Psychology Commons^™

Retrospective Investigation Of One-Time Presenters Versus Repeat Presenters To Urban And Suburban Psychiatric Emergency Services : Cross-Sectional And Clinical Characteristics, April J. Hansen

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study retrospectively reviewed 765 patients who presented within a one-year period at either a suburban, urban, or both suburban and urban psychiatric emergency services (PES). Demographic and clinical characteristics were examined. Particular focus included characteristics of children/adolescents and older adults, as well as the relationship between substance misuse and PES presenters. Adults presenting to PES more than three times were more likely to have a chronic mental illness, personality disorder, history of psychiatric treatment, and a history of noncompliance with treatment than those who presented three times or less. Significant differences were found between urban and suburban PESs, in …

Predictors Of Large Women's Satisfaction With Health Care, Virginia M. Koutsouros

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This cross-sectional observational study identifies specific predictors of large women's satisfaction with health care and participation in preventive care as measured by pelvic screening examinations. A total of 87 large adult women completed a survey, including measures of self-objectification, affective experience, satisfaction with health care, and health care locus of control. Multiple regression analysis was employed to analyze results. The hypotheses of this study were as follows: (1) BMI, self-objectification, negative affect and locus of control will predict satisfaction with medical care; (2) pelvic screening examinations and patient satisfaction with medical care will be positively related (3) self-objectification and negative …

Different Forms Of Abuse In The Eating Disorders: Impact On Schema-Level Cognitions, Christine C. Ganis

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Cognitive theory suggests that traumatic experiences impact on psychopathology via the development of unconditional negative cognitions (core beliefs or schema). This study examined the links between types of childhood trauma and core beliefs in an eating-disordered population. Chart reviews were conducted for 91 eating-disordered women in treatment. Each woman was asked about a history of 4 types of trauma, and completed a standardized measure of core beliefs. This study failed to find links between those women who reported childhood trauma and their core beliefs. Regression analysis predicted 4 schema (Emotional Deprivation, Mistrust/Abuse, Vulnerability to Harm and Subjugation) that were associated …

Evaluation Of The Maudsley Addiction Profile (Map) For Use With An American Substance Abuse Population, Hannelore T. Barbieri

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Multi-dimensional instruments in the addiction field developed in the United States as well as in other countries are limited. The Maudsley Addiction Profile (MAP), a brief, multi-dimensional instrument developed in the United Kingdom (UK), is designed to assess the treatment outcome of individuals with alcohol and/or drug (AOD) problems and associated issues. This measure consists of sixty items across the domains of substance use, health risk, physical/ psychological health and personal/social functioning. The MAP, which has been validated on British as well as on several European samples of substance abusers, has been suggested for further validation. The current study was …

Patients Presenting For Psychiatric Emergency Services : Clinical Characteristics, Psychosocial Stressors And Disposition, Kristen Maura Cirelli

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics of 600 individuals who presented to two Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) located in one county of southern New Jersey. A retrospective chart analysis investigated demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables that describe the PES presenter. It also examined how these variables differ between the urban and suburban sites, and how they affected the disposition decision. Because there is a paucity of information investigating the role that psychosocial stressors play, there was specific focus on psychosocial stressors as defined by Axis IV of the multiaxial system outlined in the American Psychiatric Association's …

Dysthymia And Major Depression : Distinct Conditions Or Different Stages Along A One-Dimensional Continuum?, Patrick Pössel

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Until recently researchers have discussed whether dysthymia and major depression represent distinct conditions or rather different stages along a one-dimensional continuum. This study addresses this question by examining the belief systems of normal, dysthymic, and depressed participants. We explored participants‘ beliefs and differentiated between positive and negative as well as between core and peripheral beliefs. Normal participants showed fewer negative beliefs and negative peripheral beliefs than the dysthymic group, whereas normal participants had more positive beliefs and positive core beliefs as well as fewer negative core beliefs than the depressed group. The hypothesized one-dimensional continuum could not be demonstrated for …

A Trial Of The Effects Of Intercessory Prayer On Student Performance, Christopher Clark

