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- Title
- THE ASSOCIATION OF ATTACHMENT STYLE AND PERCEPTIONS OF CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE.
- Creator
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Luther, Kandace, Paulson, Daniel, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This research examines caregiver experiences as they relate to attachment style. The overarching hypothesis is that perceptions of the caregiver role differ depending on the degree of avoidance and anxiousness in the caregiver's attachment style. Caregiver response was measured in the areas of filial obligation, work reduction, perceived control, caregiver burden, depressive symptomatology, and preparedness for caregiving. The final sample consisted of 150 caregivers who identified as the...
Show moreThis research examines caregiver experiences as they relate to attachment style. The overarching hypothesis is that perceptions of the caregiver role differ depending on the degree of avoidance and anxiousness in the caregiver's attachment style. Caregiver response was measured in the areas of filial obligation, work reduction, perceived control, caregiver burden, depressive symptomatology, and preparedness for caregiving. The final sample consisted of 150 caregivers who identified as the primary caregiver for a parent over the age of 65. This sample was recruited using Mechanical Turk, an online survey distribution tool. The survey was created online with Qualtrics software. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, and procedures primarily focused on correlational and descriptive statistics. The results revealed several significant correlations between attachment style and caregiver burden as well as depression, supporting the hypothesis that attachment style is associated with differences in perception of the caregiver experience. This research is motivated by the increasingly urgent need for caregiver support through financial aid, counseling services, and cohesive healthcare options.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFH0004705, ucf:45408
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004705
- Title
- THE EFFECTS OF CEREBROVASCULAR AGING ON SLEEP QUALITY IN A SAMPLE OF AGING ADULTS.
- Creator
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Mapp, Chelsea Tia, Paulson, Daniel, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Cerebrovascular burden (CVB) is a significant factor among the aging population. Age-related cognitive decline is an important social and economic issue, and understanding the mechanisms has clinical implications, both in selecting potential therapies and in choosing specific modifiers for their evaluation. In summary, past work suggests that high CVB is one source of variance in neurovascular functioning among older adults. High CVB and associated brain-changes have been identified as causes...
Show moreCerebrovascular burden (CVB) is a significant factor among the aging population. Age-related cognitive decline is an important social and economic issue, and understanding the mechanisms has clinical implications, both in selecting potential therapies and in choosing specific modifiers for their evaluation. In summary, past work suggests that high CVB is one source of variance in neurovascular functioning among older adults. High CVB and associated brain-changes have been identified as causes of age-related changes and it may be that high CVB is a correlate of age-related changes in sleep quality. The primary hypothesis to be tested is that cerebrovascular burden measured using an index variable reflecting blood pressure, resting heart rate, and blood oxygen saturation, will predict subjective sleep quality in a sample of adults over age 70. Sleep quality was measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. A sample of 8 dementia-free, community dwelling participants over the age of 70 completed the study. Though individual cerebrovascular risk factors (blood pressure, resting heart rate) had moderate but non-significant correlations with sleep quality, only the CVB index variable significantly related (1-tailed) to sleep quality. Findings support the hypothesized relationship. Future research should seek to replicate these findings with a larger sample, and to identify mechanisms by which this relationship may function.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFH2000065, ucf:45532
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000065
- Title
- Brief Behavioral Health Intervention Program for Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease.
- Creator
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Wiener, Chelsea, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Gupta, Rema, Paulson, Daniel, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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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.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007876, ucf:52770
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007876
- Title
- Cognitive and vascular risk factors for depression: Testing an integrated theoretical framework.
- Creator
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Scott, Rosanna, Paulson, Daniel, Rapport, Mark, Dvorak, Robert, Dangiolo, Mariana, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Objective: Theoretical models that have guided the study of later-life depression include the vascular depression hypothesis, depression-executive dysfunction syndrome, and the CaR-FA-X model. Evidence suggests these can be integrated into a single developmental model of disordered mood (and its associated overgeneral memory feature) in later-life to delineate a mechanism of the vascular depression effect and identify modifiable intervention targets.Methods: In older adults, four serial...
