A Daily Diary Investigation Of Discrimination And Binge Eating Among Lesbian Women,
2015
Old Dominion University
A Daily Diary Investigation Of Discrimination And Binge Eating Among Lesbian Women, Tyler Mason
Psychology Theses & Dissertations
Lesbian women may experience discrimination because of their gender and their sexual orientation termed sexism and heterosexism, respectively. Both sexism and heterosexism are associated with increased psychological distress and negative affect among lesbian women. Furthermore, preliminary evidence suggests that heterosexism is associated with binge eating among lesbian women. However, the relationship between discrimination and binge eating has received limited empirical examination. This study examined associations between sexism and heterosexism, negative affect, and binge eating using a daily diary methodology. Participants were recruited online through social media and LGBT organizations after completing an online eligibility survey with measures of demographics, binge …
Examining The Measurement Invariance Of The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form Internalizing Specific Problem Scales In African- American And Caucasian Men,
2015
Old Dominion University
Examining The Measurement Invariance Of The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form Internalizing Specific Problem Scales In African- American And Caucasian Men, Megan Anne Brokenbourgh
Psychology Theses & Dissertations
Test bias has long been an area of investigation in the personality assessment literature, including the MMPI-2-RF. Research on previous versions of the MMPI and MMPI-2-RF has pointed to mixed results. The current study aims to examine test bias on the MMPI-2-RF’s nine Internalizing Specific Problem Scales by examining measurement invariance using MIMIC modeling and investigating differential item functioning (DIF). After removal of invalid protocols, the first sample consisted of 2,980 protocols from various settings requested from Pearson (255 African American and 2,755 Caucasian protocols). The second sample consisted of 1,379 valid protocols from psychiatric inpatient settings (1,245 Caucasian and …
Executive Function Predictors Of Children's Talk,
2015
East Tennessee State University
Executive Function Predictors Of Children's Talk, Jacqlyne D. Weber
Undergraduate Honors Theses
Relatively few studies have investigated the relationship between executive functioning (EF) and language development, and even fewer have researched hot and cool EF as a predictor language development. This study is an investigation into the relationship between EF and language development in preschool aged children. More specifically, the ability for hot or cool EF to predict language, this will be the focus of the study. It was found that hot EF was a better predictor of language development in preschool aged children.
Primary And Family Stigma Of Mental Illness: Comparing Perceptions Of African Americans And European Americans,
2015
Marquette University
Primary And Family Stigma Of Mental Illness: Comparing Perceptions Of African Americans And European Americans, Julia Rubinshteyn
Dissertations (1934 -)
Research has shown that stigma is a significant barrier to mental health treatment seeking, and that African Americans tend to have significantly lower rates of treatment seeking compared to European Americans (Wang et al., 2005). Stigma affecting the individual directly is called primary stigma (Corrigan & Kleinlein, 2005), whereas stigma affecting the individual’s family members is referred to as family stigma. In the present study, a vignette was presented to 287 undergraduate students at Marquette University. The study examined attitudes of primary and family stigma toward a target based on race (European American or African American) and type of mental …
Neural Plasticity In Response To Intervention In Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders,
2015
Marquette University
Neural Plasticity In Response To Intervention In Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sheryl Jayne Stevens
Dissertations (1934 -)
Current theories of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) suggest that they may develop from the transactional interaction between biological risk factors and environmental processes (Dawson et al., 2009). Due to the brain’s experience-expectant nature, one’s degree of social exposure may have a significant impact on their brain development and behavioral presentation. In addition to the primary critical neurodevelopmental period identified in early childhood, recent research has demonstrated a second period of substantial neurodevelopment during the adolescent period (Sisk & Foster, 2004). This study investigated the neural and behavioral impact of participation in an empirically validated behavioral intervention (The Program for the …
Examination Of A Parent-Assisted, Friendship-Building Program For Adolescents With Adhd,
2015
Marquette University
Examination Of A Parent-Assisted, Friendship-Building Program For Adolescents With Adhd, Denise Marie Gardner
Dissertations (1934 -)
