Digital Commons Network^™

What Is The Power Of Identity? Examining The Moderating Role Of Racial Identity Latent Profiles On The Relationship Between Race-Related Stress And Trauma Symptomatology Among African American Women, Ifrah S. Sheikh

Psychology Theses

The current study investigated the relationship between race-related stress and trauma symptomatology, and the potential for racial identity profiles to mitigate or exacerbate this relationship in a nontreatment-seeking sample of trauma-exposed African American women (N = 222). Bivariate correlation analyses revealed race-related stress was significantly and positively correlated with total PTSD symptoms, hyperarousal symptoms, avoidance symptoms, and reexperiencing symptoms. Racial identity profiles emerged from latent profile analyses and supported a 3-class solution: Undifferentiated, Detached, and Nationalist. The Nationalist profile group experienced significantly higher race-related stress compared to the Detached and Undifferentiated profiles. Moderation analyses revealed racial identity profile type significantly …

Effect Of Neighborhood Socioeconomic Disadvantage On Brain Functional Connectivity And Structural Properties In Trauma-Exposed Adults, Elisabeth Kathleen Webb

Theses and Dissertations

Though there has been substantial progress towards understanding brain-behavior relationships and characterizing the neurobiology of psychiatric disorders, research has not translated as expected into novel prevention and treatment of mental health conditions. One limitation may be the emphasis on individual-level variables (e.g., income) and omission of relevant area-level factors (e.g., neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage). Recently, attention has been directed towards identifying the biological mechanisms by which neighborhoods impact mental health. The chronic stress associated with living in a disadvantaged neighborhood promotes a cascade of maladaptive events, which in turn impact brain structure and functioning. The processes affected by chronic neighborhood stressors …

Racial/Ethnic Disparities In Mental Health Diagnosis Of Maltreated Youth, Shadie Burke

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Racial/ethnic marginalized youth are more likely to receive a misdiagnosis of a mental health disorder than their White peers. Misdiagnosis contributes to existing disparities for racial/ethnic marginalized groups by leading to longer durations of untreated and worsening mental health symptoms. For maltreated youth, receiving a misdiagnosis can lead to a failure to connect with appropriate mental health services, medication regimens, therapeutic foster homes, and academic and developmental resources. To date, very few empirical studies have identified disparities in mental health diagnosis among racial/ethnic marginalized maltreated youth. The present study examined two key research questions: (1) what racial/ethnic disparities in diagnoses …

A Phenomenological Replication Study On The Unique Challenges Experienced By Veterans Diagnosed With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd) While Attending A California State University (Csu) In Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, Or Orange County, Ralph Martinez

Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological replication study was to understand the unique challenges experienced by veterans diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) while attending a California State University (CSU) in Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, or Orange County. Furthermore, it was the intent of this study to explore the current and prospective services veteran students believe were helpful or would be helpful in promoting positive academic outcomes.

A phenomenological approach was utilized in the development of this qualitative research study to explore the lived experiences of veteran students diagnosed with PTSD attending a California State University (CSU) in Riverside, …

The Road Home Program: An Efficient Model Of Ptsd Treatment In Veterans, Alexandra J. Fischer, Brian J. Klassen, Rhea A. Merck

Senior Theses

This thesis details my experiences at Rush University’s Road Home Program during the summer of 2021. The Road Home Program is an intensive treatment program for veterans suffering from PTSD. It is unique from conventional PTSD treatments in that it provides the equivalent of six months of treatment in just two weeks. The Road Home Program approaches PTSD in a comprehensive way by implementing a variety of therapies and supplemental treatments to veterans. These therapies include Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Mindfulness Based Resiliency Training (MBRT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Art Therapy. The supplemental treatments include cognitive seminars, acupuncture, and …

Role Of Cortisol In The Development Of Post-Traumatic Stress And Dysphoria, Devi Jayan

Dissertations (1934 -)

