VTechWorks Repository :: Browsing by Author "Huebner, Angela J."

Browsing by Author "Huebner, Angela J."

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Adolescents and Adaptation: The Experience Of Youth In Military Families Dealing With Parental Deployment
Wilcox, Ryan M. (Virginia Tech, 2007-05-09)
This study examined the processes associated with bonadaptation and maladaptation among adolescents with a deployed military parent. Specifically, this inquiry explored general themes of adaptation as well as those that are associated with the phenomenon of ambiguous loss. To examine the data this qualitative study used the constant comparative as well as modified analytic induction. Focus groups of 107 adolescents ranging in age from 11 to 15 were used to find five high adjustment adolescents and five low adjustment adolescents. This study found that common themes from each group included parental deployment status and frequency; formal and informal supports; changes in discipline; coping and stress reduction; changes in living arrangements; and contact with the deployed parents. This study found that there were commonalities within the members of the group and differences between the two groups themselves. It was also discovered that both groups exhibited indicators of ambiguous loss but were at different ends of the adjustment continuum. This study attributes this difference to the utilization of formal and informal supports as well as positive meanings attached to the deployment due to perceived benefits of the parent being deployed.
Adolescents' Perceptions of the Relationships with their Parents in the Context of Parental Military Deployment: A Systems Theory Perspective
McElhaney, Sarah Jeanette (Virginia Tech, 2010-05-05)
This study sought to explore how adolescents' relationships with both of their parents changed over the course of parental military deployment. Participants were 9 adolescents, 12-13 years old, that participated in a focus group. Family systems theory was the guiding lens for qualitative data analysis, which included constant comparative and open and axial coding. Two dominant patterns emerged: 1) process that promoted relationship closeness and 2) process that promoted relationship distance. Processes that promoted relationship closeness included clear communication, connectedness with the at-home parent, togetherness, and flexibility of roles. Processes that promoted relationship distance included restricted communication, at-home parent disengagement, deployed parent disconnectedness and lack of role shifting. Findings suggest processes evident in adolescent relationships with their parents during deployment indicative of adjustment outcomes. Clinical implications and future research are discussed.
The Analysis of Extracurricular Activities and Parental Monitoring and Their Relationship to Youth Violence
Linville, Deanna Christine (Virginia Tech, 2000-07-10)
The purpose of this study was to examine how extracurricular activities and parental monitoring relate to rural youth violence. Gender differences were examined across all of the study variables. Self-report data were collected from 235 teenagers from a rural, ethnically diverse, Virginia community. Correlations revealed a significant inverse relationship between church activity as well as parental monitoring and weapon carrying. Significant mean level differences existed between males and females on the following variables: time spent in aerobic exercise activities, time spent in toning exercise activities, weapon carrying frequency, and level of parental monitoring. In addition, time in non-school clubs was the best predictor of sample youth classification in either the "violent" category or "nonviolent" category. Findings emphasize the importance of parental monitoring for youth as well as the need for more programs and after-school activities to meet the needs of all youth.
The Application of Emotionally Focused Therapy in Treating Couples who have Experienced the Death of a Child: A Grounded Study for the EFT Therapist
Brown, Emily Margaret (Virginia Tech, 2016-06-08)
This qualitative study sought to understand how Emotionally Focused Therapists (EFT) apply the EFT model with couples that have experienced the death of a child. Criterion sampling and snowball sampling were used to recruit participants within the United States and internationally. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 5 participants, all of whom were women therapists. The data were analyzed using the Grounded Theory Method and two processes emerged. To convey and organize the processes and concepts of each, two diagrams of the actions and experiences noted in the interviews during analysis were created (Figure 1 and Figure 2). Figure 1 represents an external, multi-directional process of how EFT clinicians apply the EFT model with their clients. This figure encompasses 'how' clinicians adjust their approach to the model to meet the needs of their clients and work with couples that have experienced the death of a child. Figure 2 represents an internal process model of how applying the EFT model impacts the therapist on a personal level. This will be discussed through a self-of-the-therapist lens.
