Graduate Journal of Counseling Psychology

Latino Acculturative Stress Implications, Psychotherapeutic Processes, and Group Therapy

Micah Russell et al. — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 11:25:47 PDT

The Latino population is the fastest growing ethnic minority group in the United States. Yet, Latinos do not receive adequate mental health treatment due to the lack of cultural sensitivity regarding the necessity of bilingual and bicultural staff and culturally modified therapies. The difficulties associated with Latinos wrestling to preserve their native culture while also adjusting to the new dominant U.S. culture may cause them to experience acculturative stress. This specific distress may lead Latinos to implement maladaptive coping strategies that could influence Latino risk factors regarding unemployment, poverty, alcohol and drug abuse, aggressive behavior, mental health issues, and suicide rates. After reviewing the research focused on Latinos, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Interpersonal Therapy were three major orientations aimed at individual therapy with Latinos while Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy and psychoeducational groups dominated group therapy literature with Latinos. This review concluded the importance of incorporating cultural values and addressing socio-psychological stressors in therapy in order to produce significant treatment efficacy. Nonetheless, the rapidly increasing Latino population and genuine lack of cultural awareness requires continued research on culturally modifying other treatment modalities, multicultural competency for mental health professionals, and graduate program incorporation of a language component to stimulate interest with this needy population.

Group Motivational Interviewing as a Psychotherapeutic Intervention for Dual Diagnosis Patients Living with a Psychotic Disorder: Critique of the Literature

Alexander D. Stauder — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 11:25:46 PDT

Studies indicate that 50% of individuals living with a psychotic disorder also meet Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV Text Revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria for substance abuse disorder during their lifetime (Green, Drake, Brunette, & Noordsy, 2007; Thornton, Baker, Johnson, Kay-Lambkin, & Lewin, 2011). With such high rates of substance abuse among individuals living with a psychotic disorder the need for empirically based and salient psychotherapeutic interventions such a Motivational Interviewing (MI) cannot be overstated. MI is a person centered approach to psychotherapy that encourages behavior change through the resolution of ambivalence (Miller & Rollnick, 2002; Prochaska & Norcross, 2010). Dual diagnosis patients living with a psychotic present with needs that may make MI difficult to administer therefore, various MI techniques are restructured to better accommodate the multicultural needs of dually diagnosed individuals. The critique of seven studies found that modified MI techniques administered in a group format had a positive effect on reducing substance use and improving overall patient functioning for dually diagnosed patients living with a psychotic disorder.

Interreligious Group Work: Stimulating Dialogue in America

James C. Van Hoven — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 11:25:45 PDT

There is limited research on how to promote effective religious dialogue in America. Given the prevalence of prejudicial feelings between religious groups and the current global political milieu, this is an important area of social justice and multicultural research that cannot be ignored. Barriers to the development of dialogue will be discussed; such as historical attitudes towards religion in psychology and the limited scope of Contact Theory. Relevant research on intergroup contact and its application to religious dialogue in America will also be explored. Finally, critiques of research and group strategies will be addressed and avenues for future study will be suggested.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Use Disorder Co-occurrence in Female Veterans

Jacqueline A. Sholar — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 11:25:45 PDT

Female veterans often experience trauma, develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suffer from a substance use disorder (SUD). Females experience these disorders more than males and veterans experience them more than civilian populations. Being a female veteran give both disorders a different appearance. Relationships, negative health outcomes, and barriers to treatment all contribute to the problem. By analyzing the current literature, it becomes clear that the field would benefit from specific research into the female veteran with co-occurring PTSD and SUD population.

Combat Related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom: A Review of the Literature

Dakota J. Kaiser — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 11:25:44 PDT

The conflict Afghanistan and Iraq have now taken their places amongst the longest running wars in American history. As many Americans return from military service, the prevalence of combat related post traumatic stress syndrome is estimated to be as high as 30% or returning veterans. This debilitating condition impacts the individual, their family, and their community in significant ways. A variety of treatments including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Prolonged Exposure Therapy, and Virtual Reality Therapy have all been cited as effective interventions for this population. As our nation continues military conflict in the middle east, clinicians need to be prepared to screen and treat individuals suffering from combat related PTSD.

Factors Contributing to College Men's Help-seeking

William Caperton — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 11:25:43 PDT

This study sought to explore factors relating to college-men's decision to pursue counseling at a college-based counseling center. In particular, the relationship between percentage of male-counselor's to male college students utilization rates were examined. Analysis revealed no significant correlation between percentage of male-counselor's to male student utilization. Limitations and areas of future research are discussed.

Dream-Work in Psychotherapy: Jungian, Post-Jungian, Existential-Phenomenological, and Cognitive-Experiential Approaches

William Caperton — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 11:25:42 PDT

This literature review examines the theoretical underpinnings and clinical approaches of Jungian, Post-Jungian, Existential-Phenomenological, and Cognitive-Experiential models of working with dreams therapeutically. A review of applicable empirical studies is included, examining utility and effectiveness of dream-work across a variety of domains. Suggestions for the training of therapists in working with dreams are made. Results indicate that working with dreams therapeutically can have a variety of beneficial outcomes.

