Digital Commons Network^™

Fast Cbt For Pediatric Ocd: A Multiple-Baseline Controlled Pilot Trial Of Parent Training In Exposure And Response Prevention Delivered, Lara J Farrell, Natalja A Nabinger De Diaz, Sharna Mathieu, Matthew L Mckenzie, Taka Miyamoto, Caroline L Donovan, Allison M Waters, Sonja March, Nicole Bothma, Rianca Kroon, Gabrielle Simcock, Robert S Ware, Robert R Selles, Eric A Storch, Thomas Ollendick

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Objective: The current study utilized a single case series, non-concurrent multiple baseline design to examine the efficacy of training parents via telehealth videoconferencing in exposure and response prevention (ERP) for home delivery of the treatment for their children and adolescents with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

Method: There were nine participants aged 8 to 14 years who had received a primary diagnosis of OCD. The design involved a series of AB replications, whereby following pre-treatment assessments participants were randomly assigned to either a 2-week (n = 4) or 3-week (n = 5) baseline condition with weekly monitoring of their …

Opportunities To Address Obesity Disparities Among High-Risk Latino Children And Adolescents, Erica G Soltero, Teresia M O'Connor, Deborah Thompson, Gabriel Q Shaibi

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Purpose of review: This review highlights obesity-related disparities among Latino children and adolescents, discusses the social determinants of health (SDoH) that drive disparities, and presents case studies of strategies for reducing disparities and promoting health equity.

Recent findings: Recommended strategies for reducing obesity-related disparities include the use of culturally grounded programming, multi-sector collaborations, and technology. We present two exemplar studies that demonstrate that integrating cultural values and enhancing the overall cultural fit of prevention programs can increase engagement among high-risk Latino families. We also examine the use of multi-sector collaborations to build community capacity and address key SDoH that impact …

Theoretical Mediators Of Diabetes Risk And Quality Of Life Following A Diabetes Prevention Program For Latino Youth With Obesity, Erica G Soltero, Stephanie L Ayers, Marvyn A Avalos, Armando Peña, Allison N Williams, Micah L Olson, Yolanda P Konopken, Felipe G Castro, Kimberly J Arcoleo, Colleen S Keller, Donald L Patrick, Justin Jager, Gabriel Q Shaibi

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

Purpose: This study tested self-efficacy and social support for activity and dietary changes as mediators of changes in type 2 diabetes related outcomes following a lifestyle intervention among Latino youth.

Setting and intervention: Latino adolescents (14-16 years) with obesity (BMI% = 98.1 ± 1.4) were randomized to a 3-month intervention (n = 67) that fostered self-efficacy and social support through weekly, family-centered sessions or a comparison condition (n = 69).

Measures: Primary outcomes included insulin sensitivity and weight specific quality of life. Mediators included self-efficacy, friend, and family social support for health behaviors. Data was collected at baseline, 3-months, 6-months, …

Family-Based Obesity Prevention Interventions Among Hispanic Children And Families: A Scoping Review, Erica G Soltero, Armando Peña, Veronica Gonzalez, Edith Hernandez, Guisela Mackey, Chishinga Callender, Jayna M Dave, Debbe Thompson

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

This scoping review examined intervention and sample characteristics of family-based obesity prevention interventions among Hispanic youth. This review also examined the degree to which existing interventions were culturally-adapted, acknowledged social determinants of health (SDoH), and collaborated with community stakeholders. A comprehensive search across Medline Ovid, Embase, Scopus, PsycInfo, and Pubmed was used to identify 13 studies primarily based in the U.S. (92.3%). Data was extracted by two independent reviewers. Most used a randomized control trial design (69.2%), a behavior change theory (84.6%), and reported moderate to high (≥70%) retention (69.2%). Studies targeted improvements in physical activity (69.2%) and fruit and …

Estimating School Race/Ethnic Enrollment Effects On Student Mental Health: Density And Diversity As A Risk Or Protective Factor, Melissa J. Dupont-Reyes, Alice P. Villatoro, Jo C. Phelan, Kris Painter

Public Health

Objective: To investigate effects of school race/ethnic enrollment on mental health in early adolescence by examining both race/ ethnic density (percent non-Latinx [NL] White enrollment) and diversity (range/size of all race/ethnic groups enrolled). Variation by student race/ethnic identity is examined as minority stressors are uniquely experienced by race/ethnic minority students.

