Digital Commons Network^™

Driving Without A Map: Father-Son Sexual Health Communication, Alison Elizabeth Pearson

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Family sexual health communication is an important area to examine due to the high-risk sexual behaviours that some youth engage in and the influential role that parents can play in teaching and shaping sexual health values. Yet few research studies on family sexual health communication include sons as participants and even fewer include fathers. In this study I attempted to contribute to the literature by examining the perspective of fathers in terms of sexual health communication with their pre-adolescent sons. Eight fathers from Southwestern Ontario with sons between the ages of eight and twelve took part in a qualitative study …

A Trial Of The Effects Of Intercessory Prayer On Student Performance, Christopher Clark

Masters Theses

The purpose of the present study is to test the efficacy of intercessory prayer on academic performance. One hundred and four students enrolled in a college business class and 63 regular church attendees volunteered to participate in the study. Design for the study was a matched groups reversal design. The students were paired according to their GPA's and randomly assigned to one of two groups. The first test of the semester constituted a baseline measure. For the first four-week period of the class and the first test, neither of the groups received prayer. Next, the church goers each received the …

The Effect Of Choice Order On Off Task Behavior In A Child With Autism, Lisa R. Cole

Masters Theses

This research project was designed to examine the effects of child-choice versus clinician-choice over the ordering of activities during speech-language therapy sessions. The dependent variables included disruptive/inappropriate behavior, non-task related verbal behavior, and redirection to the task. The independent variable was the presentation of choice over the ordering of activities within a therapy session.

The subject in this case study was a nine-year-old boy diagnosed with autism. At the beginning of each therapy session either the child or the clinician decided on the ordering of activities. A picture board and picture cards showed the activities that would be completed in …

Prediction Of Mental Health Treatment Outcome In Asian American College Students, Jamie Michelle Pitzman

Masters Theses

The current study aimed to examine the relationship between presenting problems and treatment outcome among Asian American college students compared to non-Asian students. The present study also provides information about the relationship between treatment outcome and the following types of demographic and treatment related variables: age, gender, ethnic status, year in school, religion, marital status, parents' marital status, referral source, previous counseling, medical problems, and family history of medical, emotional, or substance abuse problems. Data for this study were obtained from an existing database from an East Coast university counseling center. The entire sample consisted of 173 males and 271 …

Spindle Frequency Activity Following Simulated Jetlag In Young Adults, Jonathan Bruce Santo, F. O. James, E. Chevrier, D. B. Boivin

Psychology Faculty Publications

Recent evidence indicates that sleep spindles and spindle frequency activity display a circadian pattern. The temporal distribution of spindle frequency activity during the night should thus be sensitive to the circadian phase at which sleep is scheduled. The aim of the present study is to test the effect of a 5-hour advance of the sleep schedule on spindle frequency activity during sleep in healthy young subjects.

Self-Efficacy, Jennifer T. Gosselin, James E. Maddux

Psychology Faculty Publications

The study of self-efficacy is concerned with understanding this important aspect of self and identity—people's beliefs about their personal capabilities and how these beliefs influence what they try to accomplish, how they try to accomplish it, and how they react to successes and setbacks along the way.

Relationship Between Evaluative Groups' Perceptions Of Children And Children's Self-Reported Levels Of Self-Concept, Terry T. Burgener

Masters Theses

The significance of significant others' (parents, peers and teachers) ratings on children's self-reported levels of self-concept were investigated. Self-reported levels of self-concept were determined by administrating the Multidimensional Self Concept Scale (MSCS), while parent, peer, and teacher ratings of children were determined by the use of rating scales designed using selected MSCS items. Results indicated that all significant others' ratings were positively correlated to children's self-reported levels of self-concept. Peer ratings were the most predictive of self-reported level of self-concept, while teacher ratings were the second most predictive variable and parent ratings the least predictive variable. The findings are congruent …

Predictors Of Recurrent Child Maltreatment, Bridget Kielty

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between child maltreatment recurrence and several predictor variables in 7 rural counties in central Illinois, an under-studied population in the child maltreatment literature. Additionally, factors that contributed to the decision by Illinois Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) to provide post-investigative services were also examined. Data were obtained from an integrated database maintained by Illinois DCFS. All indicated cases of maltreatment occurring between January 1, 2000 and March 31 of 2001 were examined for a 12-month period following the initial indicated report for child revictimization or perpetrator recidivism. The …

Personality In Political Psychology, Aubrey Immelman

Psychology Faculty Publications

This chapter outlines the history of personality inquiry in political psychology, examines the current state of personality assessment in politics, and charts a course for the study of personality in politics in the post-cognitive revolution era, informed by contextually adjacent scientific fields such as behavioral neuroscience and evolutionary ecology.

