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This thesis contains an experimental investigation of networks dynamics across development and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The interplay between functional segregation and integration within functional cortical networks was investigated based on the hypothesis that it plays a key role in development and ASD. Functional segregation refers to the synchronization between adjacent brain areas and functional integration indicates the synchronization between distributed brain regions. Steady-state visual evoked potentials (SSVEPs) to high contrast (90%) luminance and isoluminant chromatic (red-green) vertical gratings with two spatial frequencies (2.8 and 6 cpd) at 7.5 Hz (luminance) and 3.3 Hz (chromatic) were recorded in individuals with and without ASD. SSVEPs were analysed in the frequency and time domains to carrying out a detailed analysis of the dynamic functional connectivity elicited by perception of simple and complex visual stimuli. The first research study explored aged-related changes in networks dynamics. Participants were 30 children aged 7 to 17 and 11 adults from the typical population. Our results suggest functional reorganization from local to distributed networks across development, and that networks underpinning medium spatial frequency change would be a useful biomarker of typical brain function. The second research study explored potential changes in networks dynamics between children with and without ASD. Participants were 20 children aged 7 to 17 (10 with ASD and 10 age-matched typically developing). The result of this study is a potential EEG biomarker to characterize atypical brain function in autism. Our results suggest a direct relationship between functional segregation and functional integration during visual perception; atypical functional connectivity in lower processing mechanisms might contribute to the disruption in long-range functional integration reported in ASD, because both abnormalities occur in concert in the autistic brain. Overall this exploratory research shows that SSVEPs can elicit different functional networks involving local and distributed cortical brain systems, and can also show segregated and overlapping functional networks underlying neural mechanisms at early stages of visual processing during development and ASD. Therefore, SSVEPs would be a potentially useful technique to identify differences in the brains of people with and without autism.

Literature Review: A systematic review of the psychometric properties and quality of self-report measures of romantic jealousy was conducted. Twenty-four papers were identified. After the application of minimum quality standards, 12 papers concerning eight measures were examined. Overall, measures showed adequate reliability and convergent validity, but lacked evidence of divergent and content validity. There was insufficient evidence of criterion validity, responsiveness, acceptability, feasibility and precision. The Multidimensional Jealousy Scale and the Short-Form Multidimensional Jealousy Scale appear the most fit for purpose as assessment and research tools. Empirical Report: Jealousy is a complex emotion to conceptualise and therefore measure. Jealous behaviour is often highlighted as the defining characteristic in pathological jealousy; however, jealousy measures fail to focus on this component. The present study details the development and evaluation of the Jealousy Provocation Measure (JPM), designed to assess behavioural responsivity to an evolving jealousy scenario, grounded in attachment theory. Using an on-line survey, 720 participants from community, student and clinical (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder; OCD) samples completed the JPM and measures of jealousy, attachment, OCD and impulsivity. The JPM showed good internal consistency and adequate convergent and divergent validity. Increased jealousy was associated with increasing behavioural reactivity. Participants with OCD had significantly higher levels of jealousy and behavioural reactivity. At low levels of relationship threat, both participants with OCD and those with anxious attachment showed increased reactivity to jealousy provocation. The JPM shows promise as an effective measure of jealousy with clinical utility.

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Adolescence is a distinct phase of development, with a high incidence of depression. Despite this, adolescent depression has been somewhat neglected by researchers and treatment is largely based on adult research. The aim of the five papers in this thesis is to describe and understand characteristics of depressed adolescents that could be addressed in psychological treatment. These specifically relate to clinical presentation and cognitive biases. Paper 1 describes the characteristic of 100 adolescents referred and assessed for depression. Fewer than 50% met diagnostic criteria for depression. For those with a diagnosis, the most common depression symptoms were low mood or irritability, suicidal thoughts, cognitive disturbances, and sleep disturbances. There was no relationship between adolescent and parent report of the young person’s symptoms. Paper 2 presents a review of cognitive biases in adolescent depression. Cognitive biases may characterise adolescents with depression, but the limited numbers of studies and methodological problems make confident conclusions difficult. Some of these limitations are addressed in the remaining three papers with a focus on interpretation and memory biases. An interpretation bias measure for depression was adapted for adolescents and had good psychometric properties (Paper 3). Using this measure in Paper 4, adolescents with depression displayed a negatively biased interpretation of ambiguous situations compared to other clinically referred adolescents and community groups of adolescents. In Paper 5, self evaluation and recall memory bias were examined. Compared to non-depressed adolescents, adolescents with depression rated themselves using more negative and fewer positive adjectives, and recalled fewer positive adjectives (Paper 5). Broadly these data suggest that elements of the cognitive model of depression do apply to adolescents with depression. However, depressed young people present with a range of symptoms, including high levels of risk and many of these are not fully addressed by cognitive behavioural therapy for depression.

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Aim: The experience of feeling fat has been implicated as a maintenance factor in Anorexia Nervosa (AN); however, little research has been conducted into the experience. The present study aimed to explore the experience of feeling fat for women with an AN diagnosis. It was hoped that this would provide an insight into the experience of feeling fat and the ways it could be addressed within therapeutic interventions for AN. Methodology: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven women with an AN diagnosis. All participants were receiving therapy at the time of their interview. The verbatim transcripts from these interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) in order to explore the lived experience of feeling fat for women with an AN diagnosis. Results: Four superordinate themes emerged from the analysis, these were: negative sense of self; feeling out of control; coping with feeling fat and the complex notion of feeling fat. These superordinate themes and corresponding subordinate themes are discussed. Implications: Feeling fat was found to be a significant experience for the adult women who participated within this study. This research highlights the importance of addressing the experience of feeling fat within therapeutic interventions for adult women with an AN diagnosis. The clinical relevance of these findings are explored.