Psychology Commons^™

Personal Technology Use, Social Media, And Daily Affect In Emerging Adults, William Crabtree

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Personal social and communication technology has been widely adopted by the world in the 21^st century. With this widespread worldwide adoption, significant controversy exists debating the effects these social technologies have. Specifically, there is a strong debate in the scientific literature over the psychological effects of social technologies, smartphones, and social media usage. Some arguments are made that modern technology can help improve psychological well-being, whilst others claim it has destroyed a generation of adolescents and merging adults. The present thesis aims to address this debate by exploring the current research from a variety of methodologies about social technology …

The Effects Of Reinforcement Sensitivity And Effortful Control On Anhedonia And Valued Living, Houston Howard

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Research has begun to uncover how individual temperamental and self-regulatory differences relate to certain psychopathological symptoms. Specifically, the current literature is expanding the view of how anhedonia, effortful control (EC), and reinforcement sensitivity may relate to one other. The aim of this study was to examine these relationships and explore models that might explain how these variables interact to predict valued living. Specifically, it was hypothesized that 1) greater anhedonia would be associated with lower levels of valued living, 2) the behavioral activation system (BAS) would moderate the effect that anhedonia has on valued living by decreasing its impact, with …

Examining The Relationship Between Inclusivity And Well-Being In The Gender, Sexual, And Romantic Minority Community, Sarah E. Weekes

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Research has established that higher levels of inclusivity promote increased levels of well-being in GSRM populations (Yoder & Mattheis, 2016); however, there is a lack of research exploring a moderating effect of psychological flexibility on this relationship. Previous research has also demonstrated that psychological flexibility is related to increased quality of life (Walloch & Hill, 2016); however, the relationship between psychological flexibility and inclusivity remains largely unexplored in GSRM populations. The purpose of this study was to explore how inclusivity, psychological distress, and psychological flexibility correlate with well-being among a sample of 198 individuals who identify as GSRM. This study …

Predominantly White Institution Or Historically Black College/University: Racial Composition Of School Environment And Perceived Racism On African American Students’ College Experiences, Taylor Garland

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The current study explored perceived racism, mental health, and coping to see how those concepts might influence how African American students evaluate their college experiences. Additionally, this study explored how school environment (i.e., predominantly White institution [PWI] vs. historically Black college/university [HBCU]) impacted the hypotheses. All participants completed an online questionnaire. Findings for the key hypotheses of this study were mixed. For example, regardless if African American students attended a PWI or HBCU, they were both likely to report similar experiences of perceived racism and negative affect. Despite these and a few other relevant hypotheses not being supported, two significant …

Do Gender, Anxiety Sensitivity Level, And Timing Of Anxiety Sensitivity Assessment Predict Heart Rate Variability?, Jordan Sieja

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Anxiety sensitivity (AS), or the fear/belief that anxiety symptoms and sensations will have negative outcomes, is a strong predictor of future psychopathology. AS is divided into three factors: physical, cognitive, and social. Reduced heart rate variability (HRV), or the variation in intervals between heartbeats, is associated with various psychological disorders. Current research findings disagree as to whether AS predicts HRV outcomes. The present study sought to examine data from a previous research project as results of relationships between AS and HRV were contrary to expectations. The current study examined potential predictors of HRV, such as the relationship between high-frequency (HF) …

The Mediating Role Of Sensitivity To Criticism On The Relationship Between Vulnerable Narcissism And Negative Affect, Sneha Shankar

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Researchers have examined the interpersonal correlates of narcissistic traits through ego-threats precipitated by experiences of external rejection or criticism. However, few studies have empirically investigated the role of sensitivity to criticism in the relation between vulnerable narcissism and negative affect. This study sought to examine this relation through comparing the mediating and moderating effects of sensitivity to criticism to shame and psychological inflexibility within three feedback conditions (positive, negative, and none). Three samples were utilized to assess these trait and state associations. Sensitivity to criticism demonstrated only moderating effects on the relation between vulnerable narcissism and situational anger in the …

