Digital Commons Network^™

Links Between White Matter Microstructure And Cortisol Reactivity To Stress In Early Childhood: Evidence For Moderation By Parenting., Haroon I Sheikh, Marc F Joanisse, Sarah M Mackrell, Katie R Kryski, Heather J Smith, Shiva M Singh, Elizabeth P Hayden

Brain and Mind Institute Researchers' Publications

Activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (measured via cortisol reactivity) may be a biological marker of risk for depression and anxiety, possibly even early in development. However, the structural neural correlates of early cortisol reactivity are not well known, although these would potentially inform broader models of mechanisms of risk, especially if the early environment further shapes these relationships. Therefore, we examined links between white matter architecture and young girls' cortisol reactivity and whether early caregiving moderated these links. We recruited 45 6-year-old girls based on whether they had previously shown high or low cortisol reactivity to a stress task at …

Understanding The Role Of Nutritional Stress In The Adult And Developing Zebra Finch, Jessica Bayley Thompson

Wayne State University Dissertations

Songbirds are particularly susceptible to stress during the sensitive period for song learning. Thus the developmental stress hypothesis (DSH) proposes that adult song reflects a male's early life environment during this period. Nutritional stress (NS) has been shown to cause deficits in song learning and adult song output that are salient to females. Female song birds consistently prefer control males over those raised under NS, yet the effects NS on females are still unclear. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) has been implicated in this process. However, evidence directly linking HPA functioning to the deficits due to NS have inconsistently shown elevations …

A Support Group Proposal For Women Seeking Fertility Treatment, Emily Jazdzewski

Theses and Graduate Projects

lnfertility is the inability to conceive a pregnancy. Not being able to conceive or carry a child is a devastating reality for many women. Infertility causes both physical and emotional stress that can make it difficult to cope. A literature search revealed the need for a support group for fertility patients to share their journey to decrease the incidence of depression and anxiety. A proposal to develop a support group supported by a Reproductive Endocrinology Department will be explored. The proposal will describe benefits of a support group, integrating cognitive behavioral therapy and relaxation and Mindfulness techniques to promote self-soothing …

Stress And Professional – Counseling Self –Efficacy Among Female Teachers Of Pupils With Learning Disabilities In Muscat Governorate, Bakkar Bakkar, Sahar Al Shorbaji

Journal of Educational and Psychological Studies

The purpose of this study was to assess stress and professional counseling self–efficacy among female teachers of pupils with learning disabilities in Muscat governorate. The study attempted to answer the following questions: what is the extent to which female teachers of pupils with learning disabilities experience stress? What is the extent to which female teachers of pupils with learning disabilities have professional – counseling self–efficacy? Are there significant differences in stress due to female teachers' experience, qualification and marital status? Are there significant differences in professional counseling self–efficacy due to female teachers' experience, qualification and marital status? The sample consisted …

Factors Associated With Diabetes-Related Distress: Implications For Diabetes Self-Management., Jana L. Wardian Phd, Fei Sun

Journal Articles: Hospital Medicine

As 7.8% of the U.S. population is affected by diabetes, health care providers are tasked with providing resources to assist patients toward self-management. Psychosocial issues have an effect on diabetes self-care. Diabetes-related distress is associated with self-management and lower A1C. This cross-sectional study seeks to understand how demographic factors, psychological orientations, support, and diabetes management behaviors predict diabetes-related distress. This study uses data from 267 adults with Type 2 diabetes. The Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS) is a 17-item scale measuring diabetes-related distress including emotional distress, physician-related distress, regimen distress, and interpersonal distress. Hierarchical regression was conducted in four stages. The …

Introduction: Mental Health, Psychology, And The Law, Mary Kay Kisthardt

Faculty Works

The authors coordinated and edited a symposium law review issue on Mental Health, Psychology and the Law. The Introduction summarizes submissions that included a memoir from an author whose family members were consumers of mental health services, legal scholars and practitioners who use mental health evidence to defend clients facing the death penalty, and the duty of attorneys to tend to their own mental health care needs while dealing with these emotionally heavy issues.

