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Full-Text Articles in Clinical Psychology
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. …
Pediatric Health Care Providers’ Perceptions And Knowledge Of Caregiving Youth, Brianna Bliss
Pediatric Health Care Providers’ Perceptions And Knowledge Of Caregiving Youth, Brianna Bliss
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
Many young people younger than the age of 18 years are involved in providing care to family members who are unable to manage their own medical, physical, or mental illnesses. Youth caregivers are an understudied population in the United States. The small yet growing research base has illustrated the relationship between the caregiving role, academic performance, and an individual’s social and psychological well-being. Medical settings are uniquely positioned to identify caregiving youth and provide supportive resources. A survey was created and administered to pediatric health care providers who offered medical and psychosocial support to children and adolescents. Providers were recruited …
Evaluating Antecedents To Treatment Success In Juveniles With Sexually Problematic Behavior, Alexandra P. Pappas
Evaluating Antecedents To Treatment Success In Juveniles With Sexually Problematic Behavior, Alexandra P. Pappas
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
The impact of rape and other sexual offenses represents a major problem in society and can lead to chronic and harmful physical, psychological, and social consequences. Juveniles (younger than 18 years old) account for 20% of sexual offense arrests in the United States, with 96% of reported cases committed by male perpetrators. Risk indicators and characteristics of juveniles who sexually offend include demographic factors (e.g., history of sexual abuse), personality factors (e.g., antisocial behavior), and below average intelligence and cognitive functioning. Treatment of problematic sexual behavior in juveniles varies in intensity, structure, and level of supervision, though research investigating unsuccessful …
The Relationship Between Witnessing Domestic Violence And Criminal Recidivism Among Juvenile Sex Offenders, Shamyra Marie Shaw
The Relationship Between Witnessing Domestic Violence And Criminal Recidivism Among Juvenile Sex Offenders, Shamyra Marie Shaw
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
This correlational archival dissertation focuses on the relationship between exposure to domestic violence and criminal recidivism among juvenile sexual offenders. The study examined archival criminal arrest records and self-reported data gathered from a sample of 67 male juvenile sexual offenders in a residential treatment facility. Given the somewhat limited explanations for and research into the causes of juvenile sexual re-offending and the importance of identifying its determinants, this topic may be viewed as having substantial importance to future research and criminal justice policy. Findings did not support the primary hypothesis that prior exposure to domestic violence would be positively correlated …
Adaptive Skills Training And Quality Of Life Of Young Adults With Autism, Reggie Candio
Adaptive Skills Training And Quality Of Life Of Young Adults With Autism, Reggie Candio
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
The current study examines the effectiveness of a group-based adaptive skills training program in improving the perceived quality of life (QoL) of adolescents and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The Adolescent and Young Adult Treatment Program (AYATP) is implemented by a specialized Autism outpatient treatment facility, with a focus on improving the personal independence and daily living skills of its participants. With the use of archival data from the specialized Autism outpatient treatment a study was conducted utilizing a mixed factorial design by analyzing pre- and post-measures of the participants’ perceived quality of life, as measured by a research-based …
A Single Case Study Of Cognitive Remediation Therapy With An Adolescent With Disordered Eating, Carol Lynn Galiano
A Single Case Study Of Cognitive Remediation Therapy With An Adolescent With Disordered Eating, Carol Lynn Galiano
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
Picky eating is currently not included in the diagnostic classification system DSM-IV TR as a distinct category of eating disorders in childhood. It can reach clinical significance requiring intervention when it results in chronic nutritional inadequacies and/or harmful impact on social development or family functioning. Studies have shown that patients with eating disorders have difficulties with executive functioning. These findings have been used to develop an intervention based on cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) which targets thinking skills and their role in the development and maintenance of an eating disorder. To further investigate, this study assessed the efficacy of an 8-week, …
Youth Treatment Adherence At A Rural Community Mental-Health Clinic, Asma S. Ali
Youth Treatment Adherence At A Rural Community Mental-Health Clinic, Asma S. Ali
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
This study examined the relationships between youth and adult psychopathology, and sociodemographic factors and treatment adherence for youth attending outpatient treatment at a rural community mental-health clinic. “Adherence” was defined as attending more than five sessions, while “non-adherence” was defined as attending fewer than or equal to five sessions. Results revealed no significant differences between youth adhering or not adhering to treatment depending on the relation of caregiver to youth or the mode of transportation taken to the clinic. Furthermore, caregiver and youth psychopathology and caregiver’s estimated travel time to the clinic did not predict treatment adherence. Incidentally, examination of …
