Psychology Commons^™

Mindfulness In Parenting Questionnaire (Mipq): Development And Validation Of A Measure Of Mindful Parenting, Stacey Mccaffrey

Theses and Dissertations

Mindful parenting has been defined as “paying attention to your child and your parenting in a particular way: intentionally, here and now, and non-judgmentally” (Kabat-Zinn & Kabat-Zinn, 1997). Although it is hypothesized that increasing mindful parenting improves parent and child functioning, the development of a measure of mindful parenting is needed to support this assumption. The aim of the present study was to develop and psychometrically evaluate a measure of mindful parenting (the Mindfulness In Parenting Questionnaire: MIPQ) for use with mothers and fathers of both children and adolescents, ranging in age from 2- to 16-years-old. The current study contained …

Clergy Sexual Abuse, Robert P. Allred

Theses and Dissertations

Sexual abuse perpetrated by trusted members of the clergy presents unique challenges to clinicians and yet the current literature on the effects of clergy sexual abuse is sparse. The vast majority of current research on clergy sexual abuse is based on the perspective of the perpetrators and not the survivors. Some literature suggests that clergy sexual abuse is equivalent to incest due to the level of betrayal trauma associated with each form of abuse. The current study seeks to examine the effects of clergy perpetrated sexual abuse on survivors and examine those effects in the context of the general literature …

The Effects Of Ongoing Assessment During A Psychoeducational Evaluation, Joseph Elliot

Theses and Dissertations

Statistically significant reductions in scores from initial pretreatment testing to subsequent pretreatment testing in self-report measures are a widespread phenomenon (Arrindell, 2001). If valid, these reductions reflect improvement in psychological functioning absent any formal treatment (Arrindell, 2001). Many explanations for these reductions in scores have been offered (Arrindell, 2001) including assessment reactivity (Epstein et al., 2005), social desirability (Henderson, Byrne, & Duncan-Jones, 1981); and mechanical responding (Bromet, Dunn, Connell, Dew, & Schulberg, 1986; Durham et al., 2002). However, relatively few studies have examined this phenomenon empirically. Even fewer studies have examined pretreatment improvements in parent ratings. The present study sought …

Age Related Decline In Memory: Examining The Mediation Effect Of Processing, Executive Functioning And Intelligence In Normal Adults, Jada J. Stewart

Theses and Dissertations

Multiple mediation analyses that collectively examine the prominent theories of cognitive aging (i.e., Common Cause, Processing, and Executive Decline Hypotheses) along with other cognitive domains that are sensitive to aging are rare. Moreover, having identified that cognition begins to decline as early as 30 years old, few studies have examined the mechanisms that underlie memory change among younger aging individuals. As a result, it is unclear whether relevant mediating variables have been excluded from early research on age-related memory decline, or to what extent rehabilitative strategies are applicable as early interventions for maintaining cognitive functioning into late life.

The present …

Guidelines For School Psychology Graduate Programs In The Provision Of Continuing Professional Development, Peter M. Caproni, J. Fletcher

Faculty Articles

No abstract provided.

Financial Anxiety, Physiological Arousal, And Planning Intention, John Grable, Wookjae Heo, Abed Rabbani

Consumer Sciences Faculty Publications

Results from this exploratory clinical study indicate that financial anxiety—holding an unhealthy attitude about one’s financial situation—and physiological arousal—the physical precursor to behavior—play important roles in shaping consumer intention to engage in future financial planning activity. Findings suggest that those who are most likely to engage the services of a financial adviser exhibit low levels of financial anxiety and moderate to high levels of physiological arousal. The least likely to seek the help of a financial adviser are those who exhibit high financial anxiety and low physiological arousal. Results support findings documented in the literature that high anxiety levels often …

2015 Oklahoma Research Day Full Program, Northeastern State University

Oklahoma Research Day Abstracts

This document contains all abstracts from the 2015 Oklahoma Research Day held at Northeastern State University.

Cross-Cultural Perspectives After Participation In The Yes Program: A Pilot Study, Vanessa E. Fuentes, Elizabeth A. Goncy, Kevin S. Sutherland

Psychology Faculty Publications

Guided by empowerment and ecological theories, the

Youth Empowerment Solutions (YES) program facilitates character

development through activities based in cultural differences, team

building, and social change. This pilot study consisted of two focus

groups (n = 13) of middle school youth conducted after their

participation in an abbreviated version of the YES program.

