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Construction Of The Structured Assessment Of Functioning And Effectiveness-Revised (Safe-R) : Validation Against The Million Adolescent Clinical Inventory (Maci) And Against Other Clinical Measures In An Adolescent Residential Setting, John Girard Kuna

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Adolescents present with various emotional and mental health problems when admitted to residential settings. Such problems increase the probability that these clients represent a safety risk to themselves, to peers and to treatment staff. Psychometric devices can best meet the complex needs for assessment when such instruments are easily administered, well constructed, and diagnostically accurate. However, the usage of psychological assessment instruments labors under growing restrictions by time limited health care delivery systems. With a concerted effort, the field of psychology must respond with a sense of advocacy and a realistic explanation for the value and utility of assessments devices. …

A Survey Of Pennsylvania School Psychologists' Training, Knowledge And Evaluation Practice For Assessing And Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders, Loren M. Pearson

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The main purpose of this research was to survey Pennsylvania school psychologists regarding their training, knowledge and evaluation practices when assessing and diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). A 65 question electronic survey focusing on four areas: A) training, B) knowledge, C) current practice and D) demographic information, was distributed to 908 certified school psychologists in Pennsylvania and completed by 243 respondents. Results found that school psychologists in Pennsylvania play a key role with assessment and diagnosis of ASD, yet have limited formal training in important aspects of ASD. Doctoral level school psychologists and school psychologists with the greatest number of …

Examination Of Health Adherence Behaviors And Cognitive Distortions In Patients With Chronic Illness , Clint C. Stankiewicz

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The relationship between health adherence behaviors and cognitive distortions among patients with chronic illness were investigated. One-hundred eleven participants from two outpatient medical clinics were administered the Health Adherence Behavior Inventory (HABIT) and the Inventory for Cognitive Distortions (lCD), and the Health Adherence Behavior Survey was utilized to obtain demographic information. Results indicated participants who had a thinking style characterized by the use of cognitive distortions tended to engage in fewer health promoting behaviors. This finding was consistent with the predicted hypothesis. In fact, a significant correlation at the .05 level of -.173 was found between the ICD and the …

Effects Of Statin Medications On Health Related Behaviors, Stephen M. Timchack

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The current study focuses on the psychological effects of statin medications. Specifically, this study examines the health related beliefs and behaviors that may be altered by the consumption of this fast acting class of life saving drugs. Although the statin class of medication generally produces favorable physiological results, as evidenced by reduced levels of serum cholesterol, and in some case increases in high density lipoproteins, the health related belief system and heath related behaviors may actually be altered in a negative fashion by engendering a sense of overconfidence; this in turn may alter beliefs and diminish the importance of adhering …

Evaluation Of The Construct And Predictive Validity Of A Resiliency Matrix, Bobby R. Van Divner

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Following a comprehensive review of the literature, the present study undertook the development and evaluation of a Resiliency Matrix to assess for the presence of protective and vulnerability factors. The factors, which emerged from the literature review, to promote the expression of resiliency were organized and operationalized into a Resiliency Matrix. Resiliency Matrix Protective Factor Composite scores were evaluated for construct validity through correlations with the Resiliency Scale of the BASC-2 and BASC-2 Depression T-scores, a measure of psychopathology. Resiliency Matrix Protective Factor Composite scores were then evaluated for predictive validity against measures of successful academic and behavioral adjustment to …

Experiences Of Mature Age Female Students Studying Psychology: A Phenomenological Account [Thesis], Ruth Ayres

Theses : Honours

The trend towards increasing diversity in university student populations has not come without its problems and one area of concern has been the high attrition rate amongst mature age female students aged between 40 and 49 years. This literature review seeks to summarise and integrate findings on the adjustment of mature age female students into university; on the relationship between expectations and experience of university and how these might impact on attrition for this group. The review indicates a complex relationship around expectations driven by motivations and perceived benefits from return to study, expectations of academic support, ability to cope …

A Phenomenological Study Of Foster Carers' Experiences Of Formal And Informal Support, Tara Cavazzi

