The current study examined the effectiveness of a computer-based cognitive defusion intervention on the degree of believability and discomfort of problematic thoughts in two adolescents and one young adult with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) using a multiple probe design across participants. Participants identified a problematic thought that they often had during social interactions with peers which was then targeted throughout the intervention. Primary measures included rating scales for thought believability and discomfort and criterion for therapeutic change was a 30-increment decrease in the mean average of rating scores from baseline levels for three consecutive intervention sessions. Results demonstrated a significant change in the believability of one participant's thought believability that met the therapeutic criterion. However, the remaining participants' rating scores following the intervention did not decrease below the criterion. Secondary measures for cognitive fusion, psychological inflexibility, and mindfulness included the AAQ-II, BAFT, CFQ, and CAMM pre and posttests. Results from these pre and posttest measures did not indicate a significant therapeutic change following treatment. More research is needed to examine the effectiveness of an automated defusion intervention with this population.

The current study evaluated the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help reduce anxiety experienced during an interview with three individuals with varying Developmental Disabilities (DD). A multiple baseline across participants with embedded probes was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. The intervention consisted of mindfulness and defusion exercises used directly before an interview was conducted. Data were collected during each interview using an interview checklist created specifically for this study. The checklist consisted of two parts: anxiety measures and an interview question portion. The checklist was used to help score the overall performance for each participant during an interview. A BST procedure was used for two of the three participants to help their skill acquisition of correctly answering interview questions. Secondary measures were taken for a pre and posttest that consisted of a modified state social anxiety scale. The results from the study indicated that the use of ACT helped decrease anxiety experienced during an interview and also helped increase their overall performance during an interview.

The role of common metaphors in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy was examined in a 35 min brief online workshop targeted at body image dissatisfaction. Participants consisted of 24 graduate level students who were randomly assigned to either the, "ACT as Usual" or "ACT without Metaphors" treatment condition. The "ACT as Usual" treatment condition incorporated common ACT metaphors into the workshop while the "ACT without Metaphors" utilized alternative exercises and literal explanations. Both of the workshops covered all six core components of ACT and provided the same basic information. Results of the present study indicated that there was a significant difference between pretest and posttest scores for the AAQ-W for both groups and no significant differences between pre and post CFQ-13 and PASTAS scores. Further, results indicate the use of common ACT metaphors did not significantly influence participant's scores. Future research should examine the use of ACT metaphors in a variety of settings and situations in order to determine their utility.

The present study examined the effects of a brief video-led mindfulness exercise on momentary choice impulsivity as measured by a monetary delay discounting survey. Participants in the experimental group watched a video requiring them to engage in a brief breathing exercise while participants in the control group viewed a video unrelated to the topics at hand. Switch point analyses suggested that the experimental group discounted less steeply following the intervention while the discounting slope of the control group remained relatively unchanged. A t-test comparing the average change in AUC values from pre-test to post-test for both groups revealed a significant difference: t (13.17) = 2.94, p = 0.0114. The experimental group demonstrated greater changes in AUC scores from pretest to posttest (M= 0.1036 ± 0.0328) than the control group (-0.00031 ± 0.01317). Additionally, an F-test was conducted to compare variances between the individual score changes of the experimental group and the control group (p < .05). The results suggest that there was a significant difference between the two groups: F = 5.682, p = 0.0082. The results of this study could have several implications for future research regarding delay discounting and mindfulness as an intervention for impulsivity and suggest that telecommunication may be a viable modality.

The following study aims to understand the effects Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, has on individuals who have experienced discomfort through exposure to aversive stimuli. Experiencing discomfort is a natural part of human life. Each person has their own class of responses to respond to discomfort. A typical response may include avoiding an object, person, or situation that had made the person uncomfortable in the past. Batten, Follette, and Aban (2001) found that women who experienced childhood sexual abuse and scored high in experiential avoidance where more likely to engage in high risk sexual behaviors. Avoiding discomfort can have serious repercussions. ACT has been a proven therapy to treat anxiety, gambling, PTSD, eating disorders among other disorders. Previous studies show the effectiveness of ACT on treating discomfort (Cohrane, Barnes-Holmes, & Barnes-Holmes, 2008; Hayes, Bissett, Korn, Zettle, Rosenfarb, Cooper, & Grundt, 1999; Luciano, et al., 2010). This study extends the findings and further supports the utility of ACT to treat discomfort through a laboratory study. This study exposes participants to “disgusting” stimuli to evoke disgust and discomfort. A brief ACT session is administered to half the participants which is compared to a control task which includes a distraction/avoidance task. Findings from this study suggest the utility of ACT to increase tolerance to discomfort.

