Mountain Scholar :: Browsing by Author "Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member"

Browsing by Author "Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member"

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Open Access
A pilot study of a mindfulness-based group program in adolescents at risk for excess weight gain
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2018) Burke, Morgan, author; Shomaker, Lauren, advisor; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member; Johnson, Sarah, committee member
There is a cross-sectional and prospective association of depressive/anxiety symptoms with excess weight in adolescents. Theoretically, intervening to decrease mental health symptoms in adolescents at-risk for excess weight gain may offer a novel approach to also decrease the risk for excess weight gain. Mindfulness-based approaches show preliminary promise in adults with obesity and in some adolescent samples; yet feasibility and acceptability in adolescents at-risk for excess weight gain has not been determined. In this study, I examined the feasibility and acceptability of a 6-week mindfulness-based group program in adolescent girls and boys at-risk for excess weight gain, and I explored the effects of participation in a mindfulness-program on perceived stress, depression, anxiety, and body mass index (BMI) indices, as compared to a 6-week health education control group program. Participants were age 12-17 years old and determined to be at-risk for excess weight gain based upon above-average BMI percentile or a strong family history of overweight. Adolescents were assessed at baseline, 6-weeks/post-treatment, and a 6-month follow-up. Fifty-four adolescents were randomized to the mindfulness group program (n=29) or the health education control group (n=25). In the mindfulness group, participants were on average 13.97 years old, 66% non-Hispanic White, and 90% had overweight or obesity (BMI >=85th percentile). In the health education control group, participants were on average 14.49 years old, 72% non-Hispanic White and 84% had overweight or obesity. Feasibility and acceptability were measured by group attendance, homework completion, and program acceptability ratings. Depression, anxiety symptoms, and perceived stress were measured by validated surveys. Adolescents' median session attendance was six out of six sessions in both the health education group and the mindfulness group. In the mindfulness group, homework completion averaged 63%. In the mindfulness group, 92% thought that the group addressed their concerns, and 100% would recommend the group to others like them. Adolescents randomized to the mindfulness group showed greater decreases in perceived stress at post-treatment than adolescents in the health education group. There were some within-condition changes in key variables, but no other significant between-condition effects at either post-treatment or 6-months follow-up were observed. In conclusion, a relatively brief mindfulness-based group program appears to be feasible and acceptable to adolescents at-risk for excess weight gain. A mindfulness-based training program may offer some acute psychological benefits, particularly in terms of perceived stress. Yet, further research is needed on mindfulness programs for adolescents at-risk for excess weight gain with longer follow-up periods, and also with adolescents with elevated depression and anxiety at baseline.
Open Access
Accelerometer measurements of physical activity in pregnant adolescents
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2019) Clark, Emma L. M., author; Shomaker, Lauren B., advisor; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member; Leach, Heather, committee member
In adult women, physical activity during pregnancy, assessed objectively with accelerometry, has been related to less excess gestational weight gain and better health outcomes for mother and child. Objectively-measured physical activity has not been reported in pregnant adolescents, and it is unclear to what extent accelerometers are feasible in this group of young women who are at very high-risk for social-emotional challenges and excess gestational weight gain. The main purpose of the current thesis project was to investigate the feasibility of using accelerometers to objectively quantify physical activity in pregnant adolescents. The second aim was to explore the associations of physical activity with pregnant adolescent health characteristics including pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI; kg/m2), first-trimester weight (kg), depression symptoms, emotional eating, and loss-of-control eating. Participants were N = 28 15-19 year old patients, 12-18 weeks gestation, obtaining prenatal care at a multidisciplinary adolescent pregnancy clinic. Physical activity was assessed with GT3-X wrist-worn accelerometers for 7 days to assess average moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day, percentage of time spent in MVPA, daily average sedentary bouts, percent of time spent sedentary, average step counts, and maximum step counts. Feasibility was determined as median days of wear time equal to or exceeding 4 out of 7 days (of≥10 hours of wear time per day). Adolescents reported pre-pregnancy weight/height to compute pre-pregnancy BMI; first-trimester weight was assessed from measured weight. Depression symptoms and emotional eating were assessed with validated self-report questionnaires. Presence of loss-of-control eating was evaluated by interview. In addition to reporting statistical significance (p < .05), strength of bivariate associations were described as moderate (r ≥ .40) and large (r ≥ .60), given the pilot nature of the study. Results indicated that the median days of valid wear was 5 days, and 59.3% of pregnant adolescents met criteria for valid wear. Adolescents who did not have valid accelerometer reported heavier pre-pregnancy BMI (28.63 ± 6.75 kg/m2 vs. 23.55 ± 5.21 kg/m2, p = .04), with no other significant differences. Among pregnant adolescents with valid data (N = 16), there was an inverse, moderate association of average MVPA per day with depression symptoms (r = -.44 p = .09). In conclusion, there were mixed results for the feasibility of accelerometry in pregnant adolescents. In order to increase wear time compliance in this population, particularly for heavier adolescents, more incentives are required. Finally, results from this study suggest that the connection between pregnant adolescents' physical activity and depression warrants exploration in future research.
