The Relationship Between Symptom Catastrophizing And Sociocultural Factors Among Adults With Persistent Sympathetic Activation Syndromes,
2026
Virginia Commonwealth University
The Relationship Between Symptom Catastrophizing And Sociocultural Factors Among Adults With Persistent Sympathetic Activation Syndromes, Whitney M. Redemer
Theses and Dissertations
Persistent Sympathetic Activation (PSA) has emerged as a potential unifying mechanism underlying a range of complex chronic health conditions yet remains poorly characterized within biomedical and psychosocial research. Limited research has delineated how PSA manifests across diverse populations or how diagnostic and sociocultural factors shape lived experiences of this phenomenon; thus, the objective of the present study was to examine whether diagnostic certainty – operationalized as provider-confirmed versus self-suspected PSA-related diagnoses – is associated with symptom catastrophizing, and whether this relationship varies as a function of sociocultural factors. Drawing on data from a larger study aimed at characterizing the lived …
Survivors Of Historical Intergenerational And Familial Trauma Scale For Black American Descendants Of Enslaved People: A Development And Initial Validation Study,
2026
Northern Illinois University
Survivors Of Historical Intergenerational And Familial Trauma Scale For Black American Descendants Of Enslaved People: A Development And Initial Validation Study, Loryn Chás Kimbrough
Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations
Despite extensive research documenting cultural and racialized trauma, no validated assessment tool had previously captured the intrafamilial mechanisms of trauma transmission specific to the BADEP population, whose trauma lineage is rooted in slavery. The present study addresses this gap through the development and initial validation of the Survivors of Historical Intergenerational and Familial Trauma Scale (SHIFTS), a culturally grounded instrument designed to measure the transmission of historical trauma (HT) and ongoing intergenerational trauma (IGT) among Black American Descendants of Enslaved People (BADEPs). The SHIFTS examines how HT gives rise to the continued transmission of two interrelated legacies: survival-based and trauma-rooted …
Identifying Maltreatment Classes And Their Associated Psychological Outcomes From Childhood To Adolescence,
2026
Northern Illinois University
Identifying Maltreatment Classes And Their Associated Psychological Outcomes From Childhood To Adolescence, Colleen Bartlett
Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations
Previous research has consistently shown that experiencing maltreatment has significant, negative effects on youth’s psychological health; however, research on the psychological impact of maltreatment is often limited by challenges in accurately capturing children’s maltreatment experiences, as most children who are exposed to maltreatment experience multiple types of maltreatment. The present study utilized latent class analyses (LCAs), a person-centered, data-driven approach to empirically identify patterns in children’s maltreatment experiences at ages 3, 5, and 9. Maltreatment class indicators included frequency of behaviorally approximated emotional abuse, physical abuse, and neglect. Following the LCAs, associations between maltreatment class membership and youth internalizing and …
Hierarchical Analysis Of Predictors Of Public Speaking Anxiety,
2026
Eastern Illinois University
Hierarchical Analysis Of Predictors Of Public Speaking Anxiety, Ruimin Peng
Masters Theses
Public speaking anxiety (PSA) is a prevalent type of phobia that shares many similarities with social anxiety. This paper examines factors related to social anxiety and PSA. Previous literature has identified self-efficacy, perfectionism, and fear of negative evaluation (FNE) as factors related to both social anxiety and PSA. However, less attention has been given to fear of positive evaluation (FPE) and international status, although these two factors are likely related to PSA. This study employed hierarchical regression analysis to investigate the predictive power of FPE and international status on PSA, while controlling for self-efficacy, perfectionism, and FNE. FPE, academic status, …
Personality-Based Clinical Predictors Of Transdiagnostic Suicidality In Emotional Disorders,
2026
Eastern Illinois University
Personality-Based Clinical Predictors Of Transdiagnostic Suicidality In Emotional Disorders, Harshini Arun
Masters Theses
No abstract provided.
