Academic literature on the topic 'Mental health|Women's studies|Psychology'

The Wisconsin Maternity Leave and Health Study addresses an important policy issue, parental leave, by investigating the work status, maternity leave, and mental health of 570 women. In the longitudinal design, the women, all of whom were living with a husband or partner, were interviewed during the fifth month of pregnancy, 1 month postpartum, and 4 months postpartum. At 4 months postpartum, full-time workers, part-time workers, and homemakers did not differ in depression or anger, but full-time workers showed elevated anxiety compared with the other two groups. In multiple regression analyses, length of leave interacted significantly with marital concerns when predicting depression; women who took a short leave (6 weeks or less) and were high on marital concerns had the highest depression scores. Short maternity leave can be conceptualized as a risk factor that, when combined with other risk factors such as marital concerns, places women at greater risk for depression.

Feminist Foremothers in Women's Studies, Psychology, and Mental Health, Phyllis Chesler, Esther D. Rothblum, and Ellen Cole (Eds.). Binghamton, NY: Harrington Park Press, 1995. 541 pp., $29.95 (paper), ISBN: 1-56023-078-9. Published simultaneously by The Haworth Press, cloth ($49.95) and as Women & Therapy, 17(1-4).

This research explored gatekeeping transactions of professional women in selected occupational fields. Subjects were asked to keep daily records on strategies they used to gain needed resources from other people in their workplace. Characteristics of gatekeeping transactions were studied as potential stressors that might affect specific indicators of mental health. Results suggest that differences in levels of job satisfaction and substance use can be predicted by specific characteristics of gatekeeping transactions, such as total number of transactions, number of strategies used per transaction, negativity of transactions, and gender and role status of gatekeeper. Patterns of influence strategies used by the subjects are discussed, as are implications for future research on gatekeeping transactions in relation to professional women's mental health and job satisfaction.

This article offers objectification theory as a framework for understanding the experiential consequences of being female in a culture that sexually objectifies the female body. Objectification theory posits that girls and women are typically acculturated to internalize an observer's perspective as a primary view of their physical selves. This perspective on self can lead to habitual body monitoring, which, in turn, can increase women's opportunities for shame and anxiety, reduce opportunities for peak motivational states, and diminish awareness of internal bodily states. Accumulations of such experiences may help account for an array of mental health risks that disproportionately affect women: unipolar depression, sexual dysfunction, and eating disorders. Objectification theory also illuminates why changes in these mental health risks appear to occur in step with life-course changes in the female body.

This study examines the relative contributions of job- and gender-related variables to the mental health of Hispanic women professionals. Hispanic women professionals, managers and business owners ( n = 303) were surveyed using the mailing list of a Hispanic professional women's organization. Results of multiple regression analyses indicate that income and Hispanic group were consistently related to mental health measures. Spouse support and ethnicity of spouse were associated with measures of stress in balancing roles and psychological distress symptoms. Marital status was related to personal life satisfaction (married women reported more satisfaction), and having young children was negatively associated with personal and professional satisfaction. Experience of discrimination, job stress and peer support were also significantly related to mental health measures. Although preliminary, this study underscores the importance of both job- and gender-related factors in research on the effects of employment on Hispanic women's mental health.

This research is about revisioning the Feminine; this is an exploration into the depth of image, alchemy, and intentional creativity, and the catalytic role they play in psychic and somatic integration. Hekate was identified as an image of the dark Feminine that invoked fear in Western culture. For this reason Hekate was selected for interpretation for this alchemical hermeneutic study. An examination of the dark Feminine as Hekate was conducted using an intentional creative process. Also investigated in this study are the alchemical processes of nigredo and albedo and their correlation with transformation within an intentional creative process. Intentional creativity was identified as a viable method for encountering experiences of psychic and somatic integration. Further, through incorporating current research in trauma and neuroscience, this research examined responses to fear in connection to image and the involvement of image in mind-body-subtle body disconnection. This qualitative research was conducted using alchemical hermeneutic methodology to examine the lived experience of re-visioning the Feminine. The data examined in this study were collected by working with an intentional creativity method developed by artist Shiloh Sophia McCloud. McCloud’s intentional creativity model was applied to a dream image, and the researcher’s responses to the layers of the painting process then generated the data for the study. The findings of this study show that McCloud’s method produced lasting experiences of psychic and somatic integration, and that through re-visioning the Feminine, the mind-body-subtle body experience of fear was transformed.

