Digital Commons Network^™

Black Women's Desire For Love And Connection: What Is Ref Debt?, Joyice Robinson Myers

Education Graduate Presentations

This developing study explores the dating experiences of millennial Black women with Black men, aiming to understand their perspectives and the challenges they face in forming romantic relationships. Drawing on data from eight unstructured interviews with cisgender, heterosexual Black women, this research identifies key themes related to intimacy, emotional well-being, and financial contributions within relationships. The concept of Relational, Emotional, & Financial (REF) Debt is examined, highlighting how historical and systemic factors continue to impact dating and forming Black relationships. Initial findings reveal that Black women navigate dating with concerns about relationship quality and emotional depth, influenced by systemic racism …

Factors That Inhibit And Support The Work Of School-Based Mental Health Providers, David B. Naff, Jennifer Murphy, Alexandra Javna, Wyatt Aldrich, Erin Standish, Jeen Joy, Ciana Cross, Sandra Saji

MERC Publications

This research brief comes from the MERC Supporting Mental Health in Schools study. Launched in 2021 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study explores research-based strategies for supporting mental health in PK-12 school settings, as well as the emotional and professional capacity of PK-12 faculty and staff in the MERC region to support the social and emotional wellness of their students. This brief shares takeaways from a systematic literature review that highlight the factors that inhibit and support the work of school-based mental health providers, including school counselors, school social workers, and school psychologists. It outlines the roles …

Educational, Economic, And Marital Debts Owed To Black Males: A Systematic Literature Review, Joyice Robinson Myers

Education Graduate Presentations

This systematic literature review will determine: (1) the relationship among family structure, educational attainment, and economic standing of Black males and (2) the impact that Black males’ educational attainment and economic standing have on their marital or paternal availability.

Effects Of (2r,6r)-Hydroxynorketamine In Assays Of Acute Pain-Stimulated And Pain-Depressed Behaviors In Mice, Todd M. Hillhouse, Kaitlyn J. Partridge, Patrick I. Garrett, Sarah C. Honeycutt, Joseph H. Porter

Psychology Publications

Ketamine has been shown to produce analgesia in various acute and chronic pain states; however, abuse liability concerns have limited its utility. The ketamine metabolite (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK) has been shown to produce antidepressant-like effects similar to ketamine without abuse liability concerns. (2R,6R)-HNK produces sustained analgesia in models of chronic pain, but has yet to be evaluated in models of acute pain. The present study evaluated the efficacy of acute (2R,6R)-HNK administration (one injection) in assays of pain-stimulated (52- and 56-degree hot plate test and acetic acid writhing) and …

The Extent To Which The Humanistic Approach In Japanese Juvenile Training Schools Affects Recidivism, Natalie Bui

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Japan’s juvenile justice system is regarded as one of the most unique and successful implementations of reformative justice. This approach has remained effective in maintaining Japan’s low rates of juvenile delinquency and recidivism, despite massive changes in Japanese society over the past decade. While Japan’s crime seems to be on an impressive decline, the United States continues to struggle with social control, juvenile delinquency, and, more recently, demands for justice reform from social movements like the Black Lives Matter Movement. The American juvenile justice system needs reform now more than ever and where better to get inspiration, than the industrialized …

Legal Pressure To Attend Substance Abuse Treatment, Angelicia Courteau

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

This paper was written to bring awareness of how the legal system does not take into consideration those who suffer from substance use disorder, as well as ACEs. Brian Luke Burijon’s battle with addiction while incarcerated was used as an example of how the legal system’s one-size-fits-all approach is flawed. Mr. Burijon opted for a treatment he did not feel was ideal for him because the alternative was to remain incarcerated for a long period. Mr. Burijon was unable to tolerate the treatment at the facility and left early, which resulted in his overdose death.