Open Access
Association between fathers' parental mindfulness and adolescent behavioral development and academic grades
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2017) Carlson, Michelle, author; Coatsworth, Douglas, advisor; Stallones, Lorann, committee member; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member
This study examined the association of fathers' mindful parenting with adolescent problem behaviors and academic grades. Past research shows positive associations between mindful parenting and youth outcomes and supports the efficacy of parental mindfulness training for improving parent-child relationships and decreasing adolescent problem behaviors. Yet, much of this research is conducted with mothers, whereas fathers are less represented in these studies. Parenting research that has been done with fathers has highlighted the significant impact that a father-child relationship can have on a child's development, suggesting that mindful parenting might also be a useful avenue for study with fathers. In a sample of 244 families with participating fathers, this study tested the association between fathers' mindful parenting and adolescent internalizing behavior, externalizing behavior, and grades after controlling for fathers' general parenting and demographic characteristics. Results indicated that mindful parenting in fathers was associated with youth outcomes above and beyond fathers' general parenting and demographics, but only for youth-report of fathers' mindful parenting. These results indicated that when youth reported more mindful parenting by their father, they also had lower levels of externalizing and internalizing behaviors. Mindful parenting did not significantly predict grades. Outcomes of this study indicate a promising area of research regarding fathering and mindful parenting.
Open Access
Detection of unhealthy communication patterns in romantic relationships
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2020) Smith, Amy D., author; Quirk, Kelley, advisor; Faw, Meara, committee member; Harvey, Ashley, committee member; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member
Unhealthy communication expressions are predictive of distress and poor functioning in romantic relationships yet the ability to detect these expressions is understudied. Study 1 presents the validation of a new procedure allowing for the objective assessment of detection abilities producing a final set of 15 videos (11 unhealthy interactions and 4 neutral conflict interactions). Six real-life couples volunteered to film four two-minute videos each for the creation of this procedure. Each couple was asked to portray three interactions including an assigned unhealthy communication expression and one neutral interaction on topics of their choice. The total sample of 24 videos were viewed by Gottman Couple Therapy Level 1 or Level 2 certified couples' therapists currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a COAMFTE-accredited Marriage and Family Therapy graduate program. Each therapist rated the videos on whether the video showed unhealthy communication expressions, their concern for the relationship based on the interaction, and the level of satisfaction they perceived the couple had with their relationship. Nine videos failed to be validated with two videos having contradictory ratings in their portrayal of unhealthy communication patterns from what was intended, two for having low levels of internal reliability related to concern for the relationship, two for ratings of level of concern inconsistent with the hypothesis, and three for ratings of level of satisfaction inconsistent with the hypothesis. Implications for the use of this procedure in future research are provided. In Study 2, binary logistic regression models were used to explore individual level predictors of observed detection abilities based on four of the videos validated in Study 1. Participants were asked to view the series of four videos, two of which portrayed unhealthy communication patterns and two of which portrayed neutral conflict interactions. Based on Social Learning Theory and documented errors in directed attention, three early childhood variables (attachment, interparental conflict, and betrayal trauma) and two attention related variables (dissociation and mindfulness) were tested. Results revealed that self-blame related to interparental conflict predicted lower detection abilities, including both over- and under-detection and trait dissociation predicted under-detection. Attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, betrayal trauma, and trait mindfulness were not significant predictors of detection ability. A discussion of the findings and implications for future research are provided. Study 3 was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based relationship education program for individuals at improving the ability to form healthy relationships including the ability to detect early warning signs of unhealthy relationships, confidence in making decisions in relationships, use of skillful communication, and relationship satisfaction. . Participants were undergraduate students currently enrolled in a college course on intervention and prevention programs and were randomly assigned to two conditions: (1) relationship education program with a mindfulness component or (2) standard relationship education program. Repeated-measures ANOVAs revealed significant pre-/post-test differences related to confidence in the ability to detect early warning signs of unhealthy relationship functioning and trend level differences in confidence in decision making and skillful communication. No significant differences were found between groups. Implications for future research are provided.
