Psychology Commons^™

College Students And Cyberbullying: How Social Media Use Affects Social Anxiety And Social Comparison, Travis N. Lam, D. Brayden Jensen, Joseph D. Hovey, Michelle E. Roley-Roberts

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Cyberbullying is defined as aggression intending to inflict harm on others by electronic communication technologies. Cyberbullying has become more common as social media has grown and is accompanied by negative mental health consequences. Research on cyberbullying and mental health in adolescents suggests cyberbullying victimization moderates the relationship between social comparison and social anxiety, but little is known about this phenomenon in college students. Therefore, the objective of this study was to explore the relationship between cyberbullying, social anxiety, and social comparison amongst college students. A convenience sample of 486 undergraduate students from southern Texas and northern Ohio completed a PyschData …

Can Developmental Trauma Disorder Be Distinguished From Posttraumatic Stress Disorder? A Symptom-Level Person-Centred Empirical Approach, Julian D. Ford, Ruby Charak, Thanos Karatzias, Mark Shevlin, Joseph Spinazzola

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background:

Developmental Trauma Disorder (DTD) is a proposed childhood psychiatric diagnosis for psychopathological and developmental sequela of victimization and attachment trauma extending beyond posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Objective:

To determine whether a sub-group of trauma-impacted children is characterized by symptoms of DTD that extend beyond, or co-occur with, the symptoms of PTSD.

Method:

Person-centred Latent Class Analyses (LCA) were done with data from 507 children (ages 7–18 years, (M = 12.11, SD = 2/92); 49% female) referred to the study by mental health or paediatric clinicians.

Results:

A four class solution was optimal (LMR = 398.264, p < .001; Entropy = .93): (1) combined DTD + PTSD (n = …

Risk Factors Of Female-Perpetrated Intimate Partner Violence Among Hispanic Young Adults: Attachment Style, Emotional Dysregulation, And Negative Childhood Experiences, Joahana Segundo, Arturo L. Cantos, Gabriela Ontiveros, K. Daniel O'Leary

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper examined whether risk factors commonly associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) are associated with female-perpetrated physical IPV and female physical IPV victimization among young Hispanic women. It also examined how emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, and attachment style exacerbated these relationships. Furthermore, it investigates how these associations differ by the type of self-reported physical violence against their romantic partner. Based on the participants' self-reported physical violence, they were classified into one of four groups: nonviolent, victim-only, perpetrator-only, and bidirectionally violent. Bidirectional violence was by far the most common form of violence reported. Utilizing self-report data from 360 young Hispanic women, …

Survey For Caregivers Of People With Autism Spectrum In Chile: Access To Health And Education Services, Satisfaction, Quality Of Life And Stigma [Encuesta Para Cuidadores De Personas Del Espectro Autista En Chile. Acceso A Servicios De Salud Y Educación, Satisfacción, Calidad De Vida Y Estigma], Ricardo Garcia, Matías Irarrázaval, Isabel Lopez, Sofia Riesle, Marci Cabezas Gonzalez, Andrea Moyano, Gabriela Garrido, Daniel Valdez, Cristiane S. De Paula, Cecilia Montiel-Nava

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

People on the Autism Spectrum (AS) face multiple health, education, social, and economic problems. There is limited available information in Chile. \

Objective: To describe the access and satisfaction with health and education services, family and economic impact, stigma, and quality of life of people with AS and their families in Chile.

Subjects and Method: Parents/caregivers of AS persons completed the Caregiver Needs Survey, developed by Autism Speaks, which includes demographic information, characteristics of AS persons (previously published), use of health and education services, parents/caregivers' perceptions of satisfaction, impact, stigma, and quality of life.

