Digital Commons Network^™

Effects Of A Brief Mindfulness Induction On Death-Related Anxiety, David M. Schultz, Randolph C. Arnau

Faculty Publications

This study examined effects of a mindfulness induction on proximal and distal defense responses to mortality salience and negative affect. Three experimental conditions were included: mindfulness, mind-wandering, and worrying. Participants in the mindfulness condition underwent a mindfulness induction at the experiment’s outset, while participants in the other two conditions underwent a mind-wandering or worry induction. Inductions involved following guided audio instructions presented via headphones. All conditions (N = 77) underwent a mortality salience induction after experimental manipulation, involving a written exercise pertaining to one’s death. Results indicated fewer proximal responses in the mindfulness and mind-wandering groups, compared with the worrying …

A Letter To My Departed Niece, * Anonymous *

Journal of Patient-Centered Research and Reviews

The following piece was written in the weeks following the death of the author’s niece. It is an attempt to explore how we as a society handle health crises differently for medical versus mental health diagnoses.

Having A Known, Trusted Support Person During Labour And Birth: Perceptions Of Indonesian (Javanese) Women, Their Support Persons And Midwives, Natalia

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Childbirth is a life changing experience for women, yet most women feel anxious with regard to this event. Research has shown that support from family or friends can help to reduce anxiety intrapartum, however, the standard procedure at most maternity centres in Indonesia is to not allow any person in the birthing room except midwives.

This study investigated the impact of the presence of a support person on the anxiety of women giving birth in Surabaya, Indonesia. The originality of this study is in trying to understand the whole picture about support during labour and childbirth by listening to women, …

Severe Social Withdrawal: Cultural Variation In Past Hikikomori Experiences Of University Students In Nigeria, Singapore, And The United States, Julie C. Bowker, Matthew H. Bowker, Jonathan Santo, Adesola Adebusola Ojo, Rebecca G, Etkin, Radhi Raja

Psychology Faculty Publications

Hikikomori (social withdrawal that lasts six months or longer) is a growing problem among Japanese adolescents and young adults, with recent estimates that approximately 1% of Japanese youths will suffer from an episode of hikikomori in their lifetimes. What remains unclear is whether hikikomori is a culture-bound syndrome or a condition impacting youths around the globe. Hence, the self-reported prevalence and psychosocial correlates of past experiences with hikikomori were examined in cross-sectional samples of university students from Singapore (n = 147), Nigeria (n = 151), and the United States (n = 301). Following tests of measurement invariance, …

An Analysis Of Change Processes In The Transdiagnostic Treatment Of Emotional Disorders In Adolescents, Jamie Alexa Sherman

Open Access Dissertations

Anxiety, depression, and related emotional disorders are prevalent and impairing (Merikangas et al., 2010). They not only have high levels of symptom overlap but also share underlying temperament factors such as high neuroticism (Barlow, Sauer-Zavala, Carl, Bullis, & Ellard, 2014; Tonarely, Sherman, Grossman, Shaw, & Ehrenreich-May, under review) and low extroversion (Barlow et al., 2014; Tonarely, Sherman, & Ehrenreich-May, 2017). The Unified Protocols for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Children and Adolescents (UP-C and UP-A, respectively; Ehrenreich-May et al., 2018) and similar core dysfunction-focused transdiagnostic therapy approaches may lead to successful treatment by targeting higher-order factors that cut across …

Infant Emotion Regulation With Mothers And Fathers: The Roles Of Infant Temperament And Parent Psychopathology, Ashley Quigley

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

The ability to regulate emotions is a key part of infants’ social and emotional development, but this ability may differ due to different factors internal and external to the infant. The current study examined the association between infant temperament and parent psychopathology to predict emotion regulation strategies in a sample of 4-montholds using the diathesis-stress model (Monroe & Simons, 1991). Parent-report questionnaires were used to measure infant temperament (the Infant-Behavior Questionnaire-Revised, IBQ-R; Gartstein & Rothbart, 2003) and parental psychopathology (Inventory of Depression and Anxiety, IDAS; Watson et al., 2007). Infants’ use of parent-focused, attentional distraction, and self-soothing strategies were rated …

