Mountain Scholar :: Browsing by Author "Davalos, Deana, committee member"

Browsing by Author "Davalos, Deana, committee member"

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Open Access
A binding deficit: value-directed remembering for item-specific vs. associative information
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2018) DeLozier, Sarah J., author; Rhodes, Matthew G., advisor; Davalos, Deana, committee member; Folkestad, James, committee member; Cleary, Anne, committee member
In a series of four experiments I examined whether value enhanced memory for item-specific or associative information. Value indicated the importance of an item at study (i.e., 1 point = low importance, 12 points = high importance), with memory typically being enhanced for high-value information (e.g., Castel, 2008). Utilizing the feature-conjunction paradigm, in which recognition errors for conjunction lures provide a means of examining whether value-enhanced recognition is a result of recollection or familiarity, the Pilot Experiment revealed through increased conjunction errors that value enhanced memory only for item-specific information. In Experiment 1 participants were permitted to self-pace their study and made confidence learning judgments (CLJs) after each recognition judgment. Learners spent more time studying higher-valued words yet demonstrated a similar pattern of increased conjunction errors by value. In Experiment 2, participants were instructed to use either rote repetition or interactive imagery for all words at study. Under these controlled study strategy conditions, conjunction errors were similar across values. In Experiment 3, I examined the influence of value on feature lures. When both feature lures and conjunction lures were presented at test, learners' susceptibility to lures was similar across values, yet learners correctly recognized more high-value old words. Results indicated that both encoding processes and item-based familiarity may contribute to a deficit in binding components of high-value words. These findings are discussed in terms of the negative effects of value on memory for associative information.
Open Access
A high energy flux state attenuates the weight loss-induced energy gap by acutely decreasing hunger and increasing satiety and resting metabolic rate
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014) Foright, Rebecca, author; Melby, Chris, advisor; Davalos, Deana, committee member; Wdowik, Melissa, committee member
Introduction: Maintaining weight loss is one of the greatest challenges facing obese dieters. Weight loss-induced, compensatory, biological adjustments increase hunger and decrease resting metabolic rate (RMR), resulting in a disconnect between desired and required calories. This phenomenon, termed the energy gap, results in strong biological pressures that promote weight regain. Previous research in athletes has shown that high levels of physical activity coupled with high energy intake may increase RMR and reduce hunger. It is possible that this high energy flux state characterized by high daily energy expenditure (resulting from increased physical activity) with matching high energy intake (high calorie throughput) may attenuate the weight loss-induced energy gap by reducing hunger and increasing RMR. Methods: This proof-of-concept pilot study utilized a within-subjects cross-over experimental design. Six obese adults [age (x±SD: 42±12 y); BMI=35.7±3.7 kg/m2] underwent baseline measures of body weight, body composition, RMR via indirect calorimetry, fasting and post-prandial perceived hunger via visual analog scales, fasting and serial postprandial measures of glucose, insulin, and peptide YY (PYY, an anorexigenic hormone) and ad libitum energy intake from a mid-day food buffet. They then underwent weight loss (7% of initial body weight achieved over several months) and were stabilized at this reduced weight for three weeks. Subjects were then placed in two different 4-day experimental conditions of energy balance in random order--Low Flux (LF): sedentary with energy intake (EI)=RMR x1.35; and HF: daily exercise net energy cost of ~500 kcal/d and EI= RMR x1.7. On each morning of the 4 days of the HF and LF conditions, RMR was measured and hunger and satiety monitored. On the day following the HF and the LF conditions, respectively, participants again underwent measures of RMR, fasting and post-prandial hunger and satiety, fasting and serial postprandial measures of glucose, insulin, and PYY, and ad libitum energy intake from the food buffet. Results: Daily energy intake during HF (x±SD: 3,191±587 kcal/d) was significantly greater (p<0.001) than during LF (x±SD: 2,449±406 kcal/d), but in line with the experimental design, subjects were in energy balance and average weight did not differ between low flux (103±4.8 kg) and high flux (103.4±4.7 kg). Perceived hunger at the end of day was lower (p=0.020), fullness throughout the day was higher (p=0.015) and there was a trend for hunger throughout the day to be lower (p=0.091) in HF compared to LF conditions. Additionally, RMR was significantly higher in HF (1926±138 kcal/day) compared to LF (1847±126 kcal/day; P = 0.05). Fasting and post-prandial glucose concentrations did not significantly change with weight loss. Fasting and postprandial insulin concentrations were lower after weight loss the day following HF and LF compared to pre-weight loss baseline values, but did not differ by flux condition. Fasting PYY concentrations were not different among pre-weight loss, HF, and LF, but postprandial PYY was lower the day following HF compared to pre-weight loss baseline. Ad libitum food intake and subjective feelings of hunger and satiety on the day following HF and LF did not differ between flux conditions or from pre-weight loss baseline values. Conclusions: A 4-day high flux state resulted in decreased hunger, increased satiety and increased RMR in weight-reduced, weight-stable, obese individuals when compared to a low flux state. Our findings support the importance of a daily high energy flux state in attenuating the increase in hunger and the decrease in energy expenditure that accompany diet-induced weight loss. However, the greater satiety and lower hunger were not evident the day following the high flux state, suggesting that such benefits resulting from the acute state are not long-lasting.
