Master's Theses

Master's Theses

Master's Theses

Dunn, Lillian | Chair: Dr. Nathan Wood | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/114 Routine outcome monitoring in emotionally focused therapy: A clinical perspective.

Graham, Justin | Chair: Dr. Nathan Wood | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/112 Examining anxious attachment and its effects on sexual behaviors in adulthood.

Hall, McKinley J. | Chair: Dr. Alexander T. Vazsonyi | Maternal-adolescent communication about sex and risky sexual behaviors: A cross-cultural comparison of Czech, Spanish and Taiwanese youth.

Keith, Ellen | Chair: Dr. Donald Bruce Ross III | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/113 Division of labor and relationship satisfaction: Examining the mediating role of self esteem.

Leip, Allison | Chair: Dr. Jason Hans | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/111 Malleability of abortion attitudes.

Maamari, Lynn | Chair: Dr. Alexander T. Vazsonyi | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/115 The relationships between maternal and paternal inconsistent parenting and cyberbullying victimization, anxiety and depressive symptoms among adolescents.

Munday, Margaryta | Chair: Dr. Alexander T. Vazsonyi | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/108 The relationship between low self-control and life goals over the life course.

Scruggs, Haley | Chair: Dr. Nathan Wood | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/109 CBT and me: A beginning therapist's journey utilizing client feedback.

Thomas, Tory | Chair: Dr. Alexander T. Vazsonyi | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/110 Links between perceived mother-adolescent and father-adolescent conflict and low self-control: A cross-national comparative study.

Bejda, Miranda L. | Chair: Dr. Nathan Wood | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/101 Conceptualizing asexual identities.

Cooke, Madalyn | Chair: Dr. Nichole Huff | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/103 Attitudes of therapists surrounding sand tray therapy with adults.

Del Moral, Edith | Chair: Dr. Nathan Wood | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/102 Exploring the therapy experiences of Latinx individuals working with non-Latinx therapists.

Heaney, Claire Catherine | Chair: Dr. Nathan Wood | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/106 Portrayals of family resilience in webcomics during the covid-19 pandemic: A thematic analysis.

King, Krystal N. | Chair: Dr. Alex Elswick | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/107 Exploring the distinction between support and enabling in families with substance use disorder.

Nickell, Claire Elizabeth | Chair: Dr. Nathan Wood | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/105 Your problem or our problem: How clients' evaluation of the problem affects therapeutic progress in therapy.

Steering, Elizabeth | Chair: Dr. Nichole Huff | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/104 Assessing 4-H and its circle of courage in a psychiatric residential treatment facility: A case study.

Beier, Julia | Chair: Dr. Alexander T. Vazsonyi | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/98 Personality and coping in response to traumatic experiences in emerging adult women.

Mortara, Talley | Chair: Dr. Nathan Wood | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/100 Stressful events: Where dyadic coping and romantic attachment meet.

Buerkle, Tera | Chair: Dr. Ron Werner-Wilson | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/89 A qualitative examination of the agency of women in their 30s and 40s who use dating applications.

Burns, Kara | Chair: Dr. Nathan Wood | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/90 Exploring the effects of colorism on relationship quality.

Kidwell, Morgann | Chair: Dr. Jason Hans | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/93 Sexual expression and self-confidence in long-distance relationships.

Lance, Mary Katherine | Chair: Dr. Ron Werner-Wilson | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/88 The lived experience of hope in the midst of recovery from a substance use disorder: A phenomenology.

Rodrigo, Tiyani | Chair: Dr. Hyungsoo Kim | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/91 Financial literacy and retirement preparedness in Sri Lanka: Evidence from private sector employees.

Watkins, Ciara | Chair: Dr. Ron Werner-Wilson | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/94 Birth mothers’ experiences of support before, during, and after adoptive placement.

Lemaster, Melinda | Chair: Dr. Alexander T. Vazsonyi | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/95 A comparative study of stress, trauma, well-being, and future orientation among community college students.

Fey, McKenna Diane | Chair: Dr. Nate Wood | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/79 Emotional closeness within romantic relationships: Is there transmission between generations?

