Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Acadia University, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 60-63). Also available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (M.Phil.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 47-50).

Thesis (M.S.)--Tennessee Technological University, 2009. / Title from title page screen (viewed on June 29, 2010). Bibliography: leaves 51-56.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Background: Worry is theorised to function as a form of cognitive or experiential avoidance wherein an individual uses repetitive thinking in an attempt to avoid a future event or an aversive internal experience. There is evidence of a closer link between non-verbal thought (e.g. mental images) and emotion, physiology and behaviour than with verbal thought. Based on findings that worry is predominantly a verbal-linguistic activity, with less imagery occurring during worry episodes than during relaxation; it is theorised that worriers may move from non-verbal to verbal thought in order to avoid the greater arousal associated with non-verbal thought intrusions. This carries with it the unintended consequence of reducing emotional processing, leading to a subsequent increase in intrusive thoughts. Whilst cognitive science has emphasised the content of cognition and how this links to emotion, the psychological flexibility model suggests that content is less important than how we relate to our cognitive events. The degree to which we get entangled in our thinking, lack perspective on our thoughts and the degree to which cognition comes to regulate our behaviour over other sources is known as cognitive fusion. It is postulated that some individuals may be more prone to avoiding internal experiences due to the stance they take toward these experiences. In the long-term, worry should lead to a reduction in the experience of intrusive images and memories and an increase in intrusive thoughts; and this relationship should vary depending on an individual’s stance in relation to their internal experiences. The purpose of the current study is to explore the experience of intrusive memories, images and thoughts in an older adult sample, and the relationship of these experiences to level of worry, cognitive fusion and psychological inflexibility. Method: Sixty-two community dwelling older adults were involved in the study. Each completed questionnaire measures to assess level of trait worry, depression, cognitive fusion and psychological inflexibility, as well as an interview to determine whether diagnostic criteria were met for any mood or anxiety disorder and to complete an interview exploring the experience of intrusive memories, thoughts and images. Findings: Higher levels of trait worry were strongly associated with higher levels of cognitive fusion and psychological inflexibility. Intrusive memories, images and thoughts were all reported in low levels across the sample. Level of worry was positively associated with the severity but not the occurrence of intrusive memories and thoughts. Higher levels of psychological inflexibility were associated with less occurrence of intrusive memories and images; whereas higher levels of cognitive fusion were associated with the increased occurrence of intrusive images. Higher levels of worry, cognitive fusion and psychological inflexibility were all associated with increased severity of intrusive thoughts. The findings are discussed in relation to previous research and to the Avoidance Theory and Acceptance Model of GAD. Implications are considered for further research and clinical applications.

Intrusive memories, coping strategies, negative appraisals, and perceptions of control were examined in an unselected undergraduate sample. Intrusive memory frequency was positively associated with emotion-avoidant coping, but unrelated to problem-focused and emotion-approach coping. Negative appraisals and perceptions of control partially mediated the relationship between intrusive memory frequency and emotion-avoidant coping. PTSD symptoms contributed additional variance to the partial mediation models. Overall, study findings demonstrated that the intrusive memory maintenance cycle found in PTSD and depression samples can exist in an unselected sample. Individual differences within this sample may relate to varying levels of executive control and trait mindfulness. Implications for clinical practice, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / O desenvolvimento de pesquisas recentes sobre ditaduras permitiu uma reflexão diferenciada, menos polarizada, sobre o comportamento da sociedade perante o estabelecimento de um regime de exceção. No presente trabalho, as memórias de alguns portugueses foram o objeto de análise para compreender as ambivalências, os silêncios e as oposições dos mesmos ao longo de suas vidas na vigência do salazarismo. O confronto de suas memórias com a história nos permitiu avaliar a ideia que cada um tinha sobre a instauração e permanência de uma ditadura, bem como a complexidade da relação do poder institucional com os indivíduos e de suas concepções particulares de política, justiça e bem estar social. / The development of recent research on dictatorships allowed a differentiated reflection , less polarized, about the society behavior in front of the establishment of a dictatorial regime. In this present work, the memories of some Portuguese were the subject of analysis towards to understand the ambivalence, the silences and the oppositions of them throughout their lives in the presence of Salazar period. The clash of their memories with the story allowed us to evaluate the idea that each one had on the establishment and permanence of a dictatorship, as well the complexity relationship of the institutional power with the individuals, and their particular conceptions of politics, justice and welfare state.

The diploma work consists of practical and theoretical parts. The theoretical part is looking for determination of my view of the question of definitiveness. The topic of viewing the psychology and philosophy from different angles and looking for the answers, which are for me authoritative. The second part is focused on artists, who atract me and inspired my by their way of approching the definitivness.. The practical part of my diploma work includes a video attachment, which documents my art compossion beginning with skript drawings to final paintings of the subject.

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