Policy Discussions on LGBTQ Intimate Partner Violence in North America

This chapter delves into social policy and welfare regarding intimate partner violence (IPV) across North America, specifically around research, policies, and treatment interventions for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community. In this chapter, we outline the problem of intimate partner violence, or IPV, in the USA; analyze IPV policies at the state and national levels; and advocate for more specific treatment interventions to address the unique needs of this community

Investigating the Differential Effectiveness of a Batterer Treatment Program on Outcomes for African American and Caucasian Batterers

This post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of the article submitted to IUPUI ScholarWorks as part of the OASIS Project. Article reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Permission granted through posted policies on copyright owner’s website or through direct contact with copyright owner.Objective: This study (a) evaluated a batterer intervention program (BIP) by investigating changes in psychological variables (i.e., truthfulness, violence, lethality, control, alcohol use, drug use, and stress-coping abilities) between pretreatment and posttreatment assessments in a sample of court-mandated batterers and (b) investigated the differential effectiveness of this same BIP for African American and Caucasian batterers. Method: The study employed a onegroup pretest/posttest design, with 12-month follow-up data, to investigate changes in Domestic Violence Inventory (DVI) scores among 91 men, 57% African American, court ordered into a BIP. Results: Analysis indicated that (a) court-ordered batterers demonstrate significant changes, in the desired direction, on psychological variables related to domestic violence, as a result of participation in a court-mandated BIP and (b) there was no significant difference in changes on these psychological variables between African American and Caucasian batterers. Conclusion: Implications o

Investigating Predictors of Treatment Attrition Among Court-Ordered Batterers

This post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of the article submitted to IUPUI ScholarWorks as part of the OASIS Project. Article reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Permission granted through posted policies on copyright owner’s website or through direct contact with copyright owner.Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in demographic variables and psychological variables between treatment completers and drop-outs among abusive men entering a court-mandated treatment program. Method: The study gathered Domestic Violence Inventory (DVI) scores from 91 men, 66 treatment completers and 25 drop-outs, beginning court-ordered treatment for domestic violence offenses. Results: Logistic regression analyses indicated that none of the demographic variables or the psychological variables differentiated treatment completers from drop-outs. Conclusion: Implications of the findings for improving retention rates among men attending court-mandated batterer treatment programs were explored and discussed

Case Report: Acute Onset Fear of Falling and Treatment With "Cognitive Physical Therapy"

Fear of falling (FoF) is prevalent in older adults, especially those with previous falls, and typically starts insidiously. We present a 78-year-old woman with an abrupt onset FoF and no history of falls, balance problems, vertigo, oscillopsia, psychiatric or psychological issues to account for this. These cognitive changes led to a behavioural alteration of her gait that became slow and wide-based, with her gaze fixed on the floor. She began a tailored program of “Cognitive Physical Therapy (CPT)” combining cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and physical rehabilitation. 1 month later her 6 m walk time and steps were reduced by a 25 and 35%, respectively, and the stride length increased by 34%, with further improvement 2 months later. We postulate that the abrupt onset of symptoms triggered a central shift toward postural hypervigilance and anxiety, suppression of anticipatory (feed forward) postural adjustments (APA) leading to FoF. CPT improved objective gait parameters related to FoF and reduced postural anxiety suggesting that early diagnosis and prompt treatment may avoid chronic symptoms and social isolation

10 Years After

September 11, 2011, marks 10 years since the terrorist attacks that changed the nation and the world. In recognition of this noteworthy anniversary, five alumni offer reflections and reminiscences about the event and its impact on their lives

Targeted rehabilitation reduces visual dependency and improves balance in severe traumatic brain injury: a case study

PURPOSE: To further understand the mechanisms underlying gait impairment following traumatic brain injury. CASE REPORT: A 58-year-old man presented with marked unsteadiness and motion sensitivity following a severe traumatic brain injury. He underwent a 6-week inpatient rehabilitation program focused on re-weighting and subsequently re-integrating ascending interoceptive information, by gradual reduction of maladaptive visual fixation techniques. We report clinical neurological outcomes and measures of functional outcome, as well as an objective assessment of visual dependency (the rod and disk test) at baseline and after the rehabilitation. RESULTS: Clinically, the patient had gait unsteadiness exacerbated by visual motion. A significant reduction in visual dependency occurred with tailored multi-disciplinary rehabilitation via gradual removal of visual fixation strategies that the patient had developed to maintain balance (t-test; p < 0.01), as well as clinical improvements in gait, balance, and functional outcome. CONCLUSIONS: We highlight the importance of visual dependency in the generation of maladaptive gait strategies following brain injury. Our data suggest assessing and treating visual dependency to be an important component of gait rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury. Implications for rehabilitation Whilst gait disturbance in TBI is multifactorial, abnormal visual dependency may be important but under-recognised component of the disorder. Visual dependency can be easily and objectively assessed by the bedside in patients using a dynamic rod and disc test. Tailored rehabilitation with gradual reduction of maladaptive visual fixation can reduce visual dependency and contribute to improved gait and balance following TBI

Nonparticipation in adult education : the perspectives of high school dropouts

Qualitative research was used to get the perspectives of high school dropouts about their lives as nonparticipants in adult education. The research problem addressed in the study was the lack of information from high school dropouts themselves about their life experiences. The purpose was to have high school dropout nonparticipants express their views. The particular research method used was case study.Interviews were held with 15 high school dropouts who had been out of school at least five years. Three one-hour interviews were held with each respondent. Each interview had a particular focus. The first focused on the respondent's family and school experiences until the time of dropout. The second focused on present life experiences. The third focused on plans for the future, including possible participation in adult education.The respondents were selected from the dropout population with members being multi-age, multi-ethnic, of both genders, and from various localities within a community of approximately 200,000. The respondents were selected through the researcher's personal knowledge of dropouts who had not participated in further education; names provided by a relative and two acquaintances of the researcher; and names given by other respondents.The three interviews resulted in 13 categories of information. Categories included the following data: demographic, family, support people, education, employment, and future plans.Five of the 15 respondents saw no reason to become involved in adult education. One would become involved only if current employment ceased. Seven planned to enroll in adult education classes in the near future. Two planned to enroll when current obstacles were overcome.Reasons given for future enrollment in adult education resulted in three categories, with five respondents naming more than one reason. The reason self-satisfaction was given by six respondents. Job change was named by eight. Returning as an example for their children was the reason given by four respondents.Respondents seemed content with their lives. They enjoyed sharing their thoughts.The results of the study represent only this study. The reported protocol for data collection, the narrative, and the analysis of data enable replication of the methods used in the research.Thesis (D. Ed.)Department of Educational Leadershi