Clinical Psychology Commons^™

Developmental Implications Of Parentification: An Examination Of Ethnic Variation And Loneliness, Bertha Preciado

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Parentification is a parent-child role reversal wherein the parent abdicates their parental responsibilities towards the child and the child responds by performing caretaking behaviors towards their parent. Parentification has previously been examined using a Western theoretical framework and with European/White Americans samples. Within the parentification literature, feelings of loneliness have been mentioned as an outcome of parentified individuals; however, the topic had yet to be examined empirically and with an ethnically diverse sample. The current study investigated parentification and feelings of loneliness across African/Black, Latinx, and European/White American individuals. It was found that ethnic minorities experienced higher levels of parentification …

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Symptoms As A Moderator Of Affective Reactions To Perceived Interpersonal Behaviors, Narayan B. Singh

Clinical Psychology Dissertations

Individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms often struggle with heightened sensitivity and arousal in response to perceived threats. Moreover, interpersonal dysfunction in GAD has become increasingly a focus of empirical investigation and treatment, given the possibility that responses to social interactions may contribute to GAD symptom maintenance. Laboratory studies and cross-sectional trait assessments of interpersonal problems comprise most of our understanding of interpersonal dysfunction in GAD. However, how GAD symptoms interact with perceived interpersonal threats to predict affective responses (increased arousal, lower valence) within daily life remains poorly understood. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to examine …

Mediators Of The Relationship Between Mindfulness And E-Cigarette Use, Denise Dao Tran

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

E-cigarettes have increased in popularity and production over the years. Although many individuals believe that e-cigarettes are safe for use, there is increasing evidence that e-cigarette use is associated with negative health consequences. Mindfulness is negatively associated with substance use including traditional cigarette smoking. Although there is limited research on the relationship between mindfulness and e-cigarette use, research on the relationship between mindfulness and traditional cigarette smoking may serve as a guide for e-cigarette use research. The objective of the present study is to test whether mindfulness is a protective factor against e-cigarette use through its effect on variables that …

Body Image Role On Non-Suicidal Self-Injury, Maria Ceja, Stephani Aguiar-Vasquez

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This study explores the association between adolescents body image concerns and self-injurious behaviors among students enrolled in kindergarten through 12th grade. The study is exploratory in nature and uses a quantitative design. The study collected archival data from counseling services provided through alocal school district’s counseling program. More specifically, the archival data was retrieved from initial assessments gathered from students participating in the local school district’s counseling program. Additionally, this research is a call for action that seeks to examine and support the further development of programs geared towards students. This study seeks to expand on the research that guides …

Dementia And Competency In United States Courtrooms: A Case Law Review, Dana Miller

Student Theses

The number of older adults in the United States is rising, as is the incidence of dementia. Older adults are coming into contact with the criminal justice system at greater rates than previously encountered. As such, individuals with dementia are likely appearing in courts at an unprecedented rate. While many civil competencies commonly related to older adults are well researched, competency in the criminal legal system has not received the same level of recognition in this population. This is particularly concerning given the growing awareness of the relevance of dementia in some criminal competencies (e.g., Madison v. Alabama, 2019). Of …

Psychoanalytic Determinates Of The Love/Work Balance In A Cohort Of African-American Men, Joseph Ellison Brown

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

With the data derived from the life-narratives of a cohort of six African-American men, this study is an attempt to discern the effect that racial discrimination may have had on the love/work balance that developed as each participant progressed through his life-arc. The varying degrees of love/work imbalance, in the lives of the participants, are examined using a psychoanalytic framework. Through the use of this framework, each participant’s work environment becomes derivative of the aggressive aspects of the id and the family, friends and community environment (love) becomes derivative of the narcissistic aspects of the id. Although the participants, to …

Exploration Of Physician Attitudes About Self-Care And Personal Mental Health: Possible Barriers To Physician Well Being, Candich Farrar

