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The Association Between Body Esteem And Post-Operative Outcomes In Adult Weight-Loss Surgery Patients, Jennifer Rohr Swetkowski

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Bariatric surgery (weight-loss surgery) remains the most effective long-term treatment for obesity, resulting in improved obesity-related comorbidities and increased life expectancy. There remains, however, a limited understanding of predictors and patientlevel factors associated with insufficient weight loss and psychological dysfunction. Body esteem, or feelings of self-worth about one’s body and appearance, is a significant concern for individuals undergoing weight-loss surgery, although the relationship between body esteem and weight loss is complex. Indeed, there is a subset of patients who experience suboptimal weight loss and poor psychological outcomes after undergoing bariatric surgery. This retrospective, longitudinal study examined the relationship between pre-operative …

Effects Of Fixed And Malleable Views Of Intelligence And Attribution Of Controllability On Teacher Affects, Gary Beard

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The classroom is a dynamic social setting where teachers respond affectively to student failure. Divergent affective reactions toward learning and achievement occur in teachers with fixed and malleable views of intelligence, which impact students’ self-esteem and expectations for future success. The present study explored teacher and student variables related to emotive classroom expression toward test failures of boys. View of intelligence as fixed or malleable, attribution of controllability (effort & ability) and student condition were measured and examined in relation to the affects frustration, sympathy, positive or negative feedback and expectations for future failure. Attributions of controllability (effort & ability) …

Self-Compassion, Body Image Dissatisfaction, And Negative Social Comparisons In Adolescents Utilizing Social Networking Sites, Brian Moran

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This quantitative survey study implemented a cross-sectional, correlational design. The present study explored the relationship between self-compassion, body image, and negative social comparisons in a sample consisting of adolescents who use social networking sites. Despite noteworthy limitations, this study elucidates the benefits associated with higher levels of self-compassion in adolescence. In line with previous studies, adolescents reported frequent use of social networking sites, primarily facilitated by smartphones. Although the constant accessibility of social networking sites via smartphones has been associated with negative outcomes, an important finding in this study was the lack of significant relationship between overall time spent on …

The Influence Of Patient-Practitioner Orientation On Practitioners’ Self-Perception Of Adhering To A Motivational Interviewing Style Of Communication In Medical Settings, Brian Ashenfelter

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

As of 2012, approximately 117 million adults have experienced at least one chronic illness (CDC; 2014). Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the probability of developing particular chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, and specific forms of cancer (CDC; 2014). Individuals with chronic conditions may continue engaging in unhealthy lifestyle choices, despite having knowledge of the adverse ramifications. This includes nicotine use, dieting, and a sedentary lifestyle with limited physical activity. There are various manners in which primary care practitioners can address lifestyle choices with their patients. Motivational interviewing (MI) is a patientcentered approach, which is used to facilitate readiness …

The Relation Between Self-Compassion, Body Image, And Mood: How Do Women Internalize Weight-Related Feedback?, Nicole Helverson

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Objective: Body dissatisfaction has been identified as a risk factor for depression and eating pathology, whereas, self-compassion has been associated with higher quality of life. This study sought to examine the relationship between negative body image and self-compassion as risk or protective factors for weight and body composition related feedback mood changes.

Method: This deception study used a true-experimental, pre- and post-test design in a sample of 117 female graduate and medical students and college staff, aged 18 to 45 years; women diagnosed with eating disorders were excluded. After completing baseline questionnaires (including mood, body image, and self-compassion), …

Predictors Of Attrition And Success In A Weight Management Program For Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, Kevin O'Leary

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Aim: To examine the factors that lead to attrition and success in a weight management program for patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The current study specifically examines the effect of quality of life, expected weight loss, self-esteem, and early weight loss on attrition and success rates. Methods: Archival data from a study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania Center for Weight and Eating Disorders were used. Seventy-nine overweight and obese subjects with type 2 diabetes participated in a lifestyle modification program over 40 weeks. Logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the relationship between early weight loss, expected …

