Clinical Psychology Commons^™

Weighted Family History Density Of Substance Use: Influence On Participant Substance Use Onset, Escalation, And Duration, Carleigh A. Litteral

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Substance use disorders impose a staggering toll on the United States (U.S.), straining healthcare systems, destabilizing communities, and profoundly impacting both individuals and families. Approximately one in six Americans aged 12 and older had a past-year substance use disorder in 2022 (Key Substance Use, 2022), and nearly one-third of adults experience a substance use disorder in their lifetime (Wu, 2010), contributing to an economic burden exceeding $400 billion annually (National Drug Threat Assessment, 2011). Family history of substance use disorders is a key predictor of vulnerability, with individuals who have affected relatives being 2–8 times more …

Exploring The Effects Of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Of The Right Inferior Frontal Gyrus On Inhibitory Control In Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, Colton Rippey

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Background: The right inferior frontal gyrus (rIFG) is implicated in stop signal reaction time (SSRT) performance – a common measure of inhibitory control – and emotional expression and control. Individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) exhibit poorer stop SSRT performance, which is associated with rIFG hypoactivity. Neuromodulation of the rIFG with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can significantly improve inhibitory control and reduce fearful responding to threatening stimuli. Research has yet to test the effects of multifocal tDCS targeting the rIFG on inhibitory control or emotional reactivity in individuals with PTSD.

Methods: The current study aims to examine the impact …

Global Sleep Quality, Emotion Regulation Difficulties, And Ptsd Symptom Severity In Trauma-Exposed College Women, Grace M. Seymour

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Sleep problems are common among college women and may contribute to PTSD symptoms. Those with emotion regulation difficulties may have increased difficulty managing distress worsened by poor sleep, though it is unclear which specific facets of emotion regulation are most relevant. This study examined interactions between sleep quality and facets of emotion regulation difficulties on PTSD symptoms among college women (N = 1,037) using self-report measures: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), and Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS-18). Two significant interactions emerged. Sleep disturbance interacted with difficulties engaging in goal-directed behavior (b …

Putative Mechanisms Of Personality Change In Treatment, Hannah Croom

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

BPD Compass was designed to engage the BPD-relevant traits from the Alternative Model of Personality Disorders in the DSM-5 by targeting putative mechanisms associated with these personality domains: aversive reactivity to engage negative affectivity, attachment insecurity to engage antagonism, and self-efficacy to engage disinhibition. The goal of the present study was to test the associations between putative mechanisms and respective personality traits. We used multilevel structural equation modeling to test if personality domains and putative mechanisms changed in treatment, if changes in putative mechanism were associated with changes in respective personality domain, and if within-person changes in putative mechanisms predicted …

Examining Values In The Treatment Of Borderline Personality Disorder: A Single-Case Experimental Design, Nicole Stumpp

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Borderline personality disorder impacts roughly 1.6% of the general population yet only a quarter of people with BPD are able to access treatment. Understanding the mechanisms that promote behavior change in treatment is crucial for improving care for this population. Experiential avoidance has been linked to risky behaviors, a prevalent and debilitating symptom observed in BPD. Values identification may be a fruitful avenue for engaging experiential avoidance in treatment. The goal of the present study is to understand the unique and combined effects of values identification and behavior change skills (i.e., opposite actions, exposure) on experiential avoidance (target), maladaptive behavior …

Randomized Controlled Trial Of A Single-Session Mechanism-Focused Intervention For Suicidal Thoughts And Behaviors, Martina Fruhbauerova

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

Suicide remains a critical public health concern, with increasing rates and millions experiencing suicidal ideation annually. Although evidence-based treatments exist, many are time-intensive, underutilized, and often inaccessible to high-risk individuals, especially those recently discharged from inpatient psychiatric care. Brief, scalable interventions targeting core psychological mechanisms implicated in suicidal thoughts and behaviors (STBs) are needed. This study evaluated a novel Single Session Mechanism-Focused Intervention (SSMFI) designed to reduce hopelessness and negative perceptions of social relatedness among adults hospitalized for STBs. In a randomized controlled trial (N = 38) conducted on two inpatient psychiatric units, participants were assigned to either the SSMFI …

