Psychiatry and Psychology Commons^™

Predicting College Student Classroom Performance With A Simple Metacomprehension Scale, Amber Lee Klein

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The present study investigated the relationship between college student metacomprehension and the error of predicted classroom performance. College student metacomprehension was evaluated using the Metacomprehension Scale (MCS) designed by Moore, Zabrucky, and Commander (1997a). Prior to an examination administered by a course instructor, covering course content, students predicted the percentage score he/she expected to achieve. The predicted score was subtracted from the obtained score generating an error score. It was hypothesized that error of predicted classroom performance is a function of student metacomprehension, as measured by the MCS. Results indicate the MCS was not a reliable indicator of student predicted …

Attitudinal Measures Of College Students' Punitiveness Toward Sex Offenders, Antonio Zamorano

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The following experiment investigates punitiveness toward sex offenders using a sample of one hundred sixty students from the University of Texas-Pan American student population recruited from undergraduate introductory psychology courses and compensated with extra course credit. Punitiveness toward sex offenders was measured with six-point bipolar Likert scales using two attitudinal research methodologies: a randomly assigned between group experiment using a manipulated hypothetical crime scenario, and a survey using a shortened version of the Community Attitudes Toward Sex Offenders Scale (CATSOS). A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple comparison tests of attitudinal responses to the hypothetical crime scenario determined that …

Transforming Grief: The Use Of Images During Bereavement In Mexico And The United States, Rebecca M. Reséndiz Rodriguez

School of Medicine Publications

According to the literature, bereavement photography was an important part of funeral rituals in many countries, including Mexicoand the United States. By the early to mid- 20^th century, the custom appeared to have fallen out of favor in both countries except in the case of neonatal bereavement photography, at least in theUnited States. By comparing participants from 2 distinct cultures - theUnited States andMexico - I hope to show that bereavement photography can still be a useful tool during grieving. Anxiety and depression related to the topic of death will be evaluated for differences or similarities between the 2 …

Digit Ratio And Sexually Dimorphic Psychopathology, Miriam Sarahi Izaguirre

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The 2D:4D ratio is a sexually dimorphic trait which is lower in males than in females. A low value of 2D:4D indicates a uterine environment high in testosterone and low in estrogen which is a characteristic of males. Smaller 2D:4D ratios have been associated with disorders that occur more frequently in males, such as autism and ADHD. In contrast, eating disorders and depression (disorders that occur more frequently in females) suggests larger 2D:4D ratios. The purpose of the study is to replicate and extend the findings of previous research concerning the relationship of masculinized and feminized digit ratio to the …

The Effects Of Ssris On Sexual Function In College Students, Adriana Ivette Sanchez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The present study will investigate the effects of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) on sexual function in college students. Depression is the most prevalent disorder individuals’ encounter. Depression could occur at any age but is most prevalent at 25-years to 44-years of age. The most common treatment is antidepressant specifically SSRIs, but it’s most common side effect is sexual dysfunction. The study includes 328 participants. The average age of the participants is 23.9 years old and had a standard deviation of 6.8. The participants answered a questionnaire asking about their sexual function. This study resulted with a very low sample …

Sequelae Of Childhood Sexual Abuse And Chronic Headache Pain In Women, Kathy L. Theiss

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

For many years the association of headache with CSA has been postulated and results have been similar across studies indicating a robust connection. Chronic headache is one of the most common causes of visits to physicians and contributes to decreased quality of life for those who suffer with them. Although CSA is detrimental to both men and women, evidence supports that women are more likely to suffer from chronic somatic headache pain than men. Therefore, it is hypothesized that chronic headache is significantly more common among women with a history of childhood sexual abuse when compared to women who have …

The Relationship Between Quality Of Maternal Care And The Development Of Infant Sociability In A Captive Group Of Western Lowland Gorillas, Liza Veliz

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Maternal factors, e.g., quality and behavior were examined in order to determine if a relationship with enhanced infant social development exists. Gorilla mothers were each nursery reared and are full siblings, providing an unusual opportunity to examine the individual differences that may play a role in infant socialization. Observational data collected during three-time blocks by means of focal animal sampling were used to analyze social behaviors and identify initiators and receivers of contact behaviors, thereby determining a relationship between maternal care and infant sociability. Results indicated that mothers who provided successful maternal care produced more sociable offspring. Findings from this …

