Identifying And Characterizing Cognitive Profiles In Midlife Females: A Latent Profile Analysis,
2024
Loyola University of Chicago Graduate School
Identifying And Characterizing Cognitive Profiles In Midlife Females: A Latent Profile Analysis, Hannah Hagy
Dissertations
Females are at two-thirds greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) than males. Due to this notable sex difference in cognitive aging and disease burden, there has been an increased focus on understanding the critical role of the menopausal transition (decline in fertility during midlife) as it relates to cognitive functioning across midlife. Thus, the present cross-sectional study used a sample of midlife females at different stages in the menopausal transition (N=202; Age 40-60 years) as part of a larger, multimodal design study, to elucidate distinct cognitive profiles while accounting for education, which were then characterized by other demographic factors, …
Napping, Sleep, And Affect In Adolescents: A Daily Diary And Actigraphy Study,
2024
Loyola University of Chicago Graduate School
Napping, Sleep, And Affect In Adolescents: A Daily Diary And Actigraphy Study, Elizabeth Rea
Dissertations
Adolescents in the United States do not typically attain enough quality sleep at night due to a combination of biological maturation and academic and social commitments, leading to poor cognitive, mental, and physical health outcomes. Naps may compensate for inadequate sleep; however, little is known about how napping affects nocturnal sleep and mood over time among adolescents who are poor sleepers. The present study used daily diary and actigraphy data collected over 15 days in a sample of evening-chronotype, poor sleeping adolescents (n=99; Mage=15.85 (SD=0.99); 44% Male, 55% Female; 46% White, 30% Black, 12% More than one race, 8% Other, …
Understanding Stress, Strengths, And Strategies To Support Immigrant Youth: A Bundled Dissertation,
2024
Loyola University of Chicago Graduate School
Understanding Stress, Strengths, And Strategies To Support Immigrant Youth: A Bundled Dissertation, Sarah Jolie
Dissertations
In the study of child development and mental health of Latine and immigrant and refugee youth, it is necessary to understand their cultural experiences and stress experiences in the U.S. The present project aims to address culture, stress, and the development of internalizing outcomes among Latine, immigrant, and refugee youth across two important stages of development: middle childhood and adolescence. The first study provides a comprehensive review of Latine children’s immigration experiences, the effects of exposure to multiple stressors, cultural factors, and intervention implications. The second study provides a focused examination of the impact of two culturally relevant stressors among …
Comparing Caregiver-Teacher-Adolescent Mental Health Reporting: Examining Changes Over Time And Related Outcomes Among Youth Involved In The Child Welfare System,
2024
Loyola University of Chicago Graduate School
Comparing Caregiver-Teacher-Adolescent Mental Health Reporting: Examining Changes Over Time And Related Outcomes Among Youth Involved In The Child Welfare System, Jennifer Osborne
Dissertations
The benefits of psychological assessment are particularly salient for children and youth in the child welfare system, as youth in contact with the system are more likely to experience mental health symptoms, disorders, and comorbidities as compared to youth in the general population. These assessments often utilize multiple reporters, as emerging evidence indicates that utilizing multiple more effectively captures the mental health experiences of children and youth. However, the extant literature has consistently observed only low-to-moderate (i.e., .2-to-.3) agreement across informants, including among dyads in contact with the child welfare system. Several factors are associated with level of agreement across …
Associations Between Neighborhood Factors And Adherence In Youth With Spina Bifida: The Mediating Role Of Parental Stress And Youth Internalizing Symptoms,
2024
Loyola University of Chicago Graduate School
Associations Between Neighborhood Factors And Adherence In Youth With Spina Bifida: The Mediating Role Of Parental Stress And Youth Internalizing Symptoms, Breana Lyn Bryant
Master's Theses
Spina bifida (SB) is a birth defect that impacts physical, medical, and neuropsychological functioning. Physical complications like hydrocephalus and bladder dysfunction require daily adherence to complex medical regimens. Additionally, youth with SB are more likely to have symptoms of anxiety and depression which can impact their ability to master their regimens. Evidence in other pediatric populations have examined the impact of family factors, like parental stress, and individual-level predictors of self-management outcomes, yet few have examined how the broader context, like neighborhoods, impact outcomes. Therefore, the current study examined (1) the level of the neighborhood vulnerability and acute healthcare services …
