Clinical Psychology Commons^™

Clinical Considerations For Treating Adult Survivors Of Child Sexual Abuse: A Proposal For Integrating Intersubjective Systems Theory And Feminist Perspectives, Kristen Schrijver

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

The goal of this paper is to offer clinical considerations for clinicians working with adult survivors of extrafamilial child sexual abuse (CSA) by 1) defining the stages of sexual abuse grooming of the child and their entire family system, 2) defining and integrating intersubjective and feminist approaches to treatment, and 3) providing methods for depathologizing CSA survivors’ experience of shame. These three objectives aim to increase awareness and knowledge of sexual abuse grooming, as well as offer an integrative theoretical framework for individual therapy with adult survivors of CSA.

Urban School Violence Prevention: A Suggested Intervention Utilizing Liberation Psychology, Meghan K. Hogan

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

In the past decades, numerous programs have been developed in attempts to reduce the rates of violence facing students in American schools. The spotlight on these programs have increased since horrific mass shooting events have taken place throughout the country. Many of these programs have utilized varied methods in their attempt to reduce school-based violence, from the implementation of hardline policies meant to act as violence deterrents to the development of risk assessment teams aimed at identifying and intervening against potential threats; however, few of the existing programs have shown substantial efficacy rates. Additionally, several of the violence prevention programs …

Canine-Assisted Exposure Therapy, Stephanie B. Bono

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

Fear and anxiety are natural reactions to actual threat conditions but can become “pathological” when over-generalized avoidance interferes with long-term wellbeing and valued living. Pervasive experiential avoidance hinders natural extinction processes as it reduces repeated contact with feared stimuli, a condition necessary for extinction to occur. Exposure therapy (ET) is a clinical analogue of extinction, and one of the best evidence-based treatments for fear and anxiety. However, ET’s usefulness suffers in real-world clinical conditions. The current conceptual paper proposes that ET’s limitations may be overcome through a tailored approach that integrates animal-assisted therapy (AAT), specifically the use of dogs, to …

Developing The Label Avoidance Measure Of Stigma: A Preliminary Psychometric Review, Julia J. Cameron

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Stigma acts as a barrier to treatment for mental health concerns. Label avoidance, one of several different aspects that compose the overarching concept of stigma, captures the stigma involved when individuals avoid social institutions that might confer a psychiatric diagnostic label and would mark them as an individual with a mental health problem. Label avoidance has been described as a key stigma construct in the literature but has been sparsely studied. Answering a call in the field for new, psychometrically sound stigma measures, we created a new measure of label avoidance and acquired initial validity and reliability evidence supporting its …

Handicraft Art Leisure Activities And Cognitive Reserve, Genna Mashinchi

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

With increasing age, older individuals face a higher likelihood of developing dementia. The rate of cognitive decline resulting from dementia is not equivalent for all, as some patients with dementia are able to function independently longer than others, despite having similar disease burden. The cognitive reserve (CR) theory provides one explanation for the differing rate of decline. CR suggests that there are factors — most notably, educational and occupational attainment — that can protect against the cognitive decline that is a hallmark of dementia. Although the beneficial effects of these notable CR factors are clear, they may not be modifiable. …

The Effect Of Test Difficulty On Perceived Memory Performance, Phoebe S. Bean

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Neuropsychological testing is a critical element of the assessment and treatment of a host of neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, stroke, and traumatic brain injury. Certain non-neurological variables may also affect an individual’s test performance. Such secondary factors may include current psychiatric issues, chronic pain, sleep, and the effort put forth during testing. Little is known, however, about the effect the testing process itself has on people’s actual and perceived cognitive abilities. For example, the process of undergoing memory testing may, through a variety of mechanisms, influence memory performance and impact the person such that their view of their …

Gender And Sexuality Alliance Advisors' Perceptions Of Self-Efficacy And Social Emotional Competency: An Exploratory Study, Kelly Marie Davis

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Background: Literature consistently demonstrates mental health disparities among sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth due to their unique experiences of discrimination, victimization, and rejection on the basis of their sexual and/or gender identity. Findings from the resilience literature highlight the importance of emotion regulation skills, supportive communities, and a relationship with at least one supportive, stable adult in mitigating risk and thriving despite adversity. Relationships with adults confer tremendous benefit for youth and provide opportunities for youth to learn important social and emotional skills. However, due to the rates of family and school rejection that SGM youth often experience, they …