Masters Theses

The purpose of the present study is to test the efficacy of intercessory prayer on academic performance. One hundred and four students enrolled in a college business class and 63 regular church attendees volunteered to participate in the study. Design for the study was a matched groups reversal design. The students were paired according to their GPA's and randomly assigned to one of two groups. The first test of the semester constituted a baseline measure. For the first four-week period of the class and the first test, neither of the groups received prayer. Next, the church goers each received the …

Prediction Of Mental Health Treatment Outcome In Asian American College Students, Jamie Michelle Pitzman

Masters Theses

The current study aimed to examine the relationship between presenting problems and treatment outcome among Asian American college students compared to non-Asian students. The present study also provides information about the relationship between treatment outcome and the following types of demographic and treatment related variables: age, gender, ethnic status, year in school, religion, marital status, parents' marital status, referral source, previous counseling, medical problems, and family history of medical, emotional, or substance abuse problems. Data for this study were obtained from an existing database from an East Coast university counseling center. The entire sample consisted of 173 males and 271 …

Predictors Of Recurrent Child Maltreatment, Bridget Kielty

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between child maltreatment recurrence and several predictor variables in 7 rural counties in central Illinois, an under-studied population in the child maltreatment literature. Additionally, factors that contributed to the decision by Illinois Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) to provide post-investigative services were also examined. Data were obtained from an integrated database maintained by Illinois DCFS. All indicated cases of maltreatment occurring between January 1, 2000 and March 31 of 2001 were examined for a 12-month period following the initial indicated report for child revictimization or perpetrator recidivism. The …

Measuring Anger In A Prison Population Using The Anger Disorders Scale And The Personality Assessment Inventory, Michael R. Wydo

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

In comparison with other emotions, such as anxiety and depression, the research literature on anger-related problems is lacking. Anger, and anger-related behaviors pose a critical problem to clinicians and researchers. The inability to identify and treat individuals with a propensity toward aggressive behavior is related to the insufficient empirical evidence defining anger as a diagnosable disorder. An ongoing argument has existed as to the causes and related concepts of anger and aggression. The present study validates a new assessment measure for anger and explores the correlation between prisoners' offense records and specific type of anger expression. The Anger Disorder Scale …

Understanding Countertransference With Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder : An Exploratory Quantitative Investigation, Michelle Saxen Hunt

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The present study surveyed 58 psychologists regarding their countertransference (CT) behaviors, CT management ability, empathy, and working alliances when treating patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD). Common positive and negative CT behaviors were identified when treating their typical patient with BPD. As predicted, results yielded negative correlations between therapists' CT behaviors and their CT management ability, working alliance, and empathy, as well as a positive correlation between therapists' CT management and working alliance, linking CT management to positive treatment outcomes. Therapists' level of experience and theoretical orientation were also examined, finding no significant impact on CT behaviors, CT management, or …

Preliminary Studies Of A Measure Of Conscientiousness, Braddon M. Garner Ma

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Psychologists have been interested in personality characteristics for decades. One characteristic of personality studied by researchers is that of conscientiousness. Conscientiousness can de defined as a "degree of organization, persistence, and motivation in goal-directed behavior" (Costa & McCrae, 1985, p.2) This study divided the terms defining conscientiousness into three categories for purpose of item development: organization, persistence, and motivation. Organization incudes, but is not limited to, being organized, reliable, and practical. Persistence includes concepts of responsibleness, thoroughness, and commitment to hard-work. Motivation involves characteristics of enthusiasm, morality, cautiousness, and seriousness. The purpose of this study was to develop a measure …

The Effect Of Background Information On The Identity Formation And Self-Concept Of Adoptees, Molly Susan Dye

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Adoptees are over represented in clinical populations. Issues of self-concept, identity formation and the search for background history may be of particular relevance to adoptee clients and could be addressed as a focus of treatment. This study attempted to assess if lack of knowledge about background information is related to poorer selfconcepts and increased difficulty with identity formation in adoptees. Adults (N=299) who were adopted prior to 6 months of age were recruited from adoption related sites on the Internet. Measures of self-concept, identity formation and adoption related factors were completed on a web page designed for this study. Results …

