Dissertations and Theses
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Publication Feminism as a Collective Good: How Women in the R.O.K. Uphold Collective Action in the Face of Neoliberalism(2025-05-19) Hannah Lee; Deutchman, PaulWhy do collective action movements exist in our current age of individualism? More specifically, why are marginalized identities the most motivated to pursue collective interest over their individual successes in our Neoliberal system of individualized competition? The Republic of Korea (R.O.K) is an East Asian country that shares, with its close neighbors, roots in Confucianism and patriarchal hierarchy (Pascall & Sung, 2007). As a result, it is a collectivist and culturally tight society—one that generally places greater value on collective than individual interests, and that enforces social norms through high levels of sanctioning. Among these norms are rigid gender roles that uphold the systemic marginalization of women, which incur social costs to women that are high enough to offset the costs of norm deviation that exist in a culturally tight society. However, these norms are beginning to change, with the adoption of norms of neoliberal individualism that prioritize individual competition and self-reliance (Amable, 2011). These new norms are at odds with ROK’s historically collectivist values. Given that, why have collective action movements, especially progressive ones, only grown in popularity over the past decades? One of the driving forces underlying the large-scale collective action movements in the ROK is the Korean women’s movement. Women’s active creation of collective identity building spaces generates psychological agency and empowerment for them to violate gender norms in a way that is for the collective interest of women—and how this empowerment to act for the collective interest reaches beyond gendered issues. In exploring this phenomenon, we can illuminate how the collectivizing of identity is an essential link in promoting actions that focus on the collective good, and how violation of oppressive norms presents an opportunity for the psychological agency and empowerment of marginalized identities. These mechanisms can provide powerful insights for the development and sustenance of collective action movements.Publication Testing an Advance Care Planning Tool for Emerging Adults in Cancer Care: A Patient-Centered Perspective(2025-05-19) Devon Ciampa; Werner-Lin, AllisonBACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Emerging Adults (18-29 years, EAs) are a unique subgroup within the adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology population. Studies of advance care planning (ACP) with EAs are scarce, despite this unique period in the lifespan. Theoretical and empirical work suggest developmental tasks of EAs include seeking independence, changes in relationships, and identity exploration. These tasks may conflict with, or be compromised by, the challenges of serious illness making this a vulnerable, yet critical, time to discuss ACP. This study aimed to increase understanding of how EAs interact with ACP and how health professionals can improve care of this population. METHOD: Structured interview data was collected through the study “Study of Voicing My CHOiCES (VMC) as a Tool for Advance Care Planning in Young Adults with Cancer” with 39 EA participants at The John Hopkins Hospital and the National Institutes of Health. English speaking EAs currently in treatment were eligible. Using a thematic content approach, themes addressed the following questions: 1) What do EAs want to focus on in ACP? 2) What are the benefits, burdens, and barriers to ACP with EAs? and (3) How can VMC assist EAs in ACP? FINDINGS: First, EAs requested ways to control their ACP process through more personalized choice. Second, EAs placed importance on the needs of loved ones. Finally, EAs valued a document that used age-appropriate language to learn about ACP and have support in facilitating difficult conversations. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Thirty-seven participants stated that using VMC provided desired control over choices and communication guidance, thus ensuring their preferences would be honored and their loved ones would be cared for. For these EAs facing a life-threatening illness, developmental tension was exacerbated by the loss of newfound independence and freedom of choice. Findings suggest health and mental health professionals might optimally ground resources and assistance with ACP in developmental practice models. Further, EAs need access to trained professionals with age-appropriate tools to facilitate ACP discussions in the dual contexts of significant developmental change and (unexpected) illness and early mortality.Publication We Did What We Could: A Qualitative Study Examining Parent-Child Relationships of Vietnamese American Emerging Adults(2025-05-19) Alyssa Vu; Nguyen, DuyAs Vietnamese immigrants settled in America, there has been a shift in the mental health needs of subsequent generations of Vietnamese Americans. While many first generation Vietnamese avoided seeking mental health services, subsequent generations of Vietnamese Americans were open to seeking mental health services to explore their experiences as children of immigrants, parent-child relationships, and bicultural identities. Because this population has been rapidly changing and growing, mental health among Vietnamese Americans has become a larger need. