Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Sympathetic-Cardiovascular Stress Reactivity In Adults With Major Depressive Disorder, Ashley Darling

Kinesiology Dissertations - Archive

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mood disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood and/or anhedonia that causes significant functional impairment in daily life. MDD affects nearly 15% of adults in their lifetime, and since 2019, prevalence estimates have increased up to ~30% in young adults (18-25 years old). In addition to its debilitating effects on daily functioning, epidemiological studies link MDD to ~3 times greater risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), followed by accelerated CVD progression and mortality. Although the mechanisms contributing to MDD-CVD comorbidity are unclear, there is evidence of stress system dysfunction in adults with MDD.

Accordingly, the aim …

Employers’ Perceptions Of And Experiences Working With Residency-Trained Athletic Trainers, C E. Welch Bacon, J M. Cavallario, L E. Eberman, J J. Wetherington, F Q. Pecha, B L. Van Lunen

Clinical Practice in Athletic Training

Context: Athletic trainers (ATs) who complete accredited residency training in a specialty area are considered clinical specialists, yet more information is needed to determine whether they are practicing within the higher capacity expected of a specialist. While some quantitative evidence demonstrating the value of residency-trained ATs on patient satisfaction, patient throughput, and the financial impact specific to the physician practice setting exists, residency training is not limited to only ATs who want to provide services in physician practice. Moreover, as accredited athletic training residency programs continue to emerge, it is increasingly important to understand key stakeholders’ perceptions of residency-trained ATs …

Disentangling Accelerated Cognitive Decline From The Normal Aging Process And Unraveling Its Genetic Components: A Neuroimaging-Based Deep Learning Approach, Yulin Dai, Yu-Chun Hsu, Brisa S Fernandes, Kai Zhang, Xiaoyang Li, Nitesh Enduru, Andi Liu, Astrid M Manuel, Xiaoqian Jiang, Zhongming Zhao, Alzheimer’S Disease Neuroimaging Initiative

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: The progressive cognitive decline, an integral component of Alzheimer's disease (AD), unfolds in tandem with the natural aging process. Neuroimaging features have demonstrated the capacity to distinguish cognitive decline changes stemming from typical brain aging and AD between different chronological points.

OBJECTIVE: To disentangle the normal aging effect from the AD-related accelerated cognitive decline and unravel its genetic components using a neuroimaging-based deep learning approach.

METHODS: We developed a deep-learning framework based on a dual-loss Siamese ResNet network to extract fine-grained information from the longitudinal structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) study. …

Social Problem-Solving, Stress, Social Support As Predictors Of Distress Among First-Generation Students, Marisa Leib

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

First-generation students are steadily increasing in the United States, and currently comprise one third of today’s college undergraduate population (Stebleton & Jehangir, 2020). First-generation students are more likely to face various academic, social, economic, and cultural challenges when transitioning to higher education. The culmination of these stressors put first-generation students at risk for developing mental health conditions. Social problem-solving (SPS) is one variable that has been shown to buffer against the negative effects of stress among the general college student population. The purpose of the current study was to examine how specific variables contribute to psychological distress among the population …

Assessment Of Trauma In Youth With Intellectual Disabilities: Comparison Of Research And Clinical Practice, Olga Joyce Bilardi

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study seeks to assess clinician use of trauma assessments when working with youth with lower cognitive and adaptive functioning who meet criteria for having an Intellectual Disability. Given the limited assessment instruments discussed in the literature, it is essential to determine what practices clinicians use to assess trauma with intellectually disabled youth. This study aims to determine the prevalence of trauma measures used with the Intellectual Disability population and assess clinician comfort with this population. This study will highlight the necessity for further development of appropriate and standardized trauma measures in the Intellectual Disability population and training for clinicians …

The Relationship Between Burnout And Cognitive Distortions For Clinicians Working With Sex Offenders, Emily Stover

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Burnout affects approximately 21% to 61% of mental health providers throughout their careers (Morse et al., 2012). Various precursors may lead to burnout, such as caseload, the severity of the clients, workplace climate, and lack of professional support. Burnout is a significant issue for mental health providers working with perpetrators of sexual offenses, specifically due to the increase in stressors when working with this population. Individuals working with this population have the additional risk of being objectified or threatened during a session and could experience vicarious trauma when listening to the details of the offense. Due to the continuous emotional …

