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Title: THE EFFECTS OF PARENTING AND IDENTITY ON DECISION-MAKING STYLES.
Creator: Reyes, Natasha, Berman, Steven, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This paper explores the influences of parenting and identity on decision-making style. Although links have been found between certain aspects of (1) parenting and identity, (2) identity and decision-making, and (3) parenting and decision-making, no study prior to this one, has examined all three variables together. In a college sample (N = 136), parental psychological control was found to be associated with ruminative identity exploration and identity distress. In regard to decision-making,...
Show moreThis paper explores the influences of parenting and identity on decision-making style. Although links have been found between certain aspects of (1) parenting and identity, (2) identity and decision-making, and (3) parenting and decision-making, no study prior to this one, has examined all three variables together. In a college sample (N = 136), parental psychological control was found to be associated with ruminative identity exploration and identity distress. In regard to decision-making, Rational Decision-Making style was found to be related to identity exploration and identity commitment, while Spontaneous Decision-Making was associated with parental Psychological Control. A hypothesis that identity would mediate the relationship between parenting and decision-making was tested, and while none of the variables met criteria, the one that came closest was Ruminative Identity Exploration and Identity Distress potentially mediating the relationship between parental Psychological Control and Avoidant Decision-Making. Future studies may want to replicate and explore this possibility further.
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Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFH2000493, ucf:45618
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000493

Title: IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL SUPPORT, AND MOTHERHOOD.
Creator: Rosado, Dayanara, Berman, Steven L., University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Adolescent pregnancy creates challenges for this minority population in balancing their motherhood identity with continuing to develop their identity at the adolescent stage, which presents a social problem today. The intent of this thesis is to explore the relationship between identity, adjustment, and social support among college students who were adolescent mothers. The following surveys: Personal Network Matrix (PNM), The Identity Distress Scale (IDS), and The Dimension of Identity...
Show moreAdolescent pregnancy creates challenges for this minority population in balancing their motherhood identity with continuing to develop their identity at the adolescent stage, which presents a social problem today. The intent of this thesis is to explore the relationship between identity, adjustment, and social support among college students who were adolescent mothers. The following surveys: Personal Network Matrix (PNM), The Identity Distress Scale (IDS), and The Dimension of Identity Development Scale (DIDS), were administered through the UCF SONA system. Participants were divided into three groups: mothers who had their first child as a teenager (teen mothers; n = 6), mothers who had their first child at 20 years or older (older mothers; n = 12), and women who have never had children (non-mothers; n = 182). Overall, the results of the study indicated that non-mothers tended to ruminate more than older mothers and the more social support mothers received as an adolescent, the less likely they were to ruminate at the adolescent stage. Moreover, older mothers displayed less identity exploration in breadth than non-mothers and adolescent mothers. Future researchers is needed to further investigate the relationship between social support, adjustment, and identity distress, in order to start building intervention research in assisting adolescent mothers in their struggle with identity development, emotional support, and for the well-being of their offspring.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFH2000096, ucf:45560
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000096

Title: IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION PREJUDICE.
Creator: Smith, Cassandra, Berman, Steven L., University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This study examined the relationships among psychological variables of sexual prejudice, psychological adjustment, and identity development. It was hypothesized that sexual orientation prejudice would be negatively related to psychological adjustment. It was further hypothesized that identity formation would moderate the relationship between sexual orientation prejudice and psychological adjustment. Participants were 200 college students, ages ranged from 18-48 (M = 21.96, SD = 4.87). Sexual...
Show moreThis study examined the relationships among psychological variables of sexual prejudice, psychological adjustment, and identity development. It was hypothesized that sexual orientation prejudice would be negatively related to psychological adjustment. It was further hypothesized that identity formation would moderate the relationship between sexual orientation prejudice and psychological adjustment. Participants were 200 college students, ages ranged from 18-48 (M = 21.96, SD = 4.87). Sexual orientation for the participants included self-identified labels of Heterosexual (88.5%), Homosexual (6.5%), Bisexual (3.5%), Pansexual (1%), and Demisexual (0.5%). Survey data were collected through a Psychology Research Experience website (SONA). Results revealed a negative correlation between Heterophobia, and Life Satisfaction. However, no statistically significant correlation was found between Homophobia and Life Satisfaction. Heterophobia (but not Homophobia) was significantly correlated with identity Exploration in Depth and Identification with Commitment. The measure of sexual adjustment revealed both Heterophobia and Homophobia positively correlated with Sexual Anxiety and Sexual Fear. The identity variables (Sexual Exploration and Sexual Commitment) were found to be related to sexual orientation prejudice. The moderator hypothesis was partially supported in that two moderator variables significantly interacted with sexual orientation prejudice (Heterophobia) and psychological adjustment (Sexual Anxiety and Sexual Fear). However, more research is needed to further elucidate the intricate relationships among psychological variables of sexual orientation prejudice, psychological adjustment, and identity development.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFH2000099, ucf:45540
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000099