Exposure to a traumatic event is a significant predictor for the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Identification of specific risk factors for PTSD and depression after trauma exposure has been challenging due to comorbid and heterogeneous presentations of these conditions. Pre-existing research demonstrates reduced cortisol response (hypocortisolism) in chronic PTSD and an exaggerated cortisol response (hypercortisolism) in depression. The current longitudinal study examined cortisol response following a traumatic injury as a potential biomarker for deciphering specific risk for PTSD, depression, and PTSD depression comorbidity. Saliva samples for cortisol assay (post-injury cortisol) were collected from 172 trauma survivors …

Is It Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder?, Ivette Berger

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This is a review of the current literature between the comorbidities and physiological symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), specifically in adolescents. The method used by this writer was examining peer- reviewed articles and books focused on PTSD and ADHD. Quantitative and qualitative research was reviewed and used to provide support on the comorbidities between PTSD and ADHD. Lastly, this paper discusses and explores how dance/movement therapy (DMT) should be a treatment option when working with this population since dance/movement therapy uses body observations and assessment tools that aid in diagnosing and treating individuals diagnosed …

Secondary Traumatic Stress In Intimate Partners And Children Of Service Members, Amber Foreman

Dissertations

This literature review addresses secondary traumatic stress (STS) in intimate partners and children of service members. More specifically, this literature review aims to explore if intimate partners and children of military service members are at risk for developing secondary traumatic stress. Secondly, this review aims to explore if there are specific risk factors associated with the development of secondary traumatic stress in intimate partners and children of service members. Finally, this review examines if there are other stressors and outcomes for intimate partners and children of service members. A systematic review of peer-reviewed research was explored to accomplish addressing the …

Facing Fears When Fearing Faces: Binocular Rivalry Perceptual Alternation And Approach-Avoidance In College-Aged Women With Autistic Traits And A History Of Adverse Experiences, Sarah Kamhout

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Women with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASCs) may be more likely to experience symptoms of trauma exposure due to greater likelihood of facing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). In order to gain a better understanding of the neural mechanisms involved with ASC and PTSD in women who experience difficulty with social interactions, I examined the ability of two vision tasks-- Binocular Rivalry Perceptual Alternation (BR) and Visual Approach/Avoidance by the Self Task (VAAST)-- to predict symptoms of both conditions as well as differentiate between them. I also examined differences in response to neutral or emotional (angry or fearful) faces under both paradigms. …

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Impacting Caregivers Of Children With Charge Syndrome, Matthew A. Ferrigno

Theses and Dissertations

The current study aimed to focus on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms in parents who have a child diagnosed with a rare genetic syndrome called CHARGE Syndrome. While previous studies have investigated related factors to parental PTSD (Reda & Hartshorne, 2008; Wulffaert et al., 2009), this study was one of the first to focus on parental PTSD symptomology and possible traumatic experiences related to CHARGE (e.g., medical complications). Specific concerns related to PTSD addressed in the current study included trauma histories, the number of surgeries a child underwent, and parent stress levels. One hundred and ninety-seven parents completed surveys that …

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: Comparing Short-Term, Intensive Therapy To Traditional, Long-Term Therapy, Laura Gonzalez, Sean Kruckenberg

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health diagnosis that occurs following a traumatic event, and military veterans are at higher risk of exposure to hazardous or life-threatening situations that may result in psychological trauma. PTSD sufferers experience symptoms such as distressing memories, nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance, and heightened arousal. Individuals with PTSD also experience higher rates of depressive and substance use disorders, involvement with the justice system, and self-harm and suicide. Many agencies, such as the Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) provide treatment PTSD, however most programs experience dropout rates as high as 36%. Recent studies have shown that …

“My Bruises Are Inward:” A Study Of Mental Trauma In The American Civil War, Cody Turnbaugh