Theses : Honours

Foster children are showing a higher prevalence of maladaptive physical and psychosocial issues than ever before. The presence of these issues is predictive of foster placement instability, which is compounded by the inability to recruit and retain foster carers. As placement disruption can have numerous consequences, the factors that influence placement stability have been reviewed. Carer strain is a widespread destabilizing factor, which is augmented by many factors including the perceived level of practical and emotional support from both formal and informal networks. Formal support is linked to placement stability, although carers generally feel undervalued and unappreciated by formal networks. …

Educators' Perceptions Of Characteristics Of Male And Female Bullies, Melissa Marie Cafaro

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Educators perceive female bullies differently than male bullies. Despite evidence that bullying is a serious problem within schools in the United States, there is little research which focuses on how educators perceive differences and similarities of adolescent bullies based upon the gender of the bully. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine how educators perceive male and female bullies when they are described as exhibiting identical behavior. Goffman's theory of frames formed the theoretical foundation for this study. The independent variable of this study was gender of bully, and the three dependent variables were internalizing behavior, externalizing behavior, …

Incorporating Religious Practice In Marital Interventions: To Pray Or Not To Pray?, Kieran T. Sullivan, Benjamin R. Karney

Psychology

Although couples seeking guidance frequently seek out a religious or spiritual counselor, empirically-based marital interventions seldom acknowledge religious and spiritual beliefs. Beach et al. have proposed that, at least for some couples, religious practice is an appropriate element of marital therapy and a potential agent for strengthening and improving marriages. In this commentary, we welcome the development of marital interventions that are sensitive to the beliefs and values of specific populations. At the same time, the suggestion that therapists intervene directly and participate in religious practices with their clients raises serious questions. Given religious doctrines that may not promote healthy …

The Confluence Of Psychopathic Traits, Violence, And Mental Health Needs In Adolescent Females: Theoretical And Treatment Implications, Nathan Cook

Psychology Theses

The relation among psychopathic traits, violence, and mental health needs was investigated in a sample of male and female juvenile offenders to test for the presence of gender differences. Demographic, offense, and mental health information was gathered from 100 youth offenders, 50 female and 50 male, committed to a state juvenile justice agency. Case file information was used to score the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version and additional archival data was used to code offense and mental health variables. Female and male juvenile offenders differed on PCL:YV scores as a function of proactive violence and mental health needs. The results are …

Live Interactive Group-Specific Normative Feedback Reduces Misperceptions And Drinking In College Students: A Randomized Cluster Trial, Joseph W. Labrie, Justin F. Hummer, Clayton Neighbors, Eric R. Pedersen

Heads Up!

This research evaluated the efficacy of a live and interactive group-specific normative feedback intervention designed to correct misperceptions of alcohol-related group norms and subsequently reduce drinking behavior. Campus organizations (N = 20) containing 1,162 college students were randomly assigned to intervention or assessment-only control conditions. Participants in the intervention condition attended an intervention during their organization’s regular standing meeting. Data were gathered in vivo using computerized handheld keypads into which participants entered personal responses to a series of alcohol-related questions assessing perceptions of normative group behavior as well as actual individual behavior. These data were then immediately presented in graphical …

Progesterone Receptors: Form And Function In Brain, Roberta Diaz Brinton, Richard F. Thompson, Michael R. Foy, Michel Baudry, Jun Ming Wang, Caleb E. Finch, Todd E. Morgan, Christian J. Pike, Wendy J. Mack, Frank Z. Stanczyk, Jon Nilsen

Psychological Science Faculty Works

Emerging data indicate that progesterone has multiple non-reproductive functions in the central nervous system to regulate cognition, mood, inflammation, mitochondrial function, neurogenesis and regeneration, myelination and recovery from traumatic brain injury. Progesterone-regulated neural responses are mediated by an array of progesterone receptors (PR) that include the classic nuclear PRA and PRB receptors and splice variants of each, the seven transmembrane domain 7TMPRβ and the membrane-associated 25-Dx PR (PGRMC1). These PRs induce classic regulation of gene expression while also transducing signaling cascades that originate at the cell membrane and ultimately activate transcription factors. Remarkably, PRs are broadly expressed throughout the brain …

