Psychology Commons^™

Downward Comparison As An Intervention To Lower Self-Reported Risk-Taking Behaviors, John P. Barile

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

This research investigated the utility of using first-person editorial-style stories as a means to lower the occurrence of self-reported risk-taking behaviors such as drunk driving and red-light running in undergraduate college students. This study assessed the frequency of risk-taking behaviors of college students before and after a three-week online intervention. Students were randomized into one of three conditions. Two risk taking treatment groups read and rated stories about a college student that had suffered a severe consequence from either drunk driving or red-light running. A third group received non-driving college stories that involved no health risk. The stories were presented …

A Family Systems Approach To Substance Misuse: An Examination Of Risk And Protective Factors, Jennifer Anne Cutchin

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

This purpose of this project was to investigate the interrelationships between family structure, classroom stress, sense of belonging, and substance misuse in college students. Some outcomes of the study were an increased knowledge of substance misuse in college students and the impact of risk and protective factors on substance misuse. One model of family structure is the Circumplex Model of Family Systems. This model consists of three components: family cohesion, adaptability and communication fOIson, Russell, & Sprenkle, 1989). This research was conducted at Old Dominion University using 391 undergraduate college students, aged 18 - 25. It was hypothesized that students …

Content Analysis Of Drug Offenders' Sketches On The Draw-An-Event Test For Risky Sexual Situations, Alan W. Stacy, Susan L. Ames, Barbara C. Leigh, Brian R. Houska, Julia Andsager

CGU Faculty Publications and Research

Objectives: To evaluate the utility of the Draw-an-Event Test for risky sexual situations (DET-RS), a nonverbal memory-based assessment tool used for productions of spontaneous content associated with risky sex. Methods: Traditional holistic coding analysis of 298 drug offenders' content productions. Results: Content analyses of DET-RS sketches provided increased understanding of substance use and other context preceding risky sexual situations with different types of sex partners. None of the sketches including drugs depleted condoms, only one of the sketches with alcohol included a condom, and only 2 sketches mentioned sexually transmitted diseases. Conclusions: The DET-RS is a useful research tool for …

Engaging Rural Youth In Physical Activity Promotion Research In An After-School Setting, Nancy O’Hara Tompkins, James A. Rye, Sam Zizzi, Elizabeth Vitullo

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Background

West Virginia, the second most rural state in the nation, has a higher than average prevalence of chronic diseases, especially those related to physical inactivity and obesity. Innovative educational approaches are needed to increase physical activity among adults and youth in rural areas and reduce rural health disparities. This paper describes West Virginia's Health Sciences and Technology Academy (HSTA) Education and Outreach on Healthy Weight and Physical Activity. The project involved teachers and underserved high school students in social science research aimed at increasing physical activity among student and community participants.

Context

The HSTA is an ongoing initiative of …

Weight Loss Practices In Amateur Wrestlers And Its Relationship To Disordered Eating, Lyndsey M. Manderfield

Graduate Research Papers

The premise behind many athletic programs is to encourage wellness, a state of well being in both physical and emotional aspects. This research paper reviews how wrestling and other athletic programs where weight plays a significant role, may affect eating and other weight-related habits. It addresses whether weight loss practices in wrestling play a role in disordered eating patterns of its participants.

The Effects Of Ppa And Nicotine Gum On Cessation Rates And Post Cessation Weight Gain In Women., Theodore Cooper, R. Klesges, M. Debon, S. Zbikowski, K. Johnson, L. Clemens

Selected Works Temporary Series

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Ppa And Nicotine Gum On Cessation Rates And Post Cessation Weight Gain In Women., Theodore Cooper, R. Klesges, M. Debon, S. Zbikowski, K. Johnson, L. Clemens

Departmental Papers (Psych)

No abstract provided.

Gay And Lesbian Psychological Well-Being: A Thesis Comprising; Psychological Health In Adults From Sexual Minorities (Literature Review); And, A Comparative Exploratory Study Of The Psychological Well-Being Of Gay Male, Lesbian, And Heterosexual Australian Metropolitan Adults (Research Project), Stephen D. Brown

Theses : Honours

Research into the psychological health of members of sexual minorities has been biased towards a medical model of illness and several methodological difficulties need to be considered to critically interpret findings in this area. This review presents relevant literature on sexual minority stressors, positive coping by sexual minority members, and the mixed findings of between-groups comparative research. The medical model bias is evident in an analysis of the measures of psychological health used in research involving sexual minorities. The thesis of considering psychological health of sexual minorities from the broader perspective that includes both well-being and pathology, and of using …

Effects Of Nicotine And Anatoxin-A Exposures On The Operant Performance Of Rats, Kimberly Ann Jarema

