The Relationships Between Child Maltreatment and Exploratory Behavior Implications for Development.

Findings from the fields of attachment theory, physiology, neurology, neurobiology and cognitive theory, when considered together, enhance understanding of the behavior and development of maltreated children. Each field describes from its own vantage how emotional trauma influences the quality and quantity of exploratory behavior. Development in many spheres is influemced by behavior. There is evidence from the field of neurobiology that experience ultimately influences the anatomy of the brain. Therefore, it can be hypothesized that constricted, overly defensive behavior in childhood ultimately compromises the development of the central nervous system itself. The altered neurobiology may help explain some of the developmental delays and failures seen in some maltreated children. Such developmental disruptions may include lowered intellectual performance, impaired ability to learn from experience, behavioral regressions under stress, and characterological abnormalities. This neurobiologic hypothesis has implications for research, intervention and training of professionals.It encourages 1) the identification of those deficit capacities most vulnerable to becoming neurologically based, 2) identification of ways to help the maltreated child explore and be accessible to developmental experiences, 3) more emphasis on the development of cognitive capacities, and 4) more breadth of training for professionals who work with maltreated children and their families.

Using Emotion to Foster Acceptance: A Treatment Approach for Family Therapists Working with Transgender Adolescents and their Families

Currently, there is limited research and clinical focus on family therapy with transgender adolescents. When an adolescent discloses his/her transgender identity to his/her family, the family can experience an array of emotions, such as fear, distrust, anger, and sadness, along with confusion and invalidating behavior that can threaten secure attachment among family members. The purpose of this paper is to present a family therapy treatment approach for therapists working with transgender adolescents that is both culturally sensitive to the needs of these families as well as based on a systemic family therapy model. Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) is a systemic model that is grounded in attachment theory and focuses on using emotion as a key tool in restructuring problematic relational patterns and fostering more secure family bonds. Through the use of a hypothetical case study, this paper aims at illustrating how EFFT can help family members process feelings related to the transgender identity of an adolescent family member and restore their attachment in a manner that strengthens family relationships and bonds.

Hurt feelings in couple relationships: Towards integrative models of the negative effects of hurtful events

Previous research suggests that hurt feelings can have powerful effects on individual and relational outcomes. This study examined a typology of hurtful events in couple relationships, together with integrative models predicting ongoing effects on victims and relationships. Participants were 224 students from introductory and third-year psychology classes, who completed open-ended and structured measures concerning an event in which a partner had hurt their feelings. By tailoring Leary et al.'s (1998) typology to the context of romantic relationships, five categories of hurtful events were proposed: active disassociation, passive disassociation, criticism, infidelity, and deception. Analyses assessing similarities and differences among the categories confirmed the utility of the typology. Structural equation modeling showed that longer-term effects on the victim were predicted by relationship anxiety and by the victim's immediate reactions to the event (negative emotions and self-perceptions; feelings of rejection and powerlessness). In contrast, ongoing effects on the relationship were predicted by avoidance, the victim's attributions and perceptions of offender remorse, and the victim's own behavior. The results highlight the utility of an integrated approach to hurt, incorporating emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses, and dimensions of attachment security.

The dark side of romantic relationships: The role of person and situational variable in the experience and expression of jealousy

The aim of this study was to further our understanding of the factors that influence the experience of jealousy in romantic relationships. More specifically, the person variables of neuroticism, gender, and attachment style were examined, together with situational determinants such as past infidelity. The research also assessed the interaction between person and situadonal determinants of jealousy, and the relative importance of the various predictors. Questionnaires were completed by 102 undergraduate psychology students and an addidonal five participants from the researcher's social network. Consistent with past research, there was a positive association between neurodcism and chronic, emodonal, and behavioural jealousy. Furthermore, there was a posidve associadon between anxious attachment and jealousy, even when neurodcism was controlled. Past experience of infidelity and attachment dimensions had interacdve effects on jealousy. Interesdngly, the reladve importance of the predictors varied across the dimensions of jealousy. The results extend research in the area of person and situadonal determinants of jealousy, and are discussed in terms of attachment theory.

