Psychology Commons^™

Assessment Of Trauma In Youth With Intellectual Disabilities: Comparison Of Research And Clinical Practice, Olga Joyce Bilardi

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study seeks to assess clinician use of trauma assessments when working with youth with lower cognitive and adaptive functioning who meet criteria for having an Intellectual Disability. Given the limited assessment instruments discussed in the literature, it is essential to determine what practices clinicians use to assess trauma with intellectually disabled youth. This study aims to determine the prevalence of trauma measures used with the Intellectual Disability population and assess clinician comfort with this population. This study will highlight the necessity for further development of appropriate and standardized trauma measures in the Intellectual Disability population and training for clinicians …

The Relationship Between Burnout And Cognitive Distortions For Clinicians Working With Sex Offenders, Emily Stover

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Burnout affects approximately 21% to 61% of mental health providers throughout their careers (Morse et al., 2012). Various precursors may lead to burnout, such as caseload, the severity of the clients, workplace climate, and lack of professional support. Burnout is a significant issue for mental health providers working with perpetrators of sexual offenses, specifically due to the increase in stressors when working with this population. Individuals working with this population have the additional risk of being objectified or threatened during a session and could experience vicarious trauma when listening to the details of the offense. Due to the continuous emotional …

Exploring Forensic Psychologist, Psychiatrists And Lawyers Perceptions On Incorrigibility And Juvenile Resentencing, Tyeca Reviere

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The United States is one of the only countries in the world that sentences juveniles to life without parole. In the United States, over 2,500 juveniles as young as the age of 13 are serving life in prison sentences without the possibility of parole. In 2012, the Supreme Court case Miller v. Alabama determined that sentencing a juvenile to life without parole was unconstitutional. Forensic psychologists, psychiatrists, and lawyers assist in resentencing juveniles by determining if a juvenile is incorrigible (not rehabilitated). The method of determining incorrigibility regarding juvenile resentencing has not been standardized or well-defined amongst professionals in psychology …

Predictors Of Utilization Of Preventive Gynecologic Health Services Among Women Veterans, Jennifer Lynn Milore

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

As the number of women veterans in the United States increases, additional attention has been given to understanding their healthcare experiences within the Veterans Health Administration. However, much of the current literature exploring women veterans has been qualitative and little research has examined quantitative relationships between experiences in the VA healthcare system and gynecologic health behaviors and outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate potential factors (health literacy, social problem-solving abilities, and perceived gender discrimination) that may predict gynecologic health behaviors in women veterans. This study included 145 anonymous participants. Participants completed screening questions and demographic and health …

Prolonged Grief: The Predictive Value Of Cognitive Distortions, Depression, And Anxiety, Michael Kastelnik

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Bereavement, the emotional pain of losing a loved one, may lead to significant distress and functional impairment, which can negatively impact the relationships, work, and health of those who grieve. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between cognitive distortions and prolonged grief, depression, and anxiety. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant and positive relationship between prolonged grief, depression, anxiety, and cognitive distortions, as measured by the Prolonged Grief Scale-Revised (PG-13-R), the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and the Inventory of Cognitive Distortions (ICD), respectively (Hypothesis 1). It was also …

Screen Time And Problematic Behavior: Piloting A Family- Based Intervention, Naomi Morissette

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

School-aged children are increasingly growing up in a technology-driven society. The amount of time children spend engaged with screens is problematic, as is the subsequent impact on the development of their executive functioning skills. The current study investigated the feasibility of an online, asynchronous, family-based intervention to limit screen usage for elementary-aged children. It was hypothesized that removing screens from children’s bedrooms and one hour before bedtime was a feasible strategy to limit screen use and would result in positive behavior change, specifically regarding the ability to self-cue the use of executive skills. Additionally, it was hypothesized that an online …

Improving Care For Adults With Visual Impairment Through Interprofessional Education, Marissa L. Ferrito

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Introduction: There is a significant negative impact on the quality of life of individuals with visual impairment. The number of adults with visual impairment is growing and health professionals will need to be able to respond with effective care and as part of interdisciplinary teams

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to explore the impact that interprofessional education (IPE) has on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes held by future health professionals regarding their ability to treat adults with visual impairment.

