Psychology Commons^™

Police Use Of Force With The Mentally Ill, Chelsea Moore

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Police officers experience many difficult situations in their line of duty, but two situations stand out as particularly unsettling for police officers: when they interact with people who are (a) under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and when (b) people appear to be suffering from serious mental illness (Kaminski, DiGiovanni, & Downs, 2004). This study explores the impact of these conditions on whether or not police officers resort to using force within a Northwestern metropolitan police department. A set of archival data consisting of force incidents was divided into four subgroups depending on subject (suspect) substance use and mental …

Factors That Affect Recidivism For Psychiatric Patients In Emergency Departments, Meghan Polits

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Hospital recidivism for suicimicidal, and psychiatric patients is a burden on the medical system due to the high cost associated with each visit. Factors affecting psychiatric patients in the Emergency Department (ED) in two rural hospitals in the Pacific Northwest were assessed using data routinely collected at intake in an effort to determine patient risk factors for repeat visits. Additionally, patients identified as repeat visitors were assessed for any significant differences in how quickly they were readmitted. Logistic regression results indicate having a diagnosis of a psychotic disorder or bipolar disorder, being uninsured or on Oregon Health Plan insurance (i.e., …

Factors Correlating With Resilience In Bolivian Street Girls, Emily Wynsma

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Resilience is defined as the ability to respond adaptively and maintain a high quality of life even after adversity or trauma. Research conducted in Western cultures has identified multiple factors that correlate with resilience for survivors of childhood trauma, including social support, the presence of a stable adult, internal locus of control, supportive spiritual beliefs and lack of self-blame regarding the trauma (Crenshaw, 2013; Brooks & Goldstein, 2004; Goldstein, Brooks, & Devries, 2013). This study explored whether the factors that previous research has identified as predictive of resilience have a similar predictive value when applied to another culture. This research …

Treating Chronic Pain At A Federally Qualified Health Center: Staff Perspectives, Nathan K. Goins

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Although half of all patients with chronic pain seek treatment with their primary care practitioner, many physicians report being overburdened, with limited confidence in their training in the treatment of chronic pain. Opiate monotherapy remains the most common treatment utilized, despite strong correlations with addiction issues and increased distrust between patients and providers. In response to these issues, multidisciplinary stepped-care approaches utilizing psychoeducation, cognitive therapies, movement-based therapy, pharmaceutical treatment, yoga, and acupuncture have been developed. However, treatment within Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) are complicated by financial constraints and high complexity in patient populations. This study examined the perspectives of …

Barriers And Facilitators Of Adolescent Health In Rural Kenya, Molly Secor-Turner, Brandy A. Randall, Courage Chikomborero Mudzongo

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

The purpose of this research was to identify perceived barriers and facilitators of health from the perspective of rural Kenyan adolescents and to characterize the cultural context that shapes these barriers and facilitators. Design: Following a semistructured interview guide, qualitative focus group interviews were conducted at day schools with 64 upper-primary and secondary students in rural central Kenya. Participants provided written parental consent and individual assent for study participation. Results: Findings were organized into seven categories (individual, family, peer, school, community, institutional, and cultural) according to a social–ecological framework to highlight the multiple social and environmental contexts that shape health …

Assessing Symptoms In Adolescents Following Sport-Related Concussion: A Comparison Of Four Different Approaches, R. J. Elbin, Jordan Knox, Nathan Kegel, Philip Schatz, Harrison B. Lowder, Jonathan French, Scott Burkhart, Michael W. Collins, Anthony P. Kontos

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

This study compared post-concussion symptom endorsements on the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) between a clinical open-ended interview, clinician-guided PCSS, parent-report PCSS, and computer-based PCSS in youth athletes with sport-related concussion (SRC). Participants included 54 patients aged 13–17 years (M¼ 15.19, SD¼ 1.29, 51.8% male) with a diagnosed SRC seen at a concussion clinic. Participants were administered a computer-based version (COMP) of the PCSS followed by clinical open-ended symptom interview (OPEN) and clinician-guided PCSS (GUIDED). Participants’ parents concurrently and independently endorsed their children’s symptoms by completing the PCSS in the waiting room (PARENT). Total number of symptoms reported and total symptom …