Open Access
A qualitative analysis of the experience of being LGBTQ in graduate school
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2020) Sokolowski, Elizabeth, author; Chavez, Ernest, advisor; Rickard, Kathryn, committee member; Carlson, Laurie, committee member; Davalos, Deana, committee member
The current study sought to understand LGBTQ campus climate for LGBTQ doctoral students. Narrative analysis was used during this exploratory study to identify "when" the three LGBTQ doctoral student participants had experiences related to their LGBTQ identities, including "what" was happening during those events and "how" it was happening. These experiences occurred during six events (i.e., applying to graduate programs, receiving letter of acceptance from graduate program, visiting weekend after receiving acceptance letter, choosing advisor or research lab, working as a graduate teaching assistance, and preparing for PhD candidacy exams) and four time periods (i.e., early general experiences in the graduate program, general graduate school experiences, general research lab experiences, and general social experiences during graduate school). This study also identified how these experiences supported or hindered LGBTQ doctoral student success. Overall, the results suggested that LGBTQ doctoral students expended substantial effort to manage the harmful components of campus climate, which were present across locations, times, and roles as a doctoral student. Finally, participants shared their own proposed changes to improve campus climate, and the primary researcher provided an overarching list of recommendations to improve LGBTQ campus climate for LGBTQ doctoral students.
Embargo
Acute care rehabilitation utilization, access, and outcomes among hospitalized adults with traumatic brain injury
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024) Bukhari, Rayyan A., author; Graham, James, advisor; Weaver, Jen, committee member; Davalos, Deana, committee member; Sharp, Julia, committee member
Objective: The purpose of this dissertation was to conduct three research studies aimed at gaining a comprehensive understanding of the barriers and facilitators to equitable access to and timing of rehabilitation services, community discharge, and unplanned 90-day post-discharge hospital readmission among individuals hospitalized with Traumatic brain injury (TBI). Introduction: There are approximately 2.5 million TBI-related emergency department visits, 288,000 TBI-related hospitalizations, and 61,000 TBI-related deaths reported each year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019). TBI is associated with high rates of disability, including limitations in performing basic activities of daily living (ADLs), such as self-care, and/or in performing physical tasks, such as mobility (Klima et al., 2019; Jessica Lo et al., 2021; Whiteneck et al., 2016). Individuals who are hospitalized with TBI should receive equitable access to multidisciplinary care, including rehabilitation services (occupational therapy [OT], and physical therapy [PT]) to address potential self-care issues, physical limitations, and cognitive deficits (National Academies of Sciences & Medicine, 2022). Early onset of acute care rehabilitation services can have positive long-term benefits for patients, including improved function, increased mobility, and enhanced quality of life (Andelic et al., 2012; Bernhardt et al., 2017; C. Y. Wang et al., 2021). A primary focus of acute care rehabilitation services is to improve patients' functional performance (Ejlersen Wæhrens & Fisher, 2007). Following acute care stays, community discharge is generally viewed as quality care indicator in acute care settings (Department of Health and Human Services [HHS], 2019). Readmission is a common concern for those who have chronic illnesses or injuries, and it is associated with higher healthcare expenses and lower quality of care (Jencks et al., 2009). Readmission rates after TBI contribute considerably to these costs, making lowering readmission