G E Kawika Allen
Biographic Data
| ID | 2253055 |
|---|---|
| NAME | G E Kawika Allen |
| GIVEN NAMES | G E Kawika |
| FAMILY NAME | Allen |
| SIGNATURE | ALLEN G E K |
| AFFILIATIONS | Brigham Young University |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-0009-8170 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 21 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 1 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 21 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2014 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 1 |
“We’re Trapped”
Mothers raising children with developmental disabilities in American Samoa navigate caregiving within fa’a Samoa ( the Samoan way of life ), where family, culture, and spirituality are deeply intertwined. Yet, the lived experiences of these mothers remain largely undocumented. This study explored how mothers make meaning of caregiving and its implications for holistic well-being within this unique cultural and geographic context. Using interpreta…
Navigating the Cocoon
This study examines how mothers raising children with disabilities in American Samoa experience the processes of seeking diagnosis, navigating special education, and advocating for services within an insular rural context. American Samoa, an unincorporated U.S. territory located 2600 miles from Hawaiʻi with a population under 50,000, represents a case of what we term insular rurality—a condition in which the structural disadvantages of rurality a…
Examining scrupulosity, religious commitment, positive and negative affect among LDS individuals
This study examined scrupulosity, religious commitment, and emotional well-being among 421 LDS participants. Results showed high religious commitment, low scrupulosity, and moderate emotional well-being. Scrupulosity was linked to greater negative affect and lower positive affect, while religious commitment correlated with improved emotional outcomes. Mediation analysis revealed that religious commitment partially mediated the relationship betwee…
Self-Compassion, Maladaptive Perfectionism, and Scrupulosity Among Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the USA
Scrupulosity, a pattern of religious and moral obsessions, impacts the religious experience and well-being of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Maladaptive perfectionism, a pattern of pathologically high personal standards and perceived personal failure, is associated with increased scrupulosity among LDS individuals. Self-compassion has been identified as a potential protective factor in the relation between malad…
Examining the relationships among maladaptive perfectionism, scrupulosity, self-compassion, and suicidal ideation among Latter-day Saints
This study examined the relationships between maladaptive perfectionism, scrupulosity, self-compassion, psychological well-being, and suicidal ideation among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Recruitment involved 104 LDS adult individuals who completed measures related to maladaptive perfectionism, scrupulosity, self-compassion, psychological well-being, and suicidal ideation. Maladaptive perfectionism and scrupulo…
It Would Ruin My Life”
Given rising mental health concerns among Pacific Islander (PI) adolescents, this population remains underserved by available mental health resources. This interpretative phenomenological analysis with focus groups (IPA-FG) examined the lived experiences and perceptions of 19 male PI adolescents (ages 14-16) from Native Hawaiian, Maori, Samoan, and Tongan backgrounds regarding mental health help-seeking behaviors. Four overarching themes emerged:…
Mirrors for Pacific Islander Children
Pacific Islander youth face disproportionately high rates of suicide and mental health challenges, yet culturally appropriate interventions remain scarce. This study investigated whether culturally adapted bibliotherapy could effectively promote resilience in American Samoan children by incorporating culturally relevant stories and coping strategies. Through collaboration with on-island Samoan cultural brokers, we developed and implemented cultur…
Contrapuntal framework of accessing mental health services among Pacific Islanders in the United States
These contrapuntal voices/tensions provide unique insights to therapy adaptations when working with PIs. We discuss clinical implications for working with this group and recommendations for future research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
Investigating religious commitment, perceived religious oppression, self-esteem, depression, and life satisfaction among Latter-day Saint women
This study examined correlations among religious commitment, perceived religious oppression, self-esteem, depression, and satisfaction with life for 159 women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Results showed a negative association between religious commitment and religious oppression, while religious commitment was positively correlated with satisfaction with life. Perceived religious oppression was negatively correlated w…
Ethnoracial comparisons in anxiety and depression outcomes among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander college students
We explored differences in distress scores at intake as well as the change in anxiety and depression scores over the course of 12 therapy sessions for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) college students. Data were collected from the Center for Collegiate Mental Health (N = 256,242). Results support the notion that NHPI college students experience anxiety and depression in therapy differently from other ethnic groups with moderate-to-larg…
Examining Psychological Correlates and Indirect Effects of Forgiveness on Racial Discrimination among Polynesian American Emerging Adults
There is a lack of research on the effects of racial discrimination on the mental health of emerging Polynesian American adults. Broadly, the aim was to examine the intersections of racial discrimination, depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, anger, forgiveness, and satisfaction with life in a sample of 423 Polynesian emerging adults through an online Qualtrics survey. Specifically, this study also sought to examine the effects of racial disc…
Culture-Centered Psychotherapy Preferences for Polynesian Americans