Methods: Generalized estimating equations tested main effects of density/diversity on depressive-anxious symptoms across student-reported race/ethnic identity, adjusting for student/school factors. Owing to statistically significant Latinx-group differences by acculturative stress, four unique identities were generated: NL-Black, low-stress Latinx, high-stress Latinx, and NL-White—referent. Points of convergence of student mental health profiles across …

Adolescent Spiritual Formation: Practical Theology As A Filter For Youth Ministry, Jeremy Smith

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

There seems to be a disconnect between the practice and scholars of youth ministry. Historically, the practice of youth ministry has been overly concerned with method, creating multiple approaches, each with its own inherent shortcomings. Responding to this overemphasis on method, scholars of youth ministry have argued for a more theological framework, assuming that the problem lies within a lack of theological education among youth ministry practitioners. In 2001 youth ministry scholarship made a case to place the field of youth ministry under the discipline of practical theology in hopes of grounding the practice of youth ministry in theology. Over …

Detection Of Pediatric Upper Extremity Motor Activity And Deficits With Accelerometry, Catherine R. Hoyt, Andrew N. Van, Mario Ortega, Jonathan M. Koller, Elyse A. Everett, Annie L. Nguyen, Catherine E. Lang, Bradley L. Schlaggar, Nico U.F. Dosenbach

Open Access Publications

Importance: Affordable, quantitative methods to screen children for developmental delays are needed. Motor milestones can be an indicator of developmental delay and may be used to track developmental progress. Accelerometry offers a way to gather real-world information about pediatric motor behavior.

Objective: To develop a referent cohort of pediatric accelerometry from bilateral upper extremities (UEs) and determine whether movement can accurately distinguish those with and without motor deficits.

Design, Setting, and Participants: Children aged 0 to 17 years participated in a prospective cohort from December 8, 2014, to December 29, 2017. Children were recruited from Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital, …

The Trail Of Courage: A Mini-Ethnographic Case Study Exploring The Feasibility And Acceptability Of Integrated Equine-Assisted Therapy (Ieat) On Yazidi Adolescent Girl Wellbeing, Kari F. Eller

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In 2018, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nadia Murad, a Yazidi woman who captured the attention of the world with her story of survival from the combatant and abusive hands of ISIS. Murad used her voice to speak out against wartime sexual assault and in doing so, has supported the wellbeing of women and girls around the world. A Goodwill Ambassador, her example and work has visibilized their trail of courage and lifted up the importance of work to support their wellbeing. This research, in albeit a very small way, seeks to follow Murad’s path. Though literature abounds …

Pathway Of Protection: Ethnic Identity, Self-Esteem, And Substance Use Among Multiracial Youth, Sycarah Fisher, Tamika C. B. Zapolski, Chelsea Sheehan, Jessica Barnes-Najor

Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology Faculty Publications

Fifty percent of adolescents have tried an illicit drug and 70% have tried alcohol by the end of high school, with even higher rates among multiracial youth. Ethnic identity is a protective factor against substance use for minority groups. However, little is known about the mechanisms that facilitate its protective effects, and even less is known about this relationship for multiracial youth. The purpose of the present study was to examine the protective effect of ethnic identity on substance use and to determine whether this relationship operated indirectly through self-esteem, a strong predictor of substance use for among adolescent populations. …

A Longitudinal Examination Of Parental Psychological Control And Externalizing Behavior In Adolescents With Adolescent Internalized Shame As A Mediating Variable, Iesha Renee Nuttall

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between parental psychological control and adolescent externalizing behavior with adolescent internalized shame acting as a mediating variable. Gender differences were also examined. Three hundred eleven two-parent families with an adolescent were included in this study, 154 were male adolescents (Mean age at wave 6 = 16.28 years, SD = .98) and 157 were female adolescents (Mean age at wave 6 = 16.21 years, SD = .99). Results indicate that parental psychological control for both mothers and fathers at wave 4 was positively related to adolescent externalizing behavior for both boys …

Special Populations Of Children And Adolescents Who Have Significant Needs, Brandie M. Oliver, Nick R. Abel

Scholarship and Professional Work – Education

Counseling Children and Adolescents gives students the information they need to prepare for work in both school and clinical mental health settings (two CACREP—Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs—specialty areas). This text includes not only content related to developmental and counseling theories but also information on evidence-based practices across the continuum of care, diagnosis and treatment of youth, and current trends such as integrated care, mindfulness, and neuroscience. Unique to this book are sections on both the instructional and behavioral Response to Intervention (RtI) model and PBIS, examples of evidence-based practices used across settings such as Student …