Dissertations

The present study was designed to examine physicians’ mental health, attitudes, and behaviors toward self-care and the utilization of mental health services. As the medical field can be very demanding and exhausting, it is believed that many physicians suffer from mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression. However, it was theorized that many physicians do not engage in adequate self-care regimes or seek support and suppress their symptoms, which may further exacerbate their illnesses. A thorough literature review was performed to explore the following: possible barriers to physicians seeking mental health services to address high rates of mental illnesses, physicians …

16pf Couples Counseling Report: Predictors Of Marital Satisfaction, Personality Similarity, And Relationship Adjustment Among Spouses Of Female Combat Veterans Following Deployment, Julian Enrique Vives

Theses and Dissertations

The current literature regarding military populations often neglects the difficulties the spouses of service members face with less emphasis on male spouses of female service members. The current research project utilized the 16 Personality Factor Couple’s Counseling Report (16PF CCR) variables to aid in expounding the factors that influence relationship functioning among male spouses of female combat veterans post-deployment. The results of the present study demonstrated a significant correlation between the nine satisfaction scores and the Overall Marital Satisfaction score, whereby Caring and Affection accounted for the majority of the variance explained in Overall Marital Satisfaction. Tension (Factor Q4) significantly …

The Dark Triad And Honesty-Humility: A Preliminary Study On The Relations To Pornography Use, Peter Muris, Henry Otgaar, Cor Meesters, Eirini Papasileka, David Pineda

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

The present article reports on a preliminary study exploring the relationships between Dark Triad (narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy) and honesty-humility personality traits and pornography craving and deviant pornography use in a sample of 121 participants (46 men and 75 women) who completed an online survey. Narcissism and psychopathy were positively related to pornography craving and deviant pornography consumption, while honesty-humility appeared to be negatively associated with these pornography-related variables. Furthermore, the data suggested that these relationships were only present in men and not in women. While the current results should be interpreted with caution in the light of a number of …

Predictors Of Quality Of Life Among An International Sample Of Mothers Of Children 12 And Under With Corpus Callosum Disorders, Peggy Henninger, Donna M. L. Heretick

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Previous research supports application of the Double ABCX model of family adaptation of parents of children with autism spectrum disorder and other pervasive developmental disorders. This is the first study to consider processes of adaptation among parents of children with agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC). Using a quantitative cross-sectional design, an international sample of 266 mothers of children, aged 12 or under, with ACC completed an online survey. Parental reports of stress, resources, coping, and sense of coherence were evaluated as predictors of four subdimensions of parental quality of life for 178 mothers. In general, findings support the Double …

Help-Seeking Behaviors In Asian American Adolescents And College Students, Janelle Wee, Jingyan Gu, Keyne Law

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

The aim of this review is to examine Asian American (ASA) adolescents’ and college students’ help-seeking behaviors, to understand specific barriers to mental health service utilization. Despite a decreased likelihood of seeking treatment (SAMHSA, 2014), even those who sought treatment reported a greater severity of symptoms compared to their White counterparts (U.S. DHHS, 2001). ASA adolescents were less inclined to use school-based mental health services (SBMHS) compared to their peers (Wang et al., 2018), with parents reporting several barriers to utilizing SBMHS. ASA college students with a greater sense of ethnic identity also avoided seeking help (Tummala-Narra et al., 2018).

Affective Reactivity To Positive Daily Events In Adolescence, Katherine Benjamin, Sarah Chun, Amy Mezulis

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

The experience of positive events is associated with increased positive affect (PA), which can beneficially impact physical and mental health outcomes of adolescents. This study investigated whether different types of positive events elicit different amounts of PA, and whether sex would moderate these effects. Participants were 136 adolescents (Mage = 13.03 years, 51.3% female). Results indicated that interpersonal and independent events predicted greater PA reactivity than non-interpersonal and dependent events, respectively. Sex did not moderate these effects. Furthermore, results indicated that interpersonal, dependent events were associated with the highest adolescent mean PA compared to any other combination of event types.