Hadorn, Gabrielle | Chair: Dr. Jason Hans | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/84 Parenting from prison: Perceptions of incarcerated parents' ability and influence.

Johnson, Emily Marie | Chair: Dr. Bruce Ross | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/82 Stress and cancer treatment: How a family’s adaptability and cohesion affects financial stress.

McClure, Trenton | Chair: Dr. Nate Wood | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/83 The relationship of self-esteem on pornography viewership and relationship satisfaction in German couples.

Murdock, Melinda | Chair: Dr. Nate Wood | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/80 Race-related stress, resiliency, and relationship quality in Black couples.

Otto, Kirstie | Chair: Dr. Ron Werner-Wilson | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/81 Does parental stress influence parent-child sexual communication?

Cornu, Matthew | Chair: Dr. Ron Werner-Wilson | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/75 Caregivers of parents with Alzheimer’s disease: Quality of life for caregivers: Perspectives & family dynamics.

Hayes, Kristina M. | Chair: Dr. Alexander T. Vazsonyi | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/69 Maternal relationships, bullying, and deviance: A comparison of adolescents with and without medical conditions.

Mortis, Bailey | Chair: Dr. Ron Werner-Wilson | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/73 The effects of parental divorce and remarriage on emerging adult’s romantic attachment styles.

Parkinson, Dallin | Chair: Dr. Nate Wood | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/70 How does he do it? A phenomenological study of men’s experience as teaching-family model providers.

Samuel, Jane D. | Chair: Dr. Ron Werner-Wilson | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/76 Beyond telling: A phenomenology of adoptive parents' adoption communication openness with early adolescents.

Tang, Yabin | Chair: Dr. Jason Hans | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/71 Defining infidelity and identifying offending spouses.

Glenn, Stephanie | Chair: Dr. Ron Werner-Wilson | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/61 Effects of father absence on age of sexual activity and current stress and attachment levels of young adult women.

Goderwis, Allison | Chair: Dr. Jason Hans | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/60 Healthcare providers' perceptions of pregnant women.

Grasson, Caitlin Marie | Chair: Dr. Nate Wood | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/66 Exploring factors facilitating sexual self-disclosure for women.

Kaiser, Ellen | Chair: Dr. Ron Werner-Wilson | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/62 The association between smartphone use and emotional intelligence on romantic relationship satisfaction among young adults.

Marsh, Keiara A. | Chair: Dr. Nate Wood | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/63 Analyzing attitudes toward stayover relationships among emerging adults.

Patrick, Laura Marika | Chair: Dr. Nate Wood | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/57 Attachment styles and the Michelangelo phenomenon: Role of individual differences in interpersonal growth striving.

Sitton, Michael S. | Chair: Dr. Ron Werner-Wilson | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/59 "Dad, do you want to play with me?" The impact of fathers who make time for play.

Vowels, Matthew James | Chair: Dr. Nate Wood | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/58 The application of spectral and cross-spectral analysis to social sciences data.

Campbell, Alyssa | Chair: Dr. Jason Hans | Available at https://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/54 Rape myth acceptance: A vignette approach.

Christian, Sarah | Chair: Dr. Amy Kostelic | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/52 Body image impacts on sexual experiences.

Elswick, Alexander | Chair: Dr. Ron Werner-Wilson | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/51 Emerging adults and recovery capital: Barriers and facilitators to recovery.

Hannan, Joseph | Chair: Dr. Ron Werner-Wilson | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/50 Formative evaluation of a family cooperation board game.

Baity, Cortnie | Chair: Dr. Jennifer Hunter | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/36 Healthy reintegration: The effectiveness of military teen adventure camp participation on adolescent perceptions of self-efficacy.

Bortz, Patrick | Chair: Dr. Nate Wood | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/44 A formative evaluation of a smart phone application for couples: The affectionate gesture planner.

Cui, Guangyi | Chair: Dr. Alexander T. Vazsonyi | Available at: http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/47 Do beliefs about sex behaviors mediate the link between parent-adolescent communication about sex and risky sexual behaviors?

