Child Psychology Commons^™

From Tragedy To Triumph: Developing Resiliency From Childhood Trauma, Carla Bea Goodmote

Theses Digitization Project

No abstract provided.

Youth Aggression: The Impact Of Attachment And Passive Family Violence, Rosie Maria Mayzum, Doris Menoken Paxton

Theses Digitization Project

This study addresses three questions regarding the relationship of attachment to aggressive behavior in early school age children (2-6 years) who have witnessed domestic violence, and to adolescents (13-18) who have been diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder. The authors hypothesized that insecure attachment is a major cause for youth violence and that a secure attachment may lessen the negative effects of passive family violence. Data was extracted from case files; findings supported earlier attachment and domestic violence research; study limitations and social work implications were addressed.

The Effects Of Early Childhood Sexual Abuse On Substance Use Among Adolescent Females Housed In An Emergency Shelter, Randa Bahmed

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This research studied the effects of childhood sexual abuse on substance use in adolescent females. Eighty females from The Cherry Hill Shelter located in Daniels, West Virginia were involved in the research. This research involved a between-subjects random design. The data was analyzed using the chi-square technique. Race, history of sexual abuse, history of substance use, and residence were involved in the analysis. The results of the chi-square technique indicated that early childhood sexual abuse and substance use among adolescent females are independent of each other. Recommendations for future research were made

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (Odd) In Children And Adolescents, Maria J. Garlie

Graduate Research Papers

This paper is a review of the literature on Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) in children and adolescents. Included in this review is information on the history of changes through which the diagnosis of ODD has gone, a comparison of children with ODD to "normal" children in terms of development, gender differences, co-morbidity, etiology, and treatment interventions.

The Grooved Pegboard Test With Ld And Non-Ld Children, Aimee H. Earley

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Grooved Pegboard Test (GPT) at identifying learning disabled (LD) children between the ages of 9 and 16. Fifty-six children were involved in the study: 27 in the LD group and 29 in the non-LD group. All subjects had a full scale IQ that fell in the 80 to 120 range. A battery of neurological tests was administered to all subjects and the data gleaned from each test was individually analyzed. Findings showed that the administration of the Grooved Pegboard Test produced statistically significant results in determining LD when subjects used their dominant hand …

The Effectiveness Of Play Therapy In A School-Based Counseling Program, Aimee Marie O'Keefe

Theses Digitization Project

This research project attempted to determine whether play therapy used to treat elementary and junior high school children in a School-Based Counseling program is effective. There is conflicting evidence in the literature as to the effectiveness of therapy with children, especially play therapy. This project used a qualitative design to evaluate play therapy used in a School-Base Counseling program (SBC). Randomly selected case files from the 1998-99 academic year were analyzed using questions considering demographic information for each child, the reason the child was referred to the program, the intervention used by the therapist, and the outcomes of therapy. The …

Analysis Needs Assessment Of Foster Youth Group Homes, Tinya Kay Holt-Gaines

Theses Digitization Project

No abstract provided.

The Creative Writer: An Examination Of Early Childhood Environment, Psychopathology, And Personality Traits, Cynthia I. Hagan

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The early childhood environment, the pathology, and the personality traits of non-eminent creative writers were compared to those of non-creative artists. The stated issues were examined using a thirty-item, forced choice questionaire. The results indicated that the non-creative writer group experienced more early childhood trauma than did the non-creative artist group. The findings are congruent with previous research and supports the position that early childhood environment plays a significant role in the development of creativity.

Predicting Disruptive Behaviors Using Interpersonal And Intrapsychic Measures, Cheryl R. Taylor

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The purpose of this study is to identify interpersonal and intrapsychic factors that predict disruptive behavior. Each of the 134 participants, all high school sophomores, completed two questionnaires and two emotional indicator evaluations on two dates, six weeks apart. Results indicated that "liking" of the school staff combined with depression using the Beck Depression Inventory II, was a predictor of discipline referrals made to the office. Another combination that was a predictor of discipline referrals was "liking" of the school staff combined with drawing using the Draw A Person: Screening Procedure for Emotional Disturbance. High emotional indicators (EI) and low …