Friends In Fiction: Bonding With Fictional Characters Introduced Through Fictional Narrative Positively Affects And Interplays With The Psychology And Social Behaviors Of Adults To Influence Engagement, Vishnupriya Alavala

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

Just as people can form relationships with each other, they can befriend and interact with characters. As broadening media outlets continue to introduce fictional characters, it is vital to understand the effects relationships with characters, referred to as parasocial phenomena, have on individuals. In turn, this will offer a new perspective on the effects of engaging with fiction. Bonding with fictional characters introduced through television or print narratives affects and interplays with the psychology and social behaviors of adults. Most studies support the positive effects of parasocial phenomena in terms of personality, mindset, and social skills. Other studies state that …

Masculinity, Pornography, And Inceldom: The Use Of American Ideals Of Masculinity And The Consumption Of Heterosexual Pornography To Radicalize Young Men Into Inceldom, Adelaide Verdugo-Thomson

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

The increased presence of the internet has granted many young American men a safe space to share beliefs and experiences, access new materials, and reach wider audiences. At the same time, heterosexual pornographic content has become increasingly accessible, and misogynistic beliefs are protected on various user-run forums. Male dominance in heterosexual pornography, the prevalence of rape myth acceptance, Incel slang, and the strong brotherhood bonds present in Incel communities may be radicalizing factors to encourage young American men to adopt Incel ideology. This literature review seeks to highlight the relationship between American masculinity, consumption of heterosexual pornography, and Inceldom in …

Factors Associated With Patient-Reported Experiences And Outcomes Of Substance Use Disorder Treatment In Cape Town, South Africa, Bronwyn Myers, J. Randy Koch, Kim Johnson, Nadine Harker

Psychology Publications

Background

Interventions are needed to improve the quality of South Africa’s substance use disorder (SUD) treatment system. This study aimed to identify factors associated with patient-reported suboptimal access, quality, and outcomes of SUD treatment to guide the design of targeted quality improvement initiatives.

Method

We analysed clinical record and patient survey data routinely collected by SUD services in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. The sample included 1097 treatment episodes, representing 32% of all episodes in 2019. Using multivariate logistic regression, we modelled socio-demographic, substance use and treatment correlates of patient-reported suboptimal access to, quality and outcomes of SUD treatment. …

To Vax Or Not To Vax: Predictors Of Anti-Vax Attitudes And Covid-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Prior To Widespread Vaccine Availability, Hannah A. Roberts, D. Angus Clark, Claire Kalina, Carter Sherman, Sarah Brislin, Mary M. Heitzeg, Brian M. Hick

Psychology Publications

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a highly contagious disease responsible for millions of deaths worldwide. Effective vaccines against COVID-19 are now available, however, an extreme form of vaccine hesitancy known as anti-vax attitudes challenge vaccine acceptance and distribution efforts. To understand these anti-vax attitudes and their associated psychological characteristics, we examined several predictors of vaccine hesitancy for COVID-19 and anti-vax attitudes generally. We surveyed 1004 adults (M = 47.0 years, SD = 17.1 years, range 18–98 years) in September-October 2020 across the United States (51% female, 49% male; 76.5% White, 23.5% non-White), prior to widespread availability of the COVID-19 vaccines. …

Impact Of Telelactation Services On Breastfeeding Outcomes Among Black And Latinx Parents: Protocol For The Tele-Milc Randomized Controlled Trial, Lori Uscher-Pines, Jill Demirci, Molly Waymouth, Rebecca Lawrence, Amanda Parks, Ateev Mehrotra, Kristin Ray, Maria Deyoreo, Kandice Kapinos

Psychology Publications

Background: Breastfeeding offers many medical and neurodevelopmental advantages for birthing parents and infants; however, the majority of parents stop breastfeeding before it is recommended. Professional lactation support by the International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) increases breastfeeding rates; however, many communities lack access to IBCLCs. Black and Latinx parents have lower breastfeeding rates, and limited access to professional lactation support may contribute to this disparity. Virtual “telelactation” consults that use twoway video have the potential to increase access to IBCLCs among disadvantaged populations. We present a protocol for the digital Tele-MILC trial, which uses mixed methods to evaluate the …

The Resulting Mental Health Pandemic From Covid-19: Research And Resources For Social Workers, Ami Lynch

Social Work Student Works

The COVID-19 pandemic will have long-lasting mental health impacts on hundreds of millions more worldwide than the contagion itself. Social workers are seeing increases in depression, anxiety, suicidality, and post-traumatic stress disorder and other negative mental health impacts. Because of this, social workers in all environments and modalities of practice need to be well-trained, agile, and energized while facing the pandemic themselves. This report compiles the impacts and concerns for a variety of social workers and their clients into a single, digestible source, supplemented by the “COVID-19 Resource Compendium for Social Workers and Their Clients”. Social workers must practice self-care, …

The Relationship Between Psychiatric Symptomatology Types And Difficulties With Activity Caused By A Nervous System Or Sensory Organ Condition Among Latinx’S, Oswaldo Moreno

Psychology Publications

No abstract provided.