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common childhood disorder that often contributes to impairment in multiple domains, including peer functioning. Specifically, youth with ADHD tend to have fewer friends and lower quality friendships, experience greater peer victimization, and engage in more inappropriate social behaviors than typically developing peers. Researchers have highlighted the need for long-term interventions that directly address peer difficulties, emphasize dyadic friendship-building, and include a parent component. Thus, the current pilot study will examine the effectiveness of PEERS, a parent-assisted, friendship-building program, at establishing mutual friendships and improving current peer relationships in adolescents with ADHD. Participants in the study …
Application Of Item Response Theory To Measures Of Verbal Learning,
2015
Marquette University
Application Of Item Response Theory To Measures Of Verbal Learning, Indrani K. Thiruselvam
Dissertations (1934 -)
This study utilized item response theory (IRT) methods to investigate if item parameters of select trials in the California Verbal Learning Test-Second Edition (CVLT-II; Delis, Kramer, Kaplan, & Ober, 2000) and the Logical Memory subtests of the Wechsler Memory Scales – Fourth Edition (WMS-IV; Wechsler, 2009) vary as a function of the serial position effect. In addition, this study compared the effectiveness of CVLT-II and LM in quantifying verbal memory functioning, and determined if a weighted scoring approach improves the quantification of verbal memory. Archival data from 755 individuals (516 college students, 239 patients at a neuropsychology clinic) were utilized …
The Effects Of Specific Mental Illness Stigma Beliefs On Treatment Seeking Attitudes,
2015
Marquette University
The Effects Of Specific Mental Illness Stigma Beliefs On Treatment Seeking Attitudes, Henry Arthur Boeh
Dissertations (1934 -)
Despite significant gains in the research base and effectiveness of psychotherapy, only thirty to forty percent of individuals experiencing mental illness symptoms seek treatment. A large barrier preventing many individuals from seeking psychotherapy is the stigma that surrounds mental illness. This study reviews the current state of mental illness stigma literature and presents a new Treatment Seeking Barriers Model (TSBM) that attempts to better explain the connection between stigma and treatment seeking. The goal of the current study was to isolate and manipulate responsibility or immutability beliefs related to depression in order to evaluate their relationship with treatment seeking stigma. …
Donepezil’S Effect On Cardiac Function In Patients With Alzheimer’S Disease Through An In Vivo, Non Invasive Measure Of Cardiac Autonomic Function,
2015
Old Dominion University
Donepezil’S Effect On Cardiac Function In Patients With Alzheimer’S Disease Through An In Vivo, Non Invasive Measure Of Cardiac Autonomic Function, Lewis P. Hackett
Psychology Theses & Dissertations
The aim of the current study was to explore the effects of the medication Donepezil (Aricept®) on cardiac autonomic function for individuals diagnosed with mild to moderate (probable) Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Using age (± 3 years) and gender matched controls, differences in heart rate variability (HRV) among individuals with Alzheimer’s disease were compared to healthy controls over a period of six months (session 1 [baseline], session 2 [3 months], and session 3 [6 months]) in both supine and standing positions. HRV was obtained through frequency-domain (Low Frequency Power, High Frequency Power, RMSSD, LF/HF Ratio) and time-domain (six minutes) measures using …
Effects Of Varying Degrees Of Fixed And Random Responding On The Validity Of Score Interpretation For The Sp And Psy-5 Scales Of The Mmpi-2-Rf,
2015
Old Dominion University
Effects Of Varying Degrees Of Fixed And Random Responding On The Validity Of Score Interpretation For The Sp And Psy-5 Scales Of The Mmpi-2-Rf, Joseph Brooks Minifie
Psychology Theses & Dissertations
The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory – 2 Restructured Form (MMPI-2- RF; Tellegen & Ben-Porath, 2008/2011) is a widely used self-report measure of psychopathology and personality. However, the self-report format of the MMPI-2-RF suggests that interpretation of its scales and the clinical recommendations that follow are vulnerable to invalid response styles. This dissertation builds upon previous research (Handel, Ben-Porath, Tellegen, & Archer, 2010) to examine the effect of random and fixed responding, as measured by the VRIN-r and TRIN-r Scales, on the 28 SP and PSY-5 Scales. A computer simulation procedure was used to insert increasing degrees of inconsistent responding into …
The Effects Of Alcohol On The Interpretation Of Social And Emotional Cues: A Field Study Of College Student Drinking, Emotion Recognition, And Perceptions Of A Hypothetical Sexual Assault,
2015
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
The Effects Of Alcohol On The Interpretation Of Social And Emotional Cues: A Field Study Of College Student Drinking, Emotion Recognition, And Perceptions Of A Hypothetical Sexual Assault, Alexander James Melkonian
