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University of New Haven

Psychology Faculty Publications

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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences

A Study Of Willingness To Participate In The Development Of A Global Human Community, Eric C. Marcus, Morton Deutsch, Yangyang Liu Feb 2017

A Study Of Willingness To Participate In The Development Of A Global Human Community, Eric C. Marcus, Morton Deutsch, Yangyang Liu

Psychology Faculty Publications

The need for the development of a global human community has been outlined in recent literature. This study examined the willingness of individuals to endorse and act upon values embodied in a global community. A sample of U.S. adults was asked to indicate commitment to values embodied in the United Nations’ Declaration of Human Rights and Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Four Freedoms, through a formulated message. Participants were also asked of actions they can take to support these values, barriers to such action, and related questions. Results were looked at through different demographic and attitudinal factors. Over half of all participants, …

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Parenting Stress As A Mediator Of Exposure To Potentially Traumatic Events And Behavioral Health Outcomes In Children And Youth, Joy S. Kaufman, Melissa L. Whitson, Cindy A. Crusto Jun 2016

Parenting Stress As A Mediator Of Exposure To Potentially Traumatic Events And Behavioral Health Outcomes In Children And Youth, Joy S. Kaufman, Melissa L. Whitson, Cindy A. Crusto

Psychology Faculty Publications

The research team has been examining parenting stress, defined as stress that parents feel in their parenting role, as a mediator of behavioral health outcomes for children exposed to potentially traumatic events. The results of our studies demonstrate the interplay between a child’s exposure to potentially traumatic events and their parent/caregiver’s report of stress related to parenting their child.

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Correlates Of Improvement In Substance Abuse Among Dually Diagnosed Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder In Specialized Intensive Va Treatment, Kendell Coker, Elina Stefanovics, Robert Rosenheck Jan 2016

Correlates Of Improvement In Substance Abuse Among Dually Diagnosed Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder In Specialized Intensive Va Treatment, Kendell Coker, Elina Stefanovics, Robert Rosenheck

Psychology Faculty Publications

Substantial rates of substance use comorbidity have been observed among veterans with PTSD highlighting the need to identify patient and program characteristics associated with improved outcomes for substance abuse. Data were drawn from 12,270 dually diagnosed veterans who sought treatment from specialized intensive Veterans Health Administration PTSD programs between 1993 and 2011. The magnitude of the improvement in Addiction Severity Index (ASI) alcohol and drug use composite scores from baseline was moderate, with effect sizes (ES) of -.269 and -.287, respectively. Multivariate analyses revealed that treatment in longer-term programs, being prescribed psychiatric medication, and planned participation in reunions were all …

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Professor Mike Morris' Full Bibliography, Mike Morris Jan 2016

Professor Mike Morris' Full Bibliography, Mike Morris

Psychology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

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Factors Influencing The Impact Of Aggressive And Violent Media On Children And Adolescents, Ashlee M. Wiedeman, Jacqueline A. Black, Autumn L. Dolle, Emmanuel J. Finney, Kendell L. Coker Nov 2015

Factors Influencing The Impact Of Aggressive And Violent Media On Children And Adolescents, Ashlee M. Wiedeman, Jacqueline A. Black, Autumn L. Dolle, Emmanuel J. Finney, Kendell L. Coker

Psychology Faculty Publications

The influence of aggressive and violent media on children and adolescents has been a topic of concern for several decades. Research on this topic has suggested that both short term and long term exposure to aggressive/violent media can negatively impact this population. The purpose of this literature review is to discuss relevant research on the topic and examine various factors that may impact the risk of being influenced by this type of media. These factors can include time spent viewing media, content of the media viewed, gender, age, psychological characteristics, family, and peers. Various theoretical approaches to explaining the influence …

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Self-Reported Barriers To Treatment Engagement: Adolescent Perspectives From The National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent Supplement (Ncs-A), Amy Sylwestrzak, Chelsea E. Overholt, Kelly I. Ristau, Kendell L. Coker Oct 2015

Self-Reported Barriers To Treatment Engagement: Adolescent Perspectives From The National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent Supplement (Ncs-A), Amy Sylwestrzak, Chelsea E. Overholt, Kelly I. Ristau, Kendell L. Coker

Psychology Faculty Publications

The objective of this study was to assess youth self-reported treatment barriers in the past 12 months to obtain youth’s perspective on reasons they seek treatment, do not engage in treatment, or terminate treatment. The present study uses data from the National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A), a nationally representative survey administered to youth ages 13–18 that was conducted between February 1, 2001 and January 30, 2004. A total of 10,123 youth participated in the NCS-A study and provided the information on which the current paper draws its data. Within the past 12 months over 63 % of youth reported seeking …

