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Title: MINDFULNESS AS A MODERATOR OF SELF-ESTEEM, FUNCTIONAL IMPAIRMENT, AND PSYCOLOGICAL FLEXIBILITY IN AN ADULT ADHD POPULATION
Creator: Blanco, Rodney M.
Date: 2012-07-17, 2012-07
Description: Many adults diagnosed with ADHD have often learned to cope with and adapt to the primary symptoms (i.e. impulsivity, inattention) of ADHD....
Show moreMany adults diagnosed with ADHD have often learned to cope with and adapt to the primary symptoms (i.e. impulsivity, inattention) of ADHD. However, adults with ADHD often cite the secondary symptoms (i.e. decreased self-esteem) that may accompany ADHD as significantly impairing their lives. Much of the research to date on treatment of ADHD has focused on ameliorating the primary symptoms of adult ADHD and less attention has been focused on the secondary symptoms of ADHD. Incorporating a mindfulness intervention into the treatment of ADHD could have wide-ranging benefits as mindfulness is a self-regulatory practice that can improve attention (primary symptom) and emotional regulation (secondary symptom). The goal of the present study was to evaluate the relationships among mindfulness and self-esteem, psychological flexibility, and functional impairment in an adult ADHD sample of 133 adults self-identified as having a diagnosis of ADHD. They completed the following measures: demographics questionnaire, Accepting without judgment subscale of the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills (KIMS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE), Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-2), and the Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS). Moderated regression analyses were used to predict an outcome (i.e., psychological flexibility, functional impairment, or self-esteem) from two predictors (i.e., ADHD symptom severity, accepting without judgment) and the interaction between the two predictors. It was found that participants who were more mindful had greater self-esteem and reported less functional impairment.
M.S. in Clinical Psychology, July 2012
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Title: “GAY DEPRESSION”: ASSESSING GENDER AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION DIFFERENTIAL ITEM FUNCTIONING IN THE CENTER FOR EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES DEPRESSION SCALE
Creator: Birnholz, Justin L.
Date: 2014, 2014-12
Description: Although research on the severity and prevalence of depression among lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) individuals is becoming increasingly...
Show moreAlthough research on the severity and prevalence of depression among lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) individuals is becoming increasingly common, virtually no studies have examined differences in the experience of individual depressive symptoms in LGB individuals. Relatedly, research has not yet been done on whether depression measures function equivalently across sexual orientation. In this study, LGB men and women were compared with heterosexual men and women to assess the Differential Item Functioning of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) scale using moderated multiple regressions. Eight of the scale’s 20 items were found to function differently depending on the participants’ genders and sexual orientations, although the CES-D was shown to be an accurate measure of depression across gender and sexual orientation. The differences in individual items could not be explained by the variables proposed to explain them (e.g. race, social support, internalized heterosexism, etc.). Some of the item differences indicated differences in depression itself across gender and/or sexual orientation, although most indicated group differences unrelated to depression. The clinical and psychometric implications of these item differences are discussed.
Ph.D. in Psychology, December 2014
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Title: EXPERIENTIAL AVOIDANCE, MINDFULNESS, AND VALUES CLARIFICATION AS MODERATERS OF THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN IMPULSIVITY AND GAMBLING BEHAVIOR
Creator: Blanco, Rodney M
Date: 2016, 2016-12
Description: While the wide range of social, economic, and psychological problems associated with pathological gambling are well-known; there is need for a...
Show moreWhile the wide range of social, economic, and psychological problems associated with pathological gambling are well-known; there is need for a better conceptualization of Gambling Disorder (GD). Previous research has shown that individuals with GD have higher levels of impulsivity than control participants and that impulsivity is a significant predictor of gambling severity. Given the strong link between impulsivity and gambling behavior, it would be informative to identify processes that would attenuate this association. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) constructs of experiential avoidance, mindfulness, and values clarification moderate the relation between impulsivity and gambling behavior. Two hundred twelve participants were recruited through an on-line advertisement to complete a series of questionnaires regarding demographics, gambling behavior, impulsivity, experiential avoidance, mindfulness, and values clarification. Results indicated that gambling behavior was positively correlated with impulsivity and experiential avoidance. In addition, experiential avoidance moderated the relation between impulsivity and gambling behavior such that the association between impulsivity and gambling behavior was stronger at greater levels of experiential avoidance. However, contrary to hypotheses, mindfulness and values clarification were not significantly correlated with gambling behavior; however, both values clarification and mindfulness were moderators at a trend level. The findings of this study provide a preliminary picture of how ACT constructs are related to gambling behaviors and impulsivity among a community sample.