Show moreObjective: Theoretical models that have guided the study of later-life depression include the vascular depression hypothesis, depression-executive dysfunction syndrome, and the CaR-FA-X model. Evidence suggests these can be integrated into a single developmental model of disordered mood (and its associated overgeneral memory feature) in later-life to delineate a mechanism of the vascular depression effect and identify modifiable intervention targets.Methods: In older adults, four serial mediation models evaluated the relationships between (1) vascular burden and depressive symptoms via executive control and rumination, and (2) vascular burden and autobiographical memory specificity (AMS) via executive control and rumination. In younger adults, four simple mediation models were conducted to compare results to older adults, including models assessing the relationships between (1) executive control and depressive symptoms via rumination, and (2) executive control and AMS via rumination. Bias-corrected bootstrapping was employed throughout.Results: Older adult n=56; younger adult n=63. Older adult serial mediation models demonstrated significant individual relationships between a working memory measure and depressive symptoms, as well as between rumination and depressive symptoms. The vascular depression effect neared significance. No other direct or indirect effects were supported. In younger adults, rumination was significantly associated with depressive symptoms; all other hypothesized relationships were not significant.Conclusions: Model 1, evaluating the impact of vascular burden on depressive symptoms in older adults via working memory and rumination, respectively, was the most effective in integrating vascular depression, DED, and CaR-FA-X. However, there was not support for a vascular depression mechanism. Null results in this sample could be attributable to inadequate power or measurement error. Clinically, results promote interventions that target older adults presenting with depression, executive dysfunction, or rumination, independently or combined.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007860, ucf:52759
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007860
- Title
- Young Adult Development and Caregiving: Disposition and Involvement in Care.
- Creator
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James, Nicholas, Paulson, Daniel, Dvorak, Robert, Wharton, Tracy, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Caregivers are a diverse group of individuals with a variety of backgrounds and roles; however, research has widely overlooked young adults in this population. This study investigated young adult caregiver circumstance, burden, and use of support services with the purpose of improving future caregiving research and interventions. Study 1 compared burden and circumstance among young, middle aged, and older adult caregivers (N = 285) in addition to developmental indicators among young adults...
Show moreCaregivers are a diverse group of individuals with a variety of backgrounds and roles; however, research has widely overlooked young adults in this population. This study investigated young adult caregiver circumstance, burden, and use of support services with the purpose of improving future caregiving research and interventions. Study 1 compared burden and circumstance among young, middle aged, and older adult caregivers (N = 285) in addition to developmental indicators among young adults caregiver and demographically matched non-caregiver peers (n = 225). Study 2 surveyed caregivers from each age group (N = 151) on barriers to care, treatment preferences, and interest in services. Results from study 1 indicated that young adult caregivers adopted similar caregiving roles and factors linked to burden; however, they reported additional stressors such as higher rates of childcare and commuting to provide care. Compared to demographically matched-peers, young adult caregivers were more likely to work part-time and earn a substantially lower yearly income. Study 2 replicated original findings and revealed that young adult caregivers endorsed elevated attitudinal barriers to care and are the least likely age group to speak to physicians about caregiving. Overall, findings reveal the similarity in caregiving role that young adults take on, as well as several unique burden factors. Caregivers across age groups disclosed moderate treatment expectancy for support services, and all reported greater interest in online-based treatment. Young adult caregivers were more likely to take on responsibilities such as childrearing and employment, thus impacting their available time and financial support. However, these findings do not explain the overwhelming lack of young adult caregivers in research. Future studies should re-evaluate sampling methods and inclusion criteria, or explore more accessible means of intervention, such as web-based services.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007018, ucf:52027
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007018
- Title
- Potential Relationship Between Vascular Depression and Autobiographical Memory Specificity in an Older Adult Population According to the CaR-FA-X Model.
- Creator
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Herrera Legon, Manuel, Paulson, Daniel, Rapport, Mark, Sims, Valerie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Vascular depression is a type of depression that has its onset later in life, and it has been associated with cardiovascular or metabolic diseases. Depression can be costly and associated with other health problems, which is why it becomes imperative to uncover the multiple mechanisms of action for depression symptomatology. A proposed mechanism of action for the emergence of depressive symptomatology is poor autobiographical memory specificity according to the CaR-FA-X model. However, it...
Show moreVascular depression is a type of depression that has its onset later in life, and it has been associated with cardiovascular or metabolic diseases. Depression can be costly and associated with other health problems, which is why it becomes imperative to uncover the multiple mechanisms of action for depression symptomatology. A proposed mechanism of action for the emergence of depressive symptomatology is poor autobiographical memory specificity according to the CaR-FA-X model. However, it remains unclear whether this mechanism contributes somehow to the vascular depression specific type. The purpose of this research was to determine the potential relationship between the mechanisms proposed by the CaR-FA-X model and the presence of vascular depression, which has not been addressed by previous literature or research. Forty three older adults over the age of seventy from the Orlando area completed multiple measures including the Geriatric Depression Scale, Autobiographical Memory Test, and physiological measures. Results showed no support for a relationship between CaR-FA-X model elements and vascular depression; however, support was found for the relationship between cerebrovascular burden and depression as proposed by the vascular depression theory with rumination serving as a moderator. To our knowledge, this is the first time a study finds the moderating effect of rumination in the development of vascular depression. Further studies will need to address other potential mechanisms that increase risk for this specific type of depression as well as investigate the reasons under which, if any, autobiographical memory specificity might be related to vascular depression by using other measures that might be more sensitive to a non-clinical population.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007014, ucf:52041
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007014
- Title
- Childhood Experiences and Domestic Violence: The role that interpartner violence plays in relationship functioning and parenting behaviors in adulthood.
