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Spirituality, Religiosity, Depression, Anxiety, And Drug-Use Consequences During Methadone Maintenance Therapy, Linda B. Piacentine

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Substance addiction is damaging to the health of persons, families, and society. Often the person with addiction has decreased spirituality and religiosity and suffers from anxiety, depression, or both, increasing the risk for continued substance use and its concomitant negative consequences. The study purpose was to describe spirituality and religiosity, among persons enrolled in methadone maintenance therapy and to examine associations between spirituality, religiosity, anxiety, depression, and drug-use consequences. Using a descriptive and cross-sectional correlational design, 108 participants completed questionnaires assessing the study variables. Spiritual well-being was similar to other addiction samples and lower than healthy person samples. Most participants …

Depression, Social Anxiety, And Attachment As Predictors Of The Use And Quality Of Cyber Communication, Stefan E. Latulip

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

This study examined the influence of depression symptoms, social anxiety symptoms, and adult attachment style on the use and the perceptions of the quality of cyber communications with close friends, romantic partners, and family members. One hundred thirty-five individuals completed an initial survey, with sixty five of the original group completing a follow-up survey five weeks later. Results indicated that anxious attachment was associated with a greater reported usage of social networking sites, whereas avoidant attachment predicted less instant message use over time. Depression symptoms and avoidant attachment were generally associated with perceptions of higher negativity and lower positivity with …

Predicting Alcoholism Through Individual Temperament, Bobbi Padro, Dr. James Higley

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this project was to determine a correlation between the temperament of rhesus macaques and the amount of alcohol they consume. This project looked specifically at 16 juvenile rhesus macaques. Each juvenile had been tested to determine its temperament through the Biobehavioral Assessment (BBA) at the University of California Davis collected by Dr. John Captianio. The BBA data is collected while subjects are infants. Half of the monkeys tested were determined to have high anxiety and the other half low anxiety. Determining whether a correlation exists between temperament and alcohol consumption can help intervention programs and preventative programs …

Behavioral Analysis Of Anxiety In Autism, Megan Christensen, Dr. Mikle South

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Autism is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and communication. Anxiety is also an extremely common feature with approximately 81% of children diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder also qualified for at least one other anxiety disorder (Amaral et al., 2003). Amaral et al. (2003) have shown that monkeys with bilateral amygdala damage lack of fear in typically threatening social situations. Blanchard et al. (2001) have shown that humans react to hypothetical fearful scenarios in much the same way that rats do in actual threatening situations, i.e. “freezing” or run away depending on the level of danger.

Predicting Social-Emotional And Cognitive Development At 24 Months: The Impact Of Postnatal Maternal Anxiety And Depressive Symptoms, And Mother-Child Relationship, Stephanie F. Donahue

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Early childhood is a particularly sensitive time for development, and experiences during this time of life have a lasting impact on later development (Shonkoff & Phillips, 2000). As part of these early experiences, mother-child relationships often become important influences on young children’s social-emotional and cognitive development (e.g., Laible & Thompson, 2007; Osofsky & Liebernman, 2011). Similarly, mothers’ mental health can impact their relationships with their children (e.g., Nicol-Harber, Harvey, & Stein, 2007; Stein et al., 2008) and their children’s development (e.g., Grace, Evindar, & Stewart, 2003; Skylerman et al., 2007). The purpose of this study was to explore the influences …

Understanding The Nature Of Anxiety In Autism, Sarah White, Dr. Mickle South

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Anxiety is extremely prevalent in autism, with estimates of the co-occurrence ranging up to 84%. Surprisingly, even though anxiety in autism is implicated in behavioral symptoms ranging from avoiding eye contact with others to always insisting on the same menu for lunch, the majority of research has ignored anxiety as a major contributor to the core symptoms associated with autism. Most research has focused on symptoms of social impairment, but it is now realized that anxiety may be a critical factor in the development of such symptoms.

The Development Of A Self-Report Questionnaire To Measure Problematic Video Game Play And Its Relationship To Other Psychological Phenomena, Anatol Tolchinsky

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Problematic video game play is becoming a more frequent clinical presentation, and currently there is no standard way of measuring this phenomenon. This study operationalized this construct in a way that accurately reflects the existing literature and attempted to construct a valid measure based on this information. This new assessment instrument was evaluated by analyzing its factor structure on both 375 college-age participants and 314 online participants who endorsed being a regular video game player.