Does Faith Ameliorate The Relationship Between Sleep And Depression?, Jesse E. Burrell

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Depression is one of the most commonly diagnosed disorders in the world. College students are more likely to experience depression than adults. Research has established a correlational relationship between sleep and depression (American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Davidson, 2013; Franzen & Buysse, 2008, Lund, Reider, Whiting, & Prichard, 2010; Tsuno, Besset, & Ritchie, 2005; Van Bemmel, 1997) and suggests there is also a causational relationship between faith and lower rates of depressive symptoms (Baker & Cruickshank, 2009; Koenig, 2008a Koenig, 2001; Newport, Agrawal, & Witters, 2010; Reutter & Bigattie, 2014; Rosmarin et al., 2013). However, little research exists exploring how faith …

The Relationship Between Sexual Objectification, Body Image, Activity Monitoring, And Compulsive Exercise, Christina Tuning

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The purpose of this study was to look at the relationship between sexual objectification, body image, eating disorder symptomatology, activity monitoring, and compulsive exercise. Objectification Theory provides a framework for understanding a woman’s experience of the culturally established ideal body, which in Western cultures has become increasingly thin. As women internalize the thin ideal, their experience of self-worth and body image can be impacted and can lead to efforts to control their appearance including diet and exercise. While exercise has been consistently shown to have health benefits, little has been said about unhealthy levels of exercise. Compulsive exercise in particular …

Is Social Media Like An Onion?: Exploring The Social Penetration Theory As An Explanation For Viral Responses To Intimate Self-Disclosures, Kristina M. Kays, Rebekah E. Miles, Christopher J. Koch

Faculty Publications - Psychology Department

A recent public FB post about a personal experience with depression went viral within a week. Within a week this post was reposted on numerous media outlets, and shared by others nearly 500,000 times. This post skipped to the third, affective stage, of the Social Penetration Theory.

The Effect Of Technology On Therapy Alliance, Ryan F. Birch

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The therapeutic alliance is considered a demonstrably effective variable for therapy outcomes independent of treatment type, yet the extent to which it may be affected by technology is vague. Similarly, studies examining how technology alters the therapeutic relationship in a traditional face-to-face context are sparse and inconclusive. The robust association between psychotherapy alliance and therapy outcomes combined with the lack of conclusive evidence concerning how technology influences this calls for more research on the relationship between alliance and technology. The current study examines how clients’ perceptions of therapy alliance over the course of 10 sessions change with the administration of …

Relationship Competency: An Exploration Of Training And Relationship Assessment In An Apa Doctoral Program, Jacquelyn M. Rodriguez

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Relational competency is regarded as foundational to doctoral psychology training (Mangione & Nadkarni, 2010), yet defining this competency has proven to be an arduous and nebulous task. The connection between relationship competency and strong therapeutic alliance, combined with the lack of knowledge and research around effective assessment and training of the nontangible relational attitudes, knowledge, and skills begs for more research on the implementation of this competency. The aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between student therapists’ technique and relational characteristics and therapeutic alliance outcome during 10 therapy sessions. Participants were 24 first year doctoral students …

From Patient To Student Activation: Development Of The Student Activation Measure, Clinton J. Smith

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

The Patient Activation Measure (PAM) was constructed to measure a person’s knowledge, skill, and confidence for self-managing one’s healthcare, or “activation” (Hibbard, Stockard, Mahoney, & Tusler, 2004). The Student Activation Measure (SAM) extends this definition to secondary education. The SAM is a short, positively worded measure that is intended to guide intervention planning. Six hundred three students from two disparate high schools located in the Pacific Northwest completed the measure and an accompanying demographic questionnaire. The respective schools provided the students’ GPAs and attendance records. Using Rasch modeling, the SAM evidenced excellent reliability and construct validity. One-way ANOVAs with post …

Removal From Play After Concussion And Recovery Time, R.J. Elbin, Alicia Sufrinko, Philip Schatz, Jon French, Luke Henry, Scott Burkhart, Michael W. Collins, Anthony P. Kontos

