Digital Commons Network^™

Investigating Delay In Health Related Decision Making Versus Non-Health Decision Making, Ann Lassiter Edwards

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Health and non-health decision domains were examined to explore the differences in decision domain and delay preferences. Using an existing cognitive theory of delay (Bastardi & Shafir, 1998; Tykocinski & Ruffle, 2003), type of scenario (health vs. nonhealth) was manipulated within subjects with participants receiving three scenarios of each type. Certainty (certain vs. uncertain) and delay choice condition (no delay, delay, one-week delay) were manipulated between subjects. This resulted in a 2 (health) X 2 (certainty) X 3 (delay choice) split-plot factorial design. The dependent measure was the proportion of action responses (deciding to change status quo) across the three …

An Integrative Social Support Model For Fibromyalgia Patients: A Treatment Manual, Eugene A. Moynier

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

This study sought to investigate the current literature on Fibromyalgia and determine which interventions have been shown effective in its treatment. Furthermore, this study sought to develop a manual for the treatment of fibromyalgia using the data obtained from the literature review. The interventions that were found to be effective include the following domains: exercise, family therapy, dual-diagnosis, occupational therapy, sleep hygiene, stress management, coping skills, cognitive behavioral therapy, traumatic stress, and treatment adherence. The literature supported a psychoeducational approach within a socially supportive environment as an effective strategy to convey these treatment interventions as well as encourage treatment adherence. …

Neurodevelopmental Outcome & Mr Spectroscopy Of Therapeutic Hypothermia After Pediatric Drowning, Sharon Mieras Perugini

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Despite advances in medical treatment and technology, outcome following pediatric drowning can vary widely from mild to severe impairments and death. Prognosis is often difficult to predict given a number of contributing factors. As such, this study examined the relationship between clinical indicators including submersion duration, initial GCS and PRISM scores, and waking time with outcome as well as metabolite ratios based on magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Research stemming from the area of cardiac arrest as well as anecdotal case study reports of cold water drownings suggests that lowering the body temperature may be helpful and protective. As such, the use …

Patient/Physician Communication In Type 2 Diabetes-Related Health Behavior Change, Barbara Marie Thomas

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Adult type 2 diabetes is an increasing problem in the United States and affected over 16 million Americans in 2004. Most patients are treated in primary care settings and managed medically, but controlling insulin resistance through activity and diet is considered the greatest challenge for the next 30 years (Katen, et al., 2007). Understanding how physicians and patients communicate about health behaviors is necessary for developing the most effective strategies for facilitating health behavior change in this population. In the current study, adults with type 2 diabetes (n= 87) from the Loma Linda University Diabetes Treatment Center (LLUDTC), …

Profiles Of Drug Endangered Children: Investigation In A Clinical Sample, Imanie Samanmali Wijayaratne

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Despite the increase in children born prenatally exposed to methamphetamine, little is known about the cognitive and neuropsychological outcomes of these children. Research specific to prenatal-methamphetamine exposure is extremely limited and has been primarily restricted to rat studies. This research combined with the few studies examining children prenatally exposed to methamphetamine suggests that methamphetamine-exposure is associated with various cognitive and neuropsychological delays and is impacted by both biological and environmental factors. Given the scarcity of research in this area, the current study used archival data from a psychological assessment clinic to (1) describe the frequency of prenatal methamphetamine-exposure cases, (2) …

The Relationship Of Infant Feeding And Self-Regulation In Pediatric Obesity, Amy Rebecca Beck

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Pediatric overweight and obesity is a growing national epidemic with 15 percent of children ages 6-19 considered obese and at least 22 percent considered overweight. Although there are many suggested causes, treatments, and preventions for this epidemic, a construct that is showing promise in the current literature as a preventive factor against obesity is breastfeeding in infancy. However, the mechanisms by which breastfeeding may impact later childhood weight are unknown. Some of the literature posits the possibility of self-regulation as a key mechanism in the role of breastfeeding in pediatric overweight/obesity. The purpose of this study was to examine the …

