Browsing by Author "Boxmeyer, Caroline"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Cognitive bias and health-related decision-making
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2016) Fetterman, Zachary James; Tullett, Alexa M.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    Extant literature suggests that cognitive bias is a pervasive phenomenon that is present in a variety of domains and is associated with negative consequences related to decision-making and interpersonal interactions (Chambers & Melnyk, 2006; Fischer et al., 2005; Lord et al., 1979; Ross & Ward, 1996). The utility of a brief intervention designed to reduce biases in the understudied domain of health was investigated. The present study extended previous work indicating that completion of a brief bias-reducing intervention was associated with significant reductions in inappropriate confidence in interpersonal judgments (Hart, Tullett, Shreves, & Fetterman, 2015). In the present study, participants completing a bias-reducing intervention did not demonstrate significant differences in confidence bias, selective exposure, and willingness to comply with hypothetical health interventions relative to participants completing a control task. Participants completing a bias-reducing task did, however, demonstrate a greater understanding of cognitive bias and its implications than control participants. Explanations for the present findings including the function of the bias-reducing intervention, measurement of confidence bias and its presumed manifestations, use of Amazon’s Mechanical Turk for recruitment and data collection, and the role of accuracy motivation in the domain of health are discussed. Overall results of the current investigation suggest a need to complete follow-up research in order to clarify present results and to reconcile these results with extant literature.
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    Evaluating the assessment and clinical application of the DSM-5 section III personality disorder model
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2016) Anderson, Jaime L.; Salekin, Randall T.; Sellbom, Martin; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders-5th Edition (DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013) includes an alternate model for the assessment and diagnosis of personality disorders (PDs). This model is a hybrid dimensional-categorical model that includes functional impairment, maladaptive personality traits, and a set of categorical PD diagnoses. Previous research has begun to evaluate the different aspects of this model, particularly its trait model (see Krueger & Markon, 2014 for a review); however, additional research is needed that addresses the clinical utility of the model, the role of functional impairment in PD assessment, and validity of measure designed to assess the model (e.g., the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 [PID-5] and its alternate forms). The following studies aimed to fill those gaps in the literature. Study One evaluated clinical perspectives of Borderline (BPD) and Antisocial (ASPD) PDs using Section III dimensional traits and supported the use of these traits in operationalizing these two disorders in clinical practice. Study Two examined the functional impairment criteria of the model as they relate to specific PDs. This study suggested a lack of utility in measuring disorder-specific impairment due to overlap across PDs and instead suggested the use of more broad constructs of impairment. In addition, however, this study highlighted some of the overlap between functional impairment and maladaptive traits in this model, as described by other previous researchers (e.g., Zimmerman et al., 2015) and called for additional research regarding the utility of this criterion. Finally, Study Three evaluated a screening measure for the Section III trait domains, the PID-5-Brief Form (PID-5-BF; APA, 2013; Derringer et al., under review). This study found support for the factor structure of this measure as well as its construct validity as measured by its association with relevant external criterion variables. Although more research continues to be needed regarding the use of this alternative model, these studies have implications for its implementation and generally support the use of dimensional traits in the assessment and diagnosis of personality psychopathology.
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    Exploring the Relationships Between Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptom Domains and Treatment Outcomes in the Coping Power Program
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2023) King, Savannah; Jarrett, Matthew A
    Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) are highly comorbid. The Coping Power Program is designed for children with or at-risk for aggressive behaviors and is often used to treat ODD. The current study builds upon the work of Lochman et al. (2015) and seeks to test whether ADHD symptoms can be altered using the Coping Power Program, through what mechanisms these changes might occur, and whether ADHD symptoms might predict treatment response. We hypothesized that participants in both conditions would see reduced ADHD symptoms. We also hypothesized that deficits in inhibitory control would mediate the effects of treatment. Lastly, we hypothesized that those with greater attention problems prior to treatment would not be as successful in the group condition compared to the individual condition. We found both parent and teacher-reported attention problems and hyperactivity levels decreased over time and those in the individual condition had a greater reduction in both symptom domains relative to the group condition according to teachers; however, group status did not predict change in parent-reported attention problems. Findings also support that those in the individual condition had greater decline in parent-reported aggression relative to the group condition; however, at low levels of inattention, those in the individual condition saw less of a decline in aggression than those in the group condition. Additionally, those with higher levels of hyperactivity saw a greater decline in parent-reported aggression. Mediation analyses were not significant. Findings generally support the Coping Power Program as an efficacious intervention for ADHD. Future research should continue to investigate intervention efficacy to contribute to advancements in treatments for ADHD.