Evaluating Changes In Error-Monitoring Electrocortcial Responses As An Outcome Of Attention Bias Modification Training, Jeremy Andrzejewski

All NMU Master's Theses

Anxiety disorders are among one of the most debilitating and prevalent mental disorders. Maladaptive anxiety has been associated with enhanced attention bias to threat as well as heightened error-monitoring following an erroneous response. In an effort to reduce an anxious individual’s attention bias to threat, an attention training paradigm known as attention bias modification (ABM) was developed. While ABM training has demonstrated the ability to reduce attention bias and anxiety symptoms, there are inconsistencies in the magnitude of symptom reduction and there is a lack of neuroimaging support in regards to ABM outcome. Therefore, this study evaluated the outcome of …

Risk And Resistance Factors For Depression And Anxiety Among Youth With Sickle Cell Disease, Laura Reinman

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: Depression and anxiety are common problems for adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD). It is important to understand both risk and resiliency factors contributing to psychological outcomes among youth with SCD in order to prevent and effectively treat such problems. To better elucidate contributing factors to depression and anxiety among youth with SCD selected risk and resiliency factors from the risk-and-resistance model adapted for SCD were examined (Barakat, Lash, Lutz, & Nicolaou, 2006). The risk factor of fatigue and resistance/resiliency factors of cognitive appraisal of stress and self-concept are of focus because they have been understudied, and their temporal …

The Influence Of Adhd Symptoms And Social Functioning On Anxiety And Depression Symptoms In College Students, Danielle Willis

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has shown that Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with impaired social functioning in children and adolescents. ADHD and poor social functioning have been shown to be separately associated with increased anxiety and depression symptoms as well. However, little research has examined these associations among college students. College is a transitional period of increased stress and exposure to new social situations for all students, but may be even more challenging for those with ADHD, who are already at risk for increased internalizing problems and impairment in social functioning. The current study aimed to examine the influence of ADHD symptoms …

Self-Confident, Inside And Out: Exploring The Antecedents Of Internal And External Self-Confidence In Women Leaders., Nisha Hafeez Quraishi

Theses and Dissertations

This study was conducted to examine levels of internal and external self-confidence in women leaders. Specifically, the purpose of this study was to explore the antecedents of self-confidence levels in women leaders, predicting that benevolent sexism would lower self-confidence through stereotype threat. 150 female leaders filled out an online survey. The results did not provide support for six out of the seven proposed hypotheses. The results found that benevolent sexism was negatively related to external self-confidence, but overall did not impact self-confidence. An exploratory analysis was conducted to further examine potential mediators and moderators in the relationship between hostile and …

Testing Risk And Protective Pathways Between Weight Bias And Psycho-Behavioral Health In Bariatric Surgery Patients: Internalized Weight Bias, Shame, And Self-Compassion, Tosca Braun

Doctoral Dissertations

Archival abstract submitted

Teens Using Screens For Help: Impact Of Suicidal Ideation, Anxiety, And Depression Levels On Youth Preferences For Telemental Health Resources., Tammy Toscos Phd, Amanda Coupe, Mindy Flanagan, Michelle Drouin, Maria D. Carpenter, Lauren Reining, Amelia Roebuck, Michael Mirro Md, Facc, Fhrs, Faha

Health Services and Informatics Research

BACKGROUND: High rates of mental illness, stress, and suicidality among teens constitute a major public health concern in the United States. However, treatment rates remain low, partially because of barriers that could be mitigated with tech-based telemental health (TMH) resources, separate from or in addition to traditional care.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze TMH resource usage by high school students to establish current user characteristics and provide a framework for future development.

