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Department of Psychology

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https://hdl.handle.net/10217/100503
These digital collections include theses, dissertations, faculty publications, and datasets from the Department of Psychology.

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Browsing Department of Psychology by Author "Alliegro, Marissa C., author"

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    Existential concerns and risky behavior in college students
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2021) Alliegro, Marissa C., author; Prince, Mark, advisor; Chavez, Ernest, committee member; Davalos, Deana, committee member; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member
    Substance use and sexual behavior are highly prevalent on college campuses (Arria et al., 2017; American College Health Association, 2018; Schulenberg et al., 2017). Substance misuse and risky sex can lead to adverse consequences (Furman & Collibee, 2014; Patrick & Terry-McElrath, 2016; Read, Haas. Radomski, Wickham, & Borish, 2016). There is high comorbidity between anxiety, substance use, and substance use disorders (Wolitzky et al., 2018). Existential anxiety may be a form of anxiety that is relevant to the college experience because college aged emerging adults are coping with existential issues, e.g., freedom, isolation, meaninglessness, and death, often for the first time. In a sample of undergraduate students, existential concerns predicted higher reports of binge drinking behavior. Existential concerns did not predict cannabis use or unprotected vaginal sex. Moderation analyses indicated that variables such as coping, and mindfulness are variables of interest that require further research to understand their influence on risky behavior as they relate to existential anxiety. Supplemental analyses revealed that a focus on construct validity and continued measurement development for assessing existential concerns is critical. Various existential themes (i.e., isolation, meaning, freedom) were found to be more strongly associated with risky behavior. This study demonstrates the importance of considering the role existential anxiety plays in engagement of high-risk behaviors among college students.
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    Perceived stress, caregiver burden, and emotional distress in caregivers of head and neck cancer and lung cancer
    (Colorado State University. Libraries, 2019) Alliegro, Marissa C., author; Borrayo, Evelinn, advisor; Henry, Kim, committee member; Gonzalez, Jessica, committee member
    Caregiving research focuses highly on the impact burden of care has on the mental health of caregivers (Nightingale et al., 2014; Northouse et al., 2012; Perz et al., 2011). However, little research focuses on how stress, as an independent construct contributes to the emotional distress caregivers of Head and Neck and Lung Cancer patients experience (Luchesia et al., 2016). This project aims to investigate the relationship between caregiver burden, perceived stress, and emotional distress (depression and anxiety) of caregivers of HNC and LC patients. Results revealed positive and significant relationships between predictor variables (perceived stress and caregiver burden) and emotional distress. Results further revealed higher perceived stress is indicative of higher caregiver burden. Additionally, preliminary results suggested the relationship between caregiver burden and emotional distress is moderated by the caregiver's level of perceived stress. Explanations and implications of all investigated relationships are discussed. This study highlights that in fact, perceived stress as a construct is important to explore when understanding the mental health needs of caregivers of Head and Neck and Lung Cancer patients.