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Title: MONITORING A POTENTIALLY STRESSFUL SITUATION IN CAPTIVE WESTERN LOWLAND GORILLAS (GORILLA GORILLA GORILLA) THROUGH ANALYSIS OF BEHAVIOR AND URINARY CORTISOL.
Creator: Skurski, Douglas, Waterman, Jane, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The concept of quantifying animal welfare has received much discussion, in various industries such as agriculture, laboratory, and zoological facilities. Behavioral, physical, and physiological indicators of welfare have previously been used to assess animal welfare; each having advantages and disadvantages, ranging from the practicality of data collection, to the validity of the data and how it is interpreted. Concurrent assessment of multiple measures is a more robust way to examine animal...
Show moreThe concept of quantifying animal welfare has received much discussion, in various industries such as agriculture, laboratory, and zoological facilities. Behavioral, physical, and physiological indicators of welfare have previously been used to assess animal welfare; each having advantages and disadvantages, ranging from the practicality of data collection, to the validity of the data and how it is interpreted. Concurrent assessment of multiple measures is a more robust way to examine animal welfare, which utilizes the advantages of each measure, and provides additional information on which to base conclusions and animal care management decisions. This study used measures of behavior and urinary cortisol to examine the potential stress response of a captive gorilla group to short-term space restriction associated with temporary confinement to indoor housing facilities. The study duration was three months; one month of baseline data collection, one month of indoor restriction, and one month of monitoring post-restriction. All-occurrences of selected behaviors were collected, with an emphasis on social and stress-related behaviors, and urine samples were collected daily from a sub-set of the group. A urinary cortisol metabolite enzyme immunoassay was validated and used to monitor adrenal activity in gorillas. Measured cortisol increases in response to a known stressor (medical illness) provided a physical validation of the cortisol EIA and established biological relevance of the assay system. No significant differences in social behaviors (aggression, affiliation) or stereotypic behaviors were observed. Significant (p<0.05) increases in cortisol concentration were measured, suggesting that the gorillas were responding to a stressor during the study period. The observed cortisol increase was not likely to have been caused exclusively by the temporary indoor confinement. Potential additional causes of increased adrenal activity during the study included: presence of the observer and novelty of re-landscaped outdoor enclosure. While the increases in cortisol concentration demonstrate an observed stress response, the magnitude of this stressor, and thus the degree of the stress response, was minor. The stress experienced was not significant enough to alter the normal biological function of the gorillas, and thus, can be considered negligible. The gorillas' ability to effectively deal with this expected stressor may have been enhanced by the additional enrichment provided to the gorillas during their indoor confinement. Gorillas were provided with additional browse, more enrichment items, additional training sessions, and increased keeper interaction while they remained indoors. These animal care and management techniques may have buffered the predicted negative impact on animal welfare due to increases in stress by providing stimulating novelty in the gorillas' indoor environment.
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Date Issued: 2006
Identifier: CFE0000923, ucf:46744
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000923

Title: PERCEIVED STRESS, COPING, AND ADEQUACY OF SOCIAL SUPPORT: IMPLICATIONS FOR SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING IN COLLEGE STUDENTS.
Creator: Asberg, Kia, Bowers, Clint, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Stress is a widespread concept commonly associated with psychological and medical problems that may impair an individual's functioning and incur costs on society. Alarming rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and other stress-related problems have been found among college students. This study (N = 241)argues that reducing emotional and financial stress-related costs may be possible through increasing public and professional awareness of moderating variables, such as social support...
Show moreStress is a widespread concept commonly associated with psychological and medical problems that may impair an individual's functioning and incur costs on society. Alarming rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and other stress-related problems have been found among college students. This study (N = 241)argues that reducing emotional and financial stress-related costs may be possible through increasing public and professional awareness of moderating variables, such as social support and coping resources. Results indicated that stress, inadequate social support, and escape-avoidance coping were related to higher levels of depression and lower life satisfaction in both males and females. Social support functioned as a moderator of stress in determining negative outcomes, primarily during high stress. Specifically, the interaction between stress and social support predicted depression in the combined sample, anxiety in males, and life satisfaction in females. In addition, the present study highlights the importance of accounting for gender in research concerning stress, social support, coping, and psychological adjustment. Finally, limitations and suggestions for future research will be discussed.
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Date Issued: 2005
Identifier: CFE0000882, ucf:46634
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0000882

Title: MUSIC THERAPY AS AN INTERVENTION TO REDUCE ANXIETY IN MECHANICALLY-VENTILATED PATIENTS.
Creator: Levine, Stephanie L, Sole, Mary Lou, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Patients receiving mechanical ventilation endure high levels of stress and anxiety due to the invasiveness of the procedure. These critically ill patients are often uncomfortable as a result of their serious conditions and the high-intensity environments in which they are placed. Health care workers heavily sedate these patients to minimize pain and induce a state of relaxation. However, sedatives are known for their wide-ranging, and often deleterious, side effects. Music therapy is an...
Show morePatients receiving mechanical ventilation endure high levels of stress and anxiety due to the invasiveness of the procedure. These critically ill patients are often uncomfortable as a result of their serious conditions and the high-intensity environments in which they are placed. Health care workers heavily sedate these patients to minimize pain and induce a state of relaxation. However, sedatives are known for their wide-ranging, and often deleterious, side effects. Music therapy is an intervention that has been studied in a variety of hospital settings to determine any potential beneficial effects on patients. Many studies have demonstrated a relationship between music therapy and decreased anxiety levels. This thesis reviewed studies on outcomes of music therapy on anxiety in mechanically-ventilated patients. A total of 10 studies that addressed the use of music to decrease anxiety in ventilated patients were analyzed and incorporated into the literature review. The articles were selected from a variety of databases on EBSCOhost, including MEDLINE, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, and CINAHL. The literature review provides positive evidence for the support of music therapy to help alleviate anxiety in mechanically-ventilated patients.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFH2000031, ucf:45572
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000031

