Psychology Commons^™

Examining The Effectiveness Of A Therapist Training On The Reflective Exploration Of Parenting Interactions Tool, Molly Jean Winterrowd

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The current study seeks to explore the impact of a therapist training on the Reflective Exploration of Parenting Interactions Tool (REPIT, Verona, 2015), a clinical, therapist-guided exercise that aims to improve parent insight, and in turn, facilitate a decrease in parent-child conflict. The REPIT was created as a therapy exercise in which parents are guided through a series of 19 standardized questions that build their insight into their own internal processes regarding conflict with their child. Specifically, the reflection encourages exploration of how the parental internal processes impact the parent-child relationship and interact with the child thought processes to create …

The Relationship Of Gender, Spirituality, And Willingness To Seek Mental Health Treatment Among Students At A Faith-Based Institution, Lauren A. Hoffman

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

College is a demanding time in a student’s life that can require willingness to seek help in times of significant distress. The factors that can influence this decision are numerous and complex. This study examined the relationship between willingness to seek mental health treatment, gender, and level of religiosity and spirituality in students that are enrolled in a single faith-based institution. Results suggest that female students were more willing to seek help from a mental health professional than males, and students who endorsed high levels of religiosity and spirituality were more inclined to seek help from a religiously affiliated advisor …

Long-Term Impact Of Lifelong Fitness: Examining Longitudinal Exercise Behavior In College Students, Garrett Drake

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Over time, the United States population has gradually shifted to an increasingly inactive lifestyle, and there has been a decline in health behavior. Only 50% of the population meet the recommended guidelines for weekly physical activity. With this glaring increase of inactive lifestyles, programs designed to increase health behavior change have become crucial. One solution to this problem has been a required Lifelong Fitness class at George Fox University where new college students learn knowledge and skills to implement for healthier lifestyles during this transformative time. A multiple regression model predicting long-term exercise by pre-minutes of exercise, post-minutes of exercise, …

Suicide Assessment Training: The Effect On The Knowledge, Skills, And Attitudes Of Mental Health Professionals And Trainees, Cynthia Song

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

This research will examine the impact of training in the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS), a suicide assessment and intervention protocol, on the knowledge, perceived skills, and confidence for providers at three different levels of training. The trainee groups will include Qualified Mental Health Professionals (County),¹ master’s prepared third-year doctoral students on the Behavioral Health Consultation Crisis team (BHCC), and first-year psychology trainees (First-years). The three levels of participants were asked to complete a pre-test prior to and post-test immediately following their respective CAMS training. A 2 X 3 mixed ANOVA was conducted using different participant groups …

Evaluation Of Parental Stress And Appointment Satisfaction In A Feeding Disorders Clinic, Erin L. Besser

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

More than one-quarter of the pediatric population in the United States struggles with feeding or swallowing challenges, many of which become chronic, lifelong disorders. Diagnosis and treatment of feeding and disorders can be challenging due to the interplay of behavioral and medical factors that create food refusal by the child. Treatment of feeding disorders is difficult, as it requires comprehensive involvement of parents and caregivers, which can be demanding and stressful. Parental stress may include anxiety, fear, and frustration with the child(ren) with feeding or swallowing disorders and can negatively affect health outcomes for children. Specialty clinics designed to address …

Spiritual Formation In The Graduate School Of Clinical Psychology At George Fox University, Rodger K. Bufford, Nancy S. Thurston, Kathleen Gathercoal, Marie-Christine Goodworth, Lynn H. Holt

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

At its inception, the training model in the Graduate School of Clinical Psychology (GSCP) at George Fox University was informed by the approach inaugurated at Fuller Theological Seminary School of Psychology in the 1960s. In the original model, training in Christian religion/spirituality and theology accompanied training in professional psychology. In the interim, our culture, psychological knowledge, perceived psychological needs, and training programs have changed greatly. Here we report changes in religion/spirituality (RIS) training and integration over the last two decades. We describe our current spiritual formation structure and process, and program evaluation efforts. Over the past several years the GSCP …

