Clinical Psychology Commons^™

The Impact Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On Depression And Anxiety Among Idaho Adults, Melissa Marie Henbest

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research indicates that the COVID-19 pandemic had negative repercussions on the mental health of U.S. citizens. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on depression and anxiety on a population aged 18 years and older. Using a quantitative correlational repeated design, archival data were analyzed to evaluate the change in depression (as measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and anxiety (as measured using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 [GAD-7]) indices from a non-pandemic year (2019) to the 1st pandemic year (2020) among patients of an outpatient community health care center. The study took into …

Evaluating The Client Base And Housing Outcomes Of A Community Based Organization Serving Unhoused Adults, Emi Caprio

Doctoral Dissertations

There is a well-documented, bidirectional relationship between mental health and housing instability. When coupled with the complex historical, societal, and political factors contributing to houselessness, the result is a unique set of mental health needs within this community. Despite this, there is a low rate of mental health service utilization and a dearth of research on how to tailor services to meet the needs of unhoused individuals. Additionally, first-hand perspectives are often omitted, as this population is seen as “hard to reach”. The goal of this two-phase mixed-methods program evaluation was to better understand the demographic and mental health profiles …

A Radical Ethnography Of Asian American Mental Health, Sofia Huang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Anti-Asian racism and violence in the U.S. both historically and currently impacts the Asian American community, leading to widespread fear and negative mental health consequences for Asian Americans. This has been widely discussed in the media due to the rise in anti-Asian rhetoric and attacks during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, psychological literature does not typically address the effects of the history and politics of Asian America on Asian American mental health. In particular, psychological literature does not engage with radical political perspectives which situate Asian American mental health within the broader context of structural oppression and processes of racialization. This …

Lateral Others In The Trauma Narrative: The Place Of The Sibling In Accounts Of Abuse And Neglect, Michelle Browne

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The present study aimed to investigate the place of the sibling in narratives of developmental trauma as well as the sibling relationship’s impact on the formation of sense of self. Another area of interest was the impact of congruence versus incongruence in the narrative between siblings. In other words, this study sought to illuminate the impact when the sibling is understood to have reached different conclusions about shared experiences of abuse and neglect.

This study is grounded in the literature on siblings from psychoanalytic, attachment, and family systems perspectives. A series of narrative interviews were conducted with participants who identified …

Personality Profile Of Rural-Dwelling Older Adults With Hoarding Disorder, Mary E. Dozier, Caitlyn A. Nix, Hilary L. Deshong

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Hoarding in late life represents a major barrier to aging in place, particularly for rural-dwelling older adults. One risk factor for hoarding disorder in late life may be underlying personality factors. However, there has not yet been an investigation of late life hoarding and possible maladaptive personality factors from the continuous five-factor model perspective in a sample of individuals diagnosed with hoarding disorder. Thus, we evaluated the five-factor personality profiles of older adults enrolled in treatment studies for hoarding disorder in rural Mississippi. Raw scores on the International Personality Item Pool-NEO-60 were converted into categories of Low (<1SD from …

Help Seeking Experiences Of Asian American Parents Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Mellanie Kristelle Roxas De Guzman

Doctoral Dissertations

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has become more widely understood and accepted by the general and professional populations. However, self and social stigma related to ASD persist and continue to negatively impact help-seeking behaviors. This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews guided by an ecological systems model, to explore the lived experiences of 11 Asian American (AsAm) parents residing in the greater San Francisco Bay Area with a child with ASD. A thematic analysis framework was utilized. A total of six themes and six subthemes emerged from this study and included: (1) comparisons, (2) stigma, (3) resilience, (4) support for services, (5) …

Research Imitates Life: Researching Within Your Lived Experience, Bethany Donaghy, Delane Linkiewich

