Counseling, Higher Education & Special Education Theses and Dissertations

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/2757

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Health Sciences, Mental Health

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Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
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    The Association of Certified Rehabilitation Counselors' Attitudes Toward Counseling Individuals with Substance Use Disorders with Their Frequency and Perceived Confidence of Providing Substance Abuse Screenings and Referrals
    (2010) Rodgers, Roe Ann; Fabian, Ellen S.; MacDonald-Wilson, Kim; Counseling and Personnel Services; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    The purpose of this study was to assess the nature and extent of a nationally representative random sample of Certified Rehabilitation Counselors' (CRCs') attitudes toward counseling individuals with SUDs and their frequency and perceived confidence of providing substance abuse screenings and referrals. The study (a) explores attitudes of CRCs regarding counseling individuals with substance abuse disorders (SUDs); (b) examines whether CRCs' attitudes toward counseling individuals with SUDs are associated with their frequency in providing substance abuse screenings and referrals for individuals with SUDs; (c) determines if CRCs' attitudes toward counseling individuals with SUDs are associated with their perceived confidence in providing substance abuse screenings and referrals for individuals with SUDs. The independent variables were subscales of the Drug and Drug Problems Perceptions Questionnaire (DDPPQ) used to investigate CRCs' attitudes toward counseling individuals who have problems with drug use and the Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perceptions Questionnaire-Revised (AAPPQ-R) used to explore attitudes toward counseling individuals who have problems with alcohol use. The dependent variables were frequency questions and perceived confidence statements from the Alcohol and Other Drugs Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Survey (AOD-VRC) used to measure the frequency and perceived confidence of providing substance abuse screenings and referrals. The study participants were 764 CRCs who were direct service providers from multiple employment settings. Participants were recruited from an online survey sent to a national random selection of CRCs obtained from Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) database. Results indicated that this sample of CRCs have somewhat positive attitudes toward counseling individuals with SUDs. Results from this sample of CRCs show that there are associations between CRCs' attitudes toward counseling individuals with drug use problems and alcohol use problems with perceived confidence in providing substance abuse screenings and referrals, but not with frequency of providing substance abuse interventions. Applied implications, limitations of the study, and future research suggestions were discussed.
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    An Experimental Evaluation of the Effects of a School-Based, Universal Prevention Program on Parent and Teacher Ratings of Student Behavior
    (2009) Nebbergall, Allison Joan; Gottfredson, Gary; Counseling and Personnel Services; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Meta-analyses of skills-based prevention interventions show moderate effect sizes for increasing social competencies and decreasing behavior problems. While the literature suggests that prevention programs can be effective, rigorous independent research is lacking regarding the efficacy of many specific programs. The present study is based on a randomized-control experiment evaluating Second Step in 12 Maryland public elementary schools to assess the effects of the program on parent and teacher ratings of student behavior. Ratings using the Social Competency Rating Form had previously been considered as a single global measure of student behavior, and had not been found to be affected by the intervention. Nonetheless, a re-consideration of the psychometric properties of the scale and its sensitivity to skills taught by the Second Step curriculum led to the speculation that separation of the global measure to reflect distinct ratings of social competency and problem behavior might reveal effects on the social competency component. Analyses show no effects on parent or teacher ratings of social competency or on teacher ratings of problem behavior. In some analyses, students in treatment schools had nearly twice the odds of being classified in a "problem" group according to ratings made by their parents than did students in control schools. Results were supported by sensitivity analyses using weights and imputation.
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    Outcomes of an elementary grades social competence experiment according to student self-report
    (2008-06-30) Harak, Elise Touris; Gottfredson, Gary D; Counseling and Personnel Services; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Problem behaviors that emerge in early childhood often persist through adolescence. Evaluations provide evidence that social skills programs in elementary schools can reduce student aggression. There is some evidence that social skills programs also increase social skills, academic commitment, and achievement. Outcome evaluations have more often focused on aggression than on social skills and academics, however. The present study is a randomized, controlled trial evaluating the effects of one popular social skills instructional program, Second Step, in six treatment and six control schools after two years of implementation. Despite the widespread use of Second Step, few evaluations have assessed its effects. The existing evaluations have either: (a) lacked randomization, (b) had small samples, (c) not measured implementation, or (d) were implemented for one year or less. In the present evaluation, implementation data were collected from all teachers as each lesson was completed. Overall implementation was high across two years. Treatment effects were assessed on nine self-report measures including Engagement in Learning, prosocial behaviors (Altruism, Empathy, and Self-Restraint) and problem behaviors and attitudes (Rebellious Behavior, Aggression, Victimization, Acceptability of Aggression, and Hostile Attribution Bias). Analyses completed using hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) implied that treatment did not statistically significantly affect individual student self-reports net of individual characteristics. In almost all cases, the non-significant estimates of treatment effects were in the desired direction but mirrored non-significant pre-intervention differences.
