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Title: DETERMINING COMMON PATTERNS OF GASTROINTESTINAL HEALTH IN EMERGING ADULTS: A LATENT CLASS ANALYSIS APPROACH.
Creator: Vivier, Helize, Cassisi, Jeffrey E., University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Emerging adulthood is often-overlooked in current gastrointestinal (GI) health research; however, epidemiological evidence suggests that GI disorders are increasing in this population. The purpose of this study was to first define common GI symptom subgroups within emerging adults and then to characterize these group differences with key biopsychosocial factors encompassing diet, depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as physical and social functioning related to quality of life. A total of...
Show moreEmerging adulthood is often-overlooked in current gastrointestinal (GI) health research; however, epidemiological evidence suggests that GI disorders are increasing in this population. The purpose of this study was to first define common GI symptom subgroups within emerging adults and then to characterize these group differences with key biopsychosocial factors encompassing diet, depression and anxiety symptoms, as well as physical and social functioning related to quality of life. A total of 956 emerging adults from a southeastern US university were surveyed on GI symptoms, psychosocial factors, and demographics. Latent class analysis uncovered three statistically significant GI symptom patterns within the sample identified by the degree of severity: Normal (n=649), Mild (n=257), and Moderate (n=50). This study demonstrated that significant impairment in GI functioning emerges at much earlier ages that are commonly assumed. In addition, these GI symptom levels were associated with important biopsychosocial factors. Assessing GI functioning in emerging adults may provide important insights into understanding the development of FGIDs.
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Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFH2000461, ucf:45919
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000461

Title: AN EXPLORATORY FACTOR ANALYSIS OF SELF-REPORTED STATE AND TRAIT GUILT.
Creator: Lacerenza, Christina, Cassisi, Jeffrey, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The construct of guilt has been a subject of debate among philosophers, theologians, sociologists and psychologists for centuries. Disagreements concerning guilt have emerged on the definitional level, measurement level, and conceptual level due to the various ways guilt can be experienced and interpreted. Researchers continue to empirically investigate various aspects of guilt in an effort to advance and refine our understanding of the construct; however, differences among researchers in...
Show moreThe construct of guilt has been a subject of debate among philosophers, theologians, sociologists and psychologists for centuries. Disagreements concerning guilt have emerged on the definitional level, measurement level, and conceptual level due to the various ways guilt can be experienced and interpreted. Researchers continue to empirically investigate various aspects of guilt in an effort to advance and refine our understanding of the construct; however, differences among researchers in assessing the impact of guilt on psychological well-being still exist. The purpose of this study is to investigate the internal factor structure of three prominent measures of guilt. This will enable us to develop a more concise guilt measure en route to reconciling these differences and better conceptualizing the construct.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFH0004163, ucf:44815
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004163

Title: THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL BASED CUES: VIRTUAL REALITY VERSUS GUIDED IMAGERY.
Creator: Labriola, Nicole, Cassisi, Jeffrey, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The use of Virtual Reality (VR) and Imagery have been utilized in psychological practices and treatment. VR has recently been the focus of research with treatments for post traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, and phobias, among other social and behavioral issues. VR allows the researcher to create realistic controlled environments in which they are able to manipulate the experiment. Imagery permits the individual to imagine and recall scenarios from their past in order to create a...
Show moreThe use of Virtual Reality (VR) and Imagery have been utilized in psychological practices and treatment. VR has recently been the focus of research with treatments for post traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, and phobias, among other social and behavioral issues. VR allows the researcher to create realistic controlled environments in which they are able to manipulate the experiment. Imagery permits the individual to imagine and recall scenarios from their past in order to create a more personal environment. This experiment aimed to expand upon VR practices and treatment in regards to alcohol research. In this experiment, 70 participants, 39 females and 31 males, were exposed to two VR alcohol and two Imagery alcohol cue environments. Subject craving and psychophysiological measures were taken across all four scenes and all baselines. Overall, craving measures demonstrated that female nondrinkers developed higher cravings during Imagery. Conversely, male social drinkers demonstrated higher cravings during VR. This study supports the use of VR environments in the study of alcohol cue reactivity.
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Date Issued: 2011
Identifier: CFH0003813, ucf:44723
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0003813

Title: TEST-RETEST RELIABILITY OF NONINVASIVE AMBULATORY IMPEDANCE CARDIOGRAPHY DURING AEROBIC EXERCISE.
Creator: Germain, Benjamin, Cassisi, Jeffrey, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Impedance cardiography is an important tool in determining a person's hemodynamic properties. The makers obtained through thoracic impedance have been shown to be of great importance when monitoring critical care patients. Technological developments have made this process noninvasive and ambulatory, opening up new possibilities for potential use. A study was conducted by remotely monitoring healthy subjects (n=5), who performed an 8-minute mild-to-moderate aerobic exercise protocol, followed...
Show moreImpedance cardiography is an important tool in determining a person's hemodynamic properties. The makers obtained through thoracic impedance have been shown to be of great importance when monitoring critical care patients. Technological developments have made this process noninvasive and ambulatory, opening up new possibilities for potential use. A study was conducted by remotely monitoring healthy subjects (n=5), who performed an 8-minute mild-to-moderate aerobic exercise protocol, followed up by a four minute cognitive stress test. Testing was conducted onsite at Kennedy Space Center in association with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration using the MW1000A (MindWare Technologies LTD, Gahanna, OH) ambulatory impedance cardiography monitoring (ICG) device. The current study was conducted in order to establish the test-retest reliability of the ICG during aerobic exercise and cognitive stress across a 2 week period. For the purpose of this study Heart Rate (HR), Left Ventricular Ejection Time (LVET) Stroke Volume (SV), Cardiac Output (CO), and Pre-Ejection Period (PEP) were acquired and analyzed during three phases. The phases were, walking on a level treadmill, walking at incline, and an at rest mental arithmetic stress test. Testing has shown that the MW1000A device can provide accurate ambulatory impedance cardiography monitoring with no significant difference between testing intervals. The simple application of electrodes makes this device easy to use and requires little training. Its non-invasive properties render employing ICG both a simple and effective means of determining the hemodynamic properties of a subject.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFH0004160, ucf:44834
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004160