Muscle disorders are chronic, progressive conditions, the majority of which are without disease modifying treatments. Quality of life (QoL) is reduced in these conditions, and alternative methods, such as psychological intervention, may offer ways to improve QoL. Previous work has suggested that aberrant illness perceptions may be influential targets for psychological interventions; however, emerging evidence suggests that psychological flexibility might offer another treatment target. This thesis first presents a longitudinal investigation of the role of these two variables, alongside disability level, in explaining life satisfaction and mood measured four months later. Participants were recruited from charities and online communities, with data collected via online questionnaires. Here, illness perceptions and psychological flexibility, but not disability level, were cross-sectionally associated with all dependent variables. In prospective analyses psychological flexibility accounted for greater variance in life satisfaction and anxiety; while illness perceptions explained more variance in depression. However, after controlling for variance in time one dependent variables, psychological flexibility alone was predictive of life satisfaction and anxiety at time two. Therefore, psychological flexibility represents a possible influential target for psychological intervention in muscle disorders. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a psychological intervention specifically designed to improve psychological flexibility. Subsequently, the results of the empirical study imply that ACT is worthy of trial with muscle disorders. However, there has been no comprehensive review of the use of ACT in chronic disease or long-term conditions. Therefore, Chapter 2 presents a systematic review of ACT as applied to chronic disease/long-term conditions. The aims were to collate all ACT interventions with chronic disease/long-term conditions; evaluate their quality and comment on efficacy. Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE and Psych Info were searched, with a further search of citing articles undertaken using Google Scholar. Studies with mental health or chronic pain populations were excluded. Study quality was then rated, with a proportion re-rated by a second researcher. Seventeen studies were included, of which: eight were randomised controlled trials (RCTs), three used pre-post designs, and seven were case studies. A broad range of applications were observed (e.g. improving quality of life and symptom control, reducing distress) across many diseases/conditions (e.g. HIV, cancer, epilepsy). However, study quality was generally low, and many interventions were of low intensity. The small number of RCTs per application and lower study quality emphasise that ACT is not yet a well-established intervention for chronic disease/long-term conditions. However, there was promising evidence for certain applications: the parenting of children with long-term conditions, seizure-control in epilepsy, psychological flexibility and possibly self-management/lifestyle. The studies comprising this thesis suggest that, whilst psychological flexibility appears influential in muscle disorders, high-quality research into ACT interventions for chronic disease/long-term conditions is generally lacking. Therefore one cannot confidently generalise from existing studies that ACT will improve outcomes in muscle disorders. Thus an evaluation of ACT in the context of muscle disorders is now required. This should adhere to the methodological suggestions provided in the systematic review.

