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- Title
- EXPLORING THE VICIOUS CYCLE OF PEDIATRIC ASTHMA AND ANXIETY.
- Creator
-
Irwin, Taylor, Gibson-Young, Linda, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood. Children diagnosed with asthma are twice as likely to have a comorbid anxiety disorder as their non-asthmatic peers. The presence of both asthma and anxiety in the pediatric patient creates an environment of poor asthma control, and places them at risk for a variety of negative health events. Little is known about comorbid anxiety's role in asthma health maintenance. Research has identified the link between these two conditions but...
Show moreAsthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood. Children diagnosed with asthma are twice as likely to have a comorbid anxiety disorder as their non-asthmatic peers. The presence of both asthma and anxiety in the pediatric patient creates an environment of poor asthma control, and places them at risk for a variety of negative health events. Little is known about comorbid anxiety's role in asthma health maintenance. Research has identified the link between these two conditions but causation is difficult to conclude. The aim of this thesis is to assess the current state of the science regarding pediatric asthma and anxiety. This integrated review of the literature will identify the factors contributing to the vicious cycle of pediatric anxiety and asthma. Recommendations for practice and future research will be made.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFH0004606, ucf:45263
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004606
- Title
- EXAMINING HETEROSOCIAL AND SOCIAL ANXIETY IN PAKISTANI AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN AMERICAN WOMEN:A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS.
- Creator
-
Mirza, Zehra, Negy, Charles, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This present study will examine the psychopathology of Pakistani American females through the context of cultural means. Research in the past has shown that Asian Americans report higher levels of distress as well as higher levels of anxiety relative to their European American counterparts. Thus, social anxiety may manifest itself differently among Asian Americans because of the cultural and ethnic variations in psychopathology. This study will aim to examine cultural differences in social...
Show moreThis present study will examine the psychopathology of Pakistani American females through the context of cultural means. Research in the past has shown that Asian Americans report higher levels of distress as well as higher levels of anxiety relative to their European American counterparts. Thus, social anxiety may manifest itself differently among Asian Americans because of the cultural and ethnic variations in psychopathology. This study will aim to examine cultural differences in social anxiety because it may help explain the etiology of social as well as heterosocial anxiety and facilitate in forming better diagnostic assessments, scales and treatments for non-mainstream cultural groups such as Pakistanis and potentially other South Asian groups living in the United States. Additionally, Pakistani women have limited interactions with the opposite sex because of the religious and cultural background that emphasizes modesty and arranged marriage. Medical research suggests that Muslim women of Asian backgrounds, have requested female health care service providers rather than male providers. Given the cultural and sociological influences that impact psychopathology, it was hypothesized that Pakistani American women will report more heterosocial anxiety than European American women and that their heterosocial anxiety will be related to parental influence on mate choice and American acculturation. Results indicated that European women reported higher levels of heterosocial and social anxiety in comparison to Pakistani women. This may have occurred due to the Pakistani women in this sample not being truly representative of the Pakistani population as they were all young, college students. Also, a lower level of heterosocial anxiety was found to be negatively correlated with assimilation to U.S culture, which may have attributed to less heterosocial iv anxiety was found to be negatively correlated with assimilation to U.S culture, which may have attributed to less heterosocial anxiety in Pakistani women.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFH0004350, ucf:45010
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004350
- Title
- An Investigation of High Anxiety Verbal Behavior.
- Creator
-
Wright, John W., Taylor, Phillip, Social Sciences
- Abstract / Description
-
Florida Technological University College of Social Sciences Thesis
- Date Issued
- 1973
- Identifier
- CFR0012240, ucf:53132
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFR0012240
- Title
- DOES BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN WITH SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER CHANGE VOCAL CHARACTERISTICS?.
- Creator
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Kroytor, Anya, Beidel, Deborah, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Children with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) characterized by persistent shyness and anxiety in social or performance situation, exhibit social skills deficits. These deficits include difficulty initiating conversations, maintaining eye contact, and taking turns when speaking, which in turn leads to impairments in their daily interactions and development of peer relationships (Greco, 2005; Miers, 2010). Although there are many subjective assessments for treatment outcomes for children with SAD...