The Bio-Psycho-Social-Cultural Domains And Their Impact On Psychopharmacological Utilization Among Latinxs, Jesus Carranza, Kyle Hernandez, Jennifer Arguetta-Contreras, Isis Garcia-Rodriguez, Oswaldo Moreno

Psychology Publications

The Latinx population has become the largest minority group in the United States (U.S.).1 Compared to non-Hispanic Whites, Latinxs are younger and have less formal education. This community is also confronted with additional stressors (i.e., more likely to have problems of unemployment, poverty, lack of insurance, and language barriers).2 Although Latinxs are just as likely as non-Hispanic Whites to suffer from a mental illness, they are more likely to go untreated.3 Specifically, Latinxs experiences with psychopharmacological treatments is not well understood but can be studied through the multipath model (MPM).4 The MPM offers a way to view the variety and …

Supporting Student Mental Health During And After Covid-19, David Bryant Naff, Shenita Williams, Jenna Furman, Melissa Lee

MERC Publications

This report by the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) in the VCU School of Education offers a rapid review of research about supporting student mental health as they return to school during COVID-19. It pulls from literature on natural disasters like hurricane Katrina, the psychological impacts of quarantine, and emergent research on the mental health impacts of the Coronavirus. The report is structured to answer three overarching questions: 1) Why is it important to address the mental health needs of students in schools? 2) How can we expect COVID-19 to impact the mental health of students? 3) What are some …

Health Conditions, Access To Care, Mental Health, And Wellness Behaviors In Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, And Transgender Adults, Richard S. Henry, Paul B. Perrin, Ashlee Sawyer, Mickeal Pugh Jr.

Psychology Publications

This study examined relationships among wellness behaviors, physical health conditions, mental health, health insurance, and access to care among a sample of 317 lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) adults. Participants completed a web-administered survey from May 2013 to April 2014. Of the sample, 41.6% of the participants reported having one or more health conditions. Most participants (92.1%) reported access to a health care facility and current health insurance coverage (84.9%), though 24.9% of those with health insurance reported being incapable of paying the copayments. Physical health conditions, age, and self-esteem explained 24% of the variance in engagement in wellness …

Acculturation, Religious Fatalism, & Psychological Healthcare Utilization Among Latinxs, Camila Tirado, Isis Garcia-Rodriguez, Oswaldo Moreno

Psychology Publications

As Latinxs acculturate to the U.S. (i.e., changes and transfer of customs from the host culture1 ), they may have more positive attitudes towards psychological healthcare utilization .2 Religious fatalism, the belief that an individual’s health is predetermined by a higher power, has also been shown to be associated with healthcare utilization, such that individuals who endorse higher religious fatalism have more negative attitudes and less health care utilization.3 Thus, acculturations’ association on healthcare utilization may be heavily influenced through religious fatalism; however, little is known about Latinxs specifically. Using a community sample of 102 (63 females and 39 males, …

Victim Silencing, Sexual Violence Culture, Social Healing: Inherited Collective Trauma Of World War Ii South Korean Military “Comfort Women”, Mijin Cho

VCU Phi Kappa Phi Award Winners

The unresolved reconciliation process for WWII South Korean military “comfort women” presents a case of nationally inherited collective trauma, in which South Koreans far removed in time and space from the historical tragedy feel its implications and obligations for reparations and social healing. In examining the South Korean comfort women redress movement and systemic concealment of WWII military sexual slavery, this study investigates a pattern of victim silencing, characterized by institutional patriarchy and ineffective government involvement, from 1945 to 2019. Following the South Korean government’s formal rejection of the 2015 agreement with Japan regarding a final and irreversible conclusion to …

Loneliness And Sleep: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Sarah C. Griffin, Allison B. Williams, Scott G. Ravyts, Samantha N. Mladen, Bruce D. Rybarczyk

Psychology Publications

Despite the mounting evidence linking loneliness with health, the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain obscure. This systematic review and meta-analysis on the association between loneliness and one potential mechanism—sleep—identified 27 relevant articles. Loneliness correlated with self-reported sleep disturbance (r = .28, 95% confidence interval (.24, .33)) but not duration, across a diverse set of samples and measures. There was no evidence supporting age or gender as moderators or suggesting publication bias. The longitudinal relationship between loneliness and sleep remains unclear. Loneliness is related to sleep disturbance, but research is necessary to determine directionality, examine the influence of other factors, …