Results: 291 caregivers (86% mothers) of …

Profile Of Service Use And Barriers To Access To Care Among Brazilian Children And Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Beatriz Araripe, Cecilia Montiel-Nava, Daniela Bordini, Graccielle R. Cunha, Gabriela Garrido, Sebastián Cukier, Ricardo Garcia, Analía Rosoli, Daniel Valdez, Sheila C. Caetano

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Delayed diagnosis and a lack of adequate care for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are related to worse outcomes and quality of life. This study aimed to identify the profile of service use, barriers to access care, and factors related to those barriers in Brazilian families with children with ASD. A total of 927 families with children with ASD (3-17 years) from five Brazilian regions completed an online version of the Caregivers Needs Survey. Results showed that the most used services were behavioral interventions and pharmacotherapy, while the most used professionals were neurologists, nutritionists, speech therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and …

Implementing The Who Caregivers Skills Training Program With Caregivers Of Autistic Children Via Telehealth In Rural Communities, Cecilia Montiel-Nava, Megan Tregnago, Jeanne Marshall, Kristin Sohl, Alicia Brewer Curran, Melissa Mahurin, Melissa Warne-Griggs, Who Cst Team, Pamela Dixon

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: For families with autistic children living in rural areas, limited access to services partly results from a shortage of providers and extensive travel time. Telehealth brings the possibility of implementing alternative delivery modalities of Parent Mediated Interventions (PMIs) with the potential to decrease barriers to accessing services. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of implementing the World Health Organization-Caregivers Skills Training program (WHO-CST) via an online, synchronous group format in rural Missouri.

Methods: We used a mixed methods design to collect qualitative and quantitative data from caregivers and program facilitators at baseline and the end of …

The International Student-Athlete Experience: A Research Study Into The Transition Process Of Isas, From Their Home Country Into Life As An Ncaa Student-Athlete, Ioanna Charitonidi, Anastasios Kaburakis

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

This article discusses a research study undertaken in order to better understand what the NCAA, institutions, administrators, and coaches can do in order to enhance the experiences of international student-athletes (ISAs). Quantitative and qualitative primary survey data was gathered from a sample of ISAs representing several countries and a wide range of sports. One of the key findings was that when provided with a platform from which to express their opinions, the respondents highlighted concerning issues such as discrimination, negligence, and a lack of support and/or guidance. Significant findings were also reached regarding steps to be taken in order to …

Age Of Diagnosis, Service Access, And Rights Of Autistic Individuals In Argentina: Caregivers Reports Of Changes And Similarities Across Time, María Cecilia Montenegro, Estefani Bernal, Sebastián Cukier, Daniel Valdez, Alexia Rattazzi, Gabriela Garrido, Analía Rosoli, Cristiane Silvestre Paula, Ricardo Garcia, Cecilia Montiel-Nava

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: Many countries have developed health initiatives to protect those with disabilities and developmental concerns in the past few years. However, the needs of autistic individuals are still short of being fulfilled. Partially due to limited research expenditure, which would allow bridging the gap between evidence and practice, the long time it takes to implement passed laws, and the limited operationalization of inclusive policies.

Objective: To quantitatively examine changes in the child's age at the time of caregiver's first developmental concerns and age of diagnosis of their autistic child across 5 years. Also, to address challenges experienced by caregivers (e.g., …

Teaching Dbt Skills To Daca Recipients And Their Families: Findings From An Echo Program, Frances Morales, Oscar F. Rojas Perez, Michelle Silva, Manuel Paris, Luz M. Garcini, Melanie M. Domenech Rodriguez, Alfonso Mercado

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) offers temporary administrative relief from deportation for undocumented immigrant adolescents and young adults who were brought as children to the United States. Accordingly, DACA has contributed to creating a different landscape of opportunities for this group. However, DACA has been and continues to be highly contested in the national political climate. Threats to DACA give rise to considerable anxiety, fear, and distress among its recipients, who face significant barriers to accessing mental health care services. Thus, a group of psychologists partnered with a leading immigrant rights advocacy organization and formed a reciprocal collaboration to …

Valor: Cultural Considerations When Assessing Central American Immigrant Women In Behavioral Health Settings, Michelle Silva, Melanie M. Domenech Rodriguez, Luz M. Garcini, Alfonso Mercado, German Cadenas, Amanda Venta, Manuel Paris