Show moreChildren with Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) characterized by persistent shyness and anxiety in social or performance situation, exhibit social skills deficits. These deficits include difficulty initiating conversations, maintaining eye contact, and taking turns when speaking, which in turn leads to impairments in their daily interactions and development of peer relationships (Greco, 2005; Miers, 2010). Although there are many subjective assessments for treatment outcomes for children with SAD, in order to become more thorough and effective when assessing treatment outcomes, more objective measures of actual behaviors are needed. This study uses digital vocal analysis to examine vocal parameters associated with anxiety such as pitch and volume in children with SAD pre and post treatment. Measuring vocal parameters during role-play behavioral assessment tasks allowed us to examine whether the software was capable of detecting differences in vocal characteristics that are consistent with the clinical presentation of the disorder. Children with SAD showed differences in vocal characteristics pre to post treatment, in regards to pitch, pitch variability, volume, and volume variability. There were significant changes in volume pre to post treatment, however the changes in pitch, pitch variability, and volume variability were not significant. These results suggest that post SET-C treatment, certain vocal characteristics, (one of the social skills deficits exhibited by children with SAD) improved. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFH0004148, ucf:44819
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004148
- Title
- PREDICTING ANXIETY FROM PARENT AND CHILDHOOD VARIABLES.
- Creator
-
Fisak, Brian, Negy, Charles, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The high prevalence rate, significant distress and impairment, and persistence of childhood anxiety disorders highlight the need for continued theoretical conceptualization and research into the developmental pathways associated these disorders. In response to this need, one goal this project was to examination and identify variables associated with the development and/or maintenance of child anxiety disorders. A second goal of this project was to examine the potential role of learning from...
Show moreThe high prevalence rate, significant distress and impairment, and persistence of childhood anxiety disorders highlight the need for continued theoretical conceptualization and research into the developmental pathways associated these disorders. In response to this need, one goal this project was to examination and identify variables associated with the development and/or maintenance of child anxiety disorders. A second goal of this project was to examine the potential role of learning from parents as a risk factor in the development of child anxiety, with a particular emphasis on three learning mechanisms: modeling, information transfer, and reinforcement of anxious behaviors. The third goal of this project was to compare and contrast the developmental predictors of anxiety in White versus Hispanic samples. Data was collected from a sample of mothers in the community with at least one child between the ages of 6 and 12, and an unrelated sample of young adults. Significant predictors of anxiety were identified in both samples, and the hypothesis that anxiety may, in part, be learned from parents was supported in both samples. In addition, results indicated different sets of predictors of anxiety in White versus Hispanic participants. Limitations and implications of the findings are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- CFE0001261, ucf:46916
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0001261
- Title
- THE EFFECTS OF STRESS ON DISTANCE PERCEPTION.
- Creator
-
Rosen, Monica, Neider, Mark, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Although there has been a great deal of research on binocular distance perception (Foley, 1980; Gogel, 1977), a number of questions remain unexplored. One such question involves how our ability to perceive distances is influenced by fitness and stress (internal and external). Previous research has shown that kinesthetic stress (via backpack weight) influences a person's ability to accurately guess distances (Proffitt, Bhalla, Gossweiler, & Midgett, 2003). This research did not only attempt to...
