Psychology Commons^™

Integrating Trauma-Informed Services In Out-Of-School Time Programs To Mitigate The Impact Of Community Gun Violence On Youth Mental Health, Angela T. Clarke, Stevie N. Grassetti, Lauren Brumley, Kyle Y. Ross, Courtney Erdly, Sarah Richter, Emily R. Brown, Michele Pole

Psychology Faculty Publications

Community gun violence disproportionately impacts youth in low-income urban neighborhoods. Integrating trauma informed mental health care in community-based out-of-school time (OST) programs is an innovative method of service delivery for these youth. This article provides justification for integrating evidence-based, trauma-informed services in OST programs within communities characterized by high rates of violent crime to minimize the impact of violence exposure on youth mental health. We describe the initial feasibility of a model program, the Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Initiative, implemented in a small city in southeastern Pennsylvania. Within the first six months of the VIP Initiative, 95 community residents …

An Ecological Systems Perspective On Individual Differences In Children's Performance On Measures Of Executive Function, Steven J. Holochwost, Deaven Winebrake, Eleanor D. Brown, Keith R. Happeney, Nicholas J. Wagner, W. Roger Mills-Koonce

Psychology Faculty Publications

The predictive validity of performance on cognitive-behavioral measures of executive function (EF) suggests that these measures index children's underlying capacity for self-regulation. In this paper, we apply ecological systems theory to critically evaluate this assertion. We argue that as typically administered, standard measures of EF do not index children's underlying, trait-like capacity for EF, but rather assess their state-like EF performance at a given point in time and in a particular (and often quite peculiar) context. This underscores the importance of disentangling intra-individual (i.e., state-like) and inter-individual (trait-like) differences in performance on these measures and understanding how factors at various …

Meditations On Loss And Grief: Loss Is A Universal Human Experience - How Can We Cope With It?, Jasmin Tahmaseb-Mcconatha

Psychology Faculty Publications

• The painful experience of loss is universal; many people will face multiple losses throughout their lives.
• Cultural messages of later life are filled with expectations and anticipation of loss that shape how people mourn.
• Immersion in the natural world can help people cope with loss and heal.

Choline Supplementation Alters Hippocampal Cytokine Levels In Adolescence And Adulthood In An Animal Model Of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, Jessica A. Baker, Tamara S. Bodnar, Kristen Breit, Joanne Weinberg, Jennifer D. Thomas

Psychology Faculty Publications

Alcohol (ethanol) exposure during pregnancy can adversely affect development, with long-lasting consequences that include neuroimmune, cognitive, and behavioral dysfunction. Alcohol-induced alterations in cytokine levels in the hippocampus may contribute to abnormal cognitive and behavioral outcomes in individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). Nutritional intervention with the essential nutrient choline can improve hippocampal-dependent behavioral impairments and may also influence neuroimmune function. Thus, we examined the effects of choline supplementation on hippocampal cytokine levels in adolescent and adult rats exposed to alcohol early in development. From postnatal day (PD) 4-9 (third trimester-equivalent), Sprague-Dawley rat pups received ethanol (5.25 g/kg/day) or sham …

The Gendered Face Of Ageism In The Workplace, Jasmin Tahmaseb-Mcconatha, V. Krishna Kumar, Jaqueline Magnarelli, Georgina Hanna

Psychology Faculty Publications

This qualitative study explores perceived age discrimination in the workplace. Increasing age diversity in the workplace has led to an associated increase in ageism. While a large percentage of older workers report being subjected to discriminatory treatment in the workplace, ageism also appears to be gendered. Older female workers are being victimized at a greater rate than their male counterparts. The intersection of age, gender, and other forms of discrimination results in increased stress, threatens the well-being of workers of all ages, and creates a toxic workplace climate. Analysis of 244 participants’ responses to openended items indicated that ageism is …

Fulfilling The Promise Of Applied Developmental Science: Is It Time To Reconsider Our Approach?, Steven J. Holochwost, W. Roger Mills-Koonce, Eleanor D. Brown