Ph.D. in Psychology, December 2016
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Title: RESPONDING TO YOUTH DISCLOSURE OF MENTAL ILLNESS: STUDENT, PARENT, AND TEACHER PERSPECTIVES
Creator: Buchholz, Blythe A.
Date: 2014, 2014-12
Description: This qualitative study examined student, parent, and teacher responses to disclosure of mental illness experiences by middle- and high school...
Show moreThis qualitative study examined student, parent, and teacher responses to disclosure of mental illness experiences by middle- and high school-aged youth. Results will be used to guide programming designed to help youth with mental illness facilitate disclosure decisions, as well as to assist their peers, parents, and teachers in creating effective support systems. Community-based participatory research (CBPR) directed this study; CBPR teams formed from relevant stakeholders: middle- and high school-aged youth (with and without mental illness), parents, teachers, and other youth leaders created the focus group interview guide. Nineteen focus groups were completed with 103 participants, with six homogeneous groups; four were youth divided into high school and middle school cohorts with and without experience with mental illness, parents of youth with mental illness, and teachers. Themes were generated from verbatim transcripts using a grounded theory approach. Independent raters open coded responses and crafted a framework to organize responses based on response type. A summary of themes and concepts was provided to the CBPR teams for feedback, yielding the final set of themes. Positive responses were grouped into: Listening/Response Characteristics, Personality/Response Characteristics, Support/Solidarity, Acceptance, Confidentiality, Problem-Solving, Strategies to Create Openness, Asking for Help, Child Independence/Disclosure, Self-Disclosure, and Understanding. Negative responses were grouped into: Response Characteristics, Misperceptions/Misattributions, Harmful Behaviors, Disregard, Topic Avoidance, and Judgment/Blame/Punishment. Supportive and unsupportive responses varied among groups; however, negative responses to disclosure were scarcer than positive responses, suggesting a more positive environment for mental health discussions. Recommendations to aid in the effective support of youth who disclose their mental illness are provided.
M.S. in Psychology, December 2014
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Title: LEADER AND FOLLOWER PROFILES ON CONFLICT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND THE RELATIONSHIP WITH LEADER-MEMBER EXCHANGE
Creator: Burris, Kimberly R.
Date: 2011-03-23, 2011-05
Description: The current study examined leaders’ and subordinates’ conflict management strategies and how they relate to dyadic relationship quality. While...
Show moreThe current study examined leaders’ and subordinates’ conflict management strategies and how they relate to dyadic relationship quality. While a number of prior studies have investigated individual CMS styles and their association with outcomes of interest (including measures of relationship quality), this was the first study to measure and analyze full CMS profiles from both upward and downward perspectives. In high-quality LMX conditions, this study found a high degree of similarity between supervisors’ and subordinates’ full CMS profiles towards each other. Both supervisors and subordinates were higher on agreeable (i.e. integrating, obliging, and compromising) than disagreeable (i.e. dominating and avoiding) CMS. In low/moderate-quality LMX, supervisors and subordinates had dissimilar CMS profiles. The potential causes of differences between supervisor and subordinate CMS in low/moderate-quality LMX were explored. Contributions to the CMS research and practical implications were discussed.
M.S. in Psychology, May 2011
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Title: MATERNAL AND PATERNAL PARENTING WITH PRESCHOOL CHILDREN: IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERNALIZING AND EXTERNALIZING DISORDERS
Creator: Hella, Bryce
Date: 2011-04-27, 2011-05
Description: Parenting has been shown to play a crucial role in the development of child emotional and behavior problems. Typically, however researchers...