Title: Comorbidity of Psychopathy in Schizotypy: Skin Conductance to Affective Pictures.
Creator: Ragsdale, Kathleen, Bedwell, Jeffrey, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Sims, Valerie, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Prior research substantiates a relationship between psychopathy and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, which has begun to elucidate why some individuals with schizophrenia are violent. Unfortunately, this relationship has been limited to self-report. To objectively corroborate this finding, undergraduate students were recruited from an online screening administration of the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire. This resulted in 56 participants (52% male) with a mean age of 20.37 (SD = 4.74)...
Show morePrior research substantiates a relationship between psychopathy and schizophrenia-spectrum disorders, which has begun to elucidate why some individuals with schizophrenia are violent. Unfortunately, this relationship has been limited to self-report. To objectively corroborate this finding, undergraduate students were recruited from an online screening administration of the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire. This resulted in 56 participants (52% male) with a mean age of 20.37 (SD = 4.74) and a wide range of schizotypy scores who participated in the experiment. Following completion of self-report measures, participants viewed 15 pictures (five neutral, five threatening, and five of others in distress) from the International Affective Pictures System while electrodermal activity was recorded from one palm. As expected, all participants exhibited increased peak skin conductance (SC) to both threat and distress pictures compared to neutral pictures; however; no difference was found between threat and distress pictures. Although the self-report relationship was replicated, neither total psychopathy nor total schizotypy were related to any SC variable. Therefore, it does not appear that increased schizotypy was related to a differential SC response to emotional pictures in our sample, even after testing for the potential moderating influence of anxiety and the Self-Centered Impulsivity factor of psychopathy. Total schizotypy was, however, significantly and positively related to the Personality Assessment Inventory Aggression scale (including the subscales of Aggressive Attitude and Physical Aggression) and the total score on the Beck's Anxiety Inventory. Overall findings suggest that despite presence of the comorbidity in this subclinical population, subthreshold levels of both constructs do not relate to a reduced SC response to affective pictures as is seen in clinical psychopathy.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFE0004426, ucf:49357
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004426

Title: Cardiac Autonomic Control in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome.
Creator: Mitchell, Jonathan, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Bedwell, Jeffrey, Beidel, Deborah, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) encompasses metabolic abnormalities that substantially increase risk for chronic illnesses. MetS and stress are closely related; the pathophysiology of MetS involves dysregulated stress response in both the physiological and psychological domains. In an effort to further clarify the relationship between metabolic abnormalities and autonomic dysregulation, we used ambulatory impedance cardiography to examine indicators of cardiac autonomic control (CAC) in a sample of...
Show moreMetabolic syndrome (MetS) encompasses metabolic abnormalities that substantially increase risk for chronic illnesses. MetS and stress are closely related; the pathophysiology of MetS involves dysregulated stress response in both the physiological and psychological domains. In an effort to further clarify the relationship between metabolic abnormalities and autonomic dysregulation, we used ambulatory impedance cardiography to examine indicators of cardiac autonomic control (CAC) in a sample of 50 adult primary care patients with and without MetS. Indices of sympathetic and parasympathetic influences on cardiovascular functioning were assessed in the context of psychological stressors and compared across experimental groups and examined in relation to self-reported health measures. Primary results suggest that while our experimental groups did not differ significantly on baseline measures, patterns of responses to experimentally induced stressors were largely consistent with our predictions, and demonstrate that individuals with MetS responded to stress cues with more maladaptive CAC scores. Moreover, in line with previous work, we found that elements of CAC in our sample were predictive of both cardiovascular disease and self-reported environmental quality of life. Overall, our results suggest that maladaptive physiological manifestations of the stress response are evident among individuals with MetS and may also be related to long-term health outcomes. The present study carries implications for both evaluation and assessment as well as treatment delivery and monitoring. In addition, the ambulatory nature of data collection demonstrated here supports trends toward mHealth and related initiatives in emerging modes of healthcare delivery.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006359, ucf:51519
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006359

