This study examined how insecure attachment, negative worldview, and coping self-efficacy predict posttraumatic stress in 73 college students who experienced physical or sexual assault in the past 5 years. Participants completed online questionnaires measuring these factors. Results of the path analysis found that insecure anxious attachment predicted more severe posttraumatic stress indirectly through its effects on increasing negative worldview and reducing coping self-efficacy. Specifically, insecure attachment predicted a more negative worldview and lower coping self-efficacy, which in turn predicted more severe posttraumatic stress. This provides evidence that attachment insecurity influences post-assault adjustment through its impact on how individuals view the world and their coping abilities.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Adult Survivors of Child Abuse with Borderl...Wyiki Wyone
Masters Thesis on Psychotherapy for Adult Survivors of Child Abuse:
Qualitative Longitudinal Cohort Study of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Adult Survivors of Child Abuse with Borderline Personality Disorder (DBT for ASCA with BPD)
Assessing Mediation in HIV Intervention Studiesfhardnett
This presentation describes the use of asymmetric confidence limits to test for mediation when the direct effect was not significant and effect suppression was present.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Adult Survivors of Child Abuse with Borderl...Wyiki Wyone
Masters Thesis on Psychotherapy for Adult Survivors of Child Abuse:
Qualitative Longitudinal Cohort Study of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy for Adult Survivors of Child Abuse with Borderline Personality Disorder (DBT for ASCA with BPD)
Assessing Mediation in HIV Intervention Studiesfhardnett
This presentation describes the use of asymmetric confidence limits to test for mediation when the direct effect was not significant and effect suppression was present.
nameSocial Exclusion and Demographic Variables: Gender differences as a predi...Imrul Islam
Experiment to investigate the relations, if any, between social ostracism and gendered variables. The study used a randomized pool of undergraduates and was completed under the supervision of Professor Allan Clifton of the Psychology department at Vassar College.
Previous research shows deficits in Executive Function (EF) in patients with anxiety and depression. Recent studies have shown that EF measured by neuro-imaging and Neuro-psychological tests predicts treatment outcomes for depression, but it is unclear whether they predict outcomes for anxiety. Neuro-imaging and
Neuro-psychological tests are effective but intensive procedures that may not always be accessible to clinicians. Previous research has explored the viability of questionnaire measures of EF. A previous study suggests that the Revised by executive Questionnaire (DEX-R) predicts concurrent depression and anxiety; however, it is unclear how comorbidity influenced these results. The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether a questionnaire measure of EF could predict concurrent depression and anxiety and well as outcomes following treatment. A total of 206 psychiatric outpatients with major depression or anxiety disorders completed the DEX-R prior to Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (GCBT). They also completed anxiety and depression scales at pre-and post-treatment. Executive dysfunction predicted symptom severity for pre-treatment anxiety after controlling for comorbid depression, and for pre-treatment depression after controlling for comorbid anxiety. Symptom severity in anxiety was predicted by specific executive deficits in inhibition; symptom severity in depression was predicted by executive problems with volition and social regulation.
DEX-R significantly predicted post-treatment symptoms of anxiety but not depression following treatment in GCBT. It was concluded that EF deficits are associated with both anxiety and depressive disorders and predict responsiveness to treatment for anxiety patients. Screening of psychiatric patients for EF and, where indicated, incorporation of neurocognitive training strategies into therapy, may improve treatment outcomes.
nameSocial Exclusion and Demographic Variables: Gender differences as a predi...Imrul Islam
Experiment to investigate the relations, if any, between social ostracism and gendered variables. The study used a randomized pool of undergraduates and was completed under the supervision of Professor Allan Clifton of the Psychology department at Vassar College.
