Associate Professor in Psychological Sciences. I specialize in anxiety and depression across the lifespan, protective and risk factors, including family, cultural, and individual factors.
The present study examined the proposition that inflated responsibility is implicated in obsessiv... more The present study examined the proposition that inflated responsibility is implicated in obsessive ± compulsive disorder (OCD). Compared to non-anxious control participants (NACs), and an anxious control group with generalized social phobia (GSPs), we predicted that individuals with OCD (OCs) would exhibit a greater urge to rectify situations involving potential risk, would report more distress upon leaving such situations unrectified, and would feel more personal responsibility if the unrectified situations resulted in harm. Fifteen OCs, 15 NACs, and 15 GSPs completed the Obsessive ± Compulsive Responsibility Scale (OCRS), which included low-risk, OC-relevant, and high-risk situations. Compared to NACs and GSPs, OCs reported more urges, distress, and responsibility in low-risk and OC-relevant situations; no group differences were detected on high-risk situations. GSPs and NACs differed only in their responsibility in OCrelevant situations, with GSPs reporting higher responsibility than controls. Our results suggest that compared to OCs, NACs, and GSPs can better differentiate between situations that merit concern and ones that do not.
El trastorno obsesivo compulsivo (TOC) se ha observado en niños tan pequeños como de 3 años. 1,2 ... more El trastorno obsesivo compulsivo (TOC) se ha observado en niños tan pequeños como de 3 años. 1,2 El TOC con inicio anterior a los 9 años, al que nos referimos aquí como TOC de primera infancia, se asocia con un significativo deterioro funcional en diversos dominios críticos. Además, este deterioro puede agravarse con el paso del tiempo para hacer fracasar la adquisición y la dominio de otros hitos importantes del des-3 RET, Revista de Toxicomanías. Nº. 63-2011
Pediatric generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable wor... more Pediatric generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry about a variety of events and is accompanied by physical symptoms such as headaches, tension, restlessness, gastrointestinal distress, and heart palpitations. Symptoms impose marked distress and interfere with social, emotional, and educational functioning. GAD occurs in over 10% of children and adolescents, has an average age of onset of 8.5 years, and is more often reported in girls. Common co-occurring conditions include separation anxiety disorder and social phobia. Assessment involves a multi-informant, multi-method approach involving the child, parents, and school teachers. A clinical interview should be conducted to assess for the three primary ways anxiety presents: behaviors, thoughts, and somatic symptoms. Several semi-structured diagnostic interviews are available, and the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule is increasingly used. Rating scales completed by the patient, caregivers, and teachers provide useful information for diagnosis and symptom monitoring. Several scales are available to assess patients for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th Edition) GAD diagnosis; however, instruments generally cannot distinguish children with GAD from children with similar anxiety disorders. Both cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have demonstrated efficacy for the treatment of pediatric anxiety disorders including GAD. Evidence suggests that the combination of CBT plus sertraline offers additional benefit compared with either treatment alone.
High levels of worry are a common phenomenon in undergraduate populations, with 28 to 40% of unde... more High levels of worry are a common phenomenon in undergraduate populations, with 28 to 40% of undergraduates in introductory psychology courses classified as Bhigh worriers.^Worry is characterized by a pervasive neglect of the present moment and persistent thoughts about the future. Various methods of increasing present moment focus have been devised. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two brief present moment awareness training paradigms-Mindfulness Meditation and Present Moment Joyin high worriers. Although both paradigms seek to increase present moment awareness, the processes by which each does so are different and potentially contradictory. Prior studies have not compared these two paradigms, and the field has yet to examine Present Moment Joy as an independent technique. Ninety-seven high worriers completed two, 20-minute training sessions across 2 days of either Mindfulness Meditation or Present Moment Joy. Participants rated levels of state mindfulness (curiosity and decentering), affect, and anxiety before and after each session. Both conditions increased curiosity and decentering, but Mindfulness Meditation led to greater decentering changes on day 2 than did Present Moment Joy. Both conditions decreased anxiety and negative affect. Only Present Moment Joy increased positive affect. Results suggest that, although Mindfulness Meditation and Present Moment Joy operate via different mechanisms, both increase present moment awareness and reduce anxiety and negative affect; however, when one's goal is also to increase positive affect, Present Moment Joy may be the more effective intervention.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is one of the most common anxiety disorders. It is associated ... more Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is one of the most common anxiety disorders. It is associated with functional impairment and is unlikely to spontaneously remit. As identified by Asmundson and Asmundson (2018), published research studies on GAD have increased in number over the last decade. We propose that this is due to the high prevalence of the diagnosis and symptoms, interest in transdiagnostic processes, such as worry, increased interest in emotion dysregulation as a principle underlying diagnoses, and new methods of treating and disseminating treatment that may be particularly well suited to GAD. Despite the increase in research articles on GAD, GAD still remains one of the least studied anxiety disorders. We propose that this is due to the misconception that GAD does not lead to severe impairment, despite data showing otherwise. Future research should continue to examine the phenomenology, mechanisms, and treatment of GAD in order to better understand this common anxiety disorder.
Sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) are practices intended to eliminate samesex attraction. ... more Sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) are practices intended to eliminate samesex attraction. We systematically review the literature on the efficacy of SOCE and discuss ways in which SOCE violate ethical guidelines for working with LGBQ clients. Existing literature indicates that SOCE are not efficacious in altering sexual orientation. Studies concluding otherwise often contain methodological limitations, such as biased recruitment or a retrospective design, that weaken the validity or prevent the generalizability of results. Many studies report negative outcomes associated with SOCE, such as depression, relationship dysfunction, and increased homonegativity. SOCE-oriented therapies also violate the American Psychological Association's (APA) ethical guidelines for working with LGBQ populations. In contrast, affirming therapies are efficacious, consistent with APA guidelines, and are associated with positive outcomes for LGBQ clients.
... Ladouceur, 1994). Higher levels of worry are also associated with less emotional clarity and ... more ... Ladouceur, 1994). Higher levels of worry are also associated with less emotional clarity and more difficulty identifying and describ-ing emotions (Turk, Heimberg,Luterek, Mennin, & Fresco, in press). Page 125. Clinical Course ...
Families of sexual minority individuals may serve a supportive role, however, they may also serve... more Families of sexual minority individuals may serve a supportive role, however, they may also serve as another source of discrimination and rejection. Cultural beliefs may influence family members' responses to sexual minorities. However, aspects of Latinx culture may be associated with family support of Latinx sexual minorities. We conducted a systematic review to examine the role that cultural values play in families' response to Latinx sexual minority individuals. The following search terms were entered into the databases Web of Science, Psycinfo, and Pubmed: hispanic, latin à , lgb à , homosexual à , bisexual à , pansexual à , lesbian, gay, family, and community. Papers were excluded if they were not empirical, did not analyze Latinx data independent of other groups, did not have a sufficient sample size, or did not examine the role of the family. This resulted in 34 papers. Studies indicated that the family can serve a supportive role; however, Latinx values, such as familismo, were associated with a complex array of family responses to sexual minorities. Clinicians should consider the varied ways in which cultural factors may influence family responses to sexual minority individuals.
United States military veterans and service members (i.e., active duty personnel) represent less ... more United States military veterans and service members (i.e., active duty personnel) represent less than 10% of the total U.S. population, yet they are disproportionally affected by mental health problems, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; e.g., Hoge, Auchterlonie, & Milliken, 2006; Seal, Bertenthal, Miner, Sen, & Marmar, 2007). Additionally, many military veterans and service members may experience symptoms of psychological disorders as well as impairment related to these symptoms, but may not meet criteria for the disorder. For example, a growing body of evidence suggests a need to focus attention on military veterans and service members struggling with subthreshold PTSD, as subthreshold PTSD is associated with significant clinical impairment (e.g., Jakupcak et al., 2007). Individuals with subthreshold PTSD generally endorse clinically significant PTSD symptoms and impairment, but do not meet full diagnostic criteria (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013).
Others" reactions to transgender youth have been identified as an important area of study. In the... more Others" reactions to transgender youth have been identified as an important area of study. In the current study support-seeking parents of transgender youth already connected with services (e.g. support groups or specialty clinics) completed questions about disclosure of the child"s gender identity to the parent, extended family, and school personnel and ongoing parentchild communication about the child"s gender identity. Results indicated that most children disclosed their gender identity to parents in a face-to-face conversation, often in a gradual process. Parental acceptance of the child"s gender identity was common, as was parental advocacy in this sample. Acceptance by school personnel and extended family increased over time but continued to be infrequent. Results indicate that although transgender youth of supportseeking parents may be accepted at home, youth may still face discrimination and hardship in other settings.