Master's Theses

War is traumatic. Since the American Psychiatric Association first recognized post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 1980, living veterans of combat have been diagnosed at an alarmingly high rate. However, mental trauma related diagnoses have existed for centuries, including several that were identified around the time of the American Civil War. This thesis argues that Civil War soldiers experienced mental trauma related to their military service. It does so through three lenses. Focused on the mental trauma among Northern veterans, this study investigates in particular the relationship between mental trauma and socioeconomic status. It analyzes the experiences of both white and …

The Trauma, Substance Use, And Crime Connection: Characteristics And Recidivism Outcomes Of Adult Offenders, Kathryn F. Fokas

Psychology ETDs

Despite exceptionally high rates of trauma and substance use among incarcerated offenders, treatments remain limited in scope and availability within the criminal justice system. Identifying shared underlying mechanisms and potential gender differences could facilitate the development of interventions to target the vicious cycle of trauma, substance use, and crime. This study aimed to test a novel conceptualization of trauma, substance use, and criminal history as a composite risk factor for recidivism, including posttraumatic world assumptions as a hypothesized mediator and gender as a potential moderator. Participants were adult offenders from a community corrections program. Due to many institutional barriers and …

Mental Health Concerns Of Frontline Registered Nurses Associated With The Covid-19 Pandemic, Julie Ingle

Dissertations

Problem

COVID-19 caused local healthcare facilities to admit patients with COVID-19 at increasing rates, critically overloading healthcare system resources. Caregiver-related stress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic placed frontline registered nurses (RNs) at risk for mental health consequences (Havlioglu & Demir, 2020; Shechter et al.,2020).

Methods

This quality improvement project used a descriptive design to administer a collection of validated instruments assessing anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and demographics. A purposive sample of RNs were recruited from the COVID-19 units in a local hospital, and the survey was distributed via email.

Results

During the implementation period (April 4, 2021-May 15, …

Individualized Music Relaxation And Composition As A Coping Skill For Survivors Of Intimate Partner Abuse In And Out Of The Therapeutic Setting, J. Juliet Weight

Theses and Dissertations

In one day in 2016, there were 41,195 domestic violence victims reported in emergency shelters or transitional housing units within the United States. Many of these victims struggle with PTSD, stress, and anxiety. There is a need for creating a coping skill that can address traumatic responses in and out of the therapeutic setting. Creating a musical representation of a survivor’s internal safe space could be used as a coping skill to reduce trauma responses. The purpose of this study was to see if the creation of an individualized musical safe space as a coping skill could reduce stress of …

Analysis Of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Gene Expression Profiles In A Prospective, Community-Based Cohort, Jan Dahrendorff

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common and debilitating psychiatric disorder that may occur in individuals exposed to traumatic events such as accidents, interpersonal violence, war, combat-exposures or natural disasters. PTSD is a significant public health issue with a high disease burden associated with substantial health care costs and several comorbidities negatively affecting an individual’s quality of life. The biological underpinnings of the disorder are not well understood. Gene expression studies can shed light into the complex physiology of PTSD. However, to date, studies employing a hypothesis-free approach examining the whole transcriptome are scarce and are limited to assessment of …

Relations Between Ptsd Symptoms And Pain Interference Among Older Adults, Laura E. Travers

Theses and Dissertations

Both the older adult population and the frequency of natural disasters (e.g., hurricanes) increase in the U.S. each year. Consequently, understanding the health experiences that affect older adults specifically following a natural disaster is important for providing effective healthcare and promoting health expectancy. For example, the extent to which PTSD symptoms following a natural disaster contribute to pain severity (beyond the contributions of other psychosocial experiences such as depression) among older adults is not yet clear, and whether this contribution differs by gender or age has yet to be established. The aims of this study were (1) to determine whether …

Longitudinal Trauma Treatment Outcomes In An Immigrant And Refugee Sample, Shuen-En Ho

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

Refugee and immigrant populations are at an increased risk of having posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and exhibit a significant amount of variance in trauma treatment outcomes that may be impacted by sociocultural factors. This study examines the impact of demographic variables on treatment outcome and trajectory of PTSD symptoms in a clinic setting with trauma-focused treatments in refugee/immigrant and general populations. Data was collected from the electronic medical record at the Harborview Center for Sexual Assault and Traumatic Stress. A total of 817 participants completed intake, 58 of which self-identified as immigrant/refugee. One-way ANOVAs were conducted to examine group differences …