Exploring Forensic Psychologist, Psychiatrists And Lawyers Perceptions On Incorrigibility And Juvenile Resentencing, Tyeca Reviere

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The United States is one of the only countries in the world that sentences juveniles to life without parole. In the United States, over 2,500 juveniles as young as the age of 13 are serving life in prison sentences without the possibility of parole. In 2012, the Supreme Court case Miller v. Alabama determined that sentencing a juvenile to life without parole was unconstitutional. Forensic psychologists, psychiatrists, and lawyers assist in resentencing juveniles by determining if a juvenile is incorrigible (not rehabilitated). The method of determining incorrigibility regarding juvenile resentencing has not been standardized or well-defined amongst professionals in psychology …

Predictors Of Utilization Of Preventive Gynecologic Health Services Among Women Veterans, Jennifer Lynn Milore

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

As the number of women veterans in the United States increases, additional attention has been given to understanding their healthcare experiences within the Veterans Health Administration. However, much of the current literature exploring women veterans has been qualitative and little research has examined quantitative relationships between experiences in the VA healthcare system and gynecologic health behaviors and outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate potential factors (health literacy, social problem-solving abilities, and perceived gender discrimination) that may predict gynecologic health behaviors in women veterans. This study included 145 anonymous participants. Participants completed screening questions and demographic and health …

Prolonged Grief: The Predictive Value Of Cognitive Distortions, Depression, And Anxiety, Michael Kastelnik

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Bereavement, the emotional pain of losing a loved one, may lead to significant distress and functional impairment, which can negatively impact the relationships, work, and health of those who grieve. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between cognitive distortions and prolonged grief, depression, and anxiety. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant and positive relationship between prolonged grief, depression, anxiety, and cognitive distortions, as measured by the Prolonged Grief Scale-Revised (PG-13-R), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and the Inventory of Cognitive Distortions (ICD), respectively (Hypothesis 1). It was also …

Teaching Children Consent Skills Through The Lens Of Personal Boundaries And Bodily Autonomy, Prerana Atreya

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

Sexual violence is a public health and safety problem affecting many children across the United States. One preventative tool the public health department uses to mitigate the high prevalence rates and harm of sexual violence is teaching consent skills to children. Previous research has demonstrated that behavior analytic principles effectively teach other important safety skills (e.g., abduction prevention, gun safety, and poison safety). Thus, it is possible that using behavioral technologies to teach consent skills will show similar effectiveness as teaching safety skills. The current study’s purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of using behavioral skills training (BST), video modeling, …

The Activated Singer: Components Of An Emerging Singing Identity In Adults Learning To Sing, Karen J. Wise, Andrea R. Halpern

Faculty Journal Articles

Many adults avoid singing participation, even in informal situations. We examined components of singing identity in self-identified non-singers using questionnaires, including a novel Singing Inhibition (SI) scale, among 238 adults volunteering for a training study. Higher levels of Singing Inhibition were predicted by a combination of lower self-reported singing skill, lower Parental/Family Engagement in singing, and stronger belief that singing is a fixed ability. A subsample of 20 self-reported non-singers (aged 23–71) participated in 10 months of singing lessons, and we tracked changes in objective singing competence as well as self-assessments and singing-related attitudes and beliefs at baseline, at six …

Assessing Reliability And Validity Of The Parental Responsiveness Rating Scale During Book Reading, Yuqi Zhang, Jennifer Locasale-Crouch, Brianna Jaworski, Khara Turnbull, Rachel Moon, Eve Colson, Fern Hauck, Nicole Geller

Graduate Research Posters

Parental responsiveness, defined as emotionally supportive behaviors, is consistently related to children’s development in research studies. It reflects attention to children’s emotional functioning through providing comfort, reassurance, and encouragement. However, measuring parental responsiveness in everyday practice has been challenging due to the complexity of available tools. The Parental Responsiveness Rating Scale (PaRRiS), a brief observational rating scale that quickly and directly measures the quality of parent-child interactions, shows promise in bridging this research-to-practice gap. Several small-scale studies in UK clinical settings found PaRRiS to be easily implemented, reliable, and valid. Additional studies are needed to explore PaRRiS’s potential use within …

