Thesis (M.S.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1992. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 48-55). Also available via the Internet.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a prevalent psychiatric disorder that has a complex pathophysiology. In this study we evaluate the expression of PARP1 and the downstream alarmin protein high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in two brain areas that have demonstrated pathology in MDD. MDD donors were compared to controls. MDD subgroups that died by suicide were also compared to those that did not die by suicide. Immunoblotting to determine PARP1 and HMGB1 protein expression was performed in white and grey matter from the frontal cortex and the hippocampus. In BA10 white and grey matter, PARP1 protein expression was significantly increased when comparing MDD donors to controls. There was no significant change of HMGB1 expression in white or grey matter. In the CA1 region, there was no significant change in PARP1 protein or gene expression. There was also no significant changes of inflammatory cytokine expression in BA10 white matter.

Abstract Student-athletes are viewed as the epitome of health due to their physical appearance and talent set; however, it is their psychological health that needs significant attention (Etzel, 2006). Psychosocial stressors such as the pressures and demands of being a student and athlete as well as the demands and expectations of the coach have significant impact on the student-athlete’s mental health and well-being (Beauchemin, 2014; Cleary et al., 2011; Lafrenière et al., 2011; Mageau & Vallerand, 2003; Watson, 2005). The purpose of this research is to investigate any correlation between student-athletes’ perceptions of coaching leadership behaviors and the symptoms associated with disorders such as anxiety, depression, suicidality, and substance abuse. The Leadership Scale for Sport (Chelladurai & Saleh, 1980) and the Symptom Assessment Measure instruments are used in this study. An exploratory analysis determined the reliability and construct validity of the instruments. Thirty-three student-athletes from a non-football Division I university engaged in the study, with twenty-eight completing some or all portions of study. All participants are between the ages of eighteen and twenty-four. A linear regression analysis demonstrated no relation between the independent variable, student-athlete perception of coaching leadership behaviors and the dependent variable, symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, suicidal behavior, and substance abuse mental health disorders, (F=.52, p=.49, R2=.061, and Beta coefficient was -0.248). Gender differences is not determined due to the skewed sample consisting of eighty five percent female and fifteen percent male. Though the linear regression analysis indicates no relation between the dependent and independent variable, supplemental contextualization was given to additional questions asked on the Symptoms Assessment Measure. These findings provide evidence that student-athletes perceive that their coach’s leadership behaviors do have influence on their mental health. This reinforces reports that coaches do wield power over their athletes and their influence is related to student-athletes’ psychological well-being (Horn, 2008; Locke et al., 2012; Stebbings et al., 2012).