Open Access
Evaluation of Possums Sleep Intervention: a pilot feasibility study
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2018) Closson, Lia, author; Biringen, Zeynep, advisor; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member; Willams, Elizabeth, committee member
The first year after the birth of a child is one of the most challenging times for mothers due to disrupted sleep associated with disorganized infant sleep. Research has shown that persistent fragmented maternal sleep increases a mother's risk of developing depression and negatively influences her overall well-being. Both issues can challenge the mother-infant relationship. In an effort to improve sleep for both mother and infant, healthcare providers often recommend infant behavioral sleep interventions. The primary focus of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of easily recruiting for, adequately delivering, and sufficiently retaining participants in the Possums Sleep Intervention, a psychoeducational group workshop for women with infants between the ages of 0-6 months. A second goal of the study was to evaluate the Possums' curriculum potential in improving maternal sleep, maternal perceptions and cognitions of infant sleep, reported emotional availability and postnatal depressive symptoms. Participants were assessed at the start of the study and again at the completion of the 4-week workshop. Results showed improvements with respect to the perceived emotional availability in the parent-infant relationship, but there were no positive effects related to sleep for mother or for infant and no positive effects for mother's mood.
Open Access
Examining social exchange measures as moderators of politeness techniques in face-threatening acts between romantic partners
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016) Allred, Ryan J., author; Crowley, John P., advisor; Aoki, Eric, committee member; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member
Much has been written concerning face and the process individuals engage in to manage both their own and other’s face in a variety of contexts (Goffman, 1967). Despite ample research on the management of one’s own face (Brown & Levinson, 1987), still little is known concerning the motives behind helping others to create and manage face. This study utilizes measures from Social Exchange Theory (Thibaut & Kelley, 1959) as moderators for face-saving techniques presented in Politeness Theory. Particularly, romantic relationships were examined to determine how relationship satisfaction and stability levels influence decision-making processes when individuals approach their partners with a face-threatening act. Satisfaction was shown to be associated with concern for face whereas stability, commitment, and equity were not. Additionally, satisfaction and stability levels are correlated with the techniques individuals use to reduce uncertainty concerning their partners’ face needs. Future research is suggested to further understand effective techniques to reduce uncertainty surrounding face-threatening acts.
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 the potential utility of a mindfulness-based intervention for promoting intuitive eating in adolescents
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2022) Cutler, Addie K., author; Shomaker, Lauren, advisor; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member; Mueller, Megan, committee member
Metabolic diseases and other illnesses related to high weight are increasing in prevalence, which is of particular concern in adolescent populations due to the long-term health implications. Intuitive eating (IE), the ability to eat when hungry, stop when satisfied, and consume the foods that one prefers, has been inversely associated with body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) and, as such, is a construct of interest in the field of adolescent wellness. In theory, adolescent IE would be related to both greater mindfulness and less disordered eating. Yet, relatively few studies have examined IE in adolescents and even fewer studies have explored whether mindfulness-based intervention affect IE in adolescents. In this master's thesis, I explored the effects of a mindfulness-based intervention on increasing dispositional mindfulness and increasing IE in adolescents at risk for excess weight gain using baseline and 3-year follow-up data from a pilot randomized controlled trial of N=54 adolescent girls (55%) and boys 12-17 years old who were experiencing above-average weight or had a family history of experiences with obesity. Youth were randomized to either a mindfulness-based group intervention or health education control group for 6 hours spread over 6 consecutive weeks. Mindfulness and disordered eating were measured on validated self-report instruments at baseline and 3-year follow-up. IE was measured through adolescents' report on the Intuitive Eating Scale-2, measured only at 3-year follow-up. There were no significant differences between groups in mindfulness, disordered eating, or IE at 3-year follow-up. Disordered eating at 3-year follow-up was negatively correlated with total average IE at 3-year follow-up. These findings are limited based on the small, pilot nature of the study indicating that further research is needed in this area.
