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Examining The Effects Of Acute And Chronic Stress On The Interrogative Suggestibility Of Young Adults, Claudia Cota May 2024

Examining The Effects Of Acute And Chronic Stress On The Interrogative Suggestibility Of Young Adults, Claudia Cota

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

High-stress situations, like police interrogations, can hinder an individual's decision-making and critical-thinking ability (Liston et al., 2009), making them more susceptible to suggestive or leading messages during questioning. While research on suggestibility mainly focuses on children and adolescents, young adults may also be vulnerable to suggestion because of their sensitivity to social feedback (Blakemore & Mills, 2014; Redlich & Goodman, 2003). Since the legal consequences of suggestibility for young adults are more severe than for children or adolescents, it is essential to examine the role of stress in young adults' suggestibility. The present study used objective and subjective methods to …


The Power Of A Story: How Emotions And Numeracy Affect Parental Decisions About The Human Papillomavirus Vaccine, Candice Fawn Coffman Aug 2023

The Power Of A Story: How Emotions And Numeracy Affect Parental Decisions About The Human Papillomavirus Vaccine, Candice Fawn Coffman

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (CDC, 2021). There are two strains of HPV known for causing cervical, penile, anal, vaginal, and oropharynx (throat) cancers (CDC, 2020). A vaccine is available to prevent these cancer-causing strains of HPV for individuals between the ages of 9-45. Unfortunately, vaccination uptake and completion rates are below the recommended rates to achieve herd immunity. A primary barrier to vaccination is concern about potential adverse events following vaccination. The purpose of the present study is to examine the influence of anecdotal versus statistical information on parents' intentions to vaccinate their …


Examining The Association Between Emotional Intelligence, Meaning In Life, Stress, And Burnout Among Preâ??Medical Students In The United States, Nayla Paulina Paulina Bejarano Chacon Aug 2023

Examining The Association Between Emotional Intelligence, Meaning In Life, Stress, And Burnout Among Preâ??Medical Students In The United States, Nayla Paulina Paulina Bejarano Chacon

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background and significance: The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has estimated that by 2034 there will be a physician shortage of around 124,000 physicians. With burnout being one of the main drivers, it is crucial to assess it. Burnout is characterized by high levels of emotional exhaustion and cynicism and low levels of academic efficacy.There has been substantial research on burnout among healthcare providers across different levels of training; however, few studies have examined burnout among undergraduate students who wish to pursue a graduate degree in healthcare. Given the shortage of healthcare providers in the United States, it is …


Trauma And Resilience Among Migrant Children From Mexico And The Northern Triangle Eroute To The United States, Georgina Sanchez-Garcia Aug 2022

Trauma And Resilience Among Migrant Children From Mexico And The Northern Triangle Eroute To The United States, Georgina Sanchez-Garcia

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Children who experience the phenomenon of migration from the Northern Triangle region and Mexico en route to the United States face pressing problems with psychosocial consequences that ostensibly affect them and are reflected in the violation of their human rights. We studied trauma and resilience among migrant children from Mexico and the Northern Triangle nations â??Guatemala, El Salvador, and Hondurasâ?? who are uprooted from their communities to undertake the dangerous overland journey to the United States (Lusk & Sanchez-Garcia, 2021; Rodriguez, 2020; UNICEF, 2018). The experience of such migration for children can be fraught with hardship, and it may have …


Twitter Posts, Gist, And The Perceived Harmfulness Of The Human Papillomavirus Vaccine, Candice Fawn Coffman May 2022

Twitter Posts, Gist, And The Perceived Harmfulness Of The Human Papillomavirus Vaccine, Candice Fawn Coffman

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Individuals frequently encounter two types of information when evaluating the risk of a vaccination: statistical evidence describing the frequency of positive and negative outcomes, and anecdotal evidence describing positive and negative personal experiences. The present study evaluated the relative importance of both types of evidence when considered simultaneously. We predicted that the presentation of even one negative anecdote would have an effect on the key risk information (the â??gistâ??) that subjects extracted from the statistical and anecdotal data. Self-generated twitter posts (tweets) and standard measures of perceived risk were used to test the latter prediction. The current findings partially supported …


