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Title: EFFECT OF ORGANIZATIONAL JUSTICE ON EMPLOYEE HEALTH
Creator: Cruz, Jaime L.
Date: 2013, 2013-05
Description: Although many studies in the justice literature have examined organizational justice and organizational outcomes, less research has been...
Show moreAlthough many studies in the justice literature have examined organizational justice and organizational outcomes, less research has been conducted on organizational justice and employee health. Specifically, this study examined the relationship between employees’ perceptions of organizational justice dimensions – distributive, interactional and procedural justice in relation to proximal health outcomes (i.e., general well-being, insomnia, emotional exhaustion, alcohol consumption and emotional eating). It was hypothesized that lower levels of perceived justice at work would be associated with worse health related outcomes. With the study’s sample size of 339, results partially supported the hypotheses. Explicitly, results indicated that lower perceptions of distributive and interactional justice were related to increased emotional exhaustion and poorer overall health assessments (general well-being) in employees. Additionally, procedural justice perceptions were found to interact with individuals’ use of heuristic devices in that those who were more inclined to use heuristic devices when making justice judgments displayed a significant relationship between procedural justice perceptions and certain health outcomes (i.e., emotional eating) while individuals less inclined to utilize heuristics did not display a significant relationship between the aforementioned justice and health measures. In sum, this study, provides a much needed starting point for organizational scholars to begin to address and understand the relationship between justice perceptions and health related outcomes at work.
PH.D in Psychology, May 2013
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Title: PERFECTIONISM AS A MODERATOR OF ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN BODY DISSATISFACATION AND DISORDERED EATING: AN ECOLOGICAL MOMENTARY ASSESSMENT STUDY
Creator: Hansen, Meghan A.
Date: 2017, 2017-07
Description: Disordered eating attitudes and behavioral urges are prevalent in community samples and contribute to numerous negative physical and...
Show moreDisordered eating attitudes and behavioral urges are prevalent in community samples and contribute to numerous negative physical and psychological outcomes. Using an ecological momentary assessment, this study examines how body dissatisfaction, perfectionism, and disordered eating relate to one another. Over the course of one week, women (n=49) with disordered eating completed multiple daily ratings of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating attitudes, urges and behaviors. Multilevel model analyses were used to test study hypotheses that; (1) body dissatisfaction prospectively predicts disordered eating attitudes and urges; and (2) perfectionism moderates the associations between body dissatisfaction and subsequent disordered eating attitudes and behaviors, such that individuals higher in perfectionism will report stronger associations between these variables. Results indicate that, in this sample, greater body dissatisfaction does not predict disordered eating attitudes, urges or behaviors. However, the interaction between increased body dissatisfaction and perfectionism predicted subsequent disordered eating attitudes and behavioral urges, but did not predict engagement in eating disorder behaviors. Results have important clinical and treatment implications for including perfectionism in the treatment of eating disorders.
Ph.D. in Psychology, July 2017
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Title: DEPRESSION AND ATTRIBUTIONS FOR DISTRESS
Creator: Hanson, Bjorn J.
Date: 2013, 2013-07
Description: Distress caused by depressive symptoms includes both direct and mediated pathways. Attributions for distress in individuals suffering from...
