Predictors of Receipt of Counseling Services from Religious Leaders in African American Church Populations

Title from PDF of title page viewed August 17, 2018Thesis advisor: Jannette Berkley-PattonVitaIncludes bibliographical references (pages 45-55)Thesis (M.A.)--Department of Psychology. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2018African Americans (AAs) are disproportionality affected by mental health issues. They are more likely to experience chronic depression, greater impairment from depression, and serious psychological distress than the general population. However, AAs are less likely to seek mental health services than Whites. The Black Church is a key institution of influence in the AA community. AAs have the highest rate of church attendance among all racial/ethnic groups in the United States and the Black Church has the potential to increase the reach of mental health services and address related concerns for parishioners and community members served through outreach ministries. Studies suggest that AA pastors/religious leaders have significant influence on church populations’ health and that many may provide counseling services to their church and community members. Yet, few studies exist on who is using counseling services and why these services are being sought in faith-based settings. The present study examined predictors of receipt of counseling from a pastor/religious leader among AA church affiliated populations. Using baseline data from a larger study, Project FIT (Faith Influencing Transformation), a cardiovascular disease/diabetes health promotion intervention piloted in 6 AA churches in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Participants were primarily female (69%), church members (90%), with an average age of 54 (SD = 13). Findings indicated that 50% of participants reported receipt of counseling. Preliminary analyses indicated that education and several religious behaviors (e.g., frequency of thoughts of God, prayer, meditation, church attendance, reading scripture/holy writings, and direct experiences with God) were significantly related to receipt of counseling. Regression analyses indicated that only education was a marginally significant predictor in the model. Future studies should examine how education and religious behaviors may impact receipt of clergy counseling in AA churches. Implications for the design of mental health interventions for AA church populations are discussed. Future research should also examine frequency of help-seeking behaviors both in the AA church as well as outside the church.Introduction -- Methodology -- Result -- Discussion -- Appendi

A New Timepiece: An Epigenetic Mitotic Clock

A new mitotic clock and mathematical approach that incorporates DNA methylation biology common among human cell types provides a new tool for cancer epigenetics research

Facilitators and Barriers to Cervical Cancer Screening Among African American Women

Title from PDF of title page viewed November 9, 2020Dissertation advisor: Jannette Berkley-PattonVitaIncludes bibliographical references (pages 96-108)Thesis (Ph.D.)--Department of Psychology. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2020African American (AA) women are at greater risk for cervical cancer incidence and mortality compared to white women, primarily due to lack of screening and follow up. Up to 90% of cervical cancers are caused by persistent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections and the National Institute for Health (NIH) and Preventative Oncology International (POI) recently developed HPV self-test kits to increase rates of screening among underserved women. This study used the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to examine attitudes, barriers, facilitators, and intentions related to receipt of cervical cancer screening among church-affiliated women and explored perceptions of HPV self-testing to increase access to cervical cancer screening. Thirty-five AA women aged 25 to 53 participated in focus group discussions and completed a brief survey. Seventy-four percent of participants reported receipt of cervical cancer screening in the past three years. Participants demonstrated positive attitudes towards cervical cancer screening and identified healthcare providers and the church as key supportive referents to screening. Participants noted several key barriers to screening, such as financial concerns, trauma histories, and prioritizing their children’s healthcare needs over screening. With regards to HPV self-testing, participants had concerns about their ability to correctly collect the sample as well as result accuracy. Several strategies to mitigate these concerns were discussed. Nearly all participants expressed willingness to use HPV self-testing if they did not have access to traditional medical care. Participants also noted that the church would be an appropriate medium for disseminating HPV self-test kits. Other considerations for future faith-based interventions, such as use of humor and facilitating community connectedness, was also discussed.Introduction -- Methodology -- Results -- Discussion -- Appendix A. Figure 1: Theory of Planned Behavior -- Appendix B. Recruitment Fliers -- Appendix C. Pre-Consent Screening Script -- Appendix D. Informed Consent -- Appendix E. Participant Contact Form -- Appendix F. Focus Group Discussion Guide -- Appendix G. Brief Survey -- Appendix H. Code Ma

Absence of an embryonic stem cell DNA methylation signature in human cancer.