Progesterone Regulation Of Synaptic Transmission And Plasticity In Rodent Hippocampus, Michael R. Foy, Garnik Akopian, Richard F. Thompson

Psychological Science Faculty Works

Ovarian hormones influence memory formation by eliciting changes in neural activity. The effects of various concentrations of progesterone (P4) on synaptic transmission and plasticity associated with long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) were studied using in vitro hippocampal slices. Extracellular studies show that the highest concentration of P4 tested (10⁻⁶ M) decreased the baseline synaptic transmission and magnitude of LTP, but did not affect LTD. Intracellular studies suggest the P4 effect to be mediated, at least in part, by GABAA activity. These results establish a general effect of P4 on synaptic transmission, multiple forms of synaptic plasticity, and …

Elements Of Attention In Hiv-Infected Adults: Evaluation Of An Existing Model, Andrew J. Levine, David J. Hardy, Terry R. Barclay, Matthew J. Reinhard, Michael M. Cole, Charles H. Hinkin

Psychological Science Faculty Works

Because of the multifactorial nature of neuropsychological tests, attention remains poorly defined from a neuropsychological perspective, and conclusions made regarding attention across studies may be limited due to the different nature of the measures used. Thus, a more definitive schema for this neurocognitive domain is needed. We assessed the applicability of Mirsky and Duncan's (2001) neuropsychological model of attention to a cohort of 104 HIV+ adults. Our analysis resulted in a five-factor structure similar to that of previous studies, which explained 74.5% of the variance. However, based on the psychometric characteristics of the measures comprising each factor, we offer an …

The Moderating Influence Of Stress Appraisals And Affect On Performance Under Fatigue, Regina M. Schmidt

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

This study demonstrated that in a group of seventeen active duty soldiers, performance on an attack combat simulation significantly degraded after approximately 30 h of sleep deprivation. In addition, individual differences were identified, as approximately half of the participants maintained performance throughout the sleep deprivation period, while other participants degraded in performance. The main objective of this study was to test the efficacy of micro-level cognitive performance and subject state factors to account for this dichotomy in performance that was particular to the last testing session. Results showed that performance on a decision making test with rapid reaction time constraints …

Exploring Team Dynamics: The Evolution Of Coordination In A Complex Command And Control Environment, Daniel H. Schwartz

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The present study explores the dynamic and emergent behavior of two teams, separately working through a synthetic task environment representing a battle management command and control domain under two levels of organizational centralization. While the manipulation of centralization had minimal effects on overall performance, evidence suggested that the need to seek authorization for actions from a central authority was a source of frustration. Both teams adapted over time, changing patterns of coordination to better meet the task demands. The results are discussed in the context of the concepts of normal accidents, high reliability organizations, and self-organization in complex organizations. Specific …

Multi-Uav Control: An Envisioned World Design Problem, Mona T. Stilson

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle assets are in high demand in the theater of operations for supporting the Global War on Terror and this demand is expected to increase. This work involved exploratory case study research into the envisioned world design problem of networked Predator multi-UAV control, as a candidate for meeting higher Predator sortie requirements without the need for a one for one increase in pilots. The concept involves the development of a potential new position for controlling multiple UAVs, called the Multi-Aircraft Manager (MAM). The goal was to analyze work requirements and develop representational models of the structure of …

Vaccines To Combat Smoking, Rick A. Bevins, Jamie L. Wilkinson, Sam D. Sanderson

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Background—Current U.S. FDA approved biological therapies for treating smoking target central nervous system processes. Although these therapies have had some success, relapse within a year is still high. Clearly additional strategies are needed to aid individuals in maintaining abstinence.

Objective & Methods—We briefly discuss promising research using vaccines to combat smoking and then identify some potentially important directions for future research.