Patient Experience Journal

This personal narrative article seeks to bring awareness to and provide an overview of the various aspects that come with being a lived experience researcher including the host of benefits and challenges that come with conducting research within one's own area of lived experience. Throughout this narrative, we (Bethany Donaghy, an autistic person, and Delane Linkiewich a person living with chronic pain) share our perspectives on what it is like to be lived experience researchers. Our narratives discuss how the many identities we hold both improve the impact and relevance of our research while also posing challenges for us like …

A Social Ecology Model For Social Determinants Of Health As Psychosis Risk Factors, Katie Beck-Felts

Theses and Dissertations

Social determinants of health (SDOHs) significantly impact psychosis risk beyond heritability. However, there is a need for an organizing framework to observe how these diverse elements concurrently predict psychosis risk. This study examines SDOHs as psychosis risk factors using a four-level model, aligned with Bronfenbrenner's social ecology theory. The study aims to assess the proposed model’s ability to predict psychosis risk. Specifically, it is hypothesized that each socioecological level of the model would predict psychosis risk with more proximal SDOHs (e.g., individual level vs community) exhibiting stronger predictive power, aligning with Social Ecology theory. College students (N = 210) completed …

Testing The Effect Of Autonomy-Supportive Instructions During Yoga On Autonomy, Competence, And Affective Response, Bree Geary

Psychology Theses and Dissertations

This early-phase intervention development project tested the effect of autonomy-supportive instructional cues during a single yoga session on affective response, perceived autonomy, and perceived competence. Using a between-subjects experimental design, participants were randomly assigned to either an autonomy-supportive intervention condition or a mindfulness-based control condition. During the 30-minute online pre-recorded yoga sessions, affective response was measured immediately before the yoga session, at peak, pre-savasana, and post-savasana. Perceived autonomy and perceived competence were measured immediately after. Multilevel models tested the effects of the autonomy-supportive intervention on primary outcomes (affective response, perceived autonomy, and perceived competence) and secondary outcomes (yoga practice intentions …

Cbt-I Training For The Mental Health Clinician To Deliver Evidence-Based Treatment To Address Impaired Sleep Quality In A Correctional Facility, Huong Madrigal

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Abstract

Description of the Problem: Insomnia significantly impacts mental and physical well-being, with long-term health effects and considerable healthcare costs. While pharmacological treatments offer temporary relief for some, they do not always provide lasting solutions.

Available Knowledge: A PRISMA-guided literature review found that training programs for cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) are effective in increasing knowledge and confidence for addressing impaired sleep.

Aim and Objectives: This project aimed to enhance mental health clinicians' ability to assess and treat impaired sleep, focusing on implementing a tailored CBT-I educational initiative in a correctional facility.

Intervention: This project implemented evidence-based CBT-I …

Educational Experiences Of Juvenile Offenders In Minnesota, Danielle Petruska

Theses and Graduate Projects

Objective of Study. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of positive adult/teacher relationships in juvenile detention educational settings in Minnesota on juvenile offenders’ perceptions of school, as well as their future plans for attending college after high school. Method. Data were obtained from the 2019 administration of the Minnesota Student Survey, involving 280 juvenile offenders (83 girls) from correctional educational facilities. Hypotheses were tested using correlational analyses to examine the relationship between perceived adult/teacher relationships and school perceptions, as well as the association between these relationships and post-high school plans. Results. Results revealed …

Gender As A Predictor Of Parent-Teacher Discrepancies In Child Adhd Evaluations: Consideration Of Gender Bias, Kaitlyn M. Saunders

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to advance the current literature on the relationship between informant (parent and teacher) perceptions of ADHD symptoms (hyperactivity, inattention) and gender, considering possible gender bias. Previous research demonstrates that there are consistent differences in the prevalence of ADHD between boys and girls in childhood, between girls in childhood versus adult women, and in the sex-ratio between community versus clinical samples. The current literature is mixed regarding what is causing these discrepancies in prevalence of ADHD, particularly about whether gender bias is a contributing factor. Data was collected from parents and teachers of 116 children (50% male; 50% …

Derogatory, Racist, And Discriminatory Speech (Drds) In Video Gaming, Sean Woodford