The Validity Of The Behavior Dimensions Scale In The Diagnosis Of Adhd In A Clinic-Referred Sample, Paul A. White

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of the Behavior Dimensions Scale (BDS; McCamey, 1995a; 1995b) in the diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Forty-eight children, ages 6 to 11 years old, referred to a university-based psychology clinic for evaluation of ADHD, were participants in the study. Parents and teachers of children completed the parent and teacher rating forms of the BDS as well as the Achenbach parent and teacher rating forms (Child Behavior Checklist [CBCL] and Teacher's Report Form [TRF]; Achenbach, 1991a; 1991b) as part of a larger assessment battery. Results suggest that the ADHD …

The Effectiveness Of Behavioral Activation Group Therapy: Treating Comorbid Depression On A Specialized Inpatient Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Unit For Combat Veterans, Theodore P. Wright

Dissertations

The comorbidity of depression and PTSD has been shown to be relatively prevalent. Researchers have found a 70% lifetime prevalence o f comorbid PTSD and depression among combat veterans. This study examined the effectiveness of a behavioral activation (BA) group treatment when administered to combat veterans with comorbid depression and PTSD in the residential treatment program at the Battle Creek Veteran Affairs Medical Center. Forty-five veterans participated in the study. Twenty-four veterans participated in a BA treatment group while in the treatment program. Twenty-one veterans attended the treatment program, but did not participate in the BA treatment group and served …

The Effects Of Wilderness Therapy On The Perceived Psychosocial Stressors, Defense Styles, Dysfunctional Personality Patterns, Clinical Syndromes, And Maladaptive Behaviors Of Troubled Adolescents, Jeffrey P. Clark

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The purpose of this study was fourfold: (a) to empirically evaluate the correlation between perceived psychosocial stressors (expressed concerns), immature defense styles, dysfunctional personality patterns, clinical syndromes, and maladaptive behaviors, as measured by the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory (MACI), Defense Style Questionnaire-40 (DSQ-40), and Youth Outcome Questionnaire-2.0 (YOQ); (b) to look at how wilderness therapy affects the expressed concerns, immature defense styles, clinical syndromes, dysfunctional personality patterns, and maladaptive behaviors of troubled adolescents; (c) to see if subjects whose post-test defense styles change improve more than subjects whose defense styles remain the same or get worse; and (d) to begin …

Recruitment Of Engaged Couples For Premarital Counseling: An Empirical Examination Of The Importance Of Program Characteristics And Topics To Potential Participants, Kieran T. Sullivan, Carmen Anderson

Psychology

The recent emphasis on prevention in helping couples to avoid marital distress may be limited by lack of participation in prevention programs by engaged couples. The purpose of this study is to understand what potential participants perceive are attractive characteristics in premarital prevention approaches. Eighty-six engaged couples completed questionnaires assessing demographics, personality and the relative importance of premarital program characteristics. The results indicate that leader characteristics, content, and topics such as communication, finances, and problem-solving are the most important elements of premarital counseling to couples. Differences based on gender and risk level are reported. Suggestions are made for more effective …

Perceived Paternal Style And Its Relationship To The Child's Explanatory Style And Depression, Janice E. Halecki

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Seligman' (1974) theory of learned helplessness and the reformulated hopelessness depression model (Abramson, Metalsky, & Alloy, 1989) suggest that a learned sense of lack of control can lead to a pessimistic explanatory style and subsequently depression. The current study used a retrospective cross-sectional design to investigate whether issues of parental control and affection in the early family environment are associated with the individual's explanatory style and history of depression in adulthood.

The participants,158 undergraduate students, completed self-report measures to assess their level of depressive symptoms, perception of their parents' behavior, and negative stressful events.

Perception of a high level of …

Assessment Of The Discriminative Stimulus Effects Of (±)-3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (Mdma, "Ecstasy") And (+Lysergic Add Diethylamide (Lsd) In A Three-Lever Drug Discrimination Procedure, Amy K. Goodwin

Dissertations

(±)3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a common drug of abuse known as "ecstasy." Currently, MDMA is classified into the traditional drug classes as both a "stimulant" and a "hallucinogen" because it is reported to share both subjective and physiological properties of both classes. MDMA is thought to produce its psychoactive effects by acting as both a serotonin and a dopamine agonist. However, the relative importance of the serotonin and dopamine neurotransmitter systems in mediating the stimulus properties of MDMA remains unclear.