Show moreAlthough there has been a great deal of research on binocular distance perception (Foley, 1980; Gogel, 1977), a number of questions remain unexplored. One such question involves how our ability to perceive distances is influenced by fitness and stress (internal and external). Previous research has shown that kinesthetic stress (via backpack weight) influences a person's ability to accurately guess distances (Proffitt, Bhalla, Gossweiler, & Midgett, 2003). This research did not only attempt to replicate previous work, but also extend it by exploring potential interactions between fitness level and mental stress on distance perception, a combination that is often encountered by soldiers, firefighters, and rescue workers. Mental stress was measured using the State Anxiety Inventory test (Spielberger, Reheiser, & Sydeman, 1995) and cardiovascular fitness was measured using MET scores (Jurca et al., 2005). Physical stress was manipulated by asking participants to estimate distances and then walk blindly to the target while carrying a backpack weighing 20% of their weight. We were unable to replicate Proffitt. We did however find a positive correlation between cardiovascular fitness and error in the second block of the blind walking task for the heavy backpack condition, r(22) = -.45, p = 0.03.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFH0004526, ucf:45185
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004526
- Title
- THE EFFECTS OF MUSIC ON ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN EMERGING ADULTS.
- Creator
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Bartel, Kendra, Wright, Chrysalis, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of the current study was to observe how music affects the mood of those who suffer from anxiety and depression and those who do not. While previous research has examined this many of the previous studies have induced either physical pain or mood in participants in order to measure the impact of music. The current study, however, intends to examine how music affects mood without attempting to induce mood in participants. Six-hundred and seventy college students were given a...
Show moreThe purpose of the current study was to observe how music affects the mood of those who suffer from anxiety and depression and those who do not. While previous research has examined this many of the previous studies have induced either physical pain or mood in participants in order to measure the impact of music. The current study, however, intends to examine how music affects mood without attempting to induce mood in participants. Six-hundred and seventy college students were given a questionnaire containing an anxiety questionnaire, depression scale, demographic questionnaire, and music listening questionnaire. Intercorrelations, ANOVAS, as well as linear regressions were performed on the data and results for the study were significant in that music was found to impact participant's anxiety and depression. Results of the current study indicate that participants' preference for alternative music and soundtracks/showtunes impacted their level of depression and anxiety.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFH0004328, ucf:45048
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004328
- Title
- Social Skills and Social Acceptance in Childhood Anxiety Disorders.
- Creator
-
Scharfstein, Lindsay, Beidel, Deborah, Rapport, Mark, Sims, Valerie, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The present study examined the social skills and social acceptance of children with SAD (n=20), children with GAD (n=18), and typically developing (TD) children (n=20). A multimodal assessment paradigm was employed to address three study objectives: (a) to determine whether social skills deficits are unique to children with SAD or extend to children with GAD, (b) to assess whether skills vary as a function of social context (in vivo peer interaction Wii Task versus hypothetical Social...
Show moreThe present study examined the social skills and social acceptance of children with SAD (n=20), children with GAD (n=18), and typically developing (TD) children (n=20). A multimodal assessment paradigm was employed to address three study objectives: (a) to determine whether social skills deficits are unique to children with SAD or extend to children with GAD, (b) to assess whether skills vary as a function of social context (in vivo peer interaction Wii Task versus hypothetical Social Vignette Task) and (c) to examine the relationship between anxiety diagnosis and social acceptance. Parent questionnaire data indicated that both youth with SAD and GAD experienced difficulties with assertiveness, whereas children with SAD experienced a broader range of social skills difficulties. Blinded observers' ratings during the behavioral assessment social tasks indicated that compared to children with GAD and TD children, children with SAD have deficits in social behaviors and social knowledge across settings, including speech latency, a paucity of speech, few spontaneous comments, questions and exclamations, and ineffective social responses. In addition, vocal analysis revealed that children with SAD were characterized by anxious speech patterns. By comparison, children with GAD exhibited non-anxious speech patterns and did not differ significantly from TD youth on social behaviors, with the exception of fewer spontaneous comments and questions. Lastly, children with SAD were perceived as less likeable and less socially desirable by their peers than both children with GAD and TD children. Clinical implications of these findings are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFE0004932, ucf:49631
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004932
- Title
- EXPLORING A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER AND BILINGUALISM.
- Creator
-
James, Nicholas, Beidel, Deborah, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
This study investigated the possible relationship between bilingualism and social anxiety disorder. Past research has indicated developmental delays in language as increasing risk for other psychological difficulties. With the pressure to learn two languages, possibly in the drastically different environments of home, school, and/or work, individuals may be vulnerable to becoming socially anxious in conjunction with language use. This study examined a series of factors surrounding linguistic...
