Theses/Dissertations - Psychology and Neuroscience

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/2104/4795

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 152

Evaluating the measurement of infertility and infertility treatment-related depression in women : a multiphase qualitative and quantitative analysis of psychometric properties.
(2023-12) Pavlov, Christina L., 1996-; Limbers, Christine A.
Infertility affects approximately 48.5 million reproductive aged couples worldwide (Kiani et al., 2021; Dube et al., 2021; WHO, 2023). Women who are infertile experience rates of depression nearly four times higher than the general population. While depression is a construct of interest for many studies that focus on infertility, little has been done to ensure the psychometric rigor of the measures of depression being used in these studies. The two studies included in this dissertation expand the current body of psychometric literature regarding measures of infertility-related depression. Study 1 was a phenomenological systematic review of depression in women experiencing infertility in which current diagnostic criteria were plotted across qualitative studies and new themes central to infertility-related depression were identified. Study 2 presented a systematic review and evaluation of the psychometric properties of measures of depression used in populations of women with infertility reported in the current literature. Together, these two studies identified important gaps in the empirical literature and recommendations for future research are provided.
Examination of the effect of a diet high in vitamin D in a preclinical model of fragile X syndrome.
(2023-12) Womble, Paige D., 1995-; Lugo, Joaquin N.
Neurodevelopmental disorders affect approximately 17% of the population. Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder that is the most common form of inherited intellectual disability and is a monogenic cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Individuals with FXS lack the ability to synthesize fragile x messenger ribonucleoprotein (FMRP), leading to pronounced behavioral and cognitive impairments such as deficits in communication, repetitive behaviors, and intellectual disabilities. Additionally, individuals with FXS exhibit molecular abnormalities, including dysregulation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and mGluR signaling cascades. Murine models of FXS resemble behaviorally and molecular characteristics of ASD, making this model a valuable tool for studying this disorder. Currently, there is no treatment for FXS, emphasizing the critical need for new interventions. Previously, vitamin D has been found to alleviate symptoms of ASD in children and aid in the regulation of mTOR. In the present study, we gave a high dose of dietary vitamin D (20,000 IU/Kg) to C57BL/6J FMR1 male wildtype and knockout mice. We found that the FMR1 knockout mice had alternations in movement, anxiety, exploratory, learning and memory, and sensory-motor gating behaviors. However, we found no rescue of behavioral impairments of FMR1 knockout mice in the open field, elevated plus maze, nose poke, social partition, delayed fear conditioning, nor prepulse inhibition task. There was no difference in weight between groups, but there was a difference in food intake finding that animals on the vitamin D diet consumed more food than animals on the control diet. We also looked at pS6, a downstream target of the mTOR pathway, but there were no differences found. More research is needed to find other alternatives to improve cognitive and behavioral outcomes of individuals with FXS.
How anger and gratitude toward God affect beliefs about God.
(2023-08) Medenwaldt, Jay M., 1982-; Schnitker, Sarah A.
Research on anger and gratitude toward God has primarily focused on discovering wellbeing correlates of dispositional anger and gratitude toward God, with only a handful of studies investigating state gratitude to God and no studies investigating state anger toward God. Thus, I sought to test the effects of state anger and gratitude toward God as well as state anger and gratitude toward people on cognitions about God. I hypothesized that gratitude and anger would have divergent effects on cognitions about God. I randomly assigned participants to write about a time when they were angry or grateful to God, angry or grateful to another person, and a control condition. The gratitude toward God condition was not different than the control condition on any dependent variables, but the anger toward God condition rated arguments for God as weaker, rated God as less benevolent, and had more doubt about religious beliefs than the control condition and other conditions for some outcomes. The results suggest that anger toward God, if not resolved, can decrease positive cognitions about God.
Siblings of children with chronic illnesses : validation of the Sibling Perception Questionnaire (SPQ).
(2023-08) Gutierrez, Abbi L., 1995-; Limbers, Christine A.
