Clinical Psychology Commons^™

The Link Between Trauma, Chronic Pain, And Disease, Jessica Caniff

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Psychological trauma and early life adversity have been significantly connected to elevated incidence of disease, chronic pain, and premature death. Trauma exposure can result in shortened telomere length in chromosomes and advanced biological aging. Epigenetics and the modification of gene expression through methylation of DNA can be directly affected by traumatic experiences. Aversive childhood experiences are globally linked to increased likelihood of risk factors for disease, death, and wellbeing throughout life. Sleep deprivation and disruption is a common symptom of trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder. Loss of sleep has a remarkably detrimental impact on the immune and cardiovascular systems …

The Lived Experience Of La Raza’S Membership In Lowrider Car Clubs: A Phenomenological Study, Elizabeth Ramos

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Lowriding is a cultural practice that has become a way of life among some Raza or individuals of Mexican descent. However, the literature lacks an understanding of these individuals and what has influenced their participation in car clubs. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the lived experience of Raza, who are members of lowrider car clubs. The theoretical frameworks were Erikson’s identity development theory, social identity theory, and Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory. These guided this qualitative study to answer the following research questions: How Raza described their lived experience as members of a lowrider car club and …

Empathy And Risk For Compassion Fatigue Among Immigrant African Pastors In The United States, Paul Affar Meenu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The importance of caregiver empathy in positive client outcomes has been established in the literature. However, helping traumatized people has a potentially deleterious emotional effect on the helping professional, putting them at risk for compassion fatigue. The stress-process model provided the framework for the study. Survey data were collected from 138 immigrant African pastors in the United States. Compassion fatigue dimensions were measured by the Professional Quality of Life Scale, and empathy dimensions were measured by the Empathy Assessment Index. Results of multivariate canonical correlation analysis revealed that empathy predicts compassion fatigue susceptibility. Pastors who scored low on empathy subscales …

Behavioral Strategies And Predicting Impulsive Aggression In Among Students With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Raul Alafa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have explored the relationship between the application of written attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) impulsive aggression (IA) behavioral intervention strategies with current public-school educational plans in reducing aggression and how exclusion of behavioral strategies may increase aggression and impact students’ long-term ability to control emotions. However, the social learning theory of aggression suggests that positive self-efficacy and modeling may improve effective coping. This study explored the relationship between aggression as measured by the modified overt aggression scale and the individualized education program (IEP)/504 Plan behavioral strategies’ effectiveness for ADHD aggression as measured by a repeated measured analysis of variance. Data …

Religiosity And Psychological Inflexibility On Grief Outcomes Of The Suicide-Bereaved, Samantha Algauer

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Most research on religion supports its efficacy in improving mental health, yet minimal research has been conducted on religion’s influence on grief specific to those who have lost someone to suicide (i.e., the suicide-bereaved). Psychological inflexibility has also been associated with poorer grief and mental health outcomes. The primary objective of this study was to assess the impact of religiosity and psychological inflexibility on grief outcomes among a suicide-bereaved sample of 323 participants. Participants were recruited through online and face-to-face convenience sampling. Using a between-subjects, two-way ANCOVA design, this quasi-experimental study divided participants into four groups based on high and …

The Relationship Between Nostalgia, Life Meaningfulness, And Distress Tolerance Within A Chronic Pain Population, Samantha Lyon

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Nostalgia, defined as a bittersweet longing for the past, has been found to buffer against existential threats through increasing perception of meaning in life (MIL). MIL consists of subconstructs including coherence, significance, and purpose. The relationship between nostalgia and the subconstructs of MIL has not been fully established and which MIL component(s) nostalgia affects is unknown. The primary objective of this study was to better understand the relationship between nostalgia and components of MIL as well as psychological wellness within a chronic pain population. It was hypothesized that participants high in trait nostalgia would have a higher overall MIL score …

A Qualitative Study Of Burnout In Graduate Students Enrolled In Healthcare Programs, Kaylene Irizarry

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Burnout has not been defined in a universal and operational manner that is agreed upon by professionals. Burnout is prevalent among graduate students, has many negative side effects, and is not well understood. The experience of burnout varies by population. The lack of clear understanding makes assessment of burnout difficult. Assessment of burnout is difficult between groups because of the ambiguity of the construct and lack of construct validity with other terms. The purpose of this research was to identify shared themes related to burnout in graduate student populations in health-related programs and to gain insight into students’ perspectives on …