Title: THE ROLE OF PARENTING AND ATTACHMENT IN IDENTITY STYLE DEVELOPMENT.
Creator: Ratner, Kaylin, Berman, Steven, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Due to the significant relationships between parenting style, attachment, and identity formation found in previous literature, this study investigated the possibility of attachment playing a mediational role in the relationship between parenting and identity style. A total of 264 students from two high schools participated in this study. Although not mediational, significant relationships between maternal responsiveness, attachment, and the normative identity style were found. An outstanding...
Show moreDue to the significant relationships between parenting style, attachment, and identity formation found in previous literature, this study investigated the possibility of attachment playing a mediational role in the relationship between parenting and identity style. A total of 264 students from two high schools participated in this study. Although not mediational, significant relationships between maternal responsiveness, attachment, and the normative identity style were found. An outstanding and unexpected finding of this study was that the attachment and responsiveness measurements, although thought to be assessing different variables, are now suspected to be looking at constructs that are almost one-in-the-same. Extending to practical applications, the results of this study could be used to aid programs focused on fostering positive youth development by emphasizing parental interaction, warmth, and support.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFH0004333, ucf:45049
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004333

Title: THE ROLE OF COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY IN ADOLESCENT RELATIONSHIPS AND IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT.
Creator: Cyr, Betty-Ann, Berman, Dr. Steven, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Text messaging, e-mail, instant messaging, and social networking sites are changing the way people interact with each other. The popularity of these communication technologies among emerging adults in particular has grown exponentially, with little accompanying research to understand their influences on psychosocial development. This study explores the relationship between communication technology usage (text messaging, e-mail, instant messaging, and social networking) and adolescent...
Show moreText messaging, e-mail, instant messaging, and social networking sites are changing the way people interact with each other. The popularity of these communication technologies among emerging adults in particular has grown exponentially, with little accompanying research to understand their influences on psychosocial development. This study explores the relationship between communication technology usage (text messaging, e-mail, instant messaging, and social networking) and adolescent adjustment among 268 high school students. It was hypothesized that use of communication technology would be related to psychological adjustment, including identity development, relationship attachment and peer conflict. Participants were recruited from three public high schools in central Florida (69% female, 81.9% White). Time spent using communication technology was significantly correlated with psychological symptom severity (i.e. anxiety and depression), identity distress, peer aggression, and existential anxiety. It was also significantly but negatively correlated with relationship avoidance. Degree of usage of communication technology for interpersonal communication was significantly correlated with peer aggression, relationship anxiety, and existential anxiety. Those with a preoccupied style (high in relationship anxiety, low in relationship avoidance) spent significantly more time using communication technology than those in the dismissive (high in avoidance, low in anxiety), fearful (high in both), and secure (low in both) styles. Further analyses and their implications for adolescent development will be discussed.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFH0004213, ucf:44908
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004213

Title: THE EFFECTS OF ADOPTION ON IDENTITY FORMATION: A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS.
Creator: Heath , Lisa, Berman , Steven, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: While evidence suggests that adoptees do not differ from non-adoptees in their ability to achieve a stable sense of identity, much is still unknown about how specifically the fact of being adopted affects one's identity. The purpose of this research is to take a deeper look at the significance and meaning of being adopted to one's sense of identity through qualitative analyses of in depth interviews with adoptees. Participants were recruited from Psychology classes via the SONA system. The...
Show moreWhile evidence suggests that adoptees do not differ from non-adoptees in their ability to achieve a stable sense of identity, much is still unknown about how specifically the fact of being adopted affects one's identity. The purpose of this research is to take a deeper look at the significance and meaning of being adopted to one's sense of identity through qualitative analyses of in depth interviews with adoptees. Participants were recruited from Psychology classes via the SONA system. The participants (N = 16) took part in an in-depth structured interview and completed a survey battery which included a demographic questionnaire, the Ego Identity Process Questionnaire, the Identity Distress Survey, and the Brief Symptom Index-18. Interviews were transcribed, analyzed, and coded for emerging themes using thematic analysis. The themes and their effect on adopted individuals' identity is discussed with multiple case examples.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFH0004298, ucf:44923
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004298

Title: THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT.
Creator: Mester, Joshua, Berman, Steven, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This research examined the relationship between substance use and identity variables. The sample consisted of 76 students undergraduate psychology students. Relationships were found between identity variables and both alcohol and marijuana usage. People with a foreclosed identity status tended to have the lowest rates of substance use, while people in the moratorium identity status tended to have the highest rates. The hypotheses that identity variables would predict substance usage above and...
Show moreThis research examined the relationship between substance use and identity variables. The sample consisted of 76 students undergraduate psychology students. Relationships were found between identity variables and both alcohol and marijuana usage. People with a foreclosed identity status tended to have the lowest rates of substance use, while people in the moratorium identity status tended to have the highest rates. The hypotheses that identity variables would predict substance usage above and beyond psychological adjustment, and that identity distress symptoms would predict substance use beyond other identity development variables alone, was mostly not confirmed. The strongest and most consistent predictor of substance use was age. Possible reasons for this relationship are discussed, and calls for further research into this as well as other mediators and moderators of the relationship between identity and substance use are suggested.
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Date Issued: 2011
Identifier: CFH0003817, ucf:44733
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0003817

