Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Clinical Psychology Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

Discipline
Keyword
Publication Year
Publication
Publication Type

Articles 31 - 60 of 278

Full-Text Articles in Clinical Psychology

Assessing Factors That Increase The Likelihood Of Naloxone Administration, Samantha Nagy Jan 2021

Assessing Factors That Increase The Likelihood Of Naloxone Administration, Samantha Nagy

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

For more than two decades, the opioid epidemic has swept through the United States and has caused thousands of deaths every year due to opioid overdose. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC; 2019) has reported that since 1999, over 770,000 Americans have died from overdoses. Nearly 70% of deaths in 2018 were due to opioids, 47% of which were the result of fentanyl or a non-methadone opioid and 22% were the result of heroin (CDC, 2019). As policy and treatment protocols attempt to manage those who seek treatment, the pharmaceutical industry has developed a life-saving medication that gives …


Executive Functioning In Persons Undergoing Hemodialysis, Alexandria Diguiseppe Jan 2021

Executive Functioning In Persons Undergoing Hemodialysis, Alexandria Diguiseppe

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a condition in which damaged kidneys cannot properly filter blood throughout the body. This results in excess fluid and waste products to remain in the bloodstream, which can lead to other health complications if not treated. Kidney failure occurs when an individual has 10-15% of optimal kidney functioning, resulting in toxic levels of waste in the bloodstream. Recent literature has demonstrated that individuals receiving dialysis have poorer cognitive functioning compared to the general population, especially in regard to executive functioning. The purpose of the current study was to identify the executive functioning abilities in a …


The Relationship Between Insomnia, Sleep Continuity Disturbance, Sleep-Related Daytime Dysfunction, Problem Endorsement, And Aging In A Community-Based Sample, Julia T. Boyle Jan 2021

The Relationship Between Insomnia, Sleep Continuity Disturbance, Sleep-Related Daytime Dysfunction, Problem Endorsement, And Aging In A Community-Based Sample, Julia T. Boyle

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Although older adults experience greater difficulty initiating sleep, maintaining sleep, or waking up earlier than intended, they are less likely to report that they perceive this to be a problem. The discordance between sleep disorder symptoms and the reported perception that they are troubling is unusually prevalent among older adults. This may be problematic, in that individuals who do not perceive their sleep continuity disturbances (SCDs; difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up earlier than intended) to be problems are less likely to seek treatment. Untreated SCD has been shown to be a risk factor for the development or …


Cognitive Mechanisms Underlying The Relationship Between Social Media Use And Depressive Symptoms, Mary Le Jan 2021

Cognitive Mechanisms Underlying The Relationship Between Social Media Use And Depressive Symptoms, Mary Le

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Social media continues to grow in popularity but has been associated with diminished mental health in some users. Social media provides a platform for social comparison, which influences how individuals evaluate their traits, abilities, and successes in achieving life milestones and, in turn, may impact psychological functioning. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether social comparison and cognitive distortions mediated the relationship between social media use and depressive symptoms in younger adults. In total, 175 adults between the ages of 18 and 29 years were recruited online (64.6% male, 34.9% female; 45.7% Asian). Participants completed anonymous surveys …


Black Girls Work Out Too! An Exploration Of Physical Activity Behaviors Of Black Women, Kimberley C. Desir Jan 2021

Black Girls Work Out Too! An Exploration Of Physical Activity Behaviors Of Black Women, Kimberley C. Desir

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Lack of participation in physical activity has become an increasing public health concern in the United States. Compared to any other racial and ethnic group, Black women have the lowest prevalence of exercise. A limited amount of empirical research suggests cultural beliefs about the meaning of physical activity has a role in one’s ability to initiate and maintain a physical activity regimen. Black women face specific sociocultural factors that impact their physical activity routines. Hair care practices and maintenance has been identified as a unique barrier among Black women. This qualitative research study investigated the influence of the distinctions in …


Differences In Internalizing Symptoms And Cognitive Functioning In Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder And Sluggish Cognitive Tempo, Avery B. Ducey Jan 2021

Differences In Internalizing Symptoms And Cognitive Functioning In Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder And Sluggish Cognitive Tempo, Avery B. Ducey