Forgiveness and gratitude as mediators between religious commitment and well-Being among Latter-day Saint Polynesian Americans
An abundance of research has investigated well-being as it relates to religiosity and character strengths, such as forgiveness and gratitude. However, few studies have investigated how increases in forgiveness and gratitude might explain why religious commitment enhances well-being, particularly for U.S. ethnic/racial minority populations. This study investigated if the character strengths of forgiveness and gratitude mediated the relationship be…
The Roles of Self-Concealment and Perceived Racial and Ethnic Discrimination in General Psychological Distress among Racial and Ethnic Minority College Students in the United States
Religious Discrimination Scale
Examining religious commitment, personality, and well-being among Latter-day Saints
This study examined religious commitment, the big five personality traits, social interaction anxiety, and anger among 110 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Results suggest the majority of the participants are religious, score high on agreeableness and conscientiousness, and low on social interaction anxiety and anger. Agreeableness mediated the relationship between religious commitment and anger, and extraversion …
Perceived Perfectionism from God Scale
Racial discrimination and psychological health among Polynesians in the U.S
Mental health professionals need to be aware of racial discrimination on psychological health and incorporate the value of self-esteem in the psychological treatment of Polynesians. Additional results are provided and implications of these findings are outlined. (PsycINFO Database Record
Intrinsic Religiousness and Spirituality as Predictors of Mental Health and Positive Psychological Functioning in Latter-Day Saint Adolescents and Young Adults
Examining legalism, scrupulosity, family perfectionism, and psychological adjustment among LDS individuals
This study examined the relationships and interactions between legalism, scrupulosity, family perfectionism, guilt, and shame among 421 Latter-Day Saints (LDS or Mormons). The results showed that scrupulosity fully mediated the links between legalism and guilt, as well as legalism and shame. A moderated-mediation effect was found, in which family discrepancy (maladaptive perfectionism) intensified the scrupulosity–shame association in the mediati…
Examining religious commitment, perfectionism, scrupulosity, and well-being among LDS individuals
This study examined the relationships and interactions between religious commitment, perfectionism, scrupulosity, and psychological well-being among Latter-Day Saints (LDS or Mormons). The results showed a positive association between religious commitment and satisfaction with life. Scrupulosity partially mediated the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and depression, anxiety, and satisfaction with life. The sample majority was classi…
Ethnoracial comparisons in anxiety and depression outcomes among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander college students
We explored differences in distress scores at intake as well as the change in anxiety and depression scores over the course of 12 therapy sessions for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) college students. Data were collected from the Center for Collegiate Mental Health (N = 256,242). Results support the notion that NHPI college students experience anxiety and depression in therapy differently from other ethnic groups with moderate-to-larg…
Examining religious commitment, perfectionism, scrupulosity, and well-being among LDS individuals
This study examined the relationships and interactions between religious commitment, perfectionism, scrupulosity, and psychological well-being among Latter-Day Saints (LDS or Mormons). The results showed a positive association between religious commitment and satisfaction with life. Scrupulosity partially mediated the relationship between maladaptive perfectionism and depression, anxiety, and satisfaction with life. The sample majority was classi…
Intrinsic Religiousness and Spirituality as Predictors of Mental Health and Positive Psychological Functioning in Latter-Day Saint Adolescents and Young Adults
Examining legalism, scrupulosity, family perfectionism, and psychological adjustment among LDS individuals
This study examined the relationships and interactions between legalism, scrupulosity, family perfectionism, guilt, and shame among 421 Latter-Day Saints (LDS or Mormons). The results showed that scrupulosity fully mediated the links between legalism and guilt, as well as legalism and shame. A moderated-mediation effect was found, in which family discrepancy (maladaptive perfectionism) intensified the scrupulosity–shame association in the mediati…
Racial discrimination and psychological health among Polynesians in the U.S
Mental health professionals need to be aware of racial discrimination on psychological health and incorporate the value of self-esteem in the psychological treatment of Polynesians. Additional results are provided and implications of these findings are outlined. (PsycINFO Database Record
Perceived Perfectionism from God Scale
Examining religious commitment, personality, and well-being among Latter-day Saints
This study examined religious commitment, the big five personality traits, social interaction anxiety, and anger among 110 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Results suggest the majority of the participants are religious, score high on agreeableness and conscientiousness, and low on social interaction anxiety and anger. Agreeableness mediated the relationship between religious commitment and anger, and extraversion …
Religious Discrimination Scale
Forgiveness and gratitude as mediators between religious commitment and well-Being among Latter-day Saint Polynesian Americans
An abundance of research has investigated well-being as it relates to religiosity and character strengths, such as forgiveness and gratitude. However, few studies have investigated how increases in forgiveness and gratitude might explain why religious commitment enhances well-being, particularly for U.S. ethnic/racial minority populations. This study investigated if the character strengths of forgiveness and gratitude mediated the relationship be…