Development Of A Measure Assessing Perceptions Of E-Cigarettes: A Mixed Methods Approach, Dessaray Monique Gorbett Dec 2021

Development Of A Measure Assessing Perceptions Of E-Cigarettes: A Mixed Methods Approach, Dessaray Monique Gorbett

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States (U.S.), killingmore than 480,000 people each year. In recent years, we have seen a steady decline in cigarette smoking but have seen increased alternative tobacco product use (e.g., electronic cigarettes). Positive perceptions of e-cigarettes are associated with increased e-cigarette use (Amrock, Zakhar, Zhou, & Weitzman, 2015; Chen-Sankey & Kong, Choi, 2019; Pokhrel, Fagan, Kehl, & Herzog, 2015; Simmons et al., 2016). However, studies assessing the perceptions of e-cigarettes vary widely and do not adequately capture perceptions of social norms and the addictiveness of e-cigarettes. The current study …


A Critical Analysis On Mexican Americans Associated With Gangs Living In San Antonio, Texas, Rubi Guadalupe Gonzales Aug 2021

A Critical Analysis On Mexican Americans Associated With Gangs Living In San Antonio, Texas, Rubi Guadalupe Gonzales

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The U.S has a major national concern of mass incarceration. Mass incarceration poses a threat to achieve health equity as there are many adverse health effects documented related to incarceration (i.e., posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, hypertension, diabetes, asthma, hepatitis, HIV, tuberculosis, etc.,). There is a great need to conduct research on incarceration with a critical lens. The present study examined the incarceration trajectories of Mexican American men who were associated with gangs during their youth and lived in the west side of San Antonio. This cohort of males were followed at three different timepoints in their life using retrospective …


Development And Validation Of The Perinatal Mental Health Literacy Scale Among Latinas, Irma Y. Torres-Catanach Jan 2020

Development And Validation Of The Perinatal Mental Health Literacy Scale Among Latinas, Irma Y. Torres-Catanach

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Psychiatric disorders in pregnancy and in the first year after childbirth are considered a significant health complication of the perinatal period (O'Hara & Wisner, 2014). The prevalence of perinatal mood disorders has been shown to be higher among women from racial/ethnic minority groups (Gavin et al., 2011; Melville et al., 2010). As the largest racial/ethnic minority group in the U.S., Latinas are disproportionately affected by these disparities. Despite the volume of research examining the prevalence of and treatment for perinatal psychiatric disorders, there is a dearth of knowledge focused on educational approaches that aim to reduce perinatal mental health disparities. …


Nutrition Label Accuracy And The Theory Of Triadic Influence: The Impact Of Knowledge On Healthy Food Choices In A Predominantly Hispanic Sample, Mosi Staudt Dane'el Jan 2018

Nutrition Label Accuracy And The Theory Of Triadic Influence: The Impact Of Knowledge On Healthy Food Choices In A Predominantly Hispanic Sample, Mosi Staudt Dane'el

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Unhealthy food choices and the outcomes of those choices are a significant concern in the United States. Multiple governmental agencies recommend using nutrition labels to promote healthier food choices. This study investigated this claim using the theory of triadic influence to examine the efficacious use of nutrition labels on food choices. The theory of triadic influence presents a model of variables that affect food choice, including knowledge pathways on which this study focuses. Within the model, we expected increased scores on two measures of health knowledge to predict nutrition label understanding, which predict healthy food attitudes. Next, we expected that …


Development And Validation Of A Measure Assessing Blind Patients' Perceptions Of Their Healthcare Providers' Stereotype Content, Nazanin Mina Heydarian Jan 2018

Development And Validation Of A Measure Assessing Blind Patients' Perceptions Of Their Healthcare Providers' Stereotype Content, Nazanin Mina Heydarian

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

People with disabilities (PWDs) constitute about 15-20% of the total population. Health disparities among PWD's are due, in part, to stereotypes about PWDs as incompetent. These stereotypes may lead some healthcare providers (HCP) to patronize PWDs, over-focus on the PWDs' impairments and potentially neglect their presenting problem. Moreover, if the PWD violates stereotypical assumptions, the HCP may actively interfere with the PWD's goals. This Dissertation focused on the blind population because this is a large, stigmatized and understudied subpopulation of PWDs. In Study 1, the content of stereotypes about blind patients in the clinical setting were examined from the patient …