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) is a recently identified mental health construct. Currently, no widely accepted diagnostic criteria for SCT exist, and it is not recognized in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5). There is debate in the psychological community as to whether SCT is better conceptualized as an atypical presentation of attentiondeficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or a unique symptom cluster comprised of ADHD and additional psychological and neurocognitive symptoms. When controlling for ADHD symptomatology, SCT has been found to be associated with internalizing symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, as well as …


The Relationship Between Locus Of Control, Affective Disorders, And Weight Loss Expectations In Adults Seeking Bariatric Surgery, Rachel Brookland Jan 2021

The Relationship Between Locus Of Control, Affective Disorders, And Weight Loss Expectations In Adults Seeking Bariatric Surgery, Rachel Brookland

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Bariatric surgery is the most effective long-term treatment for severe obesity. Although bariatric surgery results in significant weight loss for many patients, variability exists in expectations surrounding postoperative outcomes. Therefore, this study examined two psychosocial factors that may contribute to variability in weight loss expectations among adults seeking bariatric surgery: affective disorders and locus of control. Specifically, it was hypothesized that individuals scoring higher on external measures of locus of control would report lower weight loss expectations for surgery than those scoring higher on internal measures of locus of control (as measured by the Levenson’s Multidimensional Locus of Control Scale, …


A Qualitative Study Of Burnout In Graduate Students Enrolled In Healthcare Programs, Kaylene Irizarry Jan 2021

A Qualitative Study Of Burnout In Graduate Students Enrolled In Healthcare Programs, Kaylene Irizarry

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Burnout has not been defined in a universal and operational manner that is agreed upon by professionals. Burnout is prevalent among graduate students, has many negative side effects, and is not well understood. The experience of burnout varies by population. The lack of clear understanding makes assessment of burnout difficult. Assessment of burnout is difficult between groups because of the ambiguity of the construct and lack of construct validity with other terms. The purpose of this research was to identify shared themes related to burnout in graduate student populations in health-related programs and to gain insight into students’ perspectives on …


Predictors Of Postdeployment Distress In Female Veterans, Shalonda C. Griffin Jan 2021

Predictors Of Postdeployment Distress In Female Veterans, Shalonda C. Griffin

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The female veteran population is expected to increase over the next few decades, representing approximately 16.3% of the living population by the year 2042. Although research exists in regard to the entire veteran population, research relating to female veterans is lacking. The purpose of this study was (a) to identify factors associated and predictive of postdeployment distress and (b) to identify and explore stressors specific to female veterans’ experiences once they separate from the military. Findings from the study revealed significant relationships between the predictive factors (i.e., Life Events, Support, and Family Experiences) and criterion variables (i.e., Perceived Stress and …


Examining The Dunning-Kruger Effect In Autism Knowledge, Information Sourcing, And Endorsement Of Vaccination Policy, Alexandra Reed Jan 2021

Examining The Dunning-Kruger Effect In Autism Knowledge, Information Sourcing, And Endorsement Of Vaccination Policy, Alexandra Reed

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to further examine the Dunning-Kruger effect as it relates to knowledge of autism, source of information, and endorsement of vaccination policy. Specifically, the study assessed the relationship between confidence in autism awareness and the belief that vaccines cause autism. It also examined the relationship between the source of information regarding autism and vaccines and vaccination attitudes. Last, it assessed whether individuals with higher confidence levels in the internet would be more likely to have both anti-vaccination attitudes and lower awareness of autism facts. Adult participants (N = 199) were surveyed on various social media …


Examining The Psychometric Properties Of The Weekly Emotional And Functional Summary, Brittany Lynn Quimby Jan 2021

Examining The Psychometric Properties Of The Weekly Emotional And Functional Summary, Brittany Lynn Quimby

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Self-report questionnaires are used in clinical practice to aid in the process of conceptualizing, diagnosing, planning treatment, and monitoring progress throughout treatment. However, self-report questionnaires can be inconvenient to both clinicians and patients if excessive time is needed to complete and score them. To date, a brief and consolidated self-report questionnaire that measures anxiety, depression, anger, suicidality, homicidality, positive mental health, and functioning does not exist. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the factor structure and the psychometric properties of the self-report questionnaire, the Weekly Emotional and Functional Summary (WEFS). The study was correlational, using archival data …


Protective And Risk Factors Associated With Posttraumatic Growth And Psychopathological Symptoms Following Trauma, Jessica Henninger Jan 2021