rates a universal goal (Canner et al., 2016). Despite research advances and policy changes, barriers and challenges remain facing individuals with TBI (National Academies of Sciences & Medicine, 2022). Not all individuals with TBI have early access to rehabilitation services, are discharged to the community, or can avoid hospital readmission. Although several studies have addressed these issues in general population, variability in community and personal level factors among individuals with TBI need to be addressed (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion & Services., 2020). Therefore, these dissertation studies are aimed at providing empirical support, further understanding, and increasing our knowledge around factors that influence individuals with TBI acute care rehabilitation services utilization and outcomes. Method: This dissertation is comprised of three studies. In Study One, we investigated how Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) impact access to and timing of rehabilitation services. Multivariable logistic and Cox regression analyses (i.e., time-to-event analyses) were used to calculate odds ratios for the likelihood of receiving OT and PT services, and hazard ratios for the duration to initiation of services among those who received these services. In Study Two, we explored whether the relationship between acute care OT/PT utilization and community discharge is moderated by functional or physical performance at discharge. Multivariable moderation logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios for the likelihood of community discharge among those who utilized OT/PT services. In both OT and PT models, we computed the main effect of OT/PT utilization on community discharge, the main effect of functional/physical (ADL/Mobility) performance scores at discharge on community discharge, and the moderating effect of ADL/mobility scores on the relationship between OT/PT utilization and community discharge. In Study Three, we examined the association between discharge functional status and unplanned hospital readmission. Logistic regression was performed to calculate odds ratios for the likelihood of unplanned 90-day hospital readmission among those who received rehabilitation services during their acute care stay. Results: In Study One, all community-level SDoH such as education attainment, income, and rurality did not show significant associations with access to or timing of acute rehabilitation services (p-values= 0.09 – 0.95). In Study Two, both ADL/mobility performance scores at discharge significantly moderated the relationship between OT/PT utilization and community discharge (ORs= 0.99, 95% CIs [0.98, 1.00]). In Study Three, neither discharge functional nor mobility scores were associated with readmission (p-values= 0.14 – 0.17). Among the three dissertation studies, several covariates such as age, presence of a significant other, race/ethnicity, health insurance type, TBI severity, length of stay, and comorbidity burden showed significant associations with access to or timing of acute rehabilitation services, community discharge, and readmission status (p-values= 0.04 – <0.001). Conclusion: Further investigations are needed to 1) ascertain whether our community-level SDoH variables, based on the first three digits of zip codes, adequately capture individual experiences and their impact on healthcare, or if community-level education, income, and rurality genuinely do not affect access to and timing of therapy services for hospitalized patients with TBI; 2) determine whether the consideration of ADL/mobility scores at discharge alone limits our understanding of the relationship, failing to encompass other patient-level factors that could either facilitate or impede a safe community discharge; and 3) determine whether discharge functional and mobility scores were too restrictive in capturing the full benefits of acute care rehabilitation services in reducing the risk of unplanned 90-day readmission risk in hospitalized patients with TBI.