Changing Behavior And Renewing The Brain: A Study Of College Students, Mark Maddix, Glena Andrews

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

The field of neuroscience and religion continues to explode as researchers seek to understand religious experiences in the brain. Studies in religious experience, called neurotheology, attempt to draw conclusions about the truth of these religious experiences from the study of biological brain events. Given the substantial research on the science of religion, this article explores the physiological changes of college students engaged in regular spiritual practices. Students were asked to engage in intentional spiritual formational practices, such as prayer, meditation, Scripture reading, and contemplation, to see if these practices impacted their physiological activities, including brain wave, heart rate, skin response …

Assessing Adult Attachment: Relation And Validity Of Two Dynamic- Maturational Model Approaches, Albert L. Pace, Rodger K. Bufford

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

Assessing attachment is essential yet challenging. The Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) provides the best appraisal of adult attachment but is time-intensive and costly. Likewise, concerns have been raised regarding the Berkeley-AAI coding and classification method. Meanwhile, self-report measures of adult attachment are time-efficient and low-cost, but their validity is questionable. The Dynamic-Maturational Model approach to the AAI (DMM-AAI) and a novel self-report measure – the Attachment Relationship Questionaire (ARQ) – may offer a solution. However, additional investigations regarding the validity of DMM-AAI are needed and the ARQ’s psychometric properties have not be tested. The validity of the DMM approach to …

Comparison Of Baseline Impact Performance In Amateur Motocross Riders To Football And Basketball Athletes, Natalie K. Sandel, Phillip R. Worts, Scott O. Burkhart, Luke Henry

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

Primary Objective: The American Motorcyclist Association requires professional riders to undergo baseline computerized neurocognitive testing (CNT) using the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) test for concussion management. It is recommended this practice be expanded to the amateur level, but limited research has explored whether baseline testing is necessary for youth when normative data is available. This study evaluates the utility of baseline testing for amateur riders by comparing their performance to those of traditional youth sports comprising normative datasets. Design/Methods: An cross-sectional study comparing amateur motocross (N = 100) riders matched by age and sex to football (N …

Crest In The Nucleus Accumbens Core Regulates Cocaine Conditioned Place Preference, Cocaine-Seeking Behavior, And Synaptic Plasticity, Yasaman Alaghband, Eniko Kramar, Janine L. Kwapis, Earnest S. Kim, Thekla J. Hemstedt, Alberto J. Lopez, Andre O. White, Amni Al-Kachak, Osasumwen V. Aimiuwu, Kasuni K. Bodinayake, Nicole C. Oparaugo, Joseph Han, K. Matthew Lattal, Marcelo A. Wood

Faculty Publications - Psychology Department

Epigenetic mechanisms result in persistent changes at the cellular level that can lead to long-lasting behavioral adaptations. Nucleosome remodeling is a major epigenetic mechanism that has not been well explored with regards to drug-seeking behaviors. Nucleosome remodeling is performed by multi-subunit complexes that interact with DNA or chromatin structure and possess an ATP-dependent enzyme to disrupt nucleosome-DNA contacts and ultimately regulate gene expression. Calcium responsive transactivator (CREST) is a transcriptional activator that interacts with enzymes involved in both histone acetylation and nucleosome remodeling. Here, we examined the effects of knocking down CREST in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core on drug-seeking …

Effective Characteristics Of Christian Youth Mentoring Relationships, Andrew G. Kenagy

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Adolescents benefit from relationships with meaningful adult mentors in many ways (DuBois & Silverthorn, 2005). The quality of mentoring relationships is an essential mediating factor (Pryce & Keller, 2012). Particular relationship activities may influence the relationship’s success (DuBois & Silverthorn, 2005). However, few studies have considered the role of Christian faith in the relationship and outcomes of mentoring (Lanker & Issler, 2010).