Dwanyen, Lekpoh | Chair: Dr. Jason Hans | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/40 Postpartum depression: The effects of a video-based intervention on knowledge and stigma.

Gassova, Zuzana | Chair: Dr. Ron Werner-Wilson | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/39 Characteristics and ethics of e-therapy websites with marriage and family therapists.

Hardin, Teresa | Chair: Dr. Donna Smith | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/41 Educational experiences of foster children and communication patterns of key stakeholders: The foster parent perspective.

King, Jessica | Chair: Dr. Ron Werner-Wilson | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/48 How therapists use and choose mindfulness to treat trauma: A review of three major issues.       

Norwick, Jillian | Chair: Dr. Ron Werner-Wilson | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/35 "Don't have sex, you'll get pregnant and die!": Female university students' experiences with abstinence-only education.

Novakova, Lucia | Chair: Dr. Nate Wood | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/37 Perceptions in predicting actor and partner sexual and relational satisfaction in couple relationships.

Oliver, Katherine | Chair: Dr. Claudia Heath | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/46 College educated, African American women's marital choices.

Parrett, Dayna | Chair: Dr. Ken Culp III | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/38 Family dinner across generations: My how times have changed?

Pinsky, Ilana | Chair: Dr. Nate Wood | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/43 Attachment quality and sexual satisfaction and sexual functioning in romantic relationships of combat veterans

Aiello, Erin | Chair: Dr. Ron Werner-Wilson | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/25 How do perceived gender roles influence the number of attempted medical interventions of infertile couples?

Jenkins, Toby Q. | Chair: Dr. Ron Werner-Wilson | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/26 Husband's Response to Infidelity.

Jury, Katherine H. | Chair: Dr. Ron Werner-Wilson | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/30 Adult adoptee coping and resolution of adoption related ambiguous losses.

Krizova, Katarina | Chair: Dr. Claudia Heath | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/28 ADHD children and mental health service use: Maternal determinants.

Kusisto, Laura | Chair: Dr. Trent Parker | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/31 The impact of video chatting on idealization and disillusionment for long distance dating couples.

Pendleton, Kassidy | Chair: Dr. Trent Parker | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/24 Female adolescent's experience of their therapist crying in therapy.

Stillwell, Marla C. | Chair: Dr. Ron Werner-Wilson | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/22 Cultivating partnerships between community leaders and service agencies to provide support for military families.

Armes, Stephanie E. | Chair: Dr. Ron Werner-Wilson | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/17 The mindfully attached therapist: Factors that predict and prevent the development of compassion fatigue.

Dooley, Brigitte A. | Chair: Dr. Jason Hans | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/11 Attitudes toward assisted reproductive technology: The effects of gender, relationship status, age and sexual orientation.

Ernsberger, Staci | Chair: Dr. Amy Hosier | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/18 Death acceptance in widowhood.

Gresham, Haley | Chair: Dr. Ron Werner-Wilson | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/15 Practice patterns of equine assisted psychotherapists.

Hellmann, Joanne N. | Chair: Dr. Donna Smith | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/19 Social and psychological factors related to the career exploration process of young adults.

Hendricks, Katelyn B. | Chair: Dr. Donna Smith | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/16 Graduates' perspectives on transition from college graduation to the workplace: A qualitative approach.

Setari, Ryan R. | Chair: Dr. Bob Flashhman | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/14 Summative evaluation of the high school financial planning program in rural Kentucky.

Sonntag, Courtney | Chairs: Drs. Trent Parker & Ron Werner-Wilson | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/21 A guy walks into a bar...: Exploring the use of humor in therapy.

Thompson, Amber A. | Chair: Dr. Jason Hans | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/13 Romantic relationships in the context of parenting children with autism.

Carlson, Matthew W. | Chair: Dr. Jason Hans | Available at http://uknowledge.uky.edu/hes_etds/10 Maximizing benefits and minimizing impacts: Dual-earner couples' division of household labor.

Contact Information

Patricia Dyk, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Chair

314 Funkhouser Building Lexington, KY 40506-0054

859-218-3309