An Attachment View on Parental Deployment in Adolescence: Examining the Impact on the Parent-Adolescent Relationship
Wade, Kristin Elizabeth (Virginia Tech, 2011-04-20)
Adolescence is a period of vulnerability and profound change, during which the parental relationship remains integral to positive developmental outcomes. For adolescents in military families, parental deployment creates an additional stressor which may pose challenges to the relationship between parents and adolescents. This project was a preliminary qualitative study to develop a Theoretical model of how the parent-adolescent attachment relationship is affected by parental deployment over the deployment cycle. This researcher explored these adolescents' perception of their relationship with their parents through focus group interviews with military adolescents who have experienced parental deployment. An important explanatory and predictive factor in parent-child relationships and adjustment outcomes is Attachment Theory (Bowlby, 1969/1982). Attachment Theory provides a framework for understanding the process that occurs between parents and children that leads to positive or negative outcomes and the mechanisms that underlie relational ties. Theoretical thematic analysis was employed using an attachment framework to explore the relationship between the parents and adolescents over the course of deployment.
Beginning Female Therapists' Experiences of Applying Theory into Their Practice
Anastasiou, Maria S. (Virginia Tech, 2006-04-17)
Although there is an extensive amount of literature on the developmental stages of beginning therapists and the challenges they face, little is known about one of their most difficult challenges; transferring theory learned in class to their practice. This study is a qualitative look at how beginning therapists learn to apply theory to their practice. Ten students who were beginning therapists with at least 75 hours of client contact hours were interviewed from four different universities with accredited marriage and family therapy programs. The study was conducted using a phenomenological perspective to explore how beginning therapists begin to apply theory to their practice. Using the constant comparison method of analysis, five major themes emerged from the interviews as well as a general developmental process that help to describe how beginning therapists apply theory to their practice. The main themes found include before seeing clients, early process of theory application, what was helpful, later process of theory application and a reflection of that process. Implications for beginning therapists and training programs as well as future research are indicated.
Clergywomen and Role Management: A Study of PC(USA) Clergywomen Negotiating Maternity Leave
Sharp, Erin Colleen (Virginia Tech, 2012-04-25)
While there is abundant research and literature on the transition to becoming a mother while working and on mothers and work-life balance, literature on clergy and, in particular, clergywomen and work-life balance is scarce. This study contributes to that literature by utilizing role theory and grounded theory methods to investigate the experience of 12 clergywomen who negotiated maternity leave with their congregations and the implications of that process on how they understood and managed their roles as mothers and pastors. The result is a model for role management through the process of negotiating maternity leave which identifies and describes the causal conditions; personal, church and intervening factors; overall experience of negotiation and consequences of the negotiation, including decisions about role management. Major findings include the observations that the most influential church factor seems to be the overall stability and organizational health of the congregation and its leadership and that a presbytery level policy may be the only effective intervention in a difficult negotiation. Limitations of the study, as well as recommendations for future study, clinical implications, and recommendations for denominational leaders are also discussed.
Clinicians' Experiences of the Application of Interpersonal Neurobiology as a Framework for Psychotherapy
Myers, Kelsey Jane (Virginia Tech, 2011-09-02)
Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB) combines multiple fields of thought into one integrated framework. It has been utilized to expand conversation of the "mind" and promote well-being across disciplines. Current literature outlines the IPNB framework, including suggestions for its application to psychotherapeutic practice; however, limited research has examined clinicians' experiences of using the IPNB framework. This study aims to add to the discussion on IPNB by examining the lived experiences of psychotherapists employing IPNB as a framework for their clinical practice. This study uses thematic analysis procedures to analyze data from a focus group consisting of psychotherapeutic practitioners. The investigation explores how the participants perceive the impact of their implementation of IPNB; as well as how they believe that using the IPNB framework has changed case conceptualization and intervention. Findings and implications are also discussed.
A Comparative Analysis of Success by Project Level Characteristics in the Upward Bound Program
Le, Dat Quang (Virginia Tech, 2002-04-02)
Data gathered by Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., contractor for the Department of Education were used to analyze successful project level characteristics of the Upward Bound program. Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. provided two data files for this study: a student data file and a grantees data file. The first data file includes information from a nationally representative sample of students who applied to the Upward Bound program between 1992 and 1994 and were assigned to either the Upward Bound group or a control group. The second data file included information from a random sample of Upward Bound project grantees. Both the student and grantees data files were used to create a design to determine Upward Bound project level characteristics that highly correlated to student success. The project level characteristics that were examined included project setting (location, size and host institution), academic characteristics (student-staff ratio, course offerings during the summer and academic year, and the number of years a project has been in operation) and student characteristics (gender, race/ethnicity and employment). The student success measures used in this study included grade point average, total high school credits earned, Advanced Placement credits earned, high school dropout status and graduation status. Findings from this study suggest that Upward Bound projects with lower student to staff ratios and fewer academic year course offerings have students earning more high school credits and more student graduating from high school. In addition to academic characteristics, ethnicity seem to be related to the success of projects. When compared across project settings, projects from two-year rural colleges and four-year public suburban colleges have the most successful students.