Open Access
Identifying support needs and intervention opportunities for perinatal fathers: an exploratory sequential mixed methods study
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Rayburn, Stephanie, author; MacPhee, David, advisor; Braungart-Rieker, Julie, advisor; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member; Prince, Mark, committee member
The transition to fatherhood is a time of increased stress and risk for depressive and anxiety disorders for fathers. Father adjustment affects family well-being, but support programs that target perinatal fathers are not widely available, and it can be difficult to engage fathers in the programs that are available. Identifying the support needs of perinatal fathers and opportunities for intervention is an important and underexplored avenue for promoting early healthy family development. The following dissertation includes a review of developmental theories and extant literature and proposes a model of paternal perinatal development. Three studies are then presented using an exploratory mixed methods design. Study A explores perinatal father experiences and perceptions of their support needs. Study B quantitatively assesses social support as a predictor of parenting engagement, role conflict, and well-being in postpartum fathers. Study C investigates qualitative and quantitative evidence for a proof-of-concept evaluation of a piloted community-based group intervention program called DadSpace. Findings from Study A indicate that fathers find value in connecting with other fathers and are interested in support and information that are relevant to fathers. Findings from Study B indicate that both social support and self-efficacy are significant predictors of postpartum father parenting engagement and well-being, including work-home role conflict and satisfaction, parenting stress, depression, and anxiety. Findings from Study C demonstrate that perinatal fathers find value in a program that connects them with other fathers and supports them in exploring issues relevant to them; however, recruitment remains a challenge.
Open Access
Made you laugh: the interpretation of interactive laughter within friendships
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2020) Matter, Michelle M., author; Faw, Meara, advisor; Williams, Elizabeth, committee member; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member
Although past scholars have studied laughter as a form of communication, prior research is scarce on how laughter is perceived by interactants. This mixed methods study deepens scholarly understandings of laughter as both a communicative act and a form of affection by investigating how friends in dyadic interactions make meaning of the laughter they share during those interactions. Pairs of friends were video-recorded having a short, light-hearted conversation. Following the conversation, each individual watched the video, explaining at each instance of laughter what they were feeling and why they believed laughter occurred at that point in the conversation. Data from both interactants was then compared to examine the types of laughter that were manifested in conversations as well as patterns regarding participants' perceptions and communication of laughter. In general, previous laughter categories were supported by the data, but new categories were also identified, including laughing out of relatability (show understanding), lighten (decrease stress or negative feelings), memory (remember the situation being discussed), reactionary (because the other person laughed first), anticipation (expecting something funny to happen), cue (indicate that the other person should laugh), common joke (previously shared and recognized humor), mental image (picturing the event or story), and endearing (out of love) laughter. A new categorization system is proposed which assesses laughter in terms of its relational effects along the spectrums of prosocial-antisocial and basic-complex; in particular, prosocial laughter is examined as an affectionate behavior according to the definitions from Floyd's Affection Exchange Theory. This study offers a deeper understanding of laughter as a crucial yet understudied form of nonverbal communication by highlighting the relational meanings and implications of laughter among friends.
Open Access
Parental conflict and young adult romantic relationships: the role of sibling relationship quality
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2018) Fihn, Gabrielle, author; Quirk, Kelley, advisor; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member; Faw, Meara, committee member
Romantic relationship development and maintenance contributes to the overall well-being and psychological health of partners. Decades of research has indicated that parental divorce is negatively associated with psychological adjustment and romantic relationship outcomes later in development. More current research, however, claims that divorce alone does not account for the variability in these outcomes, and that multiple subsytems within the family unit are likely influential. The proposed study aims to examine one family subsystem, sibling relationships, on the association between young adult romantic relationship outcomes and parental conflict and divorce. Three hundred and thirty two young adults provided responses to questions about their parent relationship quality, sibling relationship quality, and four romantic relationship outcomes (attitudes, relationship commitment, relationship satisfaction, relationship confidence). A linear regression and a moderation test were conducted to examine the associations between sibling relationship quality, parental conflict, and the outlined romantic relationship outcomes. Results revealed support for the powerful association that siblings play in young adults romantic relationship formation and satisfaction. Implications are offered for future studies in this important line of work.