Intimate Partner Violence Victims' Experiences With Civil Legal Interventions, Jessica Brooke Pomerantz

Theses and Dissertations

The court system has become a central part of the societal response to intimate partner violence (IPV) and is a frequently used as a source of help for victims (Cattaneo et al., 2013). Despite the importance of a justice system response to IPV, it is not always accessible or helpful to victims. Past research has demonstrated barriers to IPV victims seeking legal intervention including mistrust of the court system generally, extensive and confusing legal processes and procedures, and failure of the courts to assess more invisible forms of abuse (Calton et al., 2017; Cerulli et al., 2015; Cuomo & Dolci, …

Systematic Review Examining How Black Youth In The United States Cope With Stressful And Traumatic Experiences, Marcus Aaron Flax

Dissertations

Coping is an important behavioral skillset that youth use to emotionally regulate after experiencing stress or trauma. Research has repeatedly highlighted the stressors that Black youth experience, often finding that Black youth face higher levels of stress and trauma than their White peers. However, there has been a lack of research in understanding how Black youth cope with these higher levels of stress. This systematic review includes 72 studies (N = 16,205 participants) examining the frequency and effectiveness of coping strategies used by Black youth in response to a trauma or stressor, along with the associations between utilized coping strategies …

American Indian Survivors Of Domestic Violence And Self-Perceived Mental Health After Seeking Domestic Violence Services, Arial Swallow

Dissertations and Theses

Domestic violence has long-term impacts on women’s emotional, psychological, and physical health, with American Indian women experiencing disproportionately high rates of violence and face unique barriers in overcoming challenges of healing. As part of a larger study, this research aimed to better understand the healing process of American Indian women domestic violence survivors in rural areas. This study examined findings from a mixed methods approach, which investigated the significance of identifying co-occurring mental health needs and providing support, education, and resources to address these needs. The research utilized a quantitative method of descriptive statistics, identifying survivors who endorsed mental health …

Psychedelic Minimalism: The Case Against Music In Psychedelic Therapy Settings, Samir A. Nader

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

[Introduction: reframing the role of setting] In recent years, renewed attention has been given to the centrality of set and setting in psychedelic-assisted therapy. The Reporting of Setting in Psychedelic Clinical Trials (ReSPCT) guidelines reflect an evolving consensus: therapeutic outcomes are not solely pharmacologically determined but are heavily shaped by both the environment and the psychological state of the participant (2). Within this evolving paradigm, music has assumed a privileged role, framed as a therapeutic constant, typically curated to be emotionally supportive or evocative, and especially emphasized during peak psychedelic states (3). The prevailing assumption is that music facilitates safety, …

Memento Mori: A Photo-Elicit Narrative Analysis On Grief, Jared Becknell

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Training and education about grief counseling has been stagnant, stalling the creativity and novel practice when working with bereaved individuals. Counselors in Training often receive minimal education and training in grief, even though clients will ultimately experience this phenomenon. Qualitative research findings provide insights into how individuals actively engage in the grieving process, while promoting their own versions of healing and acceptance through the artifacts kept from deceased loved ones. These findings explore the lived experience of individuals who keep artifacts from a deceased loved one. Results show an active participation in reconnecting to the deceased versus addressing grief symptoms …

Distal Effects Of Teenage Pregnancy And Childbirth, Amy M. Sutherland

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

While pregnancy during adolescence is declining, research on the topic continues, particularly regarding: the reasons teenagers become pregnant and choose parenthood; their experiences as teen parents; and near-term outcomes for themselves and their children. The focus of this dissertation has received little study: how the experience of having been a birthing parent in adolescence continues to affect the personal experiences of individuals in midlife, if it does at all. Eight individuals between the ages of 30 and 43 who gave birth as teens were interviewed, and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to identify how they interpreted and made meaning …

