Digital Commons Network^™

Alcohol Use Disorders And An Fmri Stress Task: A Connectivity Analysis, Natasha E. Wright

Theses and Dissertations

Little research has been conducted on neuronal stress processing in individuals

with alcohol dependence (AD). The present study examined neural stress response in AD individuals compared to controls using an fMRI stress task, assessing amygdala

activation and its connectivity to the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Further, the study

analyzed the impact of hormone levels and subjective stress on frontal-limbic

connectivity patterns.

Ten abstinent AD individuals and 11 controls were recruited. Subjects

participated in an fMRI stress task. A region of interest (amygdala) analysis was

conducted using area-under-the-curve. This activation was then examined in a whole brain functional connectivity analysis. Follow-up …

Effects Of Dietary Preference On The Experience Of Anxiety, Depression And Acute Stress Response, Shaun Stearns

Theses and Dissertations

Research has demonstrated that high saturated fat and low carbohydrate consumption may provide physiological benefit in the treatment of major neurological disorders, though not much research has explored if these benefits extend to the experience of anxiety, depression, stress and physical symptoms. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between fat consumption and negative emotional/physiological states (anxiety, depression, stress and physical symptoms). This study also explored how fat consumption can alter one's response to an acute stress. Participants completed an online survey indicating their food preferences and their responses to a number of self-report scales such as …

The Effects Of Community Support On Posttraumatic Growth Outcomes For Parents Of Children With Chronic Illness, Colleen Gannon

Theses and Dissertations

Parents of children with chronic illnesses face many stressors on multiple fronts as a result of their child's care needs. Posttraumatic growth is positive psychological outcomes of stress for those who have experienced a traumatic event, such as the diagnosis of a child with a chronic illness. While much is known about the challenges of caring for a child with a chronic condition, there is little research on these parent's growth outcomes. Of the research that does exist, much focuses on internal predictors of posttraumatic growth, such as personality characteristics. The purpose of this study is to begin to investigate …

Short-Term Changes In Responses To Stress In Runners, Molly Ann O'Connor

Theses and Dissertations

The use of physical activity to cope with stress is becoming increasingly popular. Research indicates that individuals who routinely engage in cardiovascular exercise report better overall physical and psychological health and reduced reactions to stress than those who do not. In addition, there may be short-term improvements for these individuals on days when they exercise. The current study was designed to examine short- and long-term differences between runners and non-runners. Cardiovascular, affective, and behavioral data were collected from runners over a two-day period that included a running day and a rest day, and over a similar period in a non-running …