Hypotheses: It is hypothesized that after an IPE module, future health professionals will demonstrate more knowledge …

Determinants Of Medical Cannabis Use For The Treatment Of Anxiety: A Qualitative Study, Catherine Blasi

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Anxiety is a disorder characterized by feelings of tension, excessive fear, and physiological changes. Specific classes of anxiety disorders have been recognized, including social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, agoraphobia, specific phobia, panic disorder, and separation anxiety disorder. Cannabis is the most commonly used federal substance in the U.S. In recent years, medical cannabis has been increasingly utilized as a treatment option following approval in many U.S. states. At present, no literature addresses explicitly why individuals with anxiety choose to utilize medical cannabis as a treatment option instead of other longstanding treatment options, including psychotherapy and medication. Therefore, the purpose …

The Inventory Of Cognitive Distortions-Youth Version: The Development And Validation Of A Psychometric Test For The Measurement Of Cognitive Distortions In Youth, Kelsey Jones

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Cognitive distortions are systematic biases in an individual’s thinking that maintain a person’s belief in their negative views of themselves or others, even in the presence of contradictory evidence. The Inventory of Cognitive Distortions (ICD), created by Yurica and DiTomasso, measures distorted thinking in adults. Currently, there is not a youth measure of distortions that adequately encapsulates the range of distorted thinking that may be present in youth. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to create and validate a newly designed instrument of cognitive distortions, The Inventory of Cognitive Distortions-Youth Version (ICD-YV), with youth ages 11 to 17. …

Assessing The Quality Of Life In Spousal Caregivers Of Kidney Dialysis Patients, Mallory Christman

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Caregivers are considered extended parts of the healthcare system. As the responsibilities of caregivers increase, they are more prone to develop a poorer quality of life (QOL; Avsar et al., 2013; Rafati et al., 2019; Sajadi et al., 2020; Turner & Finch-Guthrie, 2020). Further, as the prevalence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) continues to increase, factors that impact coping and QOL should be evaluated.

Understanding the relationship between coping, social problem solving, and QOL may increase professionals’ ability to help caregivers flourish. However, little is known about the QOL in spousal caregivers of kidney dialysis patients in the United States. …

Examining Social Media Use, Connectedness, And Depression In Graduate Students, Marisa Gretz

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study examined the relationship between social media use, sense of connectedness, and depression among graduate students. Graduate students are at risk of depression and often disconnect from their social supports due to their program's demands. Literature on the impact of social media on depression is discrepant. The relationship between a sense of connection, the use of social media, and depression in a graduate student population is a novel area of research. Graduate students at The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) and other universities, including healthcare and non-healthcare-related disciplines, were included. Participants were recruited via social media or email. …

Critical Literacy: Meeting Twenty-First Century Literacy Demands For Adolescent Learners, Molly Blew

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Adolescents’ critical text interpretation skills are important to college, career, and citizenship demands. At present, the literature reflects concerns with adolescents’ ability to interpret academic and internet-based texts critically. The pedagogical framework of critical literacy is presented as an instructional approach that may support the development of adolescents’ critical text interpretation skills. The objective of this study was to understand the perceptions of secondary teachers concerning student proficiency in critical text interpretation, teachers’ current level of implementation of instructional practices consistent with the critical literacy framework, and perceived barriers to implementation. Three hundred thirty four (334) high school teachers were …

Participation In A Positive Education Curriculum And Symptoms Of Anxiety In Students, Aleida Silva-Garcia

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Anxiety is among the most common mental health problems in children and adolescents in the United States (Bhatia & Goyal, 2018). Children and adolescents spend most of their day in the educational setting (Slemp et al., 2017). Positive education curricula may help students increase their well-being while increasing academic performance. This research aimed to determine the effectiveness of a positive education curriculum in lowering anxiety levels in high school students. In addition, this study investigated the relationship among anxiety, happiness, optimism, perseverance, and academic outcomes. Through an independent samples t-test, archival data were utilized to determine the relationship between participation …

School Guidance Counselor Perceptions On Reintegrating Students To School After Mental Health Treatment, Maddie Roxandich

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study examined the perspectives of school guidance counselors to determine current and best practices in planning and supporting student returns to school after absences for mental health reasons. The literature review highlights the sharp decline in adolescent mental health over the years, the rise in hospitalizations for mental health concerns, and the need for attention to school practices that support student mental health when a student requires hospitalization. The intent of this study was to build upon previous literature that examined practices existing in schools to help reintegrate students after absences. It sought to investigate whether schools have a …

The Impact Of Trauma On Exposure And Response Prevention (Ex/Rp) Treatment Outcomes For Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Lindsey Salerno

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Despite the high prevalence of trauma in treatment-seeking individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), the role of trauma in OCD treatment is under-studied. This study examined the relationship between trauma and treatment outcomes using a gold standard intervention for OCD—exposure and response prevention (Ex/RP) therapy. This study also investigated whether inherent traits (intolerance of uncertainty, anxiety sensitivity, emotion regulation, and perfectionism) act as mechanisms of change that mediate the relationship between trauma and Ex/RP treatment outcomes. Using data collected as part of a larger research study, analyses were performed for 76 adult patients with a primary diagnosis of OCD who completed …