Show moreParenting has been shown to play a crucial role in the development of child emotional and behavior problems. Typically, however researchers use “mothering” as a proxy for “parenting” and the role of fathers has been relatively ignored (Phares, Lopez, Fields, Kamboukos, & Duhig, 2005). Data also suggest that the gender of both the parent and child influence the relationship between parenting and children’s emotional and behavior problems. To date, however, there is no study in which both the direct effects and the 3-way interaction between paternal and maternal parenting, child gender and both internalizing and externalizing problems have been examined. The aim of this study, then, was to examine the direct and interactive relationships between maternal positive parenting, paternal positive parenting, and child gender on children’s externalizing and internalizing problems. Archival data from a subsample of the 1,103 54-month-old children and their parents who participated in wave 2 of the NICHD Study of Early Childcare were used (NICHD, 2001). Selection criteria for this subsample were that both parents participated and were co-residing. This resulted in a pool of 664 children (338 boys, 326 girls), mothers and fathers (96% married), who were predominantly (86%) White. Positive maternal and paternal parenting were assessed by a factor-analytically-derived score based on observer ratings of a semi-structured interaction paradigm, the Three Boxes Task (NICHD Early Child Care Research Network, 1999). Child emotional and behavior problems were assessed by an averaged composite of maternal- and paternal-reported CBCL externalizing and internalizing scores (CBCL; Achenbach, 1991). Results from moderated hierarchical regression analyses indicated that there was a direct relationship between maternal parenting and child gender in predicting children’s externalizing scores. Specifically, lower levels of maternal positive parenting and being a girl predicted higher externalizing scores. No direct relationship between paternal positive parenting and externalizing scores was found. In addition, there was not a significant, direct relationship between maternal positive parenting, paternal positive parenting or child gender and internalizing scores. Results also indicate that there was a significant, but small three-way interaction between maternal positive parenting, paternal positive parenting and child gender in predicting externalizing and internalizing scores. Examination of interaction graphs suggested that for girls whose mothers display low levels of positive parenting, higher levels of positive paternal parenting may reduce the risk of internalizing and externalizing problems. For boys, having two parents with higher levels of positive parenting seems to serve as a protective factor, reducing the risk of emotional and behavior problems. These data suggest that fathers’ parenting does make a difference, and that both the gender of the parent and the child are important factors to consider when examining the relationship between parenting and children’s outcomes.
Ph.D. in Psychology, May 2011
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Title: BINGE-DRINKING BEHAVIORS, ALCOHOL-RELATED CONSEQUENCES, AND HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE: DOES PSYCHOLOGICAL FLEXIBILITY PLAY A PART IN BINGE-DRINKING AND HEALTH BEHAVIORS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS?
Creator: Grix, Bethany
Date: 2014, 2014-07
Description: Binge-drinking among young adult populations is considered a global health and safety concern. Binge-drinking behavior has been directly...
Show moreBinge-drinking among young adult populations is considered a global health and safety concern. Binge-drinking behavior has been directly linked to immediate and long-term psychosocial, societal, and health-related consequences. To date, psychological flexibility and values-based committed action has been only theoretically linked to binge-drinking behavior, health, and alcohol-related consequences. Therefore, this study investigated binge-drinking behavior and its relationship with alcohol and health-related consequences, in a college-aged population, as well as the role psychological flexibility has within these relationships. Binge-drinking was defined as the consumption of ≥ 4/5 drinks (females/males, respectively), within a two hour period, over a 6-month period (NIAAA, 2004; Courney & Polnich, 2009). One hundred eighty-nine undergraduate participants (75 female, 114male) from a Midwestern university completed an online survey. Of the 189 undergraduates, 116 (61.4%) identified as non-binge-drinkers and 73 (38.6%) as binge-drinkers. Results showed that psychological flexibility predicted binge-drinking behavior. More specifically, higher degrees of psychological flexibility decreased the likelihood that individuals would engage in binge-drinking behavior. Interactions also emerged between binge-drinking quantity and psychological flexibility on alcohol-related consequences. Similarly, psychological flexibility was shown to buffer the relationship between binge-drinking status and HRQoL. Demographic and psychosocial differences also emerged across binge-drinking severity groups and outcome measures.
Ph.D. in Psychology, July 2014
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Title: ASSESSMENT OF THE VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY OF THE ROMANTIC RELATIONAL INVENTORY: A MEASURE OF THE DEGREE OF ADAPTIVENENESS WITHIN THE DECLARATIVE ASPECTS OF ROMANTIC RELATIONAL SCHEMA
Creator: Grix, Bethany
Date: 2011-11-28, 2011-12
Description: A measure was developed to quantify an individual’s romantic relational schema, after conducting a literature review of the variables to which...
