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The Relationship Between Celebrity Worship and Psychotherapy Preferences
No full textCelebrity worship (CW) is defined as an increased admiration toward a celebrity figure which may lead to excessive interest in their lives (McCutcheon et al., 2021). Intense CW has been found to be associated with a variety of pathological traits, suggesting that individuals with higher CW might benefit from psychotherapy (Sansone & Sansone, 2014). However, no research is available regarding psychotherapy preferences for this population. Research to date has found positive correlations between accommodating patients’ treatment preferences and greater treatment satisfaction and outcomes, stronger alliance, and reduced attrition (Iacoviello et al., 2007; Lindhiem et al., 2014; Swift et al., 2011, 2013, 2018). As such, the purpose of the current study was to explore how CW is related to patients’ perception of different psychotherapist behaviors (i.e., direct or indirect, etc.) and specific techniques (i.e., psychodynamic-interpersonal [PI], cognitive-behavioral [CB] techniques, or both) as ideal for treatment. This study took an exploratory approach, as there is not a strong research foundation on this topic. Data from 119 adult participants were analyzed. Participants were recruited via an online survey platform and completed the Comparative Psychotherapy Process Scale – Analogue Version (CPPS-AV), the Cooper-Norcross Inventory of Preferences (C-NIP), the Celebrity Attitude Scale (CAS-7), and a demographic questionnaire. Findings suggest that CW is related to preferences for a supportive approach, focusing on the therapy relationship, and a didactic style. Validation was provided for the newly developed CAS-7 and for using the CPPS-AV to measure preferences. Implications for the clinical treatment of patients with high CW are discussed
Physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling of Acetaminophen in a preterm neonate population
No full textExtremely preterm neonates are a pharmacologically vulnerable group due to their immature organ function and rapid developmental changes, which complicate optimal drug dosing. This thesis introduces a comprehensive physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for acetaminophen (APAP) tailored to this population, incorporating mechanistic ontogeny equations for key sulfotransferase (SULT) enzymes SULT1A1, SULT1A3, SULT1B1, and SULT2A1 developed from a unique dataset of pediatric liver samples. The PBPK model was calibrated and validated using observed pharmacokinetic data from neonates, infants, and children, demonstrating high predictive accuracy across developmental stages. By applying virtual twin simulations, the model was used on a nationwide children\u27s hospital clinical dataset of extremely preterm neonates treated with intravenous APAP for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure. The simulation results for Cmax and AUC closely matched observed data across various dosing regimens (15, 20, and 25 mg/kg). Ordinal logistic regression showed that gestational age and birth weight, rather than drug exposure alone, were significant predictors of therapeutic success, emphasizing the complex exposure-response relationship. Sensitivity analysis of SULT2A1 ontogeny indicated that a ±50% change could influence systemic exposure by up to 20%, highlighting the clinical importance of developmental enzyme activity in dosing choices. Compared to traditional population PK models, this PBPK framework provides a mechanistically grounded, individualized approach to optimizing therapy in preterm neonates. The findings support deploying model-informed precision dosing strategies in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), with potential applications across different age groups and drug types. This work advances pediatric systems pharmacology by delivering a validated tool for safer and more effective use of acetaminophen in the most vulnerable neonatal populations
Psychotherapy Technique and Emotional Communication: The Relationship Between Technique Use in Psychotherapy and Patient Speech Styles Associated with the Referential Process
No full textLinguistic analysis is a growing field within psychotherapy process research. Computerized measures have been developed to quantify qualities of speech associated with the Referential Process (RP), a construct describing the way in which people communicate emotional experience by cycling through different language styles (Bucci, 2021c). The three phases of RP are arousal, referential activity (RA), and reflection/reorganizing (R/R). Examining the latter two, the current study aimed to determine if therapists’ use of techniques was associated with immediate levels of patient RA and R/R in a sample of three archival psychotherapy sessions. Sessions were coded moment-by-moment (N=263 therapist speech turns) for the therapist’s use of technique using the Comparative Psychotherapy Process Scale (CPPS; Hilsenroth et al., 2005). While the study was exploratory, it was hypothesized that use of technique (vs. no technique use), as well as use of specific techniques, such as discussing the therapy relationship, would be significantly associated with RA or R/R whereas the number of techniques used would not. Results were analyzed using a multilevel modeling approach, controlling for the role of the three different dyads. Among other findings, two techniques were associated with a more reflective style of speech in the following patient speech turn: a) the therapist encouraging discussion of patient’s wishes, fantasies, dreams, or early childhood memories, and b) the therapist focusing discussion on the relationship between the therapist and patient. Results of this study contribute to our understanding of the relationship between therapist technique and patients’ emotional processing of experiences in psychotherapy through the RP
The Birth Experience During the First Wave of Covid-19 Lockdown in New York Hospitals: A Qualitative Study
