Psychology
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/2270
Browse
234 results
Search Results
Item Examining Maternal Depression and Attachment Insecurity as Moderators of the Impacts of Home Visiting for At-Risk Mothers and Infants(American Psychological Association, 2009) Duggan, Anne K.; Berlin, Lisa J.; Cassidy, Jude; Burrell, Lori; Tandon, S. DariusHome visiting programs for at-risk mothers and their infants have proliferated nationally in recent years, yet experimental studies of home visiting have yielded mixed findings. One promising strategy for explicating the effects of early home visiting is to examine moderators of program impacts. This study assessed the roles of maternal depression and attachment insecurity as moderators of the impacts of Healthy Families Alaska home visiting services for at-risk mothers and their infants. At-risk families (N = 325) were randomly assigned to home visiting or community services as usual (n = 162 and 163, respectively). Maternal depression and attachment insecurity (attachment anxiety and discomfort with trust/dependence) were measured at baseline. Maternal psychosocial and parenting outcomes were measured when children were 2 years old via maternal self-report, observation, and review of substantiated reports of child maltreatment. Maternal depression and attachment insecurity interacted in their moderation of program impacts. For several outcomes, home visiting impacts were greatest for nondepressed mothers with moderate-to-high discomfort with trust/dependence and for depressed mothers with low discomfort with trust/dependence. Implications for practice and policy are discussed. (APA PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)Item The Generalization of Attachment Representations to New Social Situations: Predicting Behavior during Initial Interactions with Strangers(American Psychological Association, 2008-12) Feeney, Brooke C.; Cassidy, Jude; Ramos-Marcuse, FatimaThe idea that attachment representations are generalized to new social situations and guide behavior with unfamiliar others is central to attachment theory. However, research regarding this important theoretical postulate has been lacking in adolescence and adulthood, as most research has focused on establishing the influence of attachment representations on close relationship dynamics. Thus, the goal of this investigation was to examine the extent to which attachment representations are predictive of adolescents' initial behavior when meeting and interacting with new peers. High school adolescents (N = 135) participated with unfamiliar peers from another school in 2 social support interactions that were videotaped and coded by independent observers. Results indicated that attachment representations (assessed through interview and self-report measures) were predictive of behaviors exhibited during the discussions. Theoretical implications of the results and contributions to the existing literature are discussed. (APA PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)Item The Relationship Between Self-Monitoring and Successful Ingratiation(2002) Johnson, Mark B.; Sigall, Harold; Psychology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md)According to self-monitoring theory, high self-monitors should be more skilled at self-presentation than low self-monitors. Research has shown that high self-monitors do possess skills ostensibly related to self-presentation, but there is no empirical evidence that they are any better at achieving self-presentation goals. Conversely, the selfpresentation literature has identified self-presentation strategies that do facilitate achieving interpersonal goals. One component of self-presentation skill, therefore, may involve knowing what strategy to use in achieving self-presentation success. This research examines the self-presentation strategies used by high and low self-monitors in their attempt to achieve the goal of being liked. Previous research has found that presenting one's positive interpersonal qualities tend to increase liking, whereas presenting one's abilities and achievements tend to reduce liking. It was hypothesized that when faced with the goal of being liked, high selfmonitors, more so than low self-monitors, would choose to emphasize their positive interpersonal qualities and to be modest in presenting their achievements. It was hypothesized further that the selection of self-presentation strategies would have actual interpersonal consequences. It was predicted that the presentation of positive interpersonal qualities would increase liking, whereas the promotion of abilities and achievements would decrease liking. Three studies were conducted to test these hypotheses. In two studies, high and low self-monitoring participants fabricated personality descriptions they believed another person would like very much. Contrary to prediction, high self-monitors promoted abilities and achievements more extensively than low self-monitors. In a third study designed to examine self-monitors' expectations regarding different self-presentation strategies, high self-monitors believed that promoting abilities would lead to greater liking than did low self-monitors. Results indicated that presentations that extolled interpersonal qualities did produce greater liking than did presentations that extolled achievements and abilities. Thus, high self-monitors did not use the self-presentational strategy that was more likely to succeed. The implications of the findings are discussed.Item Self-Directed Learning in the Workplace(2000) Conn, Amy Buhl; Psychology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md)Rapid changes in workplace (e.g., technology, organizational structure) increase the complexity of work which, in turn, increases the demand for continual learning. Current training efforts, in which organizations