Generations After Us (Undergoing Stress): An Exploration Of Interpersonal Violence And Loss On Psychosocial Functioning At The Parent, Child, And Family Level,
2024
Loyola University of Chicago Graduate School
Generations After Us (Undergoing Stress): An Exploration Of Interpersonal Violence And Loss On Psychosocial Functioning At The Parent, Child, And Family Level, Kaleigh Valencia Wilkins
Dissertations
Previous studies propose that interpersonal violence and loss, parenting, and attachment each individually contribute to child and family distress. The following studies aimed to further explore these effects across and within various generational groupings. The first study explored exposure to community violence at the parent level and at the child level in an attempt to understand how such stress impacts parents’ perceptions of family functioning in African-American and Latine families. Findings suggested that family functioning is weakened the most when both a parent and adolescent are exposed and when just a parent was exposed. The second study examined differences in …
Employment Status & Opioid Use Frequency,
2024
University of Missouri-St. Louis
Employment Status & Opioid Use Frequency, Muhammad Mirza, Jake Sauer, Ryan Carpenter
Undergraduate Research Symposium
Previously submitted; simply submitting poster
Effective Methods In Communicating Assessment Results To Individuals With Limited English Proficiency: A Survey Of Current Psychologists’ Practices.,
2024
Augsburg University
Effective Methods In Communicating Assessment Results To Individuals With Limited English Proficiency: A Survey Of Current Psychologists’ Practices., Dee Vang
Theses and Graduate Projects
The use of language interpreters is a primary solution for providing inclusive language services when conducting psychological assessments for people with limited English proficiency. However, this approach has limitations that have negatively affected the ability of clients with limited English proficiency to comprehend assessment results and adhere to recommendations. The purpose of this study was to improve the current understanding of effective methods for communicating assessment results to persons with limited English proficiency (PLEP) and working with language interpreters. Eight participants were interviewed about their current methods of communicating results and working with language interpreters during a feedback session. Consensual …
Expanding On The Factor Structure And Construct Validity Of The Short-Term Assessment Of Risk And Treatability (Start),
2024
University of South Florida
Expanding On The Factor Structure And Construct Validity Of The Short-Term Assessment Of Risk And Treatability (Start), Haomin Chen
USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations
Research finds better reentry/recidivism program outcome when individuals receive service that matches their risks and needs. It is thus essential to measure recidivism risks and needs appropriately. The Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability (START) is a clinically-oriented instrument that assesses risks of future violence/offending and identifies areas for treatment. We see its potential use as an assessment tool for reentry/recidivism programming. More empirical evidence is needed to identify the psychometric properties of the instrument in this setting before it may be used in practice. The current thesis explored the factor structure of the START strengths and vulnerabilities scales using …
A Multifactorial Study Of Factors Influencing Self-Health Behaviors In Dementia,
2024
National Louis University
A Multifactorial Study Of Factors Influencing Self-Health Behaviors In Dementia, Elizabeth Malkin
Dissertations
The global increase in dementia cases presents a significant public health challenge, particularly given the absence of a cure and the rising healthcare burden on individuals and society. This study aims to examine the influence of knowledge, beliefs, and motivation on self-health behaviors to mitigate the risk of dementia among individuals residing in the United States. With the use of an online survey, the study utilized the U.S. normed MCLHB-DRR scale and supplemental questions about knowledge of risk factors and degree of closeness to family members with dementia to determine whether (1) more closely related relatives (first-degree relatives) and those …
The Effects Of Mood And Anxiety Sensitivity On Attentional Engagement And Disengagement In Sleep Disturbance,
2024
CUNY Graduate Center
The Effects Of Mood And Anxiety Sensitivity On Attentional Engagement And Disengagement In Sleep Disturbance, Kara L. Buda