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

OBJECTIVE: Despite increases in education and awareness, many athletes continue to play with signs and symptoms of a sport-related concussion (SRC). The impact that continuing to play has on recovery is unknown. This study compared recovery time and related outcomes between athletes who were immediately removed from play and athletes who continued to play with an SRC. METHODS: A prospective, repeated measures design was used to compare neurocognitive performance, symptoms, and recovery time between 35 athletes (mean ± SD age, 15.61 ± 1.65 years) immediately removed after an SRC (REMOVED group) compared with 34 athletes (mean ± SD age, 15.35 …

Perceptions Of Caregiver Distress, Health Behaviors, And Provider Health-Promoting Communication And Their Relationship To Stress Management In Ms Caregivers, Lauren Penwell-Waines, Marie-Christine Goodworth, Rhonda S. Casillas, Lara Stepleman

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

This study applied the Stress/Health Model to examine a novel approach for promoting stress management among 67 caregivers of persons with multiple sclerosis, who often face unique caregiving challenges. Hierarchical regressions indicated that caregiver distress (i.e., emotional burden) and engagement in other health-promoting activities (i.e., controlling alcohol use) were the best predictors of caregiver stress management. Communication with the MS care recipient’s health provider about caregiver engagement in health-promoting activities was associated with caregiver stress management, but not significantly more so than explained by the other factors (i.e., caregiver distress and engagement in health-promoting behaviors). A more controlled study would …

Integrating Narrative Family Therapy In An Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Program: A Case Study, Steven M. Demille, Marilyn J. Montgomery

Faculty Publications - Graduate School of Counseling

Adolescent mental health is a significant societal concern in the United States. Diagnosable mental health disorders have been reported at rates of 10–20 % among children and adolescents and this does not include adolescents experiencing personal and interpersonal distress not meeting diagnostic criteria. Adolescents who do not respond to traditional mental health services are often placed in residential treatment centers or other out-of-home treatment programs. Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare (OBH) is growing as a viable treatment option for adolescents who struggle with emotional, behavioral or substance related problems; however, questions have been raised about how to integrate the family into an …

Variables Associated With Patient Activation In Persons With Multiple Sclerosis, Marie-Christine Rutter Goodworth, Lara Stepleman, Judith Hibbard, Lisa Johns, Dustin Wright, Mary D. Hughes, Mitzi J. Williams

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

Identifying variables associated with patient activation in the multiple sclerosis population could serve to facilitate better multiple sclerosis self-management behaviors. Using a cross-sectional survey design, 199 participants were recruited from a multiple sclerosis center in the Southeastern United States. Depression, multiple sclerosis quality of life, and multiple Sclerosis self-efficacy were all significantly correlated with patient activation. Results of a hierarchical regression indicated that patient activation was significantly related to educational attainment, depression, and self-efficacy but not to quality of life. The results suggest several possible targets for intervention to increase patient activation, including health literacy, depression symptoms, and self-efficacy for …

Ethics And Multicultural Contexts: Understandings And Applications, Winston Seegobin, Sally Canning, Rodger K. Bufford

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

This article focuses on the interaction of ethics with multicultural understandings of people and practice. We explore the place of biblical narratives, and their usefulness and application to understanding diversity and our work in multicultural contexts. Biblical stories suggest that diversity reflects an enduring aspect of God's kingdom, the continued presence of sin, and an arena for divine intervention and restoration. We also examine some of the ethical dilemmas that arise when applying ethical codes to clinical work with people from multicultural backgrounds. These include multiple relationships, informed consent, self-disclosure, and worldview perspectives. We use case examples to illustrate some …

Reiss's "The 16 Strivings For God: The New Psychology Of Religious Experiences" (Book Review), Lisa Fuller

The Christian Librarian

A review of Reiss, S. (2015). The 16 strivings for God: The new psychology of religious experiences. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press. 174 pp. $25.00. ISBN 9780881465570

Efficacy Of Concreteness Training With Persons Qualifying For Palliative Care: Piloting An Ios Application, Diana Zarb

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Palliative care services (PCS) seek to increase quality of life and manage symptoms of persons with chronic illnesses. Depression and anxiety are common concerns for persons receiving PCS. One intervention that has demonstrated some effectiveness and requires further research is a brief concreteness training (CT) intervention based on cognitive-behavioral techniques. This study piloted the implementation of a brief CT intervention via an iOS application for persons qualifying for PCS. Forty-one people completed all of the pretest measures, and 9 participants completed the entire study. Variables measured were anxiety, depression, spiritual well-being, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and patient activation. Participants …

