The Inventory of Cognitive Distortions-Youth Version: The Development and Validation of a Psychometric Test for the Measurement of Cognitive Distortions in Youth

Cognitive distortions are systematic biases in an individual’s thinking that maintain a person’s belief in their negative views of themselves or others, even in the presence of contradictory evidence. The Inventory of Cognitive Distortions (ICD), created by Yurica and DiTomasso, measures distorted thinking in adults. Currently, there is not a youth measure of distortions that adequately encapsulates the range of distorted thinking that may be present in youth. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to create and validate a newly designed instrument of cognitive distortions, The Inventory of Cognitive Distortions-Youth Version (ICD-YV), with youth ages 11 to 17. Participants were recruited through social media, ResearchMatch.org, local school and community organizations and local business and university listservs. The psychometric properties (content validity, construct validity, convergent validity and internal consistency reliability) of the ICD-YV were assessed. Identifying a valid and reliable tool to evaluate cognitive distortions in youth is needed to facilitate better identification of these patterns of thinking and facilitate early identification and more accurate and targeted treatment, from a cognitive-behavioral perspective

Team leadership training for medical residents: results of a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Leadership in medicine is a pertinent topic in the modern healthcare system, yet many hospitals and post-graduate programs provide little to no leadership development for resident physicians. Good clinical leadership provides improved patient outcomes and a better work environment for medical staff. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to pilot a leadership training program for residents and assess it efficacy amongst three different resident groups. METHODS: The pilot curriculum contained three main elements: 360 feedback utilizing the LOFT instrument created by Dr. Eva Aagaard, four 30-minute didactic sessions, and a personal-assessment. In preparation for the curriculum, all residents were required to take an MBTI assessment and subsequent debrief. Residents were randomized into one of four groups to receive either 360 Feedback, didactic sessions, both, or none. The LOFT instrument was designed to assess leadership skills in the clinical setting. Residents selected a minimum of two and maximum of five reviewers to fill out the evaluation before and after their rotation block. Feedback was provided by a professional consulting firm and didactic sessions were lead by University of Colorado faculty. Group size for both feedback and didactic sessions ranged from 1-6 residents. The primary outcome measured was change in LOFT score before and after rotation blocks. Secondary outcomes included change in leadership tactics assessed by the personal survey, and qualitative assessment of residents’ evaluations of feedback and didactic sessions. Cross sectional comparisons of baseline characteristics between randomization groups were made with ANOVA or chi-square. Mixed effects modeling, statistical methodology accounting for clustering by reviewer within resident groups was utilized for evaluating differences in change in evaluation score between treatment groups. RESULTS: 40 residents agreed to participate by filling out an informed consent document, and 29 completed the pilot program in its entirety. We saw an improvement in total LOFT score as well as an improvement in each domain over the course of the intervention (Total: 4.86, p<0.001, Coaching: 1.62, p=0.002, Project Management: 1.81, p<0.001, Self Control: 1.41, p<0.001). However, we saw no significant change in these scores amongst randomization group. In regards to the Self-Control domain, we saw improvement in the lowest scoring group (Q1) for those that received 360 LOFT Feedback. There was no change in the self-assessments before and after rotation block. Overall, the residents rated the curriculum favorably and found it pertinent to their clinical work. CONCLUSION: 360 Feedback on the LOFT assessment was proven to be an effective means of intervention for the lowest scoring participants. While participants found them helpful, the didactic sessions did not show any significant effect on leadership behavior. This study demonstrated overall potential for 360 Feedback using the LOFT assessment as an intervention for leadership improvement in the clinical setting.2019-10-31T00:00:00

Inflammation and immunity in severe acute malnutrition

Background: Malnutrition is responsible for 45% of child deaths because it is associated with an increased vulnerability to major infectious disease. The mechanisms behind this association are undefined. It occurs despite the fact that malnourished children have increased levels of enteric and systemic inflammatory activation. Methods: Case-control study of inflammatory activation and response to ex vivo pathogen challenge determined relationships between existing and potential inflammatory function and nutrition. Randomised controlled trial of a gut-specific immunomodulatory agent assessed for functional redundancy in enteric inflammation. Randomised controlled trial of nutritional rehabilitation strategies with enhanced n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid provision assessed for potentially beneficial effects on inflammation. Results: SAM was not associated with abnormalities in systemic cytokine response to innate immune challenge in an ex vivo model compared to control children, but more severe intestinal inflammation, and kwashiorkor may be. Children with SAM and stunting have clear evidence of enteric inflammation, and have evidence of cytokine-mediated inhibition of the GH-IGF-1 axis, which may play a role in linear growth failure. Treatment of children with SAM and stunting with mesalazine appeared to be safe, and there was limited evidence of an impact on enteric inflammation. Stunting is associated with LC-PUFA deficiency, but acute malnutrition is not. Production and administration of a ready-to-use therapeutic food with elevated n-3 PUFA was technically feasible, but was not associated with positive outcomes in growth, recovery or immune function compared to standard treatment. Provision of pre-formed DHA in RUTF may be essential to preserve optimal tissue levels during nutritional rehabilitation. Conclusions: Further strategies targeting inflammatory activation as part of the management of SAM should be trialled. The relationship between systemic and enteric inflammation and nutrition deserves further study.Open Acces