Show moreThis study investigated the possible relationship between bilingualism and social anxiety disorder. Past research has indicated developmental delays in language as increasing risk for other psychological difficulties. With the pressure to learn two languages, possibly in the drastically different environments of home, school, and/or work, individuals may be vulnerable to becoming socially anxious in conjunction with language use. This study examined a series of factors surrounding linguistic development and reports of social anxiety. Participants were divided into 4 groups: Socially Anxious (SA; n = 43) monolinguals, Non-Socially Anxious (Non-SA; n = 81) monolinguals, SA bilinguals (n = 30), and Non-SA bilinguals (n = 43). Measures of social anxiety, linguistic ability, and demographic information were collected and compared. The results of this study showed no direct link between bilingualism and SAD. However results raised other questions as there was an overrepresentation of SA bilinguals having accents when compared with Non-SA bilingual individuals.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFH0004676, ucf:45285
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004676
- Title
- MUSIC THERAPY AS AN INTERVENTION TO REDUCE ANXIETY IN MECHANICALLY-VENTILATED PATIENTS.
- Creator
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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.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFH2000031, ucf:45572
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000031
- Title
- THE MEDIATING ROLE OF RESILIENCE IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ATTACHMENT STYLE AND SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY.
- Creator
-
Jurgensen, Melanie, Renk, Kimberly, Hundley, Gulnora, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Although previous research has identified a relationship between insecure attachment styles and symptoms of depression and anxiety, evidence regarding the mechanisms of action driving this relationship has been lacking. Consequently, the current study examined the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between insecure attachment styles (i.e. anxious-avoidant, anxious-ambivalent, helpless-disorganized and frightened-disorganized) and symptoms of depression and anxiety. The current...
Show moreAlthough previous research has identified a relationship between insecure attachment styles and symptoms of depression and anxiety, evidence regarding the mechanisms of action driving this relationship has been lacking. Consequently, the current study examined the mediating role of resilience in the relationship between insecure attachment styles (i.e. anxious-avoidant, anxious-ambivalent, helpless-disorganized and frightened-disorganized) and symptoms of depression and anxiety. The current study included a sample of 182 participants (i.e., 87 men and 95 women) who completed six questionnaires that assessed each participants' relationship with their caregivers during their childhood, present symptoms of depression and anxiety, and their resilience. Correlational analyses indicated significant relationships among the variables being studied. The formation of an insecure attachment during childhood predicted significantly symptoms of depression and anxiety in adulthood in both men and women. More specifically, the relationship between anxious-avoidant and anxious-ambivalent with symptoms of depression was partially mediated by resilience for men. There were no significant mediation for symptoms of anxiety for me. Within the women population, resilience served as a partial mediator in the relationship between anxious-ambivalent attachment and depression as well as in the relationship between frightened-disorganized attachment and anxiety. Such findings suggested that resilience could act as a protective factor against symptoms of depression and anxiety. These results demonstrated the importance for promoting resilience, especially for individuals who formed insecure attachments during childhood. The importance of studying the relationships among these variables is discussed further.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFH2000564, ucf:45610
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000564
- Title
- THE ROLE OF ANXIETY IN MENTAL TUMBLING BLOCKS.
- Creator
-
Thompson, Shannon, Jensen, Bernard, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Mental tumbling blocks are a problem in sports such as cheerleading where the athlete has an unexplained fear related to performing a skill that has been previously executed successfully. The current study compared participants with and without a mental tumbling block on self-report measures of anxiety and on vocal analysis data indicating if anxiety or fear is present. Participants were female cheerleaders who ranged in age from 10 to 16 years old. The Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2; Smith,...
