{"title":"Ethno-Religious Engagement, Minority Experiences, and Strengthening American Jewish Identity","authors":"Cheryl L. Fulton, Lauren Melamed, Aliza Lambert","doi":"10.17744/mehc.46.3.03","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17744/mehc.46.3.03","url":null,"abstract":"Despite the complexity of and threats to American Jewish identity, little is known regarding how it is strengthened in adulthood. The purpose of this quantitative descriptive study was to understand the types of activities and minority experiences that strengthen Jewish identity and how this may differ from those with higher religious and cultural identification. Participants included 546 Jewish adults from 39 states who completed a survey covering topics related to Jewish activities, minority experiences, belongingness, continuity, Jewish identity, and demographics. Results indicated that regardless of cultural or religious identification, there were many similarly endorsed activities and minority experiences, even negative ones, that strengthen Jewish identity among adults. Implications for multicultural counseling competency when working with American Jews and ethno-religious identity are discussed.","PeriodicalId":90224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of mental health counseling","volume":"276 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141692197","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Phenomenological Investigation of Counselors’ Perceived Preparedness With Suicidal Clients","authors":"Heather Dahl-Jacinto, Danica G. Hays","doi":"10.17744/mehc.46.3.02","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17744/mehc.46.3.02","url":null,"abstract":"The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the essence of counselors’ perceived preparedness working with suicidal clients and to provide suicide prevention and assessment recommendations for the counseling profession. We identified a structural-textural description that highlights the perceived amount, quality, and components of training preparedness, as well as suicide assessment and intervention knowledge. This phenomenological investigation included 10 professional counselors who described the degree to which they felt prepared to work with suicidal clients and their perceptions of the suicide prevention and assessment training they have completed during their training program and in their agency work setting. Counselors did not generally feel that their training had been adequate and subsequently sought more through personal learning or on-the-job training. Counselors should seek out evidence-based trainings that best meet the needs of their clients.","PeriodicalId":90224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of mental health counseling","volume":"8 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141847117","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
George C. T. Mugoya, Steve M. Muchiri, Wanja Ogongi, Mary Gitau, R. Mkuu, Ryan Cook, Yu Lu
{"title":"Adverse Childhood Experiences, Substance Use, and Poor Mental Health Among the U.S. Adult Population","authors":"George C. T. Mugoya, Steve M. Muchiri, Wanja Ogongi, Mary Gitau, R. Mkuu, Ryan Cook, Yu Lu","doi":"10.17744/mehc.46.3.04","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17744/mehc.46.3.04","url":null,"abstract":"Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are linked to various lifelong negative outcomes. However, there is little counseling literature on the effects of ACEs on adult mental health. Utilizing the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System dataset, we examined individual ACEs and cumulative ACEs scores to quantify the relationship between ACEs and behavioral and mental health outcomes. Findings showed that 60.9% of the participants experienced at least one ACE, with nearly 1 in 6 participants reporting four or more ACEs. Childhood emotional abuse was the most prevalent form of ACE reported. Multiple logistic regression analyses adjusting for sociodemographic covariates showed that reporting any of the ACEs was significantly associated with heavy alcohol use, marijuana use, and poor mental health. Furthermore, a graded dose-response relationship was found between cumulative ACEs scores and outcome variables. The findings highlight the importance of consciously screening and considering ACEs to better assist clients with presenting behavioral and mental health issues.","PeriodicalId":90224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of mental health counseling","volume":"8 6","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141701645","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jenna M. Hershberger, Todd F. Lewis, Inessa Zimmerman