Title: Visual Scanpath Training for Facial Affect Recognition in a Psychiatric Sample.
Creator: Chan, Chi, Bedwell, Jeffrey, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Sims, Valerie, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Social cognition is essential for functional outcome and quality of life in psychiatric patients. Facial affect recognition (FAR), a domain of social cognition, is impaired in many patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. There is evidence that abnormal visual scanpath patterns may underlie FAR deficits, and metacognitive factors may impact task performance. The present study aimed to develop a brief, individually-administered, computerized training program to normalize scanpath...
Show moreSocial cognition is essential for functional outcome and quality of life in psychiatric patients. Facial affect recognition (FAR), a domain of social cognition, is impaired in many patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. There is evidence that abnormal visual scanpath patterns may underlie FAR deficits, and metacognitive factors may impact task performance. The present study aimed to develop a brief, individually-administered, computerized training program to normalize scanpath patterns in order to improve FAR in patient with a psychosis history or bipolar I disorder. The program was developed using scanpath data from 19 nonpsychiatric controls (NC) while they completed a FAR tasks that involved identification of mild or extreme intensity happy, sad, angry, and fearful faces, and a neutral expression. Patients were randomized to a waitlist (WG; n = 16) or training group (TG; n = 18). Both patient groups completed a baseline FAR task (T0), the training (or a repeated FAR task as a control for WG; T1), and a post-training FAR task (T2). Patients evaluated their own performance and eyetracking data were recorded. Results indicated that the patient groups did not differ from NC on FAR performance, metacognitive accuracy, or scanpath patterns at T0. TG was compliant with the training program and showed changes in scanpath patterns during T1, but returned to baseline scanpath patterns at T2. WG and TG did not differ at T2 on FAR performance, metacognitive accuracy, or scanpath patterns. Across both patient groups, FAR performance for mild intensity emotions were more sensitive to the effect of time than for extreme intensity emotions. Exploratory analysis showed that at baseline, greater severity of negative symptoms was associated with poorer metacognitive accuracy (i.e., accuracy in their evaluation of their performance). Limitations to the study and future directions are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006280, ucf:51613
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006280

Title: Measurement Of Negative Affectivity In Psychometrically Defined Schizotypy Using Facial Electromyography.
Creator: Mitchell, Jonathan, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Bedwell, Jeffrey, Beidel, Deborah, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Schizotypy is a sub-threshold syndrome associated with schizophrenia. Much of the research on schizotypy concerns its component features, one of which being blunted or constricted affect. While several investigations have addressed this common (")negative(") symptom within the context of schizophrenia, few have focused on schizotypy directly, and none have utilized psychophysiological measurement to examine affective constriction. The present investigation uses facial electromyography (EMG)...
Show moreSchizotypy is a sub-threshold syndrome associated with schizophrenia. Much of the research on schizotypy concerns its component features, one of which being blunted or constricted affect. While several investigations have addressed this common (")negative(") symptom within the context of schizophrenia, few have focused on schizotypy directly, and none have utilized psychophysiological measurement to examine affective constriction. The present investigation uses facial electromyography (EMG) to measure patterns of affective expression within a psychometrically defined schizotypal population when presented threatening and distressing pictures from the IAPS. Twenty-eight individuals with elevated schizotypal features and 20 healthy controls were recruited for this investigation. The participants observed the series of pictures and provided self-report ratings of affective valance and arousal while their physiological responses were recorded. The protocol used here closely matched that used by Bradley and Lang (2007) and produced a similar pattern of results across all participants on self-reported ratings and physiological measures. Results further suggest that those with schizotypal features did not differ from control participants in self-reported ratings of negative affect or autonomic arousal. A three-way interaction in facial EMG measurement revealed that while schizotypic males demonstrated the expected pattern of blunted facial affective expression, schizotypic females displayed the opposite pattern. That is, females with psychometrically schizotypy demonstrated significant elevations in negative facial affective expression while viewing distressing pictures. We argue that these findings reflect unidentified sex differences in affective expression in schizotypy, and we discuss implications for assessment and diagnostic procedures among individuals with personality disorders.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0004721, ucf:49808
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004721

Title: An Event-Related Potential Investigation of Error Monitoring in Adults with a History of Psychosis.
Creator: Chan, Chi, Bedwell, Jeffrey, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Sims, Valerie, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Metacognition, which involves monitoring and controlling of one's thoughts and actions, is essential for guiding behavior and organization of information. Deficits in self-monitoring have been suggested to lead to psychosis and poor functional outcome. Abnormalities in event-related potentials originating from the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a brain region associated with error detection, have been consistently reported in individuals with schizophrenia during error monitoring tasks....
Show moreMetacognition, which involves monitoring and controlling of one's thoughts and actions, is essential for guiding behavior and organization of information. Deficits in self-monitoring have been suggested to lead to psychosis and poor functional outcome. Abnormalities in event-related potentials originating from the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), a brain region associated with error detection, have been consistently reported in individuals with schizophrenia during error monitoring tasks. This study sought to examine whether these abnormalities are present in individuals with a history of psychosis across diagnostic categories and whether they are associated with subjective appraisal of self-performance and personality traits related to psychosis. The error-related negativity (ERN), the correct response negativity (CRN), and the error positivity (Pe) were recorded in 15 individuals with a history of psychosis (PSY) and 12 individuals without a history of psychosis (CTR) during performance on a flanker task. Participants also continuously rated their performance on the task and completed the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (-) Brief Revised (SPQ-BR). Compared with the CTR group, the PSY group exhibited reduced ERN and Pe amplitudes during error trials, but normal CRN and Pe amplitudes during correct trials. The PSY group also was less accurate at identifying their errors than the CTR group but just as accurate at identifying correct responses. Across all participants, smaller ERN amplitudes were associated with greater scores on the Disorganized factor of the SPQ-BR and smaller Pe amplitudes were associated with greater scores on the Cognitive Perceptual factor of the SPQ-BR. Individuals with a history of psychosis regardless of diagnosis demonstrated abnormal neural activity during error monitoring. Error monitoring deficits may be associated with vulnerability for psychosis across disorders.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0005312, ucf:50506
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005312

