Diversity
The Clinical Psychology program values diversity and issues related to diversity are covered in all of the core clinical courses such as psychopathology, assessment, and psychotherapy. Also, the northern Virginia area has an extremely diverse population. Approximately 35% of George Mason University's undergraduate population identify themselves as ethnic minority group members. Accordingly, clinical students work with a wide variety of clients from many different ethnic, racial, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Students also have the opportunity to work in agencies that serve primarily ethnic minority populations such as the Center for Multicultural Human Services in Falls Church, Virginia. The program and the University are eager to maintain diversity within its graduate student population.
Below are some diversity-related dissertations with the Faculty advisor listed in parentheses. Additional information about diversity-related research and resources is available on the Departmental Diversity Affairs Website and the Student Diversity Affairs Website.
Race/ethnicity:
Bagley, K. (Short). Comparison of cognitive and affective factors associated with psychological help-seeking in African-American and Caucasian college students. 2009.
Grau, L. (Maddux). Protection motivation theory and prediction of condom use among sexually active African-American adolescent females. 1996.
Han, S. (Short). Modeling the effects of impulsivity and positive and negative alcohol expectancies on alcohol use for Asian-American and Caucasian college students. 2009.
Hazen, S. (Tangney). The relationship between racial/ethnic identity development and ego identity development. 1994.
Pan, A. (Maddux). Body image eating attitudes and eating behaviors among Chinese, Chinese-American, and non-Hispanic white women. 1999.
Porro-Salinas, P. (Short). Coping responses and adjustment among Salvadoran immigrants. 1996.
Gay, lesbian, and bisexual:
Borenstein, J. (Tangney). Adjusting to HIV infection: Cognitive and affective factors associated with health-related knowledge and behaviors. 1998.
Gilmore, T. (Short). Stress, coping, and adjustment among gay, lesbisan, and bisexual youth. 1996.
Older adults:
Fortunato, F. (Tangney). Midlife pursuits: Expansive or consistent with current roles? 2002.
Disability:
Meier, L. (Maddux). Attributions as moderator variables in hearing parent/deaf-child interactions. 1993.
Gender issues:
Brothers, S. (Maddux). Construal of the biological parenthood goal and associated emotional distress among infertile women. 1999.
Emanuele, J. (Short). Protection against relationship violence? The role of risk and protective factors in a theoretical model. 2002.
Hall, S. (Short). Secular and religious coping by mothers of children with cancer. 2009.
Varady, S. (Short). Perceived control, religious belief, and the eating disorders. 2002.