"Knowing It's Real Means You Gotta Make A Decision": Depictions Of Post-Traumatic Disorders And Coping Mechanisms In The Punisher And Jessica Jones, Megan M. Rutter

English Department Masters Theses

Post-traumatic disorders have been included in some of the most popular narratives in mainstream culture. Though the early decades of movies included 1948’s The Best Days of Our Lives is an award-winning movie that follows three veterans home from World War II and depicts their struggles with reacclimating to society it became more popular after Vietnam veterans and their allies fought and protested for an appropriate diagnosis for PTSD after decades of it not being seen as a legitimate psychological disorder. Since then, post-traumatic disorders have been included in media as popular as the series finale of M*A*S*H in 1983, …

Educating Providers To Screen For Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Alyssa Fraino

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background: The purpose of this evidence-based change in practice is to increase the knowledge base of psychiatric providers in outpatient psychiatric settings, by educating clinicians regarding the significance of implementing a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) screening tool during the initial evaluation of patients. This can help to identify patients with PTSD that may not have been identified on initial visit, and may otherwise go unrecognized or untreated for PTSD, without the inclusion of a PTSD screening tool.

Problem: Evidence suggests that PTSD is underreported and overlooked in most populations. However, there is no standardized practice surrounding the routine use of …

Feelings Forward: A Trauma Group For Adolescents, Lindsay Thronson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Within the United States, research has shown that roughly 14% to 43% of children and teens go through at least one traumatic event and of those children 3% to 15% develop PTSD (VA.gov: Veterans Affairs, 2018). The current research has indicated that children who have endured a traumatic event can suffer from lifelong determinantal effects such as emotional, physical, and psychological issues. With these statistics in mind, this group manual has been created for adolescents who are presenting with PTSD symptomology. Among the literature regarding the detrimental impact that trauma has on adolescents development, there will be a focus …

Effects Of Sleep On Intrusive Symptoms And Emotional Reactivity In A Laboratory-Based Film Analog Study, Anna Marie Thi Thanh Nguyen

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is characterized by four symptom clusters. Recently, research highlights the need to focus on the impact of intrusive symptoms as a possible risk factor for the development and maintenance of PTSD. Cognitive and sleep models contribute to further understanding of intrusive symptoms. Recent work also highlights disgust as an emotion closely associated with the emergence of posttraumatic stress symptomology following traumatic events. This study used a film eliciting disgust in order to examine the effects of sleep on the intensity of intrusion symptoms and emotion reactivity. The sample consisted of 49 college students randomly assigned to …

Neural Correlates Underlying The Interactions Between Anxiety And Cannabis Use In Predicting Motor Response Inhibition, Richard Ward

Theses and Dissertations

The ability to effectively withhold an inappropriate response is a critical feature of cognitive control. Prior research indicates alterations in neural processes required for motor response inhibition in anxious individuals, including those with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and those who engage in regular cannabis use. However, thus far most research has examined how anxiety-related symptoms and cannabis use influence response inhibition in isolation of one another. The current study examined the interactions between anxious symptomology and recent cannabis use in a sample that recently experienced a traumatic event using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during the completion of a Stop-Signal …

Correctional Officers' Response To Stress: An Exploration Of The Associations Between Violence And Trauma Exposure, Coping Mechanisms, And Ptsd., Katie Lorraine Hughes-Taylor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The current study examines correctional officer coping mechanisms and whether they impact the likelihood of an officer developing PTSD symptoms. Additionally, research questions focus on whether problem-focused or emotion-focused coping mechanisms moderate the relationship between exposure to trauma and PTSD symptoms. The data for the current dissertation comes from a larger National Institute of Justice grant determined to examine mindfulness as an intervention for correctional officer PTSD within Kentucky Department of Corrections. Approximately 245 officers from seven adult institutions participated in the study and completed a lengthy survey. Main variables for the current analysis include two dependent variables, both of …