Overweight, Obesity, And Mental Illnesses: Weight Loss Treatment, Michelle Huang

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

For the past 30 years, overweight and obesity has increased at alarming rates in the general population. This public health crisis has affected persons with mental illnesses as it has those in the general population. Little is known about how individuals with psychiatric problems respond to weight-loss treatment compared to the general population. The current study examines the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral group weight-loss intervention with such individuals. The study also examines self-esteem, motivation, and the involvement of a support person in treatment as predictor variables. The treatment was shown to be effective regardless of depression severity. However, while all …

Parent Perceptions Of Preadolescent Giftedness And Self Concept, Letitia Pickel

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Parent perceptions of preadolescent giftedness with regard to the social-emotional development and self-concept of their children were investigated for this study. This study utilized a qualitative approach through information provided by the parents of 21 preadolescent children, with IQ‘s of 110 and above, who participate in a suburban school districts gifted and talented / enrichment program. Interviews were conducted with each parent and included 7 open-ended questions that were intended to elicit personal views regarding their child‘s social-emotional development and self-concept. Information from these interviews, incorporated with the background and demographic questionnaire were examined for potential themes and patterns with …

A Comprehensive Investigation Of Variables Related To Children's Self-Perceptions, Renee Payton Cahill

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

In recent decades much has been revealed regarding children’s self-perceptions and sense of worth. Children engage in social comparisons to gauge their strengths and weaknesses relative to those around them. Thus one’s environment plays a critical role impacting one’s perceptions of self. Other variables suggested as contributing to children’s formulation of self-worth, include academic achievement, perception of victimization by peers, and academic placement. However, findings have been inconsistent in regard to the extent to which these variables relate to self-worth. The present study sought to discern if these variables relate to children’s self-perceptions. Results revealed a positive correlation between students’ …

School Accommodations To Support Psychosocial Functioning And Self-Esteem In Adolescents With Long Qt Syndrome, Betsy E. Feinberg

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The current manuscript, as part of a larger program of research, intended to examine whether long QT syndrome (LQTS), a chronic and life-threatening genetic cardiac illness, impacts adolescents' psychosocial functioning. After 2 1/2 years of involvement in the study and 13 months of attempted data collection, it was determined by the research team that the benefits of proceeding with an intervention plan outweighed the costs of waiting for data. Although the study was not able to be conducted within the anticipated time frame due to unforeseen logistical challenges, the study hypothesized that adolescents with higher ratings of self-reported social and …

Experiences Of Gay Women Across Generations: Have Times Really Changed?, Kristen T. Nosti

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Society’s awareness of homosexuality has greatly increased over the past several decades. The current study sought to examine the experiences of lesbians in different age cohorts / generational groups utilizing an independent-measure research design. Survey data was used from 129 anonymous self identified adult lesbians who belonged in the Silent Generation, Baby Boomer, Generation X, or Millennial group. Significant generational differences (p < .05) were found regarding researched sexual minority milestones in relation to ages of self-identification, first same-sex sexual act, and self disclosure / coming out. Results showed that 50% of the women had tried to ignore or change their sexual orientation. Forty-one percent reported that they had felt discriminated against due to their sexual orientation and several women endorsed mental health and relational concerns related to their sexuality. As society’s position continues to evolve, it is important that research in this area reflects these changes.

Social Support As A Moderator Between Health Status And Self-Esteem, Psychosocial Stress, And Mood In Old Order Amish Women, Christina L. Abbott

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The Amish population is growing in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (Kraybill, 2008) and Amish use of medical and psychological services provided by the outside world is increasingly common (Cates & Graham, 2002; Weyer et al., 2003). Yet, little is known about how Amish women perceive their health status or how these variables interact in this population. This study revealed an identifiable relationship between health status and psychological functioning in 288 Amish women, ages 18 to 45. As health improves, self-esteem and mood also improve. Of greater importance is the fact that when good social support is available, even Amish women in …

Adolescents With Aspergers Syndrome And Self-Perceived Social Competence, Shawn M. Mullen

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study explored the self- perceived social competence of adolescents with Aspergers Syndrome (AS). The study's participants were 14 adolescents (11 male, 3 female) between the ages of 10 and 17 years old who were diagnosed with AS. The participants were questioned, using a scripted set of seven questions involving their own perceptions of their interactions with their peers; the study also involved what adults (parents and teachers) think of their ability to get along with peers. The answers to these questions were analyzed qualitatively, and six common themes that the participants found important to them or to their peers' …