Franco Dispenza

African American women's sexual objectification experiences: a qualitative study

The purpose of our study was to investigate African American women’s experiences with sexual objectification. Utilizing grounded theory methodology as well as Black feminist thought and objectification theory as the research lenses, the results of this study uncovered how racist, sexist, and classist ideologies contributed to sexual objectification experiences (SOEs) among African American women. Twenty African American female graduate students and others recruited from a campus community participated in semistructured interviews. Data revealed a number of different sociocultural factors that contributed to the sexual objectification of African American women (i.e., historical influence of slavery, sexualized views and images of African American women, and patriarchal social structure). These factors were observed to contribute to different forms of sexual objectification, ranging from comments and objectifying gazes to more extreme forms, such as sexual abuse. Participants described a number of effects of sexual objectification, including self-objectification, physical safety anxiety, eating concerns, psychological/emotional, and interpersonal. Participants also described how they coped with and grew from these experiences. Psychologists and mental health professionals are encouraged to consider how African American women’s SOEs are rooted in racism, sexism, and classism. Furthermore, these practitioners are urged to develop an awareness of how these oppressions intersect and contribute to the sexual objectification of African American women.

A Pilot Study Assessing the Effectiveness of an Animal-Assisted Outreach Program

The prevalence of anxiety and loneliness on college campuses and the simultaneous reduction in college counseling center resources has created a need for creative approaches that meet the needs of student populations. This exploratory study evaluated the effectiveness of an animal-assisted therapy (AAT) outreach program on symptoms of anxiety and loneliness among college students (N = 55) at a small arts college. Results revealed significant decreases in self-reported anxiety and loneliness scores following the AAT intervention. Additionally, the goals of sessions and approach of interventions significantly predicted lower anxiety scores but did not predict the reduction of loneliness scores. Lastly, interaction with the dog was identified as the most impactful aspect of the intervention. The results of this study reveal that AAT outreach interventions may be an efficient and effective way for university and college counseling centers to meet the growing demands of their student populations.

The Preparedness of Counselors in Training to Work with Transgender Clients: A Mixed Methods Investigation

Although transgender people have increasingly become more visible, there still remains a dearth in the counseling literature regarding counselor preparation with this population. A mixed-method research study was designed to investigate the strengths and gaps in counselor preparedness regarding transgender individuals. In Phase 1, counselors in training (N = 87) from an urban university in the southeastern United States completed a questionnaire on transgender counseling competence. Phase 2 investigated the educative experiences of diverse counselors in training (N = 7) in two separate focus group interviews. The authors converged the results and discuss implications for professional counseling practice and preparation.

Experiences of Objectification and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Sexual Minority Men

Through an objectification theory lens, this study sought to explore the relationships between various forms of objectification (i.e., sexual objectification and objectification based on masculine appearance norms violations) and sexual risk behaviors among sexual minority men. Utilizing an online data collection procedure, a sample of 216 self-identified sexual minority men participated in this study. This study assessed whether sexual objectification, objectification based on masculine appearance norm violations, and the feelings associated with such experiences predicted sexual risk behaviors. An additional goal of this study was to explore the potential moderating role of emotional valence in the relationship between various forms of objectification and sexual risk behaviors. Results revealed that a greater frequency of sexual objectification, as well as positive feelings associated with sexual objectification experiences, were directly related to more sexual risk behaviors. Additionally, negative feelings associated with objectification based on masculine appearance norm violations predicted sexual risk behaviors. No support was found for the moderating role of emotional valence in the relationship between the different forms of objectification and sexual risk behaviors. Implications for research and intervention are discussed, as well as the strengths and limitations of the study.

Minority Stress across the Career-Lifespan Trajectory.

Sexual minority persons (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer) are likely to encounter minority stress, such as discrimination, concealment, expectation of rejection, and internalized heterosexism. Minority stress occurs alongside one’s lifespan and has considerable implications in the context of the career lifespan trajectory. Using the approach of developmental contextualism as a framework to embed minority stress, this article reviews the existing literature regarding facets of minority stress across the career lifespan trajectory and provides a conceptualization on how to incorporate minority stress into affirmative career appraisal, intervention, and research practices.

Lifestyle as a Predictor of Posttraumatic Growth

Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is a process that develops from a cognitive response to cope with traumatic events and an outcome that sees positive personal changes (Calhoun & Tedeschi, 2006). Coping and certain personality traits have the potential to influence PTG. The purpose of this study is to examine the contributory roles of personality themes and coping resources, and their interaction on PTG in a sample of college students. Hierarchal regression analyses determined that coping resources, social interest, and being cautious (∆R2 = .075, β = .352, p < .01) were all significant predictors of PTG after variance explained by age was partialed out.

The Relationships Among Masculine Appearance Norm Violations, Childhood Harassment for Gender Nonconformity, and Body Image Concerns Among Sexual Minority Men

INTRODUCTION: This study tested the degree to which objectification based on masculine appearance norm violations and childhood harassment for gender nonconformity contributed to body image concerns (i.e., body shame and body surveillance) among sexual minority men. METHODS: A total of 216 sexual minority men living in the United States completed an online survey, with an average age of 29.92 (SD = 10.61). RESULTS: Body surveillance significantly mediated the relationship between masculine appearance norm violations and body shame. Body surveillance did not significantly mediate the relationship between childhood harassment for gender nonconformity and body shame; rather, childhood harassment for gender nonconformity directly predicted body shame. It was hypothesized that childhood harassment for gender nonconformity would moderate the following relationships: masculine appearance norm violations and body surveillance, masculine appearance norm violations and body shame, and body surveillance and body shame. No evidence for moderation was observed. DISCUSSION: Implications for mental health practice, future research, and strengths and limitations of the study are also discussed.

Standards of Care for Research with Participants Who Identify as LGBTQ

ABSTRACT The following standards of care have been developed to support the continued development of research with individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, plus individuals whose orientations differ from those who identify as heterosexual and cisgender (LGBTQ+). The guidelines presented are conceived as a working document that reflect the current state and body of knowledge that can inform and provide reference for counseling research, and can be used in the preparation and training of future researchers. The standards outlined in this document will continue to evolve as does research, LGBTQ+ communities, and the sociopolitical climate.

Leadership Development in Counseling Psychology: Voices of Leadership Academy Alumni

In 2012, the Society of Counseling Psychology instituted the Leadership Academy (LA) to develop a pipeline of diverse leaders within the Society and the field of psychology. The present study aimed to: (a) better understand the retrospective perceived impact of the training on LA alumni, and (b) provide data about how LA alumni view their leadership development within the context of counseling psychology values. Fourteen LA alumni responded to a series of open-ended survey questions, and we examined the data through qualitative content analysis. Results yielded seven thematic categories: (a) Influences of the LA on Leadership Development and Leadership Skills, (b) Supports to Leadership Development, (c) Barriers to Leadership Development, (d) Greater Awareness of Diversity and Social Identities, (e) Growth Areas of the LA, (f) Personal Definition of Leadership, and (g) Leadership Attainment. Implications for leadership training programs are discussed.

Standards of Care in Assessment of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Gender Expansive, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTGEQ+) Persons

ABSTRACT A Joint Task Force comprised of members of the Association for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Counseling (ALGBTIC) and the Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling (AARC) present standards of care for assessment of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Gender Expansive, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTGEQ+) Persons.