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abstract: This research explores tests for statistical suppression. Suppression is a statistical phenomenon whereby the magnitude of an effect becomes larger when another variable is added to the regression equation. From a causal perspective, suppression occurs when there is inconsistent mediation or negative confounding. Several different estimators for suppression are evaluated conceptually and in a statistical simulation study where we impose suppression and non-suppression conditions. For each estimator without an existing standard error formula, one was derived in order to conduct significance tests and build confidence intervals. Overall, two of the estimators were biased and had poor coverage, one worked well but had inflated type-I error rates when the population model was complete mediation. As a result of analyzing these three tests, a fourth was considered in the late stages of the project and showed promising results that address concerns of the other tests. When the tests were applied to real data, they gave similar results and were consistent. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Psychology 2020

Abstract The Foster Care Mentoring Act of 2011 directed the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants to U.S. states to create programs within public and private community entities to support mentoring foster children. Some states have allocated funding to support agencies that mentor foster care youth who have been emancipated (aged out) from the child foster care system who are without family support and are attempting to become self-sufficient. To date, there is a lack of research on mentors who help foster care graduates preparing to exit the foster care system. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences, feelings, and perspectives of mentors who work with foster care youth who have aged out of the foster care system. The study's theoretical framework was a combination of socio-motivational theory and empowerment theory. Content analysis was used to examine data from in-depth interviews with the 11 professional mentors who participated in this study. Common themes were organized to present participants' experiences and views regarding their careers as mentors, and the services they provide to foster care youth and foster care graduates. All participants viewed their work as essential in helping foster care graduates to become independent and self-sufficient. Implications for positive social change include creating standardized life skills courses for foster youth before they emancipate and changing government policy to ensure funds are allocated for housing while foster care graduates are enrolled in college or a trade school.

In the United States, the occurrence of Alzheimer's dementia is growing. This chronic illness is highly prevalent in the elderly population. Studies have advised that the elderly population is primarily affected by this chronic illness as age progresses. Aging may lead to mental or physical deterioration. This chronic illness can be extremely challenging for the spousal caregivers involved and the challenging decisions that must be made. There remains a crucial gap in the literature concerning the challenges experienced by spousal caregivers and how they cope with these factors daily. Specifically, there are no studies exploring the perceptions of spousal caregivers and the emotions involved with long-term placement. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to use the grounded theory method and to explore the perceptions of 7 spousal caregivers and the emotions attached to decision making. The method involved open-ended interview questions to attain answers to the research questions involving experiences and observations of the caregiving role. Interview data were open-coded and analyzed for themes. The outcomes of this research will help aid in overcoming the challenges spouses face with the new role of spousal caregiving. This will add existing literature associated with elderly spousal caregivers and challenges faced when caring for an Alzheimer's individual. These outcomes can lead to social change and development through the implementation of positive coping strategies when dealing with the caregiving challenges and emotions attached to this role.

Sleep deprivation affects the academic performance of online university students, and students who have family responsibilities and a full-time job have a higher prevalence of sleep deprivation. This phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of online university students regarding sleep patterns, sleep deprivation, and the impact on their academic performance. The theoretical foundation for this study was based on the opponent processing model that explains the 2 fundamental processes necessary for individuals to function at their optimum ability: the sleep-wake homeostatic process and the circadian rhythm processes. The research question explored the beliefs and perceptions of 10 online university students, while the sub questions focused on how distractions, social media, family, and work-related duties affected their sleep patterns. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit the participants who were current online university students, with a full time job, a family and family responsibilities. Data were analyzed through pattern coding and structural analysis. Four themes emerged from the analysis of the data: the effects of sleep deprivation, adjustment to daily lives, factors affecting sleep deprivation, and impressions of online education. Results demonstrated that sleep deprivation causes tiredness, sluggish thinking and cranky responses. Positive social change can be achieved if the 10 participants participate in building a community of online university students who will maintain an alumni base that can foster mentoring and empowering others to decrease sleep deprivation that helps in maintaining good academic standards.

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<p> The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of the Dot Counting Test as a measure of feigned cognitive performance. Archival neuropsychological test data from a &ldquo;real world&rdquo; sample of 147 credible and 328 non-credible patients were compared. The Dot Counting Test E-score cutoff of &ge; 17 continued to show excellent specificity (93%). However, sensitivity dropped from approximately 74% documented in 2002 to 51% in the current sample. When the cutoff was lowered to &ge; 15, adequate specificity was maintained (90%) and sensitivity rose to (61%). However, a third of credible patients with borderline IQ failed the test using the Dot Counting Test E-cutoff score, indicating cautious use of the test with individuals who likely have borderline intelligence.</p><p>

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