Shelley Riggs | University of North Texas (original) (raw)

Papers by Shelley Riggs

PLOS ONE, 2016

Childhood maltreatment has diverse, lifelong impact on morbidity and mortality. The Childhood Tra... more Childhood maltreatment has diverse, lifelong impact on morbidity and mortality. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) is one of the most commonly used scales to assess and quantify these experiences and their impact. Curiously, despite very widespread use of the CTQ, scores on its Minimization-Denial (MD) subscale-originally designed to assess a positive response bias-are rarely reported. Hence, little is known about this measure. If response biases are either common or consequential, current practices of ignoring the MD scale deserve revision. Therewith, we designed a study to investigate 3 aspects of minimization, as defined by the CTQ's MD scale: 1) its prevalence; 2) its latent structure; and finally 3) whether minimization moderates the CTQ's discriminative validity in terms of distinguishing between psychiatric patients and community volunteers. Archival, item-level CTQ data from 24 multinational samples were combined for a total of 19,652 participants. Analyses indicated: 1) minimization is common; 2) minimization functions as a continuous construct; and 3) high MD scores attenuate the ability of the CTQ to distinguish between psychiatric patients and community volunteers. Overall, results suggest that a minimizing response bias-as detected by the MD subscale-has a small but significant moderating effect on the CTQ's discriminative validity. Results also may suggest that some prior analyses of maltreatment rates or the effects of early maltreatment that have used the CTQ may have underestimated its incidence and impact. We caution researchers and clinicians about the widespread practice of using the CTQ without the MD or collecting MD data but failing to assess and control for its effects on outcomes or dependent variables.

PsycEXTRA Dataset, 2000

August 2010, 84 pp., 7 tables, 6 figures, references, 109 titles.

There is a well-documented association between interparental conflict and offspring psychological... more There is a well-documented association between interparental conflict and offspring psychological functioning from childhood to early adulthood. Although the literature suggests that interparental conflict affects offspring well-being through cognitive and emotional pathways, little research has addressed how the adult attachment system might mediate the early experience of interparental conflict and psychological distress in adulthood. In the current study, college students (N 330) completed an online survey about their perceptions of early interparental conflict, romantic attachment patterns, and current psychological symptoms. Results suggest that memories of interparental conflict in childhood are significantly related to psychological functioning in emerging adulthood and adult attachment strategies play an important mediating role.

In an effort to improve understanding of the mechanisms that link early maltreatment to later out... more In an effort to improve understanding of the mechanisms that link early maltreatment to later outcomes, this study investigated the mediation effects of adult attachment processes on the association between childhood emotional abuse and later romantic relationships among heterosexual couples. College students and their dating partners (N 310; 155 couples) completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire , Experiences in Close Relationship Scale, and Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Using the Actor–Partner Interdependence Model (Kenny, Kashy, & Cook, 2006), multilevel modeling results indicated that memories of childhood emotional abuse reported by both students and their partners were significantly associated with attachment strategies, as well as romantic relationship quality. Findings supported hypothesized mediation effects of attachment anxiety and avoidance.

A developmental-contextual framework recognizes that children continue to develop and change acro... more A developmental-contextual framework recognizes that children continue to develop and change across the life span and are influenced by previous experiences and by their current environment, including the events and people around them.. This model is especially well suited for use in child custody evaluations. In this article, we review developmental considerations relevant to custodial decisions and consider the defining elements of an attachment bond and the organization of children's attachment networks. Recommendations for research follow. We then provide a detailed example illustrating how the model may be used and conclude with practice implications an recommendations.

