Clinical Psychology Commons^™

The Relationships Among Maternal Stress, Disordered Eating, Depressive Symptoms, And Infertility In Women Throughout The Postpartum Period, Christina Shoshilos

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The perinatal period is a critical time of psychological, physiological, and social transition that can increase vulnerability to mental health challenges, particularly during the first year postpartum. This study examined the relationships among maternal stress, depressive symptoms, and disordered eating behaviors in postpartum women, with additional focus on differences by postpartum stage (0 to 6 months vs. 6 to 12 months) and infertility history. Participants (N = 248) were cisgender women who had given birth within the past 12 months and completed validated self-report measures of maternal stress, depressive symptoms, and disordered eating behaviors. A multiple regression analysis revealed …

Examining Obsessive-Compulsive Symptomatology And Maternal Functioning During The Postpartum Period: Implications For Disclosure And Assessment, Meghan Collins

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Maternal mental health is a significant global health concern, with nearly one in five new mothers experiencing a mental health disorder during the perinatal period. Timely screening, assessment, and treatment are critical for the well-being of both mother and infant, given the potential adverse effects of unaddressed mental health concerns. While much of the existing literature has focused on perinatal depression and anxiety, research specifically examining obsessive-compulsive symptoms and unwanted or intrusive thoughts remains limited. The present study investigated the relationship between obsessive-compulsive symptoms and maternal functioning, as well as experiences related to the assessment and disclosure of intrusive thoughts. …

The Impact Of Long Covid On Mental Health, Marzena Podkalicka

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Since the emergence of the novel coronavirus, a significant portion of the global population has transitioned from acute infection to Long COVID, a multisystemic condition characterized by persistent symptoms lasting 4 weeks or longer. This study investigated the psychological impact of Long COVID, to explore rates of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and quality of life in people with Long COVID compared to those without it. A quantitative survey-based design was employed with a sample of 310 adults (Aged 18 to 90; M = 48.2). Participants completed validated instruments, including the Long COVID Questionnaire, Short Form Health Survey, General …

An Exploration Of Vicarious Trauma In The Integrated Trauma Team, Victoria L. Hadix

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study aimed to explore the impacts of self-care, coping skills, and resilience on the perceptions of vicarious trauma by members of the trauma team in a small community hospital in the Northeastern United States, through the use of qualitative methodology and a semi-structured interview. The goal of this study was to gain an understanding of the mental health factors impacting health care professionals functioning in the fast-paced, demanding environment of the emergency room. Furthermore, the study explored health care professionals’ perceptions of the integrated trauma team and the relationships between individual and team-based characteristics. This study helped increase understanding …

Development And Validation Of The Liebelt Attitudes, Knowledge, And Engagement Scale (Lakes) Among Rural Adults, Anna Morrison

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Adults living in rural regions experience mental illness at rates comparable to those in urban areas yet utilize mental health services significantly less. Underutilization of psychotherapy in rural populations has been attributed to structural barriers (e.g., geographic inaccessibility, limited provider availability, reduced anonymity) and sociocultural factors such as stigma. However, rural adults may remain reluctant to initiate treatment due to attitudes toward psychotherapy, limited help-seeking engagement, or inaccurate knowledge about psychotherapy. The present study developed and examined the psychometric properties of the Liebelt Attitudes, Knowledge, and Engagement Scale (LAKES), a self-report measure designed to assess psychotherapy-related attitudes, knowledge, and engagement …

Music To Move You: Comparing Effects Of Music Genre On Subjective Performance Of Football Players In A Practice Setting, Devin Deturk

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Optimizing athletic performance has increasingly extended beyond conditioning to include psychological, health-related, and environmental interventions aimed at enhancing peak mental and physical fitness. However, advanced training mechanisms targeting these factors may not be readily available to all programs, necessitating cost-effective, accessible, and ethically sound adjuncts. Thus, music emerges as a potential solution that remains underutilized in applied sport settings but may be leveraged to address pervasive challenges such as fear of failure, burnout, and over-professionalization. The present dissertation investigated the effects of music in a practice setting, with particular emphasis on its capacity to enhance subjective performance, motivation, and positive …