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Alcohol use and abuse among emerging adults is highly correlated with increased risk for sexual victimization. Alcohol myopia theory has been used to explain impairments in Social information processing resulting in decreased attention to environmental Social cues including risk factors for sexual assault as well as facial emotional recognition. Those with deficits in Social information processing may be at particular risk for the misperception of salient risk factors for sexual assault by victims, perpetrators, and bystanders when intoxicated. In this naturalistic field study, participants who had been consuming alcohol were recruited to engage in tasks of facial emotion recognition and …
Students' Perspectives After Participation In A Mandated College Level Alcohol Intervention Program: A Phenomenological Study,
2015
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Students' Perspectives After Participation In A Mandated College Level Alcohol Intervention Program: A Phenomenological Study, Suzanna L. Guizar
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Alcohol abuse among college students continues to be a significant problem by which the consequences impact the student, their peers, and the university. Although quantitative research with volunteer participants supports the use of enhanced brief motivational interventions and cognitive behavioral skills training in reducing risky drinking behavior (binge drinking), research with mandated students has shown inconsistent findings. The current study is a phenomenological qualitative study exploring the students’ perspectives after attending a mandated college-level alcohol intervention program. Mandated students are students who have been referred to an alcohol intervention as a result of violating an alcohol related policy on campus. …
I Judge, Therefore I React: An Experimental Investigation Of Acceptance,
2015
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
I Judge, Therefore I React: An Experimental Investigation Of Acceptance, Jennifer Ann Shaver
Graduate Theses and Dissertations
The present study was designed to provide empirical tests of some of the mechanisms thought to operate in mindfulness-based treatments. Specifically, I tested the hypothesis that appraising distress judgmentally (as a needless and useless indication of personal weakness) would be associated with experiencing meta-distress (e.g., feeling ashamed about being distressed), which would, in turn, be associated with increased experiential avoidance (i.e., suppression or distraction from the distress) and shorter distress tolerance. In addition, I examined the hypothesis that compassionately appraising distress (as normal, understandable, and potentially a source of growth) would be associated with spending more time curiously exploring that …
The Importance Of Family Meals And Sedentary Behavior In Understanding Childhood Depression And Obesity,
2015
DePaul University
The Importance Of Family Meals And Sedentary Behavior In Understanding Childhood Depression And Obesity, Draycen D. Decator
College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations
The ongoing obesity epidemic within the United States is a problem that has received a lot of attention, but is still inadequately understood. Understanding the epidemic requires examining BMI from a larger perspective, with an ecological mindset (Rosenkranz & Dzewaltowski, 2008). A bidirectional relationship between depression and obesity, which has been found in the past, might be due to family meals. Sedentary behaviors has been linked to both outcomes, and is predicted by family meal frequency, suggesting that it may play a mediational role. In order to help clarify the relationship between depressive symptoms and obesity, a sample of 120 …
Child Appraisals Of Interparental Conflict: The Effects Of Intimate Partner Violence And The Quality Of Parent-Child Relationships,
2015
DePaul University
Child Appraisals Of Interparental Conflict: The Effects Of Intimate Partner Violence And The Quality Of Parent-Child Relationships, Caleb J. Figge
College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations
Children’s appraisals of parental conflict, particularly perceived levels of threat, self-blame, and coping efficacy, have consistently been shown to mediate the association between conflict exposure and maladaptive outcomes. However, few studies have examined factors that may contribute to children’s use of these maladaptive appraisals, particularly among children exposed to more severe forms of interparental conflict. The current study will examine the influence of intimate partner violence (IPV) exposure and parent-child relationship quality on children’s appraisals of conflict, evaluating if these factors have independent effects, if they interact (i.e., parent-child relationship quality buffers the effect of IPV) or if parent-child relationship …
The Role Of Guilt, Shame, And Self-Compassion In Promoting Racial Justice Engagement For White Students,
