Department of Human Development and Family Studies

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https://hdl.handle.net/10217/100455

These digital collections include theses, dissertations, and faculty publications from the Department of Human Development and Family Studies. Due to departmental name changes, materials from the following historical departments are also included here: Child Development and Family Relationships.

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Open Access
A comparison of suicide loss and non-suicide loss: the impact on family communication and affect
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Belzil, Eva, author; Quirk, Kelley, advisor; Ortega, Lilyana, committee member; Willis, Danielle, committee member
Suicide loss and non-suicide loss impact thousands of people globally each year. Literature to date has identified ways suicide-loss can impact individuals and families in unique ways but has not indicated what specific aspects of family function are impacted for suicide-bereaved family members. Further, it is unclear whether family members can turn to each other to provide and receive support after their loss. The purpose of this study was to understand how suicide loss of a family member impacts individuals when compared to suicide loss of a non-family member. Additionally, this study aimed to understand how suicide loss of a family member impacts family dynamics on specific levels of communication, affect expression, affect connection, and general family functioning when compared to non-suicide family member loss. Perceived familial support was predicted to moderate the relationship between type of loss and these family function variables. Participants (N = 174) filled out 4 self-report measures that assessed family function prior to their loss, grief experiences, family communication, affect expression, affect connection, and family function after their loss. An independent samples t-test and a hierarchical multiple regression with a moderation analysis were run to examine the relationships between the predictor and outcome variables described above. When compared to individuals who experienced a non-family member suicide loss, individuals who experienced family member suicide loss reported more intense grief experiences (p = .03) but did not report significantly different family function. When compared to non-suicide family member loss, individuals who lost a family member to suicide reported lower family affect connection (p < .05) and lower family affect connection (p < .05), but did not report significantly different family function or family communication. Perceived familial support did not moderate these main effects.
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
A social network analysis of the relation between social support and resilience in grandparents raising their grandchildren
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2018) Mendoza, Angela Nancy, author; Fruhauf, Christine A., advisor; MacPhee, David, committee member; Coatsworth, Doug, committee member; Portz, Jennifer, committee member
The purpose of this study was to use social network analysis (SNA) to examine the relation between social support and resilience in grandparents raising their grandchildren. This was done using an exploratory sequential mixed design. In Study 1, 74 grandparents raising grandchildren completed a survey in which data were collected regarding social support, social isolation, and resilience. Findings aligned with the hypothesis that grandparent caregivers' social support and coping skills were associated with their ability to adapt successfully despite experiencing adversity. Results utilizing Structural Equation Modeling demonstrated direct effects from social support, coping skills, and age to life satisfaction. It was also hypothesized that grandparents who knew other grandparent caregivers would fare better than those who did not know other grandparents raising grandchildren. Findings did not indicate this was the case. In Study 2, SNA was employed to further examine the results from Study 1. This was done by conducting face-to-face interviews with grandparents raising grandchildren from Study 1 which include SNA. Using data from Study 1 participants were placed in one of four resilience quadrants. Sixteen grandparents raising grandchildren were interviewed using social network analysis, five participants from the resilient group, four grandparents from the maladaptive group, five individuals from the competent group, and two participants from the vulnerable group. Analysis of grandparent's ego networks indicated resilient grandparent caregivers' networks were structured in a way that provided more opportunities for the inflow of new information and resources. Resilient grandparents also tended to demonstrate more resourcefulness.
Open Access
A test of social-cognitive theory on child rearing: are more authoritative parents higher in parental self-efficacy?
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Gaylord, Joshua J., author; MacPhee, David, advisor; Haddock, Shelley, committee member; Mallette, Dawn, committee member
Corporal punishment (CP) and harsh parenting behaviors increase the risk of child abuse and are associated with several detrimental outcomes among children. Drawing from the foundations of social cognitive theory and coercion theory, I examined long-term changes in parent self-efficacy (PSE) in relation to changes in child-rearing practices (i.e., authoritative and authoritarian). Using longitudinal data from the prevention program Dare to Be You (DTBY), I found that PSE was a significant predictor of child-centered discipline (authoritative), and harsh punishment (authoritarian). Child-centered discipline was moderated by parent attributions (self-blaming). Harsh punishment was significantly easier to predict, as expected by previous research on coercive cycles, and was explained by parent attributions (i.e., self-blaming and child-blaming), and problematic child behaviors. The effects of the DTBY intervention were also significant, with the long-term use of effective child-rearing strategies mediated through increases in self-efficacy. The implications of findings, especially the significance of coercive cycles and social cognitive processes in child rearing, are discussed. Future research and prevention applications are also noted to further prevent child abuse at large.