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    Role of biopsychosocial variables in predicting positive well-being and health-promoting behaviors in individuals with autoimmune diseases.
    (2008-05-09) Taylor, Nicole Erin; Hoffman, Mary Ann; Counseling and Personnel Services; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    This project investigated the role of biopsychosocial variables in predicting positive well-being and health-promoting behaviors in individuals with autoimmune diseases. The predictors included disease severity, depression, arthritis self-efficacy, and social support. The dependent variables were positive well-being and health-promoting behaviors. Participants included 175 individuals with connective tissue or musculoskeletal autoimmune diseases who were over age 18. Participants were recruited through various health agencies and clinics serving people with autoimmune diseases and eligible respondents completed the survey online. Results of the study showed that disease severity and social support are not related, suggesting that an individuals' ability to access and utilize social support is unrelated to the severity of their autoimmune disease. Second, a significant relationship was found between self-efficacy and depression suggesting that individuals who believe they can handle the consequences of their disease report lower depression. Third, it was found that depression and social support predict both positive well-being and health promoting behaviors. Depression and social support added significant contributions to the regression model predicting well-being and healthy behaviors. Self-efficacy and disease severity did not add significant contributions to this model. It was found that self-efficacy does not mediate the relationship between depression and positive well-being but social support does. Fourth, a cluster analysis revealed four different clusters of participants that react to their autoimmune disease in four different ways. The cluster analysis suggested that, in general, people may react strongly favorably, strongly unfavorably, or not at all to their autoimmune disease. Finally, qualitative data for three open-ended questions related to perceived causes of disease, openness to counseling or psychotherapy, and positive consequences of autoimmune diseases were analyzed by three independent raters. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
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    The Exploration of Identity, Relationships, and Health in Adult Men
    (2008-04-07) McGann, Kevin; Hoffman, Mary Ann; Counseling and Personnel Services; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    The current study is an investigation of health, sexuality, and relationship attachment in adult men. Drawing on the sexual identity literature and the body of work on men who have sex with men (MSM), predictions were made about level of congruence between self-defined sexual orientation and self-reported sexual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. One thousand male graduate students from a large, Mid-Atlantic university were emailed a web survey containing questionnaires asking about their experiences in close relationships, aspects of their sexuality, and their levels of depression. The return rate was only 10%, and the final sample consisted of 99 male graduate students. The hypotheses predicting that congruence would predict better health outcomes were carried out using one-way ANOVAS, and were not supported. Potential reasons for this are given, along with suggestions for clinical practice with adult men and areas for future research.
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    The Effect of Working Alliance on Client Drop-out for Persons with Disabilities in a State-Federal Vocational Rehabilitation Agency
    (2007-08-13) Stapleton, Mary; Fabian ,Ph.D., Ellen; Counseling and Personnel Services; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    The existence of a working alliance between a counselor and a client has been viewed as a critical component of the therapeutic process in the psychological literature (Bachelor, 1995). The construct of working alliance has been the focus of interest in research literature as a measure of positive therapy outcomes. According to Horvath (2001 ) two decades of empirical research have consistently linked the quality of the alliance between therapist and client with therapy outcome. The 1998 Amendments to the Rehabilitation Act mandate that persons with disabilities must be "active and full partners" in the rehabilitation process. In the federal-state rehabilitation setting there is limited time to form an alliance( Safran&Muran, 1998), so that the initial interview becomes critical in engaging the client in this process. Therefore, this study measured the working alliance after the initial in-take session. Working alliance was measured by the Working Alliance Inventory (WAI) developed by Horvath & Greenberg (1989). The dependent variable was the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) which represents the agreed upon goals and tasks between the DORS counselor and client. The major hypothesis was that a strong working alliance between counselor and client would predict an IPE, and a poor alliance would not. The study participants were 111 persons with disabilities who applied and were found eligible for services in FY 2006 through the Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services (DORS). The investigation was conducted at 16 DORS offices throughout the state . The major finding was the lack of any significant relationship between working alliance and IPE . The second major finding was the clients gave generally high WAI scores to DORS counselors and 59 % (66) had an IPE. Despite this positive finding , those with high WAI scores were no more likely to have an IPE .Additionally, there was an effect of disability category upon the WA. In summary, the findings suggest that factors external to the WA may be more significant barriers to employment outcomes for DORS clients. The implications for people with disabilities, counselors, and counselor educators are discussed within the context of these findings.
