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An Interdisciplinary Study Of Perceived Benefits, Barriers And Cues To Action Among College Students For Moderate To Vigorous Physical Activity, Daniel Orellano Jr

Theses and Dissertations

This interdisciplinary study examines the perceived benefits, barriers, and cues to action for physical activity, in a sample of 385 men and women college students. Though no significant differences were identified between the genders in their physical activity levels or perceived benefits, barriers, and cues, significant differences were found in the numbers of these different variables as well as types of physical activity among the student participants as a whole. Improving health was found to be the primary perceived benefit for engaging in physical activity whereas school workload and wanting to look physically fit were the primary barrier and cue …

A Mendelian Randomization Study Of Testosterone And Cognition In Men, Jie Zhao, Tai Hing Lam, Chaoqiang Jiang, Stacey S. Cherny, Bin Liu, Kar Keung Cheng, Weisen Zhang, Gabriel M. Leung, C Mary Schooling

Publications and Research

Testosterone replacement for older men is increasingly common, with some observations suggesting a protective effect on cognitive function. We examined the association of endogenous testosterone with cognitive function among older men in a Mendelian randomization study using a separate-sample instrumental variable (SSIV) analysis estimator to minimize confounding and reverse causality. A genetic score predicting testosterone was developed in 289 young Chinese men from Hong Kong, based on selected testosterone-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs10046, rs1008805 and rs1256031). The association of genetically predicted testosterone with delayed 10-word recall score and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score was assessed at baseline and follow-up using …

Effects Of Exercise On Food-Related Cognition, Tyshae Davis, Michael J. Larson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Since the Yerkes-Dodson theory was initially put forward (as early as 1906), multiple theorists have suggested an inverted-U relationship between physiological arousal and cognitive performance. Literature on this topic, however, is mixed, with some studies showing evidence supporting the inverted-U relationship and others showing a more linear relationship. Exercise and food-related cognition is one area where the inverted-U hypothesis could be applied. Some studies have shown that high-intensity exercise induces an acute, but temporary suppression to hunger and energy intake compared to low-intensity exercise (King, Tremblay, & Blundell, 1997) and that high-intensity exercise favors negative energy balance to a greater …

Computerized Cognitive Intervention In Cognitively Normal Very Elderly Individuals, Rebecca K. West

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Background: The elderly population, and especially the oldest-old (those aged 85 and older) and old-old (those aged 75 and older), are the fastest growing segments of the U.S. population, increasing the need for disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other age-related forms of cognitive decline. There is significant evidence that modifiable, nonpharmaceutical factors and interventions like cognitive activity and cognitive training may slow the course of AD and cognitive decline. However, little is understood about how cognitive training may translate into improved cognitive functioning, as a potential strategy for preventing decline. To the best our knowledge, this has never …

Depression In Mexican Americans With Diagnosed And Undiagnosed Diabetes, Rene L. Olvera, Susan P. Fisher-Hoch, Douglas E. Williamson, Kristina Vatcheva, Joseph B. Mccormick

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

Background: Depression and diabetes commonly co-occur; however, the strength of the physiological effects of diabetes as mediating factors towards depression is uncertain.

Method: We analyzed extensive clinical, epidemiological and laboratory data from n = 2081 Mexican Americans aged 35-64 years, recruited from the community as part of the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort (CCHC) divided into three groups: Diagnosed (self-reported) diabetes (DD, n = 335), Undiagnosed diabetes (UD, n = 227) and No diabetes (ND, n = 1519). UD participants denied being diagnosed with diabetes, but on testing met the 2010 American Diabetes Association and World Health Organization definitions of diabetes. …

Effects Of Language Concordance And Interpreter Use On Therapeutic Alliance In Spanish-Speaking Integrated Behavioral Health Care Patients, Bianca T. Villalobos, Ana J. Bridges, Elizabeth A. Anastasia, Carlos A. Ojeda, Juventino Hernandez Rodriguez, Debbie Gomez

Psychological Science Faculty Publications

The discrepancy between the growing number of Spanish speakers in the U.S. and the availability of bilingual providers creates a barrier to accessing quality mental health care. Use of interpreters provides one strategy for overcoming this linguistic barrier; however, concerns about whether sessions with interpreters, versus bilingual providers, impede therapeutic alliance remain. The current study explored associations between the use of interpreters and therapeutic alliance in a sample of 458 Spanish-speaking patients seen for integrated behavioral health visits at primary care clinics. Patients completed a brief (4 item) therapeutic alliance scale at their behavioral health appointment. In addition, to supplement …

Incremental Validity Of Useful Field Of View Subtests For The Prediction Of Instrumental Activities Of Daily Living, Frederik Aust, Jerri D. Edwards

Aging Studies Faculty Publications

Introduction: The Useful Field of View Test (UFOV®) is a cognitive measure that predicts older adults’ ability to perform a range of everyday activities. However, little is known about the individual contribution of each subtest to these predictions, and the underlying constructs of UFOV performance remain a topic of debate.