Evaluating The Relation Between Adhd Symptoms And Externalizing Behaviors In Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Miles Feller, Quinnett Chloe, Kaitlyn Drafton, Tara Rutter, Beverly Wilson, Anna Shaarda, Nicky Navarro, Indy Hall, Devon Yamane, Jennifer Carron

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

The risk for externalizing behaviors (Bos et al., 2018) complicates the comorbidity between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). To investigate whether the relation between ASD status (ASD vs typical development, TD) and externalizing behaviors would vary by differences in ADHD symptoms, parent-child dyads (3-7yo), 127 TD (47.7% female) and 81 children with ASD (16.7% female), participated. The linear regression tested model with significant main and interaction effects explained 43.3% of variance, overall. Consistent with research, externalizing problems were higher for both groups when ADHD symptoms were also high compared to low, an effect stronger for TD children.

Maskmaker, Maskmaker, Make Me A Mask: A Study Of The Effect Of Resilient Coping Behavior On Positive And Negative Affect During Covid-19., Linda Montano, Lynette Bikos

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

During times of crisis, resilient coping behavior may be an important pathway for improving positive and negative affect. This relationship is explored via a moderated mediation model using data from a survey administered to volunteer maskmaskers during COVID-19. We hypothesize there will be a significant effect of resilient coping on affect, mediated through mask making hours. Change to employment is likely to moderate this indirect effect as well as interact directly with the coping to affect relationship. If supported, our hypotheses support the notion that engaging in a prosocial behavior such as Maskmaking may contribute positively to mental health outcomes.

Interpersonal Sensitivities Prospectively Predict Aversive Reactions To Social Stressors In Daily Life, Kylie Fraga, Tilda Cvrkel, Thane Erickson

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

Research suggests that individuals have unique social “irritants,” behaviors that they find particularly unpleasant in others. Individualized irritants, or interpersonal (IP) sensitives, are associated with aversive reactions. These IP sensitives map onto the IP circumplex. This study investigated whether baseline IP sensitivities could predict anger and disgust during IP stressors over five weeks. Participants were 165 people (76% women, 42% ethnic minority). Results indicated that IP sensitives prospectively predicted anger and disgust. Further, IP sensitivities prospectively moderated effect of social stressors on affect. These findings were consistent with previous cross-sectional research.

Emotion Regulation As A Moderator On The Association Between Acculturative Stress And Risk Factors Of Suicide Ideation In A Sample Of International Students, Jingyan Gu, Janelle Wee, Keyne Law

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

Previous studies suggest that international students are at greater risk of endorsing mental health difficulties such as suicide, depression, and anxiety which may be related to acculturative stress and emotion dysregulation. The current study aims to examine the effect of between acculturative stress and emotion regulation on proximal indicators of suicide ideation, burdensomeness and belongingness. Preliminary data yielded 20 participants (Mage = 28.2, 60% female). Results indicated that acculturative stress (ASSIS) was significantly positively correlated with perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. Furthermore, emotional regulation significantly moderated the relationship between ASSIS and burdensomeness but not between ASSIS and belongingness.

The Effect Of Sexual Minority Identification And Religious Affiliation On Suicide Risk Factors In A South Korean American Sample, Janelle Wee, Jingyan Gu, Keyne Law

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

Previous studies investigating the effect of sexual minority identification and religious affiliation on suicide yielded mixed findings. The current study examined the effect of sexual minority identification and religious affiliation on proximal indicators of suicide ideation, belongingness and burdensomeness. Participants were 58 Korean Americans (40% Female). Using a median-comparison Robust ANOVA, results indicated no significant main effects of religious affiliation or sexual minority identification on burdensomeness and no statistically significant interaction effects. Some future directions include an investigation of intersecting identities and their impact on belongingness and burdensomeness in Korean American populations.