Open Access
An examination of the relationships between vocational identity, hardiness, meaningful work, burnout, and work engagement
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2020) Loebel, Greg A., author; Dik, Bryan, advisor; Chavez, Ernest, committee member; Davalos, Deana, committee member; Conroy, Samantha, committee member
A cross-sectional study was conducted to expand the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model and personal resources within the model. The association between vocational identity as a personal resource and two criterion variables of burnout and work engagement were examined in a sample of 255 full-time U.S. working adults using Amazon's Mechanical Turk to collect survey data. JD-R is situated within occupational stress research that incorporates burnout and work engagement as the two primary constructs other variables are related to. Vocational identity has seen very little research in working adult samples and has been limited to career development outcomes. Minimal examination has been conducted of core features of identity within the JD-R model. Therefore, this study explored vocational identity as a personal resource that predicts burnout and work engagement, hypothesizing a negative relationship with the former and positive relationship with the latter. Results indicated vocational identity had significant main effects on both work engagement and burnout. Additionally, the perception that one's work is meaningful was examined as an important job resource hypothesized to explain the relationship between the main predictor and criterion variables as a mediator. Results also indicated that meaningful work significantly mediated the direct effects of vocational identity on work engagement and burnout. Since stress is a natural part of work, one's stress appraisal and coping style has a significant influence on well-being outcomes. Hardiness, which is a personality style that influences how one may effectively cope with stress, is viewed as an important personal resource. It was hypothesized that hardiness moderated the strength of the direct relationship between vocational identity and the criterion variables, as well as the strength of the relationship with the meaningful work mediator. A proposed moderated mediation model was tested where vocational identity predicted burnout and work engagement through the mediating relationship of meaningful work. The mediated effect was expected to be stronger for those higher in hardiness. Results revealed that hardiness only had a moderating effect on the relationship between vocational identity and the exhaustion subscale of burnout, but no significant moderating effect was detected for the other two burnout subscales or any of the three work engagement subscales. Results also showed no detectable moderating effect of hardiness on the indirect relationship of vocational identity on work engagement and burnout through meaningful work.
Open Access
Cannabis use consequences: a multi-ethnic site investigation of risk and protective factors
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2020) Gutierrez, Crystal, author; Borrayo, Evelinn, advisor; Prince, Mark, committee member; Davalos, Deana, committee member; Schillington, Audrey, committee member
Cannabis is the most popular regulated drug in the world and use rates continue to increase as legalization becomes more prevalent. Heavy cannabis use has been associated with a variety of mental health concerns and psychological distress has been observed to be a risk factor for the development of Cannabis Use Disorder. The current study examines how psychological distress relates to cannabis use consequences across sites in the United States, the Netherlands, Uruguay, Spain, and Argentina. Additionally, this study also explores protective coping strategies that users employ that may reduce the incidence of negative cannabis use consequences. Participants were recruited from university research pools and given surveys that assessed the individual's cannabis use behavior, possible risk and protective strategies, and problematic use outcomes. Results from this study may inform clinical interventions for the treatment and prevention of cannabis use disorder and make suggestions about ways to alter these interventions based on the location of services provided.
Open Access
Communication patterns in verbal versus non-verbal hostage negotiations
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014) Rassti, Roxanne M., author; Bloom, Larry, advisor; Davalos, Deana, committee member; Chavez, Ernest, committee member; Unnithan, N. Prabha, committee member
While the use of mobile phones and text messaging has made it easier for hostage negotiators to communicate with other law enforcement personnel in crisis situations, little research has examined how text messaging could be used to communicate with the perpetrator. The purpose of this preliminary, qualitative study was to explore the similarities and differences in communication patterns of two hostage negotiations, one that took place verbally and one that occurred through text message. Both transcripts were analyzed using the Crisis Communication Rating Scale (CCRS), a behavioral coding system developed by McClain (2004). The study provided initial insight into several important similarities and differences between the modes of communication. First, the hostage negotiator relied heavily on the use of personal and situational disclosures to resolve the situation, regardless of the mode of communication. Additionally, both the hostage negotiator and barricaded suspect used reflective statements more frequently when they were able to communicate verbally. Lastly, when communicating through text message, the hostage negotiator used persuasive statements more frequently, while the barricaded suspect used expressive statements of anger more frequently. Possible implications for training and practice are discussed.
Open Access
Considerations in child custody evaluations with gay and lesbian parents: a qualitative study
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2012) Rassti, Roxanne M., author; Bloom, Larry, advisor; Banning, James, committee member; Davalos, Deana, committee member
Even though gay men and lesbian women are often involved in child custody evaluations with previous, heterosexual partners, there is little research centered on which factors child custody evaluators consider when evaluating families with a gay or lesbian parent. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, surveys from 19 child custody evaluators were analyzed for common themes. The analysis generated four key themes that influences evaluator rulings when conducting child custody evaluations with a gay or lesbian parent separating from a heterosexual partner. Also found in this study are factors that evaluators feel the family court system deem important. Results from the present research demonstrate inconsistency between how child custody evaluators conceptualize and conduct evaluations that involve families with one gay or lesbian parent versus two heterosexual parents. Possible implications for training and practice are discussed.
