Theses and Dissertations from UMD

Permanent URI for this communityhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/2

New submissions to the thesis/dissertation collections are added automatically as they are received from the Graduate School. Currently, the Graduate School deposits all theses and dissertations from a given semester after the official graduation date. This means that there may be up to a 4 month delay in the appearance of a give thesis/dissertation in DRUM

More information is available at Theses and Dissertations at University of Maryland Libraries.

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Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    LONGITUDINAL ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN METHAMPHETAMINE USE AND DEPRESSION AMONG YOUNG ADULTS IN THE UNITED STATES: A SECONDARY ANALYSIS
    (2012) Hemberg, Jordana Lynn; Desmond, Sharon M; Public and Community Health; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Methamphetamine is a powerful, highly addictive central nervous system stimulant that is associated with deleterious health outcomes. In particular, there is evidence from clinical treatment samples and criminal justice populations that methamphetamine use is associated with depression, however this association has yet to be investigated in a nationally representative sample. Given that young adults are the group most prone to methamphetamine use, this study used a total of 8,688 respondents from Waves III (2001-02; ages 18-28) and IV (2007-08; ages 24-34) of the National Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) to examine whether methamphetamine use (past year use at Wave III) was associated with depression, as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). This study also evaluated whether gender, functional poverty status, polydrug use, and childhood maltreatment moderated the association between methamphetamine use and depression. Logistic regressions were used to determine the odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) in unadjusted and adjusted analyses (controlling for gender, age, race/ethnicity, US region, functional poverty status, childhood maltreatment, polydrug use, and depression at Wave III). Results indicated that in the general population, methamphetamine users have increased odds of becoming depressed (OR: 2.13, 95% CI: 1.38-3.27) and controlling for covariates, including Wave III depression, methamphetamine use independently predicted later depression (OR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.12-2.92). None of the potential moderator variables tested had an effect on the association. These findings indicate that longitudinally, methamphetamine users are at an increased risk for depression, regardless of other factors and perhaps drug prevention and treatment programs for methamphetamine use should focus more on decreasing depression in this population. This study provides a broader understanding of the relationship between methamphetamine use and depression in a nationally representative sample, though further investigation into potential mediators and moderators is warranted.
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    The nature of bi-ethnic identity in young adults of Asian and European descent and their perceptions of familial influences on its development
    (2009) Wagner Hoa, Amanda Laurel; Wigfield, Allan; Human Development; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    The purpose of this study was to identify the key constructs of bi-ethnic identity, the key familial influences, and other salient influences on bi-ethnic identity as perceived by young adults of Asian and European descent. The rapidly changing demographics of the United States provide an impetus for research on the developmental processes of bi-ethnic individuals. In this qualitative study, participants were interviewed about their bi-ethnic identities and possible influences on bi-ethnic identity development. Data analysis for this study incorporated techniques from grounded theory (Strauss & Corbin, 1990) and analytic induction (LeCompte & Preissle, 1993). Five bi-ethnic identity types emerged from participants' responses to interview questions: majority identity, minority identity, dual identity, integrated identity, and unresolved identity. These identity types are a unique contribution to the literature in that they specify how individuals of Asian and European descent define themselves. Additionally, this study identified four facets of bi-ethnic identity that indicate how bi-ethnic individuals think and feel about their background: centrality, self-label, affirmation, and affect. Six categories of influences on bi-ethnic identity development emerged from responses to interview questions (parental, extended family, personal, peer, environmental, discrimination), with 18 subcategories. This study is important because most prior research on bi-ethnic identity has focused on uncovering developmental stages, while we lack understanding of the nature of bi-ethnic identity and influences on its development. This study was important given the dearth of research on bi-ethnic Asians, although future research is needed with other bi-ethnic groups.
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    Investigating the Moderating Role of Reflective Capacity in the Link between Attachment Security and Personal Resilience in Young Adults
    (2006-05-01) Ma, Yueher; Gelso, Charles J.; Psychology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    Previous research suggested that reflective capacity could help mothers who suffered from childhood deprivation better manage the challenging task of parenting and form secure bonding with their infants. The purpose of this present study was to examine whether reflective capacity might act as protective factor in assisting young adults, especially those with more insecure attachment styles (i.e., dismissing, preoccupied, and fearful), to better cope with challenges in life. The results of this study revealed moderate correlations between attachment security and personal resilience as well as between reflective capacity and personal resilience in the young adult population. Although the data in the current study disconfirmed the proposed model of reflective capacity as a moderator in the link between attachment security and personal resilience, they appeared to support the model of reflective capacity as a mediator in the relation between attachment security and personal resilience.
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    An Examination of Factors that Distinguish Groups of Young Adult Ecstasy Users
    (2006-04-27) Levy, Kira Beth; O'Grady, Kevin E.; Psychology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)
    This study examined Ecstasy use in 322 young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 years who participated in an Internet study regarding their history of substance use. The primary goal of this study was to increase our understanding of what factors differentiate between different 'types' of Ecstasy users. Specifically, this study examined potential factors that distinguish between young adults who experiment with the use of Ecstasy and then quit ("Experimenters"); become active users of Ecstasy and continue use ("Users"); and become active users of Ecstasy and then quit ("Quitters"). In addition, a non-ecstasy using polydrug using group served as a "Control" group. The following primary outcome variables were examined: age of first use of Ecstasy; patterns of Ecstasy consumption; Ecstasy use by peers; levels of social conformity, sensation seeking, risk appraisal, and risky behaviors; motivations for initial use of Ecstasy; motivations for continued use of Ecstasy; psychological addiction to Ecstasy; testing of Ecstasy pills; use of 5-HTP and vitamins; reasons reported by non-Ecstasy users for lack of experimentation with Ecstasy; and, general knowledge and beliefs about Ecstasy. Results indicated that Ecstasy Users (Experimenters, Users, and Quitters) were similar in the following characteristics: history of polydrug use; social conformity; sensation-seeking; appraisal of risky activities; history of engaging in risky activities; and self-report of reasons for first using Ecstasy. In addition, findings revealed the following characteristics to be distinguishing factors among the three groups (Users, Experimenters, and Quitters): extent of polydrug use; age of first use of ecstasy; patterns of ecstasy use; number of peers who currently use Ecstasy; and reasons for continued use of ecstasy. Notably, all of the participants in this study self-reported polydrug use, and Users were found to be significantly more likely to report having used a greater number of substances during the past 90 days than Experimenters, Quitters, and Controls. Furthermore, results suggest that young adults who have peers who use Ecstasy are at great risk for either the initiation of or continuation of current Ecstasy use. Implications for prevention and intervention are discussed.