Title: PERCEIVED STRESS, ADJUSTMENT, EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL FUNCTIONING, AND SELF-ESTEEM AMONG COLLEGE FRESHMAN AND THE ROLE OF PARENTAL SUPPORT.
Creator: Prentice, Sarah, Renk, Kimberly, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: This current study examined the relationships among Freshmen students' contact with their parents, stress, adjustment, emotional and behavioral functioning, and self-esteem. As part of this study, 121 ethnically diverse college Freshmen completed measures assessing the aforementioned variables. Analyses of variance suggested that college Freshmen varied in their ratings of these variables based on their gender and living situation(i.e., whether they lived on campus, in the community, or in...
Show moreThis current study examined the relationships among Freshmen students' contact with their parents, stress, adjustment, emotional and behavioral functioning, and self-esteem. As part of this study, 121 ethnically diverse college Freshmen completed measures assessing the aforementioned variables. Analyses of variance suggested that college Freshmen varied in their ratings of these variables based on their gender and living situation(i.e., whether they lived on campus, in the community, or in their parents' home). Correlational analyses suggested that there were significant relationships among parental involvement and college students' stress, adjustment, emotional and behavioral problems, and self-esteem. Hierarchical regression analyses suggested that gender, living situation, parental support, and perceived stress were valuable predictors of college students' outcomes. This information will serve to provide insight into mechanisms by which parents can help foster more positive outcomes for their college students.
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Date Issued: 2013
Identifier: CFH0004441, ucf:45113
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004441

Title: STRESS INTENSITY FACTOR DEPENDENCE OF HG-AL LIQUID METAL EMBRITTLEMENT.
Creator: Keller, Scott, Gordon, Ali, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: When high strength aluminum alloys are subjected to liquid metals, physical and chemical reactions ensue resulting in what is known as liquid metal embrittlement (LME). A subset of environmentally-assisted cracking, LME is exhibited when a liquid metal, e.g. Hg or Ga, comes into intimate contact with a solid metal having significant susceptibility. As mechanical loads are applied, the interaction between the two metals results in a reduction in the flow properties of the solid metal. Several...
Show moreWhen high strength aluminum alloys are subjected to liquid metals, physical and chemical reactions ensue resulting in what is known as liquid metal embrittlement (LME). A subset of environmentally-assisted cracking, LME is exhibited when a liquid metal, e.g. Hg or Ga, comes into intimate contact with a solid metal having significant susceptibility. As mechanical loads are applied, the interaction between the two metals results in a reduction in the flow properties of the solid metal. Several theories have been proposed to identify the underlying microstructural failure mechanism; however, none have been widely accepted, as failures can typically incorporate features common to several failure theories. In an effort to confirm, extend or replace the physically-based theories, fracture mechanics experiments on Al 7075–T651 in liquid mercury have been conducted. Experiments were conducted in a custom environmental chamber capable of exposing specimens to liquid environments while applying a mechanical load. Through both plane-strain fracture and stress intensity factor-dependent (SIF) tests, fracture toughness values along with incubation periods were analyzed and provided data for a load-based theory of LME. These mechanical test data, along with metallographic analysis, show that the phenomena of LME is both strongly time- and SIF-dependent.
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Date Issued: 2009
Identifier: CFE0002893, ucf:48033
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002893

Title: ADOLESCENTS' STRESS AND HEALTH: PARENTAL INFLUENCES AND COGNITIVE MEDIATORS.
Creator: Donnelly, Reesa, Renk, Kimberly, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Research to date indicates that parental and cognitive variables play a role in stress responses and health outcomes. Although researchers are beginning to focus on developmental processes in stress/health outcomes, there is little research examining which parental behaviors are most predictive of stress/health and whether cognitive variables mediate this relationship. As a result, the current study examines the self-reports of 160 late adolescents regarding parental behaviors, cognitive...
Show moreResearch to date indicates that parental and cognitive variables play a role in stress responses and health outcomes. Although researchers are beginning to focus on developmental processes in stress/health outcomes, there is little research examining which parental behaviors are most predictive of stress/health and whether cognitive variables mediate this relationship. As a result, the current study examines the self-reports of 160 late adolescents regarding parental behaviors, cognitive variables, and stress/health outcomes. In addition, blood pressure reactivity to a stressful situation was collected as a physiological measure of stress. The results suggest that, among the parental behaviors that are examined, parental overprotection and poor monitoring are the most predictive variables of adolescents' stress/health. The results indicate that adolescents' cognitions also are significant predictors of their self-reported stress/health. Further, adolescents' cognitions fully mediate the relationship between paternal behaviors and stress/health outcomes and partially mediate the relationship between maternal behaviors and stress/health outcomes. Finally, measures of blood pressure reactivity are not significantly related to study variables or were related in unpredicted directions. Possible explanations for these results are discussed. Overall, future research should examine parental overprotection and poor monitoring as important distal variables in adolescents' stress/health but should examine adolescents' cognitions as a more salient and immediate predictor of adolescents' stress/health.
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Date Issued: 2008
Identifier: CFE0002367, ucf:47778
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002367