In an effort to develop clear and uniform standards for the allocation of custodial responsibilit... more In an effort to develop clear and uniform standards for the allocation of custodial responsibility, the American Law Institute has proposed a number of reforms. For example, under the approximation rule, the proportion of time parents spent with their children performing direct caregiving functions prior to the divorce would be reflected in the proportion of custodial time allotted to each parent after divorce. Much of the rationale used to justify the approximation rule is explicitly or implicitly based on attachment theory (Bowlby, 1969, 1973, 1980). This article discusses the assumptions and implications of the approximation rule from the standpoint of attachment theory. Last year, the American Law Institute (ALI) released its 1,200-page Principles of the Law of Family Dissolution (hereinafter referred to as Principles), in which a number of reforms for family and divorce courts were proposed. Although recent years have seen some meeting of the minds between mental health professionals and legal professionals on the topic of divorce and custody arrangements, the ALI proposals make little reference to, and at times contradict, the accumulated social science evidence (Braver, 2003). For example, in an effort to replace the " best interests of the child " standard and develop clear and uniform standards for the allocation of custodial responsibility, the ALI proposed the approximation rule, which suggests that physical custody arrangements should be based on the time each parent devoted to caretaking prior to separation. Much of the rationale put forth to justify the approximation rule is explicitly or implicitly based on the concept of parent–child attachment originated by Bowlby (1969, 1973, 1980). Kelly and Ward (2002) recently reviewed the attachment literature and concluded that attachment theory was consistent with and seemed to support the approximation rule based on three key areas of conformity: (a) recognition of the importance of caregiving, (b) the ability to form attachments to multiple caregivers, and (c) consistency of attachment relationships. By comparison, the present discussion critiques the approximation rule based on inconsistencies between what the current state of the attachment literature and research can tell us, and the stated justifications for the approximation rule that are grounded in the attachment theory. Although the approximation rule may hold some advantages over current standards, this review argues that it is based on erroneous assumptions that are not supported by the developmental literature. The following review of attachment literature expands upon the earlier overview (Kelly & Ward, 2002) and concentrates on the qualitative differences in behavior and outcome associated with secure attachment *I would like to thank Michael Gottlieb, Ph.D. for his invaluable editorial assistance and mentorship.

Due to the increasing number of married servicemembers with children, the family court system is ... more Due to the increasing number of married servicemembers with children, the family court system is seeing more divorce and custody cases involving military parents and children. The media has highlighted cases in which military members have lost custody of their children ostensibly due to extended deployments required by their military employer. In order to avoid penalizing military members for service to their country while acting in the best interests of children, it is essential that the family courts understand and take into account the unique challenges of military families. This article provides an overview of the military family experience and reviews the literature regarding the military deployment cycle, including its impact on parents, children and the family system. Developmental and contextual considerations and recommendations in the determination of custody for military children are discussed. Key Points for the Family Court Community: • The family attachment network model is useful in developing objective standards and identifying risk and protective factors for military families. • In custody cases involving military families who have experienced deployment, assessment of current and retrospective individual and family functioning (e.g., before, during, after deployment) is necessary. • Current child behaviors may be normal responses to extended separation(s) and subsequent reunion(s) with a deployed parent. • Key considerations and recommendations in custody evaluations for military families are offered.

Context: Research has indicated that returning Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom... more Context: Research has indicated that returning Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans are experiencing mental health concerns following deployment. Increasing numbers of veterans are enrolling in higher education institutions; there is a scarcity of empirical research investigating student veterans' experiences as they transition into college. Objective: To examine the effects of psychological distress and social support on academic adjustment among a sample of student veterans who were previously deployed. Design, Setting, and Participants: Participants were 117 military veterans enrolled in college. Questionnaires were administered via SurveyMonkey from June 2012 to April 2013. Results: Results indicated that military unit support during deployment, current social support, anxiety, and posttraumatic symptoms, but not depressive symptoms, were significantly associated with academic adjustment. Conclusions: Results from the current study can be used by college administrators and counseling centers to improve service delivery and programming specifically for student veterans.

With rising numbers of student veterans on today's college campuses, multicultural competence in ... more With rising numbers of student veterans on today's college campuses, multicultural competence in college counseling centers increasingly includes an understanding of military culture and its relation to the psychological health and functioning of student veterans. Research on interpersonal and intrapersonal factors associated with college student veterans' mental health is scarce. The current study examines the contributions of coping style and family social support on symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress in a student veteran sample. We also tested the moderating role of family social support in the relationship between coping style and psychological symptoms. Data from 136 student veterans were analyzed by using path analysis. Results revealed that avoidant coping and family social support significantly predicted depressive and anxiety symptoms. Avoidant coping also significantly predicted posttraumatic stress symptoms. In addition, findings indicated that family social support moderated the relationship between problem-focused coping and depression, as well as between avoidant coping and symptoms of anxiety and depression but not posttraumatic stress. Implications of results for college and university counselors are discussed.