Show moreA measure was developed to quantify an individual’s romantic relational schema, after conducting a literature review of the variables to which it was related. The measure was designed to assess comprehensively the dimensions and degree of adaptiveness within this important construct. This new measure, the Romanic Relational Inventory (RRI), was subject to psychometric analyses and a final 93 item measure was derived from the factor analyses on 104 original items. The RRI was shown to be a reliable and valid measure of the descriptive components of romantic relational schema as demonstrated by the measures of external validity and reliability analyses. A series of Experimental Factor Analyses suggested that the initial single factor hypothesized domains were supported (i.e., Relationship Components; Expectations of Relationship Behaviors; Partner Components, which included two sub-domains: Partner Traits and the Congruence of Self with Other; and Global Perceptions of Romantic Relationships). The results suggest that the RRI may be a reliable and valid multidimensional measure, with distinct yet overlapping dimensions or sub-constructs.
M.S. in Psychology, December 2011
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Title: A PSYCHOMETRIC ASSESSMENT OF THE AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL MEMORY TEST IN A SAMPLE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC OUTPATIENTS
Creator: Beyderman, Irina
Date: 2017, 2017-07
Description: The Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT) assesses overgenerality in memory by presenting a set of positive and negative cue words and...
Show moreThe Autobiographical Memory Test (AMT) assesses overgenerality in memory by presenting a set of positive and negative cue words and instructing participants to recall an autobiographical event related to each word that is specific in time and place. Overgenerality consists of responding to cues with memories that are categories or summaries of similar events rather than specific events. As a cognitive style, overgenerality constitutes a risk factor for the development, maintenance, and exacerbation of depression, as well as suicidality, trauma, problem-solving difficulties, and impaired ability to imagine the future. As might be expected, the focus of research using the AMT has been on the overgenerality and/or specificity of responses. However, not commonly discussed is that frequently participants provide responses that are neither specific nor overgeneral, but reflect an inability to recall an autobiographical memory. These responses consist of comments on the cue words (e. g., “I like being happy”, coded as “semantic associate”) or reports of not having a memory (coded as “omission”). Given that certain populations may exhibit elevated rates of “inability to perform the task” (Beyderman & Young, 2014), this phenomenon within the AMT may be significant in itself. The current study conducted factor structure and IRT analyses of the AMT along the dimensions of both overgenerality and “ability to recall autobiographical memories.” In addition, depressive symptomatology, age, gender, and level of education were examined as potential correlates of the “ability to recall autobiographical memories.” Data came from a sample of 100 African American psychiatry outpatients, 36% of whom met the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder. The results of the present study demonstrated strong support for a single-factor structures of the latent traits of overgenerality and “ability to recall autobiographical memories.” IRT analysis indicated that the AMT functioned well as a measure of overgenerality and “ability to recall autobiographical memories” in the current sample. “Ability to recall autobiographical memories” was not associated with age, gender, or level of education. The implications of these findings for future use of the AMT and further development of the field are discussed.
Ph.D. in Psychology, July 2017
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Title: ATTACHMENT, COGNITIVE STYLES, AND THEIR RELATIONSHIPS TO DEPRESSION
Creator: Beyderman, Irina
Date: 2014, 2014-07
Description: From the developmental perspective, insecure attachment to people in one’s life predisposes a person to develop maladaptive affect regulation...
Show moreFrom the developmental perspective, insecure attachment to people in one’s life predisposes a person to develop maladaptive affect regulation strategies (Shaver & Mikulincer, 2007), which, when employed, result in suboptimal emotional states and increased risk for developing depression (Marganska, Gallagher, & Miranda, 2013). From the cognitive styles perspective, rumination and overgeneral autobiographical memory constitute risk factors for depression through various mechanisms, including impaired social problem-solving (Goddard, Dritschel, & Burton, 1996), intensification of dysphoric mood (Donaldson & Lam, 2004), difficulties with concentration (Lyubomirsky, Kasri, & Zehm, 2003) and memory (Hertel, 1998). This study examined the potential mediating roles of rumination and overgeneral memory in explaining the relationship between insecure attachments (anxious/avoidant and anxious/ambivalent) and depression. One hundred African American outpatient psychiatry patients at an urban county hospital participated in the study. Participants completed the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale, the Ruminative Response Scale, the Diagnostic Inventory for Depression, and the Autobiographical Memory Test. Results are presented from mediational analyses conducted using the PROCESS program and bootstrapped estimates of the indirect (mediated) effects (Hayes, 2012). In line with predictions, support for the mediating role of rumination was found. Results did not support the hypotheses regarding overgeneral memory as a mediating variable. Implications of the current findings for further research and clinical work are discussed.
