Clinical Psychology Commons^™

Perceived Stigma's Influence On The Association Between Suicide Risk Severity And Help-Seeking For Suicidal Crises, Donna Zastrow

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Unfortunately, research examining help-seeking for suicide is limited. This study examined age, race, gender, suicide risk severity, and perceived stigma as predictors of formal and informal help-seeking behaviors individuals engage in during suicidal crises, and explored perceived stigma as a moderator of the relationship between risk severity and help-seeking. Method: Data from 80 college students who had experienced a past suicidal crisis were analyzed using two moderation analyses. Results: Rates of formal (67.5%) and informal (86.2%) help-seeking were high in the study sample. Higher suicide risk severity was positively associated with formal help-seeking (b = …

The Lasting Psychological Effects Of Juvenile Arrests, Nadia Olivia Bortolin

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated the enduring psychological consequences, specifically depression and anxiety, stemming from juvenile arrests and their influence on adulthood. Literature has demonstrated impacts on juvenile arrests from cultural, socioeconomic, family dynamics, and environmental elements. This study addresses a notable gap in understanding the long-term impact on mental health and employment. Research indicates a sensitivity to outcomes based on the age of arrest, with early adolescent arrests having profound effects on development and an increased likelihood of subsequent criminal activities. Developmental and risk factors, such as socioeconomic challenges and pubescent difficulties, contribute to persistent delinquent behaviors into adulthood. Some studies …

Symptom Network Comparisons Between Pre- And Post-Concussion, Christine Salva

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Increased awareness about the short and long-term negative outcomes associated with sport-related concussion has resulted in active monitoring of cognitive and symptom profiles of athletes using a variety of assessments. The traditional approach to interpretation of cognitive and symptom measures has been based on a latent construct framework where domain scores reflecting latent constructs representing cognitive or symptom domains are collected at baseline and then compared to those obtained after concussion during the acute injury phase, with repeated additional assessments to determine when cognitive and symptom alterations have resolved. More recently, network approaches have been used to examine changes in …

Study Abroad Angst: A Literature Review On The Mental Health Of International Students During Covid-19, Daisuke Akiba, Michael Perrone, Caterina Almendral

Publications and Research

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique and unprecedented challenges for international students, those studying at institutions of higher education outside of their home countries, due to their distinct circumstances and vulnerabilities. This literature review examines the multifaceted mental health burdens they experienced and highlights the need for targeted support and interventions. Methods: A rigorous search across three databases (i.e., PubMed, PsycINFO, and ERIC) yielded 50 empirical studies for inclusion in this literature review. A six-phase thematic analysis framework was employed to identify and synthesize key themes. Results: Seven prominent themes emerged: (1) academic and professional disruptions; (2) challenges navigating international …

Exploring The Relationship Between Digital Homework Adherence And Eating Disorder Symptoms, Melanie Mcdonough

The Cardinal Edge

Given the high mortality and relapse rates associated with anorexia nervosa, and the limited efficacy of existing treatments, especially those utilized (Peterson, et al., 2016), recent research has highlighted the potential of digital programs to address these barriers and enhance treatment engagement (Stewart, et al., 2021). Purpose: To investigate whether higher engagement throughout treatment is related to less eating disorder behaviors though a digital treatment program. Hypothesis: Participants with higher levels of engagement in treatment will report fewer eating disorder behaviors posttreatment. Methods: Participants (N = 10; Mage = 32.3, SD = 2.78) were diagnosed with active anorexia nervosa (50%), …

Exploring The Relationship Between Digital Homework Adherence And Eating Disorder Symptoms., Melanie D. Mcdonough

The Cardinal Edge

Given the high mortality and relapse rates associated with anorexia nervosa, and the limited efficacy of existing treatments, especially those utilized (Peterson, et al., 2016), recent research has highlighted the potential of digital programs to address these barriers and enhance treatment engagement (Stewart, et al., 2021). Purpose: To investigate whether higher engagement throughout treatment is related to less eating disorder behaviors though a digital treatment program. Hypothesis: Participants with higher levels of engagement in treatment will report fewer eating disorder behaviors posttreatment. Methods: Participants (N = 10; Mage = 32.3, SD = 2.78) were diagnosed with active anorexia nervosa (50%), …

