Browsing by Author "Fraire, Maria G."

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    Anxiety and depression: The moderating roles of self-perception and race
    Fraire, Maria G. (Virginia Tech, 2010-04-14)
    It has been shown that children with elevated anxiety levels are at a higher risk for developing depressive symptoms (e.g., Seligman & Ollendick, 1998). Furthermore, it has been shown that high self-worth may serve as a protective factor against developing both anxiety and depressive symptoms (e.g. Costello et al., 2008). The primary focus of the current research was to evaluate the moderating role that self-worth played in the predictive relationship between anxiety and depression. A second avenue of interest for the current research was the exploration of the role that race played in these predictive relationships between anxiety, depression, and self-worth. Using an ethnically diverse sample of 726 middle school children regression analyses were run to examine the predictive relationship between anxiety symptoms and depressive symptoms, as well as the potential moderating role of self-worth. Additionally, a three way interaction was examined between gender, racial group, and anxiety in the prediction of depressive symptoms. Analyses showed that both self-worth and anxiety symptoms were significantly related to depressive symptoms. However, self-worth and race were not moderating variables in the relationship between anxiety and depression. Furthermore, there was not a significant three way interaction between gender, racial group, and anxiety in the prediction of depression. The discussion includes an examination of the limitations as well as possible future directions for research.
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    Treatment of Comorbid Anxiety and Oppositionality in Children: Targeting the Underlying Processes
    Fraire, Maria G. (Virginia Tech, 2013-12-13)
    The purpose of this study was to develop, implement, and evaluate a psychosocial treatment specifically designed for families with a child who experiences a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and an oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). Research suggests emotion regulation and information processing in the child and parenting behaviors directed towards the child may contribute to, and maintain, generalized anxiety and oppositionality. A treatment protocol, integrating emotion focused cognitive-behavioral therapy and collaborative problem solving was designed. Five families participated in assessment, an average of 13 treatment sessions, and follow up. The hypothesis that both GAD and ODD could be treated within the same treatment plan was partially supported. All of the children experienced reductions in symptoms. Eighty percent of the children (4/5) had subclinical or no GAD diagnosis at post. At the 1 month follow-up, 3 children maintained these gains and 1 child showed more improvement at one month (compared to post). Forty percent of the children (2/5) had a subclinical ODD diagnosis at post, with 80% (4/5) subclinical at the 1 month follow-up. The study provided important considerations for future directions.