Objective The objective of the current study was to validate the parent-report version of the Sibling Perception Questionnaire (SPQ) for use with healthy children who have a chronically ill sibling. Methods Participants were 200 caregivers of healthy children ages 9-17 years who had a sibling (ages 0-18 years) diagnosed with cancer, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, epilepsy, spina bifida, or congenital heart disease. The average age of well-siblings was 16.15 years (SD=2.42). The sample was 55.5% male and 62% non-Hispanic White. Results The SPQ had adequate internal consistency reliability for the total score (α=.83), Interpersonal score (α=.78), and Fear of Disease score (α=.71). The SPQ displayed adequate convergent validity as evidenced by medium to large positive correlations (r=.39-.56) between the SPQ, the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0. Discriminant validity was demonstrated by weak negative correlations between the SPQ and Altman Self Rating Scale (r=-.22). While the original four-factor model of the SPQ displayed a poor model fit (CFI=.6, RMSEA=.11, TLI=.55, SRMR=.14), a revised, shorter 14-item four-factor model demonstrated an acceptable fit (CFI=.92, RMSEA=.07, TLI=.90, SRMR=.06). Conclusion Taken as a whole, these findings largely demonstrate adequate reliability and validity of the parent-report version of the SPQ. However, the factor structure did not meet acceptability standards and the Intrapersonal and Communication subscales should be interpreted with caution. The shortened, 14-item parent-report version of the SPQ (SPQ-R) demonstrated superior model fit, has valid and reliable subscales, and has the potential to reduce the burden of families filling out the measure.
A mobile application delivery of gut-directed hypnotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome : user characteristics, patterns of use, and symptom reports pre- and post-use.
(2023-08) Simicich, Lauren A., 1993-; Elkins, Gary Ray, 1952-
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most prevalent disorders of gut-brain interaction that afflicts both individuals and society at large. Standard medical care approaches have displayed limited efficacy, thus highlighting the need for other treatment approaches. Hypnotic interventions have been extensively studied for IBS and have consistently demonstrated effectiveness in improving IBS symptoms. However, widespread dissemination of a hypnotic intervention for IBS has not yet been achieved. Limited availability and affordability of hypnotherapists are among the potential barriers to implementation. Mobile phone applications provide an appealing alternative method of delivering evidence-based hypnotherapy services that are more readily accessible. Preliminary research suggests that self-administered and application-delivered hypnotic interventions for IBS may have therapeutic efficacy equivalent to face-to-face delivery. Limited studies have examined how individuals interface with a mobile application-delivered hypnotherapeutic intervention for IBS. The present study aimed to determine the user characteristics, usage patterns, and associated symptom changes of a mobile application-delivered hypnotherapeutic intervention for self-reported IBS symptoms delivered through the Nerva app from Mindset Health. A retrospective analysis of data from a convenience sample of 14,898 users of the Nerva app was conducted. User/clinical characteristics and usage patterns were described. Significant associations were found between user/clinical characteristics and Nerva app usage. Greater use of gut-directed hypnotherapy audio recordings was significantly associated with greater reductions in overall GI symptoms and psychological distress from pre- to post-program across Nerva app users. Several Nerva app usage metrics significantly and uniquely predicted IBS and psychological symptom changes from pre- to post-program. The total number of gut-directed hypnotherapy sessions completed was the strongest predictor of overall GI symptoms improvement, whereas the total number of psychoeducational readings completed was the best predictor of improvement in psychological distress. Overall, the results of this study begin to reveal the nuanced relationships that Nerva app usage shares with user/clinical characteristics and symptom changes experienced from pre- to post-program and underscores app usage as an important factor of study in evaluation of mobile health interventions for IBS.
Assessing experienced discrimination in a college student population.
(2023-08) Pizzuto, Alexandra E., 1995-; Sanford, Keith Philip.