This area of research is still in its infancy, especially in regard to comorbid psychopathology. Consequently, this study surveyed participants’ subjective experience of depression and …

The Role Of Anxiety In Binge Eating Behavior: A Critical Examination Of Theory And Empirical Literature, Kamila S. White, Diane L. Rosenbaum

Psychology Faculty Works

The purpose of this manuscript is to expand the understanding of binge eating by reviewing the role of aspects of negative affect. Specifically, this paper will present evidence for further investigation of the bearing that anxiety may have in binge eating development and maintenance. A comprehensive review of the literature regarding the relation of binge eating and anxiety was performed. Valuable contributions have been made to the binge eating literature regarding some aspects of negative affect (i.e., depression); however, outside of bulimia nervosa studies, much of the theoretical and empirical binge eating research to date has not directly addressed the …

Test Anxiety And Nursing Students., Brad Moore

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Test anxiety has been a problem for many individuals not only in the workforce, but also in many schools and colleges (Driscoll, Evans, Ramsey & Wheeler 2009). According to Driscoll et al., when compared to high school students and the general public (17%), nursing students are shown to have over double (55-60%) the rate of moderately high to high test anxiety. Cognitive test anxiety can account for a 7 to 8% drop in test grades, which can drop test score’s an entire letter grade (Cassady & Johnson, 2001). The purpose of this research is to explore the level of test …

Hypnosis And Mindfulness For The Treatment Of Anxiety Disorders: Empirical And Applied Perspectives, John Lawrence Clarke

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

The abundance of diagnosable anxiety disorders that are present in our culture today provides a convenient rationale for further investigating the types of treatments, especially non-pharmaceutical, that clinicians have to offer. Hypnosis and mindfulness are two noninvasive techniques that share some important structural and practical similarities. With the recent increase of interest in mindfulness in psychotherapy it is important to acknowledge what these traits are and how these methods complement one another in both theory and practice. It can be concluded as a result of the following literature reviews that both hypnosis and mindfulness as separate techniques have received some …

Examining Stress And Performance Anxiety As Predicting Factors Of Athletic Burnout In Collegiate Student-Athletes, Drew Barnard

Undergraduate Psychology Research Methods Journal

In the past, burnout has been a popular topic for research. However, within the realm of athletics, a majority of such research has been focused on coaches, athletic department staff, and athletic trainers. The purpose of this study was to assess potential contributing factors of burnout among student-athletes at Lindenwood University, an institution with National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division II and Student-Life athletic programs. Completion of four questionnaires was required in this study; a Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen, 1983), a Self-Rated Anxiety Scale (Zung, 1979), a Modified Burnout Questionnaire (Harris, 2005), and a Demographic Questionnaire. The student-athletes who participated …

Social Affiliation: A Model Of Anxious Avoidance In Women, Milena Stoyanova

Department of Psychology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

There is substantial evidence demonstrating that women experience greater anxiety and fear compared to men. However, our understanding of specific factors accounting for women’s greater vulnerability remains rather limited. Taylor and colleagues (2000) proposed that women may have a different biobehavioral response to stress, which has evolved to protect and nurture offspring. The tend-and-befriend model provides new opportunities to explore underlying processes that may contribute to women’s greater anxiety and fear.

The present study examined women’s stress response combined with the absence of positive social contact as it relates to the presentation of fear and anxiety. One hundred and seven …

Anxiety Symptoms In Individuals With High Functioning Autism, Jane C. Kelleher

Honors Scholar Theses

Research indicates a complicated relationship between anxiety disorders and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). The current study examined the relationship between anxiety symptoms and ASD in 30 Optimal Outcome (OO) individuals, 33 High Functioning Autism (HFA) individuals, and 34 Typically Developing (TD) individuals. The groups were compared on the K-SADS measure of anxiety symptoms. The HFA group presented greater anxiety than both the OO and TD groups, and the OO and TD groups only differed on one anxiety symptom. Across all three groups, there was a significant association between greater anxiety symptoms and a higher level of social and communicative impairment. …

Teachers’ Knowledge Of Anxiety And Identification Of Excessive Anxiety In Children, Clea Headley, Marilyn A. Campbell

Australian Journal of Teacher Education

This study examined primary school teachers’ knowledge of anxiety and excessive anxiety symptoms in children. Three hundred and fifteen primary school teachers completed a questionnaire exploring their definitions of anxiety and the indications they associated with excessive anxiety in primary school children. Results showed that teachers had an understanding of what anxiety was in general but did not consistently distinguish normal anxiety from excessive anxiety, often defining all anxiety as a negative experience. Teachers were able to identify symptoms of excessive anxiety in children by recognizing anxiety-specific and general problem indications. The results provided preliminary evidence that teachers’ knowledge of …