Title: Brief Behavioral Health Intervention Program for Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease.
Creator: Wiener, Chelsea, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Gupta, Rema, Paulson, Daniel, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Healthy eating, physical activity, stress management, and smoking cessation are widely recognized as essential for preventing and treating coronary artery disease (CAD). Research on lifestyle programs for patients with CAD has largely focused on long-term interventions (e.g., several months to one-year in duration). Further, many studies have recruited patients immediately post-cardiac event. By contrast, evaluation of brief lifestyle interventions for stable patients treated in outpatient...
Show moreHealthy eating, physical activity, stress management, and smoking cessation are widely recognized as essential for preventing and treating coronary artery disease (CAD). Research on lifestyle programs for patients with CAD has largely focused on long-term interventions (e.g., several months to one-year in duration). Further, many studies have recruited patients immediately post-cardiac event. By contrast, evaluation of brief lifestyle interventions for stable patients treated in outpatient cardiology is lacking. The present study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of a 3-session behavioral health lifestyle program for patients with stable CAD being treated in an outpatient cardiology clinic. Thirty-three patients were randomized to the Intervention Group (IG) or to Treatment as Usual (TAU). Outcome measures were assessed at Post-treatment (two-weeks after Baseline) and at 30-day Follow-up. Reliable change and parametric analyses were used to evaluate study outcomes. Results indicated that the program was both feasible and acceptable to patients, as determined by a priori criteria: over 60 percent of referred and eligible patients agreed to participate, over 75 percent of consented IG participants completed the program through 30-day Follow-up, and over 80 percent of participants reported that they would recommend the program to other patients. With regard to treatment outcomes, data from 28 participants were available. Reliable change analyses revealed that at both Post-treatment and 30-day Follow-up, significantly more IG than TAU participants exhibited an increase in self-efficacy as compared with Baseline. There were no observed between-group differences on other study measures, though repeated-measures ANOVAs were underpowered. Overall, results support the feasibility and acceptability of brief lifestyle interventions in outpatient cardiology care and highlight the role of behavioral health providers on integrated cardiology care teams in helping to increase patient self-efficacy in managing chronic disease.
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Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFE0007876, ucf:52770
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007876

Title: THE EFFICACY OF A 6-WEEK EVIDENCE-BASED SUPPORT GROUP FOR CAREGIVERS OF DEMENTIA IN A PRIMARY CARE SETTING.
Creator: Shah, Mona, Paulson, Daniel, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Sims, Valerie, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: More than 16 million Americans provide unpaid care for those with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Extant literature has well documented the increased risk for physical, emotional, social and financial burden associated with caregiving. While intensive support groups may be well-suited to caregiver needs, they are often difficult to implement given financial, personnel and resource constraints. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of a theoretically-based, 6-week...
Show moreMore than 16 million Americans provide unpaid care for those with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Extant literature has well documented the increased risk for physical, emotional, social and financial burden associated with caregiving. While intensive support groups may be well-suited to caregiver needs, they are often difficult to implement given financial, personnel and resource constraints. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of a theoretically-based, 6-week caregiver support group in a community primary care setting. The group focuses on self-care, behavior management techniques and interdisciplinary caregiver resources. A total of 22 participants completed the active caregiver support group and they were compared to 19 control participants who participated in community caregiver support groups. Participants on average were in their mid-60s, mostly female and Caucasian, and identified as either the care recipient's child or spouse. All participants completed self-report measures related to demographic information, caregiver preparedness (Caregiver Preparedness Scale), caregiver strain (Caregiver Strain Index), caregiver depressive symptoms (CESD-10), and care recipient's neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPI-Q), at baseline and at 6-weeks. Participants in the active caregiver support group also completed a satisfaction survey. Results from two-way mixed ANCOVA analyses revealed a time by group interaction effect for caregiver preparedness, such that caregivers in the active group demonstrated a significant increase in mean caregiver preparedness scores while scores remained invariant for the control group. No significant main effects nor group by time interaction effects were found for caregiver strain, caregiver depressive symptoms and caregiver distress related to neuropsychiatric symptoms. Participants in the active caregiver support group rated being largely satisfied with the group. Results suggest that this 6-week caregiver support group may be a promising caregiver intervention that can be readily implemented and accessible in primary care clinics. Further research with larger sample sizes is recommended.
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Date Issued: 2018
Identifier: CFE0007370, ucf:52098
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007370

Title: Is Selective Mutism an Emotion Regulation Strategy for Children with Social Phobia? A Single Case Design Investigation.
Creator: Scott, Samantha, Beidel, Deborah, Rapport, Mark, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Hundley, Gulnora, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: To determine whether children with selective mutism (SM) withhold speech to regulate their emotional arousal and decrease automatic distress, the current study examines the behavioral and physiological responses of children with SM in comparison to children with social phobia (SP) and children with no psychiatric disorder (TD) as they participate in two social situations. A single case design strategy is used to compare behavioral and physiological responses both within and across groups....
Show moreTo determine whether children with selective mutism (SM) withhold speech to regulate their emotional arousal and decrease automatic distress, the current study examines the behavioral and physiological responses of children with SM in comparison to children with social phobia (SP) and children with no psychiatric disorder (TD) as they participate in two social situations. A single case design strategy is used to compare behavioral and physiological responses both within and across groups. Examining the temporal sequencing of behaviors and physiology provides a direct test of the utility of emotion regulation theory as it pertains to children with social phobia/selective mutism. The results indicate that children with SM show elevated arousal and emotional reactivity across all interaction segments relative to other children. Unique affective, behavioral and physiological responses occur between and within groups in relation to situational demands. The temporal sequencing of behavioral and physiological responses suggests that behavioral deficits may be related to underutilized and/or deficient physiological response systems and that not speaking represents a primitive avoidance strategy by children with SM to regulate extreme physiological arousal.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFE0004438, ucf:49348
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004438

