Clinical Psychology

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An Individualized Approach to Conceptualizing Problematic Internet Use, in the Context of the Pre-existing Psychopathology
(2020) Loukieh, Stephanie
Background: Internet Addiction (IA), a rapidly growing clinical phenomenon in mental health with detrimental consequences, is yet to be deemed a new independent disorder, due to speculation around it being an extension of a pre-existing Psychiatric disorder. This impacts the development of treatment modalities for this addiction, and the way in which it can best be incorporated into the DSM-5. This study attempts to search for signs of differentiation in this disorder across different Psychiatric diagnoses. Method: The prevalence rate of Internet Addiction across five major diagnostic groups was checked, using the Internet Addiction Test, while controlling for age, through Binomial Logistic Regression; and the Updated Cognitive Behavioral Model of Generalized Problematic Internet Use (PIU) was tested within each group, using the Generalized Problematic Internet Use Scale 2, through Multi-group Structural Equation Modeling. Results: There’s a significant difference in the comorbidity with IA across the disorders, and the highest is with Bipolar Disorders; however, the Obsessive-Compulsive group has more severe cases and a higher mean score on the IAT, this is in comparison with Anxiety, Depression, and Schizophrenia spectrum groups. The least comorbidity of IA is with the latter. Excessive use was significantly higher in the Obsessive-Compulsive and Bipolar groups. The Cognitive-Behavioral model changed in two of the five groups, the Depression group model emphasized the role of Mood Regulation in the development of PIU more than the original, and the Schizophrenia group model developed a new interesting pathway, highlighting the social challenges of that disorder. Conclusion: preliminary findings show significant signs of differentiation in the development and process of IA across pre-existing disorders, suggesting that cases of IA should be conceptualized in an individualized approach.
Aspects of Personality that Predict Resilience among Lebanese University Students
(2016) Daouk, Sariah
The purpose of the study was to examine which aspects of personality predict change in total resilience scores among Lebanese university students. It was hypothesized that broad personality factors (positive emotionality, negative emotionality, and constraint) would significantly predict total resilience score. More specifically, achievement motivation, wellbeing, social potency, and stress reaction traits would be among the significant predictors of resilience. The Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire Brief Form (MPQ-BF) and the Connor Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) were used as instruments as well as a demographic data sheet. A total of 180 participants were recruited through convenience sampling from 3 different private universities in Lebanon. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, t-tests, Analysis of Variance, and standard Multivariate regression analysis. Positive emotionality and negative emotionality significantly predicted 20.2% of the variance in total resilience score, with positive emotionality being the stronger predictor. Achievement motivation, well-being, and stress reaction significantly predicted 28.1% variability in total resilience score, with Achievement motivation being the stronger predictor. Overall, mental health professionals and counselors can use the findings on positive emotionality, negative emotionality, achievement motivation, wellbeing, and stress reaction scales to help students better mitigate daily stressors and to promote everyday resilience.
Attachment and Reflective Functioning Moderating the Relationship between Child Sexual and Physical Abuse, Post-traumatic Stress, and Post-traumatic Growth
(2023) Jammoul, Abeer
This study intends to further explore the relationship between child sexual and physical abuse, trauma, and growth, with an emphasis on its link to attachment and reflective functioning. It expands on previous work by assessing the degree to which attachment security plays a role in the relationship between a history of child sexual and physical abuse and posttrauma-related symptoms with highlighting the possibility of post traumatic-growth. It also aims to highlight the significance of mentalization/reflective functioning that can be a protective factor between child sexual and physical abuse and both PTS and PTG A sample of 125 Lebanese adults 18 years and older, living in Lebanon, who have experienced sexual and physical abuse during childhood were asked to fill out a questionnaire including demographic questions and a 25 minute questionnaire sexual and physical abuse questionnaire (SPAQ), revised-adult attachment scale (close relationship version), the reflective functioning questionnaire (RFQ), the PCL‐5 short version 4-item self-report questionnaire, and finally a final structure of 8 items scale that measure PTG (PTGI-8). Only 85 met criteria and were included in the study. In this sample, secure attachment plays a protective in individuals who experienced childhood abuse where securely attached individuals scores lower on PTS than insecurely attached. However, attachment doesn’t play a role in the relation between child abuse and PTG. Reflective functioning is also a good protective factor by which “genuine” mentalizing aids in lowering PTS symptoms in abused individuals, however it doesn’t have the same powerful significance in increasing PTG.