Dating Violence Attitudes, Experiences and Perceptions of Women in College: An Indian Context
Som, Anurag (Virginia Tech, 2006-09-07)
The purpose of this study was to understand the attitudes, perceptions and experiences of college women in modern India with regard to intimate partner violence, specifically dating violence. Surveys were collected from 489 undergraduate female participants. Only 99 participants (20%) were or had been in a dating relationship. The participants in this study self reported both perpetrating and receiving violence in these relationships. A significant positive relationship was found between dating violence perpetration and victimization and four risk factors: witnessing and experiencing abuse in one's family of origin, attitudes justifying wife beating, and problem behaviors associated with alcohol use. A significant negative relationship was found between anger management skills and the perpetration and victimization of violence in dating relationships. Finally, even though the rate of dating and alcohol use is low in India, the problem behaviors associated with these phenomena are very similar to those identified in the United States. Although much is known about domestic violence and wife assault in the Indian context, there is almost no information or effort in the direction of prevention and education in the realm of dating violence. While India is advancing technologically, creating new opportunities for its youth, there is no simultaneous effort being made to protect its youth from risks of urbanization and cultural shifts. The young adults of India today are joining the global economy. However, there is no system put in place to educate and nurture their social and cultural evolution. Findings from this study suggest that as the youth open themselves up to the culture of dating and premarital courtship, there needs to be a parallel effort made to educate and train them about healthy relationships.
Demographic, Psychosocial, and Educational Factors Related to Fruit and Vegetable Consumption in Adults
Stables, Gloria J. (Virginia Tech, 2001-12-12)
Recent global statistics estimate 20% of all cancer incidence could be prevented if Americans would modify their eating habits to increase fruit and vegetable intake to the minimum recommended level of five servings daily. Educational strategies to change eating behavior would benefit from a greater understanding of psychosocial and demographic factors related dietary behavior. Secondary analysis of a nationally representative survey of 2655 adults was completed to assess differences between low-income and high-income adults in psychosocial, demographic, and educational factors related to fruit and vegetable intake. Significant differences in self-efficacy, awareness/knowledge, and cost and availability of fruits and vegetables were found between the low-income and high-income groups. In the low-income group, 37% of the variance in total fruit and vegetable consumption was explained by psychosocial and demographic factors, with demographics, self-efficacy and awareness/knowledge being the most significant predictors. In the high-income group, 34% of the variance in total fruit and vegetable consumption was explained by psychosocial and demographic factors, with self-efficacy alone accounting for 14% of the variance. This research suggests that, regardless of income category, social cognitive factors, in particular self-efficacy and knowledge/awareness of the health message, are stronger predictors of fruit and vegetable consumption than are perceived barrier factors. Given the weaknesses of the survey instrument, the findings need to interpreted with caution. Policy inferences can be suggested from this research, but would need further research findings before implementation of nutrition policy recommendations. The implications of these research findings are that nutrition education interventions to increase fruit and vegetable consumption should be aimed at affecting those psychosocial factors that are predictive of behavior change. In particular, differences by income level between psychosocial, education, and behavior responses underscore the need for tailoring educational interventions by income group for greater impact. The most relevant psychosocial predictors of fruit and vegetable consumption in adults are self-efficacy, awareness/knowledge of the health message, social support, and weak intent. The most relevant demographic predictors were smoking status, educational level, and age. Income level appears to share variance with other demographic variables and should be explored in further research.
