Department: Psychology, Clinical ![[clear]](close-x.png "Remove this limiter")
22 matches in the database.
These are records: 1 - 22.
1.
Berarducci, Lindsay R.
Traditional Bullying Victimization and New Cyberbullying Behaviors.
Degree: MA, Psychology, Clinical, 2009, University of Dayton
► Bullying is a serious concern with lasting effects. It involves the use…
(more)
▼ Bullying is a serious concern with lasting effects. It involves the use of aggressive behaviors as a way to gain power and control over peers (Olweus, 1993). Teen involvement, in both traditional forms of bullying and cyberbullying, is significant. The present study attempted to better understand the relationship between traditional bullying victimization and cyberbullying behavior through the interplay of hurt reaction, poor social skills, and/or avoidant coping. One hundred and six high school students ranging from 14 to 18 years old participated in an online survey. While as many as 72% of the participants recognized cyberbullying occurring among their peers, only 4.7% of participants self-identified as having engaged in cyberbullying behaviors. The low number of self-identified cyberbullies made it difficult to conduct analyses. Therefore, the two primary hypotheses in this study could not be examined. Additional exploratory analyses examined the relationship between traditional bullying victimization and cyberbullying victimization. Gender differences among victims and non-victims of cyberbullying were not found to be significant. Analyses revealed that participants’ involvement in cyberbullying victimization was significant if they were also involved in more traditional forms of bullying victimization and used more than one coping strategy as a way to stop their victimization. In addition, cyberbullying victimization was found to be correlated with the amount of time participants spent online during the week. Finally, regression analyses revealed relational bullying victimization was the only predictor of cyberbullying victimization. Possible reasons for these study findings and limitations are discussed further. The strong overlap between traditional forms of bullying and cyberbullying highlights the importance and need for continued study.
Advisors/Committee Members: Phelps, Carolyn Roecker.
Subjects: Educational psychology; Psychology; Secondary education
Keywords: bullying; cyberbullying; victimization; traditional bullying
More Like This
2.
Blackwell, Tierra N.
Assessment of Childhood Racial-Ethnic Identity.
Degree: MA, Psychology, Clinical, 2012, University of Dayton
► Research shows that there is a lack of documentation and understanding in…
(more)
▼ Research shows that there is a lack of documentation and understanding in the area of racial-ethnic identity (REI) development. One of the main concerns is that there is no widely accepted or used measurement for this developing construct in children. The purposes of this study were to examine (1) if the assessment of activity preferences and racial model influence can represent REI in elementary and middle school children; (2) if participation in cultural programming (CP) is associated with children's REI and their feelings toward member of their racial-ethnic group; and (3) if REI scores relate to cross-racial acceptance. To accomplish this, three measures (the Activity Preference, Racial Model Influence, and Cross-Racial Acceptance Tasks) were developed and presented, via PowerPoint presentation, to two treatment and four comparison groups comprised of 144 Black second-, third-, sixth-, and seventh-grade students who attended two neighboring predominately Black Dayton public elementary schools. The treatment groups participated in African dance and drumming workshops. Pre- and post-test data were obtained and comparisons between participating and non-participating students were made. Results support the notions that (1) REI in younger children may be absent or in an early developmental stage; and (2) overall, there is no relationship between REI scores and cross-race inclusion. Limitations of the study are discussed and future directions suggest that future studies include more sensitive measures and a stronger CP variable. Further, If REI develops in children, then the present approach to measuring REI could be useful in exploring an important component of children's social and emotional development.
Advisors/Committee Members: Katsuyama, Ronald.
Subjects: Black Studies; Developmental Psychology; Ethnic Studies
Keywords: Racial Ethnic Identity; Childhood Identity Development; Cultural Programming; Activity Preference; Racial Model Influence; Cross-Racial Acceptance
More Like This
3.
Dodds, Cassandra Marie.
Safety Involving Brothers And Sisters: Gender Differences.