Trained And Derived Relational Responding, Jonathan D. Sober

Wayne State University Dissertations

Introduction: Persons with preclinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD) show impairments in semantic and associative memory years before the onset of clinical symptoms. However, many tasks used to assess these deficits make use of previously learned stimuli, often within well-established semantic networks that may be more resistant to disease-related changes. No research has been conducted examining trained and derived relational responding (TDRR) in older adults or in the presence of AD risk factors. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a novel TDRR task would be sensitive to age-related and disease-risk cognitive changes. Method: Thirty younger adults and 15 older …

Psychological Distress As A Predictor Of Methamphetamine Use Among Racial Minority Women, Sundra Barnett Allen

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe scope and magnitude of methamphetamine (MA) use among racial minority women (RMW) created pivotal health concerns due to its highly addictive nature. Despite much available research, the problem of psychological distress (PD) as an attribute of MA use among RMW remained as a gap in the literature. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relevancy between PD and MA use among RMW to determine if distress predicts MA use among this population. The attributes of PD, as defined in the K6, are nervousness, restlessness, hopelessness, feelings of sadness or depression, feelings that suppress effort, and a …

Narratives Of Chronic Pain After Treatment In Adult Patients, Matthew Sebastian Vittucci

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In the United States 100 million people live with pain and must negotiate complicated clinical decisions that lead to a variety of treatments to control pain, some of which are effective and some that are not. Social identity theory and attribution theory guided the development of the interview protocol and analysis plan. A qualitative study was conducted to explore the complex nature of living with chronic pain through the narratives of seventeen adults in chronic pain for at least 3 months. Structural and thematic approaches were used to analyze the data. The structural results revealed three groups of participants: those …

The Connection Between Pain, Perceived Disability, Emotional/Behavioral Problems, And Treatment Satisfaction, Penny Renee Drake

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

With more than 100 million Americans living in chronic pain (CP), there is a growing need for better and more effective pain management strategies. CP can result from an injury, disease, or an emotional or psychological issue. The purpose of this quantitative, nonexperimental study using a multiple linear regression procedure was to determine if CP patients’ perception of their disability as measured by the Personality Assessment Screener (PAS) and their emotional and/or behavioral problems as measured by the Oswestry Disability Index predict their satisfaction with their pain management regimen as measured by the researcher-produced instrument Survey of Satisfaction with Pain …

Emotion Regulation And Executive Functioning : A Comparison Of Collegiate Taekwondo Athletes, Other Athletes, And Non-Athletes, Rae Danett Drach

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Emotion regulation and executive functioning are intricate processes that allow individuals to initiate, inhibit, or modulate emotions and behaviors in service of personally-relevant goals in familiar, novel, and ambiguous contexts. Research has demonstrated that exercise improves emotion regulation and executive functioning. Recently, researchers have started investigating whether mindful exercise – physical exercise that incorporates an inwardly directed, non-judgmental, contemplative focus – explicitly strengthens these capabilities. As a martial art and sport that combines training in body movement and mental focus, taekwondo is a globally popular example of mindful exercise that may benefit affective and cognitive processes. The current study examined …

Examining Cognitive And Behavioral Inflexibility : A Transdiagnostic Process Underpinning Maladaptive Exercise Behaviors And Attitudes, Mckenzie Miller

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Objective: Cognitive and behavioral inflexibility, or the inability to respond flexibly and adaptively to changing environmental demands, are hallmark features of eating disorders (ED). Individuals with EDs exhibit inflexibility across domains, often including in exercise behaviors, manifesting as exercise dependence and rigid workout routines. The purpose of this study was to assess how different motives for exercise are differentially associated with cognitive and behavioral flexibility, a marker of EDs. To the extent that inflexibility in exercise is a risk factor and symptom of disordered eating, increasing cognitive and behavioral flexibility as it relates to physical activity may be an effective …