Psychology Faculty Publications

The promise of applied developmental science is that we can use scientific methods to promote positive human development and improve the lives of children and families. However, the present political environment in the United States makes the creation of research-informed federal policy difficult, even when the evidence supporting a given policy is unequivocal. In this essay, we hope to begin a conversation about how we, as applied developmental scientists, may modify our approach in order to best fulfill the promise of applied developmental science. To begin this conversation, we discuss the potential for establishing long-term partnerships with smaller entities, including …

Cognitive Experiential Group Therapy: An Innovative Blending Of Two Therapeutic Modalities Integrating Cbt With Experiential Theory And Practice. A Group Therapy Workbook, By Treadwell, T. W., With Dartnell, D. J., Travaglini, L.E., And Abeditehrani (Book Review), V. Krishna Kumar

Psychology Faculty Publications

The book includes seven chapters, the first being a brief introduction and overview of what the book is about. The second chapter reviews the basic elements of CBT (notions of cognitive distortions, schemas, automatic thoughts, core beliefs, and types of behavioral interventions). Chapter three does the same for psychodrama. Chapter four covers the basic elements of running an experiential group therapy session using both CBT and psychodrama techniques. Chapter five provides a detailed illustration of a cognitive experiential group treatment (CEGT) session. Chapter six is devoted to running CEGT sessions with adolescents, and the last chapter details the CEGT approach …

Reduced Social Contact And Attachment Insecurity As Predictors Of Loneliness During Covid-19: A Two-Month Experience Sampling Study, Katie C. Lewis, Michael J. Roche, Fiona Brown, Jane G. Tillman

Psychology Faculty Publications

The impact of reduced social contact on mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic has been identified as a major public health concern. While personality factors such as attachment style have been associated with psychological distress during the pandemic, the longitudinal relevance of these factors and the role of daily social contact in mitigating distress remains poorly understood. This study evaluated the impact of social contact and attachment style on changes in loneliness over an 8-week experience sampling period during the COVID-19 pandemic. A general adult sample (n = 184) recruited online completed measures of psychological distress, attachment, and loneliness via …

Uncovering 'Hidden' Signals: Previously Presumed Visual Signals Likely Generate Air Particle Movement, Pallabi Kundu, Noori Choi, Aaron S. Rundus, Roger D. Santer

Psychology Faculty Publications

Wolf spiders within the genus Schizocosa have become a model system for exploring the form and function of multimodal communication. In terms of male signaling, much past research has focused on the role and importance of dynamic and static visual and substrate-borne vibratory communication. Studies on S. retrorsa, however, have found that female-male pairs were able to successfully mate in the absence of both visual and vibratory stimuli, suggesting a reduced or non-existent role of these signaling modalities in this species. Given these prior findings, it has been suggested that S. retrorsa males may utilize an additional signaling modality during …

Creative Coping In Troubled Times: How Can We Enhance Our Resilience And Give Our Battered Coping Skills A Boost?, Jasmin Tahmaseb-Mcconatha

Psychology Faculty Publications

• Creative activities are one way to cope with stressful circumstances.
• Creative coping is associated with cognitive flexibility and increased well-being.
• Any challenges and engaging activity that leads to a sense of flow can be considered a creative coping activity.

Ageism And Perceptions Of Vulnerability: Framing Of Age During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Frauke Schnell, Jasmin Tahmaseb-Mcconatha, Jaqueline Magnarelli, Jordan Broussard

Psychology Faculty Publications

Media representations of the Covid-19 pandemic and its devastating consequences have shaped people’s fears, anxiety, and perceptions of vulnerability. Social scientists have examined the consequences of how information is “framed.” Framing theory asserts that issues can be portrayed differently by emphasizing or de-emphasizing aspects and information. According to Lakoff (2004) the impact of a message is not based on what is said but how it is said. Theories of framing focus on how the media frames issues, which then structure and shape attitudes and policies. A news article serves as a frame for an intended message. This paper examines the …

