Recent PhD graduate Rachael Pascoe, now a research coordinator at CAMH, reflects on the importance of relationships
Categories: PhD students, Research, StudentsRecent PhD graduate Rachael Pascoe talks about the importance of relationships during her research on group therapy with adolescents — and as a student while completing her PhD.
Dr. Rachael Pascoe with her daughter and PhD supervisor Dr. Shelley Craig.
What was the focus of your dissertation?
My dissertation was a mixed methods intervention study of a group therapy program that I developed, with colleagues, for adolescents who have sexually offended. I was interested in understanding the impact that treatment, and group therapy specifically, have on factors beyond sexual recidivism. Based on clinical experience, the factors that I focused on included shame (a treatment inhibiting emotion), hegemonic masculinity, and self compassion.
What are some key takeaways from your research that you would like people to know?
Through the mixed methods analysis, I found that group processing (emotional sharing and connecting through mutual aid) decreased feelings of isolation and allowed participants to share vulnerably with each other, thus challenging their hegemonical masculinity. The group content supported group members in enhancing their cognitive understanding of shame (although not necessarily reducing the feeling) and fostered their willingness to engage in accountability practices. The mixed methods nature of the dissertation provided a deeper understanding of the data and doing primary analysis allowed me to have control over decision making at each stage of the entire research process. This meant that during the defence, I had a justification for every decision make along the way.
Could you share a key memory or lesson from the PhD program that has stuck with you?
My cohort, colleagues, and mentors supported me along the way and have been some of the most valuable relationships throughout this process. Specifically, my supervisor, Dr. Shelley Craig, was instrumental in supporting me through the program. No one gets the trials of doing a PhD like fellow PhD students and mentors. I really appreciate memories of celebrating successes with my friends and partner, as the PhD isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. Celebrating the little things along the way has been very important. I had a number of non-PhD milestones during the program as well, which I was also so happy to celebrate with my PhD community. So many colleagues attended my online COVID wedding and when I had a baby mid-way through the program, I received so much support and congratulations from my colleagues. This has really become an important community for me.
What is next for you?
I have been hired as a research coordinator at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) working in the Institute Mental Health Policy Research, where I contribute to research on interventions to support community members addressing mental health and addiction challenges. I’m thrilled to be working full time for CAMH, while still retaining a relationship with FIFSW, where I’m teaching a course and contributing to research with my mentors.
What advice do you have for new or current PhD students at FIFSW?
What helped me out the most during the PhD were the relationships I had with community agencies, my supervisor, and other scholars. Having an established positive relationship with a community agency made the research process so much easier after I defended my proposal and received ethical approval. I would say work closely with the community, or other researchers, to really hone your relationship skills during this time. Those have served me in great stead now that I’m done the program.
Rachael Pascoe, during the convocation reception with fellow PhD graduate Keri West.
Learn more about Dr. Rachael Pascoe’s scholarship and experience
Learn more about Dr. Pascoe via Google Scholar and LinkedIn.