Results & Conclusions—Immunization with a nicotine vaccine generates drug-specific antibodies that sequester some of the nicotine in peripheral circulation preventing it from entering the brain thus decreasing its addictive effects. Albeit promising, much more research is necessary to identify …

Psycho-Social Effects Of A Brain-Training Program Among Healthy Older Adults, Desma Hurley, M. Jean Turner, William C. Bailey

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Grounded in cognitive neuroscience and social exchange theory, this research evaluated the relationship between changes in cognitive functioning and two psycho-social dimensions of life among healthy adults over the age of 70 (N=12). Specific psycho-social dimensions examined were social interaction and depression. Six females and six males participated in the study. All were white, college-educated individuals residing in a life-care residential retirement community. The participants used the Posit Science® Brain Fitness Program™, an auditory-based computer training program that improves memory and speed of processing, for forty hours over an eight-week period. Pre- and post-tests related to social interaction and depressive …

Front Matter

Modern Psychological Studies

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Life Events, Coping Style, College Adjustment, And Parent And Peer Relationship Quality In Predicting Relational Aggression In First-Year College Students, Annelise Nelson, Jennifer Ruh Linder

Modern Psychological Studies

The role of positive and negative life events, coping style, and adjustment in predicting relational aggression in college students was investigated using a sample of fifty-one 17-19 year old male (n = 16) and female (n = 35) first year college students. The role of parental psychological control and perceived parent-child and peer relationship quality in predicting relational aggression was also assessed. Students who were less well-adjusted to college academically and socially, and who were less satisfied with and committed to their choice of college, used more relational aggression. Students using the coping strategies of positive reinterpretation, acceptance, and planning …

The Relationship Between Stress And College Adjustment: The Moderating Role Of Spirituality, Ashley K. Gilliam, Carolyn Mcnamara Barry, Natasha A. Bacchus

Modern Psychological Studies

Spirituality has been shown to moderate the negative effects of stress on physical and psychological adjustment; however, research utilizing a developmental approach in understanding the role of spirituality in the relation between stress and college adjustment has been scant. In the current study, spirituality was hypothesized to moderate the relation between stress and college adjustment (i.e., academic, social, personal-emotional, goal committed/institutional attachment). Also, stress was expected to differ by year in college and gender. Students (N = 131, Mage = 19.81, SD =1.35) from a mid-Atlantic medium-sized parochial comprehensive university completed several questionnaires; results were analyzed with hierarchical regressions. Gender, …

Relationship Between Trait Anxiety And Health-Related Factors, Sarah L. Garnaat, Jessica E. Gwinn, Sara L. Riley, Lisa A. Winslow, Michael C. Hansbourgh, Amanda L. Zielinski, Erin L. Gorter, Jennifer Blevins, Sumner J. Sydeman

Modern Psychological Studies

Growing evidence indicates that anxious individuals are more likely to engage in unhealthy lifestyle behaviors associated with coronary heart disease. We examined the relationship of Trait Anxiety (T-Anx) with lifestyle behaviors and physiological variables in a sample of 34 college undergraduates scoring in the upper/lower quartiles on T-Anx (50% women). Participants were assessed for physiological variables (BP, BMI) and behaviors including cigarette smoking, activity/exercise level, alcohol intake, and sleep. High T-Anx participants smoked significantly more cigarettes, slept significantly fewer hours, and engaged in significantly less vigorous-intensity physical activity than low T-Anx participants. No significant differences between groups were noted on …

Body Dissatisfaction And Self-Esteem Among Male College Students, Jessie Devlin, Lindsay Ross, Beth A. Kotchick

Modern Psychological Studies

The purpose of this study was to examine self-esteem, exposure to the media's portrayal of the ideal male body, and athletic standing of college-aged men in relation to body dissatisfaction. College men (N= 100) were surveyed on these variables. It was hypothesized that males with greater body dissatisfaction would have lower levels of self-esteem. Further, it was expected that males who were more frequently exposed to the body ideal would have higher levels of body dissatisfaction, and that males who do not participate in a college sport would have higher levels of body dissatisfaction than those who do. Results show …