Title: Caregiver-proxy and individual with aphasia self-report agreement on the modified perceived stress scale and mutuality scale.
Creator: Hernandez, Nelson, Wilson, Lauren Bislick, Engelhoven, Amy, Hunting Pompon, Rebecca, Troche, Joshua, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The level of agreement proxy-caregivers have with individuals with aphasia (IWAs) on a measure of perceived stress has yet to be systematically investigated. According to the extant literature, there is less agreement on psychosocial domains between proxy-caregivers and IWAs. In addition, high levels of mutuality have been strongly associated with low levels of stress in stroke survivors; however, these studies are not been specific to IWAs. The proposed study sought to examine the degree of...
Show moreThe level of agreement proxy-caregivers have with individuals with aphasia (IWAs) on a measure of perceived stress has yet to be systematically investigated. According to the extant literature, there is less agreement on psychosocial domains between proxy-caregivers and IWAs. In addition, high levels of mutuality have been strongly associated with low levels of stress in stroke survivors; however, these studies are not been specific to IWAs. The proposed study sought to examine the degree of agreement between proxy-caregiver reports and IWAs' perceived stress using a modified stress scale specifically for IWAs. This study also examined the relationship between perceived stress and mutuality of the relationship between the caregiver and IWAs. The modified Perceived Stress Scale (mPSS), a proxy version of the mPSS, and the Mutuality Scale (MS) were administered to 12 dyads. An independent sample t-test was conducted to determine if there were significant differences in perceived stress and mutuality as reported by the caregiver, proxy-caregiver and IWA. A Pearson correlation was performed to determine the level of agreement across questionnaires. Results show a moderate correlation on mPSS ratings between the proxy-caregiver and IWA. On average, proxy ratings on the mPSS were significantly higher than reports from IWAs. There was strong agreement on mutuality among the dyads and a moderate correlation between mutuality agreement and proxy agreement. Finally, there was a moderate correlation between the caregiver's mPSS score and increased disagreement between the proxy-caregiver and the IWA's mPSS score. These findings suggest a moderate agreement on perceived stress among caregivers and IWAs. Differences in agreement on perceived stress for proxy-caregiver and IWAs were minimized when perceived mutuality between the dyads were high. Further, caregivers were more likely to overestimate the perceived stress of IWAs when their own mPSS ratings were high. Study limitations and future directions are also discussed.
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Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFE0007652, ucf:52464
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007652

Title: Stress, Coping, and Quality of Life Among Parental Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Creator: Turnage, Dawn, Conner, Norma, Edwards, Joellen, Weiss, Josie, Hinojosa, Melanie, Uddin, Nizam, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Purpose: Parental caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are exposed to stressors associated with the daily care of raising a child with a developmental disability, which may negatively impact parental quality of life (QOL). The specific aim of this study was to examine the relationships between demographic factors, stress, and coping among parental caregivers of children with ASD to determine whether predictors of QOL exist. Methodology: This study was descriptive, and an...
Show morePurpose: Parental caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are exposed to stressors associated with the daily care of raising a child with a developmental disability, which may negatively impact parental quality of life (QOL). The specific aim of this study was to examine the relationships between demographic factors, stress, and coping among parental caregivers of children with ASD to determine whether predictors of QOL exist. Methodology: This study was descriptive, and an electronic survey was distributed to Florida parents of children, age 3-21 years old, diagnosed with ASD. The survey measured parentreported demographic factors, severity of the diagnosis of ASD in the child, parental stress, coping, and QOL. Data were analyzed using multiple regression. Findings: Study findings suggest that, in parental caregivers of children with ASD in Florida (N = 152) daily stressors, coping self-efficacy, and household income were predictors for physical QOL; daily stressors and coping self-efficacy were predictors of psychological QOL, and coping-self efficacy, household income, and severity of the diagnosis of the child were predictors for environmental QOL. Conclusion: Coping self-efficacy and improved income can positively improve QOL, while severity of the diagnosis of ASD and daily stressors can negatively impact QOL. Clinically, nurses with a better understanding of the parental stress and coping in parents of children with ASD can better recommend tailored resources to improve QOL. Policies to support financial help for families may also improve QOL. Future research should focus on interventions to improve coping-self efficacy.
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Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFE0007737, ucf:52412
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007737

Title: If a Virtual Tree Falls in a Simulated Forest, is the Sound Restorative? An Examination of the Role of Level of Immersion in the Restorative Capacity of Virtual Nature Environments.
Creator: Michaelis, Jessica, Smither, Janan, Mcconnell, Daniel, Beidel, Deborah, Harris, Paul, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Stress and cognitive fatigue have become a pervasive problem, especially in Western society. Stress and cognitive fatigue can have deleterious effects not only on performance, but also on one's physical and mental health. This dissertation presents a study in which the aim is to investigate the effects of virtual nature on stress reduction and cognitive restoration. Specifically, this study assessed the effects of Immersion (Non-immersive, Semi-immersive, Fully-immersive) and Exploration ...
Show moreStress and cognitive fatigue have become a pervasive problem, especially in Western society. Stress and cognitive fatigue can have deleterious effects not only on performance, but also on one's physical and mental health. This dissertation presents a study in which the aim is to investigate the effects of virtual nature on stress reduction and cognitive restoration. Specifically, this study assessed the effects of Immersion (Non-immersive, Semi-immersive, Fully-immersive) and Exploration (Passive vs Active) on stress reduction and cognitive restoration. Additionally, restoration from the most effective virtual nature environment was compared to that of taking an active coloring break. Eighty-three university students with normal color vision, depth perception and good visual acuity participated in this study. The overall findings of the study suggest that virtual nature is able to reduce stress and anxiety, generally the more immersive and interactive the better. Moreover, though both the those in the passive VR nature condition and those in the coloring condition reported a reduction in stress, only those in the passive VR nature condition exhibited the physiological changes indicative of stress reduction.
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Date Issued: 2019
Identifier: CFE0007687, ucf:52516
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007687