Recalled Attributes Of Parents With Alzheimer's Disease: Relevance For Caregiving, David A. Chiriboga, Yuri Jang, Victor A. Molinari, Giyeon Kim, Jung Eun Ko

Child and Family Studies Faculty Publications

Health psychology has long been involved in studies of factors that lead to more effective caregiving. Drawing on the theory of distributive justice, the underlying hypothesis of this paper was that perceptions of what a demented parent was like, prior to becoming ill, influence an adult child caregiver's provision of care, as well as the caregiver's own well-being. A secondary question dealt with the nature of retrospective ratings by caregiver informants. The sample consisted of triads of two adult children (N = 385) and a parent (N = 201) diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, although in a few instances …

The Effects Of Stress On Lactation Among Working And Non-Working Malaysian Mothers / Nik Raihan Haji Mohamed, Haji Mohamed Nik Raihan

Student Works (2010-2019)

Lactation impairment is commonly blamed on stress despite mothers’ determination and knowledge on breastfeeding. This research is carried out to determine the association between perceived stress and serum cortisol and prolactin levels in working and non-working mothers during the first, second, third and fourth postpartum months. It is hypothesised that working mothers would be under more stress and thus have higher cortisol level but lower prolactin levels as compared to non-working mothers. Fifty-nine postpartum mothers at two health clinics within the Kuala Lumpur urban area were recruited. However, only nine working and seven non-working participating mothers manage to complete the …

Perceived Stress Levels Of Individuals Who Practice Yoga In Comparison To Individuals Who Participate In Other Forms Of Exercise, Chelsey R. Silveria

Theses, Dissertations, and Projects

This study explored if the perceived stress levels of individuals was influenced by the activity they engaged in, yoga or other forms of exercise. Additionally, factors of practicing yoga or another from of exercise were examined to determine their influence on perceived stress such as length of time, frequency, form, and longevity of the activity. The sample was found using a nonpropability convince sample in addition to snowball sampling. Participants consisted of 85 individuals (75% white), however only 50 participants qualified as well as completed all questions on the Perceived Stress Scale and thus were the only individuals considered. Participants …

Exploring The Stressors Of New Librarians, Anne Larrivee

Library Scholarship

This article describes the different stressors and anxieties that can haunt new librarians. It also addresses the various ways that new librarians can cope with location, emotional and work-related stressors. The article is broken into four different categories of stress; some stressors have been more explored than others. The research is based on an extensive review of the literature and the writer’s own experience as a new librarian.

Work Stress, Meaning, And Values: A Study Of Intellectual Disability Support Staff, Jennifer Marie Ladner-Graham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Employees who work with individuals with intellectual disabilities report high levels of work-related stress. Staff stress is associated with a variety of negative outcomes, such as poor psychological health, job burnout, and high turnover rates. The current study investigated the relationship between staff stress and negative outcomes. Specifically, this study examined whether positive psychology concepts such as perceived meaning in life and values moderated the relationship between staff stress and poor psychological health, job search/intention to leave the job, and use of sick leave. Participants included staff members from an inpatient facility for people with intellectual disabilities located in North …

Behavioural And Neurobiological Consequences Of 2 Different Chronic Stressors In Rats, Refi̇a Aslihan Dönmez, Fatma Duygu Kaya, Okşan Deri̇nöz, Ömer Hakan Emmez, Selçuk Candansayar, Hayrunni̇sa Bolay Belen

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

To compare the behavioural and neurobiological consequences of chronic headache and chronic mild stress (CMS) in rats. Materials and methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: 1) control group, 2) chronic headache group, 3) CMS group, and 4) sham group. Their behaviour prior to (D0) and after (D14) chronic stress was analysed. Afterwards, they were exposed to the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) in order to evaluate anxiety-like behaviour and the Forced Swim Test (FST) for observation of depressive-like behaviour. Ultrasonic vocalisations (USVs) were recorded by a USV detector system at D0 and D14 and during the FST. …

