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Articles 1 - 14 of 14
Full-Text Articles in Psychology
Internalizing Symptoms In Autistic Young Adults: Comparing The Cognitive And Physiological Components Of Emotion Regulation, Sarah Lehman
Internalizing Symptoms In Autistic Young Adults: Comparing The Cognitive And Physiological Components Of Emotion Regulation, Sarah Lehman
Master's Theses (2009 -)
Autistic people experience co-occurring mental illness at a substantially greater rate compared to their neurotypical counterparts. Of these comorbid psychopathologies, internalizing disorders (anxiety and depression) are among the most prevalent. Emotion dysregulation has been identified as a contributing factor to this phenomenon and potential treatment target. The current study employed cognitive (e.g., use of suppression and use of cognitive reappraisal) and physiological (e.g., respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) and heart period) measures to more holistically capture the multifaceted construct of emotion regulation compared to prior research. In a sample of autistic young adults (N = 63) ages 17-29 (M = 20.14), …
Applying The Vulnerability Stress Adaptation Model Of Marriage To Couples Raising An Autistic Child: A Call For Research On Adaptive Processes, Hillary Katherine Schiltz, Amy V. Van Hecke
Applying The Vulnerability Stress Adaptation Model Of Marriage To Couples Raising An Autistic Child: A Call For Research On Adaptive Processes, Hillary Katherine Schiltz, Amy V. Van Hecke
Psychology Faculty Research and Publications
Parents of children on the autism spectrum are particularly susceptible to strain in their romantic relationships due to unique risk factors. While some relationships deteriorate, however, others endure and thrive. The Vulnerability Stress Adaptation (VSA) Model of Marriage (Karney & Bradbury, 1995; Fig. 1) offers a framework to explain, not only poor marital outcomes, but also the process by which degradation of relationships occurs over time. The VSA Model posits that a combination of internal (within-person) vulnerabilities and external stressors influence relationship quality and, in turn, stability, by affecting couples' abilities to collaborate to adapt to stressors and solve problems …
The Role Of Loneliness As A Mediator Between Autism Features And Mental Health Among Autistic Young Adults, Hillary Schiltz, Alana J. Mcvey, Bridget Dolan Wozniak, Angela Haendel, Rachel Stanley, Alexis Arias, Nakia Gordon, Amy V. Van Hecke
The Role Of Loneliness As A Mediator Between Autism Features And Mental Health Among Autistic Young Adults, Hillary Schiltz, Alana J. Mcvey, Bridget Dolan Wozniak, Angela Haendel, Rachel Stanley, Alexis Arias, Nakia Gordon, Amy V. Van Hecke
Psychology Faculty Research and Publications
Autistic adults commonly experience anxiety and depression. These mental health concerns are often tied to social experiences, such that mental well-being can be supported by social connection and deteriorated by loneliness. The mediating role of social and emotional loneliness (i.e. social isolation and lack of emotional attachment, respectively) between autism features and mental health has yet to be empirically tested among autistic adults. Here, 69 autistic young adults completed self-report questionnaires assessing social contact (Friendship Questionnaire), autism features (Autism Quotient), mental health (Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Social Phobia Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory), and loneliness (Social and Emotional Loneliness Scale for …
College Supports For Asd: Autistic Perspectives Across Educational Career, Rachel Stanley
College Supports For Asd: Autistic Perspectives Across Educational Career, Rachel Stanley
Master's Theses (2009 -)
Higher education has become a viable pursuit for many autistic individuals, but those who seek a college degree graduate at rates significantly lower than their peers. Social skills, mental health, executive functioning, independent living, and sensory processing are highlighted as areas of difficulty for autistic college students. However, research seeking the perspectives and experiences of autistic individuals has been limited, and proposed solutions are not based on input from the population they seek to serve. Further, research has been largely limited to current college students, and may miss potentially useful perspectives on transition from individuals pre- and post-college. This study …
Malleability Of Neural Activity In Response To Treatment: Fmri Biomarkers Across Intervention For Autistic Adolescents, Alana J. Mcvey
Malleability Of Neural Activity In Response To Treatment: Fmri Biomarkers Across Intervention For Autistic Adolescents, Alana J. Mcvey
Dissertations (1934 -)
Autistic adolescents frequently experience clinical levels of anxiety which exacerbate social difficulties. Those that receive a well-validated social skills intervention, the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®), have shown improvements in both social behavior and anxiety. Prior literature has demonstrated neural changes in response to this intervention using EEG, and recent literature highlights the importance of using neural markers to assess for intervention response in autism. No study to date, however, has examined changes in neural activity via fMRI and links with social behavior and anxiety across the PEERS® intervention for autistic adolescents. Thus, the present …
Impact Of A Social Skills Intervention On The Structural Anatomy Of The Social Brain Of Autistic Adolescents, Alexis Arias
