Browsing by Author "Strachman Miller, Marjorie L."

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
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    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.
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    Experiences of Men who Commit to Romantic Relationships with Women Under Fifty Post Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment: A Qualitative Study
    Freidus, Rachel Amanda (Virginia Tech, 2015-06-02)
    This qualitative study examined the experiences of men who commit to romantic relationships with women under 50, post breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. Twelve men from throughout the United States, who were dating these women for at least six months, participated in semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed using Moustaka's Transcendental Phenomenological approach. Findings focused on initial disclosure timing, previous experience/knowledge about the cancer, initial reactions and concerns, acceptance of the cancer history, focusing on love/connection, respecting and admiring the survivor, and the ongoing impact of cancer on the relationship. The men seemed to experience dating a survivor with acceptance, understanding that though the cancer continues to be a part of their lives, it does not seem to be the focus of their lives or of the relationship. Clinical implications are discussed, highlighting the systemic effect that breast cancer may have on a couple even after treatment is complete. Limitations and future research are examined.
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    Gay Men and Lesbians' Experiences Regarding Dividing Household Labor When Going From a Heterosexual Cohabitating Relationship to Their First Same-Sex Cohabitating Relationhip
    Olah, Laura Katherine (Virginia Tech, 2015-06-18)
    This qualitative study sought to examine gay men and lesbians experiences of dividing household labor when going from a cohabitating heterosexual relationship to their first cohabitating same-sex relationship. Criterion sampling and snowball sampling were used to recruit participants across the United Sates. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six participants: two men and four women. The data was analyzed using Moustakas' transcendental phenomenology and codes were organized into themes. The data suggested four categories that described participants experiences of division of household labor when going from a heterosexual relationship to a same-sex relationship: Heterosexual Relationship, Adjustment, Same-Sex Relationship and Benefits and Challenges. Participants described how division of household labor was decided in both relationships, any adjustment regarding division of household labor when going from a heterosexual cohabitating relationship to their first same-sex relationship, how division of household labor was decided in their same-sex relationship, and any benefits and challenges faced from this experience. Overall, participants reported certain expectations regarding who should do the majority of tasks in their heterosexual relationship that were not present in their same-sex relationship. Any adjustment was attributed to getting used to having more help with household tasks in their same-sex relationship. Even though most participants reported no challenges faced from their experience, some participants felt the biggest benefit was having more help with household tasks in their same-sex relationship. Limitations, clinical implications, and future directions for research are discussed.
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    The Impact of Working with Human Sex Trafficking Survivors on Clinicians' Personal and Professional Lives
    Thai, An Xuan (Virginia Tech, 2017-09-14)
    This qualitative phenomenological study considered the experience of a clinician working with victims and survivors of human sex trafficking and their families. In the overwhelming majority of cases, family members were not involved in the clinical treatment of human sex trafficking survivors. The clinicians primarily worked with the individual client. The data from phone interviews was analyzed using thematic analysis, which resulted in the following themes emerging: vulnerability to secondary trauma, impact on the clinician's life, and self-care strategies and resources. The work with human sex trafficking survivors impacted the clinicians' personal, family, and professional lives. Limitations, clinical implications, and suggestions for future research are discussed.
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    Latinas Coping with the Deportation of their Partners
    Escobar, Jessica (Virginia Tech, 2015-06-02)
    In recent years, Latinos in the U.S. have been significantly impacted by increasing deportation rates. This study aimed to explore the experiences of Latina women whose partners were deported and how women managed these events guided by the Double ABCX Model of Family Stress. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were administered to a community sample of 8 Latina women from the greater D.C. metropolitan area whose partners had been deported between 1 and 10 years ago. All women had at least one child under the age of 18 years living in the home at the time of the deportation. Data were analyzed using Thematic Analysis. Findings suggest that despite facing numerous stressors, women rely on various resources to overcome consequences resulting from their partner's deportation including religious resources, family and friends, and social service agencies. Positive and negative perceptions of the detention and deportation process emerged in the analysis. Women also engaged in various coping strategies to manage their experiences. While overall adaptation levels varied among participants, all participants reported positive and negative outcomes in the post-deportation period. Implications for clinical practice and intervention are discussed. Researchers also make recommendations for future research.
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    What does this Mean?: Understanding how Women make Meaning of Text Messages while Developing an Intimate Relationship
    Mccarthy, Lindsay Louise (Virginia Tech, 2016-07-06)
    This qualitative study explores how women in emerging adulthood make meaning of text messaging while developing an intimate heterosexual relationship. A focus group consisting of eight women was used in order to understand the way women interpret text messages during the formation of a romantic relationship. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four themes emerged from the data: (1) what is the landscape?, (2) how do I figure it out?, (3) red flags, and (4) a red flag means. Participants described the context in which they enter relationships, and the role texting plays. Different strategies they used to make meaning of ambiguous text messages were discussed. Participants reported behaviors that were identified as red flags and how participants made meaning of those red flags Limitations, clinical implications, and future directions are identified and discussed.
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    Working with the Well Sibling: The Perspective of the Marriage and Family Therapist
    Bonenberger, Christina Elizabeth (Virginia Tech, 2014-05-09)
    Recent research on working with families in which one child is suffering from a developmental disability has indicated a need for more focused clinical attention on the well sibling or neurotypical sibling experience. Research has also suggested that a systemic approach to the therapeutic process would be the most beneficial to all members of the family system, including the well sibling. Although the literature supports the use of systemic interventions in supporting the well sibling, there is a gap between what the research is suggesting and the clinical application. In an effort to fill this gap, this study sought to explore how Marriage and Family therapists are working systemically with families in which one child has a disability to incorporate the needs of the well sibling. After conducting four qualitative interviews and analyzing the data, three central themes emerged: 1) stabilization; 2) involving the well sibling; and 3) methods of support. Clinical implications as well as suggestions for future research are also addressed.