Show moreDistress caused by depressive symptoms includes both direct and mediated pathways. Attributions for distress in individuals suffering from depressive symptoms represent indirect pathways that have a high potential to be modified by psychotherapeutic interventions; however, little research has focused on the content of these attributions. This study provides the first quantitative measurement of this reasons-for-distress paradigm. Specifically, we aim to describe the frequencies, intensities, and co-occurrence patterns of attributions for distress, as well as distinguish the attributions for distress paradigm from previous attributions for depression research. Furthermore, we seek to demonstrate the accuracy of an illness behavior model for conceptualizing distress caused by depressive symptoms by differentiating symptom severity from symptom distress. In addition to quantifying attributions for distress, this study also extends previous research regarding rumination, the severity of distress caused by cognitive and vegetative symptoms of depression, and the co-occurrence of specific symptoms and specific reasons for distress. Individuals currently suffering from depressive symptoms were recruited from web-based advertisements to participate in this cross-sectional, online self-report study. A total of 204 individuals qualified for the study and completed some portion of the Reasons for Distress Questionnaire-Depression (RDQ-D). Results demonstrated that all reasons provided as part of the RDQ-D represented common attributions for distress in depressed individuals. Reasons related to personalized reasons for distress (Other), long-term outcomes (Long-term Consequences), productivity impairment (Work and Productivity Impairment), and x existential distress (Lack of Purpose or Meaning) were rated as significantly more distressing when compared with all reasons for distress. Cluster analysis suggested that certain reasons tended to co-occur and that some attributions for distress are nearly universal amongst individuals suffering from significant depressive symptoms. The reason-for-distress paradigm was demonstrated to be related to, yet distinct from, the reason-for-depression paradigm (Addis, Truax, & Jacobson, 1995). Distress ratings were also found to be moderately positively correlated with some depressive symptoms, but not others, providing support for an illness behavior conceptualization of distress severity in depression. Expanding on prior research, results showed that rumination was equally distressing and frequent across gender. Also, cognitive/affective symptoms of depression were rated as more distressing than vegetative symptoms of depression. Additionally, participants demonstrated the capacity to endorse specific reasons for distress in association with specific symptoms. As predicted, the existential reason for distress Lack of Purpose or Meaning was endorsed more frequently in relation to cognitive/affective symptoms of depression as compared to vegetative symptoms of depression. By focusing on specific symptoms of depression, the RDQ-D provides a clinical assessment that has the ability to identify specific unhelpful responses to symptoms that may be causing distress in addition to that inherent in the experience of the symptom. These unhelpful responses can then be included in case conceptualization, treatment planning, and intervention selection.
PH.D in Psychology, July 2013
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Title: TEXT MESSAGE REMINDERS AND TREATMENT ADHERENCE IN A TYPE II DIABETES POPULATION: A FEASIBILITY STUDY
Creator: Kramer, Alexis J.
Date: 2014, 2014-05
Description: Type II Diabetes (T2DM) is a chronic disease effecting millions of people worldwide. It is well documented that lifestyle changes including...
Show moreType II Diabetes (T2DM) is a chronic disease effecting millions of people worldwide. It is well documented that lifestyle changes including adherence to treatment regimens (e.g. glucose monitoring) can be very effective in reducing the onset and progression of T2DM. The literature suggests that individuals within this population are often non-compliant with treatment recommendations, for a variety of reasons (e.g. psychological factors, availability of resources, co-morbid conditions). The purpose of this study was to investigate the suitability, recruitment and retention feasibility, and preliminary outcomes of a text message reminder system on treatment adherence within a type 2 diabetic population, as measured by blood glucose levels (HbA1c). A total of 28 participants were randomized into experimental or no-treatment conditions. Participants in the experimental group received text message reminders on either a fixed or variable schedule; with either neutral or calming test message content. They also completed a qualitative feedback measure, to assess participant satisfaction with the proposed intervention. Participants in the no-treatment condition did not receive any text message reminders. All participants completed the Diabetes Care Profile (DCP) and Short Form-36 Health Form Survey, Version 2 (SF-36v2) at baseline and three months later (time 2). Preliminary analyses show that frequency of text message reminder significantly impacted glucose levels over time. The content of the text message was not shown to have a significant effect on glucose levels. Participant perception of the proposed intervention was mixed. Despite diverse recruitment efforts, recruitment was low, however, retention was high.
PH.D in Psychology, May 2014
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Title: INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF EDUCATION AND CONTACT-BASED ANTI-STIGMA INTERVENTIONS ON THE STIGMA OF MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE COLLEGE POPULATION
Creator: Kosyluk, Kristin
Date: 2014, 2014-12
Description: Approximately one in four college students screen positive for a mental illness, however many who might benefit from mental health care do not...
Show moreApproximately one in four college students screen positive for a mental illness, however many who might benefit from mental health care do not seek treatment. Amongst both the general adult population and college students, stigma has been shown to be a predictor of treatment engagement, with higher levels of stigma with regard to mental illness predicting lower levels of treatment utilization. It has been demonstrated in the general adult population that contact-based anti-stigma programs are the most effective approach to stigma change, followed by education-based programs. This study aimed to investigate the impact of contact- and education-based anti-stigma interventions, relative to a control condition, on mental illness stigma, affirming attitudes towards individuals with mental illness, discrimination towards individuals with mental illness, and treatment seeking amongst college students. Both contact- and education-based interventions were found to have a significant impact on personal stigma, perceptions of empowerment, desired social distance from individuals with mental illness (a proxy of discrimination), attitudes towards treatment seeking, and intentions to seek treatment from formal sources of support. No difference in effect was demonstrated between the contact- and education-based conditions. These findings suggest that these two approaches may be equally effective for challenging stigma amongst college students.