Open Access
Delay to treatment for Latinos diagnosed with lung and head-and-neck cancers: application of the behavioral model for vulnerable populations
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2013) Scott, Katie L., author; Bloom, Larry, advisor; Borrayo, Evelinn, committee member; Brown, Mark, committee member; Davalos, Deana, committee member
Since the enactment of the National Cancer Act of 1971, many Americans have seen improved rates of survival from cancer. However, this is not true of all ethnic groups, and Latino cancer patients in particular tend to have poorer survival rates than those from other ethnic groups. The timely and appropriate treatment of lung and head-and-neck cancers is an especially serious matter because of the relative complexity of these cancers as well as the high mortality risks associated with them. This study applied a well-known theoretical model of health care access and utilization, the Behavioral Model for Vulnerable Populations, to examine factors related to time from diagnosis to first treatment for Latino patients diagnosed with lung and head-and-neck cancers. Using a mixed method design, medical chart reviews were conducted on 53 Latinos diagnosed with lung or head-and-neck cancer, and interviews and focus groups were conducted with five Latino head-and-neck and four lung cancer patients, six caregivers, seven key informants, and seven patient navigators. A model including predisposing (age, gender, country of origin, and language), enabling (insurance status and regular dwelling), and need factors (site of cancer, stage of cancer at diagnosis and number of co-occurring illnesses) accounted for 32% of the variance in time from diagnosis to first treatment. Number of co-occurring illnesses was the only significant predictive factor, demonstrating that with each additional comorbid condition, delay from diagnosis to treatment decreased by 18.72 days. An interaction between number of comorbid conditions and gender revealed that females with a low number of cooccurring illnesses tend to experience the longest delays from diagnosis until treatment. The qualitative data provided support for the influence of predisposing, enabling, and need factors as well as suggested several additional factors that were not analyzed through the medical chart reviews. These additional factors may account for a portion of the remaining variance in time from diagnosis to treatment. This study underscores the need for continued efforts to examine and consider these factors and to utilize them to work to ameliorate delays in time to treatment.
Open Access
Development and evaluation of a psychoeducational internet intervention to increase men's help-seeking for body image and disordered eating/exercise concerns
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2012) Shepherd, Caitlin B., author; Rickard, Kathryn, advisor; Davalos, Deana, committee member; Butki, Brian, committee member; Ross, Steve, committee member
Statistics reveal that body image and disordered eating/exercise concerns among men are widespread; however, few men actually seek help. Researchers need to identify factors that prevent men from using available services in order to inform interventions specifically designed for men who are at-risk. Studies have shown that higher Gender Role Conflict (GRC) is related to both increased body image and disordered eating/exercise concerns in men as well as decreased help-seeking as defined by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The help-seeking literature suggests that the most effective interventions for men are those that target these variables and are also non-traditional. The purpose of the current study was to develop an effective internet intervention to increase help-seeking in men for body image and disordered eating/exercise concerns. Two-hundred-ninety-six undergraduate men were assessed for GRC, body image and disordered eating/exercise attitudes and behaviors, and help-seeking factors at pretest. One week later, they were exposed to the independent variable (intervention or no intervention) and were assessed again posttest. Regression analyses and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) indicated that self-stigma of seeking help and attitudes toward seeking help are important predictors and mediators. ANCOVAs revealed statistically significant intervention effects for all help-seeking variables compared to the control group. These results suggest that educating men about body image concerns might be an effective way of increasing help-seeking.