The chapter offers a comprehensive, generative, theoretically coherent framework for studying personality in politics, consonant with established principles in the adjacent sciences and integrative with respect to accommodating a diversity of politically relevant personal characteristics. The proposed framework attempts to bridge conceptual and methodological gaps between current formulations in the source …

Basic And Advanced Competence In Collaborating With Clergy, Mark R. Mcminn, Daniel C. Aikins, R. Allen Lish

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

Some of the stories of psychologists and clergy working together have happy endings, and some do not. Twenty psychologists and clergy who work together well were interviewed, and 94 clergy (53% response rate) and 145 psychologists (76% response rate) were surveyed. A 2-tiered schema for working well with clergy is proposed. Basic collaborative qualifications, such as respect for clergy and communication with clergy as needed, should be considered minimal competence for all professional psychologists. Additional qualifications, such as awareness of religious spirituality and shared values, are necessary for more advanced forms of collaboration.

Prävention Von Depression Bei Kindern Und Jugendlichen (Prevention Of Depression In Children And Adolescents)., Patrick Pössel, Martin Hautzinger

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Depressive Störungen in Kindheit und Jugendalter sind unter anderem durch die hohe Prävalenz und Persistenz depressiver Störungen bis ins Erwachsenenleben, bedeutenden Komorbiditäten mit anderen psychischen Störungen und psychosozialen Problemen von hoher individueller und gesellschaftlichen Bedeutung. Aufgrund dieser Erkenntnisse haben verschiedene Autoren weltweit damit begonnen Präventionsprogramme zu entwickeln und zu evaluieren. In diesem Artikel werden die Probleme der Präventionsforschung und die Effektivität von Prävention bei Kindern und Jugendlichen dargestellt. Den Schwerpunkt bildet dabei ein Überblick über derzeit vorliegenden Programme und deren Evaluationen unter besonderer Berücksichtigung von Programmen, die in deutscher Sprache vorliegen. Abschließend werden mögliche Entwicklungsrichtungen der zukünftigen Präventionsforschung aufgezeigt.

Depressive …

Erste Ergebnisse Eines Programms Zur Schulbasierten Prävention Von Depressiven Symptomen Bei Jugendlichen (First Results Of A School-Based Prevention Program Of Depressive Symptoms Among Adolescents)., Patrick Pössel, Andrea B. Horn, Martin Hautzinger

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Depressive Störungen im Jugendalter sind ein weit verbreitetes Problem mit weitreichenden psychosozialen Folgen. Um beidem vorzubeugen wurde ein universales schulbasiertes kognitiv-verhaltenstherapeutisches Präventionsprogramm entwickelt, das in Anlehnung an das Multifaktorielle Depressionsmodell aus einem kognitiven und einem sozialen Trainingselement besteht. Im kognitiven Teil werden dysfunktionale Gedanken bearbeitet und im sozialen Programmteil werden selbstsicheres Verhalten und Kontaktfähigkeit trainiert. Es wurde erwartet, dass die Teilnahme am Präventionsprogramm direkt nach Beendigung noch keinen signifikanten Effekt auf die depressiven Symptome zeigt, während geringer ausgeprägte dysfunktionale Gedanken und eine Verbesserung der sozialen Unterstützung erwartet wurden. Die Ergebnisse direkt nach Beendigung des Präventionsprogramms (Trainingsgruppe n = 187; Kontrollgruppe …