Title: Multicultural Personality and Psychological Functioning.
Creator: Trottier, Lauren, Negy, Charles, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Renk, Kimberly, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: As the U.S. becomes increasingly diverse, individuals will need to interact effectively with a wide range of people. The theory of multicultural personality refined by Ponterotto (2010) proposes that some individuals may be better suited than others to adapt to the changing demographic landscape. Individuals with a multicultural personality are theorized to have the ability to interact effectively within a wide range of contexts and draw on diverse experiences and resources to solve everyday...
Show moreAs the U.S. becomes increasingly diverse, individuals will need to interact effectively with a wide range of people. The theory of multicultural personality refined by Ponterotto (2010) proposes that some individuals may be better suited than others to adapt to the changing demographic landscape. Individuals with a multicultural personality are theorized to have the ability to interact effectively within a wide range of contexts and draw on diverse experiences and resources to solve everyday problems in multiple ways as well as seek out diversity in their lives. Because of their skills and disposition, Ponterotto (2010) suggests that those with a multicultural personality may experience better psychological functioning than their non-multicultural counterparts. The current study utilized Structural Equation Modeling to test the hypothesis that individuals who endorse greater multicultural personality also exhibit less prejudice, greater ethnic identity, and better psychological functioning, defined as a combination of subjective well-being and clinical symptomology. Results indicated moderate fit to the data and examination of specific paths within the model suggests that the relationship between multicultural personality and subjective well-being may be stronger than that between multicultural personality and clinical symptomology. Differences by ethnicity were also found on measures of ethnic identity and mental health. These results highlight the need to further refine the concept of multicultural personality as well as examine the complex relationships between multicultural personality, subjective well-being, and clinical symptomology.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0004950, ucf:49567
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004950

Title: Is Experiential Avoidance a Factor in Maternal Overprotection?.
Creator: Nieves, Melissa, Beidel, Deborah, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Rapport, Mark, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The current study examined experiential avoidance (EA) as an explanation for parental overprotectiveness, a behavior often found among parents of anxious children. EA parenting theory posits that parents engage in overprotective behaviors in order to reduce their own anxiety. In order to test the theory, mothers' electrodermal activity (EDA) and blindly-coded overprotective behaviors were examined when a child with SAD was engaged in a reading performance task. In line with EA theory, it was...
Show moreThe current study examined experiential avoidance (EA) as an explanation for parental overprotectiveness, a behavior often found among parents of anxious children. EA parenting theory posits that parents engage in overprotective behaviors in order to reduce their own anxiety. In order to test the theory, mothers' electrodermal activity (EDA) and blindly-coded overprotective behaviors were examined when a child with SAD was engaged in a reading performance task. In line with EA theory, it was hypothesized that EDA levels would increase before an overprotective behavior (OB) occurred and decrease afterwards as a result of decrease in anxiety. The sample consisted of mothers with a child diagnosed with SAD (n=5) and mothers with a child with no diagnoses (n=5). Each mother-child dyad participated in an ABAB design protocol consisting of a baseline period, two 10-minute reading tasks, and a recovery period between the two tasks. Although mothers of both groups displayed OBs, mothers of children with SAD displayed OBs more often. In addition, mothers of children with SAD displayed more promotion of avoidance while mothers of normal control children displayed higher frequencies of control over the reading task. The EDA activity that surrounded the first occurrence of any coded OB was examined. Contrary to the hypothesis, all mothers (regardless of child's anxiety status) displayed similar trends in their EDA data, with levels increasing but then decreasing shortly before an OB behavior occurred, rather than afterwards. However, one mother with an elevated social anxiety score revealed an EDA pattern similar to what was hypothesized. Possible explanations for these alternate findings are discussed and include a multidisciplinary conceptualization. The study's findings hold theoretical and practical implications, particularly for parent training in the treatment of childhood anxiety disorders. Limitations such as small sample size and directions for future research are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFE0004902, ucf:49676
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004902