- Creator
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Stephenson, J'Nelle, Renk, Kimberly, Paulson, Daniel, Sims, Valerie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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It is estimated that approximately 25% of women and 7.6% of men report experiencing violence from their romantic partner during their lifetime. Additionally, in households where interpartner violence occurs, there are between 3.3 and 10 million children in the United States alone. It is important to understand the cycle of domestic violence that can occur, as it can inform us about expected outcomes across time. This study examined mothers' childhood exposure to their own parents' domestic...
Show moreIt is estimated that approximately 25% of women and 7.6% of men report experiencing violence from their romantic partner during their lifetime. Additionally, in households where interpartner violence occurs, there are between 3.3 and 10 million children in the United States alone. It is important to understand the cycle of domestic violence that can occur, as it can inform us about expected outcomes across time. This study examined mothers' childhood exposure to their own parents' domestic violence. It was hypothesized that childhood exposure to domestic violence would be related to unhealthy intimate relationships and to the development of maladaptive parenting behaviors during adulthood. These experiences also were hypothesized to be related to the behaviors of the mothers' young children. For this study, 133 mothers with children who ranged in age from 1(&)#189;- to 5-years participated. Results indicated that exposure to domestic violence in childhood was related significantly to the likelihood of experiencing interpartner violence later in life. Also, having a personal history of interpartner violence in adulthood was related to higher rates of internalizing and externalizing behavior problems in mothers' young children. Further, findings demonstrated a relationship between mothers' parenting behaviors and behavior problems in their children. Future research is needed to investigate further the mediators and moderators in the relationship between mothers' childhood exposure to domestic violence and behavior problems in their young children to broaden the literature on this topic. This information may be critical for treatment planning and intervention development for families who experience domestic violence.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007250, ucf:52207
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007250
- Title
- Sleep Disturbances Among Firefighters: The Impact Of Shift Work On Sleep And Cognition.
- Creator
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Stout, Jeremy, Beidel, Deborah, Bowers, Clint, Paulson, Daniel, Dziegielewski, Sophia, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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A comprehensive sleep assessment of 45 firefighters was conducted over 9- days in an effort to determine the impact of their 24 hour work and 48 hour off work schedule on their sleep duration, sleep quality, processing speed, sustained attention, vigilance, and mental health. Chronic patterns of poor sleep are associated with an increased likelihood of performing poorly on tasks that require processing speed and sustained attention/vigilance which could lead to firefighters' suboptimal work...
Show moreA comprehensive sleep assessment of 45 firefighters was conducted over 9- days in an effort to determine the impact of their 24 hour work and 48 hour off work schedule on their sleep duration, sleep quality, processing speed, sustained attention, vigilance, and mental health. Chronic patterns of poor sleep are associated with an increased likelihood of performing poorly on tasks that require processing speed and sustained attention/vigilance which could lead to firefighters' suboptimal work performance or an increased risk of injury. Firefighters completed sleep actigraphy, self- report measures, as well as neuropsychological sub-tests at their beginning of their shift and immediately at the end of their work shift. As measured by actigraphy, firefighters in this sample slept an average of 5 hours and 20.99 minutes at work, which was significantly less than was found in a large sample of U.S. working adults. Firefighters endorsed poor sleep efficiency and poor sleep quality as assessed by self-report and objective actigraphy. One limitation is that only 12 of the 45 firefighters endorsed responding to a nighttime call during the work night that occurred between the two neuropsychological assessments. Comparing changes in neuropsychological performance between firefighters who had disrupted sleep compared to firefighters who did not, significant performances decrements were evident only for the psychomotor vigilance test (PVT) reaction time. If confirmed with a larger sample, the results suggest that reaction time may be a sensitive indicator of decreasing cognitive performance because of sleep loss. Limitations, future study directions, and recommendations are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007251, ucf:52190
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007251
- Title
- THE EFFICACY OF A 6-WEEK EVIDENCE-BASED SUPPORT GROUP FOR CAREGIVERS OF DEMENTIA IN A PRIMARY CARE SETTING.
- Creator
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Shah, Mona, Paulson, Daniel, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Sims, Valerie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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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.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007370, ucf:52098
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007370
- Title
- Development of filial obligation in young adults: An examination of crisis and lifespan theory.
- Creator
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Bassett, Rachel, Paulson, Daniel, Wharton, Tracy, Renk, Kimberly, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Formal care institutions are unable to meet care demands. As a result, informal caregivers (friends, family, neighbors) are called upon to fulfill this need. Adult children make up the majority of these informal caregivers. Adult children vary with respect to whether or not they provide care, and the amount of care provided. Filial obligation and attachment are positive predictors of these care behaviors. A better understanding of how these factors emerge and invoke caregiving behaviors is...