Experienced discrimination based on identity and appearance (or discrimination experience) is critical to assess among the college student population given its relationship to six key components of the college student experience. Investigating this variable requires the use of a psychometrically sound scale that demonstrates adequate validity and sensitivity; however, one of the most commonly used measures to assess discrimination experience in undergraduates—the Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS; Williams et al., 1997)—suffers issues related to these two key scale properties. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to develop a novel scale to measure discrimination experience in college students—the Academia Discrimination Experience Scale (ADES)—in order to improve upon the validity and sensitivity of the EDS. It was hypothesized that the ADES would produce a good fit to a unidimensional confirmatory factor analysis model and provide high information in item response theory analyses. Further, it was hypothesized that the ADES would demonstrate convergent correlations with variables tapping the six key components of the college student experience. Finally, it was hypothesized that the ADES would demonstrate sensitivity to detecting significant differences between groups with well-documented experiences of discrimination and groups with less documentation. All hypotheses were supported by the results of the present study, except for the hypothesis regarding significant correlations with the criterion variables. Although the ADES demonstrated promising features (i.e., the scale has a good factor structure, demonstrates high information across varying response levels, and is sensitive to detecting group differences), the scale failed to meet the criterion for convergent validity. The paper ends with a discussion regarding implications and limitations of this study as well as possible directions for future research.
Posttraumatic growth-oriented training among U.S. veterans : evaluation of post-intervention and long-term follow-up outcomes.
(2023-08) Rhodes, Joshua R., 1996-; Elkins, Gary Ray, 1952-
Exposure to trauma among U.S. military veterans occurs at a high rate, often resulting in continued difficulty with emotional adjustment and a diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Most critically, these difficulties manifest themselves in the approximated 17.2 veteran deaths by suicide each day. There is a need for treatment that engages individuals, provides impactful and lasting effects, and addresses the existential issues that veterans face. Current recommended treatments include manualized, trauma-focused psychotherapies such as prolonged exposure therapy (PE) and cognitive processing therapy (CPT), non-trauma-focused therapies such as stress inoculation training, and a few pharmaceutical treatments such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Despite much evidence for their benefit in symptom reduction, many veterans continue to experience difficulties with existential issues that fall outside the narrow category of PTSD symptomatology. The theory of posttraumatic growth provides a novel approach to dealing with the aftermath of trauma and embraces the capacity for positive psychological growth following such experiences. Training in posttraumatic growth refers to a meaning-making process that reflects a positive adaptation to a traumatic life event. The growth and adaptation occur when individuals seek to reconcile the experienced trauma with their existing belief system. This study presents data from 719 U.S. military veterans who completed a posttraumatic-growth oriented training program. Outcomes related to psychological growth and symptomatology reduction are reported. Analyses of post-intervention data indicate significant increases in all growth-related outcomes and significant decreases in all symptomatology-related outcomes. Analyses of long-term data indicate that all changes in growth-related outcomes were maintained at an 18-month follow-up assessment. Further, all changes in symptomatology-related outcomes, apart from anxiety and negative affect, were also maintained at follow-up. There was no significant difference between male and female participant scores at post-intervention or follow-up, indicating both male and female veterans likely experience comparable benefit from such a training program. Together, these findings highlight the immediate and lasting impact of a posttraumatic growth-oriented training program on aiding in psychological growth and symptom reduction among U.S. military veterans.
Examining characteristics of users of the Evia app : digital hypnotherapy for hot flashes.
(2023-08) Snyder-Olson, Morgan Alexis, 1994-; Elkins, Gary Ray, 1952-
Approximately 75% of women experience hot flashes during menopause (Kronenberg, 1990). Hot flashes are burdensome and distressing for those who experience them. It is important to identify treatments for women who are suffering from hot flashes. Nonpharmacological treatments for relieving hot flashes are necessary because pharmacological treatments are either ineffective or have a risk of dangerous side effects. Hypnotherapy has been shown to be effective for reducing hot flashes in randomized clinical trials (Elkins et al., 2008; Elkins et al., 2013), but it is not routinely used in clinical practice. One solution to this implementation gap is to deliver hypnotherapy through a smartphone app. The Evia app was developed to deliver hypnotherapy for hot flashes. The purpose of the current study is to determine the characteristics of users of the Evia app and to determine which user characteristics are associated with length of app use. The information gathered from this study will allow for the Evia app to be tailored and optimized toward its users. Results showed that the average age of app users is in line with the average age of menopause onset, that the largest percentage of users reported experiencing 5 or more hot flashes per day and that they reported their hot flashes to be of moderate intensity. Most users reported difficulty falling asleep each night and reported their sleep quality to be terrible or fair. Most users reported that they sometimes or often feel anxious or depressed. Most Evia subscribers had not heard of hypnotherapy for menopause before and a majority had not tried hypnotherapy before. Most (94%) of Evia subscribers were not referred by a healthcare professional. Hearing about hypnotherapy before, being referred by a healthcare professional, and hot flash severity were not significantly related to length of program use. However, hot flash frequency and hot flash interference were significantly associated with length of program use. These studies were the first to report characteristics of users and factors associated with length of program use of the Evia app. These results will be used to optimize the hypnotherapy program delivered via the Evia app.