Title: The Self-described Experience of Coping and Adaptation Associated with Workplace Stress of Registered Nurses in the Acute Care Setting in Florida: An Ethnographic Study.
Creator: Burr, Joyce, Bushy, Angeline, Sole, Mary, Andrews, Diane, Malvey, Donna, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: ABSTRACTLittle is known about how nurses learn and use coping and adaptation skills in the workplace. Quantitative studies have identified the factors, nature, and outcomes of nursing stress. However, qualitative studies describing the human experience associated with workplace stress are lacking. The phenomenon of interest for this study using focused ethnographic method is the self-described experience of coping and adaptation associated with workplace stress of registered nurses working 12...
Show moreABSTRACTLittle is known about how nurses learn and use coping and adaptation skills in the workplace. Quantitative studies have identified the factors, nature, and outcomes of nursing stress. However, qualitative studies describing the human experience associated with workplace stress are lacking. The phenomenon of interest for this study using focused ethnographic method is the self-described experience of coping and adaptation associated with workplace stress of registered nurses working 12-hour shifts employed in acute care hospital facilities in east central and central Florida. Three aspects of the phenomena were examined: the self-described experiences of stress, the manner in which coping skills are acquired, and the manner in which adaptation strategies are developed by experienced bedside nursing working 12-hour shifts in acute care hospital facilities. The purposive sample included nine female bedside nurses with five or more years' experience, working 12 hour shifts in acute care hospital facilities on bedside units, with patient ratios of 4:1 or greater. Data were collected using semi-structured, digitally recorded interviews at mutually convenient locations. The qualitative data were analyzed using inductive, constant, comparative process of coding, sorting, generalizing, and memoing to guide exploration and identify emergent themes and patterns. The predominant theme of stress emerged as the overwhelming sense of duty to the patient. Additional themes of coping and adaptation were noted. Recommendations for research, education, practice and policy are offered to support a healthy and sustainable nursing workforce.
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Date Issued: 2012
Identifier: CFE0004525, ucf:49280
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004525

Title: EFFECTS OF AN EVIDENCE-BASED INTERVENTION ON STRESS AND COPING OF FAMILIES OF CRITICALLY ILL TRAUMA PATIENTS.
Creator: Knapp, Sandra, Sole, Mary Lou, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Problem/Purpose: Critical care nurses are frequently exposed to the stress experienced by their patients' families, yet they often do not have the knowledge or skills to help family members cope with the stress of critical illness. While needs and stressors of families of the critically ill have been researched extensively, no prior studies have been conducted to determine the effects of an evidence-based nursing intervention for reducing family members' stress and improving their coping...
Show moreProblem/Purpose: Critical care nurses are frequently exposed to the stress experienced by their patients' families, yet they often do not have the knowledge or skills to help family members cope with the stress of critical illness. While needs and stressors of families of the critically ill have been researched extensively, no prior studies have been conducted to determine the effects of an evidence-based nursing intervention for reducing family members' stress and improving their coping skills. The purpose of this study was to determine if an evidence-based nursing intervention designed to address the needs of family members would reduce stress and improve coping skills in family members of critically ill trauma patients. Additionally, the study assessed the family members' perceptions of how well their needs were met while their loved one was hospitalized in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU). Methods: Using a quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control group design, an evidence-based intervention for critical care nurses was implemented to test its effect on stress and coping of family members of critically ill trauma patients. The study setting was the SICU at a tertiary university hospital in north central Florida. Subjects were family members of critically ill trauma patients who had been hospitalized in the SICU for at least 48 hours. Participants in the control group were given a packet containing instruments that measured 1) anxiety as an indicator of stress (Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory ); 2) coping (Lazarus and Folkman's Ways of Coping Questionnaire ); and 3) assessment of family members' perception of having their needs met while their family member was in the SICU (Family Care Survey ). An evidence-based family bundle was implemented over an eight-week period and included an educational program for the nurses. After eight weeks, participants in the experimental group were given the same instruments previously administered to the control group. Anxiety levels, coping skills, and family members' perception of having needs met were compared between the two groups to determine the effectiveness of the evidence-based intervention. Results: A total of 84 family members participated in the study (control = 39; experimental = 45). The majority were women (n=60), spouse or parent of the patient (n=47), and Caucasian (n=70). Mean ages were 45.9 years for the control group and 47.4 years for the experimental group. No differences were noted in the demographic characteristics between the control and experimental groups. Using an independent samples t-test, no significant differences (p > .05) were noted between groups for either state or trait anxiety, although the mean anxiety score was lower in the experimental group. Significant differences between groups were noted on two of the eight coping subscales: Distancing and Accepting Responsibility. Improved coping, although not statistically significant, was noted on four additional subscales: Confrontive Coping, Self-Controlling, Planful Problem-Solving, and Positive Reappraisal. Overall coping scores also improved, but not statistically, for the total Ways of Coping Scale (both 50 and 66 item totals). Although not statistically significant, participants in the experimental group rated four out of eight items higher on the FCS, indicating an increased perception that more of their needs were met, greater overall satisfaction with the care that family members received, increased nurses' consideration of family members' needs and the inclusion of those needs in planning nursing care, and greater encouragement for family members to participate in care. Although findings were not statistically significant, the trend implies increased satisfaction with family care in areas involving family care and family member needs, including needs in planning care and encouragement to participate in care. In areas regarding information and communication, there was overall less satisfaction in both groups. Conclusions: This study provides data that can be used as a guide in developing programs that help families function and adapt to the extremely stressful experience of having a loved one who is critically ill. The information can be used to develop future research on larger scales with a longer and more extensive plan for implementation of the intervention to assist in a unit culture change. Nurses can use the results to facilitate practice changes in caring for families of critically ill patients. Modifying the interventions to focus on an interdisciplinary approach to meet families' needs, reduce stress, and improve coping also warrants further development and testing. Funding acknowledgement: Florida Nurses Foundation and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. College of Nursing, University of Central Florida
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Date Issued: 2009
Identifier: CFE0002774, ucf:48134
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002774