Show moreFormal care institutions are unable to meet care demands. As a result, informal caregivers (friends, family, neighbors) are called upon to fulfill this need. Adult children make up the majority of these informal caregivers. Adult children vary with respect to whether or not they provide care, and the amount of care provided. Filial obligation and attachment are positive predictors of these care behaviors. A better understanding of how these factors emerge and invoke caregiving behaviors is crucial. The primary hypothesis of this study was that anxiety attachment dimension score would positively relate to baseline filial obligation, and that avoid attachment dimension scores would negatively relate to filial obligation at baseline. The second hypothesis was that participants randomized to the experimental group (filial challenge task, requiring administration of a living will to their parents) would experience greater change in filial obligation pre- to post-0task than would those randomized to the control group (autobiographical questionnaire). The third hypothesis was that anxious and avoid attachment dimension scores would moderate the (filial obligation) response to the filial challenge task (living will), whereby those with higher anxious attachment dimension scores would experience greater increases in filial obligation and those with higher avoid attachment dimension scores will experience greater decreases in filial obligation. Overall, hypotheses were not supported, though post-hoc analyses suggest an empirical basis for future research. Empirical and theoretical implications of these findings are discussed. Future work may examine complementary experimental paradigms for studying the development of filial responsibility.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007593, ucf:52552
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007593
- Title
- The efficacy and feasibility of neuropsychological services in a primary care setting.
- Creator
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Herring, Danielle, Paulson, Daniel, Sherod, Megan, Blaney, Cerissa, Cannarozzi, Maria, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Integrated primary care assimilates psychologists into the primary care setting, thus improving health outcomes and physician satisfaction. Neuropsychology has also begun to assimilate into primary care, as neurocognitive impairment is a correlate of many medical disorders. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), a common complaint among older adults, is an increasingly recognized warning sign of non-normative cognitive aging. These patients typically present first to their primary care providers...
Show moreIntegrated primary care assimilates psychologists into the primary care setting, thus improving health outcomes and physician satisfaction. Neuropsychology has also begun to assimilate into primary care, as neurocognitive impairment is a correlate of many medical disorders. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD), a common complaint among older adults, is an increasingly recognized warning sign of non-normative cognitive aging. These patients typically present first to their primary care providers who may play a critical role in the early detection of cognitive impairment. Given the growing awareness about cognitive health and disability, the importance of neuropsychological assessment as a standard component of integrated care has been recognized by providers. Thus, the purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy and feasibility of neuropsychological services, for memory concerns, in a community primary care setting. The study also explored the relationship between SCD and performance on neurocognitive measures and satisfaction levels for both patient participants and medical providers. A total of 16 patient participants completed the study. On average, patients were in their late-60's and mostly female and Caucasian. Participants completed a brief interview, neurocognitive evaluation, self-report measures of SCD and mood, and satisfaction survey. Results did not reveal significant correlations between SCD and neurocognitive performance. Significantly more referrals were made to the onsite neurocognitive clinic, than were made for outside services in a nine-month period preceding the described program. Patients referred to the onsite clinic were also significantly more likely to have an accessible report located in their EMR than those referred offsite. Both participants and medical providers were reportedly satisfied with clinic services. Results suggest that a clinic of this nature has promising benefits and is well-liked by both patients and providers, though barriers related to full utilization of services remain a challenge. Further research with a larger, more diverse sample is recommended. ?
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007653, ucf:52508
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007653
- Title
- Cerebrovascular Burden and Depression: Examining a Process Model of Geriatric Developmental Psychopathology.
- Creator
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Scott, Rosanna, Paulson, Daniel, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Jentsch, Florian, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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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.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006178, ucf:51121
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006178
- Title
- Gamification of Visual Search in Real World Scenes.
- Creator
-
Hess, Alyssa, Neider, Mark, Szalma, James, Bohil, Corey, Paulson, Daniel, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Gamification, or the application of game-like features in non-game contexts, has been growing in popularity over the last five years. Specifically, the successful gamification of applications (such as Waze, Foursquare, and Fitocracy) has begun a spike in gamification of more complex tasks, such as learning to use AutoCAD or Photoshop. However, much is unknown about the psychological mapping of gamification or how it translates to behavioral outcomes. This dissertation aims to compare three...