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Prenatal And Neighborhood Correlates Of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (Odd), Andrea A. Russell, Claire L. Johnson, Arwa Hammad, Kelly I. Ristau, Sandra Zawadzki, Luz Del Alba Villar, Kendell Coker Feb 2015

Prenatal And Neighborhood Correlates Of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (Odd), Andrea A. Russell, Claire L. Johnson, Arwa Hammad, Kelly I. Ristau, Sandra Zawadzki, Luz Del Alba Villar, Kendell Coker

Psychology Faculty Publications

This study investigates the link between prenatal exposure to alcohol and drugs, parental perceptions of neighborhood safety and support, and the diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) among a nationally representative sample of youth. A subset of variables from a larger study, the 2001–2004 National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A), as well as its supplemental parental surveys, was analyzed in this study. This study used a specific selection of 5,924 adolescents and their parents from the NCS-A. Results suggest a correlation between prenatal caffeine use and a subsequent ODD diagnosis in female adolescents. Overall correlations between neighborhood drug use/sales and minority …

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Crime And Psychiatric Disorders Among Youth In The Us Population: An Analysis Of The National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent Supplement, Kendell L. Coker, Philip H. Smith, Alexander Westphal, Howard V. Zonana, Sherry A. Mckee Aug 2014

Crime And Psychiatric Disorders Among Youth In The Us Population: An Analysis Of The National Comorbidity Survey-Adolescent Supplement, Kendell L. Coker, Philip H. Smith, Alexander Westphal, Howard V. Zonana, Sherry A. Mckee

Psychology Faculty Publications

Objective Current knowledge regarding psychiatric disorders and crime in youth is limited to juvenile justice and community samples. This study examined relationships between psychiatric disorders and self-reported crime involvement in a sample of youth representative of the US population. Method The National Comorbidity Survey–Adolescent Supplement (N = 10,123; ages 13–17 years; 2001–2004) was used to examine the relationship between lifetime DSM-IV–based diagnoses, reported crime (property, violent, other), and arrest history. Logistic regression compared the odds of reported crime involvement with specific psychiatric disorders to those without any diagnoses, and examined the odds of crime by psychiatric comorbidity. Results Prevalence of …

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The Effect Of Social Problem Solving Skills In The Relationship Between Traumatic Stress And Moral Disengagement Among Inner-City African American High School Students, Kendell L. Coker, Uduakobong N. Ikpe, Jeannie S. Brooks, Brian Page, Mark B. Sobell May 2014

The Effect Of Social Problem Solving Skills In The Relationship Between Traumatic Stress And Moral Disengagement Among Inner-City African American High School Students, Kendell L. Coker, Uduakobong N. Ikpe, Jeannie S. Brooks, Brian Page, Mark B. Sobell

Psychology Faculty Publications

This study examined the relationship between traumatic stress, social problem solving, and moral disengagement among African American inner-city high school students. Participants consisted of 45 (25 males and 20 females) African American students enrolled in grades 10 through 12. Mediation was assessed by testing for the indirect effect using the confidence interval derived from 10,000 bootstrapped resamples. The results revealed that social problem-solving skills have an indirect effect on the relationship between traumatic stress and moral disengagement. The findings suggest that African American youth that are negatively impacted by trauma evidence deficits in their social problem solving skills and are …

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Using The Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument–Version 2 On A Community Sample Of African American And Latino/A Juvenile Offenders To Identify Mental Health And Substance Abuse Treatment Needs, Kendell Coker, Jamie Wernsman, Uduakobong N. Ikpe, Jeannie S. Brooks, Lynn Bushell, Barbara Kahn Nov 2013

Using The Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument–Version 2 On A Community Sample Of African American And Latino/A Juvenile Offenders To Identify Mental Health And Substance Abuse Treatment Needs, Kendell Coker, Jamie Wernsman, Uduakobong N. Ikpe, Jeannie S. Brooks, Lynn Bushell, Barbara Kahn

Psychology Faculty Publications

The Massachusetts Youth Screening Instrument-Version 2 (MAYSI-2) is a brief screening tool used to identify youth in the juvenile justice system that are at-risk for mental health related difficulties. The MAYSI-2 was administered to 5,205 African American and Latino/a youth throughout Chicago, Illinois who were on probation and residing in the community. This study investigated differences (i.e., legal status, gender, age, race/ethnicity) in reporting of mental health symptoms and substance use on the MAYSI-2. Females scored above the clinical cutoffs more frequently than males and there were few differences found between diverted and adjudicated youth. Age comparisons revealed mixed results. …

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An Examination Of Exposure To Traumatic Events And Symptoms And Strengths For Children Served In A Behavioral Health System Of Care, Melissa L. Whitson, Christian M. Connell, Stanley N. Bernard, Joy S. Kaufman Sep 2012