Longitudinal Examination Of Contextual Risk, Promotive Factors, And Psychosocial Functioning Using Structural Equation Modeling With A Sample Of Serious Adolescent Offenders, Daniel J. Knauer

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Mental health problems, including substance use problems, are more prevalent among adolescent criminal offenders than among the general population and are associated with an elevated risk of re-offending. It is important to understand what factors are associated with serious adolescent offenders’ future mental health and re-offending outcomes to promote their positive development. This study examined potential mechanisms behind established relationships between risk factors for mental health and criminal offending and psychosocial outcomes while integrating ecological theory and a risk and protective framework. To do this, a mediation model was examined using structural equation modeling in which contextual risk was hypothesized …

The Effect Of Mindfulness On Autonomic Nervous System Coordination In Individuals With Interparental Conflict Exposure, Rachel Clegg

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Adverse childhood experiences, such as interparental conflict exposure, have long-term negative effects across various domains, including psychological and physiological health. Research reveals a link between interparental conflict and coordination between stress response systems, specifically sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems (SNS and PNS, respectively). Despite this knowledge, much less is known about potential protective factors or intervention strategies within this area. Mindfulness interventions have been found to be useful in the treatment of psychological and physical problems, including PTSD and stress-related diseases. The present study examined the effect of a mindfulness intervention on coordination between PNS, as measured by respiratory sinus …

The Effects Of Cumulative Risk And Cross-Domain Risk On Preschooler's Executive Functioning Performance : The Buffering Role Of Parental Autonomy Support, Atara B. Siegel

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

There is robust evidence that early childhood adversity has wide ranging impacts on mental health, physical health and well-being in adulthood. Executive functioning (EF) deficits may partially mediate these effects, predisposing children to risky behavior and poor decision making. A growing body of research indicates that there is a link between early adversity and EF. However, more research is needed with younger children and with children at higher risk of multiple adversities. Measuring multiple adversities is complex, and researchers differ in their approaches to measuring cumulative adversity. Cumulative risk (CR) scores are an established method to capture important components of …

The Impact Of Problem Behaviors, Parenting And Availability Of Supports On Aspects Of Family Life In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Celia Tam

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

It is well documented that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) tend to exhibit more problem behaviors compared to typical peers; moreover, parents of children with ASD are more likely to report experiencing greater parental and family stress. The current study set out to shed light on the ways and degree to which problem behaviors in children with ASD may impact multiple aspects of family life. The potential moderating role of family resources and perceived support, including emotional, physical, and disability-related support, along with certain parenting behaviors, was also explored. Participants included parents/caregivers of children diagnosed with ASD between the …

Incorporating Psychological Trauma Into Adhd Differentials: A Pilot Study Of Primary Care Providers' Perspectives, Amber Nipper

PsyD Program in Clinical Psychology Doctoral Dissertations (Seattle)

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP, n.d.), 40% to 50% of individuals seeking mental health services terminate prematurely due to lack of access, lack of transportation, financial constraints, child mental health professional shortages, and stigma related to mental health. These barriers contribute to primary care providers assessing and managing mental health concerns at increasing rates, particularly symptoms consistent with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD is a neurobiological disorder beginning in childhood that is defined as “a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that interferes with functioning or development” (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013, p. 59). Current literature shows …

East African Immigrants’ Perceptions Of Mental Illness In The United States, Marion R. Kwoba

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractMental illness is considered a silent killer in East Africa as it affects 1 in 4 people. Differences exist in how individuals from Western countries perceive mental illness compared to East Africans’ perceptions. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the lived experiences of East African immigrants to the United States and the impact of these experiences on their perceptions of mental illness. Social learning theory and Berry’s acculturation model provided the framework for the study. Data were collected from 12 semistructured individual interviews with participants 20 years and older. The three themes that emerged from coding analysis …

Importance Of Childhood Maltreatment On Borderline Personality In Adults: Meta-Analysis, Lisa Nicole Trentacosti