Degree: MA, Psychology, Clinical, 2012, University of Dayton
► This study used a simulated hazard methodology to examine gender differences in…
(more)
▼ This study used a simulated hazard methodology to examine gender differences in sibling supervision. The sibling pairs (N = 60) were recruited from day cares, pediatrician offices, and other community organizations. Sibling supervisors (age 6-12) were asked to care for their younger sibling (age 3-5) in a simulated hazard room (i.e., a room that contained objects that appear to be dangerous but are made safe to eliminate the risk of injury) for 20 minutes while their parent filled out paperwork in another room. Observations were coded for child risk behaviors and subsequent sibling supervisory behavior. In addition, parents completed questionnaires in regards to child behavior, temperament, injury, sibling supervision at home, and the sibling relationship. In examining the parental report data, results revealed that male sibling supervisors were more likely to supervise their younger sibling while the younger sibling was eating than were female sibling supervisors. No other gender differences were found in regards to sibling supervision at home. With regard to the observational data, there were no significant findings related to gender differences in the quality of sibling supervision. The results suggested that female sibling supervisors did not provide significantly more positive sibling reactions than male sibling supervisors and that supervisors, both male and female, did not provide significantly more positive sibling reactions to female younger siblings than to male younger siblings. The findings suggested that gender may not be a variable of interest in assessing the quality of a sibling supervisor and that future researchers should continue to look for the attribute that sets adequate sibling supervisors apart from inadequate sibling supervisors.
Advisors/Committee Members: Kirschman, Keri.
Subjects: Public Health
Keywords: sibling supervision; gender differences; unintentional injury; simulated hazard methodology
More Like This
4.
Farrell, Jennifer.
Forgiveness, Mood, and Attachment Style.
Degree: MA, Psychology, Clinical, 2010, University of Dayton
► This study examined the role of attachment and mood when forgiving a…
(more)
▼ This study examined the role of attachment and mood when forgiving a romantic partner. Participants (N=164) were recruited from introductory psychology classes at a medium-sized Midwestern Catholic university and a Northeastern liberal arts college. Participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing Forgiveness, Depression, Attachment Style, Anger Rumination, and Forgiveness Perspectives. Consistent with hypotheses, Anger Rumination mediated the relationship between Forgiveness and Depression, and the relationship between Emotional Benefits and Depression. This study also found that there were differences in several forgiveness measures across attachment styles. Compared to participants with fearful attachment, participants with a secure attachment were more likely to forgive a specific offender and less likely to view the offender’s behavior as being caused by personality defects. Participants with a secure attachment style were less likely to view the offense as having a major, negative impact on their lives, as compared to individuals with fearful attachment or preoccupied attachment. Contrary to hypothesis, dispositional forgiveness did not vary by attachment style. Implications and study limitations are discussed.
Advisors/Committee Members: Rye, Mark.
Subjects: Psychology
Keywords: anger rumination; depression; attachment style; forgiveness; romantic relationships
More Like This
5.
Gray, Brian Thomas.
An Examination of Moderators of the Relationship Between Similarity, Complementarity, and Relationship Satisfaction.
Degree: MA, Psychology, Clinical, 2010, University of Dayton
► This study used an idiographic approach to examine the association between similarity…
(more)
▼ This study used an idiographic approach to examine the association between similarity or complementarity on valued characteristics and romantic relationship satisfaction. This study also examined how self-liking of a trait is related to importance of similarity or complementarity of a trait. College students and employees of a local outpatient behavioral health center (N = 96) rated their partners on perceived similarity of personality traits, attitudes, interests, and religion; the importance of similarity of these traits; the importance of complementarity of personality traits; and relationship satisfaction. The results revealed significant Similarity x Importance interactions for religion, attitudes, and neuroticism. This suggests that similarity in religion, attitudes, and neuroticism was related to relationship satisfaction only if the participant valued similarity in that dimension. The results also indicated that higher levels of self-liking of a trait were associated with participants’ ratings of importance of similarity of a trait, while lower levels of self-liking were associated with participants’ ratings of the importance of complementarity of a trait. The results suggested that an idiographic approach may be more suitable than a nomothetic approach for some dimensions of similarity, but not for others.
Advisors/Committee Members: Lutz-Zois, Catherine.
Subjects: Psychology; Social psychology
Keywords: romantic; relationship; satisfaction; similarity; complementarity; idiographic
More Like This
6.
Hibbard, Kate Clara.
Relationship Between Attachment and Depression: Mediating Factors.
Degree: MA, Psychology, Clinical, 2011, University of Dayton
► The current investigation examined various factors that affect one's likelihood to forgive…
(more)
▼ The current investigation examined various factors that affect one's likelihood to forgive his or her romantic partner for a specific transgression, and in turn, how not forgiving affect's one's well-being. Previous research has shown that there are associations between attachment styles, empathy, rumination, and one's trait forgiveness (Burnette, Davis, Green, Worthington, & Bradfield, 2009). We hypothesized that these same factors may be associated with episodic forgiveness. Additionally, to our knowledge only one research study found that withholding forgiveness is associated with reduced martial satisfaction, which, in turn, was associated with increased levels of depression (Dixon, Gordon, & Hughes, 2007). We hypothesized that above and beyond ones trait forgiveness, not forgiving a specific transgression would be associated with relationship satisfaction, and in turn, would be associated with depression. Participants (N=209; M= 110, F= 99) completed a battery of self-report questionnaires. Mediational analyses were completed using the Bootstrapping approach (Preacher & Hayes, 2008). Results revealed that one's attachment style is associated with one's current level of empathy and ruminating behaviors, which, in turn, is associated with one's likelihood to forgive his or her partner for a specific transgression. Additionally, while controlling for one's tendency to forgive, not forgiving a specific transgression is associated with lower relationship satisfaction, which in turn is associated with higher levels of depression. These findings reveal the influence of one's attachment style on one's forgiveness of a transgression and subsequently on one's mental and relationship health.
