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Virtual Reality Supplement To The Peers Social Skills Intervention For Adolescents With Asd, Kevin Ambrose Sep 2022

Virtual Reality Supplement To The Peers Social Skills Intervention For Adolescents With Asd, Kevin Ambrose

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The purpose of this study was to replicate findings of the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relation Skills (PEERS) parent-assisted social skills training program for a diverse group of adolescents with historical autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses in an urban locality. Additionally, this study sought to pilot a 3D multi-user virtual environment for adolescent participants and an online learning community for parent coaches; both hypothesized to reinforce the social skills curriculum. A randomized controlled trial of PEERS was completed with 12 adolescents diagnosed with ASD with some participation from their caregivers. Results show that participants who received the …


A Pilot Feasibility Trial Of Mindfulness And Modification Therapy For Males Who Use Aggression, Jenny Mitchell Sep 2022

A Pilot Feasibility Trial Of Mindfulness And Modification Therapy For Males Who Use Aggression, Jenny Mitchell

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Physical aggression incurs substantial harm to victims and witnesses, particularly when it occurs within close relationships such as family, friendships, or intimate partnerships. Men who use aggression against partners and other adults frequently experience high levels of psychopathology, including depression, posttraumatic stress symptoms, anxious/insecure attachment, paranoia, bipolar disorder, intermittent explosive disorder, personality disorders, and substance abuse, which contribute to use of aggressive behaviors. However, existing treatments for aggression often do not address these symptoms. It is important that treatments for aggression are grounded in theoretical literature and backed by empirical support in order to increase treatment engagement and effectiveness. Treatments …


Calm-Mo: An Integrative Tool For Psychological Mindfulness, Charles L. Miller Aug 2022

Calm-Mo: An Integrative Tool For Psychological Mindfulness, Charles L. Miller

Dissertations, 2020-current

Henriques has developed a “Unified Theory” that consists of eight key ideas he argues can effectively frame both the science of psychology and the practice of psychotherapy. CALM-MO, the eighth of these ideas, offers an integrative, principled approach to psychological mindfulness. CALM-MO is an acronym that encapsulates the process of cultivating a “calm” meta-cognitive observer that embodies the attitudes of curiosity, acceptance, loving compassion, and motivation toward valued states of being. Henriques posits that the idea consolidates key elements from across the various schools of thought to bring together essential therapeutic principles geared toward seeking and maintaining well-being. As such, …


The Impact Of An Online Self-Compassion Intervention On Thwarted Belongingness And Perceived Burdensomeness, Genevieve M. Bianchini Jul 2022

The Impact Of An Online Self-Compassion Intervention On Thwarted Belongingness And Perceived Burdensomeness, Genevieve M. Bianchini

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Interventions that target thwarted belongingness (TB) and perceived burdensomeness (PB) may reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviours (Joiner, 2005). Self-compassion describes being open and kind towards oneself (Neff, 2003a) and is negatively associated with TB, PB, and suicidality. The current research examined the impact of a brief, virtual, self-compassion intervention on TB and PB in a young adult sample. Study 1 included an open trial to examine initial effectiveness and acceptability of the intervention. Self-compassion significantly increased over time; however, there were no changes in TB or PB. Study 2 included a randomized controlled trial comparing two control conditions to the …


The Effects Of Cannabidiol Isolate On Menstrual-Related Symptoms, Morgan L. Ferretti May 2022

The Effects Of Cannabidiol Isolate On Menstrual-Related Symptoms, Morgan L. Ferretti

Masters Theses, 2020-current

The current study aimed to examine the potential effects of CBD isolate for alleviating menstrual-related symptoms (MRS). Participants (N = 33, MAGE = 20.50, MBMI = 23.02)were assigned randomly to two open-label dosing groups (160mg, n = 17; 320mg, n = 16) and completed monthly surveys for four months that included MRS-related measures. We examined differences in MRS and related outcomes between baseline and three months of CBD administration. Results revealed reductions in MRS, irritability, anxiety, global impression, stress, and subjective severity scores with a small effect when comparing baseline to all three months of CBD administration. …


How Animal-Assisted Therapy Is Understood And Perceived By Health Care Providers And The General Public In Canada, Healey M. Gardiner Jan 2022

How Animal-Assisted Therapy Is Understood And Perceived By Health Care Providers And The General Public In Canada, Healey M. Gardiner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The incorporation of dogs to assist humans with various activities has been documented for centuries. When a dog is included in treatment to meet an individual’s therapeutic goal it is known as Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT). Little is known about how AAT is understood and perceived among healthcare professional and public populations in Canada. Although AAT has increased in popularly, limited research exists regarding its efficacy. Further, variation exists in the understanding and perceptions of AAT among the general pubic and healthcare professionals, possibly due to a lack of awareness of existing operational definitions and distinctions between classifications of “assistance animals.” …


Embodied And Empowered: Evidence For Ashtanga Yoga As A Novel Intervention For Women With Disordered Eating, Nicole A. Dignard Jan 2022

Embodied And Empowered: Evidence For Ashtanga Yoga As A Novel Intervention For Women With Disordered Eating, Nicole A. Dignard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Eating disorders are a set of polysymptomatic disorders defined by characteristic disturbances in weight/shape, eating, and their control (Cooper, 2017). Drawing on existing models of objectification, embodiment, and positive body image, Ashtanga yoga was expected to be a beneficial intervention for those with eating disorders. These theoretical frameworks suggest that Ashtanga yoga may promote well-being by supporting improvements in embodiment and disrupt pathways postulated to promote pathology, such as self-objectification and body dissatisfaction. Participants were invited to participate in an 8-week Ashtanga yoga intervention of twice weekly 75-minute classes at a local community centre. Participants in two studies completed specialized …


The Use Of An Evidenced Based Mobile App For Ptsd Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial Of Stair Coach, Jason Brooks Jan 2022

The Use Of An Evidenced Based Mobile App For Ptsd Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Trial Of Stair Coach, Jason Brooks

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many individuals experience traumatic events within their lifetime and between 7 and 9% will be diagnosed with PTSD (Kilpatrick et al., 2013; National Center for PTSD, 2018); however, many will not receive treatment due to a variety of barriers, including stigma, limited mental health literacy, high cost, lack of transportation, and other factors (Blais et al., 2014; Chikovani et al., 2015; Hom et al., 2017; Gavrilovic Kantor et al., 2017; Kulesza et al., 2015). Mobile apps may offer a way to overcome some these barriers (Kantor et al., 2017). Prior research demonstrated the feasibility and efficacy of mobile apps for …