METHODS: A total of 2789 students were surveyed regarding demographics, recent anxiety and depression symptoms, suicidality, and stress; people with whom they could openly and honestly discuss …

Nash-Wo-Numa (Childhood Growth & Development) Study Protocol: Factors That Impact Linear Growth In Children 9 To 15 Years Of Age In Matiari, Pakistan, Susan C. Campisi, Yaqub Wasan, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Suneeta Monga, Daphne J. Korczak, Wendy Lou, Olle Soder, Ashley Vandermorris, Khadija N Humayun, Ayesha Mian, Peter Szatmari, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Introduction: Adolescence is a time of significant physical and emotional change, and there is emerging concern that adolescents living in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) may face substantial challenges in relation to linear growth and mental health. Data on the global burden of stunting after 5 years of age are limited, but estimates suggest up to 50 per cent of all adolescents in some LMIC are stunted. Additionally, many LMIC lack robust mental health care delivery systems. Pakistan has one of the world's largest populations of adolescents (10 to 19 years) at approximately 40 million. The Nash-wo-Numa study's primary objective …

Exploring Genetic Biomarkers In A Sample Of Depressed Patients In The Uae, Nailah Mahmood

Psychology Theses

This study focuses on exploring the expression of genes associated with depressive and anxiety disorders (AD) among depressed individuals. Anxiety and depression are well known to co-occur with each other. Growing research in the field of genetics has indicated moderate familial aggregation for these disorders. The aim of this study is to analyze gene expression among a depressed population residing in the UAE. The genes were chosen to be studied (PPARGC1A, CAMKMT, HSD11B1, SLC6A4, and MAOA) have previously been linked to depression and anxiety in other populations. The study employed a case-control design, where gene …

Common Sources Of Anxiety For Students Who Experience Suicidal Ideation, Austin Nystrom, Fabian Ortiz

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study was conducted to identify what sources of anxiety are most closely associated with experiencing SI among students in a school district in Southern California. Anxiety and suicide rates in youth continue to grow and a need for preventative services is a must. The research design consists of qualitative, biopsychosocial assessments, and qualitative, utilizing the collected data. MSW interns at the district site conducted the assessments and the writers analyzed and reviewed the data to draw out an answer to the research question. Implications for social work practice include gaining a better understanding on the common sources of anxiety …

Effects Of Anxiety And Working Memory Capacity On Performance In The Emotional Stroop Task, Gia Macias

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Emotional Stroop task results have been shown to be inconsistent throughout the literature due to a multitude of factors including both stimulus and population factors. There are also several theories to explain the emotional Stroop effects, including the attentional control theory (Eysenck et al., 2007). This theory states that anxiety consumes attentional and memory resources, resulting in impairment in executive functions, and thus cognitive performance is lowered. Recently, Owens et al. (2014) reported that the effects of anxiety on cognitive performance might be moderated by working memory capacity (WMC). The present study explored whether Owens et al.'s (2014) paradigm fit …

A Behavioral And Physiological Investigation Of The Effects Of Nicotine On Human Reward Responding And Fear Conditioning, Alexandra N. Palmisano

Doctoral Dissertations

Although considerable progress has been made, we do not fully understand the neuropsychological properties of nicotine that drive nicotine dependence. The present body of work provides an original investigation of the effects of nicotine on behavioral and physiological responding for rewarding and aversive stimuli in humans, which arises from considerable nonhuman investigations of nicotine’s complex interactions in conditioned learning. In order to accomplish this goal, three distinct studies were conducted. Given evidence that nicotine enhances operant responding for nonpharmacological reinforcers, Study 1 assessed the ability of nicotine to enhance food reward sensitivity using a virtual reality conditioned place preference …

What Symptoms Of Disordered Gambling, Disordered Eating, Anxiety, And Depression Co-Occur? The Explanatory Power Of Network Analysis, Nassim Tabri, Melissa Salmon, Samantha Hollingshead, Michael Wohl

International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking

An abstract (not to exceed 200 words)

