VTechWorks Repository :: Browsing by Author "Jones, Russell T."

Browsing by Author "Jones, Russell T."

Now showing 1 - 20 of 152

The A.R.K. Project: A Grassroots, Student-Led, Multiple-Component Intervention to Increase Driver Safety-Belt Use on a University Campus
Farrell, Leah (Virginia Tech, 2006-02-27)
This study represents a collaborative effort among university academics and community stakeholders. Virginia Tech's (VT) Center for Applied Behavior Systems (CABS) teamed up with student groups following the death of a fellow student to create The A.R.K. Project. This multiple-component intervention study specifically targeted students on the VT campus, in an attempt to increase driver safety-belt use. Observations on VT students' safety-belt use and other safety-related behaviors (i.e., turn-signal use and cell-phone use) were made during pre-intervention, intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up study phases and compared with observations made on drivers in two non-equivalent control groups (VT faculty/staff and Radford University (RU) students). Evaluation of the project revealed no meaningful changes in daily percentages of VT student safety-belt use, when compared to that of non-equivalent control groups. Percentages by phase did vary in the hypothesized direction for VT students. Percentages by phase varied in similar ways for VT faculty/staff, suggesting the student-targeted intervention, over-all, was not responsible for the observed changes. However, one inter-personal intervention component, the Buckle-Up Flashcards prompt was associated with a particularly successful rate of compliance. Thirty percent of un-buckled drivers complied with this inter-personal response. Because VT student safety-belt use did not change as a function of the intervention, it was irrelevant to investigate response generalization to other safety-related behaviors. Instead, the author focused on covariation between safety-belt use, turn-signal use, and cell-phone use. Buckled drivers were significantly more likely to indicate turns with a turn signal and were significantly less likely to use cell phones. Other additional findings of epidemiologic importance were that safety-belt use was significantly more likely among VT faculty/staff than VT students and safety-belt use was significantly more likely among VT faculty/staff and VT student females than among VT faculty/staff and VT student males. Interpretations of these findings and directions for future research are discussed.
Adventure-Based Therapy and Self-Efficacy Theory: Test of a Treatment Model for Late Adolescents with Depressive Symptomatology
Richardson, Elizabeth DeHart (Virginia Tech, 1998-11-18)
The primary objective of the current study was to propose and test a model for conceptualizing changes that occur as a result of adventure-based therapy (ABT), using self-efficacy theory as the conceptual foundation. Other objectives were to test the effects of ABT on depressive symptomatology and related psychosocial variables (e.g., anxiety, self-esteem). One-hundred and nine college freshmen participated in the screening procedure. Subjects who indicated mild to severe depressive symptomatology on a self-report measure and did not report past history of trauma were invited to participate in the study. Forty-one individuals were randomly assigned to either the adventure-based therapy (ABT) condition (i.e., a one-day ropes course experience) or to a placebo-control condition (i.e., an extended walk outdoors in a group). Subjects were divided into two cohorts, each with treatment and control groups, because of safety requirements related to capacity on the ropes course. Self-report instruments were completed immediately prior to participation (i.e., pretest), immediately following participation (i.e., posttest), and at 2-weeks and 2-months post participation. Primary multivariate analyses of variance performed on state and trait dependent measures did not yield statistically significant interactions; therefore, results indicated that ABT may not significantly decrease depressive and anxious symptomatology in late adolescents with depressive symptomatology. However, data were further analyzed for exploration in light of the generally low statistical power and group differences suggested by graphic displays of data. Exploratory analyses suggested that ABT may increase efficacy for coping with anxiety created by novel situations and efficacy for working and problem-solving in a group. It was therefore suggested that self-efficacy theory warrants further consideration as a theoretical framework for explaining changes that occur as a result of ABT. In addition, exploratory analyses suggested that ABT may also reduce anxiety and general psychological distress. Finally, depressive symptomatology decreased for individuals in the ABT treatment group and the placebo-control group according to exploratory analyses; however, there were no differences between groups. Further exploration of the potential effects of ABT on depressive and anxious symptomatology and general psychological distress is warranted.