Title: THE RELATIONSHIP AMONG PREVIOUS EXPOSURE TO WAR AND CONFLICT, ACCULTURATION, AND IDENTITY FORMATION AMONG ADOLESCENT REFUGEES.
Creator: Guler, Jessy, Berman, Steven, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This thesis examines the relationship among previous exposure to war and conflict, acculturation, and identity formation among adolescent refugees. It was hypothesized that US acculturation would mediate the association between exposure to war and conflict and identity development among adolescent refugees. Participants included 33 adolescent refugees (16 males and 17 females) ranging in age between 11 and 17 years (M = 14.61, SD = 1.48), who were recruited through a refugee resettlement...
Show moreThis thesis examines the relationship among previous exposure to war and conflict, acculturation, and identity formation among adolescent refugees. It was hypothesized that US acculturation would mediate the association between exposure to war and conflict and identity development among adolescent refugees. Participants included 33 adolescent refugees (16 males and 17 females) ranging in age between 11 and 17 years (M = 14.61, SD = 1.48), who were recruited through a refugee resettlement service provider located in Orlando, Florida. Country of origin included Cuba (n = 25), Iraq (n = 4), Jordan (n =1), Haiti (n =1), Colombia (n =1), and Venezuela (n =1). Previous exposure to war and conflict was found to impact identity development; however, the proposed hypothesis in which US acculturation mediates the association between exposure to war and conflict on the one hand, and identity development on the other was not supported. Results indicated that US acculturation was not related to any of the study variables. Previous exposure to war and conflict, along with hardships caused by such experiences, were negatively correlated with identity development and positively correlated with identity distress. In addition, native acculturation was negatively correlated with identity distress, suggesting that acculturation to one's native culture may serve as a protective factor against identity distress among adolescent refugees. Implications for professional practice are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: CFH0004551, ucf:45186
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004551

Title: RELIGION AND IDENTITY FORMATION:A CROSS NATIONAL COMPARISON OF COLLEGE STUDENTS IN INDIA & THE USA.
Creator: Sukumaran, Niyatee, Berman, Steven L., University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: With the exception of a few studies (Leak, 2009; Fulton, 1997), psychological research on religion has not been studied from an Eriksonian identity status perspective (Erikson, 1959; Marcia, 1966). Further, EriksonÃ‚Â's (1963) concept of identity appears to be inherently individualistic and may be conceptualized differently in Eastern/Asian cultures (Cloninger, 2008; Paranjpe, 2010). This study aims to understand the relationship of religiosity and quest to identity...
Show moreWith the exception of a few studies (Leak, 2009; Fulton, 1997), psychological research on religion has not been studied from an Eriksonian identity status perspective (Erikson, 1959; Marcia, 1966). Further, EriksonÃ‚Â's (1963) concept of identity appears to be inherently individualistic and may be conceptualized differently in Eastern/Asian cultures (Cloninger, 2008; Paranjpe, 2010). This study aims to understand the relationship of religiosity and quest to identity development across two cultures: USA and India. A total of 326 undergraduate students (mean age= 19.47, sd= 1.58) participated from two urban colleges in Mumbai, India (n= 159) and one in Orlando, USA (n= 167). All participants completed a battery of measures, including the measure of Religiosity, Quest Scale, Identity Distress Survey, and Ego Identity Process Questionnaire. Our first hypothesis was confirmed that females would have greater religiosity as compared to males amongst the Indian and USA sample. The second hypothesis was also confirmed that the USA sample would be found more among the achieved and moratorium ego identity statuses as compared to the Indian sample, who would be found more frequently in the foreclosed or diffused ego identity statuses. Although the USA sample was found to be significantly higher in identity exploration, the Indian sample was found to experience greater identity distress. Finally, our third hypothesis was partially confirmed in regard to religiosity, as it was not differentially related to identity variables in both the Indian and USA groups. However, religious quest was differentially related to the identity variables, in that it was related to identity distress in the USA sample, but not in the Indian sample.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: CFE0003499, ucf:48953
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003499