Developing Racial Centrality: Examining Impacts Of Neighborhood-Level Racial Composition, Malyah A. Spencer, Shequanna Belizaire, Yara Mekawi

The Cardinal Edge

Racial identity among Black Americans has been a topic of psychological study in the United States for decades (Sellers et al., 1997, Sellers & Shelton, 2003, Chin et al., 2023). However, there is not ample research on what factors are associated with racial identity. In the literature on racial identity, there is some evidence that the racial composition of a neighborhood may impact racial identity development (Banks, 1984, Franklin-Jackson et al., 2007, Hurd et al., 2013, Deangelis, 2022) however, few studies have attempted to examine this relationship across a broader national sample with a focus specifically on racial centrality. Racial …

The Psychological Effects Of Discriminations In Sexual And Gender Minority Individuals: A Qualitative Analysis, Kameryn S. Freeman, Konrad Bresin, Julia Nicholas

The Cardinal Edge

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals experience minority stressors (e.g., rejection, discrimination, and victimization) that may negatively impact their mental health. This study used a mixed-methods approach to identify common themes across minority stress experiences and explore whether reflecting on these themes elicits changes in effect.

N = 25 undergraduate students with an SGM identity completed the study for course credit. Participants wrote about an instance of SGM discrimination that they experienced, witnessed, or heard about. Participants self-reported their positive and negative effects before and after writing. Participants’ stories were analyzed qualitatively to identify common themes. Correlations were calculated between …

Exploring Mental Health Providers' Willingness To Integrate Digital Applications For Gen-Z Students, Chanlinee Karawek

Undergraduate Research Symposium Lightning Talks

Mental health services have expanded significantly throughout recent years, alongside the virtualization of said services since the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, digital mental health applications (DMHAs) are now widely available. Generation-Z college students are a demographic that both grew up with this technology and is associated with a high risk of mental illness development during their time in higher education. Integration of familiar technology and necessary mental health services could potentially help address their unique psychological needs. This study explores mental healthcare providers’ perspectives on incorporating DMHAs into their therapy services to Gen-Z college students. An anonymous survey was …

Adopting A Heroic Persona To Manage A Traumatic Life Event: "The Face In The Mirror", Peter Bray

Heroism Science

This article applies a critical autoethnographic approach and a positive transformational stance to an experience of a choiceless traumatic loss. It considers how in a crisis of grief individuals may consciously choose to adopt a more agentic ‘heroic’ persona that enables them to survive the psychological disintegration of their assumptive world. Selecting a persona that serves their immediate survival needs, liberates individuals from those sociocultural expectations that dictate the conduct and positioning of the bereaved. In this new persona, the bereaved accesses a higher level of self-consciousness and autonomy, and an internal locus of control more suited to a survivor. …

Precursors To Student Burnout Through A Person-Environment Fit Lens, Kenny Le

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Burnout has been shown to be a pressing mental health outcome across populations, and this phenomenon has received more recent attention in young adult and student populations with increasing evidence mirroring what has previously been found in workplace research. However, the current research has not yet developed a theoretical model towards student burnout specifically, and the existing multidimensional theory of burnout does not capture precursors towards the first stages of the syndrome. The current study uses the person-environment (P-E) fit as a framework to identify relevant environmental and individual factors, as research has suggested perceived environmental fit is associated with …

‘Foundations Of The Mind, Brain, And Behavioral Relationships’: A Combined Faculty And Student’S Perspective Of A New Textbook On Clinical Neuroscience, Richard J. Addante, Jahdiel Perez Caban, Sarah E. Smith

Psychology Faculty Publications

The textbook, ‘Foundations of the Mind, Brain, and Behavioral Relationships’ (Moini et al., Citation2023), is one of the newest textbooks in neuroscience to arrive. The market for textbooks in the field of neuroscience is competitive among several excellent comparators, but critical market gaps still remain to be filled, notably the area of clinical neuroscience that is both advanced in content but accessible to students. One of the reasons that this gap has existed in the field is precisely because it can be a very difficult a mark to hit: how does one present neurobiological content that is …