Dissertations

Video games have been examined for their effects on cognition, learning, health, and physiological arousal, yet research on social dynamics within video gaming is limited. Studies have documented the presence of derogation, racism, and discrimination in this anonymous medium. However, gamers‟ firsthand experiences are typically examined qualitatively. Thus, this study aimed to establish a quantitative baseline for the frequency of derogatory, racist, and discriminatory speech (DRDS) in gaming. DRDS frequency, sexual harassment, and hate speech measures were administered to 150 individuals from online forums and social media groups. Descriptive and inferential analyses were used to gauge which factors affected DRDS …

Relationship Between Parenting Emotion Regulation, Parenting Style, And Child Emotion Regulation, Sydney R. Ward

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to contribute to the existing literature by investigating parenting factors that contribute to child emotional regulation (ER). Prior research suggests that while emotion dysregulation is not part of current diagnostic criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), children with ADHD often exhibit greater emotion regulation (ER) difficulties compared to their neurotypical peers. Research focused on parenting has found that parent’s ability to manage their emotions within a parenting context (parenting ER) as well as parenting styles (either positive or negative) are associated with child emotional regulation skills. However, previous research has not considered the influence of both …

A Laboratory-Based Experimental Evaluation Of The Effects Of Values Clarification And Valued Contingencies On Problematic Smartphone Use Behavior, Max Roberts

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Problematic smartphone use (PSU) is a growing problem in need of effective interventions. The psychological inflexibility (PI) model of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) provides a transdiagnostic framework through which PSU can be conceptualized and intervention processes identified. One sub-process of the PI model – values clarity – is theoretically important in maintaining and ameliorating addictive behaviors like PSU. The present study tested the acute impact of values clarification on PSU behavior. Undergraduates (N = 130; 50% female) who self-identified as having problems with their smartphone use and valued helping children in need were randomized into one of three conditions …

Psy 300 Abnormal Psychology, Stephanie Weigel, Jorden A. Cummings, Bill Pelz

All Open Educational Resources

This book is a compilation of Open Education Resources for the use in an undergraduate level abnormal psychology course at Fort Hays State University.

Testing The Feasibility And Acceptability Of A Mindful Self-Compassion Group Workshop Among Individuals With Eating Disorders: A Pilot Study., Brenna Mary Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background. Shame and self-criticism are mechanisms shown to influence eating disorders (EDs). Self-compassion has been theorized to target shame and self-criticism and is a protective factor against EDs. One intervention shown to increase self-compassion and reduce shame and self-criticism is the Mindful Self-Compassion program (MSC). However, MSC has yet to be tested among individuals with an ED diagnosis. The current study investigated the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes of MSC delivered in a live, online format among individuals with an ED. Methods. Sixty-one participants completed baseline questionnaires measuring ED symptoms, trait self-compassion, self-criticism, and shame. Participants also answered questionnaires at …

Will These Feelings Last Forever? Examining The Relationship Between The Longevity Belief About Emotion And Avoidance, Elise Warner

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Research suggests that the belief that emotions last for long periods of time is associated with greater self-reported distress intolerance and greater experiential avoidance (Warner, 2022), with limited research examining the causal link between the longevity belief and experiential avoidance. Individuals high in emotional reactivity may tend to hold greater longevity beliefs (Veilleux et al., 2019), with high emotional reactivity linked to both greater experiential avoidance and distress intolerance (Bruns et al., 2019). Thus, the aim of the current study was to examine the influence of the longevity belief about emotions on behavioral avoidance in individuals high in emotional reactivity. …

A Brief Values-Based Intervention For Increasing Distress Tolerance In Overcontrol, Katherine Hyde Brott

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Overcontrol is a transdiagnostic personality syndrome underlying difficult-to-treat psychopathology. Current treatments options are limited, and those that do exist are both cost- and time-prohibitive. Brief interventions are one pathway to improving the care of people with overcontrol. This study had two major aims: (1) evaluate a brief values-based intervention to increase distress tolerance in people with overcontrol and (2) examine the correlates of overcontrol using a novel, theoretically derived transdiagnostic measure of overcontrol. Participants (n = 177) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: values clarification only, linking values to emotion, or a control condition. They then completed a …