Show moreGamification, or the application of game-like features in non-game contexts, has been growing in popularity over the last five years. Specifically, the successful gamification of applications (such as Waze, Foursquare, and Fitocracy) has begun a spike in gamification of more complex tasks, such as learning to use AutoCAD or Photoshop. However, much is unknown about the psychological mapping of gamification or how it translates to behavioral outcomes. This dissertation aims to compare three distinct styles of gamification (avatars, points and feedback, and leaderboards) onto the three basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness). It will assess behavioral outcomes on a visual search task when gamification styles are used separately, compared against all three styles used in concert. The task chosen is a camouflage visual search task. This task was selected because it is both boring (as indicated by the Flow Short Scale) and difficult (as indicated by previous work). These features make it the ideal task to gamify. Results indicated that only in the full gamification condition was response time significantly faster than in the control condition, or no gamification. However, ANOVA evaluating differences in enjoyment, motivation, and stress indicated differences among the groups, suggesting that gamification may elicit psychological outcomes that may not necessarily manifest into behavioral outcomes. ANCOVA were used to evaluate group differences using relevant survey measures as covariates. These tests indicated differences among groups in all behavioral measures, though these differences were most pronounced in response time measures. Future directions involving gamification based on personality type, as well as suggestions on best practice for gamification in the future are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFE0006601, ucf:51264
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006601
- Title
- Mothers' History of Child Maltreatment and Regulation Abilities: Interactions Among Young Children's Temperament, Attachment, and Maltreatment Potential.
- Creator
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Puff, Jayme, Renk, Kimberly, Paulson, Daniel, Sims, Valerie, Boris, Neil, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Given the impact that parents' and young children's characteristics have on the potential for child maltreatment, the present study sought to examine how mothers' ratings of their own childhood maltreatment, their psychological symptoms, their regulation abilities (i.e., emotion regulation, reflective functioning, attributions, and coping with young children's negative emotions), and their perceptions of their young children's temperament were related to their narratives of their attachment...
Show moreGiven the impact that parents' and young children's characteristics have on the potential for child maltreatment, the present study sought to examine how mothers' ratings of their own childhood maltreatment, their psychological symptoms, their regulation abilities (i.e., emotion regulation, reflective functioning, attributions, and coping with young children's negative emotions), and their perceptions of their young children's temperament were related to their narratives of their attachment relationships with their young children and their child maltreatment potential. As part of this study, 54 mothers rated themselves and their young children on the aforementioned variables. Binary logistic hierarchical regression analysis suggested that mothers' higher levels of nonsupportive coping styles were associated significantly with an increased likelihood of an unbalanced (insecure) narrative of attachment with their young children. Hierarchical and moderation regression analyses suggested the importance of examining mothers' ratings of their own childhood maltreatment, psychological symptoms, nonsupportive coping styles, and mothers' perceptions of their young children's temperament in predicting mothers' child maltreatment potential. In addition, mediation analyses suggested that both mothers' emotion regulation and reflective functioning were important in predicting coping styles. Finally, exploratory analyses suggested that mothers' emotion regulation and psychological symptoms were important predictors of mothers' child maltreatment potential. Overall, these findings suggested that both mothers' characteristics and their ratings of their young children's temperament played a significant role in the prediction of their narratives of their attachment relationships with their young children and mothers' child maltreatment potential. These findings will be particularly helpful for professionals who work with high risk families, particularly those who are at risk for child maltreatment.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006379, ucf:51497
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006379
- Title
- The Longitudinal Relationship between Moderate Alcohol Use and Cognitive Aging among Older Adults.
- Creator
-
Herring, Danielle, Paulson, Daniel, Renk, Kimberly, Lighthall, Nichole, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Cognitive aging appears inconsistent across cognitive domains, indicating that domains may not all decline at the same rate across individuals. Individual trajectories of cognitive aging can vary widely and are affected by numerous lifestyle and health factors. Alcohol use among older adults is known to confer both health risks, typically related to excessive use, and protective effects, often associated with moderate consumption. Moderate alcohol use has been linked with better cognitive...
Show moreCognitive aging appears inconsistent across cognitive domains, indicating that domains may not all decline at the same rate across individuals. Individual trajectories of cognitive aging can vary widely and are affected by numerous lifestyle and health factors. Alcohol use among older adults is known to confer both health risks, typically related to excessive use, and protective effects, often associated with moderate consumption. Moderate alcohol use has been linked with better cognitive functioning as well as a decrease in cardiovascular mortality and systemic inflammation, as compared to heavy or abstinent users. Given that extant research has identified C-reactive protein (CRP) as a mediator between the relationship of moderate alcohol use and cardiovascular disease mortality, this study examined the potential mediating role of CRP between moderate alcohol use and cognitive performance in later life. Therefore, the primary goals of this thesis were to: (1) examine the relationship between moderate alcohol use and cognitive aging over time in a demographically representative, longitudinal survey of Americans over the age of 65, and (2) examine a potential biological mechanisms by which this putative relationship functions. The sample utilized for this study consisted of the ADAMS sample of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a longitudinal, cohort-style study on health, retirement, and aging conducted by the University of Michigan and supported by the National Institute of Aging. In order to assess the effect of moderate alcohol use as related to the rate of change in cognitive performance over time, a series of slope-intercept models were run. Logistic regressions and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used to examine predictors of dementia risk and time-to-diagnosis. Results indicated that moderate alcohol use was significantly associated with better baseline functioning across cognitive measures (p ?.05), but had no significant effect on rate of change over time. Next, structural equation models were employed to examine the effect of alcohol use on cognitive performance as mediated by CRP within each domain. Ultimately, results from this study did not support the hypothesized models. Following this, a logistic regression and survival analysis were conducted in order to assess the effect of moderate alcohol use on dementia diagnosis. Results of these analyses indicated that moderate users of alcohol develop dementia at lower rates, and later in life, than do abstinent older adults. Lastly, a structural equation model was run to evaluate the effect of alcohol use on dementia diagnosis as mediated by CRP. Primary findings did not support the hypothesized model. Overall, findings from this study suggest that moderate alcohol use is associated with better cognitive functioning among community-dwelling older adults, and these relative benefits appear to persist throughout later life. Moderate alcohol use may also be related to a slower rate and onset of dementia development. Future research should investigate alternate biological mechanisms relating moderate alcohol use and cognitive functioning in later life.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006460, ucf:51432
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006460
- Title
- Rumination and executive dysfunction: Risk factors for vascular depression.
