Browsing by Subject "Adolescent"

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Adolescent Perceptions of Delinquent Behavior Based on Individual Smoking Status: Friends and Peers
(2012-07-16) Thomsen, Cortney
Adolescent social influence is a contributing factor to higher rates of delinquent behaviors such as tobacco use, alcohol abuse, illicit drug use, and sexual activity. The objective of this study is to assess how the distinction between the perception of two social groups, peer and friend, influences behavior based on individual smoking status. Data from the 2006 Adolescent Health Risk Behaviors Survey is used for secondary analysis using questions that address individual perception of delinquent behavior based on peer ("people your age") and friends. An independent samples t-test is used to assess the combined friend and peer perception based on lifetime smoking status (non-smokers and smokers). Next, a paired samples t-test using the significant variable of smokers only is used to measure the difference in perception of the social groups, peer vs. friend. The data indicated that there is a perceived difference between social groups behavior based on smoking status with smokers perceiving their peers to be more delinquent than their friends. There is a need for further research to address true prevalence rates in adolescent social groups and education efforts to focus on the dynamic of social interactions that influence delinquent behaviors.
An analysis of the literature on self-compassion, self-esteem, and body image as predictors of adolescent reckless behavior
(2009-12) Holder, Christen Marie; Schallert, Diane L.; Tharinger, Deborah
Adolescent reckless behavior is a major concern for society because it leads to the three most common causes of mortality for this age group. Body image and self-esteem have been proposed as constructs that have an effect on adolescents’ participation in reckless behavior. Self-esteem, however, has been garnering criticism in recent years for promoting narcissism and downward social comparison with others. Self-compassion is an alternative to self-esteem that focuses on accepting oneself and having feelings of common humanity. This report proposes a study that would measure reckless behavior in adolescents, and look at the effect self-compassion, self-esteem, and body image has on it. In addition, self-compassion will be examined to see if it moderates the effect body image has on self-esteem.
Behavioral Intervention for Smoking Cessation in Adolescents and Young Adults
(2006-08-11) Schepis, Ty Stephen; Rao, Uma
Smoking is the leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. The vast majority of adult smokers initiate smoking before the age of 18, and the cumulative risk for initiation does not decline until the middle 20's. Thus, early intervention programs could be of great benefit to public health. Here, we have tested such a program: a smoking cessation treatment named the Modified Brief Office Intervention (M-BOI). The M-BOI is a 10-session cognitivebehaviorally based intervention. Sixty-three participants were consented for treatment, and 38 received M-BOI treatment, in conjunction with randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled bupropion. Of treated participants, 60.5% reduced their baseline level of smoking by half at the end of treatment; overall, treated participants reduced their smoking by 49.8%. Using intent-to-treat analyses, 7.3% of participants achieved biochemically verified cessation, and treatment was associated with a significant decrease in smoking. Treatment did not seem to significantly reduce exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) levels but did reduce urine cotinine. Depression history and baseline level of depressive symptoms had no effect on change in smoking during treatment, but this may have been due to low power to detect differences. Exploratory analyses demonstrated that treatment was associated with an increase in smoking-related self-efficacy, and decreases in maladaptive cognitions related to unpleasant events, nicotine withdrawal symptoms, smoking urges and nicotine dependence symptoms. Finally, there were preliminary indications that treatment ameliorated depressive symptoms in individuals with a history of a depressive disorder. Participants rated treatment as helpful with their cessation efforts and the majority would recommend M-BOI treatment to others. One major limitation of this study is the lack of data on M-BOI treatment without pharmacotherapy. Taken together, this study provides preliminary evidence for the efficacy and acceptability of the M-BOI. Further evaluation is needed to more firmly establish its effects.
Cross-Sectional Differences in Brain Activity Supporting Working Memory
(2011-12-12) Dewey, Laura Marie; Motes, Michael A.