Unraveling The Impact Of Cognitive Test Anxiety On Academic Performance Among Adolescents: The Case Of Minority And Majority Communities, Zulfiqar Ullah Siddiqui, Wael M. F. Abuhassan

An-Najah University Journal for Research - B (Humanities)

Background: Within the Indian society and its many communities, adolescents exhibit a wide range of individual differences, including cognitive abilities, learning styles, and personality traits. These differences can influence how students perceive and cope with test anxiety and related stress. Objective: The primary goal of this research study was to investigate the influence of cognitive test anxiety on academic performance in adolescents from both minority (Muslims) and majority (Hindus) communities in India. Method: Based on descriptive-inferential research design, a sample of 450 students was selected, with 223 students representing the majority community and the remaining 227 students representing the minority …

The Impact Of Race-Related Stress On The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (Mmpi-3) Of An African American Community Sample, Cassandra Clayton

Theses and Dissertations

Black Americans have endured profound racial discrimination and systemic injustices rooted in the historical legacy of slavery in the United States. These injustices persist today, permeating various facets of life, such as social interactions, education, politics, legal systems, and employment opportunities. Previous research has explored the cultural ramifications of these experiences, which often lead to race-related stressors and negative impacts on the psychological well-being of Black Americans. However, the exploration of how discrimination and racial stressors impact personality test scores of African Americans, such as on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, 3^rd edition (MMPI-3), is limited. This study investigated …

An Empirical Analysis Of The Mmpi-3 Suicidal/Death Ideation Scale, Brittany Barnes Rhodes

Theses and Dissertations

Suicide is a significant concern in society and is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and around the world. Suicidality is particularly prevalent in outpatient psychological treatment centers, with some studies estimating a tenfold increase in prevalence in this setting compared to the population at large. Several measures have been developed to assess suicide risk potential based on symptom frequency and combinations of risk factors, and broadband personality measures have also incorporated suicidality scales into their tests. The current study was focused on assessing the effectiveness of the Suicidal/Death Ideation (SUI) scale on the third …

A Veteran Mental Health Approach Sustaining Identity Post-Military Life: A Comprehensive Overview, Darren Sosa, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

Veterans and their mental health face readjustment challenges based on veteran identity, intersectionality, and experiences from their time serving in the military. This comprehensive overview and PRISMA analysis investigate the current evidence-based practices of veterans' identity and intersectionality. Specifically, psychoeducation and evidence-based practices for veterans readjusting back into their communities. A gap identified in this research’s findings calls for suggestions for future research on the veteran population and intersectionality. No specific psychoeducation or evidence-based practices tailored for identity readjustment or veteran intersectionality were found. This research constructs a tailored framework of suggestions for current and future evidence-based practices for the …

The Efficacy Of The G.R.A.C.E Matrix® In Ptsd Treatment”, Maria Grace G. Wolk, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

The purpose of this study is to explore the efficacy of the G.R.A.C.E Matrix®, a step-by-step technique of treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This study uses case studies that serve as portrayals of adults who struggle with PTSD. The three cases, referred to as "Jamal," "Isabel," and "Joel," are based on disguised aspects of real psychotherapy patients from a psychotherapy clinic. By detailing the treatment courses of these patients, the study highlights critical clinical issues in engaging patients with evidence-based therapy. The cases illustrate how the G.R.A.C.E Matrix® treatment, beginning with written assessments and culminating in trauma-informed interventions, has …

A Trans-Theoretical Systematization Of Clinical Interventions Based On Dynamical Systems Research (Dsr), Giulio De Felice, David Pincus

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

The scientific literature focused on the categorization of therapists’ interventions in clinical sessions, and their effects on patients, is not very extensive and often autoreferential. The most relevant findings clearly show the eclecticism of clinicians, grounding only 10–14% of their interventions on the specific theoretical approach to which they belong. Despite that, a trans-theoretical systematization of clinical interventions is lacking. The present work aims to verify the feasibility of a trans-theoretical categorization of clinical interventions based on Dynamical Systems Research in psychotherapy (DSR). For this purpose, the authors present the results of three literature reviews. The first sections of this …

Fear, Distress, And Dissociation: Correlates Of Physiological Hyporeactivity After Interpersonal Victimization, Natalia Kecala

Dissertations

Background and Objective: Despite consistent findings of high reactivity to trauma cues in PTSD, there exists a consistent subset of physiological nonresponders who exhibit more complex and severe posttraumatic symptomatology. Research has identified different patterns of defensive reactivity representing Fear (core) and Distress (complex) PTSD symptoms. However, no studies have directly compared responders and nonresponders on physiological and clinical symptoms posttrauma.