The Dcs Visual-Memory Learning Test With Ld And Non-Ld Children Ages 9 To 16 Years Old, David A. Snider

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The primary purpose of this study is to determine whether the DCS Visual Memory Learning Test (DCS) can discriminate between subjects with learning disabilities (LD students) and subjects without learning disabilities (non-LD students). Although the DCS has established itself as a valuable neuro-psychological instrument in Europe ( Lamberti & Weidlich, 1999) over the past twenty years, very little research currently is available on the DCS in the United States, and nearly all of the published research on the DCS is written in German. The current study examined the capability of the DCS to discriminate between a population of 52 LD …

Self-Mutilation : Using Pain To Cope, Wendy S. Cook

Graduate Research Papers

Self-mutilation is a serious mental and physical health problem that is often under-reported and misdiagnosed. The mutilation is a reaction to negative internal feelings, such as despair, anxiety, anger, or cognitive constriction. The goal of the self-mutilation is relief from emotional pain by using physical pain. The self-mutilator has low self-esteem, bouts of depression, difficulty forming intimate relationships, and usually suffered some type of trauma such as physical or sexual abuse. Pharmacological treatment for the self-mutilator has been experimental but has not been well researched. However, research seemed to indicate that individual and group therapy, specifically cognitive-behavioral therapy, is helpful …

A Component Analysis Of Nondirective Play Therapy, Jane E. Wilson

Masters Theses

We evaluated the effects of nondirective play therapy on the inappropriate play of three developmentally normal children with conduct problems . Specifically, we examined the effects of attention (contingent vs noncontingent) and the play environment (enriched vs impoverished) using a reversal design. Our goal was to isolate one of these two variables as the primary effective component of nondirective play therapy for a particular child. For two subjects, attention remained contingent upon inappropriate play across conditions and the play environment was manipulated. Inappropriate play increased for one of these participants in an impoverished environment. For the third participant, an actual …

Gangguan Emosi Dan Kaitan Dengan Kenakalan Pelajar, Wan Ghazali Wan Din

Student Works (2000-2009)

The objective of this research is to identify the level of emotional disturbance and the level of the students' involvement in delinquency. The focus of this research is to identify the dominant factors influencing the students' emotion and their involvement in delinquency. This research further looks into the relationship between the level of emotional disturbance and the students' involvement in delinquency and to observe the prominent sources of emotional disturbance which contribute toward a student's involvement in delinquency. The sample of this research is taken from 300 form four students from four secondary schools in Sentul Zone, Kuala Lumpur. The …

Coping With Loss: A Qualitative Study Of The Experience Of Sibling Bereavement In Young Adulthood, Purnima Sundar

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Existing literature in the area of bereavement as it pertains to young persons focuses primarily upon the death of a parent, and the age groups most studied are either children or adolescents. The goal of this thesis project, therefore, has been to develop an in-depth understanding of the experience of sibling bereavement in young adulthood, looking at factors that both helped and hindered effective coping. Specifically, in-depth interviews with 7 young women who had suffered the loss of a sister or brother while between the ages of 18 and 30 were conducted in an effort to shed light on this …

Adolescent Openness To The Parental Viewpoint In Narrative: Longitudinal Prediction Of Adolescent Adjustment, Cheryl Ann Hicks

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Adolescent openness to the parental viewpoint, as assessed through a narrative methodology, was tested as a longitudinal predictor of adolescent adjustment. Thirty adolescents (14 females, 16 males) were asked to describe their parents’ perspective on matters considered important to their values and development. These narratives were scored via a newly developed ‘parent voice’ measure, which quantitatively rates the degree of openness and respect the adolescent extends to the parental viewpoint. Parent voice scores significantly predicted adolescent adjustment four years later. Furthermore, the findings suggest voice may be mediating the positive relationship between authoritative parenting and subsequent adolescent adjustment. The quality …

Two Views Of Identity Development In Adolescence: An Empirical Comparison Of The Narrative And Status Approaches, Kathleen Mackey

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The purpose of the present study was to determine the relationships among personal life stories, identity status development and family climate during late adolescence. The current study examines the parallels between two conceptions of identity: Marcia's interview assessment of identity status development, and McAdams’ narrative conception of identity development as revealed through the life story. A sample of 131 high school students, 51 males and 80 females, were asked to recall and discuss a critical incident that had a crucial impact on their beliefs and values. Marcia's interview assessment of identity status was also administered for vocational and religious domains. …

Nsu Study Guide Ed.D. Program In Child And Youth Studies Management Of Programs For Children And Youth I (Mop I) Revised January 2000, Nova Southeastern University

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice College Archive

No abstract provided.

