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Parent-Child Relations, Sleep, and Externalizing Problems in Clinical Youth
Full text linkSleep problems are a major prevailing concern in clinical youth populations. Research has shown that poor sleep is correlated with mental health problems, while parent-child relationships are associated with externalizing behaviors. The aim of this study was to (1) replicate these findings; (2) extend on previous research on the relationships between sleep, parent-child relationships, and externalizing problems; and (3) analyze moderating effects of parent-child relationships on the relationship between sleep and externalizing problems in youth (N = 25) ages 6 to 11 presenting to mental health treatment. Bivariate analyses indicated average objective sleep duration is related to parent-child relations and parent-child relations is related to externalizing problems. Externalizing problems was regressed on each sleep variable (i.e., total sleep disturbance, daytime sleepiness, average objective sleep duration), parent-child relationships, and their interaction. There was a marginally significant relationship between parent-child relationships and externalizing problems in the context of subjective sleep disturbance (p = .061). Furthermore average objective sleep duration was a marginally significant predictor of youth’s externalizing problems (p = .06). However, parent-child relationships were not found to moderate the effect of sleep and externalizing problems in any analyses. Overall findings imply that both sleep and parent-child relationships are correlated with each other and are important influences on youth’s externalizing behaviors. Replication in larger samples and using alternative analysis methods (e.g., mediation) is needed. Clinically, sleep problems and poor parent-child relationships should continue to be targeted to optimize mental health treatment for youth.
Keywords: clinical child population, daytime sleepiness, externalizing problems, parent-child relationships, sleep disruption, sleep duratio
Effects of Parents’ MBSR on Internalizing Problems in Children: ASD as Moderator
Full text linkChildren with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are at high risk for increased levels of behavior problems and developing internalizing problems. Previous literature has highlighted the impact of parental stress on the development of behavioral problems in children with ASD; however, little research has examined the relation between parenting stress and internalizing problems in children with ASD. The current study utilized data from the Mindful Awareness for Parenting Stress (MAPS) study which consisted of families of 80 preschool children with developmental delays (DD) (N = 31) and children with ASD (N = 49) whose parents reported high levels of stress. Specifically, we investigated whether decreases in parenting stress would lead to reductions in internalizing behavior problems among children with ASD and children with DD, and whether this relation was moderated by the child’s ASD status. Additionally, we examined whether individual increases in the mindful facets of acting with awareness and non-judgment, from pre- to post- treatment, would lead to reductions in internalizing problems among children with ASD and children with DD, and whether this relation was moderated by the child’s ASD status. We found that children whose parents were assigned to the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) treatment group, had greater reductions in internalizing problems compared to children whose parents were assigned to the waitlist-control group, b = -5.71, p \u3c .05. Furthermore, we found that children of parents who reported greater increases in acting with awareness post-treatment had a greater reduction in internalizing problems, b = -2.57, p \u3c .05. We also found that, children whose parents had greater increases in non-judgment posttreatment had a greater reduction in internalizing problems, b = -1.85 , p \u3c .05. However, ASD status was not a significant moderator in either analysis, ps \u3e .05
Clinician’s Recommendations in Treating Victims and Survivors of Narcissistic Abuse
Full text linkAlthough marriage and family therapists are one of the main providers in treating mental and relational health issues, there is not a significant emphasis on the identification, assessment, and treatment of victims and survivors of narcissistic abuse in COAMFTE-accredited Masters level Marriage and Family Therapy programs (COAMFTE, 2017). This needs assessment aimed to identify the knowledge and clinical skills recommended by clinicians who treat victims and survivors of narcissistic abuse to identify some needs, assessments, and treatment practices that can guide LMFTs in treating this population. This needs assessment explored current literature, research, and academic and clinical resources focused on narcissism and narcissistic abuse, followed by interviewing 14 mental health clinicians who self-identified as competent, proficient, or expert in narcissistic abuse recovery. There is a dearth of empirical research, academic and clinical resources, training and treatment models, and evidence-based programs and modalities focused on victims and survivors of narcissistic abuse. The dearth in awareness and advocacy of this population has led to discrepancies and insufficiencies in developing standardized diagnoses, terminology, clinical training, and treatment. The results of this needs assessment concluded fundamental therapeutic recommendations in clinician’s required knowledge, clinical skills, resources, assessment, and treatment of victims and survivors of narcissistic abuse. The recommendations can be a stepping stone in the development of further empirical research, diagnosis, assessment tools, academic curriculum, evidence-based treatment models, training model and program development
The Perceived Experiences of High School Students and their Mental Health in SDA Academies
Full text linkThe purpose of this project was to gather the perceived experiences of high school students in terms of their mental health while attending Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) academies. The rationale for this qualitative needs assessment was to learn about how the identified mental health conditions are being attended to and what mental health resources or supports are needed at the academies. Forty-six participants were recruited from the Pacific Union under the North American Division Office of Education (NADOE). An anonymous, 20-minute online survey was completed independently by participants in which they were guided to select one of four roles: administration, direct school personnel, support staff, or high school “alumni” of SDA academies. Participants completed an eligibility screening, provided demographic information, and completed a needs assessment survey specific to the role selected. The data was organized and coded to lessen identifiability. Data analysis was conducted through a thematic analysis approach. Four recommendations were developed for the Pacific Union and the NADOE based on the results of this project. The results and recommendations hold the purpose of contributing to future program development, implementation, evaluation, and needs assessments to attend to the mental health of high school students in SDA academies
