Abstracts

Research on the association of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and poorly developed object relations (OR) is primarily correlational, and the relationship of object relations with other known predictor variables like negative affect (NA), emotional dysregulation (ED), and impulsivity (IMP) has not been assessed simultaneously so as to understand the interactive effect of these variables on the prediction of BPD symptoms. In a previous study we evaluated the sequential predictive strength of each of these variables in a nonclinical sample, and we found that the OR dimensions of Insecure Attachment (IA) and Social Incompetence (SI) fully mediated the relationship of NA, ED, and IMP with BPD. In the current study we evaluated the sequential predictive strength of each of these variables in a clinical sample and the preliminary results suggest that object relations are partially mediating (_ =.05, p < .05) the relationship between BPD symptoms and more biologically determined markers like ED, IMP, and NA.

The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between the ability to form strokes (letter 'l') and loops (letter 'o') in handwriting samples of children ages 5-12. Twenty-eight children were screened with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children and the Beery_Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration. Data from 19 typically developing children were included for the current data analysis. Paired-t tests revealed significant differences (all P <.05) on movement time, travel distance, and spatial variability (CV on travel distance). The temporal variability (CV on movement time) was approaching to significance (P = .08). Correlation analyses suggested age-related differences on variability measures but not absolute movement time and travel distance. These findings suggest differential limb control development for writing strokes versus loops.

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between various measures, the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ), the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), and the Behavioral Assessment System for Children-Second Edition (BASC-2), in a community referred sample of children with autism (N = 85). A more specific aim of this study is to assess how autism severity, as measured by the SRS and SCQ, relates to other characteristics. Previous literature suggests that individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are more likely to experience comorbid emotional and behavioral difficulties than individuals without ASD. However, possible differences within the ASD population have not been explored. Therefore, this project will attempt to expand on the literature and explore whether statistically significant differences exist among individuals with varying severities of ASD. Similarities within this sample of children with ASD will also be identified.

The primary goal of this project is to examine the descriptive properties of a community sample of individuals diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), referred to the Autism Collaborative Center. This study will further explore relationships among the Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ), Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), and the Behavioral Assessment System for Children-Second Edition (BASC-2). More specifically, the goal of this project will be to identify specific patterns of parent responses when compared to demographic variables such as gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Continuing to develop and identify certain profiles of individuals with ASD is important given the complexity and severity of this disorder, especially since it is becoming ever more common throughout the United States and other parts of the world. The goal is to expand our understanding of the characteristics of this local population so as to guide decisions about the development of treatment options.

This study examined psychometric measures of social cognition and areas of neural activation in individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) compared to neurotypicals. Sixteen participants with ASD, ages 11-20, were examined and compared to age- and gender-matched controls. Social cognition was measured using standardized tests, including the NEPSY-II Affect Recognition and the Social Responsiveness Scale, a parent-report questionnaire. Neural activation was measured while participants completed joint attention (JA) tasks during magnetoencephalography (MEG). Consistent with the extant literature on JA and MEG, individuals with ASD had greater left hemisphere activation during joint attention gaze cues to faces, particularly in the occipital and orbitofrontal regions. Their performance on measures of social cognition will be reported. Correlations between specific psychometric tasks and brain region activation will also be explored, and significant findings will be explained.

Recent findings suggest bariatric surgery patients may be at an increased risk for postoperative substance use disorders, but it is unknown how this condition may impact weight loss outcome. Data from 39 newly admitted inpatients at a midwestern substance abuse treatment facility with a history of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery were analyzed. Participants had a mean age of 45.9? 9.2 years and an average excess weight loss (EWL) of 75.3? 23.8% at 6.4? 3.2 years post-surgery, a rate comparable to the 69-77% EWL reported in the general RYGB literature. There was a trend toward less EWL in participants with only alcohol diagnoses than those with drug or mixed substance use diagnoses (68.4? 22.1% vs. 83.1? 24.5%, p < 0.07). Substance use disorder subsequent to RYGB surgery does not seem to negatively impact weight loss outcome, but prospective or matched-controlled studies are needed to clarify this relationship

Binge eating disorder (BED) prevalence differs by gender. We investigated differences in 'eating binge' definitions as a function of gender and BED status utilizing data from one university who participated in the 2010 Healthy Minds Study. The sample of undergraduate college students (n=969) was 64.0% female and 73.3% Caucasian and ranged in age from 18 to over 40. Relative to males with BED, females with BED more often mentioned loss of control when defining an eating binge. Among those without BED, females mentioned mood significantly more than males. Results suggest that the diagnostic emphasis on binge eating as involving 'loss of control' may lead to heightened diagnosis of BED among females. In terms of public health consequences, however, it is overeating, not necessarily BED, leading to adverse consequences. Public health messages that convey binge eating as involving loss of control may not resonate with certain populations and, therefore, may be ineffective.