Deployment separation constitutes a significant stressor for U.S. military men and women and thei... more Deployment separation constitutes a significant stressor for U.S. military men and women and their families. Many military personnel return home struggling with physical and/or psychological injuries that challenge their ability to reintegrate and contribute to marital problems, family dysfunction, and emotional or behavioral disturbance in spouses and children. Yet research examining the psychological health and functioning of military families is scarce and rarely driven by developmental theory. The primary purpose of this theoretical paper is to describe a family attachment network model of military families during deployment and reintegration that is grounded in attachment theory and family systems theory. This integra-tive perspective provides a solid empirical foundation and a comprehensive account of individual and family risk and resilience during military-related separations and reunions. The proposed family attachment network model will inform future research and intervention efforts with service members and their families.

Based on family systems theory, the current research extends the literature beyond linear and dya... more Based on family systems theory, the current research extends the literature beyond linear and dyadic processes by examining relationships among multiple levels of the family system and children's psychological functioning, with a particular focus on the pathways through which the executive subsystem may be associated with child adjustment. A community sample of 86 2-parent families with at least one 8-to 11-year-old child was recruited from area schools and organizations. Two family process models were tested to investigate the mediating roles of parent– child attachment and sibling relationship quality in the associations of parent psychopathology or marital adjustment to children's psychological dysfunction. Results indicated that aspects of sibling warmth were directly associated with mother– child attachment and children's emotional and behavioral symptoms, but sibling relationship quality did not mediate associations between the executive subsystem and child outcomes. However, findings did support the mediating role of parent– child attachment in associations between child outcomes and marital distress. Although family therapists often focus on the marital dyad, assuming that improved marital functioning will lead to a reduction of children's symptoms, current results suggest that it is important to go beyond this direct link to assess how marital distress is affecting parent– child interactions and target the parent– child attachment relationship for additional intervention.

This study examined the theoretically expected contributions of early emotional abuse, adult atta... more This study examined the theoretically expected contributions of early emotional abuse, adult attachment, and depression to several aspects of romantic relationship functioning. College students in dating relationships (N = 285) completed an online survey, including measures of childhood emotional maltreatment, adult attachment style, psychological distress, and romantic relationships. Results indicated that childhood emotional maltreatment directly predicted insecure adult attachment. In the full models, emotional maltreatment contributed to dyadic adjustment, but was not a significant predictor of psychological aggression or victimization. In contrast, depression accounted for the largest proportion of variance in the models for reported psychological aggression and victimization, but was nonsignificant for dyadic adjustment. Adult attachment style emerged as an important predictor of all 3 relationship constructs. A vast body of empirical literature supports the association between most forms of childhood maltreatment and a variety of deleterious outcomes in adolescence and adulthood. One exception, however, is that much less is

PLOS ONE, 2016

Childhood maltreatment has diverse, lifelong impact on morbidity and mortality. The Childhood Tra... more Childhood maltreatment has diverse, lifelong impact on morbidity and mortality. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) is one of the most commonly used scales to assess and quantify these experiences and their impact. Curiously, despite very widespread use of the CTQ, scores on its Minimization-Denial (MD) subscale-originally designed to assess a positive response bias-are rarely reported. Hence, little is known about this measure. If response biases are either common or consequential, current practices of ignoring the MD scale deserve revision. Therewith, we designed a study to investigate 3 aspects of minimization, as defined by the CTQ's MD scale: 1) its prevalence; 2) its latent structure; and finally 3) whether minimization moderates the CTQ's discriminative validity in terms of distinguishing between psychiatric patients and community volunteers. Archival, item-level CTQ data from 24 multinational samples were combined for a total of 19,652 participants. Analyses indicated: 1) minimization is common; 2) minimization functions as a continuous construct; and 3) high MD scores attenuate the ability of the CTQ to distinguish between psychiatric patients and community volunteers. Overall, results suggest that a minimizing response bias-as detected by the MD subscale-has a small but significant moderating effect on the CTQ's discriminative validity. Results also may suggest that some prior analyses of maltreatment rates or the effects of early maltreatment that have used the CTQ may have underestimated its incidence and impact. We caution researchers and clinicians about the widespread practice of using the CTQ without the MD or collecting MD data but failing to assess and control for its effects on outcomes or dependent variables.