A question of fit:cultural and individual differences in interpersonal justice perceptions

This study examined the link between employees’ adult attachment orientations and perceptions of line managers’ interpersonal justice behaviors, and the moderating effect of national culture (collectivism). Participants from countries categorized as low collectivistic (N = 205) and high collectivistic (N = 136) completed an online survey. Attachment anxiety and avoidance were negatively related to interpersonal justice perceptions. Cultural differences did not moderate the effects of avoidance. However, the relationship between attachment anxiety and interpersonal justice was non-significant in the Southern Asia (more collectivistic) cultural cluster. Our findings indicate the importance of ‘fit’ between cultural relational values and individual attachment orientations in shaping interpersonal justice perceptions, and highlight the need for more non-western organizational justice research.

An analysis of teachers' perceptions of informal science professional development

Science professional development, which is fundamental to science education improvement, has been described as being weak and fragmentary. The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers' perceptions of informal science professional development to gain an in-depth understanding of the essence of the phenomenon and related science-teaching dispositions. Based on the frameworks of phenomenology, constructivism, and adult learning theory, the focus was on understanding how the phenomenon was experienced within the context of teachers' everyday world. ^ Data were collected from eight middle-school teachers purposefully selected because they had participated in informal programs during Project TRIPS (Teaching Revitalized Through Informal Programs in Science), a collaboration between the Miami-Dade school district, government agencies (including NASA), and non-profit organizations (including Audubon of Florida). In addition, the teachers experienced hands-on labs offered through universities (including the University of Arizona), field sites, and other agencies. ^ The study employed Seidman's (1991) three-interview series to collect the data. Several methods were used to enhance the credibility of the research, including using triangulation of the data. The interviews were transcribed, color-coded and organized into six themes that emerged from the data. The themes included: (a) internalized content knowledge, (b) correlated hands-on activities, (c) enhanced science-teaching disposition, (d) networking/camaraderie, (e) change of context, and (f) acknowledgment as professionals. The teachers identified supportive elements and constraints related to each theme. ^ The results indicated that informal programs offering experiential learning opportunities strengthened understanding of content knowledge. Teachers implemented hands-on activities that were explicitly correlated to their curriculum. Programs that were conducted in a relaxed context enhanced teachers' science-teaching dispositions. However, a lack of financial and administrative support, perceived safety risks, insufficient reflection time, and unclear itineraries impeded program implementation. The results illustrated how informal educators can use this cohesive model as they develop programs that address the supports and constraints to teachers' science instruction needs. This, in turn, can aid teachers as they strive to provide effective science instruction to students; notions embedded in reforms. Ultimately, this can affect how learners develop the ability to make informed science decisions that impact the quality of life on a global scale. ^

Parent emotional functioning, parent responsiveness, and child adjustment

Over the past two decades, interest in the psychological development of children has steadily increased (Beg, Casey, & Saunders, 2007), presumably because statistics describing childhood psychological illness are alarming. Certain parent interaction styles or behaviors are known to influence child adjustment. According to attachment theory, the reason for these findings is that interaction with a caregiver informs an individual’s construction of an internal working model (IWM) of the self in relation to others in the environment. The purpose of this study was to gain a greater understanding of the factors contributing to child adjustment by examining the influence of parents’ emotional functioning and parent responsiveness to children’s bids for interaction. This dissertation tested a multivariate model of attachment-related processes and outcomes with an ethnically diverse sample. Results partially supported the model, in that parent emotional intelligence predicted some aspects of child adjustment. Overall, the study adds to knowledge about how parent characteristics influence child adjustment and provides support for conceptualizing emotional intelligence as a concrete and observable manifestation of the nonconscious attachment IWM.

Development of a learning resource manual for nurses new to thoracic surgery

Background: Patients with lung and esophageal cancer often have surgery as a means of treatment. In Newfoundland and Labrador, patients with lung and esophageal issues are cared for on Six East, the General/Thoracic Surgery unit at St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital. These patients frequently require chest tubes, which are managed and assessed by Registered Nurses (RNs) on the unit. For nurses new to thoracic surgery, fulfilling their new role and caring for chest tube systems can be daunting. Purpose: The purpose of this practicum project was to develop a learning resource manual for nurses who are new to thoracic surgery. Via self-directed learning, the manual can increase the knowledge and self-efficacy of nurses who are caring for thoracic surgery clients and assessing chest tube systems. Methods: An informal needs assessment, integrated literature review, and several consultations via in-person interviews were conducted. Results: Based on the findings from these methodologies, Knowles’ Adult Learning Theory, and Benner’s Novice to Expert Model, a learning resource manual was created. The manual was divided into chapters covering various aspects of patient and chest tube system care and assessment. Conclusion: For the purpose of this practicum project, no evaluation was conducted. However, a plan for future evaluation of the learning resource manual has been developed to determine if the manual assisted with increasing the knowledge and self-efficacy of nurses new to thoracic surgery. “Test Your Knowledge” questions were included at the end of each chapter in the manual as well as case study scenarios to allow for participant self-evaluation.