“In The Name Of The Father:” Disclosure And Clergy Perpetrated Sexual Abuse, Alexandra L. Frederick

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The current study offers a case study utilizing records from assessments conducted for civil suits by men who survived clergy perpetrated sexual abuse (CPSA) in their childhoods. The focus of this study is to contribute to our understanding of the disclosure process following the abuse. A qualitative analysis was conducted to highlight common themes, including experiences of disclosure, emotional experiences, the decision-making process, and potential feelings of regret toward disclosure. Research questions examined the time and age of disclosure, how close the survivor was to the priest at the time of the abuse and any trends that exist between that …

Embracing The Suck: Overcoming Moral Injury-Related Attachment Trauma Through Outdoor Adventure, Emerald D. Ralston

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Moral injury is increasingly recognized as a distinct and debilitating consequence of military service, arising when individuals engage in, witness, or are unable to prevent actions that transgress their deeply held moral beliefs. In this dissertation, I argue that this form of trauma can be experienced as an attachment rupture, particularly when the military—functioning as an institutional attachment figure—betrays the servicemember’s trust. Such experiences compromise internal working models (IWMs) of self, others, and the world, and may result in complex trauma symptoms, including dissociation, depersonalization, and profound relational disconnection. These injuries are frequently stored in the body, rendering traditional cognitive …

Sexual Education, Sexual Self-Concept, And Behavior Of Adolescents: A Retrospective Study, Rachel Albanese

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Adolescence is a period within the lifespan of a human where sexuality is a key component of development; therefore, it is appropriate that adolescents are provided sexual education during this time. There continues to be a debate regarding sexual education; while some studies consider specific ways to provide sexual education, they do not compare the effect of differing sexual education (i.e., how and who provided sexual education) or lack of sexual education on risky sexual behavior and sexual selfconcept during adolescence. This study retrospectively examined the impact of sexual education on risky sexual behavior and sexual self-concept. It also explored …

Exploring The Relationship Among Postpartum Depression, Cognitive Distortions, And Relationship Satisfaction, Kylie A. Hastings

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Postpartum depression is the most prevalent psychological disorder experienced following childbirth, impairs daily functioning, negatively impacts child growth and development, and is linked to maladaptive parent-child interactions. Previous research also suggests a link among distorted thinking, depression symptoms, and interpersonal tension. The current study explores the interplay among postpartum depression symptoms, cognitive distortions, and relationship satisfaction among postpartum individuals. Researchers examined how specific thinking errors, including catastrophizing, mindreading, and labeling, are associated with depression symptoms and relational experiences in the postpartum period. Using a quantitative survey design, data were collected from 90 participants using validated instruments: the …

Development And Validation Of The Mealtime Behaviors Self-Report Questionnaire, Taylor Rae Perry

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Disturbances in eating are a hallmark feature of eating disorders (EDs). However, these disturbances extend beyond dietary patterns, as clinicians have long observed aberrant mealtime behaviors in individuals with EDs. Despite these observations, research on aberrant mealtime behaviors has been limited to a small case study of individuals with anorexia nervosa. Clinically, however, individuals across all ED diagnoses appear to exhibit these behaviors. Notably, there is currently no existing measure designed to assess aberrant mealtime behaviors. Developing such an assessment could provide clinicians with valuable information to inform mealtime interventions. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the prevalence of …

Integration Of Theoretical Frameworks For Problematic Exercise: Toward A Comprehensive Model Of Maladaptive And Adaptive Exercise, Christina M. Sanzari

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Exercise can promote health and well-being, and yet a proportion of individuals who exercise develop a maladaptive relationship with physical activity. Problematic exercise is often associated with significant impairment and psychological distress, yet a consensus has not been reached regarding how problematic exercise should be conceptualized. The literature distinguishes between primary exercise dependence, or excessive exercise driven by its intrinsic reinforcement, and secondary exercise dependence, or excessive exercise driven by compensatory motivations related to weight and shape concerns. However, to date, little is known about the prevalence and nature of exercise dependence in the absence of eating pathology. This incongruity …

