<p> Self-worth is commonly used as a barometer for psychological well-being in adolescence. As low-income urban African American youth are often exposed to contexts that may undervalue their worth (e.g., racial discrimination), positive self-perception may be especially crucial for their well-being. The current study focused on the development of global self-worth and two self-concept domains (i.e., social acceptance and physical appearance) within a large sample of African American adolescents. Analyses sought to: (a) identify classes of adolescents who demonstrate different trajectory classes of self-worth and domain-specific self-concept; (b) examine if gender predicts class membership; and (c) examine links between class membership and depression. </p><p> Participants were a community sample of 610 urban and predominantly low income African American adolescents who reported their global self-worth, perceived social acceptance and physical appearance from grade 6 through 12. Depressive symptoms were reported in the year following grade 12. Growth mixture modeling was used to identify latent classes of children who showed different patterns of change in global self-worth and domain-specific self-concepts from grade 6 through 12. Additional analyses explored whether gender predicted class membership, and if class membership predicted depressive symptoms in the year following grade 12.</p><p> Analyses indicated that a one-class solution fit best for global self-worth: overall, this sample showed <i>high and increasing</i> development of global self-worth. However, there was heterogeneity in the development of self-concept related to social acceptance and physical appearance, each demonstrating a two-class solution. For both domains, the majority of adolescents placed in a high and increasing trajectory class. A second group of adolescents demonstrated <i>moderate</i> and <i>stable</i> growth of social acceptance and physical appearance. Youth placed in the <i> high and increasing</i> physical appearance trajectory class were more likely to be male. Symptoms of depression were significantly higher in the year following grade 12 in the trajectory class of social acceptance marked by lower self-perception ratings. Results shed light on specific patterns amongst African American adolescents that may require intervention, and provide a foundation for examination of determinants and outcomes of domain-specific self-perceived competence.</p>

<p> <b>Objective:</b> Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) is the leading recommended treatment for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Children with ASD are at a substantially higher risk for developing symptoms associated with additional psychopathology compared to typically developing children. Currently, little is known about the utility of EIBI on symptoms of additional psychopathology. This study aimed to assess if EIBI would serve as a preventative treatment for the development of symptoms associated with additional psychopathology in a sample of young children with ASD. <b> Method:</b> This study was part of a larger multicenter, 2-year, two-arm randomized clinical trial (RCT) evaluating the effectiveness of Project DATA [Developmentally Appropriate Treatment for Autism] Toddler Model, an inclusive based EIBI for young child with ASD, as compared to Services as Usual (SAU). Fifty-one children between the ages of 20 and 35 months with an Autism Spectrum Disorder were assessed at pretreatment and approximately a year into service. Children&rsquo;s intellectual ability, level of ASD symptoms, and emotional and behavioral symptoms were assessed at both assessment points. <b>Results: </b> Groups were equivalent on all dependent variables at pretreatment. A one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) did not reveal an overall treatment effect when groups were compared simultaneously across level of ASD symptoms, intellectual functioning, and emotional and behavior symptoms. Univariate analyses demonstrated that EIBI resulted in significantly higher child intellectual functioning compared to SAU at post. No significant differences for level of ASD symptoms or emotional or behavioral symptoms indicative of additional psychopathology were revealed between groups at post. <b> Conclusion:</b> EIBI appears to influence child intellectual functioning, but may not have an effect on other important areas of child well-being. The utility of EIBI for children with ASD and additional psychopathology is discussed. More research is needed to identify the impact EIBI has on children with ASD. Particular focus should be given to symptoms of additional psychopathology and emerging treatments for children with ASD.</p>

<p>The purpose of this project was to develop a flexible, adaptable curriculum (Treadway) designed to meet the specific developmental needs of preadolescents who have been identified as being high risk for developing a substance use problem. Substance use among preadolescents has been reported with increasing frequency. Preadolescents (individuals ages 11 to 13) differ from their older adolescent counterparts behaviorally, cognitively, emotionally, and socially; differences which impact how to approach the preadolescent?s use of alcohol and drugs. Stakeholders are inclined to help younger clients, but have limited information on how to intervene effectively with preadolescents. In the space between substance abuse prevention and substance abuse treatment, there exists a strong need for a diversionary curriculum targeting preadolescents. The Treadway program was designed to meet this need. Key Words: Preadolescents, adolescents, substance use interventions, substance abuse, treatment manuals

