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PCOM Psychology Dissertations

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Suicide

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Supporting Teachers In Supporting Students: Facilitating A Successful School Reintegration Post Psychiatric Hospitalization, Alicia J. Gialanella Jan 2024

Supporting Teachers In Supporting Students: Facilitating A Successful School Reintegration Post Psychiatric Hospitalization, Alicia J. Gialanella

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Given the increasing mental health needs and high rates of psychiatric hospitalization among children today, school-based supports are needed to mitigate potential areas of difficulty for students upon their return to school. This study provides a review of the school reintegration literature, including current issues, medically-based transition plans, and teacher and student perceptions of the reentry process. The overarching purpose of this study was to facilitate a more successful school reintegration for students post psychiatric hospitalization. For the present pilot study, an online course was developed and assessed through review by 15 education professionals gathered through a convenience sample. The …


The Impact Of Gender Minority Stress On Eating Pathology And Body Checking Behaviors In Transgender And Non-Binary Adults, Klaudia Bialy Jan 2023

The Impact Of Gender Minority Stress On Eating Pathology And Body Checking Behaviors In Transgender And Non-Binary Adults, Klaudia Bialy

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Transgender and gender non-binary (TNB) individuals commonly report diminished mental health when compared to cisgender individuals. TNB individuals experience unique stressors due to their gender identity such as gender-based discrimination and victimization, internalized transphobia, and non-affirmation of their gender. Due to these unique stressors, TNB individuals experience elevated rates of psychological distress such as anxiety, depression, and suicidality. Additionally, TNB individuals report body image issues and disordered eating. This study examined if gender minority stress predicts the relationship between body checking behaviors and eating pathology amongst TNB individuals. Simple linear regression models were used to assess the possible impact gender …


Religiosity And Psychological Inflexibility On Grief Outcomes Of The Suicide-Bereaved, Samantha Algauer Jan 2021

Religiosity And Psychological Inflexibility On Grief Outcomes Of The Suicide-Bereaved, Samantha Algauer

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Most research on religion supports its efficacy in improving mental health, yet minimal research has been conducted on religion’s influence on grief specific to those who have lost someone to suicide (i.e., the suicide-bereaved). Psychological inflexibility has also been associated with poorer grief and mental health outcomes. The primary objective of this study was to assess the impact of religiosity and psychological inflexibility on grief outcomes among a suicide-bereaved sample of 323 participants. Participants were recruited through online and face-to-face convenience sampling. Using a between-subjects, two-way ANCOVA design, this quasi-experimental study divided participants into four groups based on high and …


An Examination Of Internet Search Behavior And Completed Suicide Rates Across The United States, Marie Louise Rhoads Jan 2021

An Examination Of Internet Search Behavior And Completed Suicide Rates Across The United States, Marie Louise Rhoads

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Suicide remains a leading cause of death in the US (CDC, 2021; Murphy et al., 2018). The literature has shown that individuals seeking information on personal or sensitive topics are likely to utilize the internet (Jacobs et al., 2017; Mok et al., 2015; Pew Research Center, 2019). Research also suggests that internet search behavior can be utilized to track and predict disease outbreak effectively, as well as other public health trends across the nation (Paparrizos et al., 2016; Parker, et al., 2017). Moreover, implicit associations related to suicide have been identified as strong predictors of future suicide (Millner et al., …


Relationship Between Resilience Factors And Presence Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms And Posttraumatic Growth In Suicide Loss Survivors, Natalya Bogopolskaya Jan 2019

Relationship Between Resilience Factors And Presence Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms And Posttraumatic Growth In Suicide Loss Survivors, Natalya Bogopolskaya

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Many studies have examined the bereavement patterns and development of anxiety or mood disorders in suicide loss; however, few have looked at the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or the impact of resilience factors on the development of PTSD or posttraumatic growth (PTG) in suicide loss survivors. This study’s primary hypothesis was that a greater number of resilience traits, as defined under the domains of personal competence, trust/tolerance/strengthening effects of stress, acceptance of change and secure relationships, control, and spiritual influences (CDRISC- 25; Connor & Davidson, 2003), would correlate with fewer PTSD symptoms under DSM-5 criteria (PCL-5; Weathers et …


The Influence Of Perceived Relationship Quality With The Deceased, And Guilt, On Suicide Survivors' Grief Reactions, Nicole Carden Dishman Jan 2016

