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The Multidimensional Bullying Victimization Scale: Development And Validation, Shannon Marie Harbin
The Multidimensional Bullying Victimization Scale: Development And Validation, Shannon Marie Harbin
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
One in three middle and high school students are victims of bullying (National Educational Association, 2012). The prevalence of bullying has increased over the past 10 years by approximately 25% (Nation Center of Education Statistics, 2013) and is now considered a public health concern. Published measures of bullying lack breadth and/or psychometric support. The present study created a psychometrically sound measure assessing bully victimization in adolescents. This measure examines three dimensions of bullying: direct, indirect, and evaluative. Items were generated based on information collected from student focus groups, as well as previously published measures and themes within recently published literature. …
Examining The Psychometrics Of The Psychopathology Inventory For Mentally Retarded Adults-Ii For Adults With Mild And Moderate Intellectual Disabilities, Brian Christopher Belva
Examining The Psychometrics Of The Psychopathology Inventory For Mentally Retarded Adults-Ii For Adults With Mild And Moderate Intellectual Disabilities, Brian Christopher Belva
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
With growing recognition of the occurrence of psychological disorders in individuals with intellectual disability (ID), researchers and clinicians alike have placed emphasis on developing measures to assess for psychopathologies in this population. Despite an increased interest in the topic, there is still a dearth of psychometrically robust measures available to assess for psychopathology in adults with mild and moderate ID. The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of a revised measure for psychopathology in individuals with mild and moderate ID, the Psychopathology Inventory for Mentally Retarded Adults – Second Edition (PIMRA-II). Internal consistency, inter-rater reliability, and …
An Examination Of Speech Characteristics Under Conditions Of Affective Reactivity And Variable Cognitive Load As Distinguishing Feigned And Genuine Schizophrenia, Gina M. Najolia
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Proper assessment of schizophrenia is complicated by the need for clinicians to be cognizant of the possibility of malingering, i.e., the intentional production of false or grossly exaggerated symptoms, motivated by external incentives. Current standardized schizophrenia malingering detection methods rely on endorsement of improbable or exaggerated, mainly positive, symptoms. However, these detection methods may be vulnerable to successful manipulation by sophisticated malingerers, particularly if coached regarding response style assessment strategies. This paper explored the utility of supplemental variables to examine in schizophrenia malingering detection by using a simulation study design to compare schizophrenia patients, a community participant sample instructed to …
Examination Of The Reliability And Validity Of A New Observation Measure For Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Autism Spectrum Disorder Observation For Children, Daniene Neal
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
With increasing attention being drawn to autism spectrum disorders (ASD), specifically with regard to early and accurate diagnosis and treatment, researchers and clinicians alike have placed emphasis on finding assessment tools that can aid in this goal. The purpose of this study is to examine the psychometric properties of a new observation measure for ASD, the Autism Spectrum Disorders-Observation for Children (ASD-OC). The ASD-OC was found to have good to excellent interrater reliability, and excellent internal consistency (ƒÑ = .96). As a result of these initial reliability analyses, nine items were removed from the scale. The resulting 45 item ASD-OC …
Comorbid Psychopathology In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders - Cut-Off Scores For The Autism Specturm Disorders-Comorbidity For Children (Asd-Cc), Ryan Thomas Thorson
Comorbid Psychopathology In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders - Cut-Off Scores For The Autism Specturm Disorders-Comorbidity For Children (Asd-Cc), Ryan Thomas Thorson
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Once considered rare, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are increasingly becoming viewed as common disorders. Prevalence rates of ASD have increased drastically in recent years. Recent studies suggest comorbid psychopathology within ASD to be more common than previously thought. Though these deficits exist, specific instruments to diagnose psychopathology in this population do not yet exist. This highlights the underlying need for instruments to identify psychopathology in individuals with ASD. The aim of this study was to establish cut-off scores for the Autism Spectrum Disorder – Comorbidity for Children, an instrument designed to assess for comorbid psychopathology within individuals with ASD.