Pornography Addiction And Mental Health Disorders, Tabitha Cassidy

Senior Honors Theses

This study aims to understand the differences between mental health disorders in a sample of pornography users, addicts, and non-users. Participants in the study included males and females who visited a paraprofessional counseling center on a college campus (n=1048). Between non-users and users of pornography, one-way analysis of variance planned comparison results indicated that participants significantly differed in scores of Depression, Anxiety, and Global Severity Index as measured by the Brief Symptom Inventory 18 (BSI 18). Non-Suicidal Self-Injurious behaviors as measured by the Ottawa Self-Injury Inventory; and Grandiosity/Narcissism as measured by the Spiritual Assessment Inventory. Independent sample t-test scores indicated …

Combatting Dental Anxiety In Patients, Gretchen Osdoba

Natural Science Student Work

Dental Anxiety is a highly debilitating condition that can keep people away from the dentist and from receiving critical care. This can lead to serious medical conditions that could have easily been prevented through proper dental care. The purpose of this paper is to describe the nature of dental fear and the different treatment options available. I will focus on helpful traits of dentists and the use of psychological treatments, nitrous oxide, anti-anxiety medications, and general anesthesia to reduce this fear. I will also discuss a comparison of a psychological treatment and an anti-anxiety medication as short-term and long-term treatment …

Analysis Of Gender Differences In Self-Statements And Mood Disorders, Robert Devore

McNair Scholars Research Journal

Over 25% of adult Americans suffer from a mental disorder each year, with depression and anxiety being some of the most commonly reported issues. Researchers estimate that between 10% and 50% of adult Americans will suffer from a depressive episode at some point in their life, and cognitive theorists argue that mental states, including disorders, are generated and maintained by personal, subjective beliefs, and that events can only be appropriately labeled by the individual experiencing them. Thus, cognitive theorists suggest a strong link between self-talk (ST) and behavior and note that the automatic use of ST is associated with disordered …

Nursing Simulation Experience: Self-Efficacy, State Anxiety, Locus Of Control, And Simulation Effectiveness, Ashley M. Gosselin

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Stress, Anxiety, And Somatic Symptoms: A Comparison Of Biomarkers In A Clinical Sample, David J. Finitsis

Master's Theses

Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent class of mental disorders, often characterized by a chronic course and comorbid psychopathology. The anxiety-stress literature utilizing cortisol as a biomarker of the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis has been inconsistent. The establishment of salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) as a biomarker of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation allows researchers an opportunity to examine the stress response more fully. This study sought to explore relationships between trait anxiety and salivary stress biomarkers in an outpatient sample attending a specialized anxiety treatment center. Multiple regression and moderator analyses were conducted to examine associations between psychosocial and physiological …

Analysis Of Propaganda Structure: Developing The Interpersonal Paradigm Of War Propaganda, Virginia Camille Zimmerman

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This communication research analysis examines the ways in which the interpersonal theory, Uncertainty Reduction Theory (URT), combines with the 19 Principles of Propaganda to lend insights in to current war propaganda and the ways in which we can use URT to make sense of war propaganda messages. Propaganda has evolved due to technological advancements made in media such as television and internet. We may better understand the process and function of propaganda if we examine it from an interpersonal communication standpoint. Here in a textual analysis of past propaganda and propaganda of today illustrates the evolution that has occurred. Through …

Assessing Social Anxiety Disorder : Psychometric Properties Of The Italian Social Phobia Inventory (I-Spin), Alessio Gori, Marco Giannini, Sara Socci, Mary Luca, Daniel Evan Dewey, David Schuldberg, Giuseppe Craparo

Psychology Faculty Publications

Social Phobia, one of the most common psychological disorders, can cause serious discomfort and impairment in a person’s life. The importance of assessing the specific features of this disorder is well-known. This paper assesses the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Social Phobia Inventory (I-SPIN).

The Relationships Of Future Anxiety With Some Variables Among The Vocational Training Students, Zegaoua Ahmed

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

The Purpose of this study was to investigate the level of future anxiety among students of' vocational training. The relationship of future anxiety gender and vocational specialization was tested. The researcher developed a questionnaire of future anxiety which was distributed to 112 students who were in four vocational specializations. The results revealed that there was an average level of future anxiety among the vocational training students, in the total score as well as in the vocational, academic, social, and psychological dimensions. However, there was low level of future anxiety in the economic dimension. There were also statistically significant differences between …

Associations Of Pass-Fail Outcomes With Psychological Health Of First-Year Medical Students In A Malaysian Medical School, Muhamad Sb Yusoff

Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal

Objectives: The demanding and intense environment of medical training can create excessive pressures on medical students that eventually lead to unfavorable consequences, either at a personal or professional level. These consequences can include poor academic performance and impaired cognitive ability. This study was designed to explore associations between pass-fail outcome and psychological health parameters (i.e. stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a cohort of first-year medical students in a Malaysian medical school. The depression anxiety stress scale 21-item assessment (DASS-21) was administered to them right after the final paper of the first-year final examination. …