Planting The Seeds: Orchestral Music Education As A Context For Fostering Growth Mindsets, Steven J. Holochwost, Judith Hill Bose, Elizabeth Stuk, Eleanor D. Brown, Kate E. Anderson, Dennie Palmer Wolf

Psychology Faculty Publications

Growth mindset is an important aspect of children's socioemotional development and is subject to change due to environmental influence. Orchestral music education may function as a fertile context in which to promote growth mindset; however, this education is not widely available to children facing economic hardship. This study examined whether participation in a program of orchestral music education was associated with higher levels of overall growth mindset and greater change in levels of musical growth mindset among children placed at risk by poverty. After at least 2 years of orchestral participation, students reported significantly higher levels of overall growth mindset …

Lessons From My Grandmother’S Garden: Intergenerational Learning And Managing Type 2 Diabetes, Jasmin Tahmaseb-Mcconatha, Melina Mcconatha, Nikki Degregorio

Psychology Faculty Publications

Type 2 diabetes is one of the major health crises of the 21st century; the number of people struggling with this debilitating illness is skyrocketing. Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States [1]. There are many causes of type 2 diabetes; however, food intake plays a crucial role in the development and management of the illness. Although the role of grandmother has been well documented over time and across cultures, one important contemporary contribution of grandmothers that has not been fully explored is related to intergenerational sharing of gardening practices, growing and cooking healthy organic …

Experiences Of Women With Ovarian Cancer During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Examining Intolerance Of Uncertainty And Fear Of Covid-19 In Relation To Psychological Distress, Erin M. Hill, Andriana Frost, Jamie D. Martin

Psychology Faculty Publications

Purpose: Our research aimed to examine the role of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) in psychological distress (PD) among women with ovarian cancer. Fear of COVID-19 (FCOV) was examined as a mediator, and participant health status and the reopening status of their geographic region were examined as moderators. Design: A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed. Participants: Participants (n ¼ 100) were recruited through various online sources and completed the study via Qualtrics. Methods: Moderated mediation models and post-hoc linear regression analyses were used to determine the role of predictor variables in PD. Results: No significant moderators or mediators were found. Despite …

Are You A Late Lateef? Beating The Habit Of Just Trying To Meet The Drop-Dead Deadline!, V. Krishna Kumar

Psychology Faculty Publications

A Review of Sapadin, L (2020). Overcoming your procrastination. Advice for 6 personality styles! Psych Wisdom Publishing. WWW.PsychWisdom.Com, 2020, $9.99 (Paperback); $3.99 Kindle Edition, free on Kindle Unlimited, 150 pages. College Student Edition!

Intergenerational Relationships And Pandemic Isolation, Jasmin Tahmaseb-Mcconatha

Psychology Faculty Publications

Are you feeling lonely? Are you worried you will not see your family and friends this holiday season? How can you cope with your anxiety about the holidays?

Social Inequality And Type 2 Diabetes Management Among Older Latinx Immigrants, Jasmin Tahmaseb-Mcconatha, Frauke Schnell

Psychology Faculty Publications

Being an immigrant in the contemporary U.S. is stressful. During the pandemic of 2020, these stressors are amplified for all populations. At the same time, Latinx immigrants are also disproportionately affected by the pandemic. They are more vulnerable, face greater economic challenges, and are more likely to die from the virus. In addition to these difficult realities, regardless of status, Latinx immigrants are often perceived as illegal and subjected to discriminatory treatment [1]. Type 2 diabetes is also an illness that disproportionately affects minorities and immigrant populations. In 2018, there were almost 60 million Latinos-18% of the U.S. population (more …

The Relationship Between Just World Beliefs And Life Satisfaction, Warren G. Harding, Jasmin T. Mcconatha, V. Krishna Kumar