Big Five Personality Characteristics And Commitment Levels In Romantic Relationships, Ruth S. O'Brien, Joy N. Smithson, Barth L. Weathington, Lauran R. Booher

Modern Psychological Studies

While numerous empirical studies have looked at commitment levels across various aspects of life, little research has attempted to integrate these disparate literatures. Accordingly, this study attempts to address this gap by adapting a taxonomy of commitment commonly used in the workplace to the analysis of commitment in romantic relationships. Additionally, the relationship between personality and levels of commitment in romantic relationships were investigated utilizing the Big Five personality factors. Results indicated that personality does relate to commitment and that the affective (emotional) and continuance (economic) facets of commitment have specific relevance to understanding commitment expressed in romantic relationships. Gender …

Integrating Eastern Philosophy Into Western Psychology: A Primer For Students Of Applied Psychology, Erica Hurley, Jennifer L. Callahan

Modern Psychological Studies

A review of undergraduate texts marketed as providing an introduction to clinical psychology located no chapters devoted to the emerging practice of integrating Eastern philosophy with Western psychological practices. Thus, this paper provides students with a primer of this important emerging area by reviewing cultural differences that challenge the successful integration of Eastern philosophy with Western psychology, before focusing specifically on Taoist philosophy and its implications for Western psychotherapy. The congruence of Taoism with the "common" factors of Western psychotherapy (i.e., those mechanisms of change thought to transcend theoretical psychotherapy orientation) will be discussed, as will congruence with "specific" cognitive …

Changes In Breast Cancer Survivors' Prayer From Before Diagnosis To Currently: A Pilot Study, Jean C. Bilger, Jennifer Eldridge-Houser, Carol Cox

Modern Psychological Studies

The purpose of this pilot study is to compare the frequency, length, types, and experiences of prayer for breast cancer survivors before they were diagnosed and currently. Using the Cancer Survivor Prayer Scale (CSPS), survivors had a statistically significant (p < .05) increase in types of prayer, prayer experiences, and the closeness in their relationship with God. The main themes in the written responses were feelings of permanence regarding God's love, strong trust in God, feeling comforted during treatment by God and people, and requesting specific answers to prayers. The significant findings of this study demonstrate a need for further research into the prayer practices of breast cancer survivors and expansion of the study to a larger, more diverse sample.

Fixed Or Flexible: The Effect Of Negative Feedback On One's Religious Identity, Erika Brown

Modern Psychological Studies

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of negative feedback on self-reported religious identity among Christian students. After initially rating themselves on a computer-administered continuous scale ranging from as religious as possible to not at all religious, participants completed a difficult Bible trivia quiz and received negative feedback regarding their performance. The participants were then made to believe that their initial computer ratings had been lost, and were asked to rate themselves a second time. Individuals also completed the Spiritual Involvement and Beliefs Scale and were divided into high and low religiosity groups. Statistical analyses revealed that …

The Coordination Of Multiple Roles By Female Graduate Students From Three Different Cultures, Smita Srivastava

Masters Theses

This research studied the coordination of multiple roles by female graduate students who are mothers. Zika (2006) reported that working women in the developed world contribute 40 to 50 percent of the gross national product at the same time that they continue to be responsible for most of the household and childcare responsibilities in the home. Some researchers have suggested that having multiple roles can be deleterious, while others have suggested benefits. Because women from around the world today are participating in multiple roles, the present study investigated, using a qualitative research method, how three female graduate students from different …

Comparison Of Dibels And Aimsweb Fall Benchmarking And Their Identification Of Students In Need Of Tier Ii Service, Lindsay R. Rickelman

Masters Theses

This study investigated the DIBELS and AIMSweb systems of data collection for fall benchmarking and their identification of students in need of Tier II services. One hundred and five students in the second through fifth grade from a Midwestern suburb were administered probes from both assessment systems during the fall benchmarking time period (September - October). The median number of words read correctly and errors committed in a minute from each assessment system were recorded and analyzed. Results revealed that student performance differed significantly, in that they read more reads correctly on AIMSweb probes and committed more errors on DIBELS …