Counselor Preparation And Adolescent Youth: A Study Of Clinical Mental Health Counselors, Brian R. Russ

Dissertations

Prevalence data have raised concerns that child and adolescent mental health issues are at an epidemic level. For example, Knopf, Park, and Mulye (2008) suggested that 20-25% of all youth experience symptoms of distress. Researchers have also estimated that one in five adolescents in the United States have a diagnosable mental health disorder, and one in ten with a disorder that would be considered severe (Kessler, Berglund, Demler, et al., 2005; Knopf, Park, & Mulye, 2008). Yet, the training of clinical mental health counselors who work with adolescent populations has received limited attention in the counselor education literature. Although the …

Concluding Commentary: Children In All Cancer Prevention Policy Decisions., Cynthia F Bearer, Lynn Goldman

Environmental and Occupational Health Faculty Publications

This interesting series of articles on Opportunities for Cancer Prevention During Early Life brings many ideas for the primary prevention of cancer in childhood, or in adults due to early life events. The economic burden not only of cancer mortality but also of lifelong morbidity among cancer survivors, as shown by Guy et al,1 raises the importance of this critical public health issue. The topics of these articles were developed during online seminars with the pioneers in this area, some of whom authored the articles. They reflect the determinants of health diagrammed so eloquently in Healthy People 2020.2 …

Minority Adolescent Health: A Factor Analytic Approach Towards Conceptualizing Health Behaviors And Resilience Constructs From The New Mexico Youth Risk Resiliency Survey, Jeremiah Simmons

Psychology ETDs

Current researchers in the adolescent health field are beginning to argue that the descriptive knowledge base of adolescent health lacks a strong conceptual base and may be inadequate to sufficiently inform a comprehensive assessment of adolescent health behaviors. This study aimed to build upon the conceptual base by integrating a descriptive epidemiologic study (2013 New Mexico Youth Risk Resilience Survey) with psychological theory and factor analytic methodologies to better understand the relationship between health behaviors and resilience factors. This study replicated a previously identified four-factor health behavior structure and an expanded six-factor health behavior structure across a racially/ethnically diverse sample. …

Acceptance And Commitment Therapy For Adolescent Difficulties With Emotion Regulation: An Open Trial, Julissa A. Duenas

Dissertations

Research suggests that youth rates of mental health problems are high and that evidence-based treatments for these populations exist; however, there is a significant problem in accessibility of mental health services. Recent movements in the mental health field have shifted focus to transdiagnostic dimensions of behavior in attempt to target a broader range of psychological difficulties across larger populations. One such construct, emotion regulation, has been defined as an ability to have awareness and acceptance of emotions and control urges and impulses in order to behave towards a goal. Emotion regulation has been linked to numerous internalizing and externalizing behavioral …

Fear Conditioning And Extinction In Youth With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Joseph F. Mcguire, Scott P. Orr, Monica S. Wu, Adam B. Lewin, Brent J. Small, Vicky Phares, Tanya K. Murphy, Sabine Wilhelm, Daniel S. Pine, Daniel Geller, Eric A. Storch

Psychology Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Fear acquisition and extinction are central constructs in the cognitive-behavioral model of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), which underlies exposure-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Youth with OCD may have impairments in fear acquisition and extinction that carry treatment implications. We examined these processes using a differential conditioning procedure.

METHODS: Forty-one youth (19 OCD, 22 community comparisons) completed a battery of clinical interviews, rating scales, and a differential conditioning task that included habituation, acquisition, and extinction phases. Skin conductance response (SCR) served as the primary dependent measure.

RESULTS: During habituation, no difference between groups was observed. During acquisition, differential fear conditioning was observed …

Perspectives For Adolescent Engagement: The Bright Bodies Program, Athena Theodora Samaras

Public Health Theses

While responses to the obesity epidemic have largely encompassed top-down approaches with a focus on health-related outcome evaluation, for successes to be sustained, a greater emphasis is needed on local initiatives and intervention process evaluation. Pediatric weight management programs in the healthcare and community settings represent local initiatives that have had considerable health-related impacts, yet are often limited by high attrition rates. Because adolescence is marked by substantial weight shifts and the formation of long-lasting health habits, it represents a critical point for implementing obesity prevention and treatment. Accordingly, this study sought to assess factors that promote adolescent participant engagement …

The Influence Of Client-, Family-, And Therapist-Level Pretreatment Characteristics On Therapist Delivery Of Youth Psychotherapy Treatments, Adriana Rodriguez