Best Practices: Lessons Learned by a South Florida Non-Profit Community Based Organization while Designing and Implementing a Career Exploration Evidence Informed Framework in Urban Communities

All A’s was designed to support of the agency’s family strengthening initiatives in South Florida. All A’s uses evidence informed strategies poised to be an inclusive curriculum that teaches self-determination and adaptive behavior skills. The framework incorporates problem based learning and adult learning theory and follows the Universal Design for Learning. Since 2012, the agency has served over 8500 youth and 4,000 adults using the framework. The framework addresses educational underachievement and career readiness in at risk populations. It is used to enhance participants AWARENESS of setting SMART goals to achieve future goals and career aspirations. Participants are provided with ACCESS to resources and opportunities for creating and implementing an ACTION plan as they pursue and ACHIEVE their goals. All A’s promotes protective factors and expose youth to career pathways in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) related fields. Youth participate in college tours, job site visits, job shadowing, high school visits, online college and career preparation assistance, service learning projects, STEM projects, and the Winning Futures© mentoring program. Adults are assisted with résumé development; learn job search strategies, interview techniques, job shadowing experiences, computer and financial literacy programs. Adults and youth are also given the opportunity to complete industry-recognized certifications in high demand industries (food service, general labor, and construction), and test preparation for the General Educational Development Test.

ASSESSMENT VAN VOLWASSEN STATE-HECHTING

Volgens de hechtingstheorie komt de band die een kind met zijn of haar primaire verzorgers heeft gehad, op latere leeftijd tot uiting in veilige dan wel onveilige hechtingspatronen of –stijlen binnen de affectieve relaties met nabije anderen. Onveilig gehechte individuen hanteren specifieke hechtingsstrategieën in reactie op nonresponsiviteit of insensitiviteit van nabije anderen, zoals een geïntensiveerd (angstig) zoeken naar steun of bescherming, ofwel de vermijding van intimiteit waarbij de pogingen om steun of bescherming te verkrijgen, volledig worden opgeven. Hechtingsrepresentaties werden lange tijd gezien als vrij stabiele constructen (trait-hechting). Inmiddels is echter bewezen dat hechting veranderlijk kan zijn in de tijd en over verschillende soorten relaties heen (state-hechting). Individuen blijken meer aanpasbaar te zijn voor wat betreft de hechtingsstijlen en –strategieën binnen nauwe verbintenissen dan vroeger werd gedacht. In onderzoek is een verband geconstateerd tussen onveilige hechtingsstijlen en –strategieën en psychopathologie. Voor het vaststellen van de (dominante) volwassen hechtingsstijl binnen intieme partnerrelaties en in relaties met anderen ‘in het algemeen’, worden in de praktijk veelal hechtingsvragenlijsten ingezet. Met kennis van en inzicht in de hechtingsstijl en –strategieën van cliënten en met een goed hechtingsinstrument om deze te meten, kan de therapeut gerichte interventies toepassen om cliënten te begeleiden van meer onveilige hechtingspatronen en ineffectieve hechtingsstrategieën naar veilige hechting en effectieve hechtingsstrategieën binnen relaties. Met dit onderzoek werd getracht een idiografische (persoonsbeschrijvende) state-hechtingslijst voor de psychologiepraktijk te ontwikkelen. Daartoe werden twee instrumenten op interne structuur en psychometrische kwaliteiten onderzocht, namelijk de State Adult Attachment Measure (SAAM; Gillath et al., 2009) en de Hechtingslijst (HL-48; Van Geel et al., 2011). Een externe validatie werd gedaan met een hexagon-analyse (Van Geel, 2011) door projectie van de twee instrumenten en (een Nederlandse vertaling van) de Relationship Questionnaire van Bartholomew en Horowitz (1991; RQ-NL; Emmelkamp, 2011) tegen de achtergrond van de zes affectieve prototypen van de Zelfconfrontatiemethode (ZKM; Hermans & Hermans-Jansen, 1995; Hermans, Hermans-Jansen & Van Gilst, 1985).