Open Access
Differences in cortical activation with live music compared to recorded music: an fNIRS study
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2020) Flaagan, Carly, author; LaGasse, A. Blythe, advisor; Knight, Andrew, advisor; Rojas, Donald, committee member; Davalos, Deana, committee member
The purpose of this study was to compare and assess the neural activations during live music and recorded music engagement in neurotypical adults aged eighteen to sixty years old within a social context. The research questions sought to answer if cortical activations in areas of the brain involved with social interaction would be different in the live music conditions compared to the recorded music conditions and if blood oxygenation levels across the entire cortical surface would be different in any area across the four conditions. This study was a within-subjects quasi-experimental design where each of the 32 recruited participants were exposed to all four conditions while mirroring the CR (clinician-researcher) in a tapping task. The four conditions were: recorded sung, recorded spoken, live sung, and live spoken. Participants were exposed to the four conditions as well as a rest condition in pseudo-randomized order. Each participant underwent five trials of each condition using a block design. Cortical activation was measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). A total of 27 participants were included in the analyses. Imaging results revealed significant differences in inferred cortical activation during live stimuli compared to recorded stimuli, live music compared to recorded music, music stimuli compared to non-music stimuli, live music compared to all other conditions, and live spoken stimuli compared to recorded spoken stimuli in brain regions of interest and globally. Results support the possibility that live music may have a greater effect than recorded music in regions of the brain that process social responses. Future research could better illuminate the comparisons of neural activations between live and recorded auditory stimuli.
Open Access
Does retrieval activate related words more than presentation?
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2017) Hausman, Hannah, author; Rhodes, Matthew G., advisor; Cleary, Anne, committee member; Davalos, Deana, committee member; Burzynska, Agnieszka Z., committee member
Retrieving information enhances learning more than restudying. One explanation of this effect is based on the role of mediators (e.g., sand-castle can be mediated by beach). Retrieval is hypothesized to activate mediators more than restudying, but existing tests of this hypothesis have had mixed results (Carpenter, 2011; Lehman & Karpicke, 2016). The present experiments explored different explanations of the conflicting results. The pilot experiment tested—and found no evidence—that the results depended on whether a conceptual or perceptual measure of mediator activation was used. Experiments 1 and 2 tested whether mediator activation during a retrieval attempt depends on the accessibility of the target information. A target was considered less versus more accessible when fewer retrieval versus more cues were given during retrieval practice (Experiment 1), when the target had been studied once versus three times initially (Experiment 2), or when the target could not be recalled versus could be recalled during retrieval practice (Experiments 1 and 2). Although there was a trend for retrieval to activate mediators more than presentation, mediator activation was not reliably related to target accessibility. Thus, Experiments 1 and 2 neither strongly supported, nor disconfirmed, the role of mediators in enhancing learning from retrieval.
Open Access
Establishing differences in intracortical inhibition and excitation between individuals with and without stroke
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2013) Vaughn, Heather Noelle, author; Greene, David, advisor; Malcolm, Matt, committee member; Davalos, Deana, committee member
Background and purpose: Even though there is much information and research on neuroplasticity, many questions remain unanswered about how the brain changes and recovers after a stroke. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has been used as the primary method of direct stimulation to assess change especially in the primary motor cortex because it allows for study of the specific excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to investigate and identify differences in TMS-induced intracortical inhibition and facilitation when comparing survivors of stroke to individuals unaffected by stroke. Methods: Fourteen subjects who had experienced a stroke and 19 non-stroke subjects were investigated using single and paired-pulse TMS. TMS was applied over the affected hemisphere for subjects with stroke and over the dominant hemisphere of the non-stroke subjects. Resting motor threshold (MT) was established. Forty motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were collected from the first dorsal interosseus muscle, using surface electrodes, for each subject. These were subdivided into 10 trials of single-pulse conditioning stimulus, 10 trials of single-pulse test stimulus (TS), 10 paired-pulse intracortical facilitation (ICF), 10 paired-pulse intracortical inhibition (ICI); the order of stimulation condition for the 40 trials was randomized. Results: The stroke group exhibited significantly higher MT and significantly lower motor evoked potential amplitudes for TS, ICF, and ICI specific trials compared to the group without stroke. Finally, the ratio of ICF to ICI was found to be significantly lower in the stroke group, indicating less facilitation. Conclusion: Overall the affected hemispheres of the participants surviving stroke were found to be significantly less excitable than the dominant hemispheres of the non-stroke participants. These findings and the usefulness of TMS to directly access and assess differences in the brain's baseline excitability following stroke will hopefully add to existing knowledge that informs therapeutic interventions aimed at increasing post-stroke performance in daily activities.
Open Access
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.