I Just Don't Want To Hear It: A Look Into The Relationship Between The Dark Triad And Negative Criticism, Carson Montgomery Hewitt

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Three dark personality traits have been identified and grouped together to form what is known as the Dark Triad of personality. Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and Psychopathy are all connected by a lack of emotional empathy, and the presence of interpersonal hostility. When presented with negative stimuli, it is far from surprising to see an adverse reaction appear in participants scoring high in these traits. Little research has been conducted regarding the relationship between physiological response and dark triad personality traits. Even fewer so in the case of responses to criticism. This study aimed to examine the relationship between these dark personality …

Impacts Of Self-Diagnosing And The Role Of Social Media, Sara Steffens

A with Honors Projects

This poster explores outcomes of self-diagnosing mental illness/disorders and how social media factors in.

Impulsive Behavior In The Context Of A Substance Use Treatment Seeking Sample: A Conditional Process Analysis Of Childhood Maltreatment, Experiential Avoidance, And Cognitive Fusion, Emily Kalantar

Dissertations and Theses

Substance misuse is associated with high impulsive behavior and may represent one behavioral manifestation of impulsive behavior. One predictor of substance misuse is childhood maltreatment, which is, in turn, associated with difficulty regulating unwanted emotion. Accordingly, impulsive behavior is high among individuals exposed to maltreatment and likely functions as one behavioral strategy for coping with unwanted internal experiences. Consequently, identification of behavioral processes that may account for the childhood maltreatment and impulsive behavior relation in substance misusers appears warranted. One process-based behavioral model that may be useful in this endeavor is psychological flexibility, which includes the inflexible processes of experiential …

Disconnected In A Connected World: Gender Differences In Loneliness And The Impact Of Technology, Charlotte Andrea Svendsen

Selected Full-Text Master Theses 2021-

The purpose of the present study was to examine the direct and indirect effects of Problematic Instagram use (PIU) on different psychopathological outcomes including loneliness, depression, anxiety, and social anxiety. Additionally, moderating role of gender on the relationships among variables was investigated. A total of 191 adolescents (Mage= 21.45 years, SD=2.07; range=18 to 24 years) were recruited for the study to complete a questionnaire that included the relevant assessment tools for the variables. Mediation and moderation analyses showed that among male adolescents, PIU was directly associated with loneliness, depression, general anxiety, and social anxiety. Among females, PIU was directly associated …

Differences In Personality Pathology Among Non-Suicidal Self- Injury And Suicidal Behavior Patterns: A Latent Class Analysis, Rachel Chavin

Dissertations and Theses

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is present among a range of personality disorders (PDs) and, though distinct from suicide (Whitlock et al., 2015). Individuals who engage in NSSI and/or suicidal behavior, tend to have similar symptomology consistent with PDs, like rumination (Bowen et al., 2019), impulsivity (Hamza et al., 2015), and greater sensitivity and emotional reactivity within social situations (Selby et al., 2012). Similarly, maladaptive personality traits have shown to positively relate to NSSI and suicide (Jimenez-Treviño et al., 2011; Turner et al., 2018). Yet, research also indicates that NSSI is a heterogenous behavior that varies in severity related to frequency, age …

Adapting Community-Based Psychological First Aid To A Palliative/Hospice Care Team: A Community-Based Participatory Research Approach, Kathryn Olivia Moore

Dissertations and Theses

Palliative and hospice care patients face serious or life-limiting illnesses; as a result, patients and their caregivers often have to overcome challenges related to psychological distress. Furthermore, stress related to individuals’ medical and psychosocial concerns can lead to crises. While current literature acknowledges patients’ and caregivers’ experience of depression, anxiety, adjustment disorders, traumatic stress, and other disorders, there remains a gap in addressing these challenges through interventions that are tailored to the unique needs of this complex population. Additionally, professionals that comprise palliative and hospice care teams are often not trained to implement interventions to help prevent and intervene in …