The Development And Testing Of The Codependency-Overeating Model In Undergraduate Social Science Students In A Mississippi College, Denise Bynum

Dissertations

Overeating is a common eating disorder and often leads to obesity and to significant physical, emotional and social problems often warranting nursing care. The psychological and behavioral factors surrounding overeating are noted frequently in the literature, but are not emphasized in most prevention and treatment programs for overeating. Codependency has expanded beyond the chemical dependency field and describes the dysfunctional pattern of behavior of an individual in a relationship with another person or from survival in a dysfunctional family of origin. This pattern of behavior includes the neglect of personal needs, focus and dependency on others, boundary/control issues, low self-worth …

Women’S Experiences With Postpartum Anxiety: Expectations, Relationships, And Sociocultural Influences, Andrea A. Wardrop, Natalee E. Popadiuk

The Qualitative Report

Evidence about anxiety in the postpartum is sparse and contradictory. Our research expands this knowledge by using a qualitative methodology, the Feminist Biographical Method, to explore first time mothers’ experiences of postpartum anxiety. Data collection included 1.5 to 2.0 hour interviews with six women about their experiences of anxiety in their transition to motherhood. We transcribed the interviews and used an iterative hermeneutic coding process to develop themes and subthemes over the course of four coding cycles. The findings include five major themes: (a) experiences of anxiety, (b) expectations of a new mother, (c) issues of support, (d) societal scripts …

From Anxiety To Panic Disorder : Effectiveness Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy And Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction As Treatment In Adolescence, Carrie-Anne Swiatek

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

Research has shown that mental illness often surfaces during adolescence and early adulthood, and can frequently extend throughout adulthood. Without treatment, the consequences of mental illness for individuals and society can be overwhelming. Untreated individuals often fall victim to unnecessary disabilities, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, comorbid health issues and even suicide. Further, there is a continuing need for supportive services for adolescents who are specifically diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, such as panic disorder, and who self-identified as having excessive anxiety and other stress-related symptoms. Research has shown the cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based treatment interventions may be effective for …

The Effect Of Emotional Freedom Technique On Stress And Anxiety In Nursing Students, Susan L. Patterson

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Stress and anxiety have been identified as significant issues experienced by student nurses during their education. In fact, some studies have suggested that the stress experienced by nursing students is greater than that experienced by medical students, other non-nursing healthcare students, degreed nurses, and the female population in general. A recently introduced energy type therapy, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), combines the tapping of meridian points with a focus on the feared object or negative emotion to provide desensitization to the fear. In addition, there is repetition of a statement of self-acceptance suggested to contribute to cognitive restructuring. The purpose of …

Attentional Processes Associated With Victimization History And Posttraumatic Symptomatology In Women Exposed To Intimate Partner Violence, Ryan B. Matlow

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) puts women at risk for severe and chronic physical and mental health consequences, including elevations in IPV-related psychopathology and increased risk for future victimization. Previous research has examined attention as one of the key information processing mechanisms associated with elevated psychopathology and risk for victimization; however, the nature of attentional processing in response to IPV-related information in women exposed to IPV is poorly understood. Therefore, the current study aimed to further understanding of associations between attentional processing, IPV exposure, and related distress using measures of eye movement and subjective interpretations of IPV-related information. A …

Physiological And Psychological Responses To 911 Emergency Tapes, Jackie Hammelman

Theses and Dissertations

The news has become a central part of daily culture in the United States and provides up to date information regarding a vast array of topics from weather to war. A specific aspect of the news, emergency 911 tapes, and their influence on viewers' physiological and psychological health was investigated. Research regarding the relationship between physiological arousal and exposure to brief traumatic stimuli, as well as research addressing the development of pathological psychiatric symptoms are discussed in the literature review. This study examined the relationship between exposure to 911 emergency tapes, physiological arousal, and symptoms of psychopathology while considering the …

Mental Health Outcomes Of First Generation College Students: Is Generational Status Associated With Increased Risk For Depression And Anxiety?, James L. Pease

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there were differences in mental health outcomes between first generation college students and non-first generation college students. The sample (n = 6,449) consisted of undergraduate students, aged 18-22, in bachelor's degree programs, and was drawn from 15 colleges and universities throughout the United States. Acculturative stress was used as a theoretical framework for why first generation college students (pioneers) may screen higher in prevalence and severity of mental health outcomes. The particular mental health outcomes examined in this study were the prevalence and severity of depression and anxiety. The results …