Previous research shows deficits in Executive Function (EF) in patients with anxiety and depression. Recent studies have shown that EF measured by neuro-imaging and Neuro-psychological tests predicts treatment outcomes for depression, but it is unclear whether they predict outcomes for anxiety. Neuro-imaging and
Neuro-psychological tests are effective but intensive procedures that may not always be accessible to clinicians. Previous research has explored the viability of questionnaire measures of EF. A previous study suggests that the Revised by executive Questionnaire (DEX-R) predicts concurrent depression and anxiety; however, it is unclear how comorbidity influenced these results. The purpose of the current study was to investigate whether a questionnaire measure of EF could predict concurrent depression and anxiety and well as outcomes following treatment. A total of 206 psychiatric outpatients with major depression or anxiety disorders completed the DEX-R prior to Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (GCBT). They also completed anxiety and depression scales at pre-and post-treatment. Executive dysfunction predicted symptom severity for pre-treatment anxiety after controlling for comorbid depression, and for pre-treatment depression after controlling for comorbid anxiety. Symptom severity in anxiety was predicted by specific executive deficits in inhibition; symptom severity in depression was predicted by executive problems with volition and social regulation.
DEX-R significantly predicted post-treatment symptoms of anxiety but not depression following treatment in GCBT. It was concluded that EF deficits are associated with both anxiety and depressive disorders and predict responsiveness to treatment for anxiety patients. Screening of psychiatric patients for EF and, where indicated, incorporation of neurocognitive training strategies into therapy, may improve treatment outcomes.
A cancer diagnosis and cancer treatment can be traumatic. An experience with cancer can lead to serious psychological distress that should be addressed. In this webinar, Schuyler Cunningham, Clinical Social Worker, talks about what trauma is, how to identify it, and what steps to take next.
Case 2 – How dumb can you getA recent news article reported t.docxtidwellveronique
Case 2 – How dumb can you get?
A recent news article reported that an employee of the City of Norfolk, Virginia had been on the payroll for some twelve years even though she had not reported to work for most of those years. This was apparently with the full knowledge of city officials. Familiarize yourself with the situation and comment on it.
Who is at fault?
Is anyone at fault?
What should be the result?
How would you fix that problem?
Online Gaming Addiction: The Role of Sensation
Seeking, Self-Control, Neuroticism, Aggression,
State Anxiety, and Trait Anxiety
Mehwash Mehroof, B.Sc. and Mark D. Griffiths, Ph.D.
Abstract
Research into online gaming has steadily increased over the last decade, although relatively little research has
examined the relationship between online gaming addiction and personality factors. This study examined the
relationship between a number of personality traits (sensation seeking, self-control, aggression, neuroticism,
state anxiety, and trait anxiety) and online gaming addiction. Data were collected over a 1-month period using
an opportunity sample of 123 university students at an East Midlands university in the United Kingdom.
Gamers completed all the online questionnaires. Results of a multiple linear regression indicated that five traits
(neuroticism, sensation seeking, trait anxiety, state anxiety, and aggression) displayed significant associations
with online gaming addiction. The study suggests that certain personality traits may be important in the
acquisition, development, and maintenance of online gaming addiction, although further research is needed to
replicate the findings of the present study.
Introduction
Since the early 2000s, research into online gaming hassteadily increased,1–4 although relatively little has exam-
ined the relationship between online gaming addiction and
personality. Gaming addiction (either online or offline) is not as
yet an established diagnosis, although further research in the
area may contribute toward its inclusion in future editions of
the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical
Manual (DSM). Personality traits may play a role in addiction
more generally, as many people seem to have personalities that
may predispose them to addiction.5 One such trait could be
sensation seeking.6 Although taking risks and experimenting
with a variety of activities is considered normal, those who are
prone to engage in sensation-seeking behaviors may find
themselves at higher risks for developing a dependence on
online gaming. However, studies suggesting sensation seeking
as an explanation for online gaming addiction are inconsis-
tent.2,7 Self-control may also influence online gaming. Ng and
Wiemer-Hastings1 stated that since gamers can become easily
absorbed in playing, their behavior may lead to a loss of time
control. Research by Kim et al.8 shows some support for this
view. However, there is still a general lack of research on the
relationship betwe ...
Chapter Seven:
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Background of PTSD
Psychic trauma is the result of experiencing an acute overwhelming threat in which disequilibrium occurs.
Most people are extremely resilient and will quickly return to a state of mental and physical homeostasis.
Acute stress disorder is when symptoms continue for a period of 2 days to 1 month and have an onset within 1 month of the traumatic event.