Show moreMental tumbling blocks are a problem in sports such as cheerleading where the athlete has an unexplained fear related to performing a skill that has been previously executed successfully. The current study compared participants with and without a mental tumbling block on self-report measures of anxiety and on vocal analysis data indicating if anxiety or fear is present. Participants were female cheerleaders who ranged in age from 10 to 16 years old. The Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2; Smith, Smoll, Cumming & Grossbard, 2006) and the Cheerleading Fear Inventory (CFI; modified from Cartoni, Minganti, and Zelli, 2005) were used in addition to vocal analysis measures assessing pitch and intensity. These vocal analysis measures were taken under two conditions while the cheerleader was interviewed (1) about tumbling and (2) about school. Results indicated that athletes with a mental block reported higher somatic anxiety, concentration disruption, and overall anxiety on the SAS-2 than participants who did not have a mental tumbling block. Similarly, athletes with a mental tumbling block reported higher scores on the CFI than athletes without a mental tumbling block. In addition, athletes with a mental tumbling block showed higher pitch on the vocal analysis measure than athletes without a mental tumbling regardless of interview condition. Finally, several significant correlations emerged between scores on the SAS-2, the CFI, and the vocal analysis measures. These results are discussed in terms of the existing literature, and practical suggestions are offered that may help coaches understand how to effectively handle mental blocks at practice.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- Identifier
- CFH0004451, ucf:45129
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004451
- Title
- INCREASED LEVELS OF ANXIETY REVEALING CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIAL PHOBIA ELUCIDATED BY SMART PHONE USE.
- Creator
-
Richardson , Mark, Beidel, Deborah, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Students at the University of Central Florida completed two self-report inventories: the SPAI-23, (Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory - 23) and MPPUS (Mobile Phone Problem Use Scale) to determine if there is a relationship between social phobia and problematic mobile phone use. Fifty one students (N = 51) completed both surveys and the results indicated that there was a small but positive relationship between problematic cell phone use and social phobia symptoms, r=.28, p=.05. The results...
Show moreStudents at the University of Central Florida completed two self-report inventories: the SPAI-23, (Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory - 23) and MPPUS (Mobile Phone Problem Use Scale) to determine if there is a relationship between social phobia and problematic mobile phone use. Fifty one students (N = 51) completed both surveys and the results indicated that there was a small but positive relationship between problematic cell phone use and social phobia symptoms, r=.28, p=.05. The results are discussed in terms of how social phobia might increase problematic phone use.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFH0004241, ucf:44931
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH0004241
- Title
- NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL FUNCTIONING IN SOCIAL PHOBIA.
- Creator
-
Sutterby, Scott, Bedwell, Jeffrey, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The purpose of the current study was to clarify the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying social phobia. Previous research has identified some specific group differences in neurocognitive functioning between individuals diagnosed with social phobia and nonpsychiatric controls, but has failed to administer a comprehensive neuropsychological battery to a social phobia patient group, resulting in a piecemeal understanding of the neurocognitive functioning of this population and an incomplete...
Show moreThe purpose of the current study was to clarify the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying social phobia. Previous research has identified some specific group differences in neurocognitive functioning between individuals diagnosed with social phobia and nonpsychiatric controls, but has failed to administer a comprehensive neuropsychological battery to a social phobia patient group, resulting in a piecemeal understanding of the neurocognitive functioning of this population and an incomplete picture of the neuropsychological profile inherent to this group. The present research utilized a broader collection of neuropsychological tests to assess nine cognitive domains: Verbal Learning, Verbal Delayed Memory, Visual Immediate Memory, Visual Delayed Memory, Visual-Spatial Processing, Verbal Working Memory, Visual Working Memory, Executive Functioning, and Attention. A mixed analysis of variance (ANOVA) did not reveal a significant group by cognitive domain interaction, nor a significant main effect of group. As this was the first study to examine multiple cognitive domains in a single sample of individuals with generalized social phobia, exploratory univariate analyses were performed to examine group differences for the specific cognitive domains. This revealed significant group differences specific to the Visual Working Memory domain, with the social phobia group scoring significantly lower than the nonpsychiatric control group. Implications of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002859, ucf:48049
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002859
- Title
- How is she managing? Examination of a woman's emotion regulation strategy in the relationship between anxiety, depression, and prenatal attachment.
