The Sex Difference In Depressive Symptoms Among College Students, Penelope E. Seminario

Research Psychology Theses

The sex difference in depression is a well-established and replicated clinical finding, with previous literature indicating that females report more depression than males. However, recent theory and research suggests the sex gap in depressive symptoms may have declined or been eliminated in recent years. The current study examined depressive symptoms among a current (2017-2021) cohort of 1377 undergraduates (18-29 years; M=19.80, 79% female) using the 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). I hypothesized that the current sex difference in depressive symptoms would be small or nonsignificant. Results indicated that although males reported more anhedonia (t = 2.65, …

Impact Of Situational Context On Gratitude And Its Affective Outcomes, Adam P. Mcguire

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

Previous research indicates gratitude is associated with positive affective outcomes (Wood, Froh, & Geraghty, 2010). However, researchers have primarily examined gratitude across long periods of time, and exclusively in the context of positive events. Additionally, few researchers have examined the impact of situational factors on state gratitude during specific moments. The purpose of this study was to assess the affective effects of state gratitude in specific positive versus negative events, and to examine how situational factors facilitate gratitude in a naturalistic setting. Participants included 148 (72% women) undergraduate students (M age = 19.26, SD = 1.63). Across eight weeks, …

Negative Cognitive Style, Rumination, And Negative Emotionality As Mediators Of The Antidepressive Effects Of Physical Activity Among Young Adults, Kara Pegram

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

Abstract

This study assessed whether three potential cognitive and affective mechanisms mediated the relationship between physical activity and depressive symptoms. Participants were 143 young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 (M = 19.29, SD = 1.65); the majority of participants were female (72%) and Caucasian (69.9%). Participants were followed across eight weeks and completed measures of trait and state rumination, negative emotionality, cognitive style, depressive symptoms, and physical activity. A mediated model was proposed hypothesizing negative association between physical activity and depression mediated by less rumination, negative emotionality, and cognitive style. Hypotheses were examined cross-sectionally and prospectively. …