Comparison Of Physical Activity Level And Health Behaviors Between Physical Education Majors And Other Health-Related Majors, Sarah Galparoli

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in eating behaviors, physical activity level, alcohol and recreational drugs consumption, cigarette and smokeless tobacco consumption, and sedentary behaviors between physical education (PE) majors and other health-related (HR) majors. Participants were students enrolled in randomly selected undergraduate classes that were required for their majors offered by the College ofNursing, Health and Human Services at a Midwestern university in the United States. A total of 292 students agreed to participate in the study and completed a survey instrument. Sixteen participants reported their majors as other than PE or HR and, therefore, …

A Behavioral Health Intervention For Decreasing Weight Gain In First Year University Students, Sonia E.A. Marrone

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate two interventions proposed to improve health behaviors and decrease weight gain among first-year university students, utilizing a health risk appraisal (HRA), telephone health coaching, and monthly health-related emails. The HRA assessed and provided individualized feedback for several behavioral health risk factors. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) Health coaching (HC): HRA with individualized feedback, health coaching and health-related emails; (2) Minimal intervention: HRA with individualized feedback and monthly health-related emails; and (3) Control: HRA without feedback. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) tests were performed, adjusting for baseline levels …

Scarred Images: Using Appearance As A Motivator To Reduce Driving Under The Influence Of Alcohol, Mary-Theresa Mcnabb

Dissertations

In response to continued driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) amongst young adults and increased drinking and driving amongst females, the current study aimed to decrease such risky behavior using threats to appearance as a deterrent. One hundred and thirty-three undergraduates at the University of Southern Mississippi completed a threepart study after sequential assignment to one of three groups, a no-photo group, a crash scene photo group, or a personalized-photo group. Baseline measures were taken concerning participants' alcohol-related behaviors. One week later all groups were given statistical information commonly available in DUI prevention pamphlets together with strategies to avoid …

The Relationship Between Darkness Of Skin Tone And Mediators Of Elevated Blood Pressure, Brandy Trevino

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Numerous studies have found that blood pressure is higher in persons with darker skin tone but the reasons for this remain unclear. This study attempted to investigate this relationship in Hispanics. If such a relationship was found, then it will be addressed whether or not one or more mediators, e.g., hostility, locus of control and perceived racial discrimination mediated the relationship. No such relationship between darkness of skin tone and blood pressure was found. However, statistically significant positive relationships between perceived racial discrimination, locus of control, and hostility were revealed. Discussion of these results focused on the plausible explanation of …

Depression And Health Among American Indian And Alaska Native Elders, Crystal R. Evans

Theses and Dissertations

There is evidence of an association between depression, chronic disease, health status, and functionality among the elderly population. Research examining these relationships among American Indian elders is limited. This paper used data from the Identifying Our Needs: A Survey of Elders II to examine the relationships between target health variables and depression in a national sample of 10,743 American Indian elders. The data suggests that depression is significantly related to self-rated health, overnight hospital stays, spiritual activities, vigorous exercise, activity limitations, chronic disease, and community service usage. Additionally, self-rated health, limitations, binge drinking, and chronic disease were predictive of which …

Energy Drink Consumption In College Students: Report Of Physical And Psychological Symptoms In Association With Chronic Consumption Habits, Rebecca J. Cicha

Theses and Dissertations

Within the past decade, energy drink consumption has increased, particularly within young adult populations. Though current studies have investigated the acute effects of energy drink consumption, little data exists in regards to consumption patterns amongst college students, particularly differentiating acute vs. chronic consumers. As caffeine is recognized as the main acting ingredient in energy drinks, the effects of acute and chronic energy drink consumption may be related to that of general acute and chronic caffeine consumption. To date, much literature has highlighted a connection between caffeine intake and general pathology, specifically, that caffeine is highly correlated with the endorsement of …

