Digital Commons Network^™

Attributions For Interpersonal Healthcare Mistreatment And Continuity Of Care, Daniel Joel Northington

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Although continuity of cancer-related care increases the use of early detection cancer screening exams (Doescher, Saver, Fiscella, & Franks, 2004), and thereby improves treatment outcomes (Mandelblatt et al., 2009), Latino (Latina) women in the U.S. currently report lower continuity of care than non-Latino White (Anglo) women (American Cancer Society, 2010; Doescher, Saver, Fiscella, & Franks, 2001). Such disparities may be due, in part, to interpersonal healthcare mistreatment (Smedley, Stith, & Nelson, 2003), as well as mistreatment-related attributions and emotions (Betancourt, Flynn, & Ormseth, 2011; Tucker, 2008). Therefore, according to Weiner's model of attribution and emotion (1986) as well as Betancourt's …

Cultural Study Of Attributions Of Sports Fans, John C. Park

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Cultural differences in the attributions of sports fans in the US have not been sufficiently explored. Studies have shown that individualists have the tendency to make more internal attributions compared to collectivists (Kashima & Triandis, 1986; Al-Zahrani & Kaplowitz, 1993; Cha & Nam, 1985; Hallahan et al., 1997). Furthermore, in sports setting, individualists have the tendency to engage in the self-serving bias, whereas collectivists may not engage in this process (Schuster et, al, 1989; Lee et. al, 1996; Hallahan et. al, 1997; Crittendon, 1991). Undergraduate students at La Sierra University, California, participated in an experiment where cultural differences in fans' …

Performance Of Number Of Factors Procedures In Higher Order Analysis: A Comparative Study, Marc Thomas Porritt

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) is one of the primary statistical tools available for the verification of the structure of a psychological measure. In the case of a nested test the structure of the higher levels is verified by performing EFA on the factor scores of the lower levels, a process known as higher order factor analysis (HOFA). One of the most significant decisions made during the EFA process is how many factors to extract. A number of methods have been developed to empirically answer this question. These methods have been proven highly accurate under normal circumstances. Since HOFA is an …

Development And Validation Of A Process Focused Measure Of Childhood Depression, Ida Babakhanyan

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this research was to develop a measure of childhood depression and test its psychometric properties with depressed and non-depressed children. First, an overview of our current understanding of childhood depression and the measures used in assessment is reviewed. Following, the problems with our diagnostic classification are presented, providing justification for the development of a new measure for childhood depression. A bottom-up approach is used in this study to develop a theory driven measure for identifying depression in children which focuses on the process. Thus, varying from the primarily symptom based assessment tools that are currently used in …

Modified Administration Of The Wais-Iv For Visually Impaired Examiners: A Validity Study, Amy Pitchforth

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Opportunities in all areas of life including education, vocation, and access to general information have historically been slower for minorities. The visually impaired have continued to struggle with access to education, equal opportunities at work, and access to general information. Significantly fewer blind and visually impaired individuals pursue graduate education with the most commonly pursued graduate degree being psychology (American Federation for the Blind, 2010). A core area of graduate training [defined by the American Psychological Association (APA)] is declarative knowledge, which is not accessible for the visually impaired student for neurological assessments (Johnson-Greene, Braden, Dial, Fitzpatrick, Leung, Schneider, & …

Training Manual For Providers Of Psychoeducational Services To Fms Patients, George E. Vasquez Jr.

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic pain syndrome that is typically characterized by chronic and widespread pain; tenderness; sleep problems, fatigue, and muscle stiffness. Additional symptoms are many and can include cognitive impairment, numbness, and psychological distress such as anxiety and depression. FMS is typically diagnosed using criteria that were established by the American College of Rheumatology in 2010 and is currently experienced by approximately 5 million adults in the United States. A biopsychosocial conceptualization of the etiology of FMS currently exists, wherein the development of FMS is attributed to the interplay of particular predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating factors. The …

Qualitative Study Of Psychosocial Needs For Individuals With Lung Cancer, Kevin R. Criswell

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Lung cancer affects many people in the United States, accounting for 14.5% of cancer cases in 2010. Additionally, it is responsible for more cancer-related deaths than any other cancer type. Those living with lung cancer also experience a higher prevalence of psychological distress and mood problems relative to most other cancer types. Despite the high physical and mental health burden borne by those living with lung cancer, psychosocial research on lung cancer generally lags far behind comparable studies in other cancer populations. Evidence from the few interventions developed specifically for lung cancer patients demonstrate an underutilization of those services, which …

Social Marketing Approach To Recruit Cancer Survivors For Research And Treatment, Narineh Hartoonian

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Recruitment is fundamental to project success and the production of clinically and statistically meaningful results. However, researchers have been challenged to recruit adequate numbers of participants for supportive interventions for cancer survivors (Buss et al., 2008). The purpose of this dissertation was to use social marketing theory as a framework to better understand recruitment for a web-based psychosocial intervention for cancer survivors. The study sample included cancer survivors from the Loma Linda University cancer registry or reached via population-level recruitment efforts (e.g., web and print advertisements). Of the 384 eligible potential participants, 197 fully enrolled in the intervention. Among potential …

Differences In Iq And Memory Of Monolingual/Bilingual Children Who Suffered A Tbi, Julie Alberty