Protective And Risk Factors Associated With Posttraumatic Growth And Psychopathological Symptoms Following Trauma, Jessica Henninger

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Most people experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetimes, yet only a small proportion of individuals develop posttraumatic stress disorder. Many studies have examined risk factors associated with psychopathological symptoms in individuals with trauma, but few have examined protective factors associated with posttraumatic growth, and even fewer have examined risk and protective factors concurrently. Factors that contribute to discrepancies between individuals who experience pathology and those who experience growth are unclear Recent studies suggest that mild stressful life events in childhood may impact the way in which an individual experiences later stress via a strengthening or “steeling” effect. …


Religiosity And Psychological Inflexibility On Grief Outcomes Of The Suicide-Bereaved, Samantha Algauer Jan 2021

Religiosity And Psychological Inflexibility On Grief Outcomes Of The Suicide-Bereaved, Samantha Algauer

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Most research on religion supports its efficacy in improving mental health, yet minimal research has been conducted on religion’s influence on grief specific to those who have lost someone to suicide (i.e., the suicide-bereaved). Psychological inflexibility has also been associated with poorer grief and mental health outcomes. The primary objective of this study was to assess the impact of religiosity and psychological inflexibility on grief outcomes among a suicide-bereaved sample of 323 participants. Participants were recruited through online and face-to-face convenience sampling. Using a between-subjects, two-way ANCOVA design, this quasi-experimental study divided participants into four groups based on high and …


The Relationship Between Nostalgia, Life Meaningfulness, And Distress Tolerance Within A Chronic Pain Population, Samantha Lyon Jan 2021

The Relationship Between Nostalgia, Life Meaningfulness, And Distress Tolerance Within A Chronic Pain Population, Samantha Lyon

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Nostalgia, defined as a bittersweet longing for the past, has been found to buffer against existential threats through increasing perception of meaning in life (MIL). MIL consists of subconstructs including coherence, significance, and purpose. The relationship between nostalgia and the subconstructs of MIL has not been fully established and which MIL component(s) nostalgia affects is unknown. The primary objective of this study was to better understand the relationship between nostalgia and components of MIL as well as psychological wellness within a chronic pain population. It was hypothesized that participants high in trait nostalgia would have a higher overall MIL score …


Predictors Of Utilization Of Care In A Community Outpatient Mental Health Sample, Matthew F. Bloom Jan 2021

Predictors Of Utilization Of Care In A Community Outpatient Mental Health Sample, Matthew F. Bloom

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The term superutilizer is used to classify individuals who frequent emergency departments and inpatient medical settings for preventable reasons. The exact criteria for this term are unclear, and there is dearth of literature on how it applies to the outpatient medical setting and to mental health utilization. The purpose of this study was to identify potential client demographic and clinical variables predictive of the utilization of mental health services/resources, as measured by number of sessions attended over the course of treatment in an outpatient mental health setting. It was hypothesized there would be a predictive relationship between being female, younger, …


Gender Differences In Cognitive Distortions In Adults With Adhd, Laura Salciunas Jan 2021

Gender Differences In Cognitive Distortions In Adults With Adhd, Laura Salciunas

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Research has established that men and women with ADHD often manifest varying symptom constellations and are typically referred at different ages for initial evaluation. However, there is a dearth of research into how such gender differences may impact the manifestation of various psychological processes, such as cognitive distortions, even though the latter may explain up to half the variance in many clinical syndromes and personality disorders. The primary objective of this study was to identify whether there is a significant difference in the frequency of cognitive distortions between men and women with ADHD. The secondary objective was to determine the …


An Examination Of Internet Search Behavior And Completed Suicide Rates Across The United States, Marie Louise Rhoads Jan 2021

An Examination Of Internet Search Behavior And Completed Suicide Rates Across The United States, Marie Louise Rhoads

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Suicide remains a leading cause of death in the US (CDC, 2021; Murphy et al., 2018). The literature has shown that individuals seeking information on personal or sensitive topics are likely to utilize the internet (Jacobs et al., 2017; Mok et al., 2015; Pew Research Center, 2019). Research also suggests that internet search behavior can be utilized to track and predict disease outbreak effectively, as well as other public health trends across the nation (Paparrizos et al., 2016; Parker, et al., 2017). Moreover, implicit associations related to suicide have been identified as strong predictors of future suicide (Millner et al., …