Unt Speaks Out on Coming Home 2012 Denton Texas United States, Nov 15, 2012

Contemporary School Psychology, 2015

Although suicide clusters have been identified in many populations, research exploring the role o... more Although suicide clusters have been identified in many populations, research exploring the role of online communication in the aftermath of a suicide cluster is extremely limited. This study used the Consensual Qualitative Research method to analyze interviews with ten high school students 1 year after a suicide cluster in a small suburban school district. Interviewee's responses were organized into four domains: The Suicide, Impact, Perceptions of School Environment, and Recovery. The role of social networking emerged as a common theme across domains, suggesting broad relevance to adolescents' experience following the suicide of a peer. Implications for clinical intervention, research, and school policies in the response to student suicides are discussed.

Family Process, 2015

This study examined the links between parent-child attachment, whole family interaction patterns,... more This study examined the links between parent-child attachment, whole family interaction patterns, and child emotional adjustment and adaptability in a sample of 86 community families with children between the ages of 8 and 11 years. Family interactions were observed and coded with the System for Coding Interactions and Family Functioning (SCIFF; Lindahl, 2001). Both parents and each target child completed the appropriate form of the Behavior Assessment System for Children-2nd Edition (BASC-2; Reynolds & Kamphaus, 2004). Target children also completed the Children's Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CCSQ; Yunger, Corby, & Perry, 2005). Hierarchical multiple regressions indicated that Secure mother-child attachment was a robust predictor of children's emotional symptoms, but father-child attachment strategies were not significant independent predictors. Positive Affect in family interactions significantly increased the amount of variance accounted for in children's emotional symptoms. In addition, Family Cohesion and Positive Affect moderated the relationship between father-child attachment and children's emotional symptoms. When data from all BASC-2 informants (mother, father, child) were considered simultaneously and multidimensional constructs were modeled, mother-child security directly predicted children's adjustment and adaptive skills, but the influence of father-child security was fully mediated through positive family functioning. Results of the current study support the utility of considering dyadic attachment and family interaction patterns conjointly when conceptualizing and fostering positive emotional and behavioral outcomes in children.

PLOS ONE, 2016

Childhood maltreatment has diverse, lifelong impact on morbidity and mortality. The Childhood Tra... more Childhood maltreatment has diverse, lifelong impact on morbidity and mortality. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) is one of the most commonly used scales to assess and quantify these experiences and their impact. Curiously, despite very widespread use of the CTQ, scores on its Minimization-Denial (MD) subscale-originally designed to assess a positive response bias-are rarely reported. Hence, little is known about this measure. If response biases are either common or consequential, current practices of ignoring the MD scale deserve revision. Therewith, we designed a study to investigate 3 aspects of minimization, as defined by the CTQ's MD scale: 1) its prevalence; 2) its latent structure; and finally 3) whether minimization moderates the CTQ's discriminative validity in terms of distinguishing between psychiatric patients and community volunteers. Archival, item-level CTQ data from 24 multinational samples were combined for a total of 19,652 participants. Analyses indicated: 1) minimization is common; 2) minimization functions as a continuous construct; and 3) high MD scores attenuate the ability of the CTQ to distinguish between psychiatric patients and community volunteers. Overall, results suggest that a minimizing response bias-as detected by the MD subscale-has a small but significant moderating effect on the CTQ's discriminative validity. Results also may suggest that some prior analyses of maltreatment rates or the effects of early maltreatment that have used the CTQ may have underestimated its incidence and impact. We caution researchers and clinicians about the widespread practice of using the CTQ without the MD or collecting MD data but failing to assess and control for its effects on outcomes or dependent variables.

PsycEXTRA Dataset, 2000

August 2010, 84 pp., 7 tables, 6 figures, references, 109 titles.

There is a well-documented association between interparental conflict and offspring psychological... more There is a well-documented association between interparental conflict and offspring psychological functioning from childhood to early adulthood. Although the literature suggests that interparental conflict affects offspring well-being through cognitive and emotional pathways, little research has addressed how the adult attachment system might mediate the early experience of interparental conflict and psychological distress in adulthood. In the current study, college students (N 330) completed an online survey about their perceptions of early interparental conflict, romantic attachment patterns, and current psychological symptoms. Results suggest that memories of interparental conflict in childhood are significantly related to psychological functioning in emerging adulthood and adult attachment strategies play an important mediating role.