Using Big Data In Psychotherapy Research: Possibilites And Perils, Timofey S. Galuza

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Traditionally, psychotherapy research has used efficacy and effectiveness studies. Efficacy studies have been considered the gold standard for studying clinical interventions and effects due to their stringent controls. While not as scientifically rigorous as efficacy studies, effectiveness studies examine clinical interventions with larger and more diverse populations and more real-tolife treatment protocols. Unfortunately, effectiveness studies tend to be based on retrospective report, sometimes many months or even years after the conclusion of psychotherapy. The growth of technology, in particular smartphone applications (apps) has opened the door to a form of effectiveness study that allows for real-time data collection. The Therapy …

Trauma, Resilience, Hope, And Religious Coping In Haiti, Deborah L. Galindo

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Trauma is an international area of research, specifically in countries that have experienced natural disasters and political unrest (Bolton, Surkan, Gray, & Desmousseaux, 2012; Derivois, Merisier, Cenat, & Castelot, 2014; Desrosiers & Fleurose, 2002; Hobfoll, 1989, 2012, 2014; Hobfoll et al., 2007; Kira, 2001, 2010; Kira et al., 2008). Haiti has endured an immense amount of trauma, including the 2010 earthquake and daily traumas resulting from poverty, economic disparity, and political unrest. This study explored the experiences of trauma, resilience, hope, and religious coping of 51 Haitian individuals through a mixed methods design. Quantitative data was gathered through the following …

Working Memory And Long-Term Abstinence From Substance Use, Larry E. Jasper

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Cognitive impairment is a well-established consequence of long-term substance abuse, with stimulant and polysubstance abuse leading to the most detrimental deficits, especially in the area of executive function. The extent of brain function recovery with long-term abstinence from substance use is less understood. Is cognitive impairment permanent after longstanding abstinence, or does near full recovery occur? The current study assessed working memory function and attention differences between addicts reporting long-term abstinence and individuals reporting no history of substance use. Volunteers were recruited from both Narcotics Anonymous meetings and the community; addicts reporting long-term abstinence and individuals reporting no substance abuse …

The Benefits Of Gratitude In Spiritual Formation: Collaborative Of Gratefulness In A Christian Church Community, Jens Uhder

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

This field experiment examined the effects of a gratefulness intervention in the context of a Christian church congregation. Two Evangelical congregations with comparable demographic and socio-economic characteristics were enrolled and assigned to the experimental and comparison conditions. In an effort to integrate psychological intervention techniques with established spiritual formation practices, the intervention was developed collaboratively with church leaders. In addition to examining the well-known benefits of gratefulness – strengthening of interpersonal relationships, increased life satisfaction, psychological well-being (PWB), and enhanced spiritual well-being (SWB), this research considered whether the practice of gratitude mobilized participants to engage others inside and outside the …

Life After Bariatric Surgery: A Mixed-Method Analysis On Social Support And Quality Of Life, Caitlin M. Speck

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Obesity is often described as a national epidemic; bariatric surgery is one form of treatment that has become increasingly popular. Bariatric surgery is successful and many patients experience significant weight loss; however, many patients struggle to maintain their new weight. In an attempt to respond to the problem of weight loss maintenance, bariatric surgery programs are incorporating behavioral management-strategies in addition to typical program support. Support groups are often offered by bariatric surgery programs and are commonly focused around psychoeducation, behavioral strategies, and community support. This study provides a mixedmethod quantitative and qualitative analysis on life after bariatric surgery, primarily …

Building Social Resilience: The Effect Of A Coping Skills Training Intervention In An Educational Setting On Adolescent Victims Of Bullying, Daniel T. Moshofsky

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Despite the effectiveness of bullying prevention programs, there remains a significant portion of individuals who develop short and long-term difficulties as a result of bullying victimization. While most bullying programs are “preventative,” there is a dearth of research examining treatment effects on students who already self identify as having been victims of bullying. The most efficient way of implementing interventions to meet the needs of this population is within the educational system. This study attempted to adapt an existing evidence based intervention to the specific needs of a school setting. The adapted intervention and subsequent pilot study examined the effects …

