Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 38-04, Section: B, page: 1904. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1977.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 39-03, Section: B, page: 1477. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1978.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 39-03, Section: B, page: 1499. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1978.

Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 39-11, Section: B, page: 5589. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1978.

The ability to decode nonverbal emotional messages was investigated in right brain-damaged (RBD), left brain-damaged (LBD), and control group subjects. Dependent measures consisted of the Visual and Auditory Nonverbal Emotion Test (VANET), and two measures of more complex social situations which included the Expression Grouping and Cartoon Predictions tests. Results indicated that the RBD group scored significantly lower than the LBD and control group subjects on a composite score of the dependent measures. No significant differences were found between the LBD and control groups. No support was found for the lateralized hemispheric processing of positive and negative emotions. Research results did not support the findings of previous research which indicates that RBD patients score significantly lower than LBD patients in processing emotions of opposite polarity. The perception of nonverbal emotional facial displays and facial recognition were found to be separate abilities. Results of the current study support the superiority of the right hemisphere in processing more dynamic "life-like" visual and auditory nonverbal emotional messages. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-06, Section: B, page: 2388. / Major Professor: Wallace Kennedy. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1988.

The effectiveness of relaxation training, pulse wave velocity biofeedback plus relaxation, and blood pressure monitoring alone as methods of reducing cardiovascular reactivity to stressful stimuli was examined. A multivariate analysis of variance revealed no significant differences between the three groups in terms of their ability to reduce systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse wave velocity reactivity from the pretest to the post-test period. For systolic blood pressure, the active treatment groups had decreases in initial reactivity of at least 5 mm Hg, while the control group only obtained a decrease of 0.64 mm Hg. All groups showed decreases in initial diastolic blood pressure and pulse wave velocity reactivity from the pretesting to the post-testing of at least five points. None of the groups showed increases in heart rate when the stressors were presented. / The relationship between life stressors, as measured by the College Schedule of Recent Experience, and the amount of reactivity experienced to induced stress was examined using Pearson Product Moment Correlations. The results failed to yield significant positive correlations between life stressors and reactivity experienced to induced stress. / The relationship between locus of control orientation and the two treatment groups' ability to gain physiological control over stressful stimuli was determined by using Pearson Product Moment Correlations. The results failed to show a consistent relationship between scores on the Internal-External Locus of Control Scale and success at gaining control over physiological responses. / The differences between Black and White subjects' reactivity to induced stress were examined. The multivariate analysis of variance failed to reveal significant differences between Blacks and Whites in terms of their manner of responding to induced stress. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-01, Section: B, page: 0238. / Major Professor: Jack G. May. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1987.

Individuals employed in first responder professions are at risk for the development of psychiatric symptoms. Two of these professions, firefighting and military service, demonstrate a strong overlap of employees. Prior research has demonstrated increased prevalence rates of psychiatric symptoms, including suicide-related behaviors among firefighters. Subpopulations within this occupation provide an opportunity to inform tailored prevention and intervention tactics. One such subpopulation are firefighters with military service history (concurrent and prior). The current study looks to investigate psychiatric symptom differences between firefighters with and without military service history. We hypothesized an additive effect of military service, such that firefighters with a history of military service will be at increased risk for various psychiatric symptoms compared to their civilian-only counterparts. In addition, potential theoretically-based explanatory constructs will be used to investigate mechanisms of significant relationships between military service and psychiatric outcomes. Results did not support an additive effect of military service history within the firefighting profession, as firefighters with military service history were not more likely to endorse various psychiatric symptoms. Military service history was found to be significantly related to career NSSI, such that firefighters with a history of military service were 2.52 times more likely to report a career history of NSSI. Emotion dysregulation did not explain this relationship. Further investigation into the type of military service history suggests firefighters who are also reservists in the armed forces are at particular risk for suicide-related behaviors. Compared to civilian-only firefighters, firefighters with a history of active duty service and national guard service also demonstrated increased risk for suicide-related behaviors. The present study’s results indicate the type of military service, rather than military service in general, is particularly relevant for suicide-related behaviors within a firefighter population. Future directions for further investigation into this unique population are discussed. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Fall Semester 2017. / October 23, 2017. / Firefighters, Military, Psychiatric Symptoms, Risk, Suicide / Includes bibliographical references. / Thomas E. Joiner, Professor Directing Thesis; Colleen Ganley, Committee Member; Joseph Franklin, Committee Member.

