Sara Spowart

By Sara Spowart

This chapter provides an overview of the importance of addressing mental health issues due to sexual violence in humanitarian disasters. It provides an overview of the relevance of sexual violence in conflict and its connection to mental health concerns and a heightening of the impacts of the humanitarian disaster. Sexual violence further destroys societies and increases the repercussions of the humanitarian disaster for decades after the conflict has ended. The very high levels of sexual violence that accompany humanitarian disasters are not inevitable. Underlying cultural and societal beliefs that exist before the humanitarian disaster occurs can be aggravated and brought to surface to further exasperate the negative impacts. Large scale public health initiatives that use marketing such as radio, billboards, social media, and television advertisements for example can be helpful and impactful for changing awareness and consciousness of societal norms and assumed inevitabilities that happen in societies. Humanitarian disaster research has revealed that it is common for individuals to view sexual violence as normal and for perpetrators to minimize the effects of it. However, this is a coping strategy that does not take away from the individual, societal and familial mental health effects of sexual violence from humanitarian disasters.

Part of the book: Sexual Abuse

By Sara Spowart

Happiness may be viewed as a subjective state where one feels generally content with their life condition and levels of wellbeing. However, happiness can be a complex and vague topic that requires clarity, questioning and discernment. Important factors that impact happiness include authentic connection, mental illness, cultural values, compassion, gratitude and social support. These factors and others are explored throughout this chapter. A theory titled the “Integrative Theory of Happiness” is proposed that encompasses multiple aspects of wellbeing. A comparison of United States and Latin America cultural values is compared to better understand foundations of happiness. This chapter provides insight, overview and a deeper understanding of some of the most noteworthy factors of happiness from a global perspective.

Part of the book: Happiness and Wellness

By Sara Spowart

Sex trafficking of minors has been increasing in many countries worldwide and for those victims that survive, they are left with significant trauma and mental health concerns due to the abuse they have lived through. Trafficking inordinately impacts vulnerable populations worldwide, with an estimated 80% of trafficking victims being women. The commercial sexual exploitation of minors creates almost irreparable negative outcomes for victims. One of the best prevention tools is the ability to identity child risk factors before any degree of sex trafficking even occurs. Education on sexual abuse awareness and the potential approaches abusers take, while addressing low self-esteem, unmet needs and psychosocial support, are significant considerations in a prevention intervention. This chapter reveals that identifying children who are at risk for online commercial sexual exploitation is critical for preventing its occurrence. Interventions such as screenings through the school system, self-esteem and self-compassion promotion, animal-assisted interventions, physical exercise programs to improve self-esteem, and psychoeducation programs for minors and parents are some suggestions that may have a strong prevention impact. Taking a multi-pronged, holistic approach while addressing the most significant elements is likely most impactful for prevention.

Part of the book: Sexual Violence

By Sara Spowart

This chapter discusses and explores the relevance of microfinance with psychoeducation for the improvement of global health security. It specifically discusses the importance of microfinance interventions for vulnerable populations, with an accompanying emphasis on mental health. Depression is one of the greatest issues worldwide and currently causes the largest number of days of disability. Depression hinders health and development and is currently considered one of the most important health issues by the World Health Organization. Microfinance is a mechanism that can be directed towards low-income, at-need populations and address mental illness through group support and small loans.

Part of the book: Global Health Security

By Sara Spowart

Sex trafficking of children and adolescents has been on the rise globally, particularly among the world’s most vulnerable individuals. These trafficked individuals, if they survive, are left with significant trauma, as well as severe mental and physical health issues and even disabilities. Approximately 80% of trafficked persons are women, and the average age of trafficking is in early adolescence. Sex trafficking of children and adolescents creates nearly irreparable harm and suffering for the individuals that survive, with very high rates of suicide and suicidal ideation resulting from their horrific abuse. Prevention and sexual abuse awareness are important for reducing the number of children and women that are trafficked. However, an even more effective tool is to address the buyer, or demand side, of the sex trafficking industry. Until the demand side and the buyers are sufficiently addressed, the industry will always exist because there is a demand to be met and a market for the services. This chapter explores the importance and critical necessity of addressing the poorly addressed issue of the buyer and the demand side of child sex trafficking.

Part of the book: Recent Topics Related to Human Sexual Practices

By Sara Spowart

This chapter explores the importance of balanced empathy in relation to individual levels of happiness, relationships, health, and life satisfaction. It posits that balanced empathy is not merely a lived experience or emotional state, but an essential component for experiencing one’s best possible life. This chapter also proposes new terms, assessment tools, a new theoretical framework, and a therapeutic approach for enhancing empathy levels in one’s lived experience. This includes the term “balanced empathy,” the Balanced Empathy Theory, the Balanced Empathy Scale, and the Applied Empathy Therapy Approach. The proposed assessment scale, therapeutic approach with exercises and practices, and diagrams to support the proposed theory are included.

Part of the book: Understanding Empathy