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Gender Difference And Test Anxiety, Leann Chandler

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study compared male and female students in the 4th, 6th, and 10th grades to see which sex had more test anxiety. The students are from a rural town in Southeastern Ohio. A total of 85 students filled out the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale. The students were given the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS) two weeks prior to, one week prior to, and one week after the Ohio Fourth and Ohio Sixth Grade Proficiency Tests and the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT). The hypotheses of this study are that the 10th grade females will have greater test anxiety than …

Review Of A Community-Based Youth Counselling Service, Kevin Lalor, Sinead O'Dwyer, Denis Mccrann

Articles

The structure and operation of a community-based youth counselling service operated by the Kildare Youth Services (KYS) is examined with a view to highlighting its preventative nature. Presenting problems are explored, in the context of the wider social milieu. Particularly, recent trends in sexual behaviour, substance abuse and child sexual abuse are examined. Interviews were conducted with a sample of professionals who referred clients, patients and students to the KYS Youth Counselling Service. Interviews were also conducted with a small sample of clients of the service and with the counsellor-coordinator of the Youth Counselling Service. The service was viewed positively …

Childhood Sexual Abuse Among University Students In Tanzania, Denis Mccrann, Kevin Lalor, Joviter K. Katabaro

Articles

Objectives: There are no prevalence data for childhood sexual abuse among Tanzanian university students. This investigation addressed this paucity. The nature of sexual abuse was also investigated. Method: Participants (N= 487) from a university in Tanzania completed a questionnaire which assessed abusive childhood sexual experiences, gathering information about age of victim, duration of abuse, perpetrators, amount of force or persuasion involved, and potential causes of child sexual abuse. A number of individuals were also interviewed about their experiences. Results: The overall prevalence rate for child sexual abuse was 27.7%, with rates being higher for females than for males. The average …

Professional Psychology And The Doctrines Of Sin And Grace: Christian Leaders’ Perspectives, Mark R. Mcminn, Janeil N. Ruiz, David Marx, J. Brooke Wright, Nicole B. Gilbert

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

What is a professional psychologist to do when a client brings up the concept of sin? To some, sin may seem like a stifling religious relic that has no place in contemporary psychology. But viewing sin from within the Christian faith, and in tandem with the doctrine of grace, can help psychologists understand why sin is such an important concept for many of their Christian clients. Psychologists’ misunderstanding of sin and grace may contribute to relatively low rates of referral from Christian leaders to clinical psychologists, and may sometimes hinder therapeutic progress. Two methods of data collection, involving a total …

Homeward Bound: Moving Treatment From The Institution To The Community, Mary A. Peterson, William Michael, Mary Armstrong

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

This study examined changes in the length of stay, cost savings, recidivism and community access when individuals with serious mental illness who were mandated into extended treatment were moved from a regional center institution to community treatment. Results showed significantly shorter length of stay, cost savings and no increase in recidivism when individuals were treated in the community program.

Psychology, Rodger K. Bufford

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

Excerpt: "Psychology has been defined in many ways. For much of the twentieth century psychology was defined as the *science of behaviour. Earlier, and again more recently, psychology has also emphasized internal experiences, such as sensations, perceptions, feelings or emotions, motivations and thoughts. Today, most definitions of psychology include both elements. Thus, we will define psychology as the science of behaviour and mental processes."

Suicidal Behavior In Incarcerated Men In The Pennysylvania Department Of Corrections, Gregory John Estadt

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Suicide is a well-documented problem, ranking high in causes of death in the US and internationally. National and international programs have been designed to address the problem, as well as approaches targeting prison populations. Within these programs, knowledge of local risk factors is viewed as essential in identifying potential suicide completers. The current study expands existing knowledge of these risk factors in the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections by a) collecting descriptive data of completers and b) conducting a retrospective case control study. The descriptive data is utilized to create a profile of typical suicide completers in the PA DOC. The …

Older Adults And Depression : The Relationships Between Distorted Thinking, Quality Of Life And Depressive Themes, Carissa Y. Ferguson

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study analyzed the relationships between depression, distorted thinking and quality of life in an elderly population. Ninety non-depressed and 72 depressed individuals were interviewed and administered 3 self report measures. The study results demonstrate that: (a) Those who reported greater numbers of cognitive distortions, reported lower quality of life than those who reported less cognitive distortions; (b) depressed individuals reported lower quality of life than non-depressed individuals; (c) depressed individuals endorsed more distorted thinking phrases than non-depressed individuals and (d) depressed individuals reported more subcategories of cognitive distortions than nondepressed individuals. The results of this study support the ideas …