Predictive Abilities Of Neuropsychological Measures On Functional Outcomes In The Mild Cognitive Impairment (Mci) And Dementia Populations, Morgan Bare

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

During the aging process, a decline in ability to perform everyday tasks is commonly observed. This is increasingly so for those with dementia and is a diagnostic requirement. These daily tasks require certain cognitive skills which can be measured by various neuropsychological measures. The purpose of this study is to examine which neuropsychological measures are able to detect various deficits in self-reported activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. It is hypothesized that Trail Making Test– B (TMT-B) would be the most sensitive predictor in functional …

Intuitions Across The Theistic-Atheistic Spectrum: A Convergence Of Social Psychology And Experimental Philosophy Research Paradigms, Janessa R. Brown

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The aim of the present study was to examine what intuitions individuals have regarding factors related to religious belief and non-belief. This was achieved via the convergence of experimental philosophy and social psychology research paradigms. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three vignette conditions depicting either a theistic, agnostic, or atheistic universe or a non-vignette control condition. Participants reported intuitions in the context of the universe to which they were assigned on factors of death anxiety, awe, pure evil, and fine-tuning. Responses were compared across vignette conditions and by category of belief. It was hypothesized that group differences regarding …

Perception Of The Need For And Implementation Of Mindfulness Programming In The Education Setting, Lindsay Kurtz

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study examined the perceptions of school personnel regarding implementing mindfulness within the educational setting. This study explored whether school personnel perceived a mindfulness program as having a positive impact on students’ well-being and staff well-being. This study also examined school personnel’s perception of time, resources, and training to implement a mindfulness program within the education setting. One hundred five school personnel who currently work in school settings in Delaware and Pennsylvania participated in this study by completing an online survey pertaining to this topic. Results indicated that the majority of school personnel perceived mindfulness as having a positive impact …

Examining The Relationship Between Outcome Expectancies And Anxiety Severity In Patients Using Medical Marijuana, Paulina Syracuse

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Many states have legalized marijuana for medical and recreational use despite it being classified as a Schedule I controlled substance. Although research regarding its efficacy is limited, one of the most common medical marijuana referral reasons is anxiety and patients often report experiencing reductions in anxiety. Many patients have beliefs about the effects of medical marijuana, called outcome expectancies, which may differ based on previous recreational marijuana use. These beliefs may influence anxiety outcomes, but this relationship is still unclear. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between patients’ medical marijuana outcome expectancies, previous recreational marijuana use, …

Parents Perception Of Teletherapy Use In Children, Beenish Rashid

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Due to the demands of an ongoing pandemic, telehealth services have become increasingly popular particularly in the field of psychology. Teletherapy services are used on a regular basis by healthcare professionals and studies on teletherapy use in adults have shown that it is efficacious, convenient, and practical. However, prior to this study, there was a significant gap in literature about the use of teletherapy in children and adolescents. This study aimed to fill this gap in literature by providing data on how parents perceive teletherapy when compared to in-person therapy for their children. The data for this study was collected …

Closing The Gap: Culturally Competent Consultations In Schools, Kimmely Mechelle Williams

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Poor academic achievement among minority students has historically been identified as one of the most pressing challenges of public education (Dorvil, 2011). However, even before the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) adoption, there has been a focus on what should be done to improve the academic achievement of the nation’s children. With each of its subsequent incarnations and legislative renaming, policymakers, educators, and researchers alike have sought to ensure that all children are afforded the opportunity to receive a high-quality education delivered by competent educators enabling them to reach predetermined but vaguely defined levels of proficiency. Despite best efforts, …

Exploration Of The School Mindfulness Project On The Executive Functions Of Elementary School Students, Jessica Brooke Savaiano

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study investigated the relationship between The School Mindfulness Project and the executive functions of elementary school students. Participants were teachers from an urban elementary school. Dependent t-tests were used to examine changes in executive functioning from pretest to posttest. The results did not show significant improvements in executive functions for the intervention group. Implications, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.