The drug discrimination assay is used to classify drugs as "similar" or "dissimilar," as well as to examine underlying neurochemical changes …

Content Validity And Internal Consistency Reliability Of A New Scale On Violence Potential, Samuel Pierce

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The differential prediction of violence potential in adolescents m juvenile corrections and the mental health fields continues to garner concern. The result of this inability to predict ;md therefore prevent these aces of violence has resulted in an increased incarceration of adolescents in the criminal justice system. Two previous studies (Criminal Justice Association, 1993; Dembo. Hughes, Jackson & Mieczkowski, 1993) have noted similar results. While no system is 100% accurate. there arc known risk factors of violent behavior (Flannery. 1998: Monahan. 1981: Webster & fackson. 1997). This study examined many of these known indicators of violent behavior: and, identified other …

The Effects Of Acculturation Level On Boston Naming Test And Controlled Oral Word Association Test In A Sample Ofhisparrics Ofmexican-American Extraction, Megan D. Nicoloff

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

This research investigated in the relationship between acculturation and performance on verbal fluency tasks in a sample of 57 Hispanics of Mexican-American extraction. It was hypothesized that as acculturation to Anglo-American culture approaches assimilation, facilitation of word fluency on the Boston Naming Test (BNT) and the Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWA) will increase. As the independent variable, acculturation was examined on three levels: Mexican·oriented, balanced, and Anglo-oriented using Scale One of the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans· Second Edition (ARSMA·II). The dependent variables were verbal fluency scores on the BNT and COWA. A 3 x 2 (acculturation group …

Assessment Of Child Abuse Potential In Spouse Abusive Men, Lisa Marie Estelle

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

This study investigated potential for child physical abuse in a sample of men participating in mandated violence intervention programs in Oregon. Utility of the Child Abuse Potential (CAP) Inventory, history of personal child abuse, time-in-treatment, and personal ratings of parenting were explored. Voluntary, anonymous participation of 136 men yielded 110 valid, interpretable CAP Inventory profiles. As predicted, results are similar to Milner and Gold's (1986) study with approximately one third (33.6%) of the sample demonstrating elevated abuse scores and consequently, significant potential for child physical abuse. Results extend Milner and Gold's ( 1986) preliminary support for the utility of the …

Non-Physical Abuse Behavioral Changes In First Time Expectant Fathers, Sheila Tarr-Stiglich

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The nine months of a pregnancy produce monumental physical and psychological changes in the pregnant woman. Past research has indicated that intimate partner abuse can occur during this time. The objective of the current study was to determine if a change in non-physical abusive behavior occurred in men as they experienced the first pregnancy of the wives, and if so, could it be measured by a particular instrument. Thirty-three men were given the Non-Physical Abuse of Partner Scale, along with a battery of other instruments throughout the course of the pregnancy, in attempt to measure change. Results indicated no significant …

Attitudinal And Behavioral Changes Demonstrated By Expectant Fathers As Measured By The Index Of Self Esteem, Terry G. Savage

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Thirty married men who were expecting their first child were tested in the first, second, and third trimesters of pregnancy with the Index of Self Esteem to see if the subjects experienced a significant drop in self esteem during the course of pregnancy. The current study focused on the attitudinal and behavioral changes in the subjects as measured by the index of self-esteem. A decrease in self-esteem of the expectant fathers was not found, however the lack of diversity within the sample may account for the results. It would be necessary to conduct more extensive research to be more representative …

Acts Of Misconduct And Perception Of Internal, Powerful Others, And Chance Locus Of Control, Jodi L. Henry