Open Access
Exploring staff clinical knowledge and practice with LGBT residents in long-term care: a grounded theory of cultural competency and training needs
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014) Donaldson, Weston Verlaine, author; Vacha-Haase, Tammi, advisor; Davalos, Deana, committee member; Swaim, Randall, committee member; Wood, Wendy, committee member
Providing culturally competent care to LGBT residents is an important area of concern in the current practice of long-term care (LTC) staff and providers. Existing literature shows that LGBT residents are likely to face discrimination and suboptimal care in LTC facilities due to homophobia, transphobia, and heteronormative/cisnormative policies. This grounded theory study assessed the LGBT cultural competency that exists among staff working in LTC facilities, and provides a framework for understanding how their knowledge, skills, and attitudes with respect to LGBT residents are connected to their ability to care for those populations. The core category identified in this study was "staff sensitivity to minority sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) of residents." Main categories reflected the ways that competency, awareness, knowledge, experience with LGBT people, attitudes toward LGBT people, and current training needs reflect staff sensitivity to resident SOGI. Recommendations are made for training LTC staff to be sensitive to the particular needs of sexual and gender minorities in their facilities.
Open Access
Factors related to susceptibility to sport-related injury
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2012) Oiness, Kacey, author; Suinn, Richard, advisor; Rickard, Kathryn, advisor; Butki, Brian, committee member; Davalos, Deana, committee member
The study examined the role various factors play in an athlete's susceptibility to injury in sport. The study involved 244 participants from various sports and included athletes who participated at the high school level, the collegiate level, and the professional level. Participants completed questionnaires measuring number and severity of injuries, resiliency, competition anxiety, trait anger, social support, coping skills, and overtraining. Results showed that an athlete's history of injury (i.e. number of injuries) is significantly correlated with an athlete's severity of injuries. Additionally, various significant correlations were found between the factors examined and one's number of injuries and/or severity of injuries. The correlations found were between resiliency and number of injuries, anger and severity of injuries, coping skills and severity of injury, number of hours practiced and number of injuries, and rigorousness of practices and number of injuries. Additionally, the study examined possible interactions among the variables studied and found that social support serves as a moderator when looking at the relationship between total hours practiced and number of injuries. Results were also examined for males and females, contact and non-contact sports, and high school, collegiate, and profession athletes separately. While some differences emerged, overall there was not much variation between the various groups. Overall, the current study revealed that there are a number of physical, environmental, and psychological factors that impact an athlete's susceptibility to injury.
Open Access
Gender differences in the attribution of stigma to individuals with Anorexia Nervosa: a grounded theory exploration
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2013) Anderson, Janean M., author; Rickard, Kathryn, advisor; Benn, Mark, committee member; Davalos, Deana, committee member; Anderson, Sharon, committee member
Eating disorder research has minimally examined how eating disorders affect men and women differently, how individuals with eating disorders are perceived by others, and barriers to seeking treatment that individuals with eating disorders face (Corrigan, 1998; Crisp, 2005;). However, it is unknown how men and women may uniquely experience the stigma associated with eating disorders. Moreover, the complex relationship between gender and stigma are unknown. Examination of gender's impact on eating disorders needs to expand beyond research that examines gender only in the context of self-reported gender role orientation and eating disorder symptoms to include how gender creates norms and attitudes which affect those with eating disorders. Specifically, there is a dearth of literature regarding how stigma for men with eating disorders is different than it is for women with eating disorders. This study attempted to describe the phenomenon of gender-specific stigma in Anorexia Nervosa.