- Creator
-
Cunningham, Annelise, Alexander, Kristi, Neer, Sandra, Sims, Valerie, James, Shari-Ann, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
Pregnancy is often perceived as a time of positivity, joy, and happiness in anticipation of the birth of a child (La Marca-Ghaemmaghami (&) Ehlert, 2015). At the same time, pregnancy requires adaptation to physiological, social, psychological, and socioeconomic changes (La Marca-Ghaemmaghami (&) Ehlert, 2015). Such adjustments can evoke emotional distress for expectant women (Guardino (&) Schetter, 2014). Despite the stressful nature, pregnancy at the same time calls for the expectant mother...
Show morePregnancy is often perceived as a time of positivity, joy, and happiness in anticipation of the birth of a child (La Marca-Ghaemmaghami (&) Ehlert, 2015). At the same time, pregnancy requires adaptation to physiological, social, psychological, and socioeconomic changes (La Marca-Ghaemmaghami (&) Ehlert, 2015). Such adjustments can evoke emotional distress for expectant women (Guardino (&) Schetter, 2014). Despite the stressful nature, pregnancy at the same time calls for the expectant mother to be cognizant of her thoughts, feelings, and behaviors for the well-being of the fetus (Lindgren, 2001). Prenatal attachment is a construct based on women's cognitive representations of their fetus that manifests in behaviors that reflect care and commitment (Salisbury, Law, (&) LaGasse, 2003). How a woman regulates her emotions during pregnancy is largely understudied, further how she regulates in order to engage in behaviors beneficial to her unborn baby are unknown. Some individuals attempt to alter their emotional experience by suppressing their expression, while others reappraise the context to alter their experienced emotion (Gross, 1998. 2003, 2015). Considering the potential impact emotional regulation strategies can have on resulting physiological, behavioral, and experiential systems, the present study sought to evaluate the role of a woman's emotion regulation strategy (cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression) on the relationship between symptoms of anxiety and depression, and prenatal attachment. It was expected that reported anxiety and depression would be correlated significantly and negatively with prenatal attachment, maternal emotion regulation strategies would be correlated significantly with prenatal attachment, and women's emotion regulation strategy would moderate the relationships among anxiety, depression, and prenatal attachment. Participants consisted of expectant women in their second-third trimester. Bivariate correlations showed no significant correlations among women's anxiety, depression, and prenatal attachment. Further, no significant correlations were found among women's emotion regulation strategies and prenatal attachment. Significant correlations were found among women's anxiety, depression, and expressive suppression scores. The finding suggests assessment of the use of suppression as a regulation strategy during pregnancy may be of clinical usefulness.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007796, ucf:52356
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007796
- Title
- ELEMENTARY TEACHERSÂÂÂÂ' PERCEIVED MATHEMATICS ANXIETY AND TEACHING EFFICACY IN RELATIONSHIP TO STUDENTSÂÂÂÂ' MATHEMATICS ACHIEVEMENT.
- Creator
-
Sasser, Jennifer, Taylor, Rosemarye, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The focus of this research was to determine to what extent, if any, there were relationships among elementary teacher anxiety about learning mathematics, their anxiety about the mathematics they teach, their mathematics teaching efficacy beliefs, and their studentsÂÂÂÂ' mathematics achievement. The researcher also investigated potential intervening variables such as gender, grade level taught...
