Psychology Commons^™

Starting Well: Facilitating The Middle School Transition, Mary A. Peterson, Elizabeth Hamilton, Aaron D. Russell

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

School-based mental health programming is a viable intervention because it can provide evidenced-based-treatment (EBT) while avoiding the typical service barriers. In this study, 119 students (ages 10 to 12) were randomly assigned to participate in either a 24-session Coping Power Program (CPP) or a control group. Using the Behavior Assessment Scale for Children-2 (BASC-2), teachers reported significant improvements over time for all students (Attention Problems, Hyperactivity, Externalizing Problems, and Withdrawal, and Study Skills). However, teachers reported that students participating in the CPP showed significantly greater improvement than controls (Learning Problems, School Problems, Behavior Symptom Index, Social Skills, and Adaptive Skills). …

Reading In Graduate School: A Survey Of Doctoral Students In Clinical Psychology, Mark R. Mcminn, Anne Tabor, Bobby L. Trihub, Laura Taylor, Amy W. Dominguez

Faculty Publications - Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) Program

To what extent do graduate students in clinical psychology complete assigned readings? A total of 744 graduate students in American Psychological Association-accredited doctoral programs completed an online survey regarding reading in graduate school (67% response rate, of those viewing the survey). The reported amount of assigned reading varied widely, with an average of 330 pages per week. Compliance ratings suggested that about half the assigned reading is completed thoroughly and that thorough reading is more common than skimming or not reading assigned material. Motivating and hindering factors for reading are reported, and implications for faculty are considered.

The Effects Of An Integrated Behavioral Health Initiative On The Behavior Of Providers In An Ob/Gyn Primary Care Clinic, Dean Moritz

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The separation between behavioral services and traditional medicine is increasingly being seen as counterproductive on personal and societal levels. Despite this, there has been little research examining how integrated models blending mental and physical health services could be implemented. The literature revealed that behavioral interventions have been incorporated into traditional medical treatments, but this often has been piecemeal in nature and has yielded equivocal results. This study examined the assertion that effective integration between behavioral and medical services will increase the standard of care for the patient. Integration in this study was accomplished by colocating a psychologist on the primary …

The Relationship Between Religious And Spiritual Factors And The Perpetration Of Intimate Personal Violence, Robbin G. Todhunter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a multifaceted social issue that affects the Christian faith community as it does the secular community. Though the literature reflects some understanding of general correlates and possible antecedents to IPV within the Christian community, the impact of religious and spiritual factors tends to be homogenized and is often misjudged. Allport's theory of intrinsic and extrinsic religious orientation provided a platform for investigating Christian male-perpetrated IPV. This quantitative study utilized survey design and measured the impact of 10 select religious and spiritual factors on the probability of physical or sexual IPV perpetration. Archival data from Wave …

Cognitive Preference And Ethnic Identity Among Anglo And Native American High School Students, Chad Martin Novak

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

According to the Office of Educational Research and Improvement: A Project of the Stanford Institute for Higher Education Research, graduation rates for Native Americans from both secondary and post secondary institutions are dismally low at 58% and 7%, respectively. Some research addresses cognitive preference and other ethnic identity, but research animating the cognitive preference---ethnic identity interplay for high school students is absent. These limitations in access to educational opportunities lead to abbreviated quality life experiences and a restriction in individual efficacy and collective agency. The following project assessed ethnic identity using Phinney's Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure and cognitive preference using …

Predictors Of Placement Duration For Foster And Adopted Children With Special Needs, Patricia A. Somers

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Foster and adopted children with special needs have high rates of placement instability. This has been associated with their increased risk of having special needs, particularly reactive attachment disorder which results from severe disruptions in early relationships. Child welfare agencies report inadequate knowledge of specific placement predictors and assessment measures, although research has shown that placement duration is partly a function of successful parent-child match. Using Bowlby's attachment theory as the theoretical framework, this quantitative study examined the contributions of foster and adoptive parents' own attachment characteristics, the child's type of special need, and the child's age at the time …

Personality Traits, Self -Efficacy Of Job Performance, And Susceptibility To Stress As Predictors Of Academic Performance Of Nurse Education Programs, Nancy Wilson-Soga

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The United States is experiencing a shortage of registered nurses, and institutions of higher education are unable to graduate enough prepared nurses to reduce this employment shortage. A significant relationship between personality traits and academic performance has been found; however, how personality traits combine with students' self-efficacy of job performance and stress susceptibility to impact nursing students' academic performance has yet to be demonstrated. This study, grounded in the five-factor model (FFM) of personality traits, self-efficacy, and stress theories, sought to determine whether self-assessments of the NEO-Five Factor Inventory, the Nursing Practice Self-Efficacy survey, and the Susceptibility Under Stress Survey …