- Creator
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Brush, David, Paulson, Daniel, Rapport, Mark, Bohil, Corey, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Introduction: The widely-supported vascular depression hypothesis is underspecified with respect to cognitive mechanisms by which high cerebrovascular burden (CVB) and neuropathology relate to depressive symptoms. Integration of the vascular depression hypothesis with the CaR-FA-X model, a framework of affect regulation mechanisms, suggest that Rumination (R) and executive dysfunction (X) may increase due to altered recruitment of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex resulting from high CVB and...
Show moreIntroduction: The widely-supported vascular depression hypothesis is underspecified with respect to cognitive mechanisms by which high cerebrovascular burden (CVB) and neuropathology relate to depressive symptoms. Integration of the vascular depression hypothesis with the CaR-FA-X model, a framework of affect regulation mechanisms, suggest that Rumination (R) and executive dysfunction (X) may increase due to altered recruitment of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex resulting from high CVB and underlying neuropathology. This process would contribute to depressive symptomatology among older adults with high CVB. The progression of examined hypotheses included mediation models examining mechanistic relationships between predictors (CVB, DLPFC activation), cognitive correlates (rumination, executive functioning), and affective outcomes (depressive symptoms). Method: A sample of 52 community-dwelling, stroke-free, individuals over the age of 70, without history of severe mental illness, dementia, or severe cognitive impairment, completed the Ruminative Responses Scale, provided self-reported cerebrovascular burden data (cardiac disease, hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol), and completed executive function tasks (Stroop, Flanker) while their hemodynamic response was measured using fNIRS. The Geriatric Depression Scale was used to assess depressive symptomatology. Prefrontal cortical recruitment was assessed using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).Results: A progression of conventional and bootstrapped regression-based models broadly supported relationships between CVB and depressive symptoms, but not between DLPFC activation and depressive symptoms. No mechanistic relationships were found, with respect to analyses testing prospective cognitive mediators.Conclusions: Primary findings from this study indicate that cerebrovascular burden predicts depressive symptomatology among older adults and is related to a reduction in inhibitory control ability. Further, these findings inform CVB measurement and mental health implications of contrasting approaches to CVB measurement. A primary contribution of this thesis is that results appear to support utilization of fNIRS, a low-cost and accessible neuroimaging paradigm, for the study of lateralized cognition among older adults.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0006981, ucf:51648
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006981
- Title
- Relationships Between Information Adequacy, Illness Perceptions, and Distress Among Survivors of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.
- Creator
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Wiener, Chelsea, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Gupta, Rema, Paulson, Daniel, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Patients and survivors of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) report experiencing significant distress despite excellent disease prognosis. Predictors of distress in this population, however, are largely unexplored. Two factors that relate to distress in other cancer populations are patient subjective experiences with information provision and patient illness perceptions. Thus, evaluation of information experiences and illness perceptions among survivors of DTC is warranted. In particular,...