Method: 66 adult women who had experienced first-degree sexual or physical assault within the last month were categorized using heart rate reactivity (HRR) to two personalized trauma scripts. Participants exhibiting negative HRR to both scripts were classified as nonresponders …

The Mediating Role Of Happiness On Marital Satisfaction In Couples Experiencing Mental Health Challenges, Stacey Stafford

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

While extensive research has examined the impact of mental health challenges on academic and occupational functioning, the effect on marital satisfaction remains underexplored in the literature. Previous studies indicate robust correlations between happiness and mental health, but the specific mediating role of happiness in couples with mental health issues is unaddressed. This archival quantitative study, grounded in Bowen family systems theory, addressed happiness's mediating role on marital satisfaction in couples facing mental health challenges. Using data from the 2018 General Social Survey, this study analyzed a sample of married adults (N = 938) to explore whether happiness mediated the relationship …

The Psychological Impacts Of Algorithmic And Ai-Driven Social Media On Teenagers: A Call To Action, Sunil Arora, Sahil Arora, John Hastings

Research & Publications

This study investigates the meta-issues surrounding social media, which, while theoretically designed to enhance social interactions and improve our social lives by facilitating the sharing of personal experiences and life events, often results in adverse psychological impacts. Our investigation reveals a paradoxical outcome: rather than fostering closer relationships and improving social lives, the algorithms and structures that underlie social media platforms inadvertently contribute to a profound psychological impact on individuals, influencing them in unforeseen ways. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced among teenagers, who are disproportionately affected by curated online personas, peer pressure to present a perfect digital image, and the …

An Overview Of Borderline Personality Disorder: Etiology, Stigma, And Treatment Approaches, Sofia A. Fernandez

Selected Student Publications

This review of borderline personality disorder (BPD) literature aims to evaluate current clinical and research-based knowledge on the etiology, symptoms, treatment approaches, interpersonal impacts, and stigma that surround the disorder. As borderline personality disorder is a personality disorder that affects a notable percentage of the adult population and is marked by high suicidality, it is a disorder where accurate education and understanding are crucial for clinicians and researchers. By exploring the interaction of biological and environmental factors that may contribute to the development of BPD, this paper highlights the importance of raising awareness and combatting the negative stigma that is …

Childhood Adversity's Impact On Criminal Behavior, Isobel Marie Avento

Theses and Dissertations

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), such as abuse, neglect, and family criminal history, have been identified as potential risk factors for negative physical, psychological, and behavioral health outcomes. Emerging literature suggests that ACEs are also among the primary factors leading to delinquency and adult criminal behavior. However, there is limited applied research that provides practitioners with appropriate insight to intervene when ACEs are identified among juvenile delinquents to reduce recidivism risk. This study adds to the existing literature by examining how cumulative ACEs shape criminal behavior of individuals from the onset until its desistance over the span of twenty years. Using …

Weight Bias Internalization And Disordered Eating: Examining The Role Of Sexual Orientation In A Sample Of Women Who Binge Eat, Meredith I. Turner

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Sexual minority women and heterosexual women endorse different rates of disordered eating symptoms. Weight bias internalization (WBI), or self-directed negative attitudes and beliefs about oneself due to their weight, is known to be associated with binge eating and other disordered eating behaviors. However, little is known about the influence WBI may have on disordered eating symptoms across various sexual orientations. Therefore, this study examined disordered eating, WBI, and the association between them among sexual minority and heterosexual women. Specifically, the study aims were to (1) compare instances of WBI and disordered eating symptoms between sexual minority and heterosexual women, (2) …

