Thesis (Ph.D.)--York University, 2005. Graduate Programme in Psychology. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 264-288). 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:NR19812

Thesis--Wisconsin. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 473-507).

Thesis (doctoral)--University of Turku. / Includes reprints of 5 publications on which thesis is based.

AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF STEVEN M. ANDREWS, for the Master of Arts degree in PSYCHOLOGY, presented on 9 JUNE 2009, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: IS MINFULNESS A LUXURY? EXAMINING THE ROLE OF SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DISPOSITIONAL MINDFULNESS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. Kathleen Chwalisz Mindfulness, or present-moment awareness, has its roots in Buddhism as a cultivatable tool for healing. Researchers have identified health benefits for those who possess higher levels of this trait without practice. This study was a survey-based investigation of the relations among dispositional mindfulness, socioeconomic status, and psychological distress in a diverse sample of university and community college participants (N = 123). Of interest was the notion that mindfulness may be a luxury of the less socioeconomically burdened. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to assess the role of SES in the relation between mindfulness and distress. Mindfulness was found to be a luxury, but its psychological benefits were not influenced by SES. Implications are discussed in the context of mindfulness-based interventions.

Introduction: There is a growing literature base focusing on the correlates and predictors of psychological distress following stroke. However, there is still limited understanding regarding the physical, cognitive and psychosocial variables that may increase an individual’s vulnerability to experiencing post stroke psychological distress. This thesis had two aims: 1) to review the evidence relating to functional impairment and depression post stroke, in order to identify any differences in this relationship at different stages of recovery, or over time, and 2) to explore whether perceived social support and perceived control moderate the relationship between cognitive impairment and psychological distress following stroke. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted to investigate any potential differences in the relationship between functional impairment and depression post stroke. Quality criteria were applied to the included studies and the results were discussed in relation to these. A cross-sectional study was conducted to address the second aim of this portfolio. Participants completed three self-report questionnaires and a clinician administered measure. Statistical analysis was utilised to explore the relationships between cognitive impairment, perceived social support, perceived control and psychological distress following stroke. Results: The results of the systematic review were inconclusive. It was not possible to identify any definitive differences in the relationship between functional impairment and depression post stroke, at different time points or with regard to change over time. With regard to the cross-sectional study, none of the independent variables (cognitive impairment, perceived social support and perceived control) were found to be significantly related to psychological distress following stroke. Conclusions: The results of the systematic review highlight the need for methodologically robust, longitudinal studies to investigate differences in the relationship between functional impairment and depression during different stages of recovery and potential change over time in this relationship. Further research into the cognitive and psychosocial correlates and predictors of psychological distress are required in order to identify, and provide timely intervention to, those that are most likely to experience psychological distress following stroke.

No description available.

abstract: United States Air Force airfield PAVER pavement management system enterprise data was reviewed for 67 networks. The distress survey extents and severity fields were joined with treatment costs estimated using RSMeans to determine the costliest distress. In asphalt surfaced pavements Longitudinal/transverse cracking, weathering, and block cracking resulted in the most pavement condition index (PCI) deducts while the costliest distresses are weathering, block cracking and longitudinal cracking. In portland cement concrete surfaced pavements linear cracking, joint seal damage, and joint spalling resulted in the most PCI deducts while the costliest distresses are joint seal damage, linear cracking, and corner spalling. The results of this data were then compared to airfield attributes: Pavement Temperature Group, Dominant American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Soil Classification, Pavement- Transportation Computer Assisted Structural Engineering (PCASE) Climate Zone, and years since last maintenance. Maps showing the Pavement Temperature Group, Dominant AASHTO Soil Classification, and PCASE Climate Zone are included in Appendix A. Alligator cracking is most prevalent at the airfields with PTG 64-34 (Ellsworth, Fairchild, Hill, and Offutt) and 58-22 (Niagara and Vandenberg). Rutting is most prevalent at PTG 64-34 (Ellsworth, Fairchild, Hill, and Offutt). An increasing trend of joint spalling, corner spalling, and corner break with decreasing soil quality (AASHOTO A-1 to A-8 soils). The PCASE Climate Zone Cost Indices the cost index for weathering is approximately double in the moist region over the dry region. The cost index for block cracking is approximately double in the cold region over the hot region. It is recommended that the agency review its pavement performance modeling in the pavement management system to increase the recommendation of pavement preservation treatments and review the use of higher quality materials for pavement maintenance treatments. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering 2020

The purpose of this study is to explore potential links between intersectional identities (race, sex, sexuality, and religion) and clinical outcomes such as symptoms of psychological distress and quality of life. Based on previous research, it was hypothesized that privileged identities (White, Male, Heterosexual, Christian) would relate to positive clinically relevant outcomes; it was predicted that more accumulated privileged identities would be associated with better outcomes. Data was analyzed from a self-report study from 2015; participants consist of Midwestern American undergraduate students enrolled in an introduction to psychology course (N = 779). SPSS analyses were performed in two steps. First, a MANOVA was performed with binary demographic variables as well as symptoms and quality of life. Second, a regression was performed with intersectionality as a continuous independent variable on a 0-4 scale, which was converted from demographic questionnaire scores, with the same dependent variables. Findings show some support for hypotheses. Main effects with both dependent variables were found for all independent variables except for race. No significant interactions were found at the two-way level; thus, no further interactions were analyzed. Lastly, increases in accumulated privileged identities were associated with lower psychological distress and higher quality of life. The results of this study have significant implications for culturally competent research and practice within the field of clinical psychology.

Distress tolerance (DT) is considered to be a trait-like factor encompassing an individual’s behavioral and/or perceived ability to withstand negative affective states. Behavioral measures of DT are being increasingly utilized, however, these tasks have been implemented in studies prior to thoroughly establishing the psychometric properties. The present study aimed to evaluate the reliability of two DT behavioral tasks (Breath-Holding Task [BHT], computer-based Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task [PASAT-C]) in different settings (laboratory, online) among a sample of college students. Participants completed the tasks during two sessions, approximately one week apart. 52 participants were in the laboratory condition, and 65 were in the online condition. There were three main findings: a) test-retest reliability estimates were within acceptable ranges for both the BHT and PASAT-C, b) BHT performance differed significantly by modality while PASAT-C performance did not, c) number of distractors endorsed was not significantly associated with quit latency on either task.

The distress thermometer (DT) is a screening tool designed to measure the level of stress in oncology patients. Clinical oncology nurses (CONs) at the local site lacked knowledge and training on how to administer and apply the DT. Because of this practice gap, patients were not receiving referrals to the necessary support services. The purpose of this project was to design and validate a CON staff education program on the use of the DT. The diffusion of innovation theory along with the theory of interpersonal relations served as the conceptual framework for the project. The project was organized into a 5-step process, consisting of interviewing stakeholders, conducting a literature review, developing a staff education module on the DT, validating the content of the DT module, and creating an implementation. Five local experts with at least 5 years of experience in oncology nursing participated in the validation of the staff education program. All the participants strongly agreed or agreed that the educational module provided CONs the necessary knowledge to use the DT to identify and refer patients in distress. Module changes made after expert responses were the following: separating the slides to ensure that the slides were not overwhelming for the readers, inserting screenshots of the questions from the electronic health record into the educational module, adding a distressed patient scenario, and adding test questions after each DT question. Implementation of these changes may help CONs to better understand module content. Stakeholders support the module implementation for all CONs in the oncology clinic, which may result in less distress among oncology patients. Module implementation has the potential to promote social change through increased staff knowledge on the use of the DT for the identification of patient distress and the required support service referrals