In an effort to improve understanding of the mechanisms that link early maltreatment to later out... more In an effort to improve understanding of the mechanisms that link early maltreatment to later outcomes, this study investigated the mediation effects of adult attachment processes on the association between childhood emotional abuse and later romantic relationships among heterosexual couples. College students and their dating partners (N 310; 155 couples) completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire , Experiences in Close Relationship Scale, and Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Using the Actor–Partner Interdependence Model (Kenny, Kashy, & Cook, 2006), multilevel modeling results indicated that memories of childhood emotional abuse reported by both students and their partners were significantly associated with attachment strategies, as well as romantic relationship quality. Findings supported hypothesized mediation effects of attachment anxiety and avoidance.

A developmental-contextual framework recognizes that children continue to develop and change acro... more A developmental-contextual framework recognizes that children continue to develop and change across the life span and are influenced by previous experiences and by their current environment, including the events and people around them.. This model is especially well suited for use in child custody evaluations. In this article, we review developmental considerations relevant to custodial decisions and consider the defining elements of an attachment bond and the organization of children's attachment networks. Recommendations for research follow. We then provide a detailed example illustrating how the model may be used and conclude with practice implications an recommendations.

In an effort to develop clear and uniform standards for the allocation of custodial responsibilit... more In an effort to develop clear and uniform standards for the allocation of custodial responsibility, the American Law Institute has proposed a number of reforms. For example, under the approximation rule, the proportion of time parents spent with their children performing direct caregiving functions prior to the divorce would be reflected in the proportion of custodial time allotted to each parent after divorce. Much of the rationale used to justify the approximation rule is explicitly or implicitly based on attachment theory (Bowlby, 1969, 1973, 1980). This article discusses the assumptions and implications of the approximation rule from the standpoint of attachment theory. Last year, the American Law Institute (ALI) released its 1,200-page Principles of the Law of Family Dissolution (hereinafter referred to as Principles), in which a number of reforms for family and divorce courts were proposed. Although recent years have seen some meeting of the minds between mental health professionals and legal professionals on the topic of divorce and custody arrangements, the ALI proposals make little reference to, and at times contradict, the accumulated social science evidence (Braver, 2003). For example, in an effort to replace the " best interests of the child " standard and develop clear and uniform standards for the allocation of custodial responsibility, the ALI proposed the approximation rule, which suggests that physical custody arrangements should be based on the time each parent devoted to caretaking prior to separation. Much of the rationale put forth to justify the approximation rule is explicitly or implicitly based on the concept of parent–child attachment originated by Bowlby (1969, 1973, 1980). Kelly and Ward (2002) recently reviewed the attachment literature and concluded that attachment theory was consistent with and seemed to support the approximation rule based on three key areas of conformity: (a) recognition of the importance of caregiving, (b) the ability to form attachments to multiple caregivers, and (c) consistency of attachment relationships. By comparison, the present discussion critiques the approximation rule based on inconsistencies between what the current state of the attachment literature and research can tell us, and the stated justifications for the approximation rule that are grounded in the attachment theory. Although the approximation rule may hold some advantages over current standards, this review argues that it is based on erroneous assumptions that are not supported by the developmental literature. The following review of attachment literature expands upon the earlier overview (Kelly & Ward, 2002) and concentrates on the qualitative differences in behavior and outcome associated with secure attachment *I would like to thank Michael Gottlieb, Ph.D. for his invaluable editorial assistance and mentorship.

Due to the increasing number of married servicemembers with children, the family court system is ... more Due to the increasing number of married servicemembers with children, the family court system is seeing more divorce and custody cases involving military parents and children. The media has highlighted cases in which military members have lost custody of their children ostensibly due to extended deployments required by their military employer. In order to avoid penalizing military members for service to their country while acting in the best interests of children, it is essential that the family courts understand and take into account the unique challenges of military families. This article provides an overview of the military family experience and reviews the literature regarding the military deployment cycle, including its impact on parents, children and the family system. Developmental and contextual considerations and recommendations in the determination of custody for military children are discussed. Key Points for the Family Court Community: • The family attachment network model is useful in developing objective standards and identifying risk and protective factors for military families. • In custody cases involving military families who have experienced deployment, assessment of current and retrospective individual and family functioning (e.g., before, during, after deployment) is necessary. • Current child behaviors may be normal responses to extended separation(s) and subsequent reunion(s) with a deployed parent. • Key considerations and recommendations in custody evaluations for military families are offered.