Insulin Modulates The Strong Reinforcing Effects Of Nicotine And Changes In Insulin Biomarkers In A Rodent Model Of Diabetes, Bryan Cruz Jan 2018

Insulin Modulates The Strong Reinforcing Effects Of Nicotine And Changes In Insulin Biomarkers In A Rodent Model Of Diabetes, Bryan Cruz

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This study examined whether the strong reinforcing effects of nicotine and changes in insulin biomarkers observed in diabetic rats are modulated via insulin. A model of diabetes was employed involving administration of streptozotocin (STZ), which produces hypoinsulinemia in rats. The present study included vehicle- or STZ-treated rats that received sham surgery or an insulin pellet. Two-weeks later, the rats were given extended access to intravenous self-administration (IVSA) of saline or nicotine. Concomitant changes in food intake, water responses, and body weight were assessed during 12 days of IVSA. After the last session, plasma levels of insulin, leptin, amylin, and glucagon-like …


Monitoring And Blunting Coping Style Effects On College Student Processing Of Health Information Via Social Media, Katherine Marie Aguirre Jan 2017

Monitoring And Blunting Coping Style Effects On College Student Processing Of Health Information Via Social Media, Katherine Marie Aguirre

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The dissemination of public health messages via social media is a growing phenomenon that is changing the health communication landscape (Chou, Hunt, Beckjord, Mojer, & Hesse, 2009). Few studies have investigated how individuals process health-threatening information. This study addressed this gap in knowledge. Specifically, the current study investigated the impact of coping style on an individual's attention to health-threatening and health-promoting words on an attention task. The current study also investigated the impact of coping style on the recall of health-threatening, health-promoting, and neutral words contained in a diabetes health message. In addition, the current study investigated if coping style …


The Impact Of Baby Sign Training On Stress Levels Of Daycare Providers, Grisel Julieta Rodriguez Jan 2015

The Impact Of Baby Sign Training On Stress Levels Of Daycare Providers, Grisel Julieta Rodriguez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Proponents of baby sign claim improvements in child-caregiver interactions and reductions in parental stress as benefits of implementing baby sign. Due to research contradicting the claims, and to the rise in daycare attendance, the current study investigated the effects of a baby sign workshop on the stress perception of daycare providers. A pre-test post-test between groups design with 20 participants was conducted using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS10) and a workshop-specific descriptive survey as measures. The difference between the post-test stress levels of experimental and control groups approached significance, as did the differences between pre-test and post-test results for the …


Differences In Stress Biomarkers In Women With High And Low Stress Appraisal, Clarissa Sara Gomez Jan 2015

Differences In Stress Biomarkers In Women With High And Low Stress Appraisal, Clarissa Sara Gomez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Measures of physiological biomarkers have been widely used in the field of stress research to explain how stress negatively impacts health outcomes. Women in particular have been shown to be more at risk for developing physiological and psychological stress-induced conditions (e.g., hypertension, depression) due to hormonal differences (Kirschbaum et al., 1992), but more importantly, because of their appraisal of stressful events (Schamus et al., 2008). Few studies however have examined whether womenâ??s stress appraisal is predictive of stress reactivity, as measured by stress biomarkers, during stressful events. The goal of this study was to examine whether stress appraisal predicted stress …


The Development Of The Barriers, Elizabeth Hagelsieb-Escalera Jan 2014

The Development Of The Barriers, Elizabeth Hagelsieb-Escalera

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Estimates of undiagnosed diabetics are as high as 50%. Early intervention and management can reduce the complications of diabetes; however, this is possible only after the disease has been diagnosed. A review of diabetes screening literature revealed a dearth of information regarding the diabetes screening behavior of individuals. Unlike barriers to cancer screening, little is known about barriers and facilitators to diabetes screening. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) is a logical theoretical framework to apply for the examination of screening intentions because it allows inference of behavioral predictors via survey item responses. Using the TPB framework, the Barriers and …


A Pilot Study Examining The Impact Of A Brief Health Education Intervention On Food Choices And Exercise In A Hispanic College Student Sample, Julie Ann Blow Jan 2014