Attachment Insecurity and Eating behavior: The Mediating Role of Difficulties in Emotion Regulation
(2021) Baker, Myriam Claire
Attitudes, Beliefs and Expectations Towards Maternal Employment and Non-parental Care among Female University Students
(2011) Fiani, Nathalie J.
The purpose of the current study was to investigate the attitudes and expectations of female Lebanese college students (N = 145) in regard to maternal employment, exclusivity of maternal care, and non-parental childcare. Beliefs about the costs and benefits of maternal employment were measured by the Beliefs about the Consequences of Maternal Employment scale (BACMEC). The Exclusive Maternal Care scale determined the extent to which the participants believe that only a mother is best suited to care for her child, whereas the Home/Employment Orientation scale evaluated the woman's preference for staying home versus her desire to return to work. Additional variables were explored in order to identify the subjects' preferences and perceived future plans in relation to maternal work history, the type and timing of non-parental care arrangements, work resumption, and the major factors influencing such decisions. The study indicated a significant relationship between early maternal work history, beliefs in the benefits of maternal work, and work resumption. Moreover, beliefs in the costs of maternal work were significantly associated to the attitudes toward the exclusivity of maternal care, which in turn yielded a significant relation to participants' home/employment orientation. The correlation between subjects' home/career inclinations and preferred age of the child to be placed in childcare and for mother to resume work also proved significant.
Body Dissatisfaction, Social Comparison, Life Satisfaction, and Gender as Predictors of Disordered Eating Behaviors in Lebanese University Students
(2020) Khalil, Karim
The study investigated the relationships between body dissatisfaction, social comparison, life satisfaction, gender and disordered eating behaviors (restrictive, emotional, and external eating) in Lebanese university students. A total of 130 participants participated in this survey design study by filling a demographics sheet, the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), the Physical Appearance Comparison Scale–3 (PACS-3), the Brief Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale- College Version (BMSLSS-C), and the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ). It was found that body dissatisfaction, upper social comparison, dissatisfaction with self were predictors of restrained eating behaviors. Satisfaction with family, on the other hand, was found to be a predictor of emotional eating behaviors. Moreover, upper social comparison was found to be a predictor of external eating behaviors. Females engaged in more restrictive eating than males, but no significant gender differences were found with emotional and external eating. We concluded that higher body dissatisfaction, as well as higher social comparisons and lower life satisfaction can have negative consequences on eating behaviors in university students, but more so with females. We recommended helping students through psychoeducational programs and family counseling for improved body image and behavior.
Body Weight, Self-esteem and Depression in Lebanese Male and Female University Students
(2005) Papas, Anita D.
The purpose of this study was to examine differences in body weight and desired body weight between males and females, also to find out if the discrepancy of actual weight and desired weight led to low self-esteem and depressive symptoms. Perception of a weight problem was studied in relation to self-esteem and depression as well. The sample consisted of 160 university students, BMI and DBMI were calculated based on self-reported weight and height. Perception of having a weight problem was evaluated by one question: "Do you see yourself as having a weight problem?" Self-esteem was measured by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and depression was measured by using the Beck Depression Inventory. The results conveyed that more females than males were in the underweight and normal weight categories. Desired BMI was always lower for females in all weight categories whereas for males desired BMI fluctuated a lot depending on their weight category. The discrepancy between actual weight and desired weight had no relation to self-esteem and depression. Perception of a weight problem did not predict level of self-esteem however in predicting depression the relation proved to be highly significant.
Bullying as a Predictor with Personality Traits as a Moderation of Employees’ Burnout at the Workplace in Lebanese Corporations
(2022) Nassar, Diana Gharib
The workplace can impose significant pressures on employees that can lead to unprecedented outcomes that have significant impact on their psychological well-being. Studies have suggested that workplace bullying is one of the pressures faced by employees, whereby they are exposed to several offenses, physical and verbal. Investigations in that regard have shown that workplace bullying is an indicator of burnout in employees, which is a work-related stress characterized by physical or emotional tiredness, as well as a sense of diminished achievability and self-worth. Moreover, literature has briefly attempted to integrate personality factors into understanding how it affects the relationship between workplace bullying and burnout. To further extend the research to Lebanon, the study at hand investigated personality as a moderator between workplace bullying and burnout, specifically the personality traits of neuroticism and extraversion. In a form that combined three questionnaires - Maslach Burnout Inventory, Negative Acts Questionnaire, and Big Five inventory – data was collected from 115 employees in diverse Lebanese corporations. Using hierarchal multiple regression, the results found that workplace bullying was directly related to burnout. However, neuroticism and extraversion were not found to be moderators between workplace bullying and burnout. Nevertheless, an interesting finding highlighted how neuroticism had a significant effect on burnout and extraversion had a significant negative relationship with workplace bullying. Despite the limitations accompanied with the small sample size, this is the first study to discuss this complicated relationship in Lebanon. Further research should focus on the relationship between workplace bullying and personality factors.
