Thesis (M. Journ.)--University of Hong Kong, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 44-46).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-102). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-102). Also available on the Internet.

published_or_final_version / Psychology / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

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The goal of the current research design was to determine whether childhood maltreatment is a significant risk factor in the development of gambling problems. Moreover, the aim was to address the cumulative effects of risk factors by assessing a broader range of adversities from a developmental psychopathology perspective. This study included 1,324 young adults (42.8% males; 57.2% females) attending college, with ages ranging from 17 to 22 years. Participants completed self-report measures on gambling and substance use problems, childhood maltreatment, psychological symptomology, stress, and resilience. Approximately 36.5% of the sample met criteria for a substance use disorder, 4.0% reported problems with gambling and substance use, and 2.1% were problem gamblers. Problem gamblers and individuals with substance related problems reported the overall highest levels of childhood maltreatment, psychological symptomology, stress, and lowest levels of resilience. Gender (being male), high stress, and childhood maltreatment accurately predicted gambling group membership (76.7%). Importance of childhood maltreatment as a risk factor in conjunction with other variables supported the hypothesis regarding the cumulative effects of adversity and was well able to predict future outcomes at 82%. No single risk factor differentiated between the problem gamblers from the problem substance users. The results of this study highlight the substantial interrelation between childhood abuse and other negative circumstances that increase the risk for general addiction group and problem gambling group membership. This study underscores the importance of routine assessment for childhood trauma in individuals presenting for gambling and substance use treatment and provides an important facet toward our understanding of problem gambling.

The purpose of this thesis was to investigate a specific cognitive theory of obsessions; namely, that unwanted and repugnant intrusive thoughts cause distress and persist when the person interprets their occurrence as highly personally significant and important. Two studies were conducted. In the first study, we described the development and undertook a validation study of a new scale of obsessional-compulsive symptoms, the Vancouver Obsessional Compulsive Inventory (VOCI). This measure was a necessary first step because established measures of obsessional-compulsive symptoms are inadequate in their assessment of a number of domains of obsessional-compulsive complaints, particularly obsessions. Our findings in samples of people with obsessivecompulsive disorder (OCD), people with other anxiety disorders or depression, community adults, and undergraduate students suggest that the VOCI is a promising new measure. In the second study, we investigated the role of interpretations of the personal significance and importance of intrusive thoughts in the occurrence of obsessions. Specifically, we hypothesized that people who have repugnant obsessions or frequent, distressing intrusive thoughts would interpret their intrusive thoughts as highly personally significant and important. Our hypotheses were, in general, supported. There was a clear relationship between beliefs and interpretations of the importance of thoughts and obsessions in both OCD and nonclinical samples. In addition, these beliefs and appraisals appeared to be specifically related to repugnant obsessions, rather than obsessive-compulsive complaints in general. This research represents one of the first attempts to evaluate the assertion that misinterpretations of intrusive thoughts are fundamental in the experience of obsessions. The development of the VOCI was a necessary first step in evaluating the relationship between interpretations of personal significance and particular obsessional-compulsive complaints. By demonstrating specific interpretations that are associated with clinical obsessions, we hope to refine cognitive-behavioural models of obsessions, and suggest ways in which current cognitive-behaviour therapy for obsessions can be sharpened and made more effective.

The purpose of this investigation was to test the hypothesis that perceived responsibility is a major determinant of compulsive checking. Thirty participants recruited from the community through the local media, who met criteria for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, received four conditions. In the low responsibility condition, perceived responsibility for an anticipated negative eventt was transferred to the experimenter. In contrast, in the high responsibility condition, perceived responsibility for an anticipated negative event was given to the participant. The remaining two conditions served as control conditions. Subjects were assessed before and after each experimental manipulation. Results suggest a causal connection between decreases in perceived responsibility and compulsive checking. Decreases in perceived responsibility produced decreases in several measures critical to compulsive checking. Results from increases in perceived responsibility were less clear. However, increases in perceived responsibility lead to increases in panic and likelihood of anticipated criticism. There were trends for increases in perceived responsibility to lead to increases in perceptions of discomfort experienced, urge to check, and severity of anticipated criticism. There was no relationship between variations in perceived responsibility and perceived extent of controllability over an anticipated negative event. Theoretical implications of the results and, in particular, the value of a cognitive analysis of compulsive checking, are discussed.