Title: DOES CHRONIC STRESS ACCELERATE LATE-AGING COGNITIVE DECLINE IN MEMORY AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING?.
Creator: Robinson, Diane, Bedwell, Jeffrey, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Few studies exist examining the relationship between self-reported stress and cognitive function in healthy nonpsychiatric older adults, and even less studies have examined whether high levels of self-reported stress accelerate the cognitive decline found in normal late-aging populations. A group of older nonpsychiatric adults, ages 54 years and above, were asked to complete three measures assessing their self-perceived stress over the past month, past year, and their lifetime. Sixty-one...
Show moreFew studies exist examining the relationship between self-reported stress and cognitive function in healthy nonpsychiatric older adults, and even less studies have examined whether high levels of self-reported stress accelerate the cognitive decline found in normal late-aging populations. A group of older nonpsychiatric adults, ages 54 years and above, were asked to complete three measures assessing their self-perceived stress over the past month, past year, and their lifetime. Sixty-one adults between the ages of 54 and 88 (52% female) participated in a second phase in which neuropsychological tasks were administered to assess three cognitive domains; memory, learning, and executive functioning. A hierarchical regression examined each of the three domain scores to explore whether self-perceived acute and chronic stress, after covaring for state anxiety, was related to neuropsychological performance. No statistically significant regressions were found, which was predicted for the learning domain, but contrary to the hypotheses for the memory and executive functioning domain. The potential influence of age in this study was explored in a series of ANOVAs examining the interactions between the three stress measures with state anxiety and age on the three cognitive domains. A statistically significant interaction was found between age and perceived lifetime stress when examining the memory domain score. In the young-old participants an increase in stress showed a non-significant relationship with a decrease in memory performance, while in the older-old participants the opposite non-significant tendency was found. The current study also partially replicated an earlier report of a relationship between an increase in recent self-reported stress and a decrease in performance on a specific divided attention task, and extended this finding to include older adults. While the majority of the studyÃ‚Â's hypotheses were not supported, these preliminary findings provide the field with interesting areas to explore in future studies.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: CFE0003256, ucf:48515
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003256

Title: Examining Energetic and Structural Components of Knowledge of Result Using a Vigilance Paradigm.
Creator: Fraulini, Nicholas, Szalma, James, Mouloua, Mustapha, Hancock, Peter, Matthews, Gerald, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Vigilance, or the ability to maintain attention to stimuli over a prolonged period of time (Davies (&) Parasuraman, 1982; Warm (&) Jerison, 1984), has been a troublesome research topic since World War II. Scientists have sought to counteract performance declines in vigilance tasks by training observers on these tasks. Though an extensive literature has been developed to examine the effectiveness of these techniques, the mechanisms by which many forms of vigilance training help performance are...
Show moreVigilance, or the ability to maintain attention to stimuli over a prolonged period of time (Davies (&) Parasuraman, 1982; Warm (&) Jerison, 1984), has been a troublesome research topic since World War II. Scientists have sought to counteract performance declines in vigilance tasks by training observers on these tasks. Though an extensive literature has been developed to examine the effectiveness of these techniques, the mechanisms by which many forms of vigilance training help performance are largely unknown. The present dissertation seeks to further the understanding of how two forms of training for vigilance, practice and knowledge of result, function to improve observers' ability to remain vigilant as time on task increases. In addition to understanding these forms of training, this dissertation seeks to develop a training protocol that would train observers for vigilance without adversely affecting their cognitive resources. Finally, this dissertation utilizes this new training protocol to examine the potential for transfer of training, which has been a question for vigilance researchers for decades. Results relating to these three research questions are presented, as well as a discussion of how these results may inform or influence vigilance research in the future.
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Date Issued: 2017
Identifier: CFE0006876, ucf:51746
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006876

Title: Judged by the bottom-line but expected to lead ethically: A leader's catch 22.
Creator: Rice, Darryl, Folger, Robert, Taylor, Shannon, Crossley, Craig, Piccolo, Ronald, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The goal of the presented research is to explain the importance of integrating the literatures on leader bottom-line mentality (BLM) and behavioral ethics and to demonstrate that leader BLM can adversely impact followers' perceptions of ethical leadership. By doing so, several contributions can be made. First, I identify an antecedent of ethical leadership. Predominantly, most ethical leadership research has focused on identifying its outcomes (Brown (&) Mitchell, 2010). Second, I will offer...
Show moreThe goal of the presented research is to explain the importance of integrating the literatures on leader bottom-line mentality (BLM) and behavioral ethics and to demonstrate that leader BLM can adversely impact followers' perceptions of ethical leadership. By doing so, several contributions can be made. First, I identify an antecedent of ethical leadership. Predominantly, most ethical leadership research has focused on identifying its outcomes (Brown (&) Mitchell, 2010). Second, I will offer new theoretical insights regarding the antecedents of ethical leadership. Past ethical leadership research has primarily relied on social exchange (Blau, 1964; Gouldner, 1960) and social cognitive (Bandura, 1977, 1986) theories, whereas I will draw on trait activation and cognitive stress theories to examine the relationship between BLM and ethical leadership. By integrating these two theories I will demonstrate Kerr's (1975) example of (")the folly of rewarding A, while hoping for B.(") Third, I will explain and demonstrate why follower BLM and leader stress perceptions are important boundary conditions regarding the primary relationship of interest and overall model. Comprehensively, I examine and demonstrate the potential of a backfiring effect that can be strengthened or weakened. This research aims to shed light on the often disregarded catch-22 leaders face in world that is increasingly concerned about bottom-line outcomes, while also demanding an immaculate standard of ethical behavior from leaders.
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Date Issued: 2015
Identifier: CFE0005699, ucf:50131
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005699