Open Access
Participation in early childhood educational environments for young children with and without developmental delays: a mixed methods study
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2014) Benjamin, Tanya Elizabeth, author; Khetani, Mary, advisor; Davies, Patricia, committee member; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member
Children's participation in school-based activities is an important indicator of their inclusion. Prior studies have shown disparities in school participation between children with and without disabilities, but there is limited knowledge about whether these disparities are present during the early childhood period. The purpose of this concurrent transformative mixed methods study is three-fold: 1) to generate new knowledge about similarities and differences in how young children with and without developmental delays participate in daycare/preschool activities (in terms of their participation frequency, level of involvement, and parental desire for change), 2) to examine similarities and differences in perceived environmental supports for participation in daycare/preschool activities, and 3) to identify patterns in the strategies used by parents who want their child's participation to change. This study leverages the newly developed Young Children's Participation and Environment Measure (YC-PEM) to build new knowledge about young children's participation in a daycare/preschool environment. Study results suggest moderate to large disability group differences in young children's daycare/preschool participation and perceived environmental support for participation, even after controlling for the confounding effects of child gender, child age, and family income. Parents of young children with developmental delays, on average, report their children as less involved in daycare/preschool activities and perceive fewer supports for participation in their child's daycare/preschool environment. At the item level, significant disability group differences were found with respect to the child's frequency and level of involvement in daycare/preschool activities across all three daycare/preschool activities (i.e., group learning, socializing with friends, field trips and events). Significant disability group differences were also found in percent desire change for two of three activities (i.e., group learning, socializing with friends). Lastly, significant group differences on perceived environmental support for daycare/preschool participation were found for all but one environmental item (programs and services). Among parents who desired change in their child's participation in daycare/preschool activities, a desire for change was reported across multiple dimensions (frequency, level of involvement, broader variety). The most commonly reported parental strategies to improve participation in daycare/preschool activities pertained to childcare tasks and child peer groups, and these strategies were used irrespective of the type(s) of change that parents desired. In conclusion, the study findings suggest that 1) discrepancies in school participation between children with and without disabilities can be detected in the early childhood period and along multiple dimensions (frequency, level of involvement, parental desire for change); 2) there are wide range of perceived environmental barriers that may be appropriate intervention targets to minimize disparities in school participation for young children with developmental delays; 3) some, but not all, of the ten family accommodations that have been reported in prior literature are commonly used by parents to improve their young child's participation in a daycare/preschool setting. These study results, in turn, support the utility of the YC-PEM for use by stakeholders to 1) identify young children with participation restriction in an early childhood educational setting, 2) identify specific environmental barriers and supports impacting participation in this setting, and 3) anticipate the types of parental strategies that could be expanded upon by stakeholders to improve participation outcomes for young children experiencing participation restriction.
Open Access
Paternal involvement and dyadic affective flexibility in parent-child coregulation
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2017) Cunningham, Mark R., author; Lunkenheimer, Erika, advisor; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member; Yan, Ruoh-Nan, committee member
The present study examined the role of paternal involvement in parent-child positive affect and dyadic flexibility. Previous research has shown that father's involvement may provide contextual support that may protect dyadic subsystems from stressors and promote positive parenting practices within the family unit. Additionally, involved fathers develop more sensitive relationships with their children. Thus, it was hypothesized that parent-child dyads with greater paternal involvement would show greater positive affect and dyadic flexibility, which has been shown to result in children's decreased externalizing problems. Mother-child (n = 209) and father-child dyads (n = 88) interacted in a block design task at home when children were 3 years old. Dynamic systems-based methods were used to derive dyadic positive affect and dyadic flexibility from observational coding. Mother's self-report was used to determine paternal involvement in comparison to all potential caregivers. The results of this study did not show a relation between paternal involvement and dyadic positive affect and flexibility. Implications of these findings are discussed and provide new directions for research into parent-child coregulation dynamics.
Open Access
Relational satisfaction and telomere length: exploring the moderators of dyadic coping and mindful partnering
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Baer, Samantha Leigh, author; Quirk, Kelley, advisor; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member; Faw, Meara, committee member
This study aimed to address the gaps in the literature surrounding dyadic coping, mindful partnering, relationship satisfaction, and telomere length. We examined the association between relationship satisfaction and telomere length. Hypothesizing (H1) that relationship satisfaction would be positively and significantly associated with longer telomere length. We then analyzed mindful partnering and dyadic coping as moderators of this association. Next, we predicted (H2, H3) that mindful partnering and dyadic coping would strengthen the association between relationship satisfaction and telomere length. However, our analyses showed hypothesis one is insignificant, meaning there is no significant association between relationship satisfaction and telomere length. The insignificance of our main effect inhibited us from testing our moderators, dyadic coping, and mindful partnering. One notable limitation of our study was that the data was self-reported, creating more room for social desirability. Future researchers could collect data on these variables through observational research to minimize the amount of social desirability bias. Although the findings from this study were insignificant, it presents the field with opportunities for future research.