Disordered gamblers often exhibit comorbid psychiatric disorders, however, little is known about how or why these disorders co-occur. We posit that comorbidity is likely the result of one or more symptoms of disordered gambling being strongly associated with one or more symptoms of other disorders. To test this idea, we conducted a network analysis to identify relations between individual symptoms of disordered gambling, disordered eating, anxiety, and depression in a representative sample of Canadians from the Bay of Quinte region of Ontario (N=4121). Results indicated that chasing one’s losses was a central symptom …

Providing An Oral Examination As An Authentic Assessment In A Large Section, Undergraduate Diversity Class, Dredge Kang, Sara Goico, Sheena Ghanbari, Kathleen C. Bennallack, Taciana Pontes, Dylan H. O’Brien, Jace Hargis

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

This study reflects on the development and implementation of mid-term oral examinations in large-scale lecture courses at a large, public research university; specifically, this work examines the implications of oral exams for fostering student engagement and concept-based comprehension in addition to institutional and course commitments to diversity. This research traces the development of an effective method for administering oral midterms and assesses the advantages and challenges of utilizing oral examinations for student assessment by detailing student feedback and TAs’ reactions to administering this examination format. Findings reveal that oral examinations provided a chance for students to develop skills through a …

Gratitude As An Antidote To Anxiety And Depression: All The Benefits, None Of The Side Effects, Mary Kate Schutt

Population Health Research Brief Series

Despite efforts among health care professionals, schools, and workplaces to address mental health issues, anxiety and depression remain pervasive public health concerns. This issue brief discusses how emerging research suggests practicing Gratitude may be an alternative antidote to battling anxiety and depression.

Perinatal Mood And Anxiety Disorders, Stigma, And Social Support Among Postpartum Women, Ellen K. Fleischman

Dissertations

Purpose/Aims: The purpose of this descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional study was to examine the relationships among perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD) symptomatology, select demographics, stigma of mental illness, and social support, among inpatient postpartum women. Rationale: PMADs affect as many as 21% of childbearing women, yet these disorders are identified and treated less than half the time. There is a gap in the literature regarding the relationships among stigma, social support, and PMADs in postpartum women.

Conceptual Basis/Background: Despite recommendations from professional organizations, screening for PMADs is not consistently completed using a valid, reliable instrument. Stigma contributes to the low …

The Role Of Cognitive Vulnerabilities In The Severity Of Internalizing Symptoms In Children And Adolescents, Maysa Kaskas

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Contemporary theories of psychopathology suggest that cognitive vulnerabilities play a key role in the development, severity, and maintenance of internalizing symptomology across the lifespan. The two primary cognitive vulnerabilities assessed in children and adolescents are anxiety sensitivity (i.e., negative beliefs about the consequences of physiological arousal; AS) and negative self-cognitions (i.e., negative self-referential thoughts; NS-C). These cognitive vulnerabilities are theorized to have transdiagnostic qualities, as both have been evaluated as predictors of symptoms of anxiety and depression. However, existing research in youth has largely examined AS in relation to anxiety alone and NS-C primarily in relation to depression. Additionally, the …

Mental Health Disparities For Latino Immigrants & Its Impact On Psychological Well-Being, Ana Do Rosario Sousa

Counseling Psychology | Master's Theses

In the present study, the researcher sought to examine the factors associated with Latino immigrants and the barriers/challenges that are faced in mental health. The main question that the researcher focuses on in the present study is: What are some of the mental health challenges for Latino immigrants & how do these disparities further impact psychological well-being? Furthermore, the research focuses on highlighting the variables that are increasingly damaging to the minority population of Latinos in the United States. These variables include lack of health insurance, stigma, acculturation issues, legal issues, and biopsychosocial factors, such as socioeconomic class. In multiple …

A Heartfulness Meditation Intervention In University Students Using Mixed Methodology, Dipta Amatya

Health and Kinesiology Theses

Objective: This is a mixed methods study in which Heartfulness meditation was introduced to university students. The objective of this study was to demonstrate a link between Heartfulness meditation and mental health as well as a link between Heartfulness meditation and Emotional Intelligence. The study also explored the experiences of the students after the meditation practice.