“Changing Hearts and Minds”: The Effects of Self-affirmation and Mediated Intergroup Contact on Transgender Prejudice among Lebanese Cisgender Individuals
(2021) Abou Samra, Isabel
Transgender people across the world experience widespread prejudice, discrimination and violence because of the way in which they express their gender identity (James et al., 2016; FRA, 2014, 2020; Wang et al., 2020). In Lebanon, transgender women report substantial discrimination and exclusion across multiple sectors of life such as education, employment, housing, and healthcare (HRW, 2019). Despite the severity of transgender prejudice and its harmful impact on transwomen’s lives, no research thus far has examined interventions targeting this type of prejudice in Lebanon. The purpose of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of five interventions informed by “intergroup contact” (Allport, 1954) and “self-affirmation” (Steele, 1988) theories to reduce prejudice toward transgender women in Lebanon. The study employed an experimental 3 x 2 between-subjects factorial design with three self-affirmation manipulations (values-affirmation vs. mastery recall affirmation vs. no affirmation) and two mediated contact manipulations (mediated contact vs. no contact). The experiment was administered online via Qualtrics with a sample of 219 heterosexual cisgender Lebanese men and women. Results indicated that mediated intergroup contact had a significant main effect on behavioral tendencies and to a lesser extent, perceived threat. Values-affirmation had a significant main effect on behavioral tendencies. Mastery recall affirmation had a significant main effect on behavioral tendencies, and to a lesser extent outgroup feelings. There was no clear interaction effect between self-affirmation and mediated contact. The present study was the first to experimentally assess a number of interventions targeting transgender prejudice in Lebanon, if not the Middle East region. By assessing the efficacy of theory-based interventions to reduce prejudice against transgender women, it addresses some of the existing gaps in transgender prejudice research literature. Moreover, the findings may potentially help design better programs to combat transgender prejudice across various societal domains, such as healthcare, employment, and education.
Contributions of Perceived Parental Religiosity, Perceived Positive Parenting Practices and Religiosity to Psychological Well-being of Emerging Lebanese Adults
(2019) Najjar, Grace
Little is known in research on how parental religiosity affects parenting practices, children’s religiosity and their well-being. Many studies have examined the relation between parents’ religiosity and parenting in emerging adults, however they neither included the child’s religiosity as a possible factor affecting well-being nor have used samples representing different religious affiliations: Christians, Muslims, Druze and Non-Religious. The present study explored the contributions of perceived parental religiosity, perceived positive parenting practices and emerging adults’ religiosity to emerging Lebanese adults’ psychological well-being. A potential mediating role of perceived positive parenting practices was predicted. An empirical quantitative survey design was conducted using a sample of 198 emerging adults distributed between Christians, Muslims, Druze and Non-Religious. Correlational and multi-linear regression analyses were done. No mediation was found between perceived positive parenting practices, perceived parents’ religiosity, emerging adults’ religiosity and their well-being. Maternal parenting practices were the only contributors to emerging adults’ well-being. Perceived Maternal and Paternal religiosity were positively correlated to emerging adults’ religiosity but negatively correlated to perceived positive parenting practices. Religiosity was not found to relate to well-being. The results were explained in terms of how religiosity was transmitted to emerging adults, the symbolic versus literal interpretation of religion and cultural factors affecting parents’ openness to change and flexibility.
Courtship Length, Communication Patterns and, Religiosity as Predictors of Marital Satisfaction among a Sample of Adults in Lebanon
(2020) Pasha, Ayla
Although many studies have sought to investigate predictors of marital satisfaction, a majority of these studies have been done in the Western context (Alder, 2010; Marks, 2005; Rois, 2010). Therefore, the aim of the current study was to evaluate whether certain premarital and concurrent variables act as predictors of marital satisfaction in Lebanon. The predictor variables to be studied are: courtship length, communication patterns (the 4 Horseman of the Apocalypse theory) and, religiosity. The study was a quantitative survey design using a purposeful convenient sample consisting of 318 participants in heterosexual marriages lasting for more than one year and under 10 years. The questionnaire administered consisted of a demographic section, consent form, modified 4 Horseman of the Apocalypse questionnaire, Revised Intrinsic/Extrinsic Religious Orientation Scale (ROS) and the Quality Marital Index. It was hypothesized that religiosity and courtship length are positively correlated with marital satisfaction whereas negative communication patterns are negatively correlated with marital satisfaction. Results of the study showed that length of courtship, presence of the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse and religiosity were predictors of marital satisfaction.
