Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2003. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 124-130). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2001. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 108-135).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 207-217). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis--Auburn University, 2010. / Abstract. Includes bibliographic references (p.48-62).

published_or_final_version / abstract / toc / Psychology / Master / Master of Philosophy

No description available.

Despite a prevailing paradigm that emphasizes an interaction of vulnerability and stress to account for the etiology of schizophrenia, diathesis—stress models of subsequent course and outcome of this disorder are rare. Even the simpler stress— process model, where the influence of stressors is mediated by supportive social relationships, has received little attention in studies of the course of schizophrenia. The objective of this study was to assess the following components of a diathesis—stress model as they predict the five-year outcome of first-episode schizophrenia: (1) stressful life events; (2) supportive social relationships; (3) brain lateral ventricle size; and (4) smooth pursuit eye movements. As part of the Greater Vancouver M.A.P. Project, we recruited first-episode DSM-III schizophrenia and affective psychosis patients. At intake to the study, their social relationships, smooth pursuit eye movement function, and brain ventricle size were assessed. Life events in the previous year were measured at intake; events over the following 18 months were assessed in two later interviews. Five years later we assessed outcome, using a global rating of social and occupational functioning. Descriptive results showed substantial variability within the schizophrenia group at intake and outcome. The trajectory of adaptive functioning over time was remarkably similar for the schizophrenic and affective psychosis groups. Of the four hypothesized predictors, only social relationships were associated (p=.O3) with five—year outcome. The number of life events was not associated with five—year outcome, nor was either of the biological risk factors. As a result, the predictor variables could not be combined in either a stress—process model or a vulnerability—stress model of the course of schizophrenia. That social relationship variables are associated with five-year outcome supports earlier findings regarding 18-month outcome, including the differing predictive roles for family and nonfamily relationships. The absence of hypothesized results for the life events data probably indicates that too much time had passed between outcome and the events as measured. Finally, that brain ventricle size and eye-movement dysfunction predict 18-month but not five—year outcome may indicate that impairment due to biological factors is expressed only in the early stages of schizophrenia.

Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community. / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community. / Department of Psychological Science

Up to this point much of what has been learned regarding individuals' stress responses has been derived from the study of individuals who have suffered from psychopathology or physical illness. Recent research, however, has demonstrated a shift in focus toward individuals who effectively cope with stressful experiences. For example, previous research has identified a type of "conversion" process whereby an initially traumatic event is evaluated and later recognized to have positive effects through its assimilation into a new cognitive framework emphasizing psychological growth and adaptation. The present study investigated the conversion phenomenon, examining the relationship between older and younger subjects' perceptions of significant events and their current level of mental health, self-esteem and religious orientation. Results found conversion to be related to religiosity but not to age, self-esteem or transient mental health status. The findings are discussed and implications for future research are identified.

Psychological stress increases dopamine release in the striatum and is thought toplay a role in susceptibility to psychotic illness. In schizophrenia, a prototypicalpsychotic illness, there is evidence of abnormal dopamine response to pharmacologicalchallenge or psychological stressors. Stress, like dopamine agonist drugs, can triggerrelapse in schizophrenic patients. It has been proposed that exaggerated responses tostress are key in the etiology of psychosis in vulnerable individuals. However, it is notknown whether differences in brain dopaminergic responsiveness precede psychosis ordevelop subsequent to illness onset. / Le stress psychologique augmente le niveau de dopamine dans le striatum, phenomene qui pourrait contribuer a la vulnerabilite aux maladies psychotiques. Dans la schizophrenie, une maladie psychotique prototypique, les etudes ont montre qu'il y a une liberation anormale de la dopamine en reponse aux drogues ou au stress psychologique. Le stress, comme les agonistes dopaminergiques, peut precipiter une rechute chez des patients schizophrenes. On avance Phypothese que les reponses excessives au stress sont primordiales dans l'etiologie de la psychose chez les individus vulnerables. Cependant, on ne sait pas si les anomalies de la reponse dopaminergique du cerveau precedent la psychose, ou se developpent apres le debut de la maladie.