Relações de Vinculação dos Jovens Institucionalizados com os Cuidadores Formais

No quadro da teoria da vinculação, é possível estabelecer relações de vinculação ao longo de toda a vida, sendo que, apesar dos jovens institucionalizados rejeitarem estabelecer novas relações de vinculação numa fase inicial, acabam por procurá-las, desde que essa figura desempenhe funções de cuidador responsivo, de modo estável e apoiante. Este estudo tem como objetivo principal perceber se as crianças e jovens acolhidos em Lares de Infância e Juventude (LIJ) estabelecem relações de vinculação com os cuidadores formais e compreender como essa relação foi construída. Foram utilizados os questionários Important People Interview (IPI; Kobak e Rosenthal, 2010) e Hierarquização das Figuras Significativas por Campos de Vida (HFSCV), criado para incluir os jovens que consideram não terem desenvolvido relações de vinculação com os cuidadores formais do LIJ. Foi, ainda, realizada uma entrevista semiestruturada. Apesar de usarmos uma metodologia quantitativa para análise dos resultados dos dois primeiros questionários, esta investigação prima sobretudo pela abordagem qualitativa, através do recurso à técnica de análise conteúdo das entrevistas. O estudo foi realizado no LIJ “Comunidade Juvenil de São Francisco de Assis”, localizado em Coimbra, contando com a participação de 16 jovens de ambos os géneros, com idades entre os 13 e os 19 anos (M=16; DP=1,8), com tempo de permanência no LIJ igual ou superior a 2 anos contínuos. Estes 16 jovens constituem a amostra total da investigação, sobre a qual incidiu a primeira parte do estudo (abordagem quantitativa), ao que se seguiu a segunda parte do estudo (abordagem qualitativa), que contou com a participação de uma subamostra de 11 jovens, pertencentes à amostra total. Os resultados sugerem que a maioria dos jovens estabeleceu relações de vinculação com os cuidadores formais do LIJ, sendo que a maioria das hierarquias das figuras de vinculação foram constituídas com base nos laços de familiaridade e na ligação afetiva com os seus cuidadores formais. Os jovens destacaram a compreensibilidade, confiabilidade e disponibilidade para o auxílio como sendo as características que determinaram a sua preferência em relação aos cuidadores formais do LIJ. Refira-se, ainda, que as situações que ativam a procura destas figuras estão relacionadas com a necessidade de apoio e proteção. O presente estudo sugere que é possível um LIJ promover relações semelhantes às desenvolvidas em meio familiar e atuar de forma reparadora ao nível das relações de vinculação. / In the attachment theory framework, one can establish attachment relationships throughout one's life. In the case of institutionalized youngsters, even though at first they seem to refuse new attachment relationships, these adolescents end up looking for them, if the person is perceived as a responsive, stable and supportive caregiver. The main goal of this study is to understand whether children and young people taken into Child and Youth Residential Care establish attachment relationships with formal caregivers and, if so, understand how that relationship is built. We have used the questionnaires Important People Interview (IPI; Kobak & Rosenthal, 2010) and Hierarquização das Figuras Significativas por Campos de Vida (HFSCV) (Hierarchization of Significant Figures by Life Fields), created to include the youngsters who consider not have developed attachment relations with Residential Care's formal caregivers. We have also conducted a semi-structured interview. Even though we used a quantitative methodology to process the results of the two inquiries, this research nevertheless privileges a qualitative approach, thorough the technique of analysis of interview content. The study was conducted at the “Comunidade Juvenil de São Francisco de Assis” residential care institution, in Coimbra, Portugal. It had the participation of 16 youngsters of both genders, with ages between 13 and 19 (M=16; DP=1,8), who had been staying at the home for two or more years, non-interrupted. These 16 adolescents are therefore the total sample for this study, and all of them were submitted to the first part (the quantitative approach) of the research. For the second part (the qualitative approach) we worked with a subsample of 11 youngsters, chosen from the initial sample of 16. Results suggest that most young people have indeed developed attachment relationships with residential care's formal caregivers, and most hierarchies of attachment figures were built based on familiarity and affection bonds with their formal caregivers. The subjects have highlighted understanding, trustworthiness and helpfulness as the features that best determine their preference regarding formal caregivers. We must note that the need for protection and support is what enables young people to look out for attachment figures the most. The current study suggests that it is possible for Child and Youth Residential Care to promote relationships similar to those developed in family environment and acts as repairing in what concerns attachment relationships.