{"title":"Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a Conceptual Treatment Model for Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder","authors":"Jenna M. Hershberger, Todd F. Lewis, Inessa Zimmerman","doi":"10.17744/mehc.46.3.01","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17744/mehc.46.3.01","url":null,"abstract":"Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has demonstrated efficacy in thousands of clinical trials for eating disorders, depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and more. However, ACT has not established efficacy as a treatment for obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD) in a clinical trial. The prevalence of OCPD is one of the highest among personality disorders, yet there is a dearth of research regarding empirically supported treatments and the disorder in general. Aspects of OCPD, including perfectionism, mood intolerance, experiential avoidance, and impaired psychosocial functioning, make it particularly suitable for research involving ACT, which aims to increase psychological flexibility. The purpose of this paper is to elucidate a conceptual model for the treatment of OCPD using ACT. Specific strategies and techniques will be discussed. Future research avenues include exploring ACT as a viable treatment for OCPD, as well as the constructs of experiential avoidance and psychological flexibility related to OCPD functioning.","PeriodicalId":90224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of mental health counseling","volume":"131 16","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141714231","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Counseling Refugees With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Using Emotion-Focused Individual Therapy","authors":"Davorka Marovic-Johnson, Emily C. Brown","doi":"10.17744/mehc.46.2.01","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17744/mehc.46.2.01","url":null,"abstract":"Refugees diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may have trouble with emotional regulation, occupational and social relationships, and other areas of daily functioning such as housekeeping and personal hygiene. This article introduces emotion-focused individual therapy (EFIT) as a therapeutic modality that can efficiently address refugees’ PTSD symptoms. EFIT is an evidence-based theory for addressing attachment needs and improving emotional regulation. A hypothetical case example focused on an Afghan refugee demonstrates the clinical application of EFIT. Recommendations are offered for ethical practice, culturally responsive counseling with attention to social justice advocacy strategies, and research needs. This article guides counselors aiming to apply EFIT with refugees diagnosed with PTSD.","PeriodicalId":90224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of mental health counseling","volume":"1548 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140773636","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carly Somerville, Anna Greis, Yikai Xu, Bradley T. Erford
{"title":"Psychometric Synthesis of the Beck Youth Inventory for Children and Adolescents–Second Edition","authors":"Carly Somerville, Anna Greis, Yikai Xu, Bradley T. Erford","doi":"10.17744/mehc.46.2.04","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17744/mehc.46.2.04","url":null,"abstract":"The Beck Youth Inventory for Children and Adolescents–Second Edition (BYI-II) is the most current version of a widely used instrument across a variety of settings with both clinical and nonclinical clients ages 7–18 years as a self-report measure of anxiety, depression, anger, disruptive behavior, and self-concept. This synthesis of 17 studies from 2005 through 2022 using the BYI-II resulted in aggregated internal consistency of .88−.96 across the five subscales. Convergent validity comparisons were very limited, and no test–retest reliability, diagnostic validity, or structural validity studies were located. Intrascale analysis indicated the Depression and the Anxiety subscales yielded the strongest correlation (r = .73). Implications for counseling practice and research are discussed, including use of the multifaceted BYI-II for screening and outcome research with youths. Many more studies of the BYI-II are needed to establish the usefulness of this legacy assessment with school-aged youth.","PeriodicalId":90224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of mental health counseling","volume":"41 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140786769","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Heather L. Smith, Martin F. Sherman, Julie Sriken, Bradley T. Erford, Adriana Kipper-Smith, Frances Niarhos
{"title":"Testing for Measurement Invariance of the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms–34 Scores With a University Sample","authors":"Heather L. Smith, Martin F. Sherman, Julie Sriken, Bradley T. Erford, Adriana Kipper-Smith, Frances Niarhos","doi":"10.17744/mehc.46.2.05","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17744/mehc.46.2.05","url":null,"abstract":"This study expanded previous psychometric analyses to include gender and race using measurement invariance with the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms (CCAPS-34) on a large sample (n = 4,013) of students referred to a university counseling center. Internal consistency was demonstrated for all subscales with all αs and ωs ≥ .80. The seven-factor model provided a good to excellent fit for all participant subgroup responses. The total sample comparative fit index was .948, the root-mean-square error of approximation was .058 [.057, .059], and the standardized root-mean-square residual was .048. Full measurement invariance was documented across all gender and racial/ethnic identity comparisons (i.e., White, Black, Asian/Pacific Islander, multiracial, Latino/a/x, non-Latino/a/x). The study concluded that CCAPS-34 subscales scores can be used with confidence with college-aged students of diverse backgrounds for screening and outcome assessment purposes.","PeriodicalId":90224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of mental health counseling","volume":"358 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140781130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michael T. Kalkbrenner, Adrianna L. Vernace, Howard N. Glasser
