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Title: THE EFFECTS OF PARTNER-TYPE, AND SELF-EFFICACY ON SAFE SEX PRACTICES IN A SAMPLE OF HOMELESS WOMEN
Creator: Mikrut, Cassandra
Date: 2017, 2017-05
Description: Homeless women tend to engage in a variety of behaviors that put them at risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Some of...
Show moreHomeless women tend to engage in a variety of behaviors that put them at risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Some of these behaviors include engaging in unprotected sex as well as higher levels of substance use. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of partner-type and condom use self-efficacy on sexual safety practices. Data were derived from 128 homeless women, living in shelters throughout New York City. Somers’ d was used to test the effects of partner-type, “steady” versus “casual,” and condom use self-efficacy on sexual safety practices. Results indicated that there were significant relationships between partner type and condom use as well as self-efficacy and condom use. Specifically, when the participant considered their primary partner to be “steady” they were less likely to use a male condom during sexual intercourse. Furthermore, higher condom use self-efficacy coincided with higher rates of condom use. Based on these results, it would be ideal for future research and interventions to focus on safe sex practices with “steady” partners, as these appear to be the riskier relationship.
M.S. in Psychology, May 2017
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Title: MINDFULNESS AND HEALTH BEHAVIORS: DOES AUTONOMOUS MOTIVATION MEDIATE ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN MINDFULNESS AND HEALTH BEHAVIORS IN COLLEGE STUDENTS?
Creator: Coppersmith, Jody
Date: 2016, 2016-07
Description: College is a critical period for the development of life-long health behaviors, and college students are particularly vulnerable to engaging...
Show moreCollege is a critical period for the development of life-long health behaviors, and college students are particularly vulnerable to engaging in high risk health behaviors, including physical inactivity and poor nutritional habits, that are risk factors for the development of chronic diseases. Current interventions aimed at promoting positive health behaviors in this population have shown limited efficacy. However, prior research suggests that both mindfulness and autonomous motivation are important theoretical constructs in health promotion and disease prevention research and intervention. To date, limited research has been conducted to understand the relationship amongst mindfulness, autonomous motivation, and health behaviors. This study examined the relationship between mindfulness, autonomous motivation, and health behaviors in college students. Based on self-determination theory, it was hypothesized that autonomous motivation would mediate the relationship between mindfulness and health behaviors, specifically physical activity and fruit and vegetable intake. Participants were 187 college students who completed a series of online questionnaires including demographic information, mindfulness, autonomous motivation for physical activity and to eat fruits and vegetables, physical activity, and fruit and vegetable intake. Results indicated that autonomous motivation to eat fruits and vegetables mediated the association between mindfulness and fruit and vegetable intake. Similarly, autonomous motivation for physical activity mediated the association between mindfulness and physical activity. These findings support autonomous motivation as a mechanism through which mindfulness impacts health behaviors. Thus, mindfulness should be incorporated into the self-determination theory of health-behavior change and represents a promising avenue for health behavior intervention in college students.
Ph.D. in Psychology, July 2016
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Title: DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTERCULTURAL SENSITIVITY MEASURE
Creator: Crouch, Sara J.
Date: 2017, 2017-05
Description: This study developed a measure of intercultural sensitivity based on the developmental model of intercultural sensitivity (Bennett, 1986; 1993...
Show moreThis study developed a measure of intercultural sensitivity based on the developmental model of intercultural sensitivity (Bennett, 1986; 1993) to be used in a public safety selection context. Experts reviewed the measure that was administered to a large, diverse police officer academy applicant sample and analyses were conducted on the results of the expert review and test administration. Results indicated that after measure refinement, the final 48 item measure closely approximated the underlying theoretical model. In terms of test construction, the measure produced reliable factor scores and reflected individual differences in intercultural sensitivity. We found evidence of racial/ethnic group differences for two of the five factors and also established construct validity for the measure. Practical implications pertaining to the usage of intercultural sensitivity measures in personnel selection and training were discussed.
M.S. in Psychology, May 2017
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Title: IMPACT OF HUMOR STYLES ON PREDICTING ATTITUDINAL CHANGE IN A HUMOR BASED ANTI- STIGMA INTERVENTION
Creator: Konadu, Fokuo J.
Date: 2014, 2014-05
Description: Research has shown public stigma to be a large barrier in mental health recovery. Humor based intervention programs have been found to be an...
Show moreResearch has shown public stigma to be a large barrier in mental health recovery. Humor based intervention programs have been found to be an effective tool in reducing stigmatizing attitudes towards minority social groups and increasing positive attitudes towards controversial social topics. Using 131 participants, this study investigated the role of positive (affiliative and self-enhancing) and negative (aggressive and selfdefeating) humor styles in predicting post-intervention attitudinal change for a humor based anti-mental health stigma program. Participants completed humor styles, affirming and stigmatizing attitudes measures. Then as the intervention they watched a mental health related standup comedy routine. Stigma and affirming attitudes measures were repeated post-intervention. There was a significant inverse relationship found between individuals who enjoy affiliative (reduce intra-interpersonal tension by making others laugh) , self-enhancing (to help one cope) and self-defeating (excessively belittle of oneself) humor styles and stigmatizing attitudes. However, results indicate participant humor styles were not significant predictors of post intervention stigma and affirming attitudes scores. These findings advocate for the consideration of person-level factors in creating humor based intervention programs. Humor based intervention programs may need to be targeted towards specific types ofhumor styles in order to impact participant attitudes post intervention.
