Digital Commons Network^™

Associations Among Psychosocial Factors, Health-Related Quality Of Life, And Adherence In Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Cecelia I. Nelson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a prevalent disorder among youth in the United States. IBD is one of the leading causes of chronic pain in adolescence and symptoms can lead to reduced quality of life, social embarrassment, and lower self-esteem. Adherence to medical regimens for IBD is incredibly important to prevent morbidity, mortality, and impaired health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, adolescents struggle generally with adherence and the regimen for IBD can be complicated and include aversive side effects. Psychological factors, such as depressive symptoms, are key factors associated with non-adherence. Nevertheless, gut-specific anxiety (GSA) is a psychological factor that …

The Relationship Between Moral Thought-Action Fusion And Scrupulosity Across Judaism, Christianity, And Islam, Kelsey Evey

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Scrupulosity is a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) where individuals are upset by intrusive thoughts related to religious or moral issues. Current research suggests that scrupulosity occurs across the major world religions—including the Abrahamic religions (i.e., Judaism, Christianity, and Islam). Some research suggests that moral thought-action fusion (moral TAF), a dysfunctional belief that thinking something is equal to doing it, may only be pathological under certain circumstances (e.g., if it is not culturally normative). If this is true, the current cognitive model of scrupulosity may need to be amended to reflect how cultural differences impact the role of moral TAF …

Eating Concerns And Self-Injury Among Collegiate Populations: A Comparison Of Sexual Orientation Groups, Matthew Kasopsky

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This study examined the prevalence of eating concerns and nonsuicidal self-injurious behaviors (NSSIB) in college students seeking services at college and university counseling centers (UCCs), focusing on whether sexual minority students experience these issues at higher rates than their heterosexual peers. Eating concerns and NSSIB are understudied among sexual minority individuals. Previous research has demonstrated that through prejudice, stigma, and social stress, sexual minority individuals may be at a higher risk of developing mental health concerns and conditions than their heterosexual counterparts. The present study used a cross-sectional design to examine data from a sample of collegiate clients nationwide. Data …

Examining Invalid Brief Child Abuse Potential Inventory Profiles Within A Randomized Controlled Trial For Toddler-Aged Children And Their Parents, Lindsay Rebecca Druskin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Child abuse is a significant public health concern that impacts children worldwide. Efforts to connect at-risk parents with prevention and intervention programs require the use of high-quality measures that evaluate child abuse potential. Researchers frequently use the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (Milner, 1986) and the Brief Child Abuse Potential Inventory (BCAP; Ondersma et al., 2005) which contain Validity indices that evaluate response patterns such as social desirability responding. The measure developers recommended that abuse risk scores from invalid profiles be disregarded in clinical and research settings; however, little is known about factors that may relate to invalid responses and whether …

Subjective Cognitive Decline: Examining The Contributions Of Adverse Childhood Experiences And Social Determinants Of Health, Amber Victoria Rusch

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Subjective cognitive decline is one’s awareness of their own consistent memory loss or confusion that interrupts their day-to-day activities (CDC, 2022; Roehr et al., 2017). Several risk factors for subjective cognitive decline, such as demographic social determinants of health (SDOH) and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been identified through previous research (Alzheimer’s Association, 2016; Dening & Sandilyan, 2015); however, less is known about the interaction between demographic SDOH and ACEs on subjective cognitive decline. The current study sought to examine how demographic SDOH (i.e., age, sex, race, and education) (research question 1) and ACEs (i.e., physical abuse, sexual abuse, and …

Anxiety And Depression In Older Adults Post Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, Mickaela R. Reed

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Research has investigated challenges that are created when one experiences a disaster within populations such as older adults and other vulnerable groups of people. However, there is little to no consideration given to how age in combination with trauma history are related to well-being after a disaster. Using two theories, socioemotional selectivity theory (SST, Carstensen, 2006) and the strength and vulnerability integration model (SAVI, Charles, 2010). I compared older adults post disaster vulnerabilty to depression and anxiety to that of younger adults with trauma history as a moderator. The 2,508 participants in the current study were from the Survey of …

Effects Of Commission Errors On Behavior Intervention Plan Outcomes, Olivia Brianne Harvey

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

When implemented well (with fidelity), behavior intervention plans (BIP) improve student outcomes. Teachers tend to implement BIPs with poor overall fidelity, but little is known about the specific errors occurring during BIP implementation or the subsequent impacts these errors have on student outcomes. One possibility is that teachers learn what strategies suppress challenging behavior and implement those strategies regardless of what is written in the formal BIP. These added intervention components, termed commission errors, have not yet been evaluated in the context of BIP implementation. The proposed studies will begin to address these gaps. During Study 1, we …