Camouflaging And Autism: An Examination Of Camouflaging’S Potential Association With The Clinical Assessment Of Autism And Subject Demographic Characteristics, James George Modico

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication deficits and restrictive/repetitive behavior (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). The clinical assessment of ASD requires behavioral observation of the participant. Within the context of ASD, camouflaging refers to cognitive and behavioral strategies that a person with ASD can utilize to adapt to a non-autistic world (Cook et al., 2021). Camouflaging may influence an autistic person’s behavioral presentation to a more “neurotypical” state. Behaving in a less atypical manner may contribute to not being referred for testing, having a clinician assign lower ratings on diagnostic measures, and preventing issuance of …

Body Dissatisfaction Among Sexual Minority Men: Examining Associations With Health Behaviors, Gay Identity Centrality, Physical Appearance Comparison, And Conformity To Masculinity Norms, Ithan Sokol

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Introduction: Body image disturbance (BID), or poor body image encompasses dissatisfaction with one’s physical appearance, and is linked closely with disordered eating, depression, low self-esteem, and a compromised health-related quality of life. Although most research on BID has focused on women, this study examined its impact on men, specifically sexual minority men (SMM; cisgender men who identify as non-heterosexual). This subgroup notably exhibits heightened rates of BID compared to heterosexual men, shaped by sociocultural pressures and internalized appearance ideals.

Objectives: This study intends to examine potential determinants of BID in SMM as well as build upon existing insights that connect …

Navigating Motherhood: A Qualitative Study Of The Experiences And Challenges Of Non-Birthing Mothers In Queer Cisgender-Relationships, Anna Caravaggio

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The present study explored the psychological experiences of non-birthing mothers in queer cisgender female relationships, a population that remains underrepresented in the parenting literature. Existing research has focused primarily on birthing mothers or same-sex couples as a unit, leaving the unique perspectives of non-birthing mothers insufficiently examined. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, eight non-birthing mothers participated in semi-structured interviews examining their transition to parenthood, maternal identity development, and experiences within relational, social, and systemic contexts. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, resulting in five primary themes: pathways to parenthood and conception decision making; constructing maternal identity; bonding and attachment processes; …

The Hidden Cost: Vicarious Trauma And Burnout In Professional Sex Offender Treatment Providers, Diazia Hughes

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Professionals who provide treatment to individuals who have commuted sexual offenses are routine exposed to traumatic material, placing them at increased risk for both vicarious trauma (VT) and burnout. Despite growing recognition of these occupational hazards, limited research has examined the relationship between VT and burnout within this specialized population. The present study investigated the association between VT and the three dimensions of burnout (i.e. Emotional Exhaustion (EE), Depersonalization (DP), and personal Accomplishment (PA)) among licensed treatment providers working directly with individuals who have commuted sexual offenses. A cross-sectional correlational design was employed with a sample of 107 licensed providers …

Predicting Burnout Among Graduate Healthcare Students In Clinical Placements, Meghan E. Visek

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Healthcare systems increasingly recognized provider burnout as an essential target for improving population health. Burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished personal accomplishment, has been linked to impaired clinical practice and poorer patient outcomes. Although burnout among healthcare professionals is well-studied, far less attention has been given to understand how burnout develops earlier in training among graduate healthcare students in clinical placements. Research has identified year of graduate study, self-care practice, social problem-solving ability, team resilience, and attitudes toward interprofessional collaborative practice as potential burnout predictors. This study examined these factors among graduate healthcare students in clinical placements. Findings …

Neuropsychological Prediction Of Alzheimer’S Disease And Functional Abilities Using Brief Screeners, Ashley Bennett

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that is primarily characterized by memory impairment and decline in function. Patients often undergo lengthy neuropsychological evaluations that create testing fatigue and, ultimately, affect their validity. There are brief assessment options to assess probable AD that are not commonly explored in research and clinical settings. This study investigated the predictive ability of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) with the addition of a semantic fluency measure compared to the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-13-Item Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog-13) in diagnosing AD. Additionally, this study examined the potential use of the …