Universelle, Schulbasierte Prävention Der Depression Im Jugendalter : Ergebnisse Einer Follow-Up-Studie (Universal, School-Based Prevention Of Depression In Adolescence : Results Of A Follow-Up Study)., Gunter Groen, Patrick Pössel, Susanne Al-Wiswasi, Franz Petermann

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Zahlreiche internationale empirische Befunde belegen heute, dass depressive Symptome und Störungen im Jugendalter ein weit verbreitetes, oftmals folgenreiches und ernst zu nehmendes Gesundheitsproblem darstellen. Depressive Jugendliche zeigen in vielen Fällen erhebliche Alltagsbeeinträchtigungen und verschiedene komorbide psychische Probleme. Sie tragen ein deutliches Risiko, auch in ihrer weiteren Entwicklung – bis in das Erwachsenenalter – unter anhaltenden oder wiederkehrenden depressiven Episoden, anderen psychischen Störungen und psychosozialen Beeinträchtigungen zu leiden (vgl. Groen & Petermann, 2002). Neben der persönlichen Leidensgeschichte der Betroffenen ist davon auszugehen, dass bereits depressive Störungen im Jugendalter mit hohen und längerfristigen öffentlichen Kosten zusammenhängen, die etwa durch notwendige Behandlungsmaßnahmen oder …

Trastorno Por Déficit De Atención/Hiperactividad: ¿Mito O Realidad? [The Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Myth Or Reality?], Joaquín A. Peña, Cecilia Montiel-Nava

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Introduction: The attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been defined as a disorder of self control characterized clinically by a short attention span, excessive motor activity and poor impulse control.

Objective: The main objective is to describe how methodological difficulties related to the design of epidemiological studies make an important contribution to the group of heterogeneous data which might lead to doubts regarding the validity of ADHD in children. In recent decades the psychiatric definition of this disorder has varied. This has affected the number and combination of clinical signs necessary for diagnosis of ADHD. The variation in the prevalence …

The Phenomenon Of Woman-On-Woman Abuse And Its Relationship To Gender Profile And Personal Experiences Of Women, Deborah Johnson Spence

Dissertations

Purpose of the Study. Female-on-female aggression is often inferred, or drawn from studies conducted with children or males. Little or no information is available that reports behaviors perceived as mistreatment or abuse among women. The purposes of this study were to investigate (a) behaviors demonstrated by women that women consider abuse or mistreatment; (b) the extent to which these perceptions of abuse/mistreatment were related to gender profiles; and (c) the extent to which personal experiences as victims or perpetrators of abuse were related to age, race, and education.

Method. This study used the survey research method in which questionnaires …

A Study Of The Relationship Between Loneliness And Internet Use Among University Students, Katherine L. Dittmann

Dissertations

Problem . Research investigating the relationship between loneliness and various dimensions of Internet use is mixed. While some studies support the connection, other studies refute the link. More analysis in this area is needed to help clinicians, parents, college students, school counselors, and educators better understand the effects of the Internet on college-age students. This study attempts to expand understanding of the conflictual relationship that exists between loneliness and the dynamics of Internet use in undergraduate students.

Method . Four-hundred sixty-six randomly selected Andrews University undergraduate students who lived in residence halls, university apartments, and the community completed the UCLA …

Understanding Grief And Loss With Children From Divorced Families, Angela C. Meyer

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to present information about how grief and loss affect children from divorced families. Divorce can be just as traumatic as the death of a loved one, and the divorce rate continually increases every year. Two models of grief and how they apply to children of divorce are presented, as well as an explanation the process of grief in relation to divorce. Finally, this researcher identifies prevention and intervention techniques that schools and the whole community can use to aid children through the grief process of divorce.