BackgroundDifferentiated cells that arise from stem cells in early development contain DNA methylation features that provide a memory trace of their fetal cell origin (FCO). The FCO signature was developed to estimate the proportion of cells in a mixture of cell types that are of fetal origin and are reminiscent of embryonic stem cell lineage. Here we implemented the FCO signature estimation method to compare the fraction of cells with the FCO signature in tumor tissues and their corresponding nontumor normal tissues.MethodsWe applied our FCO algorithm to discovery data sets obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and replication data sets obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data repository. Wilcoxon rank sum tests, linear regression models with adjustments for potential confounders and non-parametric randomization-based tests were used to test the association of FCO proportion between tumor tissues and nontumor normal tissues. P-values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsAcross 20 different tumor types we observed a consistently lower FCO signature in tumor tissues compared with nontumor normal tissues, with 18 observed to have significantly lower FCO fractions in tumor tissue (total n = 6,795 tumor, n = 922 nontumor, P < 0.05). We replicated our findings in 15 tumor types using data from independent subjects in 15 publicly available data sets (total n = 740 tumor, n = 424 nontumor, P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe results suggest that cancer development itself is substantially devoid of recapitulation of normal embryologic processes. Our results emphasize the distinction between DNA methylation in normal tightly regulated stem cell driven differentiation and cancer stem cell reprogramming that involves altered methylation in the service of great cell heterogeneity and plasticity

THE ORGANIZATION OF MOTOR SYNERGIES IN ONE-PERSON AND TWO-PERSON MULTI-FINGER FORCE PRODUCTION TASKS

Humans perform motor tasks every day, both individually and with others. Performing motor tasks involves the organization of motor synergies, task-specific groupings of individual motor effectors that are temporarily constrained to act as a single unit and whose total combined output ensures stability of the overall task performance. Both intra- and inter-personal motor synergies have been found to exist in one-person and two-person motor tasks, respectively. Not as clear, however, is whether separate synergies can exist simultaneously on multiple levels of control within a given task. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the organization of force-stabilizing motor synergies during one-person and two-person finger-force production tasks using the Uncontrolled Manifold Analysis. We expect to find both intra- and inter-personal motor synergies, an increase in synergy strength as tasks require more motor effectors, but the lack of simultaneously-occurring motor synergies on multiple levels of control within the given tasks

Application of Intergroup Contact Theory to the Integrated Workplace: Setting the Stage for Inclusion

Social inclusion in community work settings remains an elusive outcome for many employees with intellectual disabilities. This study explored how the structure of work relationships with colleagues facilitates or inhibits social integration. Data were collected on 22 employees with disabilities through semi-structured interviews with six employment specialists and participant observations of six employees at their community worksites. Data were interpreted using intergroup contact theory, a longstanding theory within the intergroup relations literature that addresses the role of contact in reducing prejudice toward members of negatively stereotyped groups. As predicted by intergroup contact theory, interviews and observations revealed that coworkers were generally more accepting of an employee with a disability if (a) they had the opportunity to get to know the employee as an individual rather than as a stereotype or label, (b) they worked with the employee as an equal peer to accomplish common work goals, and (c) the employer or worksite supervisor unequivocally supported the equality and workplace inclusion of the employee with a disability. Findings suggest intervention strategies to promote inclusion in the integrated workplace

A preliminary systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials of cognitive remediation therapy for anorexia nervosa