Perceptions Of Weight Reduction Surgery: The Role Of Stigma And The Attribution Of Responsibility, Jessica Marie Behm

Theses and Dissertations

The amount of weight reduction surgeries performed in the United States has increased considerably within the last twenty years. Many people choose to undergo the procedure with the hopes of shedding the negative stigma of being obese and improving their life. The purpose of this study was to investigate how society views individuals who have elected to undergo weight reduction surgery. A questionnaire assessing the influence of three variables (Responsibility, Acceptability, and Stigma) on the perception of weight reduction surgery was developed and administered to 503 Midwestern college students. The respondents were presented with one of two vignettes depicting a …

Familial Predictors Of Long-Term Outcome Following Inpatient Treatment For Eating Disorders, Anna Mae Ridley

Theses and Dissertations

The present investigation examined characteristic, symptomatic, and familial predictors of long-term symptom severity of eating disorders. The purpose of the study was to determine if, after accounting for a number of known predictors of outcome, familial variables explained a significant amount of additional variance in disordered eating and general well-being scores measured at post-treatment follow-up. The sample included 398 women, ages 13 to 56, who had completed eating disorder treatment at an inpatient facility. Hierarchal multiple regression analysis demonstrated that familial predictors at admission to treatment did significantly predict long-term outcomes, while changes from admission to treatment in symptoms and …

Developmental Emergence Of Power-Law Wake Behavior Depends Upon The Functional Integrity Of The Locus Coeruleus, Andrew J. Gall, Badal Joshi, Janet Best, Virginia R. Florang, Jonathan A. Doorn, Mark S. Blumberg

Faculty Publications

STUDY OBJECTIVES:

Daily amounts of sleep and wakefulness are accumulated in discrete bouts that exhibit distinct statistical properties. In adult mammals, sleep bout durations follow an exponential distribution whereas wake bout durations follow a power-law distribution. In infant Norway rats, however, wake bouts initially follow an exponential distribution and only transition to a power-law distribution beginning around postnatal day 15 (P15). Here we test the hypothesis that the locus coeruleus (LC), one of several wake-active nuclei in the brainstem, contributes to this developmental transition.

DESIGN:

At P7, rats were injected subcutaneously with saline or DSP-4, a neurotoxin that targets noradrenergic …

Gene-Environment Interactions In Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Holly Donovan Barnard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The overall goal of this project is to advance our understanding of the multifactorial etiology of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) by testing a diathesis-stress model of gene x environment (g x e) interactions. Although the literature increasingly supports g x e interactions in the manifestation of ADHD, few studies have investigated multiple genetic and environmental risk factors, included direct tests of gene - environment correlations (rG-Es), explored the specificity of interactions to symptom dimensions, or attempted to minimize comparisons. Therefore, utilizing both within-family (FBAT/PBAT) and case-control methodology, this study sought to (1) explore main effects of polymorphisms in the …

Water Intake And Adherence To Clear Fluid Goals In Children Receiving Treatment For Encopresis, Elizabeth Shannon Kuhl

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

A six-session group intervention for treatment of retentive encopresis designed by Stark and colleagues yields high adherence for fiber (Stark et al., 1990a; Stark et al., 1997), but not fluid (Kuhl et al., 2009), recommendations. Children may also rely heavily on drinking juice to meet their clear fluid targets (Kuhl et al., 2009). This study examined the effectiveness of an enhanced intervention (EI) in improving children’s fluid goal adherence and modifying their daily fluid intake to include more water and less juice.

