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Full-Text Articles in Psychology

The Effects Of Revictimization On Coping And Depression In Female Sexual Assault Victims, Cynthia J. Najdowski, Sarah E. Ullman Apr 2011

The Effects Of Revictimization On Coping And Depression In Female Sexual Assault Victims, Cynthia J. Najdowski, Sarah E. Ullman

Psychology Faculty Scholarship

To examine the effects of being revictimized, 555 women completed 2 mail surveys 1 year apart, reporting their experiences of sexual assault, the strategies they used to cope with those experiences, and feelings of depression. Path analyses, controlling for baseline coping and depression, revealed that those who were revictimized during the study reported using more maladaptive and adaptive coping strategies than did those who were not revictimized (β = .11 and β = .16, respectively). Further, women who were revictimized reported more depression than others (β = .15). This effect was explained in part by revictimized women's increased maladaptive coping. …


Prospective Changes In Attributions Of Self-Blame And Social Reactions To Women’S Disclosures Of Adult Sexual Assault, Cynthia J. Najdowski, Sarah E. Ullman Jan 2011

Prospective Changes In Attributions Of Self-Blame And Social Reactions To Women’S Disclosures Of Adult Sexual Assault, Cynthia J. Najdowski, Sarah E. Ullman

Psychology Faculty Scholarship

The present longitudinal study examined relations between self-blame attributions and social reactions to disclosure in a community sample of adult sexual assault victims (N = 555). Cross-lagged panel analyses showed that neither characterological self-blame nor behavioral self-blame related to negative social reactions over the 1-year follow-up period. In contrast, characterological but not behavioral self-blame predicted fewer positive reactions over time. Although positive reactions did not reduce self-blame, negative reactions led to greater characterological, but not behavioral, self-blame during the course of the study. Thus, relations between self-blame and social reactions were not reciprocal but rather quite complex. The effects …


The Experience Of Mental Health Service Use For African American Mothers And Youth, Richard Thompson, Barbara L. Dancy, Tisha R. A. Wiley, Sylvia P. Perry, Cynthia J. Najdowski Jan 2011

The Experience Of Mental Health Service Use For African American Mothers And Youth, Richard Thompson, Barbara L. Dancy, Tisha R. A. Wiley, Sylvia P. Perry, Cynthia J. Najdowski

Psychology Faculty Scholarship

Little is known about African American families’ experiences with mental health services. A purposive sample of 40 dyads of African American youth (aged 13 to 19) and their mothers participated in a cross-sectional qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews that elicited information about their past experiences and satisfaction with mental health services. Though rarely received, group and family therapy were perceived favorably. However, both mothers and youth reported dissatisfaction centered on medication and lack of professionalism, confidentiality, and concern by providers. The failure of mental health services providers to meet basic standards of quality and professionalism may explain the low …


Typically Developing Children's Attitudes Towards A Peer With Behaviors Indicative Of Autism, Lindsay A. Washington Jan 2011

Typically Developing Children's Attitudes Towards A Peer With Behaviors Indicative Of Autism, Lindsay A. Washington

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Although inclusive educational programming offers opportunities for increased contact between children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and typically developing peers, research indicates that children with ASD continue to struggle socially in these settings. One possible contributing factor could be the type of attitudes that typically developing peers hold regarding children with ASD. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether typically developing first grade children express rejecting attitudes towards a hypothetical peer with behaviors indicative of autism. This study employed a between-groups design and included 89 participants. Participating children viewed a brief video that depicted either a child …


Exploring Curvilinear Effects And Gender Differences In Posttraumatic Growth And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms In College Students, Vivian S. Hwang Jan 2011

Exploring Curvilinear Effects And Gender Differences In Posttraumatic Growth And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms In College Students, Vivian S. Hwang

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Posttraumatic growth following stressful and traumatic experiences has been associated with positive psychological and physical outcomes. In addition, distress-related variables, such as symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, have been related to growth. Some studies suggest that a curvilinear relation may exist between distress and growth, although literature in this area is sparse. This study examined how distress, as measured by the civilian version of the PTSD Checklist, and posttraumatic growth are related. Results demonstrated both linear and curvilinear effects of PTSD symptom severity on growth. Data for men were significantly explained by a linear effect only, whereas data for women …


Using The Unmatched Count Technique To Increase The Accuracy Of Base Rate Estimates Of Psychosocial Problems In Returning Active Duty Service Members, Sean C. Sheppard Jan 2011

Using The Unmatched Count Technique To Increase The Accuracy Of Base Rate Estimates Of Psychosocial Problems In Returning Active Duty Service Members, Sean C. Sheppard

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan represent the most extensive conflicts since the Vietnam War, and a large body of research has focused on identifying base rates of PTSD, depression, and alcohol abuse and related behaviors in returning service members.


Development And Validation Of An Assessment For Longitudinal Symptom Fluctuation In The Eating Disorders And The Relationship Between Motivation To Change And Naturalistic Fluctuations In Body Weight And Eating Disorder Symptom Frequencies, Kyle Patrick De Young Jan 2011

Development And Validation Of An Assessment For Longitudinal Symptom Fluctuation In The Eating Disorders And The Relationship Between Motivation To Change And Naturalistic Fluctuations In Body Weight And Eating Disorder Symptom Frequencies, Kyle Patrick De Young

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The frequencies of behavioral symptoms of eating disorders (e.g., binge eating and purging) are highly variable across and within individuals. The presence and severity of these symptoms define both diagnostic boundaries and outcome states, but validated tools to retrospectively assess symptom frequencies that capture variability at the week-level do not exist. This study evaluated the reliability and validity of an assessment designed for this purpose in a mixed eating disorder sample of 113 individuals recruited from the community who provided symptom frequency data once weekly for 12 weeks and completed the Interactive, Graphical Assessment Tool for Eating Disorders (IGAT-ED) on …