Context: Research has indicated that returning Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom... more Context: Research has indicated that returning Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF) veterans are experiencing mental health concerns following deployment. Increasing numbers of veterans are enrolling in higher education institutions; there is a scarcity of empirical research investigating student veterans' experiences as they transition into college. Objective: To examine the effects of psychological distress and social support on academic adjustment among a sample of student veterans who were previously deployed. Design, Setting, and Participants: Participants were 117 military veterans enrolled in college. Questionnaires were administered via SurveyMonkey from June 2012 to April 2013. Results: Results indicated that military unit support during deployment, current social support, anxiety, and posttraumatic symptoms, but not depressive symptoms, were significantly associated with academic adjustment. Conclusions: Results from the current study can be used by college administrators and counseling centers to improve service delivery and programming specifically for student veterans.

With rising numbers of student veterans on today's college campuses, multicultural competence in ... more With rising numbers of student veterans on today's college campuses, multicultural competence in college counseling centers increasingly includes an understanding of military culture and its relation to the psychological health and functioning of student veterans. Research on interpersonal and intrapersonal factors associated with college student veterans' mental health is scarce. The current study examines the contributions of coping style and family social support on symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress in a student veteran sample. We also tested the moderating role of family social support in the relationship between coping style and psychological symptoms. Data from 136 student veterans were analyzed by using path analysis. Results revealed that avoidant coping and family social support significantly predicted depressive and anxiety symptoms. Avoidant coping also significantly predicted posttraumatic stress symptoms. In addition, findings indicated that family social support moderated the relationship between problem-focused coping and depression, as well as between avoidant coping and symptoms of anxiety and depression but not posttraumatic stress. Implications of results for college and university counselors are discussed.

Deployment separation constitutes a significant stressor for U.S. military men and women and thei... more Deployment separation constitutes a significant stressor for U.S. military men and women and their families. Many military personnel return home struggling with physical and/or psychological injuries that challenge their ability to reintegrate and contribute to marital problems, family dysfunction, and emotional or behavioral disturbance in spouses and children. Yet research examining the psychological health and functioning of military families is scarce and rarely driven by developmental theory. The primary purpose of this theoretical paper is to describe a family attachment network model of military families during deployment and reintegration that is grounded in attachment theory and family systems theory. This integra-tive perspective provides a solid empirical foundation and a comprehensive account of individual and family risk and resilience during military-related separations and reunions. The proposed family attachment network model will inform future research and intervention efforts with service members and their families.

Based on family systems theory, the current research extends the literature beyond linear and dya... more Based on family systems theory, the current research extends the literature beyond linear and dyadic processes by examining relationships among multiple levels of the family system and children's psychological functioning, with a particular focus on the pathways through which the executive subsystem may be associated with child adjustment. A community sample of 86 2-parent families with at least one 8-to 11-year-old child was recruited from area schools and organizations. Two family process models were tested to investigate the mediating roles of parent– child attachment and sibling relationship quality in the associations of parent psychopathology or marital adjustment to children's psychological dysfunction. Results indicated that aspects of sibling warmth were directly associated with mother– child attachment and children's emotional and behavioral symptoms, but sibling relationship quality did not mediate associations between the executive subsystem and child outcomes. However, findings did support the mediating role of parent– child attachment in associations between child outcomes and marital distress. Although family therapists often focus on the marital dyad, assuming that improved marital functioning will lead to a reduction of children's symptoms, current results suggest that it is important to go beyond this direct link to assess how marital distress is affecting parent– child interactions and target the parent– child attachment relationship for additional intervention.