Retrospective Comparison Of One-Time Inpatient Mental Health Admissions To Readmissions : A Look At Managed Care , Stuart R. Goldenberg

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study retrospectively reviewed 2,753 members from a managed behavioral health care organization who experienced at least one psychiatric inpatient hospitalization between July 1, 2003 and December 31, 2004. Demographic and clinical variables were examined in an effort to distinguish the factors that were present between members treated with one hospitalization versus members who required re-hospitalization. Readmission for the present study was defined as a psychiatric re-hospitalization within a 180 day timeframe. Particular focus included analyzing the variables of length of treatment, age groups, presence of a psychotic disorder, history of inpatient treatment, and managed care account funding types. The …

Norming The Mad-As To The Staxi-2 In A Hypertensive Population , Robert J. Liskowicz

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Development of the Mahan and DiTomasso Anger Scale (MAD-AS) provided a valid and preferable alternative to the existing, lengthy tests of anger which are currently available. However, the MAD-AS was developed on a clinical, psychiatric population, and only one other study to date has attempted to utilize this test on a normal population. With strong links between anger and adverse physical health, and an ongoing controversy over whether anger expression versus anger suppression contributes more highly to the development and maintenance of hypertension, a prospective study measuring anger with established hypertensive subjects is being proposed utilizing both the MAD-AS, as …

The Impact Of Mental Transformation Training Across Levels Of Automation On Spatial Awareness In Human-Robot Interaction, Sherri Rehfeld

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

One of the problems affecting robot operators' spatial awareness involves their ability to infer a robot's location based on the views from on-board cameras and other electro-optic systems. To understand the vehicle's location, operators typically need to translate images from a vehicle's camera into some other coordinates, such as a location on a map. This translation requires operators to relate the view by mentally rotating it along a number of axes, a task that is both attention-demanding and workload-intensive, and one that is likely affected by individual differences in operator spatial abilities. Because building and maintaining spatial awareness is attention-demanding …

Compassion Fatigue In The Animal-Care Community, Charles R. Figley, Robert G. Roop

eBooks

Compassion fatigue---the exhaustion caused by the demands of being empathic and helpful to those who are suffering---is found at every level among the underserved, underappreciated, and uncomplaining caregivers in animal-related fields. In this ground-breaking book, two prominent leaders in the field examination the causes of compassion fatigue and offer help to those who suffer from it.

Compassion Fatigue in the Animal-Care Community is a must-read for animal shelter employees, volunteers, and board members veterinarians, and veterinary practice and veterinary hospital staffs wildlife rehabilitators breed-rescue or equine-rescue volunteers.

Gambling By College Students: Personality Characteristics And Acceptability Of Internet-Based Treatment, Andrew E. Cameron

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Personality disorders are associated with Pathological Gambling (PG) among adults. Little is known, however, about these symptoms in college-student gamblers. In addition, little is known about the current prevalence or treatment preferences of college gamblers. An online survey of gambling practices and personality characteristics was conducted, as well as a series of focus groups evaluating a web-based gambling treatment program. A higher prevalence of PG was observed among college students than previously reported. College students with PG displayed similar personality disorder symptoms to those observed among adults with PG. Students preferred free or reduced cost treatment. Focus group participants provided …

Conflict, Learning, And Frustration: A Dynamic Model Of Conflict Over Time, Matthew A. Cronin, Katerina Bezrukova

Psychology

A continuing question in the study of conflict and conflict management is, "When is conflict helpful, and when is it harmful?" Though many have offered explanations for this (Jehn, Northcraft, & Neale, 1999), data in support of these notions have been less forthcoming, especially in relation to the helpfulness of conflict (De Dreu & Weingart, 2003). In this paper we 2 present a dynamic model of conflict that we hope will both explain and clarify the confusion by conceptualizing conflict as simultaneously containing helpful (learning related) and harmful (negative sentiment related) components. We argue how both learning and negative emotion …

The Impact Of Sleep Quality And Duration On College Student Adjustment And Health, Robert L. Krenek Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations

College years are a time of change and transition that involves complex challenges in academic, social, personal/emotional, and institutional adjustment. Stress, anxiety, and tension are often associated with college transition and adjustment; stress and worry have been related to poor sleep quality. Studies have found that college students have more sleep problems than the general public. Research has shown that poor sleep has adverse effects on cognition, mood, and other physiological and psychological aspects of human functioning. Recent research has indicated that sleep quality may be more important than amount of sleep. Relationships have been found between sleep problems and …

Social Suffering, Gender, And Women's Depression, Jeanne Marecek

Psychology Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Positive Aging: Reconstructing The Life Course, M. M. Gergen, Kenneth J. Gergen

Psychology Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Effekte Pharmakologischer Und Psychotherapeutischer Interventionen Auf Depressionen Bei Kindern Und Jugendlichen. [Effects Of Pharmaco- And Psychotherapeutic Interventions Of Depression In Children And Adolescents]., Patrick Pössel, Martin Hautzinger

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Entgegen früheren Überzeugungen besteht heute Konsens und Evidenz dahingehend, dass Depressionen eine bedeutsame Problematik bei Jugendlichen darstellen. Aus diesem Grund stellt sich die Frage nach effektiven Therapieangeboten für depressive Kinder und Jugendliche. Deshalb werden in der vorliegenden Übersichtsarbeit 24 Originalstudien (Kriterium: kontrollierte, randomisierte Interventionsstudien) zu pharmakologischen, 11 Studien zu psychotherapeutischen Interventionen und zwei Studien zur Kombinationsbehandlung dargestellt. Für etwa die Hälfte der Behandlungmethoden (pharmakologische Methoden 3/8; psychotherapeutische Methoden: 2/5) liegen keine randomisierten Kontrollgruppenstudien vor. Weiterhin liegen nur für einige SSRIs (Fluoxetin, Citalopram, Sertralin) ausschließlich positive Daten bezüglich der Besserung depressiver Symptomatik vor. Weiterhin zeigen sich nur für Fluoxetin keine Hinweise, …

Middle Eastern Mindset: Operational Analysis And Implications, Scott Shumate, Randy Borum, James Turner

Mental Health Law & Policy Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

A New Theory And Measure Of Ethical Work Climate: The Psychological Process Model (Ppm) And The Ethical Climate Index (Eci), Anke Arnaud

Management, Marketing and Operations - Daytona Beach

With this dissertation I developed a new theory and measure of ethical work climate (EWC). Currently, there exists one dominant theory and measure of EWC developed by Victor and Cullen (1988, 1987). Even though researchers have identified problems with this theory, such as inconsistencies with regard to its limited theoretical scope and troubling psychometric properties, it is the most widely utilized framework for conceptualizing and testing EWC. Therefore, I propose to develop an improved theory and measure of EWC, one capable of addressing some of the principle shortcomings of earlier efforts. Building on Rest’s (1986, 1979) “Four-Component” model of individual-level …

The Changing Landscape Of Teaching And Teachers' Stress: A Revisit And Update, Mike Devillez

Masters Theses

During the late 70s and into the 80s, there was a considerable amount of research devoted to the study of stress and teaching. During that time, it was well established that teaching can be a stressful profession. Since then, studies that examine stress and burnout in the profession of teaching have become more infrequent, although teaching has undergone rapid change. For example, new educational legislation, No Child Left Behind that has recently been passed directly impacts teachers and their approaches toward teaching. This study seeks to understand the current educational environment and the possible contribution to teacher stress. Results of …

Oral Reading Fluency, Fluency Training, And Reading Comprehension In Sixth Graders, Lindsay B. Eck

Masters Theses

This study examined the relationships among a measure of oral reading fluency and two measures of reading comprehension in sixth grade students at two urban schools in the Midwest. In one of the schools, fluency training was added to the usual curriculum. Participants, all sixth grade students in the two schools, were administered the DIBELS Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) indicator and two district-assigned reading comprehension measures during the third and fourth quarters of the school year. Results indicated that ORF scores were significantly correlated with comprehension scores, although to a lesser degree than typical for earlier grades. Fluency training had …

Explicit Timing As An Intervention For Children With Adhd, Monica Fischer Girten

Masters Theses

Explicit timing is a procedure that alerts students of their time limits when completing academic tasks. Research on this procedure first emerged in the mid 1970's, and has focused on the effectiveness of this technique for increasing academic response rate. Empirical studies have demonstrated that the explicit timing procedure can increase response rate for a variety of academic skills including mathematics performance, writing composition and reading. However, few studies have focused on the effectiveness of this procedure on special populations, such as students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The purpose of the current study was to determine whether explicit …