Advisors/Committee Members: Dixon, Lee.
Subjects: Behavioral Sciences; Clinical Psychology; Psychology
Keywords: attachment; depression; forgiveness; intimate relationships
More Like This
7.
Ikeme, Chinenye.
The Stigma of a Mental Illness Label: Attitudes Towards Individuals with Mental Illness.
Degree: MA, Psychology, Clinical, 2012, University of Dayton
► The present study examined whether stigma toward individuals with mental illness will…
(more)
▼ The present study examined whether stigma toward individuals with mental illness will evidence itself in job performance evaluations. To enhance this potential effect of mental illness stigma, an additional “difference” of race was included as a factor that may affect perception of functioning and attitude towards the individual with a mental illness diagnosis. Additionally, general professed attitudes towards mental illness and direct attitudes when one is exposed to an individual with a mental illness diagnosis were considered. Participants were drawn from the undergraduate population of a midsize private university and responded to three questionnaires after viewing a video clip of an individual experiencing a moderately stressful day at work. Half the participants were given the information that the individual they viewed was undergoing treatment for a mental illness, and the other half were not given this information. Some of the participants viewed an actor of the same race, while the others viewed an actor of a different race. Data were analyzed by condition and race. The results of this study did not support the hypotheses. Contrary to expectations, information that the actor had been diagnosed with a mental illness did not influence job ratings or attitudes toward mental illness. Similarly, results indicated that participants' evaluations were not affected by similarities and differences in the races of the observed and the observer. Finally, attitudes to mental illness generally did predict participants' direct attitudes toward an individual who was presented as having a mental illness. Prior contact and experience with individuals with mental illness did not moderate these results. Possible explanations for the outcome of the study are discussed.
Advisors/Committee Members: Phelps, Carolyn.
Subjects: Behavioral Psychology; Clinical Psychology; Psychology; Social Psychology
Keywords: Mental illness; attitudes to mental illness; stigma of mental illness; mental illness discrimination; racial differences and mental illness; racial differences in job ratings; effects of mental illness diagnoses; job ratings of people with mental illness
More Like This
8.
Lanham, Michelle E.
The Relationship Between Gratitude and Burnout in Mental Health Professionals.
Degree: MA, Psychology, Clinical, 2011, University of Dayton
► This study investigated the relationship between gratitude and burnout in mental health…
(more)
▼ This study investigated the relationship between gratitude and burnout in mental health professionals. Participants consisted of 65 mental health treatment providers from community mental health agencies and a university counseling center. Consistent with hypotheses, both workplace specific gratitude and dispositional gratitude were positively related to job satisfaction and personal accomplishment. Workplace specific gratitude was also negatively related to emotional exhaustion and depersonalization. Gratitude predicted job satisfaction and burnout after controlling for demographic, job contextual variables, and hope. Workplace specific gratitude predicted emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and job satisfaction after controlling for dispositional gratitude but not vice versa. Dispositional gratitude predicted personal accomplishment after controlling for workplace specific gratitude but not vice versa.
Advisors/Committee Members: Rye, Mark.
Subjects: Behavioral Sciences; Behaviorial Sciences; Clinical Psychology; Counseling Psychology; Labor Relations; Management; Mental Health; Occupational Psychology; Personality Psychology; Psychological Tests; Psychology; Social Psychology; Social Work
Keywords: gratitude; burnout; mental health; job satisfaction; positive psychology; employment
More Like This
9.
Mason, Sara Elizabeth.
The Effect of Thin-Ideal Media on Body Image: An Experiment Using the Solomon Four-Group Design.