Assessing Functional Abilities In A Memory Disorder Population: A Comparison Of Self-Report, Informant-Report, And Performance-Based Measures, Kevin Andrew Murray

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: Accurate assessment of daily functioning is critical for deriving a correct diagnosis and facilitating effective patient care. While collateral reports from a reliable informant can elucidate patients’ functional capacities, they may be susceptible to misappraisals of functional status. Similarly, patients with limited insight may be prone to misjudging their functional abilities. Performance-based measures of adaptive functioning may detect subtle declines in daily functioning overlooked by self- and informant-report measures. However, these measures may be limited in terms of ecological validity. The current study investigated the association between a performance-based measure of daily functioning and patients’ and informants’ ratings of …

Out Of Left Screen: Factors Impacting Well-Being In Digital And Physical Collegiate Athletes, Jessica Poskus

Theses and Dissertations

Competitive video gaming, or “esports,” has quickly become a popular college extracurricular. Its classification as a varsity sport on many campuses reflects a broader shift in cultural conceptualizations and perceptions of athleticism. As esports continue to evolve in today’s increasingly digital world, new professional leagues emerge, and viewership rivals that of traditional physical sports. Esports can be a gateway for unique opportunities for college students; however, it may also pose some challenges. This study explored differences between digital and physical athletes, who must balance their chosen activity with other collegiate responsibilities, including academic, social, and physical health. Physical sports and …

The Relationship Between Health Anxiety, Health Information Seeking Behaviors, And Healthcare Outcomes, Rima Malkan

Theses and Dissertations

The relationship between health anxiety and health information-seeking behaviors (HISB) suggests a possible bidirectional or reciprocal relationship, suggesting that health anxiety leads to HISB and HISB exacerbates health anxiety. The motivations for individuals seeking different types of health information vary and may be impacted by numerous factors that lead to particular health outcomes. However, the impact of these collective variables on healthcare outcomes has not been extensively investigated. The current study aimed to bridge this gap in the literature. The study sample consisted of 133 individuals ages 20-77 years who had varying levels of health anxiety. Results suggested that those …

Perceptions Of Non-Using College Students’ Likelihood To Use Nonprescription Or Prescription Stimulants, Judith Frazier

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration has highlighted the risk of non-users among college students using illegal prescription stimulants due to misinformation and incorrect assumptions. This qualitative study aimed to explore the perspectives of college students who do not use stimulants on perceived risks, social acceptability, opportunity experiences, and likelihood of using stimulants. The study addressed factors that either encourage or discourage students from using stimulants, as well as the internal and extrinsic incentives associated with this activity, using a phenomenological paradigm. Twelve southern Ohioan students who were not users were interviewed using a structured interviewing technique, which …

Voices From The Classroom: A Qualitative Study Of Teachers' Perspectives On Student Depression, Naomi Brinton, Jacqlyn Zarabba, Linda Mcwhorter, Linda Knauss

Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice

Rising levels of depression among adolescents is an important issue to teachers and school administrators, as teenagers spend the majority of their time in the school environment. By analyzing individual interviews with 15 public high school teachers using a modified grounded theory approach, this qualitative study examines the role high school teachers might play in identifying and referring students who exhibit signs and symptoms of depression. Results provide guidance for high school teachers in connecting students with appropriate services and identifying common barriers and facilitating factors in this process. Specific recommendations are outlined to help aid schools in the identification …

Do Parents Know Best: The Impact Of Parental Sleep Knowledge And Related Factors On Sleep In Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Rachel Nicole Chavez

Theses and Dissertations

Sleep problems are a common concern reported by parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). The prevalence of sleep disorders in those with NDD have been reported as high as 86% compared to 25% of typically developing children (Horwood et al., 2019, Robin-Shelton, 2016). These sleep problems can have detrimental effects on cognition, development, behavior, emotion regulation, and physical health. Existing research demonstrates a significant relationship between a child’s sleep disturbances and their parents’ sleep quality and level of parenting stress. This study aimed to identify the gaps in parental sleep knowledge and examined how parent sleep quality and parental …