Altered Neural and Behavioral Associability-Based Learning in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Brown, Vanessa (Virginia Tech, 2015-02-26)
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is accompanied by marked alterations in cognition and behavior, particularly when negative, high-value information is present (Aupperle, Melrose, Stein, & Paulus, 2012; Hayes, Vanelzakker, & Shin, 2012) . However, the underlying processes are unclear; such alterations could result from differences in how this high value information is updated or in its effects on processing future information. To untangle the effects of different aspects of behavior, we used a computational psychiatry approach to disambiguate the roles of increased learning from previously surprising outcomes (i.e. associability; Li, Schiller, Schoenbaum, Phelps, & Daw, 2011) and from large value differences (i.e. prediction error; Montague, 1996; Schultz, Dayan, & Montague, 1997) in PTSD. Combat-deployed military veterans with varying levels of PTSD symptoms completed a learning task while undergoing fMRI; behavioral choices and neural activation were modeled using reinforcement learning. We found that associability-based loss learning at a neural and behavioral level increased with PTSD severity, particularly with hyperarousal symptoms, and that the interaction of PTSD severity and neural markers of associability based learning predicted behavior. In contrast, PTSD severity did not modulate prediction error neural signal or behavioral learning rate. These results suggest that increased associability-based learning underlies neurobehavioral alterations in PTSD.
An analysis of intervention programs and their effects upon the achievement of black graduates of predominantely white and black high schools
Tann, Henry Elgie (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1986)
The purpose of this study was to compare the academic performance of black freshmen at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University who had graduated from predominantly black and predominantly white high schools after their involvement in Intervention Programs on selective variables with those students who have graduated from black and white high schools who did not participate in these programs. Four groups were created for this comparison: Group A--those students who graduated from black high schools and participated in Intervention Programs; Group B--those students who graduated from predominantly black high schools and who did not participate in these programs; Group C--those students who graduated from predominantly white high schools and who participated in Intervention Programs; Group D--those students who graduated from predominantly white high schools and who did not participate in these programs. The 4 groups were compared on their mean high school grade point average (HGPA), Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores, math and verbal, the Test of Standard Written English (TSWE) scores, and freshmen cumulative grade point average (FGPA). A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted for type of school graduated, predominantly black or white, and participation or non-participation in Intervention Programs. Also a Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient (Pearson correlation) was performed to ascertain relationship between HGPA and FGPA. In addition, a Pearson correlation was performed between FGPA and the following variables: amount of financial aid, citizenship, family income, and kinds of financial aid. The findings revealed the following: Even though black students who participated in Intervention Programs had significantly lower high school grade point averages and standardized test scores, after l year, students who had participated in Intervention Programs mean FGPA was not significantly different from those students who had not participated in these programs. The results showed that there was an association between participation in Intervention Programs and improved academic. performance. Even though black graduates of predominantly white high schools had higher standardized test scores than did black graduates of predominantly black high schools, these higher test scores did not translate into a higher mean freshmen grade point average. Graduates of predominantly black high schools who came from low-income families did better academically than did graduates of predominantly white high schools who came from low-income families. Students who received financial aid had a higher mean freshmen grade point average than did students who did not receive financial aid. Graduates of predominantly black high schools had a slightly higher mean grade point average, from high school through college, than did graduates of predominantly white high schools. For students who participated in Intervention Programs, their high school grade point averages were not good predictors of their college grade point averages. In general, students who participated in Intervention Programs faired as well as students who did not when compared for academic survival. However, for students who did not participate in these programs, their high school grade point averages were good predictors of their college grade point averages.
