Thesis (M.A.)--University of Canterbury, 2006. / Typescript (photocopy). "Supervisor: Dr Mark Byrd, co-supervisors: Paul Neilson, clinical psychologist, and Dr Roeline Kuijer." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 90-104). Also available via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.A.)--Carleton University, 1995. / Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Michigan, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1994. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 42-43).

This thesis uses a multi-disciplinary approach to study cognitive-neurophysiological processes underlying attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and the underlying risk pathways from preterm birth to ADHD. In the first part of the thesis we use a measure of peripheral arousal (skin conductance) to better understand arousal dysregulation in ADHD and how it relates to cognitive performance. We show, using a large ADHD and control sibling sample, that ADHD is associated with peripheral hypo-arousal, and that a familial aetiology underlies the relationship between hypo-arousal and fluctuating reaction times, and between hypoarousal and ADHD. Our findings further suggest that peripheral hypo-arousal is an enduring deficit in ADHD, as it is observed in both ADHD remitters and ADHD persisters in our followup investigation. The second part of the thesis focuses on preterm birth as a risk factor for ADHD: we compare data we obtain from a new sample of preterm-born adolescents and their siblings to data from ADHD and control sibling pairs. First, we find that preterm-born individuals show several of the same cognitive-neurophysiological impairments as individuals with ADHD, but they also show further, additional impairments. Second, our results indicate that cognitive-neurophysiological impairments in the preterm group differentiate into those that are in line with a causal effect of preterm birth, and those that are not. Third, our findings further suggest that the association between ADHD symptoms and specific cognitive impairments is largely due to familial influences among term-born individuals, but largely due to non-shared effects (including preterm birth as an environmental insult) among pretermborn individuals. Overall, by using a combination of cognitive, neurophysiological, developmental and sibling-comparison designs, our findings provide new insight into arousal dysregulation in individuals with ADHD, and inform on cognitive-neurophysiological and aetiological processes that may underlie the association between preterm birth and ADHD.

Death of a child is a very painful experience for parents and remaining siblings who experience physiological and emotional symptoms as described by the parents. There are few reports from the remaining siblings on their physical and emotional health and even less data on their treatments and associated health care costs after sibling loss. The purpose of this study in children who have lost a sibling in the NICU/PICU, ER or those who have been sent home on technology dependent equipment to die, is to compare parents’ and children’s perceptions of the surviving sibling’s health, identify factors related to these perceptions, and describe treatments for the sibling’s physical and mental health at 2 and 4 months after a sibling’s death. Sixty four surviving siblings and their parents reported on the siblings’ mental and overall health. Available treatment charges (visits to the emergency room, physician office, hospitalization, and any health services (mental & physical) since the sibling death were collected from bills and insurance receipts. Cause of child death (acute or chronic) was collected from the deceased child’s hospital record. The relationship between parent and sibling’s perception of the surviving sibling’s health, and anxiety and depression at 2 and 4 months post the death were measured using the Children’s Depression Inventory and the Spence Anxiety Scales. Data were analyzed using: T-Tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlations, frequencies and descriptive statistics. Findings indicated that at 2 and 4 months parent’s perceived their surviving siblings’ health to be better than the child perceived his/her health to be. At 4 months fathers rated the siblings’ health compared to their peers lower than the siblings. Greater child anxiety was related to lower father’s ratings of the child’s health now and compared to peers. Treatments and charges increased from 2 months to 4 months with males having more treatments than females. The majority of the treatments consisted of routine physician visits, non-routine physician visits, emergency room/urgent care visits and counseling. Study findings can help guide healthcare providers and educators in identifying those children that are at high risk for negative health effects after the death of a sibling.

The purpose of the study is to fill the gap in the literature regarding sibling bereavement. This study explored how sibling bereavement from unnatural causes of death affects surviving siblings. Bereavement affects millions of Americans every year. Most grieve naturally, but some experience complicated grief or depression. Many studies address parental and spousal bereavement, but few focus on sibling bereavement. This study fills that gap in the literature so that mental health care professionals and the general public understand what bereaved siblings experience after the death of a sibling. The study was a phenomenological study using social constructivism as a theoretical lens to explore how sibling bereavement affects surviving siblings. Open-ended interviews were collected from 10 bereaved siblings. Those interviews were then transcribed and categorized using a 7 step process to review and organize all relevant statements. Results of this study shows that sibling bereavement can be a life changing event for surviving siblings affecting all aspects of life and leaving unanswered questions and feelings of guilt. Participants also state they felt overlooked after the death leading to delayed grief. Participants concluded that sibling grief is subjective, so any treatment plan should be catered to the individual based on their relationship to the deceased sibling and the role the sibling played. This study can bring about positive social change by helping mental health care workers understand sibling bereavement better so that they may help those suffering from complicated grief following the loss of a sibling.

No description available.

The current study examined associations between perceived family functioning, sibling relational dynamics, and individual's self-reported personal adjustment and internalizing problems among 8- to 11-year old children. Path analyses revealed significant direct effects between conflictual family functioning and children's psychological well-being (p < 0.05). Further, sibling conflict was found to indirectly affect these associations. Finally, significant interactions between family functioning and sibling dynamics were found suggesting that congruent relational dynamics at multiple levels of the family system had a cumulative impact on the child's well-being. Findings from the current study highlight the unique contributions of sibling relationships to the family and the child providing evidence for targeting the sibling relationship in clinical interventions and future family research.

No description available.