Demographic Factors And Attitudes Towards Mental Health Medication Treatments Among Latinxs, Kyle Hernandez-Figueroa, Jesus Carranza, Jennifer Argueta-Contreras, Isis Garcia-Rodriguez, Oswaldo Moreno

Psychology Publications

Attitudes towards mental health medications vary, however negative perceptions are often born of normative cultural values, stigma, and religious fatalism,1-3 as well as overall demographic characteristics such as gender, nativity, and primary language.4,5 Further research suggests many Latinx adults fear negative outcomes from adhering to medication for mental health treatment, such as dependence and side effects and, instead, would prefer psychotherapy over psychopharmacology.1,2 Lastly, a lack of health literacy,6 culturally appropriate treatments and information,7 as well as barriers to care also have shown to impact attitudes towards mental health medication treatments among Latinxs.8 To date, little attention has been given …

Immigration Policies On Adolescent Trauma Among Mixed-Status Latinx Families: A Systematic Review, Isis Garcia-Rodriguez, Oswaldo Moreno

Psychology Publications

The current policy surrounding immigration in the United States (U.S.) has sparked negative attitudes surrounding individuals that are undocumented, as well as mixed-status families.¹ Latinx adolescents residing in the U.S. are already at risk for psychological (i.e., depression, stress, anxiety) and physical health problems (i.e., chronic and acute health problems),^2-4 and the current political climate only exacerbates these health outcomes.^5-7 These experiences are striking given that 58.9 million Latinx individuals reside in the U.S.⁸ Given the impact that these recent local and federal policies have on the largest minority group in the U.S., these policies may …

Being Mindful: A Long-Term Investigation Of An Interdisciplinary Course In Mindfulness, Sarah Ellen Braun, Patricia Kinser, Caroline K. Carrico, Alan Dow

Psychology Publications

Background: Burnout and work-related stress in health-care professionals (HCPs) is a growing concern to the optimal functioning of the health-care system. Mindfulness-based interventions may be well-suited to address burnout in HCPs.

Objective: The purpose of this study was (1) to quantitatively evaluate the effect of a mindfulness-based intervention for interdisciplinary HCPs over time and at a long-term follow-up and (2) to explore perceived benefits, facilitators, and barriers to the practice of mindfulness at the long-term follow-up.

Design: A mixed-method, repeated measures, within-subjects design was used to investigate Mindfulness for Interdisciplinary HCPs (MIHP) at baseline, post-MIHP, and a follow-up (6 …

An Analysis Of Psychological Distress Profiles And Their Correlates In Interdisciplinary Health-Care Professional Students, Samantha Mladen, Ashlee Loughan, Patricia Kinser, Marykate Crawford, Anna Jones, Sarah Edwards, Bruce Rybarczyk, Sarah E. Braun

Psychology Publications

Background: Health-care professional (HCP) students experience high levels of burnout, characterized by work- and school-related stress. Burnout is associated with a host of negative psychological and health outcomes. It may also contribute to cognitive dysfunction and decreased work productivity and may be related to trait mindfulness. This study cross-sectionally explored psychological distress and its correlates in a sample of interdisciplinary HCP students using cluster analysis.

Method: Fifty-seven interdisciplinary HCP students completed validated measures of burnout, depressive and anxiety symptoms, perceived stress, and rumination, which were entered into a cluster analysis. A neuropsychological test measured executive function; validated questionnaires assessed work …

Study Protocol For Investigating Physician Communication Behaviours That Link Physician Implicit Racial Bias And Patient Outcomes In Black Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Using An Exploratory Sequential Mixed Methods Design, Nao Hagiwara, Briana Mezuk, Jennifer Elston Lafata, Scott R. Vrana, Michael D. Fetters

Psychology Publications

Introduction Patient-physician racial discordance is associated with Black patient reports of dissatisfaction and mistrust, which in turn are associated with poor adherence to treatment recommendations and underutilisation of healthcare. Research further has shown that patient dissatisfaction and mistrust are magnified particularly when physicians hold high levels of implicit racial bias. This suggests that physician implicit racial bias manifests in their communication behaviours during medical interactions. The overall goal of this research is to identify physician communication behaviours that link physician implicit racial bias and Black patient immediate (patient-reported satisfaction and trust) and long-term outcomes (eg, medication adherence, self-management and healthcare …