Embargo
Sleep and insulin sensitivity in adolescents at risk for type 2 diabetes
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Clark, Emma, author; Shomaker, Lauren, advisor; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member; Riggs, Nathaniel, committee member; Prince, Mark, committee member
Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic disease that is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States, and rates of adolescent-onset (<20 years of age) T2D are rising. Adolescent-onset T2D is associated with accelerated cardiometabolic comorbidities and shorter life expectancy compared to adult-onset T2D. As traditional behavioral weight loss approaches to T2D prevention show insufficient effectiveness in adolescents, it is critical to investigate novel, potentially modifiable factors that relate to poor insulin sensitivity, a key precursor of T2D. Poor sleep health is one such potentially modifiable contributor to poor insulin sensitivity and consequently, T2D; however, most research on sleep and T2D is in adults, and the specific characteristics of sleep health that relate to poor insulin sensitivity in adolescents at risk for T2D have not been thoroughly investigated. Further, research suggests that individual characteristics related to stress vulnerability, including dispositional mindfulness (i.e., non-judgmental awareness of the present moment) and self-compassion (i.e., treating oneself with an attitude of kindness and compassion), could alter the association of sleep characteristics with insulin sensitivity. In theory, dispositional mindfulness and/or self-compassion may act as a buffer in the association of poor sleep health and metabolic consequences. Thus, the specific research aims of this dissertation project were to determine to what extent objective characteristics of weekday and weekend sleep health, (1a) wake after sleep onset, (1b) sleep onset latency, (1c) time in bed, (1d) sleep duration, and (1e) sleep efficiency, were associated with insulin sensitivity, and (2) to evaluate mindfulness and self-compassion as moderators of the associations between sleep health and insulin sensitivity. Methods: A total of 128 adolescent girls (M ± SD age 14.40 ± 1.81 years) at risk for T2D participated in the cross-sectional, baseline phase of a parent study. Sleep disturbances were assessed with actigraphy over one week. Mindfulness was assessed with the Mindful Attention and Awareness Scale and self-compassion with the Self-Compassion Scale. The whole body insulin sensitivity index assessment of insulin sensitivity was determined from a 7-draw, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test. Linear regressions were used to examine the links between sleep characteristics and insulin sensitivity, accounting for the potentially confounding variables of age, BMIz, race/ethnicity, and puberty. Dispositional mindfulness and self-compassion were tested as moderators of the association between sleep characteristics and insulin sensitivity. Results: Despite bivariate associations of insulin sensitivity with weekend wake time after sleep onset and weekend time in bed, after accounting for covariates, there were only two trend-level associations. Specifically, longer weekday sleep efficiency was related to greater insulin sensitivity at trend levels, and longer weekend wake time after sleep onset tended to be related to poorer insulin sensitivity at trend levels, accounting for covariates. Mindfulness and self-compassion moderated the associations of weekend sleep efficiency and weekday sleep efficiency, respectively, with insulin sensitivity at trend levels. Higher weekend sleep efficiency was associated with greater insulin sensitivity, only for adolescents with above-average levels of mindfulness. Higher weekday sleep efficiency was associated with greater insulin sensitivity, but only for adolescents with average or above-average levels of self-compassion. Conclusion: Sleep is an important area for future research in the prevention of T2D in at-risk adolescents. Mindfulness and self-compassion may moderate the associations between adolescent sleep quality and insulin sensitivity; however, these processes need further investigation. A comprehensive understanding of adolescent sleep will advance knowledge of sleep health, insulin sensitivity, and mindfulness/self-compassion in the prevention of adolescent-onset T2D.
Open Access
Socioeconomic inequality, amygdala and ventral striatal connectivity, and affective outcomes in children and adolescents
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Strack, Jordan, author; Merz, Emily, advisor; Thomas, Michael, committee member; Seger, Carol, committee member; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member
Socioeconomic disadvantage has been significantly associated with an increased risk for internalizing problems in children and adolescents. The neural mechanisms underlying these associations, however, are not well understood. Differences in connectivity of the amygdala and ventral striatum with the prefrontal cortex (PFC) may play an important role in these mechanisms. The goals of this study were to examine (1) the associations among socioeconomic factors, amygdala and ventral striatal resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC), and emotional outcomes in children and adolescents, (2) sex differences in associations between socioeconomic factors and amygdala and ventral striatal rsFC, and (3) interactions between socioeconomic factors and familial/genetic risk for anxiety/depression in predicting amygdala and ventral striatal rsFC. Participants were typically-developing 3- to 20-year-olds (50% male, N = 590) from the Pediatric Imaging, Neurocognition, and Genetics (PING) study (Jernigan et al., 2016). Resting-state fMRI, socioeconomic (family income, parental education), and self-reported positive and negative affect data were collected. Measures of familial and genetic risk for anxiety/depression were family history of anxiety/depression and genome-wide polygenic risk scores for major depressive disorder (PRS-MDD), respectively. Whole-brain, seed-based functional connectivity analyses were conducted with the ventral striatum and the amygdala as seeds. Findings indicated significant interactions between socioeconomic factors and PRS-MDD for amygdala rsFC with the frontopolar cortex. Positive and negative affect were associated with amygdala and ventral striatum rsFC with various brain regions. Associations between socioeconomic factors and amygdala and ventral striatal rsFC and sex differences were not significant. These findings can be applied to informing the design of more effective prevention and intervention strategies to facilitate healthy emotional development.