Ph.D. in Psychology, December 2014
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Title: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ATTRIBUTIONAL STYLE, DEPRESSION, AND ACCEPTANCE OF DISABILITY IN CHINESE INDIVIDUALS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY
Creator: Heyne, Mark Michael
Date: 2011-03-27, 2011-05
Description: The positive relationship between negative attributional style and depression has been established in both those with and without chronic...
Show moreThe positive relationship between negative attributional style and depression has been established in both those with and without chronic illness or physical disability; however, this relationship remains uncharacterized in those with spinal cord injury (SCI), which is surprising, given this condition’s significant potential for negative psychosocial implications. Although there is evidence that the association among these two variables generalizes across cultures and disabilities, other findings suggests that the Chinese have a more negative attributional style than their Western counterparts, which could alter the relationship between attributional style and depression among Chinese with SCI. Likewise, the construct of acceptance of disability (AD) and its correlates has been covered extensively in Western samples with SCI, but has received virtually no attention in Eastern samples. The present study examined these variables within the context of SCI in a Chinese sample. Participants were 158 Chinese individuals with SCI who completed a battery of self-report measures of demographic, injury-related, and psychosocial variables. Cluster analysis results suggested three distinct clusters based on attributional style (positive, neutral, negative). Those in the positive attributional style cluster were more likely to have tetraplegia than paraplegia, but exhibited less functional disability and depressive symptoms, and higher AD than the negative cluster. Path analysis indicated that higher functional disability predicted both more negative attributional style and higher depressive symptomology; attributional style did not directly predict depression, in contrast to findings from previous studies. Higher depressive symptomology was found to predict lower AD, consistent with existing research.
Ph.D. in Psychology, May 2011
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Title: THE ROLE OF EXPERIENTIAL AVOIDANCE IN THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN ANXIETY SENSITIVITY AND EMOTIONAL EATING IN NON-EATING DISORDERED OVERWEIGHT/OBESE INDIVIDUALS SEEKING WEIGHT LOSS TREATMENT BY
Creator: Dave, Pooja N.
Date: 2015, 2015-12
Description: Obesity is one of the most rapidly emerging public health concerns whose prevalence far exceeds that of eating disorders (Hudson et al., 2007)...
Show moreObesity is one of the most rapidly emerging public health concerns whose prevalence far exceeds that of eating disorders (Hudson et al., 2007). As most obese individuals do not meet criteria for an eating disorder, emotional eating (EE) may be a more useful construct in understanding obesity more broadly. Anxiety sensitivity (AS) has been recognized as a transdiagnostic risk factor for a variety of problem behaviors including EE in obese individuals (Hearon et al., 2012). In addition, recent research has highlighted the mediating role of maladaptive responses to internal experiences in the association between AS and eating pathology (Anestis et al., 2008). Experiential avoidance (EA) is one such maladaptive response that has garnered attention for predicting maladaptive coping for a range of psychiatric conditions. To date, only one study has examined the relationship between AS and EE in obese individuals (Hearon et al., 2012). This study aims to replicate and extend their findings by examining the role of EA in this relationship. A sample of 127 obese patients without an eating disorder seeking weight-loss treatment completed questionnaires to assess emotional eating, experiential avoidance, and anxiety sensitivity. When controlling for gender, negative affect, and current psychiatric diagnosis and treatment, EA was found to fully mediate the relationship between AS and EE. There was a significant positive indirect effect (B = .285, CI95% = .155-.462) and a non-significant direct effect (B = .039, p = .786. These findings provide initial support for the mediating role of EA in the association between AS and EE in an obese, non-eating disordered, weight-loss treatment-seeking sample.Further, the identification of AS and EA as relevant in the development of emotional eating adds to the growing literature base arguing for the conceptualization of these two factors as transdiagnostic risk factors for a wide range of problem behaviors, including emotional eating. Clinical and research implications are discussed, as well as strengths and limitations of the study. Recommendations for the development of interventions targeting individuals high in anxiety sensitivity, with the intention of reducing experiential avoidance, are also reviewed.Further, the identification of AS and EA as relevant in the development of emotional eating adds to the growing literature base arguing for the conceptualization of these two factors as transdiagnostic risk factors for a wide range of problem behaviors, including emotional eating. Clinical and research implications are discussed, as well as strengths and limitations of the study. Recommendations for the development of interventions targeting individuals high in anxiety sensitivity, with the intention of reducing experiential avoidance, are also reviewed.