sponsor employee training in some form, are insufficient in meeting this demand for training. As a result, organizations have embraced the principles of self-directed learning (SDL) and encouraged employees to assume some responsibility for their own learning. Yet, the effectiveness of SDL in the workplace has received little empirical attention. Previous research has demonstrated that individuals high in SDL readiness (i.e., individuals who prefer guiding and directing their own learning as opposed to a teacher-centered format) received higher overall performance ratings. However, researchers have not examined the effect of actual SDL experience on either overall performance or performance in the specific area related to those SDL experiences. While it has been maintained that SDL is an effective form of workplace training to improve job performance, this assumption has not been tested. The goal of the present research was to test this assertion by evaluating a SDL program (i.e., an on-line listening skills course) currently in place. Measures of individuals' SDL readiness, work locus of control, cognitive ability, SDL activities, learning acquisition, and job performance were examined before and after engaging in the SDL program. A control group was secured for comparison, thereby providing a better test of the propositions. Results supported many of the proposed relationships. In particular, SDL readiness and work locus of control predicted membership in the target SDL course and the extent to which participants engaged in the course. Participation in the listening skills course and the extent to which they engaged in the course predicted greater learnings, which in turn predicted improved listening skills performance three months after the completion of the course. Implications of the results as it relates to past research, limitations of the study, and directions for future research are discussed.Item RISKY BEHAVIOR IN COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH ADHD(2008) Rooney, Mary; Chronis-Tuscano, Andrea M; Psychology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are more likely to engage in risky behavior across the lifespan than those without ADHD. College represents an important developmental phase during which the initiation and escalation of heavy drinking set the stage for lifelong difficulties with alcohol and other drugs (Maggs, 1997). The present study examined patterns of alcohol use, illicit drug use, risky sexual behavior, and risky driving behaviors among 39 college students with ADHD and 60 college students without ADHD. Results suggested that among college students, ADHD, CD, and their comorbidity were differentially associated with patterns of risky behavior. Results from the present study largely support the overarching view that individuals with ADHD engage in higher rates of risky behavior; however, specific findings were at times inconsistent with the existing literature on young adults with ADHD. Further research is needed to examine moderators of the association between ADHD and risky behavior.Item The Negative Symptom Rating Scale: Initial Evaluation of Reliability and Validity(2009) Forbes, Courtney Brynn; Blanchard, Jack J; Psychology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Negative symptoms in schizophrenia are a major determinant of the social and occupational impairments that characterize the disorder, as well as a significant source of distress for caregivers, and predictors of poor long-term outcome. Despite the compelling evidence for the clinical relevance of negative symptoms, this domain of the illness remains inadequately addressed by current pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. As identified at the NIMH-MATRICS Consensus Development Conference on Negative Symptoms, a significant barrier to progress in the treatment of this symptom domain is the current lack of an adequate measure for assessment of negative symptoms (Kirkpatrick et al., 2006). It was in response to this need that the NIMH-MATRICS Negative Symptom Workgroup developed a new measure, the Negative Symptom Rating Scale (NSRS). The current study provided the first evaluation of the psychometric properties of the newly developed NSRS, including the inter-rater agreement and internal consistency of the NSRS scales, and assessed convergent and discriminant validity. The results of this initial psychometric evaluation of the NSRS are generally quite encouraging, and provide information that has helped inform data-driven modifications to the measure for upcoming validation studies. With regards to reliability, the NSRS demonstrated adequate internal consistency for the scale as a whole, and for three of the five subscales. The results indicated that the Asociality and Avolition subscales warrant further revisions or modifications to improve internal consistency. Additionally, three of the five subscales were found to have good to excellent interrater reliability, with the Avolition and Alogia subscales falling in the fair range. Results generally demonstrated adequate convergent validity between the NSRS and other measures of negative symptoms, namely the SANS and the BPRS Anergia subscale. Additionally, results indicated general convergence between clinician-rated anhedonia using the NSRS and self-reported anhedonia as measured by the TEPS. Finally, the NSRS showed discrimination from ratings of psychotic and depressive symptoms. The results of the present study point to areas in which revisions are necessary, and has provided valuable information that is necessary for making revisions and modifications to the measure prior to larger scale evaluation.Item Effectiveness of a Brief Behavioral Smoking Cessation Intervention In A Residential Substance Use Treatment Center(2009) White, Thomas James; Smith, Barry