Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 22 of 22
Full-Text Articles in Clinical Psychology
Pediatric Health Care Providers’ Perceptions And Knowledge Of Caregiving Youth, Brianna Bliss
Pediatric Health Care Providers’ Perceptions And Knowledge Of Caregiving Youth, Brianna Bliss
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
Many young people younger than the age of 18 years are involved in providing care to family members who are unable to manage their own medical, physical, or mental illnesses. Youth caregivers are an understudied population in the United States. The small yet growing research base has illustrated the relationship between the caregiving role, academic performance, and an individual’s social and psychological well-being. Medical settings are uniquely positioned to identify caregiving youth and provide supportive resources. A survey was created and administered to pediatric health care providers who offered medical and psychosocial support to children and adolescents. Providers were recruited …
The Impact Of Psychostimulants On The Executive Capacities Of Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Theresa C. Mcmahon
The Impact Of Psychostimulants On The Executive Capacities Of Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Theresa C. Mcmahon
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
The current study compared executive-skill and executive-function deficits resulting from teacher ratings of two clinical groups of students diagnosed with ADHD (ADHD-Med, ADHD-NoMed) with ratings of demographically- matched control groups. In addition, teacher ratings of the ADHD-Med group and the ADHD-NoMed group were compared. The data for both clinical groups and their respective matched control groups were part of the data collected during the standardization of the McCloskey Executive Function Scale – Teacher Report (MEFS-TR). Analyses examined teacher responses to all of the items of the seven Self-Regulation, the Self-Realization, and the Self-Determination Clusters of the MEFS. Congruent with the …
The Relationship Between Witnessing Domestic Violence And Criminal Recidivism Among Juvenile Sex Offenders, Shamyra Marie Shaw
The Relationship Between Witnessing Domestic Violence And Criminal Recidivism Among Juvenile Sex Offenders, Shamyra Marie Shaw
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
This correlational archival dissertation focuses on the relationship between exposure to domestic violence and criminal recidivism among juvenile sexual offenders. The study examined archival criminal arrest records and self-reported data gathered from a sample of 67 male juvenile sexual offenders in a residential treatment facility. Given the somewhat limited explanations for and research into the causes of juvenile sexual re-offending and the importance of identifying its determinants, this topic may be viewed as having substantial importance to future research and criminal justice policy. Findings did not support the primary hypothesis that prior exposure to domestic violence would be positively correlated …
Evaluation Of A Picture Exchange Communication System Program For Children With Autism, Jessica Rachel Mark
Evaluation Of A Picture Exchange Communication System Program For Children With Autism, Jessica Rachel Mark
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
The current study examined the effectiveness of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) as a functional communication training (FCT) program implemented by a local community agency specializing in autism diagnosis and treatment in developing communication skills among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Conducted using archival data, this study used a within-subjects repeated measures research design to determine if PECS improved the overall communication skills of enrolled participants at the agency, as measured by the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition (Vineland-3) and the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC). Individual growth on communication goals was measured by comparing goals concerning …
Sleep, Communicative Ability, And Diet As Predictors Of Aggression In Autism Spectrum Disorder, Rafat Omar
Sleep, Communicative Ability, And Diet As Predictors Of Aggression In Autism Spectrum Disorder, Rafat Omar
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
Aggression is a common behavioral issue in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Aggression is often treated with evidence-based behavioral treatments, such as applied behavioral analysis and functional communication training. Another form of intervention that has grown in popularity is to alter the child’s diet. The most popular dietary intervention, the autism diet, has been used as a form of behavior management by parents and guardians for children diagnosed with ASD to address aggressive behavior; however, its use has not been strongly supported by research. The authors proposed that a more beneficial way of understanding aggression in ASD is to …
Long-Term Use Of Beta-Blocker Medication In Pediatric Long Qt Syndrome Patients: Neuropsychological Profiles, Kara J. Rudisill
Long-Term Use Of Beta-Blocker Medication In Pediatric Long Qt Syndrome Patients: Neuropsychological Profiles, Kara J. Rudisill
