Thesis (Ph. D. in Sociology)--Vanderbilt University, Aug. 2005. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

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This dissertation tested a methodological explanation for a double paradox in psychiatric epidemiology: a lower prevalence of major depression in Blacks than Whites in the US, coupled with equal and higher levels of psychological distress in Blacks. The first paradox is a lower prevalence of major depression in Blacks than Whites. The second paradox is the discordant results from comparing Blacks and Whites on depression and distress. These are paradoxes from the vantage points of, respectively, dominant theory and conceptual and empirical understandings of the relationship between disorder and distress. The idea that Blacks in the US express depression and distress more somatically than Whites has been in the literature for decades. If true, it could explain the double paradox. A formal diagnosis of major depression requires endorsing a screening symptom, either sad mood or anhedonia, which are both psychological rather than somatic symptoms. To the extent Blacks express depression more somatically than Whites, depression could be disproportionately undercounted in Blacks due to a lower likelihood of Blacks endorsing a screening symptom, adjusting for underlying levels of depression. Measures of distress share symptom content with the diagnostic criteria for depression but typically do not require endorsing screening symptoms. Thus, if Blacks do somatize depression and distress more somatically than Whites, the depression algorithm may produce a greater undercount of depression in Blacks than Whites, whereas a similar undercount would not occur with distress measures. Accordingly, both paradoxes could be explained. This dissertation has three main parts. In part one, the double paradox is documented in a systematic literature review. Using data from two nationally representative household samples, parts two and three test whether Blacks express depression and distress, respectively, more somatically than Whites, whether this accounts for a lower likelihood of Blacks endorsing a screening symptom, and if (part two only) this explains the Black White depression paradox. The systematic review provides robust evidence of the double paradox. Parts two and three reveal slightly higher levels, respectively, of depression and distress somatization in Blacks than Whites. However, the underlying structure of these small differences provides no evidence of a broad somatization hypothesis in Blacks. Moreover, no evidence is found that the somatization difference inhibits Blacks' endorsement of screening symptoms. One unexpected finding points to subsequent steps to take towards resolving the double paradox.

Thesis (M.A.)--West Virginia University, 2001. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 47 p. : ill. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 29-35).

A sample of 791 college students between the ages of 18 and 25 years-old completed an online survey. Respondents were administered a series of measures to determine their sexual identity development status, global self-esteem, global psychological distress, sexual esteem and sexual distress. A 2 X 4 MANOVA (Sexual Orientation X Sexual Identity Development Status) was conducted. Results indicated that no significant difference was observed in terms of psychological distress, global self-esteem, sexual esteem or sexual distress between those who identified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual and those who identified as heterosexual. Significant differences were found among participants in relation to sexual identity development status. Specifically, those who were classified as having achieved a sexual identity scored higher on measures of self-esteem and lower on measures of psychological distress. Notably, follow up DFA indicated that sexual distress emerged as a particularly stable and important variable in explaining differences among those in different sexual identity development statuses. Implications for research and practice are discussed. / Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Services

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Michigan State University. Dept. of Psychology, 2006. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on Nov. 16, 2008) Includes bibliographical references (p. 71-78). Also issued in print.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Toronto, 2007. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 45-06, page: 2734.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1997. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-89). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1997. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-89). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.