Religiosity And Spirituality: The Mental Costs And Benefits Of Belief In A College Setting,
2026
Eastern Illinois University
Religiosity And Spirituality: The Mental Costs And Benefits Of Belief In A College Setting, Tyler Geis
Masters Theses
The relationship between religiosity and spirituality (R/S) with mental health has been widely discussed in more recent years. This thesis examines factors related to religiosity, spirituality, depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as how various stigmas toward mental health, mental health treatment, and mental health treatment seeking may relate to R/S and mental health. Previous literature has identified religious coping with hardship, positive and negative dimensions of sin and behavior, the structure of different religious groups, and overall spiritual wellbeing as factors related to R/S, mental health, and beliefs about mental health . However, most previous literature come to differing …
Suicidal Mental Imagery And Its Association With Suicide-Related Disclosure And Suicidal Severity,
2026
Long Island University
Suicidal Mental Imagery And Its Association With Suicide-Related Disclosure And Suicidal Severity, Elisheva S. Rosensweig M.S.
Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-
People utilize two different modes of cognition, experiencing thoughts as mental images or verbal thoughts. Mental imagery tends to be more emotionally arousing and vivid than verbal thoughts, and most suicidal individuals report experiencing suicidal imagery in addition to verbal thoughts. Increasing evidence suggests that suicidal mental imagery is associated with heightened suicide risk, including greater likelihood of prior suicide attempts (e.g., Lawrence et al., 2021). However, suicide risk assessments primarily focus on verbal suicidal thoughts and rarely assess suicidal mental imagery, potentially contributing to the low rates of suicide-related disclosure and challenges identifying individuals at risk. The present study …
Beyond The Identified Patient: Sibling Attachment, Burden, And Coping In The Context Of Mental Illness,
2026
Long Island University
Beyond The Identified Patient: Sibling Attachment, Burden, And Coping In The Context Of Mental Illness, Blaire Fauser M.S.
Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-
A “mental illness” is defined as a condition that causes clinically significant disturbance in cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior. Mental illness is growing increasingly more prevalent and has been found to not only impact the affected individual but also the broader family system. This study examined the impact of having a sibling with a mental illness on the non-diagnosed sibling. Specifically, the study focused on the relationship between siblings’ (sibling attachment), coping mechanisms, and caregiver burden. Previous research has shown that siblings of individuals with mental illness are at a higher risk of developing psychiatric conditions themselves, which is due …
Secure Base Script Behaviors In Romantic Couples As Predictors Of Romantic Relationship Quality,
2026
Long Island University
Secure Base Script Behaviors In Romantic Couples As Predictors Of Romantic Relationship Quality, Ben N. Zigelstein
Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-
Attachment representations guide expectations about the availability and responsiveness of attachment figures during times of need. These representations are shaped by early experiences of consistent, reliable caregiving and influence how individuals seek and receive support from close others across the lifespan. Secure base script knowledge, a temporal-causal sequence of events encompassing the essential elements of seeking and receiving support at times of need, is increasingly used to capture attachment representations. Research indicates that secure base script knowledge significantly predicts the quality of self-reported and observed romantic relationships. However, the extent to which secure base script behaviors (i.e., bidding for support, …
Ethnoracial Disparities In Treatment-Seeking Among Suicidal Adults: Stigma As A Mediator,
2026
Long Island University
Ethnoracial Disparities In Treatment-Seeking Among Suicidal Adults: Stigma As A Mediator, Yiming Huang M.S.
Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-
Despite the disproportionate increase in their suicide risk in recent years, ethnoracially minoritized individuals utilize mental health treatment less frequently than their non-Hispanic, White counterparts. Understanding the underlying mechanisms is crucial to identify strategies to mitigate such disparities. While mental health-related stigma has received attention as a potential mechanism, select types of stigma have been examined in isolation, leaving it unclear which forms of stigma are most relevant to the observed ethnoracial disparities in treatment-seeking among suicidal individuals. The current study assessed and examined a range of stigma constructs as potential mediators of ethnoracial differences in treatment-seeking outcomes among suicidal …
Cross-Domain Identity Development In Bipoc Autistic Adults: A Grounded Theory Study,
2026
Antioch University
Cross-Domain Identity Development In Bipoc Autistic Adults: A Grounded Theory Study, Ginnylyne Mariano Guisadio
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
Racial and autistic identity development both involve navigating stigma, seeking community, and contending with dominant frameworks that constrain authentic self-expression, yet existing research has not examined how these processes interact for individuals holding both identities. These interactions unfold within structural conditions such as diagnostic disparities, culturally specific ableism, and racialized consequences of visible autistic expression, which shape how identity development proceeds for BIPOC autistic adults. This study investigated whether and how the core identity processes of exploration and commitment proceeded for this population. Nine BIPOC autistic adults participated in written interviews analyzed through constructivist grounded theory, with identity status theory …
Stressful Life Events And Ocd Treatment: A Thematic Analysis Of Patient Perspectives,
2026
University of Kentucky
Stressful Life Events And Ocd Treatment: A Thematic Analysis Of Patient Perspectives, Emily E. Fenlon
Theses and Dissertations--Psychology
Trauma exposure, including interpersonal violence (IPV), is associated with increased risk and severity of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Exposure and response prevention (ERP) is the treatment of choice for OCD, yet research suggests a history of trauma and comorbid PTSD may adversely impact treatment outcomes. No studies have yet evaluated patient perspectives on the relationship between trauma, IPV and related sequelae and OCD treatment. The present study applies reflexive thematic analysis to interviews from individuals with a history of IPV who received exposure-based therapy for OCD. Interviews explored the influence of posttraumatic distress, impairment, and psychopathology on the treatment of OCD, …
The Relationship Between Estradiol And Progesterone Concentration Levels, Alcohol Consumption, And Inhibitory Control,
2026
University of Kentucky
The Relationship Between Estradiol And Progesterone Concentration Levels, Alcohol Consumption, And Inhibitory Control, Layne Elizabeth Robinson B.S.
Theses and Dissertations--Psychology
Alcohol use is increasing among women, with estimates for binge drinking having risen to levels similar to those seen in men. Despite this trend, sex differences regarding mechanisms of alcohol consumption have seldom been investigated. Our group and others have found evidence to suggest that ovarian sex hormones are associated with alcohol consumption and mechanisms that might be related to alcohol consumption, such as executive function deficits. The current study sought to extend this prior research in a larger sample with higher drinking rates and more rigorous methods, and to explore inhibitory control associations with drinking. Across the two samples …
Patient Perspectives Of Psychotherapy Duration And Treatment Outcomes,
2026
University of Kentucky
Patient Perspectives Of Psychotherapy Duration And Treatment Outcomes, Doug Terrill
Theses and Dissertations--Psychology
The duration of psychotherapeutic treatment is a longstanding and clinically consequential question in psychotherapy research. Premature dropout from therapy is common, indicating some patients do not receive adequate benefit. On the other hand, some patients remain in treatment beyond the point at which they receive significant benefit, which may delay care for those on patient waitlists. Researchers have proposed two contemporary models of the relation between treatment duration and symptom improvement; 1) the dose-effect (DE) model, which posits that patients improve at similar rates following a negatively accelerated symptom curve, suggesting treatment should end when sessions no longer provide significant …
Effects Of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation On Urge During Cue-Exposure To Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors,
2026
University of Kentucky
Effects Of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation On Urge During Cue-Exposure To Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors, Hannah Rebecca Wild
Theses and Dissertations--Psychology
Body-focused repetitive behaviors (BFRBs) are unnecessary, repetitive grooming behaviors linked to abnormalities in sensory and reward processing, as well as top-down inhibition. The left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) is implicated in these processes and plays a key role in cravings among individuals facing addiction. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) targeting the left dlPFC shows promise in reducing craving for addictive substances. Despite phenomenological similarities between BFRBs and addictive disorders, no controlled studies have examined tDCS’s effect on BFRBs. This study used a randomized, double-blind design to examine whether a single session of anodal multifocal tDCS targeting the left dlPFC reduced …
Comparing Domain- And Facet-Based Models Of Personality Disorder: Incremental Predictive Validity And Model Fit,
2026
University of Kentucky
Comparing Domain- And Facet-Based Models Of Personality Disorder: Incremental Predictive Validity And Model Fit, Alexandra Hines
Theses and Dissertations--Psychology
Personality disorders (PDs) have historically been conferred using a categorical diagnostic framework (i.e., present versus absent). However, recent research supports a transition toward dimensional models of PDs wherein personality traits are measured along a continuum. Some dimensional models contain personality domains only, whereas other models contain both personality domains and facets of each of those domains. The leading models of each type are the PD model in the eleventh edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) and the Alternative Model of Personality Disorders (AMPD) in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), respectively. …
Let's Not Talk About Sex? Exploring Sexual Pain In Orthodox Jewish Women,
2026
Long Island University
Let's Not Talk About Sex? Exploring Sexual Pain In Orthodox Jewish Women, Zehava Gros Schwartzblatt M.S.
Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-
Vaginismus, a genito-pelvic pain disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contraction that renders vaginal penetration painful or impossible, is estimated to affect between 1% and 7% of women worldwide (Laskowska & Gronowski, 2022). Although commonly conceptualized as a medical condition, growing evidence suggests that its etiology is significantly shaped by sociocultural and religious factors (Tugrul & Kabakci, 1997). In particular, belief systems that associate sexuality with immorality, sin, or shame (Cotter, 2015; Lewis et al., 2004), combined with limited sexual education, stigma, and misinformation (Nasserzadeh, 2015), may contribute to the development and maintenance of the disorder. These dynamics are especially salient …
Exploring What Parents And Their Twice-Exceptional Children Need From The Mental Health System,
2026
Long Island University
Exploring What Parents And Their Twice-Exceptional Children Need From The Mental Health System, Mehrnaz Mirhosseini M.S.
Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-
Twice-exceptional (2e) students, defined broadly as those with both high cognitive abilities and disabilities, have unique psychological needs. Many 2e students struggle in school and at home, and their abilities and disabilities tend to mask each other, making it more difficult to diagnose twice-exceptionality (Foley-Nipcon et al., 2013). Additionally, no gold-standard interventions have been identified (Foley-Nicpon & Candler, 2018). These factors and the relative obscurity of twice-exceptionalism can leave parents feeling helpless, confused, and isolated when seeking care for their 2e child. There is no research on which mental health interventions parents believe their 2e children need, as well as …
Doctoral Trainees’ Experiences Of Vicarious Trauma Within Inpatient Settings: An Exploratory Study,
2026
Antioch University
Doctoral Trainees’ Experiences Of Vicarious Trauma Within Inpatient Settings: An Exploratory Study, Melissa Neitlich
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
Vicarious trauma (VT), first coined by Irene Lisa McCann and Anne Pearlman, is described as a pervasive and cumulative impact of working with survivors of trauma, resulting in changes to the therapist’s identity, worldview, psychological needs, beliefs, and memory. In spite of the unique vulnerabilities of doctoral trainees for experiencing VT, there is limited research on the impact of VT among doctoral trainee populations, as most of the extant literature focuses on the impact of VT in middle- to late-career psychological practice. In this primarily qualitative dissertation, I examined trainees’ experiences of vicarious trauma within various inpatient settings using the …
The Use Of Mindfulness In Empirically Supported Treatments In Psychology,
2026
Antioch University Seattle
The Use Of Mindfulness In Empirically Supported Treatments In Psychology, Timothy Stewart
Antioch University Dissertations & Theses
After gaining popularity in the United States of America (USA) in the 1960s and 1970s, Buddhist mindfulness was introduced to clinical psychology and investigated for its potential psychological healing effects. In the years since, mindfulness has been widely used in empirically supported treatments (ESTs) in clinical psychology in the USA to treat a wide variety of psychological conditions and disorders. This dissertation examines and compares conceptualizations and implicit understandings of mindfulness in early (Theravāda) Buddhism and in ESTs in clinical psychology in the USA. Through textual narrative analysis of two Buddhist sutta and 10 clinical psychology journal articles, this study …