Risk And Protective Factors Associated With Psychosocial Functioning In 911 Operators And Dispatchers, Margarett Molina Jan 2021

Risk And Protective Factors Associated With Psychosocial Functioning In 911 Operators And Dispatchers, Margarett Molina

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

911 operators and dispatchers are considered the true “first responders” to life-threatening emergencies. Their responsibilities include responding to individuals in crisis, deciding appropriate emergency responses, gathering vital information, offering emergency instruction, and providing detailed updates about the response to callers and emergency workers. This high rate of exposure to traumatizing events enhances the risk for pathology, including posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and depressive symptoms. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between social supports, coping style, and sleep as it relates to PTSS and depressive symptoms in 911 operators and dispatchers. Multiple linear regression models were computed …


Pediatric Health Care Providers’ Perceptions And Knowledge Of Caregiving Youth, Brianna Bliss Jan 2021

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 …


Examining Physicians’ Attitudes And Knowledge Regarding Medical Marijuana, Philip Kaplan Jan 2021

Examining Physicians’ Attitudes And Knowledge Regarding Medical Marijuana, Philip Kaplan

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Marijuana is one of the most commonly used illicit substances in the U.S. and its rapid implementation as a form of treatment has sparked significant national attention and debate among clinicians. In the United States, medical marijuana (MM) may be recommended as a form of treatment by certified physicians. The purpose of this study was to examine licensed physicians’ support for recommending MM for various health conditions, their perceived knowledge regarding its efficacy as treatment, and their attitudes toward MM. This study employed a correlational design utilizing a self-administered, online survey (PCOM REDCap) to collect quantitative information from licensed and …


The Association Between Sluggish Cognitive Tempo, Big Five Personality Factors, And Comorbid Clinical Syndromes In Adults Seeking Treatment For Adhd, Lauren Truskey Jan 2021

The Association Between Sluggish Cognitive Tempo, Big Five Personality Factors, And Comorbid Clinical Syndromes In Adults Seeking Treatment For Adhd, Lauren Truskey

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) is a cluster of symptoms, including daydreaming, mental confusion, slowed thinking, and hypoactivity, that are believed to overlap and be frequently comorbid with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Research examining the relationship between personality and symptoms of SCT in adults with ADHD is limited. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether a relationship exists between SCT, Big Five personality factors, and ADHD, after accounting for comorbid anxiety and depression in a clinical adult sample. Archival data from a university-based outpatient clinic specializing in the assessment and treatment of adult ADHD were collected from an …


Evaluating Antecedents To Treatment Success In Juveniles With Sexually Problematic Behavior, Alexandra P. Pappas Jan 2021

Evaluating Antecedents To Treatment Success In Juveniles With Sexually Problematic Behavior, Alexandra P. Pappas

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The impact of rape and other sexual offenses represents a major problem in society and can lead to chronic and harmful physical, psychological, and social consequences. Juveniles (younger than 18 years old) account for 20% of sexual offense arrests in the United States, with 96% of reported cases committed by male perpetrators. Risk indicators and characteristics of juveniles who sexually offend include demographic factors (e.g., history of sexual abuse), personality factors (e.g., antisocial behavior), and below average intelligence and cognitive functioning. Treatment of problematic sexual behavior in juveniles varies in intensity, structure, and level of supervision, though research investigating unsuccessful …


Does Knowing The Mental Health History Of A Mass Shooter Heighten Stigma And Negative Attitudes Toward Mental Illness?, Lianna Artessa Jan 2020

Does Knowing The Mental Health History Of A Mass Shooter Heighten Stigma And Negative Attitudes Toward Mental Illness?, Lianna Artessa

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Mass-shooting incidents are an ongoing epidemic that continues to take countless lives. Despite the prevalence of gun-related mass-shooting events, the research on this phenomenon is scarce. Following these events, individuals often receive news from differing media outlets and programs. The current media portrayal of mass-shooting events often appears to support a widely accepted connection between mass shootings and mental illness. This portrayal may reflect an existing and perhaps growing misunderstanding and negative stigma toward individuals diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder. This experimental study sought to determine the degree to which individuals’ attitudes toward and opinions of a perpetrator of a …