Background Cont.
If acute stress disorder symptoms develop, they will typically diminish in 1 to 3 months.
Delayed PTSD is when symptoms disappear for a period of time and then reemerge in a variety of symptomatic forms months or years after the event.
Benchmarks
Railway train accidents
“Railway spine”
Freud’s research on trauma cases of young Victorian women
“Hysterical neurosis”
Traumatized combat veterans (especially veterans of the Vietnam Conflict)
“Shell shock”
“Combat fatigue”
Benchmarks Cont.
Recognition of domestic violence and rape via the women’s movement
“Battered women’s syndrome”
All came together to be defined as posttraumatic stress disorder in the third edition of the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (1980).
Diagnostic Criteria
Exposure to a trauma that involves:
Actual or perceived threat of serious injury or death to self or others
Response to the trauma was intense fear, helplessness, or horror
Symptoms arise that were not evident before the event
Persistent re-experiencing of the trauma in at least ONE of the following ways:
Recurrent and distressing recollections
Recurrent nightmares
Flashback episodes
Distress related to internal or external cues that symbolize the event
Physiological reactions to events that symbolize the trauma
Diagnostic Criteria Cont.
Behaviors consistent with at least THREE of the following:
Persistently avoiding related thoughts, dialogues, or feelings
Persistently avoiding related activities, people, or situations
Inability to recall important details of the trauma
Markedly diminished interest in significant activities
Emotionally detached from others
Restricted range of affect
Sense of foreshortened future
Diagnostic Criteria Cont.
Persistent symptoms of increased nervous system arousal that were not present prior to the trauma, as indicated by at least TWO of the following:
Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Irritability or outbursts of anger
Difficulty concentrating
Hyper-vigilance
Exaggerated startle reactions to minimal stimuli
The disturbance causes clinically significant impairment in social, occupational, or other critical areas of living.
PTSD in Children
Bus kidnapping in Chowchilla, CA
30-50% of children will experience at least one traumatic event by the age of 18.
3-16% of boys and 1-6% of girls will develop PTSD.
The type of trauma will impact the likelihood of developing PTSD.
Nearly 100% if they see a parent killed or sexually assaulted.
Approximately 90% if the child ...
Somatic Experiencing: Reduction of Depression and Anxiety in Homeless Adults ...Michael Changaris
This is a brief 7 page version of dissertation presented for completion of doctorate. The study found some implications for reduction of symptoms of depression and anxiety in homeless adults. Limitations are number of sessions attended (1.33 average), population heterogeneity and small sample size.
Presentation by Daniel Flannery, Ph.D. given at the 2010 RWJF LFP Annual Meeting in St. Paul, MN
This presentation will present recent research on the links between brain development and neurochemistry, mental health and violence. We will compare traditional treatment programs that focus separately on perpetrators, victims and witnesses with examples of specific, innovative, multi-systemic treatment models that providers have employed in an attempt to break the cycle of violence. Our discussion will revolve around several video vignettes and principles of Trauma-Informed care.
Participants will address the challenges of pilot-tested, “evidence-based practice” versus the “practice-based evidence” of community programs. Treatment challenges related to co-morbid functioning of high-risk individuals will be discussed including substance use, offending, mental health, family functioning and academic achievement. Examples of specific innovative treatment models and local and national data on multi-system involved youth and intervention outcomes will be provided. We will also consider the difficulties and benefits of working in collaborative, community-based coalitions to effect change and how this movement has been affected by policy, resources, and increased demands for accountability.