Anxiety and depression in children and adolescents: an examination of cognition and attributional style
Byrd, Devin A. (Virginia Tech, 1996-12-06)
The relationship of attributional style to anxiety and depression in children and adolescents has received little attention in comparison to studies conducted with adult populations. However, preliminary studies suggest that children and adolescents evidence similar attributional style patterns to those expressed by adults. This study further examines the relationship of anxiety and depression to attributional style to determine the utility and applicability of the adult model to children and adolescents. In addition, this study examines the accuracy of obtaining attributional style ratings using hypothetical events (i.e., questionnaire method) versus real-life events. Further, this study was designed to study the relationship of emotional measures of anxiety and depression (Le., Children's Depression Inventory and Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale) versus cognitive measures of anxiety and depression (Negative Affect Self-Statement Questionnaire). It was hypothesized that real life events (as measured by the Specific Life Events Schedule; SLES) would prove to be a concurrently valid measure of attributional style in relation to hypothetical events presented through a questionnaire method (as measured by the Children's Attributional Style Questionnaire; CASQ). As well, it was predicted that real life events of the SLES would prove to be a more accurate measure of attributional style than hypothetical life events of the CASQ, in relation to achieved depression scores. Furthermore, it was predicted that certain indices of attributional style and negative self-statements would prove to be significant predictors of depression (as measured by the CDI) and anxiety scores (as measured by the RCMAS).
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.
Asian American Adolescent Identity
Ohm, Julie Juhye (Virginia Tech, 2004-04-05)
The formation of ego identity in Asian American late adolescents attending Virginia Tech was examined within the frameworks of Erikson's psychosocial theory and Berry, Trimble, and Olmedo's model of acculturation. Ego identity was measured using the Achieved sub-scale of the Revised Version of the Extended Objective Measure of Ego Identity Status, an instrument based on the theoretical constructs of Erikson. Ethnic identity was measured using the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure and American Identity was measured using the American Identity Measure, both developed by Phinney. It was hypothesized that ethnic identity and American identity would be significant predictors of ego identity status. One hundred students of Asian descent attending Virginia Tech participated in this study. There were significant results for the T-test comparisons between the Asian-born and American-born subgroups for the variables ego identity, ethnic identity, and American identity. This study revealed that American-born respondents had higher average scores on the three identity measures. It also revealed that ethnic identity and American identity are significant predictors of ego identity for this group of individuals, supporting the hypothesis.
Assertiveness in boys: evaluating the construct using template matching procedures
Weist, Mark D. (Virginia Tech, 1988-08-15)
The present investigation expanded on the template matching approach (Cone, 1980) to empirically evaluate whether assertiveness is associated with interpersonal success among a group of fourth grade boys. Using popular sociometric status as an index of success in interaction, the performances of 15 popular boys were compared with those of 15 rejected boys in a role-play measure of social behavior. An observation code containing behaviors traditionally associated with assertiveness was compared to a code containing inductively generated behaviors. Popular boys demonstrated significantly higher levels of traditional and inductive behaviors. Total scores on the inductive behavioral, code correlated significantly with self-reported assertiveness, while total scores on the traditional code did not. On an evaluative measure of assertive, aggressive and submissive response alternatives, the two groups showed no significant differences. The utility of the template matching method in empirical target selection and validation was underscored.
Attributional patterns as predictors of task-associated anxiety
Camp, Glenda F. (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1986)
The present study was designed to examine attributional patterns as predictors of task-associated anxiety. The attribution model suggests that confirmation or disconfirmation of expectancy determines attributional patterns. Consistency between expectancy and performance results in stable attributions for performance, while inconsistency results in unstable attributions. Expected failure attributed to stable factors was proposed to result in greater task-associated anxiety than unexpected failure attributed to unstable cause. In the present study, one hundred and thirty-three undergraduates were assigned to one of four groups (in one of two task areas—mathematics and English) following assessment of attributional patterns, performance, and task-associated anxiety. Group 1 Expect Failure Failure Performance Group 2 Expect Failure Success Performance Group 3 Expect Success Success Performance Group 4 Expect Success Failure Performance Expectancy for failure was determined by an expected grade less than the subject-defined success grade. Expectancy for success was determined by an expected grade greater than or equal to the subject-defined success grade. Success/failure performance was determined by the acceptability or unacceptability of the actual grade. No substantial support was found for the attribution model. In conclusion, results were discussed in terms of methodological and measurement limitations. Implications for the failure to find the predicted results were discussed in terms of these limitations and the expanded attributional model.