Show morePatients and survivors of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) report experiencing significant distress despite excellent disease prognosis. Predictors of distress in this population, however, are largely unexplored. Two factors that relate to distress in other cancer populations are patient subjective experiences with information provision and patient illness perceptions. Thus, evaluation of information experiences and illness perceptions among survivors of DTC is warranted. In particular, the unique prognosis and treatment associated with DTC invites investigation of the relationship between patient subjective experiences with information quantity (termed (")information adequacy(") in this study) and distress in this population. Thus, the primary goals of this thesis are 1) to examine how information adequacy and illness perceptions relate to distress in survivors of DTC, and 2) to investigate illness perceptions as a mechanism by which information adequacy and distress are related. Further, research suggests that distress and reduced emotional functioning among survivors of thyroid cancer extend years after initial diagnosis; however, the relationship between time and distress among survivors of DTC remains unclear and understudied. The extent to which time moderates relationships between information adequacy, illness perceptions, and distress also remains unexplored. Thus, secondary goals of this thesis are 1) to examine the relationship between time (specifically (")years-since-diagnosis(")) and distress, and 2) to examine time as a moderator of relationships between information adequacy, illness perceptions, and distress in survivors of DTC.A sample of 284 participants identified in the Patient Reported Outcomes Following Initial Treatment and Long-term Evaluation of Survivorship (PROFILES) registry were included in structural equation modeling. Relationships between information adequacy, illness perceptions, and distress were evaluated in Model 1. Results largely supported the hypothesized model: greater information adequacy was associated with better illness perceptions, better illness perceptions were associated with less distress, and greater information adequacy was indirectly related to less distress via better illness perceptions. A direct relationship between information adequacy and distress, however, was not observed. Secondary thesis aims were explored in Model 2. Results did not support moderation hypotheses, and a direct relationship between years-since-diagnosis and distress was not demonstrated. A revised model yielded ancillary findings that having fewer years-since-diagnosis was associated with worse illness perceptions, and with greater distress via worse illness perceptions. Thus, overall study results revealed a notable relationship between illness perceptions and distress among survivors of DTC. Future research should investigate whether interventions to address illness perceptions result in decreased distress in this population. The demonstrated link between information adequacy and illness perceptions invites further investigation of informational interventions in particular as a method to address illness perceptions. Future research should also investigate the extent to which illness perceptions mediate relationships between information experiences and distress in other cancer populations.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFE0006197, ucf:51100
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006197
- Title
- Alcohol Consumption, Frailty, and the Mediating Role of C-Reactive Protein in Older Adults.
- Creator
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Shah, Mona, Paulson, Daniel, Cassisi, Jeffrey, Sims, Valerie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Frailty is a well-established indicator of late-life decline and is accompanied by higher rates of comorbidity and disability. Meanwhile, an estimated 41% of adults over the age of 65 report consuming alcohol (-) an identified health risk and protective factor depending on dosage. Given that the demographic group of older Americans is projected to double by the year 2050, identification of frailty risk and protective factors is imperative. The goals of this thesis are to: (1) identify how...
Show moreFrailty is a well-established indicator of late-life decline and is accompanied by higher rates of comorbidity and disability. Meanwhile, an estimated 41% of adults over the age of 65 report consuming alcohol (-) an identified health risk and protective factor depending on dosage. Given that the demographic group of older Americans is projected to double by the year 2050, identification of frailty risk and protective factors is imperative. The goals of this thesis are to: (1) identify how varying levels of alcohol consumption relate to frailty, and (2) elucidate a possible mechanism that accounts for the relationship between alcohol consumption and frailty. A sample of stroke-free participants over the age of 65 was identified from the Health and Retirement Study. Study 1 utilized stepwise logistic regression models to identify predictors of prevalent frailty at baseline (2000), and of incident frailty 4, 8, and 12 years later. For both males and females, significant predictors of frailty at all years included age, depressive symptomatology, and medical burden score. In addition, BMI was a significant predictor of frailty for females at all years. With respect to alcohol use, results revealed that drinking 1-7 drinks per week had a protective effect for females at baseline (OR=0.50) and 12 years later (OR=0.75); however, no such protective effects were found for males. Given that extant research has identified CRP as a mediator between the relationship of moderate alcohol use and cardiovascular health benefits, Study 2 used a cross-sectional sample from the 2008 wave to examine the potential mediating role of CRP between moderate alcohol use and reduced frailty risk. Results from structural equation modeling support the hypothesized model that moderate alcohol is associated with less frailty, and that this relationship is partially mediated by CRP levels. Overall findings suggest that moderate alcohol use confers health benefits for females by reducing frailty risk and that CRP is one mechanism by which alcohol use may confer protective effects for frailty. These results provide a starting place in an effort to better understand the protective effects of moderate alcohol use and can assist in improving prevention and treatment efforts for older adults by preventing or prolonging the onset of age-related diseases. Future research should further examine the relationship between alcohol use and frailty and determine if CRP mediates the relationship between moderate alcohol use and other beneficial health outcomes.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0006000, ucf:51027
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006000
- Title
- Childhood Maltreatment and Mother-Young Child Attachment: Examining Interactions among Attachment, Depression, Reflective Functioning, Parenting Behaviors, and Young Children's Outcomes in Mothers with Histories of Childhood Maltreatment.