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
Adolescent leadership self-efficacy and future orientation correlates: contingencies of race and parental educational attainment
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2022) Mingola, Nicole, author; MacPhee, David, advisor; Walker, Aimee, committee member; Peila-Shuster, Jackie, committee member
Using a Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework to guide this research, it is critical that adolescents develop skills for attaining leadership self-efficacy and a positive future orientation. Historically, adolescents marginalized by race or socioeconomic status may not be presented with the same developmental opportunities as their counterparts. The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between adolescent leadership self-efficacy and future orientation while identifying contingencies by race and/or parental educational attainment. The sample of predominantly Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) adolescents was obtained from a secondary dataset from a family leadership program. Results highlight a strong positive relationship between leadership self-efficacy and future orientation among adolescents contemporaneously and over time. Moderation by parental educational attainment, but not by race, was supported. Strengths, limitations, and future directions are discussed.
Open Access
Adverse childhood experiences and allostatic load in adolescence and emerging adulthood
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2017) French, Kate M., author; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, advisor; Graham, Dan, committee member; Shomaker, Lauren, committee member
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), which include experiences of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, have been shown to be associated with increased occurrence of a number of diseases and risk behaviors in later adulthood (Felitti et al., 1998). In an effort to explain how adversity in childhood is related to later disease, the theoretical framework of allostasis and allostatic load (AL) is often employed (Danese & McEwen, 2012). In this context, it is postulated that the body responds adaptively to a variety of psychosocial stressors in a multi-systemic fashion (McEwen, 1998). The nervous, endocrine, and immune systems act and interact to respond to stressors in a way that allows the body to mobilize the resources necessary to remain safe in the face of threats and recover from that mobilization in a way that promotes physiologically balanced state of allostasis. However, repeated or chronic stressors can overwhelm the body's ability to respond toward long-term adaptation, and the body enters a state of AL. Dysregulated stress responses are a hallmark of allostatic load and can impair the body's ability to mobilize resources or recover from stressors efficiently leading to an imbalance of multiple physiologic responses. This imbalance is thought to cause "wear and tear" on the body, leading to later disease (McEwen, 1998). Although these dysregulated stress responses and the resulting physiological imbalances are thought to begin in childhood and continue throughout adolescence and emerging adulthood as well as in adults, little empirical research has been done with participants in these developmentally sensitive periods. In this study, a community sample (n = 114) of adolescents and emerging adults self-reported the ACEs they had experienced. An AL summary score was calculated by assigning scores to the highest risk quartiles of body mass index, blood pressure, self-rated health, baseline heart rate, and change in heart rate in response to a psychosocial stressor. ACE scores were compared with AL indices and the AL summary score along with age, sex, ethnicity, family income, and maternal support. Bivariate analyses indicated that ACEs were positively associated with body mass index, baseline heart rate, and age; and negatively associated with maternal support. When controlling for age, sex, ethnicity, family income, and maternal support in a multiple regression analysis, the positive association between ACEs and baseline heart rate remained such that participants who reported more ACEs had higher baseline heart rates. The results of this study indicate a need for further investigation between ACEs and AL indices including indications of dysregulated stress responses. Additionally, the negative association between ACEs and maternal support deserves further research attention.
Open Access
Adverse childhood experiences, stress, and emotional availability: an American Indian context
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016) Saunders, Hannah E., author; Biringen, Zeynep, advisor; MacPhee, David, committee member; Swaim, Randall, committee member; Sarche, Michelle, committee member
American Indian individuals are at a heightened risk for experiencing trauma and high levels of life stress. Despite a preponderance of research demonstrating the long-term detrimental effects of early trauma on physical and mental health, no study has yet examined how caregivers' own traumatic experiences impact their children's social-emotional health. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the degree to which caregivers' trauma, stress, and mental health was associated with child social-emotional functioning. Results indicated that caregivers' early traumatic experiences have long-term effects on their own mental health, as well as their child's. These findings highlight the importance of assessing and intervening upon the effects of early life trauma. The secondary purpose of this study was to validate the Emotional Availability Scales, a measure of the parent-child relationship quality, in an American Indian/Alaska Native community. Results demonstrated that higher emotional availability, particularly structuring, was related to children's social-emotional competence, and lower caregiver non-hostility was associated with child externalizing symptoms. These results call attention to the relevance of multiple indicators of the quality of caregiver-child relationships, rather than a sole focus on sensitivity.