Dissertations

Tolerance has previously been shown to develop to nicotine's effects on operant behavior. This experiment explored whether tolerance would still develop when nicotine administrations were separated by three weeks. Anatoxin-a, a nicotinic-receptor agonist, was also tested and the results were compared to nicotine. Male Long Evans rats performed under a multiple VR30 VI30-sec food-reinforcement schedule. Phase I rats were divided into 6 groups of 8 that received four weekly subcutaneous injections of nicotine (0.0-1.8 mg/kg) and anatoxin-a (0-250 mcg/kg) prior to testing sessions. An ED50 was derived, for each compound, from the VR dose-response curve. Phase II rats were divided …

Confirming The Factor Structure Of The Quality Of Life Rating, Charles John Drake Iii

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The Quality of Life Rating (Gust, 1982) (QOLR) is a clinically developed 20-item self-report instrument that has been used in spinal cord and traumatic brain injury rehabilitation clinics as well as clinical mental health environments. This current study tested a five-factor model (Huebner et al., 1998) of the QOLR using the confirmatory factor analysis method. Huebner et al.’s (1998) five extracted factors were labeled as: self-esteem and well-being, interpersonal attachment, economics or basic needs, recreation/leisure, and spirituality. For the present study, 230 completed QOLR’s collected from adults at intake of an outpatient psychological services clinic in the Southwestern United States …

Infant Heart Transplant: Perioperative Indicators Of Neurocognitive Development, Joy Michelle Gardner

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Approximately five to eight births per 1000 in the United States are born with a congenital heart defect (Limperopoulos et al, 1999), the primary defect in 57% is hypoplastic left heart syndrome (Johnston, 1991). A fatal disease twenty years ago, survival has jumped from less than 5% to 91% of infants surviving their one-month birthday due to advances in palliative and transplant procedures (Razzouk et al, 1996). Unfortunately, the decrease in mortality has been unmatched by a decrease in morbidity, which continues to be a major risk factor when undergoing deep hypothermia (du Plessis, 2000). While neurodevelopmental and cognitive dysfunction …

Chronic Pain: The Extra Burden On Canadian Women, Marta Meana, Robert Cho, Marie Desmeules

Psychology Faculty Research

Health Issue

Chronic pain is a major health problem associated with significant costs to both afflicted individuals and society as a whole. These costs seem to be disproportionately borne by women, who generally have higher prevalence rates for chronic pain than do men.

Key findings

Data obtained from 125,574 respondents to the Canadian Community Health Survey (2000–2001) indicated that 18% of Canadian women suffered from chronic pain, compared to 14% of men. This gender discrepancy, however, seemed to be linked primarily to differences in age, income, and education between adult men and women in this large sample. Age, income, depression …

Quality Of Life In The Chronically Mentally Ill: Impact Of Demographics, Symptomatology, And Coping Styles, Dawn Castner

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are often persistent and disabling conditions that require a wide range ofbiopsychosocial treatments. In recent decades, treatment has largely focused on assisting persons to maintain community tenure, while little attention has been devoted to quality of life. For many, these illnesses have a negative impact on life satisfaction due to their chronic and variable nature, lack of completely efficacious treatments, and social stigma. Some have speculated that various demographic, symptom, or treatment variables influence quality of life, but the nature and amount of influence is uncertain. 111 The purpose of this study was to investigate the …

Will Knowledge Of Green Tea Benefits Influence Coffee Consumption?, I-Fang Wang

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many recent studies have focused on the health benefits of green tea consumption. Although there is conflicting evidence, there is a strong trend showing positive effects of green tea to human health. This current study was done to explore whether the knowledge of such green tea benefits will influence the willingness of coffee drinkers to consider switching to green tea consumption. The survey study included a convenience sample of 132 adults who considered themselves regular coffee drinkers. From the statistical analyses of the collected data, results were obtained primarily through frequency distributions and phi coefficients. Data analysis suggested a significant …

Body Image, Emotional Regulation, And Binge Eating In Obese Females, Courtney D. Stahl

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Individuals with binge eating disorder (BED) tend to endorse significant overconcerns with weight and shape and a greater propensity to eat in response to negative mood states. The primary aim of this study was to examine the impact of body image disturbance on the self-regulation of affect in female obese non-binge (n=46) and binge eaters (n=l09). Groups were similar in age (M=46.3) and race (84% Caucasian). Obese non-binge eaters were significantly less obese (BMI=35.50) than their binge eating counterparts (BMI=38.60). On the Multidimensional Body Self-Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), obese binge eaters endorsed significantly higher levels of body dissatisfaction, greater feelings of …

Brighter Noise: Sensory Enhancement Of Perceived Loudness By Concurrent Visual Stimulation, Yoav Arieh, Eric C. Odgaard, Lawrence E. Marks