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the extent to which pretreatment characteristics influence therapist treatment adherence by using data sampled from a randomized effectiveness trial and an efficacy study. Research suggests that youth-, family-, and therapist-level pretreatment characteristics influence therapist behavior; however, this area is underdeveloped as most studies have focused on externalizing problem areas, family-based approaches, and the use of parent or therapist report to assess for therapist adherence. To date, no research has examined this question with anxiety as the target problem, individual-focused CBT, and with observational therapist adherence data. An observational coding measure, Cognitive-Behavioral …

Youth With Disabilities Talk About Spirituality:A Qualitative Descriptive Study, Patricia J. Baldwin, Jan Evans, Nicole Etherington, Megan Nichols, Virginia Wright, Janette Mcdougall

The Qualitative Report

There is little known about what spirituality means for youth with disability or about the potential relevance of youths’ spirituality in pediatric rehabilitation. This study explored perceptions of spirituality for youth with disabilities. Using a qualitative descriptive methodology, we examined the lived experiences of eighteen youth ages 11-20 years with disabilities including cerebral palsy, central nervous system disorder or autism spectrum disorder. In individual interviews, followed by a focus group, youth identified key spiritual themes – the importance of their beliefs, personal sources of comfort and strength, finding purpose in helping others, significance of personal connections, and strengths-based perspectives on …

Dating And Sexuality Among Minority Adolescents With Disabilities: An Application Of Sociocultural Theory, Kristen Faye Linton, Heidi Adams Rueda

Social Work Faculty Publications

Adolescents with disabilities, American Indians, Hispanics, and African Americans are more likely to experience victimization and pregnancy as teens. This study explored ethnic and racial minority youth with disabilities’ dating and sexual experiences from the perspectives of social workers using Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory. Thirteen in-depth interviews were conducted with master’s degree–holding high school social work practitioners. Social workers described family beliefs and practices, socioeconomic status, special education, historical influences, and resiliency as aspects of adolescents’ lives that impacted their dating and sexuality. Social workers’ dialogue concerning family beliefs and attitudes toward abusive relationships were interpreted as internally oriented signs used …

Developing A Protocol For The Treatment Of Transitioning Adolescents : A Survey Of Gender Clinics In The United States, Elise Lehotsky

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

The goal of this descriptive study is to determine what is common practice for endocrine intervention with adolescents diagnosed with GD or seeking treatment related to gender identity. The study surveyed gender clinics in the United States that work with adolescent clients. Gender clinics are defined by this study to be one or more providers who work with adolescents to actualize their gender identity. Twenty gender clinics completed a mixed method survey that asked them to describe basic demographics of their clinic, what recommendations they utilize to influence their treatment protocols, if and how mental health is involved in treatment, …

Exploring Self-Efficacy In The Current Era Of Type 1 Diabetes Management In Youth, Lisa Ellen Rasbach

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic incurable autoimmune disease characterized by dysregulated carbohydrate metabolism. Nearly 3 million individuals in the United States with type 1 diabetes are challenged to meticulous self-management to avoid diabetes-related complications. Self-efficacy is an important construct associated with health behavior change that may be relevant for adherence to diabetes self-management tasks involving diabetes technologies, such as continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). Yet, there is a fundamental gap in understanding how self-efficacy relates to CGM use in youth with type 1 diabetes. This dissertation focuses on the behavior of CGM use in youth with type 1 diabetes as …

Effect Of Racial Socialization And Racial Identity In Adolescent African American Males On Academic Achievement, Rasheema Pitt

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This study examined possible influences of racial socialization and racial identity in minority’s academic achievement. Qualitative data sources (in-depth, personal interviews, focus groups, and a survey) were collected from 10 minority students and 8 administrators. In addition, a quantitative survey was used to supplement qualitative data. The researcher established her own set of questions for the interviews and focus groups. The pre-established measures used were the Does Your School Have High Expectations for All Students survey and the School Climate survey.