The School Lunchroom As An Important Context In Children’S Social Development: The Link Between Lunchtime Peer Acceptance And Peer Victimization, Jake Callaway Steggerda

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Steggerda et al. (2022a) found that children’s self-reported lunchtime peer acceptance was predictive of later experiences of peer victimization. These authors speculated that the link between lunchtime peer acceptance and peer victimization is mediated by children’s internalizing or externalizing problems. The current study adds to the field’s understanding of the link between children’s lunchtime peer acceptance and peer victimization by considering whether internalizing symptoms and externalizing problems are potential mediating variables. Participants were 659 children from 34 classrooms (M age 9.31 years, SD = 0.50; 50.7% female; 42.7% Hispanic/Latinx, 30.3% White, 10% Pacific Islander, 7.8% bi/multiracial, 2.2% American Indian, 2.2% …

Identity Development In Black Caribbeans: A Proposed Model, Shenelle Frederick

Dissertations

The paper is a critical review of the literature exploring factors contributing to Black Caribbean identity development. The paper sought to understand Black Caribbeans’ migratory history, views on mental health, and factors contributing to their identity development in the United States. Migrating to the United States can be a harsh reality for many migrants because they eventually realize that their Black skin is associated with negativity. An exploration of Black Caribbeans’ history and growing up in predominately Black societies could provide some insight that contributes to some of their ideologies and beliefs regarding forms of racism and believing that hard …

Understanding The Barriers And Contributions To Success Among African American Graduate Students Pursuing Doctorate Degrees In Clinical Or Counseling Psychology: A Comparative Analysis Of Predominantly White Institutions And Historically Black Colleges And Universities In The U.S., Chelle' Thomas

Dissertations

This study investigated the barriers encountered by African American students in earning doctorate degrees in clinical or counseling psychology at Predominately White Institutions (PWIs) compared to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This study aims to elucidate the challenges encountered by African American graduate students in their pursuit of doctoral degrees in clinical or counseling psychology. The study focused on analyzing the obstacles and positive impacts experienced by African American graduate students as they strive to obtain doctorates in clinical or counseling psychology. Multiple challenges and contributions have been identified in this a phenomenological qualitative study. The qualitative results indicate …

The Association Between Social Media, Toxic Masculinity, And Depression In Young Adult Males, Anthony Warren

Dissertations

The world is shaped by diverse influences that significantly affect individuals’ internal landscapes, leading to both positive and negative effects with profound implications for society. Role models play a pivotal role in shaping the aspirations of young adult males by providing direct and indirect lessons that leave lasting impressions and influence their worldview. In recent years, social media use, toxic masculinity, and mental health have garnered significant attention in understanding the experiences of young adult males. The focus in this study was to examine the relationships between social media use, toxic masculinity, and depression in young adult males ranging in …

An Investigation Of Continued Contact Between Victim And Perpetrator After Sexual Violence, Maria Bates

Student Theses

Given the prevalence of sexual violence and child sexual abuse (CSA) it is imperative to accurately conceptualize victim experience following sexual violence. Rape myths do not provide an adequate understanding of victim behavior post-abuse/assault (e.g., Denne et al., 2013; Harsey & Freed, 2023; Romero-Sanchez et al., 2018; Russel & Hand, 2017), such as prescribing that victims of sexual violence would never hold contact with a perpetrator post-abuse/assault (e.g., Maurer, 2015; Shepp et al., 2019; St. George et al., 2022; Smith, 2023). Since research shows that many victims, particularly CSA victims, know the perpetrator, (e.g., Basile, 2020; Gewirtz-Meydan & Finkelhor, 2020; …

Factors Impacting Treatment Decisions In Caregivers Of Autistic Children, Tiffany Harris