Ph.D. in Psychology, December 2015
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Title: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF POSTTRAUMATIC SYMPTOMS AND POSTTRAUMATIC GROWTH IN ONCOLOGY PATIENTS
Creator: Thilges, Sarah R
Date: 2013, 2013-07
Description: Cancer has been observed and studied within the development of both posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and posttraumatic growth (PTG)...
Show moreCancer has been observed and studied within the development of both posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and posttraumatic growth (PTG) although reported prevalence rates of PTSD vary greatly and PTG rates are even less established. The current longitudinal study seeks to elucidate which factors are related to endorsing PTSD and PTG symptoms among oncology patients. One hundred and twenty-five patients completed measures at Time 1 assessing rates and predictors of PTSD and within the same sample, 75 patients completed measures assessing rates and predictors of PTG four years later (Time 2). A model containing utilization of venting along with greater trauma impact ratings significantly predicted PTSD symptoms at Time 1, although none of the variables were independent significant predictors. At Time 2, results indicate using spirituality as support and greater obsessive and depressive symptoms at T1 predicted PTG although only spirituality was a significant independent predictors. Results have implications for clinical and research work to address and monitor potential risk factors for distress and strengths which may promote PTG.
PH.D in Psychology, July 2013
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Title: ANTI-STIGMA PROGRAMS: STIGMA IN CAMPUS POlICE OFFICERS
Creator: Rafacz, Jennifer D.
Date: 2012-07-19, 2012-07
Description: It has been proposed that the most effective way to combat mental illness stigma is to focus on power groups who have a direct impact on the...
Show moreIt has been proposed that the most effective way to combat mental illness stigma is to focus on power groups who have a direct impact on the lives of persons with serious mental illness. With the increase of violence and need for mental health services on college campuses, campus police officers are seen as an important power group for persons with serious mental illness. This study assessed the effects of online contact versus online education anti-stigma programs on campus police officers attitudes toward persons with serious mental illness. The study also considered moderators of contact specifically level of familiarity, state empathy, and trait empathy. It was found that the online program was not effective in changing attitudes. The research also suggested that the attitudes of the campus police officers were generally non-stigmatizing other than the endorsement of fear/danger. Both state and trait empathy were found to be moderators helping behaviors and social distance. Level of familiarity was not found to be a moderator of social distance. The findings suggest that future research and stigma work with campus police officers should focus on in vivo behaviorally driven interventions such as crisis intervention training with a focus on danger/fear.
Ph.D. in Psychology, July 2012
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Title: A COMPARISON OF META-ANALYTIC PROCEDURES WHEN PRE- AND POSTTEST VARIANCES ARE HETEROGENEOUS
Creator: Collins, Michael W.
Date: 2011-11, 2011-12
Description: Meta-analysis is a statistical method for aggregating summary results from archival research. Traditional meta-analysis procedures that...
Show moreMeta-analysis is a statistical method for aggregating summary results from archival research. Traditional meta-analysis procedures that involve repeated measures assume homogeneous variances in pretests and posttests, an assumption which is often violated in training evaluation contexts due to variance inflation in posttests. A new meta-analytic procedure that allows for heterogeneous variance in pretests and posttests was tested in the context of leadership and managerial training programs. Application of the new method revealed greater sampling variance and less between-study variance than traditional meta-analysis with little effect on estimation of the mean effect size. However, the procedure screened out a large number of studies due to the intensive data requirements, which limited the number of usable studies for the meta-analysis.
Ph.D. in Psychology, December 2011
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Title: CHILD TEMPERAMENT AND PARENTING BEHAVIOR AT AGE 5: DO THEY PREDICT CHILD COPING AT AGE 6?
Creator: Hwang, Maria D’aniello
Date: 2014, 2014-07
Description: Coping has been shown to be related to many positive outcomes in children, including better psychological adjustment, positive social...