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Insomnia is a highly prevalent, chronic disorder that is associated with adverse psychological, physical, and psychosocial outcomes. Harvey’s (2002) cognitive model of insomnia and Espie’s (2006) attention-intention-effort pathway model highlight two critical processes believed to play a role in the onset and persistence of insomnia: (a) emotional distress and physiological arousal and (b) selective attention and monitoring. However, investigations examining attentional bias in sleep disturbance have produced mixed results and have exclusively used paradigms that are limited in their ability to differentially examine the two unique components of attentional bias (i.e., facilitated engagement, impaired disengagement). Discrepant findings in the attentional …
Investigating The Impact Of Affect In Suicide-Specific Attentional Biases,
2024
CUNY Graduate Center
Investigating The Impact Of Affect In Suicide-Specific Attentional Biases, Beverlin Rosario-Williams
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Objective: Biased processing of suicide-related information has been implicated in risk of future suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Although previous studies have classified this biased processing, the tasks used to examine these biases cannot definitely specify which attentional processes are related to risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Therefore, via two independent studies, this dissertation sought to distinguish suicide-specific attentional engagement and disengagement biases from other forms of cognitive processing, such as accessibility of suicide-related stimuli and threat bias toward and away from socially threatening stimuli. Additionally, this dissertation investigated under which affective conditions suicide-specific engagement and disengagement biases emerged. …
Defining Resilience In Young People With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Theory Informed Approach,
2024
CUNY Graduate Center
Defining Resilience In Young People With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Theory Informed Approach, Barbara Storch
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic gastrointestinal illness for which there is no existing cure. There is significant literature documenting the increased likelihood of adverse biopsychosocial outcomes in young people with IBD (e.g., Greenley et al., 2010); however, many individuals with IBD respond by either maintaining or increasing outcomes categorized as positive. These trajectories can be thought of as characterized by a resilient response. The study of resilience in young people with IBD is nascent. Given the unique disease-specific and developmental contexts young people with IBD experience, the first step in understanding the process of resilience in young people …
Computerized Cognitive Training In The Treatment Of Depression: Individual Differences And Perceptions Of Cct,
2024
CUNY Graduate Center
Computerized Cognitive Training In The Treatment Of Depression: Individual Differences And Perceptions Of Cct, Sophie Schiff
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Major Depressive Disorder is a serious mental health disorder that affects 8% of adults in the United States. Adults aged 18-29 are at an elevated risk with a prevalence of 12%. Depression is most often characterized by mood symptoms, however, individuals with depression often also present with cognitive weaknesses on objective neuropsychological measures across several domains. These deficits are not only associated with mood symptoms, but significantly interfere with treatment and have been found to persist even with successful treatment of affective symptoms. Research into interventions directly targeting cognition has increased in recent years. While traditional first-line treatments for depression, …
Association Of Autistic Traits And Psychiatric Symptoms In Children With A Fragile X Premutation Allele: The Neurodevelopmental Profile,
2024
CUNY Graduate Center
Association Of Autistic Traits And Psychiatric Symptoms In Children With A Fragile X Premutation Allele: The Neurodevelopmental Profile, Ariel Zucker
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Throughout the lifespan, approximately 14% of males and 5% of females with a fragile X premutation (PM) (defined as 55-200 CGG repeats on the X-linked FMR1 gene) are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). For individuals that do not meet diagnostic criteria for ASD, autistic traits (ATs) are often present in this population and have been shown to have a subtle and sub-clinical presentation of social communication and interaction deficits. While less is known about the phenotype of children with a PM, studies have found increased rates of ASD and ATs in adults with a PM allele compared to controls. …
Measuring Intersectional Strength And Stigma Among Racially Minoritized Gender Diverse Young Adults,
2024
CUNY Graduate Center