Cultural Differences In Coping Self-Efficacy, Perceived Social Support, And Satisfaction With Their Legal Advocate In Individuals Who Have Experienced Sexual Assault, Desta Gebregiorgis, Stephanie Quan, Lynette Bikos

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

The King County Sexual Assault Resource Center’s (KCSARC) legal advocacy program assists individuals who have been sexually assaulted to navigate the justice system and serves a diverse clientele. Research suggests that there exists differences between ethnic groups in the qualitative psychological reactions to trauma, prevalence of post-trauma victimization, and use of therapeutic and tangible services. Thus, the purpose of our study is to examine the association between ethnicity, the three critical outcome variables (coping self-efficacy, perceived social support, and legal advocate satisfaction) and posttraumatic recovery.

Religiosity, Trauma, And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder In A Sample Of East African Refugees, Jamie Layton, Mattie O'Boyle, Leanne Zaire, Jake Bentley

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

Somali refugees have been found to experience more exposure to traumatic events than other refugees and asylum seekers (Gerritsen et al, 2006). Culturally, religious beliefs are key to Somali perceptions mental health and well-being (Abu-Raiya & Pargament, 2011; Mulatu, 1999). This study examined organizational religious activity (ORA), non-organizational religious activity (NORA), and intrinsic religiosity as potential moderators of PTSD symptom clusters among a sample of Somali refugees in the United States. Participants were 59 Somali refugees in the Pacific Northwest (Mage = 39 years, 66% male). Results indicated ORA and NORA moderated the relationship between trauma exposure and re-experiencing symptoms …

A Literature Review Of Suicide Research And Practices In Taiwan., Yu-Chin Lin, Keyne Law

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

Suicide reflects social values and is strongly influenced by the local culture (Farberow, 1975). Some researchers adopt an indigenous psychology approach to analyzing constructs of interest, in which the content and context of the local culture are explicitly considered (Yang, 2000). Suicide in Taiwan is associated with expectations, experiences, and consequences unique to the community. A literature review is conducted to provide an overview of the current status of suicide research and practices in Taiwan, and to assess the extent it is influenced by the indigenous psychology approach.

A Review Of Suicide In The Correctional System, Rocky Marks, Keyne Law

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

In the United States of America, suicide is the leading cause of death in jails and the second highest in prisons, with inmates being nine times more likely to die by suicide than the general population, and it is a consistent finding worldwide that suicide rates in custody exceed those in the general population. Contributory factors have been suggested, such as the deinstitutionalization of mental health treatment facilities, and the establishment of correctional liability. This review traces the development of the history of correctional suicide, notable contributing factors and suggest next steps to address this rising issue.

The Impact Of Parenting Stress On Parental Synchronization In Children With Asd, Chloe Quinnett, Miles Feller

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

Parental synchronization is associated with positive child outcomes and social competencies in early childhood. This study investigated if total parenting stress moderated the relationship between child developmental status: autism spectrum disorder (ASD) versus typical development (TD) and parental synchronization. Participants were 43 children (Mage = 4.85 years, 34.9% female, 13 ASD). Results indicated as parenting stress decreased parental synchronization increased for both ASD and TD parent-child dyads. Furthermore, developmental status did not predict parental synchronization scores and parenting stress did not moderate these effects. This research provides evidence for the effect of parenting stress on parental synchronization.

A Pilot Study On Executive Functioning In Mainland Chinese Autistic Preschoolers, Vanessa Zhou, John Strom, Kaitlyn Drafton, Beverly Wilson

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

There is a robust literature on the positive benefits of executive functions (EFs) on academic and social-emotional development in neurotypical Western preschool- and school-aged children. However, there is mixed evidence regarding EF dysfunction in autism and very few studies have investigated EF skills in East Asian autistic children. The purpose of this study was to compare whether preschool-aged, autistic children (n = 21) and neurotypical peers (n=28) in mainland China differed on iPad-delivered measures of EF. Neurotypical children outperformed autistic children on all EF tasks. This study provides preliminary evidence for EF difficulty in Chinese autistic preschoolers compared to neurotypical …

Spfc Virtual Research Conference Program 2020, Seattle Pacific University

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

Full 2020 conference guide with descriptions of each poster or paper presented by students in Seattle Pacific University's School of Psychology, Family, and Community's annual research conference.

