signs of Client Growth. Study limitations and implications for counseling, supervision and counselor education are provided.

Master of Arts in Psychology, Cleveland State University, 2022, College of Sciences and Health Professions

Background: About 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV; CDC, 2019). Although there have been numerous studies on IPV, our knowledge pertains to IPV in heterosexual couples. Although IPV occurs at similar rates in both opposite and same sex couples, studies suggest that individuals are more likely to evaluate IPV in opposite-sex couples as more severe compared to same-sex couples. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine college students' perceptions of IPV in both opposite-sex and same-sex couples. Procedure: The study included 144 participants who read eight vignettes, four of depicting psychological abuse and four depicting physical abuse. Vignettes were randomly presented and counterbalanced by perpetrator's gender (male or female) and couple status (same-sex or opposite-sex). Participants answered questions regarding their perceptions of severity and harm in each scenario, as well as items about attitudes towards homosexuality and their own history of IPV. Result: IPV perceptions of severity and harm did not differ between vignettes with either same-sex or opposite-sex couples, p=0.18. IPV in opposite and same-sex couples involving a male perpetrator did not significantly differ in IPV severity when compared to opposite and same-sex couples involving a female perpetrator, p =0.23. IPV was perceived as more severe with a higher personal history of IPV (p < 0.01) and among those who harbored negative views about sexual minorities (p < 0.01). iv Discussion: Across vignettes, psychological abuse was seen as less severe than physical abuse. When examining the couple × perpetrator interaction, IPV in opposite and samesex couples involving a male perpetrator did not significantly differ in IPV severity when compared to opposite and same-sex couples involving a female perpetrator. The difference between opposite sex couples was not significantly higher than same-sex couple (open full item for complete abstract)