| Psychology 340: Women's Mental Health
Faculty:
Alexis Bennet Rosenfeld, abennett@brynmawr.edu
Subject/Discipline:
Psychology
School: Bryn Mawr
College
Project Area: Women's Issues
Fall 2005
WOMEN’S MENTAL HEALTH
Fall 2005
Psychology 340
M/W 1-2:30
Instructor:
Alexis Bennett Rosenfeld
BYC 305
610-526-6539
abennett@brynmawr.edu
Office Hours: Friday 1-2 PM and by appointment
Course Overview and Format:
This course will provide an overview of current research and theory
related to women’s mental health. Utilizing a developmental framework,
we will discuss psychological phenomena and disorders that are
particularly salient to and prevalent among women, theories regarding
why these phenomena/disorders affect women disproportionately over men,
and how they may impact women’s psychological and physical well-being.
Psychological disorders covered will include: Depression, Eating
Disorders, Dissociative Disorders, and Somatoform Disorders.
Psychological
phenomena discussed will include work-family conflict for working
mothers, the role of
sociocultural influences on women’s mental health, gender differences
in interpretation of and responses to stress, and the impact of
intimate and domestic violence to women. We will also cover mental
health issues particular to women of color and to lesbian women. This
is a Praxis I course which will require your participation in one of
several approved field placements. The field placement component of the
course is designed to link the theoretical perspectives taught in the
class with “real-world” civic experience. Working closely with the
instructor and Kelly Strunk, Praxis Field Placement Coordinator, you
will spend three hours per week for 10 weeks in activities related to
your Praxis placement. You will receive a separate
handout detailing the Praxis component of this course. Briefly, the
Praxis assignment will involve getting to know the mental health needs
of the clientele at your placement site and creating a
psychoeducational workshop for those individuals based on their needs,
the theoretical material covered in course lectures and readings, and
additional research that each Praxis group will be expected to conduct.
Praxis placements will begin during the week of September 19 and
continue weekly through the week of November 28 (excluding the Fall
Break week).
Course Pre-requisite:
• Abnormal Psychology (Psych 209 or equivalent)
Readings:
• There is no text required for this course. All readings will be
posted on Blackboard.
Lecture Outlines:
• Lecture outlines will be posted on Blackboard each week.
Course Requirements:
1. Readings: You will be expected to read all assigned articles before
the class period for which they are assigned.
2. Take-Home Midterm Exam: This will be a written exam composed of
several essay
questions. (25% of course grade)
3. Student-Led Discussion Groups: Throughout the semester, we will
devote entire class periods to discussion of the course material and
its links to your Praxis placements. Students will be required to
co-lead (together with the other students in their Praxis group) the
discussion section linked with their Praxis placement for the course.
Co-leading will require preparing discussion points for the class based
on related course lectures and readings, and giving a presentation
about the group’s Praxis project and progress-to-date. You will receive
more information about the requirements of these student-led discussion
groups in a separate handout about the Praxis component of this course.
(15% of course grade)
4. Whole-Class Discussions: In addition to the student-led discussion
groups discussed above, there will be two other discussion sections
during the semester where we will reflect on course materials and
readings. All students are expected to participate in these
discussions. (5% of course grade)
5. Praxis Journal: Over the course of the semester, you will be asked
to reflect on your
experience in your Praxis placement in a journal-like format. Journals
will be turned in to the instructor on a monthly basis for review. You
will get more details about the Praxis Journal in a separate handout
about the Praxis component of this course. (5% of course grade)
6. Final Presentation based on Praxis placement: Each Praxis group will
present its
psychoeducational workshop to the class during the last week of
classes. As part of this assignment, each group will be required to
hand in to the instructor: 1) a written transcript of the workshop
presentation; 2) paper or disc copies of any visual aids used in the
presentation; and, 3) a list of bibliographic references used in
creating the presentation. Each student will also be required to write
a one or two paragraph summary detailing her individual contribution(s)
to the group project. You will get more details about the Praxis
project in a separate handout. (20% of course grade)
7. Take-Home Final Exam: This will be another essay-type exam. (30% of
course grade)
Weekly Topics, Readings,
and Assignments:
Mon. Aug 29 Why an Entire Course on Women’s Mental Health?
Wed. Aug 31 Studying Gender Differences in Psychology
Lips, H.M. (2005). Why a global, multicultural psychology of women. A
New Psychology of Women, Third Edition (pp. 1-36). Boston: McGraw Hill.
Barrett, L.F., Robin, L., Pietromonaco, P.R., & Eyssell, K.M.
(1998). Are women the
“more emotional” sex? Evidence from emotional experiences in social
context.
Cognition and Emotion, 12(4), 555-578.
CHILDHOOD
Mon. Sept 5 The Development of Gender Identity
Etaugh, C.A. & Bridges, J.S. (2004). Gender self-concept:
Developmental processes
and individual differences. The Psychology of Women: A Lifespan
Perspective, 2nd
Edition (pp. 53-83). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Gilligan, C. (1982). In a Different Voice (pp. 24-39). Cambridge, MA:
Harvard
University Press.