Introdução: De acordo com o Censo de 2010 o Brasil possui uma população com cerca de 14 milhões de idosos, ou seja, 7,4% da população total. O aumento da expectativa de vida da população e o consequente aumento do número de idosos trazem à tona desafios a serem enfrentados no âmbito econômico, político, demográfico e social. Em contrapartida ao envelhecimento populacional tem-se o avanço tecnológico, o qual colocou a população idosa em situação de desvantagem, pois, suas experiências ao longo da vida foram moldadas por suas experiências anteriores em ambientes tecnológicos que diferem dos ambientes de hoje. Para compreender como a população idosa lida com os desafios da tecnologia e quais são as variáveis que influenciam no uso e na aceitação das mesmas é essencial que se leve em conta as características do idoso assim como das tecnologias. Objetivo: Analisar a aceitação de tecnologias por idosos e as variáveis que influenciam o uso, a aceitação e inserção destas no cotidiano. Materiais e métodos: Trata-se de um estudo de caráter transversal, qualitativo-quantitativo e analítico. A amostra foi composta por 100 idosos com média de idade de 69,38 anos. A escolha de entrevistados foi aleatória. O projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa do HCFMRP-USP. Os procedimentos de coleta de dados incluíram: 1) Questionário socioeconômico, 2) Escala de avaliação das Atividades Instrumentais da Vida Diária de Lawton e Brody, 3) Escala para avaliação das aceitação de tecnologias e 4) Questionário sobre os possíveis fatores que interferem no uso de aparelhos eletrônicos. Na análise de dados foi utilizado o método de estatística descritiva e para o cálculo estatístico utilizou-se o teste do 2, o teste exato do 2 e o coeficiente de correlação não linear de Spearman. Resultados e discussão: Dos participantes, 78% eram do gênero feminino, casados (44%), com Ensino Médio completo (59%), economicamente não ativos (aposentados ou do lar, 89%) e moradores da cidade de Ribeirão Preto (75%). Quanto à capacidade funcional, 56% dos idosos foram considerados independentes para a realização das atividades instrumentais de vida diária e 44% apresentaram dependência parcial. Quanto à aceitação de tecnologias, 96,97% relataram aceitar. Do total de idosos, 54% relataram que os aparelhos eletrônicos são complicados e difíceis de serem utilizados, 69% concordaram que as tecnologias não foram desenvolvidas com foco na população idosa, 64% relataram que o idioma dos aparelhos e dos manuais dificulta o uso. Porém, 89% reconheceram a importância das tecnologias, 91% reconheceram a utilidade e 87% relataram motivação para aprender a utilizar tecnologias. Conclusão: Fatores como medo, receio, motivação, gênero, características dos aparelhos e o reconhecimento dos benefícios, da utilidade e da importância das tecnologias apresentaram influenciam no uso e na aceitação de tecnologias, porém, variáveis como idade, renda, e nível de instrução educacional não apresentaram correlações significativas com a aceitação de tecnologias, não exercendo assim, influência sobre ela. / Introduction: According to Censo 2010, Brazil has a population of about 14 million seniors, or 7.4% of the total population. The increased life expectancy of the population and the consequent increase in the number of elderly people bring up challenges to be faced in the economic, political, demographic and social scopes. In contrast to the aging population has technological advancement, which put the elderly at a disadvantage, because their experiences throughout life have been shaped by their previous experiences in technological environments that differ and many of today\'s environments. To understand how elderly people deal with the challenges of technology and what are the variables that influence the use and acceptance of the same is essential to take into account the characteristics of the elderly as well as technologies. Objectives: Analyze the acceptance of technologies by the elderly and the variables that influence the use and acceptance and inclusion of these in everyday life. Materials and Methods: This is a Cross-sectional, qualitative-quantitative and analytical study. The sample consisted of 100 elderlies with a mean age of 69,38 years. The choice of interviewees was random. The project was approved by the Ethics Committee of HCFMRP-USP. The procedures for data collection included: 1) Socioeconomic questionnaire, 2) Evaluation scale of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living of Lawton and Brody, 3) Scale to assess the attitudes of older people in relation to technology and 4) Questionnaire about the possible factors involved in the use of electronic devices. For statistical calculation was used the 2 test, the exact 2 and linear correlation coefficient of Spearman. Results and discussion: Of the participants, 78% were female, married (44%) with complete high school (59%), not economically active (retired or housewives, 89%) and residents of the city of Ribeirão Preto (75%). With regard to functional capacity, 56% of seniors were considered independent in the performance of instrumental activities of daily living and 44% had partial dependency. Regarding acceptance of technologies, 96,97% reported accept. Of the elderly, 54% reported that the electronics are complicated and difficult to use, 69% agreed that the technologies were not developed thinking in the elderly, 64% reported that the language of equipment and manuals difficult to use. Nevertheless, 89% recognize the importance of technology, 91% recognize the usefulness and 87% reported motivation to learn to use technology. Conclusion: Factors such as fear, apprehension, motivation, gender, device characteristics and recognition of the benefits, the usefulness and importance of technology presented influence in the acceptance and use of technology, however, variables such as age, income, and educational level showed no significant correlations with the acceptance of technologies, not exercising influence on it.

This study investigated the adolescent self-concept. The concern was with the relationship between peer status as measured by a reputation scale and self-concept as measured by how an individual feels he is perceived by others.

Abstract Most models of sexual selection focus on coevolution of male sexual trait and female preference for the trait. However, whether the female preference modifies the male trait depends on the overall receptivity of females, on the importance of the male trait for the females, on female sampling behaviour, and on female control over copulation decision. These aspects are often neglected by theoreticians. Female receptivity, song requirement and preferences were studied in two Drosophila virilis group species, D. montana and D. virilis. The main object of the study was female acceptance/rejection behaviour. Female wing spreading posture was a signal for males to attempt copulation, when the female was ready to mate. I used this signal as an indicator of female acceptance. D. virilis females were generally very receptive, but there were differences between females both in receptivity and in responsiveness of the females to simulated courtship songs. D. virilis female did not require song and had a low acceptance threshold with a heterospecific male. These two traits are explained by a high female receptivity. D. montana females, on the contrary, had a high acceptance threshold. These females accepted the courting male only after hearing his song. They also repelled males, which attempted copulation without female acceptance signal. In this species the strength of species discrimination did not correlate with the overall receptivity of the females. Between species hybrid females (from a cross vir x mo and from backcross to mo) resembled D. montana females in their song requirement, but not in their receptivity. This suggests that these two traits are inherited independently. D. montana and D. littoralis females have previously been found to prefer males with short and dense sound pulses in wild. These song characters were repeatable among overwintered males in a fashion different from other song characters. This shows that song characters involved in sexual selection are more sensitive to environmental factors than other song traits.

Abstract The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) currently enjoys the status of being the leading predictive tool for testing user acceptance of new technologies. Despite IS researchers and practitioners holding the model in high esteem, this study exposes some of its limitations when applied to a study of shop-floor users in South Africa. In search of an alternative theory explaining why these users so openly embraced the new information system, it emerges that the Critical Social Theory (CST) of Jürgen Habermas provides the most relevant insight. The use of the CST perspective reveals how these users view the new system as a potential means with which to achieve emancipation from their otherwise dreary existence as product inspectors. This thesis argues that this emancipatory potential offered by the new system played a major role in its successful acceptance. / Dissertation (Magister Commercii (Informatics))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Informatics / unrestricted