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Two experiments investigated the effect of concurrently presented light on the perceived loudness of a low-level burst of white noise. The results suggest two points. First, white noise presented with light tends to be rated as louder than noise presented alone. Second, the enhancement in loudness judgments is resistant to two experimental manipulations: varying the probability that light accompanies sound and shifting from a rating method to a forced choice comparison. Both manipulations were previously shown to eliminate a complementary noise-induced enhancement in ratings of brightness. Whereas noise-induced enhancement of brightness seems to reflect a late-stage decisional process, such as …

Pediatric Amputations: Ptsd, Behavioral Tendencies And Quality Of Life, Adriana Macias Chamorro

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The present study examined children and adolescents between 11-18 years of age who had experienced traumatic amputations due to an acute physical injury (burns, severing, and crushing accidents). In order to account for variance which may have impacted the results of the study, evaluations were conducted between a group of children/adolescents with amputations and a comparison group of children/adolescents who had been hospitalized due to a non-head injury, non-death motor vehicle accident. The goal of this study was to assess symptoms of PTSD, provide a description of the internalized and externalized behaviors, and examine the quality of life (QOL)(health habits, …

The Sexual Abuse Crisis In The Roman Catholic Church: What Psychologists And Counselors Should Know, Thomas G. Plante, Courtney Daniels

Psychology

Recent events regarding child sexual abuse committed by Roman Catholic priests in the Archdiocese of Boston and elsewhere have yet again resulted in a tremendous amount of media attention and frenzy regarding this topic. During 2002 alone, approximately 300 American Catholic priests, including several bishops, were accused of child sexual abuse. Many were forced to resign their positions while others were prosecuted and went to prison. Curiously, there still exist many myths and misperceptions about priests who sexually abuse children and their victims. Since psychologists and other mental health professionals are likely to interact with many who have been impacted …

The Effect Of Pfiesteria Toxin On General Activity And Performance On The Elevated Plus Maze In Rats, Sarah Ann Schultz

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Marine toxins that cause fish kills also threaten human health. Pfiesreria piscicida and Pfiesteria shumwayae are marine microorganisms responsible for periods of massive fish death and are implicated as causative agents in the neurocognitive decline of humans exposed to the aerosols of the Pfiesteria toxin. Past research with animals has demonstrated that exposure to Pfiesteria does result in impaired learning and memory performance. The present study aimed to investigate whether Pfiesreria-exposed animals behaviorally indicate greater anxiety or differing levels of activity compared to control animals; both anxiety and activity might affect learning and memory performance. The behavior of twelve …

Accroître Les Efforts De Prévention : La Santé Et La Sécurité Du Travail Dans La Construction Au Québec, Jean-Pierre Brun

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Ce rapport présente les résultats d’une recherche s'intéressant au processus d'application de mesures de prévention dans l'industrie de la construction. L'objectif de la recherche est donc de comprendre comment et pourquoi les mesures préventives sont appliquées ou non sur divers chantiers de construction. Les conditions susceptibles d'influencer l'application des mesures préventives peuvent être situées sur un axe partant d’un contexte global à un contexte local. Nous les regroupons selon qu'elles concernent principalement le contexte général (cadre législatif, organisation industrielle, etc.), le contexte d’affaires (marché, clients, maître d’œuvre, etc.), le chantier (environnement physique, type de chantier, etc.), les acteurs collectifs (syndicats, …

Use Of A Community Trail Among New And Habitual Exercisers: Apreliminary Assessment, Paul M. Gordon, Sam Zizzi, Jeff Pauline

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

Introduction

We evaluated physical activity patterns and trail use among new and habitually active exercisers using onsite trail interviews.

Methods

Using a cross-sectional study design, 414 adults who accessed two new trails that bisect a rural community of 26,809 residents were interviewed during the first summer of the trails' official operation (2001). The trails comprise 12 miles of level and paved surface and run parallel to adjacent water sheds, businesses, and neighborhoods. Recent trail activity patterns were obtained, including the following: frequency of use, mode of activity, duration, distance traveled on trail, access points, time of day used, use of …

Correlates Of Adherence With Transdermal Nicotine., Theodore Cooper, M. Debon, M. Stockton, T. Steenbergh, D. Sherrill-Mittleman, L. Jennings, R. Klesges

Selected Works Temporary Series

No abstract provided.