The Relationship Between Cognitive Distortions And Risk To Sexually Re-Offend In Adolescents: Comparing Three Levels Of Treatment, Christina D. Haldaman
The Relationship Between Cognitive Distortions And Risk To Sexually Re-Offend In Adolescents: Comparing Three Levels Of Treatment, Christina D. Haldaman
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
This study examined the relationship between cognitive distortions, risk to sexually re-offend, and length of time in treatment, and psychopathy. This study investigated differential treatment effects across three different treatment modalities to gain a better understanding of cognitive distortions in the treatment of adolescent sexual offenders. Literature has theorized that a fundamental aspect of sex offender treatment is addressing these cognitive distortions. Archival data from an existing database were collected from 99 adolescent males between the ages of 12 and 18. Of these adolescents, 51.5% were Caucasian; 28.3% were Latino; 10% were African American; 8.1% were Bi-racial, and 2% were …
Psychosocial Factors Associated With Bullying Typologies In A Mental Health Population Of Adolescents, Jamie M. Bolton
Psychosocial Factors Associated With Bullying Typologies In A Mental Health Population Of Adolescents, Jamie M. Bolton
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
Despite the well documented mental health consequences of bullying behavior, bullying has not been studied in a mental health population. This study has examined psychosocial factors (symptoms of internalizing disorders and cognitive style) in a population of adolescents admitted into a partial hospitalization program. Sixty-four participants completed five self-report measures. This study was not able to differentiate among bully typologies based on internalizing symptoms (PTSD and depression) or self-debasing cognitive style. Instead, a more relevant finding was that more than half of the sample had clinical levels of PTSD and depressive symptoms. Because this sample was more similar than it …
Profiling Executive Dysfunction In Adolescents With Autism, Nicole R. Rogers
Profiling Executive Dysfunction In Adolescents With Autism, Nicole R. Rogers
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
Executive Functions (EF) have been assigned a causative role in a number of disorders, including schizophrenia, Tourette syndrome, autism, obsessive compulsive disorder, violent and criminal behavior, and nearly all learning disabilities. While the term executive functions in the professional literature easily yields more than 150 references, empirical research in which executive functions are studied and linked with specific disorders, such as autism, continues to help answer long-held questions about the disorder and adds to the literature base in order to better understand and treat the disorder. The purpose of this study was to review archival data collected using the Behavior …
The Relationship Between Therapeutic Alliance And Treatment Outcome In Prolonged Exposure Therapy For Adolescents With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Sandy Capaldi
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
The present study focused on the therapeutic alliance in Prolonged Exposure Therapy for adolescent girls with sexual abuse-related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Two major questions were investigated. First, how does the therapeutic alliance act as a moderating variable between outcome and three predictor variables (homework compliance, habituation to the trauma memory, and number of sessions completed)? Second, how is the relationship between outcome and these same variables affected by the strength of the therapeutic alliance? The data used in this study were taken from an existing database of information on 40 sexually abused adolescent girls with PTSD (mean age = …
The Development Of The Measure Of Perceived Overscheduling (Mops), Aaron S. Pollock
The Development Of The Measure Of Perceived Overscheduling (Mops), Aaron S. Pollock
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
It has been suggested that extracurricular activity involvement can lead to later behavioral or developmental challenges for children, particularly when children are pressured or overscheduled. Research, however, has shown mixed results in attempts to find a relationship between overinvolvement in activities and emotional/behavioral challenges. However, previous research did not take into consideration the individual’s perception of being overscheduled. The Measure of Perceived Over-Scheduling (MOPS) was developed to assess if a difference exists between adolescents who believe they are overinvolved in activities and adolescents who do not hold this belief. The MOPS was subsequently utilized to assess the relationship between perceived …
Exploratory Factor Analysis Of A Relational Aggression Self-Report, Kimberly S. Carlson
Exploratory Factor Analysis Of A Relational Aggression Self-Report, Kimberly S. Carlson
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
Relational aggression (RA) represents a distinct form of bullying and refers to behaviors that harm others through damaging their friendships, their inclusion in social groups, and their feelings of acceptance. RA has been recognized as a significant problem, which has psychosocial and academic consequences for perpetrators, victims and bystanders. This study evaluated a self-report inventory that examined RA in 219 females ages 10 through 18 from Central Pennsylvania. Inter-item correlations revealed that none of the scale’s items were highly correlated and therefore repetitive. An Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) with an oblique rotation was used to identify the factors within the …
