2001 — 2002 |
Coles, Meredith Ellen |
F31Activity Code Description: To provide predoctoral individuals with supervised research training in specified health and health-related areas leading toward the research degree (e.g., Ph.D.). |
Implicit and Explicit Memory For Faces in Social Phobia
The study proposed herein seeks to examine implicit and explicit memory biases for critical faces in individuals with social phobia (SP). A solid understanding of the psychopathology of SP is essential as this syndrome is one of the most common and debilitating of all psychiatric diagnoses. One promising route to furthering our understanding of the psychopathology of SP is to employ the methods of experimental psychopathology to examine possible biases in information-processing. Biases may occur at automatic stages of processing, beyond conscious awareness, prohibiting the use of introspective self-report methods, making the methods of experimental psychopathology particularly useful. Memory biases may play a particularly important role as intrusive memories are a common symptom of several anxiety disorders. However, while much knowledge has been gained from examining memory biases in SP in previous studies, limitations of the existing literature make firm conclusions difficult. The study proposed herein seeks to address previous limitations in an effort to further our understanding of the role of implicit and explicit memory biases in SP. Specifically, the proposed study will use a modified visual analogue version of Jacoby, Allan, Collins, and Larwill's (1988) white noise judgement paradigm. In this study, critical and neutral faces will be presented to individuals with social phobia (SPs) and non-anxious controls (NACs). Two separate memory tests will be employed, with one assessing implicit memory biases and the other assessing explicit memory biases, for critical faces in individuals with SP as compared to NACs. Further, the two groups will also be compared on immediate rote recall to rule-out this factor as a possible explanation for group differences in memories for emotional stimuli. Findings from this study will be utilized to inform existing models of the psychopathology underlying SP and explore possible refinements in existing treatment interventions.
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1 |
2006 — 2007 |
Coles, Meredith Ellen |
R03Activity Code Description: To provide research support specifically limited in time and amount for studies in categorical program areas. Small grants provide flexibility for initiating studies which are generally for preliminary short-term projects and are non-renewable. |
Cognitive Vulnerability to Changes in Oc Symptoms @ State University New York Binghamton
DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a prevalent problem with important public health implications. OCD affects 2 to 3% of Americans, and is associated with substantial impairment, and direct and indirect economic costs. Nearly 75% of individuals with OCD fail to access treatment and individuals that do access treatment are often left with substantial residual symptoms even after successful treatment. Therefore, empirically-based programs to prevent the development of full-blown OCD would hold great promise in mitigating the negative impact of this disorder. However, a better understanding of the etiology of OCD is needed to inform the development of these prevention programs. SPECIFIC AIMS: Cognitive theories are among the most influential models of OCD. These models propose that negative interpretations of intrusions and stress confer vulnerability to OCD. However, etiological predictions from these models remain untested. The proposed study is innovative in prospectively testing predictors of OC symptom changes hypothesized by cognitive models. DESIGN AND HYPOTHESES: This new investigator initiated R03 will use a sample of 500 young adults during a period of increased stress to test the hypotheses that maladaptive OC-related beliefs, stress (negative life events), and their interaction, will prospectively predict changes in OC symptoms over six months. Further, it is hypothesized that initial OC-related beliefs will significantly more strongly predict changes in OC symptoms than changes in depressive symptoms. A supplementary aim will test the hypothesis that the core study measures will perform similarly when administered via a computer compared to traditional paper and pencil administration, facilitating future longitudinal studies of OCD. SIGNIFICANCE: The proposed study represents an initial step along a line of research clarifying the role of psychosocial factors in the etiology of OCD. If OC-related beliefs and stress prospectively predict increases in OCD symptoms, these variables could be targeted in preventative interventions. Empirically based prevention programs hold great promise for stopping the development of full-blown OCD and eliminating years of needless suffering. Documentation of the feasibility of computer-based administration of study questionnaires would greatly facilitate future longitudinal research on OCD.
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0.961 |
2009 — 2010 |
Coles, Meredith Ellen |
R21Activity Code Description: To encourage the development of new research activities in categorical program areas. (Support generally is restricted in level of support and in time.) |
Assessing Mental Health Literacy For Anxiety Disorder @ State University of Ny,Binghamton
DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This "new investigator" initiated R21, submitted in response to PAR-07-018 "Understanding Health Literacy," draws from the mental health literacy literature to initiate a line of research assessing mental health literacy for anxiety disorders. Mental health literacy is defined as "knowledge and beliefs about mental disorders which aid their recognition, management or prevention". (59, p.182) Currently, of the over 40 million Americans with anxiety disorders each year, (63) only 25 percent seek treatment. (48,80,91) Initial data suggest that poor mental health literacy is a barrier to treatment seeking.78,106 Understanding potential barriers to treatment seeking is important given that anxiety disorders are associated with significant distress and interference in social, occupational or school functioning2 and that effective treatments are available.102 SPECIFIC AIMS: The proposed project addresses three primary aims: 1) to develop and refine a measure of mental health literacy for anxiety disorders, 2) to collect initial data assessing mental health literacy for anxiety disorders from a quota sample of community members throughout the US, and 3) to use the knowledge gained in this project to inform the development of an R01 application to thoroughly assess mental health literacy for anxiety disorders in a representative sample. DESIGN AND HYPOTHESES: An initial draft of the instrument assessing mental health literacy for anxiety disorders will be developed. Four focus groups of 10 members each will then be conducted to explore people's experience with anxiety disorders and elicit feedback on the draft instrument. This information will be used to revise the instrument, and the revised version will then be administered to a pilot sample of 12 respondents via telephone. Next, the final version of the measure will be administered via telephone to a quota sample of 500 participants throughout the US. All participants will be aged 18 to 74 years and either African-American or Caucasian. Both Hispanic/Latino and non-Hispanic/Latino participants will be included. It is hypothesized that the measure developed will have strong psychometric properties and that data from the community sample will reveal low levels of mental health literacy for anxiety disorders. SIGNIFICANCE: We anticipate that the measure of mental health literacy for anxiety disorders developed in this project, and the information gathered, will improve our understanding of knowledge and beliefs of the general public regarding anxiety disorders. This project is thus an important first step in advancing our understanding of potential barriers to treatment-seeking for anxiety disorders and suggesting avenues for increasing service use. Title: Assessing Mental Health Literacy for Anxiety Disorders PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: In the US, more people have anxiety disorders than any other type of mental illness. Disappointingly, most of these people never get treatment. Therefore, this project will assess what people know and believe about anxiety disorders, as a first step towards developing ways to help people with anxiety disorders seek treatment.
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0.961 |