Cross-sectional developmental studies have shown working memory (WM) to follow monotonic developmental trajectories through childhood into adolescence. In contrast, structural neuroimaging studies have shown that several brain regions, such as the prefrontal cortex (PFC), follow nonlinear developmental trajectories from birth through late adulthood. The present study sought to explore the relationship between functional activation in brain regions supporting WM and age throughout adolescence. Forty-two healthy adolescents (aged 11 to 18) completed a delayed-response WM task while functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were collected. Participants studied either one or six letters (3.5 seconds), remembered the items over a delay (5 seconds), and then judged whether a single probe letter was in the studied set (within 2.5 seconds). An fMRI blocked design was used: four blocks per set-size and three trials per block. Additionally, the participants completed the Digit Span subtest from the Wechsler intelligence tests in order to obtain behavioral measures of WM. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to evaluate linear and quadratic relationships between WM task-related signal-change per voxel and age while evaluating the potential mediating effects of WM indices (response time [RT], digit span forward, digit span backward). Linear relationships were found in right medial Brodmann’s Area (BA) 6, right cerebellum, and left BA34 when the linear effects of gender, handedness, response time, digit span forward, and digit span backward were controlled for statistically. Thus, activation increased with age within these regions, but the linear trends were being suppressed by the covariates. Activation on the WM task increased with age in right medial BA6 when the effects of WM indices, as measured in the present study, were removed. The separate relationship between WM capacity and right medial BA6 activation suppressed the detection of the relationship between right medial BA6 activation and age. The data support developmental, possibly maturational, changes in the role of medial PFC in WM that are independent of WM ability measures used in the present study. This finding has implications for broad theories about the development of WM and other cognitive abilities that allow for the identification of both normal and deviant developmental trajectories.
The development and implementation of a self-compassion intervention for adolescents : a pilot study
(2010-08) McGehee, James Pittman; Rude, Stephanie Sandra; Neff, Kristin; Ainslie, Ricardo; Rochlen, Aaron; Brownson, Chris
The adolescent stage of development is particularly challenging. Because of the biological, cognitive, and social transitions of adolescence, this stage of development is seen as an important time for interventions promoting well-being (Steinberg, 1999). Recent research suggests that self-compassionate teens experience greater psychological health than those without self-compassion (Neff & McGehee, in press). To date, however, there have been no self-compassion interventions targeted at the adolescent population. This dissertation is a pilot study investigating the development, implementation and assessment of a self-compassion intervention for an adolescent population. The intervention took the form of a weekend “Self-Compassion Retreat” for high-school students, ages 14-17. Over a two day period, 17 subjects participated in the intervention focused on helping the students to understand and begin to incorporate the three dimensions of self-compassion – self kindness, common humanity and mindfulness. The intervention attempted to deepen student understanding of self-compassion by focusing on experiential and contemplative learning strategies (Kabat-Zinn, 1997; Hart, 2004). The 17 students were introduced to the concept of self-compassion through presentations, small group and contemplative exercises as well as individual interviews. The self-compassion intervention was assessed by testing participants along five different dimensions: self-compassion, depression, anxiety, social connectedness, and happiness at three different time points. The intervention was also assessed through individual interviews following the intervention. Though the quantitative results from the pilot study yielded no significant data for the current sample, the qualitative data provided promising information for future interventions aimed at increasing self-compassion.
Development and validation of the cognitive vulnerability schemas questionnaire for anxious youth
(2014-12) Winton, Samantha Marie; Stark, Kevin Douglas
According to cognitive theories of anxiety, anxiogenic schemata are a set of beliefs, rules, and assumptions that influence how those with anxiety make inferences and interpret threat. It is hypothesized that each anxiety disorder has a unique anxiogenic schema. This report describes the development of the Cognitive Vulnerability Schemas Questionnaire for Anxious Youth, an instrument used to measure anxiogenic schemata in youth aged 7-17 years old. Factor analyses of the scale demonstrated two empirically distinct and relatively stable dimensions of anxiogenic schema. The two identified factors of anxiogenic schema were: (1) Generalized Anxiety and Social Phobia Schema, and (2) Separation Anxiety Schema. The measure demonstrated good psychometric properties on a range of indices of reliability and validity. Results indicated that scores on the questionnaire subscales predicted anxiety symptomology. Regression analyses showed that both factors were predictors of anxiety symptomology, however did not predict anxiety diagnosis. Significant differences in the Cognitive Vulnerability Schemas Questionnaire for Anxious Youth subscales were demonstrated between patients with clinically significant Generalized Anxiety Symptoms, Social Phobia Symptoms, and Separation Anxiety Symptoms. The implications of these findings for theories of cognitive vulnerability and schema development in youth are discussed.