Background: College students have greater levels of stress and psychopathology now than at any other time in the nation’s history. Increases in mental distress can lead to serious mental health disorders in the future so there is a need for self-care skills for students …

The Relationship Between Therapy And Students’ Anxiety, Seung H. Lee

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Anxiety causes a high percentage of behavioral concerns and struggles in school aged children and it has become one of the most prevalent psychological disorders in adults (Bernstein, 2016). If left untreated, anxiety negatively influences children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development, which continues into adulthood. Children with anxiety tend to demonstrate excessive inflexibility, avoidant tendencies, and an intense need to control situations that they perceive as intimidating (Kra-Oz & Shorer, 2017). The purpose of this literature review is to examine anxiety in latency-aged children and the current practices in treating childhood anxiety. This will also examine gradual exposure therapy through …

Anxiety Symptoms, Childhood Autism And Improvisational Music Therapy: A Clinical Method, Talaye Zarafshandardaky

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This capstone thesis explores the efficacy of improvisational music therapy in reducing symptoms of anxiety among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Through a clinical review of the literature on the topic of anxiety symptoms, autism disorder and improvisational music therapy in conjunction with individual music therapy sessions with one student, which pertained one session of music therapy per week for a month with a client, diagnosed with autisms disorder. The participant was observed from his transition from class to music therapy session until the end of the day at school. The observations found from the study suggest that children …

Songwriting As Self-Care - A Burnout Prevention Tool For Mental Health Professionals: Development Of A Method, Brittany Leonard

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

In this capstone thesis, songwriting is examined through a critical, humanistic lens to determine whether or not it can be used as a legitimate method of self-care to prevent burnout and minimize perceived symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression in mental health professionals. Therapeutic songwriting is an intervention grounded in analytical theory that aims to access the unconscious mind and uncover deep emotions, which is the foundation of this study. Rather than focusing on the effects songwriting has on clients, the researcher was interested in the benefits of songwriting for individuals working in the field of mental health. This project …

Exploring The Relationship Between High-Ses And Anxiety/Depression In Adolescents: Development Of A Method, Angela Talkowski

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorder among children and adolescents with the number of individuals impacted increasing, especially for children and adolescents with high socioeconomic status. Although mental health issues such as anxiety and depression are impacting affluent children and adolescents in steadily rising numbers, there is very little research about why this is happening and how to effectively treat this population. This thesis addressed the impact affluence has on mental health in adolescents attending an affluent school system and aimed to explore effective treatments for this population. A review of the literature was conducted surrounding the …

Images Of The Self: A Literature Review Exploring The Use Of Altered Book Making With Adolescent Girls With Anxiety And Depression, Erica Mccracken

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The aim of this capstone thesis is to explore the use of altered books with adolescent girls as a form of treatment for anxiety and depression. It first looks at existing literature to ascertain reasons for the higher prevalence of mental health challenges in girls than boys. Various case examples are presented as evidence for the efficacy of altered books in art therapy. The use of art therapy is explored with girls with low self-esteem and body image issues, the beneficial qualities of group art therapy, and altered book making as a means for treatment. The review of literature and …

Exploring Factors Influencing Refugees' Mental Health Help-Seeking, Frediane Ndikumana

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Newly resettled refugees are at a higher risk of mental health disorders, but few seek formal psychological help. The purpose of this study is to explore the factors influencing refugees’ formal mental health help-seeking. Data were collected by surveying a sample of 45 refugees from three countries of the Great Lacs Regions of Africa: Burundi, Congo, and Rwanda. Multiple linear regression was conducted to examine the association between formal mental health help-seeking and factors of mental health knowledge, stigma beliefs, and socioeconomic factors.

Results show that mental health knowledge factors and the stigma belief factors measured as stigma towards socializing …