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs at an average rate of 180 per 100,000 children who are hospitalized for head injury within the United States (Schwartz et al., 2003). Bilinguals are a large proportion of the population living in the United States and in Southern California, particularly. If children who are bilingual incur a TBI, will they have even more difficulty than monolinguals with language tasks because they have a smaller vocabulary base? This study aims to further elucidate whether verbal memory will be more severely impacted than nonverbal memory in this same bilingual pediatric TBI population. 18 children (M …

Reliability And Validity Of The Outcome Questionnaire In A Heterogeneous Cancer Population, Laura Testerman

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) and National Cancer Comprehensive Network (NCCN) now require integration of psychosocial care into the treatment of cancer patients to identify, monitor, and treat psychosocial distress. Despite the widespread use of Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO) for these purposes, no gold standard PRO for assessing distress exists for psycho-oncology research and clinical practice. This study examined the reliability, validity, and preliminary treatment effects of the Outcome Questionnaire, a PRO never before been used or validated with heterogeneous cancer patients. Adult cancer survivors were recruited nationwide to participate in an online support group (N=187) and randomly assigned to …

The Ratio Of Positive To Negative Affect, Flourishing, And Health Behavior, Michael Stuart Leibow

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The ratio between positive and negative affect, known as the positivity ratio (PR) is thought to be associated with flourishing (psychological and social well-being). However, little research has been done on how PR and flourishing relate to specific health behaviors. The relationships between PR and flourishing with health behavior i.e., physical activity, and diet (fruit, leafy green vegetables [LGV] and meat intake) were investigated in this study. We examined whether PR mediated the relationship between flourishing and health behaviors, and whether flourishing mediated the relationship between PR and these behaviors. Gender and ethnic differences for the above associations were examined …

Brief Heterogeneous Inpatient Groups: A Process-Oriented Psychoeducational Model, Wesley Cook

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

In the U.S., we currently have an increase in admissions to psychiatric hospitals and a lack of research exploring inpatient group psychotherapy. Diagnostically homogeneous therapy groups outperform therapy groups with mixed symptoms, however, due to managed health care, psychiatric hospitals typically run brief duration, diagnostically heterogeneous groups. A review of the research literature was conducted in order to locate empirical studies that could offer treatment recommendations regarding how to facilitate brief duration, diagnostically heterogeneous inpatient psychotherapy groups. Although this review revealed little information about this specific type of group, common factors from inpatient studies were extracted. Based on a synthesis …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of The Yasp Intervention: Adolescent Substance Use Outcomes, Whitney Nicole Brown

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Issues of alcohol and drug use are more pronounced during adolescence than at any other period of the life span. There is currently a need for research focusing on evaluating developmentally appropriate interventions for adolescents at risk for substance use issues. The present study seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of YASP (Youth Alternative Solutions Program), a hospital-based intervention program at Loma Linda University Medical Center. It is hypothesized that participation in YASP will decrease levels of substance use, change substance use outcome expectancies, decrease negative consequences resulting from substance use and increase participants sense of self-efficacy. A sample 27 adolescents …

Synthesizing And Integrating Mental Health Practice: An Interdisciplinary Approach, Daniel A. Paden

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Research has demonstrated the benefit of interdisciplinary practices in clinical settings, training programs, and research models. This project will review the literature regarding the collaboration of various disciplines in mental health including history, key aspects of integrating mental health as seen through other collaborative efforts, and future direction. In addition, outlining 8 key features that can facilitate more constructive collaboration in the mental health field (Psychological, Psychiatry, Social Work, Marriage and Family, and others). This effort is so we may understand each other's needs and work better together for the overall benefit of our patients.

The Association Of Diet With Affect, Patricia Ann Ford

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids have been associated with mental health yet few studies have examined whether foods protective or deleterious for cardiovascular disease affect mood. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between consumption of foods typical of Mediterranean and Western diets and fatty acids with positive and negative affect.

Adventist church attendees residing in North America completed a validated food frequency questionnaire in 2002-6 as part of the Adventist Health Study-2. A subset of these participants ^=9,121) completed the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) in the Biopsychosocial Religion and Health Study conducted in 2006-7. …

Gestalt Group Psychotherapy With Incarcerated Schizophrenia: A Qualitative Study, Leslie Ann V. Dobson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

In the U.S., the number of inmates diagnosed with schizophrenia is approximately four times greater than that found in the general population. Alarmingly, these inmates rarely receive the mental health treatment they need. Previous studies have suggested that Gestalt therapy can have beneficial affects for inmates. However, further research examining treatment models for inmates diagnosed with schizophrenia is needed. This current study examined qualitative data from a proposed Gestalt group therapy treatment model for incarcerated schizophrenia. Results from modified analytic induction demonstrated increased levels of participation, autonomy, interpersonal skills, information seeking and a reduction in psychotic symptoms. This study also …

Reserve Capacity Model And Metabolic Syndrome In Black And White Seventh-Day Adventists, Taylor L. Draper

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Past research has identified a robust, monotonic relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and cardiac health. Psychosocial factors may contribute to SES-related gradients in cardiac health. The Reserve Capacity Model (RCM; Gallo & Matthews, 2003) is a framework for examining psychosocial pathways in cardiac health disparities on the SES gradient. The model posits that a lower SES experience leads to more environmental stressors and fewer psychosocial resources (e.g., reserve capacity) to cope with these stressors subsequently eroding health. A number of studies have used the RCM to explain SES-related disparities in cardiac health in Whites and Latinos; few examine the model …