Global ETD Search

31	Executive Function in the Intellectually Disabled Offender: A Preliminary Investigation Nesik, Aleksandra January 2008 (has links) Despite executive function deficits now been examined in relation to the propensity to commit crimes in the general offending population, to date there has been little investigation of this within an intellectually disabled offending sample. The aim of the present study was to undertake a content analysis of the offending patterns and general behavior of Disabilities SA clients with a view to ascertaining whether such an assessment is justified for this offending group. The present study involved content analysis of five participants, currently clients of Disabilities SA. A coding schema was used to assess for evidence of four executive functions: Learning from previous experience; Engaging in logical reasoning; Impulse control; and Understanding the reactions of others. Findings suggest that offenders with intellectual disability have difficulties in all four areas. These findings are discussed in terms of the need for more comprehensive assessment and treatment implications. Social and Community Psychology Psychology not elsewhere classified Planning and Problem Solving Other Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences Comparative Law Criminal Law Civil Law Intellectual Property Intellectually disabled offender Executive functions Developmental Psychology and Ageing
32	EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GUT MICROBIOME AND CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM INFLAMMATION IN RATS WITH FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME Sarah G Moh (15348556) 26 April 2023 (has links) <p> Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is the most serious form of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder in North America. Patients with FAS may exhibit cognitive problems with working memory, manipulating information, and reduced executive functioning. Additionally, previous studies exhibited that stress responses are affected by prenatal alcohol consumption Gut microbiota compositions can also influence stress responses and memory, as several studies have shown strong relationships between the enteric gut system and the brain. However, few studies have examined how prenatal alcohol exposure’s effects on the gut microbiome and neuroinflammatory responses. For this study, pregnant HsdBlu:LE Long Evans rats were treated with either a dry diet, liquid diet, or liquid diet with alcohol. On day 28 and 42 after birth, three male and three female adolescent pups from each treatment group had their gut microbiome (fecal samples) analyzed through 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Brain histology staining of the cortex and hippocampus regions was also done to evaluate changes in the CNS through microglial counts and morphology analysis. There were no significant differences in alpha diversity of the fecal microbiome between groups of pups based on prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE), sex, age, the interaction of PAE and sex, or in the morphology of cortex microglia. However, analysis of beta diversity using Bray-Curtis dissimilarity and weighted UniFrac suggested distinct microbial communities between the treatment groups based on PAE and the interaction of PAE, sex, and the interaction between PAE and sex. Microglial count comparisons by PAE or sex were only statistically different in the cortex (p ≤ 0.005). The significance of this study suggests that there are some associations between the gut microbiome and CNS inflammation in rats with PAE. Based on these findings, 11 future studies may implement therapeutics such as antibiotics or probiotics to mitigate cognitive or neural symptoms of FASD affected individuals. </p> Sequence analysis Microbial ecology Microbiology not elsewhere classified Alcohol Fetal alcolohol spectrum disorders Microglia CNS inflammation Gut Microbiome Microbiome sequencing
33	The Effects of Service Dogs on Individuals with Physical Disabilities and Mental Disorders: A Multimethod Examination Kerri E Rodriguez (9166931) 29 July 2020 (has links) <p>An increasing number of individuals with physical disabilities or mental disorders are incorporating specially trained service dogs as an assistance aid to improve functionality. In addition to the tasks that service dogs are rained for, studies also suggest that service dogs may benefit psychosocial health and wellbeing. However, current knowledge on these potential benefits is limited by methodological weaknesses without multi-method assessment. There remains a need for empirical and replicable quantification the psychosocial outcomes of service dog assistance and companionship.</p><p>The objective of Chapters 1-3 was to summarize, evaluate, and quantify the effects of service dogs on psychosocial health among individuals with physical disabilities. Chapter 1 conducted a systematic literature review of N=24 articles describing the effects of guide, hearing, mobility, and medical service dogs on standardized measures of psychosocial functioning. Chapters 2 and 3 conducted an empirical investigation using quantitative and qualitative methods to quantify the psychosocial effects of mobility and medical service dogs among N=154 individuals with physical disabilities. Results identified specific psychological, social, and emotional benefits that are associated with having an assistance dog or service dog among diverse populations with physical disabilities or chronic conditions.