The Lived Experience of People with Mental Health and Substance Misuse Problems: Dimensions of Belonging

Introduction: People with co-occurring mental health and substance misuse problems are among the most excluded in society. A need to feel connected to others has been articulated in the occupational science literature although the concept of belonging itself has not been extensively explored within this paradigm. This paper reports findings from research that explored the meaning and experience of belonging for four people living with dual diagnosis in the United Kingdom. Method: Researchers employed an interpretative phenomenological approach to the study. Four semi-structured interviews were carried out. The interviews were guided by questions around the meaning of belonging, barriers to belonging and how belonging and not belonging impacted on participants’ lives. Data analysis facilitated the identification of themes across individual accounts and enabled comparisons. Findings: Data analysis identified four themes – belonging in family, belonging in place, embodied understandings of belonging and barriers to belonging. Conclusion: The findings add further insights into the mutable nature of belonging. A link between sense of belonging and attachment theory has been proposed, along with a way to understand the changeable and dependent nature of belonging through ‘dimensions of belonging’.

Représentations d'attachement mère-enfant et troubles anxieux pendant l'enfance: une étude de cas multiples

Les troubles anxieux et les symptômes associés s’avèrent être reconnus comme l’une des formes de psychopathologies vécues le plus fréquemment chez les enfants et les adolescents (Costello, Mustillo, Erkanli, Keeler, & Angold, 2003). Le degré de sécurité d’attachement est considéré depuis longtemps comme un facteur ayant une influence fondamentale sur le développement de l’enfant et dans l’émergence de psychopathologie (DeKlyen & Greenberg, 2008; Kobak, Cassidy, Lyons-Ruth, & Zir, 2006), s’avérant ainsi une variable importante pour comprendre l’émergence des troubles anxieux pendant l’enfance (Colonnesi et al., 2011). La présente étude de cas multiples s’avère la première à utiliser des mesures représentationnelles afin d’observer l’attachement auprès d’une population clinique d’enfants d’âge scolaire ayant un trouble anxieux (Child Attachment Interview) et chez leur mère (Adult Attachment Interview). Trois principaux objectifs, tous de nature exploratoire, sont visés: 1) procéder à une analyse approfondie des profils d’attachement chez les enfants ayant un trouble anxieux et leur mère, tant sur le plan des catégories que des dimensions d’attachement; 2) décrire les correspondances entre les représentations d’attachement de la mère et de son enfant; 3) examiner les associations entre les types de représentations d’attachement mère-enfant et les types de symptômes anxieux chez l’enfant. Pour ce faire, des mesures de ces deux variables ont été prises auprès de six enfants âgés entre 8 et 15 ans et leurs mères, recrutés au sein d’une clinique de troisième ligne spécialisée en traitement des troubles anxieux. Les résultats démontrent que la majorité des enfants ayant un trouble anxieux présente une insécurité des représentations d’attachement, accompagnée principalement d’une tendance à l’attachement détaché. Concernant les dimensions d’attachement, la majorité des enfants anxieux présente d’importants déficits liés à l’ouverture émotionnelle. De plus, toutes les mères présentent des représentations d’attachement se situant sur le continuum de la préoccupation, impliquant des stratégies d’hyperactivation (de modérées à élevées). Les mères des enfants ayant un attachement sécurisant composent avec des représentations d’attachement préoccupées par des évènements traumatiques. Ensuite, peu de correspondances intergénérationnelles sont observables. Une tendance à présenter des stratégies d’attachement complémentaires est plutôt relevée, particulièrement concernant des stratégies d’hyperactivation chez la mère (pôle préoccupé) et de désactivation chez l’enfant (pôle détaché). Par ailleurs, peu d’associations spécifiques sont identifiées entre les représentations d’attachement et les troubles anxieux, mis à part la présence d’insécurité chez les enfants ayant un trouble d’anxiété de séparation. Enfin, une importante tendance aux difficultés d’ordre psychosomatique est observée chez les enfants ayant un trouble anxieux. À la lumière de ces principales tendances relatives à l’attachement, des pistes cliniques seront proposées afin de soutenir l’intervention des équipes traitantes auprès des enfants composant avec un trouble anxieux et de leur mère.