Relational Mechanisms In Residential Eating Disorder Treatment: A Moderated Mediation Analysis, Bethany Ah Crawford

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Background. Eating Disorders (ED), previously described as a “disease of disconnection,” appear to have differing trajectories of treatment and behavior change based, in part, on feelings of connectedness to others during and outside of treatment. Patient experience of Relational Connectedness is not well-explored in ED treatment compared to other diagnoses but may be a valuable mechanism of change. Interpersonal problems are also known to impact outcome trajectories. Patients high in interpersonal and relational difficulties exhibit negative compensatory behaviors such as avoidance and hostility, which can deleteriously affect building a trusting relationship. Individual difference variables likely play a role in relationship-outcome …

Risk Factors For Executive Functioning Development In Preschool Children With Type 1 Diabetes, Victoria L. Ledsham

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Links between Type 1 diabetes (T1D) and decreased cognitive functioning in children are well documented, but research on executive functioning (EF) in this population is more limited. Multiple T1D-related risk factors (e.g., hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, glycemic variability, diabetic ketoacidosis) for EF have been established throughout the literature, but their individual effects have been difficult to determine given their interrelated nature. In result, cumulative risk has been proposed as a more robust predictor of EF differences in children with T1D. Moreover, despite the importance of early T1D onset as a risk factor for EF impairment, no studies have previously investigated EF in …

Concurrent Parasympathetic Synchrony In Romantic Couples Exposed To Childhood Maltreatment Subtypes, Kate L. Senich

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Early responsive caregiving hones children’s physiological systems and subsequently supports social interactions (Feldman, 2007; Porges 2001; Steelman et al, 2002). Conversely, mis-attuned interactions with caregivers, such as exposure to maltreatment subtypes, might hinder social engagement capacities at both behavioral and biological levels (Kim & Cicchetti, 2004; Sheridan & McLaughlin et al., 2014). These early adverse influences endure across development and can affect behavioral and physiological interactions with romantic partners (Mayo et al., 2021; River et al., 2020; Zamir, 2022). Specifically, temporally coordinated patterns of physiological responses between partners (i.e., synchrony) are linked with important relationship behaviors, including conflict behaviors …

A Strength-Based Approach To Understanding The Impact Of Experiences Of Discrimination Related To Identity-Based Stressors On Disordered Eating Among A Sample Of Sexual And Gender Diverse Individuals, Susana Cruz Garcia

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Empirical research investigating eating disorder (ED) behaviors among sexual and gender minorities has grown substantially in recent decades, though notable gaps call for further work to clarify mixed findings regarding the experiences of this heterogeneous population. This study sought to add to our understanding of disordered eating behaviors in LGBTQIA+ participants, with a specific focus on differences between lesbian and gay (LG) versus bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and other identities (BTQIA+), with the latter group remaining especially underrepresented in the literature. Study aims were firstly, to quantify ED incidence and the frequency of experiences of identity-based discrimination in sexual …

Contributions Of Birthing People’S Prenatal Parasympathetic Nervous System Functioning And Postnatal Sensitivity On Infant Temperament, Amanda M. Flagg

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Grounded in developmental psychobiology, this research aimed to elucidate how birthing people’s physiological regulation during pregnancy may shape the early emergence of socioemotional development in early infancy. The present study examined how birthing people’s prenatal parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity, specifically baseline high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV) and HF-HRV withdrawal, and postnatal sensitivity contributes to infant temperamental reactivity at six months of age. The study aimed to clarify early developmental mechanisms through which birthing people’s PNS shapes emerging infant temperament. Data were drawn from a longitudinal cohort of Black and African American birthing people, a population underrepresented in psychophysiological research, …

Clinical Experiences In Conducting Empirically Supported Treatments For Insomnia, Sondra S. Tiab

