Digital Commons Network^™

Family Socioeconomic Status And Children's Reading Ability: The Buffering Effect Of Parental Social Support, Casey Dexter

Wayne State University Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to better understand the protective effect that social support has on the development of reading in children from a range of SES backgrounds. Because other studies have suggested the importance of teacher quality on children's reading ability, this was also tested. This study utilized a sample taken from the public-use version of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten Cohort (ECLS-K), a large-scale, nationally representative sample of children attending kindergarten in the United States in the fall of the 1998-1999 academic year and their families, teachers, and schools. As expected, family SES and the availability of …

Assessment Of The Semantic Knowledge Network In Older Adults With Familial History Of Alzheimer's Disease, Erin Marie Holcomb

Wayne State University Dissertations

Current techniques for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease rely on early implementation, which necessitates the need for accurate and early identification of individuals most at risk for future cognitive decline. Research has demonstrated the usefulness of examining the temporal gradient for long-term semantic knowledge in identification of such individuals. The assessment of the temporal gradient within varying levels of knowledge specificity, however, has received considerably less attention. In this study, we aimed to contrast accuracy and reaction times for semantic memory tasks tapping multiple dimensions of semantic specificity from multiple time epochs in adult children with and without a parental …

Religion And Spirituality In Mental And Physical Well-Being Of Korean And White Americans, Mila Kil

Wayne State University Dissertations

An increasing number of researchers have confirmed the important role of religion and spirituality, not only in the psychological and emotional domains but also in physical health. Several researchers note that various forms of spirituality and religiousness can help Asian immigrants cope with the upheavals of immigration, adaptation to a new country, and other difficult personal and social transformations related to being in a new culture. Especially for Korean immigrants, churches and religious organizations act as a powerful support group. However, few empirical studies have paid attention to this topic, considering the importance of religion and spirituality to most individuals. …

Stress And Social Relationships: The Role Of Corticosterone In The Formation And Maintenance Of Pair Bonds In The Monogamous Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia Guttata), Kimberly Anne Laplante

Wayne State University Dissertations

Stress and affiliative social relationships are bi-directionally related. It is well understood that social relationships can buffer the physiological response to a stressor. Conversely, there is some evidence to suggest that stress can affect the propensity to form a pair bond. Data from humans and prairie voles, monogamous rodents, suggest that activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) in males increases attraction for females. Across species, females are understudied, but evidence from the prairie vole suggests HPA activation impairs formation of partner preference, the first step in establishing a pair bond. Across taxa there is evidence that formation and maintenance of …

Microstructural Abnormalities In Striatial And Medial-Temporal Tracts In Children With A History Of Early Severe Deprivation: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study, Amy Veenstra

Wayne State University Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if early social deprivation led to different patterns of frontal and/or medial-temporal cortical connectivity in internationally adopted children and if these patterns of cortical connectivity were related to specific white matter tract or behavioral differences. Based on theories of brain development, it was expected that environmental factors would impact children's tract based differences and behavioral differences. A sample of 30 internationally adopted children and 12 comparison children participated in functional and structural imaging and a neuropsychological evaluation. For internationally adopted children frontal-cortical connectivity showed patterns of diffuse and low connectivity, whereas medial-temporal …

Protective Factors For Emerging Adults With Subclinical Adhd, Olivia Allison Mcgarragle

Wayne State University Dissertations

ABSTRACT

PROTECTIVE FACTORS FOR EMERGING ADULTS WITH SUBCLINICAL ADHD

by

OLIVIA A. McGARRAGLE

May 2013

Advisor: Dr. Stephen Hillman

Major: Educational Psychology

Degree: Doctor of Philosophy

This study investigated the understudied and significant problem of subclinical ADHD in emerging adult college students. Limited literature had estimated a significant prevalence of 10-15% in this age group (Bussing et al., 2010). Studies have established that although individuals with subclinical ADHD do not meet full DSM-IV criteria for ADHD, they experience significant academic impairment nonetheless (Kats-Gold, Besser & Priel, 2007). ADHD experts have demonstrated that subclinical ADHD individuals need to be identified in …