The current study sought to identify effective characteristics of naturally occurring youth relationships with Christian adult mentors. It examined differences in life adjustment between adolescents with and without Christian mentors, the role of the mentoring relationship quality in …

Wrestling For The Souls Of The Survivors: Helping Partners Who Are Married To Survivors Of Childhood Sexual Abuse, John N. Raymond

Doctor of Ministry

For some who partake in the wonders of marriage, the experiences of pleasant memories and successful challenges mark their dreams in their twilight years. For couples where one or both experienced childhood sexual abuse (CSA), marital challenges have far greater negative effect on each of the marital partners—their twilight dreams may not be so pleasant. Although many couples experience setbacks and hardships, for the couple affected by CSA, the setbacks are experienced with greater intensity and duration. This dissertation will highlight research quantifying the negative long-term consequences of CSA. I also will give examples of qualitative research that describes the …

Assessing Adult Attachment: Relation And Validity Of Two Dynamic- Maturational Model Approaches, Albert L. Pace, Rodger K. Bufford

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

Assessing attachment is essential yet challenging. The Adult Attachment Interview (AAI) provides the best appraisal of adult attachment but is time-intensive and costly. Likewise, concerns have been raised regarding the Berkeley-AAI coding and classification method. Meanwhile, self-report measures of adult attachment are time-efficient and low-cost, but their validity is questionable. The Dynamic-Maturational Model approach to the AAI (DMM-AAI) and a novel self-report measure – the Attachment Relationship Questionaire (ARQ) – may offer a solution. However, additional investigations regarding the validity of DMM-AAI are needed and the ARQ’s psychometric properties have not be tested. The validity of the DMM approach to …

Murphy's "Lisa Murphy On Play: The Foundation Of Children's Learning" (Book Review), Rebekah Phillips

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Pratt's "Don't Panic: How To Keep Going When The Going Gets Tough" (Book Review), Deborah Hunt

The Christian Librarian

No abstract provided.

Exploring Quest And Cultural Humility In Relation To The Spiritual Identities Of Doctoral Clinical Psychology Students At A Christian University, Andrew L. Summerer

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Graduate students receiving doctoral training in clinical psychology from Christian universities often undergo unique changes in their faith identity. Previous research has demonstrated a decline in faith commitment, religious attributions, religious coping, and religious activities during doctoral training (Edwards, 2006; Fisk et al., 2013). While periods of religious disengagement among clinical psychology graduate students seem to be consistent across research studies, some research suggests positive religious transformation as students progress through clinical training and into their professional careers (Hofer, 2004; Pearce, 1996). Cultural humility is an other-oriented stance that is characterized by lifelong learning, cultural self-awareness and reflection, and interpersonal …

Longitudinal Analyses Of The Sexual And Reproductive Health Knowledge And Parent-Adolescent Communication Of At-Risk Adolescents, Courage Chikomborero Mudzongo

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

Despite declining rates, unintended adolescent pregnancy remains a considerable public health challenge in the United States (Hamilton, Martin, & Osterman, 2015). Unintended pregnancy leads to a host of negative outcomes not only for adolescents, but also for their children who are more likely to get trapped in a cycle of poverty that is difficult to break (Rew & Wong, 2006). Factors such as poverty are difficult to address; nonetheless, sexual reproductive health (SRH) knowledge and parent-adolescent communication (PAC) have been identified as important tools for prevention, and potentially modifiable (Swenson et al., 2009; 2010). The goal of the current study …

Longitudinal Analysis Of The Sexual And Reproductive Health Knowledge And Parent-Adolescent Communication Of At-Risk Adolescents, Courage Chikomborero Mudzongo

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

Despite declining rates, unintended adolescent pregnancy remains a considerable public health challenge in the United States (Hamilton, Martin, & Osterman, 2015). Unintended pregnancy leads to a host of negative outcomes not only for adolescents, but also for their children who are more likely to get trapped in a cycle of poverty that is difficult to break (Rew & Wong, 2006). Factors such as poverty are difficult to address; nonetheless, sexual reproductive health (SRH) knowledge and parent-adolescent communication (PAC) have been identified as important tools for prevention, and potentially modifiable (Swenson et al., 2009; 2010). The goal of the current study …

Trauma-Informed School Programming: Applications For Mental Health Professionals And Educator Partnerships, Brenda Morton, Anna A. Berardi Phd.