Different Perspectives on the Boomerang: How Adult Daughters and their Parents Experience the Move Back Home
Kruck, Lauren Michelle (Virginia Tech, 2015-10-20)
Though the phenomenon of young adults moving in with their parents is not a new one, it is one that has certainly become more common in recent decades. A new life stage of 'emerging adulthood' has become the norm, in which young adults delay marriage and career jobs in order to pursue other goals. This stage is, in part, marked by fluidity in residence. Yet even as a growing number of 'boomerang kids' move back in with their parents, there is a gap in the research regarding this phenomenon's effect on various parts of the family system. This study set out to address this gap by comparing separate interviews from young adult boomerangs and their parents. Findings suggest a disparity between parental and young adult opinions on a variety of topics, most notably: expected household responsibility, parent/child closeness, loss of autonomy, and appreciation. However, similarities emerged regarding the parental home as a safe haven, the arrangement as providing financial security, and the fact that all adult children reported being ready to move out. Ideally, the findings presented here will help illuminate both the similarities and disparities in the experiences of parents and their young adult children who return after launch, in order to increase empathy and promote a healthy family system.
The disclosure experiences of male to female transgender individuals: A systems theory perspective
Smith, Maureen (Virginia Tech, 2010-04-15)
Whereas sex is a classification that is expected to remain consistent and stable over time, gender is more fluid and changes depending on one's culture, within culture, and in relation to the other gender. Our society suggests that all individuals fall neatly into one of two sex and gender categories; however there exists an entire community of individuals who, in fact, do not. Transgender individuals "express their gender in non-traditional ways and find their sense of self as female, male, or other to be in conflict with their assigned gender role" (Burdge, 2007, p.244). Disclosing as transgendered is a process of emergence that is not only an internal psychological process but is also a "relational and systemic dynamic that intimately involves family, friends, loved ones, and all social relationships" (Lev, 2005, p. 11). In this study, the disclosure experiences of male to female transgender individuals as well as the changes and adjustments that occurred in their relationships were explored through individual interviews. Thematic coding was used to analyze the data and identify themes in the disclosure experiences. Considering the experience from a systemic perspective, participants discussed the mutual impact of their disclosure on family, friends, acquaintances as well as greater systems including the medical field, mental health field, and other community agencies.
Do Street Dwellers Dream? A Phenomenological Study of the Chronically Homeless in the United States
Sughrue, Matthew Brian (Virginia Tech, 2013-01-11)
Chronically homeless individuals, or Street Dwellers, present unique challenges for clinicians and outreach workers who engage them when offering services like food, shelter, clothing, healthcare and mental health counseling including substance abuse treatment. This study examines Street Dwellers\' hopes, dreams and aspirations for a better life. Through thematic analysis of interview statements five themes emerged; Normal Life, Optimism, Planning, Helping Others, and From Rags to Respect. Study findings suggest that Street Dwellers dream vividly and often about a life off the streets while frequently forming and reforming plans to get there. These findings provide clinicians and outreach workers insight into the phenomenon of Street Dwelling that could be used to design more effective strategies to help this vulnerable population.
Emotion Regulation and Relationship Satisfaction in Clinical Couples
Rick, Jennifer Leigh (Virginia Tech, 2015-04-27)
This study explored the relationship between the multidimensional construct of emotion regulation and relationship satisfaction in couples seeking couple or family therapy at an outpatient mental health clinic. Recognizing the necessarily interdependent nature of dyadic data, study data were analyzed via path analysis consistent with the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM; Kenny, Kashy, and Cook, 2006). While overall emotion regulation was not found to be significantly related to relationship satisfaction, results indicated differential effects for the various dimensions of emotion regulation. Perceived access to emotion regulation strategies was significantly positively associated with relationship satisfaction for both men and women. Awareness of emotions was significantly negatively associated with satisfaction for men, with women displaying a trend toward significance, and acceptance of emotions was significantly negatively associated with satisfaction for women, with men displaying a trend toward significance. Women's acceptance of emotions was also significantly negatively associated with her partner's relationship satisfaction, while her ability to control her impulses was significantly positively associated with her partner's satisfaction. No partner effects were found for men's emotion regulation dimensions. Study limitations as well as research and clinical implications are discussed.