An Evaluation Of A Human-Operant Effort Manipulation And Effects Of Effort Disparity On Renewal, Haleh Amanieh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The relative effort of target and alternative responses during treatments using differential reinforcement of alternative behavior may impact the likelihood that a previously reduced target response will reemerge following a context change (i.e., “renewal”). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of an effort disparity between target and alternative responses in a human-operant arrangement. Eighteen college students clicked on one (Experiment 1) or two (Experiment 2) circles moving on a computer screen for points. In Experiment 1, the speed of the circle was manipulated as an index of effort such that three circle speeds (i.e., 50, 100, …

Multidisciplinary Approach To Injury Rehabilitation: The D1 College Athlete Perspective, Lindsey Leatherman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Sport injuries continue to be unavoidable disruptions in student-athletes’ athletic careers with over 200,000 injuries estimated to be reported each year in college sport (Kerr et al., 2015). Researchers continue to emphasize the importance of an interprofessional approach to rehabilitation to help athletes manage the adverse psychological and emotional reactions to injury (Appaneal et al., 2009; Gervis et al., 2020; Putukian, 2016). The purpose of this study was to extend and replicate the research of Clement and Arvinen-Barrow (2021) by incorporating perspectives of Division I US student-athletes. The current study describes 321 NCAA Division I collegiate athletes’ experiences of receiving …

Self-Efficacy And Parental Miscarried Helping In Adherence And Transition Readiness Among Adolescents And Young Adults With Epilepsy, Kirby-Estar G. Laguerre

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Background: Given the complex regimen associated with epilepsy, ensuring that adolescents and young adults (AYAs) adhere to their medications, and are ready to transition from pediatric to adult care, is crucial to optimizing their health outcomes. Several social and ecological factors such as self-efficacy and parental miscarried helping can strengthen or weaken an adolescent’s medication adherence and readiness to shift from pediatric to adult care. Intending to contribute to informing and improving clinical care, this study sought to understand the relationships between self-efficacy, parental miscarried helping, medication adherence, and transition readiness. Methods: Using a cross-sectional observational design, 46 AYAs with …

Factors That Influence Plans To Have Children: An Application Of The Theory Of Planned Behavior To Fertility Decision-Making Across The Reproductive Years, Amanda Chappell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Fertility intentions include plans to have one or more children; intentions can be used to predict fertility behavior. The focus of the current study was to examine the influence of age and gender on factors involved in estimating fertility intentions (measured with 5 items), including attitudes (i.e., how one feels about becoming a parent; 13 items), norms (i.e., pressure from important others to have children; 5 items), and perceived control (beliefs about capability of becoming a parent; 4 items) in a U.S. sample. The study included a sample of N = 289 (51% men) participants (75.6% White) between the ages …

Abuse Liability Of Electronic Cigarettes In Non-Smoking Electronic Cigarette Users, Andrea Renee Milstred

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) are devices designed to aerosolize nicotine and are increasing in popularity among both former cigarette smokers and naïve tobacco users. Extant research has shown the dependence potential of ECIGs, though there is not a consensus on the severity of nicotine dependence caused by ECIG use. As a result of becoming dependent on nicotine, individuals may experience withdrawal symptoms (i.e., irritable, craving, depressed mood) when abstaining from nicotine. The majority of previous research on ECIG use has included samples of ECIG users who are former or current smokers. The present study evaluated ECIG withdrawal suppression among a population …

Associations Between Diabetes-Specific Psychological Flexibility, Family Conflict, Parental Distress And Adherence In Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes, Rebecca I. Laquaglia

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Background: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic disease that impacts the lives of millions of children and adolescents in the United States. Adherence to diabetes medical regimens is often challenging, particularly among adolescents. Based on previous research, diabetes-specific psychological flexibility, or the ability of an individual with T1D to psychologically adjust to, accept, and commit action to manage their diagnosis, may improve adherence in youth with T1D. Factors such as diabetes-specific family conflict (i.e., conflict within parent-child dyads that is specifically related to T1D management) and diabetes-specific parental distress (i.e., emotional distress experienced by a parent or caregiver as …

Adverse Childhood Experiences Predict Mortality Risk: The Role Of Social Support & Social Strain, Meredith A. Willard

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Childhood adversity has long-lasting negative effects across the lifespan including increased mortality risk. The love and support individuals receive from others, also known as social support, has shown to be a protective factor against ACEs. However, little research has investigated the amplifying effects of social conflict and strain that often accompanies social relationships. Utilizing data from the Midlife Development in the U.S. (MIDUS) study, I tested whether higher levels of social support would buffer the negative effects of adverse childhood experiences on mortality risk, and whether higher levels of social strain would amplify these associations. The sample included 6,150 participants …

Testing A Conceptual Model Of Age, Gender, Perceived Discrimination And Well-Being, Kelly Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Both age and gender are personal characteristics that are at least in part outwardly visible and act as a category for social judgments (Cuddy & Fiske, 2002). The current study examined associations among individuals’ views on their aging, their gender typicality, well-being, and perceived discrimination. Research Question 1 asked whether views on aging and gender typicality interact to influence perceptions of discrimination; Research Question 2 explored the same potential interactions’ influence on well-being. Research Question 3 explored whether any interaction between views on aging and gender typicality and well-being was mediated by perceptions of discrimination. Participants represented the adult life …