<p>In recent years, there has been a shift in the field of psychology to consider a more holistic approach to therapy, with body-based therapies often classified as such. This study looked at relationships between participation in a trauma-informed, body-based, group therapy treatment (Sensorimotor Psychotherapy) and levels of overall symptoms, mindfulness, social connectedness, and post-traumatic growth. Participants were eight adult Caucasian women with a history of interpersonal trauma who participated in 20 weekly sessions of a Sensorimotor Psychotherapy-informed group intervention. They were assessed five times over 20 weeks plus at one month post-group. Results indicate that participants showed decreased levels of overall symptoms, increased levels of mindfulness, and increased social connectedness. This study adds to the limited research regarding Sensorimotor Psychotherapy and indicates that a group intervention based on the principles of Sensorimotor Psychotherapy may be effective for survivors of interpersonal trauma.

<p> Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a clinical term that refers to childhood pervasive developmental disorders which impair several areas of functioning, including social skills, communication abilities, and also include dysfunctional repetitive behaviors and interests. Associated behavior problems are commonly present in ASD. The maternal responsibilities of raising a child with ASD often lead to significant stress which is often associated with clinical depression. However, some mothers appear to possess protective factors or resilience that makes them less likely to develop depression. This study examined the relationship between core autistic symptoms, child behavioral problems, previous depression diagnoses before mothering the child with ASD, and maternal Sense of Coherence to learn if Sense of Coherence was a protective factor against maternal depression in mothers of children with ASD. A quantitative research design was used with three independent variables, including child autistic severity, child behavior problems, maternal Sense of Coherence, and maternal depression as the dependent variable. Bivariate correlational analysis and ANOVA were used to test for the significance of demographic variables. Previous depression diagnosis was statistically significant and controlled for. Two hypotheses were tested in the current study: </p><p> Hypothesis 1: (H1) Sense of Coherence will predict lower levels of depression, after controlling for potentially confounding demographic variables, the severity of autistic symptoms, and the intensity of child behavior problems. </p><p> Hypothesis 2: (H2) The Comprehensibility subscale in Sense of Coherence will predict lower levels of depression than the Manageability and Meaningfulness subscales, after controlling for potentially confounding demographic variables, the severity of autistic symptoms, and the intensity of child behavior problems. </p><p> Multiple hierarchical regressions were used to analyze these data. Hypothesis 1 was supported by the statistical analysis. Previous depression diagnosis was statistically significant (B = .41***), and it accounted for 17% of the variance in the hierarchical regression. Sense of Coherence statistically significantly predicted lower maternal depression (B = -.75***), and accounted for 45.1% of the variance in maternal depression. Hypothesis 2 was not supported by the statistical analysis. Previous depression diagnosis was statistically significant (B = .41***), and it accounted for 17% of the variance in the hierarchical regression. The Comprehensibility subscale of Sense of Coherence was not more significantly related to maternal depression than the Manageability or Meaningfulness subscales (B =-.11). However, the Meaningfulness subscale was statistically significantly related to maternal depression (B=-.41**). Sense of Coherence served as a protective factor against maternal depression in mothers of children with ASD; future research is needed in order to learn if these results generalize to the larger population of mothers of children with ASD.</p>

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, Dept. of Psychological and Brain Sciences, 2006. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 67-01, Section: B, page: 0531. Adviser: William P. Hetrick. "Title from dissertation home page (viewed Feb. 22, 2007)."

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Lehigh University, 2009. / Adviser: Arnold Spokane.