Do Aces Moderate Expressive Writing Outcomes? Examining The Relationship Between Exposure To Adverse Childhood Experiences And Expressive Writing Outcomes, Nick Vasquez

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Repeated exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increases risks for various physical and mental health problems during adulthood. While research and policy decisions have focused primarily on early interventions and preventions, less research to date has looked at treatment options for adults with high exposure to ACEs. Cognitive behavioral therapies are viewed as an effective alternative; however, the high costs of therapy and limited efficacy for physical health problems warrant research into alternatives. Expressive writing is a well studied alternative to traditional talk-based therapies with limited demographic moderators. However, no research to date has looked at the role of ACEs …

How Do You Talk To Yourself? – The Effects Of Pronoun Usage And Interpersonal Qualities Of Self-Talk, Sonya M. Bisol

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Abstract

Self-talk is defined as an inner voice that addresses the self, usually silently but sometimes aloud, with content that is self-relevant. In two studies, this work investigates the pronouns people use within their self-talk, classified by a newly developed pronoun coding scheme, and the interpersonal qualities of self-talk, characterized by an interpersonal framework. For each study we also explore how pronoun usage and interpersonal self-talk styles relate to each other, and to other important variables that pertain to the possible causes and effects of self-talk. In our first study, 131 participants completed a structured interview in which they provided …

Lived Experience: The Training Of Therapists, Actors & Human Beings, Richard Williams

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

There is much in common between theater and therapy. Both happen live. Both are explorations of human experience. Both require participants to be emotionally and mentally present. Both are hard to do well (and easy to do poorly). Training to be a clinical psychologist requires hours of coursework, administrative work, supervision, and on the job clinical experience. Training to be a professional theater maker or actor requires hours of rehearsal. The elements of acting are deconstructed during training so that rehearsal consists of voice-work, physical theater, scene study, etcetera. Training to be an actor entails much more practice of the …

Resilience In Cancer Patients, Lori A. Gardner

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

The phenomenon of resilience has long been identified as a key talking point within the realm of overall mental health, but the concept’s specific meaning, qualities, and sources remain somewhat elusive. For those with chronic health conditions, resilience is often identified as essential to coping effectively with significant disruptions to daily activities. The purpose of this study was to better understand the concept of resilience and to determine themes that underlie resilience, specifically within a cancer patient population. This goal was addressed by using a qualitative approach to elicit commonalities among the experiences of cancer patients representing varying types and …

Occupational Depression, Cognitive Performance, And Task Appreciation: A Study Based On Raven’S Advanced Progressive Matrices, Renzo Bianchi, Irvin Sam Schonfeld

Publications and Research

The Occupational Depression Inventory (ODI) was recently developed to assess depressive symptoms that individuals specifically attribute to their work. Research on the criterion validity of the instrument is still in its infancy. In this study, we examined whether the ODI predicted performance on, and appreciation of, a cognitively challenging test. In light of the link established between clinical depression and neuropsychological impairment, and considering that individuals with depressive symptoms are more likely to feel helpless under challenging circumstances, we hypothesized that occupational depression would be associated with poorer cognitive performance and a darkened appreciation of the task undertaken. We relied …

Understanding Resilience And Protective Factors Among Released Offenders, Vanke'via Garner

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Approximately 650,000 offenders are being released from prison or jail per year in the USA. After incarceration, released offenders encounter a myriad of challenges that prohibit successful transition into the community. Research has focused on the risk factors that contribute to recidivism – relapse into criminal activity, with limited focus on protective factors that contribute to desistance from criminal activity. Existing research has relied on several theories to hypothesize and explain the causes of desistance, with research suggesting that individual subjective factors and social factors are essential to the desistance process. This study was therefore guided by two theories – …

Personal Technology Use, Social Media, And Daily Affect In Emerging Adults, William Crabtree