- Creator
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Khan, Maria, Renk, Kimberly, Paulson, Daniel, Sims, Valerie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Although previous research identified mothers who experienced childhood maltreatment as exhibiting an especially heightened risk for attachment difficulties with their own young children, evidence regarding the mechanisms of action driving this relationship have been lacking. Thus, the current study introduced mothers' depressive symptoms and the novel construct of reflective functioning as potential mediators to help explain the relationship between mothers' childhood maltreatment...
Show moreAlthough previous research identified mothers who experienced childhood maltreatment as exhibiting an especially heightened risk for attachment difficulties with their own young children, evidence regarding the mechanisms of action driving this relationship have been lacking. Thus, the current study introduced mothers' depressive symptoms and the novel construct of reflective functioning as potential mediators to help explain the relationship between mothers' childhood maltreatment experiences and patterns of insecure (i.e., anxious, avoidant, and disorganized) mother-young child attachment. The current study included a community sample of 146 mothers with children who ranged in age from 1(&)#189;-to 5-years. Mothers provided ratings of their own childhood maltreatment experiences, attachment with their young children, depressive symptoms, reflective functioning, parenting behaviors and attributions, and young children's problems. Correlational analyses displayed significant associations among the variables of interest. Additionally, mediational analyses indicated that mothers' depressive symptoms mediated the relationship between mothers' childhood maltreatment experiences and patterns of insecure mother-young child attachment. Given that mothers' childhood maltreatment experiences failed to predict reflective functioning, the mediational role of reflective functioning was unsupported. Further, mothers' reflective functioning mediated the relationship between mothers' depressive symptoms and patterns of mother-young child insecure attachment. Finally, hierarchical regression analyses showed that mothers' adverse childhood experiences and depressive symptoms uniquely predicted their young children's internalizing and externalizing problems. These data suggested that the psychological consequences resulting from adverse childhood experiences may be more damaging to mothers' attachment with their young children than mothers' adverse childhood experiences alone. Moreover, these findings suggested that mothers' depressive symptoms and reflective functioning work together in predicting mother-young child attachment. Altogether, these results demonstrated the importance for promoting trauma-informed parenting interventions for facilitating secure emotional connections between mothers and young children, especially in mothers with childhood traumatic experiences themselves.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFE0006753, ucf:51860
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006753
- Title
- Predicting child maltreatment potential in mothers who are substance-involved: A study of childhood adversity, stress, affectivity, emotion dysregulation, and emotion regulation strategies as mechanisms of action.
- Creator
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Lowell, Amanda, Renk, Kimberly, Paulson, Daniel, Sims, Valerie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Compared to the general population, parents who are substance-involved are both more likely to have experienced adversity during childhood and to exhibit elevated child maltreatment potential later in life. Within this population, mothers with young children are particularly at-risk. In order to enhance scientific understanding of this phenomenon, this study identified and examined several characteristics that were shown previously to be related to substance misuse and to the experience and...
Show moreCompared to the general population, parents who are substance-involved are both more likely to have experienced adversity during childhood and to exhibit elevated child maltreatment potential later in life. Within this population, mothers with young children are particularly at-risk. In order to enhance scientific understanding of this phenomenon, this study identified and examined several characteristics that were shown previously to be related to substance misuse and to the experience and perpetration of maltreatment. These characteristics included stress, affectivity, emotion dysregulation, and emotion regulation strategies. The current study examined these variables collectively in order to clarify the mechanisms at play in the intergenerational transmission of childhood adversity within the substance-involved population. As part of this study, 127 mothers who were in treatment for substance use problems and who had young children ranging in age from 0- to 5-years rated their own childhood adversity, parenting stress, positive and negative affect, emotion dysregulation, emotion regulation strategies, and child maltreatment potential. Correlational analyses demonstrated many significant relationships among these characteristics. In addition, hierarchical regression analyses suggested that several characteristics (i.e., adverse childhood experiences, childhood maltreatment, parenting stress, positive affect, negative affect, and emotion dysregulation) added unique incremental variance to the prediction of child maltreatment potential. Moderation analyses indicated that parenting stress moderated the relationship between childhood maltreatment and positive affect. Exploratory mediation analyses demonstrated that emotion dysregulation mediated the relationship between childhood maltreatment and child maltreatment potential. Finally, exploratory logistic regression analyses demonstrated that adverse childhood experiences predicted involvement with the child welfare system, even when other mechanisms of action were accounted for. In these analyses, emotion dysregulation approached significance. Overall, this study demonstrated the importance of emotion dysregulation as a central characteristic that links the experience of childhood adversity, an elevated likelihood of substance misuse, and increased child maltreatment potential. Accordingly, these findings suggested the need to address emotion dysregulation as part of trauma-informed intervention efforts for this population. Integrative strategies such as these may reduce emotional and behavioral symptoms following the experience of childhood adversity, increase the likelihood of maintaining sobriety, improve parent-child relationships, and decrease child maltreatment potential.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017
- Identifier
- CFE0006760, ucf:51850
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006760