Faculty Publications - College of Education

An alarming number of children experience significant trauma or chronic stress throughout childhood, manifesting in cognitive, social, physical, and emotional impairment. These challenges are expressed in the P-12 academic setting through difficulties with behavioral and emotional self-regulation, academic functioning, and physical ailments and illness. Advances in trauma-informed care, as applied to the school environment, have inspired new hope for educators who observe first-hand the learning challenges facing traumatized children. This article defines the nature of the problem along with a guiding framework to assist educators and mental health professionals in transforming to a trauma-informed school culture.

Intimate Partner Violence, Perception Of Safety, And Faith Among Female College Students Attending Faith-Based Institutions, Liliya Anatolyevna Rudneva

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Many women experience intimate partner violence (IPV), and research shows this violence significantly impacts their mental health, physical health, and substance abuse. The experience of IPV may also impact other areas of life. This study aims to explore the relationship between the experiences of IPV, perception of safety, and perception of faith, among female college students attending Christian universities. Archival data from the National College Health Assessment (NCHA) was used to explore this relationship among female students who experienced physical, sexual, or psychological IPV in the past twelve months. Results indicate students who experienced IPV endorsed lower perceptions of safety …

Examining The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy And Health Behaviors Among College Students, Brent D. Fisk

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Adolescents’ transition into adulthood often coincides with significant developmental change processes. Behavioral patterns established during this period can determine risk and quality of life trajectories (Ben-Shlomo & Kuh, 2002, Halfon & Hochstein, 2002). Social support facilitates health behavior change and college students have ready access to peers with shared goals. In addition to social support, self-efficacy has also been associated with student health as a protective and predictive factor of healthy behaviors (Von Ah, Ebert, Ngamvitroj, Park, & Kang, 2004). Research indicates a strong relationship between self-efficacy and health behaviors; however, the direction of causality is unclear and there is …

The Influence Of Self-Compassion On Conflict Resolution Processes In Marriages, Joyce Cha

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Increasing attention is given to third-wave cognitive-behavioral concepts such as selfcompassion. This study seeks to explore the impact of self-compassion on conflict resolution in marital relationships. While recent research highlights the influence of self-compassion on relationship satisfaction as a whole, little exploration has been done on the impact of selfcompassion on relational conflict, a significant component of marital relationships or the impact of the bi-directional impact relationship satisfaction has on levels of self-compassion.

The goal of this study was to understand the relationship between levels of selfcompassion and conflict processes in married couples. It was hypothesized that levels of selfcompassion …

Alcohol Related Rural Emergency Department Use: A Treatment Opportunity, Ezekiel Sanders

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The negative impact of alcohol on an individual’s social, psychological, and physiological health is well known. Despite this knowledge, it remains a prevalent problem in our society. Residents of rural communities encounter a wide range of risk factors including poverty, unemployment, and limited access to healthcare. These factors can influence both the prevalence and treatment for alcohol use disorders. With limited access to medical resources, the Emergency Department (ED) can become the default provider for problems related to alcohol use. The reported prevalence of alcohol-related problems in the ED varies widely from an estimated 2% to 40% of all visits. …

Attachment, Forgiveness, And Generativity In Midlife, Chad Christensen

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Current literature suggests secure attachment and forgiveness are positively correlated. However, to date, the relationship of adult attachment, forgiveness, and generativity has not been explored. In this current study, middle-aged adults, ages 45-80 from the George Fox University Alumni were surveyed to explore attachment (anxious and avoidant), generativity, and forgiveness. Since generativity is a prosocial trait, synonymous with altruism, suggesting one’s selfless service and concern for the well-being for others, it is predicted that generativity will have a positive relationship with forgiveness, and secure attachment. Further, multiple regression statistics were used to explore which of the independent variables (anxious attachment, …

Cognitive Functioning During Conflict In Intimate Partner Relationships Between Traumatized And Non-Traumatized Samples, Kylie N. Coleman