Impact Of A Social Skills Intervention On The Structural Anatomy Of The Social Brain Of Autistic Adolescents, Alexis Arias
Master's Theses (2009 -)
The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) continues to rise as researchers seek to examine the physiological links to social and communication challenges. The Social Brain, neuroanatomical structures which play a role in social cognition, is proposed to be linked to the social and communication challenges associated with ASD. An area of rapidly growing research is the evaluation of social skills interventions, which target social challenges present in Autistic individuals. Advances in technology, have allowed for these interventions to be examined in regards to physiological changes (e.g., electroencephalogram asymmetry and coherence) as outcome variables. Amongst these interventions, the Program for …
Behavioral Inhibition And Activation As A Modifier Process In Autism Spectrum Disorder: Examination Of Self‐Reported Bis/Bas And Alpha Eeg Asymmetry, Hillary K. Schiltz, Alana J. Mcvey, Alexander Barrington, Angela D. Haendel, Bridget Dolan, Kirsten S. Willar, Sheryl Pleiss, Jeffrey S. Karst, Elisabeth M. Vogt, Christina C. Murphy, Kelsey Gonring, Amy V. Van Hecke
Behavioral Inhibition And Activation As A Modifier Process In Autism Spectrum Disorder: Examination Of Self‐Reported Bis/Bas And Alpha Eeg Asymmetry, Hillary K. Schiltz, Alana J. Mcvey, Alexander Barrington, Angela D. Haendel, Bridget Dolan, Kirsten S. Willar, Sheryl Pleiss, Jeffrey S. Karst, Elisabeth M. Vogt, Christina C. Murphy, Kelsey Gonring, Amy V. Van Hecke
Psychology Faculty Research and Publications
The Modifier Model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suggests that phenotypic variability within ASD is rooted in modifier processes, such as the behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and behavioral activation system (BAS). Among a sample of 53 adolescents with ASD, this study examined associations between (a) self-reported BIS/BAS and frontal and parietal alpha electroencephalogram asymmetry and whether these indices related to (b) ASD severity (via the Autism Quotient), and/or (c) co-occurring anxiety and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (via Youth Self Report and Child Behavior Checklist). Findings showed that alpha asymmetry was associated with self-reported BAS scores, such that greater BAS was related …
Brief Report: Does Gender Matter In Intervention For Asd? Examining The Impact Of The Peers® Social Skills Intervention On Social Behavior Among Females With Asd, Alana J. Mcvey, Hillary Schiltz, Angela Haendel, Bridget Kathleen Dolan, Kirsten S. Willar, Sheryl Pleiss, Jeffrey S. Karst, Audrey M. Carson, Christina Caiozzo, Elisabeth M. Vogt, Amy V. Van Hecke
Brief Report: Does Gender Matter In Intervention For Asd? Examining The Impact Of The Peers® Social Skills Intervention On Social Behavior Among Females With Asd, Alana J. Mcvey, Hillary Schiltz, Angela Haendel, Bridget Kathleen Dolan, Kirsten S. Willar, Sheryl Pleiss, Jeffrey S. Karst, Audrey M. Carson, Christina Caiozzo, Elisabeth M. Vogt, Amy V. Van Hecke
Psychology Faculty Research and Publications
A paucity of research has been conducted to examine the effect of social skills intervention on females with ASD. Females with ASD may have more difficulty developing meaningful friendships than males, as the social climate can be more complex (Archer, Coyne, Personality and Social Psychology Review 9(3):212–230, 2005). This study examined whether treatment response among females differed from males. One hundred and seventy-seven adolescents and young adults with ASD (N = 177) participated in this study. When analyzed by group, no significant differences by gender emerged: PEERS® knowledge (TASSK/TYASSK, p = .494), direct interactions (QSQ, p = .762), …
A Replication And Extension Of The Peers® For Young Adults Social Skills Intervention: Examining Effects On Social Skills And Social Anxiety In Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Alana J. Mcvey, Bridget Dolan, Kirsten S. Willar, Sheryl Pleiss, Jeffrey S. Karst, Christina L. Casnar, Christina Caiozzo, Elisabeth M. Vogt, Nakia Gordon, Amy V. Van Hecke
A Replication And Extension Of The Peers® For Young Adults Social Skills Intervention: Examining Effects On Social Skills And Social Anxiety In Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Alana J. Mcvey, Bridget Dolan, Kirsten S. Willar, Sheryl Pleiss, Jeffrey S. Karst, Christina L. Casnar, Christina Caiozzo, Elisabeth M. Vogt, Nakia Gordon, Amy V. Van Hecke
Psychology Faculty Research and Publications
Young adults with ASD experience difficulties with social skills, empathy, loneliness, and social anxiety. One intervention, PEERS® for Young Adults, shows promise in addressing these challenges. The present study replicated and extended the original study by recruiting a larger sample (N = 56), employing a gold standard ASD assessment tool, and examining changes in social anxiety utilizing a randomized controlled trial design. Results indicated improvements in social responsiveness (SSIS-RS SS, p = .006 and CPB, p = .005; SRS, p = .004), PEERS® knowledge (TYASSK, p = .001), empathy (EQ, p = .044), direct interactions (QSQ-YA, p = …
Brief Report: Assessment Of Intervention Effects On In Vivo Peer Interactions In Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Bridget Dolan, Amy V. Van Hecke, Audrey M. Carson, Jeffrey S. Karst, Sheryl Jayne Stevens, Kirsten A. Schohl, Stephanie Potts, Jenna Kahne, Nina Linneman, Rheanna Remmel, E. Hummel