Impulsivity As A Correlate Of Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking, Dinah Ayna

Wayne State University Theses

Waterpipe tobacco smoking has become increasingly popular in the past decade, yet no studies examined personality predictors of its use. This study is the first to assess impulsivity as a potential correlate for waterpipe tobacco smoking use and frequency. 43.2% reported ever using the waterpipe, with 64% of those reporting use less than once a month. Arab students were 3-5 times more likely to have used a waterpipe. Arab ethnicity moderated the relationship between waterpipe smoking and impulsivity such that self-reported (but not laboratory) impulsivity predicted lifetime waterpipe smoking for non-Arabs, but not for Arabs. Waterpipe users were also more …

Language Development Among Preschool Age Children Born Prematurely, Brittany Nicole Peters

Wayne State University Theses

Premature birth has been shown to be associated with various deficits in neuropsychological functioning during early childhood; however, few studies have attempted to understand the variables that contribute to variability in performance among children born prematurely. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the relationships between specific perinatal factors and language and cognitive outcome measures in a group of preschool-aged children born prematurely (N=47). As predicted, there were significant relationships between sex and specific outcome measures, with boys performing more poorly than girls; however, contrary to hypotheses, significant relationships failed to be found between outcome measures and both …

Anger Expression: Evaluating The Construct Validity Of Several Emotion Regulation Measures, Matthew James Jasinski

Wayne State University Theses

Researchers have used the Anger Expression Inventory (AEI), Ambivalence of Emotional Expression Questionnaire (AEQ), and Toronto Alexithymia Scale 20 (TAS) self-report measures to draw conclusions about relationships between emotion regulation and many other variables, but there is an insufficient amount of validation evidence about these measures. After first filling out the self-report measures, 75 participants with chronic low back pain completed a videotaped anger induction paradigm, in order to provoke the naturalistic experience of anger. Participants were next given the opportunity to express their anger to the experimenter, in either a guided or unguided condition. We then coded the videos …

Life Factors And Attendance Rates For Women Enrolled In A Parenting Program, Lilia Elizabeth Mucka

Wayne State University Theses

Parenting interventions consistently have been shown to improve positive parenting effectiveness, child adjustment, and family functioning (Gardner et al., 2010). However, attendance rates reported in the literature tend to be low and dropout rates tend to be high, which likely diminishes the positive impact of such programs (Dumas et al., 2007). Parenting group success begins with attendance, therefore, the study aimed to understand which life factors were associated with attendance. Specifically, the study both qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated parents' responses to a brief intervention using MI techniques by using a coding system developed by the author to understand maternal expectations …

Stress And Substance Abuse In Homeless And Matched Housed Adolescents: A Longitudinal Model, Corissa Carlson

Wayne State University Theses

The relationship between stress and substance abuse within an at-risk adolescent population is an important topic to research. There are several models examining the relationship between stress and substance abuse; however, this study will look to longitudinal methods to examine if there is a temporal relationship between stress and substance abuse in a high risk population. Interviews were conducted at a baseline time point as well as follow-up time points at two, five, and seven years. Two hundred fifty-four participants were retained at the two year follow-up and their data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The two proposed models …

"Who Taught Us How To Lead?" Parental Influence On Leadership Styles, Asiyat Magomaeva

Wayne State University Theses

There is evidence that parenting styles shape the development of competence and achievement strategies, and that the authoritative parenting style is the most successful style in developing appropriate achievement strategies (Aunola, Stattin & Nurmi, 2000; Glasgow, Dornbusch, Troyer, Steinberg & Ritter, 1997)The present study investigated the link between parenting styles experienced during childhood and leadership styles adopted later in life, as well as which parent children perceive as most effective and whether that influences the leadership style they adopt later in life. Findings suggest that knowing the parenting style one experienced in childhood can help identify an individual's future leadership …