Open Access
The association between father involvement and sexual risk behaviors among Black and White adolescent girls
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2019) Charles, Brenda, author; Coatsworth, Doug, advisor; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member; Black, Ray, committee member
This study explored the importance of father involvement for adolescent girls, particularly in the context of sexual risk behaviors. Research is only beginning to explore the effects of fathers on development and the benefits to fathers being more involved with their children. Though there has been a plethora of research on the effects of maternal interactions, there has been less of a proliferation of research on fathers and their interactions with their children. Current research has begun to show an association between father involvement and sexual risk behaviors in adolescents. However, most of this research used a cross sectional design and very few explored racial comparisons in these associations. Using a sample of 2,252 adolescent girls, this study explored the association of father involvement with sexual risk behaviors in these girls. It also further explored the ability of father involvement in adolescence to predict sexual risk behaviors in emerging adulthood, using a longitudinal design. Results indicate that father involvement in adolescence is associated with sexual risk behaviors, particularly condom use and number of sexual partners, in adolescence. The results also indicate that father involvement in adolescence predicts sexual risk behaviors in emerging adulthood for girls. An involved father in adolescence predicted less number of sexual partners and more condom use for females in emerging adulthood. No racial differences were found, and possible contributing limitations were discussed.
Open Access
The effects of maternal respiratory sinus arrhythmia and behavioral engagement on mother-child physiological coregulation
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2017) Skoranski, Amanda M., author; Lunkenheimer, Erika, advisor; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member; Cavalieri, Renzo, committee member
Parent-child coregulation, observed as the active organization and coordination of parents' and children's behavioral and physiological states, is an important precursor for children's developing self-regulation, but we know little about how individual parent factors shape parent-child coregulation. We examined whether differences in maternal physiology and behavioral engagement were associated with coregulation of mothers' and their 3-year-old children's physiological states over time. We examined coregulation in real time by modeling maternal and child respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) for 47 families across 18 minutes of dyadic interaction using multilevel coupled autoregressive models fitted in Mplus. Maternal basal RSA, maternal teaching, and maternal behavioral disengagement were each entered as between-subjects predictors to determine the extent to which mother-child coregulation was strengthened or weakened by maternal factors. Whereas greater maternal teaching during the mother-child interaction was associated with stronger coregulation in mother and child RSA over time, maternal disengagement was related to weaker coregulation: specifically, there were more-divergent parent and child RSA at higher levels of maternal disengagement. Coregulation in mother-child RSA was also weakened when mothers' basal RSA was higher. Findings contribute to the emerging knowledge base on real-time patterns of parent-child coregulation and suggest a role for parent-child physiological coregulation as a mechanism by which parent factors support or hinder children's developing self-regulation.
