Role Expectations and State Socialization: Germany's Rediscovery of the Use of Force 1990-1995

This dissertation engages the question of why German political elites accepted the use of force during the 1990s and started to commit the country's armed forces to multilateral peacekeeping missions. Previous governments of the Federal Republic had opposed foreign deployment of the military and Germany was characterized by a unique strategic culture in which the efficacy of military force was widely regarded as negative. The rediscovery of the use of force constituted a significant reorientation of German security policy with potentially profound implications for international relations. I use social role theory to explain Germany's security policy reorientation. I argue that political elites shared a national role conception of their country as a dependable and reliable ally. Role expectations of the international security environment changed as a result of a general shift to multilateral intervention as means to address emerging security problems after the Cold War. Germany's resistance to the use of force was viewed as inappropriate conduct for a power possessing the economic and military wherewithal of the Federal Republic. Elites from allied countries exerted social pressure to have Germany contribute commensurate with capabilities. German political elites adapted role behavior in response to external expectations in an effort to preserve the national role conception of a dependable and reliable ally. Security policy reorientation to maintain Germany's national role conception was pursued by conservative elites who acted as 'role entrepreneurs'. CDU/CSU politicians initiated a process of role adaptation to include the use of force for non-defensive missions. They persuaded Social Democrats and Alliance 90/Green party politicians that the maintenance of the country's role conception necessitated a reorientation in security policy to accommodate the changes in the security environment.

Program Evaluation of an After-School Socialization Group Program

Use of evidence-based practice is becoming more expected and necessary for mental health practitioners. This allows for proof, accountability, and rigorous standards to be upheld, facilitates healthcare reimbursement, and provides a wider range of services to more clients. Appropriate monitoring and outcome measurement is essential to determine the effectiveness of a given intervention. An organization providing group social skills interventions for children 7-18 years was analyzed to facilitate the best plan for evaluating treatment effectiveness. Measurable goals and objectives consistent with the organizations mission and values were developed. Appropriate social skills measurement tools were identified. Strengths and weaknesses of each measure were compared, and existing literature was reviewed to ensure cohesion between this evaluation and current standards in literature. Parent report, self report, and teacher report on Piers-Harris II, BASC-2, and Skills Improvement System Rating Scales were determined to be the most relevant measures of social skills development. A timeline for administration and plan for how to implement measurement and use data was suggested as well as considerations for future research.

Family Coping as a Protective Factor for Poor Children

This study examined family influences on coping and adjustment among 90 low-income Latino middle school children (46% Female; Average age = 11.38, SD = .66) and their primary caregivers (93% Female; Average age = 36.12, SD = 6.13). All participants identified as Hispanic/Latino, with 75% of families identifying as Mexican-origin Latino, 77% of parents identifying as immigrants, and 32% of children identifying immigrants. All children participating in the study were receiving free or reduced lunch, a poverty indicator. Hierarchical linear modeling analyses revealed that family reframing is related to fewer symptoms of psychopathology and that familism enhances the protective effect of family reframing, while passive appraisal is linked to worse functioning. Path analyses showed that family reframing also has indirect effects on symptoms through child primary control coping. Additional analyses identified family mobilizing support and family ethnic socialization as potential contributors to child secondary control coping. Family mobilizing support may also be helpful for single-parent families, while family spiritual support is helpful for immigrant families. Qualitative findings from an initial focus group and from the larger sample are also discussed. Results are discussed with regard to the implications of this research for preventive interventions with families in poverty. Understanding the protective links of family coping and cultural strengths to mental health outcomes of poor children can influence intervention or prevention programming and policy targeting at-risk youth and families.

A Transdiagnostic Social Skills Intervention; Using a Structured Story to Teach Children How to Ask a Friend to Play

An (independent samples comparison) controlled study was conducted to assess the efficacy of a novel approach to social skills training for children in a local socialization group at Knippenberg, Patterson & Associates (KPA). The treatment condition involved the combination of a Structured Story (i.e., novel bibliotherapy technique for children with social skills deficits), and a behavioral rehearsal (or role-play) segment, where the children practiced the target social skill featured in the Structure Story. The control group did not receive the Structured Story nor the behavioral rehearsal. Children in both groups engaged in ten-minutes of free play that was videorecorded for later observation and scoring by the principal investigator. Two target behaviors were assessed; asking a friend to play, and duration of joint play between two or more peers. The results did not show significant differences for either target variable between the group that received the novel intervention and the control group. Limitations of the current study and implications for further research are discussed.

The Trail of No Tears: Traditional Masculinity Ideologies and The Cycle of Dismissing-Avoidant Attachment

Raising boys in accordance with traditional masculinity ideologies is creating a mental health crisis among men. Socialization in accordance with traditional male gender roles causes boys to develop dismissing-avoidant attachments with their primary caregivers. Approaching subsequent relationships with a dismissing-attachment style creates disconnection between men and male peers, female partners, and their children. Many researchers advocate clinical interventions that perpetuate men's traditional fears of intimacy, however attachment theory provides an alternative lens through which clinicians may approach therapy with men. By engaging men in therapeutic attachment relationships, clinicians can inspire implicit and explicit learning of new attachment patterns. This experience by nature challenges traditional definitions of masculinity, and men may develop more congruent, adaptive, and healthy definitions of masculinity.

Female Psychopaths: Are We Flying Under the Radar?

The study of psychopathy is still in early stages with regard to gender differences. Historically, the majority of research has been conducted on male populations, resulting in a gender-biased construct that does not appear to be generalizable to female populations. This paper provides a review of the existing literature on psychopathy, as well as research on inherent gender differences (biology, chemistry, socialization, etc.). Connections between these bodies of research are supposed and suggestions for future study are provided.

Japanese American Biracial Adolescents and Identity Formation

The purpose of the current paper is to examine the racial identity development of Japanese American biracial adolescents. A review of the literature revealed critical factors as it relates to Japanese American biracial adolescents and their identity formation. Ethnic identity, adolescent developmental stage, environmental ethnic socialization processes used to facilitate identity development, and the resulting psychological adjustment were the major issues identified in the literature. Educators, counselors and other mental health professionals must begin to understand their development if the needs of this population are to be met in the future. A case study of a biracial Japanese American teen was included to heighten the understanding of the identity development of biracial individuals. Findings indicate that biracial children who are raised to identify with both sides of their ethnic heritage are not suffering from negative psychological consequences (e.g. guilt, anger, isolation) but, instead, gain a "healthier" sense of self. Implications for clinicians are discussed in terms of how therapists can be responsive to the unique needs of biracial adolescents.