The Development of an Animated Teaching Module Designed To Increase Understanding Of The Basic Concepts Of DNA, RNA, and Protein Synthesis Among Ninth Grade Biology Students
(2011-12-14) Swensen, Jennie; Drumwiede, Kimberly Hoggatt
Can a two-dimensional Flash animation be created to help teach about DNA? The goal of this thesis was to create a teaching module for DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis, designed for ninth grade students. The module contains animations created in Adobe Flash and quizzes after each section. It is to be used as a textbook and lecture supplement for high school students. Quantitative assessment showed an improvement in comprehension. Qualitative assessment showed positive feedback from both students and the teacher.
Dietary fiber linked to decreased inflammation in overweight minority youth
(2015-05) Miller, Samantha Jean; Davis, Jaimie Nicole; Bray, Molly S
Objective: To examine the relationship between diet and inflammation, and adiposity in minority youth. Design and Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 142 overweight (≥85th BMI percentile) Hispanic and African American adolescents (14-18 y) with the following measures: anthropometrics, adiposity via magnetic resonance imagine (MRI), dietary intake via 24-hour dietary recalls, and inflammation markers from fasting blood draws utilizing a multiplex panel. Partial correlations were estimated and ANCOVA models fit to examine the relationship between dietary variables, inflammation markers, and adiposity measures with the following a priori covariates: Tanner stage, ethnicity, sex, total energy intake, total body fat, and total lean mass. Results: Inference based on ANCOVA models showed that the highest tertile of fiber intake (mean intake of 21.3 ± 6.1 g/d) versus the lowest tertile of fiber intake (mean intake of 7.4 ± 1.8 g/d) was associated with 36% lower plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) (P = 0.02) and 43% lower resistin (P = 0.02), independent of covariates. Similar results were seen for insoluble fiber. No other dietary variables included in this study were associated with inflammation markers. Conclusions: These results suggest that increases in dietary fiber could play an important role in lowering inflammation and therefore metabolic disease risk in high-risk minority youth.
Ecological influences on self-esteem and violent behavior among Latino, African-American, and Euro-American Youth: An investigation of mediating and moderating effects
(Texas Tech University, 2009-08) Rappleyea, Damon Loren; Harris, Steven M.; Bean, Roy A.; Reifman, Alan; Whiting, Jason B.
This study utilizes an Ecological Systems framework to conceptualize how various biopsychosocial factors influence violent behavior in adolescents. Violence, particularly in youth under the age of 21, has reached epidemic proportions. Existing research related to clinical implications and intervention strategies are often contradictory and confusing. Structural equation modeling was used to investigate the socialization influences of Neighborhood Disorganization, Parental Violent Behavior, Lack of School Initiative, and Lack of Peer Connection and their impact on Self-Esteem and Adolescent Violent Behavior. Additionally, the study explores the mediating and moderating effects of Self-Esteem, Ethnicity, Socioeconomic Status (SES), and Gender on Adolescent Violent Behavior. Findings suggest that Neighborhood Disorganization, Parental Violent Behavior, and Lack of School Initiative displayed significant unidirectional relationships with self-esteem and Adolescent Violent Behavior. It was determined that self-esteem mediated the relationship between the socialization variables and Adolescent Violent Behavior. SES and ethnicity were determined to have a moderating effect on the full structural model. There were no significant differences in relation to gender and the socialization variables, however. The results and clinical implications are discussed. Findings support the use of existing, empirically validated systemic-based therapies in Marriage and Family Therapy. The strengths and limitations of the study and the direction for future research are set forth.
Elaborative processing biases associated with vulnerability and maintenance of depression : evidence across levels of analysis
(2014-08) Clasen, Peter Cunningham; Beevers, Christopher G.