Masters Theses

With the growing numbers of acts of misconduct that are committed in our country each year, it is important to find possible predictors of these behaviors. Because locus of control is a stable characteristic that is central to how an individual perceives causes of action, it is one construct that shows promise for predicting acts of misconduct. One hundred and forty college students answered two questionnaires: a locus of control scale called the Internality, Powerful Others, and Chance Scales and a Self Report Acts of Misconduct Index which was created for this study. A Pearson's Correlation was conducted comparing scores …

The Distress Thermometer: Validity In A General Cancer Population, Carole S. Moretz

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This work reports on the psychometric properties of a new measure designed to screen for distress in large populations of cancer patients. The Distress Thermometer (Holland et al., 2000) was tested in a group of 239 heterogeneously diagnosed cancer patients. It was found to be internally consistent (a= 0.86) and to exhibit a reliable eight-factor solution. It displayed acceptable concurrent validity (p ≤ 0.0001) when compared to the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (deHaes et al., 1994), the Functional Living Index Cancer (Schipper et al., 1984) and the Brief Symptom Inventory (Derogatis, 1993). It was also found to be a sensitive measure …

Positive And Negative Symptoms Of Schizotypy And The Five-Factor Model: A Domain And Facet Level Analysis, Scott R. Ross, Catherine J. Lutz, Steven E. Bailley

Psychology Faculty Publications

In this study, we investigated the Five-factor model in the concurrent prediction of positive symptomschizotypy as measured by the Magical Ideation (Eckblad & Chapman, 1983) and Perceptual Aberration (Chapman, Chapman, & Raulin, 1978) scales and negative symptom schizotypy as measured by the Physical Anhedonia (Chapman, Chapman, & Raulin, 1976) and Revised Social Anhedonia (Eckblad, Chapman, Chapman, & Mishlove, 1982; Mishlove & Chapman, 1985) scales. Previous studies suggest that these measures reflect the core symptoms found in schizotypal and schizoid personality disorder (Bailey, West, Widiger, & Freiman, 1993). Negative symptoms were significantly predicted by Neuroticism (+), Extraversion (-), Openness (-), and …

Psychometric Investigation Of The Validity And Reliability Of The Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire-Revised In A Sample Of Psychotic Outpatients, John James Blue

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Refractory auditory hallucinations are a continuing problem in the treatment of schizophrenic, schizoaffective and psychotically depressed patient populations as well as patients with psychotic disorder, not otherwise specified. To date, little is known about the assessment of such hallucinatory states. Currently there are only a few instruments designed to examine the characteristics of auditory hallucinations. The study examined the reliability and validity of the Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire-Revised (BAVQ-R) in a sample of psychotic outpatients experiencing refractory auditory hallucinations. The present study consisted of 91 subjects; 57 men and 34 women selected from four separate community outpatient settings, who experienced …

Becoming Visible : A Qualitative Analysis Of Female To Male Transsexuals' Coming Out Experiences, Emily R. Chernicoff

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This research explores the coming-out processes of 11 transgendered individuals who underwent female-to-male sex reassignment. Its purpose is to expand upon the cultural literacy of clinicians called upon to support transgendered clients who present with the intent to transition. The thesis is predicated on the argument that the differently-gendered constitute an understudied and discrete cultural minority, similar to ethnic, racial and sexual minorities, for whom identity formation is similarly impacted by socio-cultural influences. Qualitative content analysis of transcribed semi-structured interviews was conducted. Phase analysis was found to parallel both Cass's 1979 stage-model theory of sexual minority identity formation, and Devor's …

Comprehensive Profile Of Adult Outpatient Psychotherapy Treatment Responders, Nonresponders, And Negative Responders In A Naturalistic Treatment Setting , Anya Genieser-Derosa

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Since its inception, the effectiveness of psychotherapy as a treatment for psychological distress has been challenged vigorously. During the past 5 decades, increasingly sophisticated research studies have demonstrated psychotherapy effective in treating a variety ofpsychological disorders in the majority of individuals who avail themselves of treatment. Moreover, despite fierce competition among proponents of various psychotherapy models attempting to prove their model of choice most effective, research findings suggest the major models of psychotherapy are all equally effective in treating most individuals. Some have therefore shifted their research focus to determining the factors common to major psychotherapies that promote treatment success. …