Data for 19 children who completed treatment previously served as the Non-Enhanced Intervention (NEI), and 18 children completed …

Risk Factors And Protective Factors For Depression In Early Maturing Females, Lauren Lirio

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of early onset of menstruation and biological father absence on depression in females. Participants (n=46) were asked to complete a demographic questionnaire and a series of psychometric assessments. It was hypothesized that females who reached puberty earlier than their peers as well as females growing up in a one-parent household, with the biological father absent, would experience more depressive symptoms than females who reached puberty later than their peers or were being raised in two-parent households. Statistical analyses revealed early maturing females reported higher levels of depressive symptoms than on-time …

Qualitative Study Of Trauma Outcomes Among Acehnese Tsunami Survivors, Amrit Kaur

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This study uses qualitative methods to understand trauma from an indigenous perspective and to assess the validity of the DSM-IV (APA, 2000) diagnosis PTSD and depression in a remote Asian population. Twelve individuals were interviewed about their post-tsunami difficulties in the Indonesian province of Aceh. Contrary to our expectations, participants reported significant numbers of almost all DSM-IV-TR symptoms of PTSD and depression. Although the expressions of illness symptoms were colored by the local language and customs, participants reported few symptoms that could be seen as unique to this culture. These finding suggest that Western developed DSM-IV-TR symptomatology may be largely …

Measuring Patient Satisfaction After Providing A Choice Of Nourishment Options Between Meals In A Long-Term Care Setting., Samantha Hutson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether providing residents of the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center Community Living Center with a choice of nourishment options between meals would improve their satisfaction with the nourishment administration process. As opposed to being given the same nourishment item each day, residents were offered choices from a nourishment cart based upon their diet order. Sixteen residents completed the pre-survey, participated in the revised nourishment cart system for a 3-week period, and completed the postsurvey. Level of satisfaction was determined by analyzing the responses given by the residents on the pre- …

Physical Activity, Physical Fitness And The Psychosocial Well-Being Of Obese Adolescents, Nichole Kelly

Theses and Dissertations

Overweight and obesity are associated with an array of negative physical and psychosocial symptoms in adolescents. Numerous pediatric obesity interventions have emerged in an attempt to address this significant public health concern. However, few have focused on African American females, a particularly high risk group for negative health behaviors and associated complications. Moreover, research examining the psychosocial changes associated with increases in physical activity and fitness, although promising in elder and adult populations, is nearly nonexistent in adolescents. Thus, the current study addressed limitations in the research and examined the psychosocial outcomes of adolescent participants in T.E.E.N.S., a culturally sensitive, …

Diet-Related Changes In Sensitivity To The Pharmacological Effects Of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol, Mayo Wright

Theses and Dissertations

Recent evidence suggests that sustained consumption of a high-fat diet is associated with reduced CB1 receptor expression in some brain areas. Many of the neuromodulatory functions of endogenous cannabinoids are mediated by the CB1 receptor. The CB1 receptor also mediates the behavioral and physiological effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta-9-THC), the primary psychoactive constituent of marijuana. While high-fat diets are associated with region-specific changes in CB1 receptor expression, it is not clear whether such changes are behaviorally relevant. To that end, separate groups of male and female rats were placed on either a high-fat diet or a standard diet. Cannabinoid function was …

Animal Pleasure And Its Moral Significance, Jonathan Balcombe

Sentience Collection

This paper presents arguments for, and evidence in support of, the important role of pleasure in animals’ lives, and outlines its considerable significance to humankind’s relationship to other animals. In the realms of animal sentience, almost all scholarly discussion revolves around its negative aspects: pain, stress, distress, and suffering. By contrast, the positive aspects of sentience – rewards and pleasures – have been rarely broached by scientists. Yet, evolutionary principles predict that animals, like humans, are motivated to seek rewards, and not merely to avoid pain and suffering. Natural selection favours behaviours that enhance survival and procreation. In the conscious, …

Asthma Severity In School-Children And The Quality Of Life Of Their Parents, Noelle S. Cerdan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Background . The everyday management of a child with asthma can affect the parent's quality of life. Past studies which examined the effects of asthma characteristics of the child on parental quality of life have not reached a consensus over findings. Few studies examine parent characteristics such as mental health and sociodemographics on the quality of life of parents of asthmatic children.