A comparison of affective and neuroinflammatory changes in response to unpredictable chronic mild stress and hyperglycemia in male and female mice.
(2023-08) Gilley, Kayla R., 1994-; Vichaya, Elisabeth G.
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder that affects nearly half a billion people globally. Major Depressive Disorder has twice the prevalence rate in this population. Despite the higher rates of depression among women, most preclinical research in this area has utilized male mice due to their increased susceptibility to developing hyperglycemia. Within this document, two studies were conducted to examine hyperglycemia-induced depressive- and anxiety-like behavior in both male and female C57BL/6J mice, as well as the interaction between hyperglycemia- and stress-induced behavioral changes. I hypothesized that for males, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced hyperglycemia and unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) would independently induce anxiety and depressive-like behaviors, and that they would act additively to exacerbate affective symptoms. I expected similar results in females, but previous literature indicates that female responses would likely be blunted. For males, STZ-induced hyperglycemia was associated with increased depressive-like behavior, increased hippocampal Bdnf and Tnf expression, and elevations in frontal cortex Il1b expression. Our chronic stress protocol produced alterations in anxiety-like behavior and decreased frontal cortex Il1b expression. For females, hyperglycemia was associated affective dysregulation, as observed in forced swim, open field exploration, and marble burying. UCMS did not lead to affective dysregulation on its own. However, it appeared to be the driving factor facilitating the hyperglycemia-associated changes, particularly in the forced swim task. Hyperglycemia-induced neuroinflammation was observed with increased hippocampal Tnf expression. Frontal cortex neuroinflammation only indicated trending effects. Marginal hyperglycemia by stress interactions were noted, such that STZ heightened Tnf and Il1b expression while UCMS drove it back down. Overall, for both sexes the data indicate that stress and hyperglycemia induce different symptom profiles via distinct mechanisms allowing them to exert additive effects, such that UCMS increases the susceptibility to developing affective dysregulation and neuroinflammation.
Feasibility of the psychological distress profile for evaluating distress among cancer patients.
(2023-08) Biggs, Mattie L., 1992-; Elkins, Gary Ray, 1952-
Cancer patients experience psychological distress due to various factors including length of time since diagnosis, demographic characteristics, and type of cancer (Cutillo et al., 2017; Zabora et al., 2001). The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) standards of care for distress management for cancer patients include effective screening for psychological distress (2020b). While the NCCN recommends using the Distress Thermometer (DT) and Problem List due to their brief nature (2020a), it has been shown that “ultra-short methods,” such as the DT, have high rates of false positives (Mitchell, 2007). Thus, the field needs a brief screening measure of distress that provides more detail about the features of the distress than does the DT. This study aimed to assess the feasibility, acceptability, reliability, and validity of the Psychological Distress Profile (PDP; Elkins & Johnson, 2015) for evaluating distress among cancer patients. Two hundred forty-one participants were recruited via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) and administered the PDP; Distress Thermometer (DT); Problem List; and standard measures of depression, hopelessness, anxiety, and anger. Results demonstrated that participants were able to complete the PDP in an online format and reported high ratings of acceptability, ease of completion, and willingness to complete the PDP. The PDP also demonstrated high internal consistency when used among cancer patients (Cronbach’s α = .92). Furthermore, the PDP demonstrated a small positive correlation with the DT (r = .16, p = .012). The subscales of the PDP significantly correlated with established measures of depression, hopelessness, anxiety, and depression (correlations ranging from r = .14 to r = .77), but the PDP risk factor questions did not significantly correlate with the established measures of depression and hopelessness. Additionally, incremental validity of the PDP was supported for all established measures except the HADS-D. Lastly, both male and female participants reported higher ratings of distress in this study compared to participants from a previous study of the PDP with the general population (Elkins & Johnson, 2015). Overall, the results establish the PDP to be a theory-driven, easily completed, and comprehensive assessment of psychological distress among cancer patients.