Open Access
Intergenerational continuity in depressive symptoms and substance use between father and child: the role of warmth
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2021) Fulco, Celia J., author; Rickard, Kathryn, advisor; Henry, Kimberly, committee member; Davalos, Deana, committee member; Yuma, Paula, committee member
Continuity of adolescent substance use and depression across generations has been established and confirmed empirically, yet our understanding of the key drivers of intergenerational continuity remains limited. The present study tested the notion that father-child warmth, a factor closely tied to attachment security and child psychosocial development, may mediate the relationship between a father's own experiences with substance use and/or depression and the development of these problems in his child's adolescence. This path analysis examined two key intergenerational patterns: the intergenerational quality of parent-child warmth, and the intergenerational continuity of depressive symptoms and substance use between fathers and their adolescent children. Results showed that G2 adolescent experience of caregiver warmth was a strong predictor of depressive symptoms and substance use across developmental stages. In the case of G2 adolescence, both the child and parent reports of warmth served as significant predictors, with some variability. Second, while father-child warmth across the G1-G2 and G2-G3 generations were correlated, parental warmth did not demonstrate strong intergenerational continuity. Third, depressive symptoms negatively impacted paternal report of G2 (adult) warmth, while paternal substance use had a marginally significant association with both father and child report of warmth. Fourth, G3 adolescent report of both caregivers' warmth significantly predicted adolescent depressive symptoms, whereas only G3-reported OCG warmth predicted G3 adolescent substance use. Other nuances in the results, relating to covariates and the differences between maternal and paternal behavior and psychopathology, were also discussed. The study's limitations, implications, and future directions were further outlined and explored.
Open Access
Intersectional identity, sense of LGBTQ+ community, substance use, and mental health outcomes among college students
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2020) Tuthill, Shelby Diane, author; Prince, Mark, advisor; Crain, Tori, committee member; Davalos, Deana, committee member; Faw, Meara, committee member
Prior research has shown disparities in mental health outcomes and substance use between LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and more) and non-LGBTQ+ people. Factors such as social support and LGBTQ+-specific social support have been shown to mitigate such disparities. A similar construct, sense of LGBTQ+ community has been less widely studied. In this study, LGBTQ+ (n = 154) and non-LGBTQ+ (n = 1232) undergraduate students at a large university participated in a survey. In a propensity score matched sample of LGBTQ+ students and demographically similar non-LGBTQ+ students showed no disparities in overall mood concerns, depression, anxiety, and stress; they also showed no disparities in alcohol use, cannabis use, and alcohol and cannabis co-use. Among LGBTQ+ students, sense of LGBTQ+ community was not significantly associated with mood outcomes or substance use. However, some notable disparities emerged when students were compared across racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual orientation identities simultaneously. These findings underscore the importance of an intersectional approach to research and subsequent recommendations for intervention.
Open Access
Is a life skills training infusion an effective strategy to reduce substance use among at-risk teens in a mentoring program?
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016) Konkel, Kristen E., author; Henry, Kimberly, advisor; Aloise-Young, Patricia, committee member; Davalos, Deana, committee member; Haddock, Shelley, committee member; Youngblade, Lise, committee member
Adolescent substance use is a challenge that has myriad detrimental consequences for the individual, school systems, and society. Before graduating from high school, 70% of high school students have consumed alcohol (Johnston, O'Malley, Bachman, & Schulenberg, 2009) and 40% have tried marijuana (Johnston et al., 2009). There is a critical need to address this issue using novel evidence-based interventions that are adaptable to a school or community’s needs. Interventions focusing improving adolescent skills and providing a pro-social adult may help adolescents overcome some of the factors that put them at risk for substance use. For the current project, I designed, implemented, and evaluated an infusion-model type intervention, where two evidence-based programs for substance use reduction among at-risk teens were innovatively combined and executed. Specifically, Life Skills Training (LST; Botvin, Eng, & Williams, 1980), a skills-based program that traditionally has been delivered in a school classroom setting, was adapted and infused into Campus Connections (CC), a youth mentorship program at Colorado State University that matches university students with an at-risk youth from the community. Participants included 166 11-18 year olds enrolled in CC (85 in the LST infusion group, 81 in the comparsion group). Facilitators were trained to deliver age-appropriate 20-minute LST lessons each evening during CC, and the college student mentors were trained to practice skills and behaviors as well as have conversations with the participants about each topic during the rest of the CC evening. After a successful implementation, the evaluation unexpectedly did not show significant results. Participants in the LST infusion group did not have increased social skills, personal self-management skills, or drug resistance skills, nor did they have lower levels of substance use, substance use intentions, or self-reported delinquent behavior. A secondary evaluation of the LST-infusion treatment group only did not show that mentor fidelity to the program infusion improved outcomes. Practical implications for prevention and limitations of the current study are discussed.