Cardiovascular Reactivity And Recovery To Stressful Tasks Following A Mindfulness-Analog In College Students With A Family History Of Hypertension, Christoffer Grant Jan 2011

Cardiovascular Reactivity And Recovery To Stressful Tasks Following A Mindfulness-Analog In College Students With A Family History Of Hypertension, Christoffer Grant

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Ninety-seven undergraduate students with a family history of hypertension participated in a study that evaluated the effects of a brief mindfulness-induction on cardiovascular reactivity and recovery to two stressors. Participants were randomized to either a mindfulness-induction or control condition and were then exposed to the cold pressor task (CPT) followed by the mirror-tracing task (MT). Blood pressure and heart rate were measured at baseline, post-induction, as well as during and immediately following each stressor. There were no group differences in reactivity to either stressor. Participants in the mindfulness-analog condition experienced significantly greater latency to systolic blood pressure recovery following the …


Examining The Role Of Ethnicity In The Nature And Assessment Of Body Image In Men, Jason Matthew Lavender Jan 2011

Examining The Role Of Ethnicity In The Nature And Assessment Of Body Image In Men, Jason Matthew Lavender

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Although body image research has historically focused on dissatisfaction among women, studies within the past decade have begun to focus on body dissatisfaction among men, revealing important gender differences in the nature, conceptualization, and assessment of this construct. Despite recent advances in the research literature in this area, few studies have examined ethnic differences in male body image, and no information is available on the psychometric properties of many of the most widely used body image measures for samples of ethnic minority men. The purpose of the present research was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Drive for Muscularity …


The Role Of Expectancy In Prescription Stimulant Misuse, Alison Looby Jan 2011

The Role Of Expectancy In Prescription Stimulant Misuse, Alison Looby

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Misuse of prescription stimulant medication such as methylphenidate (MPH) has increased among college students over the past several years. Common motivations for misuse include enhancements in cognitive function and subjective arousal. Researchers have recently cited a need to better understand and develop treatments for this behavior. Expectancy effects, which impact initiation and maintenance of substance use, may also be implicated in one's decision to engage in prescription stimulant misuse. This study first examined whether subjective mood and cognitive performance could be elevated solely by one's expectation to receive MPH. Additionally, this study examined the efficacy of an expectancy challenge in …


Examination Of The Interaction Of Drinking Motives And Personality On Alcohol Use And Alcohol-Related Problems Among College Students, Jessica Lynn Martin Jan 2011

Examination Of The Interaction Of Drinking Motives And Personality On Alcohol Use And Alcohol-Related Problems Among College Students, Jessica Lynn Martin

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Approximately 55% of U.S. college students report binge drinking at least once in the previous two weeks (Core Institute, 2006). Students who engage in binge drinking are more likely to experience academic, social and legal problems as a result of their drinking (e.g., Wechsler et al., 2002). It is important for researchers to investigate factors associated with alcohol use and related problems so that prevention and intervention efforts can be targeted toward those students most at-risk for heavy consumption and alcohol-related problems.


The Evaluation Of A Parent-Implemented Behavioral Intervention For The Treatment Of Food Selectivity And Mealtime Behavior Problems In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Suzanne Michelle Milnes Jan 2011

The Evaluation Of A Parent-Implemented Behavioral Intervention For The Treatment Of Food Selectivity And Mealtime Behavior Problems In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Suzanne Michelle Milnes

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

The purpose of the current study was to extend and replicate the procedures used by Gentry and Luiselli (2008) and evaluate whether their parent-implemented treatment package was effective in increasing food acceptance in children with an autism spectrum disorder. Additionally, this study evaluated whether food acceptance generalized to foods and mealtimes not targeted during intervention. A secondary purpose of the current study was to evaluate the impact of the same treatment package on each child's inappropriate mealtime behavior. Parents conducted all sessions in a naturalistic setting (i.e., the home) and parent training took place via a consultative model. The primary …


A Comparative Evaluation Of Acceptance And Cognitive Restructuring Techniques For Coping With Acute Panicogenic Distress : An Experimental Evaluation In An Anxious Non-Clinical Sample, Erica Moses Jan 2011

A Comparative Evaluation Of Acceptance And Cognitive Restructuring Techniques For Coping With Acute Panicogenic Distress : An Experimental Evaluation In An Anxious Non-Clinical Sample, Erica Moses

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), an approach that emphasizes increasing perceptions of control and cognitive change through cognitive restructuring, has proven to be an efficacious treatment for panic disorder. However, significant proportions of patients fail to achieve clinically significant improvement. Acceptance, an alternative contextually-based approach to content- and change-based cognitive strategies, has gained popularity within the field. Research on the utility of acceptance-based strategies for anxiety is promising, particularly in comparison to control-based emotion regulation strategies, such as suppression and distraction. Yet, to date, no studies have rigorously compared acceptance-based strategies to analogs of cognitive-behavioral techniques. The present study is the first …


Vulnerability And Protective Factors For Sexual Assault, Sarah E. Ullman, Cynthia J. Najdowski Jan 2011

Vulnerability And Protective Factors For Sexual Assault, Sarah E. Ullman, Cynthia J. Najdowski

Psychology Faculty Scholarship

Approximately 1 in 5 women experience sexual assaults in adulthood during their lives (see Post, this volume, for review), including experiences of unwanted sexual contact, sexual coercion, attempted rape, and completed rape that result from threat, force, or incapacitation from alcohol or drugs (either willingly or unwillingly consumed).