Just A Slip: Cognitive Distortions Associated With Lapse And Relapse In Recovery, Matthew Karr

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Substance use rates in the United States continue to rise despite low treatment utilization. Research has indicated the function of distorted patterns of thinking that can influence the relapse process. This study aimed to examine the relationships between relapse patterns, length of abstinence, and endorsed rates of cognitive distortions on the Cognitive Distortions Scale (CDS). This study sought participants 18 years or older with a history of problematic substance use and substance use treatment within the past 2 years. Participants were recruited through social media sites. Proposed statistical analyses included Pearson’s product-moment correlation, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and multivariate analysis …

Dispositional Correlates Of Mobile Dating Application Users’ Self-Presentation Behaviors, Danielle Rafal

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Introduction: Mobile dating applications (MDAs) have moved from niche to norm, making connecting with others easier. A problem with MDAs is the accuracy of user self-presentation. Dispositional characteristics such as personality traits, psychological distress, and age may be factors that drive MDA users’ self-presentation behaviors. This study explored whether the extent of discrepancy between deceptive and real self-presentation predicts psychological distress, whether Big Five traits enhance this prediction, and whether age group influenced self-presentation among MDA users.

Method: Using a cross-sectional quantitative survey-based design, 160 MDA users ages 18 and older residing in the United States completed the following measures: …

Examining The Psychosocial Impact Of Having An Adolescent Sibling With A Leukemia Diagnosis, Jordan A. Barczak

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The current research regarding the impact of having a sibling undergoing cancer treatment is inconsistent and limited in scope. The current study explored the psychosocial effects, including peer relationships, academic outcomes, and overall mood in siblings of children with a cancer diagnosis. This study also explored the interaction patterns between children, their siblings with a leukemia diagnosis, and other members of the family. The participants of this study consisted of five youth from different families with a child or adolescent sibling with a leukemia diagnosis. The participants were recruited via social media and other community outreach avenues. Participants were between …

Increasing The Efficiency Of Screening For Severity Level Of Neurocognitive Impairment In The Corrections Sample: An Exploratory Study, Kelly Denton

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Acquired brain injury (ABI) is a serious and potentially devastating health condition that can cause several lasting deleterious consequences affecting many domains of life. Difficulties are commonly reported in cognition, emotional, and social functioning, in addition to physical impairment. ABI disproportionally affects different groups, including the corrections population, which is five times more likely than the general population to have an ABI. However, there is limited research on the severity of neurocognitive impairment after an ABI for inmates in a correctional setting. It was hoped that the current study would help clarify the characteristics of ABI that result in different …

Using The Personal Health Inventory To Support Engagement In Mindfulness For Veterans With Ptsd: Mixed Methods Secondary Data Analysis, Emily M. Johnson, Mia R. Zappala, Jacob Scharer, Kyle Possemato

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Mindfulness has many potential benefits to physical and mental health but requires many hours of practice to attain the strongest benefits. Mindfulness interventions delivered within the context of primary care settings are often brief, so independent practice beyond the training context is important. Motivational factors are important predictors of sustained practice and different types of motivational factors are associated with different likelihood of sustained practice. The Personal Health Inventory (PHI) is a publicly available personal health planning tool that assesses motivational factors related to self-care behaviors like mindfulness. Our objective was to understand how the PHI can support patient engagement …

Prospective Receptivity And Acceptability Of Brief Alcohol Interventions Among Women And Racial/Ethnic Minority Veterans In Primary Care, Jacob L. Scharer, Robyn Shepardson, Brandi Roelk, Julie C. Gass, Laura Wray, Stephen A. Maisto, Jennifer Funderburk