Little is known about the most effective format for MHS delivery for HCT survivors despite professional recommendations for vigilance and treatment of psychological distress. This study aimed to inform effective care by determining types of MHS with which survivors are most satisfied. Participants were 153 survivors who completed our online survey and reported seeking MHS during or after transplant, in the hospital, the community, or both. Of those who had multiple service providers, significantly more indicated that their most helpful therapist was community- rather than hospital-based (p < .001). Satisfaction with MHS was significantly correlated with ratings of how knowledgeable about HCT the therapist was in hospital-based but not community-based MHS (p<.001). Ratings of therapist knowledge were generally more favorable in hospital- than community-based MHS. These findings imply that consideration of setting and therapist HCT knowledge would be important in development of MHS systems of care for HCT survivors.

Narcissism is perpetuated by our desire to feel good about ourselves; however, these needs can be significantly affected by negative responses from others. Social criticism or 'narcissistic injuries' can provoke responses ranging from rage and defiance to shame and humiliation. The type of behavioral and affective response an individual experiences when faced with criticism may be conceptualized as a keystone differentiation between a healthy and pathological level of narcissism. The present study was a two-phase design, where non-clinical participants from a large midwestern university were asked to complete the Pathological Narcissism Inventory among other measures online. Participants were then invited to participate in the second, experimental phase of the study in which they were introduced to a confederate and asked to write a story about a memory when they felt proud of themselves and something they accomplished. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either extremely positive or negative feedback from the confederate. Following the feedback, participants were asked to complete the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory-2 and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults to record scores of anger and anxiety respectively. Early results of linear regression analyses demonstrated that the Grandiose subscale of the PNI had a trend to predict increases in state anger more efficiently than the Vulnerable subscale when receiving negative feedback. However, the Grandiose subscale was also better predictive of increases in state anxiety than the Vulnerable subscale when receiving negative feedback. Theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are explored.

Binge Eating Disorder (BED) is associated with adverse consequences such as gastrointestinal problems and obesity. BED shares some features with bulimia nervosa, but BED does not involve compensatory behaviors such as purging. Interpersonal sensitivity (IPS) and identity impairment have been linked to bulimia, though little is known about how these constructs relate to BED or binge eating in general. A total of 297 female undergraduates completed an online survey assessing weight, eating habits, depression, identity, and IPS. Only three percent met full criteria for BED, but eleven percent engaged in binge eating (consuming large amounts of food accompanied by a sense of loss of control). Binge eating was associated with high levels of both identity impairment and IPS. The interaction of identity impairment and IPS conferred additional risk for binge eating. Results suggest that IPS and identity impairments may play a role in the development of and treatments for binge eating.

Several risk factors have been identified that predict insensitive parenting behaviors, including a mother's remembered relationship with her parents, child maltreatment, and current adult relationship experiences. Included are 120 primarily low-income mothers from southeast Michigan in an ongoing four-panel longitudinal study examining the transition to parenthood and the evolving mother-child relationship. Results of Pearson correlation analyses indicated that positive relationships with parents in the mother's family of origin were related to greater maternal sensitivity toward her infant. Regression analyses indicated that avoidance in current close relationships moderated the relationship between childhood maltreatment and maternal sensitivity, suggesting that discomfort being close to another individual exacerbates the impact of childhood maltreatment on insensitive parenting. Results of this study further exemplify the importance of past and current relationship experiences on parenting behavior and the mother-infant relationship.

Research suggests that excessive video game playing behaviors are associated with negative psychological and social outcomes. To begin to clarify this relationship, I investigated a few potential mediators and moderators of this phenomenon. Specifically, using a cross-sectional, questionnaire approach, I assessed how player motivations for playing, impulsivity, time management skills, ADHD symptoms, and game preferences might be associated with problematic play symptoms. The results revealed that among 216 undergraduate participants, problematic video game play behaviors were correlated with reporting that one uses video games for stress relief (r=.61, p < .001), endorsing a preference for playing video games instead of real-life socialization (r=.56, p < .001), and being impulsive (r=.26, p < .001). As predicted, time management skills were found to moderate the relationship between the number of hours participants reported playing video games and problematic video game behaviors, but only for men. Finally, future treatment implications are discussed.