Barriers to Adherence to Medical Recommendations Following Pediatric Injury
Ramsdell, Katharine Alexis (Virginia Tech, 2016-07-18)
Adherence to treatment recommendations following medical care for pediatric conditions is critically important for promoting optimal physical and psychological well-being. While it has been a focus of many studies across pediatric chronic illness populations, there is a dearth of research examining adherence following pediatric unintentional injury. Empirical evidence from studies with pediatric chronic illness samples indicates that youth experience a number of barriers to adherence to medical recommendations. Adherence is especially difficult for adolescents due to the unique challenges of this developmental period. A mixed methods research approach was utilized to gain a holistic understanding of potential psychological barriers to adherence following adolescent injury. Quantitative analyses examined the potential predictive roles of adolescent psychological [i.e., posttraumatic stress (PTSD), depression, quality of life] and relational (i.e., parent PTSD and depression) factors on adherence. Results of analyses were insignificant; thus, qualitative data was collected to deepen the understanding of barriers to adherence. Findings from qualitative data analyses suggested that a number of barriers to adherence to treatment recommendations exist, including: concern of pain medication addiction, competing activities, treatment side effects, health status, desire for autonomy, and symptoms of depression. Results of qualitative analyses also revealed the presence of additional factors that could facilitate adherence to treatment recommendations. Taking into consideration findings from both quantitative and qualitative analyses, adherence may be best conceptualized as a result of a dynamic decision-making process influenced by numerous interacting factors. This study is the first to examine barriers to adherence among adolescents following unintentional injury and provides an initial roadmap for understanding the mechanisms involved in this complex process.
The behavioral effects of nonnutritive sucking on infants of differential fetal growth
Boyd, Christopher M. (Virginia Tech, 1989-05-05)
Newborn infants with differential patterns of fetal growth, as determined by their weight-for-length, typically display behaviors which have been conceptualized as reflecting the integrity of the infant's behavioral organization. The newborn infant's sucking is one behavior that has been hypothesized to both reflect the effects of previous experiences on behavioral organization and affect the infant's future behavioral development. In particular, the infant's pattern of sucking activity may not only reflect the integrity of the infant's nervous system, it may also alter the temporal organization of the infant's behavioral state and motor activity by increasing behavioral quiescence. The purpose of this study was to compare the sucking activity of underweight-for-length (N = 30) and average-weight-for-length (N = 30) infants and its effects on behavioral state and motor activity. Fifteen low-PI and 15 average-PI infants were randomly assigned to each of two experimental conditions.
A Behavioral Evaluation of the Transition to Electronic Prescribing in a Hospital Setting
Cunningham, Thomas R. (Virginia Tech, 2006-04-18)
The impact of Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) on the dependent variables of medication-order compliance and time to first dose of antibiotic was investigated in this quasi-experimental study of a naturally-occurring CPOE intervention. The impact of CPOE on compliance and time to first dose was assessed by comparing measures of these variables from the intervention site and a non-equivalent control before and during intervention phases. Medication orders placed using CPOE were significantly more compliant than paper-based medication orders (p<.001), and first doses of antibiotic ordered using CPOE were delivered significantly faster than antibiotic orders placed using the paper-based system (p<.001). Findings support previous research indicating the positive impact of CPOE on patient safety as well as justify and enable future interventions to increase CPOE adoption and use among physicians. Additionally, data collected in this study will be used to provide behavior-based feedback to physicians as part of CPOE adoption and use intervention strategies to be explored in the forthcoming research.
Behavioral inhibition and test anxiety: an empirical investigation of Gray's theory
Hagopian, Louis Peter (Virginia Tech, 1991-04-05)
The effects of test anxiety on behavioral inhibition were examined using three computerized behavioral tasks. High test anxious subjects demonstrated more behavioral inhibition than low test anxious subjects, according to frequency measures on two of the three behavioral tasks. Group differences in latency measures were not found, however. High test anxious subjects reported higher levels of state anxiety than low test anxious subjects. Increased behavioral inhibition was greater for the Punishment condition, which involved the loss of points and negative audio-visual feedback for incorrect responses, than for the Non-Reward condition. Contrary to initial predictions, group differences were found to be greater in the Non-Reward condition than in the Punishment condition.