Title: MODELING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF ACUTE STRESS UNDER DYNAMIC TASK CONDITIONS.
Creator: Millan, Angel, Crumpton-Young, Lesia, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Stress can be defined as the mental, physical, and emotional response of humans to stressors encountered in their personal or professional environment. Stressors are introduced in various activities, especially those found in dynamic task conditions when multiple task requirements must be performed. Stress and stressors have been described as activators and inhibitors of human performance. The ability to manage high levels of acute stress is an important determinant of successful performance...
Show moreStress can be defined as the mental, physical, and emotional response of humans to stressors encountered in their personal or professional environment. Stressors are introduced in various activities, especially those found in dynamic task conditions when multiple task requirements must be performed. Stress and stressors have been described as activators and inhibitors of human performance. The ability to manage high levels of acute stress is an important determinant of successful performance in any occupation. In situations where performance is critical, personnel must be prepared to operate successfully under hostile or extreme stress conditions; therefore training programs and engineered systems must be tailored to assist humans in fulfilling these demands. To effectively design appropriate training programs for these conditions, it is necessary to quantitatively describe stress. A series of theoretical stress models have been developed in previous research studies; however, these do not provide quantification of stress levels nor the impact on human performance. By modeling acute stress under dynamic task conditions, quantitative values for stress and its impact on performance can be assessed. Thus, this research was designed to develop a predictive model for acute stress as a function of human performance and task demand. Initially, a four factor two level experimental design [2 (Noise) x 2 (Temperature) x 2 (Time Awareness) x 2 (Workload)] was performed to identify reliable physiological, cognitive and behavioral responses to stress. Next, multivariate analysis of variance (n=108) tests were performed, which showed statistically significant differences for physiological, cognitive and behavioral responses. Finally, fuzzy set theory techniques were used to develop a comprehensive stress index model. Thus, the resulting stress index model was constructed using input on physiological, cognitive and behavioral responses to stressors as well as characteristics inherent to the type of task performed and personal factors that interact as mediators (competitiveness, motivation, coping technique and proneness to boredom). Through using this stress index model to quantify and characterize the affects of acute stress on human performance, these research findings can inform proper training protocols and help to redesign tasks and working conditions that are prone to create levels of acute stress that adversely affect human performance.
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Date Issued: 2011
Identifier: CFE0004056, ucf:49151
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004056

Title: OCCUPATIONAL STRESS AND WORK-RELATED WELLBEING OF TURKISH NATIONAL POLICE (TNP) MEMBERS.
Creator: Kula, Sedat, T.H. Wan, Thomas, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Previous studies suggest that the organizational dynamics of police organizations and the nature of police work contribute to law enforcement stress, which in turn reduces job satisfaction and increases burnout. It is also well documented that undesirable organizational factors are more hazardous to the well-being of employees than are the stressors due to nature of police work. The present study examines whether, and to what degree, organizational and operational stresses in law enforcement...
Show morePrevious studies suggest that the organizational dynamics of police organizations and the nature of police work contribute to law enforcement stress, which in turn reduces job satisfaction and increases burnout. It is also well documented that undesirable organizational factors are more hazardous to the well-being of employees than are the stressors due to nature of police work. The present study examines whether, and to what degree, organizational and operational stresses in law enforcement are associated with job satisfaction, work-related burnout, and supervisor support, holding the effects of age, rank, education, gender, tenure, and shift type constant in the analysis. A total of 538 Turkish National Police (TNP) employees from seven cities in Turkey, comprising 407 regular police officers and 131 ranked police officers, completed the study survey. The influence of organizational and operational stresses on the work-related well-being of TNP employees as measured by job satisfaction and work-related burnout was analyzed by structural equation modeling (SEM) under the theoretical framework of Kahn and Byosiere's (1992) causal theory. The results of the study indicate that TNP employees' perceived organizational stress has a statistically significant positive effect on work-related burnout and a negative effect on job satisfaction. The more TNP employees experience their organization as stress inducing, the lower their job satisfaction levels and the higher their burnout levels. Perceived operational stress of TNP employees was found to be significantly associated with their work-related burnout, but not with their job satisfaction. This study suggests that there is an indirect causal effect of both organizational and operational stresses on job satisfaction via supervisor support as mediator. Supervisor support fully mediates the relationship between operational stress and job satisfaction, and partially mediates the relationship between organizational stress and job satisfaction. After controlling the influence of several demographic variables, job satisfaction made a statistically significant contribution to predicting work-related burnout. This finding suggests that as job satisfaction of TNP employee increases, their work-related burnout decreases. The findings of the study revealed that among the six demographic variables, only education level of TNP employees and rank make statistically significant contribution to their job satisfaction levels. As rank and education level of TNP employees increase, their job satisfaction also increases. The predictor variables of organizational stress, operational stress, and supervisor support, along with education and rank collectively, explain 56 % of the total variation in job satisfaction. On the other hand, organizational stress, operational stress, job satisfaction, and supervisor support together account for 34 % of the total variance in work-related burnout. Overall, the findings of this study illustrate a need for internal policy reform and managerial change in how the executives of TNP organize their agencies and policies, since organizational stressors are the most prevalent factors determining the work-related well-being of TNP employees.
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Date Issued: 2011
Identifier: CFE0003862, ucf:48750
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003862