Trastorno Bipolar En Los Niños: Hechos Actuales [Pediatric Bipolar Disorder: Actual Facts], Víctor M. Joffre-Velázquez, Gerardo García-Maldonado, Atenogenes H. Saldívar-González, Roberto A. Cruz

School of Medicine Publications

A general review of clinical reports about the pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD) published in the last 10 year was done, but we included some before that. Data was obtained in the bases PubMed, EbscoHost and OvidSP, using as key words: bipolar disorder, pediatric, children, adolescent and early onset. We select the reports clinical issues of special interest for the diagnosis and treatment and epidemiological reports related to PBD and we had particular care in select those with a good methodology. It was documented that the PBD has being diagnosed more often when good clinic and clinimetric tools are used. Imaging …

Stress In Mexican-American Adolescence And Its Relations To Family Structure And Socioeconomic Status, Diana Villanueva

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

While previous research has demonstrated the importance of studying adolescence, few studies have explored the determinants of Mexican-American adolescent stress. Studies have shown that individual differences exist among adolescents that help determine adolescent stress. Individual differences such as family structure and socioeconomic status among Mexican-American adolescents may help to better understand adolescent stress. This study investigated incidence of Mexican-American adolescent stress in a public high school and middle school composed of 2,686 students from the Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District. Data was obtained from the Teen Life Survey administered in the spring of 1998 by Dr. Israel Cuellar. The relations …

Gender Identity Development In Self-Disclosed Gay Men In Hidalgo County, Texas, Sammy Lee Flanagan Jr.

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Although gay individuals are now more visible than ever, homosexuality remains among the most stigmatized of personal identities. It is because of the various variables associated with coming out and being out and the multitude of persons affected by an individuals' decision to disclose his orientation that are the focus of this research.

This research is designed to document the “coming out” experiences of self disclosed homosexual men, in Hidalgo County, Texas a predominately Mexican American, Catholic community, This research will look at the identity change that takes place when people choose to disclose their homosexual identity to other people. …

Psychological Correlates Of Pain Perception: An Assessment Of False Biofeedback, Tobie Jay Escher

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Effects of suggestion and placebos in pain therapy have become a modern theme in pain management. This study was designed to investigate whether suggestive false biofeedback, compared with a true biofeedback control condition, would have an effect on pain perception ratings in a simplified version of a cold pressor task (CPT). Psycho-physiological measures of electrical cortical activity (EEG) and muscle tension (EMG) combined with psychological correlates (verbal and visual pain ratings) were also assessed.

A separate 2 (gender) x 2 (feedback condition) x 6 (time segment) mixed-design ANOVA was performed for (a) EEG frontal and (b) parietal lobe alpha activity, …

The Public Dream: A Jungian Interpretation Of "The Waste Land", Obed Sanchez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

A Jungian interpretation of The Waste Land was undertaken in this thesis. The symbolic underpinnings of the poem were found to resonate with archetypal significance. A comparative study of key ideas developed by C. G. Jung and T. S. Eliot was adopted in order to illuminate the psychological aspects of the poem. The theme of individuation and the archetypes which accompany it were revealed in the symbolic imagery of The Waste Land. The emotional tenor of Eliot's disposition and the philosophical direction of his thinking at the time The Waste Land was written were found to correlate with and parallel …

Silent Messages In Negotiation: A Descriptive Study Of Negotiators' Perceptions Of The Role Of Nonverbal Communication In Multi-National Business Negotiations, Yun Chu

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study specifically explored the perceived importance of the following nonverbal factors in the negotiation process: proxemics (location and negotiation site), physical arrangement (seating and furniture arrangement), and kinesics (eye contact, facial expressions and gestures). The findings show that the negotiators' perception about the three categories and their role in negotiation are consistent with nonverbal communication theory.

Acculturation Level And Performance Of Mexican Americans On A Test Of Malingering, Sonya Rosa Flores

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The detection of malingered neuropsychological impairments is an essential issue for mental health professionals. Acculturation level and performance of Mexican Americans on the Computerized Assessment of Response Bias, (CARB), was investigated in the present study. The CARB was administered to 89 subjects comprised of 51 student volunteers and 38 community volunteers. There were 41 males and 48 females, with ages ranging from 18 to 46 years of age. All subjects were instructed to try their best to "fake" a memory deficit. Subjects were grouped into four acculturative typologies according to their performance on the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans-II, …

A Research Model Of Care-Givers And/Or Socializing Agents Explored In Terms Of Grandparenthood, Susanna Imelda Guadalupe Stephens

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

A collection of secondary (literature) information which revealed the relevant elements and conditions that surround the psychosocial aspects of family kinships were integrated to form the Kin-Psychosocial-Systems Model (KPSS). The KPSS Model is an investigative model (that includes a set of inter-related concepts, definitions, and propositions) which presents a systematic view of family kinships by specifying relationships among culture and family social systems, care-giving and socialization, and psychosocial development for the purpose of providing researchers with a means for explaining and predicting psychological and social phenomena related to the expression and enactment of family kinships.

