http://hdl.handle.net/1974/760 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 07:22:02 GMT 2013-06-19T07:22:02Z http://hdl.handle.net/1974/8078 Title: Testing an Integrated Interpersonal Theory of Depression: The Role of Dysphoria, Negative Relationship Cognitions and Excessive Reassurance-Seeking in Predicting Rejection Authors: Stewart, JEREMY Abstract: Coyne’s (1976) interpersonal theory of depression proposes that individuals suffering from depressive symptoms tend to engage in excessive reassurance-seeking (ERS), defined as repetitively asking for assurances from close others about one’s lovability and worth. Research has shown that ERS is associated with negative evaluations from close others and lower partner-reported romantic relationship satisfaction, specifically (Starr & Davila, 2008). In a recent elaboration of Coyne’s theory, Evraire and Dozois (2011) proposed that ERS might only lead to rejection among individuals who possess core beliefs about the instability and unpredictability of relationships. The primary goal of the current study was to provide the first empirical test of this revised model. Furthermore, I sought to extend previous research in 2 important ways by: 1) employing both self-reported and behaviorally-assessed measures of ERS and 2) defining rejection in objective, behavioral terms. I recruited a sample of 118 women who attended an initial laboratory session with their male dating partners. The couple completed measures of ERS, depressive symptoms, anxious attachment (AA), rejection sensitivity (RS), and relationship satisfaction, and engaged in a laboratory task that was later coded for incidences of female ERS. AA and RS were combined to index core beliefs reflecting insecurity in relationships (i.e., “negative relationship cognitions”; NRC). Women completed a contextual interview to retrospectively assess historical romantic relationship rejection events. The women were re-contacted four months later to determine their relationship status. Consistent with hypotheses, behavioral ERS was significantly associated with concurrent male relationship dissatisfaction, but only among dysphoric women with high NRC. Surprisingly, ERS was only significantly associated with historical rejection in non-dysphoric women with low levels of NRC. In the prospective models, I found a main effect of self-reported ERS on partner-initiated rejection, but behavioral ERS was only associated with rejection among non-dysphoric women. My results were inconsistent with theory and previous research in models defining rejection behaviorally. Thus, I proposed revisions to existing interpersonal models to better capture the relationship between ERS and “real-world” rejection. My results underscore the importance of evaluating ERS in a particular relationship when predicting rejection outcomes in that specific relationship. Description: Thesis (Ph.D, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2013-06-13 13:39:01.64 Thu, 13 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1974/8078 2013-06-13T04:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1974/8061 Title: EMOTIONAL AWARENESS AND ALEXITHYMIA: EMOTIONAL PROCESSING AND REGULATION IN ADOLESCENCE Authors: Eastabrook, JENNIFER Abstract: The adolescent transition involves a number of changes that for many adolescents result in increased negativity, heightened emotional reactivity, and risk for internalizing symptoms. The purpose of the present set of studies was to examine the role that emotional awareness has in relation to emotion regulation and to subsequent mood symptomatology in adolescence. The first study tested the hypothesized relationship between emotional awareness and emotion regulation, specifically, that emotional awareness is a necessary precursor to adaptive regulation efforts. This study examined the direct and indirect effects of emotional awareness on internalizing symptoms by exploring the extent to which certain emotion regulation strategies influence this relationship. The purpose of the second and third studies was to examine the association between emotional awareness and emotion regulation as measured by changes across three emotional response domains: 1) physiological arousal, 2) self-reported experience, and 3) observed expression during an ecologically valid emotion elicitation task. Participants in these studies were identified as alexithymic or non-alexithymic. Alexithymia involves difficulty identifying and describing emotions and has been used to classify individuals with extremely low emotional awareness. The second study examined the effects of alexithymia on the three emotional response domains in adolescents. Because of the high prevalence rates of alexithymia during adolescence, it could be an important vulnerability factor to help explain increases in internalizing symptoms during the adolescent transition. The purpose of the third study was to examine how patterns of decoupling between physiological arousal, self-reported experience, and observed expression were related to depressive and anxiety symptoms in alexithymic individuals. Overall, findings confirmed that emotional awareness is an important precursor to adaptive emotion regulation efforts. In addition, emotion regulation emerged as a more proximal mechanism in the development of depressive and anxiety symptoms in individuals with low emotional awareness. At a theoretical level, this research has guided our understanding of emotional processing and regulation. At a practical level, results from this program of research will help guide intervention and treatment approaches for adolescents with low emotional awareness. Description: Thesis (Ph.D, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2013-05-30 23:32:00.87 Tue, 04 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1974/8061 2013-06-04T04:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1974/7856 Title: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF PSYCHACHE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO SUICIDALITY Authors: Troister, TALIA Abstract: Identifying psychological factors that can predict suicide risk is essential for reducing suicide rates. Shneidman (1993) postulated that psychache (or psychological pain) is a unique predictor of suicide when controlling for other relevant factors such as depression and hopelessness. Previous cross-sectional research has established a relationship between psychache and suicidality, leaving the question of whether or not feelings of psychache actually precede suicidal behaviours unanswered. Two studies were undertaken to increase knowledge on the relationship of depression, hopelessness, and psychache to suicidality. Psychological variables were examined prospectively to allow inferences to be drawn on their causal implications for suicidality. In Study 1, students (n = 1475) completed the Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Hopelessness Scale, Psychache Scale, Beck Scale for Suicide Ideation and provided information about prior suicidal behaviour. Regression analyses revealed that psychache was most strongly associated with suicidality, but that depression and hopelessness still contributed unique variance in the prediction of some suicidal outcomes. In Study 2, a subset of suicide ideators and attempters completed identical materials 10 weeks later (n = 90) and then another 10 weeks after that (n = 56). Again, regression analyses revealed that psychache was most strongly associated with suicidality. When looking at changes over time, dropping one predictor at a time could not overcome problems of multicollinearity, as most models were significant, but with no individual prediction from the factors. Results from models with significant regression coefficients revealed that psychache, hopelessness, and depression may be causes for suicide ideation. Theoretical and practical implications for the statistical prediction of suicide risk are discussed. Description: Thesis (Master, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2013-03-20 10:53:20.277 Wed, 20 Mar 2013 04:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1974/7856 2013-03-20T04:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/1974/7855 Title: Differential Pharmacological Profiles of Operant Acquisition, Operant Expression, and Decision-Making Performance As Tested By Antipsychotics and Other Dopaminergic Drugs Authors: Baker, Tyson Abstract: Operant acquisition, operant expression, and decision-making differentially rely on brain areas that are differentially affected by antipsychotic and other dopaminergic drugs. The purpose of this thesis was to test if the known differential pharmacological and location of action of antipsychotic and other dopaminergic drugs predict the drug effects on operant acquisition, operant expression, and decision-making. Clozapine and to a lesser extent, risperidone but not metoclopramide or haloperidol affect the prefrontal cortex (PFC); haloperidol, metoclopramide, and to a lesser extent, risperidone affect the dorsolateral striatum (DLS). We used amphetamine as a broadly-acting indirect dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT), and norepinephrine agonist. We found that all antagonists altered operant acquisition and expression, but in different ways. The DA D2-like receptor antagonists blunted reinforcement impact during operant acquisition and induced an extinction-like decline in expression whereas the atypical antipsychotics with high PFC 5-HT-2A affinity maintained inactive lever presses during acquisition, but produced tolerance in expression. Curiously, risperidone and metoclopramide, but not clozapine or haloperidol, more potently suppressed lever pressing in acquisition than expression. In contrast, amphetamine suppressed operant expression, but not acquisition, at a dose range that increased locomotion and induced conditioned place preference. Amphetamine decreased sensitivity to reward presentation and inactive lever pressing during operant acquisition, but had the opposite effects during expression. A very different pattern was found in the rodent gambling task (rGT), a model of the 4- choice (deck) Iowa Gambling Task used in humans. The rGT puts small, immediate rewards that are advantageous in the long-term due to generally fewer and shorter associated penalties in conflict with large, immediate rewards that are disadvantageous in the long-term due to generally more and longer associated penalties. Two antipsychotics (risperidone, haloperidol) but not the anti-emetic (metoclopramide) enhanced performance by shifting preferences towards advantageous options, but the antipsychotic that induces PFC Fos (clozapine) impaired performance. Amphetamine decreased discrimination among different decks in the rGT. These data demonstrate the differential effects of clinically relevant drugs on decision-making and different stages of operant learning. The differential effects on operant responding and decision-making of different antipsychotic drugs provide important information regarding their therapeutic and side-effect profiles. Description: Thesis (Ph.D, Psychology) -- Queen's University, 2013-03-14 16:12:57.629 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 04:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/1974/7855 2013-03-15T04:00:00Z