Risk Taking Behaviors In Emerging Adults And Peer, Sibling & Parental Relationships, Malasri Rani Chaudhery-Malgeri

Wayne State University Dissertations

Research shows emerging adults are more likely than younger and older cohorts to engage in such risky behaviors. However, research on the outcomes of emerging adults and their relations with peers, parents, and siblings is less conclusive. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between emerging adults' perceptions of peers', siblings', and parents' risk-taking behaviors, and risk behavior after controlling for participants' sensation seeking tendencies. This study explored the moderating role of emerging adults' relationships with peers, siblings, and parents in the relation between these models' risk taking behaviors and emerging adults' risk taking behaviors, The mediating …

Gender Differences In College Student Drinking: The Relations Of Social And Cognitive Constructs, Leah Dawn Terian

Wayne State University Dissertations

Emerging adulthood is an important developmental stage for individuals ages 18-25 and can be categorized as a period of increased autonomy and identity exploration. It can also be a time in which there is increased exploration of risk taking behaviors, such as alcohol consumption. Current literature suggests that alcohol consumption is an increasing trend on college campuses, with more college students experiencing negative consequences such as alcohol related accidents, injury, and even death. The current study sought to examine the social (peer modeling, descriptive norms, injunctive norms, and parental monitoring) and cognitive (alcohol expectancies and drinking motives) factors that contribute …

Semantic Effects In Word Recognition And Picture Naming Are Moderated By Body-Object Interaction, Lisa Ruth Van Havermaet

Wayne State University Dissertations

A potential embodied influence in the semantic effects of Danger and Usefulness is investigated using Body-Object Interaction (BOI). Lexical decision times are influenced by ratings of Danger and Usefulness. In a frequently-found interaction, thought to be produced by activated approach-withdraw motor responses, increasing Danger ratings produce faster responses for items with lower Usefulness ratings while producing slower responses for items with higher Usefulness ratings. BOI is used to test the embodied explanation of this interaction. The same 102 words were presented in two lexical decision experiments. In both auditory and visual lexical decision, the effects of Danger and Usefulness were …

Work-Related Stress And Mental Health Of Child Care Center Workers, Sarah Lietzow Witherell

Wayne State University Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate what factors are associated with symptoms of depression, anxiety, somatization, and general psychological distress in a sample of child care center workers. A sample of 101 employees from 14 different child care centers in the southeastern Michigan area were administered questionnaires that asked about work and home life, social support, and mental health. Data was also collected from center directors regarding the type and size of the child care program and the annual turnover rate of each facility. One of the key findings of the study was that a significant number of …

Subordinate-Supervisor Demographic And Perceived Value Similarity: Relationships To Subordinate Perceptions Of Organizational Justice, Charles Levi Wells, Iv

Wayne State University Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the empirical relationship between subordinate-supervisor demographic and value similarity with subordinate perceptions of organizational justice using three structural equation models. The first model indicated that subordinate-supervisor demographic and value similarity were directly related to subordinate perceptions of organizational justice (Direct Model). The second model indicated that subordinate perceived value similarity with their supervisor mediated the relationship between the subordinate-supervisor demographic similarity and subordinate perceptions of organizational justice (Mediated Model). The last model indicated subordinate perceived value similarity with their supervisor moderated the relationship between subordinate-supervisor demographic similarity and subordinate perceptions of organizational …

Child And Family Predictors Of Bullying In Middle School Students, Rene Michele Nota

Wayne State University Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the shared variables that contribute to direct and indirect aggression, specifically bullying and to explore the role of family context, and adolescent personality characteristics on predicting bullying behavior. The theoretical framework of this study was based on evidence that no specific element can describe why some individuals are at risk for behaving aggressively and other are more resilient. The study included 259 middle schools students in grades six through eight. The students were enrolled at a single middle school located in a suburban area. The largest group of students was African American, …