Title: ADOLESCENT AND CAREGIVER IDENTITY DISTRESS, IDENTITY STATUS, AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO PSYCHOLOGICAL ADJUSTMENT.
Creator: Wiley, Rachel, Berman, Steven, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The present study addresses identity distress and identity status in adolescents with clinical diagnoses, and their caregivers. There were 88 adolescent participants (43.2% female) ranging in age from 11 to 20 (mean =14.96; SD =1.85) who were recruited from community mental health centers in Volusia and Orange Counties. The 63 caregiver participants included mothers (82.5%), fathers (7.9%), grandmothers (7.9%), and grandfathers (1.6%), ranging in age from 28-70 (mean = 40.24; SD = 9.16). A...
Show moreThe present study addresses identity distress and identity status in adolescents with clinical diagnoses, and their caregivers. There were 88 adolescent participants (43.2% female) ranging in age from 11 to 20 (mean =14.96; SD =1.85) who were recruited from community mental health centers in Volusia and Orange Counties. The 63 caregiver participants included mothers (82.5%), fathers (7.9%), grandmothers (7.9%), and grandfathers (1.6%), ranging in age from 28-70 (mean = 40.24; SD = 9.16). A significant proportion of adolescents (22.7%) met criteria for Identity Problem in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev.; American Psychiatric Association, 2000) and 9.5% of the adolescents' caregivers met criteria for Identity Problem. Regarding identity status, 68.2% of adolescents and 27.0% of caregivers reported being in the diffused status. Additionally, 25.0% of adolescents and 54.0% of caregivers met criteria for the foreclosed status. Significant associations were found among adolescent and caregiver psychological symptoms and identity variables. Further examination of the psychological symptom variables found that obsessive-compulsive and paranoid ideation symptoms significantly predicted identity distress. In addition, caregiver identity commitment significantly predicted adolescent identity distress over and above the adolescents' identity variables. These findings and implications are discussed in further detail.
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Date Issued: 2009
Identifier: CFE0002743, ucf:48181
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002743

Title: GLOBALIZATION AND IDENTITY: A CROSS-NATIONAL STUDY AMONG CHINESE, INDIAN, COLOMBIAN, AND AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENTS.
Creator: Cheng, Min, Berman, Steven, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Arnett (2002) has suggested the development of a typology similar to one that has become popular in the ethnic identity literature (Berry, 1993; Phinney, 1990) whereby people are surveyed in terms of strength of identification with both the dominant national culture and their particular sub-group minority culture. Based on this typology, we have developed a paper and pencil measure, the Global Identity Survey (GIS), which asks participants about the degree to which they identify with either...
Show moreArnett (2002) has suggested the development of a typology similar to one that has become popular in the ethnic identity literature (Berry, 1993; Phinney, 1990) whereby people are surveyed in terms of strength of identification with both the dominant national culture and their particular sub-group minority culture. Based on this typology, we have developed a paper and pencil measure, the Global Identity Survey (GIS), which asks participants about the degree to which they identify with either the local or global culture. A new typology is proposed, with behaviors and attitudes falling into one of the four following categories: "locally encapsulated" (high in local identification, low in global identification), "globally assimilated" (low in local identification, high in global identification), "alienated" (low in both local and global identification), or "bicultural" (high in both local and global identification). The Global Identity Survey (GIS) was administered to a sample of 713 undergraduate students (mean age = 20.33, sd = 5.67) from a Chinese university (n= 102), two Indian universities (n=231), a Colombian university (n=103), a U.S. university in Florida (n=75), and a U.S. university in Tennessee (n=202). Our first hypothesis was partly confirmed that the urban USA sample would be significantly higher in exposure to global factors, identity exploration, and openness than the other samples. Also, they would have higher percentages of bi-cultural, and globally assimilated, while the other samples would have higher percentages of locally encapsulated. Our second hypothesis was also confirmed by our study, which revealed that the bicultural group as a whole had the lowest level of identity distress and the least amount of psychological symptoms. Further analyses will be discussed.
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Date Issued: 2009
Identifier: CFE0002808, ucf:48120
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002808

Title: The Relationship Between Social Phobia, Peer Attachment, and Identity Within Different Cultural Contexts.
Creator: Li, Shengnan, Berman, Steven, Fouty, Homer, Compson, Jane, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This study investigated the relationship between social phobia, peer attachment, and identity development, within three different countries: China, India, and the USA. It was hypothesized that social phobia interferes with peer attachment, and that poor peer attachment interferes with identity development among late adolescents and emerging adults, thus peer attachment mediates the relationship between social phobia and identity. It was further hypothesized that this relationship between...
Show moreThis study investigated the relationship between social phobia, peer attachment, and identity development, within three different countries: China, India, and the USA. It was hypothesized that social phobia interferes with peer attachment, and that poor peer attachment interferes with identity development among late adolescents and emerging adults, thus peer attachment mediates the relationship between social phobia and identity. It was further hypothesized that this relationship between variables is moderated by culture such that in collectivistic cultures, where identity is more dependent upon group affiliation and identification, the interference of social phobia (through peer attachment) on identity would be much greater than in individualistic cultures where identity may be based more on unique characteristics. Participants were 422 undergraduate students from three locations: China (n = 180), India (n = 96), and the USA (n = 146). Results varied by country. For the combined sample collectivism, social phobia, and peer attachment each independently predicted identity. Collectivism also negatively predicted social phobia and positively predicted peer attachment. None of the variables served as a mediator or moderator between the other variables. In the USA sample, collectivism predicted identity but was mediated by peer attachment. Social phobia negatively predicted peer attachment and identity, but was not related to collectivism. In the Chinese sample, peer attachment predicted identity, but was mediated by social phobia. Collectivism predicted identity, but was not related to the other two variables. Among the Indian sample none of the variables predicted identity. A number of possible reasons for these complex results are explored.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFE0004399, ucf:49389
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004399

