Transgender Resiliency: A Comparison of Transgender and Cisgender Therapy Clients’ Family Functioning and Psychological Symptomology

Existing literature often suggests transgender people face increased vulnerabilities in comparison to cisgender people and poorer mental and physical health outcomes. However, studies are increasingly exploring resilience of transgender people and factors contributing to positive coping. The current study compared transgender to cisgender clients at a University-based couple and family therapy center on self-reported psychological symptomology and family functioning. Transgender individuals did not differ significantly from cisgender individuals on family functioning, however transgender individuals reported significantly fewer symptoms on all twelve subscales of psychological symptomology, despite lower income and lower levels of education. Results suggest transgender individuals may develop unique traits or processes allowing them to more effectively cope with stressors, supporting the presence of resiliency in this population

Diversifying for Sustainability: Repurposing a Targeted Pilot Faculty Mentoring Program

For most junior faculty at Indiana University – Purdue University Columbus, dissatisfaction with traditional mentoring, that is, pairing with a senior departmental colleague for open-ended mentoring, was a fact of faculty life. In 2015-16, the authors addressed this ineffective reality by implementing a grant funded pilot program to provide targeted mentoring on career self-efficacy for under-represented, pre-promotion faculty. Mentors received training and were matched with mentees. Assessment demonstrated program effectiveness. Participants made measurable gains in general self-efficacy; increasing their self-confidence, establishing more robust social supports, and learning new strategies for career success. Upon program completion, we sought a sustainable modification of the program to more broadly serve all faculty. Feedback from focus groups led us to diversify the program by creating a “mentor bureau” and conducting mentee-only peer mentoring sessions. The bureau helps mentees form a local mentoring network or “map” (Rockquemore, 2013). We asked mentors to identify areas of expertise and mentees to choose from among these topics. In 2016-17, the mentoring bureau enlisted 15 mentors who mentored 11 mentees. Including program leaders, 44% (27 of 62) of full-time faculty participated in the bureau. Peer-mentoring was conducted through informal discussions at monthly mentee-only lunches. Feedback indicates satisfaction with both program components. Mentees reported that they gained expertise through the mentoring bureau and built relationships in the peer mentoring meetings. We are pleased to have the opportunity to share our sustainable and diverse mentoring model that successfully complements traditional mentoring

Career Self-Efficacy Mentoring for Pre-Promotion Underrepresented Faculty

posterThis poster describes the progress and lessons learned as a result of newly implemented Faculty Mentoring Program at Indiana University – Purdue University Columbus

Critical relational model: A normative and meta-theoretical analysis of family therapy theories

This dissertation will present and develop a normative and meta-theoretical model. Through the aforementioned meta-theoretical and normative stance I will present a critical analytical model from which human knowledge, existence, and behavior can be understood and expanded. The first sections of this paper will provide a detailed explanation and evaluation of the theoretical model. In those following, I will convey how this model applies to the evolution of Bowen Theory and family therapy theories across time

Increasing accessibility in couple and family therapy training: Incorporating universal design for instruction

In the last three decades the number of US graduate students with disabilities has increased exponentially. Institutions of higher education have responded by developing and implementing multiple programs and initiatives to meet the needs of this population. One initiative, Universal Design for Instruction (UDI), is believed to have considerable promise. There is a lack of marriage and family therapy (MFT) literature on how to develop and implement pedagogical strategies for students with disabilities and diverse learning styles. Thus, UDI has the potential to enable MFT educators to increasingly foster inclusivity and provide accessible educational experiences for all students, including those with disabilities. When correctly incorporated UDI should diminish the need for individualized accommodations and increase the accessibility of courses and clinical training. We provide a synopsis of the history and philosophy of UDI and describe strategies for applying its nine principles to MFT education

Information sources and profile of informed citizens: An empirical analysis from Guatemala

The purpose of this study is to investigate how Guatemalans procure information on national and local matters. Using data from two nationally representative household surveys, probit models are estimated to identify mechanisms that activate information seeking behaviors among Guatemalans. Findings of the study reveal that Guatemalans primarily use communication media (e.g. television, radio and newspapers) to access information on national issues. In contrast, information procurement on local matters is primarily accessed through individuals’ social networks (e.g. family, neighbors and friends). The findings indicate that females, indigenous groups, citizens living in rural areas and poor individuals are less likely to be informed on both national and local matters, in comparison to other groups

Gender distribution in COAMFTE-accredited programs

This study examines gender distribution of faculty and students within a sample of COAMFTE-accredited marriage and family therapy training programs. The researchers\u27 aim is to fill the existing research gap in understanding how females are represented in marriage and family therapy academic programs. A survey questionnaire and publically-available information was used to collect quantitative data. Student population results show a considerably higher percentage of females at both the master\u27s and doctoral levels. Faculty data indicate a higher percentage of females in part-time positions but an underrepresentation of females at the highest academic ranks. This study provides an initial but important inquiry into gender distribution trends in marriage and family therapy academia