This dissertation seeks to understand how five women currently enrolled in doctoral level psychology programs emotionally and relationally experience the process of recovery from an eating disorder. Contemporary interdisciplinary discourses are inconsistent in their discussion of recovery, with differing accounts of what constitutes recovery and the typical course of recovery. Using a voice-centered and relational approach, I interviewed five female doctoral-level students in the fields of clinical and counseling psychology about their experience of recovering from eating disorders. Interview data was analyzed using the Listening Guide Method (Brown & Gilligan, 1992; Gilligan, 2015) in order to emphasize the emotional and relational qualities of informant voices. My interest in this subject is, in part, inspired by my personal eating disorder history and doctoral training experiences. Although my personal experiences no doubt shaped what I asked and how I listened to the women in this study, I found that these courageous and honest women independently corroborated three interrelated themes. One, these women’s stories each directly addressed a controversial issue in the literature: What is the nature of eating disorder recovery? Is it an end-state or an ongoing process? Two, connection and disconnection from the self and others, which in many respects is perpetuated by societal pressures and expectations placed on women, plays a critical role in the development of eating disorders. And three, the informants highlighted the potentially critical role of self-disclosure in addressing the sensed disconnections from self and others, within both clinical-therapeutic and professional-academic relationships.

Females diagnosed with a substance use disorder (SUD) may experience more stigmatization and need more social support than males. Traditional therapeutic services provide interventions and treatment that is uniform for males and females. The available research on female substance users does not address meaningful connections and relationships with others, and its effect on overall wellness. The objective of this study was to address the importance of social support, stigmatization, and wellness. A sample of 232 females diagnosed with SUD, at least 18 years of age, responded to three instruments and a demographic form.

The results of this study indicate that income and age are predictors of overall wellness and explained 12% of the variance in wellness when using a multiple regression analysis, (adjusted R² = .119, p = .000). Relationship status and relationship length demonstrated significance as predictors of social support, explaining 5.6% of the variance in social support, using a multiple regression analysis, (adjusted R² = .056, p = .001). Number of children, age, and relationship length demonstrated significance as predictors of stigmatization, accounting for 9.4% of the variance in stigmatization, (adjusted R² = .094, p = .000). Social support accounted for 4.1% of the variance in stigmatization using a multiple regression analysis, (adjusted R² = .041, p = .001). Social support explained 39% of the variance in wellness, (adjusted R² = .394, p = .000). Using a hierarchical regression analysis to control for stigmatization, social support explained 44% of the variance in wellness, (adjusted R² = .438, p = .000). Finally, social support mediates the relationship between stigmatization and wellness, when using path analysis.

This study provided support for specific treatment for females in substance abuse treatment; particularly concerning social support, stigmatization, and wellness. These females with SUD reported that social support increased wellness, correlating with decreased stigmatization. Conversely, females who experienced increased stigmatization and decreased social support also experienced decreased wellness. Social support mediated the impact of stigmatization and wellness.