Method: We investigated the incremental validity of UFOV subtests for the prediction of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) performance in two independent datasets, the SKILL (n = 828) and ACTIVE (n = 2426) studies. We then explored the cognitive and visual abilities assessed by UFOV …

08. Engineering, Northeastern State University

Oklahoma Research Day Abstracts

No abstract provided.

05. Chemistry, Northeastern State University

Oklahoma Research Day Abstracts

No abstract provided.

03. Biology, Northeastern State University

Oklahoma Research Day Abstracts

No abstract provided.

Attitudes Toward Complementary And Alternative Medicine, Miranda Lea Cobb

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) usage has increased throughout the years, as many people are becoming interested in using less conventional interventions for common illnesses. As a whole, CAM encompasses any practice used to treat an illness or disorder that does not fall under the category of traditional medicine. CAM interventions not only treat the physical aspects of health, but as clinicians are beginning to realize, these interventions may also be effective in treating psychological problems, most notably anxiety and depression. This research focused on attitudes toward CAM for psychological disorders. I examined participants’ attitudes about the use of CAM …

Perceptions Of Caregiver Distress, Health Behaviors, And Provider Health-Promoting Communication And Their Relationship To Stress Management In Ms Caregivers, Lauren Penwell-Waines, Marie-Christine Goodworth, Rhonda S. Casillas, Lara Stepleman

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

This study applied the Stress/Health Model to examine a novel approach for promoting stress management among 67 caregivers of persons with multiple sclerosis, who often face unique caregiving challenges. Hierarchical regressions indicated that caregiver distress (i.e., emotional burden) and engagement in other health-promoting activities (i.e., controlling alcohol use) were the best predictors of caregiver stress management. Communication with the MS care recipient’s health provider about caregiver engagement in health-promoting activities was associated with caregiver stress management, but not significantly more so than explained by the other factors (i.e., caregiver distress and engagement in health-promoting behaviors). A more controlled study would …

Racial And Socioeconomic Disparities In Body Mass Index Among College Students: Understanding The Role Of Early Life Adversity, David S. Curtis, Thomas E. Fuller-Rowell, Stacey N. Doan, Aleksandra E. Zgierska, Carol D. Ryff

CMC Faculty Publications and Research

The role of early life adversity (ELA) in the development of health disparities has not received adequate attention. The current study examined differential exposure and differential vulnerability to ELA as explanations for socioeconomic and racial disparities in body mass index (BMI). Data were derived from a sample of 150 college students (Mage = 18.8, SD = 1.0; 45 % African American; 55 % European American) who reported on parents’ education and income as well as on exposure to 21 early adverse experiences. Body measurements were directly assessed to determine BMI. In adjusted models, African American students had higher …

Levels Of Self-Compassion Among Injured Division I Athletes, Samantha Sanderson

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

While there are numerous health benefits that result from engaging in athletics, sport participation also comes with an intrinsic risk of injury. In order to understand the injury process (i.e., injury risk factors and recovery variables), researchers have used various models to conceptualize preinjury risk factors and postinjury response. Although personality factors, stress, coping skills, emotional response, and other factors have been studied, self-compassion is a relatively new construct to the western world that has not been examined in the injured athlete population. Self-compassion requires being kind to oneself and taking a nonjudgmental approach to one's suffering. High self-compassion is …

West Virginia State Employees’ Preferences For Worksite Wellness Programming, Peter Kadushin, Sam Zizzi, Nidia Henderson

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Objectives: To investigate the wellness programming preferences of state employees in West Virginia.

Study Design: A survey-based, descriptive analysis of employees’ preferences

Methods: State employees (n = 18,791) of West Virginia were given a38-item wellness survey. Items assessed employees’ interest in programming, methods for receiving wellness information, and incentives for participation.Descriptive statistics were run to provide a summary of state employees’ preferences.

