Perceived Self-Determination Growth During an International Expedition for Adolescents With and Without Disabilities

Author(s):  
Kaitlyn Millen ◽  
Paula Wenner Conroy

Abstract Two factors that positively influence success in school and in post-school settings are self-determination and social programs such as expeditions for students with and without disabilities. This mixed methods study examined the benefits of a two-week international expedition to Nepal for adolescents (ages 14-18) with and without disabilities from the United States. The researchers measured self-determination in student participants utilizing the Self-Determination Inventory: Student Report (Shogren et al., 2020) as a pre/post-program measure and the No Barriers USA Program Evaluation (Duerden et al., 2016) as post-program measure. Twelve adolescents and four adult leaders who participated in the international expedition were interviewed to determine their perceptions of the benefits for students. The self-determination scores of student participants significantly increased (p = .007) after participation in the two-week expedition. Four major themes emerged from the data: disability and identity, self-determination growth, accessing supports, and sense of purpose. Using a mixed methods approach, we compared and integrated findings that support previous studies indicating that social programs increase self-determination skills. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

Author(s):  
Vern L. Bengtson ◽  
Merril Silverstein

This chapter examines how grandparents influence (and don’t influence) the religiosity of descending generations within families in the United States. Using data from a longitudinal study of multigenerational families, and applying a mixed methods approach, we find that passing down religious values is a goal for which many grandparents are willing to invest considerable time and effort; however, a majority of families follow a path toward greater secularization, potentially creating opportunities for intergenerational conflict. The results of this study indicate that grandparents are diversified in their ability to transmit their religious orientations through the generations, and that family continuity in religion is often linked to grandparental intervention and the capacity of grandparents to forge strong emotional ties to their grandchildren.


SAGE Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 215824401985391 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Dincer ◽  
Savaş Yeşilyurt ◽  
Kimberly A. Noels ◽  
Dayuma I. Vargas Lascano

Author(s):  
James L. Gibson ◽  
Michael J. Nelson

We have investigated the differences in support for the U.S. Supreme Court among black, Hispanic, and white Americans, catalogued the variation in African Americans’ group attachments and experiences with legal authorities, and examined how those latter two factors shape individuals’ support for the U.S. Supreme Court, that Court’s decisions, and for their local legal system. We take this opportunity to weave our findings together, taking stock of what we have learned from our analyses and what seem like fruitful paths for future research. In the process, we revisit Positivity Theory. We present a modified version of the theory that we hope will guide future inquiry on public support for courts, both in the United States and abroad.


2021 ◽  
pp. 135910452110055
Author(s):  
Lucie Smith ◽  
Esther Crawley ◽  
Madeleine Riley ◽  
Megan McManus ◽  
Maria Elizabeth Loades

Background: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/ME) may get in the way of enjoying activities. A substantial minority of adolescents with CFS/ME are depressed. Anhedonia is a core symptom of depression. Anhedonia in adolescents with CFS/ME has not been previously investigated. Method: One hundred and sixty-four adolescents, age 12 to 18, with CFS/ME completed a diagnostic interview (K-SADS) and questionnaires (HADS, RCADS). We used a mixed-methods approach to explore the experience of anhedonia and examine how common it is, comparing those with clinically significant anhedonia to those without. Results: Forty-two percent of adolescents with CFS/ME reported subclinical or clinical levels of anhedonia. Fifteen percent had clinically significant anhedonia. Thematic analysis generated two themes: (1) stopping activities that they previously enjoyed and (2) CFS/ME obstructs enjoyment. Most (72%) of those who reported clinically significant anhedonia met the depression diagnostic criteria. Those who were depressed used more negative language to describe their experience of activities than in those who were not depressed, although the themes were broadly similar. Conclusions: Experiencing pleasure from activities may be affected in CFS/ME, particularly in those who are depressed. Anhedonia may get in the way of behavioural strategies used within CFS/ME treatments.


2013 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 496-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karrie A. Shogren

Abstract This paper uses a social–ecological lens to examine self-determination research, attempting to organize what is known (and unknown) about contextual factors that have the potential to impact the development and expression of self-determined behavior in people with disabilities across multiple ecological systems. Identifying and categorizing the contextual factors that researchers suggest influence self-determination have the potential to allow for the development of a framework that promotes systematic consideration of contextual factors when designing, implementing, and evaluating supports to promote self-determination. Directions for future research and practice are discussed.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Flynn ◽  
Mary Joyce ◽  
Conall Gillespie ◽  
Mary Kells ◽  
Michaela Swales ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The implementation of evidence-based interventions for borderline personality disorder in community settings is important given that individuals with this diagnosis are often extensive users of both inpatient and outpatient mental health services. Although work in this area is limited, previous studies have identified facilitators and barriers to successful DBT implementation. This study seeks to expand on previous work by evaluating a coordinated implementation of DBT in community settings at a national level. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) [1] provided structural guidance for this national level coordinated implementation.Methods A mixed methods approach was utilised to explore the national multi-site implementation of DBT from the perspective of team leaders and therapists who participated in the coordinated training and subsequent implementation of DBT. Qualitative interviews with DBT team leaders ( n = 8) explored their experiences of implementing DBT in their local service and was analysed using content analysis. Quantitative surveys from DBT therapists ( n = 74) examined their experience of multiple aspects of the implementation process including orienting the system, and preparations and support for implementation. Frequencies of responses were calculated. Written qualitative feedback was analysed using content analysis.Results Five themes were identified from the interview data: team formation, implementation preparation, client selection, service level challenges and team leader role. Participants identified team size and support for the team leader as key points for consideration in DBT implementation. Key challenges encountered were the lack of system support to facilitate phone coaching and a lack of allocated time to focus on DBT. Implementation facilitators included having dedicated team members and support from management.Conclusions The barriers and facilitators identified in this study are broadly similar to those reported in previous research. Barriers and facilitators were identified across several domains of the CFIR and are consistent with a recently published DBT implementation Framework [2]. Future research should pay particular attention to the domain of characteristics of individuals involved in DBT implementation. The results highlight the importance of a mandated service plan for the coordinated implementation of an evidence-based treatment in a public health service.