Major depressive disorder (MDD) will soon represent the most costly and debilitating disorder in the world. Yet, a clear model of the mechanisms underlying MDD remains elusive. This lack of clarity obscures efforts to prevent and treat MDD more effectively. This dissertation seeks to advance an integrated model of the mechanisms underlying MDD across cognitive, neural, and genetic levels of analysis. Building on the empirical foundation of cognitive theories of MDD, the dissertation includes three studies that help address questions about the cognitive mechanisms underlying depression vulnerability and maintenance. Specifically, the three studies focus on identifying 1) how elaborative processing biases, including attentional biases and rumination, give rise to specific symptoms of MDD and 2) elucidating biological mechanisms that may give rise to these biases. Together, these studies help advance an integrated model of MDD that, ultimately, may help facilitate the prevention and treatment of this costly and debilitating disorder.
Enzyme instigator: a portable suitcase exhibit for ninth grade biology
(2009-09-19) McArthur, Brenda Harrison; Calver, Lewis E.
The goal of this project was to create a portable science suitcase exhibit that ninth grade biology teachers can utilize when teaching students the complex concepts of enzymes. I created a homework handout, animation, game, hands-on models, laboratory experiments and an easy to use instruction manual. This suitcase was created to bridge the gaps between required information for standardized testing and the details presented to them in current text books. The entire suitcase was evaluated by current ninth grade biology teachers for its ease and usefulness inside their classes. The suitcase's influence on students' interest, performance and retention will be tested by DISD, STARS, and APS once the suitcase has been incorporated into the curriculum.
Evaluation of Internet education to increase dietary calcium intake in youth
(Texas A&M University, 2004-11-15) Henderson, Valerie Suzanne
In recent years, dietary calcium intake among children and adolescents has fallen sharply. This trend is alarming because childhood and adolescence are the primary ages for building bone mass. Therefore, an interactive website, Clueless in the Mall (http://calcium.tamu.edu) was developed targeting youth to increase knowledge, improve attitudes, and equip them to incorporate calcium-rich foods into their diets. This website was created with the help of adolescents at every stage of development and has been pilot tested with adolescents at home and in school, showing improvements in knowledge and attitudes. However, the website has not been tested for effectiveness in changing behaviors, specifically for increasing calcium intake. The present study was conducted to measure the effectiveness of the website for changing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. The hypothesis of this investigation was that the website intervention would significantly improve attitudes and knowledge about calcium and increase dietary calcium intake among adolescents and pre-adolescents who took part in the study. After the group-administered Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) was validated among a local church youth group, a total of 126 middle school and high school students were recruited from 12 local public school classes to participate. Each student took three questionnaires during class time to measure baseline knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors (including calcium intake using the FFQ). Then each student took one class period to view the calcium website. Four to six weeks later, the investigators returned to administer the same three tests to each student. Demographic information was collected, and data were analyzed using paired samples t-tests and analyses of variance (ANOVA). Results demonstrated that the website alone was sufficient to improve knowledge scores; however, it was not enough to change attitudes and behaviors significantly. In conclusion, the website should be used to promote and reinforce health behaviors, but should not be expected to stand alone as an intervention.
Family Functioning in Adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder
(2005-08-11) O'Malley, Ann Siobhan; Kennard, Beth D.
Poor family functioning is common among children and adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Previous research suggests that depressed children describe their families as less cohesive, supportive, communicative, and as more conflictual than do their nondepressed peers. The present study examined the relationship between family functioning and severity of child/adolescent and parental depressive illness at baseline, whether the presence of healthier family functioning at baseline predicted a differential response to acute treatment with fluoxetine, and whether self-report measures were a better predictor of outcome than clinician or observer rated measures. The family functioning of 168 depressed children and adolescents (ages 8 to 17) and one or both parent(s), and treatment response from the 12-week acute treatment phase of an NIMH-funded study of discontinuation phase treatment for MDD were examined. At study entry and exit, information was collected about the severity of MDD, parental affective symptomatology, and self-reported, clinician reported, and observationally reported family functioning. Participants received 12 weeks of open treatment with fluoxetine, using flexible dosing (10mg-40mg) in order to maximize treatment response. Results indicate a robust treatment response for depressive symptoms across all participants, with an overall response rate of 77% and a remission rate of 66%. There were no significant differences in severity of depression and initial family functioning. Maternal depression was found to be significantly correlated or approaching significance for all five global measures of family functioning examined in this study (including self report, clinician report, and observational report). There were no significant associations found between family functioning at baseline and symptom improvement, although children/adolescents who responded early to treatment had reported significantly healthier family cohesion than late responders to treatment. There were no significant differences in outcome of depressive symptoms based on baseline family functioning. As parents rated their family's health competence functioning in the healthy direction, so did clinicians. Our findings suggest that it is very important to include families in the treatment process for depressed patients, including assessing and addressing parental psychopathology.