Show moreThe focus of this research was to determine to what extent, if any, there were relationships among elementary teacher anxiety about learning mathematics, their anxiety about the mathematics they teach, their mathematics teaching efficacy beliefs, and their studentsÂÂÂÂ' mathematics achievement. The researcher also investigated potential intervening variables such as gender, grade level taught, level of college degree, and years of teaching experience, that may influence these relationships. Teachers (N = 119) from 11 elementary schools in a west central Florida school district participated in this study and completed the Mathematics Anxiety and Teaching Efficacy Survey. Survey data on mathematics anxiety and teaching efficacy were analyzed and correlated with mathematics achievement data, as measured by the 2009 Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) mathematics subtest. Through a review of the research results and related literature, the researcher concluded that there was not a statistically significant relationship between teachersÂÂÂÂ' perceived mathematics anxiety, anxiety about teaching mathematics, and student achievement. However, mathematics teaching efficacy was significantly correlated in a positive direction with student achievement. Review of the data also revealed that there was a statistically significant positive correlation between teachersÂÂÂÂ' perceived mathematics anxiety and anxiety about teaching mathematics. Additionally, there was a significant negative correlation between anxiety about teaching mathematics and mathematics teaching efficacy.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- CFE0003274, ucf:48521
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0003274
- Title
- An analysis of communication anxiety and reading comprehension in sixth, seventh and eighth grade students.
- Creator
-
Davis, Tami, Murray, Barbara, Murray, Kenneth, Doherty, Walter, Butler, John, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
-
The goal of this research was to determine whether communication apprehension impacted reading comprehension in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students and to examine the impact of family socio-economic status. Many studies have demonstrated the negative relationship between communication apprehension and academic achievement, however, studies of elementary and middle school students have been conspicuously missing from this research.Findings of this study indicated that the levels of...
Show moreThe goal of this research was to determine whether communication apprehension impacted reading comprehension in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students and to examine the impact of family socio-economic status. Many studies have demonstrated the negative relationship between communication apprehension and academic achievement, however, studies of elementary and middle school students have been conspicuously missing from this research.Findings of this study indicated that the levels of communication apprehension rose slightly as grade level increased. Results showed that females in the study had higher levels of communication apprehension than males. The study also found that those students receiving free and reduced lunch had slightly higher levels of communication apprehension. Finally, nonminority status students had higher levels of communication apprehension than minority students.A review of previous studies found that children, exposed to high language input from their parents, know more words than those who are exposed to lower levels of input. Researchers have found that students who do not talk much in the classroom are evaluated less positively by their teachers, achieve less on teacher-made and standardized tests, and develop less positive affect toward school in general. Results of this study suggest that effort should be made to identify communication anxiety in children. The development of an age and grade appropriate instrument is warranted for early identification.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004368, ucf:49421
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004368
- Title
- PERCEPTION OF FACIAL EXPRESSIONS IN SOCIAL ANXIETY AND GAZE ANXIETY.
- Creator
-
Necaise, Aaron, Neer, Sandra, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This study explored the relationship between gaze anxiety and the perception of facial expressions. The literature suggests that individuals experiencing Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) might have a fear of making direct eye contact, and that these individuals also demonstrate a hypervigilance towards the eye region. It was thought that this increased anxiety concerning eye contact might be related to the tendency of socially anxious individuals to mislabel emotion in the faces of onlookers. A...
Show moreThis study explored the relationship between gaze anxiety and the perception of facial expressions. The literature suggests that individuals experiencing Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) might have a fear of making direct eye contact, and that these individuals also demonstrate a hypervigilance towards the eye region. It was thought that this increased anxiety concerning eye contact might be related to the tendency of socially anxious individuals to mislabel emotion in the faces of onlookers. A better understanding of the cognitive biases common to SAD could lead to more efficient intervention and assessment methods. In the present study, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory-23 (SPAI-23) were used to measure social anxiety, depression, and overall distress. These forms allowed us to separate participants who reported high socially anxious and depressive traits from those in the normal range. We then compared anxiety concerning mutual eye contact as measured by the Gaze Anxiety Rating Scale (GARS) to performance on a facial recognition task. Performance was measured as recognition accuracy and average perceived intensity of onlooker expression on a scale of 1-5. A linear regression analysis revealed that higher GARS scores were related to higher perceived intensity of emotion by socially anxious individuals. An exploratory correlation analysis also revealed that higher gaze anxiety was related to lower accuracy at identifying neutral emotions and higher accuracy at identifying angry emotions. While past research has demonstrated these same biases by socially anxious individuals, gaze anxiety had not been explored extensively. Future research should investigate gaze anxiety�s role as a moderating variable.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- Identifier
- CFH2000039, ucf:45554
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000039
- Title
- The influence of trait anxiety on information processing: An elaboration likelihood study.