Brief Report: Assessment Of Intervention Effects On In Vivo Peer Interactions In Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Bridget Dolan, Amy V. Van Hecke, Audrey M. Carson, Jeffrey S. Karst, Sheryl Jayne Stevens, Kirsten A. Schohl, Stephanie Potts, Jenna Kahne, Nina Linneman, Rheanna Remmel, E. Hummel
Psychology Faculty Research and Publications
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a randomized controlled trial of a social skills intervention, the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS: Laugeson et al. in J Autism Dev Disord 39(4): 596–606, 2009), by coding digitally recorded social interactions between adolescent participants with ASD and a typically developing adolescent confederate. Adolescent participants engaged in a 10-min peer interaction at pre- and post-treatment. Interactions were coded using the Contextual Assessment of Social Skills (Ratto et al. in J Autism Dev Disord 41(9): 1277–1286, 2010). Participants who completed PEERS demonstrated significantly improved vocal expressiveness, as well …
Peers®: Long-Term Effects On Social Skills, Social Anxiety, And Physiological Regulation In Adolescents With Autism, Kirsten Ashley Schohl
Peers®: Long-Term Effects On Social Skills, Social Anxiety, And Physiological Regulation In Adolescents With Autism, Kirsten Ashley Schohl
Dissertations (1934 -)
This study aimed to examine the efficacy and durability, through replication and extension, of the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®: Laugeson & Frankel, 2010). PEERS® is a parent-assisted social skills group intervention for high-functioning adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This study is the first to address replication of the long-term outcomes of PEERS® outside of the site of development. Further, this study is the first to assess the effects that PEERS® has on the plasticity of physiological regulation and social anxiety over time. 36 participants completed PEERS® and were assessed at three different time …
Neural Plasticity In Response To Intervention In Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sheryl Jayne Stevens
Neural Plasticity In Response To Intervention In Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sheryl Jayne Stevens
Dissertations (1934 -)
Current theories of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) suggest that they may develop from the transactional interaction between biological risk factors and environmental processes (Dawson et al., 2009). Due to the brain’s experience-expectant nature, one’s degree of social exposure may have a significant impact on their brain development and behavioral presentation. In addition to the primary critical neurodevelopmental period identified in early childhood, recent research has demonstrated a second period of substantial neurodevelopment during the adolescent period (Sisk & Foster, 2004). This study investigated the neural and behavioral impact of participation in an empirically validated behavioral intervention (The Program for the …
Parent And Family Outcomes Of Peers: A Social Skills Intervention For Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jeffrey S. Karst, Amy V. Van Hecke, Audrey M. Carson, Sheryl Jayne Stevens, Kirsten A. Schohl, Bridget Dolan
Parent And Family Outcomes Of Peers: A Social Skills Intervention For Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jeffrey S. Karst, Amy V. Van Hecke, Audrey M. Carson, Sheryl Jayne Stevens, Kirsten A. Schohl, Bridget Dolan
Psychology Faculty Research and Publications
Raising a child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is associated with increased family chaos and parent distress. Successful long-term treatment outcomes are dependent on healthy systemic functioning, but the family impact of treatment is rarely evaluated. The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS) is a social skills intervention designed for adolescents with high-functioning ASD. This study assessed the impact of PEERS on family chaos, parenting stress, and parenting self-efficacy via a randomized, controlled trial. Results suggested beneficial effects for the experimental group in the domain of family chaos compared to the waitlist control, while parents …
Measuring The Plasticity Of Social Approach: A Randomized Controlled Trial Of The Effects Of The Peers Intervention On Eeg Asymmetry In Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Amy V. Van Hecke, Sheryl Jayne Stevens, Audrey M. Carson, Jeffrey S. Karst, Bridget Dolan, Kirsten A. Schohl, Ryan J. Mckindles, Rheanna Remmel, Scott Brockman
Measuring The Plasticity Of Social Approach: A Randomized Controlled Trial Of The Effects Of The Peers Intervention On Eeg Asymmetry In Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Amy V. Van Hecke, Sheryl Jayne Stevens, Audrey M. Carson, Jeffrey S. Karst, Bridget Dolan, Kirsten A. Schohl, Ryan J. Mckindles, Rheanna Remmel, Scott Brockman
Psychology Faculty Research and Publications
This study examined whether the Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS: Social skills for teenagers with developmental and autism spectrum disorders: The PEERS treatment manual, Routledge, New York, 2010a) affected neural function, via EEG asymmetry, in a randomized controlled trial of adolescents with Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and a group of typically developing adolescents. Adolescents with ASD in PEERS shifted from right-hemisphere gamma-band EEG asymmetry before PEERS to left-hemisphere EEG asymmetry after PEERS, versus a waitlist ASD group. Left-hemisphere EEG asymmetry was associated with more social contacts and knowledge, and fewer symptoms of autism. Adolescents with …