Degree: MA, Psychology, Clinical, 2012, University of Dayton
► In general, research suggests that exposure to thin-ideal media has a negative…
(more)
▼ In general, research suggests that exposure to thin-ideal media has a negative effect on the body image of women, but there are some contradictory findings in the empirical literature. One possible reason for contradictory findings is that there are inconsistencies across studies with regard to which specific dimension of body image is assessed. In the present study, this methodological problem was addressed by employing a multidimensional assessment of the body image construct. First, the study aimed to demonstrate that body image becomes more negative after viewing thin-ideal media, and second, that this change occurs across all dimensions of body image. Limited support was found for the first hypothesis, and the second hypothesis was not supported. Another problem in existing research is the failure to rule out the possibility that changes in body image after exposure to thin-ideal media are somewhat due to pre-test sensitization effects. This study attempted to identify pre-test sensitization effects by utilizing the Solomon Four-Group Design and a post-experimental inquiry. The third and fourth hypotheses were that after controlling for pre-test sensitization effects, there would still be evidence of the negative effect of thin-ideal media on body image, and change would remain evident across all dimensions assessed. Due to the lack of significant results in this study, these hypotheses could not be examined in full. Results of the post-experimental inquiry indicated that most participants were aware of the general purpose of the study, but this did not influence the impact of thin-ideal media exposure on changes in body image. This study exemplifies the discrepancies in existing body image literature, and highlights the need for continued research that addresses contradictory findings for the effect of thin-ideal media on dimensions of body image. Limitations and recommendations for the future are presented.
Advisors/Committee Members: Reeb, Roger.
Subjects: Clinical Psychology
Keywords: Thin-ideal media; body image; Solomon Four-Group design
More Like This
10.
Messay, Berhane.
The Relationship between Quest Religious Orientation, Forgiveness, and Mental Health.
Degree: MA, Psychology, Clinical, 2010, University of Dayton
► Many religious traditions encourage forgiveness but little is known about how religious…
(more)
▼ Many religious traditions encourage forgiveness but little is known about how religious orientation, specifically Quest, characterized less by dogmatic doctrinal beliefs and more by belief in spiritual development as a journey that involves questioning and doubting, relates to forgiveness. In addition, research on the relationship between Quest and psychological distress has yielded conflicting findings. A possible reason for the inconsistent findings is that previous studies have conceptualized Quest as a unidimensional construct. The purpose of this study was to investigate how Quest and its recently recognized dimensions related to forgiveness and psychological distress. Participants (N=242) were recruited from introductory and upper-level classes at a medium-sized, Midwestern Catholic university. They completed measures of Quest (the Multidimensional Quest Orientation Scale and the Quest Scale), forgiveness (the Forgiveness Scale with additional questions regarding perceived tolerance of offender, and the Forgiveness Likelihood Scale) and psychological distress (the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale). Results suggested that certain dimensions of Quest were better predictors of forgiveness (e.g., Tentativeness, Exploration and Moralistic Interpretation) and distress (e.g., Change, Religious Angst, and Existential Motives). More importantly, results revealed that same dimensions that were positively related to distress were negatively related to forgiveness. Further, the relationship between Quest and forgiveness appears to be moderated by the perceived tolerance/open-mindedness level of the offender.
Advisors/Committee Members: Dixon, Lee.
Subjects: Behaviorial sciences; Psychology; Psychotherapy; Religion
Keywords: Quest religious orientation; multidimensional aspect of Quest; forgiveness; psychological distress; perceived tolerance and open-mindedness level of the offender
More Like This
11.
Molitor, Joseph.
The Effect of the Parent-Adolescent Emotional Context on the Link between Positive Parenting Practices and Adolescent Behavioral Adjustment.
Degree: MA, Psychology, Clinical, 2012, University of Dayton
► Positive parenting and a warm parent-child emotional climate predict low levels of…
(more)
▼ Positive parenting and a warm parent-child emotional climate predict low levels of child antisocial behavior, but the effect of positive parenting on antisocial behavior at different levels of the parent-child emotional climate has not been investigated prior to this study. This study examined the moderating effect of the parent-adolescent emotional climate on the association between positive parenting practices and conduct problems. The study investigated the following three hypotheses: (1) Parental warmth will be inversely related to adolescent externalizing behavior, controlling for initial levels of externalizing behavior and positive parenting practices. (2) Positive parenting practices will be inversely related to adolescent externalizing behavior, controlling for initial levels of externalizing behavior and parental warmth. (3) Parental warmth will moderate the effect of positive parenting practices on adolescent externalizing behavior, controlling for initial levels of externalizing behavior and the independent main effects of parental warmth and positive parenting practices on externalizing behavior. Specifically, the inverse association between positive parenting practices and adolescent externalizing behavior was expected to be stronger at high levels of parental warmth than at low levels of parental warmth. The results indicated, first, that parental warmth and the emotional climate do not independently predict adolescent conduct problems and, second, that the emotional climate does not moderate the relationship between positive parenting practices and adolescent conduct problems.