Genetic Mutations: a STARS Scientific Suitcase For 9th Grade High School Science Educators
(2011-12-13) Lankes, Richard Thomas; Krumwiede, Kim Hoggatt
The purpose of this project was to design and produce a lightweight scientific suitcase teaching tool that ninth grade high school science educators may implement into their curriculum when teaching students the concepts about genetic mutations. Contained within the suitcase are an animation, card game, hands-on models, and display posters, along with a teacher’s instruction manual. This scientific suitcase was created in an attempt to fill in the apparent lack of information over genetic mutations that is present in current Texas high school textbooks and resources. It may assist students in better preparing for standardized testing by giving their educators an all-in-one module that can give the classroom extensive information on genetic mutations, all in one easy to carry suitcase. The suitcase components have been evaluated for their effectiveness and appeal by current educators, from 8th grade to college level, who specialize in multiple fields of science. The scientific suitcase’s impact on students’ performance and comprehension will be tested by STARS and DISD once it has been fully integrated into the science classroom curriculum The purpose of this project was to design and produce a lightweight scientific suitcase teaching tool that ninth grade high school science educators may implement into their curriculum when teaching students the concepts about genetic mutations. Contained within the suitcase are an animation, card game, hands-on models, and display posters, along with a teacher’s instruction manual. This scientific suitcase was created in an attempt to fill in the apparent lack of information over genetic mutations that is present in current Texas high school textbooks and resources. It may assist students in better preparing for standardized testing by giving their educators an all-in-one module that can give the classroom extensive information on genetic mutations, all in one easy to carry suitcase. The suitcase components have been evaluated for their effectiveness and appeal by current educators, from 8th grade to college level, who specialize in multiple fields of science. The scientific suitcase’s impact on students’ performance and comprehension will be tested by STARS and DISD once it has been fully integrated into the science classroom curriculum
Health promotion : predicting physical activity in normal weight and overweight rural adolecents
(2014-05) McAdams, Cynthia Ann Brooks; Rew, Lynn; García, Alexandra Anne, 1964-; Brown, Adama; Brown, Sharon A; Walker, Lorraine
Adolescent obesity is ubiquitous and is often antecedent to adverse physical and psychosocial health outcomes. Physical activity is a leading modality for preventing and treating overweight and obesity. A modified resilience framework was used in this study to examine six empirically supported risk factors for physical inactivity and low activity (i.e., body mass index, media use, parental activity, Hispanic ethnicity, minority race, and female sex) along with moderating protective resources (i.e., sense of ethnic identity, health awareness, and social connectedness). The study sample consisted of 251 adolescents, in Grades 8 and 9, recruited from three rural and economically disadvantaged school districts in the southwestern U.S. Data were retrieved from the Longitudinal Health Risk Behaviors in Youth (LongHerby; Grade 8) and Developing Health Behaviors in Middle Adolescence (DHBMA; Grade 9) databases for this secondary analysis of extant longitudinal data. One parent of each participant contributed data used in the study. Demographic analysis revealed the sample was mostly of female sex (56%), White race (81%), and non-Hispanic ethnicity (55%). A descriptive, correlational design was used to examine relationships among variables. Data analysis included correlation, linear regression, and hierarchical multiple regression techniques. The findings showed the outcome of physical activity in Grade 8 was the most statistically significant predictor of physical activity in Grade 9, using two different measures for the outcome (i.e., the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Scale [YRBSS] and the Adolescent Lifestyle Questionnaire [ALQ]). Two hierarchical multiple regression models explained 20% (YRBSS) and 21% (ALQ) of the variances in adolescent physical activity practices with female sex (R2Δ = .101, p < .001; YRBSS) and health awareness (R2Δ = .114, p < .001; ALQ) contributing the largest proportion to the hierarchical variances. Body mass index percentiles were not correlated with physical activity (YRBSS or ALQ), but did show a small inverse correlation with female sex (r = -151, p = ≤ .005) and a small positive relationship with Hispanic ethnicity (r = .168, p = ≤ .001). Findings of this study are congruent with previous research and could be used in planning health promotion strategies to improve adolescent physical activity.