Embargo
Age group differences in responses to laboratory stressors: task appraisals and affect reactivity
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2022) Miller, James Walter, author; Luong, Gloria, advisor; Aichele, Stephen, committee member; Graham, Daniel, committee member
Several theories of lifespan socioemotional development posit that adults become more adept at regulating their emotions during stressful situations as they age. However, mixed findings in the literature do not yet provide clear support for this assumption. Cognitive appraisals have been found to influence affective reactivity to stressors, but few studies have directly examined their role in explaining age-group differences in affective reactivity. Additionally, there is limited information available for how trajectories of adaptation in affective reactivity and cognitive appraisals in response to equivalent stressor exposures may vary across adult age-groups. To address these gaps in the literature, the current study used a structural equation modeling framework to examine younger (n = 138) and older adults' (n = 106) trajectories of affective reactivity and cognitive appraisals in response to three exposures to the Trier Social Stress Test. We then investigated the extent to which, over time, changes in cognitive appraisals accounted for age-group differences in changes of affective reactivity. Older adults reported attenuated reductions in negative affective reactivity, smaller decreases in appraisals of task-difficulty, and reduced improvements in appraisals of task-performance, relative to younger adults. Additionally, older adults' appraisals of the task as relatively more difficult over time accounted for their comparatively elevated levels of negative affective reactivity across assessments. Together, these findings suggest that older adults, compared to younger adults, may show attenuated trajectories of adaptation to repeated stressor exposures when the stressor is novel, uncontrollable, or especially threatening to older adults.
Open Access
Alzheimer's disease and family caregiving: loss of the family caregiver role
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2010) Gentz, Audra, author; Fruhauf, Christine A., advisor; Quijano, Louise, committee member; Oltjenbruns, Kevin, committee member
Family caregiving for adults with Alzheimer's disease is an important issue that affects many individuals. When caregivers are no longer caregiving, the loss of the role may impact their life. However, it is unknown in the gerontological literature how the loss of the caregiver role is experienced. The purpose of this research was to understand the loss of the caregiving role of family caregivers who provided assistance to individuals who had Alzheimer's disease. A total of 21 participants, age 41 to 88, participated in one focus group (i.e., three focus groups were conducted with 5 to 10 participants) addressing the loss of their caregiver role. Many participants (i.e., n = 18) were female and were caring for a parent/in-law (i.e., n = 14). A third of caregivers provided care for 5 to 8 years. Qualitative data analysis techniques were used to develop themes and codes to understand the experiences of previous caregivers. Two themes emerged from the data: caregiving journey and standing at a cross-road. Data focusing on the caregiving journey addressed rewards and stumbling blocks of caregiving during and after active caregiving. For example, participants discussed their tools and feelings associated with caregiving. Standing at a cross-road illustrated four sub-themes: unforeseen happenings, unexpected phase of caregiving, caregiver's sense of self, and grief/sadness. Future researchers should consider examining gender differences and the loss of the caregiver role for children versus spouses. Professionals should consider developing support groups or educational materials focusing on the loss of the caregiver identity.
Open Access
An analysis on the experience of parenting for adults with autism spectrum disorder
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2022) Lee, Jonathan, author; Hepburn, Susan, advisor; Brown, Samantha, committee member; Daunhauer, Lisa, committee member
A paucity of research has been conducted into the unique experience of parents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This lack of scientific understanding about a parent's lived experience is an obstacle to developing effective psychotherapeutic approaches to parents who have identified awareness of characteristic features of ASD. In this study, we present a qualitative case study of two adults with ASD who are parents. Both parents participated in an extensive interview focused on several domains: impacts resulting from characteristics of ASD, life changes resulting from a diagnosis or recognition of characteristics, impacts on executive functioning related processes, experience as a parent prior to recognition of characteristics or a diagnosis, belief in parenting ability, and insight into recommendations for support. Findings highlighted three main themes: 1) a conscious choice in accepting change, 2) saturation of self, and 3) the necessity for clinicians to adopt a learner's mindset.