{"title":"Inner Wealth: Predicting Lower Levels of Depression and Anxiety Severity","authors":"Michael T. Kalkbrenner, Adrianna L. Vernace, Howard N. Glasser","doi":"10.17744/mehc.46.2.03","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17744/mehc.46.2.03","url":null,"abstract":"Anxiety and depression are the two most prevalent mental health issues among adults living in the United States. Consistent with the wellness, prevention, and development pillars of the counseling field, inner wealth (IW) is a strengths-based construct centered on empowering clients to realize their inherent value and potential as people. We investigated the capacity of IW for predicting lower levels of depression and anxiety severity with a national sample (N = 793) of adults in the United States. We also examined demographic differences in IW among U.S. adults. Results revealed support for the capacity of IW for predicting substantially lower anxiety and depression scores. In addition, significant demographic differences in IW emerged by gender and help-seeking history. Results are discussed in terms of the potential utility of IW for edifying the practice of mental health counselors, particularly when working with adults in the United States who are living with anxiety and/or depression.","PeriodicalId":90224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of mental health counseling","volume":"181 35","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140793830","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Justin Watts, N. Chumbler, Joshua Castleberry, Nicholas R. Lazzareschi
{"title":"Trauma Exposure, Suicidality, and Symptom Severity Among Young Adults Seeking Counseling Who Report Childhood Emotional Abuse","authors":"Justin Watts, N. Chumbler, Joshua Castleberry, Nicholas R. Lazzareschi","doi":"10.17744/mehc.46.2.02","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17744/mehc.46.2.02","url":null,"abstract":"There is limited research regarding childhood emotional abuse (CEA) and its influence on mental health across development, as most studies of childhood maltreatment to date have focused on childhood sexual and physical abuse. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 2,604 young adults seeking counseling services at a large post-secondary institution in the southwestern United States. Participants were screened for trauma exposure, mental health issues, and suicidality. Findings indicated that CEA was significantly associated with higher rates of exposure to other traumatic events, more severe depression, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, academic distress, eating concerns, family distress, hostility, and substance use. CEA exposure was also significantly associated with more frequent suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and non-suicidal self-injury prior to seeking counseling services. As CEA was associated with elevated symptom presentation and more severe risk for suicide, recommendations for counseling practice and future research are discussed.","PeriodicalId":90224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of mental health counseling","volume":"92 10","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140758949","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"“White Girls Are Taught to Be Wives; Black Girls Are Taught to Survive”: Wellness Among Strong Black Women","authors":"Donya D. Wallace, Dodie Limberg, Kathryn Linich","doi":"10.17744/mehc.45.4.02","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.17744/mehc.45.4.02","url":null,"abstract":"Furthering a strengths-based approach to mental health and wellness requires researchers to explore the role of cultural systems, sociohistorical factors, and the intersectionality of race and gender as factors impacting wellness. To fill the existing gaps in the literature, 12 African American women who identify as strong Black women were interviewed to address the question “How do African American women who manifest the archetype of the strong Black woman make sense of their experiences with wellness?” Working within the client’s perspective, interpretative phenomenological analysis was employed to analyze data collected during semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Themes pulled from the data described how traits of the archetype were internalized during childhood and had implications for how participants perceived and prioritized self-care, a key component of wellness. Findings depict the moderating effects of the strong Black woman archetype on wellness among participants and highlight sociocultural factors impeding its achievement. Implications for assessment, treatment, and counselor education are provided.","PeriodicalId":90224,"journal":{"name":"Journal of mental health counseling","volume":"60 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135199797","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}