Vascular Depression: An Early Indicator Of Decline, Daniel Lee Paulson

Wayne State University Dissertations

Women over the age of 80 represent a rapidly growing demographic group. While older women live longer than men, they do so with more years of disability and frailty. The emergence of geriatric disorders such as vascular disease, depression, frailty and cognitive decline in the aging US population place additional strain and expense on the already over-burdened public health care system. Meanwhile, integrated models of care are associated with preserved functional independence, reduced medical costs, and greater satisfaction for both health care providers and patients. Implementation of integrated care demands process-models of disease that contextualize symptoms within broader patterns of …

Role Models' Influence On Smoking Reduction, Phoebe Lin

Wayne State University Dissertations

Research on social influence has indicated that role models can motivate individuals to change their behaviors and strive for success in the domains of education, occupation, and health. Positive and negative role models have been shown as effective agents of social influence through different mechanisms. Although public health advocates argue that role models can influence smoking cessation, systematic research has yet to investigate the effects of social influence on quitting smoking. The present study investigated the effects of role model influence on smoking cessation. Participants read a story about one of four role models: positive health, negative health, positive social, …

Moving Engagement Research To A Higher Level: The Impact Of Unit-Level Engagement On Business Metric Outcomes, Tara Kristen Mcclure

Wayne State University Dissertations

Although engagement has been slow to take hold within the academic literature, it has quickly become a hot topic within the applied and business environments. Because of the rapid growth within these areas, there has been a great deal of conceptual confusion and mystery surrounding the engagement construct. Recent research within the literature has sought to define engagement, differentiate it from existing job attitude constructs, and link it with both personal and organizational outcomes. To date, a majority of the research demonstrating the impact of engagement has been conducted at the individual-level. While individual-level outcomes are of use to organizations, …

Depression Symptoms In Early Childhood Teachers: Do Personality, Social Support, And School Climate Play A Role?, Jessica Mclaughlin

Wayne State University Dissertations

Depression among early childhood teachers has received little attention within the United States. For the present study, early childhood teachers were asked to participate in an online survey to investigate the rate of high depression symptoms among teachers, and whether personality, social support, and school climate are related to teachers' depression symptoms. Results showed that 32% of early childhood teachers in the sample were high in depression symptoms, which is significantly higher than rates of depression in the general population. Lower levels of neuroticism and higher levels of extroversion were related to fewer depression symptoms. Perceived social support from an …

Dispositional Mediators Of Burnout Syndrome In A Sample Of Direct Care Staff Employed At Group Homes In A Midwestern State, Cristovao Bartolo Carreira

Wayne State University Dissertations

The current research examined the dispositional characteristics that mediated burnout syndrome in a sample of direct care workers who were employed in group homes for the mentally ill in a Midwestern state. Specifically, the indirect effects that the direct care staff's attachment systems and problem solving ability were examined as they applied to their potential burnout status. Attachment theory, a contemporary psychodynamic theory of personality, was used to provide a context for the study. The researcher studied the interactions between construct subcomponents to address a criticism in the literature stating that only total scores were used to study burnout and …

Ethnic Identity Among Arab Americans: An Examination Of Contextual Influences And Psychological Well-Being, Rand Ramadan Fakih

Wayne State University Dissertations

Existing theories and research have indicated that ethnic identity is crucial for ethnic minority young adults because ethnicity is an important component of their personal identity that is likely to influence various aspects of their development. Given the centrality of this construct, the overarching aim of the present study was to examine ethnic identity and psychological well-being among members of an ethnic group that have long been ignored in the psychological literature: Arab Americans.