Our laboratory has documented that post-bariatric surgery patients are overrepresented in substance abuse treatment programs. Notably, about half of such patients first develop onset of heavy substance use after surgery. We refer to these patients as New Onset Users (NOU's); this report will examine how NOU's differ from non-bariatric substance abuse patients (Controls, N=42). Despite no differences in current age, NOU's first used alcohol (33.37?13.47 vs. 18.18?6.66, p <.001), drugs (32.25?13.24 vs. 19.03?9.77, p <.01), became concerned about their substance use (41.94?10.97 vs. 27.45?13.50, p <.001, and entered treatment (44.18?10.38 vs. 34.19?14.95, p <.05) at significantly later ages than controls. NOU's also experienced a shorter latency from age of concern to age of treatment (1.71?1.99 vs. 6.74?9.16, p <.05). Results yield unexpectedly high rates of new onset substance abuse among post-bariatric surgery patients. Bariatric patients who experience new onset post-surgical substance use may differ from 'typical' substance abuse patients and may have unique treatment needs.

Jordan has faced many obstacles when it comes to gender equality. Little or no participation of women in government, small number of women in the workforce, and violence against women are some of the issues that need to be addressed. The question remains: Why is Jordan, a country that has relatively made great strides at advancing and modernizing, still lagging behind some of its neighboring nation-states when it comes to the equality of women? An in-depth examination of Islam in Jordan as well as the prevalent tribal culture in Jordanian society has shed some light on why women haven't been able to advance and why they continue to face much discrimination and violence. The existing governmental programs and non-governmental organization at the local and global level that have been making progress are discussed, as is further action that could be taken in order to promote gender equality in Jordan.

The media is a means of communication that has a powerful influence over how our social world is shaped. There are many depictions of violence against women within the media; the purpose of this research is to view and analyze a few of these depictions using content analysis techniques. Each of the three phenomena will be analyzed, with connections being drawn between them. Themes and dominant attitudes will be examined and discussed, including an analysis of their possible impact. With one in three women being abused in their lifetimes and the seemingly limitless increase in the sex trafficking industry, we need to discuss possible solutions along with an analysis of current steps that are being taken to curb the problem.

While the social network has allowed for the continuity of social relationships in a global world, it has prompted fundamental changes in our criminal justice system. As social networks have experienced exponential membership growth rates over the last decade or so, the police have taken notice. Recently this has translated into law enforcement authorities employing social media sites such as Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter as another tool to combat, deter, and inform the public about crime. While the advantages of police using these social networking sites have proven to be plentiful, the fairly new, uncharted, and informal implementation process of this 'new tool' has raised pertinent questions in the expansive field of criminology. I will explore this phenomenon, along with the potential abuses of power that could follow.

Wrongful convictions are a growing concern as the number of exonerees increases every year. As these numbers continue to grow, it is important to recognize the factors that lead to this miscarriage of justice. The police play a significant role and are responsible for multiple factors that can result in a wrongful conviction. Two case studies and the components that led to these wrongful convictions are discussed. Suggestions for change are encouraged to prevent these miscarriages of justice. By showing that they are concerned and proactively taking action, police have the potential to remarkably lower the chances of wrongful convictions from occurring in the future.

This research presentation will address how the practice of racial profiling creates mistrust and hostility toward the police among different ethnic groups within the community. The research defines racial profiling, the difference between racial profiling and criminal profiling, the experience of different ethnic groups, the public's perception, and efforts to end racial profiling, a discriminatory practice. Due to the frequency and consistency of racial profiling done to different ethnic groups, the police do not have credibility with the community at large.

This presentation explores whether prohibition and decriminalization of illegal substances can make an impact on consumption, trafficking, and drug related crime in the European Union. Throughout the decades, the EU has participated in several global drug conferences, voiced varying opinions, and signed several treaties. At the same time, each individual state has passed and modified their own drug laws resulting in very differentiating stances on the best form of control. With the increased usage and tolerance of soft drugs, marijuana, and decreased usage and intolerance of hard drugs, Ecstasy and Amphetamines, the drug trends are changing rapidly and, with them, so are the countries' opinions. Would a unified stance decrease crime and consumption? Or do the varying laws only work individually for their states and their population's beliefs?

This paper begins with a historical overview of the tension in Darfur building up to the current genocidal conflict. After explaining the source of conflict in Darfur, the different methods of calculating the death toll are examined, primarily exploring the differences between the World Health Organization's Population Health Survey and the U.S. State Department's Atrocities Documentation Survey. The divergence between these methods is discussed, as is their effectiveness in calculating an accurate death toll. Next, the different approaches by the global community to intervene in the conflict in Darfur is discussed, citing specifically the inadequate international response. Finally, I will provide an overview as to the overall approach to the Darfur conflict, both in calculation and intervention, as well as provide suggestions so that the global community can better supply an integrated response to future conflicts.