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    Oxytocin Receptor Gene Variant Interacts with Intervention Delivery Format in Predicting Intervention Outcomes for Youth with Conduct Problems
    (Springer, 2018) Glenn, Andrea L.; Lochman, John E.; Dishion, Thomas; Powell, Nicole P.; Boxmeyer, Caroline; Qu, Lixin; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa; Arizona State University; Arizona State University-Tempe
    Coping Power is an evidence-based preventive intervention program for youth with aggressive behavior problems that has traditionally been delivered in small group formats. Because of concerns about iatrogenic effects secondary to aggregation of high risk youth, the current study examined whether genetic risk may moderate intervention outcome when youth were randomly assigned to group versus individual formats of an intervention. The oxytocin receptor gene (OXTR) has been associated with social behavior and may influence susceptibility to social reinforcement in general and deviant peer influence in particular. One variant of OXTR (rs2268493) was examined in 197 fourth-grade African-American children (64% male) who were randomly assigned to Group Coping Power or Individual Coping Power (Lochman et al. 2015). Longitudinal assessments of teacher- and parent-reported behavior were collected through a 1-year follow-up. Growth curve analyses revealed a genotype by delivery format interaction. Youth with the A/A genotype demonstrated reductions in externalizing problems over the course of the intervention regardless of intervention format. In contrast, carriers of the G allele receiving the group-based intervention showed little improvement during the intervention and a worsening of symptoms during the follow-up year, while those receiving the individual format demonstrated reductions in externalizing problems. Given the associations between this OXTR variant and social bonding, carriers of the G allele may be more sensitive to social rewards from deviant peers in the group setting. This study suggests that genetic factors may be useful in predicting which type of intervention will be most effective for a particular individual.
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    School Based Treatment for Emotional Reactivity: a Pilot Study
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2022) Golt, Josh; White, Susan W.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    Adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience difficulties with emotion regulation (ER), which has been associated with a host of co-occurring problems with mood, anxiety, and aggression. Although treatments targeting ER are available for individuals with ASD, there is a limited understanding of factors that lead to successful outcomes. The therapeutic alliance is considered important for outcomes in non-ASD samples; however, the process of alliance formation and its relation to treatment outcomes is unclear for clients with ASD. The present study aims to examine the trajectory of alliance formation across treatment, as well as examine whether alliance is related to treatment outcomes or specific within-person characteristics. Participants included adolescents and adults with ASD (n = 39, mean age = 15.28 years, age range = 12 to 21 years, 79.50% male) who completed a 16-week intervention designed to treat ER difficulties. Client-therapist alliance was measured at four timepoints throughout treatment using an observational measure of alliance and parents rated their child's ER difficulties. Interrater reliability on observer-rated alliance was strong. Alliance formation significantly fluctuated throughout treatment. Overall alliance strength, as well as alliance early in treatment, predicted better treatment outcomes. Additionally, ASD symptom severity and co-occurring depression were related to alliance strength. The current study supports the importance of therapeutic alliance for clients with ASD and highlights a need for increased alliance formation during critical stages in treatment. Considerations for future research are discussed.
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    Toward Tailored Interventions: Sympathetic and Parasympathetic Functioning Predicts Responses to an Intervention for Conduct Problems Delivered in Two Formats
    (Springer, 2018) Glenn, Andrea L.; Lochman, John E.; Dishion, Thomas; Powell, Nicole P.; Boxmeyer, Caroline; Kassing, Francesca; Qu, Lixin; Romero, Devon; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa; Arizona State University; Arizona State University-Tempe
    Coping Power is an evidence-based preventive intervention for youth with aggressive behavior problems that has traditionally been delivered in small group formats, but because of concerns about potentially diminished effects secondary to aggregation of high-risk youth, an individual format of Coping Power has been developed. The current study examined whether physiological characteristics of the child may provide information about which intervention delivery format works best for that individual. Indicators of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system functioning were examined in 360 fourth-grade children (65% male; 76.4% self-reported African-American) who were randomly assigned to Group Coping Power (GCP) or Individual Coping Power (ICP) (Lochman et al. 2015). Longitudinal assessments of teacher- and parent-reported proactive and reactive aggression were collected through a 1-year follow-up. For children with higher initial levels of aggression, those with lower parasympathetic functioning at pre-intervention showed greater reductions in teacher-rated proactive aggression in the ICP condition than the GCP condition. For children with high parasympathetic functioning, there was no differential effect of intervention format. Regardless of intervention format, youth with lower levels of sympathetic functioning at pre-intervention demonstrated greater reductions in teacher-rated proactive aggression. These findings suggest that physiological indicators may be worth considering in future studies examining which youth respond best to specific types of interventions.