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a heart rhythm disorder characterized by a disruption of the heart’s electrical activity that may cause accelerated and uncontrolled heartbeats referred to as ventricular fibrillation. LQTS is primarily treated with beta-blocker medications, which reduce the risk of experiencing an arrhythmia through regulating the heart rate. However, the potential neuropsychological side-effects associated with the use of beta-blocker medication may impact the executive functioning skills, mental health, and behavior of the affected pediatric population at home. As a result, a child’s academic performance and emotional regulation etiology may be misunderstood by his or her parents, caregivers, and …
Sensory Processing Patterns And Emotion Regulation In Children Presenting With Externalizing Behaviors, Melanie Levitt
Sensory Processing Patterns And Emotion Regulation In Children Presenting With Externalizing Behaviors, Melanie Levitt
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
Sensory processing is a neurological process that involves a child’s perception, organization, and reaction to sensory stimuli. Certain groups of people, such as children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), experience more intense sensory processing patterns (Dunn, 2007). Researchers have also observed that children presenting with ASD and ADHD exhibit more externalizing scores as their sensory processing patterns become more intense or problematic (Gourley et al., 2013). However, researchers have not examined the relationship between sensory processing and externalizing behaviors in those not diagnosed with ASD and ADHD. Additionally, there are overlapping neural mechanisms between sensory …
Stress In Mothers Of Newly Diagnosed Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Barriers To Care, Use Of Support Services, And Child Behavior, Michelle Petrongolo
Stress In Mothers Of Newly Diagnosed Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Barriers To Care, Use Of Support Services, And Child Behavior, Michelle Petrongolo
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
A reasonable amount of parenting stress is not only expected, but often adaptive (Deater- Deckard, & Scarr, 1996); however, in the presence of chronically high levels of stress, negative outcomes are common. Parents of children with special needs, particularly autism spectrum disorder (ASD), are especially vulnerable to the presence of clinically significant levels of stress, making this group an important focus in the prevention of negative outcomes. The purpose of the present study was to determine the contribution of barriers to care, social support, and child behavioral problems to stress levels of parents with a child newly diagnosed with ASD. …
Play And Treatment Outcomes In A Cognitive-Behavioral Program For Children With Anxiety: The Role Of Child Involvement And Collaboration, Enid S. Flagg
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
This study examined a mediation model of the relationship between play, process variables (child involvement and collaboration), and treatment outcome in a randomized clinical trial (RCT) of CBT for childhood anxiety disorders. Additionally, it explored the use of play in CBT for children. Participants (N=43; M age = 10.09) took part in a RCT which evaluated the effectiveness of an individual cognitive-behavioral treatment (ICBT) versus a family cognitive-behavioral treatment (FCBT), for childhood anxiety disorders. Archival data (videotaped treatment sessions) at a university based clinic for childhood anxiety disorders was coded for treatment interventions (play and cognitive-behavioral) and process variables (child …
Examining Levels Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms And Treatment Attendance Amongst Children Living In Different Caregiver Settings, Danika S. Perry
Examining Levels Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms And Treatment Attendance Amongst Children Living In Different Caregiver Settings, Danika S. Perry
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
This study examined symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and treatment attendance rates amongst a sample of children and adolescents who engaged in treatment for PTSD. The purpose was to determine if there was a difference in the level of PTSD symptoms or the number of sessions attended between those children living in foster care and those living with their primary non-foster caregiver(s). In addition, the treatment attendance rates of foster care children were examined to determine if there was a relationship between the level of the PTSD symptoms and the child’s treatment attendance rates. Results revealed that there was …
A Self-Regulated Learning Approach For The Remediation Of Behavioral Issues In Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Richard G. Allen
A Self-Regulated Learning Approach For The Remediation Of Behavioral Issues In Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Richard G. Allen
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
Behavioral-based interventions have long been demonstrated to be effective for
addressing behavioral difficulties for children with ADHD; however, such interventions do not always include explicit procedures to develop self-regulated learning. This is surprising, considering the strong evidence-based literature related to behaviorally-based self-management interventions. Considering the neurocognitive basis of ADHD, current assessment and intervention practices should emphasize the identification of self-regulatory deficits and evidence-based interventions to build such capacities. The current outcome study examined archival data from 12 cases to determine the clinical effectiveness of a function-based self-management intervention model for children diagnosed with ADHD in a community behavioral health program. …