Purpose . To examine the effect of asthma severity of school-children and sociodemographic characteristics onthe caregiver's quality of life. It also investigates whether agreement exists between the caregiver's perception of asthma severity and physician-diagnosed asthma severity.

Methodology . …

Advance Practice Nurses Readiness To Change Assessment Methods In Parents Of Obese Children, Carolyn Leach

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

The worldwide epidemic of child and adolescent overweight and obesity continues to increase at disturbing rates. Unhealthy dietary practice is one of multiple causative behaviors leading to child and adolescent overweight and obesity. This behavior can contribute to short and long-term health consequences. Parents are modulators in the development of children's dietary behavior practices. It is recommended clinical practice that pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) assess readiness to change behavior in parents of overweight or obese children. The components of the Prochaska and DiClemente's Transtheoretical Model (TTM) in correlation with the counseling style of Rollnick, Miller and Butler's methods of Motivational …

Pediatric Feeding Problems Related To Tactile Defensiveness: A Case Study, Lauren Maguire

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory, single-subject design study was to introduce to a child with a severe feeding disorder and tactile sensitivity different activities related to food in an attempt to increase the child's acceptance of new foods. After a baseline assessment, the child and his parents participated in a 12-week intervention that included at least one new tactile activity and a selection of new foods the parents identified that they wanted their child to eat. In the process of conducting this study, an underlying medical problem was identified; therefore, halfway through the study, the child began to take medication …

A Statewide Intervention Reduces Bmi In Adults: Shape Up Rhode Island Results, Rena R. Wing, Angela Marinilli Pinto, Melissa M. Crane, Rajiv Kumar, Brad Weinberg, Amy A. Gorin

Publications and Research

Given the epidemic of obesity, approaches to weight loss that can be applied on a community, state, or national level are needed. We report results from Shape Up Rhode Island 2007 (SURI), a state-wide Internet based program involving team-based competition to increase physical activity and achieve weight loss. A total of 4,717 adults (84% female; mean BMI = 29.6 kg/m2 ) enrolled in the 16 week weight loss competition of SURI and 3311 completed at least 12 weeks. Completers reported losing 3.2 ± 3.4 kg, and 30% achieved a clinically significant weight loss of 5% or more. Although modest, these …

Making Healthy Choices: Adolescent Preference Ratings Of School-Based Health Interventions, Nicholas Glover Baird

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study investigated the effect of a Making Healthy Choices lesson on junior high school students' preference rankings of items used to motivate students to increase academic performance. Results indicated that the lesson resulted in increased ranking scores on healthy items. This study used an assessment procedure that may be used to identify healthy rewards that may motivate students to increase academic performance as well as practice healthy decision making to prevent obesity.

Maladaptive Schemas As A Predictor Of Residential Treatment Outcomes In Females With Eating Disorders, Jodi Leigh Cullum

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The present study aimed to examine the relationship between maladaptive schemas and treatment outcomes of adolescent and adult women with an eating disorder receiving residential treatment. Existing data were obtained from 67 females aged 11 to 47 years (m =18.61) that had entered residential treatment for anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), or eating disorder not otherwise specified (EDNOS) at a Western United States residential eating disorder treatment facility. Pre- and posttreatment data were collected by the personnel at the facility on eating disorder symptomatology, mood, and core beliefs. Three hypotheses were tested: (a) that maladaptive schemas would be …

The Impact Of Ethnic Identity And Group Support On Hiv Intervention Outcomes, Kristina Hood

Theses and Dissertations

The current study investigated if condom outcomes vary as a function of perceived group support (from members of the group) and ethnic identity among participants in an HIV prevention intervention. The peer-led intervention consisted of an empirically supported curriculum, Sisters Informing Sisters on Topics about AIDS (SISTA) with an additional component that addressed the role of alcohol/drugs in risky sexual behavior. Participants included 263 unmarried, heterosexual, African American women who were recruited from three universities. At post-test, perception of a supportive group environment was associated with positive attitudes towards condom use. In addition, ethnic identity was associated with positive attitudes …