Title: The Relationship Between Identity and Intimacy as Moderated by Culture.
Creator: Jhingon, Garima, Berman, Steven, Dunn, Stacey, Upchurch, Rosaria, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Several important developmental processes occur in the young adulthood period. Young adults form their identities, determine trajectories regarding careers, and typically they form intimate relationships. Erikson (1963) stated that healthy identity development during adolescence is a necessary precursor to intimacy in romantic relationships during emerging adulthood. Although findings from cross-sectional and short-term longitudinal studies somewhat confirm the proposed link between identity...
Show moreSeveral important developmental processes occur in the young adulthood period. Young adults form their identities, determine trajectories regarding careers, and typically they form intimate relationships. Erikson (1963) stated that healthy identity development during adolescence is a necessary precursor to intimacy in romantic relationships during emerging adulthood. Although findings from cross-sectional and short-term longitudinal studies somewhat confirm the proposed link between identity and intimacy development, none of them addresses the role of culture in moderating Erikson's tenets of developmental ordering. The primary goal of the present investigation was to determine the role of cultural orientation in identity and intimacy development among emerging adults today.Participants included 422 university students (mean age = 20.80, sd = 3.63) were recruited from one urban university in Delhi, India (n = 96), two urban universities in Beijing, China (n = 180), and one urban university in Orlando, USA (n = 146). Among this sample, 36.7% were males, and 63.3% were females. All participants completed a battery of measures, including a Demographic Questionnaire, the Ego Identity Process Questionnaire, the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale, and the Cultural Orientation Scale. Our first hypothesis that identity would predict intimacy in relationships was confirmed. Our second hypothesis that identity development will be a negative predictor for both relationship anxiety and relationship avoidance in romantic relationships was also confirmed. The third hypothesis that females would endorse more collectivistic cultural values compared with males, who will endorse more individualistic cultural values was also confirmed. Finally, our fourth hypothesis that the relationship between identity and intimacy would be moderated by cultural orientation, such that it will be stronger among those that endorse more individualistic cultural values compared to those who endorse more collectivistic cultural values was not supported. Results from the multiple regression analysis indicated that although identity and cultural orientation considered alone were significant predictors of intimacy in relationships, the relationship between identity and intimacy were moderated by cultural orientation only for relationship anxiety, such that a strong sense of identity along with a collectivistic cultural orientation predicted less relationship anxiety. Further analyses and implications for professional practice are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFE0004388, ucf:49383
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004388

Title: Motor imagery classification using sparse representation of EEG signals.
Creator: Saidi, Pouria, Atia, George, Vosoughi, Azadeh, Berman, Steven, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The human brain is unquestionably the most complex organ of the body as it controls and processes its movement and senses. A healthy brain is able to generate responses to the signals it receives, and transmit messages to the body. Some neural disorders can impair the communication between the brain and the body preventing the transmission of these messages. Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs) are devices that hold immense potential to assist patients with such disorders by analyzing brain...
Show moreThe human brain is unquestionably the most complex organ of the body as it controls and processes its movement and senses. A healthy brain is able to generate responses to the signals it receives, and transmit messages to the body. Some neural disorders can impair the communication between the brain and the body preventing the transmission of these messages. Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs) are devices that hold immense potential to assist patients with such disorders by analyzing brain signals, translating and classifying various brain responses, and relaying them to external devices and potentially back to the body. Classifying motor imagery brain signals where the signals are obtained based on imagined movement of the limbs is a major, yet very challenging, step in developing Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs). Of primary importance is to use less data and computationally efficient algorithms to support real-time BCI. To this end, in this thesis we explore and develop algorithms that exploit the sparse characteristics of EEGs to classify these signals. Different feature vectors are extracted from EEG trials recorded by electrodes placed on the scalp.In this thesis, features from a small spatial region are approximated by a sparse linear combination of few atoms from a multi-class dictionary constructed from the features of the EEG training signals for each class. This is used to classify the signals based on the pattern of their sparse representation using a minimum-residual decision rule.We first attempt to use all the available electrodes to verify the effectiveness of the proposed methods. To support real time BCI, the electrodes are reduced to those near the sensorimotor cortex which are believed to be crucial for motor preparation and imagination.In a second approach, we try to incorporate the effect of spatial correlation across the neighboring electrodes near the sensorimotor cortex. To this end, instead of considering one feature vector at a time, we use a collection of feature vectors simultaneously to find the joint sparse representation of these vectors. Although we were not able to see much improvement with respect to the first approach, we envision that such improvements could be achieved using more refined models that can be subject of future works. The performance of the proposed approaches is evaluated using different features, including wavelet coefficients, energy of the signals in different frequency sub-bands, and also entropy of the signals. The results obtained from real data demonstrate that the combination of energy and entropy features enable efficient classification of motor imagery EEG trials related to hand and foot movements. This underscores the relevance of the energies and their distribution in different frequency sub-bands for classifying movement-specific EEG patterns in agreement with the existence of different levels within the alpha band. The proposed approach is also shown to outperform the state-of-the-art algorithm that uses feature vectors obtained from energies of multiple spatial projections.
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Date Issued: 2015
Identifier: CFE0005882, ucf:50884
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005882

