Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

A Feasibility Study: Emotional Freedom Techniques For Depression In Australian Adults, Peta Stapleton, Sharon Devine, Hannah Chatwin, Brett Porter, Terri Sheldon

Peta B. Stapleton

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using Clinical Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) to treat Major Depressive Disorder in an adult population by way of a therapeutic group setting. Adults were assigned to EFT group treatment for a period of eight weeks. Diagnostic assessment was completed immediately pre and post treatment using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. In addition to this, self-report assessments measuring symptomatic evidence of depression were completed by the participants before the treatment, after the treatment and at three month follow-up. Comparisons with a community group were made at pre and post intervention …

Endogenous Spatial Attention: Evidence For Intact Functioning In Adults With Autism, Michael Grubb, Marlene Behrmann, Ryan Egan, Nancy Minshew, Marisa Carrasco, David Heeger

Marlene Behrmann

Rapid manipulation of the attention field (i.e. the location and spread of visual spatial attention) is a critical aspect of human cognition, and previous research on spatial attention in individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has produced inconsistent results. In a series of three psychophysical experiments, we evaluated claims in the literature that individuals with ASD exhibit a deficit in voluntarily controlling the deployment and size of the spatial attention field. We measured the spatial distribution of performance accuracies and reaction times to quantify the sizes and locations of the attention field, with and without spatial uncertainty (i.e. the lack …

Mood And Food Cravings In Overweight And Obese Australian Adults: Clues To Treatment In Food Diaries, Peta Stapleton, Wava Doyle

Peta B. Stapleton

The objective of this study was to examine food diaries from 89 female overweight and obese adults participating in a treatment trial for food cravings. For two weeks prior to beginning treatment and for the duration of the four-week treatment, all participants were required to complete a daily food monitoring sheet or diary in real-time, indicating all quantities of food/drink eaten throughout a day and whether the item was a craving item for them. The diaries were examined for narrative statements and categorized with regard to common content, resulting in seven themes (Physiological; Enjoyment/Celebration; Missing Out; Reward; Wastage; Emotive and …

Capella University Sponsors Autism Event, Lee Wilkinson

Lee A Wilkinson, PhD