Parental Reports Of The Development Of Autism In Their Children: The Relevance Of Regression, Comorbidity, And Genetics In The Detection Ofearly Characteristics, Robin Page Goin

Theses and Dissertations

Early detection of autism plays an important role in enhancing developmental outcomes for affected children. Identifying potential characteristics of the disorder evident during infancy and toddlerhood aids efforts to screen for such symptoms, which may lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses; however, it is unclear to what extent certain factors encourage or impede early detection. Because parents are responsible for making decisions on behalf of their children based upon their perceptions of children's developmental progression, caregivers were queried in terms of their beliefs about the development of autism characteristics in their children. Participants included 393 caregivers of children with …

Effects Of Domestic Violence Exposure In Colombian Adolescents: Pathways To Violent And Prosocial Behavior, Roberto Mejia

Theses and Dissertations

A multidimensional model of associations between domestic violence exposure and risk of violence and prosocial behavior was tested in a sample of Colombian adolescents, with attention to impulsivity and substance use problems as mediators of these associations. A representative sample of 1,152 school youths and a convenience group of 148 juvenile offenders aged 11-19 years was recruited from Medellin, the second largest city in this South American country. Assessment was carried out in classrooms in the school sample and in correctional institutions for juvenile offenders. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was utilized to test the conceptually derived models. Similarly, multisample analyses …

Measuring Anger In A Prison Population Using The Anger Disorders Scale And The Personality Assessment Inventory, Michael R. Wydo

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

In comparison with other emotions, such as anxiety and depression, the research literature on anger-related problems is lacking. Anger, and anger-related behaviors pose a critical problem to clinicians and researchers. The inability to identify and treat individuals with a propensity toward aggressive behavior is related to the insufficient empirical evidence defining anger as a diagnosable disorder. An ongoing argument has existed as to the causes and related concepts of anger and aggression. The present study validates a new assessment measure for anger and explores the correlation between prisoners' offense records and specific type of anger expression. The Anger Disorder Scale …

From The Individual To Individualism: A Critique Of The Helping Professions, Timothy B. Smith, Matthew R. Draper

Faculty Publications

Individualistic values characterize contemporary society and many popular approaches to mental health treatment. This paper critiques the individualistic values embedded in the helping professions that implicitly contradict the teachings ofJesus Christ, the surest foundation for mental health interventions. Members of AMCAP are encouraged to search out and replace problematic values that contradict gospel teachings which have been integrated into contemporary mental health practice.

Work And Family Variables As Related To Paternal Engagement, Responsibility, And Accessibility In Dual-Earner Couples With Young Children, Suzanne M. Nangle, Michelle L. Kelley, William Fals-Stewart, Ronald F. Levant

Psychology Faculty Publications

Fathers and mothers (N = 75 dual-earner couples) of preschool-aged children completed questionnaires that examined work and family variables as related to paternal involvement in three areas: engagement (i.e., directly interacting with the child), responsibility (i.e., scheduling activities and being accountable for the child's well-being), and accessibility (i.e., being available to the child but not in direct interaction). Fathers' reports of responsibility and accessibility were significantly predicted by structural variables and beliefs; however, fathers' reports of engagement were not predicted by work and family variables. Mothers' reports of work and family variables did not predict their reports of father involvement. …

The Development And Validation Of A Measure Of Identity Distress, Steven L. Berman, Marilyn J. Montgomery, William M. Kurtines

Faculty Publications - Graduate School of Counseling

The most frequently used measures of identity development do not contain a scale to measure the distress that can sometimes be associated with the process. The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Identity Distress Survey. The measure was found to have high internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Identity distress was related to the constructs of identity style and identity status. Identity distress was positively correlated with identity exploration and associated with the informational style and was negatively correlated with identity commitment. This measure could help identify those people who are having exceptional difficulties …

Datos Epidemiológicos Del Trastorno Por Déficit De Atención Con Hiperactividad En Una Muestra De Niños Marabinos [Epidemiological Data About Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder In A Sample Of Marabino Children], Cecilia Montiel-Nava, Joaquín A. Peña, Isabel Montiel-Barbero

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Aims: This study reports the findings of a research project aimed at determining the rate of prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in school aged children.