Results: The survey response rate was 40%. Respondents showed interest in physical activity (81.0%), nutrition (77.6%) and stress management programming (61.1%). A personalized webpage was the highest rated method of receiving wellness information and a discount on insurance …

Changes In Weight Loss, Health Behaviors, And Intentions Among 400 Participants Who Dropped Out From An Insurance-Sponsored, Community-Based Weight Management Program, Sam Zizzi, Jana Lima Fogaca, Tammy Sheehy, Myia Welsh, Christiaan Abildso

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

The majority of weight management research is based on data from randomized controlled studies conducted in clinical settings. As these findings are translated into community-based settings, additional research is needed to understand patterns of lifestyle change and dropout. The purpose of this study was to examine reasons for and consequences associated with dropout (or removal) from an insurance-funded weight management program. Using a mixed methods approach with objectively measured changes in body weight and attendance along with quantitative and qualitative survey data, patterns of intention and behavior change were explored. The results from a sample of 400 respondents support the …

Cardiac Autonomic Control In Patients With Metabolic Syndrome, Jonathan Mitchell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) encompasses metabolic abnormalities that substantially increase risk for chronic illnesses. MetS and stress are closely related; the pathophysiology of MetS involves dysregulated stress response in both the physiological and psychological domains. In an effort to further clarify the relationship between metabolic abnormalities and autonomic dysregulation, we used ambulatory impedance cardiography to examine indicators of cardiac autonomic control (CAC) in a sample of 50 adult primary care patients with and without MetS. Indices of sympathetic and parasympathetic influences on cardiovascular functioning were assessed in the context of psychological stressors and compared across experimental groups and examined in relation …

Attitudes And Experiences With Older Adults: A Case For Service Learning For Undergraduates, Hardeep Obhi, Erin Woodhead

Faculty Publications

The current study examined whether relationship quality with older adults currently and in childhood, as well as experience with older adults, was associated with biases toward older adults and interest in working with older adults as a possible career area. The authors sampled undergraduate students (N = 753, M = 18.97 years, SD = 2.11 years) from a Northern California university. In hierarchical regression analyses, higher perceived quality of relationships with older adult family members, higher perceived social support, and lower perceived conflict from relationships with older adults was significantly associated with positive attitudes toward older adults. Interest in …

2016 Abstracts Student Research Conference, Student Research Conference

Student Research Conference Select Presentations

No abstract provided.

The Value Of Pets To Public And Private Health And Well-Being, Leslie Irvine, Laurent Cilia

Human-Companion Animal Relationships Collection

This analysis reviews empirical studies of the health benefits of pet ownership published between 1980 and 2016 and collected in the database of the Human-Animal Bond Research Initiative, or HABRI. The analysis began with 373 titles and eventually encompassed a dataset of 151 full-text documents. Along with analysis of substantive content, each study received a score for methodological rigor. The number of studies has steadily increased, particularly since 2000, and methodological rigor has improved. The literature encompasses four topics, including cardiovascular, general, and psychosocial health, and physical activity. Overall, the research finds that pets benefit human health, although the available …

Age Of Kindergarten Entry And Rate Of Specific Learning Disabilities, Elizabeth A. Crum

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Kindergarten age eligibility requirements vary from state to state; however, school districts typically admit children into kindergarten in the fall following a student’s fifth birthday. Research on the outcomes of five-year-old children and children whose entry was delayed until age six is contradictory. The current study was conducted to add to the existing literature to assist families and policy makers with decision making regarding appropriate kindergarten entry age. The sample included 541 second through seventh grade students from a small rural school district. Actual and predicted counts of students who were later found eligible for specific learning disabilities were examined …

The Developmental Systems Approach And The Analysis Of Behavior, David S. Moore

Pitzer Faculty Publications and Research

The developmental systems approach is a perspective that has been adopted by increasing numbers of developmental scientists since it emerged in the twentieth century. The overview presented in this paper makes clear that proponents of this approach and proponents of modern behavior analysis should be natural allies. Despite some distinctions between the two schools of thought, the essential ideas associated with each are compatible with the other; in particular, scientists in both camps work to analyze the provenance of behavior and recognize the central role that contextual factors play in behavioral expression.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptomatology And Pediatric Obesity: Psychopathology Or Sleep Deprivation?, Alyssa Lundahl, Timothy D. Nelson

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

The relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obesity in children has received considerable attention in recent years. However, the literature currently overlooks the potential causal and maintaining role that sleep problems may play in this relationship. Using a biopsychosocial framework, this article highlights how sleep problems impact the biological, psychological, and social aspects of both ADHD symptomatology and obesity. An in-depth examination of this model illustrates the imperative need for future research and clinical practice to recognize and explore the role sleep has in the link between obesity and ADHD symptomatology.