Mental Health Professionals’ Perception Of Medications For Opioid Use Disorder, Patrick M. Mullen

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Despite the widespread attention and resources allocated to the current opioid crisis, the public health problem persists. A major target in the efforts to combat the opioid crisis is increased accessibility and utilization of medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). A robust body of evidence supports the effectiveness of medications to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) in reducing overdose deaths and improving overall outcomes. Yet, MOUD continues to be underutilized at alarming rates. Studies have discovered that only one-third of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment sites offer any form of MOUD and approximately 30% of individuals with OUD receive any …

Attitudes Of Providers And Researchers Toward Harm Reduction Strategies, Portia Womer

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The present study utilized a mix methods approach to examine the relationship between professional role, years of experience, and support for harm reduction strategies to treat Opioid Use Disorder. There were 84 participants who completed the online survey. The survey included both quantitative and qualitative questions about their professional role, years of experience, age, use of cognitive behavioral therapy for opioid use disorder, and support for harm reduction strategies. There was no significant association among years of experience and support for harm reduction strategies (including safe injection sites). Additionally, there were no significant findings among age and support for harm …

The Relationship Between Adhd-Specific Cognitive Distortions And Adult Adhd After Accounting For Clinical Syndromes And Personality Pathology, Carly Gerbi

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience many difficulties in daily functioning. It is theorized that some of the difficulties experienced by adults with ADHD result from cognitive distortions. Although previous studies have identified a preliminary relationship between cognitive distortions and ADHD, which may be accounted for by comorbid disorders; these studies did not measure ADHD-specific cognitive distortions after accounting for these comorbidities. The purpose of the current study was to assess the relationship between the frequency of ADHD-specific cognitive distortions, operationalized as ADHD Cognition Scale (ACS) and the severity of adult ADHD, operationalized as the Brown Executive Function/Attention Scale (BEF/A), …

Association Between Trauma History And Body Image, Depression, Posttraumatic Stress, And Relationship Satisfaction In Postpartum Women, Kristen Hawk-Purcell

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The postpartum period can be a time of significant change and transition. Little is known about how a history of trauma may impact functioning during this critical time. English-speaking adult women (age ≥ 18 years, N = 61) who gave birth in the United States in the past year, but not in the last month, were in an intimate relationship, and did not use any assisted reproductive technology to conceive participated in the study. Participants were recruited through social media and online forums related to pregnancy and the postpartum period. They completed a demographic questionnaire, the PTSD Checklist for Diagnostic …

The Impact Of Teacher’S Understanding Of Childhood Trauma And Trauma-Informed Classrooms On Perceived Barriers And Comfort In Implementing School-Based Trauma Informed Practice, Alyssa Henry

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The impact of trauma on children has become an area of increased awareness, as research has demonstrated the consequences of traumatic experiences on academic, behavioral, and emotional success. Teachers have a unique opportunity to support intervention and facilitate relationships with children, in order to reduce the impacts of trauma on later outcomes. Research has demonstrated positive outcomes of students when teachers are provided direct training in trauma-informed intervention; however, there is little research on the knowledge teachers have from their training programs and professional development related to trauma and trauma-informed educations and the impact on their attitudes and perceptions in …

Prevention In Schools: Examining School Personnel’S Attitudes And Knowledge Of Mandated Reporting, Aigner J. Allen

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study examined the factors that may affect school personnel’s implementation of mandated reporter procedures after student disclosure of child sexual abuse (CSA), with a focus on how school personnel think, reason, and act after a student discloses suspected CSA. Children spend most of their time in school, therefore, school personnel have significant roles in protecting children by being mandated reporters of child abuse. This study used a quantitative research design to examine school personnel’s attitudes and knowledge regarding mandated reporting child sexual abuse after student disclosure. The study used a cross-sectional survey methodology that included a single survey instrument. …

The Impact Of Gender Minority Stress On Eating Pathology And Body Checking Behaviors In Transgender And Non-Binary Adults, Klaudia Bialy

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Transgender and gender non-binary (TNB) individuals commonly report diminished mental health when compared to cisgender individuals. TNB individuals experience unique stressors due to their gender identity such as gender-based discrimination and victimization, internalized transphobia, and non-affirmation of their gender. Due to these unique stressors, TNB individuals experience elevated rates of psychological distress such as anxiety, depression, and suicidality. Additionally, TNB individuals report body image issues and disordered eating. This study examined if gender minority stress predicts the relationship between body checking behaviors and eating pathology amongst TNB individuals. Simple linear regression models were used to assess the possible impact gender …

A Qualitative Examination Of Satisfaction And Support In Weight-Loss Surgery Patients, Simone Sims-Reiley

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The present study investigated bariatric surgery patients’ perspectives about the factors associated with relationship success after surgery. Additionally, this study sought to recommend useful strategies to prepare partners for the postoperative changes that are required of bariatric patients. Female participants (N = 10) were chosen using voluntary response sampling to participate in semi-structured interviews before completing the Marital Adjustment Test to identify their level of relationship adjustment postoperatively. Participants reported changes to their relationship dynamic related to food choices, activities, varying levels of support from their significant others, and factors that impacted their relationship satisfaction throughout their bariatric surgery …