D; Psychology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Cigarette smoking is the number one preventable cause of death in the United States (American Cancer Society, 2008). Despite decades of awareness on the dangers of cigarette smoking, many smokers have been unable to successfully quit. One population with little access to smoking cessation treatments is inner city drug abusers in residential treatment centers. Smoking rates among polydrug users in treatment approach 100% (Burling & Ziff, 1988), and half of those treated for alcohol or substance abuse will die of smoking-related illnesses (Hurt, et al., 1996). Nonetheless, a recent survey of residential substance abuse treatment centers found that only 31% of centers provided smoking cessation programs (Fuller, et al., 2007). The relative scarcity of smoking cessation programs offered at such centers is alarming. A residential substance-abuse center setting is, theoretically, an ideal location for the implementation of a smoking cessation program, due to the available resources (Bernstein & Stoduto, 1999). Successful completion of a smoking cessation intervention during drug treatment increases illicit drug abstinence rates by 25% at one year (Prochaska, Delucchi, & Hall, 2004). Nonetheless, studies of smoking cessation programs in residential treatment centers have typically showed low rates of success (Friend & Pagano, 2005), although these programs have typically utilized the group modality and not individualized, one-on-one treatment (Currie, Nesbitt, Wood & Lawson, 2003). It is important to measure the effectiveness of smoking cessation programs delivered in a one-on-one modality in residential treatment centers. The smoking cessation intervention employed in the present study was based on prior behavioral interventions. The effectiveness of this intervention on smoking cessation and short-term (one-month) relapse were assessed. Goodness-of-fit analysis revealed significantly greater rates of point-prevalence smoking reduction or cessation in the active treatment condition compared with the placebo condition; however, when smoking cessation rates were examined alone, there was no significant difference in cessation rates across the two conditions. No sex differences were found in smoking cessation or reduction rates across conditions. Hierarchical linear modeling revealed that sex (being male) and nicotine dependence contributed most significantly to CPD following quit day.Item Associations Between Paternal Psychopathology and Conduct Problems in Children with ADHD(2009) Mintz, Abigail D.; Chronis-Tuscano, Andrea; Psychology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Parental psychopathology has consistently emerged as an important risk factor for negative developmental outcomes in children with ADHD; yet, this literature has focused almost exclusively on mothers. The few studies that do focus on fathers have identified significant associations between paternal psychopathology and child conduct problems (CP). This study sought to replicate these findings among families of children with ADHD and to extend prior research by considering paternal involvement as a potential moderator. Direct relationships between paternal psychopathology and child CP were not found. However, paternal involvement moderated the relationship between paternal ADHD and child CP. For involved fathers, these two variables were positively correlated, which suggests that children whose fathers are both involved and display psychopathology may be at higher risk for concurrent CP.Item Affective Pathways of Work-Family Enrichment Among Dual-earner Couples(2009) Dunn, Marianne Grace; O'Brien, Karen M; Psychology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)The current study examined the extent to which resources generated at work influence family functioning among dual-earner couples while accounting for interdependence of observations among couples. Path analytic findings based in the Actor Partner Interdependence Model (APIM; Cook & Kenny, 2005) and Work-Family Enrichment Theory (Greenhaus & Powell, 2006) supported the presence of a mediated model. The relationship between resources generated at work to positive family performance was mediated by positive affect at work. A number of intrapersonal effects, including one mediated effect emerged between work, positive affect at work, and family variables. One interpersonal effect was detected: female family-supportive organization perceptions predicted male dyadic adjustment. The results and implications for theory, policy, practice, and research are discussed.Item An Initial Assessment of the Convergent Validity of the Negative Symptom Rating Scale: The Relationship Between Behavioral Codings of Expressed Facial Affect and Clinical Ratings of Blunted Affect(2009) Baker, Bryann Renee; Blanchard, Jack J.; Psychology; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness that represents a significant public health burden. No treatments are FDA approved for negative symptoms of schizophrenia, primarily because there is no valid, reliable measure for negative symptoms. A new negative symptom measure, the Negative Symptom Rating Scale (NSRS), is in the initial phases of validation. The current study assesses the convergent validity of the scale by examining the relationship between the NSRS and expressed facial affect. The study also sought to clarify the relationship between expressed facial affect and functioning. The results revealed a significant relationship between expressed facial affect and the NSRS subscale of blunted affect, as predicted. However, there was not a significant relationship between expressed facial affect and functioning. These results provide initial evidence for the convergent validity of the scale. Currently, there is an ongoing research study to further assess the reliability and validity of the NSRS.