Matching Items (6)
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- All Subjects: Social Work
- Creators: Messing, Jill T
- Member of: ASU Electronic Theses and Dissertations
- Status: Published
Description
Recent studies have investigated reproductive coercion, a form of intimate partner violence (IPV) defined as when one partner attempts to control another through pregnancy; however, research has focused only on female victim-survivors. Accordingly, the purpose of this three-paper dissertation was to explore the context of male- and female-perpetrated reproductive coercion via interview data from perpetrators of this abuse. The objective of the first paper was to gain a more complicated understanding of male-perpetrated reproductive coercion, with attention to why the phenomenon only sometimes co-occurs with other forms of IPV. A multiple case study analysis framework was used to interpret interview data from men who self-identified as having perpetrating reproductive coercion (n=5). Several men attempted to impregnate non-consenting partners because they perceived value in fatherhood, or the label of "family man." Many justified their behavior by positioning themselves as the rightful "head of household" and minimized their actions by noting their partners' love for their children. The purpose of the second paper, a close narrative analysis of one male participant's interview (n=1), was to gain deeper understanding of how enactment of a certain type of masculinity influences articulations of power within an intimate relationship. Four interview excerpts were organized into stanzas, which were analyzed for narrative disjuncture as well as minimizations and justifications of coercive behavior, with the finding that desire for biological offspring and enactment of power and control may both be tied to a need to perform masculine identity. Finally, the aim of the third paper was to develop an understanding of the contexts in which women perpetrate reproductive coercion. A modified grounded theory approach was used to interpret interview data from women who self-identified as having perpetrated reproductive coercion (n=8), and an initial explanatory model was developed to illustrate a pathway leading to this behavior. Pregnancy appeared to be a means to end (meeting a critical unmet need) more than an end in itself. Preliminary findings suggest that differences exist between female- and male-perpetrated reproductive coercion. Generalizable research that investigates the function of gender in the perpetration of reproductive coercion can inform the development of targeted, gender-appropriate interventions.
ContributorsThaller, Jonel (Author) / Messing, Jill T (Thesis advisor) / Jackson, Kelly F (Committee member) / Durfee, Alesha (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2014
Description
The current study sought to reevaluate Cass' Theory of sexual identity formation in terms of lesbian identity development over the past twenty years and how media acts as mediation in lesbian identity development. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with only nine useable transcripts analyzed for this thesis. This study is an explanatory investigation into linear stage theory, specifically Cass' theory, as well as the impact of media as a mediator during lesbian identity development. This study had three objectives 1) to gain an understanding of the theory and its components related to lesbian identity development 2) to understand the lesbian identity formation process and 3) to understand the impact and influence if any, media has had on lesbian self-reported identity development. Qualitative methods were used to obtain information and analyze the responses. Results indicate that the participants in this study believed that the coming out process was important. This study's results showed that several of the participants entered each stage of the theory, while others did not. Media had little influence on the identity development, and the participants had mixed reviews of medias portrayal of lesbians. Implications for practice and further research are discussed.
ContributorsHaseley, Hilary (Author) / Lacasse, Jeffrey R (Thesis advisor) / Segal, Elizabeth (Committee member) / Rounds, Tamara (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2011
Description
In response to the need to accurately define group home types, this dissertation focused on providing a clear and distinct definition of the types of group home care, an articulated understanding of the role of group home staff, and an awareness of the impact individuals working in group homes have on the lives of the youth they serve and their influence on the group home environment. Using the qualitative research method Grounded Theory, ten in-depth interviews were conducted with staff who both currently work in group homes, and staff who have left the group home environment. The research question was “What is the influence of group home staff on the ecological environment of the group home?” Ecological framework was the overarching theory, and participants were asked questions regarding their relationships with youth and their impressions of staff impact within the group home. Data analysis influenced by Grounded Theory produced 5 themes: Walking into the unknown, in loco parentis with two sub- themes consanguinity and group home as a home, engagement with two sub- themes of staff/staff engagement and staff/youth engagement, staff impact on youth, with three sub-themes, managing transitions, loss and boundaries, and the final theme of supervisor support. The results indicate that staff do have an impact on the group home, both positive and negative. Also, the group home operates as an intricate ecological environment containing relationships and interactions that influence multiple internal systems. Currently there is a gap in the literature as it relates to clarity within definition of care settings. This dissertation provided a clear definition for the chosen research environment, non-locked, non-therapeutic group home. The results of this dissertation have implications for group home agencies and more broadly child welfare agencies and child welfare social workers in regard to hiring practices, training and supervision. This dissertation provides a springboard for a future research on the ecological group home environment and the people who work there and are responsible for the care of vulnerable children.
