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Displaying (1 - 7 of 7)
- Title
- Connections and tensions among siblings in the presence of autism spectrum disorder : parental perceptions of the impact of the family system on sibling relationships
- Contributor
- Kristy Dykshoorn (author), Marvin McDonald (thesis supervisor), Lily Dyson (second reader), Catherine Costigan (external examiner), Trinity Western University SGS (Degree granting institution)
- Discipline/Stream
- Counselling Psychology
- Abstract
- The connections and tensions between siblings may impact the development and well-being that children with ASD and their typically developing (TD) siblings experience. Parenting style and parental stress are two factors that impact a caregiver's ability to effectively foster positive relationships. Finally, the interplay between sibling relationships, caregiver characteristics, sibling involvement in intervention, and success in ASD intervention is of interest. Primary caregivers (N = 108) completed an online questionnaire and a hierarchical multiple regression was conducted. Results indicated: 1) Parenting stress explains 12% of the variance found in the warmth and closeness of sibling relationships; 2) Sibling involvement and success in ASD intervention cumulatively contributes to 13.5% of the variance found in the warmth and closeness of sibling relationships; and 3) warmth and closeness uniquely explains 7% of the variance of success in ASD intervention. Limitations, practical implications, and future research direction will be discussed.
- Publication Year
- 2013
- Title
- Educators' Perspectives of Youth-Led Implementation of the FRIENDS For Life Program: A Critical Incident Study
- Contributor
- Nathan T Bartz (author), Marvin McDonald (thesis supervisor), Robert Lees (thesis supervisor), Annette Vogt (external examiner), Trinity Western University SGS (Degree granting institution)
- Discipline/Stream
- Counselling Psychology
- Abstract
- This study examined the viability of a newly piloted implementation model of the FRIENDS for Life anxiety prevention program. In Chilliwack, British Columbia, a collaborative community initiative piloted an implementation model of the FRIENDS for Life program, which involved the inclusion of high school students as chief implementers of the FRIENDS program to local elementary school populations. The purpose of the study was to answer the question of what helps and hinders the implementation of FRIENDS when high school students are the implementers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five educators who were asked about their experiences with the FRIENDS program, what helpful and hindering incidents they observed, and to provide a wish list for future improvements. Results suggest that a youth-led FRIENDS implementation model is a viable model of program delivery and worth consideration for future development and refinement.
- Publication Year
- 2018
- Title
- The lived experience of men in reparative therapy
- Contributor
- William Stanus (author), Marvin McDonald (thesis supervisor), William Dreikorn (second reader), Derrick Klaassen (second reader), Mark Yarhouse (external examiner), Trinity Western University SGS (Degree granting institution)
- Discipline/Stream
- Counselling Psychology
- Abstract
- This study is a phenomenological exploration of client voice in psychotherapy. Five men were recruited from the Thomas Aquinas Psychological Clinic while in reparative therapy for issues related to unwanted Same-Sex Attraction (SSA). Open-ended interviews were conducted by telephone and then transcribed and analyzed via a phenomenological research methodology. Thematic analysis yielded 11 themes which described these men's experiences in therapy and the impact of therapy on their lives as a whole, including domains such as work, relationships, and sense of self. Reparative therapy for these men emerged as primarily about a struggle for healing of masculine identity. Benefits included being able to build better non-sexual relationships with men, becoming more open to intimate relating to a woman, and improving their sense of themselves as men. This research has shed further light on the process of reparative therapy as it is practiced at the Aquinas Clinic.
- Publication Year
- 2013
- Title
- Maturity Matters: How Ego Development Helps Chinese-Canadian Biculturals Flourish
- Contributor
- Katherine Halvorson (author), Marvin McDonald (thesis supervisor), Mihaela Launeanu (second reader), Jeffery Yen (external examiner), Trinity Western University SGS (Degree granting institution)
- Discipline/Stream
- Counselling Psychology
- Abstract
- This study explores bicultural identity integration (BII) processes of adult Chinese- Canadians. Research has indicated that BII is generally associated with higher levels of psychological well-being in immigrants. During their bicultural integration, immigrants undergo a significant process of personal development as they mature and become more capable in their new cultural communities. Connections among processes of psychosocial maturity (Loevinger’s ego development), well-being and bicultural identity provide the central focus for this investigation. All questionnaires in this investigation were presented in full bilingual format with both English and Chinese translations for all questions. A moderation analysis examined ways ego development may shape the relations between bicultural identity integration and psychological well-being. Using self-report instruments, data were collected online from a sample of 104 Chinese-Canadian bicultural adults. Results revealed that an overall model incorporating bicultural identity integration, ego development, and a moderation effect significantly predicted psychological well-being, explaining 26% of the variance of psychological well-being for our Chinese-Canadian bicultural sample. Examination of several features of moderation patterns revealed a modest moderation trend involving the blendedness & compartmentalization dimension of BII, p = .053, ΔR2 = .03, in explaining well-being. Although not statistically significant, the trend offers substantive guidance for future research. The bilingual presentation of items provided an environment to simultaneously evoke both cultural frames for participants, as demonstrated in language use patterns and participant comments. This pattern of results suggests that future research is warranted to further explore processes of bicultural integration development of Chinese-Canadian biculturals.