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

Brief alcohol interventions (BAIs) are an evidence-based practice for addressing hazardous drinking among primary care patients, yet implementation of BAIs in practice has been difficult and disparities have been identified regarding implementing BAIs with women and racial/ethnic minority patients. Further, patient engagement is a commonly identified barrier to BAI implementation. This mixed methods study aimed to assess acceptability of BAIs among women and racial/ethnic minority primary care patients and to identify factors that may impact their receptivity to engaging in a BAI. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 17 patients who had screened positive for hazardous alcohol use. Patients reported neutral …

Romantic Beliefs And Their Effect On Relationship Satisfaction, Psychological Well-Being, And Psychological Distress, John D. Pinsky

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Relationship satisfaction has been shown to have a powerful effect on both individual psychological well-being and psychological distress. One factor that influences an individual’s relationship satisfaction is their endorsement of romantic beliefs. This finding has not been replicated in the U.S. in the past 20 years and the influence of romantic beliefs on relationship satisfaction, psychological well-being, and psychological distress has not been studied in depth. This study implemented a quasi-experimental design using online self-report measures to test whether level of endorsement of romantic beliefs can predict relationship satisfaction, psychological well-being, or psychological distress. It was hypothesized that romantic beliefs …

Examining The Relationships Among Childbirth Satisfaction, Maternal Functioning, And Psychological Flexibility In Postpartum Mothers, Ryanne N. Schaad

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Childbirth dissatisfaction, defined as a woman’s negative evaluation of the labor and delivery experience, is common and can have significant consequences for women and their infants, particularly in terms of maternal functioning. Given that childbirth satisfaction is related to maternal functioning in the postpartum period, a better understanding of modifiable factors that could be targeted to bolster maternal functioning is warranted. Psychological flexibility, a construct from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, has gained increasing empirical support as a modifiable factor for psychological distress and could serve as a potential construct to further examine the relationship between childbirth satisfaction and maternal functioning. …

A Preliminary Program Evaluation: Rates Of Intimate Partner Violence In An Urban Child Welfare Prevention Program, Athena Roca

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a pervasive public health concern with significant consequences for families. Traditional batterer intervention programs (BIPs), which often focus solely on the person causing harm (PCH), have demonstrated limited success in reducing recidivism, particularly when grounded in punitive or authoritarian models. This study evaluated the Child-Welfare IPV Prevention Program (CWIPVPP), a family-centered, trauma-informed intervention that engages the PCH, co-parents, and children to reduce IPV-related behaviors and promote healthier family functioning.

Recidivism indicators, including domestic violence incident reports (DIRs) and arrests, were analyzed for 57 fathers referred to the program, with 53 retained for final analyses. A …

An Exploratory Approach To Understanding Assessment Errors On Measures Of Executive Functioning, Gurjot Mondair

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The global risk of dementia due to longer lifespans and increased medical interventions necessitates accurate diagnosis of cognitive decline. Thus, the utilization of neuropsychological testing to diagnose disorders of cognitive decline should seek to ascertain multiple data, including success/failure of cognitive tasks and evaluation of error patterns. The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of executive function (EF) errors across diagnoses of cognitive decline (age-related cognitive decline [ARCD], mild cognitive impairment [MCI], vascular dementia [VaD], frontotemporal dementia [FTD], Lewy body dementia [LBD], and Alzheimer’s disease [AD]) and to examine whether the specific types of EF errors (intrusion, …

Experiences Of Latina Single Mothers Raising Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Qualitative Study, Shaila Alvarez

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder in children. Although the prevalence of ASD among Latino children and single mother households has increased in recent years, there is limited research that explores the experiences of Latina single mothers raising children with ASD. This qualitative study utilized a phenomenological approach to gain a better understanding of the experiences of Latina single mothers raising children with ASD, using the ecological framework to conceptualize their experiences within their cultural and environmental contexts. Semistructured interviews were conducted individually with nine single Latina mothers. The data collected during these semi-structured interviews were analyzed …

Examining Factors Considered In Autism Specialization Among Early Career Psychologists, Tarie Taylor