An Examination Of Exposure To Traumatic Events And Symptoms And Strengths For Children Served In A Behavioral Health System Of Care, Melissa L. Whitson, Christian M. Connell, Stanley N. Bernard, Joy S. Kaufman

Psychology Faculty Publications

The present study examined how exposure to traumatic events impacts children with severe emotional disturbance who are being served in a school-based system of care. Multilevel growth curve models were used to examine the relationships between a child’s history of traumatic events (physical abuse, sexual abuse, or domestic violence) and behavioral and emotional strengths, internalizing problem behaviors, or externalizing problem behaviors over 18 months. Results indicate that children receiving services (N = 134) exhibited increased emotional and behavioral strengths and decreased internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors from enrollment to 18 months follow-up. Children with a history of traumatic events improved …

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Predictors Of Parenting And Infant Outcomes For Impoverished Adolescent Parents, Melissa L. Whitson, Andrew Martinez, Carmen Ayala, Joy S. Kaufman Jul 2011

Predictors Of Parenting And Infant Outcomes For Impoverished Adolescent Parents, Melissa L. Whitson, Andrew Martinez, Carmen Ayala, Joy S. Kaufman

Psychology Faculty Publications

Adolescent mothers and their children are at risk for a myriad of negative outcomes. This study examined risk and protective factors and their impact on a sample (N = 172) of impoverished adolescent mothers. Multiple regression analyses revealed that depressed adolescent mothers report higher levels of parenting stress and that their children are more at risk for maltreatment and are developmentally behind other babies. In addition, adolescent mothers with restricted social support have babies who are at higher risk for maltreatment. Finally, mothers who were older during pregnancy were more likely to stay in school. Implications for program development are …

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The Impact Of Youth And Family Risk Factors On Service Recommendations And Delivery In A School-Based System Of Care, Melissa L. Whitson, Christian M. Connell, Stanley N. Bernard, Joy S. Kaufman Jan 2011

The Impact Of Youth And Family Risk Factors On Service Recommendations And Delivery In A School-Based System Of Care, Melissa L. Whitson, Christian M. Connell, Stanley N. Bernard, Joy S. Kaufman

Psychology Faculty Publications

The present study examines the impact of child and family risk factors on service access for youth and families in a school-based system of care. Regression analyses examined the relationships between risk factors and services recommended, services received, and dosage of services received. Logistic regression analyses examined the relationship between risk factors and whether or not youth received specific types of services within the system of care. Results revealed that youth with a personal or family history of substance use had more services recommended than youth without these risk factors, while youth with a family history of substance use received …

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Posttraumatic Stress Among Young Urban Children Exposed To Family Violence And Other Potentially Traumatic Events, Cindy A. Crusto, Melissa L. Whitson, Sherry M. Walling, Richard Feinn, Stacey R. Friedman, Jesse Reynolds, Mona Amer, Joy S. Kaufman Dec 2010

Posttraumatic Stress Among Young Urban Children Exposed To Family Violence And Other Potentially Traumatic Events, Cindy A. Crusto, Melissa L. Whitson, Sherry M. Walling, Richard Feinn, Stacey R. Friedman, Jesse Reynolds, Mona Amer, Joy S. Kaufman

Psychology Faculty Publications

This study examines the relationship between the number of types of traumatic events experienced by children 3 to 6 years old, parenting stress, and children's posttraumatic stress (PTS). Parents and caregivers provided data for 154 urban children admitted into community-based mental health or developmental services. By parent and caregiver report, children experienced an average of 4.9 different types of potentially traumatic events. Nearly one quarter of the children evidenced clinically significant PTS. Posttraumatic stress was positively and significantly related to family violence and other family-related trauma exposure, nonfamily violence and trauma exposure, and parenting stress. Additionally, parenting stress partially mediated …

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Systems Of Care And The Prevention Of Mental Health Problems For Children And Their Families: Integrating Counseling Psychology And Public Health Perspectives, Melissa L. Whitson, Stanley N. Bernard, Joy S. Kaufman Nov 2009

Systems Of Care And The Prevention Of Mental Health Problems For Children And Their Families: Integrating Counseling Psychology And Public Health Perspectives, Melissa L. Whitson, Stanley N. Bernard, Joy S. Kaufman

Psychology Faculty Publications

The purpose of this paper is to present systems of care as an example of how counseling psychology and public health overlap with regards to prevention and intervention approaches for children's mental health. A framework for prevention is presented as is the state of children's mental health promotion, with a particular focus on ecological and systemic approaches to children's mental health and how these approaches cut across multiple perspectives. Systems of care are highlighted as an example of the congruence of prevention and ecological or systemic approaches to address the mental health promotion of children and their families, with the …

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