<p> The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between a history of abuse and exposure to unwanted sexual materials and solicitation online. Specifically, this study assessed the association between an abuse or trauma history and experiences of online solicitation among youth. Also, analysis included examining whether males or females with a history of abuse had higher rates of online exploitation. Archival data from the Youth Internet Safety Survey (YISS) 1, conducted in the year 2000, and YISS 2, conducted in the year 2005, were analyzed to determine if there was an association a trauma or abuse history and sexual solicitation online. For YISS-1, from a total sample of 1,501 youth, there were 119 youth who reported online sexual solicitation in the past year and 12 who identified a history of sexual abuse in the past year. For YISS-2, from a total sample size of 1,500, there were 105 youth who reported online sexual solicitation in the past year and 20 who identified a history of sexual abuse in the past year. Analysis of this data indicated an association between abuse history and sexual solicitation online. In both samples, children who reported a history of sexual abuse were more likely to report online sexual solicitation (x</p><p>2(1) = 18.96, p &lt; 0.001;x</p><p>2(1) = 57.34, p &lt; 0.001). Although statistically significant, both ofthese associations were weak (&phiv; = 0.113, p &lt; .001; &phiv; = 0.196, p =&lt; .001). Due to the small sample size of youth who reported a history of abuse and the results should be interpreted with caution. In addition, for both years 2000 and 2005, there were no significant differences found between male and female youth with a reported abuse history and their sexual solicitation online (x</p><p>2(1) = 0.78, p = .38; x</p><p>2(1) = 2.40, p = .12). It isimportant for professionals to learn if a history of abuse will carry over into an online world and potentially re-traumatize young individuals. This information would have implications for how the mental health community develops intervention strategies and education programs.</p>

<p> The purpose of this dissertation is to examine licensed mental health professionals' attitudes towards rape survivors. Research indicates that the attitudes of police officers, mental health professionals, and the general public may influence the psychological adjustment of rape survivors and, consequently, whether or not that person seeks mental health treatment after the assault (Vincent, 2009). The negative impacts of rape on a person may not be specific only to the act of violence, but may also include secondary victimization from the survivors' negative experiences with authorities such as legal and mental health professionals (Campbell &amp; Raja, 1999) who may hold negative beliefs about sexual assault and rape survivors (Nagel, Matsuo, McIntyre, &amp; Morrison, 2005). Exposure to these negative beliefs held by others may be associated with negative secondary emotions in the survivor, such as guilt; guilt associated with actions taken or not taken in the context of rape has been observed to be positively correlated with posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, low self-esteem, social anxiety, and suicidal ideation (Kubany, Abueg, Owens, Brennan, Kaplan, &amp; Watson, 1995). It is therefore important to examine the attitudes licensed mental health workers hold towards rape survivors, as these rape survivors may seek services from mental health professionals, and the clinicians' attitudes towards these clients' experiences may significantly impact survivors' recovery from a sexual assault. In addition to measuring the acceptance of rape myths in licensed mental health providers, this study aims to explore how demographic variables in mental health professionals, such as gender, type of graduate degree, or participant rape survivor status, are related to the attitudes participants report about sexual assault. It was hypothesized that male study participants would attribute greater responsibility to survivors than female study participants would, based on the results of the updated Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale, and congruent with published research highlighting this gender difference (Grubb &amp; Harrower, 2009). It was hypothesized that mental health providers who have had more years of training in their graduate degree program would report lower levels of rape myth acceptance compared with those who had a shorter degree program. It was also hypothesized that participants who themselves identified as a rape survivor or who had a close friend or family member who is a survivor would attribute less responsibility to rape survivors, as research supports the observation that those who identify as survivors or friends of survivors may reject negative biases towards sexual assault survivors.</p><p> After completing both independent t-tests and Mann-Whitney U statistical analyses, gender identity was the only demographic for which statistically significant mean differences were seen in total rape myth acceptance scores (<i>p</i> = .012). This finding is not surprising, as much of the current literature supports that men, in general, attribute more blame to rape survivors than women. Prior to the current study there was no published research using licensed mental health providers as participants in a study using the updated Illinois Rape Myth Acceptance Scale. Data gathered from the current study will therefore offer a valuable contribution to the literature on this topic. Further, it is hoped that this data can be used in the development of graduate programs, continuing education courses, and didactic seminars that debunk rape myths and promote competency around rape survivor issues. </p>

<p> The child welfare social workers&rsquo; professional responsibility is to provide services to families and children who have experienced multiple problems of maltreatment such as sexual, general, physical or emotional abuse. The constant indirect exposure to trauma clients includes an inherent danger of significant emotional, psychological and social changes in the social worker. When social workers are dealing with multiple responsibilities at one time, it is possible for symptoms of Compassion Fatigue (CF), Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) and Burnout to go unnoticed. Therefore, this curriculum provides awareness training on CF, STS and burnout for child welfare social workers. The thesis curriculum offers an introduction to CF, STS and burnout to social workers, as they continue to provide services to clients.</p>