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Families in the United States often face significant delays in accessing autism-related healthcare services. Despite routine autism-specific screenings at 18- and 24-month pediatric visits, there is still, on average, a gap of over two years before families receive an autism diagnosis (Chen et al., 2023). Although the literature cites factors like limited access to specialized providers and a lack of autism-specific services contributing to this delay (Cantor et al., 2020), further research is needed to explore the underlying factors influencing providers' decisions to specialize in an autism-related healthcare service. Thus, the current study used a mixed-methods, internet-based survey to examine …

Exploring Psychological Impacts, Coping, And Conflict Resolution Of Transnationalism On Parent-Child Relationships, Sally Sanchez

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The number of immigrants migrating to the United States has increased over the past 30 years. Many of these immigrants leave behind their spouses and children, creating transnational families. Researchers have focused on the experiences of transnational families, but there is a need for continued research to further explore the psychological impact of separation and reunification. The purpose of this study was to identify the possible psychological impact of the separation and reunification process experienced by transnational families, and the coping strategies used during the process. This study used a qualitative design to explore the experiences of transnational families who …

Sex Life Post Childbirth And The Role Of The Partner Relationship: A Qualitative Study, Agata Kopacz

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Sexual problems are common among postpartum women, and sexual functioning during the postpartum period is affected by biological, psychological, and social factors. There is limited research exploring women’s experiences within their romantic relationships and sex lives during the postpartum period. This qualitative study utilized the phenomenological approach to gain a better understanding of the experiences of postpartum women in their romantic relationships and their sexual functioning after childbirth. A total of eight eligible postpartum women were interviewed individually. Data from the interviews were analyzed utilizing the phenomenological data analysis approach and grouped into emerging themes. Four themes were extracted for …

Predictors Of Mental Health Services Use In Integrated Primary Care During Covid-19, Joseph D. Harrison

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the predisposing, need, and enabling factors that predict mental health services use before and during COVID-19 in an integrated primary care network in the Philadelphia metropolitan area. This retrospective observational study examined a sample of primary care patients from January 2018 to February 2020 (i.e., pre-COVID-19) and March 2020 to December 2022 (i.e., peri- COVID-19) using electronic health record data. Mental health services use was defined as the number of appointments attended by patients. A hierarchical regression was conducted to identify predictors of mental health services use by sequentially adding sociodemographic predisposing …

Acculturation, Self-Esteem, Family Norms, And Disordered Eating Behaviors In South Asian Women, Angela Abraham

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

This study investigated the relationships among acculturation, self-esteem, family norms, and disordered eating behaviors among South Asian women living in the United States. Although research suggests culture plays a role in the etiology of eating disorders, little information on the experiences of South Asian women exists. This study sought to fill this gap in the literature. Using a cross-sectional, quantitative survey-based design, 151 South Asian women provided insight into their experiences with family norms, acculturation, self-esteem, and eating behaviors. Results indicated that acculturation was not significantly associated with disordered eating. However, self-esteem was found to be negatively associated with disordered …

A Qualitative Study Of Euphemistic Language And Identity Development Involving Sexual Assault, Keena Stewart

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sexual violence refers to a situation in which sexual activity occurs and consent is not obtained or freely given. Sexual violence is a worldwide epidemic that impacts individuals of all communities, genders, ages, and sexual orientations. When considering the impact of sexual violence, the use or misuse of language is fundamental. Furthermore, the recovery process following a sexual assault is directly related to the presence or absence of resiliency factors. The purpose of this study was to explore and understand the effects of euphemized language on the identity development of individuals …

Pediatric Anxiety Disorders: Therapy Process Predictors Of Response To Cbt, Samantha Baker

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

CBT is moderately effective in the treatment of youth anxiety, yet there remains a sizeable number of youth who remain nonresponsive at posttreatment, and less than half achieve remission. Various patient-level variables have been examined concerning differential treatment outcomes for anxious youth, but fewer studies have examined therapy process variables. Using archival data, this study aimed to identify predictors of treatment response in youth with primary anxiety disorders who completed 16-weeks of CBT at a university-based clinic. Four samples of anxious youth, aged 7-17 were included in the analysis. Regression analyses revealed that increased skill acquisition and greater change in …