The National University System Repository exists to increase public access to research and other materials created by students and faculty of the affiliate institutions of National University System. Most items in the repository are open access, freely available to everyone.
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Item Nature-Based Art Therapy (NBAT) for Trauma(2024-09-26)Nature-based art therapy (NBAT) is an emerging and integrative therapeutic approach offering possibilities for trauma care and treatment (Berger, 2010). Critical aspects of NBAT include using natural materials for art creation, facilitating art therapy sessions in outdoor settings focusing on multidimensional connections between clients and therapists, as well as art and nature as co-therapists (Berger, 2020). Mindfulness mechanisms in NBAT can reduce bodily stress hormones and enhance emotional expression to indicate this novel modality as a possible method to mitigate common trauma responses (Baker et al., 2018; Wardle, 2023). This literature review explores seminal theories and current research on nature-based therapies, art therapy, and NBAT applied to trauma care. This literature review additionally explores cultural perspectives and accessibility implications of NBAT, including strengths and limitations of current NBAT theories, research, and practices. This capstone aims to advocate for ethical care and safety during NBAT integration into trauma care and in future research. The research question for this capstone is: How does nature-based art therapy (NBAT) support individuals with trauma?Item Enhancing Therapeutic Outcomes: Attachment-Based Compassion Therapy and Insecure Attachment(2024-09-27)This capstone project critically examines how Attachment-Based Compassion Therapy (ABCT) can address insecure attachment through a comprehensive review of attachment theory (specifically insecure attachment) and the intersections between psychological well-being (PWB) and self-compassion in adulthood. Understanding insecure attachment is crucial for therapists, as it impacts therapeutic outcomes, and because of its profound impact on PWB, interpersonal relationships, and its role in the intergenerational transmission of attachment patterns (Verhage et al., 2016). ABCT was developed to address the gap in compassion-based interventions (CBIs) by considering the specific cultural needs of the Spanish population (García-Campayo et al., 2016). The connection between insecure attachment and psychopathology is analyzed, and suggestions for therapists to consider when adapting the ABCT self-applied manual are made. The development and mechanisms of the ABCT protocol and self-applied manual are explored and analyzed, with a critical examination of the empirical studies on the ABCT protocol. Gaps in the existing research and opportunities for further research are highlighted, including the need for more empirical studies on ABCT and cultural considerations in therapy. Furthermore, recommendations for counselling practice emphasize the importance of a trauma-informed approach when utilizing ABCT in individual therapy. The capstone project concludes with recommendations for therapist training and reflexivity to enhance the effectiveness of ABCT in clinical settings.Item Impact of Social Media Usage on Adolescents(2024-09-20)Social media platforms have become heavily ingrained in the lives of adolescents, with the number of adolescent users on these platforms rapidly increasing. The content shared by users on these platforms is often heavily edited through tools and filters found on the apps. This represents a concern for how social media influences the development and perception of body image in adolescents. Thus, this capstone aims to investigate the impact of social media use on adolescent mental health and development, particularly in relation to body dissatisfaction. A two-day workshop for parents is proposed to increase their knowledge of social media platforms, adolescent vulnerabilities due to their developmental stage, and parental strategies to mitigate potential negative impacts.Item Barriers to Help-Seeking Behaviour for Male Victims of Sexual Violence(2024-10-02)The research towards male victims of sexual violence is increasing. However, not many studies examine specifically the barriers present that prevent male victims of sexual violence from engaging in help seeking behaviour. Through a search of relevant of articles in PsychINFO and Google Scholar, I conducted a literature review of cisgender and transgender male sexual assault, with emphasis on barriers to help-seeking and how to overcome these barriers. Barriers exist for male victims of sexual violence, negatively impacting men’s willingness to access support. Shame and embarrassment regarding the assault negatively impact men’s willingness to seek help. Men fear how others will respond to their disclosure of sexual violence. Furthermore, masculine norms in society negatively impact men’s willingness by positing that they should not express their emotions and should be able to protect themselves from sexual violence. Lastly, the logistics of accessing resources serves as a barrier. Services are quite rare for male victims and often when they are available, they either are too costly or have too high of waiting lists. To overcome some of these barriers for men, it is imperative that there is an increase in advertising of services. The desire for peer support services by victims is noted by the research, highlighting the desire of men to talk to other men who have experienced the same trauma. By overcoming barriers to help-seeking, we can shed more light on male sexual violence.Item Culturally Inclusive Interventions to Aid Adolescents in Regulating Social Media Usage and Boosting Self-Esteem(2024)Adolescents are experiencing increasing challenges with greater social media usage and low self-esteem. These challenges bring many adolescents to counselling services in the hope of healing. However, based on current research there is a lack of clear understanding of the culturally inclusive interventions that will help regulate social media usage and boost self-esteem in culturally diverse adolescents. This capstone research project aimed to explore the impact of social media on self-esteem and culturally inclusive interventions that can aid adolescents in regulating their excessive social media usage and boosting their self-esteem. A review of peer-reviewed studies published between 2017 to 2023 and a thematic analysis and synthesis of studies was completed. Six themes emerged, the impact of social media usage on adolescent self-esteem, the role of masking in non-Western cultures, the role of mindfulness in culturally inclusive interventions, cultural inclusiveness through expressive art-based interventions, cultural support groups, and culturally adapted Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). The clinical implications section offers specific recommendations to help practitioners in creating effective therapies for culturally diverse adolescents. Lastly, future recommendations and conclusions include recommendations for future research and a reflection on the learning that occurred.
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