Attentional-bias to sleep-related stimuli in children with sleep-problems: an investigation using an induced-change-blindness paradigm

Creanor, Victoria C. (2011) Attentional-bias to sleep-related stimuli in children with sleep-problems: an investigation using an induced-change-blindness paradigm. D Clin Psy thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Introduction. High prevalence-rates of childhood sleep-problems have highlighted the importance to understand what causes/maintains them. Attentional-bias (AB), a phenomenon involved in psychological problem-maintenance, involves attention becoming skewed towards problem-specific stimuli. Research into AB in childhood psychological-problems is now growing. Other research shows parental health-beliefs to be influential on their children's health. Method. Using an induced-change-blindness flicker paradigm, the current study investigates AB to sleep-related stimuli in children with sleep-problems aged 6-11, while correlational-analysis examines the relationship between parental health-beliefs and effort made to address children's sleep-problems. Results. All children detected sleep-related changes quicker than neutral changes. Of those completing the sleep-related task, good sleepers were quicker, while of those completing the neutral task, poor sleepers were quicker. The more parents believed they could influence their own health-status, the more effort they made to address their child's health-problem. Discussion. Potential theories for the results are presented in addition to methodological flaws, limitations and general conclusions.

• Item Type: Thesis (D Clin Psy)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Attention, attention* bias, select* attention, cognit* bias, cognit* interference, change blindness, induced change blindness flicker paradigm, stimuli, childhood, children, p?ediatric, sleep
• Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > Institute of Health and Wellbeing
• Supervisor's Name: Espie, Prof. Colin A.
• Date of Award: 2011
• Depositing User: Dr Victoria Caroline Creanor
• Unique ID: glathesis:2011-2931
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 08 Nov 2011
• Last Modified: 10 Dec 2012 14:02
• URI: http://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/2931