Examining the association between trust and fear of negative evaluation.
(2023-08) Meyers, Alexandra K., 1996-; Fergus, Thomas A.; Hiraoka, Regina
Fear of negative evaluation, the belief that there is high cost associated with negative evaluation by others, is a core risk factor for social anxiety disorder within cognitive-behavioral conceptual models and a core target for intervention when treating that disorder. This study sought to better understand correlates and causes of fear of negative evaluation by extending existing proposals that fear of negative evaluation originates because of personality traits. The personality trait of trust is essential to all social interactions and could influence assumptions that worsen fear of negative evaluation in social situations. This two-part study provided the first known examination of the relationship between trust and fear of negative evaluation. In the first part of the study, among a sample of 590 undergraduate students, trust was examined at a trait level in relation to fear of negative evaluation. Contrary to predictions, and although trait trust shared a small negative bivariate relationship with fear of negative evaluation, trait trust did not explain unique variance in fear of negative evaluation when accounting for statistical overlap among other relevant personality traits. In the second part of the study, among a subset of 161 undergraduate students who participated in the first part of the study, trust was examined at a state level using an experimental design in relation to fear of negative evaluation. Contrary to predictions, and although the experimental manipulation changed state levels of trust, prompting (dis)trust did not result in an increase of fear of negative evaluation. Although predictions generally were unsupported, the personality trait of respectfulness unexpectedly stood out as a potential trait of interest in future research examining personality traits that may further account for the development and maintenance of fear of negative evaluation.
Personality moderates the relation between inflexibility and mental health symptoms as mediated by reactions to retirement losses in former competitors.
(2023-08) Zimmermann, Jane A., 1992-; Schnitker, Sarah A.
Research suggests that psychological inflexibility can increase adverse mental health outcomes, but studies have not examined how Big Five personality traits might moderate the effects of psychological inflexibility on mental health outcomes. Moreover, this relation has not been applied among former competitors, nor have studies included reactions to retirement losses as a potential mediator in the examination of inflexibility and mental health. Research has established the importance of “retiring well,” but no studies to date have examined how inflexibility and personality may interact to predict outcomes like depression and anxiety. This study examines how inflexibility, reactions to retirement, and personality are associated with the mental health outcomes of depression and anxiety in a sample of former competitors within Drum Corps International, an elite marching and performance organization. Data were taken from a larger study examining which factors may impact transition from elite marching in DCI to everyday life. Results from 460 retired competitors (22-80 years) were analyzed. A loss of control reaction to retirement mediated the effect of inflexibility and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Neuroticism, Extraversion, and Conscientiousness moderated the effects of psychological inflexibility on anxiety and depressive symptoms through reactions to retirement losses. Specifically, at lower levels of Neuroticism, the size of the indirect effect of inflexibility on symptoms of depression through a loss of control response style was higher. Neuroticism was also a moderator of the indirect effect through positive reappraisal such that for those low on Neuroticism, inflexibility was associated with higher positive reappraisal, which predicted lower depressive symptoms. Extraversion attenuated the direct effect of inflexibility on the avoidant response style, but it did not moderate the indirect effects predicting symptoms of anxiety or depression. Conscientiousness attenuated the direct effect of inflexibility on both loss of control and avoidant response styles, but it did not moderate the indirect effects predicting symptoms of anxiety or depression. Clinical implications for providers of acceptance and commitment therapy are discussed.
Profile membership of self-worth contingencies predicts well-being, virtues, and values.
(May 2023) Bounds, Elizabeth M., 1995-; Schnitker, Sarah A.