The Impact of Depressive Symptoms on Healthcare Utilization and Charges for Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)
(2013-01-17) Clayton, Kyle Marcus; Stewart, Sunita, Ph.D., ABPP
Background: Poorly managed chronic illness consumes a large share of health resources. Identifying modifiable variables for those at risk for poor management is essential to containing costs. Given the growing economic burden of diabetes (approximately $200 billion annually) and that type 1 diabetes (T1D) contributes a disproportionately large share to these costs, factors associated with higher costs in this population should be examined. The present study examines the impact of adolescent and maternal depressive symptoms on healthcare utilization and charges in adolescents with T1D. Methods: This retrospective cohort study relied on archival data collected as part of a longitudinal study on treatment adherence among adolescents with diabetes in the Children’s Endocrinology Center at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas (CMCD). Two hundred and forty six adolescents with T1D (age range: 11-18 years;57% girls) and their mothers completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) at enrollment and 12 months later. Demographic and disease-related variables, including HbA1c, were also assessed.Healthcare utilization data and charges for diabetes-related care (i.e., endocrinology clinic visits, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, hospital inpatient days) for the period of 12 and 24 months following enrollment were provided by CMCD. Results: Both adolescent and maternal depressive symptoms predicted healthcare utilization/charges at 12 and 24 month follow-up, after controlling for demographic and disease-related variables. Adolescent depressive symptoms acted indirectly, by decreasing adherence behaviors. Maternal depressive symptoms predicted healthcare utilization and charges even after controlling for disease management (HbA1c) and adolescent depressive symptoms. Adolescents with high depressive symptoms incurred $5,293 more in healthcare charges over a two year period than those with low depressive symptoms. High maternal depressive symptoms resulted in total charges of $11,389 compared to an average of $3,504.25 when maternal depressive symptoms were low. Maternal depressive symptoms accounted for a portion of the variance in total healthcare charges comparable to HbA1c (5% and 7% respectively). Preliminary directional analyses suggested a path from maternal depressive symptoms to adolescent healthcare utilization, rather than the reverse. Conclusion: Both adolescent and maternal depressive symptoms impact healthcare utilization and charges for adolescents with T1D. Maternal depressive symptoms are even more important than adolescent depressive symptoms in predicting utilization of medical resources and higher costs in this population. Interventions aimed at identifying and treating depressive symptoms in youth with T1D and their mothers would not only enhance the quality of life of the individuals, they may also be economically advantageous for payers and providers. To the extent that reducing depressive symptoms would be cost-effective, addressing this issue represents additive value to optimizing the clinical care of patients and their families.
The Impact of Trauma History on Acute Treatment Outcomes in Pediatric Major Depressive Disorder
(2011-12-14) Mahoney, Jodi Rae; Kennard, Betsy D.
The impact of childhood trauma on depression in youth was examined through a secondary analysis of pooled data from three studies of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in youth. A total of 292 children and adolescents ages 7 to 18 (53% male, 70% Caucasian, mean age = 12.83), received open treatment with fluoxetine for a period of 6 to 12 weeks. Youth were separated into three trauma history groups: no trauma, trauma—no abuse, and abuse. Associations between trauma history and demographic and clinical characteristics of depression were examined. The effects of trauma and abuse history on depression severity and remission rates following acute treatment with fluoxetine were explored using depression severity scores from the Children’s Depressive Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R) and remission status, defined as a score of ≤ 28 on CDRS-R and a Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) Improvement score of 1 or 2. Abuse history was associated with older age, older age of depression onset, longer length of illness, and suicidal ideation and behavior at baseline. Abuse history was also associated with some differences in initial depressive symptom profiles among children. The hypothesis that youth with a history of abuse would demonstrate lower remission rates at the end of acute treatment was partially supported. Odds ratios indicated that youth without a history of abuse were twice as likely to have remitted at the end of acute treatment when compared to those with no abuse history. This finding did not remain significant after controlling for the effects of age and family history of depression. No differences were found in depression severity across the acute phase of treatment based on trauma history. Additionally, trauma history was not associated with a difference in youth’s time to achieve remission. Results should be considered in context of small sample sizes and limited assessment of trauma in the current study. These results suggest the importance of thoroughly assessing for trauma history, especially abuse, and considering the impact of these events on youth’s depressive presentation and treatment needs.