Dissertations

Caregivers of autistic children are not only tasked with deciding upon various treatment options for their children’s symptoms but must also navigate the initial crisis that is experienced after receiving a diagnosis of ASD for their children (Blancher, 1984; Ellis, 1989). Leventhal’s Common Sense Model of Self-Regulation (the CSM; Leventhal et al., 1980) is a theoretical framework developed to understand the self-regulatory processes involved in adapting to and managing health threats and posits that cognitive and emotional illness perceptions influence illness outcomes through coping behaviors. This is the first study to examine all major components of the CSM (i.e., cognitive …

Examining The Association Between Parental Attachment, Fictive Kin Bonds, Psychological Needs Satisfaction, Emotional Distress, And Subjective Well-Being Among Black Americans, Roxanne Watts

Dissertations

Secure attachment with parents predicts less emotional distress and greater subjective well-being across the lifespan. One mechanism by which parental attachment supports mental health outcomes is through psychological needs satisfaction (PNS). In addition to the attachment to parents, relationships with fictive kin caregivers are prevalent and important among Black families. The present study investigated the association between parental attachment, fictive kin bonds, psychological needs satisfaction and mental health outcomes (i.e., emotional distress and subjective well-being) in a sample of Black American adults. Two hundred twenty-three (N = 223) participants completed measures of parental attachment, fictive-kin bonds, psychological needs satisfaction …

Understanding The Relations Between Parental Psychological Distress And Child Emotional And Behavioral Problems: A Path Analysis, Lauren S. Erp

Dissertations

Maternal psychological distress has consistently been linked to emotional and behavioral problems in school-aged children. Given the high prevalence and negative outcomes of child emotional and behavioral problems, parenting variables have been examined as mechanisms underlying this relation. Research has demonstrated that mothers who endorse high psychological distress report high parenting stress, which contributes to the use of more negative parenting practices. Moreover, parenting stress has been shown to relate to negative parenting practices through parenting inflexibility. Yet, no known study has examined parenting stress, negative parenting practices, and parenting inflexibility as pathways through which parental psychological distress relates to …

Associative Stigma Among Criminal Legal Staff: Measurement And Relation To Job Factors, Shania Siebert

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A sizeable portion of the United States (U.S.) population works within the criminal legal system, and individuals who have legal involvement are a highly stigmatized population. Research suggests working with stigmatized populations can result in the transfer of stigma to professionals, referred to as associative stigma. While qualitative studies indicate there are negative perceptions related to working in criminal legal settings, there is no quantitative research on criminal legal staff’s experience with associative stigma and how it impacts job-related factors. The purpose of this study was to 1) examine the psychometrics of an adapted measure to quantitatively assess associative stigma …

Psychopathy And Moral Decision Making, Dimitra Kourtesi

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Since the 1800s, psychopathy has been regarded as the absence of morality. The goal of our study was to explore whether psychopathic traits can affect the moral decision-making process in sacrificial moral dilemmas. Participants completed multiple self-report measures of psychopathic traits, utilitarian tendencies, and 16 sacrificial moral dilemma vignettes. After each hypothetical vignette, participants decided whether they believed it was morally right, permissible, and whether they behaviorally intended to sacrifice one person to save five people. Positive correlations emerged among all variables, which allowed us to perform a mediation analysis. Instrumental Harm – the idea of sacrificing one individual to …

Examining Associations Between Parental Meta-Emotion, Child Adhd Symptoms, And Socioemotional Impairments., Meaghan Flynn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Children with elevated attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms are at increased risk for social and emotional problems compared to typically developing peers. Emerging research has suggested targeting parental emotion socialization practices to enhance socioemotional development among this population. Interventions have explored how targeting specific emotion socialization behaviors may promote emotional and social functioning for youth with ADHD; however, little research has evaluated how underlying parental attitudes may influence these behaviors and outcomes. Parental meta-emotion philosophy (PMEP) refers to an organized set of thoughts and beliefs on how parents view the purpose of emotions, expression of emotions, and how these beliefs are …