Psychology Faculty Publications

An important and often unexplored factor shaping life satisfaction is one’s perception of the world as a “just” place. The “just world hypothesis” is predicated on the idea that the world works as a place where people get what they merit, an idea that often serves as a means for people to rationalize injustices. The research addressing just world beliefs has expanded into a four-factor model that categorizes just world beliefs for self and others into subcategories of distributive and procedural justice. Distributive justice involves evaluations of the fairness of outcomes, allocations, or distribution of resources, while procedural concerns evaluations …

Aging, Vulnerability And Managing Type 2 Diabetes During A Pandemic, Jasmin Tahmaseb-Mcconatha, Jacqueline Magnarelli, Lauren Stricker

Psychology Faculty Publications

Older men and women have been found to be more vulnerable to negative outcomes should they contract Covid19, particularly if they also have comorbid conditions such as type 2 diabetes. Cultural, racial, ethnic, and social class differences exist in vulnerability to Covid19 and in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes. In the United States, for example, diabetes rates for minority and immigrant populations are higher than for non-Hispanic whites. During the a social health crisis, it is helpful to explore the ways that illness management and associated vulnerability influences the ways that minority elders attempt to maintain and promote their …

Managing Type-2 Diabetes During A Pandemic, Jasmin Tamahseb-Mcconatha

Psychology Faculty Publications

Are you having difficulties managing chronic illnesses such as type-2 diabetes during the pandemic? Exercising can help you manage your anxiety and illnesses.

Searching For Pandemic Understanding, Jasmin Tahmaseb-Mcconatha

Psychology Faculty Publications

How can we find refuge from isolation? How can we cope with the stigma of being in the "vulnerable" population? Build resilience and extract meaning from our collective anxiety.

Tea And Conversation: The Importance Of Life Celebrations, Jasmin Tahmaseb-Mcconatha

Psychology Faculty Publications

Do you feel the desire to see your family? Are you missing the flavor of foods that you remember from your childhood? Plan a family celebration. Celebrate life's moments. Intergenerational connections can help reduce isolation and marginalization.

Coping With Caregiving Stress By Walking In Nature, Jasmin Tahmaseb-Mcconatha

Psychology Faculty Publications

Walking can be a valuable stress management tool.

Coping With Technostress, Jasmin Tahmaseb-Mcconatha

Psychology Faculty Publications

Is technology stressing you out? Time in nature can help heal the negative effects of technostress. The healing power of nature and managing technostress.

Health Care Providers: Please Listen, Jasmin Tahmaseb-Mcconatha

Psychology Faculty Publications

Remind providers that you can contribute to your health care decisions.

Aging In An Age Of Intolerance: The Gendered Face Of Ageism, Jasmin Tahmaseb-Mcconatha

Psychology Faculty Publications

Have you experienced age discrimination at work? How can one advocate to be treated equally in the workplace? Ageism in the workplace is an increasing problem.

Let’S Take A Walk, Jasmin Tahmaseb-Mcconatha

Psychology Faculty Publications

Are you feeling lonely and isolated? Are you worried about your neighbors? Reach out and ask them to take a walk. Boost well-being and build friendships by walking and talking.

A Legendary Creative Math Genius: Srinivasa Ramanujan - A Review Of The Film The Man Who Knew Infinity, Directed By Matt Brown., V. Krishna Kumar

Psychology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Managing Diabetes In Festive Times, Jasmin Tahmaseb-Mcconatha

Psychology Faculty Publications

Are you worried about managing your Type 2 diabetes as the holidays approach? Are you anxious about going to social gatherings? Talking about your concerns and planning can help. The diabetes crisis continues to grow creating holiday stress for patients.

Coping With Micro-Stressors: How Do I Work My Smart Tv?, Jasmin Tahmaseb-Mcconatha

Psychology Faculty Publications

How do I work my Smart TV? What can we do about micro-stressors? Micro-stressors present ongoing daily challenges that threaten the aging self.