Birth Order Impacts: Real or Imagined? A Review of Literature Past and Present

Alexandra C. Govek — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 11:25:41 PDT

The effect of birth order on a child’s development have long been the subject of research, with psychologists and biologists alike taking sides as to whether position in a family has real implications later in life. Studies have examined the consequences that birth order can have on everything from personality and intelligence, to job earning potential. In the recent years, researchers have taken cues from studies dating as far back as the 1960’s and re-examining how birth order plays a role in the development of human personality, educational achievement, and behaviors.

Literature Review on Counseling Groups for Social Phobia

Martha A. Davis — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 11:25:40 PDT

The practice of group counseling for individuals with social phobia is increasing and various therapies have been applied to develop comprehensive treatments. Social phobia is the most common anxiety disorder diagnosed, and in adults, it is usually mediated strongly by hypervigilance, attentional avoidance, and heightened self-focused attention. The literature on group therapies for individuals with social phobia shows the most current and promising group therapies are cognitive-behavioral group therapy, social self-reappraisal therapy, task-concentration training, mindfulness-based stress reduction training, and acceptance and commitment therapy. The research on group therapy for social phobia has a lot of support but also has its limitations. The limitations include lack of multicultural participants and theoretical orientations, high attrition rates, and little focus on co-morbid diagnoses with social phobia. The future of group therapy for individuals with social phobia appears promising if the research continues to receive support and limitations are addressed.

Perceived Parental Approval and Self-Esteem in College Students

Sarah L. Skytte — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:30:26 PDT

This current study looked at whether college students’ self-esteem is related to their perceptions of how well they meet their parents’ approval, the type of contingencies of self-worth they have and the degree to which they incorporate important others into the self-concept. College students (N = 126) were asked to complete measures of global self-esteem, contingencies of self-worth, relational-interdependent self-construal, self-ratings on personal attributes, and parental approval and disapproval beliefs. There was no significant findings to suggest that college students’ self-esteem is related to parental approval or disapproval beliefs, suggesting that emerging adults are becoming more independent and autonomous during this time and do not base their feelings of self-worth on their parents’ approval.

The Impact of Parental Divorce on the Intimate Relationships of Adult Offspring: A Review of the Literature

Amber J. Ottaway — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:30:25 PDT

This literature review provides a comprehensive overview on the impact of parental divorce on the intimate relationships of adult offspring. In this review, the effects of parental divorce on adults’ relationships are associated with factors, as outlined in Christensen and Brooks (2001), which have been found to impact the attitudes toward intimacy and marriage of adult children of divorce (ACD). The factors discussed include: age of individual at time of divorce, gender, family conflict, and trust. For each factor, with the exception of family conflict, the research findings present contradictory findings on the effects of parental divorce. The lack of research on this topic does not help alleviate those inconsistencies. Therefore, the author concludes that more research needs to be conducted in this area, in addition to modifying prevailing research methods that seem to exacerbate the mixed findings.

Building Self-Esteem of Female Youth in Group Counseling: A Review of Literature and Practice

Maura Lynn Rouse — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:30:24 PDT

This paper reviews current research and practice of building self-esteem of female youth through group counseling. Young girls today face challenges that previous generations of females have never before encountered (Piper, 1994, p.12), which can have severe life effects. Emerging research indicates that although self-esteem is a difficult concept to measure, group counseling is an effective method for improving female youth’s self-esteem and related constructs (O’Dea & Abraham, 1999; Cappel, 1995). Groups focusing on diverse populations and areas for future research are also discussed.

The Values in Action Inventory of Strengths: A Test Summary and Critique

Alison M. LaFollette — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:30:23 PDT

The Values in Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS) is a self-report assessment intended to measure an individual’s possession of 24 character strengths. Since the test’s development in 2004, one million people have taken the VIA-IS and it has been translated into ten languages. The test shows good reliability on measures of internal consistency and test-retest correlations and correlates substantially with self-nominations of strengths. Though the test shows few psychometric differences among the major U.S. census groups, culture-bound virtues that the VIA-IS does not assess for should also be taken into consideration. The VIA-IS allows counselors to gain a more comprehensive view of clients by providing a common language for discussing strengths.

Editorial Preface

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:30:22 PDT

Front Matter

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:30:22 PDT

Identity Development Throughout the Lifetime: An Examination of Eriksonian Theory

Justin T. Sokol — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:31:45 PST

Positive Psychology and Cultural Sensitivity: A Review of the Literature

Amanda Kubokawa et al. — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:31:44 PST

The Evolution of University Counseling: From Educational Guidance to Multicultural Competence, Severe Mental Illnesses and Crisis Planning

Alison M. LaFollette — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:31:43 PST

Counseling Psychology Within the University: A Study of Roles and Functions

Justin T. Sokol — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:31:43 PST

Sex Education Groups for Adolescent Girls: A Review of Current Practice and Research

Amy C. Orecchia — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:31:42 PST