Show moreCoping has been shown to be related to many positive outcomes in children, including better psychological adjustment, positive social relationships and higher achievement. Additionally, coping abilities in childhood and adolescence can serve as risk or protective factors for psychopathology. Both parenting and child temperament have been shown to be related to child coping; however, these variables have never been examined simultaneously. The transition from kindergarten to grammar-school is considered to be important because children must learn to adjust to this critical, more structured environment. As a result, it is important to determine what factors contribute to adaptive coping at the time when children begin formal school. The aim of this study was to: (a) examine the relationship between child negative affect (NA), effortful control (EC), parenting variables (support/scaffolding, support/engagement, and hostility/coercion), and child coping; and (b) to determine if parenting moderates the effects of temperament on adaptive coping. Participants included 796 (391 males and 405 females) children and their primary caregivers. Children were assessed at ages 5 and 6 years. NA and EC were assessed by parent-report with the Child Behavior Questionnaire. EC also was assessed with an observer-rated task, Gift Delay, which measures the child’s ability to delay a prepotent response, and with two subtests from the NEPSY; Knock and Tap, and Statue. Parenting variables (support/engagement and hostility/coercion) were assessed by parent-report with the Parenting Behavior Inventory and through an observation task, which was assessed by a factor-analyzed composite of variables rated during the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development 3-Boxes Task (support/scaffolding). Coping adaptability was assessed using the Early Childhood Coping Puppet Interview. Results of hierarchical regression analyses indicated that NA, EC, support/scaffolding, support/engagement, and hostility/coercion were not related to child coping adaptability. There also was no evidence of moderation of the relationship between temperament and coping by parenting. Post hoc analyses indicated that for males, lower SES was related to more adaptive coping. Implications of these findings and suggestions for further research are discussed.
Ph.D. in Psychology, July 2014
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Title: AN EVALUATION OF THE FEASIBILITY OF AN ONLINE FAMILY-BASED INDICATED PREVENTION PROGRAM FOR ADOLESCENT EATING DISORDERS
Creator: Lebow, Jocelyn R.
Date: 2011-10, 2011-12
Description: Adolescent eating disorders are highly impairing class of mental illness, marked by chronicity and recurrence. Data indicate that early...
Show moreAdolescent eating disorders are highly impairing class of mental illness, marked by chronicity and recurrence. Data indicate that early intervention, before anorexia nervosa (AN) or bulimia nervosa (BN) symptoms become entrenched, leads to an increased likelihood of positive outcomes (Fisher, Schneider, Burns, Symons & Mandel 2001; Le Grange, Loeb, Van Orman & Jellar, 2004). As such, numerous prevention programs have been developed for adolescent eating disorders, with mixed success (Shaw, 2008, Stice, Shaw & Marti, 2007). Most recently, programs have utilized the technology of the Internet to make prevention and early intervention more accessible and cost effective for affected teens and families. The current study assessed the feasibility of an original Internet-based indicated prevention program for families of adolescents with subsyndromal eating disorders. The program was based on the empirically-supported Family Based Treatment (FBT) for adolescent AN and BN. Seven families (comprised of 7 caregivers and 7 adolescents with subthreshold levels of eating disorder symptoms) were enrolled in the study, and 4 families successfully completed all program requirements. Four separate aims were assessed including: evaluation of program acceptability, identification of recruitment and retention patterns, assessment of program compliance and dosage received, and analysis of preliminary outcomes. Results suggested that the program was acceptable to all participants, and that the program format and content were positively received. Preliminary outcome data was limited due to the small sample size, however, descriptive analyses showed that the program had a significant effect on the reduction of all cognitive and behavioral eating disorder symptoms, as well as on the reduction of adolescent depressive symptoms. Adolescent ix self esteem was not significantly impacted by program participation. Compliance results were less straightforward. Program adherence was mixed, and further investigation is needed to clarify patterns of compliance and retention. Finally, the recruitment strategies used were found to not be feasible. Despite a wide-ranging and multi-faceted recruitment strategy, rates were very slow. Further, a large percentage of interested potential participants had to be excluded, calling into question the appropriateness of the applicant pool that was accessed through the implemented program of recruitment. Implications of these findings, possible explanations and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Ph.D. in Psychology, December 2011
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Title: STIGMA AND MENTAL ILLNESS: THE ROLE OF STEREOTYPE THREAT ON PERFORMANCE OF COGNITIVE MEASURES
Creator: Hautamaki, Julie Bilyeu
Date: 2013, 2013-05
Description: Deficits in cognitive functioning observed in people with schizophrenia are well-documented; however, social psychologists recognize that...