Television Violence : The Impact And Influence On Children And Adolescents, Preston B. Hoskins

Graduate Research Papers

This paper will look at the history of violent youth, and the unique development of youth violence in our country. The author will examine the unique characteristics that make media such a powerful communicative source. The author will show how living in a media culture affects the way youth behave, and will explore the extent to which media messages have power over their lives. Information on the significance of television violence on the behaviors of youth will be included.

Children's Memory Scale Discriminate With Ld And Non-Ld Children, Anna Winland

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Children's Memory Scale at discriminating learning disabled (LD) children from non-learning disabled children between the ages of 9 and 16. A total of 56 children were included in the study; 27 LD and 29 non-LD. Subjects were first determined to be LD or not through the administration of the WISC-Ill and the WIAT to determine if their was a discrepancy of a minimum of 1.75 standard deviations between their individual achievement scores and IQ scores. If the significant discrepancy existed the subject was found to be LD. A neuropsychological battery of tests were …

Suggestibility In Children: A Review: Suggestibility Differences Between Children With And Without Mild Intellectual Impairment, Rebecca Purchon

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Literature review: The following review outlines the broad area of children and suggestibility with a focus on children with intellectual disabilities. Key determinants of suggestibility including cognitive, social and stress factors underpinning the phenomenon are examined. Secondly, methodological issues such as poor ecological validity and generaliseability to the child-victim context are discussed. Relevant studies in the field are examined in light of these methodological issues. The implications of generalising from ecologically invalid studies for legal and psychological professionals are discussed. Finally, future directions for research such as effects of different ages, differences in ethnicity and IQ differences on suggestibility are …

The Child Behavior Checklist And Adhd In Children, Angela Samuel

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study examined the relationship of parental report of behavior ratings as demonstrated by the Attention Scale of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the diagnosis of ADI-ID. The study was conducted using 50 children who were referred to a summer school program. An Analysis of Variance found gender and ADI-ID diagnosis to be significantly different for Attention Scales of the CBCL. A Chi Square test also found that the CBCL was a significantly better predictor of ADI-ID than the CPT.

Impact Of Insecure Attachment On Children's Social Skill Development, Kimberly A. Conrad

Graduate Research Papers

This paper focuses primarily on the importance of secure parent/child attachment to healthy development of children. Attachment theory is utilized to explain possible causes of pathological and anti-social behavior. In particular, it describes how insecure (both anxious and avoidant) attachments between parent (caretaker) and child may lead to angry, coercive, immature, withdrawn, or even suicidal behaviors in children. Parent/child attachment problems are linked to social skill deficits and problems in peer relationships. Implications for school psychologists and for future research are offered.

Play Therapy For Children With Aggressive Behavior, Jennifer M. Brehm

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this literature review was to investigate the effectiveness of various play therapy interventions for decreasing developmentally inappropriate aggression of children. Psychoanalytic, cognitive-behavioral, and person-centered approaches of play therapy were reviewed. Each of the three theoretical approaches to therapy was described in relation to the aggressive behaviors of children. Similarities and differences among the three therapies were discussed. Efficacy of the interventions was presented based on published literature only. More studies of the various types of play therapy, particularly in relation to the aggressive behaviors of children, need to be conducted and results disseminated.

Similarities In Aggression, Inattention/Hyperactivity, Depression, And Anxiety Between Friends And Nonfriends, Kristin A. Clark

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Friendship similarities on behavioral and psychopathological characteristics have been proposed as being risk factors for maladaptive development, yet these similarities have not been thoroughly examined. The purpose of the present study was to examine the similarities within children's friendships. It was expected that friends would be more similar than nonfriends on aggression, inattention/hyperactivity, depression, and anxiety. Friendship similarities should also differ across grades, with similarity decreasing as grade increases, and across gender, with boys' friendships more similar on depression and anxiety and girls' friendships more similar on aggression and inattention/hyperactivity.