Title: Re-Conceptualizing Compassion Fatigue: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis.
Creator: Marks, Madeline, Bowers, Clint, Beidel, Deborah, Jentsch, Florian, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Those who are not directly in danger themselves can and do experience negative effects, sometimes at higher rates than those directly exposed. These individuals who experience indirect exposure are often those who work in (")helping(") professions. Helping professionals include psychologists, physicians, nurses, social workers, and first responders, among others. Joinson (1992) described a phenomenon unique to helping professionals, which was termed compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue...
Show moreThose who are not directly in danger themselves can and do experience negative effects, sometimes at higher rates than those directly exposed. These individuals who experience indirect exposure are often those who work in (")helping(") professions. Helping professionals include psychologists, physicians, nurses, social workers, and first responders, among others. Joinson (1992) described a phenomenon unique to helping professionals, which was termed compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue describes these negative affects experienced by helping professionals as a cumulative process. These negative changes can be related to mood and/or a transformation in cognitions. Further, these changes are the result of the empathy and emotionally intense contact with people who experienced a traumatic event, which results in maladaptive psychological consequences that influence the ability to perform the role of a (")helper(") (Bride, Robinson, Yegidis, (&) Figley, 2004; Figley, 1995; McCann (&) Pearlman, 1990; McHolm, 2006; Pearlman (&) Saakvitne, 1995; Stamm, 1995). To measure compassion fatigue, the Professional Quality of Life Scale (Stamm, 2005, 2010) has emerged as the most widely used assessment of compassion fatigue. However, not enough theoretical information and psychometric data on the ProQOL exist to support compassion fatigue as the construct to explain the experiences of those in helping professions. The present study examines the most widely used measure of compassion fatigue, the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL-5; Stamm, 2010). Specifically, the current study examines the factor validity of the ProQOL-5 using confirmatory factor analysis. In light of the lack of model fit, the construct of compassion fatigue offers a unique and worthy view of the negative consequences of helping others. As a result, the current study proposes a novel approach to clarify a method for measurement and clear-up conceptual overlaps between related constructs. This novel method uses the framework of the information processing model of Whiting (1969).
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: CFE0006475, ucf:51434
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006475

Title: PREDICTING ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT OUTCOMES AMONG HISPANIC AND AFRICAN AMERICAN SUBSTANCE ABUSERS.
Creator: Meehan, Dawna-Cricket-Martita, Negy, Charles, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: Alcohol and drug use and abuse are significant concerns in the United States, yet few studies have investigated how cultural factors, such as acculturative type and acculturative stress, impact substance abuse treatment outcomes. In this study, African American (n = 171) and Hispanic (n = 101) substance abusers' acculturative type and acculturative stress levels were compared to substance abuse treatment outcome. Although the results indicated that acculturative type did not predict...
Show moreAlcohol and drug use and abuse are significant concerns in the United States, yet few studies have investigated how cultural factors, such as acculturative type and acculturative stress, impact substance abuse treatment outcomes. In this study, African American (n = 171) and Hispanic (n = 101) substance abusers' acculturative type and acculturative stress levels were compared to substance abuse treatment outcome. Although the results indicated that acculturative type did not predict substance abuse treatment outcome, a positive correlation between acculturative stress and alcohol and substance abuse problems emerged among the combined and Hispanic samples. In the combined and Hispanic groups, participants experiencing higher levels of acculturative stress demonstrated higher levels of substance use consequences at baseline. Additionally, Hispanic participants experiencing higher levels of pressure to acculturate related to difficulty in interpersonal interactions due to language or cultural barriers and encountering prejudice had higher levels of substance use consequences at the outcome of treatment. These findings suggest that cultural factors play a role in substance abuse treatment outcome. Recommendations on how substance abuse treatment facilities can respond to the unique needs of African American and Hispanic clients are provided.
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Date Issued: 2006
Identifier: CFE0001379, ucf:47014
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001379

Title: FRIEND/FOE IDENTIFICATION ACCURACY AND SHOOTING PERFORMANCE: EFFECTS OF PRIOR TASK LOADING AND TIME PRESSURE.
Creator: Burke, Kelly, Hancock, Peter, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The current dismounted soldier and the soldier of the future will be loaded' with more information processing tasks while they perform shooting tasks. It is conceivable that some increased level of cognitive tasking may be performed simultaneously with required shooting tasks. The effect of cognitive load on shooting performance has been previously examined (Scribner and Harper, 2001). This study concentrated on the effect of various cognitive workload demands on a friend-foe...
Show moreThe current dismounted soldier and the soldier of the future will be loaded' with more information processing tasks while they perform shooting tasks. It is conceivable that some increased level of cognitive tasking may be performed simultaneously with required shooting tasks. The effect of cognitive load on shooting performance has been previously examined (Scribner and Harper, 2001). This study concentrated on the effect of various cognitive workload demands on a friend-foe discrimination shooting task in a single- and dual-task scenario. In light of this, it is imperative that the soldier not be overburdened mentally, which may result in decreased survivability and lethality. Specifically, this study was designed to examine the ability of the soldier to perform friend-foe target discrimination and shooting accuracy, with varying target exposure times, friendly target signatures, and varying cognitive load demands (working memory recall task). Using the Small Arms Simulator Testbed (SAST) we examined the effects of manipulations of working memory load and sustained information transfer, on shooting performance (as measured by target acquisition and friend/foe discrimination indices). Additionally, we investigated subjective measures of workload and stress. A secondary task, administered aurally, was given to subjects to attend to while they performed shooting (friend/foe discrimination task) scenarios: working memory recall task. Each type of task consisted of three levels of difficulty. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences for the memory recall task during shooting and non-shooting conditions. Furthermore, results showed that workload increased as a function of task demand, with associated decreases in shooting performance.
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Date Issued: 2007
Identifier: CFE0001681, ucf:47212
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001681