Full text linkIn 2020, alongside the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic, 209,338 births occurred in New York State (Osterman et al., 2022). While much of the public adjusted to working or learning in a virtual world, many hospitals in New York remained open to treat those in need of care. Women nearing the end of their pregnancy, many of whom felt that they had no other choice, found themselves headed to the hospital—to the labor and delivery unit. Many studies completed outside of the United States on the birth experience during the pandemic found an increase in the likelihood of negative outcomes for these mothers, including an increase in postpartum depression (PPD) and postpartum anxiety (PPA) (Hessami et al., 2020; Mariño-Narvaez et al., 2020; Cameron et al., 2020). Others found that women rated the quality of care received at hospitals more poorly (Mariño-Narvaez et al., 2020), and another described maternal mental health during the pandemic as a “neglected global health issue” (Ajayi et al., 2021). However, considerably fewer studies have examined the subjective experience of women who birthed during this time in the United States, despite the importance of understanding how the pandemic may have impacted the experience of becoming a mother in the United States. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine and understand the subjective experiences of women who birthed in New York hospitals during the first wave of pandemic lockdown. Twelve mothers who birthed between March 15th 2020 and August 31st 2020 were individually interviewed. Interviews were analyzed using Auerbach and Silverstein’s grounded theory methodology (2003), which involved coding for relevant text and repeating ideas, and subsequently developing themes and theoretical constructs from this data. Seven theoretical constructs were identified: 1) Becoming a Mother During the Height of the COVID-19 Pandemic was Emotionally Taxing; 2) Women Felt Unsupported by Healthcare Professionals; 3) Women Felt Isolated and Misunderstood, Except For by Other First-Time Covid Mothers; 4) The Climate of Uncertainty Contributed to Stress; 5) There Were Some Positives to Giving Birth During the Pandemic; 6) Women Felt as Though They Missed Out on the Typical Birthing Experience; 7) Women Had Varying Reactions to Hospital Protocol. Findings from this study provide a more developed understanding of what challenges birthing women faced and suggest that many of these women may not have received sufficient support throughout their transition to motherhood. Recommendations are made for ways in which some of these challenges might be addressed if another widespread health crisis arises in the future, and ways in which healthcare professionals may balance considerations of physical safety with that of emotional wellbeing
Family Secrets: A qualitative analysis of the self after DNA revelation
Full text linkHow much do we know about our families? There is limited research on the influx of family secrets revealed through genetic ancestry (genealogical/DNA) testing, a method utilized to learn about genealogy and family history that has become increasingly popular (Jorde & Bamshad, 2020). The present study stems from available research and archival stories and allows for a deeper understanding of how family secrets may present themselves in therapy. Previous research has focused on the content of secrets, categorizing themes within secrets, and the various functions of secret-keeping within family dynamics (Vangelisti, Caughlin, & Timmerman, 2001; Vangelisti & Caughlin, 1997). Additionally, theories that aim to explain the development of the self within the family context may provide a foundation upon which a deeper exploration of the experience of family secrets can build. Using Murray Bowen\u27s Family Systems Theory (Bowen, 1978) and Christopher Bollas\u27s theory of the unthought known (Bollas, 1987) as frameworks, the goal of this qualitative study was to provide insight into how individuals experience the phenomenon of uncovering family secrets through genealogical testing. Through semi-structured interviews of people who have had secrets revealed through genealogical testing, particular insight into how relationship dynamics might shift within families due to these secrets and how the individual re-experiences their sense of self through these learned secret/s was explored
FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE: A QUALITATIVE CONTENT ANALYSIS OF MENTAL HEALTH FACTORS IN SENTENCING DECISIONS
Full text linkThe overrepresentation of individuals diagnosed with severe mental illness sentenced within the criminal justice system remains a significant concern in the United States. While existing literature discusses the prevalence of mental health concerns among offenders, it does not acknowledge the importance of considering an offender’s mental health in sentencing as standard practice within the justice system. Research highlights the importance of individualized sentencing plans, the use of validated risk and needs assessment tools, and multidisciplinary collaboration among mental health professionals and law enforcement agencies to comprehensively evaluate an individual’s mental health history and needs (Skeem et al., 2006; Steadman et al., 2001). By prioritizing individualized sentencing, validated tools, and multidisciplinary collaboration, the criminal justice system can promote an equitable approach that helps reduce recidivism, addresses the root causes of criminal behavior, and ensures public safety. Despite considerations, research reveals a significant gap in how the judiciary incorporates or reviews mental health factors in sentencing decisions. The current research study involves thematic content analysis focused on eleven sentencing decisions from 2017–2024 from various federal jurisdictions involving adult offenders diagnosed with severe mental illness. The findings indicated variability in judiciary sentencing practices and implementation of recommendations outlined in the literature. The findings suggest the need for greater collaboration between the judiciary and behavioral health professionals in the criminal justice system to better understand the role of mental illness in sentencing decisions and more effectively support criminally convicted individuals with mental health conditions, reduce recidivism, and ultimately increase public protection
