Clinical Psychology Commons^™

Beyond Ssris: Omega-3 Fatty Acids And The Neurobiology Of Impulsivity In Borderline Personality Disorder, Sujean Doo

Scripps Senior Theses

Impulsivity is a central and clinically significant dimension of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), and is strongly associated with self-harm, aggression, and suicide risk. Despite its prognostic importance, pharmacologic management of impulsivity in BPD remains inconsistent. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are frequently prescribed; however, randomized controlled trials demonstrate limited efficacy for impulsive-aggression, and some patients experience a paradoxical behavioral activation. Meta-analytic and systematic reviews further suggest that mood stabilizers and second-generation antipsychotics may outperform antidepressants, yet no specific medication is indicated to target impulsive behavioral dyscontrol.

This thesis synthesizes findings from systematic reviews, randomized trials, and neuroimaging research to evaluate …

Behind The Curtain: A Literature Review Of Personal And Ecological Risk Factors And Current Multi-Level Interventions For Performing Artists, Christopher A. Robles

Social Work Theses

Performing artists experience psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, burnout, and substance use disorders, at rates significantly exceeding those of the general population. Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory (EST) and the Person-in-Environment (PIE) perspective, this structured literature review synthesizes research published between 2010 and 2026 to examine individual personality traits, environmental stressors across meso- and macro-systems, and existing multi-level mental health interventions for performing artists. Findings reveal that while traits such as high openness to experience, sensory processing sensitivity, and perfectionism foster artistic expression, they also heighten vulnerability to occupational stressors, financial precarity, social isolation, and venue-based substance exposure. Current …

Development And Validation Of The Ipip-Ocean: A Hierarchical Facet-Level Measure Of The Big Five, Caleb Niccum

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This study focused on developing a mid-range, hierarchical, five-factor, 20-facet personality inventory (the IPIP-OCEAN) composed of 100 items drawn from both the IPIP-NEO-300 and the Abridged Big Five Circumplex. Hierarchical confirmatory factor analysis was used to validate the factor structure. Depression and anxiety, measured with the PHQ-9 and GAD-7, were used to further validate the measure through discriminant and convergent validity by examining whether the domains and facets of the IPIP-OCEAN produced findings consistent with those reported for similar scales in prior depression and anxiety research. Numerous factor analyses were conducted on the IPIP-OCEAN dataset (N = 1,058), and a …

Family Functioning And Stress In Arab American Young Adults, Sahar Kaouk

Selected Full-Text Dissertations 2020-

Family functioning plays a central role in the lives of Arab American young adults, yet little research has examined how family dynamics relate to stress in this population. Guided by Bowen’s (1978) Family Systems Theory, this study investigated the relationship between family functioning and perceived stress, as well as the roles of Differentiation of Self (DoS), Reflective Coping, and collectivistic orientation. Participants included 225 young adults ages 18 to 25 who self-identified as Arab American. Data were collected using self-report measures, and structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized model. Results indicated that family functioning was indirectly related …

Showpony, George Theodore Ellington

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

The poetry collection Showpony focuses on the real-life experiences of a woman in her twenties during the 1970s, who is treated by psychiatrist Dr. Robert J. Stoller at UCLA in a desperate attempt to make her normal. Mrs. G struggles with homicidal and suicidal thoughts, psychosis, as well as her homosexuality and transgender identity. Showpony examines the ways in which psychology has pathologized these experiences and the ramifications for patients, particularly those who have been publicly showcased as examples of their conditions used to train future students. The collection critiques the exploitation of patients by psychiatrists and psychologists, highlighting unethical …

Intergenerational Resilience: Exploring Whether Positive Childhood Experiences Buffer The Transmission Of Harsh And Neglectful Parenting, Patricia J. Dixon

West Chester University Doctoral Projects

Childhood abuse and neglect are associated with lasting negative mental and physical health outcomes across the lifespan. In contrast, positive childhood experiences (PCEs) can promote long-term health and wellbeing and mitigate the harmful effects of childhood adversity. A primary risk factor for child maltreatment is parental experiences of maltreatment whereby history of childhood trauma increases the likelihood of utilizing harsh and/or neglectful parenting towards one’s children. This study employed secondary data analysis of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health to test whether cumulative PCEs confer protective effects against the generational transmission of harsh and neglectful parenting. Consistent …

