Date of Graduation

Summer 8-15-2020

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

Department

Psychology

Program

Clinical Psychology (PsyD)

First Advisor

Brent Richard Ferm, PhD

Second Advisor

Theopia Jackson, PhD

Third Advisor

Eve Ekman, PhD

Abstract

A QUALITATIVE EVALUATION OF THE PHOENIX PROJECT: A STRENGTHS-BASED, TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE INTERVENTION FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN, TRANSITIONAL AGE, YOUNG ADULTS LIVING IN SAN FRANCISCO’S PUBLIC HOUSING COMMUNITY

Abstract

Persistent community violence has had a profound and destructive impact on many urban communities throughout the country. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) resulting from community violence is becoming an increasingly frequent diagnosis of African American youth and young adults residing in San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point (BVHP) community (San Francisco Department of Public Health, 2012). The Phoenix Project was designed to specifically address and heal symptoms of trauma and facilitate resilience among youth and young adults, living in the public housing community within San Francisco’s Bayview Hunters Point district. This qualitative study utilized interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) to facilitate semi-structured interviews among six (6) participants of the Phoenix Project to answer the following research questions: 1) What is the type and severity of trauma exposure experienced by Phoenix Project participants?; 2) What are strengths and qualities of resilience among Phoenix Projectparticipants? How does the Phoenix Project enhance the strengths and resilience of participants?; and 3) What program factors do Phoenix Project participants perceive to be most effective in supporting them to transform their quality of life and life outcomes? Archival data, including intake packages, The Los Angeles Symptom Checklist ([LASC]; King, King, Leskin, & Foy, 1995; and The Philadelphia Urban ACEs (The Research and Evaluation Group at PHMC, 2013) were used to provide context for participants’ experiences, particularly in the areas of trauma and resilience. Analysis of the study’s results indicate: 1) The Phoenix Project is serving and impacting the intended target population; 2) The method of service delivery is effective in supporting participants to heal from their trauma and build resilience; and 3) The Phoenix Project’s intentional grounding in community culture, facilitates trust and healing. It is recommended that researchers utilize a larger sample size and probability sampling approach to document the level of adverse childhood experiences among residents of communities that are disproportionately impacted by violence and methods to support the healing and resilience of these individuals.

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