The Past, Present And Future Of Psychedelics, Helen Claire Mcnulty

Honors Theses

This thesis is a systematic literature review that will articulate the need for psychedelics as a treatment for several mental illnesses and ailments. Starting with the origins of psychedelics used in South American religious ceremonies and their development and early trials in the mid 20^th century as well as the legal battles of psychedelics in American society. Additionally, this thesis examines the chemical structure, pharmacology, and safety of psychedelics. An in-depth examination of psychedelics as a therapy for treatment-resistant depression, depression and anxiety as a result of a cancer diagnosis, nicotine addiction and alcoholism, OCD, PTSD, and cluster headaches …

Does God Condone Assault? How Religious Commitment Impacts Trauma Following Sexual Abuse, Madison Snider

Honors College Theses

Sexual assault has been defined as crimes that include attacks or attempted attacks generally involving unwanted sexual contact between victim and offender. After experiencing assault, survivors look for support and belief often turning to their religious communities. It has been found through prior research that the confession of assault has been received on an inconsistent reaction basis. Prior research has also found that religion is often used as a protective shield for perpetrators to hide behind and a roadblock for survivors. Prior research has also primarily focused on investigating reactions to assault in religious communities for either male female victims …

The Impact Of Change In Self-Compassion, Psychological Inflexibility, And Interpersonal Courage In Pstd Treatment, Peter Philip Grau

Dissertations (1934 -)

Despite numerous advances in the field’s understanding of the development and maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), current treatments are often limited in effectiveness due to a narrow focus on symptom reduction (Cloitre, 2015; Yehuda et al., 2015). One reason for this issue is that the impact of PTSD extends into areas such as interpersonal relationships, pursuit of valued activities, and acceptance of the self (Cloitre, 2015). These processes appear to be especially relevant in chronic/complex PTSD, which is rarely represented in controlled trials (Cloitre, Miranda, Stovall- McClough, & Han, 2005). As such, PTSD research with an expanded focus beyond …

Chimeric Ideals, Carter Hoffer

Honors Thesis

What comes next and how do you move on from something that seems all-encompassing? These are just a couple of the questions author Carter Hoffer asks within his original play, Chimeric Ideals. Inspired by a nation rife with gun violence and no plan to reign it in, Chimeric Ideals follows the story of Percy, Adam, Jed, and Henry immediately after the most traumatic experience of their young lives, exploring the difficulty of healing in a world where mental health is a taboo subject, and its' sufferers sometimes refuse to admit to even having a problem. Originally conceived as a …

The Effects Of Familial Support, Social Support, And On-Campus Involvement On Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms On Academic Achievement, Kelsey G. Coulthard

LSU Master's Theses

Research demonstrates that students with higher levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTS) exhibit lower grades in college (Pereira, et al., 2018). Further, higher levels of PTS during the first semester of college leads to higher rates of withdrawing from school (Boyraz, Horne, Owens, & Armstrong, 2013). Although there is ample evidence that the association between traumatic experiences are negatively correlated with academic performance, little is known about factors that may moderate or influence the relationship. Research has determined that higher levels of social support may facilitate recovery from trauma exposure and may lessen PTS symptoms in college students (Grasso, 2011). …

Implementing A Personal Wellness Program For Law Enforcement, Lee Schroeder

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership

Law enforcement is trained to handle any and every situation they may encounter when patrolling the streets. From civil cases, domestic, de-escalation, going hands-on with subjects, to having individuals at gunpoint. Law enforcement is in an occupation that can go from 0-100mph in a matter of seconds. With all the training that can make the outcomes more desirable, one aspect has been on the afterburner that is almost as important as other training. With the staggering statistic regarding law enforcement officers committing suicide, it would make sense that law enforcement should be given more training on coping abilities and even …