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Early childhood maltreatment (CM) is a risk factor for later psychopathology specifically Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). CM has been found to negatively affect social, emotional, and psychological development as well as the ability to foster and sustain interpersonal relationships throughout all stages of life. There are evidence-based interventions for different kinds of CM including Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), Alternatives for Families - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT), relaxation training, and social skills training. The current study is a meta-analysis of published research into CM as it contributes to BPD in adults and is designed to examine the effect size of childhood …

Stress, Depression, And Anxiety, Oh My: Examining The Effects Of A Single-Session Seminar On Depression And Anxiety Symptomatology, Katelyn Sharpe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Young adults (aged 18-25) were identified as the most stressed age group due to internal and external factors that are relatively unique to their group. High stress levels are alarming as they coincide with a multitude of adverse effects on psychological health, including difficulty falling and staying asleep, reduction in overall sleep quality, and exacerbated depression and anxiety symptomatology. Young adults attending post-secondary education institutions are at particular risk for developing and maintaining these adverse psychological effects of stress, especially considering the low rate in which they seek treatment for psychiatric difficulties. Limited literature exists to date regarding condensing a …

Interictal Avoidance Of Sensory Stimuli Among Individuals With Migraine, Daniel Rogers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Migraine is the most debilitating neurological disorder worldwide and is associated with high economic and psychological costs. Common behavioral strategies for coping with migraine include avoidance of stimuli believed to precipitate an attack, though literature suggests that avoidance behaviors may serve to exacerbate migraine-symptoms and increase disability. Although the incorporation of trigger avoidance in modern conceptualizations of headache-related disability represents a more comprehensive understanding of disability occurring outside of migraine attacks (interictally), extant literature has emphasized trigger avoidance to the exclusion of other factors. Learning principles suggest stimuli that exacerbate migraine may take on similar eliciting properties as pain and …

Workplace Stress And Coping In Us Virgin Island Police Officers, Isheba James

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research indicates that policing is one of the most challenging and stressful professions worldwide regardless of the size of the police department, specialty area of service, or even geographic location. This study explored workplace stress and related coping strategies as described by police officers in the U.S. Virgin Islands through phenomenological inquiry. In addition to factors of stress and coping, components of culture and current local challenges received focus in the exploration. The research population consisted of 9 Virgin Islands police officers. Underpinning the study was the demand resources individual differences model and Lazarus and Folkman’s stress theory. The research …

Assessment Tools In Clinical And Counseling Psychology, Alea Reifenrath

Undergraduate Research Journal

Evidence-based assessment (EBA) is defined as the use of standardized assessment tools that have research support for their psychometric properties (Jensen-Doss & Hawley, 2010). Assessment is a key aspect of the therapeutic process. It involves screening individuals who are at risk for a particular mental health concern, determining the severity of a given issue, and monitoring the effectiveness of treatment. EBA allows for best practice by providing empirically sound, valid, reliable measures of assessment.

The broad areas of anxiety and depression represent extremely common disorders. Because of their high prevalence, evidence-based assessment tools catered toward depression and anxiety could be …

A Longitudinal Examination Of Depression Among Older Adults: The Role Of Working Memory And Sleep, David Brush

Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2020-2023

Introduction: The development and regulation of depressive symptoms and the ability to regulate their development is a complex process. Both working memory and sleep disturbance relates to depressive symptom endorsement, though the mechanisms relating these variables have not been examined longitudinally. The current manuscript contains a series of three interrelated studies that aim to elucidate the relationship between potential emotion regulation resources longitudinally within the context of the Selection, Optimization, and Compensation of Emotion Regulation (SOC-ER) model. Study one examined the temporal relationship between working memory and depression, study two examined working memory and depression following loss of spouse, and …