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    Coping, social support, biculturalism, and religious coping as moderators of the relationship between occupational stress and depressive affect among Hispanic psychologists
    (2005-08-03) Maldonado, Leslie E.; Lent, Robert W; Counseling and Personnel Services; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    This study investigated the degree to which coping behaviors, social support, biculturalism, and positive religious coping moderate the relationship between occupational stress and depressive affect. Research survey packets were sent to doctoral level Latino/a counseling and clinical psychologists with residence in the U.S., members of national or state psychological associations. Usable surveys were received from 580 participants for an overall return rate of 50%. Participants responded to the following instruments: Mental Health Professionals Stress Scale, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale short form, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Job Content Questionnaire, Brief COPE, Brief RCOPE (religious coping), and the Abbreviated Multidimensional Acculturation Scale for Latinos short form. Analyses indicated that 13% of the variance in depressive affect is predicted by occupational stress. Coping strategies, positive religious coping, social support, and biculturalism collectively explained 13% of the variance in depressive affect. Specifically, coworker support (B = -.21, p < .001), total non-work support (B = -.20, p < .001), biculturalism (B = -.12, p < .01), and positive religious coping (B = .10, p < .05) made a statistically significant contribution to the variance in depressive affect scores. Analyses showed that interactions terms between occupational stress and coping strategies, work and non-work social support, biculturalism, and positive religious coping did not moderate the relationship between occupational stress and depressive affect. No increments in variance attributed to the product terms above and beyond main effects were found. Results revealed significant main effects for the predictor variables, except for positive religious coping, beyond occupational stress. Coping behaviors, work and non-work social support, and biculturalism were negatively associated with depressive affect regardless of the level of occupational stress. Results of the present study suggested that on average participants employed more problem-focused coping strategies than emotional-focused coping strategies. Analysis of participants' self-reported coping strategies indicated a wide variety of coping responses. The most frequently mentioned coping strategies were; social support, planning and active problem solving, work support, recreational or disengagement activities, and sports and exercise. Among the least endorsed or mentioned coping strategies were; acceptance, humor, and personal psychotherapy or counseling.
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    PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH MENTAL RETARDATION: COPING MECHANISMS AND SUPPORT NEEDS
    (2004-10-22) Bauman, Samuel; Hershenson, David; Counseling and Personnel Services; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    The purpose of this research was to explore the subjective experiences of families of children with mental retardation, specifically the sources of stress and coping for these families. Interviews were conducted with families to shed light on their subjective experiences of coping and stress. In an effort to increase understanding of the worldview of these families, issues in theory, practice, and future research are briefly discussed. Social support and empowerment oriented professional practice were found to have a mediating effect on family stress.
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    Rehabilitation Counselors' Perceived Multicultural Competence: Working
    (2003-12-02) Whitehead, Dorothy; Power, Paul W; Holcomb-McCoy, Cheryl C; Coursey, Robert; Sedlacek, William; Counseling and Personnel Services
    The purpose of this study is to examine rehabilitation counselors' perceived multicultural competence in working with clients with severe mental illness and specifically African Americans with severe mental illness. The impact of the counselor's own cultural heritage and perception of their counseling skills will be explored. Counselors' race, gender, training, and experience will be examined in terms of awareness, knowledge, terminology, and skills. Research suggests that the primary disability group served by state and federal rehabilitation agencies is persons with psychiatric disability. The prevalence of serious mental disorders among African Americans is reflected by national as well as state statistics. Rehabilitation outcomes among minority individuals with serious mental disabilities are significantly lower (39.1%) compared to their white counterparts (44%). The large unemployment rate of minority persons with psychiatric disabilities is a reflection of the impact of cultural and diversity issues. In this study 148 rehabilitation counselors from the National Rehabilitation Association, National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns (NAMRC) Division, and the American Counseling Association, American Rehabilitation Counselors Association (ARCA) Division, completed the Multicultural Counseling Competence and Training Survey-Rehabilitation Version (MCCTS-R), the Mental Health Self Assessment For Counseling Competencies (MHSACC) and the Situational Attitude Scale (SAS) Form B. Results indicated that rehabilitation counselors perceive themselves to be competent in areas of multicultural knowledge, terminology, awareness and skills. Being female and a person of color other than African American was significantly related to multicultural knowledge. Counselors related years of experience to multicultural awareness, but did not perceive multicultural training as a significant predictor of any type of multicultural competence. There appeared to be no significant difference in the way African American and White rehabilitation counselors provided services across racial/ethnic groups; however, findings suggested a hierarchy of service provision consistent throughout the Mental Health Self Assessment for Counseling Competencies (MHSACC). Attitudes of African American and White rehabilitation counselors toward African Americans varied. Notably, there was a marked difference in attitudes relating to situations of a close social and/or personal nature. This study discusses implications of the results in relationship to prior research, future research, training and practice.