Based on financial and billing records, the medical utilization behavior of 105 working adult women members of an employer-sponsored prepaid healthcare plan was examined prospectively over a five-year period. Utilization was evaluated 2.5 years pre- and 2.5 years post-crime for three groups of women: nonvictims (those women reporting no prior history of crime event), victims of noncontact crimes (theft, burglary, attempted crimes), and victims of contact crimes (assault, rape, and rape/assault). Results of interrupted time-series analysis indicated an abrupt, permanent (at least extended) impact for the crime event on use of physician services that was significant for both groups of crime victims (noncontact and contact crimes). The findings were similar across outpatient medical utilization indicators (frequency of visits and associated costs/charges). In terms of percent changes in levels of usage over time, contact crime victims increased physician visits 32-36% over baseline, noncontact crime victims increased 30-50% from baseline, and there was no change in the nonvictim comparison subjects. A second analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of mental health treatment on the use of outpatient medicine. Groups were classified into mental health users and nonusers as well as victims of crime (no crime, noncontact crime, contact crime). Results of interrupted time-series assessment on the effects of psychosocial stress by victimization on medical utilization indicated non-significant changes-over-time for victims of noncontact and contact crimes as well as nonvictim comparison subjects who utilized mental health services during the 5-year study frame. Mental health usage was defined as one or more visits to the Department of Psychiatry within the 5-year measurement time frame. A decline in outpatient utilization from preassault baseline to postassault by 12-17% was observed for victims of contact crimes who received mental health services. The results lended support the hypothesis that increased utilization followed the experience of stress by crime victimization and, that mental health had a buffering role in the moderation of increased utilization following a stressful event. The results suggested that healthcare policy should consider greater access to mental health services and that these services may be most effectively utilized when directed toward special populations of medical patients.

This study focused on the perspectives of ten licensed mental health practitioners regarding the resilience of African American women survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) who permanently leave male perpetrators. A generic qualitative methodology guided the exploration using individual face-to-face interviews. Data collection included individual semi-structured interviews using open-ended questions, which harmonized with the postmodern worldview and constructivist-interpretive paradigm that undergirded the study. After multiple cycles of data analysis cycles, five major themes emerged. The emergent themes were hope, family influence, self-concept, empowerment, and turning points. Maslow's hierarchy and Bronfenbrenner's bio-ecological theory provided the theoretical framework for the analysis of the themes. The study presented a discussion of the implications of the themes for understanding the resilience traits of African American women IPV survivors. Such implications are relevant to researchers, policy-makers, counselors, counselor educators, health care workers, and other human services professionals who affect the treatment of this cohort.

Research indicates that at least half of all women substance abusers were abused in childhood and this trauma negatively impacts substance abuse recovery. Professionals in the field agree that substance abuse counselors need to understand trauma, its effects, and treatment in order to work with their female clients. The purpose of this thesis was to develop a handbook to assist substance abuse counselors in private practice in assessing and treating child abuse trauma in women substance abusers. The handbook was developed through the historical research method and the action method of applied research. The handbook outline and completed manuscript were evaluated by substance abuse counselors in private practice with experience counseling trauma survivors. The evaluations indicated the handbook would be useful for substance abuse counselors. Recommendations for changes suggested by the evaluators will be made prior to publication. Implications for further research on women substance abusers and childhood trauma are presented.

Divorce among older women is a growing social phenomenon about which little is known. The qualitative case study method was employed to determine issues relevant to women experiencing late-life divorce in order to: provide a basis of knowledge about these women; to identify areas for further research; and, to yield information that would facilitate the development of mental health programs intended to serve this population. Using open-ended questions during tape recorded interviews, the perceptions of five women who divorced over the age of sixty were elicited. The areas of concern within the broad categories of physical and mental health, family and social relationships, and economic and legal issues were identified and then compared and contrasted to data gathered by previous researchers. Recommendations were made for future research and a model for a cooperative community mental health program was endorsed.