- Publication Year
- 2016
- Title
- Self-concept and Juvenile Diabetes in Young Adulthood
- Contributor
- Lisa Steenburgh (author), Joan Kimball (thesis supervisor), Marvin McDonald (thesis supervisor), Derrick Klaassen (second reader), Trinity Western University SGS (Degree granting institution)
- Discipline/Stream
- Counselling Psychology
- Abstract
- This study explored self-concept and living with juvenile diabetes in young adulthood. Eight young adults ages 19-29 who self-identified as having juvenile diabetes participated in one to two-hour semi-structured interviews. Interviews were analyzed using the descriptive phenomenological approach, as outlined by Giorgi and Giorgi (2003a). Being shaped but not defined by juvenile diabetes emerged as the essence of the young adults' experiences. Self-concept was shaped by diabetes in three main ways: (1) becoming more responsible, mature and resilient, (2) planning ahead and thinking critically, and (3) gaining empathy. Underlying several themes was the choice participants made to stay positive and maintain hope. They separated symptoms from self, and as much as possible did not let diabetes limit them. Paradoxically, limitations helped them develop skills that put them ahead in other areas of their lives. Findings are particularly relevant for mental health professionals working with young adults living with chronic illness.
- Publication Year
- 2014
- Title
- Strengthening relationships through mindfulness practices
- Contributor
- Sandeep Bhandal (author), Robert Lees (thesis supervisor), Gurmeet Singh (second reader), Keli Anderson (external examiner), Trinity Western University SGS (Degree granting institution), Marvin McDonald (thesis supervisor)
- Discipline/Stream
- Counselling Psychology
- Abstract
- From birth onward, child development is shaped by the environmental context in which children are raised and relationships with their primary caregivers. Emotion regulation is a foundational skill that impacts the parent-child relationship. Mindfulness-Based Emotion Regulation (MBER) is one course offered to caregivers focused on strengthening emotion regulation among parents, using mindfulness. Using the Enhanced Critical Incident Technique methodology, individual interviews were conducted with eight participants, who shared their application of the material to their family life. Two research questions were examined, addressing what helped, hindered, and what participants wish in mindfulness education to create healthier relationships to their children. Results showed that the helpful incidents outweighed the number of hindering and wish list incidents. Participants reported feeling motivated to incorporate mindfulness in their relationships, and more confident as a caregiver. The purpose of the current project is to increase our knowledge about using a family-centered approach with our clients.
- Publication Year
- 2015
- Title
- We-ness : couple identity as shared by male partners of breast cancer patients
- Contributor
- Jillian Hart (author), Marvin McDonald (thesis supervisor), Joanne Stephen (second reader), David Reid (external examiner), Trinity Western University SGS (Degree granting institution)
- Discipline/Stream
- Counselling Psychology
- Abstract
- The present study explored the wider relational context of partners of women facing cancer. Seven male partners of breast cancer patients shared their experience of being a partner to a woman going through cancer. Dialogal phenomenology allowed for clarification of the landscape of these partners' experience by providing opportunity to formulate their experience and to unfold meanings attributed to this experience. Seven themes were identified: crisis and aftermath; children, parenting, and fertility; personal impact; breast cancer as a shared experience; honouring voices and voice; relational choreography; and relational outlook. These men shared different ways that being a partner of a woman with cancer is a shared experience. One pattern that emerged describes how a "you and me" couple identity framework can shift into a "we" perspective. These results revealed how couple identity emerged in relational patterns of engagement during conversational interviewing, a distinctive feature that fits well with previous findings.
- Publication Year
- 2014