Leading Under Pressure, Coping Practices Of Executives: A Mixed Methods Study, Darlene Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

Work-related stress continues is the largest contributor to the rise in insurance cost for most organizations (Dewe, O'Driscoll, & Cooper, 2010). The biopharmaceutical industry is no exception. Today's leaders must focus on efficiencies, cost reduction, and organization performance while restructuring the organization to do more with less, which can create tremendous stress. This research explored coping strategies practiced by executive leaders in the biopharmaceutical industry. The overarching research question was: How do senior leaders confronted by work pressure attempt to cope, and are the coping strategies practiced effective at reducing and deflecting stress in a way that doesn't adversely affect …

A Brief History Of Mind-Body Medicine, Elliot S. Dacher

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

From its earliest sources the medical tradition has recognized the causal role of the interface of mind and body in health and disease. Cultural and historical circumstances have determined the degree to which each of these two key factors are emphasized. In modern times we are emerging from an exclusive materialistic emphasis on biology to a renewed acceptance and understanding of the role of the mind and consciousness in health and disease. This re-balancing of the two great forces of healing can be traced to a progressive expansion of knowledge in the fields of stress, past-traumatic stress, biofeedback, cognitive and …

Challenge Accepted: Self-Enhancement Through The Pursuit Of Difficulty, Julie Anne Steinke

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Individual resilience is popular topic whereby researchers attempt to identify characteristics of individuals who react positively to stress. However, such research uses a reactionary approach, attempting to characterize successful individuals after they experience adversity and does not explain why some individuals proactively seek out challenging circumstances. Pursuing challenge is a new construct that explains why individuals proactively increase stress as a strategic mechanism for developmental purposes. I developed and validated a measurement tool for pursuing challenge in multiple studies. Additionally, I explored relationships between pursuing challenge and similar constructs (e.g., grit, proactive personality, and self-efficacy), as well as the extent …

The Effect Of Jyoti Meditation On Student Counselor Emotional Intelligence, Stress, And Daily Spiritual Experiences, Daniel Gutierrez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Previous research has found meditation to be effective in reducing practitioner stress, improving emotional functioning, and increasing pro-social emotions, such as empathy and compassion. In addition, research examining the effects of meditation on student counselors has shown that it increases counselor self-efficacy, reduces distress, and increases cognitive empathy. Therefore, it behooves counselor educators to discover methods of integrating meditation into counselor training. The meditation practice investigated in the current study is new to the counseling and psychology literature. The majority of the current research has examined transcendental and mindfulness-based practices. However, recent research has shown that spirituality has the ability …

Cortisol, Physical Activity, And Weight Loss In A Randomized Clinical Trial, Shawn S. Smith

Theses and Dissertations--Nutrition and Food Systems

Abnormal cortisol levels may be an important factor in the ability of an individual to lose weight and maintain weight loss. This study examined overweight and obese individuals who participated in a weight loss program. Cortisol, physical activity, and weight loss were measured at regular intervals and examined for possible relationships

Compassion Fatigue In Human Service Practitioners, Rebekah F. Cole, Laurie Craigen, Rebecca G. Cowan

Counseling & Human Services Faculty Publications

Increasing rates of compassion fatigue among human service practitioners (HSPs) have wide ranging consequences for the practitioner, the client, and the field of human services. In addition to high turnover rates or the HSP's early departure from the field, compassion fatigue can also cause serious harm to the client as well as the client/helper relationship. This manuscript will address the signs and symptoms of compassion fatigue, the risk and protective factors associated with the development or prevention of compassion fatigue, and the importance of selfcare for HSPs.