Moving Through Depression: Development Of A Dance/Movement Therapy Method In Psychiatric Inpatient Care, Melissa Olmedo

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Short-term psychiatric hospitalization is a challenging health care model due to its short duration of care, treating the highest risk psychiatric population. Priority care within a short-term psychiatric hospitalization involves monitoring a patient’s safety for stabilization by decreasing acute mental health symptoms. Holistic psychotherapy treatment options are needed to meet the severity of patients’ symptoms for effective stabilization within a short-term model of care. This paper investigates the first implementation of a dance/movement therapy (DMT) method within two short-term units in a notable Boston hospital. The DMT group called Mindful Movement was facilitated weekly as single sessions to adults ranging …

The Relationship Between Traumatic Brain Injuries, Impulsivity, And Crime, Brian Ramanauskas

Student Theses

The rate of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are increasing each year, impacting an estimated 1.4 million Americans. After further investigation, researchers have concluded that 8.5% of the general public sustains at least one TBI, whereas this number ranges from 25% to 87% in criminal populations. In the literature, impulsivity is frequently described as poorly conceived, prematurely expressed, or inappropriate behaviors. Additionally, poor impulse control has been shown to significantly impact the likelihood of criminal activity, increasing the rate of recidivism. The current study examined an archival dataset of 95 incarcerated individuals from a private correctional facility in a large mid-Atlantic …

Lyric Analysis And Songwriting With Adolescent’S Processing Complex Trauma, Peyton Mayzel

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This study examines how lyric analysis and songwriting can aid adolescents processing complex developmental traumas. The use of music, lyric analysis, and songwriting can provide a space for adolescents to express themselves and process their struggles they have encountered in their lives. Music, lyric analysis, and songwriting can also be used as a way for adolescents to build their self-identity and help them to make important life decisions. These concepts are all related to the attachment, self-regulation, and competency (ARC) model created by Blaustein & Kinniburgh in 2005. This model is used in treatment with children and adolescents who have …

Connecting To The Self: Increasing Self-Awareness In Children With Asd, Development Of A Method, Madison Janke

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Dance/movement therapy is a popular method utilized with the autism spectrum population due to its focus on increasing social skills, developing relationships, improving function, increasing positive body image, and expanding movement repertoire. The literature indicated that mirroring is the most common and most utilized DMT intervention for this population, but it provided minimal alternative dance/movement therapy interventions. The dance/movement therapy method implemented through this research attempted to provide an alternative to mirroring through the creation of a body outline. This method was developed through the theoretical framework of relational-cultural theory, emphasizing the impact that relationships can have on the shaping …

Creating Connection Through Dance/Movement Therapy Among Older Adults With Dementia: Development Of A Method, Anna J. Barnes

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the use of Dance/movement therapy (D/MT) with a focus on sensory stimulation among individuals living with dementia to promote a higher level of engagement, connection, and reminiscence. This thesis will provide a literature review on the challenges that individuals living with dementia experience and the importance of a person-centered approach to care that is grounded in relationship (Newman-Bluestein & Chang, 2017). Additionally, the role that Dance/movement therapy plays among people with dementia and the benefits of sensory stimulation within this population are also included. Finally, a Dance/movement therapy intervention that was implemented …

Exploring The Experience Of Psychological Distress For Young Adults With Cancer: Implications For A New Diagnosis Of Medical Traumatic Stress, Audrey Ryan

Counseling and Psychology Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate how a serious medical diagnosis, such as cancer, can act as an acute or prolonged trauma. This was explored through the lived experiences of psychological distress of young cancer survivors. Participants were 12 men and women who had been diagnosed with cancer within the past seven years when they were between the ages of 18 and 39. From these interviews several themes emerged that describe the phenomenon of what I have termed medical traumatic stress.

Trauma from a medical event does not currently meet criteria for PTSD in the DSM-5 …