Wed. Sept 7 Girls in the Classroom and on the Playground – Links to
Mental Health
Crick, N.R., Casas, J.F., & Mosher, M. (1997). Relational and overt
aggression in
preschool. Developmental Psychology, 33(4), 579-588.
Pomerantz, E.M., Altermatt, E.R., & Saxon, J.L. (2002). Making the
grade but feeling
distressed: Gender differences in academic performance and internal
distress. Journal of Educational Psychology, 94(2), 396-404.
Mon. Sept 12 Introduction to Praxis Placements
Kelly Strunk, Praxis Field Placement Coordinator
Guests:
Linda DeFrancisco, Forteniters Club
Jeanne DiLorenzo, Belmont Charter School
Caroline Hayes, Ardmore Senior Center
Ann Ogle, Bryn Mawr College Staff Association
Michelle Simmons, Why Not Prosper?
Wed. Sept 14 Praxis Placements: Ethical Issues and Interviewing
Techniques
Kelly Strunk, Praxis Field Placement Coordinator
ADOLESCENCE
Mon. Sept 19 The Developmental Challenges Faced by Adolescent Girls
Etaugh, C.A. & Bridges, J.S. (2004). Adolescence: Physical
development and health
issues. The Psychology of Women: A Lifespan Perspective, 2nd Edition
(pp. 108-142).
Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Etaugh, C.A. & Bridges, J.S. (2004). Adolescence: Psychosocial and
cognitive
development. The Psychology of Women: A Lifespan Perspective, 2nd
Edition (pp. 143-164). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Pipher, M. (1994). Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent
Girls (pp. 11-28). New York, NY: Ballantine Books.
Wed. Sept 21 Adolescent Girls’ Mental Health I: Gender Disparities in
Depression
Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2002). Gender differences in depression. In: C.L.
Hammen & I.H. Gotlib (eds.), Handbook of depression (pp. 492-509).
New
York, NY: Guilford.
Pipher, M. (1994). Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent
Girls (pp. 146-
165). New York, NY: Ballantine Books.
Mon. Sept 26 Adolescent Girls’ Mental Health II: Gender Disparities in
Eating Disorders
Attie, I. & Brooks-Gunn, J. (1989). Development of eating problems
in
adolescent girls: A longitudinal study. Developmental Psychology,
25(1), 70-79.
Pipher, M. (1994). Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent
Girls (pp. 166-
185). New York, NY: Ballantine Books.
Smolak, L. & Munstertieger, B.F. (2002). The relationship of gender
and voice to depression and eating disorders. Psychology of Women
Quarterly, 26, 234-241.
Wed. Sept 28 Discussion: Girls’ Mental Health
PRAXIS GROUP: Belmont Charter School
*Hand in Praxis Journal*
Take-Home Midterm Exam Distributed
YOUNG ADULTHOOD
Mon. Oct 3 Making the Transition: College, Career, Marriage and Family
Etaugh, C.A. & Bridges, J.S. (2004). Young adulthood: Education and
employment. In
C.A. Etaugh & J.S. Bridges, The Psychology of Women: A Lifespan
Perspective, 2nd
Edition (pp. 195-221). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Taylor, J.M., Gilligan, C., & Sullivan, A.M. (1995). Between Voice
and Silence (pp. 1- 12; 174-203). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University
Press.
Wed. Oct 5 Discussion: Mental Health of College-Age Women
Benton, S.A., Robertson, J.M., Tseng, W., Newton, & Benton, S.L.
(2003). Changes in
counseling center client problems across 13 years, Professional
Psychology: Research and Practice, 34, 66–72.
Hall, L.H., Peden, A.R., Rayens, M.K., & Beebe, L.H. (2004).
Parental bonding: A key
factor for mental health of college women. Issues in Mental Health
Nursing, 25, 277-
291.
** TAKE-HOME MIDTERM EXAM DUE Friday, Oct 7, by 4 PM **
** Oct 10-14 FALL BREAK **
MIDDLE ADULTHOOD
Mon. Oct 17 Work-Family Balance: Can Working Moms Make it Work?
Cinamon, R.G. & Rich, Y. (2002). Gender differences in the
importance of work and
family roles: Implications for work-family conflict. Sex Roles,
47(11-12), 531-541.
Hochschild, A.R. (1997). The Time Bind: When Work Becomes Home and Home
Becomes Work (pp. 35-52). NY: Metropolitan Books.
Verbrugge, L.M. (1983). Multiple roles and physical health of women and
men.
Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 24, 16-30.
Wed. Oct 19 Discussion: Work-Family Balance
PRAXIS GROUP: BMC Staff Association
Mon. Oct 24 Discussion: Making Choices about Work, Children and Family
Belkin, L. (2003). The opt-out revolution. New York Times Magazine,
October 26,
2003.