Effects Of Mindful Attentional Regulation On Illicit Opioid Use For Individuals Participating In Medication Assisted Treatment: A Pilot Study, Stephen Sooter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractIllicit opioid use takes thousands of Americans’ lives each year, reduces the quality of life for affected individuals, and results in sizable socioeconomic costs. Existing research has supported medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for this condition; however, MAT participants often continue to experience opioid craving and using behaviors. Mindfulness based relapse prevention (MBRP) uses mindfulness meditation and cognitive behavioral therapy to reduce likelihood of substance use relapse. This study used a combination of physical dependence theory, positive incentive theory, and classical conditioning theory to evaluate the impact of MBRP on illicit opioid use and cravings in a quantitative randomized, controlled experimental design. …

Examining How Adverse Childhood Experiences And The Underlying Processes Of Trait And State Impulsivity Influence Suicidal Behavior, Julia K. Duran

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

ABSTRACT

Due to the effects of ACEs and impulsive behavior on mental and physical health, it is important to better understand the relationship between these two as well as how they both may influence choices, such as suicide. Numerous studies have identified impulsive behavior as a risk factor for suicide, however, recent research has identified several underlying independent processes that make up impulsivity. This study uses a broad assessment of trait and state impulsivity to gather a more discrete understanding of the underlying processes that contribute to impulsive behavior. The short version UPPS-P scale was used to measure negative urgency, …

What Influences Suffering In Silence: Examining Mental Health Stigma, Social-Cognitive Factors, And Age As Predictors Of The Willingness To Seek Professional Psychological Help, Bobbie Call

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Mental health and wellness are increasingly common and popular topics discussed and researched in the world today. Recent estimates suggest that one in five adults in the United States of America experience mental health issues each year; this is estimated to be approximately 51.5 million adults (NAMI, 2020). However, despite many individuals who might suffer from mental health issues, and perhaps be diagnosed with a mental health disorder, these same individuals may not seek out the help and psychological services needed. Research exploring why people do not seek out help for their mental health should be a priority. Thus, the …

The Role Of Social Anxiety In Prosocial Behavior Following Exclusion, Hannah Friedman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Social anxiety (SA) causes significant distress and impairment in several areas of daily life. Individuals with SA experience increased rates of exclusion and have more difficultly forming meaningful interpersonal relationships. Exclusion is associated with increased SA and motivations for social withdrawal in emerging adulthood. In non-SA individuals, the desire for compensatory social interaction following exclusion often produces prosocial behaviors (e.g., increased effort to help the group). Prosocial behavior levels following exclusion are not uniform, however, as an individual’s response may vary depending on the type of exclusion experienced. Although previous work has observed decreased levels of prosocial behavior in non-SA …

The Influence Of Emotion Regulation And Family Involvement On Diabetes Distress Among Adults With Type 2 Diabetes, Patric Justin Leukel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Adults with diabetes frequently experience diabetes related distress which is associated with negative health outcomes. Family members are commonly involved in patients’ diabetes self-management. However, family involvement can have harmful and/or helpful effects on patients’ diabetes outcomes. Difficulties in regulating emotions may play a role in patients’ interactions with family members and experience of diabetes distress. This study examined the role of emotion regulation and type of family involvement in diabetes distress among 370 adults with type 2 diabetes. Two separate three-step sequential linear regression models were used to test the main and interactive effects of harmful and helpful family …

The Trajectory Of Resilience, Meaning In Life, Social Support, Posttraumatic Growth, And Posttraumatic Stress For Emerging Adult Trauma Survivors, Marcela C. Weber

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: The literature suggests the relationship between posttraumatic growth (PTG) and posttraumatic stress (PTS) is curvilinear, and that type or severity of trauma may affect this relationship. The relationship between depression, anxiety, and PTG is understudied. It is well established that meaning in life predicts PTG, PTS, and resilience, yet most of the research has measured general perceived meaning rather than meaning beyond-the-self, specifically, which was initially theorized by mid-century Humanistic psychologists. Mixed findings about whether searching for meaning is beneficial or harmful suggests potential moderators of search for meaning should be explored. METHOD: Participants (N = 628) were emerging …