M.S. in Psychology, July 2014
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Title: AGEISM AND PUBLIC STIGMA TOWARDS OLDER ADULTS WITH ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
Creator: Baumgartner, Sarah Elisabeth
Date: 2017, 2017-07
Description: Dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition more common in the older adult population. Persons with Alzheimer’s...
Show moreDementia due to Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition more common in the older adult population. Persons with Alzheimer’s disease are a unique population in that they not only are likely to experience stigma related to having a neurodegenerative disease, but they may also experience stigma as a result of their age. The present study combined the ageism literature and Weiner’s theory of attribution to investigate (1) the goodness of fit of Weiner’s model as a means of explaining public stigma expressed towards persons with Alzheimer’s disease, and (2) the impact ageism, anxiety about personally aging, anxiety about personally developing Alzheimer’s disease, intergroup anxiety, and level of familiarity with Alzheimer’s disease may have on the public stigma expressed towards an older adult with Alzheimer’s disease. Two hundred and fifty-eight Amazon MTurk workers read a short vignette of an older adult with either a Normal Aging, Mild Alzheimer’s disease or Severe Alzheimer’s disease description, and completed self-report measures. Results revealed marginal support for Weiner’s attribution theory as a model to explain the public stigma expressed towards older persons with Alzheimer’s, as well as, the influence ageist attitudes and both intergroup anxiety and worry about developing personally developing Alzheimer’s disease have on emotional reactions of anger and helping behavioral intentions. Clinical implications regarding increasing empowerment for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, as well as, psychoeducation and contact interventions to decrease the public stigma of Alzheimer’s disease are discussed.
Ph.D. in Psychology, July 2017
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Title: PREDICTORS OF FUNCTIONAL SOCIAL SUPPORT FOR ADULTS WITH BRAIN INJURY
Creator: Batchos, Elisabeth
Date: 2017, 2017-07
Description: Extensive research has demonstrated social support is a protective factor in the recovery process for people with disabilities. Following...
Show moreExtensive research has demonstrated social support is a protective factor in the recovery process for people with disabilities. Following acquired brain injury (ABI), individuals’ social networks dwindle, support declines, and isolation increases; thus, social support is a critical variable in combating these issues during the rehabilitation process. This study draws on the tri-dimensional model of social support to examine predictors of functional support for adults with ABI. Specifically, this study examines the impact of problem solving characteristics and structural (e.g., network composition) and appraisal (e.g., network helpfulness) support variables on two types of perceived functional support outcomes: emotional and instrumental support. Participants included 170 adults with ABI from across the United States who completed an online survey about their social and community experiences. Separate hierarchical regression analyses were used to examine predictors of two dependent variables: perceived emotional and instrumental support. Four variable sets were entered: (1) demographic and injury characteristics; (2) problem solving variables (approach-avoidance style, problem solving confidence); (3) structural support variables (number of roles in informal and formal networks, Internet use); and (4) appraisal support variables (perceived helpfulness of informal and formal networks). Together these variables accounted for 44% of the variance in emotional support outcomes (R² = .44, p < .001) and 34% of the variance in instrumental support outcomes (R² = .34, p < .001). Both analyses showed a similar pattern of predictors—namely, problem solving confidence and quality and quantity of informal network ties. However, Internet use was a significant predictor only of instrumental support while helpfulness of one’s formal network only predicted emotional support. Findings from this study highlight the common and unique variables that promote different types of functional support. Psychosocial functioning is often a meaningful goal for long-term recovery from ABI, and these findings can be used to target the development of psychosocial interventions designed to increase emotional and instrumental support. Such interventions would address a gap in many current rehabilitation programs by focusing on strategies designed to increase specific types of social support. Further, interventions to enhance social support promote a valuable rehabilitation construct, as social support has repeatedly been associated with improved outcomes in other aspects of health and wellness for people with ABI.
Ph.D. in Psychology, July 2017
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Title: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND EMOTIONAL EATING AS POTENTIAL MEDIATORS OF THE RELATION BETWEEN MOTIVATION AND ADHERENCE TO POSTBARIATRIC SURGERY RECOMMENDATIONS
Creator: Bardsley, Leland Richard
Date: 2015, 2015-05
Description: Obesity is a major public health concern throughout the world. 10-38% of those who receive the most effective treatment for obesity--bariatric...