The Influence Of Perceived Relationship Quality With The Deceased, And Guilt, On Suicide Survivors' Grief Reactions, Nicole Carden Dishman

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The objective of this study was to examine whether or not (1) the quality (emotional attachment, level of psychological closeness) of the pre-mortem relationship between a suicide survivor and the deceased, and (2) the amount of guilt experienced has influenced grief reactions in suicide survivors. Specifically, complicated grief, perceived stigma, and overall quality of life were examined. Data were collected from 1130 adult participants between the ages 18 and 80, who identified as having lost someone to suicide, in a time period more than six months prior to survey completion. This dissertation's findings suggest that guilt has a detrimental impact …


Adolescent Attitudes Toward And Perceptions Of Suicide, Stigma, And Help-Seeking Behavior, Julia M. Hollinger Jan 2016

Adolescent Attitudes Toward And Perceptions Of Suicide, Stigma, And Help-Seeking Behavior, Julia M. Hollinger

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Suicide is a leading cause of death for adolescents and represents a major national health concern (American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, [AFSP], 2015; (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2013). Because adolescents spend the majority of their day at school (Erbacher, Singer, & Poland, 2015), the effectiveness of school-based suicide prevention programs may be improved through better understanding of adolescents’ views on the subject of suicide and the factors that may influence participation in prevention efforts. The present study explored the attitudes and perceptions of seventh grade students from a suburban middle school in Pennsylvania, using archival survey data. Variables that …


In Their Own Words: Perceived Experiences And Family Functioning Of Suicide Survivors Before And After Suicide Loss, Wendy Shallcross Lam Jan 2014

In Their Own Words: Perceived Experiences And Family Functioning Of Suicide Survivors Before And After Suicide Loss, Wendy Shallcross Lam

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This research explored the unique experiences of relatives of individuals who have died by suicide, termed suicide survivors, in an in-depth fashion using qualitative methods. Through a semi-structured interview, the present study explored how families dealt with general stress prior to the experience of suicide loss, how they handled the loss of a family member to suicide, and what has been used to cope in the aftermath. A major focus was to explore whether or not the event of suicide dramatically altered family dynamics or if families continued a pre-existing interaction pattern established prior to the loss. The results revealed …


Cognitive Distortions As A Mediator Between Early Maladaptive Schema And Hopelessness, Keith Milligan Jan 2013

Cognitive Distortions As A Mediator Between Early Maladaptive Schema And Hopelessness, Keith Milligan

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The purpose of the current study was to examine cognitive distortions as a mediator between maladaptive schema and hopelessness. With hopelessness and suicidal behavior so strongly correlated, an examination of hopelessness is critical. It was expected that this study would shed light on the role of distorted thinking as it relates to beliefs shaped from early maladaptive experiences and hopelessness. First, distorted thinking was not found to partially mediate the relationship between early maladaptive schema and hopelessness. This was likely a consequence of multicollinearity due to the use of a very proximal mediator. Second, a linear combination of the cognitive …


School Psychologists' Confidence Level With Suicide Intervention And Prevention In The Schools, Jodi L. Stein-Erichsen Jan 2010

School Psychologists' Confidence Level With Suicide Intervention And Prevention In The Schools, Jodi L. Stein-Erichsen

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Schools psychologists are often called upon to work with suicidal students regardless of previous training or the comfort levels that they possess in this area (Debski, Spadafore, Jacob, Poole, and Hixon, 2007; Oordt, Jobes, Fonseca, and Schmidt, 2009). This study evaluates the results of a survey created by this study’s investigator. It was disseminated to members of the National Association of School Psychologists’ Listserv (NASP-Listserv) and gathers general and demographic data as well as information that contribute to the assessment of suicide intervention and prevention experience and training received by the participants. Also investigated was whether or not suicide intervention …


Suicidal Behavior In Incarcerated Men In The Pennysylvania Department Of Corrections, Gregory John Estadt Jan 2006

Suicidal Behavior In Incarcerated Men In The Pennysylvania Department Of Corrections, Gregory John Estadt

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Suicide is a well-documented problem, ranking high in causes of death in the US and internationally. National and international programs have been designed to address the problem, as well as approaches targeting prison populations. Within these programs, knowledge of local risk factors is viewed as essential in identifying potential suicide completers. The current study expands existing knowledge of these risk factors in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections by a) collecting descriptive data of completers and b) conducting a retrospective case control study. The descriptive data is utilized to create a profile of typical suicide completers in the PA DOC. The …