Title: Boundaries: The Relationships among Family Structure, Identity Style, and Psychopathology.
Creator: Ratner, Kaylin, Berman, Steven, Levermore Bartolone, Monique, Taub, Gordon, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Research has long held that family of origin plays a significant, if not critical, role in mental health. The purpose of the present study was to provide theoretical evidence to support the feasibility of a new target for clinical intervention by demonstrating that identity style, the way individuals take in and process identity-relevant information, is a mediating factor between family cohesion and psychopathology. Secondly, this study aimed to provide empirical evidence for identity...
Show moreResearch has long held that family of origin plays a significant, if not critical, role in mental health. The purpose of the present study was to provide theoretical evidence to support the feasibility of a new target for clinical intervention by demonstrating that identity style, the way individuals take in and process identity-relevant information, is a mediating factor between family cohesion and psychopathology. Secondly, this study aimed to provide empirical evidence for identity boundaries, or the cognitive barrier that dictates the assimilation and disposal of identity-relevant information, by linking identity style to one's ability to differentiate the self from others. A total of 496 university students were surveyed using a self-report battery available via an online research database provided by the author's institution. Results suggested that individuals adhering to the informational identity style had the highest degrees of self-other differentiation followed by the normative identity style and, finally, the diffuse-avoidant. Further, the diffuse-avoidant identity style (and by extension, diffuse identity boundaries) significantly and fully mediated the relationship between balanced family cohesion and psychopathology. Given that the diffuse-avoidant identity style is linked to a number of maladaptive decision-making and problem-solving strategies, interventions aimed at changing one's ability to master their environment may have positive implications for the way that they amalgamate their sense of self which may, in turn, lead to improved functioning.
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Date Issued: 2015
Identifier: CFE0005870, ucf:50869
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005870

Title: Psychometric Issues Related to the Tinker Toy Test.
Creator: Guzman, Daniel, Fouty, Ed, Berman, Steven, Damato-Kubiet, Leslee, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: An evaluation of executive functioning is a critical component of a comprehensive assessment of higher cerebral functioning. The Tinker Toy Test (TTT) was introduced in 1982. This test allows an individual to demonstrate the extent of their executive capacities by permitting them to initiate, plan, and structure a potentially complex activity and carry it out independently in an unstructured fashion and administration is simple. This is a departure from more complex and structured tests of...
Show moreAn evaluation of executive functioning is a critical component of a comprehensive assessment of higher cerebral functioning. The Tinker Toy Test (TTT) was introduced in 1982. This test allows an individual to demonstrate the extent of their executive capacities by permitting them to initiate, plan, and structure a potentially complex activity and carry it out independently in an unstructured fashion and administration is simple. This is a departure from more complex and structured tests of executive function. There is a dearth of research on the TTT and this study seeks to examine some of the psychometric properties of this instrument; i.e., working time minimum, gender effects, convergent and divergent validity, and potential intellectual correlates. Participants included 10 male and 30 female student volunteers from a large university in Central Florida. Participants had no history of neurologic disease/trauma or conditions that would affect motor functioning of the upper extremities. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the WASI-II, and the TTT. A two-way mixed-design ANOVA examining TTT scores as a function of work time and gender revealed a non-significant gender main effect, F(1, 21) = .09, p = .767. The work time main effect was not significant, , F(1, 21) = .324, p = .575. A significant work time x gender interaction was observed, F(1, 21) = 4.983, p = .037. Convergent validity was assessed by comparing the TTT scores with the Matrix Reasoning subtest, r(38) = .32, p = .044, and the Similarities, r(38) = .34, p = .03, subtest on the WASI-II. Divergent validity was assessed by comparing TTT scores to the Block Design subtest of the WASI-II, r(38) = .245, p = .127. No significant correlation was found between intelligence and TTT (VCI, r(38) = -.16, p = .335; PRI, r(38) = .15, p = .344; and FSIQ, r(38) = -.02, p = .928). The data supports the continued use of the 5-minute working time minimum presented by Lezak, as this temporal index was a more accurate representation of executive functioning. This study demonstrated no association between TTT scores and intellectual functioning. The findings of this study support the validity of this underutilized test of executive functioning and its inclusion in neuropsychological test batteries.
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Date Issued: 2015
Identifier: CFE0005802, ucf:50044
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005802