Advisors/Committee Members: Goodnight, Jackson.
Subjects: Clinical Psychology; Developmental Psychology; Families and Family Life
Keywords: Parental warmth; emotional climate; positive parenting; parenting practices; conduct problems; antisocial behavior; externalizing problems
More Like This
12.
Odar, Cathleen C.
Effects of Parental Optimism on Psychosocial Outcomes of Pediatric Burn Patients and their Parents.
Degree: MA, Psychology, Clinical, 2010, University of Dayton
► Prior research has identified pediatric burn survivors and their parents as at…
(more)
▼ Prior research has identified pediatric burn survivors and their parents as at risk for the development of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) following the burn event. However, a large number of patients are still able to experience appropriate adjustment post-burn. Optimism has been shown to influence better psychological adjustment in a variety of populations, including parents of children experiencing a medical event. The following study investigated the influence of parental optimism as a potential resiliency factor against the development of parent and child PTSS following pediatric burn. The current study also investigated whether level of optimism influenced the coping styles used by parents, and whether any coping styles were associated with lower reported PTSS. Participants included parents of 50 children under the age of 6 who experienced either a burn or abrasion injury, with an average burn size of 4.77% total body surface area (Range= 1% to 36%; SD=7.28) and an average 90.10 (SD= 174.55) days since burn. Dispositional and situational optimism were not found to be predictors of fewer PTSS in parents of pediatric burn patients. Parental optimism was also not found to be associated with fewer PTSS in their children. However, unexpectedly, greater parental optimism was found to be associated with greater symptoms of avoidance in children at least one month post-burn. Relationships between parental level of optimism and the coping styles utilized by parents were also found. Greater dispositional optimism was associated with less use of self-distraction and behavioral disengagement for coping, while greater situational optimism was associated with greater use of positive reframing. Interesting relationships between parental coping style and parent and child PTSS were observed, with greater use of the majority of coping styles being associated with greater symptoms of stress. Future research should investigate whether optimism is a predictor of better adjustment in other burn samples with larger burns or higher reported PTSS .
Advisors/Committee Members: Brown Kirschman, Keri.
Subjects: Psychology
Keywords: burn; injury; optimism; dispositional; situational; coping; parent; child; adjustment; positive psychology; post traumatic stress; post-traumatic; pediatric
More Like This
13.
Pelley, Terri Jacklyn.
The Development and Validation of the Psychosocial Adjustment to Burn Questionnaire for Children Age Five and Under.
Degree: MA, Psychology, Clinical, 2010, University of Dayton
► The goal of this study was to develop and validate a brief…
(more)
▼ The goal of this study was to develop and validate a brief screening tool to assess for psychosocial symptoms in children and their parents following a pediatric burn. In 2002, approximately 92,500 children under the age of 14 were treated in emergency rooms for burn injuries (National SAFE KIDS Campaign, 2004). Children under the age of five account for more than 50% of all pediatric burns (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2008; Tarnowski & Brown, 2003). Empirically validated techniques to reliably assess for psychological distress in children and their families following a burn injury are crucial toward timely and comprehensive treatment efforts. Early identification of psychosocial problems has been shown to prevent or reduce the severity of psychological problems later in life. The Psychosocial Adjustment to Burn Questionnaire (PABQ) was developed as a parent-report survey for children ages five and under. The PABQ content was generated via review of pediatric burn literature v and consultation with pediatric psychologists. Specifically, the domains of depression, anxiety, externalizing behaviors, pre-injury psychological functioning, developmental regression, and parental adjustment emerged as themes of particular interest for young pediatric burn patients. The final measurement contains a total of 35 items: 27 items assessing child functioning and 8 items assessing parent functioning. The PABQ was administered to 55 guardians two weeks or longer after their child had sustained a burn warranting medical attention. The PABQ demonstrated strong internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity with the Child Stress Disorder Checklist (CSDC), Behavioral Assessment System for Children II (Parent report; BASC-PRS), and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-S). Future research should examine the factor structure and the clinical utility of the PABQ.
Advisors/Committee Members: Brown Kirschman, Keri.
Subjects: Psychology
Keywords: Screener; Pediatric; Burn; Psychosocial; Outpatient
More Like This
14.
Ridings, Leigh Elizabeth.
Emotional Dysregulation and Borderline Personality Disorder: Explaining the Link Between Secondary Psychopathy and Alexithymia.