M.S. in Psychology, May 2014
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Title: COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT, DEPRESSION, AND INFLAMMATION IN OLDER HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS
Creator: Fong, Wing Man
Date: 2015, 2015-07
Description: Cancer is a common disease that increases in prevalence with age; it predominantly affects individuals over the age of 55. Cancer can be...
Show moreCancer is a common disease that increases in prevalence with age; it predominantly affects individuals over the age of 55. Cancer can be associated with a number of health complications due to the disease itself and/or its treatments such as higher risk of infection, anemia, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction. Risks of developing these complications increase with age. Despite the increased vulnerability among older individuals, the existing literature and clinical trials show a disproportionately low enrollment rate for this population. This study aimed to provide to a mechanism-based understanding of cognitive impairment in older patients with hematologic malignancy who were scheduled to undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Emerging evidence suggests that a significant portion of older persons with cancer demonstrate cognitive impairment prior to HSCT, and that cognitive deficits prior to HSCT are related to post-transplant complications. Hence, the goals of the study were to characterize cognitive impairment in older cancer patients prior to HSCT, and to examine the relations between cognitive impairment, depression, and inflammation. Sixty-one patients with hematologic malignancy participated in the current study and were administered a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Results showed that 50% of the sample was impaired on verbal memory. Correlation analyses revealed a significant association between depression and attention, with inflammation found to be a non-significant mediator. Possible alternative explanations with implications for future research and limitations of the study were discussed.
Ph.D. in Psychology, July 2015
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Title: A PILOT STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFICACY OF A MENTOR BASED ANTI- STIGMA MENTAL HEALTH CURRICULUM FOR BACCALAUREATE NURSING STUDENTS
Creator: Fokuo, Joyce Konadu Mansah
Date: 2017, 2017-07
Description: Stigma towards people with mental illness by healthcare providers results in disparities in help-seeking, treatment, and quality of care....
Show moreStigma towards people with mental illness by healthcare providers results in disparities in help-seeking, treatment, and quality of care. Within the health care system, professionals such as nurses and nursing students endorse negative stereotypes about people with mental illness. Using 23 nursing students this pilot study evaluated the efficacy and feasibility of a five-week manualized consumer-led mentorship program as a supplement to a mental health theory and clinical curriculum for baccalaureate nursing students. Participants completed measures on intended personal and professional behaviors, stigmatizing attitudes and affirming attitudes measures pre-intervention, post-intervention and at one-month follow-up. Feasibility measures were also completed by students, mentors and faculty members’ post-intervention. Results suggest a significant decrease in stigmatizing attitudes post intervention. The effect was maintained at one-month follow-up. There was also a significant decreased in affirming attitudes post intervention. This effect was unexpected and not maintained at one-month follow-up. Affirming attitudes significantly increased at one-month follow-up. There was no statistically significant change in intended personal and professional behaviors. Program feasibility was high for face-to-face meeting and participants were overall satisfied with the integration of the supplemental program. These findings suggest that a consumer-led mentoring program can effectively reduce mental health stigma within student nursing populations.
Ph.D. in Psychology, July 2017
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Title: A COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT METHODS OF DETECTING INATTENTIVE RESPONDING ON SELF-REPORT PERSONALITY MEASURES
Creator: Fleischer, Michael
Date: 2016, 2016-05
Description: The goal of this study was to identify the best indices for detecting inattentive respondents. This was accomplished by collecting data from...
Show moreThe goal of this study was to identify the best indices for detecting inattentive respondents. This was accomplished by collecting data from respondents who were attentive and inattentive. Five different methods for detecting inattention were com- pared to determine which of these methods were the most effective. The indices used for detecting inattention were: instructional items, nonsensical items, Fleischer type items, total time, and psychometric consistency. These were classified into two types item based indices and non-item based indices. It was hypothesized and found that Fleischer items were viewed as less awed or out of place when compared to nonsen- sical and instructional item types. Additional hypotheses tested the effectiveness of each the indices and supported the hypothesis, in finding the Fleischer type and total time to be the best identifiers of inattentive respondents. The final hypothesis did not find support that removing inattentive respondents would yield only better relia- bilities. The results were mixed and the interpretation of this and the other findings results are discussed in detail in the following paper.
Ph.D. in Psychology, May 2016
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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: HIV-RELATED TRAUMA AND ANTIRETROVIRAL ADHERENCE: THE EFFECTS OF PERSONAL RESOURCES
Creator: Guy, Arryn A.
Date: 2017, 2017-05
Description: Suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) can interfere with virologic suppression and increase risk of developing drug-resistant...