2015
DePaul University
The Role Of Guilt, Shame, And Self-Compassion In Promoting Racial Justice Engagement For White Students, Elizabeth A. Mcconnell
College of Science and Health Theses and Dissertations
Diversity courses and activities are a part of the multicultural mission of many institutions of higher education. However, universities, colleges, and diversity educators continue to grapple with how to increase participation and student engagement in these courses. The lens of privilege studies provides an important perspective for thinking about how to achieve this goal for White students learning about systems of racial inequity. In the current study, we conducted four studies to better understand how to decrease resistance to reflecting on White privilege (e.g., defensive affect or withdrawal) and to promote racial justice engagement (e.g., willingness to take diversity courses …
The Effects Of Inclusion Classrooms On Students With And Without Developmental Disabilities: Teachers’ Perspectives On The Social, Emotional, And Behavioral Development Of All Students In Inclusion Classrooms,
2015
University of Denver
The Effects Of Inclusion Classrooms On Students With And Without Developmental Disabilities: Teachers’ Perspectives On The Social, Emotional, And Behavioral Development Of All Students In Inclusion Classrooms, Allison E. Evins
Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects
In education settings, inclusive or mainstream classes are resisted at the secondary level and there is little research about the possible positive aspects of including students with and without disabilities or an Individualized Education Plan in classes together. In order to better understand the potential benefits of mainstream classrooms, it is important to understand the perspectives of teachers who work within these high school settings. The purpose of this study was to tell the stories of teachers and describe the development that teachers see in inclusive classrooms. Interviews with four teachers revealed insights on mutual learning between the two groups …
The Clinical Utility Of The Adult Attachment Projective Picture System: A Clinician's Perspective,
2015
University of Denver
The Clinical Utility Of The Adult Attachment Projective Picture System: A Clinician's Perspective, Ashley Gunterman
Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects
The Adult Attachment Projective Picture System (AAP) is the first performance-based measure of adult attachment to be developed. The purpose of the measure is to provide a clinical understanding of an adult client's attachment status and associated coping mechanisms. The AAP is a relatively new measure that has yet to be examined from a utility perspective. In the current study, seven psychologists completed a structured survey in order to identify their perspectives of the AAP and its utility as a clinical instrument. A phenomenological qualitative analysis of the data was conducted to derive themes about the AAP and its clinical …
Understanding Change In A Therapeutic Community For People With Severe Mental Illness: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study,
2015
University of Denver
Understanding Change In A Therapeutic Community For People With Severe Mental Illness: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study, Julie Caroline Keys
Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects
In order to gain better understanding of how therapeutic communities instigate change, this interpretative phenomenological study explores the recognized agents of change as reported by current and recent community members of a particular therapeutic community. Four superordinate themes were discovered: the structure of the program, engagement in the community, intentionality/mindfulness, and applied knowledge. While the results from this study are similar in several ways to the current literature, they also expand the literature about therapeutic communities in one important way. The change agents reported as leading to healing strongly resemble current best practice for the treatment of trauma. Limitations and …
Exploring Mindfulness As A Culturally Sensitive Intervention For The Deaf Community,
2015
University of Denver
Exploring Mindfulness As A Culturally Sensitive Intervention For The Deaf Community, Barrymore R. Rosellini
Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects
Mental health issues are as prevalent in the deaf community as the hearing community, if not more. Yet, Deaf individuals are often treated by mental health professionals less frequently and less effectively. Many systemic barriers exist that influence the lack of services provided to the Deaf community, primarily related to a lack of cultural understanding rooted in perceptions of Deaf individuals. However, the Deaf community may be best understood as a cultural minority, a unique community sharing a distinct culture, history, and language. This paper investigates the effects of systematic barriers and cultural misunderstanding among mental health professions regarding the …
