CityU Scholarly Work (Restricted)
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Contains access-restricted scholarly work from City University of Seattle students, faculty, and staff.
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Item Perfectionism Through a Cultural Perspective: Exploring the Relationships Between Culture, Perfectionism, and Psychological Well-Being(2025-10) Huang, AngelThe increase in perfectionism presentations in the population and the continuous growth in cross-cultural interactions through globalization, calls for an inquiry into the role of culture in the development of perfectionism and psychological outcomes. Current discourse in perfectionistic research shows a gap in understanding around the impact of culture in shaping experiences of perfectionism. This capstone project looks at existing links between cultural orientation and perfectionism presentation, and examines the role of acculturation in shaping perfectionism. Strengths and weaknesses of therapeutic modalities commonly used to treat maladaptive perfectionism are explored in terms of cultural responsivity, and cultural considerations are highlighted for counsellors working with clients of collectivist backgrounds. This capstone will also suggest a framework to working with perfectionism based on the incorporation of collectivist values and relational cultural theory as a mean of offering an alternative culturally responsive care.Item Roll for Resistance and Joy: Reauthoring Identity for Trans and Non-binary People of Colour with TTRPGs(2025-10-31) Bandla, RaeTransgender and non-binary people of colour (TNB-BIPOC) face considerable minority stressors, socioeconomic disparities, and discrimination based on the intersection of race and gender. Combining concepts of constructivism, intersectionality, and disenfranchised grief, this capstone tackles how TNB-BIPOC can reauthor harmful narratives around their multiply disenfranchised identities into those of resistance, particularly by using TTRPGs. TNB-BIPOC can use roleplaying games as a creative possibility for reauthoring disenfranchisement narratives using character creation as a symbolic and narrative form of resistance. This capstone offers a call to action for therapists to educate themselves and complement the worldmaking processes and counternarratives that TNB-BIPOC already use to increase identity cohesion and resilience.Item A Couple's Transition to Parenthood and Its Effect on the Well-Being of the Family System(2025-10) Cassels, ChristinaThis capstone explores how to effectively support and empower couples during the transition to parenthood, a period filled with individual and relationship changes that have significant implications for relational, parental, and family well-being. More specifically, the paper highlights how supporting and educating couples at this developmental stage fosters healthier partner relationships, strengthens coparenting dynamics, and enhances overall family functioning, including the developmental outcomes of children. The paper underscores the role of counsellors and health practitioners in preparing couples for the psychological, relational, and structural changes associated with the transition to parenthood. Key theoretical concepts are reviewed, including attachment theory, parenting style, and family-of-origin influences, which shape individual parental identity and inter-partner perceptions. In addition, the reciprocal relationship between relationship quality and coparenting is explored, with attention to dyadic coping and conflict style affecting relationship satisfaction. Drawing on existing empirical research, the paper explores evidence-based therapies and preventive programs designed to promote family well-being. Finally, a framework for a psychoeducational couple’s workshop is presented, offering practical modules that can be integrated into existing prenatal education programming to better support expectant parents at a time when they are already seeking support and information.Item The Impact of Religious Shame on Self-Esteem: Exploring Internalized Shame in Christian Teachings(2025) Olsen, SophieThe literature review undertaken for this capstone explores the relationship between Christian teachings, shame, and self-esteem, addressing the research question "How does internalized shame stemming from Christian teachings about sin and moral judgement impact self-esteem in individuals?" This topic was proposed because there is limited research on the impacts of how Christians interpret religious teachings on their wellbeing. The review addressed which components of Christian teachings may be linked to negative impacts such as the experience of shame, and the impact of shame on a person's way of knowing themselves, or their self-esteem. To find relevant literature, key search terms were used, such as: Christian beliefs, Christian teachings, sin, morality, Christian shame, religious internalized shame, religious trauma, shame and self-esteem, self-esteem scale and shame proneness. The following findings were highlighted in the literature review: teachings on sin and moral judgment can trigger feelings of personal responsibility, those feelings of personal responsibility can lead to feelings of shame when they concern something uncontrollable or unchangeable, and the experience of shame can negatively impact a person's self-esteem. Pursuant to these findings, the author provides recommendations to help clinicians support individuals who are negatively impacted, including assessing for self-discrepancies, using shame-sensitive approaches, and exploring differential approaches to religion. The study concludes with a summary of findings and take-aways, future research questions, and reflections from the author.Item Aces, autoimmunity, and trauma-informed care(2025-10-22) Dhillon, JessicaTrauma has profound and lasting effects on both psychological and physiological health, yet clinical models often remain narrowly focused on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), overlooking complex developmental and somatic impacts. This paper explores the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and autoimmune disorders in adulthood, emphasizing the role of autonomic nervous system dysregulation as described by Polyvagal Theory (Porges, 2011; Dana, 2018). Drawing from both Eastern and Western populations, it highlights the importance of culturally responsive care, particularly for South Asian and East Asian communities in Canada, where family structures, gender norms, and stigma shape trauma expression and somatic manifestations (Ahmad et al., 2020; Aguilar, Osman, Yeh, & Ghahari, 2025). Evidence indicates that early-life adversity becomes biologically embedded, influencing the HPA axis, autonomic function, and immune responses, thereby increasing vulnerability to chronic conditions, including autoimmune diseases (Anda et al., 2006; Dube et al., 2009; Kuhlman, Chiang, Horn, & Bower, 2017; Köhler-Forsberg et al., 2025). Integrating somatic, neuroscience-informed, and culturally contextualized frameworks supports trauma-aware interventions that address both mind and body, offering a more holistic and inclusive approach to care for diverse populations (Fisher, 2021; Van der Kolk, 2014; Sullivan, 2018; Brown, 2021).