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

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

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

The Impact Of Long Covid On Mental Health, Marzena Podkalicka

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

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

Impact Of Borderline Personality Features On Menstrual Phases And Pain Perception, Morgan Maples

Dissertations and Theses

Pain is a pervasive global health concern that affects approximately one in five adults worldwide and carries substantial psychological and economic costs. Chronic and persistent pain often co-occurs with emotional dysregulation and maladaptive coping behavior, suggesting the involvement of complex biopsychosocial mechanisms including personality pathology. Specifically, borderline personality disorder (BPD) features, have been associated with altered pain perception, increased emotional reactivity, and higher engagement in non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Further, hormonal fluctuations across menstrual cycle phases have been linked to variability in pain sensitivity, though findings remain inconsistent. Despite the growing body of literature on pain and personality, little is known …

Mild Cognitive Impairment (Mci) And Exceptional Parental Longevity: A Retrospective, Longitudinal Approach, Deepak Seshadri M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

The specific determinants and mechanisms of genetic longevity are an intriguing area of research. There is evidence to show that longevity and associated phenotypes of successful aging are partially determined by genetic factors (Adams et al. 2008; Barzilai et al. 2006; Barzilai et al. 2003; Murabito et al. 2013; Newman et al. 2011). Further research shows that offspring of parents with exceptional longevity (OPEL) may age more successfully and be protected from age related decline than the offspring of parents with usual survival (OPUS) (Ayers et al. 2014; Barzilai et al. 2006; Barzilai et al. 2003). Studies demonstrated an inverse …

Associations Between Cognitive Scripts Of Insecure And Anomalous Attachment And Psychopathology Symptoms In A Normative-Risk Community Sample, Andrea “Andie” Youniss M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Adult insecure and disorganized attachment representations have been shown to be consistently associated with internalizing and externalizing symptoms in adulthood. A recently validated coding system (Groh & Haydon, 2024) was developed to assess insecure (i.e., deactivating and hyperactivating) and disorganized (i.e., anomalous) scripted attachment representations via the Attachment Script Assessment (ASA; Waters & Waters, 2006) – a word prompt task traditionally designed to assess secure base script knowledge. Deactivating scripts reflect minimized or ignored attachment-relevant problems; hyperactivating scripts entail exacerbated attachment-relevant issues; and scripts with anomalous content contain disorganized or contradictory attachment-relevant concerns that shape how caregiving interactions are expected …

Culturally Responsive Dialectical Behavior Therapy With Chinese Sexual And Gender Minority Individuals: A Qualitative Study, Weiyi Liao M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Professional guidelines emphasize the importance of adapting evidence-based treatments to the cultural and contextual needs of minoritized populations. Although substantial research has examined lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) mental health, comparatively little is known about the psychotherapy experiences of Chinese sexual and gender minority individuals or how dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) may be delivered responsively with this population. DBT is an evidence-based treatment for emotion dysregulation, self-harm, and suicidal behavior that explicitly addresses the effects of invalidating environments. Because Chinese cultural contexts and LGBTQ-related minority stress may both shape emotional expression, help-seeking, and treatment experiences, this qualitative study …

To Use Silence Or Not Use Silence? A Qualitative Study Of Psychoanalysts’ Experience With Silence In Psychotherapy, Topaz Baumvoll M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Silence plays a multifaceted role within psychoanalytic theory and practice, yet remains understudied in therapeutic communication. While existing literature acknowledges silence as a significant aspect of therapeutic interaction, empirical studies specifically focusing on how psychoanalysts employ silence are scarce. This qualitative study addressed this gap by exploring how psychoanalysts understood and utilized silence in psychodynamic psychotherapy, identifying factors that influenced their perceptions of its use, and examining whether silence was experienced as conducive or obstructive to therapeutic interaction. Thirteen psychoanalysts (10 women, 3 men), aged 43 to 70, with diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds and representing heterosexual and gay/queer orientations, …