Specifically, the goals of the study were threefold. The first goal was to examine the association between multiple contextual factors (such as students' perceptions of their …

The Role Of World View Changes In The Longitudinal Associations Between Depression And Ptsd Symptoms And Later Sexual Problems, Erin Paige Mason

Wayne State University Theses

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a risk factor for the development of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, as well as sexual problems. Additionally, previous research supports a relationship between symptoms of depression and PTSD and sexual problems in both sexually abused and non-abused samples. There has been little attempt, however, to explain the mechanisms responsible for this relationship. The current study proposed that abuse-related changes in world views might be one such mechanism and examined whether world view changes mediate longitudinal associations between depression and PTSD symptoms and sexual problems (sexual concerns, dysfunctional sexual behavior, and risky sexual …

Temporal Relationships Between Psychological Distress And Risky Behaviors In A Sample Of Homeless And At-Risk Youth, Tegan Lesperance

Wayne State University Theses

The present study examined temporal relationships between psychological distress and two types of risk behavior; risky sexual behavior and substance abuse/dependence, in a sample of 253 at-risk youth. Using structural equation modeling, the self-medication and risk-first hypotheses were tested using longitudinal data spanning 7 years. Each model lent support to both hypotheses, further supporting the relationship between risk-taking behaviors and psychological distress among youth. Early psychological distress predicted later involvement in risky sexual behaviors, while later distress predicted substance abuse/dependence. Earlier risky sexual behaviors and substance abuse/dependence predicted psychological distress at later time points. These findings suggest the need to …

Antidepressant Medications And Cognitive Functioning In Major Depressive Disorder, Rachel Kay

Wayne State University Theses

Individuals with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) frequently experience cognitive decrements in addition to mood impairments. Ironically, antidepressant medications used to treat depression may have adverse effects on cognitive functioning. It is imperative to understand the relative cognitive costs of antidepressants when considering the treatment of MDD patients. Furthermore, observational studies of depression are challenged by problems of systematically confounded variables. Researchers are often faced with difficulties in managing this issue and opt to either ignore the problem, alter their sample, or use inappropriate statistical methods (e.g., Analysis of Covariance) due to a limited understanding of acceptable solutions. It is important …

Neurobiological Correlates Of Personality And Emotional Expression In Traumatic Brain Injury, Christina G. Wong

Wayne State University Theses

Many individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) experience cognitive, emotional, and functional deficits, all of which can contribute to chronic stress. Unfortunately, individuals with TBI often engage in less effective coping than non-brain-injured individuals, which has negative implications for rehabilitation. Differences in personality traits have been linked to individual differences in coping styles, physiological stress reactivity, and emotional disclosure. Research on personality and coping after TBI has been sparse. Thus, the present study examined the influence of TBI on the pattern of the relationships between personality, emotional expression, and stress reactivity. Eighty-one adults who sustained moderate to severe TBI and …

Using Objective Measures To Capture Work-Family Conflict, Rebecca Jean Early

Wayne State University Theses

Research conducted on WFC (WFC) is primarily measured using self-reported subjective scales that fail to encapsulate the entirety of the WFC construct. Many authors have acknowledged the importance of generating a complementary objective WFC scale, in an effort to enhance one's ability to predict work-related outcomes within and between individuals. The purpose of the current study was to identify objective items measuring work-interfering-with-family (and vice versa) that can more accurately predict relevant outcomes (i.e., life, family, and job satisfaction; psychological strain; turnover; burnout; health; organizational commitment; depression) when used in conjunction with currently existing subjective work-interfering-with-family (WIF) and family-interfering-with-work (FIW) …

Cumulative Risk, The Home Environment, And Interactive Book Reading Between Mother And Child As Predictors Of School Readiness, Laura Mary Northerner

Wayne State University Theses

There is evidence in the literature that early school readiness predicts later school performance (Duncan et al., 2007; La Paro and Pianta, 2000). There is less research, however, on the impact of risk factors on a child's school readiness, and protective factors that may lessen the negative effects of various risk factors. This study explored predictors of school readiness, including cumulative socio-demographic risk, the home environment, and interactive book reading behaviors. Participants included 104 young mothers and their children. The mother and child dyads were assessed at three time points. Cumulative socio-demographic risk was measured in the lab when the …