Cognitive remediation therapy (CRT) for anorexia nervosa (AN) was developed as an adjuvant treatment to target set-shifting and central coherence inefficiencies important in AN and to ultimately improve clinical outcomes of those with AN. The primary aim of this preliminary systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the effect of CRT for AN relative to control treatments in randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) on neuropsychological inefficiencies at end-of-treatment. Secondary aims were to assess the effect of CRT for AN on dropout, eating-disorder-related, and other psychological outcomes at end-of-treatment. Systematic review and meta-analytic procedures were conducted in accordance with PRISMA Guidelines. RCTs evaluating CRT for AN compared to a control treatment were identified via ProQuest, PsycINFO, PubMed, and SCOPUS. Seven RCTs and one quasi-RCT of CRT for AN were included. RCT quality ratings ranged from fair (n = 3) to good (n = 4). Random-effects meta-analysis was conducted using Hedge's g. Study heterogeneity was assessed using I2 and publication bias was assessed with Begg's adjusted-rank correlation and the trim-and-fill method. CRT was not associated with improvement in central coherence compared to control treatments at end-of-treatment (g = 0.25, 95% CI = −0.35, 0.85, k = 3). Set-shifting outcomes were mixed due to heterogeneity of set-shifting measures across studies. CRT may prevent dropout; yet, more studies are needed to draw conclusions. CRT did not confer advantage over control treatments for eating-disorder-related and other psychological outcomes at end-of-treatment. Future RCTs of CRT for AN should use precise measures to assess constructs (particularly for set shifting), increase sample size, and implement longitudinal follow-up. (Word Count: 247 words)

Predictors and Missed Opportunities for Blood Glucose Screening among African Americans: Implications for Church-based Populations

African Americans (AAs) are disproportionately diagnosed with prediabetes, diabetes, and related complications. Guidelines for prediabetes/diabetes screening emphasize reaching at-risk adults. The AA church has potential to increase reach of BGS with AA church members and community members. The current study identified predictors of blood glucose screening (BGS) and individuals with missed opportunities for BGS among church-affiliated AA adults. Participants were drawn from a previous pilot study (Project Faith Influencing Transformation) conducted in six AA churches over eight months. Eligibility criteria included self-identifying as AA and being aged 18 or older. Participants who had previously been diagnosed with diabetes were excluded, resulting in a final sample of N = 274. Participants were primarily female (68%), with an average age of 52 years. Slightly more than half of participants (54%) had obtained BGS in the past year. Logistic regression revealed that BGS was less likely among participants who had less routine doctor visits. Among church members, likelihood of BGS increased with number of years as a member. Participants who were older and uninsured were more likely to have a missed opportunity for BGS. Implications for diabetes prevention efforts, particularly faith-based diabetes prevention interventions for AAs, are discussed

Do the SCOFF items function differently by food-security status in U.S. college students?: Statistically, but not practically, significant differences

Despite food insecurity (FI) being associated with eating disorders (EDs), little research has examined if ED screening measures perform differently in individuals with FI. This study tested whether items on the SCOFF performed differently as a function of FI. As many people with FI hold multiple marginalized identities, this study also tested if the SCOFF performs differently as a function of food-security status in individuals with different gender identities and different perceived weight statuses. Data were from the 2020/2021 Healthy Minds Study (N = 122,269). Past-year FI was established using the two-item Hunger Vital Sign. Differential item functioning (DIF) assessed whether SCOFF items performed differently (i.e., had different probabilities of endorsement) in groups of individuals with FI versus those without. Both uniform DIF (constant between-group difference in item-endorsement probability across ED pathology) and non-uniform DIF (variable between-group difference in item-endorsement probability across ED pathology) were examined. Several SCOFF items demonstrated both statistically significant uniform and non-uniform DIF (ps < .001), but no instances of DIF reached practical significance (as indicated by effect sizes pseudo ΔR2 ≥ 0.035; all pseudo ΔR2's ≤ 0.006). When stratifying by gender identity and weight status, although most items demonstrated statistically significant DIF, only the SCOFF item measuring body-size perception showed practically significant non-uniform DIF for perceived weight status. Findings suggest the SCOFF is an appropriate screening measure for ED pathology among college students with FI and provide preliminary support for using the SCOFF in individuals with FI and certain marginalized identities