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 Compassion Fatigue Across Professional Development: A Systematic Literature Review of Psychologists and Counsellors-in-Training(2025-12)Compassion fatigue (CF) is a well-documented occupational hazard within psychotherapy and counselling, yet significant gaps remain regarding how CF develops and is experienced at different stages of professional growth. This systematic literature review examines how compassion fatigue manifests among psychologists and counsellors-in-training (CITs), integrating Burnout Theory as the primary conceptual framework alongside secondary perspectives from Vicarious Trauma Theory and Self-Compassion Theory. A structured search of PsycINFO, PubMed, Google Scholar, and the City University Library identified peer-reviewed literature published between 2010 and 2025, resulting in approximately 50 studies that met inclusion criteria. Thematic analysis revealed five major patterns: (1) conceptual overlaps among CF, burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious trauma; (2) heightened developmental vulnerabilities in trainees related to emotional regulation, empathic over-identification, fragile professional identity, and supervision inconsistencies; (3) protective factors such as self-compassion, mindfulness, reflective supervision, and compassion satisfaction; (4) comparative differences between trainees and experienced psychologists in boundary setting, resilience, and coping strategies; and (5) persisting methodological and conceptual gaps in the existing literature. Findings indicate that CF is a dynamic, developmentally shaped process influenced by individual, relational, and systemic factors. Implications emphasize the ethical importance of early intervention within training programs, as well as the need for trauma-informed supervision, wellness-based curricula, and institutional policies that support sustainable clinical practice.Item Including Harm Reduction Conversation in Substance Use Counselling with Youth(2025-10-01)This capstone explores how incorporating a harm reduction approach when counselling youth who use substances strengthens the therapeutic alliance and prioritizes youth's safety. Youth who are using substances often experience shame, stigma, and barriers when looking for support and connection regarding their substance use. A harm-reduction approach offers a person-centered lens to exploring substance use that places emphasis on choice, autonomy, and dignity when it comes to making decisions about their substance use. Using a person-centered and harm reduction lens, this capstone explores how a harm reduction approach to substance use meets youth where they are at and strengthens the therapeutic alliance. This capstone aims to explore harm reduction as an approach to supporting youth who use substances within a counselling setting.Item The Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on Emotion Regulation in Adult Romantic Relationships(2025-12)This capstone examines the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on emotion regulation in adult romantic relationships. Specifically, it investigates how ACEs influence emotion regulation abilities and their relational consequences in adulthood through an attachment theory perspective. The main question of this project is: How does exposure to ACEs affect emotion regulation and co-regulation in adult romantic relationships? To answer this, relevant peer-reviewed literature from the past five years was collected, analyzed, and synthesized in a literature review. The methodology used is literature review. A thematic analysis was performed to identify and develop key themes. What were the findings? This review and analysis critiqued existing research methodology and highlighted significant gaps and limitations. The capstone concludes with recommendations for clinical practice, emphasizing suitable modalities such as Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Narrative Therapy, and integrating trauma-informed approaches in working with populations exposed to ACEs.Item The Difference Between Groups Among the Completion of Underrepresented Students and Interactions with Not-for-Profit Private University Business Operations(2025)The study examined how underrepresented students’ (such as students of color, lower socioeconomic communities, and LGBTQIA+) completion rates are affected by their interactions with the business function of a university. Researching completion rates on this basis addresses an area of student success where there is currently a lack of research. This research examines factors associated with the completion rates of underrepresented students, aiming to provide university leadership with information on variables that may influence these rates. This research purposes to clarify how underrepresented student completion rates relate to interactions with business operations at private, not-for-profit universities, addressing a current research gap. Astin’s (1999) Theory of Involvement and Tinto’s (1975) Theory of Student Departure were the key theories referenced in this study and served as the foundational models for this study. The main question of this study asks, “Is there a possible link, if any, between the interactions of underrepresented students with the university business function systems of a university and the completion of these students?” Responses were collected using an online survey (SurveyMonkey) platform from individuals who are current or former students of two not-for-profit private universities. Following data collection, a quantitative research methodology was employed. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to contrast responses from students with differing levels of interaction with university business operations at a not-for-profit private university. This statistical method was also applied to assess the extent and direction of the association between the two student groups. The study found that underrepresented students had an increased level of interaction with the university's business operations; however, no significant correlation was identified between the underrepresented students' interactions and the student completion rates. The survey found no correlation between the number of interactions with business offices and the completion rate of underrepresented student programs, based on the Mann-Whitney U Test results. Although the study found no direct correlation, opportunities remain to improve the interactions between business functions and underrepresented students.Item What’s Love Got to Do with it? A Qualitative Study Addressing the Unmet Needs of Older LGBTQ+ Individuals Caring for a Spouse or Partner with a Chronic Medical Condition(2025-12)Caregiving for an older spouse or partner with a chronic medical condition has become a prominent role in Western society as individuals are living longer and requiring more care. Most in-home care is provided through informal means by family members and friends. Spouses provide care longer than other informal caregivers and may suffer stress, burnout, and other physical and psychological challenges if they have unmet needs, such as lack of support and resources. Due to the events, encounters, and history experienced by older LGBTQ+ caregivers, they face a unique set of challenges and needs when caring for a spouse or partner with a chronic medical condition. The purpose of this qualitative study with an interpretive phenomenological design was to explore the perceptions and lived experiences of the unmet needs of older LGBTQ+ individuals caring for a spouse or partner with a chronic condition. Six spousal/partner caregivers participated in semi-structured interviews to explore their experiences and whether they led to any unmet needs. Findings of the data analysis with an idiosyncratic approach suggested that the participants did not currently experience significant discrimination from medical professionals, but this had not always been the case. There were several challenges that were unique to LGBTQ+ older adults, as well as remarkable ways they have developed resilience and created methods to minimize challenges. Some of the challenges included an increase in chronic conditions experienced by caregivers, lack of advance directives, stress, and unique family relations. To minimize these challenges, the participants formed chosen families and developed strategies for choosing medical professionals. Practical recommendations include cultural competency training for medical practitioners to improve wellbeing and outcomes for both the caregiver and care recipient. Further research can expand upon the background and demographics of the participants, specifically, the impact of race, location, and socio-economic status of individual participants.
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