The Baby And Infant Screen For Children With Autism Traits: A Proposed Critical Item Algorithm, Santino Vincent Lovullo
The Baby And Infant Screen For Children With Autism Traits: A Proposed Critical Item Algorithm, Santino Vincent Lovullo
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Since its first description, the definition of autism has varied as a function of emphases on particular defining features, changes to the age of onset, and confusion with other disorders. However, a recurring theme has been the importance of social impairments with evidence that specific social symptoms, such as joint attention deficits, are predictive of autism within the first or second year of life. In addition to the core domains of impairment, autism is associated with various medical conditions, intellectual disability, comorbid psychopathology, and problem behavior. This is alarming considering that there may be a true increase in the disorder’s …
Reliability And Validity Study Of The Motiviation For Fear (Motif) Survey, Marie S. Nebel-Schwalm
Reliability And Validity Study Of The Motiviation For Fear (Motif) Survey, Marie S. Nebel-Schwalm
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
The aim of this study was to determine psychometric properties of a newly created, 24-item functional measure of fear and anxiety for typically-developing adults (the Motivation for Fear; MOTIF). Participants initially included 1,277 college students ranging in age from 18-35. Participants were asked to complete the MOTIF, the Questions About Behavioral Function (QABF), the Sensation Seeking Scale- Form V, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS). Analyses were conducted on those scoring above a minimum threshold on a well-normed measure of anxiety (the DASS). An exploratory factory analysis, using scree plot and parallel analysis, as well as oblique rotation was …
A Comparison Of The Dsm-Iv And Proposed Dsm-V Ptsd Criteria For Youth: Factor Analyses Conducted With A Low Socioeconomic Status, Hurricane-Exposed Sample, Valerie Paasch
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of New Orleans, exposing residents to dangerous storms and significant flooding which resulted in the loss of many families’ homes and possessions. One of the most common psychological disorders experienced by disaster victims, both adult and child, is Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Given the debate over the appropriateness of applying adult DSM-IV-TR criteria to children and the current formulation of DSM-V criteria, this study further explored the presentation of PTSD symptomatology in a sample of 276 youth who experienced Hurricane Katrina. Proposed DSM-V criteria were assessed with participant responses on the UCLA PTSD Index for DSM-IV …
The Role Of Hurricane Exposure And Life Disruption As Predictors Of Child Post-Traumatic Stress Symptomatology Following Hurricane Katrina, Angie Lynn Pellegrin
The Role Of Hurricane Exposure And Life Disruption As Predictors Of Child Post-Traumatic Stress Symptomatology Following Hurricane Katrina, Angie Lynn Pellegrin
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
While many children emotionally recover following a disaster (Salzer & Bickman, 1999), possibly one-third of children will experience significant psychological distress or post-traumatic stress symptoms which cause interference with their daily school and home functioning (Vernberg, La Greca, Silverman, & Prinstein, 1996). Research supports the role that exposure, loss, and disruption play in increasing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) severity in children following disasters (La Greca, Silverman, Vernberg, Prinstein, 1996; Verberg et al., 1996). However, there are no assessments or questionnaires that have investigated what type of events during and following a hurricane are most predictive of post-traumatic stress reactions. Using …
The Initial Reliability And Construct Validity Of The Autism Spectrum Disorder-Diagnostic (Asd-Dc) In Children, Melissa Luke Gonzalez
The Initial Reliability And Construct Validity Of The Autism Spectrum Disorder-Diagnostic (Asd-Dc) In Children, Melissa Luke Gonzalez
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
The aim of the present study was to examine the reliability and construct validity of a newly developed assessment scale designed to identify autism spectrum disorders in children: Autism Spectrum Disorder-Diagnostic for Children (ASD-DC). Participants were parents and caregivers of children between ages 2 and 16 years, who are typically developing or developmentally delayed. Participants were asked to complete several rating scales including the ASD-DC, a DSM-IV-TR/ICD-10 checklist, the Matson Evaluation of Social Skills in Youngsters (MESSY), and the Behavioral Assessment System for Children, Version 2 (BASC-2). In Study 1, the test-retest, inter-rater, and inter-item reliabilities of the ASD-DC was …
A Critical Item Analysis Of The Qabf: Development Of A Short Form Assessment Instrument, Ashvind Nand Singh
A Critical Item Analysis Of The Qabf: Development Of A Short Form Assessment Instrument, Ashvind Nand Singh
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Due to the relative inability of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) to provide an accurate and reliable self-report, assessment in this population is more difficult than with individuals in the general population. As such, assessment procedures must be adjusted to compensate for the relative lack of information that the individual can provide and rely more on the behavioral expression of communication. One method commonly used is the indirect functional assessment that utilizes behavior rating scales that have been developed to gather behavioral data in a short time. One of the few empirically derived and psychometrically sound is the QABF, a …
Assessing The Influence Of Religion On Health Behavior, David B. Creel
Assessing The Influence Of Religion On Health Behavior, David B. Creel
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
A primary aim of this study was to confirm the factor structure of the Health and Religious Congruency Scale (HARCS), a measure previously developed by the same research team. The HARCS questions directly link religious beliefs/activities to health behaviors. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed that the current data fit poorly to the factor structure found in the pilot study. Because the current sample was more religiously diverse than the pilot study sample, and could potentially provide a factor structure that better reflects the views of individuals from different religious affiliations, a principal components analysis was conducted on the current data. …
The Sleep Problems Inventory: A Measure For The Assessment Of Sleep Problems In Adults With Intellectual Disabilities, Dennis R. Dixon
The Sleep Problems Inventory: A Measure For The Assessment Of Sleep Problems In Adults With Intellectual Disabilities, Dennis R. Dixon
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Sleep problems can have a broad impact across the day-to-day functioning of an individual. Persons with intellectual disabilities are at a particular risk for developing sleep problems, with prevalence estimates much higher than is found in the general population. Nonetheless, the assessment of sleep problems in persons with intellectual disabilities has been widely overlooked. The Sleep Problems Inventory (SLEEPY) was created to measure various factors related to sleep problems in persons with intellectual disabilities. The present study represents the first steps in establishing the reliability and validity of the SLEEPY in adults with intellectual disabilities.