Indicators of Severity in Eating Disorders in Adolescents and the Effects on Rapidity of Weight Gain During Hospitalization
(2010-01-12T18:58:13Z) Staub, Brittany Nicole; Stewart, Sunita
Eating disorders are a very complex and serious psychiatric condition that require an ongoing commitment to a comprehensive treatment plan involving both medical and psychological intervention. Increases in the prevalence of this disorder, the high cost of hospitalization and the mounting rates of relapse have lead to increased pressure to identify and to understand predictive indicators of recovery. Though predictive variables have been identified in multiple studies, results are inconsistent and continue to focus on psychological measures; meanwhile disease-related variables are less frequently explored with regard to weight gain and more consistently reviewed in connection with long-term outcome. The primary aim of this study was to explore whether measures of severity at admission predicted rapidity of weight gain, or, more specifically, the length of time for a patient to achieve 85 percent of his or her ideal body weight. The sample consisted of 59 patients who were hospitalized for an eating disorder and who were admitted below 85 percent of their ideal body weight. Upon admission, patients completed self-report measures to assess depression and eating disorder symptomatology. Additionally, archival data concerning other measures of severity were gathered from patient medical charts. The study’s results suggest that the patient-reported intensity of eating disordered symptoms at admission are a significant predictor of length of time to reach 85 percent of ideal body weight. In future studies, researchers should utilize alternative measures of psychological functioning and eating disorder symptomatology, in addition to self-reports, to obtain more accurate predictors of severity.
An Introduction to the Personality Assessment Inventory – Adolescent (PAI-A) : understanding applicability for use with forensic adolescent males and investigation of clinical correlates
(2011-12) Farwell, Lauren Lee; Sherry, Alissa René; McCarthy, Christopher
Published in 2007, the Personality Assessment Inventory – Adolescent (PAI-A) is rapidly becoming a widely used adolescent personality measure in psychological assessment, particularly with forensic/delinquent adolescents. The literature indicates forensic adolescent males differ in many domains from non-forensic adolescent males. It is important in adolescent forensic assessment research to align the PAI-A with the empirical literature. The goal of this literature review is understand the utility of the PAI-A for use with forensic adolescent males and provide a foundation for future research with the PAI-A and adolescent males. Particularly, this literature review seeks to identify particular PAI-A scales that are potentially descriptive of one’s forensic status and combine prior research findings to delineate among inherent characteristics of forensic violent, forensic non-violent and non-forensic community adolescent males.
Linguistic Markers of Trauma Symptoms Following Sexual Abuse in Female Adolescent Inpatients
(2016-11-15) Marshall, Kaisa K.; Venta, Amanda; Barker, Maria; Henderson, Craig
Sexual trauma is a widespread and serious issue in adolescent females. Unfortunately, subsequent PTSD symptoms is a common consequence for individuals who experience this form of trauma. Additionally, inpatient adolescents report elevated rates of PTSD symptoms and sexual abuse has been found to be the largest contributor to trauma symptoms in adolescent inpatients. Therefore, female adolescent inpatients constitute a high risk population for sexual trauma and resulting trauma symptoms. More concerning are the limitations of current methods (e.g. self-report, clinical interview) in accurately measuring trauma symptoms. The aim of the current study is to use the computer program Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) to analyze trauma narratives of female adolescents in an inpatient facility and determine if specific linguistic markers are associated to an individual’s current symptomology. Additionally, it will be determined if these linguistic markers can predict trauma symptom change from time of admission to time of discharge. Conducting a LIWC analysis will provide objective data about adolescent’s language use that can aid in obtaining an accurate measure of inpatients trauma symptoms.