Shame And Social Interaction Quantity And Quality In Daily Life: The Moderating Effect Of Social Anxiety, Rachel C Bock

Dissertations and Theses

Frequent and fulfilling engagement in social interaction is paramount to human success and wellbeing. Yet, many individuals do not engage in social interactions of sufficient quantity and/or quality. Though some research indicates shame influences social behavior, the nature of this effect is unclear. Some research suggests shame is associated with effective engagement in social interaction, whereas other work indicates shame is associated with maladaptive avoidance of social interaction. One potential explanation for equivocal results may be a lack of accounting for mental health concerns, such as social anxiety. Social anxiety is positively associated with social impairments and shame, yet research …

A Pilot Study Exploring The Effectiveness And Feasibilty Of The Peers® Intervention In A Rural/Non-Metropolitan Setting, Blake Elvrum Warner

Dissertations and Theses

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. Autistic adolescents often experience a myriad of mental health difficulties which are worsened by lower overall levels of social support. Higher rates of mental health difficulties are reported in rural and non-metropolitan areas where resources are less readily available. Interventions aimed at increasing social skills in autistic adolescents have proven to be an effective way to increase levels of social interaction and support. The Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills (PEERS®) intervention was developed …

Traumatic Stress, Sexual Abuse-Related Shame Severity, And Participation In Commercialized Sex Based On Childhood Sexual Abuse, Barbara Ann Bailey

Dissertations and Theses

Any sexual act performed under the condition that one person will receive or provide something of value to another in exchange for the sexual act is referred to as commercial sex. Some research suggests that those who engage in commercial sex are more likely to be victimized or physically assaulted. Moreover, a frequently cited risk associated with engaging in commercial sex is a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Because commercial sex and CSA are often unreported, there is limited understanding regarding symptom severity experienced by survivors of both. It was hypothesized that individuals who had experiences of both CSA …

Finding The Dream Job Or Finding Another Dream: Work Volition And Goal Reengagement As Predictors Of Work-Fulfillment, Wellbeing And Calling, Julia Price-Lee

Dissertations and Theses

Work is prominent in adults’ lives, and their opportunity to choose the work they prefer predicts key work and wellbeing outcomes (WWO), especially their sense of meaning in work and wellbeing. Work choice opportunities also influence a sense of calling. However, finding and keeping preferred work is often difficult when adults are also navigating finances, marginalizing systems, and non-work priorities. Work volition (WV) measures perceived freedom regarding work options and predicts the quality of work that people find and their wellbeing within and beyond work. Foundational theoretical models suggested that having safe and reliable work, known as decent work (DW), …

The Relationship Between Low Self-Control And Life Goals Over The Life Course, Margaryta Munday

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

The present study aimed to test the relationships between low self-control and five different measures of life goals (educational, career, personal, relationship, and health) as well as the relationship between low self-control and the amount of commitment and progress made towards each of these goals across developmental periods (18-25, 26-35, 36-45, 46-55, 56+ years old). It was expected that low self-control would be negatively associated with life goals across all domains as well as with both measures of commitment and progress towards each. No differences in these links were expected across developmental periods or by sex. Data were collected from …

Unveiling The Pathways: The Effects Of Mindfulness And Recreational Psychedelic Experiences On Well-Being; The Mediating Roles Of Non-Dual Awareness, Pro-Sociality, And Meaning In Life., Sebastian Ehmann

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Contemplative practices and psychedelic experiences have demonstrated significant benefits for psychological health and general human flourishing. Both practices share neuroscientific (i.e., cognitive flexibility), psychological (i.e., insight), and phenomenological (i.e., self-loss) overlap, but the combined effects remain underexplored. This study aimed to address this gap by examining the influence of drug-induced ego-dissolution and dispositional mindfulness on subjective well-being while testing the potential mediating role of compassion, meaning in life, and non-dual awareness (NDA; awareness without the typical subject-object dichotomy). The initial hypothesis posited that selfless experiences and mindfulness cultivate non-dual embodied cognition, leading to increased compassion and meaning and, in turn, …