Addressing Cultural Considerations Of African Americans In Interdisciplinary Care, Ashley M. Smith

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Communication and appreciation for culturally significant factors are essential to the helping relationship between the patient and the interdisciplinary team members in the health care setting. Historically, the relationship between African Americans and health care professionals in the American health care system has been one of mistrust based on unequal treatment, stereotypes, and other factors negatively affecting rapport. The main purpose of this study was to identify the cultural considerations within the Black and African American communities and their impact on the relationship between interdisciplinary care team members and their African American patients. This study used a qualitative grounded theory …

Risk And Protective Factors Associated With Psychosocial Functioning In 911 Operators And Dispatchers, Margarett Molina

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

911 operators and dispatchers are considered the true “first responders” to life-threatening emergencies. Their responsibilities include responding to individuals in crisis, deciding appropriate emergency responses, gathering vital information, offering emergency instruction, and providing detailed updates about the response to callers and emergency workers. This high rate of exposure to traumatizing events enhances the risk for pathology, including posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and depressive symptoms. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between social supports, coping style, and sleep as it relates to PTSS and depressive symptoms in 911 operators and dispatchers. Multiple linear regression models were computed …

Differences In Internalizing Symptoms And Cognitive Functioning In Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder And Sluggish Cognitive Tempo, Avery B. Ducey

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT) is a recently identified mental health construct. Currently, no widely accepted diagnostic criteria for SCT exist, and it is not recognized in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.; DSM-5). There is debate in the psychological community as to whether SCT is better conceptualized as an atypical presentation of attentiondeficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or a unique symptom cluster comprised of ADHD and additional psychological and neurocognitive symptoms. When controlling for ADHD symptomatology, SCT has been found to be associated with internalizing symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, as well as …

Examining Physicians’ Attitudes And Knowledge Regarding Medical Marijuana, Philip Kaplan

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Marijuana is one of the most commonly used illicit substances in the U.S. and its rapid implementation as a form of treatment has sparked significant national attention and debate among clinicians. In the United States, medical marijuana (MM) may be recommended as a form of treatment by certified physicians. The purpose of this study was to examine licensed physicians’ support for recommending MM for various health conditions, their perceived knowledge regarding its efficacy as treatment, and their attitudes toward MM. This study employed a correlational design utilizing a self-administered, online survey (PCOM REDCap) to collect quantitative information from licensed and …

Reduced Recidivism In Drug Offenders By Treatment Involving Motivational Interviewing, Meleeka Clary

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractIncarcerated substance users frequently recidivate because of a lack of substance treatment; it was not known whether motivational interviewing (MI) significantly reduces recidivism among substance users. The purpose of this quantitative study was to evaluate the effectiveness of MI as a treatment method for reducing recidivism among incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders. Social cognitive and extrinsic motivation theories served as the theoretical foundation for the study. Motivation is an important factor in offender engagement with treatment and has been linked to improved treatment outcomes. The research questions asked whether the availability of MI in detention facilities was significantly related …

New York City Police Officers’ Experiences Of 9/11, Christine Fiore

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractPolice officers were some of the first responders to the World Trade Center bombings on September 11, 2001. Longitudinal studies have revealed that some New York City (NYC) police officers were better able to cope than others, yet the long-term effects of officers’ coping strategies are unknown. The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to explore the coping strategies used by NYC police officers during 9/11 and how these police officers continue to cope with their experiences today. Lazarus and Folkman’s transactional model of stress and coping provided the foundation for this study. The participants included nine NYC police …

Examining Moderators Of The Relationship Between Social Support And Self-Reported Ptsd Symptoms: A Meta-Analysis, Alyson K. Zalta, Vanessa Tirone, Daria Orlowska, Rebecca K. Blais, Ashton Lofgreen, Brian Klassen, Philip Held, Natalie R. Stevens, Elizabeth Adkins, Amy L. Dent

University Libraries Faculty & Staff Publications

Social support is one of the most robust predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Yet, little is known about factors that moderate the relationship between social support and PTSD symptom severity. This meta-analysis estimated the overall effect size of the relationship between self-reported social support and PTSD severity and tested meaningful demographic, social support, and trauma characteristics that may moderate this association using both cross-sectional and longitudinal effect sizes. A comprehensive search identified 139 studies with 145 independent cross-sectional effect sizes representing 62,803 individuals, and 37 studies with 38 independent longitudinal effect sizes representing 25,792 individuals. Study samples had to …