The Utility And Application Of Exposure And Response Prevention For Religious Scrupulosity In Orthodox Jews: A Critical Literature Review, Michael (Avi) Gurell M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Religious scrupulosity is a subset of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) characterized by obsessions and compulsions related to religious beliefs and observances (Abramowitz et al., 2002; Miller & Hedges, 2008). Exposure and response prevention (E/RP) is the most effective psychological intervention for OCD and is also the recommended treatment for religious scrupulosity (Abramowitz, 2006; Abramowitz & Buchholtz, 2020). Orthodox Judaism has a set of beliefs and observances, some of which may challenge the appropriateness of using E/RP in this population (Huppert et al., 2007; Huppert & Siev, 2010). Although studies (e.g., Bonchek & Greenberg, 2009; Greenberg & Shefler, 2008) have examined aspects …

The Impacts Of Outside Friendships On Marital Satisfaction In The Orthodox Jewish Population, Rebecca Elberger

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

There is robust literature that supports the idea that maintaining a strong network of friends and social ties can help reduce the pressure on marriage and contribute to a more balanced and fulfilling life. Additionally, George et al. (2023) found that friendships significantly impact relational satisfaction, across individual, family, and mutual friend groups. A regression analysis in their study revealed that family support for the relationship and liking the partner were the greatest predictors of satisfaction. There are approximately 2 million Jewish people in the Greater New York area and there has been a steady increase in the Jewish population …

Mothers' Perspectives Of Behavioral Parent Training: A Qualitative Study, Ryan Schare M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Externalizing disorders such as oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are the most common difficulties children face, with only half of children with these diagnoses receiving mental health treatment (Ghandour et al., 2019). Behavioral parent training (BPT) has been shown to be effective for treating externalizing disorders, yet parents exhibit low attendance and high dropout rates (Chacko et al., 2016). Researchers have examined parental acceptability of specific BPT skills (e.g., Calzada et al., 2013); however, no studies have focused on parents’ perceptions of BPT as an overall treatment package prior to participating in BPT. The present …

Experiences Of Jewish Women In Continuous Identity Cognitive Therapy And The Conceptual Alignment Of Treatment Goals Of Dialectical Behavior Therapy Stages 3 And 4, Elisabeth Zigelstein

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Stages 1 and 2 of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which emphasize behavioral control and emotional experiencing, have received considerable operational and empirical attention, unlike the latter two stages of DBT which are meant to help individuals develop meaningful and fulfilling lives. CI-CT is a novel 12-week manualized group-psychotherapy intervention designed to enhance individuals’ connection to their life stories, future selves, and positive identities, while supporting the development of meaning-making and goal-directed behavior following suicidal crises and/or in the context of severe mental illness. This qualitative study explored 13 Jewish women’s experiences participating in a 10-session adaptation of CI-CT, following completion …

Formal Vs. Informal Disclosure Of Campus Sexual Assault: Social Reactions, Institutional Responses, And Associated Posttraumatic Stress, Karyna Fowler

Honors Theses

With research demonstrating increasing rates of sexual victimization on college campuses (Koss et al., 1987; Koss et al., 2022), sexual assault disclosure has become a critical construct with implications for victim-survivors’ posttraumatic stress (PTS) and healing. In the present mixed-methods study, college students (N = 558) at Bucknell University completed a survey assessing sexual victimization, disclosure, peer responses, institutional betrayal and support, and PTS; a subset (n = 9) participated in qualitative interviews examining social reactions, barriers to disclosure, and present functioning. Consistent with hypotheses, women reported significantly higher rates of sexual victimization than men; disclosure was relatively infrequent (26.5%) …

The Use Of Virtual Reality In Ptsd Research And Practice, Kenneth B. Abrams, Lindsay Okindo, Marta E. Bacon, Yiking Skylar Yu, Sofia Santamaria Germani, Malvika Malhotra, Nancy A. Cullen

Psychology Faculty Work

In the aftermath of traumatic events such as combat, sexual violence, or a natural disaster, individuals may develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Technological advancements in virtual reality (VR) over the past few decades have opened new avenues for improving the assessment, treatment, and understanding of PTSD. VR allows users to be immersed in interactive, computer-generated environments that simulate real-world scenarios, such as a warzone or assault location, that would be difficult or unsafe to reproduce using traditional methods. The present paper offers an overview of how VR technology has been employed in both clinical and research settings related to PTSD. …

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

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

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