A Pilot Study Examining The Impact Of A Brief Health Education Intervention On Food Choices And Exercise In A Hispanic College Student Sample, Julie Ann Blow

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

It has been suggested that intervention efforts should focus on prevention of weight gain and the adoption of healthy eating and physical activity behaviors. There is a dearth of literature as to what theoretically-based interventions would be most amenable and efficacious in a Hispanic college student sample. This study assessed the impact of a pilot intervention based on components derived from Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) that focused on increasing healthy eating and physical activity in Hispanic college students. Measures in the study included demographics, theoretical constructs from SDT and the TTM, eating behavior, and a food …


Psychographic Characteristics And Health Behaviors In Young Adults, Jose Alonso Cabriales Jan 2014

Psychographic Characteristics And Health Behaviors In Young Adults, Jose Alonso Cabriales

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. Non trivial smoking rates are observed among young adults and Hispanics, particularly as light and intermittent smoking is on the rise. Additionally, the assessment of other health behaviors including alcohol use, physical activity, and dietary practices seems warranted in young adults. The primary aim of this study was to identify clusters of individuals based on psychographics (e.g., lifestyle, preferences, personality characteristics), and their relation to tobacco use within a primarily Hispanic young adult border sample. Secondary aims were the assessment of group differences with respect to alcohol use, …


Correlates Of Marijuana Use In A Hispanic College Sample, Joseph Ephraim Charter Jan 2012

Correlates Of Marijuana Use In A Hispanic College Sample, Joseph Ephraim Charter

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Currently there is a dearth of literature regarding marijuana and its correlates of use, particularly in Hispanics. Marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug, and its use has increased in recent years. This study aimed to assess correlates of marijuana use in a Hispanic college student sample. Data were collected from 549 participants from University psychology courses. Participants completed a comprehensive survey packet consisting of: demographics, marijuana use history, tobacco and alcohol use, depression, anxiety, stress, and acculturation. Descriptive analyses were used to provide a characteristic profile of Hispanic college student marijuana use. Eight percent reported past 30-day marijuana …


The Role Of Perceptual Processes In The Use Of And Willingness To Use Professional Health Care Services, Luis Omar Rivera Jan 2011

The Role Of Perceptual Processes In The Use Of And Willingness To Use Professional Health Care Services, Luis Omar Rivera

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

To better address ethnic health disparities, it is imperative that we understand the psychological processes that shape people's use of and willingness to use professional health care services. The current research proposes and tests a model in which people's attentional orientation toward context discourages them from seeking professional health care services because (a) attentional orientation toward context encourages people to attribute symptoms of illness to external/environmental factors and (b) attributing symptoms of illness to external/environmental factors is associated with less use of professional health care services. The results of two studies show mixed support for the proposed model. Consistent with …


Correlates Of Weight Concern And Control In A Hispanic College Student Sample., J. Blow, T. Taylor, Theodore V. Cooper, C. K. Redfearn Jan 2010

Correlates Of Weight Concern And Control In A Hispanic College Student Sample., J. Blow, T. Taylor, Theodore V. Cooper, C. K. Redfearn

Theodore V. Cooper

No abstract provided.


Differences Between Intermittent And Light Daily Smokers In A Population Of U.S Military Recruits, Theodore Cooper, Thom Taylor, Ashley Murray, Margaret Debon, Mark Vander Weg, Robert Klesges, G. Wayne Talcott Jan 2009

Differences Between Intermittent And Light Daily Smokers In A Population Of U.S Military Recruits, Theodore Cooper, Thom Taylor, Ashley Murray, Margaret Debon, Mark Vander Weg, Robert Klesges, G. Wayne Talcott

Theodore V. Cooper

No abstract provided.