An Exploration Of Graduate And Medical Students’ Perception And Knowledge Of Other Healthcare Disciplines Contributions To Patient Care, Ashley Poole Jan 2020

An Exploration Of Graduate And Medical Students’ Perception And Knowledge Of Other Healthcare Disciplines Contributions To Patient Care, Ashley Poole

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Multidisciplinary teams have been identified as an effective approach to improving patient treatment outcomes for a number of health conditions, including cancer and depression. Interprofessional education (IPE) facilitates learning opportunities for health professional students to gain exposure to the ways different healthcare professions can work together to provide patient care. The objective of this study was to assess graduate and medical students’ ratings of health care professional characteristics after engaging in an IPE experience. A survey using the Student Stereotypes Rating Questionnaire (SSRQ), which consists of a five-point Likert-type scale was utilized to carry out the study goals. Each student …


Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy For Blind And Visually Impaired Adults: Acceptance, Problem-Solving, And Cognitive Distortions, Collin D. Mullins Jan 2019

Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy For Blind And Visually Impaired Adults: Acceptance, Problem-Solving, And Cognitive Distortions, Collin D. Mullins

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study sought to explore the efficacy of group Problem-Solving Therapy (PST) adapted for individuals living with visual impairment. Specifically, this study investigated changes in quality of life, levels of acceptance, problem-solving, depression, and cognitive distortions following treatment. A group of ten participants (N = 10) were recruited in a large Northeastern city from a non-profit organization providing programming to individuals with visual impairment. Combined pretest-posttest experimental and qualitative study designs were utilized. Individuals were assessed using measures to acquire baseline and outcomes on depression (Beck Depression Inventory-II), acceptance (Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II), quality of life (World Health Organization Quality …


The Impact Of Psychostimulants On The Executive Capacities Of Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Theresa C. Mcmahon Jan 2019

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 Impact Caregiving And Decision-Making Has On Adult Sibling Relationships, Christina Vroman Jan 2019

The Impact Caregiving And Decision-Making Has On Adult Sibling Relationships, Christina Vroman

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Dementia is characterized by a decrease in cognitive functioning, usually characterized by a progressive decline in brain function over time. As the condition progresses, individuals require more assistance from others in order to maintain their activities of daily, independent living and decision-making among other functions of life. The responsibility of caring for the aging population usually falls on adult children, which can cause stress and tension within the family dynamic. Adult siblings tend to believe that the responsibility of caregiving should be equally split among siblings (Amaro & Miller, 2016); however, it is often the case that one sibling takes …


A Review Of The Use Of Positive Reinforcement In Drug Courts, Katherine Bascom Jan 2019

A Review Of The Use Of Positive Reinforcement In Drug Courts, Katherine Bascom

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

There is a need to provide effective treatment for drug-abusing offenders, as evidenced by the explicitly supported relationship between drug use and crime (Anglin & Perrochet, 1998; Tonry & Wilson, 1990; McBride & McCoy, 1993). Drug policy in the United States has viewed drug abuse as a public safety concern or a public health concern (Marlowe, 2002). In 1989, the Miami Drug Court in Dade County, Florida developed a drug court system that is currently used nationwide. The model embodies a very strong behavioral orientation with clear expectations, as well as graduated sanctions and rewards for successive infractions and accomplishments. …


The Relationship Between Witnessing Domestic Violence And Criminal Recidivism Among Juvenile Sex Offenders, Shamyra Marie Shaw Jan 2019

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 …


The Relationship Between Health Adherence Behaviors, Level Of Acculturation, Frequency Of Cognitive Distortions, And Psychological Distress In Filipino Americans, Marisa R. Nuñez Jan 2019

The Relationship Between Health Adherence Behaviors, Level Of Acculturation, Frequency Of Cognitive Distortions, And Psychological Distress In Filipino Americans, Marisa R. Nuñez

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Nonadherence to medical recommendations is a prevalent concern within the U.S health care system, including among many ethnic minority groups, such as Filipino Americans. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between health adherence behaviors, acculturation level, frequency of cognitive distortions, and psychological distress in Filipino Americans. Filipino American participants (N = 121) completed the following measures: the Health Adherence Behavior Inventory, A Short Acculturation Scale for Filipino Americans, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9th edition, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale, and the Inventory of Cognitive Distortions. Results indicated a significant negative relationship between anxiety symptoms and health …