</p><p>The objective of Chapters 4-6 was to quantify the role of psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 military veterans with PTSD. Chapter 4 quantified the perceived importance, frequency of use, and therapeutic value of service dog behaviors for N=216 military veterans with PTSD. Chapters 5 and 6 then quantified the effects that PTSD service dogs on psychosocial outcomes and physiological indicators of functioning, respectively, among a sample of N=141 military veterans with PTSD. Results identified therapeutic components, tangible psychosocial benefits, and potential physiological mechanisms of psychiatric service dogs for military veterans with PTSD.</p>Overall, this research combined quantitative, qualitative, and physiological measurement to describe outcomes of service dog pairings in two different at-risk populations. Results provide non-causational evidence of psychosocial benefits from service dogs for individuals with physical disabilities or mental disorders. Findings provide a basis for further large-scale research to disentangle active components of the assistance dog-human partnership and identify potential mediating variables of effects. Mental Health Psychology not elsewhere classified human-animal bond human-animal interaction PTSD veterans disability service dogs assistance dogs psychosocial quality of life rehabilitation animal-assisted intervention
34	Assistance dogs for military veterans with PTSD: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-synthesis Sarah Leighton (14035923) 02 November 2022 (has links) <p>Psychiatric assistance dogs for military veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) currently make up over 19% of assistance dog partnerships globally. We conducted a systematic review of the literature relating to these partnerships, with specific aims to (1) summarize their characteristics, (2) evaluate the quality of existing evidence, and (3) summarize outcomes. A total of 432 records were independently screened (Cohen’s kappa=0.90). Of these, 41 articles (29 peer-reviewed publications and 12 unpublished dissertations) met inclusion criteria. Data extraction was conducted to address the research aims, including a meta-analysis (quantitative outcomes) and meta-synthesis (qualitative outcomes). All peer-reviewed publications on the topic of psychiatric assistance dogs for veterans with PTSD were published within the last five years. The majority of included articles were quantitative (53%), 41% were qualitative, and 6% employed mixed methods. Mean methodological rigor scores were 80% for peer reviewed articles and 71% for dissertations, where higher scores represent more rigorous methodology. Quantitative articles reported significant improvements in the domains of PTSD severity, mental health, and social health. Impacts on physical health and global quality of life appear inconclusive. Meta-analysis (9 articles) revealed that partnership with an assistance dog had a clinically meaningful, significant, and large effect on PTSD severity scores (<em>g</em>=−1.129; <em>p</em><0.0001). Qualitative meta-synthesis identified two third order constructs: (1) Impact on the individual: mental & physical health and (2) Impact beyond the individual: building relationships & connection. This synthesis of increasingly prevalent research on assistance dogs for veterans with PTSD provides support for the impact of this complementary and integrative health intervention on PTSD symptom severity, and signs of meaningful improvements in adjacent domains including mental and social health. Gaps between quantitative and qualitative findings, along with the need to report greater demographic detail, highlight key opportunities for future research.</p> Animal welfare Animal behaviour Rehabilitation Health psychology Human-animal interaction Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Military Members Service dogs Human-animal bond Animal-Assisted Intervention (AAI) Psychology
35	HELP SEEKING EXPERIENCES OF ASIAN AMERICAN CAREGIVERS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM: A QUALITATIVE STUDY Amani Khalil (18136753) 11 March 2024 (has links) <p dir="ltr">This dissertation is a two-study dissertation divided into two chapters focused broadly on the help-seeking experiences of racial-ethnic minority caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In chapter one, a systematic literature review was conducted to identify articles that have studied barriers in help-seeking for racial-ethnic minority caregivers of children with autism. A broad literature search across four databases was conducted (i.e., PubMed, PsycINFO, Education Resources Information Center, and Child Development and Adolescent Studies). The coding team identified 17 articles on help-seeking barriers for racial-ethnic minority caregivers of children with autism. A thematic analysis was then used to synthesize the help-seeking barriers identified across these 17 studies. Four themes emerged from our findings: logistical barriers, provider competence, ASD literacy, and cultural stigma. We also provided clinical recommendations for healthcare providers working with families with racial-ethnic minority caregivers of children with autism.</p><p dir="ltr">The second chapter was informed by the results found in chapter one. In chapter one, we found little research on Asian American caregiver perspectives on help-seeking barriers to autism services. Using caregiver perspectives, this research study sought to understand the help-seeking experiences of Asian American families. In this study, we conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with 10 Asian American caregivers with a child aged 3-17 diagnosed with ASD. Interviews were conducted virtually, audio recorded, transcribed, and coded by three researchers. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Our results indicated four themes in perceived barriers by Asian American caregivers of children with autism interviewees. Themes included: (1) logistical barriers, (2) provider level barriers competence, (3) ASD literacy, and (4) cultural stigma. We deliver clinical recommendations for providers to address the four barriers found in our study when working with Asian American families of children with ASD.</p> Family care People with disability Primary health care Child and adolescent development Testing, assessment and psychometrics Clinical neuropsychology Clinical psychology Counselling psychology Developmental Disorders health disparties developmental pediatrics Racial minority systematic review thematic analysis Asian American families Child Development Disorders child development help-seeking autism spectrum disorder autism
36	Soundscape dynamics in the social-ecological systems of Tierra del Fuego Dante P Francomano (9738650) 14 December 2020 (has links) <p>Human society is presently beset by an array of anthropogenic social-ecological crises that threaten the sustainability of the social-ecological systems that sustain our livelihoods. While research alone will not rectify these issues, it can help to answer key questions that must be addressed to develop effective solutions. To address such questions in a cohesive, compelling manner, social-ecological research can be bounded, structured, and distilled through innumerable organizing principles or theoretical frameworks. For this dissertation, I focused on the geographic region of Tierra del Fuego and sought to draw from the array of disciplines and methods that use sound as a lens for biological, ecological, and/or social inquiry. I also endeavored to consider various temporal, spatial, and organizational scales while investigating a selection of topics with a) specific importance in the social-ecological systems of Tierra del Fuego and b) general relevance to global social-ecological challenges. Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the dissertation, and Chapter 6 serves as a conclusion.</p><p><br></p><p> </p><p>The objective of Chapter 2, “Biogeographical and analytical implications of temporal variability in geographically diverse soundscapes”, was to provide some guidance to passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) practitioners on how to design appropriate temporal sampling schemes based on the temporal variability of the sounds one wishes to measure and the power and storage limitations of acoustic recorders. We first quantified the temporal variability of several soundscape measurements and compared that variability across sites and times of day. We also simulated a wide range of temporal sampling schemes in order to model their representativeness relative to continuous sampling.</p><p><br></p><p> </p><p>For Chapter 3, “Sentinels for sentinels: passive acoustic and camera trap monitoring of sensitive penguin populations”, we tested the utility of PAM to monitor behavior and abundance of Magellanic (<i>Spheniscus magellanicus</i>) and southern rockhopper penguins (<i>Eudyptes chrysocome</i>) at different spatial and temporal scales. We conducted <i>in situ</i> observations of the acoustic behavior of each species, and we compared acoustic metrics with penguin counts from narrowly focused camera traps and larger-extent observations of colony density. </p><p><br></p><p> </p><p>Chapter 4, “Acoustic monitoring shows invasive beavers (<i>Castor canadensis</i>) increase avian diversity in Tierra del Fuego”, is focused on impacts of the invasive North American beaver (<i>Castor canadensis</i>) on Fuegian bird communities. We sought to determine how bird communities might differ between intact riparian forests, beaver ponds, and beaver meadows created by pond drainage. We conducted PAM and classic avian point counts under each of these conditions across seasons to test for differences between impact conditions and to compare the two methodologies.</p><p><br></p><p> </p>For Chapter 5, “Human-nature connection and soundscape perception: insights from Tierra del Fuego, Argentina”, we evaluated the relationship between soundscape perception and nature relatedness by conducting surveys and soliciting responses to soundscape audio prompts. We also examined the potential for any demographic influences on nature relatedness or soundscape perception in the context of local social tensions. Environmental Science Ecology Ecosystem Function Invasive Species Ecology Conservation and Biodiversity Environmental Education and Extension Environmental Management Environmental Monitoring Natural Resource Management Wildlife and Habitat Management Psychology not elsewhere classified Behavioural Ecology Population Ecology Terrestrial Ecology Animal Behaviour Global Change Biology soundscape soundscape ecology ecoacoustics Tierra del Fuego Argentina Patagonia penguin beaver bird community species diversity functional diversity passive acoustic monitoring acoustic metrics acoustic indices soundscape perception nature relatedness connection to nature temporal variability survey exotic species camera trap study design temporal dynamics Spheniscus magellanicus Eudyptes chrysocome Castor canadensis biological invasion Ushuaia

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