Title: Bisexuality and Identity Formation.
Creator: Fuoss, Jessica, Berman, Steven, Fouty, Homer, Upchurch, Rosaria, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This study explores the identity development and psychological adjustment of bisexual individuals (n = 122) as compared to homosexual (n = 38) and heterosexual participants (n = 490). Undergraduate students recruited from psychology classes at a large metropolitan university in Florida (67% female, 64% Caucasian) took an online survey for course extra credit. Bisexual and homosexual participants scored higher in identity exploration than the heterosexual participants. Bisexual participants...
Show moreThis study explores the identity development and psychological adjustment of bisexual individuals (n = 122) as compared to homosexual (n = 38) and heterosexual participants (n = 490). Undergraduate students recruited from psychology classes at a large metropolitan university in Florida (67% female, 64% Caucasian) took an online survey for course extra credit. Bisexual and homosexual participants scored higher in identity exploration than the heterosexual participants. Bisexual participants scored significantly higher in psychological symptom severity than heterosexual participants. The three groups were not significantly different in identity commitment nor in identity distress. Female bisexual participants scored more similar to the homosexual participants in identity exploration, while the male bisexual participants were more similar to the heterosexual participants. Among males, bisexual and homosexual participants reported greater psychological symptom severity than heterosexual participants. There were no differences between groups for female participants in regard to symptom severity. This study highlights the need for more research into the psychological correlates of bisexuality as a distinct group from homosexuality, as well as the need to focus on gender as a significant moderator of these relationships.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0004844, ucf:49703
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004844

Title: Nutrition Literacy and Demographic Variables as Predictors of Adolescent Weight Status in a Florida County.
Creator: Damato-Kubiet, Leslee, Sole, Mary, Bushy, Angeline, Conner, Norma, Berman, Steven, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Problem: In recent years, childhood obesity has increased to epidemic proportions across the United States (U.S.) in parallel with adult obesity, which often reflects poor dietary choices and bad nutritional habits. Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to examine the effects of parent and adolescent nutrition literacy expressed as nutrition knowledge and skills, with total household income and parent level of education, as predictors of weight status in adolescents that live in a...
Show moreProblem: In recent years, childhood obesity has increased to epidemic proportions across the United States (U.S.) in parallel with adult obesity, which often reflects poor dietary choices and bad nutritional habits. Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to examine the effects of parent and adolescent nutrition literacy expressed as nutrition knowledge and skills, with total household income and parent level of education, as predictors of weight status in adolescents that live in a Florida community. The secondary purpose of this study was to examine the implications for nutrition literacy levels within parent/adolescent dyads to identify public health initiatives aimed at adult and adolescent populations.Methods: A descriptive, correlational design was used to collect data from a convenience sample of 110 parent-adolescent dyads recruited from a free physical exam event hosted by a local health care facility. Three instruments were completed by each dyad: 1) demographic survey, 2) Nutrition Literacy Survey (NLS; knowledge), and 3) Newest Vital Sign (NVS; skills). Physiologic measurements for the study included anthropometric measurement of the adolescent child's height (cm) and weight (kg) without shoes and BMI scores were calculated. In addition to actual value, BMI was categorized as low/normal and overweight/obese for analysis. Paired t-tests were used to compare means for the NLS and NVS survey in parent-adolescent dyads. Bivariate correlation scores were computed between the two variables of parent/adolescent NLS and NVS scores. Lastly, regression models for examining adolescent BMI were compared with the independent variables of the study.Results: The sample of adult participants (n =110) comprised males (n = 30, 27%) and females (n =80, 73%) ranging in age from 34 to 55 years (M= 41.9, SD= 4.77). Adolescent participants (n=110) comprised males (n = 61, 55%) and females (n = 49, 45%) ranging in age from 13 to 17 years (M = 15.1, SD = 1.43). Adolescent male participants had higher BMI (27 + 3.48) than females (24 + 2.90), t (108) = 4.83, (p = (<) .001). Adolescent males were categorized more overweight/obese than females (67.2% versus 24.5%). The parent NLS mean score (M=19) indicated low overall levels of general nutrition knowledge whereas the adolescent NLS mean score (M=21.7) demonstrated greater aptitude for nutrition knowledge than parent scores. The parent NVS mean score (M=4.1) suggested adequate levels of nutrition skills. Likewise, the adolescent NVS mean score (M= 4.1) suggested adequate nutrition skills, similar to scores in the adult population. Spearman rho correlations yielded positive correlations between parent/adolescent nutrition knowledge, (rs = .224, p = .019), and parents' nutrition knowledge and skills (rs = .596, p (<) .001). Positive correlations were also noted between adolescents' nutrition knowledge and parents' nutrition skills (rs = .257, p = .007) and adolescents' nutrition knowledge and nutrition skills (rs = .260. p = .006). Three regression models were calculated to examine adolescent BMI with the independent variables of the study. Analysis of regression coefficients for each model indicated that none of the variables demonstrated significance as a predictor of adolescent BMI.Discussion/Implications: The results of the study suggest that parents and adolescents may have similar amounts of nutrition literacy when examining the constructs of nutrition knowledge and skills; however, BMI is not solely dependent on these skill sets. Examination of the factors that influence parents and adolescent children's weight status are important elements in shaping families adoption of sound dietary habits and improving health outcomes.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0005154, ucf:50685
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005154