Never Been: An Exploration of the Influence of Dis/ability, Giftedness, and Incarceration on Adolescents in Adult Correctional Facilities

This dissertation study explores the experiences of incarcerated youth, specifically the relationships between dis/ability (Baglieri& Knopf, 2004), giftedness, and incarceration in the lives of these young people. The extant literature rarely addresses these relationships through the voices of young people who have experienced incarceration first-hand; furthermore, the research pathologizes incarcerated youth and removes the challenges they encounter from their systemically oppressive contexts. This research places the unique experiences of the participants in the larger conversations of deficit-thinking, racism, ecological systems and theories of critical praxisâ??specifically, through the lenses of Dis/ability Studies in Education and Critical Race Theory. As a qualitative research study, this dissertation includes the stories and experiences of three formerly-incarcerated individuals who were held in adult correctional facilities as adolescents, as well as a non-profit leader who is deeply involved in prison abolition and movements that work to improve the lives of inmates. The focus on qualitative methodology and methods works to broaden conversations on juvenile justice and include perspectives on competence, youthâ??s strengths, and resistance to deficit-oriented research. This dissertation argues that we must challenge deficit-oriented models to develop the best pedagogical practices for exceptional students and useful methods for disrupting oppressive systems within educational spaces. Through the centering of participant voices, this study provides implications for understanding dis/ability and the giftedness of young people in exceptional learning environments, the need for close attention to the final stages of the school-to-prison pipeline, and the development of new theories of understanding

The Hult Prize: A Guide on How to Be Successful

The Hult Prize competition is the worlds largest international case competition. After participating in the Hult Prize for the past 2 years as the team captain, one which the group came out as one of the top 10 teams out of over 25,000 for a business model that aimed to double the income of individuals making less than $2 a day, I have created an overarching guide that will guide future teams to being successful within the competition. The key is to focus on a few on a few key parts: building a team, the general timeline, research, brainstorming, finances, the presentation, and Q&A. There are also important tips to consider, as well as what not to do. While the guide revolves around the Hult Prize, it can also be helpful when looking creating a start-up company within the category of social entrepreneurship and pitching to investors

Orofacial Manifestations of Lyme Disease: A Systematic Review

Purpose: Several orofacial symptoms of Lyme disease can affect anatomical structures of the head and neck which are frequently examined by dental professionals. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the literature to identify the frequencies of orofacial manifestations documented in U.S. populations with Lyme disease. Methods: Four electronic databases (Dentistry and Oral Sciences, PubMed, Cinahl Plus, and Medline) were systematically searched from May 2019 until October 2019 using keywords and MeSH terms to identify relevant studies. The review followed guidelines set forth in Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). A modified version of the Cochrane Data Collection Form for Randomized Control Trials and Non-randomized Control Trials was used to asses quality. Results: An initial search extracted 217,381 articles; 43 met inclusion/exclusion criteria and were reviewed for quality. Twelve articles published from 1992-2017 were deemed appropriate for inclusion in the systematic review. All were from non-dental journals and represented mostly male populations from less than half (n=6) of the endemic states. A total of eight orofacial manifestations occurring within head/neck regions often examined by dental professionals were documented: headache (n=11, 92%), facial palsy (n=11, 92%), temporomandibular joint arthralgia (n=2, 17%), altered taste (n=1, 8%), stiff neck (n=4, 33%), sore throat (n=1, 8%), neck pain/arthralgia (n=5, 42%), and erythema migrans rash (n=1, 8%). Conclusion: Current research regarding orofacial manifestations of Lyme disease is needed so that this medical phenomenon can be well understood by dental professionals in order to best serve their patients

Research Methods in Psychology (PSYC 362) Posters: The Interaction Between Stress and Boredom and Their Relationship With Emotional Eating

Students taking Research Methods in Psychology are tasked with generating a novel research question, designing a study to answer that question, and analyzing and interpreting data within the context of their original hypotheses. These posters represent the culmination of this semester-long project