Cerebral Laterality, Emotion, and Cardiopulmonary Functions: An Investigation of Left and Right CVA Patients
Comer, Clinton S. (Virginia Tech, 2014-05-05)
Stroke, or cerebrovascular accident (CVA), is a prominent cause of long term disability in the United States. It has been evidenced that the outcome of a CVA patient differs as a function of the cerebral hemisphere that is damaged by the stroke, especially in terms of emotional changes. The Right Hemisphere Model of Emotion posits that the right hemisphere is specialized for processing emotional content, regardless of valence. In contrast, the Bi-Hemispheric Model of Emotion posits that each hemisphere has its own emotional specialization. The current experiment tested the competing predictions of the two theoretical perspectives in a mixed sample of left cerebrovascular accident (LCVA) patients and right cerebrovascular accident (RCVA) patients using a Dichotic Listening task and the Affective Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AAVLT). Heart Rate (HR) and Pulse Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) were also recorded as sympathetic measures. It was expected that the predictions of the Bi-Hemispheric Model would be supported. A series of mixed design ANOVAs were used to analyze the data. Results revealed that both groups may have exhibited decreased auditory detection abilities in the ear contralateral to CVA location. Additionally, CVA patients recalled significantly more positive words, than negative or neutral words, and exhibited a significant learning curve. LCVA patients exhibited a recency effect, while RCVA patients exhibited a heightened primacy effect. Findings from HR and SPO2 measures suggested a parasympathetic response to neutral information as well as an impaired sympathetic response to negative information in RCVA patients. Taken together these results lend partial support to the hypotheses drawn from the Bi-Hemispheric Model of Emotion, as evidenced by the diametrically opposite effects in these groups, which appears to reflect opposing cerebral processes.
Cerebral Regulation of Cardiovascular Functioning and Fluency among Anxious and Nonanxious Men
Everhart, Daniel Erik Jr. (Virginia Tech, 1997-11-04)
This experiment investigated lateralized hemispheric regulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) among high anxious and nonanxious university undergraduate men using a novel laboratory paradigm. Specifically, this three phase paradigm entailed the administration of a verbal fluency (left frontal) and nonverbal fluency (right frontal) task with or without the threat of a painful stimulus (cold pressor) to high anxious and nonanxious participants. Thus, the cerebrums are hypothesized to be engaged in a dual-task experience requiring the regulation of the ANS and concurrent performance on the verbal or the nonverbal fluency measure. Given the literature which supports relative right hemisphere activation among anxious individuals, it was hypothesized that high anxious men would (1) demonstrate greater physiological arousal to the cold pressor, (2) perform relatively worse on nonverbal fluency measures and demonstrate greater difficulty regulating cardiovascular functioning, and (3) demonstrate relatively lower nonverbal fluency scores and increased physiological arousal when presented with the nonverbal fluency task and cold pressor stimulus simultaneously. The results are evaluated using three perspectives: Heller's (1993) hypothesis, Kinsbourne's Functional Cerebral Distance principle, and lateralized regulation of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. The results only partially supported the right hemisphere activation hypothesis for anxious individuals, as many of the significant results were counter to hypotheses. Specifically, high anxious men demonstrated lower verbal fluency scores and greater heart rate during the combined stimulus of the cold pressor and verbal fluency task. The data are supportive of relative anterior deactivation among high anxious men. The discussion extends the findings to present questions regarding cerebral regulation of the ANS. Future experiments which may add to the current understanding of lateralized regulation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) are suggested.