Show moreSuboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) can interfere with virologic suppression and increase risk of developing drug-resistant strains of the virus. People living with HIV (PLH) have difficulty complying with ART—a treatment regimen that is unforgiving of non-adherence—in large part because this population is at higher risk for stressors, including experiencing their HIV diagnosis as a traumatic event (e.g., Boarts et al., 2006; Theuninck, Lake, & Gibson, 2010). Perceived social support and coping are contextual and changeable factors that can be focused on in interventions to improve treatment adherence. This study aimed to confirm that more perceived social support is related to optimal treatment adherence in PLH who experienced HIV-related trauma, through bolstering coping strategies, namely, emotion-focused coping strategies like positive reappraisal and emotional social support seeking, and problem-focused coping related to managing ART (i.e., active coping). Participants were 62 young adults living with HIV recruited from a local HIV clinic. Participants were assessed for experiencing their HIV diagnosis as a traumatic event, perceived social support, coping, and medication adherence. Positive reappraisal, emotional support seeking, and active coping strategies did not mediate the relation between perceived social support and adherence, however, active coping had a statistically significant effect on adherence when controlling for other hypothesized mediators in the model. This finding has practical significance for clinicians in that it suggests active coping plays a more direct role in improving treatment adherence than emotional support seeking and positive reappraisal coping strategies.
M.S. in Psychology, May 2017
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Title: CRITICISM, HEALTH FUNCTIONING, AND MARITAL ADJUSTMENT IN COUPLES WITH CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
Creator: Hicks, R. Elliott Iii
Date: 2017, 2017-07
Description: Destructive communication and hostile interactions between spouses are associated with poor behavior maintenance and can elicit substantial...
Show moreDestructive communication and hostile interactions between spouses are associated with poor behavior maintenance and can elicit substantial increases in systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and cardiac output in patients (Broadwell, & Light, 2005; Nealey-Moore et al., 2007; Ryan & Deci, 2000). This negatively impacts the cardiovascular health of the targeted partner (Nealey-Moore et al., 2007; Ryan & Deci, 2000; Smith et al., 2009). Constructive, non-hostile criticism between partners may bolster behavior change and maintenance (Zinbarg, 2007). The present study assesses the relationship between forms of criticism and reports of marital adjustment, autonomous support, health functioning, and health behavior change in a sample of couples participating in a cardiac risk reduction intervention. Results indicate that Hostile Criticism predicted Physical Health Functioning. Further, there were no significant moderating relationships. Interpretation of results and future directions are discussed.
Ph.D. in Psychology, July 2017
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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: SHARED LEADERSHIP EFFECTIVNESS IN FACE-TO-FACE AND VIRTUAL CONDITIONS: A SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS
Creator: King, Adrienne
Date: 2013, 2013-12
Description: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between shared leadership, performance, and team affect across two communication...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between shared leadership, performance, and team affect across two communication-medium conditions: face-to-face and virtual interactions. After completing the “Lost-at-Sea” (Nemiroff & Pasmore, 1975) exercise, undergraduate students in leaderless teams (N = 75) of three reported their experiences and evaluated team members’ interactions and behaviors. Based on the functional leadership theory (McGrath, 1962), shared leadership was described by task and socio-emotional behaviors, and measured through social network analysis. Regression analysis revealed shared leadership’s positive influence on group affect and the condition’s impact on objective standards of performance. A follow-up mediational analysis revealed that team affect had a significant impact on the relationship between shared leadership and decision time. Additionally, post hoc analysis revealed that the level of shared leadership was higher in face-to-face teams, compared to teams in the computer-mediated condition. A discussion of the results and implications for practice are provided. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of using shared leadership teams in modern organizations.
M.S. in Industrial / Organizational Psychology, December 2013
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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: MODERATING EFFECT OF MINDFULNESS IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK FACTORS
Creator: Kim, Jeong Hye
Date: 2016, 2016-07
Description: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide and in the United States. Weight loss, which is associated with blood...
Show moreCardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide and in the United States. Weight loss, which is associated with blood pressure and blood glucose, is widely recommended to modify the CVDs risk factors. Among various methods, mindfulness has been extensively studied in improving psychological and physical health. There is some reported evidence that mindfulness based interventions are effective in improving CVDs risk factors. However, overall results are inconclusive. Therefore, more research examining the facets of mindfulness is necessary to understand the fundamental relationship between mindfulness and CVDs risk factors to clarify the effect of mindfulness. In addition, research into whether the relationship between different risk factors is moderated by mindfulness would provide further support of the independent effect of mindfulness on physical health. The current study hypothesized that higher mindfulness skills would correlate with physical well-being. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that mindfulness will moderate a relationship between BMI and other CVDs risk factors (e.g., individuals with higher BMI classification and higher mindfulness will show lower blood pressure compared to individuals at a similar BMI with lower mindfulness). Results found that body adiposity had an inverse relationship with overall mindfulness, and two of the four facets of mindfulness (Describing and Acting with awareness). In addition, the Describing subscale had a significant moderating effect; however, the relationship between body adiposity and systolic blood pressure was stronger rather than weaker with higher Describing skills.
M.S. in Psychology, July 2016
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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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