Acculturation In Mexican American Adolescents And Its Relation To Perceived Social Support, Rossana Jimenez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Previous research has demonstrated the importance of social support resources for emotional well-being and health, few studies have explored the determinants of social support. A number of factors that can influence Mexican American adolescents' tendencies when seeking help have been studied. Variables such as acculturation, culturally shared beliefs or values, social support systems, and self-esteem may help to better understand such behaviors.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of acculturation on perceived social support by adolescents. Specifically, we examine the extent to which gender, acculturation, and age influenced perceived social support of adolescents.

In general, results …

Depression In Mexican American Adolescence And Its Relations To Ethnic Identity And Self Esteem, Deborah Cohen Woloski

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study investigated incidence of depressive symptomatology, clinical depression, and suicidal ideation in a high school sample of 1751 Mexican-American adolescents. The relations of depression, as measured by the Diagnostic Scale for Depression-26 (DSD26), self-esteem, as measured by the abbreviated Rosenberg's Self-esteem Scale and ethnic identity, as measured by the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM) were analyzed. Results indicate that Mexican-American adolescents are at increased risk for depressive symptomatology and suicidal ideation. Results showed that there is no higher incidence of Major Depressive Episode (MDE) in Mexican-American adolescents but an increased risk for depressive symptomatology was found. Ethnic identity and …

Perceived Health Competency And Health Value, Acculturation And Obesity In A Mexican American Population, Roberto Eliud Maldonado

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Mexican Americans have a higher incidence of obesity than non-Hispanic whites, yet this population seems to be less concerned with maintaining an ideal body weight than non-Hispanic whites. This puts the Mexican Americans population at higher risk for illnesses associated with increased body fat and obesity. One important factor found to influence health maintenance behavior is perceived self-efficacy, or the degree to which the individual feels capable of effectively managing his or her behavioral outcome. This study examines the moderating effect of health competency and health value on body weight in individuals undergoing acculturation.

Although no significant correlations were found …

Acculturation Of A Mexican-American Male Population And Gender Role Conflict, Gary Evan Leka

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study examined the effects of different modes of acculturation upon self reported levels of gender role conflict, and explored the relationship among acculturative stress, the concepts of Machismo and Familism and gender role conflicts. Hispanic males (N = 164) from a university with an 90% Hispanic enrollment were surveyed. Low Bicultural subjects differed significantly upon the factors of restrictive emotionality and restrictive affectionate behavior between men than other modes of acculturation. Machismo was found to be significantly related to stress and conflicts with gender roles, while Familism was found to be related to two of the patterns of gender …

The Developmental Abilities Of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Graduates, Cynthia A. Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Bayley Mental Psychomotor Developmental Indices Scores of 61 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Graduates were examined to investigate whether a predicted early developmental lag would occur followed by an increase or "catch-up" over time. Results indicated that no significant changes occurred over time; however, mental (Bayley MDI) scores were lower than motor (Bayley PDI) scores particularly at the 4- and 22-month test age. Gross motor, fine motor, social, cognitive, and language development was also investigated to see whether expected differences among these domains occurred over time. Results indicated that gross motor scores were greater than all other domains. Ethnicity, birth weight, …

Risk Factors In Adolescents For Engaging In Sexual Behaviors, Dolores Calderon Castellano

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Teenage sexuality has become a social concern, because of its impact on teen pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, abortion, government aid and school drop-out. In an effort to better predict risk of early sexual activity, a secondary analysis was conducted on data collected from 413, 11-14 year old students attending the 6th, 7th and 8th grade levels in Hidalgo County, in south Texas. Parent-child Communication, Children's Religiosity, Educational Goals, Educational Grades, Self-Esteem, and Congruency of Sexual Values between children and parents were used as predictor variables. Multiple regression analysis revealed Congruency of Values, Educational Goals, Educational Grades and Religion as the …