Open Access
An investigation of mindfulness, adolescent psychopathology and regulatory emotional self-efficacy
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2021) Miller, Reagan L., author; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, advisor; Coatsworth, J. Douglas, advisor; Prince, Mark, committee member
A robust body of literature suggests that mindfulness benefits mental health and psychological well-being, but the majority of this research has only been conducted among adults; also, mechanisms that link these two concepts are not fully understood. Mindfulness is theoretically expected to reduce psychopathology through more effective emotion regulation and, as a result, greater beliefs about one's ability to regulate their own emotions; therefore, regulatory emotional self-efficacy (RESE) is a likely mediator of this relationship. In order to comprehensively understand the relationship between the variables, however, two theoretical models were tested; RESE was first tested as a meditator and secondarily tested as a predictor of mindfulness. Among a sample of 149 adolescents (14-21 years old), bias-corrected bootstrapped estimates revealed that RESE was not found to be a mediator in the relationship between mindfulness and adolescent psychopathology. RESE was, however, a better predictor of mindfulness and subsequent reductions in adolescent psychopathology. These results suggest that mindfulness and RESE work together to reduce adolescent psychopathology and that adolescents may need to have effective management of their emotions before being able to practice mindfulness. Going forward, the investigation of additional mediators, as well as multiple facets of mindfulness among a more diverse and longitudinal sample, warrants further investigation.
Open Access
Are movement and dance effective methods for improving maternal mental health and wellbeing and emotional availability toward the unborn baby?: a pilot study
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2022) Dame, Katelyn Branson, author; Biringen, Zeynep, advisor; Harvey, Ashley, advisor; Harvey, Madeline Jazz, committee member
Fostering an early bond between a mother and her developing fetus is important as it has profound implications for future attachment relationships and long-term child outcomes (Winston & Chicot, 2016). Emotional Availability (EA) and its associated measurement scales have proven a valuable tool for use in long- and short-term interventions that promote the development of a healthy caregiver-child bond across several age groups and caregiver types (Biringen et al., 2014). However, few existing studies focus on the prenatal period, and none focus specifically on the vital nonverbal components of EA. Movement through dance is an internationally accepted, multi-cultural psychotherapeutic technique that utilizes the power of movement to enhance the body-mind connection (Behrends et al., 2012). Dance-movement research in recent years has noted long-term increases in wellbeing and cognitive and interpersonal abilities for participants. Unfortunately, most of these studies have not utilized consistent or reliable evaluation methods and none focus on the prenatal period (Behrends et al., 2012; Doonan & Bräuninger, 2015; Koch et al., 2019). For this study, we examined the connection between EA concepts and dance-movement techniques to address these gaps. This study proposed that creating EA-based dance-movement workshops would improve mothers' connection with their unborn baby, mental health, and overall wellbeing. A total of 22 participants completed one of the two intervention arms: a dance-only intervention (n = 12) or a dance + psychosocial intervention (n = 10). Outcomes were assessed using paired-samples t-tests and regression analyses to analyze the effects between the two intervention groups and to detect increases or decreases in maternal mental health, wellbeing, and relationship quality with the fetus pretest to posttest. Paired samples t-tests revealed significant decreases in anxiety (t(21) = 2.51, p < .05) and increases in self-reported EA with the fetus (t(21) = -3.56, p < .05) from pre- to posttest. Results between participation in the dance-only or dance-+-psychosocial intervention were not significant (t(21) = .06, p = n.s.). These results indicate that participants' anxiety decreased from program involvement while their self-reported EA increased, regardless of intervention arm completed.
Open Access
Assessment of physical health, physical performance, and physical activity in exercise promotion intervention for older adults
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2020) Forsyth, Garrett, author; Diehl, Manfred, advisor; Luong, Gloria, committee member; Li, Kaigang, committee member
This study examined the effects of an intervention program, known as AgingPlus, on indicators of physical health (i.e. systolic and diastolic blood pressure), physical performance (i.e. left- and right-hand grip strength), and physical activity levels (i.e. total steps walked, total kilocalorie expenditure, and total distance). The sample included 120 older-adult participants who were relatively healthy and community residing. The study used a randomized pretest-posttest control group design. Findings showed that NVOA and self-efficacy beliefs did not mediate the association between the intervention and the outcome variables. We found that participants in the treatment and the control group improved their physical health, physical performance, and physical activity from the baseline assessment to the Week 8 follow-up. Additionally, the results showed that only participants in the treatment condition significantly decreased their systolic and diastolic blood pressure and significantly improved their left- and right-hand grip strength over an eight-week interval. These findings suggest that targeting NVOA and self-efficacy beliefs may be an effective strategy to optimize adults' healthy aging.