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

The topic of immigration is timely yet polarizing. By definition, to be an immigrant implies being in a state of transition and transformation. The eventual outcome is likely to be influenced by a series of contextual factors starting in the country of origin, continuing during the migration journey, and culminating in receiving communities. The authors use a fictional case example of a Central American immigrant woman to illustrate VALOR, the Spanish word for courage, as an acronym that identifies five key areas for clinical consideration in behavioral health settings: Values, Arrival in the United States, Losses, O …

A Comparison Of Psychological Stress And Sleep Problems In Undocumented Students, Daca Recipients, And U.S. Citizens, Andy Torres, Jordan Kenemore, Grant Benham

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Amidst the uncertainty of a shifting political landscape, our study examined stress and sleep problems experienced by both Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) undergraduates and non-DACA undocumented immigrants in an undergraduate population, in relation to students who were US citizens. We surveyed 969 students (93% Hispanic; 69% female) in 2017 or 2019 using established measures of stress, sleep quality, and insomnia. Collapsed across years, undocumented students reported significantly greater stress than citizens and DACA students, but DACA students did not differ from citizens. No differences were found in sleep for either quality or insomnia. Additionally, DACA student stress was …

Repercussions Of The Covid-19 Lockdown For Autistic People In Mexico: The Caregivers’ Perspective, Georgina Pérez Liz, Andy Torres, Ana C. Ramirez, Cecilia Montiel-Nava

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Introduction. The COVID-19 lockdown has posed new challenges for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including service suspension and reductions in support. Objective. To explore the perspectives of caregivers on the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on people with ASD in Mexico. Method. 126 caregivers from Mexico completed a survey on the impact of lockdown on people with ASD. Results. Suspension of at least one service was reported for 38.9% of subjects, with no significant association being found between symptom worsening and service administration modality. Discussion and conclusion. Service suspension for people with ASD in Mexico has been a side …

Trauma Exposure And Trauma Symptoms As Predictors Of Police Perceptions In Latinx Youths, Amanda Venta, German Cadenas, Alfonso Mercado, Luz M. Garcini, Melanie M. Domenech Rodriguez

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objective: The Latinx immigrant youth population composes nearly a quarter of all children in the U.S. and are a high-risk group for police encounters. Based on perceptions of Latinxs as criminals, increased enforcement actions against Latinxs in the U.S., and failures of policing and police brutality in immigrants’ home countries, we expected that immigrants who reported increased trauma exposure and symptoms would have more negative perceptions of police.

Method: This study utilized data from 107 recently immigrated Latinx youth to examine how trauma exposure (Child Trauma Screen) and symptoms (Child PTSD Symptoms Scale) related to perceptions of police (Criminal Sentiments …

Reverse-Coded Items Do Not Work In Spanish: Data From Four Samples Using Established Measures, Amanda Venta, Cassandra A. Bailey, Jesse Walker, Alfonso Mercado, Cecilia Colunga-Rodríguez, Mario Ángel-González, Gabriel Davalos-Picazo

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

The potential for suboptimal psychometric performance of reverse-coded items may be particularly pronounced when scales are translated and administered in Spanish with these problems exacerbated in youth respondents. This is a significant concern, given the rapid rise in Hispanic-American and Spanish-speaking individuals in the US and their rightful, growing representation in psychological research and clinical care. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric performance of reverse-coded items across four Spanish-speaking samples spanning developmental stages including youth, college students, and parents (N = 1,084; Adolescents n = 107; M = 19.79; SD = 2.09; 41.1% female; Caregivers …

One More Wall To Cross: The Role Of Psychologists In Addressing Integrated Health Among Undocumented Latinx Immigrants In Inpatient Medical Settings, Luz M. Garcini, Amanda Venta, Alfonso Mercado, Thania Galvan, Casandra L. Compean, Gabriela Guerrero, Melanie M. Domenech Rodriguez