Psi Hitting And Missing: The Effects Of Belief, Order Of Run, And Previous Experience, Jaymes Parker

Masters Theses

The current study examined several variables to determine their effects on telepathy performance. Part I used groups of participants who attempted to telepathically send the location oftargets to a receiver selected randomly from the group. Fifteen sessions were conducted during which 9 receivers each completed 16 trials. It was hypothesized that an order effect would be present with increased missing during the first and last run of each session. It was also hypothesized that belief in mental telepathy would influence telepathy scores. Results indicated significant differences when comparing positions 1 and 9 with positions 2-8. Scores, while not significant, tended …

The Psychological Assessment Of Applicants For Priesthood And Religious Life, Thomas G. Plante

Psychology

The recent clergy sexual abuse scandals in the Roman Catholic Church have focused a great deal of attention on how we evaluate applicants to the priesthood and religious life. The crisis has underscored the critical need to ensure that men who have a sexual predilection towards children be barred from entering religious life and priesthood. Additionally, men who have other significant psychiatric conditions that put them at risk of harming children or others have no place as Church leaders or clergy in positions where they have access to and power over vulnerable others.

Self-Efficacy And Adult Development, Daniel Cervone, Daniele Artistico, Jane M. Berry

Psychology Faculty Publications

A major theme in the contemporary study of human development across the life span is that people have the capacity for personal agency. Innumerable writers emphasize that individuals can exert intentional influence over their experiences and actions, the circumstances they encounter, the skills they acquire, and thus ultimately the course of their development.

Occupational Nepotism Among Law Firms: A Study Of Nepotism Beyond Anecdotal Evidence, Tracy L. Stout

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Although nepotism is not a new subject, there are not many studies addressing the psychological issues associated with the phenomenon, particularly in the workplace. The idea of “new nepotism” has emerged with the notion that some offspring have chosen the same profession as their parents, and have not been forced into a career decision or made an opportunistic decision regardless of their ability to perform. The purpose of this study was to explore workplace nepotism using an empirical research approach. Using a career choice and self-determination theory framework, a survey was devised and sent to 673 practicing attorneys in a …

Survey Of Teacher Attitude Regarding Inclusive Education Within An Urban School District, Evangeline Kern

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

It is anticipated that inclusion will become more prevalent in classrooms over the next ten years as a result of increasingly stringent federal and state mandates. In order for inclusion to result in adequate yearly progress for all subgroups, it must be implemented properly. Research has demonstrated that a key component for proper implementation is an understanding of baseline attitudes regarding inclusive education held by teachers. The purpose of this study is to investigate the attitudes of K-12 regular and special education teachers regarding inclusive education, in an urban Pennsylvania school district, the Chester Upland School District. The study examines …

College Integrated Care: Effectiveness Of The Use Of A Modified Version Of The Patient Health Questionnaire For Patients In A University Health Clinic, Kevin Alschuler

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

In primary medical care settings, problems with providing appropriate behavioral care led to development of the integrated care model providing behavioral services alongside medical services. The present study explored the potential need for this model at a Midwest university health center, by investigating how two behavioral questionnaires influenced providers’ prescription of psychotropic medications and referrals for behavioral intervention. After random assignment to condition, 109 participants in the experimental condition completed the mentalhealth- oriented Patient Health Questionnaire and the college-adjustment-oriented College Health Questionnaire, and 91 control participants received treatment as usual. Results indicated significantly higher rates of discussion of behavioral problems …

Communicating Feelings: Links Between Mothers' Representations Of Their Infants, Parenting, And Infant Emotional Development, Katherine L. Rosenblum, Carolyn Joy Dayton, Susan Mcdonough

Social Work Faculty Publications

In the present chapter we explore how mothers' internal working models of their seven-month-old infants organize emotions in the parenting context, and ultimately, influence infant emotion regulation. We propose that mothers' internal working models of their infants function as emotion regulators, and influence a variety of components of the affective organization of parenting, including a) maternal emotion activation, b) qualities of maternal emotional engagement with their infants, and c) emotion regulation strategies mothers employ during emotionally challenging interactions. Results underscore the important role played by emotional processes in explaining the correspondence between maternal and infant emotion regulation strategies.