Show moreDeficits in cognitive functioning observed in people with schizophrenia are well-documented; however, social psychologists recognize that additional societal factors, such as stigma and discrimination, may further contribute to these observed deficits in functioning. This study investigated the role of stereotype threat on cognitive functioning of people with schizophrenia. This group encounters stigma in various realms such as employment, relationships and housing. The negative stereotypes regarding this population have been well-documented and studied. In the current study, 60 participants were randomized into a control or stereotype condition. The participants completed a series of cognitive tests and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders (SCID-I). Participants in the stereotype threat condition were primed with a statement and questions to induce stereotype threat. The order of test administration was part of the threat induction. Stereotype threat was not found to impact the performance of cognitive measures for this group. In-group identification, stigma endorsement, and anxiety levels did not predict performance on cognitive measures.
PH.D in Psychology, May 2013
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Title: CROSS-ETHNIC VARIATION IN THE RELATION BETWEEN PARENT AND CHILD BEHAVIORS AND YOUNG CHILDREN’S ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL FUNCTIONING
Creator: Bae, Hyo
Date: 2011-04-20, 2011-05
Description: The aim of this study was to determine if there is cross-ethnic variation in the relationships between parent behaviors, child behaviors, and...
Show moreThe aim of this study was to determine if there is cross-ethnic variation in the relationships between parent behaviors, child behaviors, and young children’s academic and social functioning. Participants included 96 African American, 117 Hispanic, and 395 White 5-year-old children and their parents. Self-reported parenting (Support/Engagement and Hostility/Coercion) was assessed with the Parent Behavior Inventory. Observed parent (Scaffolding) and child behaviors (Engagement/Persistence) were assessed using the Three Boxes Task videotaped parent-child interaction paradigm. Children’s academic skills were measured with three subtests of the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement-3rd Edition (Letter-Word Identification, Passage Comprehension, and Quantitative Concepts), and their social skills were measured with the Social Skills Rating System. Results of moderated regression analyses indicated that there were no direct effects of parenting on academic achievement, but that child Engagement/Persistence was related to academic achievement. With regard to social skills, Support/Engagement was related to Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, and Self-Control, while Hostility/Coercion was related to Cooperation, Responsibility, and Self-Control. Scaffolding was not directly related to social skills. Also, these analyses showed that the majority of these relationships were invariant across ethnic groups, with only a few significant interaction effects. Specifically, higher levels of Scaffolding were related to higher reading scores for African American children, while Scaffolding was not related to reading for White children. Although higher levels of Hostility/Coercion were related to lower reading scores for White children, this relationship was not significant for Hispanic children. Higher levels of Scaffolding were related to higher math scores for African American children. For White children, however, higher levels of Scaffolding were related to lower math scores. There were no ethnic differences in the relation between parent and child behaviors and social skills. Finally, results indicated that Scaffolding was indirectly related to academic and social functioning through Engagement/Persistence, and there was no ethnic variation in these relationships across African American, Hispanic, and White children. The implications of these findings and future directions for research are discussed.
Ph.D. in Psychology, May 2011.
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Title: RUMINATION AS A PROCESS THROUGH WHICH COGNITIVE VULNERABILITIES ARE RELATED TO NEGATIVE AFFECT ON BOTH THE TRAIT- AND STATE-LEVEL
Creator: Hutman, Paul J.
Date: 2017, 2017-07
Description: The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it reviewed the empirical and theoretical literature on rumination as well as three cognitive...