Program Evaluation : The Clinical Programming Of An Adolescent Psychiatric Residential Program And Adherence To Clinical Best Practice Guidelines, Michael K. Colbert
Program Evaluation : The Clinical Programming Of An Adolescent Psychiatric Residential Program And Adherence To Clinical Best Practice Guidelines, Michael K. Colbert
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
The structure and delivery of clinical services at an adolescent psychiatric community residential program (PCR), located in New Jersey, was evaluated and compared to national clinical guidelines in order to determine the effectiveness of the services being delivered. A multitude of demographic and clinical variables were examined through the review of 70 closed medical records over a 5-year period. An exploration of the history, rationale, and effectiveness of residential treatment services for adolescents is also presented, along with recommendations for the delivery of more effective clinical services.
The Social Problem-Solving Approach Of Adolescent Females Diagnosed With An Eating Disorder :Toward A Greater Understanding Of Control, Roger K. Mcfillin
The Social Problem-Solving Approach Of Adolescent Females Diagnosed With An Eating Disorder :Toward A Greater Understanding Of Control, Roger K. Mcfillin
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
The current study examined social information processing variables, social problem solving skills, and interpersonal assertiveness in adolescent females diagnosed with an eating disorder. A total of 114 adolescent females between the ages of 14-17 participated in the study. Fifty girls currently in treatment for a diagnosed eating disorder were compared to 64 healthy nonclinical controls. When presented with vignettes depicting ambiguous social dilemmas, the eating disorder group demonstrated a more hostile attributional bias, experienced a significantly greater intensity of negative emotions, and relied upon more avoidant coping strategies when compared to the nonclinical control group. Specifically, the eating disorder group …
Transportability Of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy : A Case Study With Adolescents In A Residential Treatment Setting, Susanna A. Carew
Transportability Of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy : A Case Study With Adolescents In A Residential Treatment Setting, Susanna A. Carew
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
Because of the increase in the numbers of adolescents presenting in residential care, the challenge and difficulty posed to therapists in treating this age-group, and the prevalence of chronic stress and complex trauma symptoms found in this population, the research conducted was a clinical case study investigating the transportability and effectiveness of using Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), a manualized treatment format, with adolescent clients in a residential treatment setting. A doctoral candidate was trained to engage each of three residential clients in 12 individual sessions of TF-CBT. The Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC), Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI), Jesness …
Evaluation Of A Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy Program For The Treatment Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder In Female Juvenile Delinquents In Residential Placements, Janet Heesen Knapp
Evaluation Of A Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy Program For The Treatment Of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder In Female Juvenile Delinquents In Residential Placements, Janet Heesen Knapp
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
Female juvenile delinquents have a high incidence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Residential treatment programs for female juvenile offenders typically lack gender-specific programming and empirically supported treatment protocols. This study attempted to examine the effectiveness of the Alternative Rehabilitation Communities, Inc., Group Therapy Program for Female Juvenile Delinquents with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Alternative Rehabilitation Community, 2004). This manual-based treatment program was conducted in 5 residential treatment agencies in Pennsylvania. Two comparable agencies served as comparison sites. Data was obtained from a larger study performed by the University of Pittsburgh Office of Child Development Division of Planning and Evaluation, which had …
Validating The Impact Of Event Scale With Adolescents : A Look At The September 11, 2001, Terrorist Attacks, Claudia Lingertat
Validating The Impact Of Event Scale With Adolescents : A Look At The September 11, 2001, Terrorist Attacks, Claudia Lingertat
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
The current study examined the psychometric properties of the Impact of Event Scale (IES; Horowitz, Wilner, & Alvarez, 1979), a self-report measure of current subjective distress. Twenty-four adolescents from an urban high school were surveyed regarding their experiences from the events of September 11, 2001. The IES showed a moderate correlation with the My Worst Experience Scale (MWES; Hyman, Snook, Berna, & Kohr, 1997). Findings indicate the IES may be effective as a quick screening tool for the intrusive and avoidant symptoms of posttraumatic stress in adolescents pending further research with a larger sample.