Beliefs And Attitudes Regarding Health -Enhancing Behaviors In African American And Caucasian Women, Cassaundra Murray

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A disproportionate number of African American (AA) women are overweight, obese, and more likely to have weight related health concerns compared with Caucasian (C) women. Previous research indicates perception about health-enhancing behaviors influences AA females' health behavior. A gap exists in the current literature regarding AA women's perception of eating and exercise behavior and the impact social support has on AA women's adherence to USDA recommendations. The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to examine AA women's weight locus of control, perceived susceptibility to weight related diseases, and perceived barriers to healthy eating and exercise relative to C women; …

Ingroup And Outgroup Members As Determinants Of Performance On A Brainstorming Task, Niveditha Parthasarathy

Psychology Dissertations - Archive

Many studies have investigated the effects of diversity on performance. Past research demonstrates that the relationship between group diversity and task performance is mixed and inconsistent (Mannix & Neale, 2005; van Knippenberg & Schippers, 2007; Webber & Donahue, 2001). Although some studies have examined the effects of diversity on brainstorming groups (Cox et al., 1991; Nakui et al, 2009), little attention has been paid to the effects of diversity on brainstorming individuals. To examine the influence of diversity on individual ideation, forty-eight participants were exposed to ideas that were presumably generated by a person from their own ethnicity (ingroup member) …

Influence Of Peer Victimization And Social Support On Cortisol Production, Jennifer M. Knack

Psychology Dissertations - Archive

The current dissertation sought to examine whether there was an association between peer victimization, neuroendocrine functioning, and physical health outcomes. Adolescents and their parent (N = 107) participated in a two-part study. In the first phase, adolescents completed a series of questionnaires either at school or online to assess levels of peer victimization, social support, and health outcomes. They then came into the laboratory with a parent for the second part of the study which consisted of two sessions. In session one, adolescents completed additional questionnaires and learned how to collect saliva samples (to assess cortisol levels); parents completed measures …

Cost-Effectiveness Of Early Versus Delayed Functional Restoration For Chronic Disabling Occupational Musculoskeletal Disorders, Brian Rohan Theodore

Psychology Dissertations - Archive

Chronic pain is among the most costly disorders in the United States. Societal impacts include productivity losses, disability compensation, and reduction in psychosocial well-being. To date, there is little documentation on the effect of extended disability on both treatment- and cost-effectiveness. The present study investigated the treatment- and cost-effectiveness of early versus delayed functional restoration for three groups, in a matched cohort design based on length of disability: Early Rehabilitation (4-8 months); Intermediate Duration (9-18 months); and Delayed Rehabilitation (>18 months). Psychosocial deficits at pre-rehabilitation were significantly greater for the late rehabilitation groups, with approximately 2 times greater likelihood …

Does Chronic Pain And Pain Sensitivity Influence's One's Affective Experience Of Social And Physical Pain?, Marcos A. Gomez

Psychology Theses - Archive

Pain Overlap Theory (Eisenberger, Jarcho, Lieberman, & Naliboff, 2006) suggests that the affective experience of physical and social pain share the same phenomenological and neurocognitive correlates (MacDonald & Kingsbury, 2006). An important question is how individual differences in pain experiences in one domain (e.g., physical pain) influences pain experiences in other domains (e.g., social). Chronic physical pain is thought to be associated with changes in physiological and psychological processes linked with pain unpleasantness. For example, chronic physical pain is thought to sensitize individuals to potential harm to the point that the individual may attempt to avoid (or even overreact to) …

Understanding Stigma By Association: The Roles Of Prior Attitudes And Objective Justification, Theresa Glasgow Moehrle

Psychology Theses - Archive

The interaction between Stigma by Association (SBA), Objective Justification (an excuse) and prior negative attitudes (homonegativity) was examined using a mock scholarship application and a recommendation index. In Study 1, 139 participants were randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions in a 2 (Stigma Alliance: allied vs. neutral) x 2 (Objective Justification: high GPA vs. low GPA) between-subjects factorial design. Prior attitudes toward homosexuals were measured using the Short-form ATLG (Herek, 1988). Study 2 (N = 170) replicated Study 1 and added an index for possible friendship. In both studies it was hypothesized that there would be a main …

Does Chronic Victimization Lead To A Rejection Attribution Bias?, Haylie Lauren Gomez

Psychology Theses - Archive

This study examined the influence of chronic victimization on social pain reactions. This influence is referred to as the rejection attribution bias, measured via self-reports of feeling excluded, threatened needs, and neurological activity in the right prefrontal cortex (RPFC) after ostracism. Participants (N = 189) completed an online survey containing personality and victimization measures. They were then offered the opportunity to complete a second phase in the lab, which involved collection of EEG data before and during an online ball-tossing manipulation (Cyberball), and measures to assess affective responses to exclusion. Results support the RAB model, with victimized participants reporting greater …