Show moreObesity is a major public health concern throughout the world. 10-38% of those who receive the most effective treatment for obesity--bariatric surgery--fail to lose substantial weight at all or over time regain weight that was lost post-surgery. The current study tested a model of autonomous motivation for diet and exercise, physical activity, emotional eating, and adherence to post-surgery recommendations (e.g., eating behaviors, fluid intake, dietary supplement management, etc.) in post-bariatric surgery patients. It was hypothesized that autonomous motivation for diet and exercise post-surgery would predict adherence to post-bariatric surgery recommendations. Further, it was also hypothesized that physical activity and emotional eating would in serial partially mediate the relation between autonomous motivation for diet and exercise and adherence to postsurgery recommendations. Results found a positive relation between autonomous motivation for diet and exercise and adherence to post-bariatric surgery recommendations; however, there was no evidence to support mediation via a path from physical activity to emotional eating. Implications for treatment are discussed.
M.S. in Psychology, May 2015
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Title: THE ROLES OF SUPPORT AND SOCIAL PROBLEM SOLV ING IN SOCIAL INTEGRATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH BRAIN INJURY
Creator: Batchos, Elisabeth
Date: 2014, 2014-12
Description: Individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) may not only struggle with physical and cognitive impairments, but may also face challenges...
Show moreIndividuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) may not only struggle with physical and cognitive impairments, but may also face challenges reintegrating into the community socially. Research has demonstrated that following ABI, individuals’ social networks tend to dwindle, support may decline, and isolation increases. Social aspects of rehabilitation are often overlooked for more physical or cognitive symptom management. Social integration, however, may act as a protective factor for stress and has shown benefits for the rehabilitation process physically, cognitively, and psychosocially. Therefore, it may be vital to the rehabilitation process to examine factors promoting social integration. One important construct is that of social problem solving, which incorporates both the social and cognitive domains related to the rehabilitation of brain injury. Another such variable is social support, a factor previously shown to affect social outcomes. This study uses a sample of 102 individuals with ABI to examine factors impacting social integration. Predictors included emotional support, instrumental support, problem solving confidence, and approach-avoidance style of problem solving, while controlling for age, gender, education, and time since injury. Hierarchical regression was used to analyze whether these factors were predictive of social integration. Results demonstrated that emotional support was initially a significant predictor; however, when controlling for emotional support the variance in social integration was better accounted for by social problem solving—specifically, approachavoidance style. Given the results, a follow-up mediation analysis was conducted to look at social support as a mediator of the relationship between social problem solving (specifically, approach-avoidance style) on social integration. Findings indicated that the relationship between approach-avoidance style and social integration was indeed partially mediated by emotional support. This suggests that for individuals with ABI, their tendency to approach rather than avoid social problem solving issues is a significant predictor for social integration both directly and indirectly through its association with emotional social support.
M.S. in Psychology, December 2014
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Title: THE RELATION BETWEEN PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS, TRAIT ANXIETY, AND MATERNAL BEHAVIORS DURING SONOGRAM PROCEDURES
Creator: Butler, Kristina
Date: 2016, 2016-12
Description: The aim of this study was to examine whether psychological distress and trait anxiety were related to positive (i.e., smiling and surprised)...
Show moreThe aim of this study was to examine whether psychological distress and trait anxiety were related to positive (i.e., smiling and surprised) and negative (i.e., worried and sad) facial expressions and gaze towards the fetus during routine ultrasound procedures in the second trimester of pregnancy. Assessment of mood symptoms during the second trimester of pregnancy is important because it is when depression begins to have a negative impact biochemically, which may lead to adverse postnatal outcomes. Participants included a diverse group of 70 women in their second trimester of pregnancy. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Trait Form were used to assess psychological distress and trait anxiety, respectively. Videos of participants’ faces during their ultrasound examination were coded to assess facial expressions and gaze towards the fetus. Results of regression analyses indicated that higher levels of distress and trait anxiety were related to fewer smiles. Higher levels of distress also were related to longer durations of sad expressions. There was not a relation between duration of gaze towards the fetus and levels of distress and trait anxiety. These findings suggest that women’s negative facial expressions during routine sonograms may show that they are feeling distressed, and could indicate the need for more formal screening for depression and anxiety symptoms.
