Theses and Dissertations from UMD
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/2
New submissions to the thesis/dissertation collections are added automatically as they are received from the Graduate School. Currently, the Graduate School deposits all theses and dissertations from a given semester after the official graduation date. This means that there may be up to a 4 month delay in the appearance of a give thesis/dissertation in DRUM
More information is available at Theses and Dissertations at University of Maryland Libraries.
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Item Socialization practices in low-income immigrants and their young children: A qualitative approach(2011) Aldoney Ramirez, Daniela; Cabrera, Natasha J.; Human Development; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Latinos are the largest ethnic group in the U.S., yet little is known about how these families socialize their children to function in the U.S. Based on ecocultural theory, this study utilized focus groups interviews with 28 parents to explore the socialization practices of low-income Latino immigrant parents with their young children. Findings from this study suggest that parents model their expectations/values according to environmental demands developing diverse strategies to combine what they view to be Latino and American values. Research results also indicate that participating parents cope with the challenges in socializing their children by being optimistic and highly investing time and resources on their children. This study provides a basis for generating hypotheses to be tested with larger datasets; identifying areas that policies and programs might develop to support effective parenting in Latino immigrant families; and, informing the development of culturally sensitive measures to evaluate Latino parenting.Item The Role of Mothers' Authoritative Parenting in Adolescent Attachment and Social Relationships(2011) Beck, Kathryn Maria; Leslie, Leigh A; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Research has shown the increasing importance of peer relationships for adolescents and a variety of positive outcomes for adolescents with quality, supportive friendships. The literature shows that both parenting style and attachment security influence adolescent social support. However, the mechanism through which parenting style influences adolescent social support remains undetermined. The current study, utilizing a clinical sample of 118 mothers and adolescents, explores the role of adolescent attachment security as a mediating variable for this relationship. Authoritative parenting is assessed using the Parenting Practices Questionnaire (Robinson et al., 1995); attachment using the Relationship Questionnaire (Hazan & Shaver, 1987); and social support using the Social Support Questionnaire (Procidano & Heller, 1983). The findings indicate no significant relationship between mothers' authoritative parenting and adolescent attachment security, but a positive relationship between adolescent attachment security and social support. The possible meaning of the lack of significant relationship for this sample is discussed.Item THE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG FOOD SECURITY, HEALTH LOCUS OF CONTROL, AND MENTAL HEALTH(2011) Munger, Ashley Lauren; Epstein, Norman B.; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Prior research has demonstrated a relationship between food insecurity and poor mental health, but this research has been conducted primarily in samples of females. In addition, the mechanisms through which this relationship operates are not well understood. This study investigated whether a relationship between food security and mental health exists for both males and females, as well as whether health locus of control mediates this relationship. Data were from a convenience sample of 110 female and 40 male Supplemental Nutrition Assistance eligible adults in Maryland. Based on self-reports, the relationship between food security and mental health was significant among males and borderline significant among females. Whereas health locus of control mediated the relationship between food security and mental health for the women, it did not for the men. Findings indicated men and women commonly experience food insecurity and poor mental health concurrently. Understanding this relationship is essential for appropriate intervention.Item Couple Therapy Process and Its Relation to Therapy Outcome(2011) Evans, Laura Melisa; Epstein, Norman B.; Family Studies; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Research on psychotherapy has found that characteristics of clients and therapists often are more strongly associated with treatment outcome than are specific therapeutic models or techniques. This study examined the relations between client and therapist common factors and outcomes of couple therapy. The sample was 40 couples presenting with mild to moderate psychological and physical abuse and who received ten sessions of couple therapy at a university-based clinic. The study investigated relations of client common factor characteristics (negative communication and negative attributions) and the therapist common factor characteristics (warmth, empathy, presence, validation and systemic techniques and session structuring) with couple therapy outcomes (changes in overall relationship satisfaction and in level of psychologically abusive behavior). Hierarchical linear modeling analyses testing an Actor-Partner Interdependence Model (APIM) revealed that males' negative attributions were associated with a decrease over treatment in their own use of psychological abuse, whereas females' negative attributions were associated with increased use of psychological abuse by males. Females' negative communication was associated with increased psychological abuse by females. As expected, therapist use of technique factors was associated with decreased psychological abuse by males. Unexpectedly, therapist presence was associated with less positive change in relationship satisfaction for males, and therapist use of technique factors was associated with less positive change in relationship satisfaction and increased use of psychological abuse for females. Therapist factors moderated the relationships between the client pre-treatment negative characteristics and therapy outcome, such that in some cases higher levels of therapist factors (warmth, presence, validation) enhanced a positive relationship between pre-treatment negativity and positive therapeutic outcomes and in others higher levels of the therapist factors (technique factors, presence, validation) amplified a negative relationship between pre-treatment characteristics and poor therapeutic outcomes. Therapist factors did not buffer the negative relationship between client negativity and positive therapy outcomes as expected, although there were instances in which therapist factors enhanced a positive relationship between these variables. Actor and partner effects, as well as gender differences, are discussed. The study's implications and limitations are considered as they contribute to understanding how client and therapist common factors influence the course of couple therapy.