Historically, researchers have conceptualized self-esteem as global self-evaluation; recently, others have suggested that people are selective about what affects their self-worth. Two studies (N = 1,032) used a person-centered approach to examine how six domains of self-worth contingency associate with well-being, virtue, and value outcomes. Latent profile analyses indicated five distinct profiles. Non-contingents (lowest contingency in all domains) reported good well-being outcomes, low self-transcendence and self-enhancement values, and gave the least in a behavioral measure of generosity. Moral Contingents (high contingency in a moral domain; low contingency in other domains) reported the greatest well-being, purpose/meaning, performance virtues, and prosocial virtues, and high self-transcendence and low self-enhancement values. High Contingents (highest contingency in all domains) reported the worst well-being, second-highest others-focused compassion, and high self-transcendence and self-enhancement values. Medium Contingents (moderate contingency) reported the second-worst ill-being, second-highest purpose, second-highest performance and prosocial virtues, and high self-transcendent and self-enhancement values. Low Contingents reported the lowest purpose and basic needs satisfaction, and high self-enhancement and low self-transcendent values. Implications for optimal self-esteem and values are discussed.
A second hit approach using early life seizures in Fmr1 knockout mice induces autism-like behavioral deficits.
(May 2023) Blandin, Katherine J., 1996-; Lugo, Joaquin N.
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the leading monogenetic cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and expresses a high rate of seizures. Individuals with epilepsy also have a high rate of ASD. To disentangle the effects of FXS and early-life seizures on later behavioral deficits, we examined the impact of repeated seizures on the behavior and molecular changes in Fmr1 knockout (KO) male mice and wild-type (WT) male mice, serving as a model of FXS. A high seizure load was accomplished through three flurothyl-induced tonic-clonic seizures per day across postnatal days (PD) 7-11. In adulthood, mice were assessed in a battery of behavioral tasks to assess long-term behavioral deficits. A high seizure load decreased exploratory behavior and activity in both KO and control mice. Genotypic differences were observed with KO mice expressing significantly more repetitive and anxiety-like behavior. Early-life seizures in KO mice significantly decreased locomotor activity and increased associative learning, The double hit of FMR1 knockout and seizures resulted in a potentiation of repetitive behavior in the nose poke test. Following western blot analysis, we found no significant effects of genotype or treatment on mTOR signaling proteins, neuroinflammatory markers, or ion channel proteins. A high seizure load shows to have detrimental effects singularly and did exacerbate behavioral deficits in the mice with Fmr1 deletion. These findings further illuminate the long-term effects of early-life seizures, the impact of the FMR1 deletion, and the impact of two hits on the developing brain.
Examining the feasibility of a telehealth hypnosis intervention for stress reduction.
(May 2023) Stevens, Audrey Hunt, 1990-; Elkins, Gary Ray, 1952-
Hypnosis interventions have shown promise in reducing chronic psychological stress. However, the few studies that have examined hypnosis as a treatment for stress have shown consistent problems, particularly related to feasibility of delivering the hypnosis intervention. Supported by evidence of positive outcomes from virtually delivered psychological treatments, it was hypothesized that a hypnosis intervention delivered via telehealth may overcome problems demonstrated in previous studies. No studies to date have examined the feasibility of live delivery of a hypnosis intervention via telehealth to treat chronic psychological stress in a population especially vulnerable to stress. The primary aim of the present study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth hypnosis intervention for chronic psychological stress. A secondary aim was to examine possible mechanisms through which a hypnosis intervention may reduce psychological stress. The third aim was to determine the feasibility of data collection via telehealth and identify effects of a hypnosis intervention on psychological symptoms. Fifteen middle-aged adults (45 to 65 years old) with elevated psychological stress levels were enrolled in the single-arm study. Participants engaged in five sessions of a live telehealth hypnosis intervention and received five corresponding hypnosis audio recordings for independent self-hypnosis practice. The feasibility and acceptability of the telehealth hypnosis intervention was supported by results showing a high rate of participant retention, high rate of adherence to self-hypnosis practice, high satisfaction ratings, and positive qualitative feedback. Results of the second aim contribute to the growing body of evidence clarifying the mechanisms through which hypnosis may reduce stress. Mixed findings were observed related to the third aim, but participants reported significant reductions in psychological stress and anxiety at posttreatment and gains were maintained at follow-up. Despite limitations of the present feasibility study, quantitative and qualitative findings support the feasibility and acceptability of delivering a hypnosis intervention via telehealth to reduce chronic psychological stress in a middle-aged population.