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
Association of ethnic identity and perceived discrimination with risk behaviors for multi-ethnic emerging adults
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2010) Wensink, Jamie M., author; Le, Thao, advisor; Swaim, Randall, committee member; Palermo, Francisco, committee member; MacPhee, David, committee member
The purpose of this study is to gain insight about the risk behaviors of multiethnic emerging adults by exploring whether ethnic identity and perceived discrimination are associated with individuals’ participation in risk behaviors. Risk behaviors include unsafe sex, drug and alcohol use, and co-occurring risk behaviors including car-related risk behaviors. The sample of participants were selected from the original sample of approximately 10,500 college students in the Multi-site University Study of Identity and Culture (MUSIC) who are part of the emerging adult population, 17-25 years old. With the increased complexity of multi-ethnic emerging adults having to navigate through multiple identities, it was hypothesized that (1) multi-ethnic emerging adults engage in more risk behaviors than mono-ethnic emerging adults; (2) multi-ethnic emerging adults score lower on ethnic identity and higher on perceived discrimination than mono-ethnic emerging adults; (3) ethnic identity is negatively associated with and perceived discrimination will be positively associated with the risk behaviors among multi-ethnic and mono-ethnic emerging adults; and (4) the relation between ethnicity classification for emerging adults and risky behaviors is mediated by ethnic identity and perceived discrimination. The following measures were used: Ethnic Identity Scale, Perceived Discrimination Subscale from the Scale of Ethnic Experience, and Risk Behavior Questions. Analyses consisted of correlations, r-tests, and regressions. Results revealed that multi-ethnic emerging adults did not score higher on risk behaviors as compared to mono-ethnic emerging adults. On the other hand, results did reveal that multi-ethnic emerging adults scored higher on perceived discrimination, which supports the second hypothesis. Correlation analyses for mono-ethnic emerging adults revealed that ethnic identity exploration, affirmation, and resolution were negatively associated with all risk behaviors. In addition, perceived discrimination was positively associated with correlated risks. For multi-ethnic emerging adults, there were negative associations among the following: ethnic identity exploration with alcohol-related risks; ethnic identity affirmation with all risk behaviors; and ethnic identity resolutions with total risk behaviors. However, perceived discrimination was not positively associated with risk behaviors. Furthermore, mono-ethnic classification was found to be associated with alcohol-related risk behaviors, which was contrary to expectations. Mediation results suggested that perceived discrimination was possibly a full mediator; however, the Sobel test statistic revealed that it was not statistically significant. Further investigation is needed to untangle the relationship between mono- vs. multi-ethnic identification and risk outcomes, as well as the processes and mechanisms associated with the connection.
Open Access
Associations among mindfulness, self-compassion, and bullying in early adolescence
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016) Gonynor, Kelly Ann, author; Riggs, Nathaniel, advisor; Coatsworth, Doug, committee member; Crowley, John, committee member
Bullying is defined as a particular kind of aggression that involves power imbalance and repeated intentionally harmful behavior directed toward another person. The negative effects of bullying include school dissatisfaction, depressive symptoms, and elevated risk of suicide attempts. Due to the negative effects of bullying, researchers continue to test factors associated with bullying. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships among mindfulness, self-compassion, bullying perpetration, and bullying victimization. It was hypothesized that mindfulness and self-compassion would be significantly negatively associated with bullying perpetration and bullying victimization in middle school youth. One hundred and eighty-two 7th and 8th grade students completed pretest and posttest surveys. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted in SPSS to examine associations among mindfulness, self-compassion, bullying perpetration, and bullying victimization in middle school youth. Findings demonstrated that mindfulness was significantly negatively associated with bullying perpetration and victimization, such that more mindful youth were less likely to bully and be victims of bullying. Results also demonstrated that self-compassion was significantly negatively associated with bullying victimization, indicating more self-compassionate youth were less likely to be victims of bullying. These results highlight two potential protective factors against bullying perpetration and victimization. Next steps include investigating these relationships longitudinally and understanding implications for prevention and intervention work.