Religious Coping And Spiritual Struggle Among Emergency Room Patients With Suicidal Intent, Rosanna J.S. Bailey

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Suicide continues to be a leading cause of death around the globe (World Health Organization, 2012; Wu, Wang, Jia, & Mazza, 2015). Previous literature has shown religiosity as a protective factor for depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation (Dervic et al., 2004; Dew et al., 2010; Miller et al., 2012; Nonnemaker, McNeely, & Blum, 2003; Rasic et al., 2009; Rosmarin et al., 2012), and that spiritual struggle is associated with increases in suicidal ideation (Ahles, Mezulis, & Hudson, 2016; Henslee et al., 2014; Lee, Nezu, & Nezu, 2014; Rosmarin et al, 2013; Stratta et al., 2011; Trevino, Balboni, Zollfrank, Balboni, & …

Physician–Patient Communication About Sexual Functioning In Patients With Multiple Sclerosis, Lara M. Stepleman, Eliot J. Lopez, Lauren A. Stutts, William H. Hudson, Marie-Christine Goodworth, Rebecca Han

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

Sexual dysfunction is quite common among individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS); however, severity of dysfunction alone does not account for the tremendous variation in sexual satisfaction across individuals living with MS. Individual characteristics, relationships with intimate partners, and environmental factors all likely contribute to the multidimensional experience of sexual satisfaction. Health care provider variables, including how one communicates with providers about sexual concerns, may also be influential. The purpose of this study was to examine factors that are associated with patients’ sex-related communications with their MS physicians and to overall patient sexual satisfaction. Individuals in an MS clinic (n = …

Everyday Problems With Executive Dysfunction And Impulsivity In Adults Recovering From Methamphetamine Addiction, Carilyn Ellis, William Hoffman, Sarah Jaehnert, Jane Plagge, Jennifer M. Loftis, Daniel Schwartz, Marilyn Huckans

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

Objectives

Compared with non-addicted controls (CTLs), adults in remission from methamphetamine addiction (MA-REM) evidence impairments on objective measures of executive functioning and impulsivity.

Methods

To evaluate the impact of these impairments in MA-REM adults, demographically matched groups (MA-REM, n=30; CTLs, n=24) completed objective and self-report measures of executive functioning and impulsivity.

Results

MA-REM adults demonstrated significantly (p < 0.050) greater objective and subjective problems with executive functioning and impulsivity.

Conclusions

These results suggest that adults in MA-REM are aware of their deficits and that these deficits have significant impact in everyday life.

Social Emotional Learning In A Guatemalan Preschool Sample: Does Socioeconomic Status Moderate The Effects Of A School-Based Prevention Program?, Leihua Edstrom, Heather A. Mildon, Lesliann Davila, Amanda B. Clinton

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

Researchers evaluated the effectiveness of a universal social skills program and compared social emotional knowledge on individual skills interviews with 100 Guatemalan preschool children from resource rich (N = 47) and resource poor (N = 53) backgrounds. Participant ages ranged from 3- to 6-years-old. SEL was evaluated prior and subsequent to receiving a school-based social emotional educational program. Results were analysed in terms of effectiveness of SEL by error type. Data show that preschool children from both poor and wealthy families made significant gains in social-emotional knowledge as a result of SEL instruction. In order to better understand …

Building Self-Efficacy In Peer Relations: Evaluation Of A School-Based Intervention, Shaun Davis

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

This study employs a longitudinal, cohort-sequential design (Schaie, 1965) to evaluate the effectiveness of Kelso’s Choice (KC), a behavioral intervention program, in 3 cohorts of 3rd and 4th grade students from a rural elementary school over the course of 2 academic years. The study evaluates the impact of KC on development of social self-efficacy, as measured in 2 domains: (a) social self-efficacy, as measured by student reports from the Children’s Self- Efficacy in Peer Interactions (CSPI; Wheeler & Ladd, 1982), the Social Problem Solving Measure (SPSM; Dodge, Bates, & Pettit, 1990) and teacher reports from the Social Competence Scale (SCS; …