Degree: MA, Psychology, Clinical, 2011, University of Dayton
► While researchers have studied the fields of psychopathy and alexithymia for decades,…
(more)
▼ While researchers have studied the fields of psychopathy and alexithymia for decades, research identifying and explaining the overlap between the two disorders is in its infancy. Past research has shown that alexithymia and psychopathy are positively correlated with each other (Kroner & Forth, 1995; Louth, Hare, & Linden, 1998). Further, a unique study by Lander, Zois, and Porco (2011) revealed a significant positive correlation between secondary psychopathy and alexithymia, but not primary psychopathy and alexithymia. However, little is known about what accounts for this differential association. Because both alexithymia (Webb & McMurran, 2008) and secondary psychopathy (Blackburn, 1996) have been linked to Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), the current study sought to determine if emotional processing deficits which are characteristic of BPD could explain the link between secondary psychopathy and alexithymia. The results supported the hypothesis that alexithymia would be significantly positively associated with secondary, but not primary psychopathy. The results also supported the hypothesis that BPD and emotional dysregulation would both partially explain the relationship between secondary psychopathy and alexithymia, in that the relationship between secondary psychopathy and alexithymia diminished when BPD and emotional dysregulation were statistically controlled. Other related findings will be discussed. Implications, limitations, and future directions are also discussed.
Advisors/Committee Members: Zois, Catherine.
Subjects: Clinical Psychology
Keywords: psychopathy; alexithymia; emotional dysregulation; borderline personality disorder
More Like This
15.
Roth, Michelle Ann.
Personality Trait Preferences for Best Friends and Romantic Partners in Women with a History of Childhood Sexual Abuse.
Degree: MA, Psychology, Clinical, 2011, University of Dayton
► The objective of the present research was to provide a broader examination…
(more)
▼ The objective of the present research was to provide a broader examination of the association between maladaptive interpersonal relationships and childhood sexual abuse (CSA) by examining women’s personality preferences for best friends and romantic partners. This study used the Q-Method statistical procedure to examine the association between childhood sexual abuse and adult interpersonal difficulties. Women college students at the University of Dayton (N = 75) rated forty personality traits on a scale from least to most desired in a best friend and again for a romantic partner. The results revealed that women with a history of CSA showed marginally greater error variance in their preferences for romantic partners compared to women without a history of CSA.
Advisors/Committee Members: Phelps, Carolyn R.
Subjects: Clinical Psychology
Keywords: childhood sexual abuse; interpersonal relationships; best friends; romantic partners; personality
More Like This
16.
Ryan, Courtney Marie.
The Psychological Effects of Pediatric Illness on Healthy Siblings.
Degree: MA, Psychology, Clinical, 2009, University of Dayton
► This study examines the long-term psychological effects of pediatric illness on healthy…
(more)
▼ This study examines the long-term psychological effects of pediatric illness on healthy siblings. Previous researchers differ substantially in their findings on how individuals are affected by having a sibling with a chronic pediatric illness. Some studies assert that chronic illness, though a stressor for healthy siblings, results in benefits such as higher levels of empathy, coping skills, and family cohesiveness. Other researchers find more negative effects such as elevations in academic and behavioral problems and declinations in parental support, and quality of life. Because the literature lacks consensus on how individuals adapt to illness in a sibling, the present research is designed to address both positive and negative effects including empathy, depression, anxiety, and the health of the sibling relationship. The sample for this research is comprised of individuals currently attending college. At present, college students as a specific demographic group have not yet been investigated as siblings of those with pediatric illnesses. Recruiting students from the University of Dayton, 30 participants with a sibling who has a chronic illness and 31 participants with healthy siblings completed a series of questionnaires. The series included a demographics questionnaire along with measures of empathy, depression, anxiety, and sibling closeness. Results indicate that individuals with a sibling who has an illness experience higher levels of empathy. Further, participant gender was determined to be a predictor of empathy in these individuals while age of the sibling at diagnosis and sibling closeness were not. No differences in depression, anxiety, and sibling closeness existed between groups. These findings partially support the premise that pediatric chronic illness has long term effects on healthy siblings, but more research is needed to further develop our understanding of the effect of chronic illness on familial relations across time.
Advisors/Committee Members: Kirschman, Keri.
Subjects: Psychology
Keywords: pediatric chronic illness, siblings
More Like This
17.
Sinclair, Ryan Thomas.
THE EFFECTS OF SIBLING RELATIONSHIPS ON ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP EXPECTATIONS IN HIGH CONFLICT HOMES.