Through the use of artistic-creative methodology and alchemical hermeneutic exploration, this production thesis examines the creation of images and the process of dialoguing with them as a therapeutic tool, helping to heal and empower female trauma survivors. By acknowledging and interacting with images from the unconscious, one may begin to reintegrate split or dissociated parts of the Self, ultimately leading to the reunification of psyche. Drawing upon the theories of Jung, depth psychology, and expressive arts therapy, the author presents her personal journey toward healing, selfexpression, and empowerment, which involves active imagination and dialogues with created images. The production, two original paintings, illustrates the process of accessing the unconscious through interaction with images as a way of making meaning and healing from trauma, splitting, and dissociation. Using these ideas, mental health clinicians can gain an additional modality for the successful treatment of trauma survivors.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) – characterized by deficits in social interaction and communication, and restricted and repetitive behaviors, interests, and activities –increasingly are being diagnosed in individuals of all ages. However, as children on the autism spectrum enter adolescence, self-report research on ASD and sexuality is currently limited to 14 empirical, peer-reviewed articles, misconceptions are prevalent, and professionals remain underequipped to support their sexuality needs. The goal of the current study was to expand the current knowledge base by exploring multiple aspects of sexuality (including relationship and family status, gender identity, sexual history, sexual orientation, sexual desire, sex education exposure, sexual behavior, sexual satisfaction, sexual victimization, and sexual awareness) and well-being (including symptoms of ASD, sensory sensitivity, depression, anxiety, and social anxiety) in a sample of 18-30 year old women with and without ASD. To capture a wide range of experiences, female-bodied individuals with more fluid gender identities (e.g., agender, genderqueer) and transfeminine women were invited to participate too. Overall, 248 individuals with ASD and 179 individuals without ASD (N = 427) self-reported on their experiences by completing a 20-minute online survey. Results showed a wide range of sexuality-related identities and experiences among women with ASD. Of note, a surprisingly high percentage of participants with ASD reported having a genderfluid identity, a sexual minority identity, and at least one lifetime incidence of sexual victimization. When compared to a non-ASD sample, participants on the autism spectrum reported higher levels of gender fluidity, sexual minority identity, and sexual victimization, and lower levels of romantic partnerships, sexual desire, sexual behavior, sex education exposure, and sexual awareness, including consciousness and monitoring; participants in both groups reported comparable levels of sexual satisfaction. Relations across sexuality-related variables, and between sexuality-related and non-sexuality-related variables, within the ASD and comparison groups also were assessed and many significant correlations were observed. The discussion focuses on how these findings expand the current knowledge base, and how they might inform the work of researchers and clinicians, and support the romantic partners, family members, and friends involved in the lives of young people with ASD.

This is a quantitative, cross-sectional study designed to examine the relationship between sexist microaggressions and mental health. Sexist microaggressions refer to subtle communications of hostility and discrimination toward women. Sexist microaggressions are often difficult to detect, but they have the potential for harmful mental health outcomes. Despite a strong theoretical argument for the relationship between sexist microaggressions and mental health, limited empirical research exists documenting this relationship, partly due to a lack of an adequate psychometrically developed, quantitative measure of sexist microaggressions. Therefore, for the purpose of the study, a theoretically based quantitative measure of sexist microaggressions, including a stress appraisal of these experiences, was developed. Based on survey data obtained from 699 women, the Sexist Microaggressions Experiences and Stress Scale (the Sexist MESS) may be conceptualized as composed of seven interrelated factors. Furthermore, the results support the reliability and validity of the Sexist MESS as a measure of sexist microaggressions among women. Even further, scores on the Sexist MESS correlated significantly with scores on the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionaire-Dutch-30 (MASQ-D30), indicating a positive relationship between sexist microaggressions and general distress, anhedonic depression, and anxious arousal. Additionally, hierarchical multiple regression analysis determined that sexist microaggressions account for a unique portion of variance in mental health outcomes, above and beyond other known predictors (e.g., self-esteem, perceived social support, feminist identity development) of women’s mental health, suggesting that sexist microaggressions are an important factor to consider in the conceptualization and treatment of women’s mental health. Other service implications and recommendations for future research are discussed throughout.

Stereotype threat about leadership ability may trigger emotional and cognitive responses that reduce women's leadership aspirations. This chapter reviews literature and presents a study on the effects of implicit (covert) and explicit (overt) leadership stereotype threat on women's emotions, power-related cognitions, and behaviors as moderated by exposure to powerful female or male role models. Emotional responses were measured using self-report (direct) and narrative writing (indirect) tasks. Undergraduate women (n = 126) in the Northeastern U.S. were randomly divided into three stereotype threat groups: none, implicit, and explicit. Implicit stereotype threat resulted in higher indirectly expressed (but not self-reported) anxiety, behaviors that benefited others more than the self, and when preceded by exposure to powerful female role models, higher self-reported negative emotion but also higher indirect positive affect. Explicit stereotype threat resulted in higher indirect optimism, and when preceded by exposure to powerful female role models, lower self-reported sadness but also lower implicit power cognitions.