Harry William Lowe (1893-1990)
No full textAt the time of the 1946 General Conference Session H. W. Lowe was president of the British Union.https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/general-conference-1946-gallery/1012/thumbnail.jp
CRM as a Psychosocial Intervention for Cancer Patients
Full text linkThe present treatment manual is intended to outline the implementation of an intervention to manage psychological distress in cancer patients. Cancer patients suffer from psychological distress, in part due to physical symptoms that impact well-being. This can create a cycle of poor mental and physical health that is bidirectionally affected by poor responses to physical treatments. Thus, it is necessary to implement interventions for cancer patients that can combat these and other psychological symptoms. The Community Resiliency Model (CRM) has recently emerged as a set of wellness skills that can promote physiological and psychological well-being, as well as minimize negative physiological responses to distress an individual experience. When individuals are diagnosed with cancer, they often experience nervous system dysregulation associated with physical and mental complications that arise from their diagnosis – like the experiences of those affected by other traumas. Implementing a CRM-based intervention to address cancer patients’ psychological distress is important to address gaps in care where physicians may not have enough time or training to treat their patients’ mental health symptoms. Since CRM can be utilized by health care providers not trained in behavioral health interventions as well as other professionals it is a model that is particularly conducive to building capacity, and therefore addresses current limitations to existing interventions, such as barriers related to patient access, time constraints, and resources (e.g., cost-effective interventions). For these reasons, CRM may be a more sustainable psychosocial intervention to address the well-being of cancer patients than many other traditional psychological interventions
The Community Resiliency Model in Health Decision-Making
Full text linkThis doctoral project reviews the literature to support the utilization of the Community Resilience Model (CRM) for health-related decision making, such as health behavior change and medication adherence. Research has shown that decision-making under significant stress can lead to making less advantageous choices, as the nervous system becomes dysregulated. The evidence in this literature review suggests that self-regulation using skills in the CRM Model can increase one’s ability to effectively making decisions
WE Program Training Manual For Culturally Responsive School-Based Mental Health Practices
Full text linkAn abundance of evidence suggests that K–12 Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) students experience disparities in school-based mental health services and negative school-based outcomes due to racism, discrimination, and biases. Such experiences have deleterious impact on their mental health, academic functioning, and other pre- and post-matriculation outcomes. These dynamics can lead to poor academic functioning and adverse mental health outcomes which can include depression, anxiety, toxic stress, decreased self-worth and self-esteem, and psychological maladjustment. School-Based Mental Health (SBMH) providers that are trained to be culturally responsive are uniquely situated to mitigate these negative events and ensure that BIPOC students have more positive outcomes and gain greater access to mental health services. They can do this by advocating for their needs, conducting culturally appropriate treatment, and providing recommendations to other school stakeholders about being culturally responsive. School-based mental health providers must receive proper training to be culturally responsive and facilitate appropriate and affirming support for this population. Based on a culturally responsive framework and theoretical foundations from Bronfenbrenner’s Socioecological Theory and Social Justice Theory, this manual recommends training SBMH providers to use a robust school-based culturally responsive mental health training program called the WE program that encompasses three main areas. Area one, “Pre-Work,” area two a “16-session culturally therapeutic model” based on CBT and Strength-based approaches, and area three “culturally responsive systemic school recommendations.” All three areas are designed to promote improvement to BIPOC students’ mental health and decrease their K–12 pre- and post-matriculation negative outcomes
Biology Through the Lens of Trauma: An Empirical Review of Trauma Treatments
Full text linkThe present literature review aims at mending the research to practice gap for the treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Biological mechanisms of the stress response system are explored as they pertain to trauma and its subsequent effects on the brain and body. In addition, American Psychological Association (APA) recommended evidence-based treatments for PTSD are reviewed as well as more recent emerging somatic therapies. There is a critical need for further development in the area of both topdown and bottom-up interventions. Biological working mechanisms remain unknown for a majority of treatments and physiological measures are scarcely used in treatment outcome research. Somatic therapies contribute beneficial knowledge to the field of trauma treatments, suggesting that physiology may provide additional entry points in therapy. Future directions and clinical implications on the treatment of PTSD are discussed
High-Intensity Interval Training and Biological Age
Full text linkThe emergence of valid predictors of biological age has enabled researchers to test the effects of various interventions on biological aging processes. The established virtues of exercise and its effects on health and longevity make it a suitable candidate for investigation. This dissertation reviews the current state of biological age prediction models and presents a trial in which a specific exercise protocol’s ability to modulate biological age is tested. The specific protocol used is a 10X1 high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocol, 10X1 referring to the quantity and duration of high intensity exercise intervals in each exercise session. The specific biological age prediction model chosen as the trial’s primary outcome measure relies on transcriptomic inputs to make biological age predictions. A significant difference in biological age was observed between groups. Reduction in biological age was observed in the exercise group, while increased biological age was observed in the control group. Exploratory, hypothesis generation analyses of gene expression revealed potential modification of autophagy, neurotrophin, and cancer biological pathways. This dissertation concludes that HIIT induces transcriptional changes which may in part account for the established beneficial effects of exercise on health and longevity