ContributorsHaseley, Hilary (Author) / Segal, Elizabeth (Thesis advisor) / Anthony, Elizabeth (Committee member) / Ayón, Cecilia (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2018
Description
Female survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) are at increased risk for negative sexual health outcomes, such as susceptibility to HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancy, miscarriage, and cervical cancer. Despite this known risk, HIV risk reduction interventions are lacking in IPV content, and little is known about women’s protective sexual health behaviors in this context. The purpose of this dissertation is to gain a deeper understanding of women’s sexual health within the context of a violent intimate relationship. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-person interviews with women who had experienced IPV (N = 28). Service-seeking women were recruited from a domestic violence shelter and a domestic violence counseling program; non-service-seeking women were recruited through a statewide coalition against domestic violence and online advertisements. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and then analyzed in NVivo Qualitative Software (Version 10). Detailed process notes, analytic memos, peer debriefing, and the use of visual analytic displays were used to increase the trustworthiness of findings. Results are presented in chapters two, three, and four. Chapter two explores women’s experiences of sexual violence in IPV relationships. Women described how their intimate partners used a combination of sexual abuse, sexual coercion, and sexual assault as a unique weapon of power and control. Chapter three examines women’s sexual risks across the levels of their ecological environment using an intersectional feminist framework. Women’s sexual risks went beyond sexual violence and were influenced by subtle yet pervasive cultural gender norms that reduced their power in relation to their male sexual partners. Chapter four focuses on understanding women’s protective sexual health behaviors in order to inform the development of an intervention that follows women’s natural pathway to care as they heal from victimization to surviving to thriving.
ContributorsBagwell, Meredith (Author) / Messing, Jill T (Thesis advisor) / Marsiglia, Flavio F (Committee member) / Evans, Bronwynne C. (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2016
Description
Young adult collegiate women, particularly students with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization, report a myriad of adverse mental health and academic difficulties. Practicing yoga has demonstrated promising findings among adults as a healing modality in the aftermath of interpersonal violence victimization and traumatization. Less known are the associations between collegiate women’s yoga participation and their mental health, body connection, and academic well-being examined through a yoga feminist- trauma conceptual framework. Among young adult collegiate women, this study examined (1) associations amongst socio-demographics, mental health service use, IPV types, and yoga participation (2) the strength and direction of associations on measures of ACEs, mental health, body connection, and academic well-being, (3) whether yoga participation predicted students’ mental health, body connection, and academic well-being after controlling for confounding variables, including ACEs and IPV victimization, and (4) whether socio-demographics, mental health service use, ACEs, and IPV types predicted yoga participation. This study was observational, cross-sectional, and gathered self-report quantitative data. Eligible participants were current collegiate women enrolled at an urban, public university in the southwestern United States who were 18 to 24 years of age. The main sub-sample (n = 93) included students who were ever in an intimate relationship and practiced yoga within the past year. IRB approval was obtained. Findings demonstrated that yoga participation was not a significant predictor of students’ mental health, body connection, or academic well-being. Socio-demographics, mental health service use, ACEs, and IPV did not predict yoga participation. However, women with greater ACEs fared worse on measures of mental health (i.e., depression and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms), and women with experiences of IPV harassment reported greater post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Further, employed women reported fewer depression symptoms and were less likely to experience emotional IPV. Lastly, students with greater body connection (more awareness) fared better academically. This research supports prior literature on the adverse mental health outcomes among young adult collegiate women with histories of interpersonal violence. Further examination is warranted into employment and body connection, particularly related to yoga, as protective factors of students' health, safety, and academic well-being.
ContributorsKappas Mazzio, Andrea Alexa (Author) / Messing, Jill T (Thesis advisor) / Mendoza, Natasha (Committee member) / Huberty, Jennifer (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2022
Description
Child sexual abuse is common in the United States, with an estimated 27% of girls and 5% of boys reporting experiencing child sexual abuse before the age of 18. Occurrences of sexual abuse are grossly underreported, if at all. Recently, researchers have looked more closely at children’s disclosure of sexual abuse and best practices to optimize the safety and well-being of the child. Identifying and acknowledging the reasons that encourage or discourage child sexual abuse disclosures can help victims disclose sooner, access treatment sooner, prevent additional sexual victimization, and safeguard others from harm. Although research exists on the forensic interview process for reporting child sexual abuse, this dissertation takes a unique approach to study children’s decisions to disclose sexual abuse during investigative interviews. Paper 1 aimed to systematically identify and describe the types of preparatory statements caregivers provided to children before forensic interviews. Paper 2 examined the association between caregivers’ preparatory statements and other factors that may impact disclosure rates. Paper 3 provided and encouraged the widespread adoption of an integrated, feminist-based ecological systems framework that guided this dissertation study from conceptualization to interpretive analysis. A Child Advocacy Center provided 322 child sexual abuse forensic interviews and intake paperwork from children and their caregivers. To meet the inclusion criteria, children had to be between 4 and 17 when they reported being sexually abused, possess language proficiency, and take part in forensic interviews regarding sexual abuse conducted by forensic interviewers between 2015 and 2018. The first paper used content analysis to explore and categorize the types of preparatory statements caregivers provided to children. The second paper used a stepwise regression analysis that integrated the preparatory statement results from Paper 1 and child characteristics. This dissertation's third paper proposed a conceptual framework using feminist and ecological systems theory to approach child sexual abuse research. The main takeaway from this study is that children were more likely to make a formal disclosure if their caregiver provided transparent preparatory statements before a forensic disclosure.
ContributorsLawler, Siobhan M (Author) / Reed, Lauren A (Thesis advisor) / Stolzenberg, Stacia N (Committee member) / Messing, Jill T (Committee member) / Arizona State University (Publisher)
Created2023