Title: SUPERVISION EXPERIENCE AND EGO DEVELOPMENT OF COUNSELING INTERNS' SITE SUPERVISORS AND SUPERVISEES' LEVEL OF EGO DEVELOPMENT AND OCCUPATIONAL STRESS.
Creator: Walter, Sara, Lambie, Glenn, University of Central Florida
Abstract / Description: The primary purposes of this study were (a) to investigate the relationship between counseling interns' site supervisors' experience and training in supervision and their own levels of ego development and (b) to investigate the relationship between supervisors' levels of ego development and the ego functioning and occupational stress of their intern-supervisees. The theoretical framework for this investigation included cognitive developmental models of supervision (e.g., Blocher,...
Show moreThe primary purposes of this study were (a) to investigate the relationship between counseling interns' site supervisors' experience and training in supervision and their own levels of ego development and (b) to investigate the relationship between supervisors' levels of ego development and the ego functioning and occupational stress of their intern-supervisees. The theoretical framework for this investigation included cognitive developmental models of supervision (e.g., Blocher, 1983; Stoltenberg, 1981), ego development (Loevinger, 1976, 1997) and the Person-Environment Fit theory of occupational stress (French, Rogers, & Cobb, 1974). The findings of this study contribute to an understanding of (a) the levels of ego development and post-degree clinical supervision experiences of internship site supervisors in different areas of counseling specialty; (b) the relationship between social-cognitive developmental levels and levels of perceived occupational stress in counseling interns; and (c) cognitive development theory and counseling supervision. Ninety-six counseling internship students in three master's level counseling programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) in Central Florida as well as 58 (73% response rate) of their internship site supervisors participated in the study. The site supervisors completed the Supervisors Experience Questionnaire (Walter, 2008) and the Washington University Sentence Completion Test--Form 81 (WUSCT; Hy & Loevinger, 1996). The participating counseling internship students completed a demographics questionnaire, the WUSCT--Form 81, and the Occupational Stress Inventory – Revised (OSI-R; Osipow, 1998). The statistical procedures used to analyze the data included chi-square, ANOVA, simultaneous multiple regression, and MANOVA procedures. The primary research hypotheses for the study were (1) that formal training in supervision and participation in post-graduate clinical supervision would predict supervisor ego development and (2) that supervisor ego development would predict supervisee ego development and occupational stress levels; these were not supported for these data. However, the results identified statistically significant relationships between supervisor participation in post-graduate clinical supervision and area of counseling specialty, with school counselor supervisors less likely to have participated in supervision than other supervisors. Additionally, the findings identified a negative correlation between interns' levels of perceived occupational stress and their ego development levels (14.6% of the variance explained), as well as a negative correlation between interns' levels of satisfaction with their internship site supervision and their levels of occupational stress (40% of the variance explained). The data from this investigation suggested that school counseling interns experienced higher levels of occupational stress due to occupational roles and lower levels of personal resources than interns in other counseling tracks, with the track accounting for 25.6% of the variance in the occupational stress levels. Implications for counseling supervisors and counselor educators are presented, along with areas for future investigation.
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Date Issued: 2009
Identifier: CFE0002540, ucf:47664
Format: Document (PDF)
PURL: http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002540

stress (37)	+ -
Stress (17)	+ -
PTSD (6)	+ -
anxiety (5)	+ -
coping (5)	+ -

burnout (4)	+ -
exposure therapy (4)	+ -
health (4)	+ -
residual stress (4)	+ -
College Students (3)	+ -
Coping (3)	+ -
Nurse (3)	+ -
acculturative stress (3)	+ -
compassion fatigue (3)	+ -
posttraumatic stress disorder (3)	+ -
secondary traumatic stress (3)	+ -
synchrotron (3)	+ -
Anxiety (2)	+ -
Ceramics (2)	+ -
Compassion Fatigue (2)	+ -
Cortisol (2)	+ -
ER stress (2)	+ -
Emergency Department (2)	+ -
FEA (2)	+ -
Finite Element Analysis (2)	+ -
Hill Yield Criterion (2)	+ -
Inconel 718 (2)	+ -
Latinos (2)	+ -
Lode angle (2)	+ -
Mechanical Testing (2)	+ -

ETD Collection (101)	+ -
Honors Collection (31)	+ -

University of Central Florida (132)	+ -
Bowers, Clint (10)	+ -
Beidel, Deborah (9)	+ -
Orlovskaya, Nina (8)	+ -
Raghavan, Seetha (8)	+ -

Gou, Jihua (7)	+ -
Bai, Yuanli (6)	+ -
Gordon, Ali (6)	+ -
Hancock, Peter (6)	+ -
Renk, Kimberly (5)	+ -
Sohn, Yongho (5)	+ -
Andrews, Diane (4)	+ -
Lambie, Glenn (4)	+ -
Neer, Sandra (4)	+ -
Self, William (4)	+ -
Bedwell, Jeffrey (3)	+ -
Ebert, Steven (3)	+ -
Ghosh, Ranajay (3)	+ -
Heglund, Stephen (3)	+ -
Jentsch, Florian (3)	+ -
Kwok, Kawai (3)	+ -
Negy, Charles (3)	+ -
Salas, Eduardo (3)	+ -
Sole, Mary Lou (3)	+ -
Szalma, James (3)	+ -
Vaidyanathan, Raj (3)	+ -
Young, Mark (3)	+ -
Zhang, Ning (3)	+ -
Abel, Eileen (2)	+ -
Bushy, Angeline (2)	+ -

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