Feasibility Study Of A Cognitive Behavioral Smoking Cessation Intervention For Adolescent Males In Residential Treatment, Flora Casallas
Feasibility Study Of A Cognitive Behavioral Smoking Cessation Intervention For Adolescent Males In Residential Treatment, Flora Casallas
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
The current study examined the effectiveness of a modified, empirically-based smoking cessation intervention, originally designed for teenagers in public school settings, but applied to actively smoking adolescents in residential treatment. The cognitive-behavioral intervention, developed by the American Lung Association (ALA, 2001) and researchers at West Virginia University, called Not-On-Tobacco (N-O-T), provides a total-health approach to helping teenagers quit smoking or to reducing the number of cigarettes smoked. The 10-session intervention was delivered over five consecutive weeks to eight adolescent males ranging in age 13 to 16 and in grades 8 to 10, living in a residential treatment community (RTC) located …
Relationship Between Self-Reported Weight Management And Perceived Norms Of Weight Management In Scholastic Wrestlers, Sara J. Camaerei
Relationship Between Self-Reported Weight Management And Perceived Norms Of Weight Management In Scholastic Wrestlers, Sara J. Camaerei
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
Wrestling is unique in that it is the only sport that requires opponents to be matched by weight. Because two athletes at an almost equal weight compete against each other, wrestlers participate at the lowest weight class possible, which frequently leads wrestlers to engage in unhealthy and dangerous weight loss practices. Social norms theory suggests that much of an individual's behavior is influenced by perceptions of how members of a social group think and act. If these perceptions are inaccurate, and over-estimates of the unhealthy behaviors of others occur, an individual is likely to engage in such behaviors himself. One …
A Comparison Of Attitudes About Aggression, Sexuality And Social Support In The Peer Relationships Of Sexually Abused And Nonabused Female Adolescents, Sherri R. Edelman
A Comparison Of Attitudes About Aggression, Sexuality And Social Support In The Peer Relationships Of Sexually Abused And Nonabused Female Adolescents, Sherri R. Edelman
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
There is a paucity of research examining whether adolescents with a history of sexual abuse develop different norms or standards for acceptable behavior in their peer relationships. The trauma literature suggests that intervening variables such as perceived social support, interpretations of violence, and interpersonal attitudes may be relevant to the study of sexual abuse. The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between a history of sexual abuse, relational attitudes about aggression and sexuality, and the interpersonal factors of social support and negative interaction in adolescent peer relationships. Two groups of female subjects between 13 and 17 years …
Relationship Between Body Image Dissatisfaction And Fear Of Fatness To Severity Of Smoking Behavior In A Non-Clinical Adolescent Population, Louis J. Bevilacqua, Jr.
Relationship Between Body Image Dissatisfaction And Fear Of Fatness To Severity Of Smoking Behavior In A Non-Clinical Adolescent Population, Louis J. Bevilacqua, Jr.
PCOM Psychology Dissertations
Smoking is the most preventable cause of death in the U.S., yet it continues to kill more people than AIDS, automobile crashes, alcohol and drug abuse, murders, suicides, and fires---combined! In addition to a higher risk of dying prematurely, those who smoke are much more likely to experience numerous health problems. Other associated problems include dependency and tolerance to nicotine. Frequently, those who smoke are also more likely to use other substances such as marijuana, cocaine, heroine, and especially alcohol. These findings are frightening considering that it is estimated that 4.5 million are adolescents. The reasons why adolescents smoke range …