Emotional Expression and Adjustment of Adolescents Who Have Experienced a Military Parent Deployed
Fronce, Michael A. (Virginia Tech, 2009-05-19)
Gender is a context by which males and females are socialized. Social stereotypes based on gender influence emotional expressions. This study examined the emotional expression and adjustment of male and female adolescents who have experienced military deployment. Group interviews were held and transcripts were analyzed for gender differences in frequency and adherence to social display rules. The relationship of emotional expression and adjustment was also analyzed. Findings support the existence of gender differences in frequency of emotional expression, specifically that males had lower frequency of emotional expression in the interview. However, this study did not support adherence to social display rules. Males and females in the study expressed emotions that were both typical and atypical of display rules. Gender differences in adjustment were not found in this study. Clinical implications, limitations to research, and future research suggestions are also given.
Examining Adolescent Drinking and Adolescents' Perceptions of Parental Monitoring, Communication, and Parenting Style in a Rural Setting
Perozzi, Maria Elena (Virginia Tech, 2007-08-10)
Research has found that adolescent substance use is highly prevalent in both urban and rural populations and that parenting processes can affect adolescent substance use. The majority of the research pertains to adolescents in urban populations, however. This study explores how adolescents' perceptions of parental monitoring, parent-adolescent communication, and parenting style are related to adolescent frequency of alcohol consumption and binge-drinking in a rural population in Virginia. A sample (n = 3,472) of 7th-12th grade males and females from six counties were examined via secondary data analysis. Bivariate correlations revealed significant correlations between parental monitoring and communication with both types of drinking in that those reporting higher levels of perceived monitoring and communication reported lower levels of alcohol consumption and binge-drinking. Authoritative parenting was only significantly correlated with frequency of alcohol consumption. Linear regression analyses revealed that parental monitoring accounted for most of the variance with both drinking variables. Effects of gender and grade are discussed.
Examining Family Structure and Parenting Processes as Predictors of Delinquency in African-American Adolescent Females
Johnson, H. Jermaine (Virginia Tech, 2005-09-16)
This study employed a sample of African-American adolescent females from intact (n=279) and non-intact (n=219) families to examine the relationship between parenting processes (parental monitoring, parent-adolescent communication, parent-adolescent attachment, authoritative parenting) and delinquency. Results revealed no significant differences in parenting processes or delinquent participation for African-American adolescent females residing in either family structure. Parental monitoring predicted African-American adolescent female delinquency in both family structures; parent adolescent communication predicted delinquency among African-American adolescent females in non-intact families. Implications for family therapy are discussed.
Examining the process of change for adolescent girls on probation in a residential treatment center
Killiany, Erin Margaret (Virginia Tech, 2010-04-28)
The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the factors that contribute to client behavior change and motivation during residential treatment for adolescent females on probation. Data were obtained through retrospective individual interviews with residents of a residential treatment center in Northern Virginia. Semi-structured, open-ended questions were asked in order to obtain a rich description of each girl's experience of change. The results illuminated specific aspects of the treatment program that were most helpful to the participants. By analyzing these data, a specific process of change was developed for this unique population. Participants in the current study reported relationships with staff and their families as very important in terms of making changes. It seems the attachments they were able to establish were a significant factor in change. Through the lens of attachment theory, it is hypothesized that participants' relationships with staff were instrumental in helping them to make changes, as these relationships offered a secure base from which to explore themselves. In the context of an alternative attachment, the current study could be beneficial in helping counselors view themselves as alternative attachment figures, and help them to be more intentional about how they use this in treatment.
Examining the relationship between adolescent sexual risk-taking and adolescents' perceptions of monitoring, communication, and parenting styles in the home
Howell, Laurie Wells (Virginia Tech, 2001-04-11)
This study extends the research of Rodgers (1999) on the relationship between parenting processes and adolescent sexual risk-taking. Parenting behaviors considering were parental monitoring, parent-adolescent communication, and parenting styles. Sexual risk-taking was determined by assessing number of lifetime sexual partners as well as use of condoms during last sexual intercourse. A sample (n=286) of 9th-12th grade males and females who reporting having had sexual intercourse were separated into two groups-those engaging in low sexual risk-taking or high sexual risk-taking. Logistic regression analysis revealed gender differences in the relationship between parents' behaviors and adolescent sexual risk-taking. For females, parenting monitoring of the adolescent's after-school whereabouts was related to a decrease in the odds that a daughter would take sexual risks. For males, parental monitoring of whom the adolescent male goes out with was related to a decrease in the odds of a son taking sexual risks. Several significant interaction effects were also found.

Browsing by Author "Huebner, Angela J."

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