Eman Tadros

Objective: Materialism focuses on goals and values that subscribe to acquiring items. Lower materialism was found to be associated with increased happiness and decreased depressive symptoms. This study aims to explore the effects of materialistic lifestyle on mental health. Method: The research question driving this study asks, how does living a materialistic lifestyle impact an individual’s mental health? The study is made up of 555 females and 31 males. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Material Values Scale (created by Richins and Dawson in 1992), and the Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) 20-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-20; created by Stewart and colleagues in 1988). Results: A hierarchical multiple regression was found that materialistic values are a statistically significant predictor of mental health. Conclusion: Limitations of the study, implications for clinical practice, and future directions are discussed. We conclude that our hypothesis was supported; living a materialistic lifestyle negatively impacts an individual’s mental health.

Objective: By the end of 2014, an estimated 6,851,000 adult individuals were in the United States criminal justice system. Many of these individuals are racially and ethnically minoritized men. These families have been adversely impacted by the loss of adult family members who have been sent to prison. Family therapy has been recommended for successful reentry from incarceration into the home and community. Methods: Structural family therapy (SFT) aims to restructure the family’s organization to decrease dysfunction and establish flexible boundaries. SFT and the use of culturally sensitive practices are key to the success of family therapy for this population. Findings: This case study showcases SFT’s main components including rules, roles, hierarchies, and boundaries. Clinical implications advise to explore the effectiveness of using culturally informed care practices when using SFT models when a parent is incarcerated. Conclusion: Correctional facilities should take a deep dive into the importance of investing in programs of essential skills that will not only help the individual to return to society but can lead to the reduction of recidivism.

Incarceration affects approximately 2 million individuals, with about half the male population reporting they are in an intimate relationship; causing non-incarcerated partners to experience various stressors and challenges. Specific to women, there is a phenomenon called “Superwoman Syndrome,” which refers to various the roles women take on such as caregiver, partner, career woman, and breadwinner. This may lead to higher rates of stress and dissatisfaction, decreased family functioning, and dysfunctional patterns. This can also exacerbate feelings of resentment, dissatisfaction, and inundation, proliferating into negative feelings towards the family unit. Partner incarceration can exasperate these impacts, leading to higher rates of stress and other mental health concerns. Our goal is to address the lacunae in literature regarding the social, emotional, financial, and systemic needs of females with incarcerated partners, through advocacy of policy changes. Further, empirical exploration and research into this population can help to mitigate some of the negative effects, and produce better outcomes for both individual women, and their families.