Mediational Model Of Multiple Sclerosis Impairments, Family Needs, And Caregiver Mental Health In Guadalajara, Mexico, Melody N. Mickens, Paul B. Perrin, Adriana Aguayo, Brenda Rabago, Miguel A. Macías-Islas, Juan Carlos Arango-Lasprilla

Psychology Publications

Individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS), especially those living in Latin America, often require assistance from family caregivers throughout the duration of the disease. Previous research suggests that family caregivers may experience positive and negative outcomes from providing care to individuals with MS, but few studies have examined the unmet needs of individuals providing care to family members with MS and how these unmet needs may mediate the relationship between MS symptoms and caregiver mental health. The current study examined the relationships among MS impairments (functional, neurological, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional), unmet family needs (household, informational, financial, social support, and health), …

Heroic Helping: The Effects Of Priming Superhero Images On Prosociality, Daryl R. Van Tongeren, Rachel Hibbard, Megan Edwards, Evan Johnson, Kirstin Diepholz, Hanna Newbound, Andrew Shay, Russell Houpt, Athena Cairo, Jeffrey D. Green

Psychology Publications

Two experiments examined how exposure to superhero images influences both prosociality and meaning in life. In Experiment 1 (N = 246) exposed individuals to scenes with superhero images or neutral images. Individuals primed with superhero images reported greater helping intentions relative to the control group, which, in turn, were associated with increased meaning in life (indirect effect only; no direct effect). In Experiment 2 (N = 123), individuals exposed to a superhero poster helped an experimenter in a tedious task more than those exposed to a bicycle poster, though no differences were found for meaning in life. These …

An Assessment Of Health Disparities Among A Community Sample Of Lgbq College Students, Ashlee Sawyer, Paul Perrin, Eric Benotsch

Psychology Publications

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer (LGBQ) individuals are a marginalized population in the United States, and this status places them at a greater risk for adverse health outcomes, such as tobacco and substance use, obesity, cancer, sexually-transmitted infections, violence, mental health issues, and suicide. The present study used individual- and microsystem-level data from the American College Health Association (ACHA)-National College Health Assessment (NCHA) to compose a risk assessment for LGBQ students at a mid-Atlantic university. The study incorporated various levels of the ecological social model in an analysis of potentially influential factors on the development of LGBQ health disparities. 856 …

Rape And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd): Examining The Mediating Role Of Explicit Sex-Power Beliefs For Men Versus Women, Daniel J. Snipes, Jenna M. Calton, Brooke A. Green, Paul B. Perrin, Eric G. Benotsch

Psychology Publications

Many rape survivors exhibit symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and recent literature suggests survivors' beliefs about sex and control may affect PTSD symptoms. The present study examined beliefs about sex and power as potential mediators of the relationship between rape and PTSD symptoms for men versus women. Participants (N = 782) reported lifetime history of rape, current PTSD symptoms, and beliefs about sex and power. Women reported higher levels of lifetime history of rape than men (19.7% for women; 9.7% for men). While rape history predicted PTSD symptoms for both genders, beliefs about sex and power were shown to …

Knowledge And Understanding Of Health Insurance: Challenges And Remedies, Andrew J. Barnes, Yaniv Hanoch

Psychology Publications

As coverage is expanded in health systems that rely on consumers to choose health insurance plans that best meet their needs, interest in whether consumers possess sufficient understanding of health insurance to make good coverage decisions is growing. The recent IJHPR article by Green and colleagues—examining understanding of supplementary health insurance (SHI) among Israeli consumers—provides an important and timely answer to the above question. Indeed, their study addresses similar problems to the ones identified in the US health care market, with two notable findings. First, they show that overall—regardless of demographic variables—there are low levels of knowledge about SHI, which …

Women’S Decisions About Mental Health Treatment In The Perinatal Period, Marina G. Green

AUCTUS: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship

This study examined a mother’s decision-making process in regards to mental health treatment for emotional difficulties during pregnancy and/or in the postpartum period. The literature shows that different factors influence a woman’s ability and willingness to seek services, including demographic factors, cultural factors, and interactions with healthcare providers and acquaintances. A sample of women who experienced emotional difficulties in the perinatal period was recruited through social media. Participants answered an anonymous electronic survey; the quantitative data was analyzed through SPSS, and the qualitative data was aggregated by themes. Quantitative findings indicate that age might be an influencing factor for women …