The Roles of Self-Concealment and Perceived Racial and Ethnic Discrimination in General Psychological Distress among Racial and Ethnic Minority College Students in the United States
Examining Psychological Correlates and Indirect Effects of Forgiveness on Racial Discrimination among Polynesian American Emerging Adults
There is a lack of research on the effects of racial discrimination on the mental health of emerging Polynesian American adults. Broadly, the aim was to examine the intersections of racial discrimination, depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, anger, forgiveness, and satisfaction with life in a sample of 423 Polynesian emerging adults through an online Qualtrics survey. Specifically, this study also sought to examine the effects of racial disc…
Culture-Centered Psychotherapy Preferences for Polynesian Americans
Investigating religious commitment, perceived religious oppression, self-esteem, depression, and life satisfaction among Latter-day Saint women
This study examined correlations among religious commitment, perceived religious oppression, self-esteem, depression, and satisfaction with life for 159 women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Results showed a negative association between religious commitment and religious oppression, while religious commitment was positively correlated with satisfaction with life. Perceived religious oppression was negatively correlated w…
Ethnoracial comparisons in anxiety and depression outcomes among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander college students
We explored differences in distress scores at intake as well as the change in anxiety and depression scores over the course of 12 therapy sessions for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) college students. Data were collected from the Center for Collegiate Mental Health (N = 256,242). Results support the notion that NHPI college students experience anxiety and depression in therapy differently from other ethnic groups with moderate-to-larg…
Examining scrupulosity, religious commitment, positive and negative affect among LDS individuals
This study examined scrupulosity, religious commitment, and emotional well-being among 421 LDS participants. Results showed high religious commitment, low scrupulosity, and moderate emotional well-being. Scrupulosity was linked to greater negative affect and lower positive affect, while religious commitment correlated with improved emotional outcomes. Mediation analysis revealed that religious commitment partially mediated the relationship betwee…
Self-Compassion, Maladaptive Perfectionism, and Scrupulosity Among Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the USA
Scrupulosity, a pattern of religious and moral obsessions, impacts the religious experience and well-being of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Maladaptive perfectionism, a pattern of pathologically high personal standards and perceived personal failure, is associated with increased scrupulosity among LDS individuals. Self-compassion has been identified as a potential protective factor in the relation between malad…
Examining the relationships among maladaptive perfectionism, scrupulosity, self-compassion, and suicidal ideation among Latter-day Saints
This study examined the relationships between maladaptive perfectionism, scrupulosity, self-compassion, psychological well-being, and suicidal ideation among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Recruitment involved 104 LDS adult individuals who completed measures related to maladaptive perfectionism, scrupulosity, self-compassion, psychological well-being, and suicidal ideation. Maladaptive perfectionism and scrupulo…
It Would Ruin My Life”
Given rising mental health concerns among Pacific Islander (PI) adolescents, this population remains underserved by available mental health resources. This interpretative phenomenological analysis with focus groups (IPA-FG) examined the lived experiences and perceptions of 19 male PI adolescents (ages 14-16) from Native Hawaiian, Maori, Samoan, and Tongan backgrounds regarding mental health help-seeking behaviors. Four overarching themes emerged:…
Mirrors for Pacific Islander Children
Pacific Islander youth face disproportionately high rates of suicide and mental health challenges, yet culturally appropriate interventions remain scarce. This study investigated whether culturally adapted bibliotherapy could effectively promote resilience in American Samoan children by incorporating culturally relevant stories and coping strategies. Through collaboration with on-island Samoan cultural brokers, we developed and implemented cultur…
Contrapuntal framework of accessing mental health services among Pacific Islanders in the United States
These contrapuntal voices/tensions provide unique insights to therapy adaptations when working with PIs. We discuss clinical implications for working with this group and recommendations for future research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved)
“We’re Trapped”
Mothers raising children with developmental disabilities in American Samoa navigate caregiving within fa’a Samoa ( the Samoan way of life ), where family, culture, and spirituality are deeply intertwined. Yet, the lived experiences of these mothers remain largely undocumented. This study explored how mothers make meaning of caregiving and its implications for holistic well-being within this unique cultural and geographic context. Using interpreta…
Navigating the Cocoon
This study examines how mothers raising children with disabilities in American Samoa experience the processes of seeking diagnosis, navigating special education, and advocating for services within an insular rural context. American Samoa, an unincorporated U.S. territory located 2600 miles from Hawaiʻi with a population under 50,000, represents a case of what we term insular rurality—a condition in which the structural disadvantages of rurality a…
Psychology (15 works) · Social Psychology (12 works) · Clinical Psychology (9 works) · Mental health (8 works) · Psychiatry (7 works) · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology (7 works) · Ethnic group (6 works) · Psychotherapist (6 works) · Anxiety (5 works) · Perfectionism, Procrastination, Anxiety Studies (5 works)