Depression, Anxiety and Self-esteem of Institutionalized and Non-institutionalized Lebanese Adolescents
(2011) Daaboul, Juliet
It was previously predicted that adolescents living in institutional homes and orphanages, away from the typical nurturing environment in a family, would have more psychological symptoms than those living with their parents. A sample of Lebanese adolescents living in orphanages and institutional homes (AOI, n= 75) were compared to those living with their parents and families (APF, n= 75) on depression, anxiety and self-esteem. Both samples were given the Centre for Epidemiological Depression Scale for Children (CED-SC), Spence Children Anxiety Scale (SCAS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE-S), and a demographic questionnaire. Lebanese adolescents in orphanages and institutional homes were found with higher symptoms of depression and anxiety. No difference in self-esteem was found between both samples. Additionally, when males and females were compared separately, no difference was found in the self-esteem of both samples. Having a deceased parent was not found to lead to higher symptoms of depression in Lebanese adolescents living in institutional homes and orphanages. These results were compared to previous findings, and suggestions were made for further studies.
Domestic Violence: A Man's Perspective: A Lebanese Study
(2000) Mroueh, Mona Mohammed
The research was conducted in order to investigate the male perspective on violence. The literature review showed the social, psychological, and biological causes of violence. Two studies were conducted to explore how men defined and justified violence, and how wives explained what instigated it. The survey showed a discrepancy between the male's and the couple's answers: Whereas men defined violence as physical act, women viewed it mainly as psychological one. Both, men and women, attributed violence to feelings of lack of control and facing financial problems. Two findings may be valuable for couple therapy: The first one was why men were afraid to discuss "violence". Was it because they were violent themselves? The second one was that both men and women considered violence as a means of teaching the wife a lesson. These two findings are worth investigating in future research.
Drama Therapy in a Lebanese Prison
(2011) Daccache, Zeina
This thesis is essentially an exploratory study that examined the effect of participation in a drama therapy program on the psychological well-being of an inmate sample in Roumieh prison, Lebanon. In conjunction with previous theoretical research on the topic of drama therapy, the study provided an analysis of the effect of this discipline on two aspects of the psychological well-being of the inmates: their relational capacities (relation with oneself and with other people) and their psychiatric symptoms. These two effects constitute the two hypotheses analyzed in this thesis, specifically: 1 – The participation in the drama therapy program improves the psychological well-being of the sample inmates in Roumieh prison by producing a change in their relation to oneself and to other people. 2 – The participation in the drama therapy program improves the psychological well-being of the sample inmates in Roumieh prison by effecting a reduction in their psychological distress and psychiatric disorders' symptoms. To test these hypotheses, two evaluating tools were used. The "I Am Poem", a sentence completion material was used as a projective tool to test the first hypothesis, and the "Brief Symptom Inventory" (BSI) a 53 items test intended to measure psychological distress and psychiatric disorders was used to test the second prediction. The results showed that the relational capacities of the inmates in Roumieh prison were improved as a function of their participation in the drama therapy program, whereas their psychiatric symptoms weren't considerably influenced by the program. The thesis attempted to explain these results according to the situational context and conditions in which the study was conducted namely the prison environment.
Effect of Storytelling Methods on Language Perfermance among Two to Four Year Old Children
(2006) Al-Hidiq Zebib, Dina
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of storytelling methods and text genre on language performance among two to four year olds. Impact on language was measured through word recall scores. The storytelling activities were divided into four conditions which utilized books, props, or neither. The sample consisted of 20 preschoolers in the writer's child care center. As expected, results revealed that the storytelling method which utilizes props in conjunction with the storybooks better impacts language performance than the other methods. However, no differences were found in word recall scores from different text genres, results have implications for parents, early childhood education centers, and preschools because their support will yield positive outcomes for the future performance of very young children.