Development And Validation Of Child Routines Questionnaire: Preschool, Molly Murphy Wittig
Development And Validation Of Child Routines Questionnaire: Preschool, Molly Murphy Wittig
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Experts emphasize routines as a paramount practice in successful child rearing (Fiese, 2002). Only recently, however, has empirical evidence begun to corroborate this theory. While many researchers and clinicians have documented the use of daily child routines in their parenting packages and treatment studies, none has measured the effects of child routines directly. The emergence of The Child Routines Questionnaire offered ample evidence of the importance of child routines in school-age children. Significant findings link a lack of routines to child behavior problems, poor parenting practices, and parental psychopathology (Sytsma et al., 2001; Sytsma-Jordan, Kelley, & Henderson, 2002; Jordan, 2003). …
The Diagnosis Of Dementia In Persons With Mental Retardation: Validating Methods Of Assessment, Joanne Bielecki
The Diagnosis Of Dementia In Persons With Mental Retardation: Validating Methods Of Assessment, Joanne Bielecki
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
The usual assessment instruments for the diagnosis of dementia are often difficult to use among individuals with mental retardation. This study investigates whether a modified method based on Visser et al. (1997) can identify a dementing process. Ninety individuals diagnosed with severe and profound mental retardation were studied. One half of the participants were diagnosed with Down's syndrome. The participants were equally assigned to one of three groups based on perceived risk of dementia. A differential prevalence design was used. Both cross sectional and longitudinal analyses were utilized in this study. Results indicate that the Visser et al. (1997) method …
The Body Morph Assessment Version 2.0 (Bma 2.0): A Psychometric Study, Tiffany M. Stewart
The Body Morph Assessment Version 2.0 (Bma 2.0): A Psychometric Study, Tiffany M. Stewart
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
A computerized procedure for assessing body image, called the Body Morph Assessment Version 2.0 (BMA 2.0), was developed to serve as reliable and valid measure of body image. The BMA 2.0 is an extention of an earlier prototype called the Body Morph Assessment (BMA; Stewart, Williamson, Smeets, & Greenway, 2000). Although flexible in its uses, the BMA 2.0 targets the measurement of body image in people ranging in body size from very thin to very obese. The BMA was evaluated in terms of its psychometric characteristics. A sample of 217 subjects, composed of four distinct groups classified by gender and …
Qualitative Scoring Of The Rey 15-Item Memory Test In A Forensic Population, James A. Martin
Qualitative Scoring Of The Rey 15-Item Memory Test In A Forensic Population, James A. Martin
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Several studies have examined the ability of the Rey 15-Item Memory Test (MFIT) to identify malingering of memory problems among a variety of psychiatric and neurologically impaired populations. The consensus has been that the quantitative scoring method is overly sensitive to genuine memory impairment and lacks sensitivity to simulated amnesia. However, a reexamination of these studies and available data indicates the MFIT is both valid and effective at identifying actual malingerers among civil litigants, and a number of these studies were limited through inappropriate inclusion of severely impaired patients and research designs of questionable validity. Also, the performance of a …
The Matson And Mayville (M&M) Seizure Scale: An Assessment Of Psychological And Environmental Variables Contributing To Seizure Activity In Persons With Mental Retardation, Erik Andrew Mayville
The Matson And Mayville (M&M) Seizure Scale: An Assessment Of Psychological And Environmental Variables Contributing To Seizure Activity In Persons With Mental Retardation, Erik Andrew Mayville
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Seizure activity can be debilitating across a number of physical, social, occupational, and personal domains. Given the deficits in all of these areas frequently present in persons with mental retardation, the control and elimination of seizures is a primary goal for individuals with both mental retardation and epilepsy. Antiepileptic medication can reduce seizure activity. However, this intervention often carries with it a range of untoward side effects that may adversely affect clients over what is typically a long-term treatment regimen. Over the last 20 years, literature has emerged emphasizing the importance of environmental variables in the initiation and maintenance of …
The Development And Validation Of The Parent Instruction-Giving Game With Youngsters (Piggy) In A Head Start Population, Stephen Danial Anthony Hupp
The Development And Validation Of The Parent Instruction-Giving Game With Youngsters (Piggy) In A Head Start Population, Stephen Danial Anthony Hupp
LSU Doctoral Dissertations
Head Start families demonstrate many of the risk factors that relate to the development of noncompliance and other behavior problems in young children, such as low income, limited education, teenage pregnancy, isolation, family stress, single parenthood, and parental psychopathology. Noncompliant preschool-aged children often continue to display difficulties through adolescence. Parent Management Training programs have been developed which can improve child compliance. However, many of the same risk factors that lead to child noncompliance also reduce the effectiveness of parenting interventions. Thus, more efficient assessment and intervention strategies need to be developed to facilitate the treatment of child behavior problems in …