Understanding The Thoughts And Attitudes Related To Participation In Youth Sports, Jeanine A. Johnson
Understanding The Thoughts And Attitudes Related To Participation In Youth Sports, Jeanine A. Johnson
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
The present study was designed to examine the thinking and attitudes that may be associated with elementary and middle school students participating in youth sports. Girls benefit physically, socially, and educationally from ongoing participation in sports. However, compared to boys, girls tend to start later, quit sooner, and participate less often in sports, despite the numerous advantages that athletics provides. The external barriers that contribute to girls’ decreased involvement in sports as they increase in age and grade are well researched. However, there is a lack of information about the possible cognitive variables related to a girls’ decision to play …
An Examination Of The Catch Nurture Program In The Treatment Of Children's Mental Health Disorders, Jessica Avart
An Examination Of The Catch Nurture Program In The Treatment Of Children's Mental Health Disorders, Jessica Avart
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
School-based mental health services are in high demand due to the increased prevalence of diagnosable mental health disorders among the pediatric population, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) foremost among them. The majority of research examining school-based services has been conducted in highly controlled settings and there has been a lack of research investigating such services within the actual school environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the Catch Nurture Program, a school-based intervention, in the treatment of school-aged children with behavioral and/or emotional disturbances in the real-world setting. This study also examined the impact of gender and diagnosis on …
A Qualitative Analysis Of Homeless Women With Children In Transitional Housing: What Are Their Needs?, Urmi B. Jani
A Qualitative Analysis Of Homeless Women With Children In Transitional Housing: What Are Their Needs?, Urmi B. Jani
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
In 2004, the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty indicated that approximately 3.5 million people experienced homelessness. The literature indicates that families, specifically female-headed ones, are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. The development of transitional housing has shown promise by seeking to move these homeless families towards independent living. A qualitative study based in grounded theory was utilized to explore the experiences of 10 female homeless participants at two regional transitional living facilities. Consistent themes that emerged included dissolution of relationships and a lack of personal supports as being the primary pathways that lead to homelessness. …
A Comparison Of The Parenting Dimensions That Lead To Positive Social Problem Solving In The Children From Traditional Versus Children From Same-Sex Parent Families, Karen Joan Taratuski
A Comparison Of The Parenting Dimensions That Lead To Positive Social Problem Solving In The Children From Traditional Versus Children From Same-Sex Parent Families, Karen Joan Taratuski
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
Building social competence is an important task of childhood. Effective social problem solving is a vital skill in the development of social competence. Although there are myriad factors that influence a child’s learning of social problem solving skills, the quality of the interaction between parents and children has been found to be a pivotal influence. Although much research focuses on the effects of parenting in the context of a traditional family (two parents of opposite gender), little more than half of all children are living in this type of family. Same-sex parent households draw particular criticism. However, research suggests that …
Gender Differences In Symptom Presentation Of Sexually Abused African American Children Ages 8 Through 12, Tania Czarnecki Wismar
Gender Differences In Symptom Presentation Of Sexually Abused African American Children Ages 8 Through 12, Tania Czarnecki Wismar
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
A well-documented connection exists between child sexual abuse and psychological symptoms that may persist into adulthood. Because of the significant public health implications of child sexual abuse, it is critical to examine the many variables related to such a potentially traumatic event, including its psychological effects and effects on gender, so that treatment providers are able to gain a better understanding of how males and females are affected by their abuse experiences. This study examined the role of gender on psychological symptoms in a largely understudied population of inner city African American children; it also examined gender roles regarding the …
Relationship Between Social Problem-Solving Skills, Quality Of Life, And Family Adjustment In Caregivers Of Children With Developmental Disability, Bonita Ellen Fisher
Relationship Between Social Problem-Solving Skills, Quality Of Life, And Family Adjustment In Caregivers Of Children With Developmental Disability, Bonita Ellen Fisher