Comparing Resurgence Following Positive And Negative Reinforcement Using A Human-Operant Approach, Abbie Cooper

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Resurgence is a type of relapse that consists of the recurrence of a previously eliminated response following worsening reinforcement conditions for an alternative response. Resurgence can occur following a history of positive or negative reinforcement; however, no previous evaluations have directly compared resurgence following these processes. In the present set of experiments, college students responded on a computer program to earn points (positive reinforcement) and to avoid losing points (negative reinforcement). Experiment 1 evaluated resurgence when both target and alternative responses were maintained by the same reinforcer class (i.e., in the positive-reinforcement component the target and alternative responses were positively …

Social Coordination Maintained By Progressive Delay Of Coordination-Dependent Reinforcement, Firdavs Khaydarov

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The purpose of the present investigation was to examine coordination maintained by the progressive delay of coordination-dependent reinforcement and to compare the effects of unsignaled and signaled delays on coordination maintenance. In Experiment 1, coordination was examined using two multiple schedules in which two components alternated daily. One of the multiple schedules included progressive-delay (Component 1) and a yoked-interval (Component 2) schedule of coordination-dependent reinforcement in the two components. The other multiple schedule contained a progressive-delay (Component 1) and a yoked-interval (Component 2) schedule of coordination-independent reinforcement in the two components. Component 1 always preceded Component 2, and interreinforcer intervals …

Childhood Adversity And Sexual Risk Taking In College: Pathways Through Alcohol Use, Sarah Josephine Miller

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is associated with a host of negative outcomes throughout the lifespan including engagement in health-risk behaviors such as sexual risk taking and alcohol consumption (Dube et al., 2006; Negriff et al., 2015; Zaso et al., 2021). Additionally, sexual risk-taking and alcohol use commonly co-occur (Certain et al., 2009; Downing-Matibag & Geisinger, 2009). This may be especially true during the transition to college, in which many young adults have increased access to substances, increased autonomy, and an expanded network of peers. Thus, the present study examined the relationship between ACEs, alcohol use, and sexual risk …

Parental Socialization Of General And Domain-Specific Self-Control In Adolescents, Matty Johnston

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Adolescent self-control appears to be an important competency to develop. It has pervasive links with various outcomes (e.g., educational, financial, and interpersonal) both during adolescence and into adulthood (Allemand et al., 2019, Moffitt et al., 2011). Adolescents often report lower self-control compared to adults, although individual levels of self-control vary widely between adolescents (Allemand et al., 2019, Romer et al., 2010). Despite its importance, very little is known about how self-control develops. Thus, the current study aims to examine the relationship between parents’ self-control and that of their teen children. To further understand how adolescents' self-control may be socialized by …

Seeing Red: Hostile Attribution Bias, Aggression, And Antisocial Personality Disorder Traits, Kaley Potter

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is a destructive and severe mental illness that costs the U.S. trillions of dollars annually. Although ASPD is significantly correlated with acts of aggression, violence, and imprisonment, not all individuals with ASPD are aggressive. In samples without ASPD, increased aggression has been linked to an error in social information processing, which is referred to as hostile attribution bias (HAB).

The current study tested the extent to which HABs, or the tendency to attribute hostility to neutral or ambiguous stimuli, predicted aggression above and beyond ASPD traits in participants with a history of incarceration. Participants (N = …

A Randomized Controlled Trial Of Group Telehealth Workshops Based On Parent-Child Interaction Therapy For Caregivers Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Erinn J. Victory

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with various symptoms that interfere with functioning requiring intensive early intervention; however, many families experience barriers to accessing behavioral services due to provider shortages, cost of treatment, and lack of transportation. Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) has demonstrated effectiveness as a supplemental treatment for disruptive behaviors in children on the autism spectrum. The current study aims to determine the efficacy of a 2-day group telehealth parent-only workshop based on PCIT for improving caregivers’ use of positive parenting skills, child disruptive behavior, compliance to caregiver commands, and child psychosocial functioning. Thirty-three caregivers and …

Transition Readiness, Coping, And Psychological Risk And Protective Factors In Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes, Jennifer Kelleher

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Background: Many adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) find the transition from pediatric to adult healthcare stressful, reporting high levels of diabetes distress and burnout. Although promoting positive coping strategies (primary control, secondary control), and inhibiting negative coping (disengagement) improves health outcomes in youth of transition age, little research has examined how different types of coping relate to transition readiness in T1D. Additionally, it remains unknown what psychological factors predict disengagement coping in adolescents with T1D. Therefore, this study aimed to (1) examine which coping styles predict transition readiness in adolescents with T1D, (2) determine whether diabetes distress mediates …