Dierbeck, L. (2003). Choosing childlessness. In L. Slater, J.H. Daniel,
& A.E.
Banks, The Complete Guide to Mental Health for Women (pp.40-47).
Boston: Beacon
Press.
Hair, S.R. (1999). ‘All-or-nothing’ choices? Bryn Mawr Alumnae
Bulletin, Winter
1999, pp. 2-4.
Wed. Oct 26 Adult Women’s Mental Health I: Post-Partum Depression
Ohye, B., Moore, C.W., & Braaten, E. (2003). Becoming a mother: A
psychobiosocial
transition in a woman’s life. In L. Slater, J.H. Daniel, & A.E.
Banks, The Complete
Guide to Mental Health for Women (pp.18-30). Boston: Beacon Press.
Shields, B. (2005). War of words. The New York Times, July 1, 2005.
Cooper, P.J., Murray, L., Wilson, A., & Romaniuk, H. (2003).
Controlled trial of the
short- and long-term effect of psychological treatment of post-partum
depression. British Journal of Psychiatry, 182, 412-419.
*Hand in Praxis Journal*
Mon. Oct 31 Adult Women’s Mental Health II: Interpretation of and
Responses to
Stress
De Ridder, D.T.D. (2000). Gender, stress, and coping: Do women handle
stressful
situations differently from men? In: L. Sherr & J. St. Lawrence
(eds.), Women, health
and the mind (pp. 115-136). Chichester, England: Wiley.
Loving, T.J., Heffner, K.L., Kiecolt-Glaser, J.K., Glaser, R. &
Malarkey, W.B. (2004).
Stress hormone changes and marital conflict: Spouses’ relative power
makes a difference. Journal of Marriage and Family, 66 (3), 595-612.
Wed. Nov 2 Discussion: Women Coping with Stress and Mental Illness
PRAXIS GROUP: Forteniters Club
LATER ADULTHOOD
Mon. Nov 7 Menopause: Mental Health Issues after the Childbearing Years
Lips, H.M. (2005). Myths and scripts for women growing older. A New
Psychology of
Women, Third Edition (pp. 376-401). Boston: McGraw Hill.
Deeks, A.A. & McCabe, M.P. (2004). Well-being and menopause: An
investigation of
purpose in life, self-acceptance and social role in premenopausal,
perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women. Quality of Life Research, 13,
389-398.
Wed. Nov 9 Older Adult Women: Mental Health Issues in the “Golden Years”
McKibbin, C.L., Koonce-Volwiler, D., Cronkite, R.C., &
Gallagher-Thompson, D.
(2000). Psychological, social, and economic implications of bereavement
among older women. In L. Sherr & J.S. St. Lawrence (eds.), Women,
Health and the Mind (pp. 151-171). Chichester, England: John Wiley
& Sons, Ltd.
Mon. Nov 14 Discussion: Older Adult Women’s Mental Health
PRAXIS GROUP: Ardmore Senior Center
SPECIAL TOPICS
Wed. Nov 16 Trauma and Violence to Women I: Intimate and Domestic
Violence
Lips, H.M. (2005). Violence against women: A worldwide problem. A New
Psychology of Women, Third Edition (pp.445-483). Boston: McGraw Hill.
Mon. Nov 21 Trauma and Violence to Women II: Gender Disparities in
Dissociative
and Somatoform Disorders
Punamaki, R.L., Komproe, I.H., Qouta, S., Elmasri, M., & de Jong,
J.T.V.M. (2005).
The role of peritraumatic dissociation and gender in the association
between trauma and mental health in a community sample. American
Journal of Psychiatry, 162(3), 545-551.
Toner, B.B. (1995). Gender differences in somatoform disorders. In M.V.
Seeman
(ed.), Gender and Psychopathology (pp. 287-309). Washington, D.C.:
American
Psychiatric Press.
Wed. Nov 23 Discussion: Trauma and Life Snares
PRAXIS GROUP: Why Not Prosper?
Mon. Nov 28 Developmental and Mental Health Issues for Women of Color
Russo, N.F. & Vaz, K. (2001). Addressing diversity in the decade of
behavior: Focus on women of color. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 25,
280-294.
Musgrave, C.F., Allen, C.E., & Allen, G.J. (2002). Spirituality and
health for women of color. American Journal of Public Health, 92(4),
557-560.
Wed. Nov 30 Developmental and Mental Health Issues for Lesbian Women
Rothblum, E.D. (1994). “I only read about myself on bathroom walls”:
The need for
research on the mental health of lesbians and gay men. Journal of
Consulting and
Clinical Psychology, 62(2), 213-220.
Parks, C.A. (1998). Lesbian parenthood: A review of the literature.
American Journal
of Orthopsychiatry, 68(3), 376-389.
*Hand in Praxis Journal*
Mon. Dec 5 Presentation of Student Praxis Workshops
Wed. Dec 7 Presentation of Student Praxis Workshops
** TAKE-HOME FINAL EXAM DUE Friday, 12/16, at 12:30 PM **
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