Clinical Psychology Commons^™

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 …

Knowledge Of Autism Spectrum Disorder In Medical Students And Residents, Laura Katherine Hansen, Tammy D. Barry

Research Days

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Perceived Heterosexism In Posttraumatic Stress Symptom Severity Among Trauma-Exposed Sexual Minority Individuals, Natalie M. Cereseto

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis employed structured posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assessments, a micro-longitudinal 30-day daily diary assessment, and multilevel modeling to investigate the unique and interactive effects of traumatic stress and daily sexual minority-related discrimination on PTSD symptoms and negative affect in a diverse sample of 38 trauma-exposed SM individuals.

Interpersonal Emotion Regulation, Suicide Attempts, And Self-Injurious Behavior, Mariah Xu

Theses and Dissertations

Emotion dysregulation and intense affect have been found to differentiate people who only think about suicide from people who attempt suicide, and social support is a protective factor against suicide attempts. Prior research has not conceptualized social influences on affective processes as a cohesive process in the development and evaluation of suicide risk. The current study investigates the role of interpersonal emotion regulation (IER), or how others manage or change individuals’ emotions, in both chronic and acute suicide risk. IER can contribute to chronic suicide risk by influencing intrapersonal emotion regulation long-term, and increasing acquired capability through dysregulated behaviors such …

Choices: An Evaluation Of A Program Aimed At Reducing Criminogenic Thinking Among Incarcerated Women, Alexa Carbajal

Doctoral Dissertations

It is widely understood that incarceration rates in the United States is staggering and that little is understood about the effectiveness of treatment modalities used in jails to curb rates of recidivism. It was the goal of this program evaluation to utilize qualitative and quantitative research methods to determine what the strengths and weaknesses are of the Women's Choices Program (a substance use treatment program in a Bay Area jail). The results obtained from the study informed suggestions for program development.