The Roles Of Social Support And Job Meaningfulness In The Disturbing Media Exposure-Job Strain Relationship, Hung T. Hoang

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This study examined the relationship between exposure to disturbing media and a number of strain outcomes. Past research suggests that individuals exposed to disturbing media report symptoms of secondary traumatic stress and burnout (Perez, Jones, Englert, & Sachau, 2010). This relationship was further explored in the current study. Additionally, the current study explored the roles of social support and job meaningfulness in the work place, as past research suggests that support and meaningfulness may help to mitigate the negative outcomes typically found among workers exposed to traumatic stressors (Britt, Adler, & Barton, 2001; Halbesleben, 2006; Morales, 2012; Stephens & Long, …

Influences Of Maternal Stress During Pregnancy On The Epi/Genome: Comparison Of Placenta And Umbilical Cord Blood, Jia Chen, Qian Li, Alexender Rialdi, Elana Mystal, Jenny Ly, Jackie Finik, Taira Davey, Luca Lambertini, Yoko Nomura

Publications and Research

Background: Maternal stress during pregnancy is one of the major adverse environmental factors in utero that is capable of influencing health outcomes of the offspring throughout life. Both genetic and epigenetic processes are susceptible to environmental insults in utero and are potential biomarkers of the experienced environment including maternal stress.

Methods: We profiled expression level of six genes in hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis functioning (HSD11B2, SLC6A4, NR3C1, NR3C2, CRHR1 and CRHR2), two imprinted genes (IGF2 and H19) and one neurodevelopmental gene (EGR1), from 49 pairs of placenta and umbilical cord blood (UCB) samples from a birth cohort. We also …

Is Music Therapy A Complementary Treatment Option For Perinatal Women Experiencing Stress And Anxiety?, Samantha L. Wallace Mph

PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not music therapy is a complementary treatment option for perinatal women experiencing stress and anxiety.

STUDY DESIGN: Literature review of three English language studies, published between 2006 and present.

DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were found using a search of Pubmed, Medline, OVID, and Cochrane databases. These studies analyzed the use of a music therapy intervention among pregnant or postpartum women suffering stress, anxiety and/or depression.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcomes of interest include stress, anxiety and severity of depression symptoms. Outcomes …

A Retrospective Analysis Of Paramedic Student Performance Under Simulated Stress, Nicholas Franklin Miller

Online Theses and Dissertations

The paramedic profession is an inherently difficult, dangerous and stressful profession. The paramedic is constantly barraged with acute stressors during the performance of his duties. These stressors have predictable, documented, negative effects on performance. The acute and chronic exposure to stress can negatively impact the safety and the well being of the paramedic. These stressors, if not successfully managed, can also result in negative effects to patients. Despite the overwhelming presence of stress in the paramedic environment, most paramedics receive little or no training to successfully perform under stress. One exception was a program called Trauma Lanes that was held …

White Blood Cell Counts, Parasite Prevalence, And Plasma Cortisol Levels Of Dogs In A County Animal Shelter: Changes Over Days And Impact Of A Program Of Repeated Human Interaction, Emily S. Dudley

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Animal shelter housing is highly stressful for a dog, compromising welfare and leading to undesirable behaviors and unknown health consequences. We documented the changes in circulating numbers of white blood cells, plasma cortisol, and fecal parasite shedding of dogs housed for 10 days at a county animal shelter. White blood cell changes were most prominent on Day 10 after arrival to the shelter. Changes included increased total leukocytes, mature neutrophils, and lymphocytes, with less consistent increases in monocytes and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (N:L). Fecal parasite shedding was elevated and not affected by day. Cortisol levels of shelter dogs declined …

The Contribution Of Forced Medical Retirement To Symptoms Of Depression, Anxiety And Stress In Law Enforcement Officers, Kimberley Blackmon

Theses and Dissertations

This research explored whether a statistically significant difference exists between symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress in police officers who were forced into medical retirement as compared to those who retired after years of completed service. The sample population of retired police officers as well as the appropriate testing instruments for these targeted individuals is discussed. In addition, the dissertation addresses how the survey determined the type of retirement they were subjected to (voluntary or involuntary) and any depressive or other psychological symptoms since that retirement. The findings from this study show that a statistically significant difference exists in the …

Torn Between Two Selves: Should Law Care More About Experiencing Selves Or Remembering Selves?, Peter H. Huang