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
This study focused on the relationship between a caregiver's problem solving skills, their perceived quality of life, their family's adjustment to their child's disability, and the potential for mediation of those relationships by the child's behavior. A total of 111 parents completed the Social Problem Solving Skills Inventory-Revised, short form (SPSI-R:S), the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment, brief version (WHOQOL-BREF), the Family Impact of Childhood Disability Scale (FlCD), the Nisonger Child Behavior rating Form (NCBRF) and a demographics questionnaire. Analyses of the data by Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient identified significant correlations between scores on the problem orientation components …
Difference Between Parents Modeling During Children's Social Problem Solving, Sheryl Markulin
Difference Between Parents Modeling During Children's Social Problem Solving, Sheryl Markulin
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
Social problem solving is a vital aspect in children's social development. Parents play a role in influencing their children's social problem solving styles through modeling. Mothers and fathers model different social problem solving styles; this may be explained by the "maternal gatekeeping theory." This is a situation in which the mother's beliefs about the father inhibit his involvement. If there are differences in the ways in which mothers and fathers model social problem solving skills, these may influence their children's social development in a negative or positive manner. This study investigated how mothers impact the fathers in joint problem solving …
An Exploratory Study Of The Perceptions And Associated Coping Skills Of Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Rayna Ruth Mckinnon
An Exploratory Study Of The Perceptions And Associated Coping Skills Of Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Rayna Ruth Mckinnon
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects between 3% and 5% of school-age children. In addition to hyperactivity, difficulty paying attention, and impulsivity, children with ADHD have been found to have lower self-perceptions than their peers who do not have ADHD. Researchers have attempted to explain why children with ADHD have lower self-perceptions. Despite these studies, little research has explored how these children perceive themselves, others, and their world from their perspective. In addition, even fewer researchers have studied how these children cope. The purpose of this study was to delve into the lives of six children with ADHD as a means of …
Pragmatic Language And Social Skills Functioning In Children Diagnosed With Asperger's Disorder, Donna Lee Toro
Pragmatic Language And Social Skills Functioning In Children Diagnosed With Asperger's Disorder, Donna Lee Toro
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
Sixteen children with a diagnosis of Asperger's Disorder, as defined by the DSM-IV-TR (2000), were assessed using the following standardized measures: KBIT-2 (Kaufman & Kaufman, 2003), CASL (Carrow-Woolfolk, 1999), and SSRS (Gresham & Elliot, 1990). The purpose of the study was to determine whether the measurement of pragmatic language functioning is reliably associated with social skill performance in children with Asperger's disorder. Results indicated that the group mean composite index score of the CASL was in the average range for children with a standard score of 85 or higher on the KBIT -2. Group average scores for formal language functioning …
Impact Of Training On School Psychologists' Knowledge And Attitudes Regarding Children With Chronic Health Issues, Abby Baker
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
Children who have chronic medical illnesses must rely on their families and schools to create an environment that allows goals in the areas of development, of academic, social, familial and life-skills to be individualized to accommodate the capabilities of each child. School psychologists are an essential part of blending a child’s needs and academic fit. Although school psychologists receive some training in child psychopathology, they lack the necessary training in the areas of acute and chronic illness, in order to work with the health care system and to collaborate with pediatricians. The emergence of the field of Pediatric Psychology in …
The Quality Of The Sibling Relationship Of Children Diagnosed With Autism, Kelly C. O'Laughlin
The Quality Of The Sibling Relationship Of Children Diagnosed With Autism, Kelly C. O'Laughlin
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
Seldom has the quality of the sibling relationship between children with disabilities and their siblings without disabilities been explored, particularly via firsthand accounts from the non-disabled sibling, rather than from parental observations and reports. Furthermore, research has shown mixed results regarding whether or not the siblings of children with disabilities have increased internalizing (anxiety, depression, and obsessive compulsive disorder) or externalizing (attention deficits, hyperactivity, and oppositional) behaviors, psychosocial maladjustment, or impaired developmental stages, as opposed to siblings of children without disabilities. This study attempted to determine whether or not there was a correlation between the severity of autism disability; as …