Specifically, the present study examined youth’s cross-cultural

perspectives after participation. The focus groups were transcribed

and coded for emergent themes using Heaton’s (2005)

supplementary data analysis framework. Qualitative analysis

resulted in two emergent themes: 1) enhanced appreciation for

similarities and differences in cultural and ethnic backgrounds, and …

Understanding Non-Suicidal Self-Injury On A Child Inpatient Unit: A Mixed-Methods Study, Kristen L. Batejan

Psychology Department Dissertations

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is the direct, deliberate destruction of body tissue without suicidal intent (Nock & Favazza, 2009). Age of onset, based primarily on retrospective reports, commonly occurs between twelve and fourteen years old (e.g., Jacobson & Gould, 2007). Recent efforts have examined NSSI among children directly (Barrocas et al., 2012; Esposito-Smythers et al., 2010). The current study, a mixed-methods approach, examined NSSI among a sample of children treated on a psychiatric inpatient unit. Archival chart reviews assessed current/lifetime NSSI behaviors, demographic data, current/lifetime suicidal ideation and attempts, and self-reported clinical rating scales. Semi-structured interviews with self- injuring children assessed …

Reading Compliance In A School Psychology Graduate Program, Britainey Anne Cooper

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to collect data on graduate reading compliance specific to the field of school psychology. This study examined the amount of required reading completed by graduate students in a National Association of School Psychologists accredited school psychology training program. An online questionnaire developed by McMinn & colleagues (2009) was adapted to fit the context of the current study. Thirty-two students (70%) responded. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) revealed that reading compliance was affected by the number of adults living with students, F(1, 20) = 6.14, p = .022, ηp2 = .235. Students were most motivated to …

A Regional Comparison Of Intellectual Disability Rates In Appalachia, Tiffany D. Yancey

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study examined administrative prevalence rates of Intellectual Disability for children and adolescents within Southern West Virginia over a three-year-period compared to rates in neighboring Virginia counties with designated Appalachian status to determine if significantly different rates were evident, and if prevalence varied according to poverty, maternal age, and race/ethnicity across all districts. The results revealed that despite Southern West Virginia and Western Virginia being geographically similar, Southern West Virginia LEAs maintain significantly higher ID rates. Findings indicated poverty and teen pregnancy are correlated with higher ID rates but not race/ethnicity. The prevalence study points to the need for additional …

Correlates Of Exhibition-Like Experiences And The Development Of Exhibitionism In Females, Sarah Fouch

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to examine possible events or risk factors that occur during the critical period of learning, before age 18, that influence an individual to engage in exhibitionism or have urges to expose themselves. Anonymous data from 2,201 female participants were obtained using a computer-assisted self-administered questionnaire. Early experiences were examined to determine risk factors for ever having exposed themselves in a public place or ever having had urges to expose themselves in public places using logistic regression analysis. Many of the events that were identified as significant predictors for exhibitionism, such as seeing the mother …

Effects Of Participation In Mihow Program On Maternal Smoking And Birthweight, Leah Elise White

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This is a study of how participation in a community-based home-visitation program called Maternal Infant Health Outreach Worker (MIHOW) can have an effect on maternal smoking behavior and infant birthweight, and how the timing of enrollment can have an impact on those effects. Each participant was randomly assigned to the treatment or control group and answered survey questions during their pregnancies at the time of enrollment and after their babies reached one month of age. Results of this study indicated that the timing of enrollment did not have a significant effect on maternal smoking behavior or infant birthweight; however, the …

Nuclear Family Dynamics: Predictors Of Childhood Crushes And Adult Sexual Orientation, Natalie M. Campbell

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study investigated the effects of nuclear family dynamics on childhood crushes and adult sexual orientation. Retrospective data was gathered via an anonymous survey administered using a computer-assisted self-interview program. Data was collected from 1,242 non-transsexual males (age range 18-86) and 2,201 non-transsexual females (age range 18-78). Management of parental disagreements, maternal attitude about sex, parental composition of the nuclear family, maternal affection, and parental demonstration of affection predicted the sex of childhood crushes in males and/or females. Management of parental disagreement, parental attitude about sex, nudity practices within the home, parental demonstration of affection, and parental composition of the …

Parent Perceptions Of Parent-School Partnership Efforts For Students With Disabilities, Jessica Chadwick

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The study examined parent-school partnership efforts, as reported and perceived by parents of students with disabilities in a Mid-Atlantic State. Due to the high correlation between parent involvement and academic success, these qualitative comments were deemed vital to ongoing special education improvement in the state. The study utilized the State Education Agency parent survey data which was collected in accordance with the State Performance Plan / Annual Performance Report requirements under Section 616 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004. Survey responses from parents of students with disabilities were aggregated and analyzed for local education agencies. These comments …

Trends In Intellectual Disability Identification In West Virginia, Margaret M. Stephens