The Influence Of Knowledge Aquired At Study On Younger And Older Adults' Source Memory, Crystal Marie Cooper Cortes

Psychology Theses - Archive

The current experiments were intended to investigate the tendency of younger and older adults to use knowledge acquired during encoding to guide source memory judgments at test. Participants studied a list of words with each word belonging to one of four categories. Each category, and the words chosen for that category, were assigned to a corner of the computer screen which contained one of four mathematical probability structures, 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25%, reflecting how many exemplars from a given category was to be presented in it. Both older and younger adults learned and later used the probability structure to …

Organizational Justice And Stress: An Investigation, Heather E. Graham

Psychology Theses - Archive

Utilizing survey methodology, the four-factor model of organizational justice was assessed, including distributive, procedural, interpersonal, and informational justice, as well as their relationships with overall perceived and work-related stress. In addition to the hypothesized relationships of each justice dimension and stress, this study investigated the Justice Salience Hierarchy (JSH) as proposed by Greenberg (2004). Confirmatory factor analyses indicated a reasonable fit of the four-factor model of justice; however, using moderated sequential regression analyses, the overall findings indicated a lack of support for the JSH. Notably, negative relationships between justice and stress were demonstrated. Specifically, results demonstrated the strength of informational …

Examining The Effects Of Early Life Stress From Maternal Separation On Measures Of Pain And Anxiety, Megan Lynne Uhelski

Psychology Theses - Archive

Animal models of stress-induced conditions have provided important insight into the physiological mechanisms of many chronic disorders. Models of early life stress involve procedures designed to induce prenatal or postnatal stress upon pups, which produces adult rats with enhanced stress responses and behavioral similarities to animal models of schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression. Since little research has focused on the effect of maternal separation on adult pain processing, the purpose of the current study is to examine both sensory and affective pain measures in adult rats following repeated maternal separation in infancy, a common model of early life stress. Eighty-six male …

Autism From A Clinical Child Neuropsychological Perspective, Katherine Ore

Whittier Scholars Program

This review is aimed at understanding autism from a clinical neuropsychological perspective in order to develop new ideas on how to better treat children with autism. First is a definition of what autism is. Second is a brief history of wat researchers have thought could have caused autism. This is followed by an in-depth examination of the brain and which area seem to be related to the observed symptoms of autism. Next is an examination of treatments that are currently available for children with autism. Fifth is an analysis of what is known of the autistic brain and what treatments …

Violence Against Women Raises Risk Of Cervical Cancer, Ann L. Coker, Claudia Hopenhayn, Christopher P. Desimone, Heather M. Bush, Leslie Crofford

CRVAW Faculty Journal Articles

Background: An emerging literature suggests that violence against women (VAW), particularly sexual violence, may increase the risk of acquiring a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and, therefore, may be associated with cervical cancer development. The purpose of this cross-sectional analysis was to determine if women who had experienced violence had higher prevalence rates of invasive cervical cancer.

Methods: Women aged 18–88 who joined the Kentucky Women’s Health Registry (2006–2007) and completed a questionnaire were included in the sample. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to adjust odds ratio (OR) for confounders (e.g., age, education, current marital status, lifetime illegal drug use, …

Children As Victims, Witnesses, And Offenders: An Introduction Through Legal Cases, Jillian N. Ducker, Jessica M. Salerno, Cynthia J. Najdowski, Bette L. Bottoms, Gail S. Goodman

Psychology Faculty Scholarship

This scholarly book provides the clinician with essential background information about children who appear in court proceedings as a victim, a witness, or a defendant. Research data form the basis for the discussions of children’s capacities, competencies, and vulnerabilities within the judicial system. All chapters are well referenced, with research data juxtaposed with courtroom vignettes. The vignettes are based upon the legal system in the United States but that does not detract from the research conclusions about children and adolescents within the legal system, which are equally applicable to Canadian court proceedings.

Minority Stress And Health: Implications For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, And Questioning (Lgbtq) Young People, Cathy Kelleher

Articles

Historically, the pathologisation of LGBTQ orientations shaped research and professional practice, while the impact of stigma was not considered. Within a minority stress conceptualisation however, stigma-related prejudice and discrimination experienced by LGBTQ people constitute chronically stressful events that can lead to negative health outcomes. Minority stress has been linked to psychological distress among gay men and lesbians and may contribute to elevated rates of distress frequently observed among LGBTQ youth. This study explored the impact of minority stress on psychological distress among LGBTQ youth in Ireland. Measures assessing three components of minority stress (sexual identity distress, stigma consciousness, and heterosexist …

Front Matter

Modern Psychological Studies

No abstract provided.