Pathways From Childhood Abuse To Positive Adapation: The Moderating Roles Of Social Support And Coping Style, Sarah Elizabeth Cleary

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Studies show that up to 50% of children worldwide are affected by physical, emotional, sexual abuse and/or neglect. While these traumatic events can have profound consequences on development across the lifespan, it is important to note that approximately 20-30% of childhood abuse survivors do not report negative impacts. One explanation for this difference in outcomes is the concept of resilience, defined as successful adaptation in spite of the experience of high-risk trauma. Many studies have been conducted to delineate factors fostering resilience. Some researchers argue that individuals' ability to achieve resilience is a direct result of the environment, while others …

Retrospective Evaluation Of High School Primary Physical Activities And Adulthood Physical Activity Need Satisfaction, Matthew R. Bice, James W. Ball, Thomas Parry, Megan Adkins

Health Sciences and Physical Education Faculty Publications

Presumably, individuals are taught skills throughout their primary education that are required to live a healthy lifestyle throughout the lifespan. The primary purpose of this study was to assess adult psycho- logical need satisfaction in relation to high school participation. Participation included university employees and students of two mid-sized universities and members of a state health organization. Participants (n = 512) completed the Psychological Need Satisfaction in Exercise (PNSE) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The current study found modest associations between measured motivation constructs on physical activity levels. Standardized coefficients report competence and autonomy had a significant effect …

Self-Efficacy, Health Promotion, And Rehabilitation In Acquired Brain Injury, Hillary Antoinette Parker

Wayne State University Dissertations

Health self-efficacy is important to health behaviors and self-management of chronic conditions. It has been associated with positive health and rehabilitation outcomes generally but has been understudied in acquired brain injury (ABI). Given the high rates of disability and long-term impairments associated with ABI, health self-efficacy and health behaviors are promising factors to evaluate in the assessment and management of ABI. This study examined the relationships among health self-efficacy, health behaviors, and functional independence in ABI rehabilitation, and the extent to which cognitive impairment and trait affectivity affected these relationships. This study also examined the unique role of rehabilitation self-efficacy …

The Effect Of Stress Coping Techniques In Sports, Lestter Yeh

CMC Senior Theses

The first part of this literature review goes over the biological and psychological aspects of stress. The cause of stress can be linked back to a primitive instinct known as “fight or flight.” The “fight or flight” instinct is triggered by several chemical reactions in the body starting from a signal from the amygdala to the sympathetic nervous system. Stress can also be categorized into internal and external stress. Further research links stress to sports. Many studies show that stress coping techniques such as meditation, self-talk, rituals, etc. are beneficial to athletes during competition. Suggested avenues of further research are …

Body Image Perception: Adolescent Boys And Avatar Depiction In Video Games, Usha Raman

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Research on mass media’s impact on body image has mostly been focused on females thus far. Of the little research that has been done on male body image, most of it has been focused on adult males, and therefore the effect of mass media on adolescent boys’ body image is still a relatively primitive field of knowledge. Through comparing the exposure of adolescent boys to muscular avatars in popular video games, a source of mass media that a majority of adolescent boys are exposed to, and relating it to research done on the effects of frequent ideal image exposure through …

The Relationship Between Cumulative Unfair Treatment And Intima Media Thickness And Adventitial Diameter: The Moderating Role Of Race In The Study Of Women’S Health Across The Nation, Laurel M. Peterson, Karen A. Matthews, Carol A. Derby, Joyce T. Bromberger, Rebecca C. Thurston

Psychology Faculty Research and Scholarship

Objective: Unfair treatment may have a detrimental effect on cardiovascular health. However, little research on chronic health outcomes employs cumulative measures of unfair treatment. We tested whether cumulative unfair treatment was associated with greater subclinical cardiovascular disease in a diverse sample of African American, Caucasian, Chinese, and Hispanic women. We also examined whether this relationship varied by race. Method: The Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation is a longitudinal study of midlife women. Cumulative unfair treatment was calculated as the average of unfair treatment assessed over 10 years at 6 time points. Subclinical cardiovascular disease, specifically carotid intima media …

Fear Of Alzheimer's Disease And Its Role In Memory Monitoring And Control, Annalise Marie Rahman

Wayne State University Dissertations

Introduction: Fear of Alzheimer’s disease (FAD), or Anticipatory Dementia, is a healthy adult’s misinterpretation of everyday memory failures as indicators of developing dementia. The current study investigated the construct of FAD and aimed to contextualize FAD within the Health Belief Model through development of a new scale, the Anticipatory Dementia Index (ADI). The study also assessed the relationship between FAD and metacognitive monitoring and metacognitive control.

Methods: 94 cognitively-intact community-dwelling older adults with and without a history of family history of AD completed questionnaires regarding their subjective memory complaints, state and trait anxiety, depression, and multiple measures of FAD, including …