Author(s):  
Natalie Dautovich ◽  
Ashley MacPherson ◽  
Sarah Ghose ◽  
Claire Williams ◽  
Morgan Reid ◽  
...  

Objective: Although college students are at heightened risk for sleep disturbances, healthy sleep is associated with positive physical, cognitive, psychological, and academic benefits for this group. The goals of the current study were to (1) describe sleep health in an undergraduate college sample and (2) examine the role of a class activity using self-determination theory to promote better sleep health in this group. Methods: A cohort study was conducted using data drawn from class activities conducted in two undergraduate Introduction to Psychology courses. Students were undergraduates at a mid-Atlantic public university in the United States. Total sample size was N = 224 (intervention class [n = 98], and the control class [n = 127]). Both the intervention and control classes completed the RU SATED sleep health questionnaire at the beginning and the end of the semester. The intervention class also completed a self-determination activity focused on sleep health mid-semester. Both the RU SATED questionnaires and the self-determination activities were completed via in-class responder technology. Data were de-identified and downloaded from the responder technology at the end of the semester. Mixed methods were used for data analysis including quantitative analyses and a qualitative approach using a phenomenological, inductive, and reflexive qualitative method whereby themes were allowed to emerge from the data. Results: Overall, almost 25% of the students reported never or rarely obtaining healthy sleep on average. The majority (76%) said they sometimes have healthy sleep and no students reported usually or always obtaining healthy sleep. The components of sleep health the entire sample scored highest on were timing (sleeping between 2 and 4 AM), sleep duration (between 7 and 9 h), and staying awake during the day. The areas they scored the lowest on were maintaining regular bed and wake times, spending less than 30 min awake at night, and feeling satisfied with their sleep. Qualitatively, the most frequently obtained sleep health behaviors of the intervention class were rhythmicity, prioritizing sleep, timing of sleep, and tech hygiene. The intervention class had significantly better sleep health across the entire semester and significantly better daytime alertness post-intervention. The most commonly chosen sleep health behaviors to change were sleep hygiene, tech hygiene, and stimulus control. Conclusion: We examined the classroom environment as a venue for promoting sleep health among college students. Given the popularity of Introduction to Psychology courses, this class is a promising avenue to deliver sleep health promotions to a large number of students. The implementation of a self-determination framework, as part of sleep health promotion, shows potential for creating a person-centered, strengths-based approach to health behavior change within this population.


2021 ◽  
pp. 106648072110618
Author(s):  
Taylor J. Irvine ◽  
Paul R. Peluso

In this mixed-methods study, we analyzed data from 351 couple therapists who completed our Therapists' Experiences Treating Infidelity (TETI) survey. The present survey is a follow-up of previous iterations that examined therapists' attitudes toward infidelity and affair recovery treatment. Our TETI survey provided additional questions pertaining to therapists' personal history with affairs and perceptions on current research and training standards. Results showed that various therapist and couple factors serve to impede affair recovery treatment. Additionally, this survey revealed several similarities in therapists' attitudes from prior surveys, despite decades having passed between when the present survey and previous versions. In this article, we (a) outline findings from this mixed-methods survey, (b) discuss implications for the field, and (c) offer directions for future research.


2021 ◽  
pp. 0192513X2110598
Author(s):  
Kristen Krueger ◽  
Paige Alexander ◽  
Meghan Dyster ◽  
Robert Steele ◽  
Briana S. Nelson Goff ◽  
...  

Much of the research on parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) has focused on the negative effects on the couple relationship. The current study contributes to the understanding of parental relationship satisfaction in a sample of parents of children with Down syndrome (DS), through a mixed methods study that included data from a large national sample. Parents of children with DS were divided into two groups based on high and low relationship satisfaction scores, with quantitative and qualitative data analyses comparing these two groups. Results indicated differences between high relationship satisfaction and low relationship satisfaction groups on measures of hope, life satisfaction, and coping scores. Qualitative results also indicated group differences. Future research and implications for professionals working with parents of children with DS and other IDD diagnoses should include understanding the unique factors that affect interpersonal functioning.


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