Degree: MA, Psychology, Clinical, 2010, University of Dayton
► The current study examined the effects of sibling relationship quality on adolescent…
(more)
▼ The current study examined the effects of sibling relationship quality on adolescent romantic relationship expectations and conflict beliefs. The impact of the sibling relationship and interparental conflict were analyzed for their role in romantic relationship expectations. No significant correlations were found between sibling relationships and romantic relationship expectations. Desirable sibling relationship qualities shared a positive relation with romantic relationship expectations for cross-gender sibships. Same-gender sibships, on the other hand, demonstrated a negative relation between undesirable sibling relationship qualities and romantic expectations. The potentially moderating effects of a positive sibling relationship on romantic relationship expectations within high conflict homes were unable to be examined due to a lack of relation between measures examining these factors. The findings suggest differing impacts of cross- and same-gender sibships on romantic relationship expectations.
Advisors/Committee Members: Phelps, Carolyn R.
Subjects: Psychology
Keywords: Sibling; Romantic; Relationship; Conflict; Interparental; Expectations
More Like This
18.
Skoda, Ashley Mae.
The Relation Between Self-Compassion, Depression, and Forgiveness of Others.
Degree: MA, Psychology, Clinical, 2011, University of Dayton
► This study examined the role of self-compassion and its relationship to depression…
(more)
▼ This study examined the role of self-compassion and its relationship to depression and forgiveness. Participants (n = 96) were recruited from undergraduate psychology classes at a medium-sized Midwestern Catholic university. Participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing self-compassion, forgiveness, depression, and rumination. Consistent with hypotheses, rumination mediated the relationship between self-compassion and depression. The above mediation was also examined using the self-compassion subscale “isolation” because this subscale related strongest to rumination and depression. It was found that self-compassion “isolation” and rumination independently predicted depression significantly. This study also found that self-compassion correlated with forgiveness. More specifically, positive aspects of self-compassion (mindfulness, self-kindness) were closely related to forgiveness of others. This seems to suggest not only that measures of well-being are often related to each other, but also that mindfulness and self-kindness, specifically, may be two integral parts involved in forgiveness. Implications and study limitations are discussed.
Advisors/Committee Members: Rye, Mark.
Subjects: Psychology
Keywords: self-compassion; depression; rumination; forgiveness; positive psychology
More Like This
19.
Stayton, Laura Elise.
Traditional Masculine Ideologies as a Mediator of the Relationship Between Witnessing Violence in Childhood and Intimate Partner Violence Relationships.
Degree: MA, Psychology, Clinical, 2012, University of Dayton
► This study examined the link between witnessing inter-parental violence in childhood and…
(more)
▼ This study examined the link between witnessing inter-parental violence in childhood and adult intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization. The researchers of this study explored the possibility that female participant's endorsements of traditional masculine ideologies (TMI), or involvement with men who possess these ideologies, mediated this relationship between witnessing violence in childhood and adult IPV victimization. Female college students (N=99) and female residents in a community drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinic (N=33) rated their experiences of childhood abuse and witnessing violence in childhood, as well as their endorsements regarding TMI and how they believed their ideal partner would endorse TMI statements. The results of this study replicated the finding that witnessing violence in childhood predicts adult IPV victimization; however, TMI endorsements did not mediate this relationship. The results also indicated that witnessing violence in childhood predicted IPV above and beyond other types of abuse experiences in childhood. Taken together, the findings of the current study suggest that further research is needed regarding mediators of the relationship between witnessing violence in childhood and adult IPV.
Advisors/Committee Members: Zois, Catherine.
Subjects: Clinical Psychology
Keywords: intimate partner violence; witnessing violence; male role norms scale; traditional masculine ideologies; childhood abuse and neglect
More Like This
20.
Steel, Anne Louise.
Understanding Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Among Victims of Intimate Partner Violence: The Roles of Perceived Social Support, Self-esteem, and Self-blame.
Degree: MA, Psychology, Clinical, 2012, University of Dayton
► The relationship between the experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) and the…
(more)
▼ The relationship between the experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) and the development of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has been well-established in the literature (Basile, Arias, Desai, and Thompson, 2004; Coker, Smith, Thompson, McKeown, Bethea, and Davis, 2002). However, researchers have called for more complex statistical models capable of identifying and analyzing the pathways potentially linking IPV and PTSD. Research indicates that IPV victims report lower levels of perceived social support than non-IPV victims (Bengtsson-Tops and Tops, 2007) and that, as a result, victims are at greater risk of developing PTSD (Ozer, Best, Lipsey, and Weiss, 2008). Drawing from the stress buffering hypothesis (Cohen and Willis, 1985), which states that social support acts as a buffer, protecting an individual from the negative effects of a stressful event, the current study analyzed the moderating role of perceived social support in the relationship between IPV and PTSD. It was hypothesized that the positive relationship between IPV and PTSD would be stronger among individuals perceiving lower social support. It was also hypothesized that characterological self-blame and self-esteem would mediate the moderator effect of perceived social support. The hypotheses were tested by distributing questionnaires to 132 adult female participants recruited at a substance abuse treatment facility and a private university. The results indicated that IPV was positively associated with PTSD, and perceived social support negatively predicted PTSD. Further, perceived social support moderated the positive relationship between IPV and PTSD. At the extreme levels of perceived social support, the positive relationship between IPV and PTSD was stronger among individuals perceiving low levels of social support than among those perceiving high levels of social support. However, at the moderate levels of perceived social support, the positive relationship between IPV and PTSD was stronger among individuals perceiving high levels of social support than among those perceiving low levels of social support. Lastly, the results showed that self-esteem mediated the observed moderator effect of perceived social support. Possible explanations for the apparent shift in the direction of the moderation as well as the clinical implications of the findings, limitations of the current study, and directions for future research are discussed.