Examining How Adverse Childhood Experiences And The Underlying Processes Of Trait And State Impulsivity Influence Suicidal Behavior, Julia K. Duran

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

ABSTRACT

Due to the effects of ACEs and impulsive behavior on mental and physical health, it is important to better understand the relationship between these two as well as how they both may influence choices, such as suicide. Numerous studies have identified impulsive behavior as a risk factor for suicide, however, recent research has identified several underlying independent processes that make up impulsivity. This study uses a broad assessment of trait and state impulsivity to gather a more discrete understanding of the underlying processes that contribute to impulsive behavior. The short version UPPS-P scale was used to measure negative urgency, …

What Influences Suffering In Silence: Examining Mental Health Stigma, Social-Cognitive Factors, And Age As Predictors Of The Willingness To Seek Professional Psychological Help, Bobbie Call

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

Mental health and wellness are increasingly common and popular topics discussed and researched in the world today. Recent estimates suggest that one in five adults in the United States of America experience mental health issues each year; this is estimated to be approximately 51.5 million adults (NAMI, 2020). However, despite many individuals who might suffer from mental health issues, and perhaps be diagnosed with a mental health disorder, these same individuals may not seek out the help and psychological services needed. Research exploring why people do not seek out help for their mental health should be a priority. Thus, the …

The Role Of Social Anxiety In Prosocial Behavior Following Exclusion, Hannah Friedman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Social anxiety (SA) causes significant distress and impairment in several areas of daily life. Individuals with SA experience increased rates of exclusion and have more difficultly forming meaningful interpersonal relationships. Exclusion is associated with increased SA and motivations for social withdrawal in emerging adulthood. In non-SA individuals, the desire for compensatory social interaction following exclusion often produces prosocial behaviors (e.g., increased effort to help the group). Prosocial behavior levels following exclusion are not uniform, however, as an individual’s response may vary depending on the type of exclusion experienced. Although previous work has observed decreased levels of prosocial behavior in non-SA …

The Influence Of Emotion Regulation And Family Involvement On Diabetes Distress Among Adults With Type 2 Diabetes, Patric Justin Leukel

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Adults with diabetes frequently experience diabetes related distress which is associated with negative health outcomes. Family members are commonly involved in patients’ diabetes self-management. However, family involvement can have harmful and/or helpful effects on patients’ diabetes outcomes. Difficulties in regulating emotions may play a role in patients’ interactions with family members and experience of diabetes distress. This study examined the role of emotion regulation and type of family involvement in diabetes distress among 370 adults with type 2 diabetes. Two separate three-step sequential linear regression models were used to test the main and interactive effects of harmful and helpful family …

The Trajectory Of Resilience, Meaning In Life, Social Support, Posttraumatic Growth, And Posttraumatic Stress For Emerging Adult Trauma Survivors, Marcela C. Weber

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: The literature suggests the relationship between posttraumatic growth (PTG) and posttraumatic stress (PTS) is curvilinear, and that type or severity of trauma may affect this relationship. The relationship between depression, anxiety, and PTG is understudied. It is well established that meaning in life predicts PTG, PTS, and resilience, yet most of the research has measured general perceived meaning rather than meaning beyond-the-self, specifically, which was initially theorized by mid-century Humanistic psychologists. Mixed findings about whether searching for meaning is beneficial or harmful suggests potential moderators of search for meaning should be explored. METHOD: Participants (N = 628) were emerging …

Cognitive Mechanisms Underlying The Relationship Between Social Media Use And Depressive Symptoms, Mary Le

PCOM Psychology Dissertations

Social media continues to grow in popularity but has been associated with diminished mental health in some users. Social media provides a platform for social comparison, which influences how individuals evaluate their traits, abilities, and successes in achieving life milestones and, in turn, may impact psychological functioning. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether social comparison and cognitive distortions mediated the relationship between social media use and depressive symptoms in younger adults. In total, 175 adults between the ages of 18 and 29 years were recruited online (64.6% male, 34.9% female; 45.7% Asian). Participants completed anonymous surveys …