Coherence, Complexity, And Information Flow: Self-Organizing Processes In Psychotherapy, David Pincus

Psychology Faculty Books and Book Chapters

"This chapter is written in the spirit of optimism, suggesting that self-organization is just such a general theory that may assist in providing a deeper, scientifically grounded understanding of the complex biopsychosocial processes involved in psychotherapy. To provide some foundation to this rather grand suggestion, the following review rests on five more specific theoretical propositions stemming from self-organization theory... The analysis of these propositions begins with an integrative review of traditional theories of interpersonal process through the lens of nonlinear dynamical systems (NDS) and self-organization theory in particular. Next, the contemporary empirical and theoretical developments using NDS to understand psychotherapy …

Patterns And Challenges Of Parenting School-Age Children Among Selected Sub-Saharan African Immigrant Parents In Southwest Michigan: A Multiple-Case Study, Israel M. Kafeero

Dissertations

Problem. Parenting among immigrants presents unique challenges to parents whose cultural orientation is different from the host culture. Because of the meager research literature on immigrant families in the USA, little is known about the phenomenon of parenting among sub-Saharan African immigrant parents. This study investigated the patterns related to the parenting practices of selected sub-Saharan African immigrant parents, how they conduct corrective discipline to their children, and the challenges they face rearing children in Southwest Michigan.

Method. Qualitative research methods including interviews, observations, focus group discussions, and artifact collection were used in this dissertation to generate data. A snowball …

Assuring Your Child Receives Support For Positive Behavior In The Classroom, Mark D. Weist

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Practice Of Members Of The College Of Forensic Psychologists: A Step Towards Conceptualising Forensic Psychology In Australia, Brooke Harvey

Theses : Honours

Australia is moving towards the proposed National Registration and Accreditation Scheme for Health Professionals, which would entail a unified national registration system for various health professions including psychology. Under this scheme, the Council of Australian Governments has indicated that specialist title in psychology may exist at a national level for the first time. As specialist areas are likely to align with the Australian Psychological Society's (APS) Colleges, forensic psychology is likely to be recognised as a specialty. This raises the question of what model of forensic psychology will be adopted at a national level. Currently the model of forensic psychology …

Anglo-Australians' Attitudes Towards Asylum Seekers And Egalitarianism, Antonietta Matrone Faulkner

Theses : Honours

Research has found that generally Australians hold negative attitudes towards asylum seekers. These negative attitudes appear to be influenced by perceptions of threat and false beliefs. The current study explored the attitudes of Anglo-Australians towards asylum seekers and how attitudes are related to the concept of Australian egalitarianism and fair go. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted for this study. Three main themes were identified through thematic content analysis: characterising asylum seekers, responses to asylum seekers in Australia, and constructing fairness.' Characterising asylum seekers represented the informants' constructs of asylum seekers as being genuine asylum seekers, or boat people …

You Can Take It With You? Student Library Employees, Eportfolios, And “Edentity” Construction, Gabriella Reznowski, Brian Mcmanus

E-JASL: Electronic Journal of Academic and Special Librarianship (1999-2009, Volumes 1-10)

Abstract

ePortfolios have become an important tool for assessing and tracking employee development. In 2008, the Washington State University Libraries became involved in the institution’s ePortfolio initiative. Library supervisors hoped that as a dynamic online tool, the ePortfolio concept would provide an effective method for assessing the library’s body of student employees. Collaborating with the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTLT), the Center for Advising & Career Development (CACD), and Student Computing Services (SCS), the WSU Libraries explored the possibility of using ePortfolios to drive employee assessment. The Access Services unit, with the assistance of the Library Instruction, Library Systems, …

Perceptions Of Ethical Behaviors: A Survey Of Human Service Professionals, Tammi F. Milliken, Edward S. Neukrug

Counseling & Human Services Faculty Publications

In addition to helpers' moral obligation and professional commitment to treat clients in an ethical manner, enhanced consumer knowledge of ethically correct helping relationships has increased the need to recognize potential ethical dilemmas and have the skills to respond appropriately. This article describes the development and results of an updated survey of human service professionals' perceptions of ethical behavior. The results may be used to assist in the revision of the NOHS Ethical Standards and inform ethics education.

Connected Coordination: Network Structure And Group Coordination, Mathew D. Mccubbins, Ramamohan Paturi, Nicholas Weller

Faculty Scholarship

Networks can affect a group’s ability to solve a coordination problem. We utilize laboratory experiments to study the conditions under which groups of subjects can solve coordination games. We investigate a variety of different network structures, and we also investigate coordination games with symmetric and asymmetric payoffs. Our results show that network connections facilitate coordination in both symmetric and asymmetric games. Most significantly, we find that increases in the number of network connections encourage coordination even when payoffs are highly asymmetric. These results shed light on the conditions that may facilitate coordination in real-world networks.