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Significant differences have been found in neural connectivity of the brain in frontal, central, temporal, and parietal areas of individuals who experienced childhood trauma compared to those who had not (Cook, Ciorciari, Varker, & Devilly, 2009). This study investigated the relationship between the number of distressing and traumatic life experiences and participants’ neural responses to observing simulated conflict in intimate relationship. Graduate students (n = 11) answered conflict resolution and emotional activation questions while watching a simulated, escalating marital conflict. The participants’ neural responses were recorded via EEG mean power data from frontal and temporal brain regions. Heart rate (bpm) …

A Meta-Analysis Of Neuropsychological Tests Utilized In Evaluations For Post-Operative Cognitive Dysfunction In Adult Surgery Patients, Joanna H. Swartz

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Cognitive dysfunction post-surgery has a significant impact on patients’ quality of life during recovery and afterward. Several studies have been completed on post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), but since studies are varied in their methodologies and designs a metaanalysis is helpful to synthesize the current available research. The present study took a metaanalysis approach to examine neuropsychological tests most sensitive to POCD in adult surgery patients, and determine implications this would have for developing a battery of tests to evaluate for POCD pre and post-surgery. Although some assessment batteries have been proposed for certain populations (e.g., cardiac patients), little research has …

The Effects Of Grace On Self-Forgiveness With A Religious Community, Laura Geczy-Haskins

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Genuine self-forgiveness entails accepting responsibility for wrongdoing while experiencing a continued sense of self-worth (Enright & Human Development Study Group, 1996; Fisher & Exline, 2006; Hall & Fincham, 2005; Martin, 2008; Szablowinski, 2012; Vitz & Meade, 2011; Wenzel, Woodyatt, & Hedrick, 2012; Woodyatt & Wenzel, 2013a; Woodyatt & Wenzel, 2013b). Previous research has demonstrated that a benevolent concept of God and a personal sense of God’s forgiveness facilitate self-forgiveness (Exline, Yali, & Lobel,1999; Hall & Fincham, 2008; Martin, 2008; McConnell & Dixon, 2012), suggesting that those who accept responsibility for the offense and believe God can forgive that offense will …

Being, Doing, And Play: A Theoretical And Clinical Exploration, Nathan A. Haskell

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

This paper explores the metonymy of the following aphorism, delivered by Winnicott in a 1967 lecture: “From being comes doing, but there can be no do before be.” (1970, p. 25, emphasis in original). This aphorism has been little discussed or explored in the literature, but Winnicott articulated similar ideas in his more academic papers (e.g., 1965, 1970). These similar communications about being and doing will be examined alongside more contemporary thinking about the ideas to which Winnicott alludes in this aphorism; works by Benjamin (1988) and Akhtar (2000) in particular will be brought to bear on the subject. Two …

Human Sex Trafficking: How Sex Trafficking Victims And Survivors Experience Hope And Resilience, Adrian Egger

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Few studies have examined the experiences of sexually trafficked victims and survivors in the United States.

As the population increases it is important to understand how sexually trafficked victims and survivors cope with trauma, experience recovery, and respond to therapy. Research indicates that factors of hope and resilience play a vital role in the way individuals cope with trauma and experience recovery (Masten & Narayan, 2012).

This study examined factors of hope and resilience of 12 sexually trafficked victims and survivors, ages 14 to 21. Interviews were conducted and a mixed-methods design was employed to establish common themes related to …

Predicting Modification And Revocation Of Insanity Acquittees On Conditional Release Using The Short-Term Assessment Of Risk And Treatability, Heidi Oliver

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Violence risk assessment has evolved significantly over the past 50 years. The newest generation of risk assessment tools is intended not only to assess risk but also to inform treatment. The Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability, i.e., the START, is an example of a 4thgeneration tool that identifies risk and protective factors, highlighting the dynamic variables that may decrease risk. As treatment for mentally ill offenders shifts from inpatient hospital environments to community-based treatment settings, a focus on dynamic risk factors is crucial for maintaining safety for patients and the community. This study aimed to identify the predictive validity …