Poster_William & Mary_Anderson, Lim, Smith, March 2016
1. Gabrial Anderson, Marissa Lim, & Andrew J. Smith
Psychology Department, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
INTRODUCTION
Direct correspondence to Andrew J. Smith at ajsmith1@vt.edu
Social-Cognitive-Affective Factors Predicting Post-Assault Posttraumatic Stress:
The Roles of Insecure Attachment, Negative Worldview, and Coping Self-Efficacy
Participants & Procedure
- Students enrolled at Virignia Tech (N = 73)
- Endorsed physical or sexual assault in past 5 years
- Age: Mdn = 19, M = 19.82, SD = 2.16, Range = 18 - 33
- Gender: Female (n = 52), Male (n = 21)
- Racial distribution: 70% White; 12% Asian; 10% Hispanic; 4%
Black; 4% Other
- Self-report questionnaires administered online
Measures
- PTS Symptom Severity: PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version (17
items, α=.92)
- Coping Self-Efficacy: Trauma Coping Self-Efficacy Scale (9
items; α= .79)
- Attachment: insecure anxious attachment subscale from the
Experiences in Close Relationships Scale, insecure (7 items;
α= .76)
- Negative Posttraumatic Cognitions: Posttraumatic Cognitions
Inventory, World Subscale (7 items; α= .79)
Presented at the 15th Annual William and Mary Graduate Research Symposium, 2016
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
Analytical Strategy
- Path Analysis via MPLUS & SPSS
- Goodness of fit using two-index analysis for small sample (e.g.,
SRMR, CFI, TLI, Chi-squared)
- Indirect effects tested via bootstrapping (Hayes & Preacher, 2013)
methodology producing confidence intervals through 5,000 repeated
random sample tests
RESULTS CONT.
PTS = posttraumatic stress (range = 18 to 72); coping self-efficacy (range = 26 to 63); PTCI-W =
posttraumatic cognitions, world subscale (range = 1 to 7 [continuous score, M = 24.54, SD = 8.22, range =
6 to 38]); Anx Attachment = insecure anxious attachment subscale from Experiences in Close
Relationships scale (range = 6 to 38); gender (0 = male, 1 = female)
* p < .05; ** p < .001
PTS = posttraumatic stress; CSE = coping self-efficacy; PTCI-W = posttraumatic cognitions, world subscale;
Anx Attachment = insecure anxious attachment subscale from Experiences in Close Relationships scale.
Unstandardized path coefficients (i.e., B) reported throughout this table and in results section.
*= significant via confidence interval that does not cross 0; a = covariate control variable
METHODOLOGY
Exposure to interpersonal violence increases the risk for developing
posttraumatic stress disorder. Theory and research suggests that problems
with emotion regulation link trauma exposure and the development of PTSD.
Theory and evidence further suggest that adaptive emotional regulatory
capacity develops through early secure attachment experiences via
interpersonal relationships.
Theory and evidence further suggest that adaptive emotion regulatory
capacity develops through early experiences and secure attachment with
caregivers. Conversely, insecure attachments form the foundation for emotion
regulation problems in adulthood, perpetuating more severe PTS symptoms
in the wake of traumatic events. However, mechanisms that link attachment-
related vulnerabilities to posttraumatic mental health remain unclear.
The current study sought to examine whether two prominent social-cognitive-
affective mechanisms of posttraumatic adaptation serve to link attachment-
based vulnerability to PTS symptoms among adults exposed to interpersonal
assault (sexual or physical). Specifically, we hypothesized that insecure
anxious attachment would predict worse PTS symptoms through increasing
severity of negative worldview and reducing adaptive coping self-efficacy
appraisals.
- Consistent with research: Insecure attachment makes one vulnerable to
worse PTS symptoms in the wake of interpersonal trauma
- Novel findings: Anxious insecure attachment predicts PTS only through
proposed mechanisms (although limited by cross-sectional design)
More severe anxious insecure attachment predicts more severe negative
worldview
More severe anxious insecure attachment predicts lower CSE
More severe negative worldview predicts lower CSE
- Implications:
Interventions: Targeting CSE and negative/inflexible worldview
Future research: Longitudinal with diverse samples to test this model
- Limitations: Cross-sectional, small sample, self-report measures
Mental health functioning of the sample
Mean PTS score (M = 38.45, SD = 14.37) indicates that the current sample is, on
average, experiences clinically significant PTS symptoms. Scores on the
Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory-World Subscale (M = 3.51, SD = 1.17
[continuous M = 24.54, SD = 8.22]) indicates that our sample maintains negative
cognitions about the world in a manner consistent with trauma-exposed samples.
Visual Depiction of the Path Model & Findings