The Effects Of Early Developmental Co-Exposure To Alcohol And Nicotine Via E-Cigarettes On Anxiety- And Motor-Related Behaviors In Mice, Carley Cirafesi

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Thirty percent of people who report consumption of alcohol while pregnant simultaneously report consuming nicotine. Prenatal co-exposure to alcohol and nicotine has increased with the popularity of electronic cigarettes due to their presumed safety, yet e-cigarette use may have a greater impact on fetal development than traditional cigarettes. Prenatal exposure to alcohol or nicotine is associated with increased anxiety-related behaviors and impaired motor coordination later in life, yet it is unknown whether prenatal co-exposure to alcohol and nicotine exacerbates these effects, particularly via e-cigarettes. This project examined the effects of co-exposure to alcohol and nicotine via e-cigarettes during early development …

Historical Reappearance: Tracing The Impacts Of Argentina's Los Desaparecidos To The Rise Of President Javier Milei, Analise Sofia Chain

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In 1976 the Argentine government was taken over by a right wing military junta, attempting to “save” their country from communism. Military officials kidnapped, tortured and killed between 10,000 and 30,000 Argentine citizens, who were thought of as “guerrillas” supporting the leftist government and the late president Juan Perón. These victims are regarded as the disappeared, or Los Desaparecidos; due to the fact their families had no knowledge of where their loved ones were taken, or what was happening to them. Many of these young, liberal advocates were never seen or heard from again, their remains lost to history, and …

Non-Technical Skills Proficiency In Aviation Pilots: A Systematic Review, Seda Ceken

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

This systematic review aims to examine the role of non-technical competencies in pilot selection and flight operations, and explore the methods used for their assessment. It has been discerned that relying solely on technical flying skills is insufficient for a pilot; there is a growing understanding that a pilot candidate must possess and adeptly employ non-technical skills, commonly referred to as Crew Resource Management (CRM) skills. This systematic review was designed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. For this review, a systematic search was conducted across seven databases. Seventeen publications were included in …

Profiles Of Satisfaction And Frustration Of Undergraduate General Chemistry Students’ Basic Psychological Needs At The Beginning And End Of The Semester, Cara E. Worick

Theses and Dissertations--Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology

The early college years represent an adjustment period characterized by motivational destabilization and academic and career-related uncertainty for many STEM majors (Robinson et al., 2019). Although students who begin college less academically prepared than their peers are at greater risk of struggling in introductory STEM courses, many still struggle in these courses despite adequate academic preparation (Perez et al., 2014). Self-determination theory proposes that motivation, optimal functioning, and psychological well-being occur through the satisfaction, as opposed to the frustration, of three basic psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness (Ryan & Deci, 2020). Although many studies in educational settings demonstrate …

Knowledge, Experiences, And Perceptions Of Medications For Opioid Use Disorder Among Black Kentuckians, Paris B. Wheeler, Brittany Miller-Roenigk, Jasmine Jester, Danelle Stevens-Watkins

Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology Faculty Publications

Background: Opioid overdoses have continued to increase at higher rates among Black Americans compared to people from other racial groups. Despite demonstrated effectiveness of MOUD in reducing risk of opioid overdose, Black Americans face decreased access to and uptake of MOUD. the current study aimed to examine the knowledge, perceptions, and experiences with MOUD among a sample of Black adults who use prescription opioids nonmedically in order to inform tailored efforts to improve MOUD uptake.

Methods: Data were derived from a larger study assessing cultural and structural influences on drug use and drug treatment among people who use prescription opioids …

Is The Virtual Therapy Experience A Sufficient Means For Person-Centered Therapy? A Systematic Review, Aaron Feibush

Social Work Theses - Archive

Background: American psychologist Carl Rogers is considered the main originator of person-centered therapy (PCT), a psychotherapeutic approach which focuses on self-actualizing abilities of the client which emerge when engaged in an environment of three core conditions established by the therapist: unconditional positive regard, empathy and congruence. Over the last several decades there have been thousands of studies that demonstrate support for these three core conditions as necessary features of effective therapy. However, with the emergence of psychotherapy being conducted via telehealth in the last several years, in particular since the onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic, it remains unknown …