Show moreThe purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it reviewed the empirical and theoretical literature on rumination as well as three cognitive vulnerabilities (intolerance of uncertainty, positive meta-cognitive beliefs about rumination, and thought suppression) associated with negative emotionality. Second, this paper tested trait- and state-level hypotheses that posit (a) rumination is a mediator that connects the three cognitive vulnerabilities to general negative affect and (b) each cognitive vulnerability has a unique relationship to rumination. Rumination is a transdiagnostic and passive, repetitive thought process known to incite and perpetuate a number of negative emotional states and hinder instrumental behavior (e.g., treatment adherence and social support). Although mainly studied as a trait-like tendency, research studying the act of ruminating found it to be a ubiquitous process, experienced as self-focused, unpleasant, and uncontrollable. Ruminating has a number of precipitants (cognitive avoidance, experiencing acute stress, and receiving negative feedback), occurs more often in those experiencing depression, and is associated with inciting or exacerbating negative emotional states (regardless of one’s diagnostic status). To test hypotheses, data was gathered from 77 adults, half reporting a mental health diagnosis, who reported on the intensity with which they experience the cognitive vulnerabilities, rumination, and negative affect on both the trait- and state-level. Findings support rumination as a process through which cognitive vulnerabilities are connected to negative emotionality. Findings indicate all cognitive vulnerabilities were uniquely predictive of rumination when measured as a trait, but only thought suppression uniquely predicted the act of ruminating. Emphasis was placed on discussion of the theoretical and clinical implications of these findings and potential directions for future research.
Ph.D. in Psychology, July 2017
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Title: ASSESSING THE CULTURAL SENSITIVITY OF THE BOSTON NAMING TEST-2: IS THERE EVIDENCE FOR DIFFERENTIAL ITEM FUNCTIONING BETWEEN AFRICAN AMERICAN AND CAUCASIAN ADULTS AND BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN?
Creator: Benson, Laura M.
Date: 2014, 2014-07
Description: The Boston Naming Test – 2 (BNT-2) is one of the most widely used neuropsychological measures for the detection of naming deficits. However,...
Show moreThe Boston Naming Test – 2 (BNT-2) is one of the most widely used neuropsychological measures for the detection of naming deficits. However, there are few studies that have investigated its item-level psychometric properties, particularly in ethnic minorities, including African Americans. The present study examined the BNT-2 for the presence of ethnicity and genderbased differential item functioning (DIF) in a cognitively diverse sample of 744 African American and Caucasian adults recruited from a neuropsychology outpatient clinic in Chicago, Illinois. Using a two-parameter Item Response Theory (IRT) framework, all 60 items of the BNT-2 were analyzed, with difficulty and discriminability estimates generated for items 16 through 60 for ethnicity, and for items 11 through 60 for gender. Ethnicity-based DIF was detected for 10 items (i.e., “globe,” “beaver,” “dominoes,” “unicorn,” “accordion,” “latch,” “tripod,” “yoke,” “trellis,” and “palette”) and genderbased DIF for 6 items (i.e., “stethoscope,” “pyramid,” “latch,” “sphinx,” “yoke,” and “palette”), indicating that these items do not function equivalently between groups, despite being matched on naming ability. Post hoc hierarchical logistic regression analyses examined age, years of completed education, and literacy (measured as word reading ability) as potential explanatory factors for the observed DIF. Results indicated that the three variables provided partial explanations for the DIF detected in the 16 ethnicity and gender items, though none could entirely account for the observed findings. IRT-estimated difficulty parameters also allowed for the examination of item ranking on the BNT-2. For both ethnicity and gender, the IRT-estimated rank ordering of items between groups was similar, as well as being comparable (though not identical) to those initially assigned by Kaplan, Goodglass, and Weintraub (2001). Results further indicated that correlations between BNT-2 scale scores and IRT-based scale scores were very high, suggesting that the overall scoring of the BNT-2 was not subtantially biased by ethnicity or gender, despite the identified DIF and small fluctuations in item rankings. Overall, this implies that the BNT-2 is still a valid measure for use in African Americans, although future consideration should be given to revision or omission of those items identified as having DIF.
Ph.D. in Psychology, July 2014
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Title: THE TEMPORAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DEPRESSION AND THE CONVERSION TO DEMENTIA: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS
Creator: Rog, Lauren
Date: 2011-07, 2011-07
Description: A relationship between depression and the dementing process has been fairly well established in both patients with mild cognitive impairment ...
Show moreA relationship between depression and the dementing process has been fairly well established in both patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia (e.g., Apostolova and Cummings, 2008; Lyketsos et al., 2002; Starkstein et al., 2005). However, less clear is the temporal role depression plays in the dementing process, with the possibilities including depression as a risk factor, a prodrome, or a consequence of dementia. Variables that have been considered to affect this relationship include gender, depression severity, lifetime history of depression, and etiology of cognitive decline. The current study examined the temporal relationship between depression and dementia in a sample of 218 patients with MCI or dementia who were seen for at least one follow-up visit at the neuropsychology service of an urban university medical center. Results did not reveal support for either the prodrome or the risk factor hypothesis of the depression-dementia relationship. However, it was found that people with a past history of depression who did not show depressive symptoms concurrent with their cognitive decline converted most quickly to dementia, suggesting a unique depression-dementia relationship in people with earlier-life depression.