Open Access
Attention bias as a mediator of the association between interparental conflict and cortisol reactivity
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2021) Obstfeld, Maya, author; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel, advisor; Faw, Meara, committee member; Quirk, Kelley, committee member
The current study aimed to explore whether attention bias mediated the relationship between adolescents' appraisals of interparental conflict (IPC) and cortisol reactivity (CR). There is a robust literature on the relationship between attention bias and anxiety in children and adults (Bar-Haim et al., 2007; Cisler & Koster, 2011), and an emerging literature on how interparental conflict is associated with an attention bias toward angry interactions (Lucas-Thompson et al., 2020). While there is a robust association in the literature between interparental conflict and cortisol reactivity (Davies et al., 2007; Lucas-Thompson, 2012; Koss et al., 2012), the results of this study found no association between the two variables. Similarly, the results of this study indicated no associations between attention bias and any other variables. The results of this study suggest that attention bias may be a moderator, or risk factor in the relationship between IPC and CR. Additionally, further research is needed to determine whether a conflict specific stressor should be used to elicit more variability in cortisol reactivity. Further research should continue to aim to link neurobiological processes to clinically relevant topics, as it is essential to bridge the gap between the medical field and the psychotherapy process.
Open Access
Authenticity and coping behaviors in adolescents
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2016) Dillard, Amanda Nicole, author; Lucas-Thompson Graham, Rachel, advisor; Haddock, Shelley, committee member; Harman, Jennifer, committee member
The goal of this thesis was to determine the extent to which adolescents' reported level of relational authenticity is associated with the use of adaptive or maladaptive coping behaviors. This study used secondary data analyses using data from a previous study (Wenzel & Lucas-Thompson, 2012), which collected questionnaire responses from 153 adolescent participants who completed a modified version of the Authenticity Inventory 3 (AI-3, Goldman & Kernis, 2006) and the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ, Garnefsky et al., 2001). A factor analysis revealed three categories of coping behaviors: a) adaptive/optimistic, b) adaptive/realistic, and c) maladaptive. These labels were selected because of past research about the effects of the coping behaviors in each factor. Results revealed a negative association between authenticity and adaptive-optimistic coping behaviors and a positive association between authenticity and maladaptive behaviors. Post hoc analyses, which were completed in an attempt to further understand and explain the findings, revealed negative associations between authenticity and symptoms of depression and anxiety, negative associations between adaptive/optimistic coping behaviors and symptoms of depression and anxiety, and positive associations between maladaptive coping behaviors and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Conclusions: The results from this study emphasize need for further research of authenticity and the use and effectiveness of coping behaviors in adolescents. Results also highlight the difficulty of using 'adaptive' or 'maladaptive' as language to describe or categorize coping behaviors.
Open Access
Autonomic nervous system coordination moderates links of interparental conflict with adolescent externalizing behaviors
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2017) McKernan, Charlotte J., author; Lucas-Thompson, Rachel G., advisor; Shomaker, Lauren, committee member; Rosen, Lee, committee member
Although negative interparental conflict predicts elevated externalizing problems for children, there are individual differences in this association. Theoretically, children's abilities to coordinate physiological stress across response systems moderate the effects of interparental conflict on outcomes. Past research has demonstrated that poor coordination of sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic (PNS) nervous systems puts children at a greater risk for externalizing behaviors in the context of interparental conflict. The goal of this study was to whether this same pattern is evident in adolescents. Participants were families with an adolescent (10-17 years) from diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Parents reported conflict, were observed during a conflict discussion, and reported adolescent externalizing behaviors. Adolescents experienced a stressor while skin conductance (SC; SNS) and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA; PNS) were measured. Similar to past research with children, there were three-way interactions between negative, threatening interparental conflict, SC-R, and RSA-R in relation to adolescent externalizing behaviors. Adolescents who displayed poorly coordinated responding displayed a positive association between interparental conflict and externalizing behaviors, whereas adolescents who showed well-coordinated responding displayed a negative association between conflict dimensions and externalizing behaviors. Results indicate that SNS and PNS coordination may protect adolescents from experiencing increased externalizing behaviors in the context of interparental conflict.