M.S. in Psychology, December 2016
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Title: RECURRENT PREGNANCY LOSS: PSYCHOLOGICAL SEQUELAE AND COPING
Creator: Grathouse, Heidi Richelle
Date: 2016, 2016-05
Description: Recurrent pregnancy loss has received little attention in the research literature despite being recognized as a source of distress. This study...
Show moreRecurrent pregnancy loss has received little attention in the research literature despite being recognized as a source of distress. This study examined 126 participants who were either in a recurrent pregnancy loss group (as defined by the ASRM guidelines of 2 or more miscarriages occurring within the first trimester of pregnancy) or a nonpregnancy loss community group. This study tested the hypothesis that depression and anxiety symptoms, as measured by the IDAS would be different for the group of persons that had experienced RPL as compared to the community sample. It was expected that individuals who had experienced RPL would have significantly higher levels of depression and anxiety than the community group. This hypothesis was based upon the finding that elevated anxiety and depressive symptoms are common, and major depressive disorder has been reported at a rate of 10-50% following a miscarriage (Conway & Russell, 2000; LaRoche, et al. 1984). The findings failed to support this hypothesis. The second hypothesis stated that coping styles, as measured by the COPE, would be related to levels of distress as measured by the IDAS. Specifically, active-emotion-focused coping and avoidant coping would be related strongly to negative affect, consistent with research by Folkman and Lazarus (1986), in which it was shown that depressed individuals used relatively less problem-focused coping than non-depressed individuals. Results from this study partially supported this hypothesis and the previous findings.
Ph.D. in Psychology, May 2016
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Title: THE EFFECTS OF ORGANIZATIONAL REPUTATION AND COMMUNITY DEMOGRAPHICS ON APPLICANT POOL COMPOSITION AND ETHNIC GROUP TEST SCORE DIFFERENCES IN PUBLIC SAFETY SELECTION
Creator: Anderson, Rebecca C.
Date: 2017, 2017-05
Description: Efforts to increase minority hiring rely on having a large pool of qualified minority candidates. The current study examined the effects of...
Show moreEfforts to increase minority hiring rely on having a large pool of qualified minority candidates. The current study examined the effects of police department reputation (as reflected in news stories), workforce demographics, and community demographics (i.e., the proportion and segregation of minorities in the community) on minority representation among applicants to police jobs, as well as adverse impact on a police selection test. Only negative department reputation predicted test score, although it was not related to adverse impact. However, the size of group differences did vary significantly across police departments. Implications for future research and for practice are discussed.
Ph.D. in Psychology, May 2017
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Title: CUSTODIAL GRANDPARENTING IN YOUNG GRANDMOTHERS: EXPLORING THE STRESS PROCESS MODEL AND FORMS OF ADAPTIVE COPING
Creator: Coleman, Michelle Leoma
Date: 2012-10-17, 2012-12
Description: Custodial grandparents, adults who are caring for their grandchildren on a full-time basis, are becoming more prevalent in the United States....
Show moreCustodial grandparents, adults who are caring for their grandchildren on a full-time basis, are becoming more prevalent in the United States. Although literature examining the occurrence and impact of these families is common in the gerontology field, only recently has this issue been called to attention in young to middle-aged caregivers (early custodial grandparents). Early grandparents, aged 30-45 years, constitute only a small portion of the custodial grandparents; however, they have been suggested to be at the greatest risk for the negative outcomes associated with providing custodial care. Research has indicated, however, that coping strategies may effectively buffer against potential negative outcomes. Little research has been conducted to examine the utilization and benefit of employing specific coping strategies in young custodial grandparents. The current study explored the stress process model and forms of adaptive coping in community sample of 95 young custodial grandmothers (<45 years) raising their grandchildren. The utilization and effectiveness of various forms of coping on caregiving grandparent depression, well-being, and health status were examined. Coping was explored as a potential moderator in a modified stress process model. In addition, the role of subjective social support as a mediator of grandparent stress and subsequent ratings of depression, well-being, and health were evaluated. Results demonstrated that young custodial grandmothers experienced parenting stress levels equivalent to their older counterparts, however, neither stress nor negative appraisals of caregiving led to negative outcomes. Subjective Social Support did not mediate the relationship between stress and caregiver outcomes. Additionally, study results indicated that caregiver appraisals were x not significant mediators of stress and outcomes. Findings provided evidence for the buffering effect of both emotion-focused and problem-focused coping.
PH.D in Psychology, December 2012
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