Title: Cerebrovascular Burden and Depression: Examining a Process Model of Geriatric Developmental Psychopathology.
Creator: Scott, Rosanna, Paulson, Daniel, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Jentsch, Florian, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Depression is the second leading cause of disability worldwide, and is associated with substantial functional impairment and poor health implications in older adults. These adverse outcomes are exacerbated in older adults who exhibit comorbid depression and cerebrovascular burden (CVB). Given that the population of older adults is projected to double by year 2050, a process model of the development of depression in later-life and a subsequent clear delineation of the relationship between CVB...
Show moreDepression is the second leading cause of disability worldwide, and is associated with substantial functional impairment and poor health implications in older adults. These adverse outcomes are exacerbated in older adults who exhibit comorbid depression and cerebrovascular burden (CVB). Given that the population of older adults is projected to double by year 2050, a process model of the development of depression in later-life and a subsequent clear delineation of the relationship between CVB and depression is paramount. One explanation of this process of disease development is the vascular depression theory, however alternative hypotheses have not been exhaustively falsified and the literature consists of methodological barriers that produce potentially unreliable results. The goals of this thesis are (1) to examine the interrelationship between CVB and depressive symptomatology from mid-life to later-life, and (2) to assess a potential genetic modifier of the CVB/depressive symptomatology relationship. Participants were drawn from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, which represents the 1957 graduating class from Wisconsin high schools. Data was drawn from three waves (1993, 2004, and 2011), spanning 18 years. Study 1 utilized a dual-change model to evaluate the relationship between CVB and depressive symptomatology from mid-life to later-life. Results indicated that depressive symptomatology at both follow-up waves was predicted by earlier depressive symptomatology. Prior CVB significantly predicted future depressive symptomatology in both 2004 and 2011. Depressive symptomatology in 2004 significantly predicted CVB in 2011. Thus, CVB significantly predicted future depressive symptomatology even after accounting for prior depressive symptomatology. Study 2 utilized a repeated-measures ANOVA and a moderated path structural model to evaluate the moderating effect of ApoE carriage on the relationship between CVB and depressive symptomatology. Results indicated that ApoE carriage has no significant main effect on depressive symptomatology, nor is it a significant moderator of the relationship between CVB and depressive symptomatology. Overall findings strongly support the vascular depression theory, and do not implicate ApoE carriage in the manifestation of depressive symptomatology. Future research should longitudinally evaluate the relationship between CVB and depressive symptomatology across a greater number of defined time points and with a more diverse sample. Lastly, future research should continue to identify genetic risk factors that influence the development of detrimental disease processes.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006178, ucf:51121
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006178

Title: Identification of Areas of Patient Need Using the Cancer Support Source Program.
Creator: Ross, Emily, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Jensen, Bernard, Robinson, Diane, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Understanding, screening, and providing resources for quality of life factors and psychosocial distress have become an important area of focus in cancer care. Negative consequences of poor quality of life and psychosocial distress have been widely studied in oncological research. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network, or NCCN, defines (")psychosocial distress(") as extending on a continuum, (")ranging from common normal feelings of vulnerability, sadness, and fears to problems that can...
Show moreUnderstanding, screening, and providing resources for quality of life factors and psychosocial distress have become an important area of focus in cancer care. Negative consequences of poor quality of life and psychosocial distress have been widely studied in oncological research. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network, or NCCN, defines (")psychosocial distress(") as extending on a continuum, (")ranging from common normal feelings of vulnerability, sadness, and fears to problems that can become disabling, such as depression, anxiety, panic, social isolation, and existential and spiritual crisis(") ((")National Comprehensive Cancer Network,(") n.d.). Findings have indicated the significant impact of poor quality of life and psychosocial distress in the cancer patient population. Elevated levels of psychosocial distress increases the risk of developing depression, anxiety, immune suppression, and may lead to high levels of stress. Studies have also revealed associations between increased psychosocial distress levels, relapse, treatment and healing outcomes, and survival rates (Anderson, Kiecolt-Glaser, (&) Glaser, 1994; Spiegel (&) Nemeroff, 1997). Evidence also shows that heightened psychosocial distress negatively influences a patient's capability to adhere to their medical plan and treatment (Allison et al., 1995; Pirl et al., 2007; Zabora, Brintzenhofeszoc, Curbow, Hooker, (&) Piantadosi, 2001). Attending to these negative outcomes of psychosocial distress and providing supportive care is a crucial action of oncology practice today. The American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer responded to the imperative of addressing psychosocial needs in cancer care by mandating national cancer centers for accreditation purposes to screen for psychosocial distress and provide appropriate referral and resources (Standard 3.2). UF Health Cancer Center (-) Orlando Health began psychosocial distress screening on January 1st, 2015 with the utilization of the Web-based, HIPPA compliant, and action based Cancer Support Source Program. Patient data responses collected with the Cancer Support Source Program over the first calendar year of the implementation of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer standards were analyzed for this research study. A sample of 317 patient data responses was included to conduct an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) on the Cancer Support Source Program test items. Specifically, a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with an oblique rotational procedure (Promax) was conducted on the resulting data set for interpretation. Factorial interpretation was made to ascertain latent dimensions in the Cancer Support Source Program. A five factor structure model was found with adequate discriminant and face validity. Factors were grouped by conceptual basis and item-loading composition: Distress, Treatment Management and Decisions, Lifestyle, Relationship, and Substance Use. These factors were collectively termed the Concern Subscales. The Distress, Treatment Management and Decisions, and Lifestyle Factors were found to present the most psychometrically sound and internally consistent model. Further analysis was conducted to examine the resulting factorial structure model on four cancer location groups: breast, head and neck, lung, and gynecological cancer. Results displayed that no significant differences were found between cancer location groups and the five extracted factors. However, an ad hoc test (Tukey's HSD) revealed two significant differences between the Lifestyle Factor and cancer location groups at the p (<) 0.05 level. The Breast Cancer group's Lifestyle scores were higher than the Gynecologic Cancer group, and the Breast Cancer group scores were lower than the Lung Cancer group. Additionally, the action scores were summed to examine correlation between the five extracted Concern Subscales. A high correlation was found, indicating that the action items in the Cancer Support Source questionnaire correspond with the extracted Concern Subscales and do not need to undergo dimension reduction. Furthermore, a high correlation was also found with the extracted Distress Concern Subscale and the existing depression subscale in the Cancer Support Source Program.Results indicated that the Cancer Support Source Program could indeed benefit from dimension reduction to ascertain more parsimonious areas of need presented by the cancer patient population. The 25 single-items in the Cancer Support Source questionnaire may inhibit the ability to indicate other concerns that may be expressed by the patient. By identifying the latent dimensions in this exploratory endeavor, we were able to demonstrate how the Cancer Support Source questionnaire could be refined to include easily scored Concern subscales to better identify areas of need for each individual patient that is screened for psychosocial distress. These findings provide an opportunity to impact patient care, opportunities for referral, and resources for cancer care in a hospital setting using this psychosocial distress screening instrument.
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Date Issued: 2017
Identifier: CFE0006650, ucf:51254
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006650