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of Intellectual Disability (ID) in each of West Virginia’s Local Educational Agencies (LEAs). Publicly available enrollment and disability counts were aggregated and used to calculate an administrative prevalence rate for each LEA annually, from 2004 to 2013. Prevalence was examined within and between LEAs, as well as between regions. The results indicate a decrease in the administrative prevalence of ID in 50 of 55 LEAs over the 10 years examined. Rates within LEAs varied between years. Additionally, school-based prevalence varied between RESAs, with RESA I and RESA VIII exhibiting the …

Esl Students' Language Anxiety In In-Class Oral Presentations, Yusi Chen

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This case study aims to explore connections between ESL students’ speaking-in-class anxiety and their presentation performance, factors causing oral anxiety during presentations, and strategies to regulate L2 students’ speaking anxiety in presentations. Findings of this research contribute to the investigation of speaking-in-class anxiety from non-English major L2 students. Three Chinese ESL students enrolled in the INTO program at Marshall University individually gave two presentations in speaking classes. Triangulated data sources were collected to delve into three research questions. The results suggest that L2 students’ anxiety forms mental blocks during presentations, but it has less influence on their presentation performance. Based …

Secondary Teachers’ Knowledge And Attitudes Toward Positive Behavioral Interventions And Supports, Deanna M. Hiles

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Classroom management of student behavioral problems is a primary reason that teachers are leave the education field. As hard as teachers and students may try, some student behavior cannot be managed by discipline alone. One technique that has had a constructive impact on student behavior is Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). The design of PBIS is to help teachers manage students with problem behaviors in the classroom. However, teachers’ attitudes toward PBIS and their knowledge of PBIS influence the effectiveness of its success or failure in the classroom.

Activating The Biological And Behavioral Immune Systems, Julia Christensen

Departmental Honors Projects

Psychology recognizes two distinct facets of the immune system: the biological immune system (BIO), covering all processes of the typical immune system, and the behavioral immune system (BEH), a set of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral responses to environmental stimuli. Research on this dual immune system indicates that each is capable of influencing the other (Schaller & Park, 2011). For example, perception of illness in others can activate the sympathetic nervous system (Schaller, Miller, Gervais, Yager, & Chen, 2010). Furthermore, evidence suggests that these two systems are capable of influencing moral judgment (Inbar, Pizarro, & Bloom, 2008). This study aims to …

From Reified Self To Being Mindful: A Dialogical Analysis Of The Mbsr Voice, Michelle H. Mamberg, Thomas Bassarear

Psychology Faculty Publications

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs are being incorporated into healthcare systems worldwide. To cultivate present-moment, non-judgmental awareness, MBSR is taught using meditation instructions couched in particular forms of language. Yet the scholarly literature, while replete with empirical validation studies, has little to say about MBSR discourse. Further, although the program may be seen as a cultural hybrid (i.e., American Buddhism), drawing as it does upon traditional mindfulness practices and concepts, MBSR research paradoxically employs methods which presuppose Western notions of self. In contrast, we identify conceptual similarities between the Buddhist notion of anatta, or non-self, and Dialogical Self Theory’s …

Etiology Beliefs Moderate The Influence Of Emotional Self-Control On Willingness To See A Counselor Through Help-Seeking Attitudes Among Asian American Students, Paul Youngbin Kim, Dana L. Kendall

SPU Works

To identify correlates of Asian American professional help-seeking, we tested a mediation model describing Asian American help-seeking (Asian value of emotional self-control → help-seeking attitudes → willingness to see a counselor; Hypothesis 1) in a sample of Asian American college students from the Pacific Northwest region of the United States (N = 232). We also examined biological and spiritual etiology beliefs as moderators of the mediation model (Hypotheses 2a & 2b). Our findings indicated that help-seeking attitudes significantly mediated the relation between emotional self-control and willingness to see a counselor, consistent with our mediation hypothesis. Furthermore, biological and spiritual …

Religious Coping Moderates The Relation Between Racism And Psychological Well-Being Among Christian Asian American College Students., Paul Youngbin Kim, Dana L. Kendall, Marcia Webb

SPU Works

We examined the moderating role of positive and negative religious coping in the relation between racism and psychological well-being in a sample of Catholic and Protestant Asian American college students (N = 107). Based on prior theorizing on the two types of religious coping, combined with some limited empirical evidence, we predicted that positive religious coping would have a buffering effect (Hypothesis 1) on the racism-mental health relation and that negative religious coping would have an exacerbating one (Hypothesis 2). Participants completed an online survey containing measures corresponding to the study variables. Results indicated that the interaction between positive …