Patients and methods: Different behavioural and cognitive measures were administered to a sample of children between 3 and 13 years of age obtained by means of a multistage sampling procedure that was stratified by socioeconomic and educational level. The sample was made up of 394 children; 33.25% (n = 131) were females and the remaining 66.75% (n = 263) males. The mean age of the sample was 7.64 years old (SD: 2.33). The …

Trastornos De La Conducta Alimentaria. Prevalencia Y Características Clínicas En Adolescentes De La Ciudad De Maracaibo, Estado Zulia, Venezuela [Eating Behavior Disorders. Prevalence And Clinical Features In Adolescents In The City Of Maracaibo, Zulia State, Venezuela], Evelyn Quintero-Párraga, Ana Cristina Pérez-Montiel, Cecilia Montiel-Nava, Dexy Pirela, María Fernanda Acosta, Ninoska Pineda

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

Resumen. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar la prevalencia y las características clínicas asociadas a los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria en sujetos masculinos y femeninos en etapa de adolescencia. Para esto, se consideró como base los criterios diagnósticos descritos en el DSM-IV. Este estudio tomó 1.363 adolescentes de una población conformada por 23.831 estudiantes, los cuales fueron seleccionados de manera aleatoria y estratificada, de acuerdo al tipo de institución (públicas o privadas) y los grados correspondientes a la tercera etapa de educación básica y ciclo diversificado. Para recolectar los datos se aplicó la lista de chequeo A.B.A. desarrollada por …

Two Facets Of Competitiveness And Their Influence On Psychological Adjustment, Elaine Kayhan '03

Honors Projects

This study was conducted to explore the influence of competitiveness as a personality trait on psychological adjustment. Competitiveness was differentiated into two distinct facets referred to as superiority competitiveness and mastery competitiveness. In terms of psychological adjustment, the effects of these facets of competitiveness on depression, loneliness, self-esteem, anxiety, and eating patterns were examined. Questionnaires were used to assess the aforementioned dimensions. The results of the study revealed some noteworthy gender differences. Among females, superiority competitiveness was associated with higher levels of depression. Among males, superiority competitiveness was associated with less loneliness. A significant association was also observed between mastery …

Selected Influences On The Smoking Behavior Among Female And Male College Students Of The University Of Northern Iowa, Evelyn Adom-Boateng

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study primarily, was to investigate and identify the influence of the four focus areas (media, family, peer, and psychological coping technique) on the smoking behavior among female and male college students of the University of Northern Iowa. A description of differences in the influences of the focus areas on the smoking behavior on gender was included in the study. A non-random (convenient) sample of 100 students was drawn from the various Departments and Schools from five colleges in the University (57% males and 43% females).

The Sample responded to a 44-item self-report (survey) questionnaire. Overall means …

The Effects Of Gender, Gender-Role, And Type Of Relationship On Self-Reported Intimacy, Keith Karl Buhr

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Gender issues in the understanding and experience of intimacy have been in debate for the last 30 years. The gender and gender-role of the participant, the type of relationship studied, and the way in which intimacy has been defined have affected the conclusions drawn about gender differences in the understanding and expression of intimacy. The purpose of this study was to examine how these factors influenced perceptions of the amount and expression of self-reported intimacy in relationships. College students (N = 164) at a Midwestern university completed questionnaire packets including measures of self-disclosure and social intimacy for credit in their …

To Read Or Not To Read: The Usefulness Of Informed Consent, Natasha E. Webb, Elizabeth D. Taylor

Modern Psychological Studies

Informed consent is an important ethical factor for medicine, psychology, and other needed disciplines. It is necessary for participants to understand an intended research project or procedure in which they plan to take part. This study examined the usefulness of informed consent by administering such a form prior to an irrelevant questionnaire. A simple task was inserted into the reading, which allowed assessment of whether participants actually read the form. Results obtained through the experiment supported the hypothesis that the majority of the participants would not read the consent form. While less than half of each sex actually read the …

Gender Differences In Stress And Coping Of Parents With Adolescent Daughters Undergoing Treatment For Anorexia Nervosa, Steven Collishaw

Theses : Honours

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a complex condition characterised by an uncertain etiology, protracted course and an inordinately high prevalence among adolescent females. Treatment of AN requires a multifarious approach, however, among adolescents family therapy is considered a necessary component to ensure positive outcome. Interestingly, while the efficacy of these systemic interventions is reliant on parents' ability to cope with treatment demands and stress, adaptive patterns among parents remain relatively under researched. The aim of this inquiry was to address this paucity of studies focused on mothers and fathers by providing a preliminary investigation of differences in their stress and coping …