Does Type Of Stimulus Influence Task-Irrelevant Evaluative Categorization Processes?, Guadalupe Corral Jan 2009

Does Type Of Stimulus Influence Task-Irrelevant Evaluative Categorization Processes?, Guadalupe Corral

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The effect of stimulus type on task-irrelevant evaluative categorization was examined in two separate studies by using the P3 component from event-related brain potentials. The first study presented idiosyncratic stimuli consisting of individuals that were rated by participants as either positive or negative within sequences of pictorial and verbal stimuli. The second study presented sequences of novel and familiar stimuli consisting of previously normed unattractive and neutral individuals. It was hypothesized that pictures would elicit task-irrelevant evaluative categorization processes and so would novel stimuli (relative to words and familiar stimuli, respectively). Task-irrelevance was examined by assessing P3 peak amplitude to …


Potential Demographic And Cultural Predictors Of Heavy Episodic Drinking In Hispanic College Students., Theodore V. Cooper, Jennifer Venegas, Natahsa Naylor, Brenda S. Hanson Jan 2009

Potential Demographic And Cultural Predictors Of Heavy Episodic Drinking In Hispanic College Students., Theodore V. Cooper, Jennifer Venegas, Natahsa Naylor, Brenda S. Hanson

Theodore V. Cooper

No abstract provided.


Assessing A Smoking Cessation Program For Veterans In Substance Use Disorder Treatment., Theodore V. Cooper, Y. M. Hunt, R. S. Burke, C. J. Stoever Jan 2009

Assessing A Smoking Cessation Program For Veterans In Substance Use Disorder Treatment., Theodore V. Cooper, Y. M. Hunt, R. S. Burke, C. J. Stoever

Theodore V. Cooper

No abstract provided.


A Pilot Study Of A Brief Smoking Cessation Intervention At The Student Health Center., Theodore V. Cooper, Jennifer Venegas, Denise Rodriguez De Ybarra, Thom Taylor, Jasjit S. Ahluwalia Jan 2009

A Pilot Study Of A Brief Smoking Cessation Intervention At The Student Health Center., Theodore V. Cooper, Jennifer Venegas, Denise Rodriguez De Ybarra, Thom Taylor, Jasjit S. Ahluwalia

Theodore V. Cooper

No abstract provided.


Obesity-Relevant Behaviors: Patterns And Correlates In A Hispanic College Sample., D. Hu, T. J. Taylor, Theodore V. Cooper Jan 2009

Obesity-Relevant Behaviors: Patterns And Correlates In A Hispanic College Sample., D. Hu, T. J. Taylor, Theodore V. Cooper

Theodore V. Cooper

No abstract provided.


Predictors Of Amount Smoked Per Day In Light Smoking College Students: A 7 Day Diary Assessment., Thom Taylor, Theodore V. Cooper Jan 2009

Predictors Of Amount Smoked Per Day In Light Smoking College Students: A 7 Day Diary Assessment., Thom Taylor, Theodore V. Cooper

Theodore V. Cooper

No abstract provided.


Characteristics Associated With Smoking In A Hispanic Sample., D. Rodriguez Esquivel, Theodore V. Cooper, J. A. Blow, M. R. Resor Jan 2009

Characteristics Associated With Smoking In A Hispanic Sample., D. Rodriguez Esquivel, Theodore V. Cooper, J. A. Blow, M. R. Resor

Theodore V. Cooper

No abstract provided.


A Study Of Possible Pre-Cognitive Advantages Of Bilingualism, Marisela Gutierrez Jan 2009

A Study Of Possible Pre-Cognitive Advantages Of Bilingualism, Marisela Gutierrez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Past research has suggested that second language acquisition has a beneficial effect on the development of inhibitory control processes in children and adults. This has been referred to as the "bilingual advantage" and is most commonly quantified using the Simon task. Whether the bilingual advantage extends to precognitive mechanisms has not yet been examined. The goals of this study were to examine the bilingual advantage in university students; and to examine whether the bilingual advantage extends to the precognitive filtering mechanism of sensorimotor gating. It was predicted that, as compared to monolinguals, bilingual university students would have greater inhibitory control, …


Sequential Treatment For Nicotine Dependence And Postcessation Weight Concern In A Female Diagnosed With Paranoid Schizophrenia., Theodore V. Cooper, B. S. Hanson, R. S. Burke, Y. M. Hunt Jan 2008

Sequential Treatment For Nicotine Dependence And Postcessation Weight Concern In A Female Diagnosed With Paranoid Schizophrenia., Theodore V. Cooper, B. S. Hanson, R. S. Burke, Y. M. Hunt

Theodore V. Cooper

No abstract provided.