- Creator
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Appelbaum, Michael, Miller, Ann, Weger, Harry, Rubenking, Bridget, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This study explored the influence of trait anxiety on information processing in persuasive situations, and investigated cognitive load as a mediator of this relationship. The research presented was based off DeBono and McDermott's (1994) framework for exploring trait anxiety and persuasion. The theoretical lens used to explore information processing, the elaboration likelihood model (Petty (&) Cacioppo, 1986) posits that motivation and ability are necessary components to elaborate on a...
Show moreThis study explored the influence of trait anxiety on information processing in persuasive situations, and investigated cognitive load as a mediator of this relationship. The research presented was based off DeBono and McDermott's (1994) framework for exploring trait anxiety and persuasion. The theoretical lens used to explore information processing, the elaboration likelihood model (Petty (&) Cacioppo, 1986) posits that motivation and ability are necessary components to elaborate on a message. However, very little research has addressed ability variables like trait anxiety. I predicted that students high in trait anxiety would be persuaded by the attractiveness of the source (peripherally) whereas students low in trait anxiety would be persuaded by the strength of the arguments presented (centrally).Undergraduate students were asked to view a picture of a policy presenter and listen to a recording of the student's proposed policy statement. After listening to the recording participants wrote down their thoughts during the presentation and were tested on their ability to recall the arguments presented. They then completed a few scale items assessing their attitudes toward the policy as well as questions to maintain the cover story.Findings showed no difference in processing between low and high trait anxious individuals. However, there was a significant effect of anxiety on attitudes. Additionally, cognitive load was not found to be a mediator of the relationship between anxiety and attitudes.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0005572, ucf:50262
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005572
- Title
- ANYTHING BUT CRAZY: HOW AMERICAN MUSICAL THEATRE CAN CHANGE SOCIETAL STIGMAS AGAINST MENTAL ILLNESSES.
- Creator
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Walton, Benjamin, Weaver, Earl, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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There is a societal stigma that villainizes or degrades anyone diagnosed or associated with any mental illness. While many different forms of media have attempted to destroy this stigma through psycho-centric narratives, I wanted to argue that musical theatre has the greatest potential as a live entertainment source to deconstruct and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. For my research, I theorized that musical theatre can most effectively change societal stigma about mental illness...
Show moreThere is a societal stigma that villainizes or degrades anyone diagnosed or associated with any mental illness. While many different forms of media have attempted to destroy this stigma through psycho-centric narratives, I wanted to argue that musical theatre has the greatest potential as a live entertainment source to deconstruct and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness. For my research, I theorized that musical theatre can most effectively change societal stigma about mental illness by communicating a clear understanding of the disease through music, and achieving popularity in the public eye longer than other live forms of theatre. I chose to focus on four of those musicals: Lady in the Dark by Moss Hart, Kurt Weill, and Ira Gershwin which talks about depression and anxiety in the 1940s; Spring Awakening, adapted from Frank Wedekind's original play by Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik, which discusses depression and suicidal tendencies, specifically in students; Next to Normal by Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt which revolves around bipolar disorder; and Dear Evan Hansen by Steven Levenson, Benj Pasek, and Justin Paul which talks about the prevalence of anxiety disorders in society. With this thesis I wanted to further the progression of destigmatizating mental illnesses through the medium of musical theatre. Through an analysis of these well-known musicals that focus on mental illnesses and the psychological research that follows, I proposed a short song cycle that continues this evolution of mental illness musicals. Through this process, I theorized that musical theatre will decrease the stigma surrounding mental illnesses and will promote treatment and care when dealing with mental illnesses.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFH2000321, ucf:45842
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFH2000321
