Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2007 / Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment for the degree of Master of Social Work. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-73).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

Research suggests that the temporary rise in adolescent antisocial behaviour (ASS) is attributable to a very large number of young people each engaging in a relatively small number of ASS's while progressing through adolescence. One possible explanation for the temporary increase in ASS during adolescence is that during puberty, the cognitive processes responsible for monitoring and controlling behaviour are disrupted. In support of this, recent research has found that adolescents' participation in ASS is positively correlated with the stage of pubertal development rather than age. Additionally, there is evidence that a temporary 'dip' in executive functioning (planning, organizing, decision-making) occurs at an age range (Le. 11-14 years) typically associated with the onset of puberty. This thesis reports a first test of a model which proposes a causal relationship between puberty, decreased executive function and increased antisocial behaviour. Self-report data on pubertal development, antisocial attitudes and ASS participation were collected from 323 boys and girls (ages 9 -17 years) attending New South Wales public schools. Executive function, (Le. updating, response inhibition, set-shifting) was measured in a 3D-minute individual interview. Data were analysed to determine if participants reported greater participation in ASS during puberty onset and whether this period was also characterized by a decline in executive function. In addition, it was investigated whether adolescents who attain puberty earlier than their peers participate in ASS earlier, longer, and at higher rates than their 'on-time' or 'late-maturing' peers, and whether there was an association between 'early' puberty and a persistent reduction in executive function. Results revealed that ASS participation was significantly associated with puberty onset timing, and some significant associations were found between antisocial attitudes and pubertal timing. There was some indication of decreased executive function at puberty onset and a link between early pubertal timing and a persistent reduction in executive function. Thus, there is some partial evidence to support the proposed model of adolescent ASS. However, complications in performing mediation analysis prevent concluding that executive function mediates the relationship between pubertal development and ASB. The implications of these findings are discussed with reference to future research in this field.

Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2006. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 44-51). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:MR19732

Dissertation (Ph.D.) -- The Institute for Clinical Social Work, 2004. / A dissertation submitted to the faculty of the Institute of Clinical Social Work in partial fulfillment for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2006. Graduate Programme in Clinical Developmental Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 41-48). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqdiss&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation&rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:NR29530

Research paper (M.A.) -- Cardinal Stritch College -- Milwaukee, 1980. / A research paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Education (Education of Learning Disabled Children). Includes bibliographical references (p. 27-32).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2005. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves102-116). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: http://wwwlib.umi.com/cr/yorku/fullcit?pNR11574

Thesis PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Adolescent Alcohol Use (AAU) is widespread and potentially harmful to the health of youth. Substantial research and theoretical development suggest that both violence exposure and internalizing and externalizing problems of adolescents are associated with AAU. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the roles of internalizing and externalizing problems in adolescents to determine if the two types of symptoms are differential mediators of the link between violence exposure and AAU for females and males. Using Developmental Systems Theory as a framework, three primary hypotheses were examined: 1) Increased violence exposure at home and in the community are associated with increased AAU in both females and in males; 2) Internalizing problems mediate the relationship between home/community violence exposure and AAU for females; and 3) Externalizing problems mediate the relationship between home/community violence exposure and AAU for males. The secondary dataset that was utilized to test the hypotheses is a product of the 1995 National Survey of Adolescents in the United States. It includes a national probability sample of 3,161 adolescents and a probability oversample of 862 adolescents residing in urban areas for a total of 4,023 adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17. The data were collected by telephone interviews with the adolescents. The findings indicated that, for the most part, witnessing and experiencing physical and sexual violence across home and community contexts were associated with increased levels of AAU for both females and males. Internalizing problems mediated the relationship between sexual abuse and AAU for both females and males. Externalizing problems did not mediate the relationship between violence exposure and AAU for males or females. The findings suggest that internalizing and externalizing problems may play similar roles in females and males. The findings also indicated that home violence exposure accounts for unique variance in AAU beyond community violence exposure, but that community and home violence exposure do not interact to contribute to the highest level of AAU. Both number of different types of sexual victimization and number of different types of physical victimization at home were related to AAU. Implications for social work are discussed. The primary implication for Development Systems Theory is that differential pathways for females and males from environmental stress, in particular violence exposure, to increases in AAU may not be needed. Social work programs aimed at preventing and intervening in AAU should include components that address not only the use itself, but also the level of violence the adolescent has been exposed to, as well as any internalizing problems the adolescent may be experiencing. Future research should continue to examine how risk factors operate to influence AAU.