Challenging frontal lobe capacity using lateralized vestibular stress: A functional cerebral systems approach to a clinical risk for falls
Carmona, Joseph (Virginia Tech, 2011-10-12)
A conceptual model was originally proposed that linked the vestibular modality with executive domains by means of a functional cerebral systems framework. The claim was that frontal regions exert regulatory control over posterior systems for sensation and autonomic functions in a dense, interconnected network with right hemisphere specialization. As a preponderance of evidence demonstrates that a design fluency task is often associated with right frontal functioning, it was hypothesized that proficiency on a design fluency task would yield differences in QEEG and skin conductance after vestibular activation. Fifty-eight total (29 high- and 29 low-fluent performers on the Ruff Figural Fluency Test were subjected to 20 whole-body passive rotations about the neuroaxis at a constant rate of approximately 120 degrees per second. EEG and skin conductance levels were recorded prior to and post-rotation. Analyses were conducted on delta (1-4 Hz.) and beta (13-21 Hz.) frequencies. Overall, delta activity increased from baseline to post-rotation with higher levels at frontal sites, however no group differences were found across conditions. Regarding beta activation, high design fluency was associated with increased beta activation at the right temporal site (T6). In contrast to expectations, beta activity diminished from baseline to post-stress over both groups. Skin conductance levels increased from baseline to post-stress. Methodological considerations are discussed regarding gender issues and procedures of the experiment. The results indicate that vestibular disorientation yields systematic delta changes in the frontal regions, but that future refinements to the vestibular stressor may elicit QEEG and skin conductance differences in fluency groups.
Children's Primary Health Care Services: A Social-Cognitive Model of Sustained High Use
Janicke, David Michael (Virginia Tech, 2001-04-06)
This study tested portions of a social-cognitive model that explained the mechanisms involved in the parent decision-making process that ultimately drive and maintain children's health care use. Eighty-seven primary caretakers of children ages 4 to 9 years completed measures of child health and behavior, parental stress and functioning, and social cognitive measures related to parenting and health care use. Primary care use data over the two-years prior to recruitment were collected from primary care providers. Regression analysis showed that social cognitive measures were significant predictors of pediatric primary care services. Specifically, parental stress interacted with general parenting self-efficacy; parents with high stress and high parenting self-efficacy were more likely to use pediatric primary care services. Self-efficacy for accessing physician assistance and parental outcome expectations for pediatric physician visits were positively related to pediatric primary care use. These social cognitive variables accounted for more variance than variables traditionally included in health care use research (i.e., child behavior, parental distress, and parent health care use). Best Subsets analysis resulted in an overall best predictive model that accounted for 29.8% of the variance in pediatric primary care use. In this model, the interaction between parental stress and general parenting self-efficacy was the best predictor of use, accounting for 11.5% of the variance in physician use. High internalizing behavior scores, higher self-efficacy for accessing physician assistance, use of medication, and more parent health care visits were associated with higher pediatric primary care use in this overall model. While acknowledging the role of child health and behavior, this study extends the literature by demonstrating the importance of considering parental perceptions of burden, confidence, and ability to help themselves and their family. Implications for health care professionals and directions for future research are discussed in light of these finding.
Children's Religious Coping Following Residential Fires: An Exploratory Study
Wang, Yanping (Virginia Tech, 2004-04-22)
Recent advancements in the general child disaster literature underscore the important role of coping in children's postdisaster adjustment. Religious coping in children, a potentially important category of coping strategies, has received little attention until recent years. Moreover, its role in the context of post fire adjustment has not been studied. The present study examined the psychometric soundness of the Religious Coping Activities Scale (RCAS; Pargament et al., 1990) in children and adolescents and explored its utility in predicting children's religious coping over time: moreover, the study evaluated its role in predicting PTSD symptomatology over an extended period of time. This investigation included 140 children and adolescents (ages 8-18). Factor analyses of the RCAS revealed a 6-factor solution very similar to the factor structure in the original study. This finding suggests that the RCAS is a promising instrument to measure children's religious coping efforts. Hypotheses concerning the prediction of children's religious coping were only partially supported. Regression analyses indicated mixed findings in terms of the contributions of selected variables to the prediction of children's Spiritually Based Coping and Religious Discontent. Overall, the regression model predicted Religious Discontent better than Spiritually Based Coping. A mixed-effects regression model and hierarchical regression analyses were both employed to examine the role of children's religious coping in predicting short-term and long-term PTSD symptomatology following the residential fires. Results from the mixed-effects regression indicated that loss, time since the fire, child's age, race, and race by age interaction significantly predicted children's PTSD symptoms over time. However, time specific regression analyses revealed different predictive power of the variables across the three assessment waves. Specifically, analyses with Time 1 data revealed the same findings as did the mixed-effects model, except that time since the fire was not a significant predictor in this analysis. General coping strategies appeared to be the only salient predictors for PTSD at Time 2. Finally, Religious Discontent appeared to be negatively related to PTSD at a later time.