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Over the past decade, there has been increased attention to the benefits of an integrated health-care care model in which psychologists play a vital role collaborating with other health providers to deliver services in inpatient medical settings, such as emergency departments and acute care medical units. Psychologists working in inpatient medical settings can facilitate access to mental health services and referrals, reduce mental health stigma, improve health outcomes associated with insight into psychosocial factors that affect health and illness, improve communication between patients and providers, and increase sensitivity in addressing the health needs of diverse patients. Psychological services in inpatient …

Meta-Analysis Of Cyber Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration And Victimization: Different Types And Their Associations With Face-To-Face Ipv Among Men And Women, Ohad Gilbar, Ruby Charak, Oscar Trujillo, Jorge I. Cantu, Valeria Cavazos, Iris Lavi

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Cyber intimate partner violence (C-IPV) is a technology-mediated form of violence. It has been examined only in the last 10 years as a form of violence that can cause psychological damage to its victims. How this phenomenon connects to and differs from face-to-face IPV (F2F-IPV) has been, as yet, little studied. Research has not made clear whether sex differences may impact its use, particularly in light of the fact that no physical coercion is used in C-IPV. Thus, the current research aimed to investigate through a meta-analysis: differences between the average levels of different types of C-IPV victimization and perpetration; …

When The United States Says You Do Not Belong: Suicide-Related Thoughts And Behaviors Among Immigrant Young Adults Varying In Immigration Legal Status, Amanda Venta, Tessa Long, Alfonso Mercado, Luz M. Garcini, German Cadenas

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background:

The number of immigrants in the United States and the risk of suicide among minoritized individuals have increased. Little research has examined the impact of immigration legal status on suicide-related thoughts and behaviors (SRTB), despite theoretical and empirical work suggesting that feelings of burdensomeness and failure to belong (prominent among immigrants) are risk factors.

Methods:

We examined a diverse sample of foreign-born young adults (18–25; N = 366). Data collection utilized the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire Revised and items probing belongingness and immigration status (undocumented/Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), permanent, and citizen).

Results:

DACA/undocumented status was associated with increased …

Anti-Immigration Policy And Mental Health: Risk Of Distress And Trauma Among Deferred Action For Childhood Arrivals Recipients In The United States, Luz M. Garcini, Melanie M. Domenech Rodriguez, Alfonso Mercado, Michelle Silva, German Cadenas, Thania Galvan, Manuel Paris

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Objective: This study examined the association between immigration legal status and distress from the announcement of the termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program among individuals affected by this potentially traumatic event (PTE), along with identifying relevant risk factors.

Method: Participants (N = 233) affected by the termination announcement provided cross-sectional self-reports on distress from the announcement that was measured using the Impact of Events Scale-Revised.

Results: Of the participants, 40.7% met the clinical cutoff for distress from the PTE indicative of posttraumatic stress disorder. DACA recipients had significantly higher levels of distress from the PTE …

Raging Hormones: Why Age-Based Etiological Conceptualizations Of The Development Of Antisocial Behavior Are Insufficient, Stuart F. White, S. Mariely Estrada Gonzalez, Eibhlis M. Moriarty

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Developmental science, particularly developmental neuroscience, has substantially influenced the modern legal system. However, this science has typically failed to consider the role of puberty and pubertal hormones on development when considering antisocial behavior. This review describes major theoretical positions on the developmental neuroscience of antisocial behavior and highlights where basic developmental neuroscience suggests that the role of puberty and pubertal hormones should be considered. The implications of the current state of the science with respect to developmental neuroscience is considered, particularly what is known in light of development beyond puberty. This review shows that development continues to an older age …

Unique, Additive, And Interactive Effects Of Types Of Intimate Partner Cybervictimization On Depression In Hispanic Emerging Adults, Jorge I. Cantu, Ruby Charak