Two hundred thirty-four 4th through 9th grade students completed self-report …

Family And Child Psychosocial Functioning Of Infant Heart Transplant Recipients, Kimberly R. Freeman

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

With the advancement of medical procedures, heart transplantation has become a viable alternative for infants born with congenital or acquired heart disease. Although these children are thought to experience much improvement in their overall physical functioning post-transplantation, the long-term psychological functioning of these children and their families is currently unknown. This study examines the long-term family functioning and psychosocial development of infant heart transplant recipients in comparison to children with congenital heart disease (CHD) and non-clinical control children. Results indicate that infant heart transplant recipients and their families experience fewer overall problems as compared to the CHD group, and more …

Evaluating The Effects Of Postive Peer Reporting On Social Acceptance, Mary Short

Dissertations

The effects of a positive peer reporting procedure on social status and social interactions were assessed. Children who are socially rejected seem to be disliked by their peers due to their high frequency of negative behaviors and low frequency of positive behaviors. Therefore, to decrease the negative behaviors and increase the positive behaviors, rejected children were asked to make positive comments about their peers. Participants included 4 children, ages 10-15 years. A multiple baseline across subjects design was utilized. Collection of baseline data began immediately following the confirmation of consent and eligibility for the child to participate. Initial baseline data …

The Validity Of The Adhd Section Of The Diagnostic Interview Schedule For Children, Ann M. Mcgrath

Dissertations

The purpose o f this study was to learn more about the validity o f the ADHD portion of the NIMH-DISCIV. In order to accomplish this goal, 58 youth participants were divided into three groups: (1) subjects who met criteria for ADHD based upon both the youth and the caretaker versions of the DISC; (2) subjects who met criteria for ADHD based upon the caretaker DISC, but not according to the youth DISC; and (3) subjects who did not meet criteria for ADHD according to either the youth or the caretaker DISC. Subjects in these groups were compared across parent …

Evaluating The Social Acceptability Of Persons With Habit Disorders: The Effects Of Topography, Frequency, And Gender Manipulation, Douglas W. Woods

Dissertations

Literature suggests that children who exhibit habit disorders are less socially acceptable than children who do not exhibit such disorders. This series of studies investigated the social acceptability of adults who exhibit habit disorders. In Studies 1 and 2, undergraduate students rated the social acceptability of individuals who exhibited motor tics, vocal tics, hairpulling, and no habit. Results showed that the individuals with no habit were more socially acceptable than the individuals who exhibited either motor tics, vocal tics, or hairpulling.

In Study 3, videotapes were created in which actors simulated motor tics, vocal tics, Tourette’s Syndrome, and Trichotillomania. The …

Interparental Conflict And Child And Adolescent Aggression: An Examination Of Overt And Relational Aggression, Stacey T. Mizokawa

Department of Psychology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The relationship between interparentaI conflict and overt aggression has been a consistent finding for males, but not for females. As a result. females have been thought to be less affected by parental disputes. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether parental conflict could predict aggression in males and females if aggression is operationalized to include both the overt type that is common among males and the relational type that is more common in females. Participants were 102 fifth- (37 males; 65 females). 137 eighth- (54 males; 83 females). and 110 eleventh-graders (37 males; 73 females) and their parents. …

The Effects Of Group Counseling On The Self-Esteem, Anxiety, And Behavior Of Children With Deployed Parents, Nancy Taylor Mitchum

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a six-session group counseling intervention for children who had a parent experiencing military-induced deployment. Participants were 65 children (30 boys, 35 girls) of enlisted military personnel attending elementary schools near the Norfolk Naval Base. Elementary school counselors facilitated the counseling groups.

An experimental/control group pretest-posttest design was employed. Independent variables were the child's participation in the Children of Deployed Parents-Group/control group, child gender and age. Dependent variables were self-esteem, anxiety, and behavior as measured by the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory (SEI), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC), the Child …