What Makes Lawyers Happy? A Data-Driven Prescription To Redefine Professional Success, Lawrence S. Krieger, Kennon M. Sheldon

Scholarly Publications

This is the first theory-guided empirical research seeking to identify the correlates and contributors to the well-being and life satisfaction of lawyers. Data from several thousand lawyers in four states provide insights about diverse factors from law school and one’s legal career and personal life. Striking patterns appear repeatedly in the data and raise serious questions about the common priorities on law school campuses and among lawyers. External factors, which are often given the most attention and concern among law students and lawyers (factors oriented towards money and status—such as earnings, partnership in a law firm, law school debt, class …

Ron Taffel: Visiting Scholar At Bank Street, Anne Santa, Buffy Smith

Progressive Education in Context

Discusses a yearlong discourse at Bank Street College, when Ron Taffel, author and well-known psychologist was the visiting scholar for the 2011-2012 academic year.

Progressive Education: Mindfulness In The Third Grade, Edna Moy-Rome

Progressive Education in Context

Over the course of the 2013-2014 school year, the author had the opportunity to introduce and explore mindfulness in a third grade classroom.

Transpersonal Space/Time Through The Arts, Lisa Herman

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

As transpersonal researchers and practitioners work to articulate the meaning of transpersonal individually and collectively, I suggest conceptualizing transpersonal space/time as real in a physically felt sense. This embodied knowing is best practiced and expressed through the arts. The premise is situated within a larger field using the term liminal as a parallel meaning construct for transpersonal I present my own work referencing a range of disciplines where scholars and practitioners using the terms liminal, transpersonal and others, artfully express their understanding of extra-ordinary experience. A personal example through creative writing is offered demonstrating the way my body/mind inquiring into …

Mirror Gazing For Cultural Bereavement: A Mixed-Methods Study Into The Impact Of A Restricted Sensory Environment Meditation Process (Psychomanteum) On Culture Shock In Expatriates, Samuel W. Root

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

Thirteen expatriates experienced an individual 2-3 hour psychomanteum process, including pre- and post-meditation interviews based on cultural bereavement theory, mirror gazing in a restricted sensory chamber, art work, and follow-up surveys. Repeated measures of negative affect were administered at pretest, posttest, and follow-up periods. Correlational analyses revealed significant reductions in total culture shock and mood disturbance at follow up. Extraversion, home country, and importance of religion/ spirituality were significant covariates in change on total culture shock scores at posttest. Qualitative analyses revealed four categories of effects: clarified emotional conflicts, letting go, shifted perspectives, and reviewed success factors. The psychomanteum process …

Reasonable Reasoner: The Influence Of Intervention Strategy, System Parameters And Their Representation On Causal Understanding, Beth Cristina Bullemer

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

The following study assessed how contingency and delay influence people's reasoning strategy and outcomes after interacting with a representation of a discrete and continuous system environment, in the context of controlling hypertension. The related causal reasoning and system dynamics research adopt different measurement paradigms and employ different system dynamics, making it difficult to resolve the empirical findings. Specifically, the causal reasoning literature has traditionally considered systems in which previous inputs do not influence future outcomes (e.g., a discrete system condition) while the system dynamics literature removes this constraint (e.g., a continuous system condition). Also, the system dynamics literature has focused …

Moral Identity Development And Positive Moral Emotions: Differences Involving Authentic And Hubristic Pride, Tobias Krettenauer, Victoria Casey

Psychology Faculty Publications

Research repeatedly documented associations between moral identity and negative moral emotions (e.g., guilt), whereas the relationship between moral identity and positive moral emotions (e.g., pride) has been rarely investigated. The present study examined relationships between moral identity and two forms of positive moral emotions, authentic and hubristic moral pride. For a sample of 216 Canadian adolescents and young adults (M = 17.72 years, SD = 3.65; 107 females), it was demonstrated that authentic and hubristic moral pride define two distinct aspects of positive moral emotions, which are differentially related to moral identity, moral motivation, as well as prosocial and …

Words That Heal: Rapid Results From Cognitive Therapy, Arthur P. Sullivan, Penny Sullivan-Nunes, Edmundo Nunes

Department of Behavioral Science Publications and Research

It is proposed that targeting words and phrases instead of larger structures like irrational beliefs and automatic thoughts permits more rapid and better articulated patient improvement for more diagnoses. Cognitive therapy modifies the perceptions of patients in ways that reduce disability and distress. This is done by eliciting a narrative from the patient and then stimulating changes in key perceptions in the narrative. The altered narrative will control the patient’s emotions and behaviors as did the old narrative, but will produce less distressing and disabling thoughts, emotions and behaviors. The fit of the new narrative to the simple underlying data …