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, July 2011
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Title: MEASURING DEGREE OF BILINGUALISM AND ITS EFFECT ON COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE
Creator: Leon, Adeline
Date: 2017, 2017-07
Description: Bilingualism is a unique experience that has been shown to have a distinct impact on cognitive performance: disadvantages in language...
Show moreBilingualism is a unique experience that has been shown to have a distinct impact on cognitive performance: disadvantages in language production (Gollan, Montoya, Fennema-Notestine, & Morris, 2005) and advantages in executive functioning skills (Bialystok, Craik, Klein, Viswanathan, 2004; Costa, Hernandez, Sebastian-Galles, 2008). However, some researchers assert that bilingual differences do not exist at all (Kousaie & Phillips, 2012a, 2012b; Paap & Greenberg, 2013). These discrepancies can have a substantial effect on neuropsychological assessment results, diagnoses, and treatment recommendations. The purpose of this study was to measure bilingualism in patients presenting for neuropsychological testing to determine the effect of degree of bilingualism on cognitive performance. Bilingualism was measured in an objective, continuous manner using the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT; Dunn & Dunn, 2007) to assess proficiency in English and the Test de Vocabulario en Imagenes Peabody (TVIP; Dunn, Lugo, Padilla, Dunn, 1986) to assess proficiency in Spanish. This bilingualism index was used to measure the effect of degree of bilingualism on neuropsychological test performance in English/Spanish bilinguals assessed in their dominant language. Archival data from 99 participants presenting for neuropsychological testing were used to examine the bilingualism effect on the following cognitive domains: shifting of set, divided attention, naming, lexical retrieval, and verbal working memory. With the exception of the BNT, results of linear regression analyses revealed no significant effect of bilingualism on cognitive performance in any of the domains measured. Future research may investigate alternative ways to measure bilingualism to facilitate proper diagnosis and treatment recommendations in a clinical population.
Ph.D. in Psychology, July 2017
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Title: COMPARISON OF NEUROPSYCHOLOCICAL PROFILES OF CHILDREN WITH ATTENTION.DEFIC ITiHYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD), READING DISORDER (RD), AND COMORBID ADHD AND RD
Creator: Hinkle, Clayton D.
Date: 2013, 2013-07
Description: The aim of this study was to expand our understanding of the patterns of executive functioning, memory and learning, and reading achievement...
Show moreThe aim of this study was to expand our understanding of the patterns of executive functioning, memory and learning, and reading achievement in older children and adolescents with ADHD, RD, and comorbid ADHD and RD. Each participant completed neuropsychological assessments, including a measure of intelligence and reading achievement, as well as several measures of executive functioning, memory, and learning. Results suggested that children in these diagnostic groups do significantly differ from each other on these tasks, although those with comorbid ADHD and RD did not demonstrate any specific deficits above and beyond those that manifest in either ADHD or RD alone. Clinical and practical implications, as well as directions for future research are discussed.
PH.D in Psychology, July 2013
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Title: MAKING GOOD DECISIONS: THE ROLE OF TEAM PERSONALITY DIVERSITY AND GROUP POLARIZATION
Creator: Watson, Jeremy Beau
Date: 2014, 2014-05
Description: Making high quality decisions is central to organizations in order to remain competitive, increase productivity, quality, and/or remain...
Show moreMaking high quality decisions is central to organizations in order to remain competitive, increase productivity, quality, and/or remain responsive to customers. Most often, teams are responsible for making vital decisions and decision accuracy is key to obtaining desired outcomes. This study examined the role of team personality diversity as it pertains to decision quality. Additionally, a common phenomenon known as group polarization was studied with regard to cooperative and competitive attitudes as a potential important process. Using several decision scenarios and the Lost on the Moon task, 279 individuals in teams of three (n = 93 teams) participated in a laboratory study to investigate the relationship between team personality diversity, group polarization of cooperative/competitive attitudes, and decision quality. Results indicated that team agreeableness diversity was positively related to group polarization, and team openness diversity was negatively related to decision quality. Previous research, implications, and limitations to this study are also discussed.
PH.D in Psychology, May 2014
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