The ability of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) to augment underlying rhythmic fluctuations of neuronal activity provides meaningful implications in the treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by aberrations in neural oscillations. However, in evaluating its clinical utility, evidence is lacking for the efficacy of tACS to induce long-term (> 24 hours) plastic changes that translate to lasting behavioral outcomes. Here, we repeatedly administered alpha-frequency tACS across 4 consecutive days in 38 healthy adults to evaluate lasting changes in local alpha power and directed connectivity as well as clinically-relevant indices of anxious arousal and affective sensory processing. Replicating previous findings, participants who received active stimulation (vs. a sham control group) demonstrated transient increases in resting occipito-parietal alpha power that lasted 30 minutes post-stimulation, reflecting acute entrainment to the exogenous electrical stimulation. However, these effects were short-term, returning to baseline levels 24 hours after stimulation. Conversely, long-term increases in intrinsic posteriorfrontal alpha-frequency connectivity emerged and persisted across all 4 days, reflecting plastic-changes in directed cortico-cortical networks. These lasting connectivity changes were paralleled by sustained decreases in anxious arousal and increases in perceived pleasantness of auditory stimuli. These findings suggest that while local oscillatory activity may be constrained by a self-sustaining thalamo-cortical loop that restores cortical oscillations to baseline, long-range oscillatory connectivity may strengthen over time through plastic synaptic changes in intrinsic cortico-cortical networks. The lasting augmentation of this inter-areal oscillatory network via tACS provides meaningful implications in an array of affective and cognitive processes that are orchestrated through the integrity of these global networks. This provides novel extensions of tACS applications, shifting neuromodulatory targets from local oscillations to global oscillatory networks to progress the clinical utility of this technology. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Fall Semester 2017. / September 27, 2017. / Includes bibliographical references. / Wen Li, Professor Directing Thesis; Natalie Sachs-Ericsson, Committee Member; Lisa Eckel, Committee Member.

This portfolio thesis contains three separate parts; a systematic literature review, an empirical study and corresponding appendices. Part one is a systematic literature review, in which the theoretical, conceptual and empirical literature relating to the experiences of individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (ID) in the post-secondary transitional period is reviewed. A systematic database search was carried out which identified 11 papers suitable for review. Thematic synthesis was used to analyse the data and a quality assessment was completed. Four themes were derived from the data which were, ‘Transition’, ‘Influential roles’, ‘Role of students with ID’, and ‘Outcomes’. Implications of the findings and considerations for future review are discussed. Part two is an empirical paper, which explores the lived experiences of people with ID, utilising theories from Second Wave Positive Psychology and a Dual-System’s Model. Nine adults with ID were interviewed. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyse the data. Three superordinate and six subthemes were identified. The superordinate themes were, ‘Identity’, ‘Managing Life’s Difficulties’, and ‘Approaches to Life’. Implications, considerations for future research, strengths and limitations are discussed. Part three comprises the appendices, which contain the approval letter from the Faculty of Health and Social Care Research Ethics Committee at the University of Hull, documents used in the empirical research, a reflective statement considering the research process and an epistemological statement.

This portfolio thesis is divided into three parts: a systematic literature review, an empirical study and a set of appendices. Part one is a systematic literature review, exploring the existing literature relating to the barriers men report when accessing mental health services. A total of 8 studies were critically reviewed, evaluated and assessed for quality. The results from these were then explored to consider the themes that men described in the barriers they experienced. The findings from this review are discussed regarding the clinical implications of barriers to care. Part two is an empirical paper exploring the constructions of masculinity in the language Army veterans use around accessing mental health services. The study utilised a combination of grounded theory and Foucauldian discourse analysis to explore the discourses used by the five veterans. Results looked at the different positions the men took in their discourse and the different actions this allowed them, as well as how they negotiated their masculinity when accessing support. The findings are considered and discussed in relation to their clinical implications. Part three contains a comprehensive set of appendices from parts one and two; this also contains epistemological and reflective statements to add context to the research that was undertaken.