Targeting the knowledge-behavior gap in sleep : the impact of augmenting sleep education with implementation intentions on sleep behaviors.
(May 2023) Barley, Blake K., 1994-; Scullin, Michael K.
Sleep education programs are increasingly used in colleges to improve sleep behaviors in students. These programs are successful at improving sleep knowledge, but rarely change sleep behaviors. One method of bridging this knowledge-behavior gap in sleep is to augment sleep education with implementation intention formation (Education+II). We tested this intervention in a challenging environment: organic chemistry classes. 101 undergraduate students completed baseline questionnaires and actigraphy monitoring before undergoing a standardized sleep education program. Students were then randomly assigned to an Education Only condition or an Education+II condition. Education+II individuals formed specific plans to go to bed earlier for the next five school nights and received nightly reminders to implement their plans. There were significant time-dependent improvements in sleep duration, and participants in the Education+II condition demonstrated earlier bedtimes than the Education Only condition, suggesting that sleep education augmented with implementation intentions is effective at facilitating improvements in sleep behaviors.
Developing a tailored mHealth app for legal guardians/caregivers of youth in aftercare for substance use : a theory-driven and user-centered approach.
(August 2022) Magnuson, Katherine Ivy, 1995-; Ryan-Pettes, Stacy R.
Adolescent substance use occurs at alarming rates. Despite these high rates of use, few teenagers obtain treatment. Those who do, return to use at significant rates posttreatment, suggesting that there are gaps in current treatments for adolescents who use substances. Behavioral parent training has positive effects on substance use treatment outcomes for adolescents. However, parents have difficulty participating in treatment because of barriers to access, initiation, and engagement. The use of mHealth apps to disseminate behavioral parent training for adolescent substance use is a possible solution to overcome barriers. However, there are no current behavioral-focused mHealth apps for parents of adolescents who use substances. mHealth apps are best developed through a participant-centered design that incorporates the lived experiences and perceptions of the end-user. Therefore, the present study sought to provide formative work for the development of an mHealth app for parents of adolescents engaged in substance use. This study used a participant-centered, mixed-methods design to recruit parents into a two-part study. Part One included a sample of 36 parents who were surveyed on their use of specific monitoring and supervision practices. Analyses were conducted to determine the frequency of use, and whether the use of specific practices is associated with adolescent age, gender, and substance use treatment history. Part Two included a follow-up interview (N=12) to examine parental lived experiences of using monitoring and supervision methods. Interviews were coded for perceived effectiveness, experience (positive or negative), and barriers to engaging in monitoring and supervision practices. Results indicated minimal differences in monitoring and supervision practices across adolescent age, gender, and substance use histories. Parents provided eleven different methods of monitoring and supervising their teenagers and provided effectiveness, lived experiences, and barriers associated with each method. Active methods of parental monitoring and supervision were determined as being the most effective methods of monitoring and supervising adolescents with substance use histories. Monitoring and supervision practices as well as methods to develop content for an mHealth app for parents of youth with substance use histories are discussed.
Developing a goals-based approach to virtue.
(August 2022) Ratchford, Juliette L., 1995-; Schnitker, Sarah A.