Chronic psychological and psychophysiological sequelae among adolescents following a traumatic bus crash
Ribbe, David Paul (Virginia Tech, 1993)
This study examined chronic psychological and psychophysiological post-traumatic sequelae among eleven adolescent survivors of a fatal bus crash by means of a multimethod strategy. Measures included a structured DSM-m-R post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) interview using the Diagnostic Interview for Children and AdolescentsRevised (DICA-R), self-report measures of PTSD symptoms with the Reaction Index, and the Impact of Events Scale. Other measures of stress-related symptomatology included the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Fear Survey Schedule-IT, Anxiety Sensitivity Index, Anxiety Frequency Index, and Beck Depression Inventory. In addition, heart rate (HR) reactivity to mental arithmetic (MA), demographic questions, and crash questions was assessed. Survivors were compared to control subjects matched for age, gender, race, and socioeconomic status, among other demographic characteristics. Multivariate analyses of the psychiatric interview data indicated that survivors evidenced significantly higher levels of past PTSD symptoms experienced after the crash, with a significant group by gender interaction, F (3,17) = 5.22, P = .01. Current (past month) levels of PTSD symptoms were also significantly higher among survivors four years after the crash, F (3,17) = 8.82, P < .01, although PTSD symptomatology decreased overall during that time, F (3,17) = 15.52, P < .01. Survivors and controls did not differ significantly on other measures of PTSD and other stress-related symptomatology. Repeated measures analyses of HR response scores revealed greater HR reactivity to questions about the crash among survivors, F (1, 14) = 18.55, P < .01, and by gender, F (1, 14) = 5.21, P = .04. Similar analyses found greater variability in survivors' HR standard deviations (an index of autonomic lability) F (1,14) = 5.21, P = .03 in response to the crash interview. Survivors' HR did not differ from controls' on the MA task. Findings are discussed theoretically and methodologically within the contexts of neurological and conditioning models of PTSD. No relationship between HR reactivity and psychiatric symptomatology was found. Furthermore, this investigation did not find support for the neurological kindling theory. Areas of future research using psychophysiological assessment are proposed to more specifically elicit autonomic arousal. Detailed case studies of four individual response patterns are included as a heuristic for further physiological research and for clinical applications with adolescent trauma victims.
Clothing deprivation: influence on self-esteem and perceptions of school climate for middle school female students
Callen, Karen S. (Virginia Tech, 1992-05-06)
Adolescence is a critical time for changes in self-concept and body-image awareness. Self-esteem, the evaluative component of self concept, has been found to be influenced by acceptance by peers. Appearance has been found to influence peer acceptance, and clothing is one tool which may modify appearance. Increasing competitiveness among adolescents with regard to clothing has been cited as one reason for encouraging uniforms or strict dress codes in schools. If an adolescent cannot afford the desired quality and quantity of clothing or is dissatisfied with clothing when compared to that of friends and classmates, high perceptions of clothing deprivation occurs. If an adolescent has high perceptions of clothing deprivation, she may experience low self-esteem. The purpose of the present study was to examine relationships between perceptions of clothing deprivation, perceptions of school climate, and self-esteem for a selected group of middle school females.

Browsing by Author "Jones, Russell T."

Results Per Page

Sort Options