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

The advent of modern technology has inadvertently created newer avenues for intimate partner victimization (IPV) to transpire. This study investigated (a) whether psychological, sexual, and stalking intimate partner cybervictimization (cyber IPV) types were uniquely associated with depression and whether there were (b) additive and (c) interactive effects of cyber IPV types on depression, after controlling for face-to-face IPV among Hispanic emerging adults. Participants were 903 Hispanic emerging adults in the age range of 18 to 29 years (M = 20.68, SD = 2.42; 74% female) attending a public university in South Texas. Participants completed an online questionnaire assessing cyber …

Adolescent Sleep Behavioral Interventions And Opportunities To Improve Cognitive Functioning: A Call For Action Improve Cognitive Functioning: A Call For Action, Leonell Torres-Pagan, Angelica Terepka, Renata Vaysman, Nicole M. Velez-Agosto, John Usseglio

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Sleep is related to cognitive functioning, learning, and brain development in the adolescent population. Recent research indicates a rise in the presence of chronic sleep disorders such as insomnia in adolescents, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, research on the effectiveness of sleep interventions for adolescents is necessary to guide treatment in adolescents. The authors conducted a systematic review of literature examining research on outcomes of treatment interventions for insomnia on sleep quality and cognitive functioning in adolescents. Results indicate a dearth of research examining effectiveness of treatment in adolescents, particularly in relation to the impact of such treatment on …

Lessons Learned From Undocumented Latinx Immigrants: How To Build Resilience And Overcome Distress In The Face Of Adversity, Luz M. Garcini, German Cadenas, Melanie M. Domenech Rodriguez, Alfonso Mercado, Liliana Campos, Cristina Abraham, Michelle Silva, Manuel Paris

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Living under chronic uncertainty, fear, and isolation is the experience of many undocumented immigrants particularly under the recent sociopolitical climate. Yet, despite facing chronic adversity and an uncertain future, undocumented immigrants are highly resilient. This paper draws upon the clinical and research expertise of leading Latinx psychologists working with diverse undocumented communities across the United States. Qualitative data from seven focus groups with undocumented Latinxs and 15 in-depth interviews with key informants were used to complement clinical insights to identify and highlight strategies of undocumented Latinxs that promote their resilience. Overall, six primary strategies emerged including cognitive reframing, behavioral adaptability, …

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Misdiagnosis Among Mental Healthcare Providers In Latin America, Mayra I. Perez, Danica L. Limon, Abigail E. Candelari, Sandra L. Cepeda, Ana C. Ramirez, Andrew G. Guzick, Minjee Kook, Valerie La Buissonniere Ariza, Sophie C. Schneider, Wayne K. Goodman, Eric A. Storch

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Mental healthcare professionals often have limited awareness of different obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptom presentations, which may contribute to years between OCD symptom onset and treatment initiation. While research has identified high rates of OCD misdiagnosis among clinicians from the United States and Canada, research on OCD symptom awareness among healthcare providers in Latin American (LATAM) regions is limited. In this study, LATAM mental healthcare providers (N = 83) provided diagnostic impressions based on five OCD vignettes: three with symptoms centered on taboo thoughts (sexual, harming others, and religion/scrupulosity) and two about contamination or symmetry obsessions. Rates of incorrect (non-OCD) …

Predictors Of Traumatic Experiences And Mental Wellbeing Among Recent Immigrant Mothers And Children, Andy Torres, Frances Morales, Amanda Palomin, Marika Dawkins-Cavazos, Alfonso Mercado

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Immigrant mothers face numerous challenges and unique stressors related not only to their role as asylum-seekers but also to their roles as women and caretakers. Some studies suggest that immigrant mothers may exhibit high internalizing symptoms related to pre-migration trauma exposure, while others claim that such symptoms may be due to the internalization of their children’s mental health. In view of this, a total of 60 recently arrived immigrant mothers and their children from Central America, predominantly the Northern Triangle, who arrived via the U.S-Mexico border were sampled. Immigrant mothers and their children were administered a Spanish battery containing health …