Advisors/Committee Members: Zois, Catherine L.
Subjects: Clinical Psychology
Keywords: Intimate partner violence; posttraumatic stress disorder; social support; self-esteem; self-blame; mediated moderation
More Like This
21.
Ufholz, Kelsey Elise.
The Effect of Peers on Marital Beliefs and Expectations.
Degree: MA, Psychology, Clinical, 2012, University of Dayton
► The current study examined the effect peers have upon young adults' romantic…
(more)
▼ The current study examined the effect peers have upon young adults' romantic beliefs, controlling for other factors known to impact romantic beliefs, such as interparental conflict. Friendship intimacy was found to be strongly associated with peers' level of influence on romance. Young adults perceived that their friends' romantic beliefs were similar to their own. Differences in beliefs were not related to friendship closeness. The relationship between closeness and influence was not moderated by romantic experience, nor was the relationship between differences in belief and closeness. The relationship between friendship intimacy and influence might vary by gender. Men perceived equal influence from their male and female friends. Women sought advice more frequently from female friends than male friends. Much of this gender effect disappeared once friendship intimacy was accounted for. Opposite gender peers did not significantly influence the realism of romantic beliefs. This research suggests that friends play a strong role in young adults' romantic beliefs, although this impact may vary based upon intimacy and gender.
Advisors/Committee Members: Dixon, Lee.
Subjects: Social Psychology
Keywords: romantic beliefs; marital beliefs; peers; young adults; realism
More Like This
22.
Voelkel, Emily A.
Sensation Seeking, Drinking Motives, and Perceived Norms as Mediators of the Association Between College Major and Drinking Patters.
Degree: MA, Psychology, Clinical, 2010, University of Dayton
► Excessive drinking on college campuses has been investigated extensively in psychological literature.…
(more)
▼ Excessive drinking on college campuses has been investigated extensively in psychological literature. While some studies suggest that business students are consuming alcohol at higher rates than students in other majors, there is a lack of research exploring mechanisms that account for this consumption difference. The focus of this study was to determine to what extent the following variables mediated the relationship between choice of major and drinking behavior: drinking motives, perceived drinking norms for that major, primary psychopathy, and sensation seeking. A total of 169 undergraduate students completed survey packets assessing the following: alcohol consumption (e.g., binge drinking frequency, drinking frequency, and drinking problems), trait anxiety, sensation seeking tendencies, perceived drinking norms, psychopathy, social desirability, and professed motives behind their alcohol consumption. The initial MANCOVA revealed a nonsignificant omnibus F, technically precluding exploration of the subsequent univariate ANOVAs. However, for teaching purposes as well as to explore directions for future research, the complete proposed analyses were conducted. Thus, the results of this study should be interpreted with caution. The first set of univariate ANOVA results indicated that business students and arts and sciences students only significantly differed from each other in binge drinking frequency. Contrary to hypotheses, the results revealed that drinking motives, sensation seeking tendencies, and primary psychopathy did not mediate the relationship between choice of major and binge drinking frequency. The results did indicate that perceived drinking norms for that major fully mediated the relationship between choice of major and binge drinking frequency. Business students may engage in binge drinking more frequently than arts and sciences students due to the perceived drinking norms within their major. That is, while business students did report engaging in binge drinking more frequently, they may also be overestimating the actual amount of alcohol others in their major consume. Therefore, they might consume more alcohol themselves in order to match their perceptions. Although the above results should be interpreted with caution, the treatment and prevention implications include education concerning perceived versus actual drinking norms on college campuses as well as treatment focused on changing the culture surrounding alcohol consumption for business majors.
Advisors/Committee Members: Zois, Catherine.
Subjects: Psychology; Public health; Social psychology
Keywords: college students; alcohol use; perceived norms; drinking motives; business students
More Like This