Recent literature (e.g., Ng & Tay, 2020) calls for a shift in virtue assessment away from decontextualized, global assessments toward contextualized measures. Throughout this dissertation, I seek to present a model of virtue informed by Cybernetic Big Five that situates virtues as characteristic adaptation strategies engaged in pursuit of goals. I seek to develop a theory-aligned measure of virtue by taking a goals-based approach to virtue. In chapter one, I present the extant literature regarding virtues and propose the goals-based measurement paradigm as a potential solution to issues of virtue measurement. In chapter two, I present data from three studies validating a goals-based measure of the virtue patience and provide empirical evidence regarding virtue’s place within the personality system. Across three studies, my new measure of patience in the pursuit of goals was reliable, structurally valid, and provided insight into contextual effects of patience. Building upon the findings in chapter two in chapter three, I extend the Aristotelian model of virtue by proposing the virtue counterbalancing circumplex model. Under this model, each virtue is paired with a complementary, counterbalancing virtue, where the vice of excess for one virtue is the vice of deficiency for the other. I test this extended model with a longitudinal goals-based approach study on the virtues of patience and courage positioned between the vices of passivity and reactivity. Findings suggested empirical support for the virtue counterbalancing circumplex model. Additionally, there were interesting distinctions at the within level (e.g., specific goal level) and between level (e.g., characteristic person level) of analysis, which provide further insight into how these virtues and vices relate. Finally, in chapter four I present overall conclusions and takeaways from the present research, situating the findings from chapter two and three within both virtue and personality literature.
Exploring the effects of maternal immune activation on cisplatin-induced toxicities.
(August 2022) Rodgers, Hailey N., 1999-; Vichaya, Elisabeth G.
With cancer survivorship on the rise, there needs to be more research on the long-lasting side effects that can arise from cancer treatment. Cancer treatment is associated with many side effects including fatigue, depression, and anxiety, and for some these side effects can last for years after treatment cessation. Currently, there is a lack of data predicting which patients will display severe symptoms; however, some have suggested that early-life stressors, like maternal immune activation (MIA) may contribute to these differences in susceptibility. As MIA has been associated with alterations in stress responsivity, inflammation, and metabolism, we wanted to determine if MIA would exacerbate cisplatin-induced fatigue and affective problems in adulthood. On gestational. Day 12.5, dams were injected with 20 mg/kg Poly(I:C) or vehicle. At six weeks old, offspring were single housed with running wheels and 14 days later were injected with saline or cisplatin (2.3 mg//kg/day for 5 days). After cisplatin treatment, mice underwent a battery of affective tests. MIA females showed increased voluntary wheel running compared to controls, while males did not. Following cisplatin treatment, MIA females did not show the expected decrease in running that the controls and males did. Both male and female mice showed no differences in affective tests. Our data indicate that MIA females may have been buffered from severe acute fatigue in response to cisplatin, while the males showed no effects. The increased basal activity and lack of fatigue displayed by females, may be indicative of metabolic alterations by MIA; more research needs to be done to explore this effect. MIA did not increase the susceptibility of fatigue or affective dysregulation in mice following cisplatin treatment.
Kainic acid-induced status epilepticus results in anterograde amnesia for contextual learning.
(August 2022) Sullens, D. Gregory, 1989-; Lugo, Joaquin N.
Individuals with epilepsy suffer a decrease in quality-of-life, and a major factor in this decrease is memory deficits. One of the most common memory deficits those with epilepsy report is a brief period of amnesia surrounding a seizure event. Recent evidence indicates a single acute seizure disrupts learning which occurs within one-hour but not six-hours post-seizure. In this study, we examined if a kainic acid (KA) induced episode of status epilepticus (SE) will disrupt memory for an associative memory task occurring one (1hr) or six hours (6hrs) post-SE recovery. Recall tests for contextual and cued fear memory were run 24hrs and 1wk after SE induction using Delay Fear Conditioning (DFC). We also collected hippocampal tissue from a separate cohort of mice at 24hrs and 1wk to examine histological alterations which may be associated with memory recall deficits. We observed contextual, but not cued, fear memory deficits at both 24hrs and 1wk recall for males and females trained 1hr after SE. When trained 6hrs after SE contextual memory recall was impaired at 24hrs but not 1wk later in males and females. We conducted western blot analysis for factors associated with decreased memory recall such as increased immune response (IBA1), astrocyte reactivity (GFAP), and mTOR hyperactivity (AKT/pAKT and S6/pS6). We observed an increase in IBA1 levels at 24hrs and 1wk, increases in AKT and pAKT at 24hrs, and pS6 at 24hrs for KA mice. This study suggests a single SE episode can disrupt contextual memory for up to six hours after SE cessation and altered PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and inflammation may play a role in post-seizure memory disruption.

Browse

Recent Submissions