Title: Biophysical Sources of 1/f Noises in Neurological Systems.
Creator: Paris, Alan, Vosoughi, Azadeh, Atia, George, Wiegand, Rudolf, Douglas, Pamela, Berman, Steven, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: High levels of random noise are a defining characteristic of neurological signals at all levels, from individual neurons up to electroencephalograms (EEG). These random signals degrade the performance of many methods of neuroengineering and medical neuroscience. Understanding this noise also is essential for applications such as real-time brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), which must make accurate control decisions from very short data epochs. The major type of neurological noise is of the so...
Show moreHigh levels of random noise are a defining characteristic of neurological signals at all levels, from individual neurons up to electroencephalograms (EEG). These random signals degrade the performance of many methods of neuroengineering and medical neuroscience. Understanding this noise also is essential for applications such as real-time brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), which must make accurate control decisions from very short data epochs. The major type of neurological noise is of the so-called 1/f-type, whose origins and statistical nature has remained unexplained for decades. This research provides the first simple explanation of 1/f-type neurological noise based on biophysical fundamentals. In addition, noise models derived from this theory provide validated algorithm performance improvements over alternatives.Specifically, this research defines a new class of formal latent-variable stochastic processes called hidden quantum models (HQMs) which clarify the theoretical foundations of ion channel signal processing. HQMs are based on quantum state processes which formalize time-dependent observation. They allow the quantum-based calculation of channel conductance autocovariance functions, essential for frequency-domain signal processing. HQMs based on a particular type of observation protocol called independent activated measurements are shown to be distributionally equivalent to hidden Markov models yet without an underlying physical Markov process. Since the formal Markov processes are non-physical, the theory of activated measurement allows merging energy-based Eyring rate theories of ion channel behavior with the more common phenomenological Markov kinetic schemes to form energy-modulated quantum channels. These unique biophysical concepts developed to understand the mechanisms of ion channel kinetics have the potential of revolutionizing our understanding of neurological computation.To apply this theory, the simplest quantum channel model consistent with neuronal membrane voltage-clamp experiments is used to derive the activation eigenenergies for the Hodgkin-Huxley K+ and Na+ ion channels. It is shown that maximizing entropy under constrained activation energy yields noise spectral densities approximating S(f) = 1/f, thus offering a biophysical explanation for this ubiquitous noise component. These new channel-based noise processes are called generalized van der Ziel-McWhorter (GVZM) power spectral densities (PSDs). This is the only known EEG noise model that has a small, fixed number of parameters, matches recorded EEG PSD's with high accuracy from 0 Hz to over 30 Hz without infinities, and has approximately 1/f behavior in the mid-frequencies. In addition to the theoretical derivation of the noise statistics from ion channel stochastic processes, the GVZM model is validated in two ways. First, a class of mixed autoregressive models is presented which simulate brain background noise and whose periodograms are proven to be asymptotic to the GVZM PSD. Second, it is shown that pairwise comparisons of GVZM-based algorithms, using real EEG data from a publicly-available data set, exhibit statistically significant accuracy improvement over two well-known and widely-used steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP) estimators.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006485, ucf:51418
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006485

Identity Development (4)	+ -
Identity (3)	+ -
Identity Distress (3)	+ -
identity distress (3)	+ -
Adolescents (2)	+ -

Identity Style (2)	+ -
culture (2)	+ -
identity (2)	+ -
identity formation (2)	+ -
identity status (2)	+ -
parents (2)	+ -
1/f (1)	+ -
Acculturation (1)	+ -
Adolescence (1)	+ -
Adoption (1)	+ -
American (1)	+ -
Attachment (1)	+ -
BCI (1)	+ -
Bisexual (1)	+ -
Brain Computer Interface (1)	+ -
Family Boundaries (1)	+ -
Globalization (1)	+ -
Hodgkin-Huxley (1)	+ -
Idenity Development (1)	+ -
Identity Structure (1)	+ -
Indian (1)	+ -
Ion channels (1)	+ -
Motherhood (1)	+ -
Motor Imagery EEG Classification (1)	+ -
Parenting Style (1)	+ -

ETD Collection (11)	+ -
Honors Collection (8)	+ -

English (17)	+ -
Engilsh (2)	+ -

University of Central Florida (19)	+ -
Berman, Steven (14)	+ -
Berman, Steven L. (3)	+ -
Atia, George (2)	+ -
Damato-Kubiet, Leslee (2)	+ -

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