Publications

Based upon psychological research and neuroscience studies about subjective well-being, 2002 Nobel Laureate in Economics Daniel Kahneman poses a riddle about which of these two selves should count: experiencing selves or remembering selves. Our remembered emotions (memories) are usually rosier than our experienced emotions, and people are motivated by their predicted emotions, which tend to coincide with their emotional memories. This Article advocates that law should care more about experiencing selves than remembering selves if and when experiences result in chronic health or stress consequences that either (1) societies care about more than people do (because of externalities, public bads, …

The Role Of Spinal Serotonergic Receptors 5-Ht1a And 5-Ht3 In Stress-Induced Urinary Bladder Hypersensitivity, Chelsea L. Crawford

All ETDs from UAB

Disorders in which pain originates from the urinary bladder such as interstitial cystitis (IC) are steadily increasing in prevalence. A common finding among patients with IC is the comorbidity with stress or anxiety disorders. In rats, footshock stress alone is sufficient to elicit bladder hypersensitivity. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) has been established as a mediator in anxiety and pain separately, but little is known about the role of 5-HT in stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity. The current set of studies addresses three main concerns: (1) the impact of spinal 5-HT1A and 5-HT3 receptor blockade with WAY-100635 (10 µg) and ondansetron (10 µg), respectively, …

Talent Retention In Organizations Facing Staff Reductions Via Layoffs, George Edward Lightfoot

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

High voluntary attrition threatens the future of downsizing organizations. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how employee layoff announcements reduces the perception of organizational commitment to experienced, skilled workers in central Wisconsin. The conceptual framework integrated stress response theories including Cannon's cognitive activation theory of stress. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 20 journeyman level artisans who had witnessed the layoff process within 50 miles of Wausau Wisconsin. These interviews were analyzed via the modified van Kaam method to code, cluster, and group the findings into significant themes. Nine themes emerged from the analyses suggesting layoff implementation strategies …

Social Determinants Affecting The Mental Health Of Hiv Infected Latino Men Who Have Sex With Men Living On The U.S. - Mexican Border, Oscar Beltran

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The HIV/AIDS global pandemic is more than three decades old, and although the continual advancement of antiretroviral therapies have successfully decreased the mortality rates of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), little has been done to improve their mental health status and positive inclusion in society (eliminating discrimination and stigma). This is especially true with the Latino PLWHA living in the U.S.-Mexico border area.

This paper presents data from a qualitative study focused on exploring the mental health issues of a subsample of 40 Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV/AIDS on the U.S.-Mexico Border. This subsample …

An Alternative To The Traditional Cold Pressor Test: The Cold Pressor Arm Wrap, Anthony J. Porcelli

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Recently research on the relationship between stress and cognition, emotion, and behavior has greatly increased. These advances have yielded insights into important questions ranging from the nature of stress' influence on addiction1 to the role of stress in neural changes associated with alterations in decision-making^2,3. As topics being examined by the field evolve, however, so too must the methodologies involved. In this article a practical and effective alternative to a classic stress induction technique, the cold pressor test (CPT), is presented: the cold pressor arm wrap (CPAW). CPT typically involves immersion of a participant's dominant hand in ice-cold …

Examination Of The Potential Association Of Stress With Morbidity And Mortality Outcomes In Patient With Heart Failure, Abdullah S. Alhurani, Rebecca Dekker, Elizabeth Tovar, Alison Bailey, Terry A. Lennie, David C. Randall, Debra K. Moser

Nursing Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVES: The high mortality and morbidity rates associated with heart failure are still not well explained. A few psychosocial factors have been studied and explain some of this risk, but other factors, like stress, remain largely unexplored in heart failure. This study aimed to (1) examine the association of stress with 6-month cardiac event-free survival, (2) examine the relationship of stress with salivary cortisol, and (3) examine the association of salivary cortisol level with 6-month cardiac event-free survival.

METHOD: A total of 81 heart failure patients participated. Stress was measured using the brief Perceived Stress Scale. Cortisol was …