Measuring Intersectional Strength And Stigma Among Racially Minoritized Gender Diverse Young Adults, Joseph Carter
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Background: Racially minoritized transgender and gender expansive young adults (RMTGEYA; aged 18-26) experience mental health inequities due to intersectional, multilevel stigma. RMTGEYA communities embody intersectional strength and resilience that can mitigate the impact of stigma. Understanding and capturing strength and stigma factors to address these inequities has significant implications for clinical science research and practice. There is, however, a complete absence of instruments that are validated to do so. Objective: The goal of this study is to conduct a three-phase, mixed methods study that centers intersectional and community engaged methods of psychometric development for a measure that captures daily experiences …
The Effect Of Working Memory Performance Under Stress On The Relationship Between Trauma History, Ptsd Symptoms, And Intimate Partner Violence,
2024
CUNY Graduate Center
The Effect Of Working Memory Performance Under Stress On The Relationship Between Trauma History, Ptsd Symptoms, And Intimate Partner Violence, Gabriella Robinson
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Background: Over 12 million people annually experience intimate partner violence (IPV) in the United States. Emerging adulthood has the highest rates of IPV across the lifespan. While many theories attempt to explain why IPV rates are markedly increased during this age period, researchers call for more empirical studies to understand processes occurring during this period that result in increased IPV perpetration. Of the studies that assess IPV perpetration, samples generally consisted of male batterers that perpetrated severe IPV. Trauma history and PTSD symptoms have been seen as risk factors for IPV perpetration. Cognitive risk factors for IPV perpetration, such as …
Intimate Partner Violence And Negotiation During Covid-19: Stressors, Resources, And Perception,
2024
CUNY Graduate Center
Intimate Partner Violence And Negotiation During Covid-19: Stressors, Resources, And Perception, Victoria P. Diamond
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health concern that affects millions across the globe. The COVID-19 pandemic created unforeseen stress, and necessitated safety policies that required social isolation, often extended exposure to one’s intimate partner, and an inability to access stress-reduction resources. These factors, along with many others, lead to an abrupt increase in IPV in many couples. Using the couple-adapted family stress model (ABCX), the current study examines both previously defined (e.g., emotional dysregulation, stress, unemployment, communication issues) and COVID-19 specific risk (e.g., quarantine, unprecedented social isolation, fear of contracting COVID-19) and protective factors (e.g., meaning in …
Health Behaviors And Physical Health Among Young Adults With Varying Psychometric Schizotypy,
2024
CUNY Graduate Center
Health Behaviors And Physical Health Among Young Adults With Varying Psychometric Schizotypy, Christopher Liong
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Schizophrenia has consistently been associated with increased rates of physical illness and early mortality. One explanation for this association might be poor health behaviors, as people with schizophrenia are more sedentary, less physically active, and more likely to engage in substance use compared to the general population. Schizotypy may be conceptualized as the phenotypic expression of increased risk for schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and dimensional models of schizotypy suggest that it varies on a continuum ranging from non-clinical (i.e. low schizotypy) to clinical (i.e. high schizotypy and dysfunction, as in schizophrenia). Though schizotypy and schizophrenia appear to share similar deficits and …
Brain Injury And Psychosocial Trauma: Outcomes Among Justice-Involved Individuals,
2024
CUNY Graduate Center
Brain Injury And Psychosocial Trauma: Outcomes Among Justice-Involved Individuals, Mahathi D. Kosuri
Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Justice-involved individuals experience disproportionately high rates of both traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and psychosocial traumas. However, these traumas have yet to be conceptualized together, leaving a chasm of research on how they interact and influence this population. The current study was the first to measure the effects of TBIs as well as psychosocial trauma among justice-involved men, within the context of executive functioning, history of justice involvement, and recidivism. A sample of men (N=95) from a private correctional facility were given the Ohio State University Traumatic Brain Injury Questionnaire (OSU-TBI-ID), the Lifetime Stressor Checklist- Revised (LSC-R), along with …