Choosing Schools in Crown Heights, Brooklyn: An Autoethnographic Narrative Study of Middle-Class Gentry Parents
Full text linkThis study explored how the cultural context of school choice in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, intersects with race, migration, identity, and the ongoing impact of gentrification. Through a combination of narrative interviews and autoethnographic reflection, the research examined how parents, particularly those from middle-class backgrounds, make educational decisions within a rapidly changing urban landscape. Findings revealed that while many families value racial and economic diversity in theory, decisions are often shaped by fears of academic underperformance, social exclusion, and neighborhood displacement. Some participants reflected an immigrant lens rooted in survival, stability, and cultural preservation, while others articulated tensions between ideals of integration and the realities of systemic inequity in schools. Gentrification further complicates these decisions, transforming neighborhood spaces without necessarily integrating schools. Drawing on the frameworks of Cucchiara and Horvat (2009), Nikole Hannah-Jones (2016), and related scholarship, this study illustrated the moral ambivalence, institutional mistrust, and cultural negotiation embedded in school choice. It calls for more inclusive and equity-driven policy approaches that reckon with the lived experiences of families navigating stratified educational systems in gentrifying communitie
Killing two birds with one phone: Exclusion by technology and attachment within couples’ daily interactions
No full textThis study explored the role of attachment during covert rejection experiences. Specifically, the study examined exclusion by technology in romantic couples’ daily interactions. A partner’s retreat into their own technology device can create the experience of separation and provoke feelings of being ignored. Couples’ attachment styles were examined with daily ratings of perceived partner attention on technology (P-Tech), relationship conflict, and relationship satisfaction. Daily diary methodologies were employed in a sample of 125 cohabitating romantic couples (250 participants) over a two-week period. Multilevel modeling (MLM) revealed a significant negative within-person effect of P-Tech on daily relationship satisfaction. Relationship conflict and attachment anxiety—on their own—did not moderate the negative effect of P-Tech on relationship satisfaction. However, together, these contextual and personality-level factors contributed to lower daily relationship satisfaction. Exploratory analyses also revealed attachment avoidance to amplify the within-person associations observed. Findings summarize how couples with various attachment styles experience fluctuations in daily romantic satisfaction. Implications of the study are discussed in terms of actionable interventions to give couples, and their providers, a clearer sense of how to assess, navigate, and repair from covert rejection experiences
The Psychological and Physiological Effects of Loneliness Among the Geriatric Population: A Multi-Faceted Approach to Enhance the Well-Being of Elderly Individuals
No full textINTRODUCTION: Aging is an inevitable process. The elderly population continues to expand as individuals are lasting longer years than before. When an elderly person is in his/her final stage of life, there are other challenges that can impact and/or change the elderly person’s health, emotional, and social abilities. These challenges can have altering effects on one’s daily functioning. A challenge that is becoming a major concern worldwide is loneliness. Once identified, can the elderly learn new adaptive skills? This paper aimed to define the types of loneliness that can occur to individuals particularly within the geriatric population. It is looked at how loneliness impacts the elderly person’s mental health and physical health. Lastly, a review of the different interventions to help the elderly manage and cope with their loneliness was discussed.
METHOD: Information was collected via literature searches from secondary sources using Google Scholar.
RESULTS: Loneliness among the elderly when left untreated can lead to both lasting psychological and physiological impacts. However, research shows with appropriate interventions, the elderly person may establish new behavioral patterns to reduce and/or eliminate the feelings of isolation that lead to loneliness.
CONCLUSION: The findings highlighted that loneliness could lead to mental health and physical conditions that impact the person’s daily functioning. They also highlighted how loneliness could be reduced or ameliorated with the use of proper intervention. Ongoing research is beneficial to help and provide guidance in hopes to help the elderly individual live a happier and fulfilling end of life
Social Support, Utilization of Positive Coping Skills, and Dissociative Symptoms: A Moderation Model in a Diverse Community Sample
No full textINTRODUCTION: This study examined the relationship between coping styles, social support, and dissociative symptoms in a sample of 86 diverse undergraduate students.
METHOD: Participants completed self-report measures of coping, social support, PTSD, and dissociative symptoms.
RESULTS: Hypotheses predicting a negative relationship between positive coping styles and dissociative symptoms, moderated by social support, were not supported. However, exploratory analyses revealed significant correlations between coping styles, social support, and PTSD symptoms. For instance, active coping and social support from family were negatively associated with PTSD symptoms, while religious coping was positively correlated with depersonalization.
CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that social support may not effectively buffer dissociative symptoms, indicating the need for alternative therapeutic approaches for dissociation. Future research should investigate the role of religious coping in depersonalization