Thematic and theoretical analyses procedures were used to identify emerging themes and patterns, with particular attention to what minority …

Youth Treatment Adherence At A Rural Community Mental-Health Clinic, Asma S. Ali

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study examined the relationships between youth and adult psychopathology, and sociodemographic factors and treatment adherence for youth attending outpatient treatment at a rural community mental-health clinic. “Adherence” was defined as attending more than five sessions, while “non-adherence” was defined as attending fewer than or equal to five sessions. Results revealed no significant differences between youth adhering or not adhering to treatment depending on the relation of caregiver to youth or the mode of transportation taken to the clinic. Furthermore, caregiver and youth psychopathology and caregiver’s estimated travel time to the clinic did not predict treatment adherence. Incidentally, examination of …

Non-Suicidal Self-Injury And Suicidal Behaviour In Children And Adolescents Accessing Residential Or Intensive Home-Based Mental Health Services, Michele Preyde, Hanna Watkins, Nicklaus Csuzdi, Jeff Carter, Kelly Lazure, Sara White, Randy Penney, Graham Ashbourne, Gary Cameron, Karen Frensch

Partnerships for Children and Families Project

Objective: There is a dearth of Canadian research with clinical samples of youth who self-harm, and no studies could be located on self-harm in children and youth accessing residential or intensive home-based treatment. The purposes of this report were to explore the proportion and characteristics of children and youth identified as self-harming at admission by clinicians compared to youth not identified as self-harming, compare self-harming children to adolescents, and to compare caregiver ratings of self-harm at intake to clinician ratings at admission.

Method: This report was developed from a larger longitudinal, observational study involving 210 children and youth accessing residential …

Discerning Reported Suicide Attempts Within A Youthful Offender Population, Christopher A. Mallett, Leaanne Derigne, Linda M. Quinn, Patricia A. Stoddard Dare

Social Work Faculty Publications

With suicide being the third leading cause of death among young people, early identification of risk is critical, particularly for those involved with the juvenile courts. In this study of court-involved youth (N = 433) in two Midwest counties, logistic regression analysis identified some expected and unexpected findings of important demographic, educational, mental health, child welfare, and juvenile court-related variables that were linked to reported suicide attempts. Some of the expected suicide attempt risk factors for these youth included prior psychiatric hospitalization and related mental health services, residential placement, and diagnoses of depression and alcohol dependence. However, the most unexpected …

Toward The Prevention Of Risky Sexual Behavior Among Latina Youth, Lisa M. Edwards, Lucia J. Stubbs

College of Education Faculty Research and Publications

Sexual risk-taking among Latina youth has been noted as a critical health concern within the United States. In this chapter. the importance of prevention of risky sexual behavior among Latina youth will be discussed. Current prevalence rates and consequences associated with sexual behavior among Latino/as will be reviewed. along with factors that are relevant to understanding the prevention of sexual activity. Finally. programs that have been developed to prevent risky sexual behavior among Latinas will be reviewed and suggestions for prevention efforts will be presented.

Exposure To Mortality And Its Effects On Teen Drinking, Amber Jones

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

The topic of teen drinking is popular because it has been persistent over time and does not appear to be diminishing in today’s society. Alcohol consumption among adolescents is a major health concern for our adolescents today (Kosterman, Hawkins, Guo, Catalon, & Abbott, 2000). Besides being associated with poor health conditions (Puddey, Rakic, Dimmitt, & Beilin, 1999), adolescent drinking is also correlated with risks such as poor school performance, violence/criminal behavior, and other self-harming behaviors (Mason & Windle, 2002). Aside from these alcohol related risks, there is a higher risk of poor decision making including that of drinking and driving. …

Adapting Evidence-Based Treatments For Youth In A Community Mental Health Setting: Single Case Design, Alexis Quinoy

Theses and Dissertations

This single-case design study examined the effectiveness of adapting evidence-based treatments (EBTs) for children in a community clinic through a university-community partnership. Community clinic therapists treated eight youths (five males), ages 10 to 14, of whom four were Caucasian, two were Latino, one was African-American, and one was Caucasian/African-American. Youths presented with a primary diagnosis of a DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) internalizing disorder (plus multiple comorbidities). An adapted treatment combining multiple elements based on two primary treatment manuals: Coping Cat (Kendall et al., 1990) and PASCET (Weisz et al., 1999) was used. Youths with comorbid externalizing symptoms were also …

Sexual Risk And High Risk Behavior Among Substance Abusing Adolescents In Hartford, Connecticut : Implications For Effective Treatment Delivery, Rosalie Simichak

UCHC Graduate School Masters Theses 2003 - 2010

Substance use and high risk sexual behavior have significant health consequences for adolescents who engage in these behaviors, including HIV, STD transmission, teen pregnancy, and an array of other associated health problems. The Hartford Youth Project (HYP) established by the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, offers a system of substance abuse treatment which has proven to be effective in reducing adolescent engagement in such high risk behavior. In this study, the data generated by the HYP are examined in conjunction with data derived from a qualitative review of existing services in order to identify a sexual risk profile for …