The interpersonal and mental health implications of the coherence of coming out narratives for a sample of gay men in committed romantic relationships

The coming out process has been conceptualized as a developmental imperative for those who will eventually accept their same-sex attractions. It is widely accepted that homophobia, heterosexism, and homonegativity are cultural realities that may complicate this developmental process for gay men. The current study views coming out as an extra-developmental life task that is at best a stressful event, and at worst traumatic when coming out results in the rupture of salient relationships with parents, siblings, and/or close friends. To date, the minority stress model (Meyer, 1995; 2003) has been utilized as an organizing framework for how to empirically examine external stressors and mental health disparities for lesbians, gay men, and bisexual individuals in the United States. The current study builds on this literature by focusing on the influence of how gay men make sense of and represent the coming out process in a semi-structured interview, more specifically, by examining the legacy of the coming out process on indicators of wellness. In a two-part process, this study first employs the framework well articulated in the adult attachment literature of coherence of narratives to explore both variation and implications of the coming out experience for a sample of gay men (n = 60) in romantic relationships (n = 30). In particular, this study employed constructs identified in the adult attachment literature, namely Preoccupied and Dismissing current state of mind, to code a Coming Out Interview (COI). In the present study current state of mind refers to the degree of coherent discourse produced about coming out experiences as relayed during the COI. Multilevel analyses tested the extent to which these COI dimensions, as revealed through an analysis of coming out narratives in the COI, were associated with relationship quality, including self-reported satisfaction and observed emotional tone in a standard laboratory interaction task and self-reported symptoms of psychopathology. In addition, multilevel analyses also assessed the Acceptance by primary relationship figures at the time of disclosure, as well as the degree of Outness at the time of the study. Results revealed that participant’s narratives on the COI varied with regard to Preoccupied and Dismissing current state of mind, suggesting that the AAI coding system provides a viable organizing framework for extracting meaning from coming out narratives as related to attachment relevant constructs. Multilevel modeling revealed construct validity of the attachment dimensions assessed via the COI; attachment (i.e., Preoccupied and Dismissing current state of mind) as assessed via the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) was significantly correlated with the corresponding COI variables. These finding suggest both methodological and conceptual convergence between these two measures. However, with one exception, COI Preoccupied and Dismissing current state of mind did not predict relationship outcomes or self-reported internalizing and externalizing symptoms. However, further analyses revealed that the degree to which one is out to others moderated the relationship between COI Preoccupied and internalizing. Specifically, for those who were less out to others, there was a significant and positive relationship between Preoccupied current state of mind towards coming out and internalizing symptoms. In addition, the degree of perceived acceptance of sexual orientation by salient relationship figures at the time of disclosure emerged as a predictor of mental health. In particular, Acceptance was significantly negatively related to internalizing symptoms. Overall, the results offer preliminary support that gay men’s narratives do reflect variation as assessed by attachment dimensions and highlights the role of Acceptance by salient relationship figures at the time of disclosure. Still, for the most part, current state of mind towards coming out in this study was not associated with relationship quality and self-reported indicators of mental health. This finding may be a function of low statistical power given the modest sample size. However, the relationship between Preoccupied current state of mind and mental health (i.e., internalizing) appears to depend on degree of Outness. In addition, the response of primary relationships figures to coming out may be a relevant factor in shaping mental health outcomes for gay men. Limitations and suggestions for future research and clinical intervention are offered.

Vinculação do Adulto e Sistema Comportamental de Prestação de Cuidados em Toxicodependentes integrados em Comunidade Terapêutica e em Programa de Metadona

Dissertação de Mestrado apresentada no Instituto Superior de Psicologia Aplicada para obtenção de grau de Mestre na especialidade de Psicologia Clínica