Title: Inattentive behavior in boys with ADHD during classroom instruction: The mediating role of working memory processes.
Creator: Orban, Sarah, Rapport, Mark, Beidel, Deborah, Cassisi, Jeffrey, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Children with ADHD exhibit clinically impairing inattentive behavior during classroom instruction and other cognitively demanding contexts. However, there have been surprisingly few attempts to validate anecdotal parent/teacher reports of intact sustained attention during 'preferred' activities such as watching movies. The current investigation addresses this omission, and provides an initial test of how ADHD-related working memory deficits contribute to inattentive behavior during classroom...
Show moreChildren with ADHD exhibit clinically impairing inattentive behavior during classroom instruction and other cognitively demanding contexts. However, there have been surprisingly few attempts to validate anecdotal parent/teacher reports of intact sustained attention during 'preferred' activities such as watching movies. The current investigation addresses this omission, and provides an initial test of how ADHD-related working memory deficits contribute to inattentive behavior during classroom instruction. Boys ages 8-12 (M=9.62, SD=1.22) with ADHD (n=32) and typically developing children (TD; n=30) completed a counterbalanced series of working memory tests and two videos on separate assessment days: an analogue math instructional video, and a non-instructional video selected to match the content and cognitive demands of parent/teacher-described 'preferred' activities. Objective, reliable observations of attentive behavior revealed no between-group differences during the non-instructional video (d=-0.02), and attentive behavior during the non-instructional video was unrelated to all working memory variables (r=-.11 to .19,ns). In contrast, the ADHD group showed disproportionate attentive behavior decrements during analogue classroom instruction (d=-0.71). Bias-corrected, bootstrapped, serial mediation revealed that 59% of this between-group difference was attributable to ADHD-related impairments in central executive working memory, both directly (ER=41%) and indirectly via its role in coordinating phonological short-term memory (ER=15%). Between-group attentive behavior differences were no longer detectable after accounting for ADHD-related working memory impairments (d=-0.29, ns). Results confirm anecdotal reports of intact sustained attention during activities that place minimal demands on working memory, and indicate that ADHD children's inattention during analogue classroom instruction is related, in large part, to their underdeveloped working memory abilities.
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Date Issued: 2017
Identifier: CFE0006633, ucf:51290
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006633

Title: Optimizing Strategies for In Vivo Exposure in the Traditional Clinical Setting.
Creator: Owens, Maryann, Beidel, Deborah, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Bowers, Clint, Neer, Sandra, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This study examined the ability of a pre-recorded videoconferencing (VC) audience to elicit the physiological and subjective arousal associated with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) when giving a formal presentation. This study had three objectives: (a) to determine whether speaking to the VC audience elicited significant increases in physiological response (e.g., heart rate and electrodermal activity) and subjective distress over baseline resting conditions (b) to determine whether the VC task...
Show moreThis study examined the ability of a pre-recorded videoconferencing (VC) audience to elicit the physiological and subjective arousal associated with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) when giving a formal presentation. This study had three objectives: (a) to determine whether speaking to the VC audience elicited significant increases in physiological response (e.g., heart rate and electrodermal activity) and subjective distress over baseline resting conditions (b) to determine whether the VC task more closely replicates the physiological and subjective experience of giving a speech to a comparable real-life audience than levels elicited by a Virtual Reality (VR) environment and (c) to determine whether the VC task elicited higher levels of presence and fear of negative evaluation than the VR task, more closely replicating levels elicited by an in vivo speech. All participants gave an impromptu speech under three conditions: in vivo, VC, and VR audience while measures of physiological arousal, self-reported distress, and presence were obtained. Results demonstrated that the VC task elicited significantly greater increases in heart rate, electrodermal activity, and self-reported distress than the VR task and VC responses were not significantly different from in vivo. In addition, participants reported levels of immersion and fear of negative evaluation during the VC task that were significantly greater than during the VR task, and did not differ significantly from in vivo. Clinical implications of these findings including cost effectiveness and the role of VC in the treatment of SAD are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006367, ucf:51513
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006367

Title: Effectiveness of an Interdisciplinary Chronic Arthritis Pain Group Intervention in an Outpatient Healthcare Setting.
Creator: De Pesa, Natasha, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Negy, Charles, Joseph, Dana, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that often results in inflammation, pain, fatigue, functional impairment, and psychosocial difficulties. The current study examines the effectiveness, feasibility, and sustainability of an interdisciplinary chronic pain intervention for patients with RA. Wearable fitness trackers were incorporated into the intervention and objectively measured participant physical activity. A total of 44 participants received the intervention and...
Show moreRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that often results in inflammation, pain, fatigue, functional impairment, and psychosocial difficulties. The current study examines the effectiveness, feasibility, and sustainability of an interdisciplinary chronic pain intervention for patients with RA. Wearable fitness trackers were incorporated into the intervention and objectively measured participant physical activity. A total of 44 participants received the intervention and completed outcome measures. Results supported improvements across multiple domains at the end of treatment and at 4-week follow-up compared to treatment baseline. Mixed multilevel repeated measures modeling revealed significant overall improvements in many primary (i.e., self-efficacy for managing chronic disease, pain intensity, pain interference, depression, and health-related quality of life), secondary (i.e., physical functioning, overall quality of life, and chronic pain acceptance), and in an objective measure of physical activity (i.e., average steps per day). Effect sizes were generally small to medium and were similar to or better than those reported in meta-analyses. Patients with comorbid fibromyalgia syndrome recorded significantly worse scores across measures, but showed steady improvement throughout the intervention. Mixed-method analysis suggested that patients were interested in and satisfied with the intervention. Implications for optimization and long-term sustainability are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006451, ucf:51437
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006451