Open Access
The role of social relationship functioning in suicidal ideation among adolescents at-risk for adult obesity
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2020) Elliker, Elyse, author; Shomaker, Lauren, advisor; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member; Brown, Samantha, committee member
Prevalence of child and adolescent obesity represents a public health crisis in the United States and globally. Having tripled over the last 50 years, current rates of obesity show that approximately 18% of children aged 2-19 years in the United States are affected. While metabolic health consequences of obesity are of great concern, including insulin resistance and impaired glucose, obesity also is related to a range of adverse psychological concerns, including depression and suicidal ideation. Indeed, there has been an alarming rise in adolescent suicidal ideation and behavior, and a possibility that heavier youth are at higher risk. Yet, theoretical and empirical data support the possibility that positive social relationship functioning may play an important moderating role, by buffering the effects of weight discrimination on suicidal ideation in youth with overweight and obesity. In the current master's thesis proposal, I conducted a secondary analysis of the cross-sectional associations among social relationship functioning, suicidal ideation, and metabolic health characteristics in 90 adolescents aged 12-17 years (50% girls) at-risk for adult obesity. Adolescents completed survey measures of social relationship functioning and survey/interview measures of depression and suicidal ideation. Height and fasting weight were collected to determine body mass index (BMI) indices, and body fat was measured via air displacement plethysmography. A fasting blood sample was analyzed for fasting insulin, fasting glucose, and insulin resistance. I explored the bivariate associations among social functioning, depression, BMI, metabolic indices, and without suicidal ideation. Then I tested BMI/metabolic indices, social relationship functioning, and their interactions as a predictor of suicidal ideation, controlling for depression symptoms in order to evaluate the unique relation of BMI/metabolic indices and social functioning with suicide ideation. Nearly 30% of adolescents reported suicidal ideation. Contrary to hypotheses, results showed that neither BMI/body fat nor metabolic indices were related to suicidal ideation, nor did social act as a moderator of these associations. Accounting for age, sex, and BMI z, depression was robustly related to higher odds of suicidal ideation. Most dimensions of social functioning related in bivariate analyses to suicidal ideation, and some dimensions, even when accounting for depression symptoms and other covariates, showed a trend-level or significant association with suicidal ideation. These results point to the prevalence of suicidal ideation in adolescents at risk for adult obesity and suggest that elevated depression symptoms are the primary marker of risk for suicidal ideation in this population. Additional research with larger samples and longitudinal data are needed to further test the role of social functioning in mitigating, or perhaps mediating, suicidal ideation risk in adolescents at risk for adult obesity, as well as research into other possible protective factors.
Open Access
Understanding the link between parental and adolescent depressive symptoms in families at-risk for type 2 diabetes
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2015) Lehman, Devon Patricia, author; Shomaker, Lauren, advisor; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, committee member; Wdowik, Melissa, committee member
Depression and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are serious chronic diseases that show familial aggregation. However, the connection between parent and child depression and T2D risk within families at risk for T2D is poorly understood. The primary objective of the current study was to examine associations among maternal depressive symptoms, adolescent depressive symptoms, and adolescent metabolic characteristics in at-risk families. The second objective was to examine to what extent adolescent coping techniques served as a mediator of the relationship between parental and adolescent depressive symptoms. To address these objectives, I conducted a secondary, cross-sectional data analysis of the baseline phase of a T2D prevention trial with adolescents. Participants were 119 girls (age 14±2y; 62% non-Hispanic Black) and a biological parent. All girls were at risk for T2D by being overweight or obese (BMI > 85th percentile) and having a first- or second-degree relative with diabetes. By study design, girls also had at least mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms as determined with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D, total score > 16). Adolescents reported a continuous measure of depressive symptoms on the Children's Depression Inventory, and parents described their own depressive/anxiety symptoms on the Adult Self-Report. Adolescent coping skills were measured by adolescents’ report on the Responses to Stress Questionnaire-Social Stress Version. Metabolic risk factor measures included fasting glucose, fasting insulin, insulin sensitivity determined with oral glucose tolerance tests, and body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Parental depressive/anxiety and adolescent depressive symptoms were positively correlated (p < .05), and this relationship remained even when accounting for race, age, puberty, body fat, lean mass, height, and presence of maternal diabetes (p = .01). Parental depression/anxiety symptoms were significantly related to adolescent BMI metrics, adjusting for similar covariates (all p < .05), but parental depression/anxiety did not relate to other insulin or glucose indices after accounting for body composition. Adolescent coping strategies of disengagement coping, involuntary engagement coping, and involuntary disengagement coping were all predictive of greater adolescent depressive symptoms in adjusted analyses (all p < .05). However, parental depression/anxiety and coping had independent main effects on adolescent depressive symptoms, and there was no evidence that coping mediated the relationship between parental depressive/anxiety symptoms and adolescent depressive symptoms (all p ≥ .34). In conclusion, among adolescent girls at-risk for T2D with some depressive symptoms, higher levels of parental depressive/anxiety symptoms were related to relatively higher levels of adolescent depressive symptoms and higher adolescent BMI. Frequency of negative coping skills also predicted relatively greater depressive symptoms among adolescent girls at-risk for T2D. The positive relationship of parental depression/anxiety and adolescent adverse coping skills to depressive symptoms in teens at-risk for T2D may have applied implications for preventative efforts targeting depression and T2D in these youth. However, longitudinal data are required to help elucidate the directional nature of these associations.