Date Approved
7-6-2026
Embargo Period
7-6-2027
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D. Clinical Psychology
Department
Clinical Psychology
College
College of Science & Mathematics
Advisor
Steven Brunwasser, Ph.D.
Committee Member 1
Meredith Jones, Ph.D.
Committee Member 2
Judy Garber, Ph.D.
Committee Member 3
Leslie Swanson, Ph.D.
Keywords
Adolescent Sleep;Cognitive Coping Capacity;Penn Resiliency Program;Perinatal Sleep;Postpartum Depression;Prevention
Disciplines
Clinical Psychology | Psychology | Social and Behavioral Sciences
Abstract
Depression is a major public health concern, with fluctuations commonly seen during critical transition periods of adolescence and the perinatal period. Cognitive- behavioral (CB) approaches show sufficient evidence to be considered as first-line interventions for depression. Despite overall effectiveness of CB approaches, there is considerable variability in intervention effects, and further research is needed to understand factors that modify these effects. Literature has shown sleep deprivation can impair high-level cognitive skills needed to implement cognitive coping strategies, such as meta-cognition, cognitive flexibility, and processing speed. However, we know of no research among young adolescents or perinatal individuals evaluating the effects of sleep difficulty on capacity to implement adaptive cognitive coping strategies targeted by CB interventions or one’s capacity to benefit from CB interventions. This dissertation will have two primary aims. Study 1 evaluates the feasibility of a prospective cohort study evaluating whether poor sleep quality in the postpartum period negatively impacts ability to utilize cognitive coping skills. Study 2 will test whether pre-intervention sleep difficulty inhibits the benefits of an adolescent CB preventive intervention on hopeless explanatory style. If sleep difficulty does inhibit capacity for targeted coping skills and CB intervention effects, incorporating low-burden sleep training into established empirically supported interventions could lead to increased program engagement and improved outcomes.
Recommended Citation
Satish, Anisha, "Evaluating the Role of Sleep Quality in the Use of Cognitive Coping Skills in the Postpartum and Adolescent Populations" (2026). Theses and Dissertations. 3559.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/3559