Title: Examination of Attitude-Behavior Discrepancy in Familism and its Relation to Symptoms of Depression among Latinos.
Creator: Nicasio, Andel, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Negy, Charles, Jentsch, Florian, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This research examines the discrepancy between attitudinal and behavioral familism and its relation to depressive symptoms. The overarching hypothesis was that discrepancy between family values and the actual experiences of those values influences psychological health. Previous research has primarily focused on self-report measures of familial attitudes, and not whether these values are actually experienced by the individual. To address this gap in the literature, this study developed a new...
Show moreThis research examines the discrepancy between attitudinal and behavioral familism and its relation to depressive symptoms. The overarching hypothesis was that discrepancy between family values and the actual experiences of those values influences psychological health. Previous research has primarily focused on self-report measures of familial attitudes, and not whether these values are actually experienced by the individual. To address this gap in the literature, this study developed a new behavioral familism scale. A total of 431 Latinos and non-Latino Whites from a large university in Florida participated in this study. Overall, the new behavioral familism scale demonstrated good psychometric properties. Test-retest reliability was established with a sample of 109 participants who completed the measures twice, two weeks apart. Test-retest reliability was high (r = .85) and excellent (ICC = .92) for the total composite score. The internal consistency was examined with a sample of 323 participants. Results showed good internal consistency for the total composite score (Cronbach Alpha = .85). The convergent validity was evaluated with another measure of familism, as well as measures of perceived social support and family environment. Correlation analyses indicated significant positive relationships with all related measures in the expected direction. The divergent validity was evaluated with measures of social desirability and acculturation. Correlation analyses indicated non-significant and low relationships with both measures as expected. Polynomial regression and response surface analyses demonstrated that discrepancy between attitudinal and behavioral familism scores predicted symptoms of depression in a sample of 118 Latinos. Specifically, this study found that depressive symptoms increased as the discrepancy between the total composite scores of attitudinal and behavioral familism increased in either direction. Furthermore, the discrepancy in the family interconnectedness subscale indicated that symptoms of depression increased when attitudinal family interconnectedness was higher than behavioral family interconnectedness, but not when the relationship was reversed. Discrepancies between attitudinal and behavioral familism total composite scores and subscales did not predict symptoms of anxiety. These findings highlight the importance of understanding the role that culturally specific variables, such as familism, play in the psychological health of Latinos.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006484, ucf:51438
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006484

alcohol (4)	+ -
Virtual Reality (3)	+ -
Exposure Therapy (2)	+ -
Heart Rate (2)	+ -
Parenting (2)	+ -

Physiological Arousal (2)	+ -
Public Speaking (2)	+ -
Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia (2)	+ -
Social Anxiety Disorder (2)	+ -
Social Phobia (2)	+ -
college students (2)	+ -
intervention (2)	+ -
meta-analysis (2)	+ -
metacognition (2)	+ -
schizotypy (2)	+ -
skin conductance (2)	+ -
sleep (2)	+ -
working memory (2)	+ -
ADHD (1)	+ -
Adverse Childhood Experiences (1)	+ -
Alcohol (1)	+ -
Ambulatory (1)	+ -
American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (1)	+ -
Anxiety (1)	+ -
Anxious (1)	+ -
Attachment (1)	+ -
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (1)	+ -
Attitutinal Familism (1)	+ -
Behavioral Familism (1)	+ -
C-reactive protein (1)	+ -

ETD Collection (32)	+ -
Honors Collection (4)	+ -

University of Central Florida (36)	+ -
Cassisi, Jeffrey (35)	+ -
Beidel, Deborah (10)	+ -
Bowers, Clint (8)	+ -
Sims, Valerie (7)	+ -

Bedwell, Jeffrey (5)	+ -
Negy, Charles (5)	+ -
Paulson, Daniel (5)	+ -
Rapport, Mark (5)	+ -
Dunn, Michael (4)	+ -
Renk, Kimberly (4)	+ -
Neer, Sandra (3)	+ -
Chan, Chi (2)	+ -
De Pesa, Natasha (2)	+ -
Deavers, Frances (2)	+ -
Dotson, Keri (2)	+ -
Eldridge, Gloria (2)	+ -
Gupta, Rema (2)	+ -
Jentsch, Florian (2)	+ -
Joseph, Dana (2)	+ -
Mitchell, Jonathan (2)	+ -
Orban, Sarah (2)	+ -
Owens, Maryann (2)	+ -
Shah, Mona (2)	+ -
Wiener, Chelsea (2)	+ -
Bunnell, Brian (1)	+ -
Cassisi, Jeffrey E. (1)	+ -
Fried, Abigail (1)	+ -
Germain, Benjamin (1)	+ -
Hundley, Gulnora (1)	+ -

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