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Controlled research shows that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for insomnia, yet clinician experiences with applying CBT in routine settings has received limited attention. This study replicated and extended upon the Two-Way Bridge initiative (Goldfried et al., 2014), which aimed to establish a dialogue between researchers and clinicians on the identification of variables that promote and interfere with the effectiveness of evidence-based therapies. This survey study asked clinicians to identify variables they have encountered that make it challenging to implement CBT and related interventions for insomnia. N = 182 clinicians completed an online survey on typical assessment practices, …

Does Type Of Metta Phrase Impact The Acceptability And Utility Of Loving-Kindness Interventions: An Experimental Evaluation, Shannon B. Underwood

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Loving-kindness (metta) meditation (LKM) is a widely utilized self-compassion intervention with numerous biopsychosocial benefits. Yet a smaller, emerging body of evidence suggests that LKM is difficult and various barriers impact its accessibility and effectiveness. Relational Frame Theory provides a behavioral and contextual perspective of language and cognition that may help clarify how LKM may yield receptivity or rejection of the practice itself. Prior research examining the role of language in LKM identified specific metta phrases more likely to evoke a coordinated (i.e., sameness/agreement) or oppositional (i.e., rejection/lacking) response, and found that indices of psychological suffering predicted oppositional responding (Underwood, 2023). …

Social Communication Skills Moderate The Relationship Between Family Quality Of Life And Parenting Stress, Hanna Kent

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Parents of newly diagnosed autistic children face elevated levels of parenting stress due to the unique demands associated with raising an autistic child and the challenges of navigating the early intervention systems which often impact their family functioning (Rivard et al., 2023). This study aimed to investigate how autistic traits and demographic variables are associated with parenting stress and family quality of life (FQOL) in caregivers of recently diagnosed autistic children. Data were obtained from 118 caregivers enrolled in a family education program within one year of their child’s autism diagnosis. Measures included the Parenting Stress Index, Short Form, The …

What Is Success? How Peer Support Workers In Ontario See Addiction & Recovery, Ngaire Rasmussen

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The drug crisis in Canada has high mortality rates, especially in remote and rural communities, but there are significant barriers to accessing healthcare to which peer support may represent a partial solution, (Eddie et al., 2019; Englander et al., 2020; The Government of Canada, 2023; Kourgiantakis et al., 2023; Lavalley et al., 2020; Lennox et al., 202; Russell et al., 2021). Research how peer support workers define success in their work with adults experiencing addiction in Ontario, Canada is lacking, but important to understanding the crisis and implementing peer programs. Grounded in Marxist theory, the following exploratory research investigated the …

Beyond My Control: The Role Of Sense Of Control On Cognitive Functioning And Depressive Symptoms In Older Adults, Sabine Lohmar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Depression and depressive symptoms commonly coincide with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia in older adults (Ismail et al., 2017; Panza et al., 2010), with its prevalence varying based on dementia severity, diagnostic criteria, and dementia subtype (Chi et al., 2015; Ismail et al., 2017; Leung et al., 2021; Lopez et al., 2003). This relationship is hypothesized to exist for a variety of reasons, including that depressive symptoms occur as an emotional response to cognitive functioning (Bennett & Thomas, 2014; Richard et al., 2013). Emotional responses may be explained by a decline in sense of control, or the belief in …

Examining The Relationships Among Value Placed On Autonomy, Use Of Compensatory Control Strategies, And Suicidal Ideation In Older Adults, Catherine Huang Ju

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Rates of suicide in older adults are higher than those found in the general United States population. A variety of risk factors unique to older adulthood contribute to these numbers. Greater value placed on one’s own autonomy is related to suicidal ideation in older adults, but no research has yet been done to examine the mechanisms underlying this relationship. As individuals age and functional impairment increases, older adults generally engage in compensatory primary control strategies (e.g., seeking help) but those who prioritize independence and self-directedness – i.e., place a high value on autonomy – engage in fewer compensatory primary control …