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how parent-child relationships of Vietnamese Americans impact their wellbeing in emerging adulthood. This research further explored the experiences of intergenerational cultural dissonance in this age group. This study consisted of 8 semi-structured interviews with Vietnamese American emerging adults (ages 19-29). Data was analyzed through reflexive Thematic Analysis. Four main themes emerged from the data that contributed to the Vietnamese parent-child dynamic: 1) Vietnamese parenting, 2) stressors and coping mechanisms in adolescence, 3) individuation during emerging adulthood, and 4) coming to terms with parent-child relationships. These themes highlight the experiences of Vietnamese American emerging adults and how they contend their identities and their relationships with their parents. The study underscores the importance of Vietnamese American emerging adults receiving mental health services to build towards a healthier understanding of themselves. Providing culturally responsive family treatment and educating parents on raising bicultural children could improve parent-child relationships. It is necessary to continue to study this population to create evidence based treatments for healthier Vietnamese American families.Publication Providing Support to Women During the Parole Process: A Case Study of an Innovative Program(2025-05-19) Thompson, April; Bell, HollyParole hearings offer hope of leaving prison early and returning to one’s community. Preparing for the hearing is an important endeavor for incarcerated individuals, but information about how to effectively prepare and what to include in a parole packet is often lacking. Further, once granted parole, individuals face multiple challenges during the reentry transition. Despite the need for support and information, few comprehensive resources exist, leaving individuals to navigate complex situations on their own. In 2021, a unique program called PREPARE was launched in Maryland to assist clients with all aspects of parole preparation from packet creation to reentry planning. This qualitative case study offers a description of the PREPARE program informed by review of program documents and interviews with three program advocates. Thematic analysis was used to evaluate data from interviews with six formerly incarcerated women about their experiences working with PREPARE advocates. Findings yielded four main themes: the importance of receiving accurate information, the impact of being treated with respect, the ways feeling prepared for parole hearings increased self-confidence, and the challenges of securing employment and housing upon reentry even with support. This study contributes to the literature on justice-involved women by offering firsthand perspectives from clients involved with an innovative program about what is needed during the parole and reentry process. Having access to accurate information, receiving compassionate support, and on-going connection to advocates were identified as factors supporting success. Clinical implications for social work practice with justice-involved clients focused on empowerment and self-determination are discussed.Publication Roots of Resilience: Perspectives on the Role of Nature in Mental Health & How Representation and Trusted Networks Influence Nature Engagement in South L.A.(2025-05-19) Jennifer L Kaluhiokalani; Mackenzie, ElizabethThe benefits of nature contact for mental health are well-documented, including improved mood, executive functioning, and sense of belonging and connection. Nature has been found effective in addressing a spectrum of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction – challenges that can result from or exacerbate problems faced by individuals who live in nature-deprived inner-cities. The importance of integrating effective, culturally relevant interventions into community mental health treatment cannot be understated. Yet significant gaps remain in understanding how populations who have been historically underrepresented in nature and outdoor activity, particularly individuals with mental health or substance use challenges in South Central Los Angeles, perceive, access, and engage with nature. Reflexive thematic analysis of nine semi-structured interviews revealed four key themes: living in South L.A. can be isolating and stressful, nature can be healing, experiences and barriers are socially, culturally, and structurally mediated, and choice, representation, and trusted networks are pathways to engagement. Implications for social work practice emphasize embodied experiential interventions that incorporate nature, such as ecotherapy and expressive arts, alongside trusted others and culturally-responsive providers. Findings support the need for collective healing spaces, community-driven programming, advocacy for systemic policy changes, and treatment approaches that challenge dominant narratives about recovery and healing.