An Exploration of Factors Related to Suicidality and Trauma in LGBTQ Refugees and Asylees

In a global context where attitudes towards refugees and asylum seekers as well as LGBTQ human rights are becoming increasingly virulent, LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers are at an increased risk for a number of mental health problems, including suicidal ideation and attempts. While evidence has shown high prevalence of suicidality among refugees and LGBTQ people separately, no studies have specifically examined this phenomenon among those who are members of both groups – that is, LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers. Thus, the purpose of this dissertation is to explore factors related to the experiences distress, trauma, and suicidality among LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers. Utilizing a theoretical framework combining cumulative disadvantage theory, the minority stress model, and queer migration theory, a secondary qualitative analysis was conducted of interviews with 26 LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers in the U.S. and Canada. Thematic analysis was applied to understand the experiences of trauma, distress, and suicidality among LGBTQ refugees and asylees. The results of this study indicated three themes related trauma, distress, and suicidality: internal and interpersonal supports, secondary exposure to trauma, and retraumatization. The findings are discussed in light of the theoretical framework and the concepts of secondary exposure to trauma and retraumatization. Finally, the study’s limitations as implications for social work and recommendations for future research are presented

Determining trip and travel mode from GPS and accelerometer data

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)The use of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and/or accelerometers to identify trips and transportation modes such as walking, running, bicycling or motorized transportation has been an active goal in multiple disciplines such as Transportation Engineering, Computer Science, Informatics and Public Health. The purpose of this study was to review existing methods that determined trip and travel mode from raw Global Positioning System (GPS) and accelerometer data, and test a select group of these methods. The study had three specific aims: (1) Create a systematic review of existing literature that explored various methods for determining trip and travel mode from GPS and/or accelerometer data, (2) Collect a convenience sample of subjects who were assigned a GPS and accelerometer unit to wear while performing and logging travel bouts consisting of walking, running, bicycling and driving, (3) Replicate selected method designs extracted from the systematic review (aim 1) and use subject data (aim 2) to compare the methods. The results were be used to examine which methods are effective for various modes of travel

Representation of Characters by Gender across Video Game Covers of Different Ratings

This research was in response to the perception that females are under-represented in gaming culture. Pew Research Center (2015) found that both males and females thought more males played video games (60%). However, there is not a statistically significant difference in the percentage of males and females who have ever played video games (50% M 48% F). There is the perception that the advertising and production of video games contribute to the different stereotypes associated with men and women in gaming culture. According to research about gender and video game production, both male and female employees who work in the creation of content believe that women are underrepresented (Prescott & Bogg, 2011). This contributes to the idea of androcentrism, which is the practice of placing a masculine point of view as the center of a culture’s, and this is seen in many areas of gaming. In this project we examined the presence of and representation of males and females on video covers

Parents and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): a review of their PTSD reactions to child health conditions and parental understanding of PTSD in childhood

Evidence shows that Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can manifest in parents following a child’s medical trauma (e.g. cancer diagnosis or surgical procedure). To understand the prevalence rates and potential risk factors for parents developing PTSD a meta-analysis was undertaken. Around 30% of parents developed PTSD following paediatric medical trauma. These rates were explored with moderator analysis based on PTSD assessment type, parental gender and medical trauma. Risk factors, large in effect, were found for parental comorbid psychological responses and functioning. Results are discussed within the context of high heterogeneity. Exposure to trauma in childhood is common, with relatively high PTSD prevalence rates among children and adolescents. Children rely on adults to recognise PTSD symptoms and trauma events in order to facilitate help-seeking behaviours. Knowledge of PTSD is therefore important for key adults such as parents and teachers. Research was undertaken using an online questionnaire to identify what parents and teachers know about PTSD in children across three domains: trauma events, symptoms and treatments. Attitudes towards PTSD screening in schools were also explored. Generally, parents and teachers were able to accurately identify traumatic events and PTSD symptoms, although their understanding was broad, with many non-events and symptoms not associated with PTSD diagnostic criteria being selected. Many interventions not recommended for children were selected as effective treatments. The majority of participants supported PTSD screening. It is important that both parents and teachers can accurately recognise PTSD in children and respond accordingly. Clinical implications from both studies are discussed