Facebook Addiction and its Relationship with Narcissism, Self-esteem, and Perfectionism in Lebanese Adults
(2015) El-Khoury, Hala
The current study examined the relationship between Facebook addiction, narcissism, self-esteem, and perfectionism in Lebanese adults. The sample consisted of 138 participants who answered a survey that consisted of the following scales: a Facebook-Use Survey, The Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale, The Narcissistic Personality Inventory (NPI-40), The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and The Perfectionism Inventory. Results of the study showed a nonexistent relationship between narcissism and Facebook addiction; however among female participants there existed a significant positive correlation between narcissism and Facebook addiction. This positive relation goes in line with previous reviews, and it is possible that the gender difference is due to the larger amount of female participants than male participants. Results also showed a negative correlation between self-esteem and Facebook addiction, which was slightly stronger among the male participants. This also goes in line with previous studies. Finally, results showed no significant relationship between perfectionism as a whole and Facebook addiction, but there was a negative correlation between conscientious perfectionism and Facebook addiction. Perfectionism and Facebook addiction is a relatively new field; therefore, more extensive research is needed to understand the relation between both variables.
Factors Influencing Mental Health of Lebanese Parents of Children with Special Needs
(2013) Kabbara, Ghania
The purpose of the present study aimed at assessing the mental health of Lebanese parents of children with special needs and the extent to which factors such as coping skills, gender differences, socio-demographic status (monthly income and education level), and types and severity of their children’s disabilities affect their wellbeing. The sample of this study consisted of 320 parents of children with special needs. The instruments used were 3 questionnaires demographic information, Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scale (F-COPES) and Wellbeing Assessment Tool distributed in special needs schools and associations. The results revealed that the total F-COPES scores were positively correlated to Total Wellbeing. Besides, further findings confirmed that parents’ educational level and income had an effect only on the Intellectual Health wellbeing subscale. In addition, mothers proved to have a higher wellbeing as compared to fathers. Last but not least, parents of children with mental disabilities scored significantly higher on the Physical Health Wellbeing scale than parents whose children have a physical disability. Finally, the study uncovered major findings, which will help contribute and improve the wellbeing of the Lebanese parents in the near future.
Factors Predicting Socio-cultural Adaptation and Psychological Adjustment of Lebanese Women in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
(2015) Dandash, Fatima
This study assessed the relationship between socio-cultural adaptation and depression, including their predictive variables, among 200 Lebanese women residing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The convenient sample of women completed the Cultural Distance Scale, the Socio-Cultural Adaptation Scale (SCAS), the Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), the Social Ties, the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire- Revised (Extraversion/Introversion) subscale. Socio-cultural adaptation was significantly positively correlated with cultural distance, residence duration, language, and interaction with locals as well as negatively correlated with depression. Depression was significantly positively correlated with life changes and negatively correlated with extraversion. Also depression was not significantly correlated with satisfaction with relationships with Saudis and other Lebanese and non-Lebanese expatriates. Moreover, depression was the strongest significant predictor of socio-cultural adaptation, while marital satisfaction was the strongest predictor of depression.
False Memories in Social Settings as a Consequence of Categorical Thinking
(2012) Aghasyan, Satenik
The present study examined the effects of stereotyping on creation of false memories in social settings. It examined how perceivers process (memorize and recall) expectancy consistent (stereotype congruent) and expectancy inconsistent (stereotype incongruent) information based on categorical thinking. Moreover, the study shed light on underlying phenomenological aspects of the participants' personal judgments of the recall of the items including forenames (Experiment 1) and faces (Experiment 2) paired with either mechanic or nurse occupations. The participants (Exp. 1 N=50, Exp. 2 N=30) were given a memorization task including expectancy consistent and inconsistent names (Exp. 1) and faces (Exp. 2) paired with mechanic or nurse occupations, after the recall task, participants were asked to give their personal judgment (remember, know or guess) about the recall. Results were computed, using paired samples and independent samples t tests. Obtained data showed that false and correct memories were stereotypically congruent in nature and that the participants were mostly guessing the answers due to the difficulty of the task relying on presence of stereotypy.
Fear of Failure and Motivation on Behavior of Choice among High School Students
(2011) Arakelian, Ani
The study attempted to examine a set of hypotheses relating fear of failure (FF) to motivation and their effect on choice of task difficulty level among high school students (N = 115). The Performance Failure Appraisal Inventory (PFAI), a rating scale on participants’ inclination to take part in a visual IQ task, the completion of one visual IQ task and the Situational Motivation Scale (SIMS) were group administered. Results were computed using analysis of variance, correlation, regression and non parametric tests. Obtained data indicated that those who are intrinsically motivated were more inclined to take part in a novel task than those extrinsically motivated or amotivated. The findings also revealed that choosing to participate in a proposed visual IQ task depended on whether the school was English or French in orientation, and the higher the grade level, the less likely they were to participate. There was a further tendency for older participants to choose an easier level of the IQ task than the younger ones. Results were explained in terms of FF needing the proper context to operate effectively.

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