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Personal social and communication technology has been widely adopted by the world in the 21^st century. With this widespread worldwide adoption, significant controversy exists debating the effects these social technologies have. Specifically, there is a strong debate in the scientific literature over the psychological effects of social technologies, smartphones, and social media usage. Some arguments are made that modern technology can help improve psychological well-being, whilst others claim it has destroyed a generation of adolescents and merging adults. The present thesis aims to address this debate by exploring the current research from a variety of methodologies about social technology …

A Cross Sectional Study On Resilience And Coping Strategies Among Medical Officers During The Covid-19 Pandemic And It's Association With Depression And Anxiety, Rahul Yong Wern Kean

Student Works (2020-2029)

Introduction: The mental well-being of medical officers during the Covid-19 pandemic is becoming an increasing concern. The on-going pandemic has drastically increased work demands for doctors and this resulted in high levels of stress, depression and burnout among medical officers. Objectives: This study aims to determine the patterns of resilience and coping strategies of front-line medical officers during the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as their association with depression and anxiety. Study design: This is a single center, cross sectional study on Covid-19 front-line medical officers posted in medical wards in Hospital Tuanku Ja’afar, Seremban. The instruments used were a sociodemographic …

Depression, Anxiety, Perceived Social Support And Associated Factors Among Elderly Nursing Home Residents In The Klang Valley, Pritiss Nair

Student Works (2020-2029)

Introduction: Depression and anxiety among the elderly brings about various adversities which affects the physical and psychological state of an individual and is a leading cause of disability worldwide and a primary contributor to the global burden of disease. Meanwhile, perceived social support from family members, relatives or friends, may improve an individual’s conduct, coping, physical and psychological well-being. Objectives: This study aims to determine the prevalence of depression and anxiety, perceived social support as well as the socio-demographic correlates among elderly residents residing in nursing homes in the Klang Valley. Study Design: It is a cross-sectional study conducted among …

Understanding The Psychological Experience And Perspective Of Frontline Healthcare Workers And Psychological First Aid Providers During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study, Hemavathi Shanmugam

Student Works (2020-2029)

Background: The growing number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases since December 2019 has led to burnout and psychological distress among the frontline healthcare workers (HCWs). In Malaysia, remote Psychological First Aid (PFA) via teleconsultation was launched to ameliorate the mental health distress among HCWs. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to understand the psychological experience and perspective of frontline HCWs and PFA providers as a guide in improvising the delivery of the remote PFA service during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: A descriptive qualitative research design based on semi-structured individual in-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 30 …

Mentoring In The Training Cycle Of Clinical And Counseling Psychology Doctoral Students: A Critical Review Of The Literature, Hélène Farr

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents a critical review and analysis of the literature on mentoring in clinical and counseling psychology training programs. It provides background information on the mentoring process and a detailed analysis of current empirical research pertaining to mentoring in the training cycle of clinical and counseling psychology doctoral trainees through predoctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship to licensure. The goal of this review is to highlight the importance and benefits of mentorship for mentors, protégés, institutions or universities, and for the profession of psychology. There are few studies focused on mentorship during psychology training, therefore recommendations are made for future …

Japanese American Internment Experience And The Impact On Parent-Child Relationships, Jazmine Miyoshi Miyake

Theses and Dissertations

During World War II and after the attacks on Pearl Harbor, the United States confined 120,000Japanese Americans in internment camps. The current study examined the incarceration of Japanese American citizens and its effect on parenting across generations. Specifically, the study examined parent-child relationships and the possible emergence of the relationship-directed parenting orientation across generations within this specific population. In order to examine the research objectives, the proposed qualitative research study utilized archived interview data. The interviews were conducted with participants of Japanese American descent who were incarcerated in camps during World War II and/or their family members. A hermeneutic phenomenological …

The Impact Of Exercise On Adolescents With Depression: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Matthew P. Kloeris

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the present study was to summarize and synthesize the research that pertains to the impact of aerobic exercise on adolescents with depression. This review addressed aerobic exercise as a mental health treatment, such as differences between (a) post-intervention and follow-up response and remission rates; (b) exercise in lieu of psychotherapy or exercise as an adjunct to psychotherapy; and (c) response and remission rates amongst minority gender and racial and ethnic groups. The search results produced a total of 2,122 articles. Of which, eight articles were eligible for the present systematic review. Based on the results, it appears …