This study examined the theoretically expected contributions of early emotional abuse, adult atta... more This study examined the theoretically expected contributions of early emotional abuse, adult attachment, and depression to several aspects of romantic relationship functioning. College students in dating relationships (N = 285) completed an online survey, including measures of childhood emotional maltreatment, adult attachment style, psychological distress, and romantic relationships. Results indicated that childhood emotional maltreatment directly predicted insecure adult attachment. In the full models, emotional maltreatment contributed to dyadic adjustment, but was not a significant predictor of psychological aggression or victimization. In contrast, depression accounted for the largest proportion of variance in the models for reported psychological aggression and victimization, but was nonsignificant for dyadic adjustment. Adult attachment style emerged as an important predictor of all 3 relationship constructs. A vast body of empirical literature supports the association between most forms of childhood maltreatment and a variety of deleterious outcomes in adolescence and adulthood. One exception, however, is that much less is

PLOS ONE, 2016

Childhood maltreatment has diverse, lifelong impact on morbidity and mortality. The Childhood Tra... more Childhood maltreatment has diverse, lifelong impact on morbidity and mortality. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) is one of the most commonly used scales to assess and quantify these experiences and their impact. Curiously, despite very widespread use of the CTQ, scores on its Minimization-Denial (MD) subscale-originally designed to assess a positive response bias-are rarely reported. Hence, little is known about this measure. If response biases are either common or consequential, current practices of ignoring the MD scale deserve revision. Therewith, we designed a study to investigate 3 aspects of minimization, as defined by the CTQ's MD scale: 1) its prevalence; 2) its latent structure; and finally 3) whether minimization moderates the CTQ's discriminative validity in terms of distinguishing between psychiatric patients and community volunteers. Archival, item-level CTQ data from 24 multinational samples were combined for a total of 19,652 participants. Analyses indicated: 1) minimization is common; 2) minimization functions as a continuous construct; and 3) high MD scores attenuate the ability of the CTQ to distinguish between psychiatric patients and community volunteers. Overall, results suggest that a minimizing response bias-as detected by the MD subscale-has a small but significant moderating effect on the CTQ's discriminative validity. Results also may suggest that some prior analyses of maltreatment rates or the effects of early maltreatment that have used the CTQ may have underestimated its incidence and impact. We caution researchers and clinicians about the widespread practice of using the CTQ without the MD or collecting MD data but failing to assess and control for its effects on outcomes or dependent variables.

Unt Speaks Out on Coming Home 2012 Denton Texas United States, Nov 15, 2012

Contemporary School Psychology, 2015

Although suicide clusters have been identified in many populations, research exploring the role o... more Although suicide clusters have been identified in many populations, research exploring the role of online communication in the aftermath of a suicide cluster is extremely limited. This study used the Consensual Qualitative Research method to analyze interviews with ten high school students 1 year after a suicide cluster in a small suburban school district. Interviewee's responses were organized into four domains: The Suicide, Impact, Perceptions of School Environment, and Recovery. The role of social networking emerged as a common theme across domains, suggesting broad relevance to adolescents' experience following the suicide of a peer. Implications for clinical intervention, research, and school policies in the response to student suicides are discussed.

Family Process, 2015

This study examined the links between parent-child attachment, whole family interaction patterns,... more This study examined the links between parent-child attachment, whole family interaction patterns, and child emotional adjustment and adaptability in a sample of 86 community families with children between the ages of 8 and 11 years. Family interactions were observed and coded with the System for Coding Interactions and Family Functioning (SCIFF; Lindahl, 2001). Both parents and each target child completed the appropriate form of the Behavior Assessment System for Children-2nd Edition (BASC-2; Reynolds & Kamphaus, 2004). Target children also completed the Children's Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CCSQ; Yunger, Corby, & Perry, 2005). Hierarchical multiple regressions indicated that Secure mother-child attachment was a robust predictor of children's emotional symptoms, but father-child attachment strategies were not significant independent predictors. Positive Affect in family interactions significantly increased the amount of variance accounted for in children's emotional symptoms. In addition, Family Cohesion and Positive Affect moderated the relationship between father-child attachment and children's emotional symptoms. When data from all BASC-2 informants (mother, father, child) were considered simultaneously and multidimensional constructs were modeled, mother-child security directly predicted children's adjustment and adaptive skills, but the influence of father-child security was fully mediated through positive family functioning. Results of the current study support the utility of considering dyadic attachment and family interaction patterns conjointly when conceptualizing and fostering positive emotional and behavioral outcomes in children.