Exposure To Televised Alcohol Ads And Subsequent Adolescent Alcohol Use, Alan W. Stacy, Jennifer Zogg, Jennifer Unger, Clyde W. Dent

CGU Faculty Publications and Research

Objective: To assess the impact of televised alcohol commercials on adolescents, alcohol use. Methods: Adolescents completed questionnaires about alcohol commercials and alcohol use in a prospective study. Results: A one standard deviation increase in viewing television programs containing alcohol commercials in seventh grade was associated with an excess risk of beer use (44%}, wine/liquor use (34%}, and 3-drlnk episodes (26%} in eighth grade. The strength of associations varied across exposure measures and was most consistent for beer. Conclusions: Although replication is warranted, results showed that exposure was associated with an increased risk of subsequent beer consumption and possibly other consumption …

Correlates Of Adherence With Transdermal Nicotine., Theodore Cooper, M. Debon, M. Stockton, T. Steenbergh, D. Sherrill-Mittleman, L. Jennings, R. Klesges

Departmental Papers (Psych)

No abstract provided.

Chronic Pain: The Extra Burden On Canadian Women, Marta Meana, Robert Cho, Marie Desmeules

Psychology Faculty Research

Health Issue: Chronic pain is a major health problem associated with significant costs to both afflicted individuals and society as a whole. These costs seem to be disproportionately borne by women, who generally have higher prevalence rates for chronic pain than do men.

Key findings: Data obtained from 125,574 respondents to the Canadian Community Health Survey (2000–2001) indicated that 18% of Canadian women suffered from chronic pain, compared to 14% of men. This gender discrepancy, however, seemed to be linked primarily to differences in age, income, and education between adult men and women in this large sample. Age, income, depression …

The Effects Of Hypnosis And Guided Imagery On The Performance Of Track Athletes, Johnathan C. Mossey

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although sport psychologists may utilize numerous hypnotic interventions and techniques intended to enhance the performance of athletes, many of these interventions have not been examined by systematic research. This exploratory study examined the effects of interventions using imagery and imagery plus hypnosis on the performance of track athletes. Twenty-nine students from a Midwestern high school track team were randomly assigned to one of two intervention groups: a) imagery and hypnosis or b) an imagery only group. Track team members at another high school served as the control group. The athletes in each group had their performance examined at track meets …

The Relationship Of Health Beliefs And Health Value In Cardiovascular Outcomes, Kimberley Schaub

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite extensive theoretical information regarding Schwarzer's Health Action Process Approach the utility of the model pas yet to be explored within a chronic illness population. Using Schwarzer's Health Action Process Approach (Schwarzer, 1992), the purpose of this study was to investigate cardiovascular outcomes based on health beliefs and health value. Participants were eighty-one adults ages 42-87 with cardiovascular disease recruited from a cardiac rehabilitation program in Central Indiana. Participants completed instruments that assessed (a) health beliefs, (b) health value and, (c), quality of life. Measurements of physiological outcome (resting heart rate, distance walked, and metabolic equivalent) were also obtained. A …

The Relationship Between Health Status And Hope In Individuals With Hiv Disease, Celine Meera Chohan

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the relationship between hope and health status over a two-year period in individuals who were HIV -infected. One hundred and three individuals completed the surveys at entry into the study, at 12 months, and at 24 months. The Health Status Questionnaire (Wu et.al., 1991) measured Cognitive Functioning, Emotional Functioning, and Physical Functioning. Additionally, the Hope Scale (Snyder, 1991) and the Client Information Form were used to collect data. Results suggested hope at entry into the study was a significant predictor of physical functioning initially, at 12 months, and at 24 months. This finding suggests a link between …

Familial, Sociocultural, And Personality Risk Factors In The Development Of Eating Disorders, Carrie Hixson Profitt

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined whether familial, sociocultural, and personality factors predict anorexic and bulimic symptomatology. One hundred and six students from a private, Midwest, female college were administered The Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale (FACES-ill), Sociocultural Attitude Toward Appearance Questionnaire (SATAQ), The Personal Style Inventory-ll (PSI-ll), The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), and a demographic questionnaire. Anorexia and bulimic symptomatology was measured as high scores on the EAT-26. Simple linear regression and multiple regression analyses were performed. The linear combination of predictors (social awareness, internalization, sociotropy, autonomy, family adaptability, family cohesion) was not significantly related to anorexic/bulimic symptomatology. Implications discussed include the …

Can You Just Say No? The Impact Of Critical Thinking On Advertisement Activated Alcohol Expectancies, Sarah A. Forbes

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Alcohol expectancies appear to be the crux of alcohol advertisement effectiveness. Research has supported the notion that alcohol expectancies predict future drinking, but the expectancies must be activated by cues before they can influence drinking. Alcohol ads are one possible cue. The extent to which ads activate these expectancies could predict the extent to which drinking is influenced. One way to test this idea was to vary participants' attention to alcohol ads, thus varying expectancy activation. This study also examined whether or not critical thinking could undo the influence of activated expectancies. Four conditions were created for the study: control, …