The present study examined the proposition that inflated responsibility is implicated in obsessiv... more The present study examined the proposition that inflated responsibility is implicated in obsessive ± compulsive disorder (OCD). Compared to non-anxious control participants (NACs), and an anxious control group with generalized social phobia (GSPs), we predicted that individuals with OCD (OCs) would exhibit a greater urge to rectify situations involving potential risk, would report more distress upon leaving such situations unrectified, and would feel more personal responsibility if the unrectified situations resulted in harm. Fifteen OCs, 15 NACs, and 15 GSPs completed the Obsessive ± Compulsive Responsibility Scale (OCRS), which included low-risk, OC-relevant, and high-risk situations. Compared to NACs and GSPs, OCs reported more urges, distress, and responsibility in low-risk and OC-relevant situations; no group differences were detected on high-risk situations. GSPs and NACs differed only in their responsibility in OCrelevant situations, with GSPs reporting higher responsibility than controls. Our results suggest that compared to OCs, NACs, and GSPs can better differentiate between situations that merit concern and ones that do not.
El trastorno obsesivo compulsivo (TOC) se ha observado en niños tan pequeños como de 3 años. 1,2 ... more El trastorno obsesivo compulsivo (TOC) se ha observado en niños tan pequeños como de 3 años. 1,2 El TOC con inicio anterior a los 9 años, al que nos referimos aquí como TOC de primera infancia, se asocia con un significativo deterioro funcional en diversos dominios críticos. Además, este deterioro puede agravarse con el paso del tiempo para hacer fracasar la adquisición y la dominio de otros hitos importantes del des-3 RET, Revista de Toxicomanías. Nº. 63-2011
Pediatric generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable wor... more Pediatric generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive and uncontrollable worry about a variety of events and is accompanied by physical symptoms such as headaches, tension, restlessness, gastrointestinal distress, and heart palpitations. Symptoms impose marked distress and interfere with social, emotional, and educational functioning. GAD occurs in over 10% of children and adolescents, has an average age of onset of 8.5 years, and is more often reported in girls. Common co-occurring conditions include separation anxiety disorder and social phobia. Assessment involves a multi-informant, multi-method approach involving the child, parents, and school teachers. A clinical interview should be conducted to assess for the three primary ways anxiety presents: behaviors, thoughts, and somatic symptoms. Several semi-structured diagnostic interviews are available, and the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule is increasingly used. Rating scales completed by the patient, caregivers, and teachers provide useful information for diagnosis and symptom monitoring. Several scales are available to assess patients for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th Edition) GAD diagnosis; however, instruments generally cannot distinguish children with GAD from children with similar anxiety disorders. Both cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have demonstrated efficacy for the treatment of pediatric anxiety disorders including GAD. Evidence suggests that the combination of CBT plus sertraline offers additional benefit compared with either treatment alone.
High levels of worry are a common phenomenon in undergraduate populations, with 28 to 40% of unde... more High levels of worry are a common phenomenon in undergraduate populations, with 28 to 40% of undergraduates in introductory psychology courses classified as Bhigh worriers.^Worry is characterized by a pervasive neglect of the present moment and persistent thoughts about the future. Various methods of increasing present moment focus have been devised. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of two brief present moment awareness training paradigms-Mindfulness Meditation and Present Moment Joyin high worriers. Although both paradigms seek to increase present moment awareness, the processes by which each does so are different and potentially contradictory. Prior studies have not compared these two paradigms, and the field has yet to examine Present Moment Joy as an independent technique. Ninety-seven high worriers completed two, 20-minute training sessions across 2 days of either Mindfulness Meditation or Present Moment Joy. Participants rated levels of state mindfulness (curiosity and decentering), affect, and anxiety before and after each session. Both conditions increased curiosity and decentering, but Mindfulness Meditation led to greater decentering changes on day 2 than did Present Moment Joy. Both conditions decreased anxiety and negative affect. Only Present Moment Joy increased positive affect. Results suggest that, although Mindfulness Meditation and Present Moment Joy operate via different mechanisms, both increase present moment awareness and reduce anxiety and negative affect; however, when one's goal is also to increase positive affect, Present Moment Joy may be the more effective intervention.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is one of the most common anxiety disorders. It is associated ... more Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is one of the most common anxiety disorders. It is associated with functional impairment and is unlikely to spontaneously remit. As identified by Asmundson and Asmundson (2018), published research studies on GAD have increased in number over the last decade. We propose that this is due to the high prevalence of the diagnosis and symptoms, interest in transdiagnostic processes, such as worry, increased interest in emotion dysregulation as a principle underlying diagnoses, and new methods of treating and disseminating treatment that may be particularly well suited to GAD. Despite the increase in research articles on GAD, GAD still remains one of the least studied anxiety disorders. We propose that this is due to the misconception that GAD does not lead to severe impairment, despite data showing otherwise. Future research should continue to examine the phenomenology, mechanisms, and treatment of GAD in order to better understand this common anxiety disorder.
Sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) are practices intended to eliminate samesex attraction. ... more Sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) are practices intended to eliminate samesex attraction. We systematically review the literature on the efficacy of SOCE and discuss ways in which SOCE violate ethical guidelines for working with LGBQ clients. Existing literature indicates that SOCE are not efficacious in altering sexual orientation. Studies concluding otherwise often contain methodological limitations, such as biased recruitment or a retrospective design, that weaken the validity or prevent the generalizability of results. Many studies report negative outcomes associated with SOCE, such as depression, relationship dysfunction, and increased homonegativity. SOCE-oriented therapies also violate the American Psychological Association's (APA) ethical guidelines for working with LGBQ populations. In contrast, affirming therapies are efficacious, consistent with APA guidelines, and are associated with positive outcomes for LGBQ clients.
... Ladouceur, 1994). Higher levels of worry are also associated with less emotional clarity and ... more ... Ladouceur, 1994). Higher levels of worry are also associated with less emotional clarity and more difficulty identifying and describ-ing emotions (Turk, Heimberg,Luterek, Mennin, & Fresco, in press). Page 125. Clinical Course ...
Families of sexual minority individuals may serve a supportive role, however, they may also serve... more Families of sexual minority individuals may serve a supportive role, however, they may also serve as another source of discrimination and rejection. Cultural beliefs may influence family members' responses to sexual minorities. However, aspects of Latinx culture may be associated with family support of Latinx sexual minorities. We conducted a systematic review to examine the role that cultural values play in families' response to Latinx sexual minority individuals. The following search terms were entered into the databases Web of Science, Psycinfo, and Pubmed: hispanic, latin à , lgb à , homosexual à , bisexual à , pansexual à , lesbian, gay, family, and community. Papers were excluded if they were not empirical, did not analyze Latinx data independent of other groups, did not have a sufficient sample size, or did not examine the role of the family. This resulted in 34 papers. Studies indicated that the family can serve a supportive role; however, Latinx values, such as familismo, were associated with a complex array of family responses to sexual minorities. Clinicians should consider the varied ways in which cultural factors may influence family responses to sexual minority individuals.
United States military veterans and service members (i.e., active duty personnel) represent less ... more United States military veterans and service members (i.e., active duty personnel) represent less than 10% of the total U.S. population, yet they are disproportionally affected by mental health problems, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; e.g., Hoge, Auchterlonie, & Milliken, 2006; Seal, Bertenthal, Miner, Sen, & Marmar, 2007). Additionally, many military veterans and service members may experience symptoms of psychological disorders as well as impairment related to these symptoms, but may not meet criteria for the disorder. For example, a growing body of evidence suggests a need to focus attention on military veterans and service members struggling with subthreshold PTSD, as subthreshold PTSD is associated with significant clinical impairment (e.g., Jakupcak et al., 2007). Individuals with subthreshold PTSD generally endorse clinically significant PTSD symptoms and impairment, but do not meet full diagnostic criteria (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013).
Others" reactions to transgender youth have been identified as an important area of study. In the... more Others" reactions to transgender youth have been identified as an important area of study. In the current study support-seeking parents of transgender youth already connected with services (e.g. support groups or specialty clinics) completed questions about disclosure of the child"s gender identity to the parent, extended family, and school personnel and ongoing parentchild communication about the child"s gender identity. Results indicated that most children disclosed their gender identity to parents in a face-to-face conversation, often in a gradual process. Parental acceptance of the child"s gender identity was common, as was parental advocacy in this sample. Acceptance by school personnel and extended family increased over time but continued to be infrequent. Results indicate that although transgender youth of supportseeking parents may be accepted at home, youth may still face discrimination and hardship in other settings.
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Papers by Amy Przeworski